A Photographer's Life

In Season on Kickstarter

2012-02-10T10:41:00.002-05:00

This is THE list you want to be on - The Coolest People in the World - also known as the fine folks that have backed In Season's funding campaign on Kickstarter.

In Season backers on Kickstarter

Some recent pics from a walk around the WTC site, Manhattan.

2012-01-13T09:44:00.003-05:00

Very moving. The sound of the water is the dominant feature. I hope that never changes, even in noisy NYC.

So inspiring to see the construction underway; the site was still a hole in the ground the last time I was there. The main tower is now a little more than half of its final height, according to signage at the site.

The area around WTC is the only place I see locals looking upward as much as the tourists.

Some new adds to personal project

2011-12-13T16:52:00.002-05:00

As part of my ongoing interest in the wide variety of religious architecture along New Hampshire Ave in Colesville, MD, a recent visit to St Andrew Ukrainian Orthodox...

Churches of New Hampshire Avenue

2011-11-02T09:32:00.005-04:00

For various reasons apparently involving demographics, zoning laws, and available space amidst urban sprawl, my little corner of Montgomery County, Maryland has an astonishing array of churches, mosques, temples, convents, synagogues and other houses of worship.

I have already begun exploring this diversity thru architectural photography, and hopefully will expand and develop this project into a self-published book and related gallery exhibit.

Here's a quick peek:

Obligatory Halloween shots of my daughter...

2011-11-01T09:42:00.001-04:00

She was pretty happy about those ears.

Long Island!

2011-09-13T12:31:00.000-04:00

Wow! I came to Long Island to get shots like this for my client:

So I was pleasantly surprised to find scenes like these too, especially just a few days after Irene...

New shoot for Glen Gordon Manor

2011-09-12T19:04:00.000-04:00

I love shooting jobs like this one for the Glen Gordon Manor; food, interiors, beautiful countryside.

My friends Dayn Smith and Nancy Moon have opened a guest house (B&B is too limited a term) in Huntly, VA. I worked with Dayn some years ago shooting for his restaurant in Puerto Rico, and was thrilled to work with him and Nancy again in this great new venture.

John Spaulding PhotographyImages of the Sweet Life
Food + Living + Travel + Interiors
Portfolio: www.JohnSpauldingPhotography.com

I've been working on the railroad....

2011-08-20T22:29:00.001-04:00

When I asked him how he came to be a conductor, he simply spread his hands in an exaggerated shrug and said 'railroader, boy to man' and went back to his work.

John Spaulding Photography
Images of the Sweet Life
Food + Living + Travel + Interiors
Portfolio: www.JohnSpauldingPhotography.com

Train a comin'

2011-08-08T21:13:00.000-04:00

I wouldn't have found this fantastic spot without the suggestion of old friend Ian Hurley and the guidance of James and Manny from the MBCR safety department. I admit, I don't typically climb around (NOT onto) railroad bridges overlooking river views but, you know, the guys might've called me a chicken unless I came back with the shot.

John Spaulding Photography
Images of the Sweet Life
Food + Living + Travel + Interiors
Portfolio: www.JohnSpauldingPhotography.com

Why photographers don't turn over raw files to clients

2011-07-29T11:22:00.000-04:00

I recently provided, to a new client, an estimate which included a certain amount of post-production work, to which the client responded by asking me to take the post work off the estimate and simply turn over the raw files directly as taken in-camera.

Now, like many photogs, I NEVER turn over raw files, and told the client so. The client insisted that they just wanted raw files and didn't want to pay for any post-production time, so it was a non-starter for both of us and we respectfully parted ways.

Many photogs dislike turning over raw files out of concern for their copyright protection or other issues, but that's not my reason.

When I shoot anything, I visualize a final result that anticipates the post-production techniques I will apply. Not that I'm developing cutting-edge digital magic that can't be reproduced, or that I have proprietary processes that need to be protected; it's simply that the raw camera files are too far short of being a finished product, and I don't help myself (or my client) by turning over half-finished work.

For instance, on a recent shoot for a builder (who wanted to emphasize the open floor plan and size of the space) I chose a high angle of view (to show the openness) and exposed a light shot for this scene:

And a darker shot for the windows and highlights:

And combined them into this, also using layer effects to correct the perspective:

No, not rocket science - these techniques have been around for years and are nothing new to any photographer, especially those who shoot interiors.

The point is that there's no good reason to turn those first two images over to the client, even with an explanation for what to do with them, when the last picture is the one I had in mind when I shot those frames. Of course, it is possible to produce that last frame in camera - taking many more hours to light the interior and shoot it on a view camera. Either way, it's time, which of course =$.

