Swan Point Cemetery TTV

I'm going through my archives today to find images to experiment with using encaustic paints, beeswax and mixed media. These are images of my favorite statue in the Swan Point Cemetery in Providence, RI. 

These framed images are "TTVs" (Through the Viewfinder). I made a contraption out of one of my vintage cameras so I could shoot through the viewfinder with my digital camera. It's really interesting to attempt to compose a shot since everything is backwards. Since the digital camera is focusing on the image projected through the Kodak Duaflex's viewfinder, it is common to get a soft focus image or "ghosting" in the image. I like the character it adds along with the dust and scratches from the Duaflex's lens. 

Once I add wax and texture, these will take on even more of a ghostly feel. 

This is my TTV Kodak Duaflex contraption. It needs a bit of TLC! It has traveled to many music festivals, camping trips, and hiking adventures!

Tub Fun with Grace

I'm really enjoying experimenting with new digital photo software, textures and digital painting techniques. I shot some experimental photos of "my" Grace while she was home over the holidays. I used to subject her to "Barbie Sessions" when she was younger and living at home. It had been a long time since we had a play session! I tortured the poor girl with this one. 

I have seen some cool photos by other photographers using milk in water. I wanted to give it a try and used Grace as my victim. We used almond milk then added some dark chocolate soy milk for some contrast. The poor girl smelled chocolate for days after submerging her head in the milky mess.

Unfortunately, the light in our bathroom was pretty dim. I had to crank my ISO high, resulting in a lot of grain and noise. I really didn't mind the grain once I started applying textures and layers in Photoshop. I will try this again on a brighter day.

I bet Grace CAN'T WAIT!!

Before and After

Summer Grace

The weather is finally starting to get tolerable here in Michigan! At least I can feel my face now when I walk outside. This balmy 39 degree temp made me nostalgic for summer.

Last summer I experimented with underwater photography using Gracie as my model. I didn't use any fancy equipment- only a low res underwater point-and-shoot I borrowed from a friend. I also put my point-and-shoot in a waterproof bag to try that option. The bag photos were pretty much worthless, but the borrowed camera produced a few grainy images that were kind of fun! We sunk a doll, some flowers, gloves, dresses and a backdrop that late summer afternoon. I was bummed that more images weren't viable, but it was fun to play in the pool with Gracie! There's also some extreme magnification that happens underwater (notice the extreme cropping). I definitely need more practice.

I recently started experimenting with Alien Skin Exposure 5 software. I love messing with all of the filter options. I thought these grainy pool photos would be perfect to mess around with. I'm liking this vintagey look!

River Girl

Oh what fun it was to work on this one! Kendal is my ever-patient photo victim. This was a pretty mucky location and she was a trooper. As usual!

Feral

This is Rylie. She's been in earlier posts. She's such a beauty! She is very talented at changing her look for me. She went from a hauntingly beautiful river fairy to a feral woodland creature all in one session.

I love the "Let's Pretend" sessions!

Bluebird

Listening to Pandora.

It was very fitting that one of my favorite Beatles songs, "Blackbird" came on as I was finishing this little bird girl.

Model: Lea

Happy Fall!

Nobody's Darlin' - October 2013

This fall I had fun photographing an all-girl string band, Nobody's Darlin'. I had visions in my mind that I wanted to try with this band. They were very patient with me as I requested that they to do some strange things during our session!

I'm experimenting with compositing in Photoshop. I have a few shots from this session to experiment with and a number of "Let's Pretend" shots to work with. 

I can't wait to share!