Stites Photography

A Girl 2

2010-07-10T15:29:00.000-07:00

Hot, wet and sticky. I'm talking about the weather! Get your mind out of the gutter!

Here's a few for you to enjoy from today's shoot!

Isn't she just adorable?

-Mark!

Experimentation vs Execution

2010-05-28T21:26:00.000-07:00

So yes it's been a while. For those three loyal readers of my blog, I'm certain agony was to be endured, but now one can rejoice! For I am back with a bit of insight into what some people may call my mental septic tank.

Current count in my active library of shots is 32627 images. These are recently shoot in the last three years. So about 10,000 images a year get to make thier way into my Lightroom library for immediate access. For you math freaks that's about 27.3 images a day, which I like enough to stash nearby. Many more images exist, hidden away in archives, hard drives and other places I've bound to have forgotten about!

My library is highly organized into categories, then sub categorized. One large category is "Models". This category is broken up into the names of each model, and if I've shot that model more than once, I sub categorize some more....

Ok, so who really cares? Here's the meat of my post. ~32000 images....One of my categories is "Exeriments" which contains a little more than 2100 images. Sub categorized into 37 folders of all sorts of oddities: LightingTests, MultiTest, Smoke, Sheets, Water, Fork and three different folders for Fire :)

It's safe to say about 6% of my images are experimentation. Learning how things work, working on ideas, trying new things. Some of the shots are REALLY horrific! This is my sandbox. I recommend everyone should set one up and know there is a safe place to play without ridicule or self consciousness.

Recently I was asked to shoot a VERY difficult to execute image. Not that the composition is tough, but the tone and lighting arrangement is going to be a challenge. I've attempted this one before and got mediocre results. But this time I'm less dumber (not smarter!) and I will be adding to my 2100 experiment library soon.

Below are views into the septic tank that which is my mind. I never show my experiments, but for you loyal three, you each get one image from the secret stash. Thanks for reading :)

My Hand

My Sheet

My Livingroom

-Experiment
Mark!

Playing with Fire

2010-04-08T20:06:00.000-07:00

Just messing around with light bulbs :)

-Paly!
MArk

Insomnia

2010-03-10T20:47:00.000-08:00

At Insomnia!

-Mark

JZ Modeling a Dress for MA.

2010-02-25T16:00:00.000-08:00

Thanks to JZ for freezing her butt off! And thanks to MA for the awesome Mexican food!

-Fun times!

MArk

MM

2010-02-09T21:55:00.000-08:00

Enjoy!

MArk

Throwing Some Light

2010-01-31T20:39:00.000-08:00

Just chucking light around to see what happens :)

-Play!

Mark

Hit and Run

2009-12-16T21:00:00.001-08:00

Enjoy!

-Play!

~Mark~

Sports!

2009-12-09T20:44:00.000-08:00

Some jumprope...

and a bit of SCUBA practice...

Take It Slow

2009-10-10T12:07:00.000-07:00

It's always amazes me how often one can learn one discipline and apply those concepts to another. During my 8 year stay in Australia I studied (for a couple years) massage therapy at the Alice Springs Health and Relaxation Centre, under the tutelage of the great Trevor.

Trevor was the owner and instructor for the facility. Soft spoken and well mannered, he knew the intricate details of the science of hands on body work. We studied every muscle in the human body, if we could touch it..uh hem..it got rubbed. I know the details of the sartorius, and how it interacts with the other three muscles of the quadriceps group. I've had my hands so far up into a woman's medial gracilis, one millimeter slip in the wrong direction and I'll have the wrath of her husband or a date for the night! (oh and if your wondering, being a student, we also receive the same treatment from our partners, so the story goes both ways!)

I know, fascinating stuff..but that is not the lesson for today. One class in particular stands out. We were working on pectoralis (chest muscle). After theory was complete, it was practice time. So my Australian classmate happily dropped her top and jumped down on my table. So..uh...there I was standing at the head of the table, face to face with my (fairly attractive) classmate and her smirk waiting for me to figure how I was supposed to dig into the baby food makers below. So, with a nervous squirm I went for it. Digging around, smashing, crushing, rubbing, clinical, avoiding anything stupid, diverting my gaze off onto the wall and generally rushing my way through it all.