You don't go to a baker to buy flour, eggs, etc. -- you expect bread, right?

Rant o' the day brought to you by caffeine and lack of sleep.

John Spaulding Photography
Images of the Sweet Life
Food + Living + Travel + Interiors
Portfolio: www.JohnSpauldingPhotography.com

Savannah Busker

2011-07-27T13:18:00.000-04:00

I'm walking down the street in Savanna GA and suddenly hear harp music, and see flowing blonde hair Assuming I have not gone to heaven, I reach for my camera.

Not your typical busker... but then again Savannah is not a typical city.

John Spaulding Photography
Images of the Sweet Life
Food + Living + Travel + Interiors
Portfolio: www.JohnSpauldingPhotography.com

Drugstore at the edge of the universe

2011-07-24T00:33:00.001-04:00

The client (a home builder) wanted simple but colorful shots of neighborhood amenities, but after the sun went down, something a little more magical started to happen (as it often does). Even at a suburban Walgreen's.

John

240-486-2941

2011-07-19T13:02:00.003-04:00

First ever attempt at the cinemagraph technique.... Featuring lovely wife and a beautiful Canadian summer day...

John Spaulding Photography Images of the Sweet Life Food + Living + Travel + Interiors
Portfolio: www.JohnSpauldingPhotography.com

No, thats not an ad for the American Beef Council

2011-05-20T01:33:00.001-04:00

It's my dinner.

Strengthening Partnership

2011-05-09T09:41:00.002-04:00

Happy to say I will be working more closely with my friends at Veolia Transportation, managing their photo needs as they move forward on their merger with TRANSDEV.

Check out this great, forward-looking company at www.veoliatransdev.com

John Spaulding Photography Images of the Sweet Life Food + Living + Travel + Interiors Portfolio: www.JohnSpauldingPhotography.com Represented by Wonderful Machine www.wonderfulmachine.com

Sometimes you order the lasagna...

2011-05-05T14:32:00.000-04:00

Sometimes the lasagna orders you...

Backyard politics

2010-10-17T08:31:00.001-04:00

Backyard politics

2010-10-17T08:30:00.001-04:00

At a recent fundraiser for Sen. Mikulski

Sophisticated lighting setup

2010-08-25T04:15:00.000-04:00

The beauty of a good clamp.

2010-08-25T04:14:00.000-04:00

Ripening.....

2010-08-07T09:29:00.001-04:00

...is a process.....

Girls on hammock....

2010-05-06T22:26:00.000-04:00

Bushmills 16 year old

2010-04-28T19:48:00.001-04:00

Like drinking a roasted flower....

KaBOOM! playground build

2010-04-11T23:24:00.000-04:00

A small army of volunteers gave up a sunny Saturday to build a new
playground in a SE DC public housing community.

Check out www.kaboom.org for more info.

Pano!

2010-02-26T20:59:00.001-05:00

Bay Bridge, sunset, San Fran

Washington Post Food Section takes up the story...

2010-02-24T10:28:00.000-05:00

Remove

The Food Magazine often does not pay their contributors.Well, the Washington Post Food section has done a story about this issue for their blog "All We Can Eat." Apparently the magazine is profitable! That's fantastic. So why have we still not been paid?

All We Can Eat - A fight at the Food Magazine

voices.washingtonpost.com

The new Food Magazine has lured top-name chefs, but contributors complain they have not been paid for their work. Culinary smackdowns are regular fodder for food magazines. But the vicious battle taking place at the Food Magazine isn't between...

2010-02-18T12:07:00.002-05:00

Hey, check out my new favorite facebook page:

http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Food-Magazine-often-does-not-pay-their-contributors/311331757947

Become a fan and suggest it to your friends!

John Spaulding Photography
Images of the Sweet Life
Food + Living + Travel + Interiors

Portfolio: www.JohnSpauldingPhotography.com

Represented by Wonderful Machine
www.wonderfulmachine.com

Food Mag

2010-02-17T22:00:00.002-05:00

I think it's unfortunate that The Food Mag has not paid me or any of
the other contributors for the previous issue, including my cover
photo of Eric Ripert.

Eastern Shore Trip

2009-10-20T23:59:00.001-04:00

Spent the day driving around Cambridge, Easton, Oxford and St Michaels
for a magazine story.... I just never get tired of the Bay Bridge, or
the little pockets of history you stumble across....

Personal food photos

2009-09-29T18:06:00.000-04:00

Beautiful tomatoes from our garden...

