Jason and Jennifer’s wedding…what a blast. You may remember them from the engagement photos I posted on here a while back. Maybe not, who knows.
The day started around 2:30pm with photographs of the preparation mayhem.
Reagan and Dan
I have never met a more laid back couple in my life.
Reagan and Dan have been the ideal bridal client every step of the way. They searched for a photographer that matched what they liked (glad it was me) and let me do what I do best…run around like a madman and take thousands of images.
At the beginning of the day I split up my photo-squad and sent my assistant Hector over to take shots of Dan while he was getting ready.
It’s Advocacy Time!
When I was growing up I had a series of books full of animals. “The Wildlife Fact File” was what it was called. In the next 20 years, many of those animals may be gone. We are facing a point in history where our children face a very real possibility of living in a world devoid of biodiversity.
We are not disconnected from our environment, we are not above it. We are a part of it. As humans, we are responsible for it. The sad fact is that for centuries we have obliterated our environments to make way for “progress”. Now we see the damage, and something must be done because we’re running out of time.
The number of oceanic dead-zones is on the rise. Many places on Earth have become toxic that were beautiful and full of life just 20 years prior. Commercial loggers devastate acres upon acres of vital, oxygen producing, Co2 processing rain forests.
News about global warming is everywhere, but many people either underestimate it’s impact, many more simply don’t understand it. There are even those that completely discredit the idea that we impact the planet and it’s environment. Maybe you are one of those people. I am not well versed enough to counter your arguments but, what I can say is this. Everyone can benefit from living greener, everyone can live a little freer without having to pay $3-$5-$8 per gallon for fossil fuel.
Global warming is an urgent, but solvable problem. I’ve recently joined the “We Campaign”, a powerful nonpartisan movement of concerned citizens that was founded by Nobel Prize Laureate and former Vice President Al Gore. We’re already a million strong — and growing each day.
Visit this site to learn more and add your voice: http://www.wecansolveit.org/
Sign up, take a stand. This isn’t an issue we can afford to lose on. Our world is too precious, and it’s the only one we have.
The We Campaign is working to ensure that elected leaders make the climate crisis a priority. Visit: http://www.wecansolveit.org/. Here, you can learn about solutions to global warming, take action steps and even find events happening in your community. Although it’s not too late, global warming is very serious and there is no time to lose. So please don’t wait any longer to get involved – sign up today: http://www.wecansolveit.org/
Together, we can solve the climate crisis.
Thank you for reading,
David Bickley
Injury Stalls Perlman Performance.
If you have spoken to me in the past several months, looked at my schedule or care in any way about truly beautiful music, then you probably know that famed violinist Itzhak Perlman, was scheduled to perform here in the Midwest this Sunday.
I had been hoping to have the opportunity to take his portrait while he was here. He is easily one of my favorite musicians of all time. If you don’t know who Itzhak Perlman is, I urge you to watch Schindler’s List again (he is the soloist in John William’s Oscar winning score for that movie). He also performed the Tango piece “Por Una Cabeza” from Scent of a Woman.
Well, unfortunately Sunday’s show was canceled due to a shoulder inflammation. Back in 2003 Perlman was treated for a tear in his rotator cuff.
From what I understand, Elizabeth Sobol (Perlman’s Manager) is trying to reschedule the show as soon as possible. That, as I’m sure you can imagine is news I am very excited to hear updates on.
To everyone that was attending the show with me… I will let you know the moment I find out when the new show date is.
To Mr. Perlman… We wish you a speedy recovery.
To Ms. Sobol… I’m sure I’ll be ringing you up soon to see if a portrait session is possible.
A man can dream, can’t he?
FAQ
1. What gear do you use?
My primary camera is a Canon 1Ds, I also have a Canon 1D Mark II, and Canon 20D that I keep on-site as a backup, As far as lenses, I have a lot but my favorites are the Canon 70-200 f/2.8L, and the Canon 85mm f/1.2L. I use a Quantum Q-Flash for portable lighting, and for studio work I use an army of Alien Bees, a fantastic, near indestructible little strobe made by Paul C. Bluff.
2. Do you have a photography degree or any formal training?
None whatsoever, in fact I don’t think I’ve ever even read a book on photographic technique. I read the manual of my first camera and somehow got to where I am now.
Weird.
3. How do you work?
It varies depending on the shoot, every assignment calls for a new dynamic strategy. My digital workflow after a shoot is a little easier to explain though. When I pull the images onto the computer, I immediately make a backup copy of the negatives on DVD. Then I spend no more than 20 minutes racing through the images. I flag every photo that jumps out at me (with no consideration for why it did). That is my first pass, with the first images picked (they usually end up being my favorites) I make another pass through every image again, taking anywhere from 1-3 hours to browse and select from the entire collection.
After the favorite images are selected I check each for consistent color, retouching requirements, and overall exposure accuracy.
Then, if retouching is required I make those adjustments. That is often the longest part of the process, but also where I get to have the most fun.
After all of the images have been processed I make another backup of the edited results.
Then I make a sandwich.
4. How do you light your shots?
I try to use natural light whenever possible. It is attractive, produces beautiful color and contrast, and is a bit easier to cart around than studio equipment. In studio, my setups are generally very simple. I try to use the smallest number of strobes that can get the job done. Minimalism drives everything I do.
5. Do you shoot RAW or JPEG?
I shoot in RAW with jpg backups written to a separate card.
6. Do you use any automated processes or actions?
I do not use actions, that fact makes things take a bit longer but, I prefer to have my hands in every image rather than automate any function that should be done by an artists eye.
Program-wise, I use Photoshop, and Lightroom.
Truth be told, you don’t need anything else.
7. Which are you, a portrait photographer, fashion photographer, commercial photographer, or fitness photographer?
That is a bit difficult to answer. In short…all of them. I began my photographic career with fashion, commercial and advertising photography. I got into this industry through graphic design and concept art and those experiences have given me some unique methods and ideas for commercial work. I love people and tend to snap a portrait or two even when I’m on an unrelated assignment. Fitness came about as a result of my own lifestyle and the people I’ve met along the way. Even that at it’s core is still a form of portraiture to me. In the end, I pride myself in the ability to photograph people well, and for any purpose.
8. So wait, you’re a designer too?
Yes, I have been involved in graphic design and cinematic concept art for as long as I can remember. Even longer than I have been a photographer.
9. Do you need any assistants or interns?
Not currently, when I need an assistant I pull from an extremely talented pool of people that I trust to reflect and support my own style and vision. Most of them I have trained myself.
10. I have a question that isn’t listed, what do I do?
Ask away, I am an open book. Use the contact form in the upper right corner of this site and shoot me an email. I will get back to you as quickly as I can.
