b/w

Fun Girl

A perfect example of how depth of field can completely make a background become insignificant.  The statue is clearly the dominant figure in this photo.  Having a fast lens allows this to happen.

Cultural Gathering In Contrast

People enjoying the peace at Lincoln Center, New York.  My intention of this piece was to utilize the brightness of the illuminated water and the night to establish a high contrast black and white photo.  I wanted to capture the feeling which would allow the viewer to feel as if they could be one of the people there or one of the people approaching the fountain.

Shape Contrast

I've wrote before  (in the previous version of danrusso.com) about happy accidents.  I say embrace accidents.  While wondering near some construction, I spied a pigeon walking out of the darkness into the light.  I took a couple of photographs of the pigeon, then realized exactly what the pigeon was walking into.  A mosaic of shapes caused by light, shadow and tile.  I re-focused my lens and framed up the shot.  In the end, I captured the below photo.  As far as the pigeon... idk another day I suppose.

Tiffanys Ignored

The Hoboken Terminal in New Jersey, keeps a well known secret.  It was designed by Tiffany.  Yes the light blue box that every woman appreciates, Tiffany's.  The terminal is absolutely beautiful.  And every day people disregard the splendor and luxury which surrounds them.  Why?  I would guess it's mostly because the terminal hasn't/wasn't taken as good of car as it should have been taken care of.  Finally age has an impact.

If you get the opportunity to go there, look around.  You'll clearly see Tiffany's influence.  This is the first of 4 photographs which will make their way onto the site.  It is a photo of how people ignore a beautiful not-so-famous Tiffany lamp.

Embrace Your Freckle

Some of the people who's photo I take are self conscience for some reason or another.  Their hair is a wreck... No makeup... Not dressed to impress... blah blah blah. Some of the best photos I've taken, the subject has not had a hair and makeup session.

After I showed this beautiful woman her photo, she said it looks horrible.  I told her she looks beautiful.  (Am I the only one who see's beauty in this photo?) She said, "... my freckles."  I told her they are beautiful. I don't know what her response was.  I turned to look at her photo on the computer display.  But my ears heard, a subtle but clear lightening of her voice... ahhh the sound of gentle approval.