It is official I have lost my mind

I have succumbed to building a ring flash out of Home Depot parts.

For those of you that don't know ring flashes create a ring of light that surrounds the lens so that there are less shadows. A dentist or doctor might use one to take a picture of an area where they want to examine with out it being obscured by shadows and it is also good for close up work. Fashion photographers also use ring lights because it gets rid of the shadows from wrinkles and gives a glowing look. But to make a long story they are EXPENSIVE. So off I went today to my local hard wear store and must have looked like a lunatic trying to see if a plastic flower pot would fit together with plumbing fixtures.

The result was phenomenal it is light, portable and provides the proper illumination. I can't wait to use it on my next shoot. I posted some shots of the flash, the materials I used and a test shot of a mannequin. 

Behind the scenes w/ Joyce Tenneson

I would encourage anyone to go see this:

Tuesday, May 13 6:30-9:00 

Calumet New York's Canon Theatre

22 W. 22nd Street

New York, NY 10010

212-989-850

 The admission is $10 to register call 1 (800)Calumet 

Hopefully I can convince my wife Sheri to go with me despite it being a school night. So if you see me make sure you say hi. 

Tenneson's portraits go beyond a surface recording of her subject's likeness. Her signature-style images attempt to show the inner person who hovers behind the face. Says Tenneson, "I want to allow others to reveal and celebrate aspects of themselves that are usually hidden. My camera is a witness; it holds a light up for my subjects to help them feel their own unique power. The resulting portraits invite the viewer to participate in the search for individuality that inspired the portrait session."

This rare glimpse into Tenneson's thought process has never been presented in New York—until now. Tenneson's work has been shown in over 150 exhibitions worldwide and is part of numerous private and museum collections. Her photographs have appeared on countless covers for magazines: Time, Life, Entertainment Weekly, Newsweek, Premiere, Esquire and The New York Times Magazine. She is also a much sought-after portrait photographer with clients in Europe, Japan and the United States.

Tenneson is the author of seven books. Her latest, Wise Women is a bestseller and was featured in a six-part Today Show series. She is the recipient of numerous awards, including the International Center of Photography's Infinity Award for Applied Photography. In addition, she has been named "Photographer of the Year" by the international organization, Women in Photography. A recent poll conducted by American Photo voted Tenneson among the ten most influential women in the history of photography.

Can't contain my excitement

The littlest of things give me so much pleasure. My new promo postcards came in today and I love them. I have to thank Billie for her allowing me to shamelessly use her images for my own personal gain. Thanks as well to Mike at CE Roth Formal Wear for displaying them in your store  www.ceroth.com 

Started Production of Ben and Billies Coffee Book Album

I've started production of Ben and Billie's Coffee Table Book. Here is a shot of the cover. I'm really excited about how it is coming together,  can't wait to see it printed. 

 

For those paying attention the round mirror is actually the mirror from where the tuxedos were rented.

Photo of the Month

Here is May 2008's photo of the month,(& I didn't take it.)

Through the miracle of sonar I am pleased to introduce the first pictures of Ben and Billie's child. As tempted as I am to put he/she in the album, I think I will have to fly down for a shoot when better lighting is available.