Christmas is right around the corner. That being said, we here at Lord and Quinn Photography would like to wish you, and your family a Very Merry Christmas! and a Happy New Year!

New Work

New work from Lord and Quinn Photography. Working with Solomon Phillips in the studio staying out of the freezing temperature.

Wow! One month since our last blog

It seems like it has been forever since Lord and Quinn Photgraphy has blogged! Well, lets see what have we been up to? First and formost we have been making photoraphs and getting our work out there. Using every possible outlet from Facebook, Tumblr, Etsy, Model Mayhem, Vogue.it, lordandquinnphotography.com...... We really didn't recognize how much we have accomplished in the month of November, but we see it's paying off, and that is most important.
Last month we dicided to branch off into the magazine world sending packages out to Zink, M magazine, and GQ to name a few. There is a lot of work that goes into making sure everything is right. The industry is tough, and if you don't cross every t and dot and every i, they just toss it in the trash and say next. We don't want that.
If you read our last post we put out a call for dancers to particpate in an on going series we started earlier in the year. This time, there are so many individuals interested, including some from the Colorado Ballet. We are always looking for more dancers, especially those with a unique style. Ballet, Hip Hop, Modern, Break Dancers, Ballroom..... and the list goes on.
Beside our blog you can always keep up with us on:
www.facebook.com/LordAndQuinnPhotography.com
www.LordandQuinnPhotography.com
www.vogue.it/en/photovogue/Profilo/521e8ca4-8899-4599-86fe-50fc4daab80f/User
www.LordandQuinnPhotography.tumblr.com

Searching for Dancers of all Styles!

Which is better? A, B, C, or is it D?

Today I had a great discussion with a few of my students. They kept going at it with one another on who has the better camera. Instead of just butting in to the conversation, I decided that I would sit back for a moment, and just listen.
I rarely if ever tell a student that they have a better camera than the next. Today I kind of had to step in and clear the air of the "My camera is better than yours" conversation. I am guessing that in the eyes of the students, it's the mega pixels, lens speed/size, brand, size, and a 10 page list of functions that determines if their camera trumps the others.
After about 10 minutes of listening to them bicker at each other I decided to tell them that they are all wrong. Their eyes became big, and I was looked at as if I just kicked the family dog, or even left it on top of the car in a kennel during a family road trip. One of the students decided that she was going to stand up to say "You are wrong Mr. Librarian!" I thought to myself that maybe this is her first time coming in contact with me. One of the students to her right gently elbowed her, and said "You idiot, he is a photographer!" I asked that they not use unnecessary language when speaking to a class mate, but yes I am a photographer. Well, if your a photographer, why are you working at a school? Thinking to myself do I really need to explain this, I tried to make it short and sweet. "Well, when you get older you will realize that being an artist is not as easy as you may think it is, also I wanted to have something to fall back on when business wasn't paying all the bills."
Nothing was said by her after that, just a few awful looks here and there. I ended the conversation, and feud, by saying to the students, "The best camera is the camera you have in your hands. You make and create the photograph using framing, composition, selected subject matter, and much more by using your eyes, and artistic creativity. The camera just documents what you see, and how you see it."
The girl that wanted to crack me over the head with her D70 said "I guess that sounds right."
As I started to walk off I asked that they critique one anther's work, not the functions of their camera, but showing each other respect. I walked to my desk the students followed, and placed about 30 images on my desk, and asked if I would critique their work. I thought to myself, OH SHIT!!!!!!

The Passing of Life...

Nature can be a little funny thing at times, but every now and then it may seem a little cruel. A while back when living in Los Angeles, I came home from work and school to pick up a few items I needed for a photo shoot. Normally I would have entered through the front door, but for whatever reason I decided to go around to the backyard. Out of no where I see a tiny object on the concrete that just didn't seem to belong there. As I walked down the stairs, I started to realize that the small object was a dead baby bird. Typically I would have just walked passed it, but for whatever reason I felt I needed to photograph this bird. I walked back to the car to retrieve my camera while saying to myself, "I know I shouldn't do this, but I have to."

