Magazine Assignment: Ft. Benning

Late Friday afternoon, I got a scratchy cell phone call at my office from the editor of RTO ONLINE MAGAZINE; one of his employees was at Ft. Benning for his son's graduation from Airborne School and he wanted photographs for a story. Luckily, I was able to adjust my schedule and was at Airborne Walk at 8:30am, where I worked for two hours on a very cold and windy Saturday morning. Here are a few of the best shots. Note the orange and white towers in the background of the portraits; these are iconic structures for the Airborne community, where trainees are hoisted to the top under their opened parachutes and dropped 250 ft. to the ground, the final phase of training before they leap from "perfectly good airplanes". The father, Jim Deering, was himself an Airborne graduate thirty years ago, which was the reason for the story.

Honor our troops and Keep Shootin',

Kenny

Columbus Ballet: Studio Portraits

Hello, everyone. My studio, in the Rankin Art Center, is a wonderful resource for area photographers. I teach classes there (CSU Continuing Education) and it is available for rent by those qualified to use it. More and more former students and freelancing pros are reserving the studio, and I am impressed with the portraits they produce.

I had the pleasure of photographing all of Columbus Ballet's Nutcracker dancers, in costume, just before Thanksgiving and thought you might be interested in my lighting diagram. The three-dimensional look of the portraits is largely due to the two skim lights, which are a recent addition to our lighting options in the studio.

See more of my ballet portraits here.

Columbus Ballet here.

Register for studio and other photography classes here.

Support the local arts and Keep Shootin',

Kenny

Photography Center Closes

It is with some sadness that I announce the closing of the Photography Center at Rankin Square, after two years. My goal when I opened in Fall of 2006 was to give Columbus something I thought it needed: a gallery devoted exclusively to Fine Art Photography, and a gathering place for serious photographers. Alas, the public showed very little interest in our exhibits, and I discoverd that our local newspaper would rather run full-page articles on American Idol than cover the local visual arts scene, even wonderful exhibits with regional significance, like

" Final Harvest: Truck Farmers in the Deep South", an exhibit we mounted in the Spring of this year. The photographs, by Ga. Artist of the Year Perry Dilbeck, have received great acclaim and were published in a book of the same name, and it is a shame that there was so little interest in our community. There were other exhibits, including "In the Footsteps of Saint Francis" by John Lawrence, photographs taken over a ten year period in Italy, that I am proud to have given a temporary home. To my family, friends and students, CSU art students and faculty who attended the openings or stopped in at other times: You made my experiment a success in many ways; I enjoyed our discussions of the photographs on the walls and your own explorations in our medium.

I am not going anywhere. The Photography Center becomes the Art of Photography by Kenny Gray. I have chosen this name because I want to keep reminding people that photography is an art form, and although my commercial photography will be on the walls, I plan on occasional exhibits of fine art photography as well, mine and others that I admire.

Keep Shootin', and stay tuned,

Kenny

Location Portrait Assignment from NEA

Last Friday I was contacted by the National Education Association in Washington, D.C. and asked to photograph Mr. Lester Mason Jr. , a life-long resident of Phenix City and a retired educator, for the cover story of the next issue of their monthly magazine. We quickly agreed on terms and I was then told that the deadline was October 8th! Why do so many large organizations wait until the last minute to schedule photography? It happens frequently with corporate groups that have events at Callaway Gardens- makes me feel better about my own procrastination. Nothing had been set up with Mr. Mason; I called him and we discussed his various civic activities and it became clear to me that his heart belongs to the children of the Phenix-Russell Boys and Girls Club, a hugely successful enterprise that he started in 1967. So I quickly scheduled a shoot at the club on Monday (my day off), and my son Gabe and I loaded lots of gear from my studio into my van and spent four hours at the club, photographing Mr. Mason in five different situations, most of them involving lots of rambunctious kids- Gabe and I were exhausted afterwards! After editing and adjusting the files, I over-nighted a DVD to NEA headquarters. My contact there sent me an email within an hour of the DVD's arrival: "Kenny, the portraits of Lester Mason are amazing. We LOVE them! Thanks for the great images."

Location photography can be challenging in a creative, organizational and physical sense , and adding a tight deadline adds extra stress, but there are sometimes big payoffs; Mr. Mason is 78 years old and a wonderful man, an inspiration. It was an honor to work with him and I am better for the experience.

Honor your elders, recognize our leaders, and Keep Shootin',
Kenny

You're Invited

Photograph by Kevin Kelly

(click to enlarge)

Hello Everyone. Please join us this Friday at the Photography Center for the closing reception for the Summer Show 2008, an exhibit of my students' best work from 2007-08.

