Saturday, March 2, 2024

Youth Portraiture

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when we were very young
The prize-winning style of Atlanta Street Fashion is available for people of all ages. I invite your commissions to preserve those fleeting moments of youthful radiance, recreation and reflection. Working with me is fun, and that always shows in the result. Sure, you see the kids every day. Your cellphone is full of them, and that's as it should be. What I bring to the equation is detachment, and with it the ability to capture their essence. All packages come with unlimited use of the images. Travel charges may apply. Call or text 423-486-8715 for a free consultation.

  • $250 - perfect for a profile or senior portrait in just 30 minutes 
  • $450 - a solution for two or three people with time for an outfit change in 90 minutes
  • $600 - larger families and smaller professional groups requiring 150 minutes

Thursday, July 29, 2021

Photojournalism

IMG_4822 Rebecca Giannini, 7, of Charlotte Hall, Md. plays in the surf in Ocean City Saturday, October 15. IMG_0337 With the Tennessee River and Hunter Art Museum for a backdrop, Chattanooga ballerina C. Mild performs a grand jeté. IMG_8922 Middle Tennessee Dance performance in Tullahoma February 23, 2018 IMG_5756 Liv Bowen makes a block shot on a White County player Monday. The Lady Bobcats prevailed 20-18 in overtime. CASDTWorcesterLAX6 Worcester Prep's Morgan Otway is sandwiched between Cape Henlopen's Alicia Comero, left, and Sam Corleski in game Friday, April 22. football_1 Great blocking against North Cobb's #81, Mark Moss gives Pope's #45, Nate Rossi, a clear run. 2000 Marietta Daily Journal wrestling_finals 139 2008 Bayside Conference Wrestling Championships in Cambridge, Md. Monday, February 25. fruitland_state_9 Hughesville's firstbaseman Brock Ruble grimaces as Fruitland's Ryan Alexander returns safely. IMG_4439 Children texting and talking on their cell phones during the Michelle Nunn for US Senate primary victory party at the Sheraton Atlanta Hotel, May 20. IMG_3045 At Trinity Lutheran Church in Tullahoma, Pastor Alex Hoffner sprinkles holy water over a gathering of preschoolers, who brought their dolls and bears to the annual Pets Blessing Tuesday. IMG_0417 One of nine finalists for Tennessee Teacher of the Year, Chelle Daniels adjusts the K'NEX roller coaster built by her students in the West Middle School STEM lab. habitat_dawn At dawn of Day 1, roof trusses are unpacked. By afternoon, the wooden skeleton of a house will stand atop the foundation. This Atlanta, GA Habitat For Humanity building is a joint effort of Big Bethel AME Church and the Episcopal Cathedral of St. Philip. IMG_2628 In the Powers Auditorium of Eoff Hall, Motlow State Community College set designer Kurt Krause illuminates stage decor for the college's holiday concerts Tuesday. "We are a community college and we like to entertain the community." IMG_1068 Jazz Night Out showcased musical talents from the Tullahoma City Schools, their alumni, and the South Jackson Street Jazz Band to raise funds for the Tullahoma Band Thursday night at Grace Baptist Church. Trombonist James Sabia and THS saxophonist Will Carter jam in a joint performance of the South Jackson Street Jazz Band and the Tullahoma High School Jazz Band. IMG_9524 In Unionville, Maryland, St. Stephen's AME Church Pastor Alfred C. Barnes, Jr. leads his congregation in the singing of the Doxology on Sunday, December 9. IMG_9274c Proprietor Herbert Williams trims the hair of Keith Harrison, who said he'd been a customer of the Vintage barber shop for several years because of the "good service, conversation and comraderie" found there. The shop is located in Fairlie-Poplar at 57 Forsyth Street in the Healey Building. IMG_6809 for What's Up? Eastern Shore: A view camera and classic cars make a timeless setting at the inaugural St Michael's Concours d'Elegance. DSCN0830_c Dr. Robert Roberts of East Point, GA reflects on his 49 years of medical practice. melinda b for Momentum Magazine: painter Melinda Borysevicz and Vista Duchess inside her Bull Street Studio Veterans Day 7 Command Master Chief Edward Lavieri rings the bell from the USS Tullahoma in honor of servicemen and women who have fallen in he line of duty during the annual Veterans Day ceremony. Pride of Baltimore II Bosun/3rd Mate Ryan Graham of Pine Bush, NY tightens the main clew lashing aboard the Pride of Baltimore II in Annapolis Sunday, April 8. "Pride II is the fifth schooner I've worked on, quickly becoming my favorite." ship Ships old and new are seen in Savannah, GA. CA.MBC.app.Harborside Harborside's Seared Ahi drizzled with wasabi cream.

