TeeDubbaU's

The Bucket List

2013-06-29T16:36:00.003-04:00

Dance After Dark

Let's face it, we should all have at least one thing on our bucket list. One of my top 5 is to visit Iceland and photograph an aurora borealis. While I didn't quiet make it to Iceland last night, I did get the chance to practice without having to leave my yard. I call it practice, because to me that's all it is until I stand in the place I've dreamed for some time and press the shutter release. But, that's neither here nor there, and it's not the what this story is about.

Last night, I read about the possible viewing of the northern lights here in Michigan. Most of the time I have to either work early the next day or I get notified too late. Around 10:30 P.M. last night, I stepped out on my front porch and just lifted my eyes toward the sky. Something was dancing above my head. It was the aurora, in full swing. I stood, head tilted and watched in awe for what seemed an hour. Realizing my chance to have some practice, I went to the house and grabbed my 5D mk II and the widest lens I have that fits the full frame sensor.

Tripod in tow and pitch black of night, I stumbled through my yard trying to find a good vantage point. After a few photographs, I locked in a good setting and framing for the task at hand. During a 30 second exposure I let my eyes wander. I noticed a trail of light streaming in a rather circular arc of light. Following it from the distant horizon through the star filled sky, I discovered the arc was going right over my house like some barely visible rainbow. There was no way to show the whole arc as I don't have a lens that shoots 180 degrees, but that didn't stop me from trying to make some record of the event.

True North

As the light show wriggled and writhed masked occasionally by the passing clouds, I continued to focus on my goal. This is one of those times you hear professional photographers talk about. The moment you know the placement of every button, every function on your camera, so that when faced with a situation, it is muscle memory that guides your thoughts. Standing in a near lightless void I adjusted, viewed, and readjusted the camera.

This was too good not to share. I walked into the house grabbed a flashlight and noticed Rebecca right where I left her, sleeping a celestial summer slumber on the couch. I quickly woke her in the hope she'd want to witness this ethereal experience.

Last Call

As we watched, I had an idea form. I tried to talk myself out of it, as I would miss this opportunity in the process of driving to a new location. Rebecca quickly pointed out my foibles. She told me to make trip, no matter how irrational or misguided it may seem, I needed to live for the adventure and not dwell in the "if only" part of my idea.

I have to take a brief segue and explain something about Rebecca, my wife. Yesterday, June 28th, marked the 12 year anniversary of our first date. She never let's me forget it. We've been through so much in such a short time together and yet we still stand strong together. When I mention a plan, no matter how out of this world it may be, she's usually the first one to tell me to make it happen. And last night, when I mentioned my idea of viewing the lights along the Lake Michigan shoreline, she offered to drive me.

So off we traveled, through the night air, leaving behind many places of man made light in favor of the natural ones.

In the parking lot of the park, I noticed a lot of clouds rolling in over the lake. I set up for a single photograph to test the light. It was a moderate success.

Almost There

Lighting my way, Rebecca had to keep a faster pace to keep up with my excitement. On the beach, just inches from the pounding waves, I set up my tripod. The first photograph made my heart drop. The clouds forming over the lake had already swallowed the shoreline and were rapidly approaching, blocking all view of the aurora. Fog and moist air from the lake had also started to condense on my tripod legs and camera body.

Swallowed by the Storm

Vehemently, I cursed myself for thinking this was a good idea. Then off to my right, a voice in the dark coupled with an extended hand. Rebecca's consoling words and mention of the wonderful adventures I lead her on. She thanked me for the evening on the beach and gently whispered, we need to go to Iceland. I've been with her for 12 years and on the beach in the dark of night and cold of a summer storm, my heart melted. She has never wanted to make that voyage, but somehow, seeing the thrill of the lights and the joy of adventure changed her.

Driving home, she talked many times about wanting to visit Iceland with me. I always tell Rebecca, I will stay with her until my dying day. After last night, it's number 1 on my bucket list.

Big Dipper

INVISIBLE Is Here!

2013-05-26T11:00:00.000-04:00

That's right, my first e-book is available for purchase! Follow the link and get ready to enjoy 165 photographs, over a year of travel and work captured in this 117 page e-book! If you are wondering what the book is about check out the excerpt from the opening pages of the book below.

Happy reading/viewing.

-Travis

http://www.e-junkie.com/invisibleirjourney/product/488186.php

The Difference of a Zero

2013-05-07T22:48:00.000-04:00

The other night I ventured out with a good friend to make some new work. I've been out of the loop for a while, due in part to an injury and work on my e-book INVISIBLE - An Infrared Journey, so it was nice to get out and make some new color work.

As the sun faded behind the small dune, I had moved my tripod to a new location, adjusted my grad ND filters and reset my camera to ISO 500 so I could make a test shot. The following photograph was made @ f9 1/40 sec ISO 500.

Evening Glow I

Earlier in the evening I'd been shooting ISO 50 and 4-6 second exposures. Adding a bump like I did for the test shot above allowed for the freezing of the ripples. It's nice, but it doesn't create the mood I often shoot for and why I prefer to use longer exposures. Take a look at the next version. This is the follow up photograph taken @ F22 ISO 50 4 seconds shows a vastly different view of the same scene.

Evening Glow II

Granted the colors are less obvious, but that is due to the fact this is a straight RAW to JPEG conversion. This is what the camera recorded. Of course, I'd spend some time adjusting this image with the aid of Lightroom 4 or CS6 to ensure the final image was perfect. I don't plan to use this image for anything more than this blog post, so I didn't feel the need to spend hours perfecting it. It's so important to know how to use your camera, but it's also vitally important to know what adding or taking away a zero can do to change your vision.

A Sneak Peek

2013-03-22T10:08:00.000-04:00

Here's the link to the INVISIBLE blog I also write. This is the post showing a sneak peek at the new book.

http://invisibleirjourney.blogspot.com/2013/03/its-all-coming-together-now.html

Why Photographers Should Work in Pairs

2013-03-03T21:48:00.000-05:00

Yesterday, I spent a bit of time driving across the great state of Michigan, a trip I normally would have made all alone, but as luck would have it, I had company. For the first time in my photography career I have a fellow photographer willing to put up with my insane love of the craft. Plus, it's nice to have a second set of eyes.

