Title: Cross-Country.If there was a photo that fit my mood today… this would be the one. This image was taken in 2011 when I was on the road to “Michigan’s Thumb” shooting my Grand Rapids Art Museum / Michigan Perspectives install titled “Thumbprints.”Shot with a Canon EOS 5D Mark II and a EF 24-70mm f/2.8L lens.

Title: Cross-Country.

If there was a photo that fit my mood today… this would be the one. This image was taken in 2011 when I was on the road to “Michigan’s Thumb” shooting my Grand Rapids Art Museum / Michigan Perspectives install titled “Thumbprints.”

Shot with a Canon EOS 5D Mark II and a EF 24-70mm f/2.8L lens.

Title: Theater-Going.Dog Story Theater. Grand Rapids, Michigan.Photo taken with a Canon EOS 5D Mark III and EF 50mm f/1.2L lens.

Title: Theater-Going.

Dog Story Theater. Grand Rapids, Michigan.

Photo taken with a Canon EOS 5D Mark III and EF 50mm f/1.2L lens.

Title: Beginner’s Luck.I’ve been wanting to take this reflection shot of the Start Garden from the first time I noticed their font-filled windows. Yesterday the lighting was just what I wanted and the thick winter air greened out the reflections beautifully. I guess I can thank this winter storm for something nice, right? 

Title: Beginner’s Luck.

I’ve been wanting to take this reflection shot of the Start Garden from the first time I noticed their font-filled windows. Yesterday the lighting was just what I wanted and the thick winter air greened out the reflections beautifully. I guess I can thank this winter storm for something nice, right? 

Photo: Eye-Catching.Brain cells in the visual cortex respond primarily to 4 qualities of images - color, form, depth and move- ment - termed visual brain cues. These cues are foundations in the architecture of our brain, part of how we naturally gather knowledge, and in human evolutionary history likely played a role in our species survival and success. They prime us to quickly detect distinctions and differences, to separate and select objects or images from background or surroundings.The 4 Key Visual Cues That Spark Brain Response.1. Color captures interest and signals contrast. Warm colors, comprised mainly of red, orange and yellow, are vivid in nature and tend to advance in space, so we notice these first. Cool colors, largely of green, blue and violet, are soothing in nature and tend to recede.2. Form defines outside edges, relief against camouflage or light on dark, from which we quickly discern patterns leading to image recognition.3. Depth gives sense of space, size and perspective, so we experience “closer” as “larger” and “ farther” as “smaller.”4. Movement heightens attentiveness, insists on being followed, and when implied using blur or wavy lines, leads the eye and induces feelings of motion. So why bring up these 4 visual cues?… simple put, photographers who fully understand and use these visual cues are often referred to as “Having the Eye for Photography.”*Excerpt from a case study by the The UW Eye Research Institute. 

Photo: Eye-Catching.

Brain cells in the visual cortex respond primarily to 4 qualities of images - color, form, depth and move- ment - termed visual brain cues. These cues are foundations in the architecture of our brain, part of how we naturally gather knowledge, and in human evolutionary history likely played a role in our species survival and success. They prime us to quickly detect distinctions and differences, to separate and select objects or images from background or surroundings.

The 4 Key Visual Cues That Spark Brain Response.

1. Color captures interest and signals contrast. Warm colors, comprised mainly of red, orange and yellow, are vivid in nature and tend to advance in space, so we notice these first. Cool colors, largely of green, blue and violet, are soothing in nature and tend to recede.

2. Form defines outside edges, relief against camouflage or light on dark, from which we quickly discern patterns leading to image recognition.

3. Depth gives sense of space, size and perspective, so we experience “closer” as “larger” and “ farther” as “smaller.”

4. Movement heightens attentiveness, insists on being followed, and when implied using blur or wavy lines, leads the eye and induces feelings of motion. 

So why bring up these 4 visual cues?… simple put, photographers who fully understand and use these visual cues are often referred to as “Having the Eye for Photography.”