Still one of the best views in DC....

2009-09-16T17:19:00.000-04:00

The lobby of the Mayflower Hotel

Finally!

2009-09-14T21:48:00.001-04:00

A welcome sight, the Food Mag with my photo of Eric Ripert is on the
stands.

High-tech sound studio

2009-09-03T10:00:00.001-04:00

No, it's not a scary ghost, it's John MacPherson, the host of Fresh Plate, using a
textile-based sound cocoon to muffle room echo, as we put the
finishing voice over touches on the promo reel.

Wine dealer visit to Foster Harris

2009-08-31T17:39:00.001-04:00

Wine dealer Jay Olexa's challenge: present a winner Pinot Noir for under $15.... Several choices, no clear winner. But certainly a fine way to spend an hour or so...

Summer ritual

2009-08-29T17:49:00.001-04:00

..on a beautiful Saturday afternoon....

What says "summer" more than this?!

Perfectly surreal end to LA Adventure....

2009-08-14T13:11:00.000-04:00

LAX while listening to Pink Floyd's 'Animals' on headphones...

Ah, the romance of the rails!

2009-08-14T13:09:00.001-04:00

OK it's a local commuter service, but still, it's clean, comfy and a
good client...

Farmer's Market

2009-08-13T02:37:00.000-04:00

..on a beautiful Saturday morning...

On Message

2009-08-13T02:34:00.000-04:00

Great farmers mkt in Silver Spring, and a very on-point message...

Keep it personal!

2009-06-16T12:37:00.008-04:00

Maryland Life Magazine has commissioned me to shoot a series on the Chesapeake Bay 'deadrise,' a boat with a unique hull design that has long been the workhorse of the Chesapeake Bay waterman's fleet.

Some of these are now being converted to pleasure boats - with many more rotting in the water - as the Bay's crab and oyster industry continues to decline.

I mentioned my interest in the boats to the editor of Maryland Life Magazine and, a few weeks later, the editor, Shannon Morgan, responded with an offer of a commission. I've only spent a few hours on this so far, with more to come throughout the summer.

Publication will be in March 2010.

I'm also hoping to arrange a gallery exhibit from this project - who knows, maybe a book?

The cool thing is, this is the first time that a personal interest has turned into a paid project. Up til now, personal work and paid jobs have always been separate.

John Spaulding Photography
Images of the Sweet Life
Food + Living + Travel + Interiors

Portfolio: www.JohnSpauldingPhotography.com

Represented by Wonderful Machine
www.wonderfulmachine.com

Planes, Cabs, Shuttles, Vans, Limos, Hotels. Whee!

2009-05-27T12:11:00.003-04:00

Just back from a 3-day, 2 city trip to kick off my contract with a large multi-modal transportation company. Denver was cloudy most of the time we were there, while Seattle was sunny and gorgeous. So much for stereotypes!

The best part of the trip, as almost always, was the people, who were unfailingly enthusiastic in showing their company's dedication to safety, customer service, and the environment.

I, on the other hand, definitely felt my enthusiasm flagging near the end of the third day as we boarded the redeye for home, but was revived when I saw the pics.

Me and the Seattle Space Needle, taken with my iPhone.

Patrick, featuring cool cap graciously provided by one of our clients.

I really think they should try to get even more seats in here, maybe a second layer up top? C'mon people, that's wasted money!

John Spaulding Photography
Images of the Sweet Life
Food + Living + Travel + Interiors

Portfolio: www.JohnSpauldingPhotography.com

Represented by Wonderful Machine
www.wonderfulmachine.com

Cover!

2009-05-18T08:21:00.003-04:00

John Spaulding photographs Top Chef Eric Ripert - and a number of dead fish - for the cover of the June/July issue of The Food Magazine.

Shouldn't make fun; the shot was frightfully rushed, we had 2 lights mysteriously fail to cooperate, we had closed off half of one of the busiest restaurant kitchens in Manhattan, and my car got towed. But in the end, it's always gratifying to get a cover. This will be my first national cover, so it's a nice occasion to mark.

John Spaulding Photography
Images of the Sweet Life
Food + Living + Travel + Interiors

Portfolio: www.JohnSpauldingPhotography.com

Represented by Wonderful Machine
www.wonderfulmachine.com

twilight stroll

2009-05-08T09:19:00.001-04:00

Wall St

2009-05-01T00:34:00.002-04:00

Another classic NYC view... taken with my iPhone about 5 minutes after the photo below...

Guy in a different kind of suit....