With my camera in hand, I walked back to document my discovery. Ironically I already had my macro extension tube on the camera, and was able to create images inches away from the fallen chick. I continued to photgraph the bird from a variety of angles. Out of the corney of my eye the vibrant colors from across the way caught my attention. The idea of a funeral came to mind with all the beautiful flowers laid atop the caskit. I decided to place the birds on top, or in the flowers as if it was a natural resting place.

For the next eight days I came across many birds that had passed in different stages of development. A few birds were days old, others where developing feathers, or dried up due to the blistering heat from the sun and concrete. I never could figure out where the birds were coming from, and why they passed or were pushed out the nest. I created over 300 images of the birds, both as I found them, and on the flowers I rested their bodies on. After documenting each of the birds, I laid them to rest in flower beds in which I photographed them in, allowing them to become a perminant part of our earth.

Through this series, I realized that it is okay to let go, and explore the world around you, even if it didn't seem to be the norm. The way I see things as a photographer has broadened dramatically since then. Monther Nature can teach you some amazing thigns.

Echoing of a thought....

One of my favorite quotes is by an amazing shero by the name of Maya Angelou, who I am sure everyone knows of. As I was trying to find quotes to post on and along the tables and walls of Columbine Elementary, I came across 30 or so amazing quotes by authors, artist, and philanthropist, but this one quote stuck out to me: "If you don't like something change it. If you can't change it, change your attitude." -Maya Angelou
To some it may seem a little snarky, but to me, this is something I should have came across a long time ago. When students come to me to complain about something petty, I take them to the wall and they read the quote. If and when I get all crazy because I don't have control, I just say to myself, Michael! If you don't like something change it. If you can't change it change your attitude!

Light.....

Though it seems like an eternity since my last photo shoot in the Lord and Quinn Studio, even though it was only three weeks. I really wanted to create images with a warm feel, nothing to fashion oriented. This shoot was stripped down, and all about the mood created by the light, and the body language from the model, Solomon Phillips.

The lighting was incredibly simple, nothing to complicated. My intention was to recreate the feeling of being lit by a large window.  Two large 42" umbrellas stacked on top of one another with the dome of the umbrellas pointed towards Solomon to soften the light on the right side. On the left side I used a 48" reflector disk to give separation from Solomon and the background, while still embracing the strong shadows and soft gradation of the light.

I also have a yellow filter on the camera to warm up the photograph though I desaturate about 50% of the yellow in photoshop. I set my Shutter speed to 1/250 to allow as little ambient light as possible in the background. When you are using strobe your F- stop controls your strobe lights while your shutter speed controls your ambient (existing) light. The slower your shutter speed, the more exposure to the background. The faster your shutter speed, the less exposure to your background.  Keep in mind some cameras will not allow you to use that high of a shutter speed when using strobe or electronic flash. 

When I create a photograph I try to keep the lighting as simple as possible. Always trying to enhance the photograph with the lighting. If you know the function of each light, and why you are using it, I honestly feel it will help you in creating the images you envisioned.  

Don't be Afraid to Try Something Different!!!

It has taken me almost 10 years to truly let my hair down when it comes to my photography. When you are a child you are not afraid to act crazy, do things that are a bit flamboyant, or even create something that may not be gallery worthy. At the age of 23 I was introduced to photography. Before that it was all disposable cameras, and no clue of what I was photographing or even why. When I look back, I was much more relaxed, and not worried about composition, framing, exposure....... Maybe because I didn't know anything about that when it came to creating a photograph, all I knew was how to draw, and work with color pencils, pastels, conte crayons, and charcoal.

Outside of being a photographer, I have the privilege of being a Librarian for Denver School of the Arts (not a certified Librarian, but an assistant teacher with the position) and I also teach an after school photography program. For the last three years I have been working with students, grades 2-12 teaching them how to make photographs. I teach them the basic fundamentals of photography, and they create amazing images that I would have never thought of. Though I teach the students how to be young photographers, they have taught me how to let go of the control I hold so close, and just be free with my passion of making photographs, the one thing that I have been told to do since I started photography.

