new website + new blog

Newest blog entry at my redesigned website. Enjoy.
http://travisbechtel.com/?page_id=107

Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve

 

One of my most favorite landscape photographs that I have ever taken, not sure if I could tell you exactly why......its not the best sunrise, sunset, etc..... that I have ever seen. I'm not sure if it could even hold up in a photo contest but it speaks to me. In the field, I did not think I would like it as much as I do. I was walking back after shooting a sunrise over the hill in the background of this image and was thinking that I was done shooting this morning, time for coffee! The clouds kept holding my attention although, and finally decided that I needed to continue shooting. This is taken about a hour after sunrise, there is a ridge to the right and as I am shooting a couple different compositions, the sun rises high enough over the ridge to catch the tops of the grasses, that are blowing in the howling wind. Hope you enjoy.

Time for Coffee

The Roasterie's Kansas City Dark Blend

Water Conservation

So I decided to start collecting rain water, and the first thing everyone asks is, "what are you going to do with all the water?" My response is to water the few herbs that we planted, which might take 5 gallons every couple days and the rest of the water in the 55 gallon barrel............any ideas?

weed-b-gone

The grass in my yard is a mess, but the dandelions and other rogue elements are doing very well. My motivation to dumps bags of money into the yard has left, seeing as how I have done this in the past with no apparent results. Our lawn might be the only one on the block that has those wonderful yellow thriving flowers. So, instead of grabbing the weed-b-gone, I grabbed the camera and went to work. I took this image using the Lensbaby (f4 ring) hand held with the macro kit, the +10 and +4 rings attached, needless to say it was a fairly still day. Enjoy.

3 silos

A new image from a drive into northwest Iowa. As usual, I am paying more attention to what is along the road or clouds in the sky than my driving on the highway. These three silos caught my attention pretty much right away. I am not sure of the attraction, if its because I grew up in an small agricultural community, the simplicity of form and function, their iconic nature. I really like the scale, relationship of the silos to the the field behind them and convenience to the highway - you can call me a "photography poacher"! I was thinking black and white right away because I knew the silos contrast in relationship to the rest of the image would highlight the subject matter.

My friend has a nice video tutorial regarding black and white images similar to this, http://acjphotoworkshops.com/after-the-shoot-episode-2-singh-ray-bluegold-polarizer

Enjoy.

Spring almost here!

The winter weather has finally broke in the mid-west and we can venture outside shielding our eyes from the blazing sun. I thought this shot would get us in the mood for spring flowers, many of which are starting to come up around the area. This flower was shot in captivity on our kitchen table; the light was nicely filtered in the afternoon so I grabbed the Lensbaby and bent it. Also, I think this flower was my wife's spelling bee championship word in grade school.

Abigail

Born: Tuesday January 19, 2010. 8lbs -12oz. 20 3/4"

online DSLR class

A fellow photographer and friend in St. Paul is offering an online course in digital photography, it's well worth a look if you have a new camera or just want to do more with the one you already own. Check out the link below.

http://acjphotoworkshops.com/registration-now-open-for-the-next-level

Headshots

A couple images from an on-location corporate shoot that I did middle of last month. I had one light with me and the space had huge amounts of indirect sunlight. The shoot was tougher than I thought it would be and I figured out quickly there is plenty to learn down this avenue. My friend makes it look easy, check his work out at http://acjphotoworkshops.com/studio-photography-onetwo-light-portraits

prep for new Bechtel

Preparation has started for the new Bechtel. After both a girl and boy already - with a few storage bins for both, this was the aftermath of finding outfits in case of either (Abigail Francis or Curran Alcuin) at the hospital. And a few other necessities. Keep you posted. Oh by the way if you are a fan of Where's Waldo both these images have the Woody character from Toy Story in them.

Library

I had a big photography job in November working for a terrific architecture firm in Cincinnati, photographing a new library they had just completed. The project is very well done in all aspects and will be a great addition to the community. I walked into a great couple days of weather as well, November can be hit or miss. I also uploaded a portfolio on Flickr of some of my other architectural photography; http://www.flickr.com/photos/35742186@N05/sets/72157623014783684

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!

Pier

I was digging through the archives and ran across some images from a trip to Coupeville, WA. to attend a Craig Tanner Workshop taught through the Coupeville Arts Center. This is the iconic pier and wharf-house, at low tide! There is something about these iconic forms that seem to draw me in, wherever I go. I remember staying at a house in town (starving artist rates) that overlooked the water and I believe Mt. Baker on the eastern horizon, it had a great wrap around porch and a terrific retired couple that had worked and lived in Seattle. I really enjoyed the trip and would like to return to the Pacific Northwest.

National Parks

I hope everyone is watching Ken Burns epic "National Parks" on PBS - completely awesome, I just wish I had a HDTV. This is a shot from a few years ago at the Smokey Mountain National Park.

Abstract 001

Another abstract photograph while panning down using the Lensbaby composer. I believe this was another grove of small paper bark birch trees; not spaghetti drying at the local pasta shop. I should start putting a collection of these together, sorry thinking out loud. Enjoy.

Fog

This image is taken near Emporia, Kansas on my way to the Prairie National Preserve in Chase County. The post production work was inspired by a tutorial from Mark Johnson
(http://www.msjphotography.com/index.php/2009/08/photoshop-workbench-192-achieving-the-grunge-look) I have learned nearly all my Photoshop skills which are few but enough to get by from Mark; thank you Mark. Funny thing about this shot, the major interstate highway ends up being about 50 yards behind this tree but the fog was enough to obscure it.

Badwater

Death Valley National Park 2008. Badwater is the lowest place in the US approx. 282 feet below sea level, the formations are salt deposits that are reacting to evaporation. My friend Alec and I took a trip last fall, it was the first time for both of us at this incredible National Park. We shot a couple video tutorials (http://blog.acjohnsonphoto.com/during-the-shoot-episode-4-split-nd-filters-part-1) and photographed all the usual spots, plus got lost at Mesquite dunes at night. The rangers repeatedly told us to be careful, and we only wander aimlessly for about 30 minutes before we regained our bearings.

Cincinnati

Continuing an architecture theme; the Contemporary Arts Center - Cincinnati, Ohio. I believe this was architect Zaha Hadid's first US project. Somewhat of a difficult building to photograph although, special thanks to my wing-man that evening. I think we ended up at Cadillac Ranch, no not a strip club - some Texas themed bar with a mechanical bull. (great for the tourist or convention crowd) Great people watching, when you get drunk people riding spinning objects after they have signed a release to do it. Have a great Labor Day weekend!

Guthrie Theater

The Guthrie Theater in Minneapolis, MN. Architect - Jean Nouvel. The image above is under the 178' cantilevered bridge that almost extents to the edge of the Mississippi River. If you are ever in the area it is well worth a visit even if you do not have time for a show.

Back to School

It has been a busy week or so, I returned from my trip to the North Shore (a few more images to come) and boom Summer is over! Last Friday we made our trip to the local Converse store to outfit my daughter and son with their new chucks for school this week. Hannah went with the classic black low-top and Luke went with the brown high-tops. Above is an image featuring Luke's high-tops from the spring and summer; shot downstairs, in what is referred to in the household as the spider hole ie: makeshift basement studio.