2009-04-30T13:32:00.004-04:00

Fun, fun portrait shoot of stockbroker-turned-chef Seth Levine, in front of the Ny Stock Exchange. Seth was a contestant on Hell's Kitchen, and is getting ready to open his first restaurant in the Hamptons.

After a 14-hour day that started with a 4-hour drive to NYC, shooting at a heliport, in front of the Exchange, in the kitchen of a first-class restaurant, getting my car towed, and finally ended in a wonderful upper West side Italian eatery, I get to my hotel and am greeted with the 51-st floor view of... Ground Zero.

GodDAMN I love NY!

John Spaulding Photography
Images of the Sweet Life
Food + Living + Travel + Interiors

Portfolio: www.JohnSpauldingPhotography.com

Represented by Wonderful Machine
www.wonderfulmachine.com

Layer Masking

2009-04-16T15:05:00.008-04:00

A simple technique for interior photography that I really love.

Simply put, layer masking is taking two or more bracketed photos (for example, the first and second below) and using the best of each to create an ideal image.

In this case, this beautiful room in the Foster Harris House B&B presented a problematic exposure range. The direct sun on the bed was much too bright to balance with the deep shadows in the near-right corner, and the details in the rich wood and cast-iron wood stove.

The first image was exposed for highlights (note the blocked-up shadows in the corners)

The next image was exposed to bring up the shadows (note the blown-out highlights on the bed):

In Photoshop, I layered one photo on top of the other, and simply used the Quick Mask tool to create a mask on the top layer (it doesn't matter which is the top layer, although in my case I typically put the "shadow" exposure on top). Then, using the brush tool, I "mask" the problem shadow areas on the top layer, revealing the better-looking areas in the brighter layer underneath. When finished, I flatten the layers and then make cropping and other adjustments.

Ta Da!

Note: Of course, the two photos must match pixel-for-pixel, varying only in exposure value, so a tripod is essential. With the camera on its tripod, I put the camera on continuous, high-speed motor drive with 5-frame bracketing. This way, I do not have to handle any camera controls between frames and risk nudging the camera. I just push the button gently and the camera rips off 5 frames, (+2, +1, 0 -1, -2 stop exposures) which I then edited to use only the two that, collectively, contained all the detail I needed in both highlight and shadow areas.

BTW, all cropping, sharpening and other pixel-altering adjustments should be done on the combined, flattened image to avoid creating pixel shifts or other artifacts.

The results are much faster than custom lighting, and more natural-looking than HDR, which can create weird dodging and other artifacts.

Have fun!

John Spaulding Photography
Images of the Sweet Life
Food + Living + Travel + Interiors

Portfolio: www.JohnSpauldingPhotography.com

Represented by Wonderful Machine
www.wonderfulmachine.com

Spring means....

2009-04-04T13:33:00.001-04:00

Spring!

2009-03-24T12:06:00.000-04:00

Sure sign of spring, LL Bean is all stocked up on water bottles...

"Replay Cam" iPhone App

2009-03-22T13:19:00.003-04:00

Is your cell phone camera too slow? Check THIS out!

It takes 25 photos at pre-set intervals of 0.1, 0.2, 0.5, 1.0, 2.0 or 3 seconds, creates this multi-frame images, and then combines the frames into a mini-movie. Too Cool!

The only drawback is, I wish it would let you save the finished products as a QT file that could be exported as a video. Right now the "movie" only plays within the app.

Still more fun with iPhone photo apps

2009-03-12T15:05:00.002-04:00

These pics were all modified using "Photo 640." The original is at the bottom.

70's Photo

30's Photo

Pencil and Crop

Sculpture with Color

Posterize and Pencil with Color

Original (Taken using "Vint Shift")

Good stuff!

Foster Harris Cookbook arrives!

2009-03-06T15:03:00.007-05:00

The Foster Harris Cookbook, featuring the fabulous recipes of John MacPherson, designed and edited by Diane MacPherson, has arrived and is now available thru the FH website and other outlets. John and Diane own the Foster Harris House B&B in Washington, VA.

As detailed earlier in this blog, my wife and I met John and Diane when we stayed at their fantastic inn in 2007. We stayed in touch, became friends, and over several days in 2008, we collaborated on photographing the dishes for the cookbook. The books includes 130 full-color photos.

The shooting was a lot of fun, the food is great (yes, we ate most of what we shot!), and finally, I am incredibly excited to see the book come out.

