The Photography of John Caruso
Urban Velo Chase, by John Caruso.
Gear: Canon 7D with an EF35mm f/1.4L USM.
Exposure: f/16, 1/20 sec., ISO 320
While spending some time doing an art show at the Flatiron Building in Chicago's Wicker Park neighborhood, I had an opportunity to take a break and lean out of a third story window to take some photographs. I liked the way the panning effect accentuated the motion of the bicyclist, and I really like the suggestion of the other rider as he moves out of frame. Couple this with the lines on the street and I am a very happy photographer.
As I drove past this undeveloped development, I pulled over to grab a shot. It was rather eerie the way the streets were laid out and seemingly abandoned before the rest of the subdivision was able to grow up around it.
Meanwhile, the houses in the background are precariously protected by the low fence.
Suburban Ghosts
The snow started falling and Dex was on the back porch. I grabbed my camera and started snapping away. He's such a ham...he's always ready to pose when he sees the camera come out.
Dexter's Stare
[flickr id="6333164730" thumbnail="medium" overlay="true" size="small" group="" align="center"] I was walking along the banks of a river and noticed these leafs floating across the surface. I moved from side to side to find an interesting angle and, as I did so, the reflection of the bare trees on the far bank came into play. I couldn't help but notice the visual trick of replacing the fallen leafs back upon the trees. I made a few shots but wasn't very happy with the outcome. At that point, I deliberately underexposed and, voila, I was much happier.
[flickr id="6290664888" thumbnail="medium" overlay="true" size="small" group="" align="center"] Our dog, Dexter, was playing in the yard. I thought I'd take a few photos of him since the light was nice and diffused. I managed to catch him mid yawn with the jack-o-lantern in the background...but it looked like he was posing for a spooky halloween moment!
[flickr id="6279961137" thumbnail="medium" overlay="true" size="small" group="" align="center"] While photographing around the Fullersburg Nature Center/Graue Mill area, I saw this gentleman kayaking down Salt Creek. I managed to grab this photo before he paddled around a bend. I just love the fact that he was wearing this photographically friendly red jacket!
[flickr id="6242837404" thumbnail="medium" overlay="true" size="small" group="" align="center"] I am a big fan of the juxtaposition of nature and man-made. Here, the tendril spills over the side of a brick wall creating a color and texture bonanza.
[flickr id="6238622530" thumbnail="medium" overlay="false" size="small" group="" align="center"] While on a photo walk, I came across this wooden grate across a little stream that led to the mill wheel at Graue Mill. I loved the way the leafs were randomly caught up. The light, too, was just gorgeous.
[flickr id="6215273324" thumbnail="medium" overlay="false" size="small" group="" align="center"] I just love coming across some random assemblage of items. Sure, it may not be the best compositionally (I don't like that chair in the background) but heck..."there's always a story...."
[flickr id="6175107665" thumbnail="medium" overlay="false" size="small" group="" align="center"] I was stopped at a stop light and looked out my window to see this scene presented to me. I grabbed my camera from the seat next to me, made the shot, then drove off as the stop light changed.
I just love when photos jump up and nestle into the camera like that!
[flickr id="6163549157" thumbnail="medium" overlay="false" size="small" group="" align="center"] Even though the title sounds like it should be a photograph of the lead singer from some suburban alt-thrash poseur band, it really is a photograph of a trash can in the middle of the street.
At the end of the day at a local art fair, I was packing up to go home when I noticed this scene. I got out my camera and made a few shots. As I was finishing up, a fellow artists was passing by and ribbed me by saying, "A trash can?" as she saw me snapping a way. I could only reply, "Not just a trash can, a beautiful BLUE trash can with beautiful yellow lines, and gorgeous light! Just you wait," I continued, "you'll see it on my website soon enough."
And here it is.
[flickr id="6148698858" thumbnail="medium" overlay="false" size="small" group="" align="center"] Isabella isn't always in the mood for pictures. Case in point: this day.
But even when she isn't in the mood, she knows how to tell a story with her eyes.
When one sees a scene like this, how can one NOT make the photograph?
For me, the diffused light is what tipped the scales. I just love that post/pre-storm light.
Reading (053/365 02-22-09)
Originally uploaded by CarusoPhoto
I saw this gentleman reading while the world whizzed by...and I was happy to have had the opportunity to capture the scene before it all changed in an instant (he walked away, the crowd thinned, and I kept moving along).
