Video: You and I...

So I have been really into this video thing lately. Ideas are flying around my head.

The night I shot this was my first night out with my camera. The very first videos captured with it. I am not a huge fan of the video itself but the overall completion of the first one being complete is so refreshing.

The reason I create is for the end product. I hope you all enjoy it. I have higher hopes for my next projects.

httpvhd://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6tNKQe0LML4

Video Notes:

The wide angle shots were shot with the 18-55 vr kit lens. The images that seem to have some depth of field were shot with the amazing 50mm 1.4. All shots were shot handheld except the videos of the plane in the beginning.

I have spent about 6-8 hours on the video, this time does not include the time I spent recording downtown San Diego.

Bring Me the Horizon / Every Time I Die w/ Video.

Shows, the most challenging of all. This is of course is one of the main reasons I shoot them. I have a crazy thirst for energy and loud music and shooting in this environment puts a smile on my face. This shows music and artists were hopped up on some mountain dew for sure. All the artists wouldn't stay still for more than a second. Tonight was my first show in quite some time and it felt so good. It also reminded me how hard shows really are, especially hardcore ones.

I shot Architects Oh, Sleeper, Bring Me the Horizon and Every Time I Die. The circle pit was possibly the largest I have ever seen at Soma. I am not really a fan of the kids who go to these shows, if I did enjoy the music I would rock out in my own little bubble. I definitely would not punch a poor photographer in the head while recording the circle pit, the photographer was me... I gave the guy a solid kick in the back.

The Video has no audio because, lets face it, its all screaming and none of it is understandable. Video is brought to you by the Nikon D5000.

httpvhd://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l6gk9fXcQZg

Images from the show:

Photo Notes:

I am starting to dislike Soma and their lighting more and more every time I shoot there. Far too much backlight and with a sold out show it deserved a better light show. Bad lights along with  bands that hardly stood still I had a hard time with my camera to get the captures, I feel bad for all the Rebels in the pit ;)

Inspiration: Jay-Z Music Videos

A strange title, yes but I hope you dont feel that way after you see some of the screens from the music videos. I of course like the new Jay-Z albums quite a bit but you dont have to. For example, I was watching the videos muted while listening to to Slipknot. Whatever gets the job done.

I have not had / really watched "cable tv" in about 3 years now so I rarely see music videos. I am sure there are quite a few inspirational ones but today I will be writing about two of Jay-Z's latest videos:

D.O.A. (Death of Auto-Tune)

Run This Town

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These images are dark but also have perfect lighting. The videos are very fluid with a lot of energy. I am crazy about the backlighting that is done with the fire / artificial lighting. The scenes in the warehouse in D.O.A. to the Kanye rapping through the cracked windshield of the car, I find both videos entirely cinematic and beautiful. I am not quite sure in few words what makes these videos so inspirational, maybe the Versace glasses? I think you will see this style of images in future images of mine... maybe sooner than you think. Until then...

PeterWPhoto.com update now Live!

I spent quite a bit of time being stubborn about the computer displays that I was going to support. I was building my website on my beautiful 24" iMac and always ignored how bad it looked on 13" computers.

1280x800 has always been the most popular screen resolution, therefore I decided it was time to support it. My goal was to redesign the site so that a 13" computer can see a full size image along with the thumbnails.

I started with a smaller header / top of the page because the old one was too big and didn't look so professional. I also added Hdr to the mix along with an actual Concert gallery. Hdr is highlighted in blue to represent that it is a new feature of the site.

I am very happy on how the site turned out. I added several of the new images to the mix and removed a lot of older images that no longer seemed to be at par with my current portfolio. I also added one new feature because I like my pictures big just like I like my music loud.

There is now a Full Screen button at the bottom of every gallery so those of use with larger screen can enjoy the images the size I want you to view them.

I have spent the good part of a weeks free time on the site and it is finally complete. If you do not know I redesign my website every year and relaunch it on my photo anniversary which is on Feb 14. Next February with be my fifth year of shooting and I am looking forward to the future. I really hope you all enjoy it :) Please give me feedback on the site and let me know if you run into any problems!

-Peter

This is Why I Shoot: Golden Gate Bridge.

This is Why I Shoot, seems simple enough but there are so so many reasons why I do what I do. I put myself by the elements to capture images to show the world. From the desert to glaciers I have been in all climates and love it.

San Fran was clear everywhere except the bridge like it was trying to hide under its cloudy cloak. Beams and cables showed themselves beneath the marine layer so I focused around them. Bikers and runners shook their heads at my tshirt and shorts as they seemed to try to escape the chill. I set up my tripod and started smiling. I had no idea why I was smiling and it surely was not because of the 40F degree cold wind or the cars zooming past at 60 mph a foot away from me. I must have been thinking this is why I shoot. I shoot in these strange conditions, typically alone for the hope of getting one amazing capture. Towards the end I couldnt move my hands, I decided it was time to start the walk back to the car.

All in all I do this for you. Yes I love capturing image but more so do I love to share my adventures with you. I hope you enjoy these.

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