Welcome to Amacoco

It is spring break this week for our kids.  So of course that means they are bored.  As an effort to quiet the natives, Monday night we took them to the Mesa Arts Center (a favorite place to shoot portraits) to experience Amococo.

The family getting their zen on (click pic for a bigger size)

 What on earth is Amococo do you say?  Well it's hard to describe but imagine a giant inflatable maze that has been scuplted with influence of Islamic architecture, Archimedean solids and Gothic cathedrals (taken from the brochure).  In short it was way cool.

Top of one of the rooms (click pic for a bigger image)

 The lighting inside was crazy as you can see from my photos.  The whole experience is meant to be absorbed by both sound and light.  The volunteers explained at the entrance to wander around and then find a place to sit and relax.  Of course I wandered around and took pictures. I did eventually take a break and find a little cove to lean back against.  It was quite relaxing just staring up at the colors and listening to the "zen" music.  I wander if you can order these on Amazon?

A view of the many coves (click pic for a bigger size)

We finished out the night playing hide and seek.  Which mainly consisting of me hiding and the kids tracking me down. For those here in Phoenix I definitely recommend going to this if you have the time.  Admission is only $5 per person. 

A ghost is chasing us (click pic for a bigger size)

For those here in Phoenix interested in seeing this, here is the Mesa Arts Center link. And a liitle more info (and more cool pictures) on Amococo can be found here.

Until next time...

Vee Dub

This shot was taken on our Phoenix photo walk back in February. I'm pretty sure there were several of us that snapped this bug. The color on it was amazing. 

Fellow photog Mike Olbinski has a shot on his Flickr page that is a must see. He mentioned how special these cars are to him. I have to admit to that as well. 

My first car was a bright canary yellow '71 VW Bug. It had a 4 speed manual mated to 1.5L engine and was a beast to drive. I remember hitting 90mph one day going down a big hill back in Illinois. One of many "total lack of judgment" decisions from my youth. It is a wonder that little ol car didn't fly apart.

It was a forgiving car when it came to learning how to drive a stick. The clutch was generous and made for easy shifting. 

I paid a whopping $500 for it and drove for it about a year. I ended up selling it to a friend for that same $500. Not a bad deal. 

Seeing this one took me back to my crazy youth. Slug Bug!

Baby Charlotte

Switching gears this week.  I'd like to introduce you to a cutie named Charlotte.  She is the newest pride and joy of friends of ours.  As you can see the camera already loves her.

I love to mix up my photography subjects.  For one it keeps it interesting and two there is always something new to be learned.  Going from the rugged landscape of the Arizona desert to something as precious as this covers the rainbow in technique and fun.
Shooting landscapes here in AZ you are working with natural light.  Granted it is nice and golden but nonetheless you are in a partnership with Mother Nature.  You get what she gives you.  Nothing more, nothing less.  Shrewd she is.

Going into the studio there are no partnerships.  You are the master.  The studio strobes are there to serve the photographer.  It is their job to light the subject in the most flattering way. In some cases it is very easy, like Baby Charlotte.  And in some cases where you are going for a particular "mood" it can be challenging.  But therein lies the fun.  Forcing the light to your will.

For this shot of "Charlie" I was able to get away with one strobe and a reflector.  The strobe was set to camera left and the reflector off to camera right.  I believe Charlie's mother was right above the camera with words of encouragement for her young model.  As you see she took mom's advice to heart and struck a pose.

I can't say enough how fun shoots like these turn out.  You can not beat seeing that smile that comes across something as small and wonderful and capturing it for all time.  Very nice job Miss Charlotte.

Until next time.