As we were packing up yesterday and ready to call it a day, Jason stopped me and said look, you're about to get the chance to make a great photograph. He had been shooting with his wide angle lens, and I had been shooting with my telephoto lens plus 2x converter giving me a 600mm reach. As luck would have it a small opening in the clouds created a light trail that was heading right for the lighthouse. I worked quickly, as I was full manual in both mode and focus. I used my live view to lock a perfect focus and started with this image.

Just Wait

I followed the light all the way past the lighthouse. I might have missed this image without a little help. That's why I've come to appreciate working with another set of eyes. We shot for nearly 3 hours in the cold and winds and hardly ever focused on the same scenes. I'm not saying every photographer should head out with another photographer, but I'm really finding the benefits of working with another like minded person.

Which One Do You Like More?

2013-02-18T14:22:00.000-05:00

The title of this post is a bad question. I should have asked: Which one do you prefer?

Do you enjoy the color version or the monochromatic rendering? I asked friends on 2 facebook accounts to chime in and let me know which one they felt stronger about. The results were mixed. Some preferred the color, without a single word after. Many preferred the color because, to them, it breathed a bit of life into the photograph. Others decided on the monochromatic version. The reasons also varied from the simple BW on the post to a love of black and white images or stronger lines and overall message. The whole time I teased and refused to give my answer on which one I preferred.

I could make it simple and just say: I prefer the color or I prefer the black and white, but then I would be falling into the trap of not telling why my preference is the way it is.

Let me start with the color version. Here's a list of why I prefer the color:
- I love the balance between the blues, whites and browns of the photograph.

- Shallow shadows. The snow reflects a bit of light into the shadowy areas of the frame.
These lightened areas don't pull me in as much as a deep shadow, so I am free to explore the frame a bit more.

- Less noise and better details when viewed high quality and large.

- I can feel the cold. I know snow means cooler temperatures and this is further accentuated by the bluish tints.

-I don't feel the need to explain it (talk about the aesthetics) in great detail.

This leads me to the monochromatic conversion. Here are a few reasons why I prefer the monochrome version.
- First and foremost, it's about lines. I love lines. This version is about those lines and how they play. Whether you read the image from left to right or right to left, the lines are apparent. There is a wonderful flow to this image. One I believe is slightly lost in the beauty of the color. In the monochrome version the eyes dance from side to side following the lines, all of which follow the pattern of the winds. There's a duality in the way it blows in the photograph and how it did blow to create the opposing patterns.

-Deeper shadows. Granted, I did a lot of burning and dodging to bring out more contrast, but the shadows were there regardless.

- Isolation. I feel alone. This creates a cold feeling, but in a different way for some. It's not a playful coolness, but one of longing, of fear, of loneliness.

- The sky. I processed this image to have the traditional darkened sky similar to infrared capture. It's a personal choice, but one I feel tells the story as I see it.

So which one do I prefer? Does it really matter? I will say this: I enjoy both photographs. The choice for me is fairly simple.

If I was to hang this piece in my home, it would be a gallery wrap, printed large and in living color. I would want to see the details. I would want visitors to enjoy the sights/sites I love to visit.

If I was showing the piece in a gallery or art show it would be printed in black and white. I would have it printed on a higher end paper designed for monochromatic images. I would have it framed with a simple white matte and black metal frame. It would also be printed large for the details, but it would be presented in a manner that intended longer viewing, not just a piece to enliven a room as decor.

What does all this mean? I could stand up on a soapbox and talk for hours about art and choices, but the truth is much more simple in this case. Art is about choice. It's about finding a message to share, then finding the best way to share it. I've said 2 very different things with the same image. Is one more right or honest than the other? I don't think so. I feel the final word on presentation is mine to make, but I can't say how others will react or not give it a second look.

In the end, the only thing that matters to me is how I choose to present my work in the most honest way I can, whether many people enjoy it or no one takes pleasure in it, it boils down to my choice.

From Facebook to Chance Encounters

2013-02-10T15:32:00.001-05:00

I'm an advocate of social media, when it's done right and without malicious intent. I use several forms of it including facebook, this blog and the INVISIBLE blog I write on. I've liked, followed and friended various people from around the globe and even in my home town. Over the weekend, I had a rare opportunity to travel and photograph one of my favorite places with a fellow photographer, who by chance lives about an hour away. It was a chance encounter, that left a wonderful impression on us both.

At this point you may be asking the question: "Why would you take a total stranger, someone you only know through facebook, to a remote location with no people around?"

It's funny, because Jason told me, shortly after arriving on location, his wife asked him something similar. I smiled and said Rebecca asked the same questions. I'll be honest, the thought never really crossed my mind. I saw this encounter as a chance to share some of the things I love with a like minded person.

Sure, I check people out online, talk with them to try to get a sense of who they might be, but again it's not face to face. I'm a trusting person. I've meet many people through social media, some I see and interact with occasionally on a personal level, while others will be little more than a profile picture, likes and the comments and personal messages we share with one another. I'm OK with that. Social media is all about meeting and connecting with other like minded people.

Back to the story at hand.

Jason and I talked over the course of a couple of days about hiking on the Silver Lake sand dunes and making photographs . Jason had viewed many of the photographs I made for the INVISIBLE project, had made comments and placed his approval on many. When he told me he was heading up my way for a photo walkabout, I mentioned the dunes. The conversation quickly turned into plans for an adventure.

I had hopes Jason would find the beauty in the landscape the way I do and as he crested the first snow covered drift wall (it really was a wall, not the normal hilly entrance), his reaction said it all. I could hear it in the tone of his voice as he proclaimed: "This is amazing!" I quickly made my way to the top. Huffing and puffing from the climb, I managed to eek out a few words like: "this is nothing, just wait."

We spent the next 3 hours hiking, resting to change a lens, talking, chasing light, watching the light sink behind the clouds, crawl through sand and snow alike, finding patterns in the sand and, for me at least, watching Jason tackle a shot I've tried to make many times over. An image I will add, he nailed in no time flat (pun intended, because he was literally laying flat on the ground to make it).

We made similar photographs with different visions in mind, shared ideas and as we climbed down the wall heading out of the park, we decided to do it all again some day in the near future.

