Savvystudios.net

Alright my darlings,

SavvyStudios.net is up and running, so I will bid my goodbyes to this site.

We all have to grow up sometime.

Thank you for the love,

Namaste,



Savvy

Ah to begin anew...

Don't worry my lovies, I haven't forgotten about you!


Although it has been some time since my last posting, and the site has yet to become what I had hoped for, but I have not lost faith.
A new site is coming!

I have the new site purchased, I'm simply working on getting it designed and up and running.



So give me some time, and soon I'll have all things new and beautiful on:

SavvyStudios.net


Thank you for your continued support!

Namaste

Down Yonder

In this day and age, where portable entertainment is abundant, and the great outdoors are best experienced in HD, we find ourselves transfixed to so many little boxes.  These little boxes are convenient and fun, just teeming with information, all at your fingertips.  But when did experiencing nature and life through television, movies, or on the internet replace the sights and sounds of the real thing?  This place for instance, is found off the southern coast of Georgia, and is one of the single most magical places I have ever seen.  Cumberland Island was only the beginning.  I make the time each week to get outside and see and feel the world around me, and let me tell you guys, NatGeo and Discovery ain't got nothin on this.

A Change of Heart

The Spring semester is over and done.  All the tired little students are through shaking in their boots (myself included), and done with the late night madness.  With that being said, it's now time for me to buckle down and get this blog rockin!  The past few weeks have been insane, and I pretty much abandoned the site to focus on dem grades, and fortunately it paid off.  So here we go!
Now I know this blog is focused on my photography, but thanks to an awesome prof I decided to give painting a whirl.  I have never really explored painting.  I have never been especially talented at drawing, or for that matter painting.  But there is always room for change...
This past semester I was lucky enough to nab a spot in Joe Remillard's painting 1 class, and lemme tell ya, I think I might just love this.  Joe was very understanding of my lack of drawing talent, and really helped me to see what I needed to see to improve my skill.  I am so grateful for his understanding and pure epicicity.
Above are the four paintings I finished in and out of his class.
From top to bottom we have; "Still Life with Waldo", "I am Jack's Grey Matter", "Who's Afraid of the Cookie Monster", and "ISO200 "the Painting".  I am especially proud of all these bad boys, and that begs the question...  What's so wrong with a double major?

Ps - For the curious viewer, Waldo is indeed included in each and every one of these works.   Can you find him? ;-)

White Sands, New Mexico

I absolutely love to travel, as I'm sure most people do.  I haven't been very many places just yet, but you can bet my camera is always by my side.  This image for instance was taken with a Canon Rebel 35mm camera.  I do so love to work with film, but in this day and age, digital seems the way to go.  I have always found that when shooting with film, I end up taking my time, and lining up my shot just right, so as not to end up with just a halfway decent image.  When I shoot with a digital camera, usually I end up shooting a lot more, but with less consideration for composition.  Needless to say, it is quite easy to edit digital photos with a variety of programs, and the same goes for film.  Any place that does print development is capable of converting your negatives into digital media and handing you a cd instead of a folio of prints.  So with that in mind, the only difference I find between shooting with film and digital (other than cost) is composition.

This is not a rave scene

For the past two years, Adam and I have attended the annual Santa Con in Midtown. It is a wonderful opportunity for a mob of people dressed as Santa to run around Little 5 giving out gifts and candy and spread some Christmas cheer. This is accompanied by our own little version of carols, and the much anticipated "santa dance".
It is easy to meet some very interesting people at Santa Con. One of which is shown above. This young lady busted out her lighted hula hoop in the middle of a crowded bar and just went to town. Now, in a dark and smoky place it was quite a sight to behold, but with a slowed exposure speed and no flash, it was magical.

Oh snap!

There is nothing I love more than shooting randomly with reckless abandon and coming out with some damn fine shots. I am quite a big fan of candid photography, as that is mostly what I shoot. Nothing is more satisfying than getting a great shot almost by accident.
Case in point; my cousin here came to visit me in Atlanta with my mom. We are all originally from a really small town in Texas, so it was pretty cool to play tour guide while they were here. Most of our traveling was done on MARTA, the only real public transportation in the area. My cousin was just looking around, watching through the window as everything passed us by when I took this shot, and needless to say, I'm pretty darn proud of it. It was a great (if not hectic) visit from them, and we had a pretty awesome time.
As you can see, this is not a perfect picture. But dammed if I don't really like it.

And it burns burns burns...

As most of my fellow students very well know, now is the time when professors decide to cash in all kinds of insane demands. In other words, TONS of homework.
That being said, I didn't want to go without a post, but am afraid I really need to get back to Art History, so Imma keep dis reeel short.
Thanks to all you loyal followers and your support is so very much appreciated.

Loves!!!

Just keep swimming...

Well here we are... 2010.
The holidays were kinda rough this year. There was just so much going on, so I took a little break from sharing my work with the world in order to get myself in order. But never fear! I'm back and ready to rock!
Like many people I know, I have a tendancy to over-book myself. School-this and work-that, not to mention social responsibilities and time for myself. Through it all, I have to remind myself to just keep swimming. All this craziness will one day pay off.

