Here is a throwback photo for you. I took this photo during a Shutter Rush weekend at the very beginning of 2020. Jason, Jake and I spent the weekend photographing parts of Baltimore, creating digital content and capped the weekend off by covering the Ravens-Steelers game. When it was all done, we put the photos and videos together to create the “Shutter Rush – Baltimore Edition” documentary which is still available on Amazon Prime. This photo is from our time in West Baltimore. We found this graffiti alley and played with steel wool.
UA
Today’s photo post is from our “Shutter Rush – Baltimore Edition” road trip. If you watched the film, you know we went to Under Armour’s headquarters since they helped sponsor our film/road trip. Here is a photo I took that night from their campus.
To view a larger version, click HERE
Intensity
For Sunday night, I have a flashback football photo that I took last season. I captured this when the Ravens were in Pittsburgh. This shot of Robert Griffin III (RG3) demonstrates his intensity. You have to wonder what his career would have been like if the Redskins had managed him and his injury correctly. Potentially Hall of Famer but that was then, now he’ll never be viewed in that light. If you think about it, he was the Patrick Mahomes before Patrick Mahomes. Ruined potential.
To view a larger version, click HERE
Welcome to Baltimore
Tonight, I’m sharing a photo I captured in Baltimore while we filmed “Shutter Rush – Baltimore Edition.” Our film crew was walking around the Baltimore Harbor taking photos and video until after sunset. Afterward, walking back to the hotel, we came upon this spot, which I almost missed since our back was to it as we walked down the street. Somehow it caught my eye and the rest is history.
To view a larger version, click HERE
Graffiti Alley Sparks
When we (Jason, Jake and I) filmed “Shutter Rush – Baltimore Edition” we captured some steel wool photos and video inside the famous Graffiti Alley. This is an unedited cut of footage that didn’t make it into the film. This is Jason spinning and I filmed this video. By the way, big thanks to Nanuk Cases and Under Armour for sponsoring the film. “Shutter Rush” is available on Amazon Prime.
Under Armour Offices
I captured this drone video during the filming of “Shutter Rush – Baltimore Edition”, which is now playing on Amazon Prime. We went to capture photos and video at Under Armour’s Corporate Offices since they sponsored us for this project.
It was a fun project to work on with @jasonpohuski and @jakemysliwczykphoto. Teaser…we filmed a 2nd Episode in Gary Indiana recently to be released late spring/early summer.
Under Armour HQ
Now that our film (Shutter Rush – Baltimore Edition) has been released on Amazon Prime (in Canada and the United States), I can share this photo. If you watched the film, you know we did some steel wool photos in front of Under Armour’s headquarters…. thankfully we didn’t burn up their property. We planned to do something special at their facility because they helped sponsor us that weekend and for the film. So, we wanted to add an Under Armour photo shoot to the video to show them some love.
As part of that photo shoot, I took a ton of images and video with my camera, iPhone and my drone. This photo looking down at Under Armour’s property on the waterfront, is of course a drone shot. Side note, MJ’s white SUV made it in this image and it was in the film a number of times.
To view a larger version, click HERE
Shutter Rush - Released
Back in early February, I mentioned an exciting project I was involved in with @jasonpohuski and @jakemysliwczykphoto. We completed a road trip to Baltimore to capture photos around the city and of the Steelers vs Ravens football game. We recorded the entire experience and Jason created this documentary, which was just released on Amazon Prime this week. You can find it by searching for “Shutter Rush – Baltimore Edition”.
Please do me a favor, go out to Amazon and give it a 5 Star rating….even if you hate it…..but I think you’ll like it. I’d really appreciate it.
Graffiti Alley
Here is another Baltimore photo for you on back to back nights. This is from the famous Graffiti Alley in West Baltimore. We (Jason, Jake and I) hung out here for a while capturing photos, video, drone footage and steel wool shots. At this location, we met a large group of young men who kept saying they were “100% Bangers” whatever that meant. Jake got wrapped up into photographing them all, like a mini photo shoot.
To view a larger version, click HERE
Reflection
I got home late from work tonight and received some terrible news. I’m not going to get into the subject, but it has me reflecting on my extended family…… Photo: this is from the Baltimore Inner Harbor.
To view a larger version, click HERE
More on Shutter Rush...
I shared the news on our new project yesterday called “Shutter Rush – Baltimore Edition” (release date to be determined). As part of yesterday’s post, I shared a thumbnail photo for the film. Today, I’m sharing the second thumbnail.
I’m looking forward to the film release to see what kind of reaction we get. Until then, I’ll just have to wait.
Shutter Rush
As some of you know, I covered the Steelers’ last game of the season in Baltimore (along with most of their home games). I can’t believe I’ve been photographing the Steelers from the sidelines for 8 years now.