This year has been a year of evolution for me as an artist. This is the first time in 10 years that I have even considered myself to be an artist. Ultimately, the students I have had the opportunity to work with, and pass my passion of photography to, have helped me grow as a person and artist. I take pride in working as an educator, and help shape those of our future, but what I think we may not realize, it's our youth that helps us become who we are. At least that has been the case for me.  

 The images you are looking at are from students I have worked with, some of which had never picked up a camera before taking the class. As I said, I teach them the basic fundamentals, and they document what they see and feel through the lens of a camera.

What a Muddy Mess!

Normally, the idea of having dirt all over our body doesn't sit well, but for this shoot we embraced the idea of being covered in mud from head to toe. There are always a few individuals that always ask  "Why did I do this? It feels disgusting, and it smells like crap!"  Ultimately they are so excited at the end of the shoot, and anxious to see the end result. 
The very first shoot was with Solomon Phillips, Terrance as I know him. A model I had been interested in working with for some time. Terrance was very quiet, didn't say much of anything, but had no problem having his, what looked to be new name brand jeans, and boot covered in mud from the creek. As we began the photo shoot I was enjoying what Terrance, and I were creating.  The images looked very gritty, his facial expressions were on point, and the location worked out perfectly. We decided to changed the scenery, walking to the creek, we began shooting again, but this time he changed into some black swim wear. This set the stage the rest of the series, giving a more  natural feel that fit in with the landscape. Stripped down to the bare skin, covering important body parts so no one is ticketed or in the back of a police car, we went for a feeling of an animal in the landscape, very National Geographic. The Photographer is somewhere in the trees or landscape photographing the individuals in their natural surrounding without being noticed. That was our goal, that was the vision. 
Every model gave a different look and feeling to the series. The models and I tried to take advantage of the landscape, trying not to use the same location more than once, though that did not work being some location were just amazing. There were days when I had three shoots a day at various times of the day, and that dictated where the shoots would take place. If it was in the early morning we used the tree filled landscapes that would allow rays of light to shine onto the model. During afternoon we used the creek, since it was mostly shaded by canopy of trees, plus it kept the models cool. As the sun would start to set, the open grass, and creek gave off beautiful light with a warm etherial glow to the models, and because of that I tried to have all the sessions between 5-6 pm. Ultimately the light would define the look of the shoot. With the warm summer session coming to an end, and the cool Colorado evening starting to roll in, this series is going to have to be put on hold till next year. I intend to continue the Muddy Mess series for as long as possibly. I think there is still so much I can do, but you never know I may have my last three photo session of the year and feel it is complete. 

This has been a very fun, and successful series with almost a dozen images excepted on Vogue.it, Vogue Italia's website. I have worked with some amazing models on this project, some have become great friends. This has been one of the very first photo shoots where I have not tried to turn it into something with a fashion inspired look, though there are some that say it does look and feel very like a fashion shoot. Whatever the case may be, I love this series, and can't wait to finish the Muddy Mess series up for the season, and start up again next year. 

Inspired by Childhood

When I was a child there were only two places I wanted to be, the pool or the beach. I have always been called a water baby, or it has been said that I was an aquatic animal in my past lifetime. Whatever the case may be, I have always enjoyed being in the water.

My fondest memories come from being at my Grandma Julie's apartments. See, my Grandma always managed apartments, and those apartments always had a pool. The pool was my main destination on a daily basis no matter what time of the year it may have been when spending time with my Grandma. When you live in Los Angeles California, you can pretty much swim anytime of the year, it never really gets that cold. My Grandma, though she couldn't swim would always take me to the pool. I would jump into the water with no hesitation never knowing how cold it may be. The commotion of everyday life was silenced by the water, and pockets of air racing to the top and become a part of the air we breath. My eyes opened though I knew I would suffer for that after an hour or so, but as a kid I didn't care, the only thing that mattered at the time was me in the water with the feeling of freedom. My imagination would run wild swimming around like a dolphin, but without the grace, and effortlessness. Coming up for water, only because my heart is racing a mile a minute, due to lack of oxygen, and I had to in order to continue live and swim. It was the sense of being weightless, and cutting my way through the water back to civilization, and hearing the words of my Grandma "Mikey be careful, don't make Grandma have to come in the water, and get you, you know I can't swim!" I miss those words.