The whole adventure left me energized and feeling good about the work I create. In fact, when I returned home, Rebecca noticed a change in me. She told me she was glad I made a new "real" friend and not just one on the computer. That's the feeling I couldn't place while I was out working. Kinship, a real life connection, in an electronic world.

Here are a few of the photographs I've processed from the other day:

Wind Swept

You will find "Wind Swept" featured on the Antzl Project thanks to a connection I have with it's creator Kevin Washburn. Just 24 hours after I posted it on facebook, Kevin Antzl-ized it for me. You can see it here.

Sand Surfer

Early on, during our visit, this person was visible over the lake gliding with the winds. It was interesting to see the kite flit and float then disappear behind a dune or a group of trees in the distance. It wasn't until they decided to pass through the area we were trying to photograph, that I decided to make this photograph. It just worked.

While We Rest

We stopped by this formation to get out of the wind, catch our breath, check lenses and gear and make a plan of where to hike to next. My widest setting was too wide and it caused vignetting on the edges of the frame. A simple crop fixed that.

Among the Elements

I noticed Jason crawling around in the snow and I thought: "there's the image people need to see". Jason is a lot like me, when we see a shot we want, we're willing to get right into what ever element or uncomfortable contortion to make it happen. This is the separation of hobby and passion. Jason is passionate about this craft and I might add he's quite accomplished in many other fields. A great guy to hang out with, talk to and make some new work.

This past weekend opened my eyes. I've been so stuck in a rut, spending so much time working on my INVISIBLE project that I forgot to go out and live. I'm so thankful to Jason, for offering to let me show him around. We've already talked about other visits and other adventures and it's all due to a chance encounter on a social media site.

Changes

2013-01-28T14:33:00.001-05:00

It's no surprise that given enough time, things do change. Landscapes are exciting because they change with each season. I've witnessed so many changes through the year, but nothing like I did working on the Silver lake sand dunes. Changes can happen overnight or as is the case of this pine stump, over the course of 8 months.

2 Views

I've traveled over these dunes, first discovering and then losing these wooded wonders. I've photographed them one day and watched as the sand swallows them nearly overnight. This place is amazing for its ability to change so rapidly. That's one of the reasons I love to hike on the dunes, I never know what I'll find or by some twist of fate and high wind, have simply lost for a time.

American History

2013-01-22T14:16:00.000-05:00

American History

I haven't been writing much on the blog lately due, in part, to the fact I injured my wrist a few weeks ago and I've been battling a cold I haven't seen the likes of since I was a child. I don't like the feeling of stagnation. It bothers me to not use my cameras, edit images, or even be able to write (in fact I took off my wrist brace to write this).

This brief hiatus has taught me patience, but more to the point, it's forced me to seriously think about images I've made in the past. I seldom recycle my work, for fear of repeating images and boring the viewer. I know now it's not the viewer I'm worried about being bored, it's always been me. I love to share the new work I create, but it fades into a catalog of forgotten images soon after showing it. The initial feeling of joy, soon falls into what is sometimes referred to as the after baby blues. It's the realization that the piece of work has left the safety of the creator and has entered into the world. It is no longer coddled by the creator, it faces the harsh, coldness of reality.

How do we as artists know the work we make will be received the way we intended? Who's to say it will be viewed at all? I've come to understand the desire to share, fish for approval, be filled with zeal when a fellow artist drops a few lines of praise on a piece I feel strongly about. There's nothing, in my mind anyway, that says that's wrong. In fact, I'd say it's a positive thing. With that said, I'd add a bit of caution. Don't get so wrapped up in the approval of others that you forget to do the work you love, without the need to please someone other than yourself.

The photograph above is one of my personal favorites. It was made during a trip to Gary, Indiana. Rebecca and I had walked all throughout the City Methodist Church and I had focused so heavily on the grander views, that I almost forgot to find pleasure in the minute details of the place. Walking through, what I believe were classrooms in the past, I found this collection of rubble, broken plates and cups, and these books. What caught my eye was the cover of the blue book: An America History.

I don't want to fade out and be forgotten, but I can't always try to reinvent myself every month. I need to show the work I am good at and also show the work I love to create.
If that means posting images a few times, well then, I guess that's just the way it's going to have to be.

My New Blog is Up!

2013-01-03T06:59:00.004-05:00

I've started a second blog, dealing with my work in the infrared realm. Check it out here. I'll still be posting here, but the majority of the infrared work will be on the INVISIBLE blog.

Empty Nest I

2012-12-28T13:16:00.003-05:00

One foggy morning I spotted this nest, resting just above my eye level.

Empty Nest I

I moved through the cool wetness of the morning air, trying to find the best composition. While I don't think the 3 photographs I made express the feelings I had when I first noticed it, I do feel the abandonment and mild loneliness that accompanies an image like this. It's not meant to evoke feelings of sadness and yet it does. It's funny, a photograph I made with joy, oddly takes on a life all its own.

The Storm Ahead

2012-12-21T17:44:00.001-05:00

Approaching Storm II

The morning I made this photograph, I had hiked nearly a mile, unable to find a single thing to hold my interest. The sun, so evident at the beginning of my trek, had disappeared behind a bank of clouds. In the distance, a storm was moving in fast about to block out the sunlight I craved, as well as, blanket me with a steady rain. I had framed the above photograph and made a few test exposures to make sure I liked the composition. I kept my eye on the clouds behind me and waited, knowing the sun was going to break out soon.

My patience paid off. The sun broke from behind the clouds, I made a few exposures and as quickly as it came, the sun returned to its hiding spot. Within a few minutes, the clouds rolling in from the distance, had found me. A single drop of water hit my face and in the span of 2 breaths I was reaching into my backpack for a plastic bag to protect my camera on the tripod. Covering my camera, I hiked as fast as my legs could carry me. Heavy rain and winds pounded me for about a hundred yards, stopping all of a sudden. I continued on, soaked and freezing, but happy I had made a few good frames.

Sometimes, You've Got to Have Flare

2012-12-16T12:03:00.000-05:00

I've been absent for a while, but not for a lack of interesting things to showcase and write about. I've been silent, because I've been working on a project. I've wanted to put my focus on a personal project for some time and a few months ago, I finally had the breakthrough I'd been working toward. The project will be announced after the first of the year, as I finalize the remaining photographs I have planned. So, until the unveiling of the project I thought I'd show a few photographs I made recently while out working on one of the "must have" photographs for the project.

