February 28, 2012
Candid shot of President Barack Obama on the 2008 campaign trail (Roanoke, VA).  Remember this guy? I took this photo back in 2008 in Roanoke, VA. President Obama (well…he wasn’t president quite yet) was making his way south and I was able to catch him in Roanoke, only a couple hours from my home in Greensboro, NC.  I really like this photo for a few reasons (in no particular order): - This was the first time I had ever entered an event as “PRESS”. A big deal for me at the time, especially considering I was getting  front row seating during a political rally for a man who became our first black president. I felt like I was taking part in history. Bumping shoulders with big name press photographers was also a highlight for me. - I have the negatives for this day. When it’s important (and even when it’s not, haha), I shoot film. In this case, a few rolls of expired Fuji 800 Press film. - I took a lot of photos this day, but this one stands out to me because of the relaxed and casual nature of it. When I look at this photo I see a real person, not a political celebrity…not the soon-to-be leader of the free world…a real person. Politicians are so serious (wait until you see the photos I took of Senator John McCain), moments like this are what helps people like me really relate to a candidate. Some may say that Obama won the election because he won the people. I look forward to sharing more of my 2008 campaign photos, with the upcoming presidential election excitement is building in the United States…I think it’s exciting to look back on 4 years ago! Shot with a Nikon F5 and 200mm f/2.8 lens on Fuji Press 800 film. © Andrew Pearson 2005-2012 www.aepearson.comwww.facebook.com/aepearsonphoto 

Candid shot of President Barack Obama on the 2008 campaign trail (Roanoke, VA). 

Remember this guy?

I took this photo back in 2008 in Roanoke, VA. President Obama (well…he wasn’t president quite yet) was making his way south and I was able to catch him in Roanoke, only a couple hours from my home in Greensboro, NC. 

I really like this photo for a few reasons (in no particular order):

- This was the first time I had ever entered an event as “PRESS”. A big deal for me at the time, especially considering I was getting  front row seating during a political rally for a man who became our first black president. I felt like I was taking part in history. Bumping shoulders with big name press photographers was also a highlight for me.

- I have the negatives for this day. When it’s important (and even when it’s not, haha), I shoot film. In this case, a few rolls of expired Fuji 800 Press film.

- I took a lot of photos this day, but this one stands out to me because of the relaxed and casual nature of it. When I look at this photo I see a real person, not a political celebrity…not the soon-to-be leader of the free world…a real person. Politicians are so serious (wait until you see the photos I took of Senator John McCain), moments like this are what helps people like me really relate to a candidate. Some may say that Obama won the election because he won the people.

I look forward to sharing more of my 2008 campaign photos, with the upcoming presidential election excitement is building in the United States…I think it’s exciting to look back on 4 years ago!

Shot with a Nikon F5 and 200mm f/2.8 lens on Fuji Press 800 film.

© Andrew Pearson 2005-2012

www.aepearson.com
www.facebook.com/aepearsonphoto 

10:48am  |   URL: http://tmblr.co/ZJce4yHB3geZ
(Notes: 4)
  
Filed under: President Obama Barack Obama Roanoke Nikon F5 Nikon 200mm presidential campaign photos andrew pearson aepearson.com 
January 3, 2012
A new series from A.E. Pearson Photography - “Beautiful Bride” It’s tempting to blog a whole ton of images from a wedding. Look around, it’s really common these days amongst portrait and wedding photographers. But…I really like simplicity. To me, there is a lot to be said about breaking down a wedding or portrait session into the few images that really stand out. So, that’s what this “Beautiful Bride” thing is all about. What I’ll try to do is pick only a few images from every wedding and blog them as single images - maybe some pairs (you have probably noticed I’m a big fan of pairing images).  On to the image… This is Stephanie. Stephanie is someone very dear to me, an amazing woman with an amazing husband (Stephen) -  I love them both very much. When she asked me to photograph her wedding it was an instant “YES!”, her and her musician husband both have a strong eye for photography and I was really honored to have been asked. It was a beach wedding on Oak Island, in the middle of summer this year in North Carolina. Stephanie and her family have been vacationing at Oak Island since she was too young to remember. They always stayed in the same house…every year. There was no better place to have her wedding and reception. This photo is set in a small bedroom on the ground level of the house, this is where Stephanie dressed. This particular moment was one of my favorites. This is the moment of stillness when everything is done - down to the last tiny detail - and Stephanie walks out the door, down the beach, and into the arms of her husband. It’s that moment when what’s about to happen becomes real. And, that’s what I see in her smile, and her eyes. I like the simplicity of it. Her hair, her subtle makeup, her dress, the wine glass…it’s just right I think. Images like this really illustrate what shooting film, to me, is all about. It’s “real”, authentic. The color, the tonality, everything. There are no tricks, no Photoshop filters, actions, or effects…and she looks gorgeous. Because she IS.  It’s easy to get caught up in trends in photography, ESPECIALLY in the wedding and portrait world, so how about loading up an old film camera and just stepping back for a minute…slow yourself down. It’s freeing to let go of the LCD preview screen, memory cards, and instant feedback.  Shot with a Nikon F5 and 50mm f/1.4 lens on Kodak Portra 400 film developed at TheDarkroom. © Andrew Pearson 2005-2011 www.aepearson.comwww.facebook.com/aepearsonphoto 

