What an entertainer with solid stage presence. Marley Taylor really rocked the house at Sound Bites Grill last Friday night. She was there with her Marley Taylor Trio. Marley, originally from Pittsburgh, grew up singing professionally in Houston at age 12. In 1994 after spending a few years in Nashville, she was signed to Sony Publishing for a songwriting contract. She also appeared on The Nashville Network TV show series Riders In The Sky. After moving to Arizona a few years later, Marley became a staple in the Scottsdale/Phoenix music scene with the popular act Zowie Bowie. The group became a hit at Scottsdale’s premier nightclub, Barcelona, later signing with Station Casinos in Las Vegas for a lengthy contract.
Image from behind the stage at Sound Bites Grill with the Marley Taylor Trio
When prepping images for newspaper releases I will often make the conversion to black and white to get the best quality possible. Often the graphics people will just push the greyscale button which doesn’t give the best contrast for the image. I will also over-sharpen the image so that when printed on newsprint and the ink spreads the image will still appear sharp.
And of course the Marley Taylor Trio made it to the ‘Wall of Fame’
Images were captured with the Panasonic Lumix GH4 and the 35-100mm Lumix Vario f2.8 lens. With the density range this camera has there are less problems with capturing the LED lighting that is used exclusively on-stage.
I do a monthly radio show on KAZM Radio in Sedona, AZ. This episode of Tech Talk with Mike Tabback we talk about the convention Imaging USA in Nashville where I was fortunate enough to receive my Professional Photographers of America Master Artist Photography Degree and Imaging Excellence Award along with the American Society of Photographers Bronze Award…
In the second half of the show we chat about the Panasonic Lumix FZ 1000 and it’s 4K video capabilities. This camera has an amazing range and wonderful Imaging Optimization Stabilizer… (if you don’t want to hear about the awards part of the show pick up at around minute 13 for the Lumix camera conversation)
Did a pre-dawn run to help create some marketing images for Red Rock Jeep Tours with the Jane Zane Ad Agency. Worked in a great spot that allowed us to have a view of the red rocks in the background. It was wonderful collaborating with Jane. This is the first time I’ve worked with her and look forward more photo shoots in the future…
Red Rock Jeep Tours jeep in early AM light.
Another view of Red Rock Jeep
Images captured with the Lumix GH4 and the 35-100 f2.8 Lumix Vario glass. Exposure 1/80 sec f9 ISO 200. Multiple images were made to control contrast of the scene and blended together…
A conversation that often appears in forums or where artists or photographers gather is one of is photography art?
From Wikipedia – Fine art photography is photography created in accordance with the vision of the artist as photographer.
I absolutely believe it to be true. Look at different photographers through the generations and you’ll find there are several that stand out in different aspects of photography head and shoulders above the rest of the field.
Why? For some it is the pioneering of new techniques. For others it is the subject matter chosen. For still others it is an ability to see light where others find it not. I know early in my career I was hanging out with another photographer and watched him take a photo. I was not sure what he was seeing. Turns out it was a picture of the ground and some shadows created from multi-colored lights. It was captivating! And I never saw it…
Vision. Technique. Tools. All of these things make it possible to create something. Some can push the limits and make the ordinary extraordinary. That my friends is the art of photography. If you give the same camera, lens and subject to 10 different photographers you will receive 10 different photographs. Will all of them be art? No. Will any of them? Possibly. It depends on the skills of the maker with that particular subject, lighting skills.
“…it does seem to me that Capa has proved beyond all doubt that the camera need not be a cold mechanical device. Like the pen, it is as good as the man who uses it. It can be the extension of mind and heart…” – John Steinbeck.
Is my photography art? Some is… but not all.
That’s why I continue to pursue education, to attend classes and conventions, study images, study the classic painters, photographers and cinematographers, read books and magazines on photography, painting and color, experiment, practice and teach. (cause I learn a ton when I teach – I also love to see the lights go on in someone’s eyes as they begin to understand new concepts)
Let’s check in with other art genres and see what they have to say…
I have discovered photography. Now I can kill myself. I have nothing else to learn. – Pablo Picasso
I have always been very interested in photography. I have looked at far more photographs than I have paintings. Because their reality is stronger than reality itself. – Francis Bacon
What are your thoughts on photography as Fine Art?
Butterflies! Even the name kind of pushes you to run back to childhood. Especially when you walk in and the first thing that happens is a butterfly flutters around your head… and then lands on your nose! Really!
I decided to take the Lumix FZ 1000 because of the long reach, 4K video and fast glass to see what I could see…
This moth caught my eye. The warm tones and patterns with the cool colors toward the center really worked for me.
The long zoom allowed for some really nice bokeh.
A more traditional butterfly capture of a monarch on a flower.
I told you the butterfly came to visit up close and personal. Thanks to fellow visitor Phyllis Pardoll for capturing
the fleeting moment and sending me the quick snap before my visitor departed.
OK you know me and even though nature is beautiful in her own right I had to play to see what I could do to push the patterns of the moth to new places. Let me know what you think!
This is still a work in progress. Experimentation rules!
Hope you don’t mind but I want to take a few minutes here to introduce you to and do a salute to my best friend, girl friend, business partner and wife.
Her name is Holly and she makes it possible for me to accomplish the things I do.
You may have noticed in some of the last few weeks posts on my blog, Facebook and twitter that I have been fortunate enough to win some awards for my photography from Professional Photographers of America, American Society of Photographers and our state group Arizona Professional Photographers Association.
Holly is my sponsor at the Ceremony at PPA convention in Nashville receiving the Master Artist Degree.
(Thanks for the image sequence from Robin Swanson Photography)
Holly is the bookkeeper for the business and our personal finances. She makes sure all the bills are paid on time.
