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Wednesday

Miami Sewing Machines

by Orange County Photographer, Mark Jordan Photography
South Beach - Miami

Closing my Orange County photography studio (Mark Jordan Photography) to go galavanting across the country is not always easy, especially on a whimsy. But when a good bud offers to pickup the tab for a jaunt out to Miami for a few nights stay at the Versace Mansion (properly titled "The Villa"), who am I to argue? Goodbye California, wife and family, and hello South Beach!

Miami Sewing Machines - ©Mark Jordan Photography

As it tuns out, the same chap who owns "The Villa," Barton G., also runs a posh restaurant just around the corner, and of the same name, Barton G. This dining phenomenon is yet for another post, but suffice it to say, it's more than worth the flight and expense to experience again, and again. In fact I did. This is where my story begins.

The Villa Barton G: Our Balcony - The Villa Entrance at Night - One of our Rooms with 12' Wide Bed

After thoroughly gorging myself at a scrumptious dinner extravaganza at "Barton G's The Restaurant" in Miami, rather than accepting a ride back to my hotel (this visit at the Canyon Ranch Hotel and Spa) I decided to walk off a few calories by rambling the streets of South Beach. Also having my trusty Canon 5D in hand gave me all the rationale I needed to walk a few miles when I could have just has easily been driven.

Mark Jordan - View from from room balcony at the Canyon Ranch Hotel & Spa

Being a Friday night, things were hopping in Miami. Either you like this sort of frenetic activity or you don't. My temperament leans somewhat to the latter, although there is something intoxicating about the energy and youthful lust for life - it percolates my blood. Not to mention the exotic cars, enticing aromas, reverberating sonance and provocative ensembles, if not the trappings of great wealth. Okay, so I was enjoying myself more than I thought.

Regardless, I felt very much the voyeur - a man out-of-place, brandishing an equally out-of-place appendage: a large professional camera. Each time I lifted my cannon [sic], faces would either grimace and scatter, or sparkle and shine. Nonetheless, it was not the people upon which my intent was focused, nor my camera. My fascination was the environs that seduced them - like moths to a flame it brought them by the thousands. The Miami turf, more than anything, captured my attention.

Well then, for all my talk, you'd think I'd post a few fairly outrageous images. RIght? Instead, I document my Miami stroll with a sole image of a window strewn with sewing machines. Well yes, that's me. This was my favorite image and one that seems to encapsulate best what my emotions were transmitting.

Raw Digital Image

For all the excitement and stimulation, for all the glitz and glamour, and for all the anticipation and fertile hopes, there was an almost suffocating atmosphere of loneliness. It was these sewing machines I spotted in the All Saints window that spoke to me the loudest - each one suggesting the nature of the lives that scurried about. So many with latent design and purposeful intent, but idly active, on display, shelved and disconnected.

It also did not get lost on me that the agents of my curiosity were confined within a store boasting the emblem "All Saints." Although it's commonly thought today that "saints" occupy the realms solely defined by Websters as "persons recognized with exception holiness in the Christian Church by canonization," the Book whereupon the narrative of "saint" was first penned was a characteristic attributed to and attainable by every person. The contrast of this distinction was striking.

For me, these abandoned, inert and impotent machines, seemed to piece together my sense of the walking contradictions before me. So may lives that, though intertwined by activity, were nonetheless isolated and barren by the same force they sought to unite them. I guess if I had observed a display of robitronic zombies I could have substituted their image instead. But in lieu of such a discovery, these Miami Sewing Machines, I believe, will do just fine.

Mark

©Googtoon - Life • Popular Culture • Politics • Entertainment • Public Figures

Mark Jordan Photography

Orange County Family Portraits

Orange County Headshots

Friday

Mini Cooper - Through the Eyes of Portrait Photographer

by Orange County Photographer, Mark Jordan Photography

Mark Jordan Photography was recently asked by Mini Cooper Crevier to create a unique perspective of their Mini Coopers.