The following photographs show a progression in the process I often go through while making images at night. The first, which is almost always taken with the highest ISO possible in camera, is used for composition and focus. Once the two are in perfect harmony, I reset the camera to the settings I require to the make the photograph the best quality.

30 seconds @ f 2.8 ISO 1600

For the second photograph, I pushed the f-stop to f4, the range I'd been using earlier in the night with great results. Stopping the lens down did loose a little of the flare I enjoyed in the first photograph, but at the time I considered it an acceptable amount of loss. It wasn't until after I loaded the images to my computer that I felt the flare was better at f2.8.

210 seconds @ f4 ISO 400

Shortly after making the 210 second exposure, I decided to push it a little further. I stopped the lens down to f6.3 in the hope of minimizing the wash out of light from the lighthouse light and prepared for a 480 second exposure. The entire series was done as a test. I already finished a series of 12/360 second exposures from another vantage point, but wanted to test my 50mm f1.4 lens for another image idea.

480 seconds @ f6.3 ISO 400

As you can see from the final photograph the flare has lost the circular patterns, so pronounced in the first 2 photographs. While the star trails are longer, the flare pattern, for me anyway, takes away the impact of the original test image. If I were asked which photograph is my personal favorite, I would say the first. It's full of grain, but it has so much more character in my humble opinion.

By the time I made the third and final photograph all the magic was lost in technical details. It wasn't a total loss though. My attempts earlier in the evening were better than expected. This is the reason, I spend so much of my time researching and practicing before I make a photograph like the ones above. It's true, I make more mistakes than I care to talk about, but in the end, I learn from each one.

I went out on this freezing night to make star trail photographs. I came home with some incredible new work and some mistakes that if I hadn't decided last minute to try, I would have never known the outcome until I missed the shot. It's important to understand, the mistakes you make today, often lead you to success tomorrow.

*Please remember all images are Creative Commons, Non-Commercial

*Please feel free to share or use for personal projects, but remember to

1. Link back to www.teedubbaus.blogspot.com or the post from which photographs were shared.

2. Make sure to give credit where credit is due. I love to share and post, but remember I'm a person too. It doesn't take long to say photograph by Travis W. Forbear or cut and paste a link.

50mm Challenge - The Accidental Challenge

2012-11-20T20:13:00.001-05:00

I seldom post portraits I make on the blog, which is rather strange as the majority of my photography income is from portraiture. I guess I've always keep them separate because I'm paid for one and not the other, but the other night during a session I was only going to run the lighting. I'm not sure why, but I decided to grab the 40D and the 50mm f1.4 lens for some playing around portraits. Using only the modeling light, ISO 640 and the 50mm lens @1.4, I started to make portraits for fun.

Then something happened. I made a great portrait and I couldn't stop. Shooting between flashes and a few times taking over and pushing Rebecca out of the way to work. I felt alive. I found angles I wouldn't normally use, moved in closer than I would ever dare with regular clients and I loved it.

Shooting with my custom monochrome settings I kept making more and more portraits. If Rebecca stopped to get some prop or to repose, I kept shooting. No chimping here, this was pure who cares if it doesn't work out shooting. When it was all over, I had a great collection of new work, which needed minimal post processing thanks to the settings I set early on.

What follows are some of my personal favorites from the session. There's no cropping, minimal post processing (increased contrast and a few spot heals) and most important for me, no care if anyone but me likes them.

All the previous photographs were taken with my Canon 40D, 50mm f1.4 lens ISO 640 f1.4@ 1/80 sec. Modeling light through a 3x4 foot Larson soft box.

*Please remember all images are Creative Commons, Non-Commercial

*Please feel free to share or use for personal projects, but remember to

1. Link back to www.teedubbaus.blogspot.com or the post from which photographs were shared.

2. Make sure to give credit where credit is due. I love to share and post, but remember I'm a person too. It doesn't take long to say photograph by Travis W. Forbear or cut and paste a link.

Seeing Potential

2012-11-12T09:52:00.000-05:00

When you stand before a subject what goes through your mind? Do you see the potential for a good snapshot or do you take time to process a scene and find the potential for a much stronger photograph?

While I was out the other day I realized how many times I make a photograph first by the appeal of the scene, but the final decision is based more on the fact I can see beyond the simple lines and subtle light.

This photograph is straight out of camera, only converted to a usable TIFF file and resized and formatted for the blog.

Infrared capture 10mm @f14 ISO 400 1/60

What do you see in the photograph? Do you see beyond the lines and lack of shadow? Do you see the potential for a much stronger photograph? I do.

Before I go any further, I need to clear up something. I don't believe in Photoshop fixes. I'm a 90% kind of guy. I believe we need to be 90% done with a photograph before it is uploaded. I shoot RAW, most of the time with a tripod, and I almost always spend more time setting up a photograph than I do processing it. With that said, I do work on photographs to create a more artistic approach on occasion, but that is something I feel makes the photograph more interesting or moody. I don't understand or waste my time fixing mistakes, I move on.

Off my soapbox.

The potential I am talking about comes from the understanding of post processing an image. It's called the digital darkroom for a reason. This is where the critical decisions are made. In the case of the photograph above, I made my choices based on the fact the light was defused, the sky was overcast and most of the light was subtle at best. Also using an infrared converted camera changes the dynamic and decisions I made capturing the scene.

When I first noticed this scene I fell in love with the lines and patterns. Without sunlight to give the landscape a bit of contrast, I had to mentally see a finished photograph. Would I be able to make this interesting group of patterns more than a collection of lines with hints of light? This is where my mind starts working and I start to see the potential of a photograph.

Obviously, my choice was to make the photograph, but you may be wondering what a final processed version of the photograph looks like? Well, take a look. This is one potential version.

I have an action I created in Photoshop to start photographs captured in IR as black and white conversions. It gives me a base to work from, if I decide a photograph is worth the finishing touches. While this photograph is not a 10 on my list, I realized early on that it would make a great photograph to write a blog post about.

Without the contrast of sunlight the natural shadows are not as deep as I might have liked, so I spend a little time burning and dodging areas I feel will be enhanced by the process. I add a little contrast and mask out sections where it may be too strong. I use some selective sharpening and sometimes try various film finishes. I didn't feel the need for a film finish on this photograph, so this is the basic black and white finish in Photoshop.