I haven't heard that phrase from my Grandma in over 15 years. Unfortunately she passed away July 25, 2012. Though I never told her, my Underwater Series is inspired by my childhood experiences in her pool, being able to be free, and whatever I wanted to be while in the water.

 The models I have had the opportunity to photograph, have been directed to be free, and let their inner child come out. The only rules for the shoot are not to open your eyes, and just have fun! I would hand them a large 4' x 12' piece of fabric, and say let this fabric become a part of you. Don't be afraid to dance in the water with it, and enjoy yourself. In the beginning the models would struggle as if they never swam a day in their life, forgetting to hold their breath, and keep their eyes closed. To comfort the models, and ensure that everything was okay, I would tell them stories about my childhood memories in my Grandma's pool. They would giggle a bit, smile, and it felt as if my Grandma was listening to me repeat the same words to the models as she would to me, "Don't make me have to rescue you while we are in the water." After all was said and done, the models would start to swim effortlessly with the fabric slicing through the water as if it was a part of their body. Toes would be pointed, fingers would gently cling to the fabric with a dainty feeling, and their facial expression, soft, and carefree. The models would seem ethereal for that 15-30 seconds of sheer bliss. Every model brought something new to the water, at times making me forget that I should be capturing moments in time as I admire their grace, and beauty while in the water.

The pool season is over in eight days to be exact. My Underwater Series will be put on hold for the next nine months. This project was inspired by my childhood, and the time with my Grandma who is physically no longer here, but always here with me in spirit. Taking inspiration from personal experience has allowed me to create what I feel is some of my best work to date. Those who view the series probably wont see the inspiration from time spent with my Grandma. The great thing about this project for me is that every time I visit this series, the memories of the most important person of the first 20+ years of my life will come to mind. A smile will appear, a chuckle or two will be heard, and knowing me, I may shed a few tears of happiness for the one who inspired me to create my Underwater Series. Thank you Grandma for inspiring me to create!

Close

In the process of making photographs, and working with amazing individuals, I came across a book that once I started to read, it was practically impossible for me to stop. The book I highly recommend is the biography of painter, photographer, artist extraordinaire Chuck Close, "Chuck Close, Life"

I have always enjoyed Chucks Close's work, and was mesmerized the first time I viewed one of his large (100+ inches in hight) portrait paintings. The color was amazing, the scale was a bit overwhelming, and it felt as if I was looking through a kaleidoscope while viewing the painting. As I read his biography, I had a better understanding of his life, and evolution as an artist. From the learning disabilities and health issues that Chuck struggled with, to the death of his farther in his home where he grew up in Everett Washington as a kid, you wonder how Chuck made it to where he is today. 

This book will make you laugh, and possibly make you cry, reading this has made me look at my life, and my art in a much different perspective. Particularly my struggles as an artist.  "Chuck Close, Life" is a relatively short read for a biography, with only 342 pages, and many examples of Chuck, both as a person, and his art. This is actually a two volume collection with a large coffee table book given a retrospective of his work from his days at Everett Jr. College, to 2010-11. I highly recommend purchasing the book(s) or checking them out from your local Library which is always a great place to find a good book.

Balls Out

Seize the day, the old adage that applies to every person on this planet.  Unfortunately there are few that are able to make this leap, take this day and make it their own.  Today is our day to make it happen, to take the knowledge we have cultivated over the years and JUMP SHIP.  Throwing caution to the wind and finally doing what is in our hearts.  We have become an unstoppable force.  Taking our passion of photography to a new level and sharing it with the world.  Expect the unexpected, this is long overdue.  We are here.