Out of this world moon over the barn

Out of this world moon over the barn, originally uploaded by Photomike07.

For your listening pleasure while reading!

Music for your enjoyment!

Hmm, my last post crashed....so here we go again...

LIKE I WAS SAYING......
Music, as I am sure it is to most other creatives out there is a crucial part to the art. For me at least, my music quite often drives the emotion of the image I am working on. Although these were processed a while ago, the link above is what I popped in the playlist of the Ipod tonight as I dove deep into my trance of posting and trying to tell my little story. At this point, I guess its a bit early to see if it helps or if it's a distraction! LOL

So, the link above is from a duet with Pat Metheny and a Polish singer named Anna Maria Jopek. I think if I could drop it all and tour with someone, it would have to be him. A musical artist like no other in my book. 

So, enough with this rambling....on with the post...

First off, the tree was it. That was the one and only item that had to be lit...and well at that! The tenting was strategically designed as to just fit under this incredible canopy of branches. The clear top of the tent would give everyone a front row seat to the effect that the lighting would create. I must admit that lighting such a huge beast, a 200 year old beast at that, was a bit intimidating. There was alotta tree there and until the sun went down during out first day of load in, I kinda had my doubts as to whether we had enough fire power to toss those lumens up the 70' tree effectively. Twenty five years doing this, and I still have my doubts sometimes! Well, once the generator was kicked on, I was able to breathe a huge sign of relief. Cool, its gonna work. Now on to the next challenge.

So, I've never been one that like to have my client see me sweat. I like to be ready for the first run through and work out the kinks before the "design by committee" scene takes place. This prep takes a bit of time....uninterrupted time BEFORE the client shows up. Well, that was the plan anyway...

All that being said, after we got back from dinner and BEFORE the lighting was turned on and checked for the very very very first time.....the audience was waiting. Hmmm, remember, never let them see you sweat. Well, it was about 90 degrees, and, well, I think you got the picture.

So after our creative synergy meshed and the area started to look like "Art", we branched out a bit to focus the other areas for the event. This side of the barn was used for the cocktail area. Man, I loved those trees!

Thanks to Chris, Sarah, and Dallas, we were able to get a gaggle of lekos way up high in the trees to project this texture down over the outside "Lounge Area". As you can see from the tent, the clear sides and top really worked well as a 180 degree window into the dramatically lit environment. I sadly had to leave a couple of days before the event and didn't get any interior detail shots from the day of, but I hope you enjoyed this little behind the scenes look into our world of light :)

PS. Notice the golf cart in the last shot. Like I said before, any day that I am on a show with a golf cart is a good day. LOL!

A look into the deep swamp

A look into the deep swamp, originally uploaded by Photomike07.

Alright, it wasn't a deep swamp actually.....I just wanted it to look that way! This little series of images were all taken one late afternoon while working on an event up around Ocala here in Florida. This area in central Florida is well known for its natural springs. Just after breaking the crew for a long dinner break, I decided to high tail it to the nearest one called "Rainbow Springs." I probably create a little too much undo stress on myself when heading out on these little outings. To arrive late, scout the area, and come away with several pieces of quality work...or in this case "blog worthy" work is a bit of a stretch, but I guess that's all part of what keeps me striving for the best in me.

Boy, that was just alot of nothing wasn't it?

Aannnyway, the effect I decided to apply here was one that I hoped to convey age and distress. Perhaps as you might see an image in a text book from 60 or 70 years ago. Or perhaps, a picture on a really old dish towel from your Grandmothers house.

Below are a few more from that little trip as well. Tomorrow, a few images from the event

Before heading out on our break and while making my rounds on the golfcart (a life safer on this gig), I noticed these shadows painting a nice pattern on the sidewalk. You know, we create this effect with our stage lights all the time, but sometimes it more powerful to see Mother Nature" create it for you.

Just after arriving at the Springs, it appeared that I had almost the whole place to myself! Over the hill and past the entrance gate is this initial view to the park. There was a tremendous range of light here....much too much for my camera sensor to capture in one click. HDR to the rescue! For me, however, a more modest tone processing technique was the the approach I decided to take on this one. I love to "wack out" the colors just like the next guy, so sometimes its a challange to pull back the reighns, but I think it really worked here.

I found this boardwalk to be more of a subject than what was at the end of it. Hmmm, kinda makes you wonder what WAS at the end of it doesn't it?

