Senior photography should be exciting and fun for both the senior and the parents.  This should include the session and the final images. With this in mind, I now offer themed senior photo sessions. 

The theme can be practically anything, and not necessarily what the senior did in high school, or what they are going to do (or think they'll do) after graduation. It could be cosplay based on their favorite movie, book or video game. It could be historical period costume, or even a gag theme. It can be with friends and family. It's about fun, individual expression, memories and breaking away.  

​The packages can include graphic products (like the movies poster seen here) or short theme videos featuring highlights of session images. 

Nate graduates high school this year and is on his way to college.  During the initial consult, his mom showed me a photo of Nate in his restored classic car looking over a pair of Ray Bans.  It reminded me of "Risky Business" and suggested an 80s teen coming of age movie theme. Nate and mom were all in! 

The sessions include a mix of theme-based and traditional images.  For Nate's session, I also made a custom movie poster and a short video revolving around the 80s teen movie theme. 

If you're interested in a themed photo session, or any of my photography services, follow this link to contact me. Thanks for dropping by, enjoy the images,  and see you next week. 

I want to thank everyone who came out to the Piney Woods Art Festival in Enterprise, Alabama this weekend, especially those who dropped by my booth. The positive response to "Abandoned Wiregrass," as well as my prints and framed art, was overwhelming. I would especially like to thank the Coffee County Arts Alliance for hosting the event and allowing me to attend. Piney Woods has been a vital part of the community fabric in Enterprise for as long as I can remember. This was my first year participating, and I will be sure to return. 

My photo "Winter Chairs" was honored with Best In Show. This kinda blows me away, because there were some SERIOUSLY talented artists at the event. I am honored and grateful. 

It was great to see many friends drop by the booth, including old friends from college I have not seen in many years. I received an unexpected surprise when, in the festival's closing hour,  I heard a voice say "That's my shack!"  Sure enough, it was the gentleman who owns the cabin featured on the cover of Abandoned Wiregrass.  I had not seen Mr. Waters since the day I took that image. We had a great time catching up and talking about the shack's history, and other places around the local area that might be good candidates for future photos. 

I'm not sure when or where my next event will be, as the local art festival scene slows down in the summer. I'll be taking the  opportunity to keep writing my fiction novels, as well as riding the roads (on my motorcycle, of course!) looking for my next photograph.

Keep checking back for updates!

#pineywoodsartfestival #artfestival #photography #awardwinning

This blog post is for the photography buffs out there. Last weekend I had the honor of taking photos of Temple Monarc,  a fantastic L.A.-based band with original music and a classic rock sound.  Instead of just showing you some images, I'd like to talk about how I approach live performance photography.  I learned photography primarily by taking live music performance images. Due to the dynamic challenges of light, subject and composition, it is a steep learning curve.  It is a brutal way to learn the art, and I highly recommend it. Those lessons translate easily to any other genre of photography.

I'd like to share some of those lessons-learned today, starting with equipment and settings. 

Equipment
 
I'm using a Canon 6DM2 with either a EF24-70mm or a EF17-40mm. Any DSLR or mirrorless will work as long as you can shoot on manual. Can you shoot on auto or with a phone? Of course, but you will eventually "peak" in your image quality.  Here's why. 

Shoot on Manual

You can't fully exploit the light when the computer does the thinking. There is so much more light the camera captures than what you see "straight out of camera" (SOOC). If you shoot on auto, the computer will either hide or throw that precious light away. Second, try to shoot with post-session editing in mind. When I see a composition, I've learned to see the light as I want it to be, not necessarily how the camera initially captures it and processes it on the display screen. This is where saving your image in RAW format is critical. 

Aperture

I shoot at anywhere from f4 to about f5.6 because I want to strike a balance between low-light capability and reasonable aperture. For fast-moving bands, I don't like a lot of background blur. For slow-moving performers, and setting-dependent, I will go for more background blur.

ISO

 Shoot as low-ISO as possible to reduce noise. Low-light forces higher ISOs, but I detest grainy images unless I intend to go mostly black and white. Low-lit clubs and music venues usually drives me to somewhere between 6400 and 12500 ISO. 

