October 03

True confession time: This photo was not taken today, but yesterday. The resulting image was created today, however, so I'm using it as my photo of the day. (The nice thing about making the rules -- you know just how far they will bend.)

The necklace and earring set here were created by Roslindale jeweler Keith Monsour, and were recently featured in the Parkway Fall Fashion Fiesta. I photograph all of Keith's work, so I got the chance to shoot this on Friday.

It was tough to light this image; when the necklace and all of its beads were properly illuminated, the earrings in the center shone too brightly, completely washing out all of the detail on the long beads. When the earrings were lit properly, the pendant on the necklace was in deep shadow. Rather than continue trying futilely to find the perfect lighting solution with my limited tools, I decided -- reluctantly, as this is always my last resort -- to fix it in post-production. Essentially, that means I photoshopped it to within an inch of its very existence, all in the quest to make the end photograph look like the original items.

Ideally, you get the shot right in the camera. In most situations, you might make a few small changes or enhancements in Photoshop. Resorting to out-and-out photo manipulation to get a good image chafes a bit. In the end, though, it's a good looking photo, and Keith is happy with it.

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February 25

Normally, I'm not a name dropper. But today I received a present -- the gorgeous print above -- from accomplished plein air painter and budding multimedia artist Anne Fitzpatrick

She lives in the luxury apartment building where I work as a concierge in the evenings, so I've known her for a few years now. In the course of several evenings last year, I offered her advice and instruction on using Photoshop to complete an art project she was working on: Iconic Handbags. I'm technically skilled at photo enhancement, and I'm a pretty good teacher, so I was able to help her take her artistic vision and turn it into physical reality.

This evening, she surprised me with this lovely framed print of my favorite part of the project, inscribed to me, and a nice personal note as well. It was such a thoughtful gesture. And, of course, it had to be my Photo of the Day.

Note: Artwork is copyright Anne Fitzpatrick and reproduced here with her kind permission.

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January 24

When you go to KFC with an artist and a sharpie in your backpack, the unexpected will happen.

Harland David Sanders, better known as Colonel Sanders, founded Kentucky Fried Chicken. His face is synonymous with the fast-food chain, and his cartoon image adorns buckets, cups, and signs at the restaurant. However, my friend Keith (the artist in question) decided that the good colonel needed a facelift. In Keith's able hands (kooky, perhaps, but able), ol' Harland got a perm, edgier facial hair, and noticeably hairier eyebrows.

While I'm sure other people have interesting lives and more exciting ways of spending a Saturday night, I doubt they're as entertained as I was by this little bit of impromptu artistry.

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