A new series from A.E. Pearson Photography - “Beautiful Bride”

It’s tempting to blog a whole ton of images from a wedding. Look around, it’s really common these days amongst portrait and wedding photographers.

But…I really like simplicity. To me, there is a lot to be said about breaking down a wedding or portrait session into the few images that really stand out.

So, that’s what this “Beautiful Bride” thing is all about. What I’ll try to do is pick only a few images from every wedding and blog them as single images - maybe some pairs (you have probably noticed I’m a big fan of pairing images). 

On to the image…

This is Stephanie. Stephanie is someone very dear to me, an amazing woman with an amazing husband (Stephen) -  I love them both very much. When she asked me to photograph her wedding it was an instant “YES!”, her and her musician husband both have a strong eye for photography and I was really honored to have been asked.

It was a beach wedding on Oak Island, in the middle of summer this year in North Carolina.

Stephanie and her family have been vacationing at Oak Island since she was too young to remember. They always stayed in the same house…every year. There was no better place to have her wedding and reception.

This photo is set in a small bedroom on the ground level of the house, this is where Stephanie dressed. This particular moment was one of my favorites. This is the moment of stillness when everything is done - down to the last tiny detail - and Stephanie walks out the door, down the beach, and into the arms of her husband.

It’s that moment when what’s about to happen becomes real. And, that’s what I see in her smile, and her eyes.

I like the simplicity of it. Her hair, her subtle makeup, her dress, the wine glass…it’s just right I think.

Images like this really illustrate what shooting film, to me, is all about. It’s “real”, authentic. The color, the tonality, everything. There are no tricks, no Photoshop filters, actions, or effects…and she looks gorgeous. Because she IS. 

It’s easy to get caught up in trends in photography, ESPECIALLY in the wedding and portrait world, so how about loading up an old film camera and just stepping back for a minute…slow yourself down. It’s freeing to let go of the LCD preview screen, memory cards, and instant feedback. 

Shot with a Nikon F5 and 50mm f/1.4 lens on Kodak Portra 400 film developed at TheDarkroom.

© Andrew Pearson 2005-2011

www.aepearson.com
www.facebook.com/aepearsonphoto 

4:39pm  |   URL: http://tmblr.co/ZJce4yEDOQn3
(Notes: 2)
  
Filed under: beautiful bride wedding photographer greensboro wedding photographers film photography nikon f5 portrait portra 400 
December 6, 2011
Alabama Blues Man - Adolphus Bell “The One Man Band” - Southern Blues Portrait This is Adolphus pictured on the front steps of his home in Birmingham, AL. I took these shots, one frame after the other, as he we were talking on his front porch in 2009. This was a few months before he was diagnosed with cancer, he’s now back home recovering after a long fight. Adolphus is a legendary Alabama blues man. I highly recommend you check out his music, you’ll love it. Actually…here is a video that was shot by an amazing film maker friend of mine Tom Ciaburri on this same trip to visit Adolphus. He shot it on location at a pawn shop near Adolphus’ home…great stuff. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ryNemm5MsKg For more information on Adolphus, check out his Music Maker profile here. You can buy his CD from Music Maker at the link above or at CD Baby. This was shot with a Nikon F5 and 50mm/1.4 lens. Captured on Kodak Tri-X 400 B&W film rated at 800ASA and developed in Diafine.  © Andrew Pearson 2011 www.aepearson.comwww.facebook.com/aepearsonphoto 

Alabama Blues Man - Adolphus Bell “The One Man Band” - Southern Blues Portrait

This is Adolphus pictured on the front steps of his home in Birmingham, AL. I took these shots, one frame after the other, as he we were talking on his front porch in 2009. This was a few months before he was diagnosed with cancer, he’s now back home recovering after a long fight.

Adolphus is a legendary Alabama blues man. I highly recommend you check out his music, you’ll love it.