Learn more about the FH House and the book at www.fosterharris.com

John Spaulding Photography
Images of the Sweet Life
Food + Living + Travel + Interiors

Portfolio: www.JohnSpauldingPhotography.com

Represented by Wonderful Machine
www.wonderfulmachine.com

Fun? Seriously?

2009-03-03T23:58:00.002-05:00

It's cold, wet and slippery. Fun?! Are you people crazy?

My sunspot

2009-03-03T23:57:00.002-05:00

winter makes a comeback

2009-03-01T23:38:00.002-05:00

More iPhone photos, using the "darkroom" app for low-light photography...

Taxi!

2009-02-27T02:15:00.002-05:00

Sometimes (ok, often) the best pictures aren't the ones my client asked me to make, they're discovered along the way. I was shooting for a transportation company today, and while I was waiting for the client to meet me, I shot many photos of this beautiful old taxi on display in their lobby.

another cool iPhoto app

2009-02-25T18:22:00.003-05:00

This one is 'Darkroom.' It uses the iPhone's accelerometer to detect camera shake, and delays tripping the shutter until the camera is still. Great for low-light photos, such as the dusk photos below. The first one was taken with the regular camera setting, the other two were taken with Darkroom.

Quick shoot (multiframe) with iPhone

2009-02-24T16:17:00.003-05:00

Latest addiction: "fastcamera" app for iPhone, lets me shoot as if the camera has a 15 fps motor drive.

clickclickclickclickclickclickclickclickclick.....

I am so addicted...

2009-02-23T23:27:00.001-05:00

...to these iPhone photo apps. This is a combination of "vint shift"
and "color splash."

Portrait Variety

2009-02-20T11:06:00.011-05:00

They say variety is the spice of life, but this is ridiculous...

Recent portraits:

John Spaulding Photography
Images of the Sweet Life
Food + Living + Travel + Interiors

Portfolio: www.JohnSpauldingPhotography.com

Represented by Wonderful Machine
www.wonderfulmachine.com

Reading time

2009-02-18T23:34:00.002-05:00

What's your favorite book for bedtime?

Green Star

2009-02-17T08:39:00.001-05:00

Greenhouse visit

2009-02-17T00:37:00.003-05:00

Nothing cures the winter blahs like a stroll through a greenhouse.

Makes me afraid to shop anymore...

2009-02-10T18:09:00.002-05:00

Ahh, the simple life....

2009-02-06T07:59:00.001-05:00

Talk about Old School!

2009-02-05T00:13:00.002-05:00

Killer darts

2009-02-04T23:40:00.002-05:00

Sometimes life doesn't suck

2009-02-04T23:37:00.001-05:00

The place where I'm working for the next 48 hrs....

Tracks...

2009-02-03T11:52:00.003-05:00

Another one...

Fun with iPhone camera again

2009-02-03T10:51:00.005-05:00

When I used to assist we would constantly shoot up Polaroid film and
write little captions and stick them up on the studio wall. A common theme was drinking, after a long day of shooting.

An early form of blogging I guess.

Here's deja vu, courtesy of iPhone.

This is just a worms-eye view of a water glass on a copper bar...

Close Gitmo

2009-01-19T23:22:00.005-05:00

It wouldn't be an event in Washington without protestors....

This one was definitely one of the most effective I have ever seen - silent but eloquent.

This is America's biggest shame since the internment of Japanese Americans.

John Spaulding Photography
Images of the Sweet Life
Food + Living + Travel + Interiors

Portfolio: www.JohnSpauldingPhotography.com

Represented by Wonderful Machine
www.wonderfulmachine.com

Practicalities

2009-01-18T23:12:00.005-05:00

Besides the other hoopla, I'm proud to say my little hometown of Washington DC has apparently become the porta-potty capital of the known universe.

John Spaulding Photography
Images of the Sweet Life
Food + Living + Travel + Interiors

Portfolio: www.JohnSpauldingPhotography.com

Represented by Wonderful Machine
www.wonderfulmachine.com

Pilgrimage

2009-01-18T21:42:00.006-05:00

That was the word that kept coming to mind, as I got off the Metro at 7th St and walked toward the Mall. Not a party, not a celebration, not even a rally. A Pilgrimage.

John Spaulding Photography
Images of the Sweet Life
Food + Living + Travel + Interiors

Portfolio: www.JohnSpauldingPhotography.com

Represented by Wonderful Machine
www.wonderfulmachine.com

Inaugural Celebration

2009-01-18T21:26:00.007-05:00

If you are in DC, and looking for a place to buy Obama's likeness on some kind of Inaugural memorabilia, close your eyes and walk in a straight line; you will bump into someone selling Obama mementos within just a few steps.....