Trevor saw my train wreck of an attempt at massage and casually walked by and asked for permission to take over. Wiping the sweat from my brow and gladly jumping out of the way, he assumed the proper posture; much less tense than my attack position. Smoothly, simply, and most importantly SLOWLY he kneaded her pectoralis muscles... Of course his technique totally avoided any embarrassing bits. In comparison to my nervous twitching, I was stomping all over the wrong places and missing the muscle all together. He worked for about 30 seconds and hit everything perfectly, and expertly..she loved it. It was next my turn, all my apprehension, anxiety was gone. The focus was there and my lovely classmate was smiling again. I had slowed down to snail speed, executed the techniques taught and everything came out perfect.

So...photography...SLOW DOWN! Don't focus on the parts you want to avoid. Less thinking, more doing. Most importantly, slow yourself down and let natural motion guide your actions. When I go to a club or event to shoot, I'll often not shoot for a good 30 minutes. I'm calibrating my mind to the scenario. Working my natural motions to blend with the group I am with. Some people show up and start snapping a zillion shots which come out like crap. I'll know exactly which ISO, flash power, fstop and shutter speed after my 30 minute study. I'll take a shot, check it to make sure and shoot a few more to see how I'm working with the subject. Nice and slow, take my time..don't focus on the bad..change my perspective and work it through, smoothly, slowly, expertly, for perfect results...just like Trevor working the pecs on my classmate...

A smoke shot...slow shutter speed...hours to prepare
(click for happy version)

-Jogo!
-MARK!

Know What You Know

2009-10-02T18:51:00.001-07:00

I was sitting around thinking today...we'll actually staring at my wall, in my cubicle at work. Half zombie state and half daydreaming. Not because I was bored, but rather I was having an epiphany. Or more like some stroke of bizarre enlightenment, perhaps some alien felt sorry for me and shot some ideas through his inter-dimensional comm-link right into my brain.

You see, this alien may have beamed in a thought about knowledge. No, not actual knowledge but about knowledge. Geeks call this meta-data, normal people call this wisdom, I call this a lucky guess...

Here's what the little alien sent me: Know what you know.

Understand completely your knowledge. Seeking new knowledge is great, I recommend it. What this bit of absurdity is about is once you've learned something new, try to understand it completely.

One little trick I use when exercising something I know, is to act as if I'm teaching it to someone. In your mind, answer their questions. You would be amazed at how all the little details smooth out and you now, know what you know.

Being the master of your knowledge is very powerful! It allows you to break the rules. You can build new concepts which others may never formulate.

What this has to do with photography is fairly obvious. Understand everything you know about about your camera. Whatever you know about composition, explore it completely. Know something about light? Be the master of this little bit. Even if it's minimal. You'll add more as you explore.

This parallels my other passion: Jiu jitsu. We have noobs who want to learn everything in short order but fail to learn what they already know. I'm at the point where, I drill stuff I've done since day one. Know what you know is a force which is unbeatable.

A master is only a beginner who has mastered the basics.

Thanks to a little alien, I now know a bit more about my knowledge :)

-play
MArk

Purpose and Intensity

2009-09-24T13:58:00.000-07:00

There are those who step through life with just the basics. We see these people

...doing just the bare minimum... to survive.

I once had a supervisor who walked as if he were on the very edge of a cliff, slow and calculating every move. His thoughts were the same, slow, methodical and simple. The problem was he never got anywhere...nor could he convey information adequately. At work he was

...doing just the bare minimum... to survive.

A high school friend of mine; a pure genius. He could read and understand the most complex of electrical schematics. Yet his intention to apply his gift was non-existent. He knew the problems, he knew the answers... He would never try to make things work... At school he was

...doing just the bare minimum... to survive.

What driving force did these two lack? I propose they needed a purpose. A reason to be there, a reason to live and to fight and to play and to do whatever was asked of them...with intensity. Neither individual really needed to be there.... they were both

...doing just the bare minimum... to survive.

So let me define purpose in my own warped sense. The individual must recover some sort of reward for their actions. Such as money, love or enjoyment. The supervisor didn't have to work, he was a retiree with a side job telling me what to do (poorly)... My friend didn't have to take that electronics class. He did it because it was nothing more than a check box he had to fill in. Wheat these two needed were rewards for effort. Their purpose in their actions would be to recover a reward rather than

...doing just the bare minimum... to survive.

