Rad A. Drew Photography: July 2021

Continental Divide at Dawn

Continental Divide at Dawn
Continental Divide at Dawn

Wednesday, July 21, 2021

Handmade Cards by Cuban Artist Amy Hernandez!

  

Amy in her studio with one of her cards featuring Flamingo's.

In the case of creator Amy Hernandez, the apple doesn't fall far from the tree! Amy is following in her father's footsteps as an artist and entrepreneur. She is the daughter of my friend, Cuban Photographer, Ramses Batista. 

On a recent visit to their new home in Atlanta, Amy showed me her line of handmade postcards and note cards available on Etsy

Amy ponders what she will reach for in her collection of materials.

Working in a studio that she shares with her dad (who does his extraordinary encaustic work there, but that's another story!), Amy works with mixed media using found objects, art papers, lace, colored inks, and a large collection of ink stamps, to create beautifully unique, wonderfully constructed works of art, all in postcard or note card size ready to frame or mail to a friend.

This is how she describes her experience:

As an artist I have found a way to express myself through the creation of these postcards. In them I reflect all my thoughts, the way I feel, and I combine those thoughts and feelings with vintage techniques which is something I have always enjoyed doing. Creating mixed media postcards allows me to use different materials that I put together creating each postcard as a unique piece of art.

Amy's designs vary and may be whimsical, nostalgic, humorous, and personal. 



The card above was created with a family friend in mind who is obsessed with Flamingos!


To view and purchase Amy's work, or contact her directly, visit her Esty Store.



Thank you for taking time to read. I hope you'll visit Amy's site and let her know what you think of her work!

Tuesday, July 20, 2021

Making Beloved Infrared Images with Our Beloved iPhones!

 


iPhone 12 Pro Max
© Rad A. Drew


The Journey to IPhone Infrared


Infrared photography first captured my imagination in college many moons ago. I fell in love with this depiction of the world around me and was drawn into these snowy white fantasies.


Infrared became a lot easier in the digital age. Modifying a digital camera by removing the camera's IR blocking filter and installing the filter of choice (e.g., 720nm, 830n, etc.), gives us a camera dedicated to infrared. Modern digital processing helps to get those bright whites and rich blacks, and we can even add that soft ethereal glow so characteristic of early film IR.


iPhone 12 Pro Max
© Rad A. Drew

For the past seven years or so I’ve made images first with a LUMIX DMC LX7 point-and-shoot, and later with a Fuji X-T1, both converted to 720nm infrared.


Chasing the Dream


While I love shooting with my “big” cameras, I’ve had a love affair with the iPhone since getting my first, an iPhone 4, in 2010. I love the iPhone’s portability and, with today’s iPhones, I’m not sacrificing much in the way of image quality. 


iPhone 12 Pro Max
© Rad A. Drew

For several years, I’ve dreamed of making IR images with my iPhone.


Last year with the help of friends, that dream became a reality! In the beginning there was a lot of trial and error, and a few screaming pixels, but today, with all we’ve learned, well, the proof is in the pudding. 


iPhone 12 Pro Max
© Rad A. Drew


Clearly, the phone’s technology is quite different than a traditional camera. There’s no modification of the hardware, no removing of the IR blocking filter. 


Instead everything is done using select camera apps, designated settings, an infrared filter, RAW files, and processing techniques. As Dewitt says, there’s a lot of jiggery-pokery! But for the determined, patient photographer, the results are worth it.


To create my beloved infrared images with my beloved iPhone has been pure joy and so much fun! And it’s been great to see so many other mobile photographers become excited with this approach to IR.


Facebook Group and Member Gallery


Last year with support and encouragement from friends Dewitt Jones and Jack Davis, I created a Facebook group for other mobile IR enthusiasts. Today there are nearly 550 members and counting! You’re welcome to join us to learn more and be inspired. 


Here are some of my favorite images created by photographers in the group. I've included a link so you can see each photographer's work.


I’m inspired by the variety and unique expression seen in these images. 


Thanks to everyone in the group for sharing your images, knowledge, and enthusiasm for iPhone infrared!


© Jackie Klieger, 


© Joe Bumgardner,  


© Gary Litwin, 


© Jack Davis, 


© Dewitt Jones, 




© Jerry Hug

© David Stearn, 




© John Wrather

© Judy Diver

 © Irene Marchuk Oleksiuk, Instagram.com/honor_life

© April Cowan Robinson,