CLICK TO READ FULL BLOG POST

Mini Cooper Photographs by Mark Jordan Photography – Laguna Beach, CA

Mark

©Googtoon - Life • Popular Culture • Politics • Entertainment • Public Figures

Mark Jordan Photography

Orange County Family Portraits

Orange County Headshots

Monday

Courageous - Movie Review Lite

Courageous - Fatherhood on Steroids

While attending a Saddleback Church men's retreat a few months back, one of the optional evening activities was to catch a pre-release viewing of the soon to be released film, Courageous. Being labeled as the movie addict in my social circles (I make time to watch around a dozen a week), I do my best to catch a good portion of new releases, and of any genre. However, when I comes to "Christian themed" movies, if I go, I do so begrudgingly. Courageous was no exception.

BIG SURPRISE!

Courageous, at its essence, is about fatherhood. The film centers around the lives of five men, four of which are policemen. The dads are the typical, garden-variety type, with varying degrees of competency at managing their respective roles as father, husband, and Christian. Regardless, all have one trait in common: none are particularly ignited by their faith.

What propels the story is a tragedy in the life of Adam Mitchell, which forces him to ask profound questions regarding his relationships - primarily with his God and son. This leads to a discovery that not only changes Adam's life, but just about every man I spoke with after our evening's preview.

Mind you, our version of Courageous did not include the music sound track. The film was still in production phase. I can only imagine how more poignant Courageous will show in its final edit. The tears I saw squeaking down the cheeks of men will most surely turn to buckets...

Before you more stoic men get overly anxious about stirring up emotion, let me assure you the film is neither corny or overt. You'll only get out of it what you are willing to allow exposure to whatever areas in your life might need illumination. Being somewhat an emotional Orange County photographer, I was an open book...

Though I recommend Courageous for every man, it is especially relevant to those who have children and desire to be the best dad possible.

I've attached one of the movie trailers below to give you a glimpse. However, I've noticed that none of the trailers contain the one element I loved about Courageous: humor. This film is funny - I'm talking lough-out-load funny! Why they've chosen to conceal one of the strongest reasons to see Courageous is a mystery to me. Sure, it a serious film with a life-altering message. Regardless, I guarantee you're going to enjoy the journey along the way.

All things considered, Orange County Photographer, Mark Jordan, gives Courageous a resounding 5 Lens Review:

Mark

©Googtoon - Life • Popular Culture • Politics • Entertainment • Public Figures

Mark Jordan Photography

Orange County Family Portraits

Orange County Headshots

The Charlie Sheen Effect

It was in the wee hours of the morning, while tweaking a few images from my recent trip to the Bahamas, that it occurred to me: this peculiar man I see plastered on my TV (who is so compelled to talk incessantly and who is thoroughly enamored with himself, regardless of making even Ginger Baker look like the posture child for clean living) was curiously analogous to the special effects I was applying to the dilapidated buildings I had just photographed. It motivated me to explore further.

After a few hours of tweaking, and exposing myself to more this man's tirades, I finally derived at a new grudge preset, which I have entitled The Charlie Sheen Effect. It is noted for evoking a feeling a being worn, damaged, impaired, shabby, broken down, falling apart and derelict. The effect is now saved as a present in my OnOne software, allowing me to apply it at will. Gotta' love OnOne!

The Charlie Sheen Effect 1 - ©Mark Jordan

My humble apologies to the man who bears a resemblance - it was not my aim to fabricate reality but only reflect it.

Now then, as to the heart of the matter, I don't know about you but I think a Charlie Sheen backlash is not too far from his future. Since my first posting, Charlie has been fired, and it may be only a matter of time. We can only hope he is able to surround himself with people who love him and get him back on track.

However, in the meantime, I must give credit where credit is do. I am grateful to you Charlie for motivating me to create an effect which expresses the current state of affairs of a crumbling career, if not one's personal world. It would be funny were it not so apparently tragic.

The Charlie Sheen Effect 2 - ©Mark Jordan

Should you want details of my grunge effect and the OnOne Software where I perfected it, as always, no concern is too small.

