London 3

These are some pictures I took while I was visiting my brother and his wife in London over the summer. I just had them framed and hung them up. I would say that I am relatively pleased with them. 

the accordion player

One of the reasons I love photography is that you are able to capture the emotion of a person in a single moment and immortalize that moment. Whenever I see this photo I remember exactly where I was, how I felt, the smells, the sounds, the heat, everything. That is what I find incredible about photography.  I love this photo for the way in which it portrays this man fully in his element. He was sitting against a wall across from the beach in Maceió, Brazil playing music with two other guys. I had to stop and take a picture.
If I hadn't have taken the time to capture this, I never would have remembered this man. I am so glad I did.

flow in curitiba

I was looking through some of my Brasil pictures the other day and amidst my nostalgia I found these two pictures that I liked. I think they work well when demonstrating flow and rhythm. I also think the word "rhythm" looks weird. I dont know why. But thats besides the point. I took these photos in a city called Curitiba. I had had a super stressful week and decided to fly down there for a day and just scope it out (man, I miss the benefits of working for an airline and flying for free whenever I wanted). This was a great little trip in the aspect that I was able to spend time taking photos and just relax. The first picture is beneath an opera house made completely of steel poles. They call it the "wire-frame" opera house. It really was stunning. The photo is actually the structure of the bridge leading to the opera house over a moat. I just really like the complex flow of the shot.

Yeah, I just think its neat.

There are plenty of things I lke about this shot. To name a few; flow, contrast, rhythm, the reflection.

I am fairly pleased with this to say the least. Fun times in Curitiba. 

blue lips

These photos are the result of an abstract portraiture I had to do. I was really into Regina Spektor at the time, and she has a song called Blue Lips so I decided to create some photos after that song. Super cheesy, I KNOW. 

I actually didn't use this photo, but i actually like it more now. I think it has to do with where the focus of the picture is. Initially you look at the blue lips, which are out of focus, and your eyes are drawn to her neck/shoulder. 

This is the photo that I actually used. I still really like it, but not as much now. Pale white skin contrasted with bright blue. Not nearly as abstract as I wanted them to be, but I kind of like the subtle abstract. 

leading lines

This week while I have been reviewing some of my photos I began to focus more on flow and rhythm, and consciously look for these characteristics in some of my work. As you may know, when most people look at an image, they dont look at the whole image at once. They see different objects or features that lead the viewers eyes to different parts of the image. These can be different lines or objects that create a path or flow for the viewers eyes.

Notice on this image how the window lines on the building, as well as the roof, draw your eyes from left to right towards the center of the image where the two structures meet. The structure on the right plays a part in keeping your focus from going off of the page.

This may be the most simple and blatant example of leading lines. The car lights draw your eyes towards the back of the image, but the light on the rock at the back gives your eyes somewhere to rest.

love local

About a year ago I did some photo work for a few local shops; SLOWTRAIN and FICE. I was really into small aperture stuff and I felt pleased with how they turned out and I was thrilled to promote some local shops. I am a huge supporter of local businesses and local artists. I think these are two incredible shops and I think that we locals need to take more advantage of what we have around us. 

FICE

SLOWTRAIN

These are two amazing shops and we should all do our part to make sure they stick around. 

SUPPORT LOCAL

chain-link

I would like to focus this post around three images of the same object. I, for some reason, have always really enjoyed these images. I think they are a good example of what I enjoy photographing: normal mundane objects we see everyday.
Although these images are not extremely distinct from one another, they are at the same time. I guess one of the reasons I like the three images together is that each of them has somewhat of a different feel to them.

I feel like the top two images have a colder feel to them, whereas the bottom one has more warmth, due to the sepia tones incorporated in it. Maybe I am just weird for being stoked on pictures of a chain-link fence, nevertheless, I am stoked on them. I think the sharp focus on a certain parts of the bent links creates a flow and rhythm that is pleasing to the eye. Then again, maybe I am just weird.

time in images

This week I have been somewhat obsessed with shutter-speed. I think it is amazing how we can capture the movement of light in such a vivid manner. My goal when shooting, was not only to show the beams of light but time in relation to the photo. When I say that, I mean actually depicting how time can pass in a single image and make you feel the movement occurring. 

