Lighthouses of the Seattle Washington Area, Part 1

by BryCox (Admin)Art Images, Bry Cox Photography Blog, Photography WorkshopsPosted on No Comments

Coming home from the east coast, I went straight on over to the west coast to do a job in the Seattle area. I got there a day and a half early to relax and take some photographs. Upon arriving, I caught this sunset behind the Space Needle.

The next day I went into town to hang out at Pike Street Market and eat some fried fish and chowder.

I then took a ferry out to Vashon Island to find and photograph the Point Robinson lighthouse that I had read about. I got there early in the afternoon, and the sun was already setting on it. I made it just in time. It’s not just enough to photograph it, I really want to create something amazing and that means lighting it just the right way. Since I can’t move the sun I have to time my schedule around the sun to shoot it when it’s lit the best.

Here are some of the images I created that late afternoon, starting with this panorama with the shadows touching the bottom of the building.

By the time I set up for a straight-on shot, the shadows were already half-way up the lighthouse.

After getting that I just worked quickly to get a few more options. I switched to a Lens Baby tilt-shift lens and set up a shot with the tip still in the sun.

And then to another lens from the side catching one more with just the tip still in sunlight.

After that I hiked back through the woods back to my car, packed up, and called my girlfriend to chat while making my way back into the main part of Vashon to find some dinner. After eating I caught one of the last ferries off the island and headed back to my hotel to get ready for work the next day. Spending time on Vashon was amazing. It was a very fun and cool night. The air was perfect, the island was serene, and I met some very nice and colorful locals along the way, and the ferry ride in the cool dark air was invigorating.

Coming up in part 2 of Seattle, more images of another beautiful lighthouse. See you then.

4 New Awards at the IPPA State Convention

by BryCox (Admin)Awards, Bry Cox Photography BlogPosted on No Comments

I just won 4 more awards this week at the Intermountain Professional Photographers Association yearly convention. This was the image that won all four awards, the light I photographed when I was stuck in Maine. I just mentioned it actually in my last blog post. It’s titled, “Isle of Light.”

The awards it won were a Kodak Gallery Award (that makes 7 of these for me know), the ASP State Elite Award (called the Best of the Best, my 2nd one), 1st Place Master’s division, and Master’s Court of Honor.

The level of competition is very difficult in the Masters, because the skill levels are all so high. I like competing though, because I like knowing that I can continue to create great images year after year and am always doing better.

I am always trying to raise the level of quality that I offer my clients each year, and to do a better and better job.  As expectations and competition rise, I hope that clients see these awards as a sign that my quality and commitment to great images also rises each year.

Well now my print case has been shipped off to regionals and I’m anxious to see how they do. I’ll keep you all posted.

Until next time, America.

Stranded in Maine and Photographing the Nubble Lighthouse

by BryCox (Admin)Art Images, Bry Cox Photography BlogPosted on No Comments

On my way home from New Hampshire, I had trouble with my out-going flight at the Boston Airport and got stranded for the night. They said I needed to fly out the next morning so I took the extra free time to rent a car and drive up to the Cape Neddick or “Nubble” lighthouse. I love lighthouses and this one was new to me. I arrived by late afternoon went up to scout out the place for later. While there I immediately created a panorama, then came back later at twilight, then the next morning at sunrise as I drove off to the airport.

This first one was when I first arrived. I really loved the blue sky, green grass, and the beautiful waves and color of the water. Having a bit of a trip beard, I did a self portrait of myself as well.

I then left the lighthouse to find some food and get a place to stay for the night, but I returned at twilight to create this image below – my favorite from the trip.

Then the next morning I got up at around 4:30 am to get the sun rising in the distance. I shot it a few different ways, first with nice sharp edges…

…and then with soft blurry edges. I really like them both for different reasons.

As I was heading back to my car I created this image of a bench with my same soft lens.

Here’s the place where I stayed the night. I talked to a local who recommended it. They had small one-room cottages in the woods that were quiet and perfect. They also had a very tiny and amazing ice cream shop across the street as well located in the town’s old post office.

My cottage was elevated and up a short hill. It made for a very quiet and quaint night. I wish I had more time to stay there. The place and the entire town was just cool, calm and relaxing with a very fun main street. There were plenty of things to do at night just walking around. Next time I’m out that way, I’ll be sure to go find my way to this fun town.

