abacus | photography + IMAGES BY BRIAN J. BULEMORE

"EYE" ON THE PRIZE

noreply@blogger.com (BRIAN BULEMORE) — Tue, 19 Apr 2011 04:15:00 +0000

"Keep your eyes on the prize"....That old phrase essentially captures where I am at right now and is becoming an odd but fitting mantra as I try to stay focused. A few weeks ago I found out that my day job is going to be disappearing in a few months. Well, here's some thoughts in response to that life altering-event...

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SOON THE BLOG WILL BE ACTIVE AGAIN...STAY TUNED!!

noreply@blogger.com (BRIAN BULEMORE) — Mon, 04 Apr 2011 05:57:00 +0000

Well, it has not yet been a complete year since I last posted here in the blog, so I don't feel TOO badly about my long neglect of this area of my work/art endeavors. Time to get back to it though, so there will be several posts reviewing some of the work I have been doing over the last several months,interspersed with current work, random thoughts and events, and whatever else I can come up with.

Get ready.....

SHORT AND SWEET

noreply@blogger.com (BRIAN BULEMORE) — Sat, 22 May 2010 16:56:00 +0000

Wanted to add a link to the gallery for the final night of images from the 2010 Roller Race Series that took place at the Silver Moon Brewing company throughout April. This post is in honor of the Bend Bike Film Festival tonight at the Tower Theater downtown!! There will be a short film tonight (by Ogie) with video footage from the series which also features some of my still images as well. Looking forward to seeing it!

Congrats to Rocco and Amy for their overall 1st place series wins!!!

Check it out right here at the link...ROLLER RUMBLE FINAL

MORE "FLASHY" PORTRAITS

noreply@blogger.com (BRIAN BULEMORE) — Mon, 10 May 2010 06:45:00 +0000

Well, once again, it's been a while since I posted here. That is what happens when life is super busy and I spend more time with the camera than with the computer. Guess that is a good thing as the great photographers are always talking about shooting, shooting, shooting (...and then shooting a bit more) as the path to excellence. Well, that and some good collaboration and contact with other amazing photogs. I had that very chance a couple weekends ago in Portland. Two days, an old building, two guys named Jeff, several new acquaintances, a ridiculous amount of gear, and two awesome models....

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ROLLER PART TWO

noreply@blogger.com (BRIAN BULEMORE) — Thu, 15 Apr 2010 05:14:00 +0000

Hey there...well, as I sit in my house recuperating from a recurrence of an old back injury, I have been thinking of what to share next on my little corner of the "Intraweb". Suddenly I remembered that I still had not posted the second installment of my "Roller" theme as was promised last time!! Previously, you witnessed and learned about one of the Bend Roller Derby leagues, Lava City Roller Dolls. Today...we are visiting the strange and amazing world of the VeloSprint ROLLER RUMBLE. Allow me to explain....
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ROLLER DERBY

noreply@blogger.com (BRIAN BULEMORE) — Thu, 08 Apr 2010 15:44:00 +0000

Hey folks! My recent shoots both have involved the word "roller" and the concept of going very fast, often in a spectator environment! The first event is the Roller Derby bout from last Saturday here in Bend. Stay tuned for the second "roller" related event in a few days! Check it out....
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MARCUS THE CYCLIST

noreply@blogger.com (BRIAN BULEMORE) — Thu, 25 Mar 2010 19:23:00 +0000

A typical Central Oregon spring here with the weather shifting constantly...sunny and 60+ degrees during the day, freezing cold nights... mixed with rainy half-days and snow dumping in the mountains. Spent some time after work yesterday taking advantage of one of the sunny days...time for cycling portraits!!!

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CHARLIE TURNS "THIS MANY" (THREE)

noreply@blogger.com (BRIAN BULEMORE) — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 04:53:00 +0000

Well, another weekend of fun, travel, and photography.
Portraits and catching up with friends in old stomping grounds! Squirrel's Tavern, Interzone Coffee, and hanging with Ralph = Good times!

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ROCK AND SOUL

noreply@blogger.com (BRIAN BULEMORE) — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 16:33:00 +0000

Well, it has been a while since I have posted...busy days at the other job and not as much motivation at the end of one work day to begin another "work" day.

Traveling back in time a bit for the next few posts, as I want to increase the posting frequency but don't have a lot of time at the moment to go through all of the new stuff. So...dipping back into the library to share various adventures and projects. Here is one...

FAST WOMEN!!

noreply@blogger.com (BRIAN BULEMORE) — Sat, 27 Feb 2010 09:09:00 +0000

So about a month ago, I took a workshop through Newspace Photography Center in Portland. I was particularly excited when I saw the original announcement for an all access sports photo shoot at the opening night of the 2010 season of the Portland Roller Derby League, the Rose City Rollers.

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ONE WEEK LEFT, ABSTRACTIONS, AND A SALE!

noreply@blogger.com (BRIAN BULEMORE) — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 07:24:00 +0000

Getting ready to dismantle the biggest exhibit I've done so far at the end of the week, figuring out the best way to encourage a few more purchases, and a peek at a few of the images from the ABSTRACTIONS collection....