Total processing of this image is about 10 minutes.

Is it an award winning photograph? No, but it was never intended to be. Did I see potential in a poorly lit subject? Yes. And with a little foreknowledge of post processing techniques, I was able to make a stronger photograph. All of this comes from practice and a lot of mistakes. This is not a difficult thing, it's as simple as learning to see the potential of any photograph. So practice. Make a ton of mistakes and learn from them. Most importantly though, have fun along the journey.

*Please remember all images are Creative Commons, Non-Commercial

*Please feel free to share or use for personal projects, but remember to:

1. Link back to www.teedubbaus.blogspot.com or the post from which photographs were shared.

2. Make sure to give credit where credit is due. I love to share and post, but remember I'm a person too. It doesn't take long to say photograph by Travis W. Forbear or cut and paste a link.

What Ever It Takes

2012-10-31T23:30:00.000-04:00

I believe in doing what ever it takes to make the best photograph you can with what you have. I've subjected myself and my gear to rain, freezing temperatures, high winds and even dangled my camera less than an inch above moving water, but I've never felt guilty about getting out and getting dirty to make the work. Yesterday, I felt like a cheater. Why you might ask? Well, considering the fact that less than 24 hours before I was being pelted with sand and water to make the photographs I wanted and 20 hours later I was taking in the sites from the back of my Highlander.

Ok, let me explain. Monday, I headed to Ludington to work on a few photographs I've been wanting to make for 6 months. While I did make a few new pieces, the high winds and sting of sand blasting me kept me from making the photograph I set out to make. My tripod and gear were no match for the gusts of wind. Normally, it would not be a problem. I would just adjust the ISO, f-stop and shutter speed to make the photograph I wanted, but that wasn't an option. You see, I was using my infrared converted camera and I wanted to use a long exposure. High winds do not create ideal conditions for that type of photograph.

I left the park, disappointed, but not ready to give up. That's when I had the idea to lay the seats down in the back of my Highlander, set up my tripod and roll down the back window. That set up would shield me from the high winds and sand and allow me to create the long exposures I planned. All of this sounded great, with one hitch. It felt like I was cheating. Even though I knew the photographs would never work without this set up, I couldn't shake the feeling that I was somehow not living up to the adventurous part of my nature.

I'll be honest. The set up worked ok. The Highlander still shook during the big blasts and I missed more photographs than I care to admit, but I did manage to make a couple keepers despite a tremendous amount of details stacked against me. Sure, I could have made the photographs in color, I could have done a lot more to ensure the ease of my success, but since when does anyone want to take the easy way out? All of my choices, good or bad, lead to me creating an image like the following one.

Morning Spray

And, truth be told, I would do it all over again, even if it leaves me with feelings of being a cheater.

24 Frames

2012-10-26T06:00:00.000-04:00

In the Beginning

What if you could only make 24 photographs? If you ever used film and found yourself down to your last roll of film, what would you photograph? What kind of film would it be? Would you photograph everything in vivid bright color? Or would you choose a favorite black and white film. What speed (ISO rating) would you choose?

With the advent of digital photography, we don't have to worry about many of those questions. With high capacity memory cards, increased ISO and RAW capture we don't have to worry about running out of chances. It's nothing to shoot 1000 frames in an afternoon. I'm guilty of creating between 200-300 images per adventure, only to keep 20 good ones and 2-3 great photographs. That's what got me thinking the other day. What if I only had one roll of film left. A 24 exposure roll of 400 speed black and white film. How would that determine the photographs I make.

Back when I started making photographs, film was the only option. I made a ton of photographs and spent a lot of money on developing. All of that has changed. Now the amount is not measured in money, but in time. That is, time spent working on a computer to develop my photographs. I don't like to spend a lot of time fixing photographs. I'm a 90% kind of guy. That's 90% done in camera, 10% fixing for printing. I want to make work, not fix mistakes.

In a way that's how this whole 24 frame challenge got started. I wanted to see, good or bad, if I could only make a few photographs. That meant blurring or not I couldn't delete them and have a redo. To make it even more interesting I set other guidelines, like no tripod, 1 ISO setting, shooting in my custom monochrome setting and for a bit more challenge only one lens.

I decided to use my Canon EF-S 60mm f2.8 macro lens, my Rebel XSi, because it's lighter, an ISO of 400 and my custom monochrome settings. I did bring another lens just in case I changed my mind, but I never even thought to use it once I started to photograph subjects.

From the start, I realized this was going to be difficult. In fact, the photograph at the beginning of the post is the first photograph I made. I loved the drops of water from the fresh rain the night before. One thing I noticed right away though, was the lack of light. Even at ISO 400 I was metering 1/20 sec at f3.2 for proper exposure. Not the easiest thing to do, but I slowed myself down, found the framing I liked and pressed the shutter button. It wasn't perfect, but I didn't want to waste another chance on a worse photograph.

Off I walked, not knowing what I would find. What follows are my favorites. Not all of them are sharp or framed perfectly, but they are the world I was able to capture under the guidelines.

Crystal Ball

Morning Offerings

Staying Dry

(Make sure to look closely at the above photograph. There's a little surprise hiding under the leaf near the tip.)

Alone

The Warning

Freckles

Fall Light

Plumage

Incomplete

Rain Dance

While there are not 24 photographs posted here, that doesn't mean I didn't make 24. I decided to show only my favorites. I did make a few mistakes and I also learned to make sure what I was seeing through the viewfinder was worth photographing. Each subject had to mean something to me. It had to grab my attention. There were many times I'd stop, only to realize what caught my eye really wasn't that interesting when viewed through the lens. A challenge like this requires a great deal of patience and the ability to be critical toward oneself.

Next time you're in a rut, or feeling like there's nothing new, create a challenge for yourself. You may be setting yourself up for failure, I do that often enough, but sometimes you walk away with a better understanding of your subjects and yourself.

50mm Challenge: A Short Walk

2012-10-23T12:48:00.002-04:00

Last night I decided to take a short walk and play a little with the 50mm f1.4 lens. I love using it when I have my tripod handy, but I realized there will be times I don't have the trust and steadiness of my new found friend. So I grabbed my Rebel XSi, due to the fact it's lighter and headed out into the wooded areas of Gales Pond. It's a great place to take a short walk or long walk.