Mark

©Photosical - the photographic and personal observations of Orange County Photographer, Mark Jordan

Mark Jordan Photography specializes in crafting stunning contemporary, traditional, classic, and storytelling family portraits (high school seniors, children portraits, babies, maternity, pregnancy), headshots and pets. Mark Jordan, a Photography Hall of Fame photographer in Rancho Santa Margarita and provides portrait photography throughout Orange County. The portrait studio also serves San Diego County and Inland Empire. Studio Photography Services are also provided in Riverside County and Los Angeles County. Local Cites where photography studio services are offered are in Aliso Viejo, Anaheim, Brea, Costa Mesa, Coto de Caza, Cypress, Dana Point, Dove Canyon, Fountain Valley, Huntington Beach, Irvine, Ladera Ranch, Laguna Beach, Laguna Hills, Laguna Niguel, Laguna Woods, Lake Forest, Mission Viejo, Newport Beach, Northwood, Orange, Orange Park Acres, San Clemente, San Juan Capistrano, Santa Ana, Tustin, Villa Park, Westminster, Yorba Linda, Corona del Mar, Murrieta, Murrieta Hot Springs, Quail Valley, Riverside, Temecula, Winchester, Chino Hills, Fontana, Grand Terrace, Loma Linda, Montclair, Rancho Bernardo, Carlsbad, Coronado, Del Mar, Escondido, La Mesa, Oceanside, San Diego, San Marcos, Solana Beach, Vista, Carmel Mountain Ranch, Rancho San Diego, Rancho Santa Fe, and San Diego Country Estates, Turtle Rock, Shady Canyon. Portrait Photographers everywhere (photographers in O.C. as well) are welcome to contact our portrait studio for mentoring/guidance.

Mark Jordan Photography

Orange County Family Portrait

Orange County Beach Portrait

Orange County Senior Portrait

Orange County Children Portraits

Orange County Headshot

Belly Art Photography

Wordle™ Puzzles

Thursday

From Rain Soaked to Family Portrait

After the Rain - ©Mark Jordan Photography

We got a call from a wonderful couple who would soon be visiting Orange County from Texas. Their son and his family live here, and they wanted to remember their visit with a family portrait. What they did not count on, however, was that they week they were here was the same week where Southern California had experienced unprecedented rain totals.

Considering that in the previous 30 years of photographing families we had been rained-out only four times, even with the dire forecast, I still did not give it much thought. However, once they arrived, and one day of rain melded into another, they were getting nervous. I must admit, so was I.

On the day of their session we were lucky, with the morning rain turning into sunshine. "Besides", I later told them, "even if it does rain, California rain lasts for only a few minutes and then stops long enough for us to capture your family. We'll just wait in our cars until the rain subsides, then dash out and get it done!"

Rain Soaked and Distracting Colors

Kari and I arrived to our location a bit early, as usual, and the weather was holding, if not ideal. However, for whatever reason, our portait family was running behind. Yes, you guessed it - they arrived 20 minutes late, enough time to have photographed them. And just as they stepped out of their cars, the skies opened up. We quickly returned to the warmth and shelter of our autos and sat, waiting for any opportunity. Kari and I were actually praying...

Then it happened. About 15 minutes later, we saw all but a few drops on our just wiped windshield. We motioned for everyone to come out! Quickly, we arranged them, trying to separate them from snuggling close to keep warm. Just as we did our white balance and were ready to go...well, as you can see here from the photo on the right, a sudden downpour. Back to cars we went - the waiting game began once again.

I don't know if you can tell in this small format, but the spots on their shirts are from the large raindrops. And the slight blur you might make-out is diagonal falling rain (right to left).

Not to belabor the story, we only had to wait maybe 10 more minutes before the rain once again subsided. This time we were able to finish, albeit, much wetter, colder, and even in the midst of several nasty spurts.

What I thought might be of interest, even more than our tenacity, is how I finished the artwork aspect of their family portrait. Regardless of colorful boots, dappled leggings and a lavender tutu with black lace, I was able to extract the best attributes and mitigate the less desirable elements. Did it take a bit of work? Well, I'll let you compare and judge for yourself.

By the way, the family loved their portraits (we also created one of dad with son and kids), and is soon to arrive at their doorstep in Texas. You just gotta love the internet - how else does an Orange County Photographer commission a family from Texas!

