Depth of Field

I really enjoy pictures with shallow depth of field. I love the look of the subject usually being in focus and the background blurred. It may not give a lot of depth of field but usually when a photographer uses depth of field you don't need a lot of depth.

This is David's daily task every Monday-Friday on USC's campus. He stands either on the corner of Greene and Bull or in front of the Library trying to remind students of their creator by giving out papers with information about God (Yahweh) on them.

I've been taking a lot of pictures of David as you can see. This past Friday I met with him again and photographed him but I mainly wanted to have more close ups which I thought I was missing. I used low f stops to blur the background as I zoomed into his hands handing out papers. There were green trees in the background which added contrast into the photo adding interest to it! While, I was shooting a couple USC police officers appeared on site wondering what David had been doing. He's been doing this for 26 years and he told me this happens about three times each year. By then, they should know he isn't bothering anyone and is outside the Greene St. gates which allows him to stand where he does. The police officers informed him that he had been issued a trespassing violation in 2006, however he was never given a ticket. How can they just give someone a violation without making them aware of it? Anyways, this added a little excitement into my photo story really showing that while he's peacefully evangelizing he is being harrassed by officers for what? Nothing.

This occurred this past Friday as I was photographing David. This women cop was basically harassing him in trying to figure out why he was doing what he was doing. He wasn't disturbing anyone. This brought unwanted attention to him which hurt his feelings.

Anyways really learning how to work with my camera I think has brought me far. From the beginning to now, I feel like I really grew and have been using what i've learned to enhance my assignment!

My New Friend

David Hallman is a man of the Lord. He lives for him delivering his message to give everyone a chance of redemption. He was born in Columba 68 years ago. David travels to other campuses as well trying to glorify God (Yahweh). Students around here know him as the Yahweh guy who stands on the corner of Bull and Greene as well as in front of the library. He doesn't say much but hands out letters telling students of their Savior.

These photos are taken from David's assembly (church/ worship) service where he gathers with other believers to worship and learn about Yahweh. His sister sitting next to him at worship!

This is David's Rabbi who also leads worship.

Not many people know how compassionate David really is. He is friends with all of his brothers and sisters and cares for each one of them. Everyone knows and loves David!

My New Friend

For my multimedia final project in my photo class, I have been spending time with the passionate, David Hallman. He is one of the nicest and sincere people i've ever met. I've photographed him about three times and have interviewed him twice as well. I plan on going back but so far i've gotten what he does during the week. He literally comes on campus EVERY DAY to tell students about Yahweh aka God.  Then he assembles on Saturdays to worship Yahweh with his brothers and sisters. He is very passionate about what he believes. I was able to accompany him to his assembly just over the Gervais bridge and it was an experience. He was so warm hearted and everyone loved him! The service goes from abour 2:30 til around 6. I loved attending! I was able to get some great photos of David on USC's campus trying to touch students and their interaction and I was successful with capturing photos that focused on him while people passed him and i was able to make them blurred like in motion (i'm not sure of the technical name). So i was very happy to have discovered how to take those photos! I also took some great photos at David's assembly. The lighting in both situation were great! I wish I could capture him smiling more but he is very serious when he worships and talks because of how strongly he feels about his faith.

The next step is to probably start piecing some stuff together so I know what I need to go back. I have some great audio from chatting with him and from the worship service. I really want my photos to go with my audio because that seemed to be a hit in many of the ones we talked about in class. David's life revolves around his love for Yahweh and I want to do that justice.

Photos by the River

This is a pictures of one of my friends who is a model. We were just messing around and wanted to just practice taking pictures so I asked her to dress up and took photos of her at the river. She is very photogenic which helped and a model naturally but it was really nice lighting. If the sun was in front of me some of the pictures would be a little dark but if the sun was shining on her helping light her up, it added to the picture.

I enjoy taking pictures and had a lot come out great. Megan sometimes uses them for modeling stuff. If i went again I would bring other outfits or take her somewhere else. I would want more contrast between her and the river as well. Maybe more vibrant reds so that she pops and your eyes are focused and brought to her since she is the subject.

New Virtual Friends

Recently, I just found a couple who is in love with photography. They work together and photograph events from engagement pictures, weddings, individual portraits. They literally have taken some of the most beautiful photos i've ever seen. They are so full of love. They have a video of themselves and it is lovely. They really capture emotion and it's not just the typical photos you see at a wedding but they capture the unthinkable. Their photos are upclose and personal which is what I love most. If I were to photograph events and engagements I would want to capture emotion and love in those photos like they do. They are good at what they do! Even though they are in California if there was any chance for them to be in Pa I would have them photograph my engagements and wedding in a heartbeat.

I am now following them. If you want to take a look at their website its on the column on the right under Blogs I'm Following. Below is a snapshot of one of my favorites on the left. Then again I LOVE all of them so its hard to chose but I love how they captured this moment in a photograph.

http://www.troygrover.com/#/san-clemente-wedding-photographer/

http://www.troygrover.com/#/engagements/

Open Bowl

This is my favorite picture from an event I covered over Spring Break. I love the smiles on it and it really shows the impact the high schoolers can have on the kids. In some areas the lighting was hard and created some problems but in this area of the bowling palace was lit well. I really enjoy shooting things where kids are involved because there always so happy and cheerful. The kids in the photo come from Chester which is a lower class area and the high schoolers are from Henderson High School. The event was put on my the Andrew L. Hicks Jr. Foundation which is giving kids hope through showing the light of Christ. Andrew passed away two years ago this summer and his family created this Foundation to carry on what he would have wanted.
After I covered the Project Condom I wanted to try another event with different lighting conditions. I think overall these photos came out great and I was even able to give them to the Hicks family and for the girls who were using this for their school assignment.

Project Condom - Season 5

Last tuesday, I went and photographed Project Condom. We have a photography project to do an event and I chose to go capture that one. I had never been and had wanted to for the last two years and figured this was a perfect time. I contacted Erik who is in charge of the events and he was able to tell me some things that helped quite a bit. However, contacting Erik was the easy part.

It was located in Russel House with a full house. Mondo Guerra was the key speaker and judge whom also was a star on project runway. This event is used to promote AIDS awareness along as safe sex. Students involved in Carolina Productions and Student Government teamed up and handed out condoms promoting the idea of safe sex to students who came to the event. There was also a storyline of how to put on a condom during an intermission while judges were deciding on the winner. There were 12 contestants to start which they narrowed down to then 6 finalists. The winner of which was the Alpha Phi Omega.

Located above in my photo strip is a gallery from the event. Click on the picture to learn more about it!

This photo was taken when the 12 contestants were awaiting the judges decisions on the final 6.


Meanwhile...
Once I had done this event, on spring break I took the initiative to try another event. My friends family started a foundation when their son passed away two years ago and had a bowling event this past Saturday. They take underprivileged kids from a county nearby and pay for them to bowl with high school students. The lighting in the bowling palace is also a bit iffy but I was able to take my time to try and create photos! These came out just as well as my first event.

This isn't going to stop me and I will try and shoot other events as they come around !