Michael Taggart Photography

Develop Muscle

2012-03-26T18:02:00.001-04:00

The theme for this week was develop – so my mind immediately went to develop muscles! When I was 13 my Mom and I decided to get on an exercise program – I was going to gets lots of muscles and gain weight – she was going to loose weight. We took both our weights and split the difference – we were going to meet in the middle! We had a fun time doing it and we both ended up reaching our goals. : ) I reached mine because I had a growth spurt and Mom reached her goal from hard work. ----------------------------- To see the final version you have to go my blog. mtphoto.us/wordpress/?p=533

One Sword - Matt

2011-11-05T23:19:00.002-04:00

One sword to rule them all
One sword to find them
One sword to bring them all
and in the Darkness bind them

Well - I spent some time on this one! I really wanted something over the top - dramatic movie poster style.

Many tweaks later - I think I'm happy.

Hope you are having a very happy Hobbit weekend! {g}

Special thanks for Matt for the Modeling and Cheyne for the shot from the shoot!

Blue - matt

2011-11-04T22:28:00.001-04:00

Sometimes a picture takes on a life of it's own when I'm editing it.
This one turned out - Blue.
Go figure.
It just seemed to fit the mood and feel of the look and pose.
Thoughts??

Jacket in Motion

2011-11-01T17:42:00.001-04:00

I like catching shots in motion. They seem so much more real.

We were shooting in an ally with Cheyne Storm Taylor and Matt Moe was putting his jacket back on again.

I thought his arms, abs, and look made for a neat picture.

Let me know what you think!

Coffee Time

2011-10-30T15:17:00.003-04:00

Cheyne Storm Taylor and Matt Moe flew home this morning. Miss you guys already! :(

This is the first shoot I've had at the house - moved furniture around and set up the backdrop in the living room. The dining room table got pushed to the side and became Command Central with laptops and camera equipment.
We shot a bit on Friday and then over 8 hrs on Saturday!
Cheyne and I tag teamed Matt - One of us was running the shoot while the other was coming up with new idea. Harold Phipps was making sure we had coffee, food, props, and encouragement.

I just heard from Cheyne and they are having engine trouble on the runway in Chicago. Safe wishes to get home safely!

Happy Halloween 2011

2011-10-29T23:30:00.002-04:00

Welcome Matt

2011-10-28T16:29:00.000-04:00

Everyone say Hi to my newest model - Mat!!

We're having a wonderful time and he's here until Sunday.

He's a bit self consious about how he looks so give him some good feedback.

Naked Man Smiling

2011-10-17T18:57:00.001-04:00

You know how they have those really obvious titles on art - 'blue strokes on white' - 'man cashing car' - etc.

I saw something like that recently and it was so obvious it just cracked me up.

So - in the spirit of obvious - I present to you Naked Man Smiling.

Enjoy!

Wish upon a star

2011-10-15T10:40:00.001-04:00

I decided to continue the 'wish upon a star' theme. This is Stone with Reiley.
The next couple shots Reiley turns into a real boy! {g} Just channeling Pinocchio. {g}

I wanted to contrast the warm skin tones with the cool star field.

In other news - I now have daily wear contacts! It's so nice - every day you put in a fresh pair of contacts - no cleaning, soaking, etc. I was doing extended wear for a while but they were so thick I was having problems.

Tomorrow is the Million Mutt March - it's a 5k to support our local 'no kill' animal shelter. Gotta give back to the pooches. {g}

Hope your weekend is peaceful and fun!

If you like my blog please Follow to it!
Share my pictures and my blog. I would love to see more people read it! : ) Website / Facebook / Questions

Star Light - stone

2011-10-10T22:43:00.002-04:00

Star light, star bright,
First star I see tonight,
I wish I may, I wish I might,
Have the wish I wish tonight.

I wished this more than once when I was a wee lad. Today is my 7 year anniversary with my husband!

Wishes do come true!

Hope your wished do to : )

Steetlight

2011-10-02T12:29:00.001-04:00

Strangers waiting
Up and down the boulevard
Their shadows searching
In the night
Streetlights, people

Don't Stop Believing by Journey

This was a fun shoot because I just decided to experiment and have fun and see what worked out.

This was something what worked out well I think. I wanted the whole model in the shot but the light to focus on just a part of him.

I was listening to Glee sing 'Don't Stop Believing' and the whole idea for this edit popped in my head.

Pop!

Anyway, hope you like it. : )

And don't stop believing!!!!!

From a Distance

2011-09-29T17:01:00.003-04:00

From a distance the world looks blue and green,
and the snow-capped mountains white.
From a distance, there is harmony,
and it echoes through the land.
It's the voice of hope,
it's the voice of peace,
it's the voice of every man.

I was in a whimsical mood - and I love hot air balloons - and I'd just heard the song by Bette Midler - so it all seemed to just come together. : )

Modest

2011-09-26T09:47:00.001-04:00

Hey everyone!
If you get a sec - give a shout out below to my newest model - Stone. (that's his 'stage' name of course). This is his first model shoot and he did a bang up job! We got very creative and ended up with some great pictures.

