The Colorado Tintype

Living in Colorado provides for some amazing landscape opportunities. While my usual work flow is high end digital captures, I like to get out and shoot tintypes as often as I can.

This series was shot and processed last summer in Rocky Mountain National Park. There is something magical about watching the image come to life on the plate during the development process that digital photography can't copy. I look forward to sharing more of these as the series continues to grow.

Usability, Design & Function: Lensbaby Muse

I often use at large format 4X5 camera in my personal work. It is capable of a number of camera movements that allow me to be highly selective with my focus. Fortunately, for the occasions I’m not in the studio and want a similar effect there is an option. I’ve had my Lensbaby Muse for a few months now and I use it as often as I can.  It’s great for both video and stills, allowing me to get the selective focus I’m looking for in a small easy to use package.

The Muse system comes with a set of disks that can be inserted effectively changing your aperture. These can be modified into different shapes that will change the way the bokeh or the way the lens renders out-of-focus points of light appear in the image. The example below was created by removing the tab off a can of Red Bull and taping it onto one of the disks.

If you haven’t had the chance to check out Lensbabies line of products head over to their page and check out the full line of creative options.

www.Lensbaby.com

Good Days. Bad Days. Small Wins...

Artists are quick to criticize and even quicker to praise those who value their work. Highs and lows are something we deal with on a daily basis as photographers. With so much photographic noise on the web it can be a frustrating prospect when entering contests, posting online and looking for honest critique ( if such a thing exists... more on that at a later date). Over the last year I have tried a few online networks as a way to both share and promote my work. I started out on Google+ in the early stages of the beta phase and over the last year it has become one of my choice resources for critique and exposure. Shortly after came 500px, a collection of truly stunning photography that has the power to both inspire and discourage. I have learned to use this tool for both equally valid forms of education.

The most recent addition to the growing list of online groups was the Fstoppers Facebook Group. It wasn't long before I discovered a thriving community of photographers willing to critique others work in a way I haven't found on any of the previously mentioned networks. I entered the group and posted my most recent work to the pool. I returned often to look at recent entries and read comments as a way to feel out the group dynamic. Remember that first line of this post? This is where I fall into that generalization. I didn't realize that the photographs on the groups page were entered into a monthly "best of."Best of June images on the Fstoppers website