The first thing I noticed were all the birds. The scene was something straight out of an Alfred Hitchcock movie. Hundreds of black birds perched and calling out to one another.

With the Cats

Shortly after watching the birds, I traveled further into the wooded area of the trails. It wasn't long before I found some interesting light and even a few things I thought would make good subjects to practice. The light was fading fast, but it also created some warm tones in the foliage around me.

Sunbathing

See Through

Liquid

I could have stayed in one area and photographed until there was barely enough light to see, but I was walking not staying. As I moved further up the trail, I spotted a single maple leaf among the beech trees. It just stood out so I had to make a photograph. The dreaminess of the bokeh mixed with a tack sharp maple point make this one of my favorite photographs of the walk.

Hold On

Moving across the smaller boardwalk through the swamp, the trail heads back into a heavily wooded area. Large branches still full of leaves hang overhead. That's why I stopped to look up.

Look Up

Green Sleaves

Walking out from under the trees, the trail gets a little more light. I know I'm nearing the end of my walk when I see this familiar group of trees and the pines just off in the distance.

Almost Home

Taking a moment to view this branch, I realized how many of the smaller branches pointed down the trial toward the place I needed to go. It's as if nature provided it's own signs.

Which Way to Go

This is by far the hardest photograph to make with a 50mm lens. I love the roots growing up along the path like a natural staircase, but it's almost impossible to make a good frame without omitting some of the best parts. I had to back way up and fight with other saplings to make this last photograph.

Trails End

Here ends the short walk challenge. I'm always looking for new exciting ways to challenge and photograph the areas close to home. After all, it's a great way to see the world around you in a different, more interesting way. I don't think I ever see the same thing twice when I visit this area, that's what makes it so challenging. I hope you've enjoyed this little adventure, I know I did.

*Please remember all images are Creative Commons, Non-Commercial

Please feel free to share or use for personal projects, but remember to

1. Link back to www.teedubbaus.blogspot.com or the post from which photographs were shared.

2. Make sure to give credit where credit is due. I love to share and post, but remember I'm a person too. It doesn't take long to say photograph by Travis W. Forbear.

The Lost Pages

2012-10-16T23:11:00.000-04:00

I've been working on a new series of textured prints. Incorporating standard textures and hand written pages from various journals, old stories, and purchased handwritten pages. This isn't a new style for me, I've created a few pieces like this in the past, but I didn't have a theme in mind. All of that has changed with the creation of a new set. What follows are just a small sample of the work I've created.

Red

The original photograph captured for "Red" was a beautiful example of the color red. The intoxicating colors this fall in Michigan have been some of the best. I wanted to capture the essence of many colors, but also playing with the light and shadows. There are a lot of elements all playing out in this photograph, but I wanted the viewer to be drawn to the intense red leaves.

The same can be said of "As We Are". While walking on a private trail, I stopped to see a group of fallen red leaves scattered across the path. The early morning light, coupled with the mystery and cool wetness of the day created a visual feast. I wanted to recreate the feeling of a fable or a forgotten lore. Somebody pass me the breadcrumbs.

As We Are

The next piece, "Along the Trail", actually saw a rebirth. The original photograph was part of a recent 50mm challenge. Fascinated with the shallow depth of field and images from childhood, I wanted to create something soft and yet still a bit unsure. Is there a danger, or is it all in the imagination?

Along the Trail

The next piece is also part of the color exploration. "Green" is a photograph that almost didn't happen. I was making all of my photographs that morning in infrared. I didn't want to bring out the 40D, put a lens on, compose an image and make one photograph. Then it dawned on me. The colors were amazing. Not taking the time to collect such a beautiful sample would be a shame. The voice in my head won. I made time to photograph this scene in all it's splendor and joy.

Green

One of my favorites of the series is the following photograph. I tried to make something so fantastic and out of this world. I wanted something familiar and yet alien. It's no wonder I made the color resemble another planet.

The Traveler II

The final photograph I'm going to post is "Thrive". While this photograph also shared a bit of the spotlight in the 50mm challenge, this one is a little different. These small flowers bloom in a swampy area of my dad's property. It's a dark place, one of mystery and intrigue, but also a lasting beauty. I found these growing right along the creek bed and made a few photographs, never thinking they would amount to much.

Thrive

The truth is, they grew on me. Thrive is a combination of seeing something simple and making it unique. I added a twist with this one during the post processing. I opted for a bit of cross processing and film filters. I wanted it to have the feel of an old film, the kind of image that sits hidden waiting to be rediscovered.

I've got a long way to go before I finish The Lost Pages series, but it's impossible to know where this series will take me. It may, as the title states, become nothing more than a few lost pages, waiting patiently for the right person to come along.

The Beginning of Fall

2012-10-07T10:43:00.000-04:00

Path on the Back Roads

Fall is in full swing here in Michigan and I'm slowing breaking away from the project I've been so busy putting together to make a few colorful photographs. I've been rather silent about the work I'm doing, but for good reason. All I will say at this point is the project has become a personal obsession and will be one of the best things I've done in a long time. With that in mind, here's just one more color filled photograph.

Crimson Guard

This photograph is a tree I always use as a guide. While I'm on the Silver lake sand dunes, this tree is my north star. I know when I see this tree I'm not lost. It's rather close to the entrance of the foot path that leads back to the park, standing tall as if guarding a secret place.

60mm Challenge - After the Rain

2012-09-19T08:36:00.000-04:00

"To say that a work of art is good, but incomprehensible to the majority of men, is the same as saying of some kind of food that it is very good, but that most people can't eat it." - Leo Tolstoy

When I got up the other morning, the rains had come once more. With the success of my 50mm challenge a few days before, I thought I'd try my hand at a little 60mm challenge, or at least get some new macro work for a Macro Monday post. What I soon discovered, after arriving at Gales Pond, was the same thing I'd discovered working on the 50mm challenge. I'm thinking more and more like a landscape photographer. It's not that I can't produce macro images, it's simply the fact I want to have more emotional elements. I want to tell a story. I want the viewer to be pulled in, but also have a reason to stay and look for a while. I want everyone to find some part or element of the frame to enjoy.