After leaving the east coast I immediately went to the west coast and found more lighthouses. I’ll post about them in upcoming blog entries.

Well, until next time, America. 🙂

New Hampshire Shoot

by BryCox (Admin)Bry Cox Photography Blog, Photography Workshops, WomenPosted on 2 Comments

I recently got back from speaking on the East Coast in New Hampshire. While teaching, I demonstrated some various techniques on making women look great in photographs. Here are some of the images I created that day.

These images don’t have any finishing touches on them yet, and that’s because I was showing that they should look great right out of the camera. Any final enhancements later should only be slight as the images should be ready to print without them if you did everything correctly.

Some people think that great images come from having a good camera. That’s like saying  good songs are only written on good guitars when the truth is it’s the artist using the camera or guitar. Any good musician can write a great song on any guitar, and any great photographer can create great images on any camera.

Another misnomer is that that great images come from having beautiful models. This is also incorrect. A great photographer understands exactly how to make everyone look better and an average photographer will make even the prettiest person look worse.

I love teaching workshops because I really like helping photographers do better, plus it helps to raise the level of quality in the industry.

 

In New Hampshire, I was teaching how to create great images with any camera, and how to make all women look better using specific lighting and posing.

Here are two portraits of the same pretty girl in the same beautiful location. I shot her two different ways to show that a camera in the right hands will make her look better, and in the wrong hands she will look worse. Look at the two images and see if you can see all the differences.

In the first image, I used custom lighting and posed her specifically in a way that would be more flattering for her and her outfit. I took control of all aspects of the exposure which means her skin tones have great color right out of the camera. I separated her from the background and sculpted her using directional light at particular angles. Everything was set up and shot manually, nothing left to chance or to Auto functions.

Then I did another image of her the way most photographers would, with no specific poses, no control of light, and shooting the camera on Auto.

Notice how flat this second image looks. Her skin tones are green, the light on her face is coming from the sky rather than from any controllable or directional source, her eyes are dark, the background is too light, and the wrong camera angle and lack of posing and lighting make her look thicker. Again, NO woman wants to look thicker or heavier, and fixing it later on the computer isn’t the same as shooting it right.

This is why most photographers shoot so many images – they hope that with the law of averages they’ll get something decent that they can then spend tons of time on the computer fixing and covering with various effects.

This is why you need to hire a really good photographer with credentials – and why photographers need to get continual hands-on training from Master photographers.

So with a change of clothes, I continued to teach and shoot this model, walking around the town, making sure that each pose and lighting set up made her look great.

We ended up at this cool bridge which gave me some cool leading lines.

Well, if you’d like some great portraits, I know just how to make you look great, plus now is the perfect time if you like the fall leaves. Give me a call and book your appointment at 801-728-3317 and lets create something amazing for your wall.

Bry Cox on the Back of Zion’s Bank Community Magazine

by BryCox (Admin)Bry Cox Photography Blog, Commercial & Headshots, PublishedPosted on No Comments

Hitting 60,000 mailboxes right now is the Sep-Oct Edition of Community Magazine by Zion’s Bank. On the back is a full-page Pictureline ad featuring me and one of my favorite images.

There is a caption next to my photo. It’s my testimonial of Pictureline that reads:

When I started my studio seventeen years ago, pictureline was there to support me. The store is clean and aesthetically pleasing, and the staff is very knowledgeable. They’ve made my business and priority, and because of that I consider them friends and I value their advice.

There’s nothing that compares to holding and trying new cameras or equipment out first hand, and buying locally will ensure that I get the very best quality and support possible. We’re lucky to have pictureline in our backyard. – Bry Cox

The image chosen for the ad was from a fantastic and exciting shoot that I previously posted here on my blog, and below here is a video showing the entire shoot. You really need to see this video. Every single image is amazing.

If you get this magazine, make sure you turn it over and take a look at this. I really love this photograph and it was a real honor to be asked to be apart of this ad. I love photography, the entire photographic industry, and Jens not only has an amazing store, but he’s a great supporter of photographers and the industry. I really appreciate being associated with Pictureline and I hope that this ad does well for them.