Redemption

2011-09-19T11:31:00.000-04:00

I've been amazingly patient recently. I don't know if I've found a measure of enlightenment or what. : ) I'm just happy, peaceful, in the moment, fully listening to people, enjoying myself. It won't last forever I'm sure but it sure it nice while it's here!

Shaping Reality, david a

2011-09-11T22:53:00.002-04:00

I had a great discussion the other day about how your viewpoint of reality actually shapes reality.

Example - you think someone is mean and selfish - you talk to them and treat them like they are that way - they don't like you and - and they become defensive and mean to you. You created a mean selfish personal relationship.

It goes the other way too - thank goodness. You can believe someone is wonderful and kind and they respond to that.

Belief also shapes the things you think you can and can't do.

Anyway - that's the basis for this picture. David is creating his world with space, structure, color.

I'm really like this whole monochrome thing I'm exploring right now.
Hopefully you aren't getting too bored with these types of pictures. : )

Chimney Sweep, vance

2011-09-10T10:45:00.001-04:00

I recently saw "Step in Time' from the Mary Poppins play. All the chimney sweeps are jumping across the roof tops with the horizon behind them. It was a totally fun number and it inspired this picture. Hope you like it!

Experiment 3426

2011-09-04T17:26:00.000-04:00

This is an experiment on B&W techniques. I think it turned out pretty good. Hope you are having a wonderful holiday weekend!!!
: ) Michael

Torso Michael Phelps

2011-08-20T21:00:00.000-04:00

This was part of a bigger picture. When I was working on it this view was in my window and I thought it would look good just like that. So I cropped it and went with it.

PS - I'm giving away the collectable print on Etsy for only 20 cents! It's to say thank you for visiting my site and being a fan : )

Here's the direct link: http://www.etsy.com/listing/80137683/free-promo-torso-aceo-classic-shirtless

Etsy collectables!!

2011-08-06T11:05:00.002-04:00

I now have an Etsy shop!!!
One of the neatest things I've discovered is Artist Collectable Trading Cards. They are 2.5x3.5 inches - and are signed and dated by the artist (me).

It's a fun inexpensive way to support an artist and collect their work! I posted some cards and etsy and have sold 3 already. How cool!
I also listed some 8x10 prints as well.

Give me feedback and let me know what you think : )

The Box - vance

2011-07-20T22:54:00.000-04:00

Working on the flower pictures has got me thinking in different ways about what we see. Just running an experiment on Focus - and what better model to use than Vance! {g}

Curious to know - what stood out most to you in this picture and what did you like?

Thanks in advance for the feedback!

If you like my blog please Follow to it! There's a button on the left.
Share my pictures and my blog. I would love to see more people read it! : )
Website / Facebook / Questions

Trials of Eros - The Escape - vance

2011-07-11T22:30:00.001-04:00

Hephaistos, the god of the forge, found Eros in the wastelands. The beauty if Eros seduced him and he freed Eros of his chains. Eros then called Artemis, who sent the birds, and Eros' escape from the wastelands complete!

This is a really different style than I normally do. I wanted something that looked like it was a painting from the 1700's.
Harold kinda says it looks like old wallpaper! At least I got the Old part right. {g}

Oh well - let me know what you think!

PP - New Century

2011-07-06T20:08:00.000-04:00

Pandora Production puts on some awesome plays.
This is The New Century - July 2011.
If you are near Louisville Kentucky become a season subscriber!!!

If you like my blog please Follow to it! There's a button on the left.
Share my pictures and my blog. I would love to see more people read it! : )
Website / Facebook / Questions

Torches

2011-07-05T17:22:00.000-04:00

My Mom is not a big fan of my art work because she can't hang it on her walls. : )
So I've decided to branch out a bit and do some flower/foliage/cats photography as well. I want to stay true to my own style - even if it is with different subjects.
I saw these beautiful rolled flowers with strong leaves and it reminded me a torches. So that is the theme I went with.
Let me know what you think!

If you like my blog please Follow to it! There's a button on the left.
Share my pictures and my blog. I would love to see more people read it! : )
Website / Facebook / Questions

Firework Angel - vance

2011-07-03T12:03:00.000-04:00

Here's a Firework Angel to watch over you this weekend. : )

Have a great 4th of July Weekend everyone!

If you like my blog please Follow to it! There's a button on the left.
Share my pictures and my blog. I would love to see more people read it! : )
Website / Facebook / Questions

Don't fear the Reaper - vance

2011-07-02T09:56:00.000-04:00

After the accident I was scared for a while that I wouldn't heal all the way. I still don't have all my motion back but it's getting better.
Then I was at peace. We all have battle scars. Someday the reaper comes and everything stops working. Until then there is a whole lot of life! Enjoy it! I'm enjoying mine. : )

ps. I added a reaper to the picture but it totally threw the balance off.

If you like my blog please Follow to it! There's a button on the left.
Share my pictures and my blog. I would love to see more people read it! : )
Website / Facebook / Questions