My first photograph of the morning "Open for Business" started out as a close up. I framed the flower with the drops of water clearly focused with plenty of the yellow and purple flower to make an interesting composition. Before I pressed the shutter release, I stopped. I took a deep breath and realized the lack of a good story. I pulled the tripod back and recomposed the photograph. I worked from several angles, pushed the tripod forward, pulled it back, adjusted the height, adjusted the f-stop, focused, recomposed, and finally loving what I saw through the viewfinder, I moved to live view to make sure I had proper focus (it was windy that morning) and pressed the button on the cable release.

Open for Business

I could go into all the details of why the above photograph works for me, why I chose the title, the f-stop, and any number of other details, but those don't tell the story the same way the photograph does. The one thing I hope the reader will take away from this challenge is the feeling of patience and the desire to tell the best story in each photograph.

Morning Stroll

When I found this patch of wild flowers, still moist with some collected rain, I stopped. Upon closer inspection, I found a snail about the size of a pea, out for a morning stroll. I spent a considerable amount of time watching and composing photographs of the flowers and my slow moving visitor.

Blending In

I opted to get closer for one photograph, mainly because I wanted to see if I could create a decent macro photograph of the snail, while keeping the important elements of the composition in view. A second reason I wanted to move closer was the f-stop. At f8, backgrounds do not blur or create bokeh unless the subject is close and tightly focused. I could have opened the lens to f2.8 (wide open), but the loss of details would be too great for the subject. The square crop, done during the post processing, is just a choice of aesthetics.

If I Fall

For the photograph above, I happened to notice the droplets of water clinging to the edge of the leaf. The second leaf, with it's water drops, almost seemed to be waiting for the other drop to fall.

It was a bit different when I moved to the frame the following photograph. What captured my eye were the single drops of water formed at the small ridges on the plant leaves. Each ridge seemed to be the perfect device for the collection of morning rain. I focused on the center of the plant as a way to balance the image. Again, this choice was a personal one. I felt the viewer would be able to make out the other parts without sharp focus. I also decided to leave the smaller plane of focus as a way to soften the photograph.

On the Edge

After I moved past the wet leaves and flowers of the swamp, I stepped onto the more solid path. It wasn't long before I noticed something strange (well, strange to me anyway). At the time I didn't know what I was looking at, but I had a feeling they were fungi. After I posted a single photograph on facebook with the question of what these were, I had a friend (thanks Tracy) find out what they were. They're known as coral mushrooms. Not all coral mushrooms are edible, so be careful.

Coral II

I'm not a mushroom fan. I'll photograph them, mainly because I find them beautiful, but I don't eat them.

White Coral

This white coral was not far from the others. I didn't feel like breaking a bunch of branches and twisting in odd ways to make a different composition, so I opted to photograph this from a higher perspective. While it's not an award winning composition, it shows the intrigue of the fungi.

One of the final photographs I made during the morning exercise was the following.

Newly Fallen

Continuing the ideas I started in the 50mm challenge, I moved in low, focused on a single subject, due mainly because of the color and placement among the dried lifeless leaves. The 60mm lens pulls the subject in tighter and the f2.8 minimum also creates a nice bokeh, but not as dreamy as the f1.4 of the 50mm.

So which lens works better? That's not really the issue. Each lens offers a unique combination of challenge as well as strengths. The best part of the challenges I've set for myself over the last few weeks, is the ability to be limited and still be able to make great photographs. It's not about the biggest lens, the best camera, or even the location. It's about taking what you have, mixing it with what you know and watching as the world suddenly opens up to possibilities you never thought possible.

Go out and create some challenges for yourself, you'll be glad you did.

Waiting for the Light

2012-09-13T20:19:00.000-04:00

I've been giving myself challenges with my prime lenses over the last few weeks in an effort to stimulate new creativity and a better understanding of my various lenses. I love the 50mm f1.4 lens I have, you can see the work I've created with it in previous posts here and here. I even broke out my once favored 60mm f2.8 macro lens for a challenge. The photographs on this post are actually from that same challenge, but due to the circumstances surrounding the making of them, I wanted to show them here with a little back story.

The whole idea dawned on me while setting up the following photograph.

Watch Your Step

As I was setting up the tripod and composition, the sun was blocked, hiding behind some clouds. The warm glow of sunlight, now absent from the subject, left it lifeless and cold. I had been watching the sunlight disappear and reappear all morning long. I knew it would only be a matter of time before the sun reappeared and gave the fungi a nice mid morning kiss of light. So, I waited. And I waited. And waited some more. Then it happened, the sun shone bright from behind the clouds. Too bright in fact. I thought all was lost. The light streaming down through the trees was too harsh.

I was forced to make a decision, either make a few decent photographs and move on, or hang out and hope the clouds would move just right and the light would be slightly defused. Well, it didn't happen. The light moved from non existent, to blazing bright, back to nothing. I was frustrated, but also determined. I wanted to create the photograph that made me stop in the first place. I soon realized that no matter what I may want, the sad reality is it may never happen. I didn't have a need to rush off, so I waited once more.

After a few short (what felt like hours) minutes, I was rewarded for my patience. The light creep softly, at first, through the trees. Then it happened, the light created the right amount of side lighting that made me stop in the first place. I press the shutter button via cable release, checked my exposure on the histogram, did a little happy dance and felt wonderful that I took the time to wait out the light. Other wise I'd have be stuck with an image like this one.

Watch Your Step- No Side Light

Flat and lifeless. I'm being too hard on myself, of course. Had I not noticed the first light, I would have found myself making the above photograph and thinking that's rather interesting, it's not great, but it's interesting. By being patient, I afforded myself the luxury of a photograph well worth the few minutes of light waiting.

I'm a fan of interesting light, when I can get it that is. Sometimes you have to make a photograph because it's interesting as a subject. Sure the lighting may not be right, but what it does to you, as you spend hours critiquing yourself, is just as magical as the light you do get right. If you want to be good at something, a little time is all it takes. If you want to be great at something, you need to be patient, work hard, be willing to make sacrifices, but most important you need to love what you are doing. If you don't love what you do, then be good at it, there's nothing wrong with that. If you want to be great, be prepared to fail, be prepared to miss the shot, make mistakes (lots of them), and never quit trying to become better at what you do through practice.