Friday, September 19, 7:30-10:00. Wine, coffee and scrumptious mini-deserts by Mark Testa.

Be there or be square, and

Keep Shootin',

Kenny

The PhotoShow Live, September 4, CSU EBTC Auditorium

No, this photo doesn't show the PhotoShow audience erupting into spontaneous applause; only the results of a live photo shoot just before intermission. We rolled the large softbox (from the Rankin Arts Center's studio) out from stage right and using this one light (White Lightning 600ws Flash) my associate, Nicole, shot me with the audience clapping in the background. Nicole used a slow shutter speed (1/8 sec.) to illuminate the audience using the auditorium's overhead lighting. The slow shutter also allowed the light from the projector to provide rim lighting on yours truly and blur the clapping hands. We were able to show the results to the audience when they returned from intermission.

My thanks to our enthusiastic audience-approximately 90 photographers attended and we had a great time. All attendees got discount vouchers for upcoming classes. BTW, it appears that every class we are offering this Fall will run! Thanks to all area photographers who support our program.

Keep learning and Keep shootin',

Kenny

I'm Back, or "What I did on my Summer Vacation"

Actually, it wasn't a vacation, but another long summer of family portraiture at Callaway Gardens. I created 44 family portraits during the 9 weeks of Summer Family Adventure, in most cases with the able assistance of my associate, Nicole. We try to encourage our family groups to interact in fun ways, rather than pose formally and it usually works well, as in this children's portrait at Mr. Cason's Vegetable Garden. If you have never been, check it out- it's the best place I have ever found for portraits-lots of beautiful plantings, picket fences, porches, chairs and benches for posing, and best of all lots of perfect natural light. This particular spot was chosen to include the giant sunflowers and other color in the sunlit background and I used off-camera fill flash.

Having been away for a while I wonder if any of you still check in from time to time, so here's a test: the next person to post a comment will receive a free one-hour lesson at the Photography Center or a studio sitting.

New post soon.

Have a great fall and

Keep shootin'

Kenny

Forgotten Coast Weekend Workshop in October

Greetings, Everyone.

My wife, Brenda, and I are excited to announce our fall photography workshop in Apalachicola, Florida. Brenda is putting her event planning experience to work and I will be leading the workshop. We promise lots of opportunities for photography, seafood and fun in historic, picturesque Apalachicola. Contact me or Brenda for details.

kgp@kennygray.com

brenda@kennygray.com

This workshop will be widely advertised in the region and we are accepting only twelve participants, so register right away and get a gas rebate and room discount.

Take care and keep shootin’.
Kenny

Welcome, Robin.

This Fall, Robin Trimarchi,
award-winning
photo-journalist for the
Columbus Ledger-Enquirer
will join our teaching staff at
the CSU Rankin Arts Center.







Robin will be teaching Family Photojournalism: On Assignment and Introduction to Sports Photography.

Robin has a new blog filled with some of her best pictures and great tips for improving your photography-check it out.

Use sunscreen, read Robin's blog
but above all,
Keep shootin',
Kenny

Evolution of A Baby Portrait

The original 17 megapixel capture (Raw, 1/125 sec., f/8). Three adults assisting: My associate, Nicole blowing bubbles toward Talia, her mother, Sophia standing next to me talking to her, a student of mine, Tanya, spotting Talia to keep her safe. Photographed in the Rankin Arts Center's studio, two lights, black velvet backdrop. Notice that my main light, a 4x6' softbox, is positioned far around to the right (short lighting) to create three-dimensionality and to backlight the bubbles.

The image has now been cropped and I have adjusted contrast using Levels. I have also imported bubbles from another shot, resized and enhanced them, and retouched her pampers to appear solid white.





Cropped tighter now, scratch removed from her cheek, eyes enhanced.





I tried out a sepia/selective tint, decided I didn't like it.




I tried a watercolor filter. You may have to enlarge the image to see it (just click on it). Decided I didn't like it, either.


Here is the final portrait. I have added a Photoshop filter called Accented Edges, on a separate layer, adjusted opacity, and then created a rough, painterly edge. This portrait would look great printed on watercolor paper.

Good equipment, outstanding crew, beautiful happy baby, Photoshop, lots of patience in the studio and on the computer= Talia with Bubbles! See more of Talia here.

Love those babies, and

Keep Shootin'
Kenny

#1 Beginner's Mistake

Take a look at the three images to the left. The top two represent what you might see when looking through the viewfinder of your digital camera. You will likely see other numbers and icons that tell you the settings you have chosen for your camera. For now pay attention to the two numbers displayed: the number on the far left is your shutter speed, to the right, your aperture. It is the shutter speed that concerns us today. Notice that the shutter speed is one-forth of a second, (represented by 4 or 1/4, depending on your camera manufacturer), much too slow to hand-hold. In the low light of this cathedral, your camera is "telling you" that in order to get a good exposure, you need a slowwww shutter speed, no problem unless you forgot your tripod, but will result in camera shake without one.