I am happy to say I bought quite a lot!

John Spaulding Photography
Images of the Sweet Life
Food + Living + Travel + Interiors

Portfolio: www.JohnSpauldingPhotography.com

Represented by Wonderful Machine
www.wonderfulmachine.com

Housecleaning

2009-01-14T13:50:00.002-05:00

Good lord how did it come to this? I know another photographer that is up to 18 storage drives.... Count my blessings?

John Spaulding Photography
Images of the Sweet Life
Food + Living + Travel + Interiors

Portfolio: www.JohnSpauldingPhotography.com

Represented by Wonderful Machine
www.wonderfulmachine.com

New Representation Portal

2009-01-11T01:40:00.001-05:00

Now represented by Wonderful Machine, a portal that links photographers to art buyers.

www.wonderfulmachine.com

Cheers,

John

John Spaulding Photography
Images of the Sweet Life
Food + Living + Travel + Interiors

Portfolio: www.JohnSpauldingPhotography.com

Canada Rocks

2009-01-09T17:38:00.003-05:00

The true definition of personal work.... images that mean almost nothing to anyone but myself... In this case, pretty rocks, found on the beaches of Georgian Bay and Lake Erie, Ontario. Eternal reminders of family vacations.

John Spaulding Photography
Images of the Sweet Life
Food + Living + Travel + Interiors

Portfolio: www.JohnSpauldingPhotography.com

Foray into Multimedia

2008-12-17T11:06:00.002-05:00

John Spaulding Photography
Images of the Sweet Life
Food + Living + Travel + Interiors

Portfolio: www.JohnSpauldingPhotography.com

Photobooth Family

2008-11-25T19:16:00.002-05:00

Embarking on the "family portrait" business shortly... But using an approach that was featured in a beautiful book, "Photobooth"

New Toy for iPhone Camera

2008-11-19T13:56:00.006-05:00

The iPhone fun never ceases. The latest thing I downloaded is a free app for the iPhone which applies various historical and "art photo" effects to photos taken with the built-in camera.

"1972"

"Holga"

"Lolo"

"Cinema"

John Spaulding Photography
Images of the Sweet Life
Food + Living + Travel + Interiors

Portfolio: www.JohnSpauldingPhotography.com

Fake motion, or, yet another reason to love photoshop

2008-11-10T12:04:00.005-05:00

Had a client recently who wanted images showing the "vibrant street life" around a downtown development, but who, given the budget realities we are dealing with, decided against hiring professional models. So, the people on the streets needed to sign releases, or we couldn't show their faces.

Unfortunately the very best of the images tended to be people going by, on their way to work, school, and hot dates, so we couldn't often get releases, so a little creative blurring in P-Shop was called for.... The "motion" blur in these photos was all done in post-production...

Election Day

2008-11-04T13:08:00.002-05:00

Walking to the school, to do the civic doody thing.

I'm sure there's some kind of profound metaphor here about election day, recycling, rebirth, etc. Make up your own line, I'm only the photographer.

Vote Aqui!

Good things, small packages indeed

2008-10-31T13:46:00.005-04:00

A good friend of mine produced a beautiful documentary film earlier this year, which was featured in a big-time film festival.... Her creative workstation, where she worked her magic -- all the online editing, compositing, crossfades and jump cuts -- is pictured here:

Now THAT'S what I call a creative use of resources! Rock on Erica!

Scooping brains...

2008-10-30T12:29:00.005-04:00

Full disclosure - don't ever tell my kids, but I HATE the smell of pumpkin.... But still, it's fun.

John Spaulding Photography
Images of the Sweet Life
Food + Living + Travel + Interiors

Portfolio: www.JohnSpauldingPhotography.com

The Great Pumpkin

2008-10-06T10:11:00.003-04:00

Yes, it's that time of year. Cherish the days when you can dress your kids up in embarrassing outfits without any protest....

John Spaulding Photography
Images of the Sweet Life
Food + Living + Travel + Interiors

Portfolio: www.JohnSpauldingPhotography.com

Stock:
www.SweetLifeImages.com

Art in the City

2008-10-01T13:04:00.004-04:00

Well I went ahead with the gallery show; "Art in the City" in Baltimore, at the Skylofts Gallery building on Bank St. All the images are from travel, especially with a sense of solitude, introspection, or at least a fond memory associated with the image.

My sale prices are admittedly outrageous; what they really represent is the amount below which I'd rather not sell.... The prints that come home will go somewhere else, hopefully.