Shutter Speed

I set my shutter speed as high as I can get it, even if that means slightly under-exposing the image. I won't shoot performer on low-lit stages under 1/125s. This keeps blurring down (unless I intend it). One can lessen the impact of under-exposing an image if you shoot with spot or center-weighted light metering. That means taking your light readings from the image cent er or where where your focal-point is. I use either of these settings depending on stage light conditions. I want my light-meter taking the light sample from where I want it, not where the computer thinks it should be. If the background darkens up, so be it. 

Focal Point

Focal-point control is everything in rock & roll photography. Focal point drives composition! Use the smallest AF point your camera will allow, and make sure you understand how to dynamically change your focal-point quickly. If you let the camera control the focal point, you'll throw away a lot of images and miss a lot of great shots. 

Image Speed

Set your camera to take multiple images at the highest speed. Also, make sure your data card is clear and ready for lots of images. All of this is important because of rock and roll. 

These settings give me maximum control of light and composition, and result in the best post-session editing options. Now, lets take a look at them in action. 

These two images were taken 30 seconds apart, yet that 30 seconds changes how each image was edited. In the first image, I chose black and white, yet in the second image I chose color.  Why?

Subject and composition are directly tied to focal point.  In both of these images I set up my focal point on my viewer's far right, with the intent of using the vocalist as my subject.  Specifically, I am following the singer's left eye in both images. Based on my camera settings, the singer is the subject, I've automatically framed my composition, and light meter is reading the light reflecting off the singer's face. FOCAL POINT ANCHORS YOUR SHOT. Rule of thumb: The lower the light, the lower the aperture, and therefore the tighter the focal point. 

In image 1, composition and contrast are most important, so I selected black & white to accentuate this. In this instance,  structure and subject interplay trumped color.   Do you see all the triangles and arrows in Image 1? The bass player is visible behind the vocalist. The three performers heads form a triangle.  Both he and the singer are facing the guitarist, who is looking at his guitar neck, which is pointed right at the lead singer (triangle)  If you draw a line from the top of the singer's head to the bass player's head, it forms a line that points at the guitar (triangle) which points right back to the lead singer (arrow). If you look at the bassist's instrument, it protrudes from behind the singer on a straight line, as if the vocalist is being pierced (arrow) by the guitarist.  The singer is looking at the guitarist's face, who is looking at his guitar, which points right back to lead singer (triangle). Now, look at the spotlight. It is simultaneously a triangle and an arrow piercing all the other triangles, and pointing at the center of all of Image 1's triangles - the guitarist's left hand. 

Leaving Image 1 in color, with all the different colored lights, would have been distracting. The image draws its power from composition, not color. Image 2 has a far simpler composition. Here, we have only one triangle. The guitar forms the base, and the performer's heads point to the apex. The bass player is hidden, and the image is uncomplicated, and color does not distract. 

In Image 1, the lead singer's face is fully in the blue-green spot-light. Behind him, the bass player is visible, he is facing us, and his light source is the same color, and close in illumination, to that bathing the singer's face. Therefore, the camera handles the white balance for both performers the same. When converted to black and white, the two performers' faces will handle editing identically. The guitarist, however, is getting different light and the light metering is not "seeing" him.  Therefore, he's darker. He is also dressed in a color similar to the stage lighting and blends in, but his guitar is more reflective and has a higher albedo.  By going black and white, his guitar "pops" and forms a high-contrast bottom for several of the composition triangles.  Bottom line, I get more bang for my editing buck for Image 1 in B&W, and Image 2 works as-is. 

In post-production editing, it quickly became clear Image 1 would have far more impact as black and white.  Using the BW Mixer in Photoshop Camera Raw, I can covert colors into contrast. By increasing illuminance on aquas and blues, I can make the singer and bass player's faces brighter, as I can with the reds in the lead guitar. This reinforced the composition triangles and gives the image more clarity.  Image 2 needed almost no editing, other than a change from 6x4 to 8x10. 