Mark

©Photosical - the photographic, philosophical observations of Orange County Photographer, Mark Jordan

Mark Jordan Photography

Orange County Family Portrait

Orange County Beach Portrait

Orange County Senior Portrait

Orange County Headshot

Belly Art Photography

Wordle™ Puzzles

Wednesday

BLUE DOOR

Blue Door (© Mark Jordan Photography) was waiting for me right outside to where our cruise-ship (Oceania's Marina) was docked (Oceania's Marina) in Nassau, Bahamas. As luck would have it, our driver was running late, leaving us with time on our hands...

Actually, the row of brightly painted building had already drew my attention long before we stepped ashore. I wouldn't have taken this exposure had it not. Regardless, in the rush to meet our driver, my canvasing eye and hair-finger-trigger was deactivated.

Nassau Shopping Center on the dock where our cruise ship, Oceania Marina, was moored.

However, with our driver not in sight, and with time to kill, I was forced to find something to do until our ride arrived. My default disposition is to reach for my camera.

Raw Image of Blue Door

Considering one of the most frequently requests I receive is for me to post the "before" file, I've done so here. It'll give you an idea of the creative touches that went into crafting the final image. Should you care to hear how it was put together in postproduction, it's yours for the asking.

Mark
©Photosical - the photographic and personal observations of Orange County Photographer, Mark Jordan Photography

Mark Jordan Photography
Orange County Family Portrait
Orange County Beach Portrait
Orange County Senior Portrait
Orange County Children Portraits
Orange County Headshot
Belly Art Photography
Wordle™ Puzzles

Orange County Photographer, Mark Jordan Photography, an Rancho Santa Margarita Photographer, specializes in crafting stunning contemporary, traditional, classic, and storytelling family portraits (high school seniors, children portraits, babies, maternity, pregnancy), headshots and pets. Mark Jordan, a Photography Hall of Fame photographer (with a Rancho Santa Margarita portrait studio), and provides portrait photography throughout Orange County and Southern California. Mark Jordan's Orange County portrait studio also serves San Diego County and Inland Empire. Studio Photography Services are also provided in Riverside County and Los Angeles County. Local Cites where Mark Jordan photography studio services are offered are as an Aliso Viejo Photographer, Anaheim Photographer, Costa Mesa Photographer, Coto de Caza Photographer, Dana Point Photographer, Dove Canyon Photographer, Huntington Beach Photographer, Irvine Photographer, Ladera Ranch Photographer, Laguna Beach Photographer, Laguna Hills Photographer, Laguna Niguel Photographer, Lake Forest Photographer, Mission Viejo Photographer, Newport Beach Photographer, Northwood Photographer, Orange Photographer, Orange Park Acres Photographer, San Clemente Photographer, San Juan Capistrano Photographer, Santa Ana Photographer, Tustin Photographer, Villa Park Photographer, Westminster Photographer, Yorba Linda Photographer, Corona del Mar Photographer, Riverside Photographer, Temecula Photographer, Chino Hills Photographer, Loma Linda Photographer, Rancho Bernardo Photographer, Carlsbad Photographer, Coronado Photographer, Del Mar Photographer, Escondido Photographer, San Diego Photographer, San Marcos Photographer, Solana Beach Photographer, Carmel Mountain Ranch Photographer, Rancho San Diego Photographer, Rancho Santa Fe Photographer, and San Diego Country Estates Photographer, Turtle Rock Photographer, Shady Canyon Photographer. Portrait Photographers everywhere (photographers in O.C. as well) are welcome to contact our portrait studio for mentoring/guidance.

Saturday

From Cityscape to Portrait

When I have the opportunity to travel, which of late seems to be more and more often (thanks to my bud Steve Shulem of Strictly Vacations), I love to get out into the city to walk about in the late afternoon and capture the environs around me. I refer to the images I create from these serendipitous sessions as Cityscapes. Were I independently wealthy, I would dedicate myself to them every chance I could.

A couple weeks ago, while stolling though the streets of Nassau, I came across an interesting textured wall (replete with red accents of shutters, windows, doors and service portals). As the sun was setting fast, I too had to move quickly. In the short five minutes I was given, I was able to squeeze off maybe a hundred exposures on my Canon 5D Mark II (much of which were a tad soft due to long, hand held exposures - and possible a little excitement).