John Spaulding Photography
Images of the Sweet Life
Food + Living + Travel + Interiors

Portfolio: www.JohnSpauldingPhotography.com

Stock:
www.SweetLifeImages.com

Back to work!

2008-09-22T17:05:00.003-04:00

A cool corporate gig (yes there is such a thing).

Corporate event gigs CAN be creatively meaningful, when the art direction is to capture a sense of purpose, opportunity, and diversity (all things I believe in...)

Plus, the party room was TOOOOO cool.

John Spaulding Photography
Images of the Sweet Life
Food + Living + Travel + Interiors

Portfolio: www.JohnSpauldingPhotography.com

Stock:
www.SweetLifeImages.com

Road Trip's great ending...

2008-09-22T15:33:00.005-04:00

All good things come to an end, so did my days of aimless wandering. I had intended to spend my night on the mountain near Mary's Rock, in Virginia, but rain and fog dampened (ugh) my enthusiasm for sleeping outdoors.

Luckily, my friends John and Diane McPherson, innkeepers of the Foster Harris House, were around.

Foster Harris House is a B&B just down the street from a slightly more famous Inn in Little Washington VA. For anyone visiting Rappahanock County, VA, it should be your first choice for a romantic weekend stay...

John is a fantastic chef whose cookbook will be out later this fall, and I was lucky to have the chance to collaborate with John on the food photography for the book.

Home Sweet Home - for the night

2008-09-12T19:05:00.001-04:00

A memory changed...

2008-09-12T18:41:00.010-04:00

Some years ago (10? 12?) I made this walk, starting from much further south, so it was on my third day that I approached the Harper's Ferry area. As I did, I saw this beautiful old building perched on a hill on the WV side. I walked into town to have a closer look, hoping it was an inn.

It was the Hilltop Hotel, and I spent one night there with a deep bath, glorious view, and a soft bed. Sadly, my return this time found the hotel closed and clearly on the verge of tumbling into the Potomac.

You can see the deep cracks and the sagging foundation...

I was sad to see it in such a condition. I want to go back to the town and learn more about its history and its future, if it has one. Harper's Ferry is a National Historical Park (as is the C&O Canal) but only certain buildings fall under the National Park Service's care. Walk 1/4 mile from the perfectly-maintained "historic" area and the buildings are just "old."

Walk by the River

2008-09-12T18:38:00.003-04:00

It's not a hard walk, really just a stroll, following the C&O Canal Towpath next to the Potomac. It's a walk I've always enjoyed....

Crossing back over the Potomac on foot

2008-09-12T14:54:00.003-04:00

One of the highlights of the trip was crossing the Potomac River via a footpath on a railroad bridge. Call me a rube, I love stuff like this.

Ghost Building

2008-09-12T14:49:00.005-04:00

A historic building (marked "private residence") with the ghostly reminder of another part of the building that didn't make it thru the years....

Hiking thru history

2008-09-12T14:41:00.009-04:00

When you go hiking in the Mid-Atlantic area, you don't really get much wilderness, you get history. I pulled on my pack and started on my hike, passing the historical landmarks of Harper's Ferry. A local resident confided that it was OK to park where the signs read "Residential Parking Permits Only" because there was no such thing, in fact, as a residential parking permit. I left my car, cautiously optimistic that it would still be there when I returned...

Leaving

2008-09-12T14:37:00.005-04:00

I drove up towards Harper's Ferry, WV. The weather was beautiful when I left.

One cool thing about the iPhone camera is that it scans as it makes an exposure, so when moving fast, images get "bent" in the direction of the movement.... It's a great way to practice my shoot-while-driving skills as well. Here I am crossing the Potomac River into WV. (Briefly passing through Virginia for a second. The Shenandoah-Potomac junction is where all 3 states converge.)

ROAD TRIP!

2008-09-12T14:34:00.003-04:00

So, generally just from being sick of the sound of my own voice, and restless, I decided to take a short trip.

Also, in the interest of making it a true "vacation" I left the camera at home.... All the photos on this section of the blog were taken with my iPhone camera. The idea is to take pics for play instead of for work....

John Spaulding Photography
Images of the Sweet Life
Food + Living + Travel + Interiors

Portfolio: www.JohnSpauldingPhotography.com

Stock:
www.SweetLifeImages.com

On-location product shoot

2008-09-05T11:33:00.005-04:00

One of the things I've always loved about being a photographer is getting the access to other people's lives, seeing behind the curtains for a brief time into other businesses, ideas, etc. This latest shoot was for a startup 20+ years in the making. The product is a small device that allows you to secure anything, either an object, an open window, a cabinet door, briefcase bicycle, etc. You attach the device and set it, and you can get a call on your cell phone (or any number of other types of notifications) if the object is moved. Have you ever gone to lunch with your briefcase, and feel you have to lug your briefcase into the restroom? Here's your solution!