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AN UNEXPECTED GIFT

noreply@blogger.com (BRIAN BULEMORE) — Sun, 21 Feb 2010 18:19:00 +0000

Check out this video from photographer Zack Arias...this is so appropriate for me at this point as I stand on the precipice of this work...plus the weather here in Bend has been great and it feels like we are heading out of the grayness that has been so prevalent this winter. So, while I still want more powder in the hills, my mind is turning once again to road trips, biking, fly-fishing, and trail runs. Watch and enjoy...

WORKING AND DREAMING...

noreply@blogger.com (BRIAN BULEMORE) — Sun, 21 Feb 2010 02:11:00 +0000

Low key and relaxing Saturday. I've been catching up on some tasks and spending more efforts on enhancing and coordinating all of this new web presence. I've been pretty astonished and overwhelmed with what options are out there in terms of social networking, information sites, feeds, blah, blah, blah. My apologies to those followers who may have gotten blasted with several "test" posts involving this video (see below) as I figured out different configurations to get the thing to fit on my blog page. Also, making an attempt here to activate the Twitter feed as well. Those of you who have graciously connected to me here...thanks again and again. Patience young grasshoppers...I will be "dialed" soon (I hope).

Two types of "dreaming"...far off places and ideal situations.
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PORTRAITS ON THE MIND

noreply@blogger.com (BRIAN BULEMORE) — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 16:31:00 +0000

Well, today (like many days recently) I have been thinking about portraiture. Spending most of my early photography efforts on street photography and abstract object studies has been great and I will always be drawn to that...but, this year, I have really been itching to do much more in terms of people-based images. There are so many great possibilities, particularly in terms of lighting and post-processing to give really cool effects. It's been interesting figuring out what equipment is needed for this type of work and how to get people to volunteer time in front of the lens. Here are a couple shots from this area of interest. Above you see my good friend John who lives in Montana--great guy, fly-fisherman, skateboarder, grad student, climber, guitar player, etc. This shot was taken at a wedding last August right at dusk, using a small "pop" of flash to bring out his face under the hat.

Below you will see an image from last fall that I took at the Saturday Market in Portland...I don't know what this guy's story is but he wanders around with this exotic cat on his shoulder, talking to people and hanging out. This is an example of street portrait, but it is not necessarily a candid shot. I stopped and talked with him for a while and asked him to pose for me in a particular spot where I knew the sun could be used more easily on the right side of his face while there would be shadow and diffusion on the left side due to being partially under the roof of a craft booth tent. It was one of those bright but cloudy/overcast days in Portland that Saturday which meant some really nice opportunity for people shots. Looking forward to more efforts/experimentation on this type of project!

Monday...Monday...

noreply@blogger.com (BRIAN BULEMORE) — Mon, 15 Feb 2010 15:29:00 +0000

Good morning! Woke up early, cuppa java, listening to the Stone Roses, and messing around with various tasks, particularly enhancing this blog and ordering some new gear. All of this reading about Web 2.0 is interesting and a bit overwhelming to say the least. I would've laughed in your face if you had told me six months ago that I would have a blog, website, and be considering Twitter! Funny how things shift...that seems to be the pace of our world these days, however. Anyway...all of this has got me thinking of my good friend Melissa, who lives in Detroit. We went to college together and have a great friendship for years. She is a musician and singer for a sweet "rock and soul" band in Detroit. Melissa is a marketing genius and has been an inspiration for me in this world of Facebook, blogs, websites, etc. Plus, she is always willing to help me make beautiful photos! Thanks Melissa!!

This shot was taken in an alleyway in downtown Detroit, using the Canon 40 D with a 28-135 EF lens and a 430 EX II flash angled off to camera right. If you ever get a chance to go to Detroit, it is one of the best places in the world for photography IMO. (Sad that this city has fallen so far)

MING...THE CAT WHO ACTUALLY RULES MY HOUSE

noreply@blogger.com (BRIAN BULEMORE) — Mon, 15 Feb 2010 06:01:00 +0000

Today was a pretty relaxing day and as I puttered around with some various "lightweight" domestic tasks I saw Ming staring out the window. This is a common occurrence for this indoor cat, but he was fairly intense today. Grabbed the camera with the 50mm lens and started snapping away as he "chattered" at the monster-sized crow in the front yard. Ming and our other cat, Abacus (yup, that's where the business name is from), are a constant source of humor, joy, and sometime annoyance for me. Events like bouncing off my head in the middle of the night are often mixed with the best cat "moments' one could ever wish for. These shots are great reminders that our cats are basically just miniature cougars that tolerate us in their castle.

I love the "bokeh" (or quality of blur) that the Canon 50 mm 1.4 lens gives...if you are a photographer, I definitely recommend a prime lens in this focal length. An absolute must for any kit!

COMMISSIONED!!

noreply@blogger.com (BRIAN BULEMORE) — Mon, 15 Feb 2010 01:07:00 +0000

Here are two prints that I am currently working on that will soon adorn the walls of Bend's newest bike shop, BendVelo. Owner Eric Power is a great guy and is super enthusiastic about selling bikes, promoting bike culture, and MC-ing the upcoming Bend VeloSprint racing events.

Congrats to Eric and his wife on their newborn daughter as well!!