Onto intensity. This is one of my most favorite concepts. It applies to everything. Intensity is the amount of energy we expend into an effort to engage with a particular purpose. I can't expound upon how highly prized intensity is in my mind. For me, launching a huge blast of energy into a project, and riding it through to completion is fascinating. It can be a workout, a tough jiu jitsu roll, driving on a curvy street or even photography. Intensity comes through verbally, physically, emotionally and even through time. As time has the greatest of all intensities! Time cannot be stopped therefore its energy is infinite! My two examples before, existed with no intensity, with barely enough energy to be

...doing just the bare minimum... to survive.

Bring into your life, your art, your capacity for a purpose with intensity! Extend this lifeforce and vigor toward into everything you do. Brush your teeth, reminding yourself you're alive today. Tell yourself what your purpose is today. Be specific, apply yourself to this purpose. Execute it. Drive great amounts of energy into this effort! Overflow the dam with your vigor and spirit. Don't hold back, drive forward until you've crashed the barriers and exceeded even your own expectations. Never be that person who is

...doing just the bare minimum... to survive.

Live these words!
..., , ardor, , , drive, vivacity, efficacy, spirit, power, efficiency, endurance,zest , exertion, , force, , fortitude, , initiative,principle, intensity, juice, life, , might, , ,will , , , , potency, , , punch, , spontaneity, stamina, zeal, ,determination , , vehemence, , , virility,fire, vitality, , , , ambition, , aspiration,, , , , desire, destination, , direction, , , , , , goal, animation , , , intent, , mission, , objective, , , , , project, , , , reason, resolve, , , target, , ,, ,

My dog Zulu. (Click for a larger readable version)

-Play
Mark

UFC 103 PreParty At Plush

2009-09-20T16:14:00.001-07:00

Thanks to a really nice friend of mine, Sheena Lee; I was VIP'd into the UFC Pre-Party to shoot some shots for a birthday party at the same location. Talk about a crazy fun night! Loads of people, packed together and the alcohol was certainly in a rapid flow! Glad I don't drink, I'd probably still be dragging my butt off the floor!

I'll keep the BDay party pics private, but I did get one shot I'd like to share.

Yes it has some blur...even some blow out.. I don't care. For me it was a perfect symbol of the night. Plenty of people were blurred, slurred and blown out! haha!

-Play
Markoo

Water

2009-08-22T23:53:00.000-07:00

I don't always shoot models. Sometimes shooting something as simple as water is just as challenging and interesting. The image below is actually three images super-photoshop-glued together..Each on it's own RGB channel. It looked ok in color, but I switch B&W. I prefer it this way. As always click for higher rez version for best enjoyment.

-layp!
Makr

Worlds Collide

2009-08-20T22:53:00.000-07:00

I recently had the opportunity to unite two groups I've shot for in the past. Aromaz and Dallas E-Models to include Sheena Lee. Both are really awesome groups. Dallas E-Models had a shoot for new and old (not antique, but experienced!) models down at the 8 Lounge. Aromaz offered up their hair/MUA services to any of the girls whom needed it.

Although I could only stay for a bit, I was able to get a few shots with some really talented girls!

So, enough of babbling... ;)

_Play_

MArk

Lift!

2009-08-09T00:50:00.000-07:00

Aromaz Agency had another one of their awesome launch parties at Club Lift in the heart of Dallas! As usual, the girls were up to the task of being the subject of many photographs! :)

They were awesome! Lots of fun!

Here's some shots(click for big size!):

-PLAY!
MArk

Aromaz Model Agency Party at Bliss!

2009-08-02T15:34:00.000-07:00

WOW What a night at Club Bliss! What a great group of girls! Thanks to Tina Ong for inviting Dave and I!

I'll let the images speak for themselves!

Check out my Flickr page for dozens more!!

-Play!
MArk!

And now for something different!

2009-07-21T21:45:00.000-07:00

Stumbled off to the Panoptikon last Friday night. A buddy of mine was in from out of town and I had told him about this crazy freak show. He wanted to go, and I hadn't been there in months. So off we went!

To sum it up we saw plenty of craziness... Here's one shot I think sums it up well :)

Enjoy!

--Tawamure!
-El marco

8 Lounge

2009-07-19T22:46:00.000-07:00

Another fun shoot with the Dallas E-Model group and my friend Sheena Lee. We shot at the 8 Lounge in downtown Dallas.

I had just finished 3 hours of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, with 3 hours of sleep before that...after a 10 hour night shift...and the shoot ended right before my next shift started! Yes, if you can do the math, there wasn't much sleep those few days! It's all good, just drive through it all. I'm pretty good at handling issues, problems or whatever else life may throw my way!