The third image shows how your photograph might look. Camera shake is not a focus problem, it is a result of the camera (photographer) moving during a long exposure.

Your camera has a built-in light meter, and the shutter speed and aperture numbers displayed in your viewfinder, and LCD display, is the light reading. Learn to "read" your camera's display before taking your picture and you will avoid this common mistake.


Keep your eye on your light readings and

Keep Shootin'.
Kenny

Requiem for Polaroid ?

Sharon, 1993 from Dreamers

I have been thinking about Polaroid film lately, since the company's announcement that they were discontinuing production. Like most photographers of my generation, I used Polaroid cameras-initially the cheap, plastic versions my parents provided and later beautifully crafted folding models with Zeiss lenses, like the one I used in 1993 for a project called Dreamers. My film of choice was Polaroid Positive/Negative, which produced not only a black and white print (positive) but a large negative that could be cleared and dried and used in a darkroom to make enlargements. I also used Polaroid BW film to test lighting set-ups in my studio.

Polaroid film was important because it cut out the middleman; the photographer took a picture and within a few minutes, held the print in his hands. No drugstore or minilab to finish the job and often finish it badly. (Almost) instant gratification, way back in the 50's, and a unique one-of-a kind photograph, ready for a family album. I sincerely hope that some other company decides to license the Polaroid technology- there are a lot of photographers who are passionate about the product, but are there enough?

Check out this site, devoted to saving Polaroid film.

Ansel Adams was directly involved in the development of Polaroid film, used it extensively and wrote the definitive book on its creative use.

Dr. Edwin Land, Polaroid's inventor, profiled here.

Use any technology, old or new, simple or sophisticated, but

Keep Shootin'.
Kenny

Shannon Szwarc: Award-Winning Photojournalist

If all goes well, next fall the Photography Center will showcase the work of talented local photojournalist Shannon Szwarc. Shannon is the newest hire at the Ledger-Enquirer, and we are fortunate to have him working in our community.

Take a look at his website and his "Riverwalking" blog.

I am especially impressed by Shannon's black and white work, published in his book, “Wilderness Within Wilderness Without”, which chronicles the nine months he shadowed a group of troubled youth living and learning in a therapeutic wilderness program in Ohiopyle, Pennsylvania. Along with the honor of being asked to present at the National Association of Therapeutic Wilderness Camps, the book received national recognition in the Photo District News Photo Annual and several universities have since hosted exhibitions of the photographs.

The work is spare, inspired and poetic. See for yourself.

Like Shannon, Keep Shootin'.
Kenny

Photojournalism: Lost Links

Several of you were puzzled by the two links included in my last post, wondering what they had to do with each other. I just followed the links and discovered why; the picture stories I linked to are updated frequently and so the links change as well. The original link targets were photos of refugees in Myanmar and China who had lost virtually all their belongings. One couple was attempting to save a family photo album, the other a large framed wedding portrait.

Photographers who document their family's life are providing a precious resource for future generations, as are professionals who are hired to do the same thing on special occasions.

Follow the links anyway to see some of the best of the week's photojournalism, and look for a new class next fall at the Rankin Arts Center, Family Photojournalism:On Assignment, taught by the Ledger-Enquirer's Robin Trimarchi.

Keep shootin' your families!
Kenny

Photojournalism

I have a newspaper clipping, A "Thought for the Day" from the Ledger-Enquirer by Author Robert Fulghum (All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten), posted on my refrigerator: "If you break your neck, if you have nothing to eat, if your house is on fire, then you have a problem. Everything else is inconvenience."

Photojournalists, our globe-trekking brothers and sisters, need no such reminder. Look here and here to see the past week's events through their eyes, their lenses. Each of the two links takes you to one in a series of photographs; make sure to take a look at all the photographs in the series, but first, notice the one thing that those two images have in common. Post your comments, please.