 

Bry Cox Featured on Pictureline’s Blog – Wedding Equipment & Preparedness

by BryCox (Admin)Bry Cox Photography Blog, Photography Workshops, PublishedPosted on No Comments

I was interviewed by Pictureline for their blog on my equipment list and my approach to preparedness and problem solving for weddings. It’s a short read, and as you will see, my approach is simple — be over prepared. When people are putting the most important events of their lives in your hands, to me, that’s the mark of a real professional.

Drunk people run into you and spill drinks on your gear, old people and kids knock things over, hot-shoes break off, cords start to short, batteries and cameras sometimes just stop working, extreme weather, temperature and humidity cause failures, and leafs and curtains sometimes jam up causing a colossal lens or camera failure. All of these things have happened to me at weddings and I’ve been prepared because of my rule of three.

Check out the article here. http://www.pictureline.com/blog/bry-coxs-wedding-gear-on-the-go/

 

(Pictureline is the best camera store in the country. Their staff is the most knowledgeable of any I’ve seen anywhere, and they’re the nicest too.)

Molly’s Outdoor Fashion Portraits

by BryCox (Admin)Bry Cox Photography Blog, Senior/Grads, WomenPosted on No Comments

I love doing fashion work because I get to be more edgy in my creative approach, and I get to make women look great which is what portraits are all about.

For this shoot, I had a very fun and beautiful model named Molly with very pretty eyes. We set up multiple lights and other equipment to create some really unique looks quickly on our outdoor location. I especially love the balance of this first one, with her to the far right side, lit from a strong angle, thoughtful expression, and hair blowing back into the image.

Another one of her with hair blowing. I love her eyes in this image, and the toned b&w treatment.

I love this next one of her smiling. Though many of my favorites (as you can see here) were serious expressions, she really had an infectious and genuine smile, and this image shows that.

Here’s one of my favorite mid-lenths of her, a fantastic and sassy image with Molly framed by the trees.

And this close-up of her was in the same group of trees. I love the lighting on this, as it really accentuates her expression and her hair softly falling across one eye. All of these images also are finished with my new line of custom edges that I have created and sell to photographers all over the country giving images a unique finished look.

All around this was just a great shoot that produced some great images. If you’d like some great images of you or someone in your family, now is the time to book an appointment and come in. Give me a call at 801-728-3317 and let’s talk about your dream portrait.

Adelaide’s Baby Portraits

by BryCox (Admin)Bry Cox Photography Blog, Children, Babies, Maternity, FamilyPosted on No Comments

I had the honor of photographing little baby Adelaide before she went in for heart surgery. She was so tiny, cute, and adorable, and was a joy to play with. In fact, it was hard to pick out my favorites, so I took some of her many expressions and created this composite — the many faces of Adelaide.

And this series of her playing in her mom’s suitcase full of baby clothes made a great trio design. I love her waving in the 3rd image.

And to finish things off, we did a family grouping with her parents. She was so perfect, she posed and smiled in almost every image, though this was my favorite.

She was really a doll and a pleasure to have in the studio. She’s doing much better now too and I look forward to seeing even more of her through the years.

Portrait: The Director

by BryCox (Admin)Bry Cox Photography Blog, Commercial & HeadshotsPosted on No Comments

While I was working out of town recording some teaching videos for photographers, I worked closely for days with the director of the production. He was an incredibly interesting man inside and out, and was tattooed from head to toe. At the end of the production on the last day, before we packed up, I asked if I could photograph him.

I took no more than a minute or two, used the studio equipment that I had been recording with, and created this portrait of him before he even took his headphones off.

I find faces to be fascinating, and even when I’m not photographing someone, I find myself watching people and trying to read into their personality from the tiny details. Richard Avedon, my favorite fashion photographer and someone who truly understood how to photograph faces, addressed this same thing in himself. He said if he hadn’t become a photographer, he’d probably have been some kind of fortune teller or reader of some kind, because he couldn’t turn off the fact that he was always reading and analyzing faces.

I’m very grateful that I’m a photographer and get to create really custom portraits for people. Every face has a story, and this man’s face and this image is very captivating. I’m planning on creating a final print and sending it to him, and I hope that he too finds it as interesting and captivating as I do.

