Posts Tagged ‘photography’

Earth Day

Greenhouse flower - ©TimeLine Media

I am a day late on the Earth Day celebration of our planet and the efforts of the modern environmental movement. Similarly to other photographers, photos of nature from flowers, and landscapes are a popular subjects. Take Ansel Adams, Galen Rowell for example. These nature photographers have inspired and continue to inspire those that are passionate about capturing their world. Moreover, these images are made to preserve scenes for future generations.

Greenhouse flower - ©TimeLine Media
Greenhouse flower – ©TimeLine Media
Washington DC Cherry Blossoms - ©TimeLine Media
Washington DC Cherry Blossoms – ©TimeLine Media

Spring Blooms

Our world needs to be conscious of how we are affecting the natural systems with advances in technology and our growing population. With all the coverage of the missing airliner in the Indian Ocean, the search has been complicated by so much floating trash that confuses humans and satellites that are combing the area. Undoubtedly, there is need to find, refine, and deliver fossil fuels. However, there are impacts to the environment that needs to be managed by companies, governments, and everyone concerned with preserving a healthy planet.

Daffodills blooming - ©TimeLine Media
Daffodills blooming – ©TimeLine Media
Washington DC Cherry Blossoms - ©TimeLine Media
Washington DC Cherry Blossoms – ©TimeLine Media

I admire the many nature photographers that are capturing environment today to help illustrate the effects that we are having on the world around us. With this in mind, John Paul Caponigro and James Balog come to mind. Their images of animals, glaciers, and alien-like landscapes really give you a sense of how diverse, connected, and beautiful Earth is. It makes no doubt in my mind that their work will influence decision makers of all kinds. There has been so much progress in my lifetime, but clear that this is a drive that needs to continue. The continuing observance and support for Earth Day initiatives is encouraging! Here is hoping for more good decisions for a healthier world.

Flowering cactus - ©TimeLine Media
Flowering cactus – ©TimeLine Media

TimeLine Media – www.timelinedc.com
703-864-8208

Ballroom in Black and White

Sepia toned ballroom dance - ©TimeLine Media

Having the option of getting your prints in black and white has been an important part of my photography business. In this age of having an extraordinary amount of images being produced by cell phone post processing becomes an important part of the professional photographer’s toolkit. I used to like Photoshop Actions and Lightroom Presets to make cross processed colors. Additionally these can make other strange contortions to make my images stand out. However, I have moved away from that look. Now, it is only color or monochrome images that I show. At this time the black and whites are quickly becoming my favorite for a lot of dance images.

Arthur Murray Dancing

Black and White ballroom dance - ©TimeLine Media
Black and White ballroom dance – ©TimeLine Media

Taking the color out of images really makes the subjects stand out. This makes it a challenge for the photographer to make sure there is a good subject in a good position! If you have a bad photo composition in color, changing it to black and white will NOT help. It all starts with composition – a good subjects placed correctly in the frame will look good in either, but it can be enhanced by removing the distraction of color information so that the viewers are forced to consider the subject alone.

Black and White ballroom dance - ©TimeLine Media
Black and White ballroom dance – ©TimeLine Media

Monochrome images rely on the light tones to show off subject, and the dark tones to reduce other non-essential elements in the frame. In creating these images, I use an adjustment brush darken areas that are no important, and lighten faces, hands, and part that I want to catch the viewer’s eye. The lightest parts of a scene will draw your eye first through the frame, so emphasize those parts by lightening them above the background.

Black and White ballroom dance - ©TimeLine Media
Black and White ballroom dance – ©TimeLine Media

Adding a sepia tone is also an option that I offer for prints on the website. This takes the tones in the shadows and darker areas, and gives them a slight brown town that simulates and aging print. This is also a popular option and is easily created after all the color is removed from the original photo. The effect is the same on the viewer but adds a little more nostalgic feel to the image.

Sepia toned ballroom dance - ©TimeLine Media
Sepia toned ballroom dance – ©TimeLine Media

TimeLine Media – www.timelinedc.com
703-864-8208

Bolero Professional Show – Arthur Murray Virginia

Arthur Murray Bolero professional show - ©TimeLine Media

Another posting today from the DC Area Arthur Murray Spring Freestyles. This time the photos feature the Bolero professional show by Allison and Phil from the Tysons Corner and Alexandria, Virginia studios. We have had lessons with both of these amazing dancers at our studio. We have admired their teaching as well as their dancing!

Professional Dance Show

Arthur Murray Bolero professional show - ©TimeLine Media
Arthur Murray Bolero professional show – ©TimeLine Media

The Bolero is one of the most challenging dances. Although the movements do not have the showy speed of smooth dances, or the sharp quick movements of the rhythm dances, it has a different skill set for dancers to perform. In learning the basic steps, there is a fair amount of athletic qualities needed to do rise and fall, close body contact, around rotating your partner to a tempo slower than a Rumba.

Arthur Murray Tysons Corner professional show - ©TimeLine Media
Arthur Murray Tysons Corner professional show – ©TimeLine Media

These two did the Bolero beautifully. The gentleman displayed the lady nicely – being very solid in many dips and a slide between his legs. As difficult as this dance is to do, it was very easy to photograph! The dancers made beautiful straight lines with their posture, legs, and feet throughout the performance. I just had to hope the flashes would fire, and it made a great image.

Arthur Murray Alexandria professional show - ©TimeLine Media
Arthur Murray Alexandria professional show – ©TimeLine Media

To view more of the photos from this show, and all the photos from the Spring Freestyles weekend, visit the proofing site here:

http://proofs.timelinedc.com

There is an early-bird special on all orders placed from this event, but it will expire tonight! After Monday April 21, 2014, you will still be able to view the photos, only the 20% off discount will be removed. Thanks to everyone that has already ordered their favorites over the 2 weeks that they have been available. We are grateful for your support of our photography that helps us to cover future events!

Arthur Murray Bolero professional show - ©TimeLine Media
Arthur Murray Bolero professional show – ©TimeLine Media

TimeLine Media – www.timelinedc.com
703-864-8208

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