I just discovered surf photographer Chris Burkard today (via Chase Jarvis), and I am absolutely IN LOVE with this photo.
The complementary contrast of the green and blue throughout the photo, and the beautiful light rimming the top of the waves and backlighting some of the green surf is GORGEOUS.
Check out more of his incredible work here.
Just watched this beautiful short animated film and I love the use of black & white, the animation techniques, and most of all – the story.
Take a look and you’ll see what I mean.
From the sports-announcer-style narration to the simple yet quirky animation, I love, love, LOVE this video! It’s the result of a graphics design class assignment (produced by Utah Valley University students Lauren Casper, William McCrery, and Audrey Moore) that gives both an enlightening and humorous take on a big problem on their campus.
Although the video was obviously intended for an audience of fellow UVU students who could relate to the parking lot drama (as well as the class instructor and ultimately, university administrators), viewers far removed from college life can enjoy this too. Like sports play-by-play? You’ll like the video. Enjoy line drawing and graphic animation? You’ll like it. Ever had to hunt for/wait for/fight for a parking spot in a crowded lot? You’ll like it. Ever lost a spot to an *#%@ driver who won’t look you in the eye while they steal the prize? You’ll…well, you might not love the video, but you might have an ironic laugh or two, and you’ll understand the message.
Bree’s Critique : Terrific writing, good voiceovers, clear and effective animation, and a perfect mix of humor and commentary on a big issue. Bonus points for the creative and humorous “sideline commentary” on Vultures vs. Squatters, and the dangers of the Stalker strategy.
I’ve seen this commercial a few times recently, and I think it’s terrific….until the last 4 seconds. It has interesting characters, a quick mystery, a happy ending with an important lesson, and looks cool visually. But the cops offering the kid a doughnut?? Seriously?!? The commercial is awesome without that tired old joke.
Check out the video below and see if you agree with me.
Bree’s Critique: Terrific casting, great camera work, nice editing and color toning, good story and message, but the overused “cops and doughnuts” element at the end throws a sour note on the ad and should have been left out.
I had the opportunity today to meet Kiera, a photographer in my area whose blog I have been following for quite a while because I like her work. If you check it out, you’ll immediately see why. Kiera does great portraits that have a warm, funky feel to them (and I mean warm in the best possible way) and her kid shots are truly real.
Here is one my FAVORITE pictures that Kiera made (of her daughter at Halloween):
Awesome.
Anyway, what made meeting Kiera so great today was that she was nice, friendly, and open – a gal willing to talk and share about photography with another photographer. It is actually a rare quality, I’ve found. Many photographers out there are so scared that you’ll take business away from them that they are as friendly as a porcupine with allergies. (It is an odd thing that I hadn’t expected at all when I first got into the professional photography business.)
But Kiera wasn’t a porcupine. And neither is Jen. Or Justin. (They totally rock, and I’ll talk about them soon.)
Happy New Year 2010 to all my friends and readers!
I’ve been having fun reviewing various “Best Photos of 2009” lists and online galleries. There are WAY too many to share here (and I’m sure you’ve already found many on your own), so I thought that I would share one specific photo and then let you get back to your celebrations.
I actually hadn’t seen this one published during the past year, and I’m bummed I didn’t see it earlier because it is pretty awesome!! I love the colors and the contrast between them, the terrific dusting patterns, the shape of the toes and feet, and the subtle vignette. Any photo that can tell a great story using only the bottom 6″ of a person’s body gets two thumbs up in my book!
Copyright Alastair Grant/AP Photo.
You can see more great photojournalism pictures here or do a Google search using the phrase “Best of 2009 Photos” or “Best Photos of 2009.” Happy surfing!
I love, love, love this photo by Kate Owen! It recently garnered first place in the fine art category of American Photo’s GoPro Competition.
I love the carefree summer scene, the lightness, the perfect balance between golden tones and blue sky, and especially the 70’s-style theme and photo processing of the image that still somehow manages to look classic.
If I was the gal in the image, it would be awesome… because that would mean that I would be on a great feel-the-wind-in-your-hair road trip with friends, relaxing, eating Popsicles, and listening to the Beach Boys and Will Smith on my iPod Summer Mix.
What kind of summer fun do you think of when you look at this photo?
Just ran across some rockin’ portrait photos of actor Robert Pattinson (best known for his role as Edward the Vampire in the movie Twilight, although I am proud to say that I recognized him from one of the Harry Potter films before he became famous as the perfect undead boyfriend). Below is one of five published photos taken for GQ Magazine by Nathaniel Goldberg.
I LOVE Goldberg’s focus, the lighting, his choice of black and white versus color for this shot, and especially the shape of Pattinson’s hair. SO awesome. The image is similar to my vision of what I want to achieve with my portraiture – anyone out there up for a practice shoot?
My thoughts: Pattinson is one of those people that can look very intriguing and handsome or very unkempt and unattractive depending upon the way that he is shot by a photographer. There isn’t a consistent “oh, he’s so good-looking” feel to the images created of him, nor is there a consistent “ugh, not so much” feel. I attribute his perceived handsomeness to the skill and aim of the photographer…and the amount of facial hair that Pattinson is sporting on any given day.
My question to you, my reader, is – would you rather have a photographer capture you “as is” – freckles, crooked nose, or pointy chin and all – or would you rather have him/her capture you as ideally as possible – soft light, angled in a way that hides your nose or chin? Is the absolute real more beautiful than the idealized? Modern photography trends easily go either way. Let me know what you think!
Wow…. the People magazine cover featuring Captain Chelsey Sullenberger is one of the best portraits that I have seen recently in a common publication. The lighting is beautiful and spot-on, the baby (youngest survivor of Flight 1549) is angelic and his pose perfect, the red blanket is an integral piece of supporting color, Capt. Sullenberger looks every bit as relaxed and humble as he is in person, and the Madonna-esque theme of the image is perfect for the story.
I couldn’t stop looking at this image when I received my weekly People in the mail. Find a copy yourself and you’ll understand what I’m talking about.
Nigel Parry with CPI created this stunning portrait.
I LOVE having the window seat when I fly on commercial airliners. I never get tired of looking out over the miniature landscape below or following the pleasing lines of the wing out into the sunset. And when you’re up in the clouds, so close it seems that you could touch them, I dream of being free from the bounds of gravity and bouncing from each fluffy cloud to the next. And I always think about what a great picture a certain scene from my airplane window would make.
Which is why I felt an interesting mix of excitement and regret when I learned that Julieanne Kost (Adobe guru) is showing an exhibit titled In Flight, a collection of her images taken from airplane windows. Excitement because another photographer saw the same roundish-square window as an exciting conduit to a picture as I have so many times, and regret that I haven’t taken all those pictures I thought about. Shutter regret is not a pretty thing.
However, planes are still flying and I still have time and opportunity (as the economy permits) to capture my vision from those windows. In the meantime, check out this link to see more of Julieanne’s work at Modernbook Gallery, and if you’re in California don’t miss the exhibit!
This is the FINE ART of aerial photography.
