Dena Robles | More Than Words | Baby and Child Photographer

Project 365 // January 2012

dena — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 19:12:52 +0000

Last year when I completed my everyday photo project, Project 365, I was quite relieved to be done with it, not to mention more than a bit surprised that I managed to document an entire year. After taking a month off and not feeling the pressure to take a photo every day, I found that I did it anyway. There is a certain magic to having a record of our everyday moments, all the lovely and fun times and even the contrite routines. One day even those little moments will be important memories…

So, here we go, Year Two!

January 2012.

Superhero Ninja Kid

dena — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 16:54:17 +0000

Cameron, ahem, I mean Superhero Ninja Kid decided to pose for a round of Superhero Ninja photos. Because even the bravest and most famous superheroes need a good PR headshot…

Through The Viewfinder

dena — Sun, 29 Jan 2012 17:26:35 +0000

Jacob!

dena — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 21:40:30 +0000

This cute guy just signed on with Ford Models and came to me to get his portfolio started. We started out photographing in downtown Grand Rapids on a cold Sunday morning. Two minutes out of the car and we were all shivering, turning red from the cold and trying to talk through chattering teeth. His mom and I gave him a break and rushed inside to finish his photo session as soon as we could.

Jacob has a great look and is completely at ease in front of the camera. The second I saw him I was reminded of another boy, George, that I used to photograph in England…who is doing really well for himself already in the entertainment industry. See him here as a reminder: GEORGE . I wish Jacob all the best as he ventures out too!

Blog Carousel–Using Alternative Cameras

dena — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 01:06:50 +0000

Our Blog Carousel this month is “Alternative Cameras.” Lucky me, this one is right up my creative alley as I have a slight obsession (or as some in my household call it… a sickness) with vintage cameras and alternative processes. I hang out with a very creative bunch of photographers and I can’t wait to see what they are doing for the Blog Carousel this month. When you are finished reading and sharing my post, click on Christine Plamann’s link at the bottom of the page to see the next artistic post.

Several years ago I experimented with TTV (through-the-viewfinder) and I loved the results. A few of those can be seen at the end of the blog post here. The process is extremely unwieldy and awkward, but it is fun. Basically, I am using one camera to shoot through the viewfinder of another camera. In this case, my set up includes my DSLR with a macro lens to shoot the ground glass ( viewfinder) of an old Duaflex camera. And it looks like this:

So I spent a few days this week dusting off the old Duaflexes and experimenting again. I found it really helpful to set the Duaflex on a chair or stool because my arms just aren’t long enough to hold both cameras in the contraption I use to connect the cameras, meter AND focus all while adjusting my perspective because everything I view in the Duaflex is backwards! Luckily, I found a subject who could hold relatively still for this. The effect of shooting this way produces a soft, sometimes unpredictable result showcasing the age and imperfection of each Duaflex (or similar) camera.

And here is my TTV result:

There you have it. I am thankful for this opportunity to try this again, I think I know just how I will spending the next few cold winter months.

Next up in our Blog Carousel is the talented Milwaukee baby and family photographer Christine Plamann. Click on her blog, share her post and continue on our little carousel of awesomeness.

Smiley Guy

dena — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 20:06:57 +0000

There is nothing in the world as amazing as four-year old boys. Doesn’t take much to get him to laugh!

Baby, it’s cold outside

dena — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 03:35:41 +0000

Plenty of fun playing and photographing in the Michigan snow…followed by plenty of hot cocoa of course!! Good times, we are trying to make the best of winter.

In the Michigan Snow

dena — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 19:14:37 +0000

Grand Rapids finally received its first real blanket of snow for the season. We tried to brave the morning windchill to play with friends and photograph in the winter landscape. I am not so sure HE wanted to participate…at least not for me. But look at what my friend Lila was able to capture, love love LOVE!

My Gentle Friend

dena — Sun, 18 Dec 2011 02:30:36 +0000

photographed on film, Bronica ETRSi

Blog Carousel–Textures

dena — Mon, 05 Dec 2011 02:02:28 +0000

Welcome back to our Blog Carousel, where a group of talented photographers explore a different monthly theme. This month we are displaying our own takes and thoughts on “Texture.” When I am approaching a subject to photograph, the very first relational aspect I consider is how to build a solid connection and working rapport. After that, my first and most important technical factors are light/shadow, composition, and texture–especially when photographing in black and white. Learning to see in black and white can strip the elements of a photograph down to its simplest forms, drawing the viewer deeper in to the image, and thus each element is given more depth and meaning. Not only is texture important to help bring interest in a black and white photograph…textures will stand out as a stronger element. Taking this a step further, when shooting with black and white film (as opposed to digital capture) the inherent grain of film and wide range of tones allows more textures to be evident in the light and shadows of the photograph. I hope this photograph relays my thoughts a bit clearer than my words. I love a good woolly sweater!

Shot with a Contax 645 on Kodak Tmax 400 film.

Please follow our carousel and click on the blog of my friend Danna Bowes, a very talented Calgary baby, child and family photographer.