Actually…here is a video that was shot by an amazing film maker friend of mine Tom Ciaburri on this same trip to visit Adolphus. He shot it on location at a pawn shop near Adolphus’ home…great stuff.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ryNemm5MsKg

For more information on Adolphus, check out his Music Maker profile here.

You can buy his CD from Music Maker at the link above or at CD Baby.

This was shot with a Nikon F5 and 50mm/1.4 lens. Captured on Kodak Tri-X 400 B&W film rated at 800ASA and developed in Diafine. 

© Andrew Pearson 2011

www.aepearson.com
www.facebook.com/aepearsonphoto 

4:43pm  |   URL: http://tmblr.co/ZJce4yCuzYd2
(Notes: 8)
  
Filed under: diafine Black and White black and white photography portrait southern blues Adolphus Bell One Man Band Music Maker Kodak Tri-X Nikon F5 50mm music musicians 
November 28, 2011
Classic B&W - Miles learning how to fly a kite on Oak Island beach (North Carolina) I am a portrait and wedding photographer in Greensboro, NC. One of the benefits of living in the middle of the state is that, during the summer, making beach trips is quick and easy. These photos were not taken in the summer, they were actually taken right around February…it was a bit chilly, but it’s never too cold to enjoy the beautiful North Carolina beaches. I call this a “Classic B&W” portrait because it has a look that is nearly timeless. Sure, there are a couple elements that “date” the photograph (namely Miles’ jacket). However if you imagine for just a moment, this photo could have been taken in 2011 (which it was) or 1911. This “timeless” sort of look is often what I’m after when shooting B&W.  In the left pane, you can see Miles smiling with excitement as he’s handed the line for the first time. And then, in the right pane…success! Shot with a Nikon F5, 50mm f1.4 lens. Using Fuji Neopan 400 B&W film, rated at 800ASA and developed in Diafine. © Andrew Pearson 2011 www.aepearson.comwww.facebook.com/aepearsonphoto 

Classic B&W - Miles learning how to fly a kite on Oak Island beach (North Carolina)

I am a portrait and wedding photographer in Greensboro, NC. One of the benefits of living in the middle of the state is that, during the summer, making beach trips is quick and easy. These photos were not taken in the summer, they were actually taken right around February…it was a bit chilly, but it’s never too cold to enjoy the beautiful North Carolina beaches.

I call this a “Classic B&W” portrait because it has a look that is nearly timeless. Sure, there are a couple elements that “date” the photograph (namely Miles’ jacket). However if you imagine for just a moment, this photo could have been taken in 2011 (which it was) or 1911.

This “timeless” sort of look is often what I’m after when shooting B&W. 

In the left pane, you can see Miles smiling with excitement as he’s handed the line for the first time. And then, in the right pane…success!

Shot with a Nikon F5, 50mm f1.4 lens. Using Fuji Neopan 400 B&W film, rated at 800ASA and developed in Diafine.

© Andrew Pearson 2011

www.aepearson.com
www.facebook.com/aepearsonphoto 

10:49am  |   URL: http://tmblr.co/ZJce4yCY0low
(Notes: 2)
  
Filed under: Black and White beach black and white photography diafine film film photography fuji fuji neopan 400 kite oak island oak island beach portrait nikon nikon f5 
May 3, 2011
Dynamic range of the Nikon D7000 versus B&W film example

Was going through some photos from a recent wedding I shot this year, it was mostly shot digitally but I also shot some film with this one - more for fun really, and only a couple rolls.

As I was sorting through all the digital images and negative scans I came across this photo of the bride’s dress. Granted it’s nothing all that spectacular, but I noticed that I had nearly the same images on film and as a digital image.

Perfect chance for a good ol’ fashioned side-by-side comparison.

Gear:

Digital = Nikon D7000, Nikon 35mm f/2 lens

Film = Nikon F5, Nikon 50mm f/1.4 lens (Fuji Neopan B&W 400 speed film, rated at 800)

Keep this in mind:

- The digital version (left) was shot in RAW, and adjusted to “get the most” out of it in terms of exposure in Adobe Lightroom 3 (meaning pulling detail from the dark area inside, below the dress - and trying to recover detail from the blown-out outdoors portion through the window)

- The film version (right) is a 1200dpi quick and dirty scan from my cheapo Epson V500 scanner (I say cheapo, but I love it!). There is literally nothing done to this scanned negative beyond the automatic adjustments made by the scanning software…so, essentially, if I had tried as hard with this image as I did the digital version I could pull a LOT more detail out of the shadows and highlights. Also, the film version is a 400 speed film rated at 800, this in itself tends to up the contrast quite a bit and narrow the range of exposure latitude.

So, what do you notice?

Like I said, the digital version is “optimized” whereas the film version is a quick and dirty scan from a negative. 