I digress, please check out some of the GORGEOUS women below. They were both awesome! Life is easy as a photographer when your partner in crime is easy to work with.

(remember..you can always click on the images for the bigger version..highly recommended!)

"The most beautiful experience we can have is the mysterious - the fundamental emotion which stands at the cradle of true art and true science." -Einstein

"Art is the lie that enables us to realize the truth."
-Picasso

"Creativity takes courage. "
- Matisse

"Life beats down and crushes the soul and art reminds you that you have one"
-Adler

"The chief enemy of creativity is good sense."
-Picasso

"Life isn't a support system for art. It's the other way around."
-King

"Poetry and art and knowledge are sacred and pure."
-Eliot

"We have art to save ourselves from the truth."
-Nietzsche

_PLAY_
MArk

Boom....drip!

2009-07-04T00:56:00.001-07:00

Boooooom.....

Drip.......

Drip.......

-Plya

MArk!

More FollowAModel

2009-06-26T20:24:00.001-07:00

Doh! I hit enter and posted 1/10000th of my blog post! how stupid is that... sorry if you're RSS reader sees two posts... I'm stupid I guess...

Anyways, the most important thing is pictures. Images of some new friends, great girls. They were all professional and fun models doing their best on the runway. The fashion shoot was at Club Sting in Dallas. These shots were in support of the TV show FollowAModel. TV camera crews and lighting rigs were all over the place. I was in the video camera shots quite a bit as some sort of prop :) I hope they got my good side!

Enjoy!

-戏剧!!!
Makr

Follow A Model

2009-06-24T07:01:00.001-07:00

Teaser shots until I can process them all later today!
For now enjoy!

alPy!
-MAark

Marquis of Vaudeville

2009-06-21T22:10:00.000-07:00

Dragging my buddy Dave to exotic and crazy places is as entertaining as the actual event. Last night we spent all night shooting The Marquis of Vaudeville performance and band at the Curtain Club. Patrons were dressed whimsically, complete with tophats, suits and dresses...right in line with the 1800's.

A performance act of interpretive dance, and freaky fire breathing were in order. Along with a fantastic rock violinst!

Image if a rock band existed in the 1830's and they put on a show for the locals. Bubbles filled the air as the band played; the crowed waved gigantic sunflowers passed out by the band. I swear the chicks behind me were intentionally smacking me in the head with theirs! I gave them a nice dose of full strength flash, right in the eyes for their insolence ;)

Anyways, here's a few shots from the night! (click for bigger versions)

As always...play!

-Mark

36 Frames

2009-05-31T16:48:00.000-07:00

...that's all you get Dave! Each compact flash card is equal to one roll of film. Huh? I get a few weird glances from Dave and his friend Jessica. They're out just to take some pics at the local Dallas Heritage Museum. You know, take some snaps, giggle and pretty much be a camera whimp. :)

Not for me today atleast. I wanted a challenge, I wanted something tough to force me into thinking. I also wanted to push Dave a bit into his uncomfortable zone! Today's exercise was like trying to tie your shoes with no fingers, in the dark, with cockroaches and alligators crawling around!

Here were the rules:
1. Each memory card is 36 shots.
2. You may not CHIMP (look at your screen). I actually put a card over our displays, cut so that only the shot count would show.
3. Manual focus only.
4. Manual shutter speed, and aperture.
5. Pick one ISO before we start and stick with it!

No machine gun shooting! No rapid fire blasting away! No deleting! No cheating by looking at the display! It was going to suck! This is how we used to do it during the film days. You had to work for your shot...no slop allowed!

Let's look at the bright side. There were only going to be a handful of shots to post process, not the thousands we were used to.

I shot a roll and a half. Which means about 45 shots. I got 5 worth mentioning. The rest...pretty much blew chunks! This stuff is hard, it makes you think, and study your environment. You have a limited set of shots with which to capture your story....

I'm babbling, here's some shots!

The old blacksmith, pounding out some iron.

Leading lines at the blacksmith shop.

1st generation electric lamp and desk.

19th century breakfast nook.

Funny cat kept chasing us!

I'm sure Dave is still cursing my name into the 4th ring of Hades!
But it was still fun to be out taking snaps, giggling and being a camera whimp....no longer :)

PLay!

MArk!

Eye Have My Eye On you

2009-05-07T21:08:00.001-07:00