John Spaulding Photography
Images of the Sweet Life
Food + Living + Travel + Interiors

Portfolio: www.JohnSpauldingPhotography.com

Stock:
www.SweetLifeImages.com

Funky Light over Baltimore

2008-09-04T12:57:00.005-04:00

Going through a bunch of old files for scanning and upload for stock... Came across this old image (4 years? 5?) of a storm coming in over the Baltimore skyline... It was just at sunset, and I loved the contrast of the placid, intimate feel of the streets with the drama in the sky....

John Spaulding Photography
Images of the Sweet Life
Food + Living + Travel + Interiors

Portfolio: www.JohnSpauldingPhotography.com

Stock:
www.SweetLifeImages.com

...And now for something completely different...

2008-09-01T12:00:00.003-04:00

Product photography!

I learned this simple technique for product shots many years ago.... The object sits on a sheet of glossy plexiglass, and the blue "glow" is simply the reflection of where the spotlight hits a white seamless 10-15 feet away from the table.... Nice for location shooting (as this was) because changing background color is just a matter of changing the gel on the spotlight, instead of lugging a rainbow of seamless colors.

John Spaulding Photography
Images of the Sweet Life
Food + Living + Travel + Interiors

Portfolio: www.JohnSpauldingPhotography.com

Stock:
www.SweetLifeImages.com

Gallery Show?

2008-08-28T13:29:00.001-04:00

So, I am thinking of doing a little gallery show at a studio and gallery space in Baltimore...

I've NEVER hung my work on the wall in a public show of any kind; kind of overdue I think, but I cannot really get my head in the space of just picking pictures and hanging them up on a wall...

Anyway, I am leaning toward doing images of travel location, with an emphasis on a feeling of solitude... the kind of images I love to shoot but never for clients.

Stay tuned for a show invite!

The perils of using your own kids as models....

2008-08-27T12:34:00.000-04:00

A Photographer's Life

In Season on Kickstarter

Some recent pics from a walk around the WTC site, Manhattan.

Some new adds to personal project

Churches of New Hampshire Avenue

Obligatory Halloween shots of my daughter...

Long Island!

New shoot for Glen Gordon Manor

I've been working on the railroad....

Train a comin'

Why photographers don't turn over raw files to clients

Savannah Busker

Drugstore at the edge of the universe

No, thats not an ad for the American Beef Council

Strengthening Partnership

Sometimes you order the lasagna...

Backyard politics

Backyard politics

Sophisticated lighting setup

Ripening.....

Girls on hammock....

Bushmills 16 year old

KaBOOM! playground build

Pano!

Washington Post Food Section takes up the story...

BTW, I stayed 'at the Hilton" for $229. Anyone who's ever stayed in Manhattan knows thats a bargain rate.

The Food Magazine often does not pay their contributors.Well, the Washington Post Food section has done a story about this issue for their blog "All We Can Eat." Apparently the magazine is profitable! That's fantastic. So why have we still not been paid?

Food Mag

Eastern Shore Trip

Personal food photos

Still one of the best views in DC....

Finally!

High-tech sound studio

Wine dealer visit to Foster Harris

Summer ritual

Perfectly surreal end to LA Adventure....

Ah, the romance of the rails!

Farmer's Market

On Message

Keep it personal!

Planes, Cabs, Shuttles, Vans, Limos, Hotels. Whee!

Cover!

twilight stroll

Wall St

Guy in a different kind of suit....

Layer Masking

Spring means....

Spring!

"Replay Cam" iPhone App

Still more fun with iPhone photo apps

Foster Harris Cookbook arrives!

Fun? Seriously?

My sunspot

winter makes a comeback

Taxi!

another cool iPhoto app

Quick shoot (multiframe) with iPhone

I am so addicted...

Portrait Variety

Reading time

Green Star

Greenhouse visit

Makes me afraid to shop anymore...

Ahh, the simple life....

Talk about Old School!

Killer darts

Sometimes life doesn't suck

Tracks...

Fun with iPhone camera again

Close Gitmo

Practicalities

Pilgrimage

Inaugural Celebration

Housecleaning

New Representation Portal

Canada Rocks

Foray into Multimedia

Photobooth Family

New Toy for iPhone Camera

Fake motion, or, yet another reason to love photoshop