The Defined Foto - Specialized Shoot

It's invigorating to wake up to the fresh chill of autumn and plan a get away to the mountains or along the trails that take you deep into a place where the world stands still. The outdoors is one of life's greatest gifts. It offers an opportunity to exercise while exploring... a chance to refill the lungs with an antidote that combats the daily grind. But, as much as we need it, as much as I need it, there never seems to be enough time to set my priorities straight. Welcome to my first installment of The Defined Foto as described in my Evolution blog.

I met Lena a few years ago when Annette Milbers Fleck and I held one of our "My Best Body" Shootout events in Calgary. Both Annette and I were impressed with her strong physique yet even more impressed with her positive attitude. What really surprised me was Lena had never touched a weight at this time, and I have since learned that weight training is something she's only really started over the past several months. Her main passion since she was a young girl and now her favorite form of exercise is mountain biking where she has competed in many events including the renown 24 Hours of Adrenalin.

A couple weeks ago, Lena participated in My Best Body 19 in Edmonton at Corey Dalton's SNAP Fitness on Calgary Trail NW. She asked if she could bring a couple props and I said "Sure! Whatever you'd like that is fitting to you". She showed up with a sparkling clean snow-board and her Specialized mountain bike. This was Lena's third Shootout and I could see a new energy and comfort in her posture and expressions. Annette and I took a number of photos of Lena and her bike and that's when the thought of really capturing her spirit in her element began to form.

Over the years, mountain biking was one of my favorite outdoor activities... and should be again at some point... as I really could use some fun yet intense exercising. Seeing Lena's excitement at the opportunity to shoot while doing some trail riding was contagious. It was the second best thing to riding myself, so we planned an afternoon shoot that would allow the temperature to reach something more comfortable than the zero degrees we have been feeling in the mornings here in Alberta.

I chose a location that was unique and somewhat remote to ensure a quiet trail to set up along. It took a little bit of work to carry a hundred pounds worth of gear but was so well worth it.

There were two things about this shoot that jumped out at me. First, Lena's obvious passion and energy for something she loves to do, and secondly, how much fun it was for me to capture my concepts. I had a few ideas planned as I began the shoot, but as I got into the groove I let myself go with the flow. One idea would lead into the next and after a couple hours of shooting, which often times required a few takes to get the exact shot I envisioned, we had a complete set of shots that shared a story.

The images I have attached here are a few of what we shot and I hope they inspire you to take some time out of your busy schedule and hit the outdoors.

Tip for photographers: Always look at themes your clients are passionate about as it'll give you an opportunity to capture an energy you might not otherwise find.

About the photos: I used a two light portable system that I balanced with the ambient light to create the look and feel I had envisioned. My secondary (back) light was bare-bulb with directional reflector at f8 to f9 and my primary source was into a three foot off white reflecting umbrella at f4.5 to f5.6 at a shutter speed of 1/160, 800 ISO, Flash WB and -3.33 eV. Photo of young Lena provided by Lena.

Photography Is For Everyone

Everyone has a photographer inside them. It doesn't matter if you own the latest or best gear, or any gear other than a camera phone for that matter. Photography is a form of art with no right or wrong results. Anyone and everyone has an equal opportunity to explore their individual vision. Unlike many educational programs, the only expense is the price of the equipment which is at an all time minimum. The opportunities are limitless and that is what makes owning a camera so exciting today.

Between my trip to Vancouver and Las Vegas I had the opportunity to spend a day in Banff. As I walked the streets, took the gondola to the top of Sulphur Mountain, it was clear we were in the age of digital imagery. I loved seeing everyone sporting photo gear - some more serious than others but all with a common goal - to capture moments in time - to tell a story.

Every year I have the opportunity to speak with photographers of all levels. What I find most fascinating is the individual journeys. Taking risks, while learning to explore the inner creative spirit is rewarding. With the busyness of life today, photography has become a creative outlet that allows the photographer to share a piece of their souls. I know for myself, writing and photography both enable me to eliminate stress. Feeling grounded allows me to grow both as a person and as an artist. 

How many professional photographers lose sight of what got them started? I'd venture a lot, myself included. Unless I could take a perfect picture, unless the lighting was exactly what I wished for, my camera would sit quietly in my camera bag. Then came along the iPhone 4G. I quickly made the switch from Blackberry to Apple. In many ways it has revitalized my photography. The best camera is always the one that is handiest and nothing is closer then my phone in my pocket. I now frequently walk with my eyes open. I see everything with an open mind. Capturing life around me is a priceless opportunity and with the quick adjustment through an iPhone app a regular image suddenly transforms into a complimentary piece of photographic art. Photography is fun again and that feeling to me is what every photographer needs on a regular basis.

Where are you in your creative journey? Are you leery to start because you don't think you are any good? Nothing could be farther from the truth. Photography as an art is not about competition. It's not about being the best. It's not about being compared to others. It's not about how you edit a photo. It's simply about seeing life as it is and grabbing moments that will last a lifetime. I encourage everyone to explore - get out and shoot. You can do it. As art, there is no such thing as bad pictures. Trust me, you'll love the creative outlet that is within your reach.