Wednesday, July 28, 2021

A Visit to Elea Blake

IMG_8219 In a window of the Elea Blake studio at 133 Frazier Avenue are three arm sculptures, fingers elegantly splayed upward. Darin Wright's aesthetics practice is one of many small gestures, nuances that blend art and science to complement one's natural complexion. IMG_8216 After cleansing her client's face, Wright searches for a foundation match. "Skin tones are different in different places," she explains and complements her well coordinated outfit of soft pinks and beiges. Empathy matters because these ladies will be spending most of an afternoon together. IMG_8221 "If eyes are the window to your soul, brows are the drapes," Wright continues. Like an energetic painter of canvas, her face is a fierce mask of concentration as the brush strokes are applied. Then, with hands apart, she steps away to gauge their effect. Smiling, bantering, mixing and applying color, her dance continues. IMG_8123 "We are mixologists creating on skin," she says. The powders are mineral-based and not tested on animals.
IMG_8260 Blending them may follow one of three schemes. The monochromatic results in shading. Analogous colors harmonize in their proximity on a color wheel while complements reach across the wheel to balance each other. IMG_8231 As time passes, her working surface comes to resemble a painter's palette, and like that portrait artist's, the colors are unique, be they applied with a stipple brush or molded into a lipstick. Wright's clientele leave the studio refreshed, empowered, and knowing that they look their best.

Time Travelling

IMG_5451 The newest addition to my photographic kit is an anachronism. The Helios 44-2 is a mass-produced Russian copy of a Carl Zeiss Biotar lens from the early twentieth century. The numerical suffix is a design number. 58 mm is the focal length, and f2 its maximum aperture. Mounted to my high tech DSLR, this pairing has drawn notice the way a gypsy wagon might if hitched to a Corvette. It can be done, but begs the question, why? In choosing this lens, I have forsaken Canon’s swift, Dual Pixel autofocusing for something that must be adjusted by hand. The optic is prone to flare when the light source comes anywhere near its axis. Imaging is sharp, but remains best in the center, and at smaller apertures. I am using mine wide open.

Bokeh is the Japanese name for an out of focus effect that is beautifully smooth. The latest cell phone camera and Instagram filters can fake it to some degree. The old optical formula delivers an organic bokeh with a magical swirl like a virtuoso pitcher throwing a curve ball. The result becomes an otherworldly complement to her Steam Punk persona.

So, what is it like to merge imaging technologies that are separated by the better part of a century? Modern autofocusing lenses are controlled from the camera body, or, perhaps, a cellphone app. While the Helios seems dainty alongside latter day equivalents, its control rings for aperture and focus are a tactile delight. Knock off it may be; this is quality hardware.

Modern lenses lock to the camera using a bayonet mount unique to the brand. No cross pollination is allowed. The Helios uses an M42 screw mount popular among 35 mm cameras of that era. An adapter ring allows modern use of the vintage gear. Mine even offers electrical contact, should the old stuff ever require it.

In practice, the old lens and new body get along quite well, thanks to the Live View mode. While I have even used program exposure, it is best to select manual. What the viewing screen displays is what you get. Best bokeh is achieved at maximum aperture, so exposures are modulated by shutter timer. Precise focusing is achieved by zooming in briefly for fine control.

