Photographer Highlight: U.S. Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Brien Aho

I found out about Petty Officer 1st Class Brien Aho when I was researching photographers for my book project. At first, I was not the drawn to his work but as my body of work starting forming into more portraits, I went back and looked at his portfolio again. It just sucks that I can't get into the field to shoot photographs of soldiers.

Petty Officer 1st Class Brien Aho is from Maryland and has won Military Photographer of the Year in multiple categories four years running. Right now, he is over seas. I can't wait to see his body of work when he gets back!

Links:

•  http://www.defense.gov/home/features/military_photographers/aho/

Petty Officer 2nd Class Anthony Lupinetti

Seaman Kevin Burns - U.S. Navy Airman

MV-22 Osprey Aircraft

Photographer Highlight: Sarah Leen

I came across Sarah Leen when I was going though my Pop's collection of National Geographic magazines. I saw the cover to August 2005 and fell in love with the photograph. I have always been a history nerd and the two gas pumps reminded me of gas pumps at the station when I was growing up. (Yes, I know that I am not that old but growing up in the country, we did not have fancy gas pumps but we had the cool ones that everyone wants to restore these days.)

Sarah Leen graduated from Mizzou's School of Journalism in 1979. Leen is a senior photo editor for National Geographic. She was worked for them for over 25 years. She teaches at the Missouri Photo Workshop, which is a photography program through Mizzou. I looked into the program and it is something that I believe would help me and my photography career. It brings some of the best photographers around to help America's youth.

I was able to find NatGeo's profile on fineartamerica.com and found her photo of a farmer disking in the field. It is by far my favorite photograph of hers.

She is someone that I will be watching closely and hopefully will meet her at MPW!

Links: 

• www.sarahleen.com
• http://photography.nationalgeographic.com/photography/photographers/photographer-sarah-leen/?source=A-to-Z

Inside NatGeo's Layout Room

"A Farmer On A Tractor Disks The Soil" by Sarah Leen

Workflow Buzz Kill...

I love that all of the good abandoned buildings in St. Louis are getting or have been demolished... killing my workflow!

The people who demolished these building need to try being a photographer!! maybe then they will realize that St. Louis NEEDS those buildings!! it's a part of our history!!!

St. Louis City Hospital - http://www.builtstlouis.net/cityhospital-intro.html

 I wish that they would stop tearing away the history of St. Louis!!!!

Quote from the Hurt Locker

“The rush of battle is often a potent and lethal addiction, for war is a drug.” ― Chris Hedges

I saw this quote when I was watching the Hurt Locker and fell in love with it.I was thinking about using this quote to start off my book with.

The Most Beautiful Suicide

I was watching an episode of CSI: NY - Nine Thirteen (from 1/18/2013) and within the first 10 minutes, Sid, the Medical Examiner, said that he said seen a similar death in LIFE; the famous Empire State Building suicide of Evelyn McHale.

So being my-curious-self, I looked it up on Google. I found out that she had wrote a suicide note saying, "I don't think I would make a good wife for anybody." I also found out that this photograph inspired some of Andy Warhol's work.

Photographer: Robert Wiles

http://manhattan.about.com/od/historyandlandmarks/ss/Photo-Tour-Of-Sites-Of-Famous-New-York-Deaths_3.htm

Photo Ideas for my DC Trip

I've been to the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Arlington National Cemetery, Washington, DC once. My grandparents took me back in the summer of 2005. Unless, you have been there in person, you really can't describe how it feels while you are there. It's such a strong feeling but at the same thing you can feel the pain that is there. Although, I only seen a little part of  Arlington National Cemetery, it was enough to put an impact on me.

I am planning on visiting on cousin, who is based out at Patuxent River Naval Air Station. It's only 45 minutes around from DC but that's to close not to go and visit again. I think that going to shoot at Arlington and different monuments in Washington DC will help me take my book to a whole another level. 

Photo credit: http://www.fineartphotoblog.com/uncategorized/unknown-soldier

Book Topic

I finally made a decision for my book project. After picking the brains of some people, some who were closer than others, I made my pick. I picked the military theme. It is something that hits close to home for not only me but others around me. I only hope to invoke feelings from others when I am working on this project. Wish me luck! 

Photographer Highlight: Brian Skerry

I have always been a fan of National Geographic. I still read the magazines that come to my Pop's house. The photographs always catch my attention. So, I decided to look up NatGeo photographers and came across Brian Skerry in the photographers search list. I looked into him.

Brian Skerry has been with NatGeo since 1998 as a photojournalist specializing in marine wildlife and underwater environments photography. While researching Skerry, I found out that he has spent over 10,000 hours underwater in the past 30 years. That is just mind-blowing.... But the shots that he has been able to capture while down there is well worth it. I am jealous that Skerry has been up close and personally with a whale.

Even though Skerry has been around for awhile, he is still someone to check out. 

Links:

• http://www.brianskerry.com/
• http://photography.nationalgeographic.com/photography/photographers/photographer-brian-skerry/?source=A-to-Z  

 

Torn for My Book Idea

I have two ideas that I want to do for my book idea...

1) Abandoned Buildings in St. Louis

I would be taking photographs of old, abandoned, falling to the ground, past their prime photos of these once very meaningful and powerful building that at one point was the 'back bone' of St. Louis.

I love this idea because of the rich history that it has on St. Louis. It is also a chance for me to deepen my knowledge of St. Louis history and to share it with people who know little to nothing about the past of St. Louis.

I would pick the top ten or twenty buildings that were the prime of St. Louis and shoot them.

2) Military

I would be taking photographs of military personnel and different places like Jefferson Barracks. I would try to invoke feelings that most people hold close to their hearts. I come from a military family background so it would be easy for me to relate if someone else was trying to do this.

I love this idea too because it is something that is at the "Heartland of America." It is also something that a lot of people can relate too. Growing up with around my grandpa and from living by the military vets, I have learned a lot of history just from them and that isn't something that they put into books. The stories that they have told me will be something that I will keep dear to my heart; and I am sure some people can relate to this.

For this idea, I would go to Jefferson Barracks and shoot photos. I would also shoot photos when I am out visiting D.C. in March.

ANY THOUGHTS?

Photographer Highlight: Murad Osmann

I have never heard of Murad Osmann before. Osmann was born in the mountains Russia in 1985. I started seeing his ongoing series, Follow Me To, on instagram. This series is shot behind his girlfriend, Natalia Zakharova, as they travel the world. Almost all of his shoots have some sort of filter or effect added to them.

Osmann also shoots portraits, people, and places. "For me photography is about capturing things other people might miss. It is a way [t]o communicate...." - Osmann

(I have taken photos of some of his work from my phone, so please forgive my browser... I could only find his Follow Me To on the internet but all of the photos shown are on his website.)

Links:

• http://muradosmann.com/
• https://www.facebook.com/murad.osmanov