A big fat thank you goes to my 3 loyal followers ;-)
Without the support of my friends and family, I wouldn't be here doing what I love.
Thank you all, and I love you dearly.


Photo taken at the Georgia Aquarium.

Luck

Sometimes it's difficult to get a great shot. Sometimes you just get lucky.

Case in point, see above. This was taken at the North Georgia State Fair this past September. Luckily I got there early enough this year to shoot some "magic hour" shots. This one is probably my favorite. The light coming from behind the rides just amazes me. Another favorite quality is the expressions on the people's faces. Here we have wonder and amazement, excitement and anticipation. The fair is always a fantastic environment to shoot in, and rarely have I ever walked away with out at least ten great shots.
I am also so very thankful that I have the opportunity every year to submit my photos to the contest run by the Parks and Rec department. This contest has given me a boost in confidence, and re-affirmed the fact that yes, this can be my career.

Thank you to CCPRCAD and Mark for everything you have done for me, and thank you North Georgia State Fair, for being so awesome.

Winner of 1st place - Fun in the Park Photo Contest
{5/11/10} A print of this image now named "Whirly" will appear in the Kennesaw State University permenant collection gallery

Shades of Gray

How long has it been since you have been to a photography show/gallery and seen a single spot of color? Long time eh? Well one of the things I pride myself on is use of color. I understand that black and white photography emphasizes the subject and strips the photo of any distracting qualities, but when did color become a bad thing? Why is black and white the standard for modern photography? Well, no more I say. I love black and white photos as much as the next person, but color is so much more alluring. Give me a bright blue sky and rich green grass anyday.

Box? What box?

Now, for those of you who know me well, you know just how much I abhor "shopped" photos. I am pretty old fashioned in this respect, I don't think that airbrushing models/subjects counts as photography. In that respect, you might as well google images of them and piece them together. However, I am ok with the little stuff; cropping, adjusting brightness/contrast, etc. These are essentials to any photographer.
I am however a HUGE fan of thinking outside the box with your photography. This sunset for instance, is not shopped in any way (except for brightness and contrast), it was taken just as you see it. With one catch. Placing dark tinted sunglasses in front of the lens right before you snap doesn't really count as shopping, does it? Is this a form of cheating? Absolutely. But, is this cheat an acceptable one? Perhaps. I have seen photographers bounce light off of walls to get the right affect (I myself have done this), when the look could have easily been attained by shoppin'. Now what fun is that? There are no rules that say you can't do what is necessary to get your shot (unless of course you are paparazzi, then there are LOTS of rules)and who says you have to fake it? Use your environment. As artists, we should try to avoid digitally altering our images if possible.
Then again, that's just my opinion ;-)

Ring of fire

Part of my job working with the Parks and Recreation Department is photography at our many special events throughout the year. This particular photo was taken at the Daddy Daughter/Mother Son Dance, which is one of my favorite events. It is a beautiful time where parents can spend an evening with their children, dressed to the nines, dancing the night away. The look on these children's faces is always priceless. How often do children get treated to a lovely candlelit, formal affair? Treat your children. They are not entertained solely by Disney movies. Think outside the television.


Winner of 2nd place - Fun in the Park Photo Contest

Mirror mirror burnt to ash

A few years ago, I was devastated to learn that my mother's home caught fire in the middle of the night and burned to the ground. This mirror hung in her living room for years. This is another of my favorite images, and another that further firms my belief that I have a gift.
The fire was a tragedy, only two little furry lives were lost, but it could have been so much worse. Each day is a gift, treasure the lives you hold close to you.

Help me live!!!

Hello all!

Yes, I am that person.
I am accepting donations for anyone who wants to contribute. Even a dollar helps ;-)
I'm doing my best to make my way through the last two years of college so I can truly begin my journey and build my body of work. Your thoughts and prayers are gratefully recieved, but a little bit of dough helps!

Thank you for your continued support and I'll be posting a new pic every week so check back!

Namaste

This is it

Right here. Right now. In this very moment, I knew what my life would mean. A quick snap changed everything. I had goals and ambitions. That one little click of the lens changed it all.

Above you will find a photo of my brother, Derek. This shot is the one that changed my life, so I only find it fitting to open my new blog with the one that started it all. I had been an international affairs major a few years ago. I was hell-bent on running away to Africa after graduation to save all those starving children. Right. That's when my brother asked me to shoot his senior pictures since I was the only one who had a digital camera and he couldn't really afford the professionals. So we made our way out to an abandoned farm in the country and shot away. We came out with some amazing works but this is by far my favorite. Mostly because of the sense of pride it instilled in me. I feel like...no... I know this is what I'm going to do with my life. It may seem hokey to some, but this is the one that started it all. Now 5 awards and many publications later, I'm here to stay.

Welcome to my work.

Savvy