Abandoned in Columbia

This week while working in Columbia, I found a cool site that might work for a light painting or a model shoot.  This building is located in the Garners Ferry area.

Models! Models! Shoot-out in Santee, SC

Last weekend I participated in an incredible photo shoot-out with the Charlotte Portrait Photography Meetup Group.  The event was coordinated by Lori Jill of http://www.lorijillphoto.com/.  It was 2 perfect days of photography in the little town of Santee, SC.


Saturday morning we began shooting at the Lone Star BBQ just outside of Elloree, SC.  This was a photographer's dream.  We had several models in attendance.  The location was just beautiful.  There were so many textures and colors and scenarios, we could have shot here for the rest of the weekend and I would have been happy.  

Saturday after lunch we moved into the studio setups in the banquet hall back at the Whitten Inn.  We had 4 studio set-ups going from 1-5 pm.  There were models rotating in to the different set-ups all day.  We took a brief break for dinner and then from 7-10 we shot more models.  We also had a light painting workshop going on too!

Sunday afternoon we went to downtown Elloree, SC to do some street shooting.  

This was too much fun!  I never thought I would ever tire of taking pictures, but this wore me out.  I got some awesome images from it.


Thank you Lori Jill for making this an awesome weekend!


Models, please see this link to make your free image selections.  You can select one image per location.  Studio sessions you can select one per background.
Please reference the white image number below the photo and email me at mike@yourbestpix.com.  Please only send one email with all your image selections.
http://www.yourbestpix.com/Private-Galleries/Santee

Fayetteville Tobacco Barn

While traveling in Fayetteville, NC I found a old tobacco drying barn very close to my hotel that I had to explore.  It was located in a very thick patch of woods surrounded by briars.  Photographing the exterior was challenging.  Even with a 17mm lens, it was hard to get far enough away from the structure to get it in the frame.  When I was able to get farther away, it was difficult to find a clear shot due to all the brush.


Inside was dark and challenging to photograph without a tripod.  I used my flash via sync cord to direct the flash and provide some illumination without it looking too much like flash.  It took several attempts to dial the flash in. There isn't much to shoot inside except a dirt floor and drying racks.  

I was hoping that this spot would be a great place to light paint, but the location was too thorny and interior space was too tight.  

Light Painting in Blacksburg, VA with Jeremy Jackson

I was in Blacksburg this week and was able to get together with Jeremy Jackson, also know as Tacky Shack, for a quick light painting shoot.  


It was a very cold night in the 20s.  He took me to this little tunnel in a park that has some huge potential.  The ribs of the structure provide some great shadows.  Unfortunately, it started snowing and the weather quickly turned sketchy.   We had to cut our shoot short, but we were able to get off a few fun images.

 This is just a basic shot, but I really like the shadows.

If you are interested in seeing Jeremy's work, check out his website http://www.tackyshack.net/

Traveling Hwy 70

This past week while traveling Hwy 70 between Hickory and Morganton, NC, I came across these old buildings.  I originally passed by them, but quickly turned around for another look.  I am so happy I stopped.


These are the kinds of things that we all pass by daily and always think, "You know that would make a great photo." And then we continue on our way.  How many times have all of us done this?  So, next time, take your camera with you, and stop.  You'll be glad you did.

Rockingham Ruins Revisited

I was here a few months ago, but didn't have the time to really explore this site.  This week, George Holt and I found some time to go on a photo excursion.  


Once you get down amongst the ruins, they are pretty impressive.  You can really appreciate the scale and architecture of the once impressive structure.  With the Kudzu in remission, it was easy to navigate in and around the buildings, but the undergrowth is very dense and can easily trip you up.


I think the waterfall that once powered the mill was the highlight of the day.  It is a beautiful cascade that flows out of a narrow opening in a retaining wall down between the buildings.  The weather was overcast and threatened rain, but I had a great time spending the morning exploring.