The shutter speed in this photo isn't too long. Just enough to capture the movement of the cars and of my movement. I took this while driving(not recommended, probably worse than texting and driving), so you can really see my movement in the street lights relative to the cars in front.

This image obviously has a longer exposure, I believe it was around 25 seconds. I like constancy of the flow of light with the random variations due to the height of the vehicles. Also the light hitting the furthest rock just before the turn gives your eyes something to rest at after being lead there by the car lights. 

I especially like the variation in this photo. There is the movement of cars all along the freeway, yet the fireworks seem to lock you in the moment. I have always been stoked on this shot. I just wish there was more flow of lights guiding you to the fireworks instead of away from them. You win some, you lose some right?

A Glimpse of the real SLC

As stated in my header, I'll be including some of my own work on here from time to time. I hope that I can use this opportunity to receive some critiques, seeing as how we are forced to comment on each others blogs.
The photos I have chosen to post are some that I took about a year ago. For the portrait section of my portfolio I decided to focus on someone I didn't know in their natural element. This brought me to the homeless of downtown SLC. I spent about a half hour talking to Craig before shooting. He was a very emotional and opinionated man, which I feel was captured in the photos.

I feel like all three of these photos capture Craig's for who he is, especially this last one. When I look into his eyes I can actually feel like I am sitting there with him again. Beneath his dry humor and calm personality there is hurt, stress, and exhaustion. 

I chose black and white because I feel like it draws attention to the colder side of the photos. Without being distracted by color, it is possible to see directly to Craig and the realness of it all. 

I tried to imitate the photo style of Leroy Skalstad, who is famous for not only depicting scenes from the street, but also attempting to capture the emotions and feelings of those being photographed. This is why I felt it necessary to gain a relationship with Craig before I started shooting. I wanted to know him and his personality, and try and let that bleed out of the photos. 

Spending time with Craig and his friends was an experience I'll never forget, and with the help of these photos, I was able to capture the emotions we felt that day. 

"Child of the Digital Revolution"

Thinking about contemporary artists, it is hard for me not to think of Mason Fetzer. I went to one of his shows a little over a year ago and was blown away by his work. Mason's talents reach from graphic design to large-scale murals to spray painted vinyl records. I had the privilege of meeting Mason after that show and again while he had a booth set up during the Salt Lake Arts Festival, it didn't hurt that I am friends with his younger sister Emeri . This U of U grad, majoring in Fine Art,  has had a great influence on modern art and has pioneered a style of art called "plexis". This form is created by stacking separate sheets of painted plexiglas on top of each other to show depth to the piece.

I am constantly impressed by his urban methods and the way he continues to experiment with his art. Recently he participated in the exhibit "Manifest Hope:DC" for the inauguration of President Obama and he also painted the trophies for the 2010 US Snowboarding Grand Prix.

The more I dig into Mason's art and photography, the more intrigued and stoked I become. Mason is one of those naturally talented artists, with such an amazing eye for design and the skills to put those ideas onto whatever his canvas may be.

I urge you to check out his website, it is sooo good.

contemplating copeland

Radical? Controversial? Muted? Expressive?

These are a few of the terms I have heard describing John Copelands work. I have been periodically following the Brooklyn based artists work for some time now. As a painter myself, I have noticed the contrast between the different styles of painters and artists. I have always been a huge fan of Copeland. Not only for the muted thick brush strokes or for his controversial works, but i feel like i really agree with the content in his works. I have always looked at art as a way to show the magnificent in the mundane, and i believe Copeland does that incredibly.

His works have progressed and strengthened yet maintained a similar style and theme. Figures, gestures, architecture,  hands and people are commonly spread on his canvases. The people in his works he calls either antagonists or protagonists. Just characters in his art, but nothing literal.

Some of his work, which may be labeled as controversial, is because it is almost pornographic. But, if this is what he needs to do in order to express and convey his emotions in the way he wants, then i fully support him.