*Excerpt from a case study by the The UW Eye Research Institute.

 

Title: Collaborative Research.Reflection photo taken through the window of the City Shoe Hospital in Big Rapids, Michigan. Shot with a Canon EOS 5D Mark III and EF 50mm f/1.2L lens. 

Title: Collaborative Research.

Reflection photo taken through the window of the City Shoe Hospital in Big Rapids, Michigan. Shot with a Canon EOS 5D Mark III and EF 50mm f/1.2L lens. 

Title: High Fashion.I came across a memory card sitting at the bottom of a bag that I’ve not used since early summer of 2012… much to my surprise there were photos still on it!So what was on the card? and how is it possible that I didn’t miss them right away? Those are a few very good questions! However it happens to the best of photographers and it felt like I won the lottery when I discovered these recovered images.The SD-Card had just over 20 photos on it and images ranged from window display/reflection shots, streetscapes, street photography, and random items from around town. Upon examining the card further, and thanks to EXIF data, I came to the conclusion that the photos were taken while touring a group around downtown Grand Rapids.The photo above was one of the images and is a window display that much to my surprise included me in one of the reflections. So I guess that makes this find a win-win!Photo taken with a Fujifilm X100. Settings: Exposure 1/60th, Aperture f/4.0, Focal Length 23mm, ISO 640, and an Exposure Bias of -0.33 EV.

Title: High Fashion.

I came across a memory card sitting at the bottom of a bag that I’ve not used since early summer of 2012… much to my surprise there were photos still on it!

So what was on the card? and how is it possible that I didn’t miss them right away? Those are a few very good questions! However it happens to the best of photographers and it felt like I won the lottery when I discovered these recovered images.

The SD-Card had just over 20 photos on it and images ranged from window display/reflection shots, streetscapes, street photography, and random items from around town. Upon examining the card further, and thanks to EXIF data, I came to the conclusion that the photos were taken while touring a group around downtown Grand Rapids.

The photo above was one of the images and is a window display that much to my surprise included me in one of the reflections. So I guess that makes this find a win-win!

Photo taken with a Fujifilm X100. Settings: Exposure 1/60th, Aperture f/4.0, Focal Length 23mm, ISO 640, and an Exposure Bias of -0.33 EV.

Title: Merry Chr.I’m usually not too keen on Christmas imagery… BUT, I do love the softness and depth of field in this shot. Again - I love the windows at Minty Keen, great eye candy for goods and reflections! 

Title: Merry Chr.

I’m usually not too keen on Christmas imagery… BUT, I do love the softness and depth of field in this shot. Again - I love the windows at Minty Keen, great eye candy for goods and reflections! 

Title: Skating Through.I wish I would have taken this shot prior to my “Windows of Light” gallery show… might be my new favorite window/reflection shot to date. Window Location: Christmas/Holiday window at Minty Keen in Grand Rapids, Michigan. 

Title: Skating Through.

I wish I would have taken this shot prior to my “Windows of Light” gallery show… might be my new favorite window/reflection shot to date. 

Window Location: Christmas/Holiday window at Minty Keen in Grand Rapids, Michigan. 

Title: Gridlocked.Macro shot out of a window using a Canon EOS 5D Mark III and EF 100mm f/2.8L IS USM Macro lens. This shot really reminded me that I need to use this piece of L-Glass more often… enjoy the macro bokeh! 

Title: Gridlocked.

Macro shot out of a window using a Canon EOS 5D Mark III and EF 100mm f/2.8L IS USM Macro lens. This shot really reminded me that I need to use this piece of L-Glass more often… enjoy the macro bokeh! 

Title: Art Criticism.I walked upon this gem of a poster while making my way around 5 POINTZ, NYC… of course I had to stop and take a photograph. Snarky content, window reflections, and some true font love. 

Title: Art Criticism.

I walked upon this gem of a poster while making my way around 5 POINTZ, NYC… of course I had to stop and take a photograph. Snarky content, window reflections, and some true font love.