Two images, 30 seconds apart. Same subject, same focal point, same settings, and two entirely different outcomes.  I hope you enjoyed this week's blog. 

#photography #photo #camera #photoediting #photoshop #music #musicphotography 

Here's a new image for your Monday morning, I took this along the old 3 Notch Trail in Pike County, Alabama. ​

I'd like to thank everyone who stopped by my booth at Landmark Park in Dothan last Saturday. Spring Farm day was a great event. I enjoyed meeting a lot of new people and talking about their experiences with local history and abandoned structures in the Wiregrass.  I was also overwhelmed with the positive reception "Abandoned Wiregrass" received at the event.    

I will be at the Rudd Art Center in Ozark this Saturday, 26 March from 10 to 2pm for a book signing, along with other local authors. Please stop by and get your signed copy of Abandoned Wiregrass, as well as checking out fantastic art from local artists. 

You can keep up with my book signings, festival booths, speaking engagements, and other happening on my events page. 

A tip led me on a January journey into Pike County, Alabama. I was looking for an old church. Sunset was fast approaching, and I was beginning to lose hope I'd reach it in time to get any good shots. Sure enough, it was right where I was told. 

I can find very little about Union Springs Primitive Baptist Church online, other than it exists. However, its clearly taken care of, including the adjacent graveyard. By the looks of it, there may still be services conducted here. The first thing I noticed was the long dirt lane leading off the main road. The sunset light here is spectacular, and I am positive the sunrise will be equally spectacular.  I spent as much time taking photos of the lane as the church. 

This is a beautiful place. I will return to this place at dawn. I'm sure the church, with its eastern exposure,  will light up in the sun rise. 

Does anyone out there know the history of this place? If so, please leave a comment. 

The Rudd Art Center/Dowling Museum in downtown Ozark, Alabama kicked off  their annual All in Black and White Exhibit this weekend. Artists from across the Wiregrass participated, in all media to include photography. It was an honor not only to be allowed to participate, but to have two of my images recognized.  

I have three images in the exhibit, and two images were recognized:  "Winter Chairs" and "Ride." The exhibit runs through March 5th. Please support local art and artists. 

Writing has taken a back seat to photography this week. I've been working up to a big wedding gig for a wonderful couple.  Above is the first image from that event, and I am pleased with the results. It was also the first event I've shot with my new  Canon 24-70 2.8 lens. I've gotten spectacular results with it!

I'll be sharing images from this wedding in the coming weeks, but first I'd like to show you a few images I haven't shared yet. These are from recent sessions I had with military families. These were wonderful events with great Airmen and their families. Its always a treat to shoot around an aircraft, especially my beloved Huey helicopter. 

I must admit I'm a bit of an unorthodox family photographer. I try to find new styles and angles that set my work apart, yet meet client expectations.  I blend those expectations with the best available light, subject personality, location conditions, and a dose of enthusiasm and fun. My goal is not only high quality, but unique. 

If you like what you see and you're looking for a different kind of portrait photography, images that will set your memories apart from anyone else's, please contact me via my Facebook and let's set up a session. 

All images copyright 2021 Brian L. Braden Photography and Creative Arts. 

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If you enjoyed this blog, please like the post and leave a comment or if you're feeling brave, share it on social media. This platform is my entire advertising budget and is how I share the word on my books. Also visit my Facebook, my author page and check out my photography book from America Through Time, "Abandoned Wiregrass: The Deepest South's Lost and Forgotten Places." ​​​ #photography #portraitphotography #military #militaryfamilies #usairforce #familyportraits #abandonedwiregrass

I barely made my self-imposed deadline to blog this week, but I'm not going to linger long. Sorry for the short installation of Photo Phriday, but I'm buried this week with work and actually taking photos. I'm going to have to pick up next week with another full installment. However, I'll leave you with some of my latest aviator photos. 

This class just received their wings, and are the US Air Force's newest pilots.  Here'a few of my favorites from their graduation photography session. 

​See ya next week! 