When i say that he shows the magnificent in the mundane, i mean to show the beauty in the simple things we pass everyday. You can see in the simplicity in his content, but when you actually study it, it is possible to see much more.

fim

When in Salvador i wanted to be a baiano. When in Porto Alegre i wished i had been born a gaúcho. And so it goes. I am bummed to leave my second home. I wish i could stay.

crabs in fortaleza
park in porto alegre
boats salvador

Manaus II

Went back to Manaus to execute all of the events that we had planned the week before. Like any other business trip, it was totally exhausting but always a great time. One morning we were able to go out on the boat with the owner of Tropical Club to the "Encontro das Águas". This is where the rivers "Rio Negro" and "Rio Simões" meet. Rio Negro is much darker and Simões, drastically lighter. The incredible thing is that the two rivers do not mix. It is really a spectacular sight. For an enormous length of water, these two rivers run side by side, without mixing. The contrast is so definite it seems fake. So after a week of non-stop work, these few hours before catching our flight back to rainy São Paulo made the trip.

MANAUS

HUMID. hot. Work, work, meetings. Feel like a movie star with all the double takes amidst the city of indians at the shopping. Cupuaçu and açaí ice cream. R$25 for the worst internet. Best café da manhã at the Tropical. Meetings. Found internet at shopping. Computer dies. Meetings. Found lamanites at Papo Furado. Sleep. Sit around. Go to marina for boat ride. Broken trailer = no more boat ride. Longest ride around the city. takaká. Picanha. Sleep. Up at 5. Drive an hour and a half. Breakfast of Graviola juice, tapioca, and pupunha. Kayaking down the Amazon. Weird Amazonian guide sidekick drinking the river water. Danny falls in river. Ben falls in river with camera. More pupunha, farofa, and cupuaçu. Jumping off the bridge into the river. Ben hits arm with branch and left with bruise that looks like sweet under arm tat. Drive back. Guy is pissed at Greg = no more boat ride. Flamengo v. Vasco. More Flamengo fans than in Rio. Crazy crazy people at the praça watching the game. Ben and Danny are lost then found. Terrible flight at 1 am. Get in at 6. Rain and traffic. Get to the office at 9.

I think these pictures capture the beauty and the lack of beauty in Manaus. The city is nothing spectacular, but floating down the Amazon on a Sunday morning is incomparable. The city has the same sounds and sights of any city, but the sounds and sights found on our journey down the river can only be found there. The contrast is incredible.

Kayak launch
Houses on a part of the river
Amazon at sunset
Favela
Favela

Foz de Iguaçu

There is a reason that the Foz de Iguaçu are on the list for the 7 Natural Wonders of the world. Sooo dope. Fly to Maringá. diligent rental car man. the 4 1/2 hours to Foz with the Seu Jorge. Most intense set of falls, looks like this is where they got the idea for Avatar land. Required sunga photos. Rafting down Iguaçu River with Israel, spent more time in the river than in the raft. Ben finding some Japanese peeps and unintentionally stealing this dudes girlfriend. Cruise into Argentina, chill at a little table at Feirinha eating olives, cheese and salami. Snacking on delicious ice cream, then Argentinian Churrasco. Uber dope hostel, Casino without profit, intense dance club, 3 hours of sleep. Into Paraguay with fake pin drives, coffee grower outfits, people selling electronics and socks like they are the hottest thing. Terrible parking scam. Car searched at boarder. Back to Argentina, 7 kilos of herva. 4 1/2 hours back to Maringá. Always with Seu Jorge. Flight to São Paulo.

After Rafting
Up close


The whole set of falls is at least 7 times the size of Niagra Falls.

Floripa and Búzios

Work is crazy during the week, but we always make the weekends worth it. We went to Rio during Carnaval and didnt sleep for about 5 days. It was a great time and we met some super dope people. During this Rio trip we decided to rent a car and drive "2" hours to Búzios. Well the drive there was fine, but the drive back in a tiny car without air conditioning in 110º weather in stop and go traffic for 5 hours turned out to be what i imagine Hell to be like. Búzios was worth it though and the little stop in Saquarema was great too. The next week we went to Florianópolis which was incredible. I love Floripa. Great beaches, super chill, and great food. My favorite part was right after sandboarding we went across the street to shower off and the showers are run by this British dude. We start talking to him and he ends up telling us that he found the Arc of the Covenant in Floripa and that he needs our help. Also that he is being held prisoner by the reggae men and being forced to write music. Also that he has Star Wars dreams and George Lucas is a Prophet. He told us all of this while staring at something and plucking random strings on his guitar in his safari hat. So dope.

Where i live
Ben sandboarding in Floripa
Where we ate the best Moqueca in Floripa

Búzios


Yes, Búzios is gorgeous