50mm Challenge - Bokeh Wonderland II

2012-09-09T09:45:00.001-04:00

I have to admit, I love the new 50mm lens. In fact, I love it so much, I decided to go out the other day and do a follow up challenge, but in a different location. I headed out to Gales pond, just a few miles from my home. With it's variety of great subjects, especially after a heavy rain the night before, I knew it would be perfect for the challenge. I made the following photograph shortly after arriving. I managed to walk past a few opportunities, mainly because they didn't fit the idea of wide open aperture, but don't think I left them with ease.

Taking Over the Boardwalk

I made "Taking Over the Boardwalk" with the idea of placing a shallow focus on the water drop covered invading leaves, leaving the boardwalk identifiable, but also utilizing the morning fog that started to evaporate in the distance. I had to work fast and even leave a few small spots washed out. The fog and direct morning sunlight made it difficult to expose the dark foreground elements without a little trade off in blown highlights. The amount is so small, but discernible. It's a choice we have to make sometimes to create the image better in camera and not fix it later in Photoshop. Why the choice of monochromatic post processing? I felt the mood and lack of bright colors were just right for the subject. I didn't find that with any of the other photographs I made the rest of the morning.

Back on the boardwalk I played with a few other subjects, but the light had become too harsh. This resulted in a short walk over a long boardwalk. I didn't mind though, because at the end of the boardwalk is the beginning of a wooded area with plenty of nature trails. With all the trees still covered in leaves, I found some interesting light and subjects.

Maple and Moss

Using live view and my tripod, I opened the lens to f1.4 zoomed in for perfect focus and made this photograph. While I could have moved the camera closer and placed more emphasis on the single maple leaf, I opted to have a small amount of foreground, middle and background to give the photograph more of a landscape approach.

It's the same formula I applied to most of the photographs I made that morning. Using wide open apertures, or stopping down to f2, allowed me to keep a thin plane of focus for my subject and dreamy bokeh throughout the rest of the photograph. The following photograph places the small yellow leaves as the focal point, while the eye travels the visible trail to the moss and tree line just off in the distance.

A Well Worn Path

I post processed this photograph with a slight cross processing technique to add a touch of blue while highlighting the yellow of the leaves. The cool feel is meant to increase the feeling of an early fall morning thick with haze and wonder.

Losing a Friend

I noticed the fallen fungi in "Losing a Friend" from a distance. I almost didn't make the photograph because it required laying the tripod flat on the ground, on a short and steep incline that ended in water. I thought about photographing it from other angles, but without the small tree the composition just wasn't there. I set up the tripod and placed a knee on one the of legs. I knew my body weight would make a great anchor, but I also feared any movement of my body would put the focus out of the tack sharpness I worked to achieve. Thankfully, a few micro adjustments and some breath holding paid off and I made the photograph I wanted, while avoiding my gear getting an unwanted bath.

As I moved on, the light was starting to pour through the treeline and that's when I noticed this scene. What caught my eye were 2 leaves, a larger one cupping a smaller one. You may need to click the photograph to make it larger for viewing, but it's the subject that remains in focus.

Catch Me When I Fall

I could have easily just moved in close and photographed the 2 leaves and a little bit of the green moss around them, but that wouldn't tell a story the way the composition does above. The light was only available for a few moments, and without the light this same composition would be nothing. It's all about the light.

Off the Beaten Path

Using the shallow depth of field, I isolated this fungi. Taking advantage of live view and the lay flat abilities of my tripod, I was able to frame, focus and create the above photograph. I will admit this one is actually f4. I was greedy and wanted more in focus. It was a difficult subject to get it right. Also, I try really hard not to remove distracting elements like the small twig or leaf in front of the mushroom, as it takes away from the natural look.

Personally, I'd rather just move to a different angle and compose a new photograph. Which I decided to do after taking a few steps backward.

Off the Beaten Path II

Just a few moments after making the above photograph, I ran into a fellow traveler. His desire to talk and my desire not to be rude, lost me 40 minutes of light. Not one to give up I moved on. Most of the light had become hard and the water drops from the morning storm long dried.

It didn't stop me from creating this photograph as I crossed a small foot bridge.

Signs of the Season

I had to make a choice in the framing, because the foot bridge is actually leaning to the right. I decided to keep the foreground board seam level, while allowing the tilt throughout the frame in the distance.

At this point, I was actually in a small hurry to get home, I had a paid session in just a few hours and I didn't think it would be acceptable to claim nature kept me.

Moving quickly for the last 1/4 mile of the trail I only stopped one more time, passing up several photo opportunities. When I came upon this subject, I couldn't pass it up. The light was right and fading fast.

Waiting for You

This challenge was just what I needed to get the creative juices flowing. In fact, I went back 2 days later after a second morning storm, but this time I used my 60mm f2.8 lens for macro work. The work from that session will be posted soon, so make sure to look for the 60mm challenge.

If you are stuck in a rut or a non creative place right now, I suggest breaking out a single lens, be it a prime, wide angle, telephoto, or even a Lensbaby and make some new work. Challenge yourself to see the world through one lens and I guarantee you will be better for it.

Simplicity is the Key

2012-09-07T10:11:00.000-04:00

Balancing Act

"We must become simple, before we can become complex." -Bruce Lee

I've been spending a lot more time working with my prime lenses. The above is one I made the other morning using my 60mm f2.8 macro lens. I spent several hours working, but only making a few photographs. I plan to write a blog post about each lens and how seeing the world with limitations helps me to improve my work. I hope you will join me.

TeeDubbaU's

The Bucket List

Recent Post From My INVISIBLE Blog "Why An E-Book?"

INVISIBLE Is Here!

The Difference of a Zero

A Sneak Peek

Why Photographers Should Work in Pairs

Which One Do You Like More?

From Facebook to Chance Encounters

Changes

American History

My New Blog is Up!

Empty Nest I

The Storm Ahead

Sometimes, You've Got to Have Flare

50mm Challenge - The Accidental Challenge

Seeing Potential

What Ever It Takes

24 Frames

50mm Challenge: A Short Walk

The Lost Pages

The Beginning of Fall

60mm Challenge - After the Rain

Waiting for the Light

50mm Challenge - Bokeh Wonderland II

Simplicity is the Key