danrusso.com

Depth By Bananas

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While walking through Alphabet City, Manhattan, New York, I came across a fruit vendor.  His cart caught my eye because it had an abundance of these bananas hanging off it's right side.  Mixed with the bananas were Plantains also known as Plantanos.

My idea was to capture the wonderful delicious color of the fruit so good it's name is synonymous with going insane - BANANAS. 

My goal was to not only capture the bananas, but show how different they are from one another.  I was shooting with a Canon FD 50mm 3.5f lens on a Canon 5D mark II.  Although it was very bright outside, I wanted to reduce the depth of field as much as possible, to allow the color and texture speak for the entire photo.

Boy Cardinal Reflection

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A boy wonders off into space thinking perhaps of his performance in the upcoming or completed baseball game.  He sits on his worn stoop, without caring to notice the dozens of people walking across this path.

I took this photo while walking in Alphabet City in Manhattan.  I initially noticed the boy from about a half block away.  I set my camera to monochrome mode, intentionally wanting to shoot in black and white that day.  I was shooting an old Canon FD 50mm 3.5f Macro lens.  I squatted a bit and peaking under the railing, I found what I was looking for.  That face.  If there ever a 1000 words to describe it.  Some photographers may say the bar is distracting. It's there to frame the photo.  The tip of his head, not covered by the bar helps complete the photo.  It's a technical trick used in fashion shoots.  If a part of a person is covered a bit... lets say a forearm, then allow the upper part and hand show in the shot.  This will prevent the part of the body from appearing cut off.

Obviously I did not choose to keep this photo in it's intended black and white state.  I felt the colors lend a great deal to the overall story of the image.

© 2012 Daniel Russo   •   www.danrusso.com
Canon AE-1 - Canon FD 50mm Macro F3.5

Tiffanys Ignored

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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

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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. 

Rough Spots & Revision

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Updating my site to the latest server software was something I was hesitant about doing.  I kept bouncing it back and forth.  I weighed the good and the bad points.  In the end, I believe change won the argument all by itself.  I can hold on to the past or embrace the future.  

With the PND Photo Expo in 2 weeks, I decided to place some more stock in my hardware.  One of the pieces I acquired was a Canon 100mm macro EF 2.8L lens.  I purchased the lens from a very talented photographer, named Robert.  I'm leaving out his last name as I have not told him about his making my new entry on the first day my site went live....

Live?  Well it's been live for a few months now.  I just finally took of the dust cover.  As you can see I already have content (below) from some time back.  This site took a lot of testing.  In the end I hope you will love it.

Back to Robert selling me his 100mm macro.  After finding out that Robert shot some very precious photos with the very lens he was selling me, I was very eager to go out and shoot with it.  Unfortunately I had a shoulder operation earlier in the year which prevents me from holding my heavy Canon 5D mark II, battery grip and attached 100mm macro 2.8L lens in my right hand.

I am taking it easy... if you will.  But as I become stronger, I was able to start carrying the heavier stuff... In the end... I offer you this photo for your inspection.  I hope you are honest with yourself and with me.