Holly is the maintenance engineer for the house. If there’s a dripping faucet she’ll grab a wrench and know which washer to get from the hardware store.
In her life before we met she was a landscape designer and so the area around our home is always looking manicured because she doesn’t mind getting her hands dirty and making sure all is in order. (including cleaning up after the Javalina that have decided our yard is their lavatory)
Holly feeds the hummingbirds and sets out water for the other birds and wildlife that frequent our yard. (Often getting up early to make sure the bowls are thawed from overnight freezing)
She’s takes care that I look spiff and professional taking care of the laundry and not letting me wear the comfy shirts out in public that are, shall we say, ‘Past Their Prime”? (you know we guys don’t notice that stuff)
When I travel for business all is packed and proper because of her attention to detail.
Meals are wonderful. Sometimes she’ll even let me help clean up.
She has been my biggest supporter and cheerleader over the years and should I let any of the accolades go to my head she’ll be the first to make sure my ego is held firmly in check. (think of the ‘head smack’ Agent Gibbs gives to his team on CBS’s NCIS)
They say that behind every successful man there’s a great woman. My great woman is Holly. (look good in red doesn’t she?)
Holly does even more but I think you get the idea… My creativity in making images, service to the photography profession and service to our community is possible because of her.
I can’t tell you how fortunate I am to have someone like Holly in my life and I give thanks every day.
Yours in Creative Photography, Bob
PS – I’d love to hear about who has helped you and supported you in your endeavors…
OK let’s take a look at the actual video that I pulled the stills from in the previous post. The Lumix FZ 1000 is quite impressive. This video is about 30 seconds short and worth a quick peek and probably tells the story a little better than words alone. Check it out.
Lumix FZ 1000 video captured in Nashville at the Imaging USA Convention
Woke up in the middle of the night thinking about possibilities. Love/Hate it when that happens!
Let me set the stage for this no pun intended.
Imaging USA in Nashville.
Huge Atrium with band across the way.
Playing with the Lumix FZ 1000.
Standing here with this view in the camera when it was set to it’s widest field of view. See the video here…
Opreyland hotel atrium IUSA closing party band.
Not really too much to get excited about right? WRONG!
Here’s why. Same camera. Same position. Zoomed in. Hand held. AND, the images below were pulled from video!
Lead singer in band video still.
Another version.
Version three.
Here’s the beauty of this. These stills were all within moments of each other as the lighting was flashing and changing allowing me to select the moment when the lighting color was as I wished and the hair in place. Did I mention that this was captured hand held? The Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) is absolutely incredible. People were standing behind me or passing y a stopping with, “What camera is that???” popping out of their mouths when they saw the zoom range and stability on the back of the camera.
Is this camera promoted as a pro camera? Nope it’s a Bridge camera. Above an advanced amateur but missing some pro features. Does it have a place in a pros kit. You bet! At the very least the ultimate vacation camera. And I’ve found several uses for the reach and 4K video capabilities of this camera. Remember you can pull 8 mega pixel stills from 4K video…
OK now that I’ve written this post maybe I can get a nap to make up for the sleep I missed last night…
Comedian Dana Daniels his parrot Luigi were at Sound Bites Grill last week before I left for the PPA Convention Imaging USA in Nashville. Really enjoyed the show and as soon as I got back I got to working on the image for the SBG ‘Wall of Fame’.
Dana Daniels live on stage with Luigi with audience participation.
Dana does a lively and fun show involving the audience at every possible moment to help with the magic or to help as a foil for his humor. A good time was had by all…
Even Luigi. He smiled throughout the entire performance.
Images were made with the Lumix GH4 and the 35-100mm f2.8 Lumix Vario Leica lens. This combo works well. The longer zoom gives plenty of reach to capture the live stage action from across the room. I find it’s important when photographing live events to cover them unobtrusively. The GH4 has plenty of density to encompass the range of harsh lighting conditions caused by the use of LED stage lighting and the 12 frames per second doesn’t hurt for stopping action with juggling objects during the show. Setting were ISO 3200 f2.8 shutter between 1/15 to 1/60th sec in Aperture Priority with an exposure compensation of minus 1 stop to make sure I didn’t loose the highlights in the scene and to account for the black curtains and deep shadows.
I was extremely fortunate in PPA Imaging Competition this past year.
It resulted in earning a Silver Photographer of the Year Award in the Photographic Open and a Diamond Photographer of the Year Award in the Artist category. For those unfamiliar with the awards they are for having all four of your images submitted attaining Merit status which for simplicity sake is defined as an ‘above-average’ image made by an ‘above-average’ photographer. The Silver designation comes from additionally having one of those images selected for inclusion into the PPA Loan Collection. The Diamond comes from all four of the images being accepted in the the Loan Collection of which there were only 24 this year. For more in-depth information on the International Photographic Competition and awards check here.
Diamond four for four Merits with four Loan Collection images. Silver four for four Merits with one Loan Collection image. Imaging Excellence Award for thirteen Loan Collection images. Three medals are for the Degrees the most recent being the Master Artist Degree.
The American Society of Photographers has an additional judging of their member’s Loan Collection images and
Awards a Gold, Silver and Bronze Medallion to the top three ASP member images.
Received lots of congratulations from fellow photographers that remind me of what a wonderful way we have to make a living, learning, sharing while being creative. I am truly thankful that this is the way I choose to make my living and live my life among so many wonderful people.
Yours in Creative Photography, Bob
PS – You think there are any possibilities for press releases from this good fortune? You betcha!
For infrared conversion of my cameras I use LifePixel. Infrared allows you to put an older camera to use and opens up a new time time of day for productive image creation.
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