Will Vastine Photography

Space

(click on the photo to view it larger)

While we were on location for a shoot Erin did with our good friend Vanessa, I went around and grabbed some frames just for the heck of it. When I came away with this one, I thought it would be interesting to do a little design work along with it. I do not claim to be a designer by any means, but I just wanted to play.

Anyway, here it is.

And the quote I used says this.... "We need to give each other the space to grow, to be ourselves, to exercise our diversity. We need to give each other space so that we may both give and receive such beautiful things as idea, openness, dignity, joy, healing, and inclusion."

-will

negative space

I am a huge fan of negative space in photos. I need to start playing with it more. And see what I can do with it. Anyone interested in joining me on a shoot? I have some ideas and locations in mind. Just need a model. 

Photo was taken with my phone. 

 -will

Location Scouting...

So I found this location today when I was picking my truck up from the shop. Anyway, I really want to shoot here. Would any one like to schedule something with me?

-will

Well hello there...

It's here. Time to set new goals, dream new dreams, and move forward. I am really excited about what this year holds for all of us, and I can't wait to see the results of all our effort. 

Like I said in my previous post, I am not one for resolutions, but I do love goal setting. So here is a list of some goals I want to accomplish in the next few months.

1. I want to complete the children's book I have been thinking about for a while.
2. I want to continue to develop this blog into a place of community, and learning for photographers new to the game.
3. I want to book myself through the summer with shoots. If you're interested, message me.
4. I want continue to grow in my own personal work. Developing my style and voice. And shoot some ideas I have in my head.
5. I want to set the ground work of getting my life healthier in a holistic sense. From my physical health to spiritual and beyond. This will make me a better person, and a better photographer.

I look forward to this journey and can't wait to knock the list out. That means I get to make a new one.

So here is the the new year. Here is to moving forward. 

-will

epic... the word that describes this...

I am usually not one for making new years resolutions, I like to always be thinking and moving forward, accomplishing one goal and moving on to the next. But this time of year always makes me think about the big picture. I like to evaluate where I am and where I want to be and what it takes to get there. Its always good to have really achievable, ordinary goals so that you can feel like you are moving forward, inching closer to some of the epic, crazy goals that you might have.

For me, an epic goal of mine is to one day make it to the top of this mountain.

Mount Everest is the top of the world. 5 miles above sea level. As high as the cruising altitude of jets. Where less than 2500 people have stood.

 I want this experience. I want to stand on top of the world. I want to come home with photos that are like none other that I have taken. Where most of the population will never be. This is epic.

 

But climbing a mountain like this takes a lot of steps. And the steps start now. At least for me. From planning my life out so that this is possible, to taking care of my health so I can survive this adventure. I'm so ready, and so excited to take these steps. And can't wait to achieve these goals to make a trip to Everest possible. I know the only thing stopping me is me. So I'm starting the journey. We only live once right?

 

So what are some of your Everests? What are some of the epic goals you would love to achieve in your lifetime?

-will

photos from my phone. 12.22.09

Its been a while since I have posted some photos from my phone, so here are a couple new shots. The above photo was taken outside of a bank that I frequent. 

And this photo was taken while I was waiting to get my haircut the other day. 

I really would love to see the photos you all are taking with your phone, so I think it would be cool if you all posted a link to your phone photos in the comments... ready, set, go! 

-will

A Thank You and a plan.

First off I want to thank everyone so much for all the great feedback concerning my last post about where I am wanting to take the blog. Its been really encouraging and exciting for me as I begin to line out future posts. I am looking forward to the journey that is ahead of us and can't wait to see the growth that happens with our photography.

Based on the comments that I have been getting, I have compiled a short list of topics that I want to hit in the near future. And please, if there is something you want to know about, please let me know and I will add it to the list!

So here are some of the topics that I am going to post on:

-What camera should I buy and why?
-Manual Settings. (iso, aperture, shutter speed, white balance, etc.)
-Exposure
-Composition
-Natural Light Techniques
-Flash Techniques
-Advice for Portrait Photography

This by no means is everything that I would like to cover, so please let me know what I can add to the list!!! This is about learning and growing! Let's do it!

Since I recently just went through the process of buying myself a new camera and its fresh in my mind, I will be doing a post about which camera you should buy and why. So be watching for this!

Thanks so much for your support!

-will

A Transition of Sorts

Thanks for stopping by my new blog. I have been thinking a lot about a new direction that I could take this blog and have been working really hard at getting it there. So let me take a moment and try to explain where I want to go with it. 

If you notice my clever little tag line on the banner above (shooting. learning. growing,) it breaks down like this:

 Shooting: I want to display the work that I do, and I want to discover the work of my peers around me. Plain and simple. Shooting is a journey for me. Each frame is unique, its a specific moment in time captured. With each frame I discover something new about photography. This is what my blog has been about already, but I'm ready to take it to the next level, which is:

(setup shot for the frame of mackenzie above)

Learning: I want this to be a place of learning. Along with the work that I post, I will share the basics of how I got the end result. I will talk about lighting, about camera settings, composition, exposure, etc. This is an invaluable tool for both myself and you. Far too often you see photographers protective of their style and technique, but I believe that to be a load of crap. You can give two different people the same camera, the same settings, the same lighting scenario, and each photographer will produce a completely different image. The only fear I have is that some one will take the easy road and try to copy another photographer, rather then taking the journey of discovering their voice and style in the photographic world. Be who you are, own it, run with it. And make great images. I am excited about this, because it leads me to my last thought:

Growing: Because I know that I am not the end all, be all of photography, I know that I still have a lot more to learn. And I am open to growing so that I can be the best photographer I can possibly be. All of us with a camera in our hands today stand on the shoulders of those who have gone before us; Avedon, Bresson, Liebowitz, and so many more. We are all second shooters. We all have sucked at some point, and will suck at some point in the future. And there is nothing wrong with that. The only time it becomes a problem is when we dwell on it, and don't learn from our mistakes and move on. I hope that this becomes a place of encouragement and inspiration to continue picking up the camera even when you feel like everything you do sucks. 

I know I still have a lot to learn, and I am excited to take this journey. In fact, I am anxious to get started. And there is one key part that I have not addressed, and that is YOU. You help make what I do possible. Your support, your comments, your willingness to encourage me, helps drive me to be the best I can. So if I can, I would love to ask of you your thoughts on which topics you would like me to touch on, and what kind of things you are wanting to know about to make your photos the best they can be.

-will

city.works

A few days ago, I took my camera out with just my 50mm lens, left it at f1.4 and shot. I didn't come away with much that I was super excited about, except these two images. I was showing them to Erin, and as we were talking, she thought it would be a unique series if I continued to capture frames that focused on the linear aspect of city works, but at the same time used the curves of the pipes and fittings around them. I have to say I love the idea, and I am pretty excited to get out there and shoot more! 

What do you all think? Thoughts? Suggestions? Am I doing something thats already been done before?

 -will

mackenzie

I really enjoy getting to work with my friend Mackenzie, because most of the time it is work that we are doing for fun, and trying to make a learning process. We wanted to push ourselves to make some great images. I wanted shoot in some new ways, work on some different lighting techniques, and just learn. I hope you enjoy these images as much as I do, because this is where I want to continue to go with my style. More to come on that front soon.
As for now, let me know what you think!
-will