Photomontage for October 2010

It's been nearly six months since I've been on this post (I will be more diligent with my next posting to focus on 4th quarter goals).  I have some photography friends who want to make calendars for 2011 to send to their primary clients and they want use some of my work.   I don't know where to begin and nothing seems be good enough so instead of a photograph I am considering making a photo montage of elements from some old and new photos that I have not use yet.

It has been years since I worked in Photoshop using many photos to make one photo montage of a concept or idea.

I will start rummaging through my files and use certain elements to add to a visual concept.  I will start contacting models to use in my photo montage and I will review my old journals and complete some of the "Story boards" that I began but never finish.

Yesterday, I shot some preliminary photos with a new model (model #801) and I think I have some ideas that I will use for an October calendar.  Here is the start up image I will work on the shadows, lighting and add in more elements soon.

I’m trav’lin light – Billie Holiday

I'm trav'lin light

I'm trav'lin light Billie Holiday
                 Songwriters, Mundy, Jimmy, Young, Trummy, Mercer, Johnny

I'm trav'lin light
Because my man has gone
So from now on
I'm trav'lin light
He said goodby
And took my heart away
So from today
I'm trav'lin light

No one to see
I'm free as the breeze
No on but me
And my memories
Some lucky night
He may come back again
So until then
I'm trav'lin light


I loved that little dittie... actually I took this shot on January 15, 2010 on the upper deck of the Megabus exiting the Lincoln tunnel on the Weehawken side and the lone car in front reminded me of an old song a long time ago.  I shot with a Speed Graphic 4x5 camera using Ilford 125 film.

The Mutts Strut : Halloween Day at FDR Park

Portraitures - posted anonymously

The Mutts Strut : Halloween Day at FDR Park

The 3rd Annual PAWS Mutt Strut, a 1.5-mile scenic walk in FDR Park to raise funds and awareness for PAWS' efforts to save Philadelphia's homeless animals.

Despite the intemperate weather it was a great showing for animal lovers.  It was a tough time for me though, lugging all the old photo equipment and supplies in the rain on Septa ( glad they didn’t Strike) but it was rewarding. 

My challenge for the shoot was to use trailing-edge technologies such as analog film (Instant Black & White Film - Fuji Film FP-3000b professional) and a large format camera (a Speed Graphics 4x5 camera 1952 vintage).

The Prints which are produced via chemical processes produces instant black and white positives right on the spot without the benefit of any electronics have, for me, a timeless almost mystical appeal.

I give a print to the client and keep the discarded negative to dry then later at the lab I’ll scan.  The end results of the process (done in Photoshop) are interesting.  Notice the spots and other imperfections which are from the rain, wind and changing ambient temperatures of the day - it sure was a challenging day.

www.graflex.org/speed-graphic

www.tsirkus.org

Game 5, Phillies

The Piazza was packed with hundreds of Phillies Fans I was only passing through on the way to the "El" but got caught up in the excitement with a few friends that I bumped into.  So much for going home early to work on Prints.

I didn't not stay long in Fishtown I caught the "El" up to 30th street station near Penn University and was amazed with all the police dressed in riot gear and "Extra" stuff to restrain the anticipated "Revelers" I mean they had Police Wagons and Buses to lock people up in I guess the City remembers last years' mayhem after the Phils won the title.  All Metal trash cans were already  removed from 30th Street train station to, I guess, the length of Penn University, 10 full city blocks!  And most of the Bars were serving beer in plastic cups during the later innings to prevent them from turning into projectiles outside.  Hmmmmm, what makes a Phillie fan?

Dreary rainy day-Cancellation

It looks so lonesome and dreary outside- the Fall weather is here. Must stay proactive despite the photo shoot cancellation and this gray, dreary rainy day.

I had the Studio set up for a Speedgraphics 4x5 film photo shoot but my client seems to be like this weather-depressing and a "No Show".

My plan was to shoot in the ambient light using Fujifilm (Instant Black & White Film, FP-3000b) Professional panchromatic type and then finishing off the shoot using a Digital camera.

I need a subject to shoot the cats won't stay still and the lighting outside is getting dark.

However, I am still continuing this FREE Portraiture project up until the end of November 2009 so if you're interested please contact me for scheduling.  The contact email address is: albfor.graphic@gmail.com.

-Al


-Bummer

Free Portraiture Photo

Business is slow and I need to focus on my Photography skills using old and new technology.

From October 2009 to the end of November 2009 I will shoot free (1 instant b/w film FP-3000b Professional Fujifilm) and 10 digital portraiture shots of each individual.

I will be shooting with a 4x5 Speed Graphix film camera and a Nikon Digital camera.

Contact me via email for more information at :albfor.graphics@gmail.com.

Photo session will be at my studio in Philadelphia, PA.

Cats!

The Cats (that I inherited) are going crazy again. Chuckie, the Maine coon cat, is following Cece around like I don’t know what. Cece is in heat and all I can do is keep them separated but it’s getting on my nerves.

Cece has become unusually affectionate, by sidling up and rubbing her hind quarters against furniture, stuffed toys, other cats, and me. As soon as I get some extra cash I’m getting Chuckie and Cece fixed. But for now I’ll have to deal with this madness.