My Favorite Images of 2015: People

A second installment of my favorite images of 2015 has to do with people. I love to photograph people in their natural settings or as a portrait shoot environment.  People can be very expressive and interesting.

A couple of my favorite photographs came from my 98 year-old uncle’s life-long companion, Lela’s 100th birthday!  Lela and Thelma were being interviewed by a local television station on their “secrets to a long life.” They were wonderful to listen to.

A friend of mine has a daughter who is a ballerina and I had been wanting to try out a few new flash techniques.  This image was taken using stroboscopic flash technique.  The flash strobes while the individual continues movement.  The result is a sequence captured in one singular image.

During a trip to Washington DC we dined at Filomena’s Italian Restaurant.  I stood in the entry way and watched as this lady kneaded dough making gnocchi for the customers. She looked up and smiled just as I touched the shutter on my iPhone.  I did add texturing with On1 Photo and converted the image to sepia for a competition. It won first place in that competition.

While taking photographs at a friend’s wedding reception, I saw this group leave the reception hall with the dogs. Since it was early, I decided to follow them to see what the layout of the property was. The husky was pulling the groom, and almost went into the water. After taking this photograph I studied the dynamics of it. The main photographer is trying to set the scene while one of the groomsman directs. The groomsman is trying to take a shot with his phone. The second shooter is “chimping”. You have one of the bridesmaids coming in to check things out. Meanwhile the bulldog is trying to eat the bouquet!  Such a fun image!

Two of my favorite wedding photographs of the year were from Ben and Elisha’s reception and Stephanie and Andy’s wedding. Ben and Elisha got married in Australia where they live and came to Cincinnati for their reception.  I went outside to check on the sunset and asked them to come out for a few photographs.  I took this using a flash so I could retain the colors in the sunset, also so I could have them visible in the image.

Andy is my cousin. He and Stephanie were married in March behind the Smithsonian Castle. While we were taking a few photographs we were asked to leave by security agents. We were told the reason we had to leave was because we could not have an “organized photoshoot” on federal property.  Because I was using professional equipment (my flash was on a monopod and I was using it for fill) I guess they thought we were having an “organized photoshoot.”  We got what we needed plus a great story to tell! I do like this photograph; the cherry blossoms were added in post processing.

A couple of fun photographs from 2015 were on my trip to Ossabaw Island in Georgia. The domesticated donkeys were a first for me.

One of my fun photoshoots this year was with RJ Haddy and his assistant Edward Warren. I used a flash with a green filter then added the special effects to the orb using Photoshop.

I became aware of the Fire and Ice Festival in 2014; when it was already over. I put it on my calendar for 2015; what a fun event it was…COLD! They light wood in a tower made of ice and allow it to burn until the ice melts and the fire goes out.

Another fun photoshoot I had this year was a good friend of mine’s grandson, Nelson Craycraft’s senior photographs.  I had an idea in my mind for this but due to equipment not cooperating with me at the time, I had to switch gears.  A compound bow is very heavy and his arms were getting fatigued. I definitely wanted to get the eye in the site.

I hope you have enjoyed my people pictures for 2o15!