Day 245 - Everything matters

ISO 400, 75mm, f/4.0, 1/60 sec.

Day 245 - Everything Matters

Today was a whirlwind, going the distance kind of day. I hit the classroom full speed ahead with Joe McNally at 8:15 am, managed to make it back to my room for about 30 minutes around 5 pm and back for the evening at 9:30 pm. I will be going home inspired and motivated more than I could have ever hoped for.

ISO 400, 47mm, f/4.0, 1/50sec.

Today, however, the instructors of NAPP really demonstrated how willing they are to go the distance.

The one thing I missed yesterday that bothered me more than anything else was the portfolio review. On a whim before I left my room this morning, I grabbed my portfolio. I stopped by the help desk, explained the situation and left my name and number.

Within two hours Helene Glassman called me back and told me where to meet her at 3:45. She met Laurie Excell at our rendezvous point and Laurie went off with me to review my portfolio. I can never thank them enough for taking the time to help me, and Laurie's review will be invaluable.

ISO 400, 96mm, f/4.0, 1/60 sec.

These three images were taken at Westcott's shootout, just one of the many booths on the Expo floor.

It's impossible to take everything in, but if you get the chance to go, I can honestly say it is all bang for your buck.

Day 244 - Rockin' the house

ISO 3200, 105mm, f/8.0, 1/125 sec.

Day 244 - Rockin' the House

Today was probably one of the most disappointing days I ever remember. Not because Photoshop World disappointed me, but because I woke up at 5 am sick. Probably food poisoning sick.

I missed the keynote, the classes I had selected, most importantly my portfolio review and the HDR field trip to the old strip. To say the least, I was devastated, but in no condition to be out and about.

By about 7:30 pm, I pulled myself up by my bootstraps and went out for about an hour. I wanted to test a few of the outer limits on my camera. I would say it did pretty well.

ISO 10,000, 102 mm, f/8.0, 1/320 sec.

ISO 10,000, 105mm, f/8.0, 1/320 sec.

Day 243 - On the rocks

Day 243 - On the Rocks

I took the Photo Safari with Joe McNally and Moose Peterson. Our quest took us out to Valley of Fire about one hour outside of Las Vegas.

Joe was as good as I thought he would be.

Part of the time was spent with models, actually posing on the rocks.

I get it, lighting really does make a difference.

ISO 100, 105mm, f/4.0, 1/200 sec.

But I like natural lighting too.

Tim

$2 portrait project began with Thomas Hawk.

We were pulling out of the parking lot at our local grocery store in Salem when I saw Tim holding his sign. Needless to say, we drove around the block so that I could go back and talk to Tim.

When I explained the project to him, he was more than happy to have his portrait taken. He and his girlfriend want to get married. He said money was tight and work was hard to get.

He gave me the list of all of their wedding expenses, he had $30 dollars left to pay for his bride's dress, $87 to pay for his tux. Money was needed for a license, the reception hall and little more for her ring.

He said they were different, they put their names on their poster. He was quite proud and very excited for his wedding to come. I wished them the best for a long and happy life.


Here is Tim's sign.

Alabama

$2 portrait project began with Thomas Hawk.

Alabama didn't approach us, he was standing on a street corner with a great sign and we went up to him. When I explained the $2 portrait project to him, he was happy to have his picture taken in exchange for $2.

He wasn't very talkative, but said he had been in Portland for about 10 years and hated the weather. Not surprising, he had come from Alabama. When I asked him if he thought he would go back, he just nodded his no.


This was Alabama's totally creative sign. I loved it.

Gregory

$2 portrait project began with Thomas Hawk.

This is Gregory. He was great. Megan and I were on our way into VooDoo Donuts in Portland when we met Gregory.

He is originally from Houston, but much prefers the climate in Portland. He does, however, hope to go back to Houston in November/December for the holidays. Right now he is in between temp jobs.

When he approached me and asked for money, he was more than happy to have his portrait taken. I told him I needed to run into the donut shop and get some cash, he smiled and said take my portrait now. I trust you.

I retrieved the cash after buying Megan her donut and promptly went out and paid him. I hope that temp job is right around the corner waiting for him.

Calvin

In 2008, Thomas Hawke began his $2 portrait project. His idea was simple. When he walked around, if someone asked him for money, he would offer them $2 if he could take their portrait in exchange.

"My biggest motivation behind this project however is simply that I think human interaction is a good thing. I’m not doing this to exploit homeless people or show how hard and bad life can be. I’m doing this because I want to celebrate other human beings as human beings and I think that this commercial transaction gives us an opportunity to engage and interact on a more human level..."

I loved the idea and today in Portland, I was approached for the first time.

This is Calvin. He has lived in Portland all of his life. His parents died in the '90s and that is is when he found himself on "skid row" as he referred to it.

He was friendly and proud and very graciously accepted the $2. When we were returning to the car, he was still standing in front of the coffee house. He asked for another dollar and I obliged. He was my very first portrait.