Bushido - A Short Documentary by TLP Media
A rare appearance in front of the camera.
"Steven!"
"Yes?"
"I need to shoot a short documentary to teach my AV class how to shoot good material on their iPhones. Can I shoot you practicing and talking about your journey in karate?"
"Ummmm... sure!"
My long-time buddy, Travis Patterson, is a fellow photographer, as well as being a teacher, videographer, designer and all-around media specialist (see his work at TLP Media, Cosplay by TLP Media, etc). We've been hanging out since I was in my undergrad and he was in his masters at UWF, and this project felt like a throwback to the good old days when we would get together on a weekend and just be creative and do a project together.
I don't often get in front of the camera. I post occasional images and thoughts related to my training, but I try not to share too much of the actual training itself. Inherent in traditional karate are tenets of humility and introspection, and I didn't want to veer into self-aggrandizement by talking too much or displaying too much training on camera. Vainly, I was also self conscious to be in front of the camera after a week of being sick, not training and getting a little soft around the edges.
With all that said, I can always trust Travis as a storyteller and image composer, so I decided to go for it.
Believe it or not, this super pretty footage (that is to say that the footage is pretty, the actor is fairly mediocre) was shot on an iPhone 6s, lit with $10 lights and stabilized with a cheap tripod and a selfie stick. You see, kids? It's easy to make a movie!
Travis's Portfolio: http://travislpatterson.wix.com/
Perdido Key Photo Walk: Big Lagoon State Park
Another perfect winter evening in Florida.
Winter is just so beautiful in this area. The drier air yields incredible visibility to the landscape.
I took the opportunity to step away from my usual "meat and potatoes" approach of doing as much as possible in-camera and practiced shooting for HDR processing.
Pensacola Beach Photo Walk - Fort Pickens Winter
Just a day on the beach with my wife and our friends.
Just a day on the beach with my wife and our friends.
Johnnie Walker - Dear Brother
This is a spec advertisement that is currently breaking the internet in my social circles. I'm sharing here for two reasons.
- This piece can only be described as heartbreakingly beautiful. Stunningly shot, edited and voiced. As a piece of visual art, it is a masterpiece for these filmmakers.
- It's still bringing tears to my eyes and it's been 12 hours since my first viewing.
This is a spec advertisement that is currently breaking the internet in my social circles. I'm sharing here for two reasons.
- This piece can only be described as heartbreakingly beautiful. Stunningly shot, edited and voiced. As a piece of visual art, it is a masterpiece for these filmmakers.
- It's still bringing tears to my eyes and it's been 12 hours since my first viewing.
Walking the roads of our youth
Through the land of our childhood, our home, and our truth
Be near me, guide me, always stay beside me
So I can be free
Free
Let’s roam this place, familiar and vast
Our playground of green frames our past
We were wondrous
Never lost
Always home
When every place was fenceless
And time was endless
Our ways were always the same
Call my demons and walk me, my brother
Until our roads lead us away from each other
And if your heart’s full of sorrow, keep walking
Don’t rest
And promise me from heart to chest to never let your memories die
Never
I will always be alive and by your side
In your mind
I’m free
Engaged in Pensacola, FL: Christina and Landis
With a couple this photogenic and fun, I shot their engagement as if it were a styled/editorial shoot, with some more creative angles and focuses to impart the idea of story. They love the result, so I can rest in a job well done. I hope you enjoy them as well.
Can you tell they're in love?
Some couples make even my cynical heart happy when I go back through the photos and see the affection in their faces.
Christina has been a long-time collaborator on photo projects, lending her expressive face and creative posing to my creative projects since 2011. I met her fiance, Landis, back when they were "just friends" earlier this year. Even then, Annie and I could tell that there was a spark.
With a couple this photogenic and fun, I shot their engagement as if it were a styled/editorial shoot, with some more creative angles and focuses to impart the idea of story. They love the result, so I can rest in a job well done. I hope you enjoy them as well.