I am sure that the recent rain that we have been blessed with has turned this little guy into quite a monster of a waterfall by now! 

Thanks for stopping by and hanging out with me for my little trip here. Tomorrow, like I said, I'll post up a few images from the event that we were fortunate enough to be a part of :)

From out front

My guys were laughing at me....I know they were (i'm pretty sure I saw them chuckling in the main tent!) during this setup. I was doing a mid day dance about the base of the tree with assorted pars, scoops, and cables. How to light a huge Oak Tree...a 200 year old one at that. I first for me I must add. Wide floods for the truck, medium washes for the high leaves, and very narrow beams for slashing the branches. Hey, sounds like a good start! As the the sun went down the first evening of our setup, the stress started to subside....excellent, looks like its gonna work. I knew I was at least half way there, and thats a great feeling. Another slice of a great day in the world of special event lighting!

Looking elsewhere

It's a little rough out there for some people, a lot of people! For quite a while, many of those same people have been screaming for change. This slogan was embraced passionately and helped fuel our recent election. What I am afraid of is that the long dark road that we all need to travel to get back on course was envisioned by many as being this brightly lit super highway void of all roadblocks, debris, and distractions. Sure, there is a beacon of hope ahead....I see it....but its way out there. Your time now is best spent preparing yourself for that long journey ahead. Fuel up, tune up, and clean up.....your vehicle need to be taken care of! As we all travel down this new road, I guess its up to you to determine how you take the ride. Will a flat tire force you to stop and quite the game or will you take that opportunity during its repair to get out and explore what this beautiful world has to offer you. Will you hang out on the side of the road waiting for help, or will you trek out and blaze a new path to that incredible vista that might be right around the corner. The choice is yours......embrace the challenge and most importantly, enjoy the ride.

Soft spring reflections (OK, lame name, but it works no?)

Perhaps the greatest part of reflecting back on the past is realizing the exciting possiblilitys of the future. As you proceed through life, sometimes you have to stop and remind yourself that the future memories you hope to enjoy are being created now. So I ask you, what are you doing to create these? Are you passionate about your work.....are you spending time with the ones you love.....are you doing something today to realize your dreams for the future?

Make every day count if not every moment of every day and you can be sure of great memories to reflect back on. Enjoy the journey!

A better view!

A lone oak

WOW, I just realized that the Ocala event hasn't been fully wrapped up yet! I guess there is always next week. In my defense, this was created up there during our setup. Hope you like.....

I just love these solo tree scenes. Something very simple, stable, and calming in a world of chaos, instability, and confusion. Ok, that was a bit too deep I guess.

6:30 AM load in, so, I'm outta here!

Sometimes the grass IS greener

So, as we have all heard many times (probably too many times actually).... "The grass is always greener on the other side of the fence." We'll, I guess that just depends on what side of the fence you are on. So I ask you.....what side are you on? Have a close look at it before you hop over. It could be astroturf.....or in this case, well....., my little photoshop secret :)

More from Ocala to roll out this week so check back.....and, oh yeah, thanks alot for stopping by! I appreciate each and every view :)

Check it out larger!

Under a blood red sky

So sometimes in the wonderful world of digital imaging, experimentation is part of what its all about. Playing with different blend modes, diving deeper into hidden menus, pushing the envelope, ....... all part of the game. I love it when you hear instructors talk about trying to present a more accurate representation of what your eyes really saw. Everyone seems to have a different approach in what the game is all about. I tend to embrace it all. Sometime its about trying to recreate the dynamic range of what your eye captures as apposed to the limited range of the camera sensor. But, more often than not for me, its pushed a bit more. How about capturing what I would love my eyes to see or better yet, what my crazy "out in left field" mind's eye sees. With that in mind, I share this one with you.

As promised, we are still "hanging out" in Ocala with the posts this week

After returning from lunch with a few minutes left on the break, Eric sneaks a few of the Central Florida rays


Of course, my breaks .... at least at the beginning of the week, were spent exploring the farms looking for light. As far as I am concerned, I do any gig that has golf carts as the preferred mode of transportation.

I kept trying to get this little guy to pose for me. "Alright, looking good, fantastic,... oh that's perfect, thats it. Look into the fan....yes yes yes, lets see that main, shake it baby...."  Hmmm, maybe it was my approach......nothing seemed to work..... LOL!

I've always loved these canopies of trees and this place had lots of em.

Thanks for stopping by......more to come!