Things to notice:

- Compare the highlights (mainly outside the window)

- Compare the tonality of the dress itself

- Compare shadow detail (yeah, not much to go on here but you kinda get the idea)

Pretty neat, huh?

2:51pm  |   URL: http://tmblr.co/ZJce4y4pwG_0
(Notes: 3)
  
Filed under: film photography Fuji Neopan 400 wedding photography Greensboro wedding photographer digital photography Nikon F5 Nikon D7000 50mm 35mm Black and White black and white photography 
April 1, 2011
Photo of the day for April 1st, 2011 - Snow in the south. I shot this while waiting for a train on Christmas day, 2010. It’s really rare we have white Christmases down here in the south - but this year was an exception. I couldn’t have asked for a more beautiful Christmas day.  The snow, the train ride, the friends and family. Perfect. Shot on Tri-X 400, rated at 800ISO - developed in Diafine If you are interested in a shoot with your band, children, family, significant other , or whoever else, send me an email and we’ll chat! Check out my website here : www.aepearson.com “Like” A.E.Pearson Photography on Facebook here : http://www.facebook.com/aepearsonphoto

Photo of the day for April 1st, 2011 - Snow in the south.

I shot this while waiting for a train on Christmas day, 2010. It’s really rare we have white Christmases down here in the south - but this year was an exception. I couldn’t have asked for a more beautiful Christmas day. 

The snow, the train ride, the friends and family. Perfect.

Shot on Tri-X 400, rated at 800ISO - developed in Diafine

If you are interested in a shoot with your band, children, family, significant other , or whoever else, send me an email and we’ll chat!

Check out my website here : www.aepearson.com

“Like” A.E.Pearson Photography on Facebook here : http://www.facebook.com/aepearsonphoto

3:17pm  |   URL: http://tmblr.co/ZJce4y3_776K
(Notes: 8)
  
Filed under: daily photo diafine tri-x Kodak Tri-X Black and White black and white photography film photography nikon Nikon F5 greensboro snow 
March 30, 2011
Photo of the day for March 30th, 2011 - Greg shot with the NEW Kodak Portra 400 This is Greg, we work together. He has been busting his butt in the gym for months now and has lost a lot of weight - it’s amazing how he’s just shaved the pounds off and stayed so dedicated. I’m really proud of him - and so is he! (rightfully so!) Naturally, he wanted some recent pics to share. We did a shoot in B&W (I’ll post some up later) and a shoot in color. I really wanted to try out the new Kodak Portra 400 that I got as a sample at WPPI in Las Vegas last month. What a great chance to do just that. So what do I think about the new Portra 400? … I really like it! It’s a bit more saturated that I was expecting, but the skin tones are great (kinda hard to tell in this strongly backlilt photo…but trust me). Go getcha’ some! Shot on Kodak Portra 400 (the NEW emulsion, just released). Shot with Nikon F5 and 50mm/1.4 lens. If you are interested in a shoot with your band, children, family, significant other , or whoever else, send me an email and we’ll chat! Check out my website here : www.aepearson.com “Like” A.E.Pearson Photography on Facebook here : http://www.facebook.com/aepearsonphoto

Photo of the day for March 30th, 2011 - Greg shot with the NEW Kodak Portra 400

This is Greg, we work together. He has been busting his butt in the gym for months now and has lost a lot of weight - it’s amazing how he’s just shaved the pounds off and stayed so dedicated. I’m really proud of him - and so is he! (rightfully so!)

Naturally, he wanted some recent pics to share. We did a shoot in B&W (I’ll post some up later) and a shoot in color. I really wanted to try out the new Kodak Portra 400 that I got as a sample at WPPI in Las Vegas last month. What a great chance to do just that.

So what do I think about the new Portra 400? … I really like it! It’s a bit more saturated that I was expecting, but the skin tones are great (kinda hard to tell in this strongly backlilt photo…but trust me).

Go getcha’ some!

Shot on Kodak Portra 400 (the NEW emulsion, just released). Shot with Nikon F5 and 50mm/1.4 lens.

If you are interested in a shoot with your band, children, family, significant other , or whoever else, send me an email and we’ll chat!

Check out my website here : www.aepearson.com

“Like” A.E.Pearson Photography on Facebook here : http://www.facebook.com/aepearsonphoto

3:48pm  |   URL: http://tmblr.co/ZJce4y3xBtos
(Notes: 7)
  
Filed under: daily photo Kodak Porta 400 New Portra 400 New Kodak Portra 400 film photography film camera Nikon F5 color negative film portrait environmental portrait 
March 22, 2011
Nikon f5…man this thing is dirty. Dirt, sand, salt (from the ocean), and who-knows-what-else!

