Smoke'em

Trying something new…well sorta. It’s not the first time I have used smoke grenades in my shoots. This time however I wanted to get a jumping movement in the shots. So I contacted my friend and colleague Deshae to be my model for this.

Test shoot with Amanda Walter

Low Light Test Outcome

So I shot the low light test last night. Right away, focusing whether manual or automatic was extremely difficult. I constantly had to find a way with my 50mm to get the proper focus...fuck it...switching over to the 85mm...yes the little use 85mm...the lens I only bring out when all else fails...and sweet jeezus...it worked. I got a lot of good bokeh and good separation between dark and light.

One of my favorite parts of the shoot is shooting near a neon sign light. It was so hard to find one near my home. The image looked different to me. I never shot something like this before and got this result from it. Definitely will explore this style further.

The other problem we ran into was in post production. I shot everything underexposed as best as possible. Yet the grain was there and it was annoying, I couldn't get rid of it without sacrificing the image sharpness and details.

I will have to experiment more to try and figure the best to focus consistently. It was hard looking through the focus to see if she was focused. It was just so dark. I will definitely will need someone there with me next time to hold certain light mods for me. It was hard to try and one hand everything.

Awesome People

All too often we hear a lot about evil and despicable people. Everything in the news and the social media makes sure to let you know that everything around you is bad and dangerous. Sometimes you have to take a step back and just shut everything off. 

...and that's what I've done.

I don't go on social media anymore except for photography purposes. People who need me, to schedule stuff with me know how to email or get in contact with me. 

...and I needed it...I'm stressed ya and overwhelmed.

I had shoots planned for all of last week and guess what?! They got cancelled because of the flippin' rain! Well...one didn't get cancelled. Remember my good friend Zephyr? She came to town with her boyfriend Wetiko. She asked me if I wanted to shoot and of course I said yes, but I told her that my head has not been in the best place creatively lately and I didn't have a clue what to do. Plus it was raining and I wouldn't have time to lockdown a place to shoot. 

So, we shot in there home...mobile...short bus home...yep and it's dope ass fuck. They have a whole Youtube channel dedicated to their adventures and they actually included me in there most recent vlog!

The whole point of what I am trying to say is that when things start getting overwhelming and you start to not believe in humanity anymore...try to remember the people who count the most in your life. For me, seeing someone like Zephyr who I haven't seen in a long while was an amazing feeling. Finally, meeting Wetiko who is an amazing artist that I admire was needed. Talking to my sister and telling stories about our lives that are funny to help me through a frustrating situation was needed. Talking to my cousin and my two closest friends about a project I was having a hard time creating was needed...seeing my little girl and hearing her tell me she loves me was needed...

Feeling Good

4 years ago, I took a trip to Arizona to shoot with my mentor and friend Larry Alan. Matter of fact you can see the post from that trip here -> Arizona Trippin'

While there I met this amazing young lady named Rachel Kaye Eblin. I remember being in a bit of awe of her because at the time she was this signed model and was a beast at the shoot I was helping Larry with.

I remember Larry encouraging me to shoot with her and I was like, "Nope, I'm here to watch and learn." Really was just a bit shook at the opportunity to work with her and I didn't have the confidence to think I would do a good enough job. 

After that Rachel and I kept in contact and she eventually moved to Chicago and I told her, "You know I want to photograph you. I just need to find time and a way." By this time Rachel was more focus on doing make up work versus doing modeling work. I didn't give a damn, I want to photograph her anyway. She wasn't going to be that one that got away. Well...the new year came and told her..."This is happening...". I found a way to get to the Chicago without anyone knowing.

See more at www.jasonmcneilphotography.com