Lola Takes Pictures' photostream

I'm not exactly shy about walking up to people and asking if I can take their photograph--I've done it before--but I still found this Project 52 assignment rather challenging. Maybe it's the 20 degree temps and minus zero wind chills we've been having that aren't exactly enticing me to get out of the house in an effort to meet strangers. So I headed in another direction for this project--my work place. I work at a high school where it's hard to get to know everyone even though I see them just about everyday. Most of us remain friendly strangers, the kind you say hello to when you see them but nothing beyond that.

So, with that in mind, I stopped by the Vo-Tech Department yesterday to ask Ken if I could take his photo for this project and, to my surprise, he agreed. We've worked at the same place for the last three years but getting this photo was the longest time I spent talking to him. Ken's been teaching Woodworking there and he's really good at what he does. My son took his class last semester and made a gorgeous clipboard that he gave to his dad for Christmas. My son had never done any woodworking before so for him to come home with something so beautiful speaks volumes for Ken.

Unfortunately, I didn't get to talk to Ken for very long because I was having logistical problems with the flash--it wasn't doing what I needed it to do so I was getting a little nervous. Also, the shop was filled with students busy on what looked like a big project so I didn't want to take Kenny away from them for too long. I was just grateful he let me take this photo!

Strobist Stuff:
Bare SB800 on a stand above camera, feathered away from subject.

I'm not exactly shy about walking up to people and asking if I can take their photograph--I've done it before--but I still found this Project 52 assignment rather challenging. Maybe it's the 20 degree temps and minus zero wind chills we've been having that aren't exactly enticing me to get out of the house in an effort to meet strangers. So I headed in another direction for this project--my work place. I work at a high school where it's hard to get to know everyone even though I see them just about everyday. Most of us remain friendly strangers.

The lovely lady in this photo and I were such a case. I walk by her every morning and the extent of our conversation is a hurried "Hello, how you doing?" and a wave. I've never stopped to talk to her...until yesterday when I asked if I could take her photo. She shyly said yes. So this morning when I showed up with my camera and flash on a stand, she was ready for me.

This is Joann, who goes by Jo. She's been working at our high school for 14 years. She started as a cafeteria sub, then, when her husband died, she found herself in need of a job. She moved up to dishwasher and so forth. She's now our head cook and, man, can she hustle! She makes fabulous meals every single day for about 1100 students and staff, all while keeping that beautiful smile on her face no matter how hot that kitchen gets. I'm glad I made her my friend today.

Strobist Stuff:
Bare SB800 on a stand on camera left, bounced off ceiling.

My models are out of town so I had to find suitable replacements.

Strobist stuff:
SB800 in homemade beauty dish above and behind subject on camera right. Flagged and fired at 1/8.

Reflectors on camera left and in front of subject.

2006-2009 were about learning my camera and camera settings and how to compose semi-decent photographs.

2010 and 2011 were about learning off-camera lighting and flash settings and backgrounds and Photoshop techniques.

2012 is going to be about intentional photography, about decluttering the frame in order to create simpler, more meaningful photos, and about paying attention to the light in all its forms--natural and manufactured.

I might fail in this but I intend to have fun trying.

I am participating in Project52--a year-long photography challenge run by Don Giannatti of Lighting-Essentials.com. Our first assignment is to come up with a Vision Statement. This will be mine for this year: "I make photos of the simplest forms, lines, emotions and moods" A lofty goal but that's what I'll be aiming for this year.

Wish me luck!

This is actually an outtake. I was setting up for another pic when she did this--and I didn't notice it until I started looking through them in Bridge. This girl always cracks me up.

Strobist stuff:
AB800 in softbox at camera right.
SB800 in collapsed umbrella behind model and at camera left.