In case y’all haven’t heard of The Image Deconstructed blog, it’s an amazing resource! It deals with photographers’ mental processes & as a whole, gives insite into how photographers think — and sometimes feel — when they’re making pictures. It’s the brain child of Ross Taylor, who — and it should go without saying — is Rossome!

Here’s my specific entry, but I truly and whole heartedly recommend seeing some of the other photographers’ work being deconstructed. (each word is a link to a different post, by the way. Isn’t that super clever!?)

Former major leaguer Mike Bordick, photographed at The Arthur W. Perdue Stadium, where the Delmarva Shorebirds “A” minor league team plays, works as a roaming coach for the Orioles minor league system. His title is technically the offensive coordinator, but the former Orioles short stop, who set a MLB record for most errorless games at his position, also helps coach infielders. — a utility coach, of sorts.

This shoot was for the magazine’s “Go!” section, so all the photos needed to be vertical.

And of course, thanks to Jim Surber for the assignment! and Thanks to David Hobby for letting me borrow his ProFotos! What a super-good friend!

My Stunt Double assistant, the talented and gracious Nate Pesce! All the gear would’ve blown over had it not been for him.

oh. and that thing draping across the upper left corner? …it’s a piece of hair (eye lash? beard hair?) that’s stuck on the sensor. weird, huh?

“I had to stop telling people I live in Ballston, because they think I’m saying ‘Boston.’ So I just say Arlington,” says the lovely and talented photographer Melissa Golden, who’s now a new home owner, the day before moving day Sunday, September 25, 2011.

For this post I wanted to showcase what Melissa’s condo was going to look like completely empty. After all, homes are only empty when they’re bought and sold. So, this day marks a big-deal chapter in her life. The next time it looks like this, that chapter will be closed.

A few other themes I played with in this shoot are adulthood, what it means to scrape by (the pizza) but still looking fabulous (I mean, look at her dresses! …and those shoes!).But while Melissa’s technically an “adult” she’s still full of life and fun. …and quirky. So, in some photos I tried contrasting “adult” and “young.”

…look at me getting all metaphorical over here. Although, I’m sure there’s a much more elegant way of wording what I’m trying to say. ha!

And, because she lives by herself in a one bedroom, I wanted to show a sense of loneliness as well. I live by myself and I know how still the air can get. And, y’know, being all grown up can be a little lonely at times …what, with you and sometimes only your responsibilities to keep you company.

Melissa joked around before I got there saying she was going to get me out of my comfort zone. …and I later asked what she meant.

She replied: No big lights. All ambient!

And I did set up my big light, too. But her place was just flooded with super-cool natural light. So, I broke it down. I only busted out my small light (sb-900) for the glamourous pizza eating photos.

So okay. lesson learned (which I’d been ignoring for a while) ambient light is also good for portrait work.

“Here’s to buying condos instead of cameras” as she knocks back the inaugural bottle of Tres Sietes tequila she won in a raffle.

Marriotts Ridge center midfielder Alex Price led the Mustangs to a 13-3-3 record and the girls soccer team’s first county championship.

Here’s the corresponding Howard County Time Article.

I couldn’t have asked for a better sky that day. …the temperature could’ve been better, though. If I remember correctly, it was hovering around 20-ish degrees, plus wind.

The Marriotts Ridge baseball field was going under some renovation, so rather than take Alex to the stadium (where all those gross white banners live in the background) I put her on top of the mound closest to the backstop.

…that way when she kicked the ball it didn’t go too far.

For all you gear heads out there, I used two Alien Bee 1600′s, both unmodified, at max power, powered by the vagabond II (love that thing) flanking her at the 9 o’clock and 4 o’clock position. I also used an sb-800, on the right, to light the ball.

Same Set up, sans the sb-800.

My college friend Margaret Goerig is going on a 21st century-style road trip! That is, she’s driving cross country with her dog Rennie, meeting up with Facebook friends, writing *cough* — i mean blogging about it on her site, http://www.flitflitter.com — and driving everywhere in a charming jalopy of a camper — Roxie — which is probably older than Margaret. She came to visit me in Baltimore Wednesday, October 27, 2010. After i saw Roxie, I couldn’t not make a portrait.

She’s a really good writer, too. I personally like this post about learning how to not always finish a task — a hang up I often wish I had.

Monica Lopossay, in early morning fog, while arriving at the Eddie Adams Workshop Barn in Jeffersonville, NY, for the Black Team pre-workshop clean up.

For all you newcomers to the professional photo biz, The Eddie Adams Workshop is now accepting applications. May 28th is the application deadline.

Stay posted for more images from my time as a student and as a Black Team member.

Drew Anthony Smith, as he’s known on the internet, ditched Baltimore for Brooklyn.

So…. Jess, Monica, and I sent him off after a hangout night at Frazier’s.

He finally cleaned his car …to sell it.

His trunk is now escapable. …proving this point to Monica.

Monica Lopossay.

Jess.

Huh. I sure did make Drew look like an angry fella in this post.

Vivian Keyser, from Catonsville, sports a fancy hat for the Fourth of July parade festivities.

If I was to give myself some professional New Years resolutions, this is one of them.

“Shooting the emotion” weighs heavier to viewers than cool, graphic images. Using rad light and a bad-ass compositions, don’t cut to the core. They’re just eye candy.

Don’t get me wrong, I LOOOOOVE eye candy. When I look over my work, I’m kinda predisposed to it. It’s easier for me to make.

My friend Monica Lopossay — three-time Pulitzer Prize nominee (and she’s only 33!) is waaaay more in tune to people’s emotions. Her photos make viewers feel something. Her most important work makes you “want to slit your wrists,” …her words.

Emotions are relatable. They transcend cultural norms.

They’re also iconic.

Sure, this photo is really just Jess upset that I’m busy taking her picture instead of unlocking the back gate. She’s cold and wants to get in the car. The truth in this photos is that the cold is making her more upset than I am.

But I’ve seen this face before. I’ve upset her. I’m sure anyone who’s been in a relationship has hurt their loved one before.

I don’t have the courage, or maybe I’m smart enough not, to pick up the camera during those moments.

But that’s kinda the point I’m making. I think it’s safe to assume everyone on this planet has been on the opposite end of this kind of stare.

It’s relatable. …and therefore, it’s powerful.

So, 2010! the year to shoot the emotion!

Who’s with me?

Mustached Monica at Patty’s Cuba Party Saturday, September 19, 2009!

Patty, blacked-out-teeth-n-all, at her Cuba Party.