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Jake Johnson's Picture Perfect Course

My wife and I take Pilates a couple times a week. You can picture me doing Pilates, can’t you? Maybe not. Anyway, that is where I first met Jake Johnson. It turns out that behind the laid back, easy going personality, is a successful commercial photographer. Well, well! When I found out he was teaching a series of photography classes, I immediately signed up for the entire series. (Jake and local photographer Dawniele showing the class how it’s done.)

After completing each class, I had to ask myself, why did it take me so long? If you own a camera (that goes double if you own a DSLR) you owe it to yourself to learn how to use it. Whatever level you’re at, there is always more you can learn about exposure, camera settings, lighting, composition, editing; the list goes on. My point? Stop sitting back and letting your camera make all the decisions.

As I become more familiar with my camera, as I understand how to see light and to control it, I become a better photographer. I am not saying I’m all that and a bag of cheese-its, just better.

These pictures are all ones I took randomly over the course of the last class. We all took during being the “model” so if you don’t like the picture it’s the photographer’s fault. If you like it, then it’s totally the model. That’s fair, right? (Pictured is local fashion photog Stella).

Scary bug alert! This guy showed up as we were taking group pictures and supports the quote by Joe McNally, “Don’t pack up your camera until you’ve left the location.”

Happy Friday!

June 4, 2010
The Best Camera? The One You Have With You

My first camera was a Canon 35mm SLR with a kit lens. It was a Christmas gift from mom and dad close to twenty years ago. Besides their love, and my eduction, that camera was perhaps the greatest gift my parents even gave me. While there was a period of time during which I put the camera down (film can be a hassle) there was never a time where I didn’t see things around me and consider how I’d capture the moment on film.

My reawakening happened one overcast afternoon London, England. I was with my wife and in-laws, walking the streets, just taking in the amazing sights, and suddenly I wished, out loud, that I had my camera. “Wait a minute. You do!”, exclaimed my wife. “Huh?” I replied. Then I suddenly realized… my iPhone!

Those were pure moments. I wasn’t worried about megapixels or a fancy lens. In that moment I became a believer that the best camera is the one you have with you. The simplicity of that experience reawakened the love. Sharing those captured moments with friends was the glue that made it all stick. I have since upgraded my megapixels but that moment reminds me never to take that, or myself, too seriously.

June 3, 2010
How to Recycle an iPod

I brought my first iPod home six years ago. It is third generation, classic white, holds 4,000 songs, and predates the color screen. We have been through a lot together. It was with me on countless trips between California and Arizona, moved with me to Arizona when those trips became too much, saw Linda and I buy our first house, and our marriage. Unlike our marriage, the iPod is a little worse for wear. The battery no longer holds a charge, and after I left it outside to suffer a few days worth of Arizona summer, the wheel no longer works.

You are more likely to either hand-me-down, or lose an iPod, before throwing it away. A little uncertain exactly what I should do, I decided the old iPod would get a permanent home in the bathroom. I bought a JVC charger / speaker deck for it to sit in, loaded it with a lot of my favorite music, and there it has sat for the last two years. The bad news is that it continues to show signs of aging, including no longer syncing to my iTunes.

I have a nice new model that will reportedly hold 40,000 songs. It’s black. The wheel works. It plays video. I also have my iPhone (that really holds more music than I need). With the introduction of the iPhone, I realize that I will likely never buy another iPod. That isn’t the point though, is it. When the old iPod completely gives out, I will likely put it on my bookshelf along with my old 35mm camera, and gaze upon them from time to time, in thanks, and remembrance.

June 1, 2010
Blew Smoke – Gurkha Event – Friday, May 21, 2010

This past Friday evening I joined my friend and business associate Dean Distasio at his Gilbert, Arizona based fine cigar shop, Blew Smoke, for a special Gurkha Cigar Event.

The regulars where all there, including many new faces, all enjoying the cigars, food, drink and the very special musical guest on guitar. Owner Dean Distasio was there offering special discounts on fresh Gurkha Cigars. Also in attendance was a special guest all the way from Miami, Florida, Shawna Williams, Regional Sales Manager for Gurkha Cigars.

Besides the consumables, the party also included prize giveaways courtesy of Gurkha Cigars.

If you do not want to miss another event make sure to visit the Blew Smoke website at http://www.blewsmoke.com, click on Cigar Event Notification and sign up for their mailing list! See you next time.

See the whole set of pictures here > http://www.flickr.com/photos/owenwbrown/sets/72157624009579317/

Disclaimer: Those of you who know me know that I do not smoke myself. I recently posted about that experience. However, I do like capturing pictures of folks having fun, and to do that you have to go where people are having fun! Folks where definitely enjoying themselves.

At the risk of sounding like a ginormous (gigantically enormous) hypocrite I have to admit that even though I do not smoke cigars, I certainly wouldn’t suggest impeding on these men and women from enjoying theirs.

May 25, 2010
We Are Nashville – Harold's Flood

When I was a kid growing up I thought my dad could read minds and see into the future. He always just seemed to know things. Unfortunately even he did not see the Nashville Flood coming. I first heard about the heavy rains from my Nashville Friends on Facebook. I called my sister and she assured me that she and my mom were okay. However, she did express some concern about Dad’s house. You see, it sits just off the Cumberland River.

Bad news came a few days later. The 100 year flood came 50 years early. Reports where that the river crested at 52 feet. That put my Dad’s house approx seven feet under water. He was out of town when all of this was going down. I am thankful for that. I am most thankful that he was safe. Not everyone was so fortunate. When we talked, a few days before he came home, he expressed how much he had been touched by how many folks had called to make sure he was okay.

That was just the beginning. Folks from all over Nashville came out to help my Dad get the house ready for rebuilding. All I’ll say here is that a picture is most definitely worth a thousand words. Each.

These are pictures provided to me courtesy of Larry Yarborough. Larry thought it was important to share these and I am very grateful that he did. That’s just the kind of man Larry is; great friend, runner, hiker, “retired” (but rumor has it still volunteers a full week as Chaplain for all the YMCA’s of Middle Tennessee), all around fantastic human being, and as it turns out pretty great photographer.

Once again, thanks to Larry for the photos and to all of you who volunteered, those of you who stepped up and helped out your neighbors during their tragic time of need, in this case my Dad, a big ol’ from the bottom of my heart thank you. I know thanks and reward did not factor into your decision, but I wish your reward none the less comes back to you a hundred fold.

(http://www.flickr.com/photos/owenwbrown/sets/72157623936940427/)

May 14, 2010