While this is not the tool for breaking news or sports. I enjoyed the exacting, if slow, process, which resulted in a far greater percentage of keeper images than a typical, digital photo op does. Our modern ability to produce a limitless volume of information is just that, and no guarantee of success. I learned photography when film allowed 36 exposures costing $15 for film and processing, not to mention the time. What began as an exercise in artful effect has reacquainted me with craftsmanship, and may well raise my digital game, too.

Eat at Good Dog


Some childhood memories never fade. Susan Paden recalls family vacations with her history teacher mom, and Dutch immigrant father, who led the family on ‘brown sign’ tours of historic sites. “We ate cheese and butter sandwiches in the car, but dad would stop for a hotdog.” His favorite toppings of mustard, chili, cheese, and onion are commemorated atop ‘The Fred’ from her Good Dog menu. Now in its second year, the Frazier Avenue restaurant has charmed a loyal following.



A former folk art gallerist, Paden composes her topped dogs carefully for both appearance, and consistent taste. Gone are the Chicago-style half moon wedges that become an all-or-nothing bite of tomato. She prefers them diced,and sprinkled amid the neon-green, sweet pepper relish that Windy City people call kryptonite. In another nod to her Midwestern roots, Bertman’s Stadium Mustard from Cleveland joins an exotic array of condiments for all to try. There’s even a fritessaus (mayonnaise to you) for the house-cut fries,and the caramelized onion relish is made from scratch. Yum.



Lighter styles prevail in a salads menu that pairs avocado with cranberries, or red onion with oranges. Don’t tell anyone that the chili is vegan, and those who do care may ask for a soy dog instead of meat. What else from a place where the pepper mills dispense ‘dog dust', and the salt shakers are kitschy collectables?



It was their cheeky, ‘Nice Buns’ slogan screen printed on a variety of thrifted t-shirts that first caught my eye for The Chattanoogan. More creative reuse abounds in décor accents of frame moldings, magazine bits, bottle bottoms and bottle caps. The scullery flooring arrived as the packing crate for kitchen gear. Recycling aluminum, paper and plastic was never more fun than when funneling it through ductwork into the bins.



Merriam-Webster etymologists tell us that ‘restaurant’ is the present participle of the French verb restaurer to restore. Good Dog is a happy place. Its vibe is infectious, and good for you.
"Sit. Stay. Eat."

Tuesday, January 14, 2014

Silver Secrets

Making candid photos in public places has been my practice of a lifetime. It is a search for archetype, irony, and surprise. Luck is my silent partner, and I honor that good fortune with humility. This goes beyond elevating subjects to working stealthfully, and quickly. There’s an odd sensation of losing oneself in the moment, which I consider to be reward for this subtle, non-confrontational approach. To be sure it is stalking, but as Bob Dylan noted, “To live outside the law you must be honest.” 01adams 04adams The little nose picker begins the arc of life with an inquiring gaze into the essence of humanity. She is ably supported by a cast of female scientists appearing on the book jacket, talking on a cell phone and peering into a telescope. Complementing the previous subject is mother’s little helper, who stands alone as an archetype. 10adams 12adams At the gift shop, a retail transaction in the background mirrors the children playing with penlights. Their reciprocal gestures are opposed by the daring expressions swapped over the racer. 14adams 15adams Some families had just arrived at the shore and wanted to mark the occasion with a group picture. Such scenes always bear watching, not for what they intend, but for their accidental moments. Like his predecessor, this young man too has found his zenith. The boat name Tinkerbell brings to mind other flying children. 11adams 05adams06adams An audience of youngsters once gave that souvenir of a memorable wait at the bank their best eeeewwwws. Shopping malls have been good to me. 16adams 17adams 21adams 22adams 26adams 27adams Young Pioneers are the Eastern bloc's version of Scouting. In the hills above Budapest, they operate an aging commuter railway. Such grave formal bearing contrasts with their youth.
This picture twists those roles nicely, subordinating his age and gender to her youthful authority. 23adams 24adams This pair contrast the social with the anti-social and share common interest in footwear. 30adams 37adams 39adams 35adams Wright Square The final group explores race relations in contemporary Georgia, from modern ease to lingering doubt, and closes with an expression of all conquering love.
Cameron Adams