Anyway, I traveled with two other great sports photographers @jasonpohuski and @jakemysliwczykphoto. We made a weekend out of it…traveled together, photographed many cool spots in the city and covered the game together. As part of that adventure, we photographed of course, but we also captured much of it via video. All that was put together by Jason into a feature film called “Shutter Rush – Baltimore Edition”. Jason even got @underarmour to sponsor this project. Big thanks to them for all their support and gear. I don’t know when, but it sounds like this film will be released on Amazon Prime and other major streaming services in the near future. Once that happens, I’ll give you an update. In the meantime, we’re actively planning our next trip to have fun and capture photos and video for the next Shutter Rush edition… More to come.
West Baltimore
Here is a small aerial hyperlapse (timelapse) video over west Baltimore near the famous Graffiti Alley. I captured this during our short road trip last weekend.
Graffiti Alley
During our road trip to Baltimore, we made a stop at Graffiti Alley in West Baltimore….let me say that it was just amazing. Of course, I love and appreciate nicely done graffiti. This spot is basically, an “L” shaped alley that is painted with hundreds (maybe over a thousand) murals and graffiti (street art).
The city (or someone) allows people to do make it sort of an outside permanent, but always changing, art exhibit. This spot is consistently being used for photo shoots, videos, etc… We did our own little photo shoot using steel wool (and Jake got sucked into photographing some local rappers). I’ve done this in the past at various locations. Normally, I’m the person spinning the steel wool. This time @jasonpohuski did the spinning, while @jakemysliwczykphoto and I captured it via photos and video using five devices.
To view a larger version, click HERE
Haden
I captured this photo pre-game last Sunday in Baltimore for the Ravens vs. Steelers game. It rained all day……..
This is Joe Haden who plays as a defensive back for Pittsburgh finishing his 10th season. Now he and all the other Steelers will have time to relax…no playoffs for them. Until next year!!
To view a larger version, click HERE
Steelers vs. Ravens
Here are a few small video clips I captured during the game two weeks ago from down on the field while I was photographing the action. Steelers vs. Ravens at Heinz Field 2019
Defense Meets Offense
Unfortunately for the Steelers, the Ravens own this specific battle. Michael Campanaro scored the touchdown on this play by jumping over Antwon Blake. This all took place last night (October 1st) during the Thursday Night game. It was a fun night to be at the game. Because:
· It was a prime time night game. They always seem to have more energy and excitement compared to a normal Sunday afternoon game.
· Jermoe Bettis was honored with his Hall of Fame Ring
· Steelers vs. Ravens is always a tough battle
· The CBS Thursday Night Football reporting crew was on site.
· Andrew McCutchen was in the house
· The weather was perfect football weather
Anyway, it was fun. Have a great weekend.
To view the entire gallery, click the photo above.
Steelers vs. Ravens 2013
Well I had a great time photographing the game last
night. The weather was good, I
didn’t get run over on the sideline and I captured some nice photos. To see the photo gallery from this
game, click the photo below. If
you like the photos, leave me a comment below.
Thanks…bw
To purchase a print or see the entire photo gallery from this game, click the photo above.
Common HDR Photography Questions (Part 1) - Before & After HDR Processing
Over the last two years, when discussing my photography with friends, family, coworkers and strangers a few questions seem to come up over and over. They usually want to know:
* What is HDR?
* Why I like HDR?
* How is HDR photography created?
So I thought I would answer these three questions via installments, starting with the question of, why do I like HDR?
I realize some people don’t like HDR photographs. Believe me, many people have told me this over time. Some people just hate it. Most of these people are polite about it, while others are more blunt, but there is a specific segment of the population who don’t like it. Their main reason for disliking it seems to be around the fact that they don’t look like traditional photographs. I get that and understand the appeal of traditional images. And frankly, some people just don’t like change.
The vast majority of the people who look at my photos give me very nice feedback. I think HDR photographs draw you in with their vivid colors, intense details, high contrast, and warm feel. There is just something about a great HDR photograph that catches my eye and draws me in that a normal photography of the same subject doesn’t typically do. Like all types of photography, there can be terrible HDR pictures and I’ve created my share of them. HDR photography like anything else takes practice before you get to a point where the pictures are consistently good. I don’t always create great HDR images, but I think I create pretty good pictures on a consistent basis.
Below you can see two “Before & After” pictures (and their final full HDR versions). The left side of each picture is the original photograph and the right side is the final processed HDR picture. In both examples, I think the HDR version is a much more interesting image with more detail in both the light and dark areas of the photographs. Of course, that is just my opinion. Some people love Black and White photography. They specialize in that form photography. Some photographers will focus on fashion photography. In the end, it comes down to the photographer’s personal style and what type of photography keeps them interested. For me, HDR, Underwater, and Sports photography keep me excited about the art of photography.
Baltimore Harbor - Before & After HDR Processing
Full HDR version of Baltimore Harbor
Roberto Clemente Bridge in Pittsburgh - Before & After HDR processing
Full HDR version of Roberto Clemente Bridge in Pittsburgh