Have a safe, productive week, and no matter what happens,

Keep Shootin' and keep in touch.
Kenny

A Love Story

The beginning of a relationship necessitates heightened sensitivity and understanding. There will be doubts and misunderstandings. Only patience can lead to mutual trust, developed in small increments. Do not attempt to force or rush this process. There will be times of heady excitement and quiet admiration, with anticipation of pleasures to come. Before long, you will be tempted to engage in tentative and gentle physical explorations. Take it easy. Don't rush. At these times, you must keep in mind that a lasting relationship is not based on pure physicality no matter how enchanting the object of your desire, but that it will only progress to a long-term commitment if there can be mutual respect. And be clear that there will be weaknesses as well as strengths; it would be unreasonable to expect perfection. Be gentle and tolerant. Intimacy will grow, but it will take time and cannot be rushed. If all goes well, soon you will become more familiar with each other, and handling will forge awkward fumbling and fondling into more satisfying and productive caresses and eventually into a comfortable working partnership.
At this stage you will be ready to accompany your new camera into the world.

Bill Jay, from LensWork, No.76, May-June, 2008
www.lenswork.com

Is Bill Jay talking about photographers and their cameras? The creative process? Love and life?
All of the above?

Howard Finster Portrait to Museum Collection

Anyone ever hear of the Reverend Howard Finster? I made a series of portraits of Howard in 1981 in "Paradise Garden", his masterpiece folk art site built on reclaimed swampland in Pennvile, Ga. Pennville is about three hours north of Atlanta in the mountains and I spent a lot of time with Howard while co-producing a documentary video, "Howard Finster: Man of Visions", for a cable tv station in Atlanta with a friend, Calvin Burgamy.

Howard was about to become the most famous folk artist of modern times. He had just completed album covers for Talking Heads and REM and within a few years had won wide acclaim in the art world and become a pop culture celebrity, even appearing on the Tonight Show and cracking up Johnny Carson.

Howard was one of the most charismatic people I have ever met and his colored pencil drawing I purchased when our filming was finished, is one of my most prized possessions. See more of his work here.

I am currently preparing three of my portraits of Howard to ship to the Museum of Contemporary Art of Georgia, in Atlanta, which has acquired them for their permanent collection.

Exhibit Opens at the Photography Center

Friends: Please join us at the Photography Center ( 9 10th St., directly across the street from the side entrance to the Rivercenter, just off Broadway) next Friday night, 7-9:00PM, for the opening reception of the BFA Thesis Exhibition of CSU Senior Justin Hadley. We will fill the main gallery with Justin's large BW portraits of his friends and family members, all photographed with the same backdrop and simple lighting technique-very democratic. The resulting portraits are compelling. Justin's subjects look right back at the viewer, and the work seems to ask for an exchange of some kind, like all good art. I am excited to present this fine young photographer's work. Come mingle with other photographers and art lover's in Historic Rankin Square in Uptown.

Recent Studio Work

Since moving my studio from Pine Mountain to Columbus 18 months ago, I find I spend more time teaching studio photography than actually practicing it.

Here's a recent headshot of Mark Stephen Willis, 2 yrs old, from LaGrange.

A Not So Terrible two. Cute huh?

See more of Mark Stephen here.

My studio technique is deceptively simple and is stylistically more like advertising photography than traditional portraiture. This headshot required two lights, a skilled assistant, lots of patience, and a willingness to make complete fools of ourselves.

Great to hear from John Pyle, a star student from one of my studio classes last year. From John: "Tremendous class, it really broke down the barrier for me with jumping from natural light to strobes!

John's work is showcased in his blog and on his website:

http://www.johnpylephotoblog.com/

http://www.johnpylephotography.com/

Good luck John!

Keep an eye out for my studio classes next fall:

http://conted.colstate.edu/

Keep shootin'

Kenny

Tips for Navigating My Blog

Hello Everyone. Immediately below each of my posts, you will notice:


A comments link. Click on it and follow the prompts to type your comment, choose an identity ( I prefer your name, but remain anonymous or use a url if you prefer). Preview your comment, if you wish, then click on Publish Your Comment and you're done.


An email link (small envelope icon) allows you to forward my post to someone else.


Subscribe to: Posts allows you to (surprise!) subscribe to my blog through a "feed". Once you subscribe, your computer will periodically check my blog (daily is usually the default) for updates and download them for you to view. If you have a Google toolbar you have a feed icon that you click on to get your feeds.


Blog Archive allows you to access all posts through a drop-down menu, with the oldest shown first.


My Links point the way to sites that I am involved with or think are useful. Click and enjoy.

Greetings friends, students, teachers, photographers and all who love photography. Please join me on my quixotic quest to create a photography community in the Chattahoochee Valley. This is my inaugural post-I encourage you to respond and keep the conversation and ideas alive. Let's also meet, in classes, lessons and at exhibit openings. I plan to blog on a wide variety of topics, from tech help for beginners to aesthetic concerns for art photographers and much more. Something for everyone I hope. If not, let me know.

If, like me, you are new to blogging, this link might help:

http://blogger.com/tour_start.g

Keep shootin' and keep in touch,
Kenny