rt-sm-1

A cheap room and a full tank of gas...

The only way to be spontaneous is to be spontaneous.

Road trip photography has to be one of the most fun and creative genres of photography.  It creates lasting memories and new experiences.

One of the best parts of this type of photography is that the preparation is simple and most of the shots will come to you.


Read More
1 Comments | Posted 2/16/12 6:07 PM By John Becker in Photojournalism Travel photography

RW-air-sm-1

Red Wing from the air

Red Wing is just as photogenic from the air as it is from the ground.

Photographs hardly do the 'Red Wing from the Air' experience justice, but here are a few tips if you have the opportunity to do some aerial photography.

A few simple tips can make your aerial photography experience a satisfying adventure.




Read More
0 Comments | Posted 12/17/11 12:18 PM By John Becker in Photojournalism Local

bear-smUnwilling subjects...

Bear the Wonder Dog never asked to be a perpetual photography model. 

But the only way a photographer can improve as a photographer is to continually shoot photographs.  And every photograph requires a subject, either willing or unwilling.

And the best subjects are animate subjects, either a pet or a child, mostly because of their availability and dependability.



Read More
0 Comments | Posted 12/12/11 12:36 PM By John Becker in Portraits

RedWingWinter-sm

Winter in Red Wing

Winter in Red Wing is inevitable. 

It doesn't mean you have to welcome it or despise it.  It is simply a fact of life in this part of the world.

It does, however, offer it's own photogenic opportunities.


Read More
0 Comments | Posted 12/3/11 11:40 AM By John Becker in Local

zombie-sm

Release your inner zombie...

One of the real benefits of this business (and there are many) is working with young and talented individuals over a number of years.  Meghan Sitek is a terrific example.

Meghan began coming to the shop when she was still in high school.  She was partial to creative and experimental photography and over time she became involved in the film industry, especially with theatrical and prosthetic make-up.

Now Meghan is a professional freelance makeup artist and photographer and her creative nature is obvious.

Given that this time of year is Halloween and the in-vogue nature of all things zombies, Meghan has generously offered to share some make-up tips to look your undead best.

And when you are finished reading this, visit Meghan's facebook page and her web site at Megan Lee Artistry.


Read More
0 Comments | Posted 10/8/11 11:21 AM By Meghan Sitek in Guest blog

flaw-sm

The beauty of the flaw

Perfect is boring and uncreative.

Photoshop is a very well designed product and its influence could be directly attributed to the demise of creative photography.

Or it might be the salvation of creative photography.

A perfectly exposed photo that is razor sharp in focus delivers exactly what is presented without interpretation.  

A properly flawed image delivers emotion.











Read More
0 Comments | Posted 9/5/11 6:36 PM By John Becker in Photojournalism Fine art photography

state-fair-sm

The Minnesota State Fair

Many people can hardly contain their excitement when they begin discussing the Minnesota State Fair.  

For some people it is the food.  For others, they enjoy the rides.  While others see it as the last opportunity for a summer holiday.

I take the position that I take when I visit Las Vegas.  I have hardly arrived and  I find myself mentally counting backwards for when I can leave.

it isn't that I don't enjoy the fair, but more a matter of not enjoying the full frontal assault on all of my the senses, simultaneously.

But if you can filter this sensory overload, you will discover all kinds of terrific photography opportunities.









Read More
0 Comments | Posted 8/31/11 2:32 PM By John Becker in Photojournalism Local

beer-sm

Beer haiku

Shoot what you know.

Summer is winding down and it is time to pay tribute to a summer favorite.  

Beer tastes best in the summer, either after mowing the yard or playing darts with close friends in a bar.

The traditional Japanese haiku is three line poetic form with 17 syllables, in a 5-7-5 syllable pattern. 

Technically, it should also include a juxtaposition of two images or elements and a seasonal or time reference.

A simple hiaku tribute to the golden nectar.





Read More
0 Comments | Posted 8/27/11 2:34 PM By John Becker in Fine art photography

Tags:

casino-sm

R.I.P. Casino Bar?

"No Coors, No Bud. Get Over It." 

This was the sign over the bar and summed up perfectly the beautiful contrarian style of The Casino Bar in Downtown La Crosse, Wisconsin.  

Don Padesky was the owner and ran his business on pure instincts, right or wrong.

Usually wrong.



Read More
1 Comments | Posted 8/23/11 5:31 PM By John Becker in Photojournalism

wpa-sm

WPA art

Breaking news: artists need an income to buy food, so that they can eat, so that they can create more art.

Ok, that was probably way too sarcastic sounding for any professionally run business.  But it becomes exhausting how the definition of art is becoming so finely parsed, especially between 'fine-art' and 'illustration art'.

Art is about creative expression. Period. 




Read More
1 Comments | Posted 8/20/11 10:43 AM By John Becker in Illustration art