Commercial Images for Rhino Med Cart

by BryCox (Admin)Bry Cox Photography Blog, Commercial & HeadshotsPosted on No Comments

People don’t always realize how important great images are to a company’s marketing campaign. Perspective clients may never visit the showroom, tour the factory, or meet the employees face to face, but they will have a perception of the company based on the only thing they see — the brochure. Therefore the images have to tell the story and fill in the gaps, and can’t just be snapshots of what an object looks like. Rather they must show what it is, what it can do, it’s level of quality, what type of people use it, and how buying it will solve the prospect’s problems.

Because of this, I LOVE creating commercial images for businesses and was excited when the Rhino Med Cart company asked me to create the images for their new brochure. They got me an ex-NFL player for my male model, and he was terrific!

All of these images were created on scene with custom lighting and exposure for a deep blue sky, and stark contrast for either color or black and white. The final design and brochure layout was in color, and here’s how it looks, outside front (right side) and back (left side)….

…and inside when you open it.

This is a very unique cart used on athletic fields. It is very versatile and incredibly durable. To show that, we had the almost 300 pound athlete stand on the outer lip. It didn’t break, bend, or even tip the cart over.

These carts can be stocked and used for medical and orthopedic purposes or as a drink cart with plenty of features for each use.

Interestingly, there was a problem with the first female model and her schedule, so instead we grabbed this cute girl last minute who was there working out on the track before the shoot. It was a good solution as she did a great job.

She was very personable and photogenic, and really helped show perspective when standing next to our big NFL male model.

I really loved the deep colors and the specific lighting style used in each of these images. It creates saturation and contrast and as a result, depth. When so many photographers right now are shooting images that are “flat” or “blown out,” it’s nice to create something so unique, different, and opposite – something that actually feels 3D, has depth, and looks sharp, clean, and professional.

If you’re a business and need some fantastic images created, give me a call at 801-728-3317. Tell me your vision and I will create images for your company that match your level of professionalism, quality, and attention to detail.

Hayden’s Senior Portraits

by BryCox (Admin)Bry Cox Photography Blog, Senior/GradsPosted on No Comments

High school seniors and grads are a joy to photograph because I get to create images that are more fun and edgy, plus the seniors love it. Here is a shoot I did of Hayden.

Instead of just taking pictures of someone, I photograph who they are and that includes what they enjoy doing. Here is an intricate collage design of Hayden in his team basketball jersey.

I love groupings of images, and here I did some fashion lighting and created a series of three, grouped into a trio to show different sides to his personality.

Most seniors will get one of my signature art pieces like this one, where everything, the background, edges, and entire look are created custom every time in post production for a really unique look.

Black and white can be timeless and edgy if done right, and I choose that medium to create this image of Hayden in his officer’s sweater so that the attention goes right to his eyes.

School is starting soon which means that right now is the best time for the class of 2003 to make their appointments. Right now you’ll have your summer tan, summer schedule, you can beat the rush and get the best pick of available times, and there is a special for seniors in August! Give me a call at 801-728-3317 to make an appointment.

Sammi’s Graduation Portraits

by BryCox (Admin)Bry Cox Photography Blog, Senior/Grads, WomenPosted on No Comments

I love photographing high school graduates. The seniors are so much fun to work with, and they love my fashion work so I can really go crazy! Here’s what we created for Sammi. This first one is one of my favorites. It gave me the opportunity to show off her sparkle, while also using many of my overlays and edges for a really unique piece.

Sammi is a dancer, and that’s a big part of her life. It’s important to show that off in an artistic and unique way, and it gave me a chance to create something that’s difficult to do, but looks great – a collage of different dance poses. Here’s the end result.

And a square collage is always a favorite and a fun way to show different looks and personalities, smiling and serious, dressy and casual, inside and out.

Sammi was a student body officer, so we needed to get something unique of her in her sweater too.

And finally, one of her favorites that we used for her graduation announcement design.

If you’re an upcoming senior, summer is a great time to get your portraits done. Give me a call and let’s create something amazing for you! 801-728-3317.

And browse this blog for even more examples of senior and fashion portraits, as well as my main website too. BryCox.com.