#photos #photography #portraits #minisessions #military #airforce #flying #helicopter #pilot #aviator

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If you enjoyed this blog, please like the post and leave a comment. Also visit my Facebook, my fine art photography and check out my photography book from America Through Time, "Abandoned Wiregrass: The Deepest South's Lost and Forgotten Places."

As promised, here's my shots of the L.A. band "Temple Monarc" from their October 2nd appearance at Harlow's in Ozark, Alabama. However, I wasn't the only photographer there that night. My friend Savanna Kirkland of Embrace Photography was also there.  As the wife of "MidLife Crisis" bassist Ken Kirkland, Savannah is keyed in to the local music scene. She takes some incredible photos, and I was excited when she agreed to let me post her images from that night. Here's a little about Savanna and Embrace Photography in her own words:

The slideshow intersperses Savanna's and my photography to give the viewer some idea of the great show and energy on stage that night.  Thanks to Live at Harlow's for letting us take photos. Located in downtown Ozark, Harlow's does an amazing service by bringing great music to the Wiregrass, including acts from across the region and US. Please check them out and support local music! Please visit Temple Monarc's Facebook as well and check out their great music.

Enjoy! 

music #photography #musicphotography #liveperformance #canonphotography #rockandroll  #liveatharlows #templemonarc #embracephotography

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If you enjoyed this blog, please like the post and leave a comment. Also visit my Facebook, my fine art photography and check out my photography book from America Through Time, "Abandoned Wiregrass: The Deepest South's Lost and Forgotten Places." ​​

I promised to talk about composition this week. I've been dreading it. Why? Because one cannot discuss composition without talking about THE RULE OF THIRDS. Every photography blogger, tutorial, video and expert on the interwebs has talked about the Rule of Thirds. There isn't much new to cover in this area, so I'll cover it my way - short and to the point. 

The Rule of Thirds dictates that its best to put your subject in one third of your composition (one side or another), and leave the other two-thirds open. That's it. It's nothing more complex than that. Experts say this provides balance to your composition. As crazy and as simple as it sounds, it works. It's been proven repeatedly using this basic ratio for composition provides a more balanced and pleasing image. Why? ​Some say it has something to do with The Golden Ratio, which is a mathematical ratio of roughly 1.61. When you do magic math stuff it creates a spiral like the one below. Scientist and other smart people say The Golden Ration is present everywhere in nature, and generally God thought it was a good idea. Notice, the spiral tightens in one third of the image. Essentially, the ROT and GR are expression of the same thing. 

This is what you need to know about to use these composition tools. 1) Your camera or phone likely has a menu function to place a grid or ratio image in your viewfinder or screen. This will allow you to template your image. 2) You can also set the manual focus points on your camera to focus your subject on one side or the other. This will ensure you are using the ROT and to make sure you're focused on your subject.  We'll cover these tools in future blog posts. 3) You can also crop an image to get the ratio correct, but that is a last-ditch move. Cropping degrades your image quality. Its best to get the ratio correct when you take the image. 

Why do I think ROT is important? Using this ratio allows the photographer to set up their subject and give it context. It allows you to frame your subject, and provides room to "dress" up the subject with light, context, leading lines, or powerful settings. IT GIVES YOU ROOM IN YOUR IMAGE TO TELL A STORY. 

That's it, the Rules of Thirds in a nutshell. I'm going to leave you with one of my images which I think demonstrates the ROT. Notice the vase is the subject, and its center occupies the left 1/3. It is the focal point. The vineyard provides both context  and leading lines. The hills beyond bisect the vase's top, which then leads you to the vineyard, which leads to the vase. The bush isn't ideal, but sometimes ideal isn't possible. However, the bush does provide balance and blends with the greens so isn't so noticeable. It also leads your eye back to the vase.  

​See  you next time. 

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If you enjoyed this blog, please like the post and leave a comment. Also visit my Facebook, my fine art photography and check out my photography book from America Through Time, "Abandoned Wiregrass: The Deepest South's Lost and Forgotten Places." ​