When I arrived home and viewed my raw files, I knew I had a great deal of "lab" work to perform in order to extract from the image what I had in my mind's eye. Not only would I have to reveal the tonalities and texture I felt it demanded, the perspective would also have to be corrected to yield a more balanced expression. As you might have guessed, I already had the composition in mind before creating my exposure. Foolishly, I only took one.

After a few hours of experimentation, I came with up several interpretations, of which the framed image above is one of my faves. I imagine Nasssau Wall as a 45x60 hanging in a quaint B&B, possibly in a hotel lobby. Regardless of where it might be displayed, with the right framing, I think it's a fine image that would complement the right setting.

Though Cityscapes, in of the themselves, have ample design elements to hang of their own, what I find particularly challenging, and fun, is to later add people to them. The image above is a prime example of a fascinating Cityscape, which, on it's own, would not only make for a handsome display for the right admirer, but might also appeal to those looking for an one-of-a-kind portrait.

As to my secondary purpose of inserting people into my Cityscapes, on the right is a portrait of a handsome executiveI I recently photographed in my portrait studio. I used this image as sort of a "stock-photo" to demonstrate how I might approach adding a person to my latest Cityscape. Were I to design this image most effectively, rather than dipping into a readily available image, I would begin from scratch, ensuring every detail harmonized with the Cityscape. I chose this particular image not only because of his piercing blue eyes, but the light quality (soft and low, like the setting sun) and direction, which is a close match to the light direction on the Cityscape.

After meticulously extracting my subject for this particular portrait (of which the light stray hairs are vital to include, i.e. to maintain a natural look), I then tweak the outlining edge by removing anything that does not belong. I then soften the edge so as to avoid appearing cut out. I also blur the torso, rendering the back shoulder more diffuse than the front.

Once the edges are just perfect, I make a copy of both Cityscape and subject, then compress the two so that the images are one. I then take my Brush Tool (0% hardness and 20% opacity, 2-3 diameter), and draw-in a few more stay hairs. I am careful to take continuous color samples so that the strays will be as varied as his hair (yes, I know the odds of someone actually spotting the subtle difference are nil, but it's my nature - and yes, I paint on the underside of chairs as well...).

Lastly, I run my image through my a few plug-ins to balance tones, contrast, texture, etc. The idea here is to meld the images not only layer-wise, but the total feel of the image. I can't make up my mind which of the two renditions I like most. How about you?

Mark

©Photosical - the photographic, philosophical observations of Orange County Photographer, Mark Jordan

markjordanphoto.com
orangecountyfamilyportrait.com
orangecountyheadshot.com
orangecountyseniorportrait.com

Mark Jordan Photography specializes in crafting stunning contemporary, traditional, classic, and storytelling family portraits (high school seniors, children portraits, babies, maternity, pregnancy), headshots and pets. Mark Jordan, a Photography Hall of Fame photographer in Rancho Santa Margarita and provides portrait photography throughout Orange County. The portrait studio also serves San Diego County and Inland Empire. Studio Photography Services are also provided in Riverside County and Los Angeles County. Local Cites where photography studio services are offered are in Aliso Viejo, Anaheim, Brea, Costa Mesa, Coto de Caza, Cypress, Dana Point, Dove Canyon, Fountain Valley, Huntington Beach, Irvine, Ladera Ranch, Laguna Beach, Laguna Hills, Laguna Niguel, Laguna Woods, Lake Forest, Mission Viejo, Newport Beach, Northwood, Orange, Orange Park Acres, San Clemente, San Juan Capistrano, Santa Ana, Tustin, Villa Park, Westminster, Yorba Linda, Corona del Mar, Murrieta, Murrieta Hot Springs, Quail Valley, Riverside, Temecula, Winchester, Woodcrest, Chino Hills, Fontana, Grand Terrace, Loma Linda, Montclair, Rancho Bernardo, Carlsbad, Coronado, Del Mar, Escondido, La Mesa, Oceanside, San Diego, San Marcos, Solana Beach, Vista, Carmel Mountain Ranch, Rancho San Diego, Rancho Santa Fe, and San Diego Country Estates, Turtle Rock, Shady Canyon. Portrait Photographers everywhere (photographers in O.C. as well) are welcome to contact our portrait studio for mentoring/guidance.