Nikon f5…man this thing is dirty. Dirt, sand, salt (from the ocean), and who-knows-what-else!

1:00pm  |   URL: http://tmblr.co/ZJce4y3lzaDM
(Notes: 5)
  
Filed under: nikon f5 nikon 
February 2, 2011
Shooting film in the pouring rain. Film = Freedom from digital woes.

A.E.Pearson Photography

When was the last time you took your $1000+ digital camera out into the pouring rain, with no fancy housing or protection - on purpose?!

I’m guessing (unless you have a weather sealed D3 or something) your answer was probably something like, “take my baby out into the rain?! you’re crazy! never!”. Is that about right?

This concept is one of many reasons I still prefer shooting film. 

The equipment is so insanely cheap…if you drop it, get it wet, throw it against the wall and it’s totally beyond repair you can replace your camera for CHEAP. (however, I have beaten in nails with my Nikon F5…literally…and it’s been completely submerged in fresh water and saltwater more than once…did I mention it’s the most advanced film camera on the market and cost me $200 in mint condition?)

The shot above was taken with a Nikon N90s, my FAVORITE budget film camera. I got it for $20 in used condition and beat the ever-loving-hell out of it for 2 years. It normally had a 50mm lens (f1.8, E-series) attached and went everywhere with me. I’d hop in my car in the morning and just toss it on the floorboard or seat next to me without ever worrying about it breaking. 

It’s such a freeing feeling

Shooting film allows me to break free of the boundaries imposed by digital photography. I don’t worry about dust, heat, cold, or weather…I just take my camera anywhere and everywhere. Replacing a $20 N90s is trivial…replacing a $1500 DSLR is NOT.

This shot was taken in the POURING rain (Fuji 800 Press color neg film)…I mean the kind that makes it hard to see, the kind that no reasonable windshield wipers can keep up with. I saw these guys playing football and couldn’t help but to stop and ask if I could photograph them. I emptied my pockets, so my cell phone and wallet would stay dry inside my car, and approached them with a 180mm/2.8 lens attached.

Ended up shooting a couple rolls and walking away drenched, but happy. I got what I wanted.

When all was said and done, the camera was soaked as well - inside and out. So I opened up the back and let it sit out overnight. Worked perfectly for the next year before I sold it on eBay.

When was the last time you did something like this with your digital camera, without 1 second of worry?

I encourage you all to invest in a cheap film camera and lens…keep it in your car with a couple rolls of film taped to the strap. Don’t be scared to pull it out in the rain. 

With so many things to worry about, and so many things to learn as a photographer, the last thing that should be on your mind is - “What if my camera gets wet?”

Visit my portfolio website here : www.aepearson.com

And please feel free to “Like” A.E.Pearson Photography on Facebook here : http://www.facebook.com/aepearsonphoto

2:59pm  |   URL: http://tmblr.co/ZJce4y2t7VJf
(Notes: 6)
  
Filed under: film photography Nikon N90s Nikon N90 Nikon F5 Fuji 800 
January 27, 2011
Catching the train - I’ve been taking the train here recently, mostly because my car is having some “issues” but also because it’s just plain relaxing. When travelling overseas, train rides are the norm…but here in the US, it’s almost an option that doesn’t even come to mind when you are considering a trip. Kinda weird considering our deep ties as a nation to the railroad. As part of my effort to post more of my own work on the blog, here is a photo I took with my go-go-gadget-iPhone as I was waiting for the train here in Greensboro, NC. I was on my way to Raleigh to spend Christmas with my beautiful girlfriend Jenny. Just me, my suitcase, and my Nikon F5. Oh, and my ticket of course. There is something very romantic about rail travel to me. Click here for some photos of my son Miles’ first train ride 

Catching the train - I’ve been taking the train here recently, mostly because my car is having some “issues” but also because it’s just plain relaxing. When travelling overseas, train rides are the norm…but here in the US, it’s almost an option that doesn’t even come to mind when you are considering a trip.

Kinda weird considering our deep ties as a nation to the railroad.

As part of my effort to post more of my own work on the blog, here is a photo I took with my go-go-gadget-iPhone as I was waiting for the train here in Greensboro, NC. I was on my way to Raleigh to spend Christmas with my beautiful girlfriend Jenny.

Just me, my suitcase, and my Nikon F5. Oh, and my ticket of course.

There is something very romantic about rail travel to me.

Click here for some photos of my son Miles’ first train ride 

5:18pm  |   URL: http://tmblr.co/ZJce4y2mjLIh
(Notes: 4)
  
Filed under: Nikon F5