A recent commercial photography client in Richmond, VA is a martial arts group. The group practices Capoeira, a martial art originally disguised as dance. The art comes from Brazil where African slaves practiced the art. As I am discovering the art is fascinating to experience and intriguing to learn about. The group embraces music as it strongly associated with the practice of Capoeira. The music seems to keep the ‘players’ moving and rhythmically chasing and lunging at each other throughout the routines.
As I have experience photographing various sports, I am accustomed to moving with and timing my shots. It takes a few routines to start anticipating the sweeping and incredibly athletic movements with the camera. Once the moves are connected the routines create a remarkable display of movement from the human body. Quite fascinating to experience.
Formerly known as Tour de Chesapeake. This year’s Bike Walk Virginia cycling event experienced an extreme makeover. Well, maybe not terribly extreme, but a makeover just the same. Working on my commercial photographer portfolio, events such as this allow me a varied body of work to pull from.
A slight departure was made from previous years in that a larger ‘festival’ type of event was produced. With multiple bands, catered parties, and many local Mathews, VA businesses pitching in, the cycling event topped itself with the new format. The event showed that it is a very family-oriented weekend with lots of things for everyone to participate in.
The local residents, businesses, and government have always welcomed the cycling community and this year was no different. With warm, sunny weather and beautiful miles of roads taking cyclists along the Chesapeake Bay, the weekend event will certainly remain on the rider’s minds as a ‘must do’.
Another year has come around and Richmond Pro Cycling (RPC) is in full swing. I’ve work with RPC for several years providing commercial photography services.
Recently the cycling team held a fund raiser to introduce the 2010 team and to highlight areas where the team will focus their philanthropic work. A very notable guest, Dwight Jones, Richmond City Mayor joined the event. The mayor was presented with a framed team cycling jersey for his support of RPC’s ongoing work with children in the Richmond area.
Craig Dodson, founder of RPC, asked if I could provide art as a donation for the silent auction at the fund raiser. I am always bouncing ideas around and this was the opportunity to let one of my photography ideas run. I attempted to capture the metallic feel of bicycle components in print media. By taking close in shots and printing on metallic paper the feel of the materials was more pronounced. I am pleased with the results and plan to use this material for other projects. The work was well-received at the fund raiser and my items sold for a handsome price. It was nice to provide the team with resources other than the commercial photography that I donate for use in print media and presentations.
This year one of my goals is to work on more personal projects. Part of that work requires studio lights. I already have a suitable set of studio lights. However, for location work, I need to have a set of lights that will give me all of the power I may need for the majority of my work. This means battery-powered lights. This set will also replace my current studio set. No point in having one set for the studio and another set to lug around on location. I want one that does it all. Again. Battery power.
Stay tuned. I will be posting more as soon as I purchase and start using the new light set.
In my quest to find the right set of lights for my work, and researching the brand I will likely go with, I ran across a music video that shows just how far some artists are pushing the use of photography lighting gear. Now, battery-powered lights are not used in the video – the set used in the vid is their top of the line AC-powered ‘pack’ – it’s just that they are made by the same company (Profoto) I am likely going with for my next lighting – that’s how I discovered the vid.
This video is shot with a digital SLR camera (the same one I use as my main body) and studio strobe lighting. Yes. A video shot with a still camera and strobe lights – NOT in video mode (this camera does not have video mode), and NOT continuos video lights.
Although I don’t use it very often, I do like the fact that my camera shoots 10 frames per second, it is fun to catch a sequence of shots from time to time. However, I never thought of using it to shoot a video. Not like this.
So check out the vid first and then the making of the vid. Amazing.
As I continue to look at photographic challenges for myself, I follow a blog (Strobist) that is perfect for introducing those challenges. Most often, I simply work to duplicate certain techniques illustrated by the blog posts, which is great practice for me.
The blog is dedicated to techniques that promote minimal lighting equipment and maximal improvisation and photographic skill of the photographer. This is a great way to practice the art of photography for many reasons. One of which is an obvious one; Professional photographic equipment can be extremely expensive. There are times when big, expensive, feature-packed equipment is required. However, as I am learning from the blog’s teachings, there are many opportunities when similar (and equally acceptable) results with minimal equipment can be obtained.
Aside from the price point of the recommended equipment promoted by the Strobist blog, the learning aspect of using low-feature, low-power gear evolves into a great asset the photographer can utilize throughout their career. Information and skills gained from practicing the aforementioned skills are the big reason I subscribe to the blog.
In addition to posting lighting and photographic techniques, the blog also publishes assignments for the readership. As personal photographic challenges go, I have yet to take on an assignment put forth by a party other than myself. After reading about the current Strobist assignment I decided it was time to take on something that was of another’s conception as the challenge seemed well within my current comfort level. So off I went.
I was out of town for the July 4th weekend with my usual minimalist travel pack of camera gear. It provides me just enough functionality for most applicaitons. After setting up my ‘travel studio’ I started pulling food objects from the fruit basket and refrigerator as potential subjects.
The results were satisfactory and I was happy to dial in my lighting and exposure. However, one little gem I stumbled across was an orange bell pepper that was previously used for a dish. About half of the body was intact with part of the core as well. It provided more content for composition technique as it was rather unique.
As I played with different lighting effects and positions I finally nailed the look I was hoping for. This turned out the be the shot I submitted for the assignment.
Something about the enroaching state of decay slowly pushing it past its prime along with the various contours and facets really caught my interest. In addition to the interesting details, the simplistic starkness of the darkened background helps push forward the impact of the overall shape. I get the sense of a familiar object with less familiar details.
For those interested, below is the set up I used for the shot. Two small strobe flashes (wirelessly fired) with modifiers along with a makeshift reflector card on the kitchen counter top. About as minimilist as you can get.
Last night was a late night for many Henrico county constituents as they waited their turn to speak and listen to others speak. The occasion was to address the current 2026 Comprehensive Plan in a public forum. It was the last chance for interested parties to speak up and let their thoughts and concerns be heard before the County Board of Supervisors votes to approve the plan.
Being a life-long resident (37 of my 40 years) of Henrico county (Brookland district), I can appreciate the varying needs and perspectives of the county constituents. Growing up riding my bicycle to and from school and everywhere in between, the changes to the county I’ve seen have been incredible. Some better than others.
As expected, the night was filled with various perspectives, opinions, and facts. It was an empowering feeling to listen to the passionate thoughts and suggestions presented by many residents of the county specifically, Varina residents, an area that is proposed to be developed.
College students, citizen advocacy groups, small-farm farmers, retired farmers, local residents, business interests, you name it. They were there, and they all had excellent points about their interests. Looking at the map of Henrico and the proposed development, I can’t help but think what will happen when the land is no longer farms and open space.
Dr. Kimberly Perry spoke on behalf of Bike Walk Virginia about the need to address bike and pedestrian accommodations. Thomas Bowden also addressed critical points concerning the need to devote attention towards bike/ped needs. Additionally, Dr. Tracy Wright, pediatrician at Richmond Pediatrics Associates spoke on addressing the rising childhood health concerns when considering new community development.
If you did not make it to the meeting last night, follow the link at the top of this post and voice your concerns about this plan. There is still time to make your opinion known to the County Board of Supervisors. Thanks are in order to all that attended and facilitated the meeting. It was a late night but a great way to see our government at work.
