Don Schulte Photography

New Notable Greetings Cards

2012-01-26T20:23:00.002-05:00

It was a busy fall season this year - so much so that I have only just finished new card sets for Notable Greetings.

A new Summer Michigan Wildflowers, a Fall Michigan Wildflowers and a new set of Orchids will all surely be favorites.

The wildflowers series would not be possible without the generous availability of my good friend Cheryl English's garden. All the wildflowers are plants in her care. Please visit blackcatpottery.com for the latest on her wonderful pottery work.

Michigan Wildflowers - Summer Collection 7

Michigan Wildflowers - Fall Collection 3

Orchids

Plex Systems Brochure

2012-01-26T16:35:00.001-05:00

After working with Plex last fall for a charity event, I was impressed with the people I met: interesting, engaging, and - as is not so often the case with employees having to attend after-hours company-sponsored events - they really enjoyed being together.

My first impressions were again proved to true with this most recent assignment: photographs of the people and places of Plex Systems for an upcoming brochure to recruit software engineers. We had a great time together and made a great big stack of really nice images. Here's just a few:

Grosse Pointe Magazine Portrait

2012-01-26T16:27:00.001-05:00

I get the opportunity to meet some wonderfully interesting people through Grosse Pointe Magazine, a gem of a publication.

This day was a cold a snowy "I'd rather stay inside" sort of day, but once I got myself out there and met Dzvinka Hayda, the outdoors was all forgotten. We had a nice chat and created a really nice image for the magazine - she'll be featured in the upcoming issue. I am grateful that she is so pleased with the image that it is her new "About the Author" favorite.

Chazzano Coffee Roasters

2012-01-11T16:56:00.003-05:00

I might say that the people of Chazzano Coffee Roasters are just jazzed on caffeine, but I'd be taking a quick swipe the low-hanging fruit of a glib little joke.

Truth is: they know coffee, live coffee, sleep and breathe coffee. They really are jazzed about it - it's the first thing on their minds - all the time. They roast some of the most interesting coffee bean varieties from all over the world. Here you can buy the freshest coffee anywhere - roasted, like, yesterday - and ground - right now - just for you.

And you can enjoy sampling an eye-opening (really!) variety of those coffees, brewed in so many different ways. I was served the same beans ground and brewed as espresso, as Turkish coffee and in a French press - each was a completely different experience. They even have an extraordinary range of teas - from the blackest, smokiest Lapsang Souchong to the greenest of green teas - ground into an impressively bright-green powder.

We produced a great big pile of images for stock use on their marketing materials, including brewing, roasting, products and a portrait of owner Frank Lanzkron-Tamarazo. Thanks to Ed Marsh at Nightcry Graphics for facilitating a productive photographic session - always a great pleasure to work with professionals who are also artists.

Amazing Furniture from Daiek Woodworks

2011-12-14T16:24:00.009-05:00

This began as another of John Daiek's understated emails: "Can you photograph a curved bench we made for Duke University?"

Curved bench? No problem. I can do a bench!

I was needing a chair to sit down on when I came into the presence of this 12-seated architectural wonder of a bench. All of its curved panels are veneered with eucalyptus and have a finish so silky smooth it deserves constant caressing. And there are at least two of them - others are in the works.

And they were in the middle of the woodworking shop. So I got three studio lights and two speedlights out to start revealing the beauty of it all. I spread around my trusty yards and yards of white fabric to provide an even background to work from, then on with the lights - raw, un-diffused lights very carefully directed - to make that woodgrain sparkle.

From the folding armrests to the structure of the overarching Gothic tracery to the wondrous veneer work, these little benches are destined to be award-winners.

Linkedin Headshots

2011-12-14T16:02:00.002-05:00

You know what you get when your employees choose a photo of themselves for their Linkedin profile: something snapped at a party - because its "all we have."

My friends at McCausey Lumber wanted better - so I set up my "instant" portrait studio up in their lobby and we made some very captivating, high quality portraits.

If your company wants something better for your Linkedin profile - or for an association roster or for press releases - and you need a photographer who can bring it all to your location - email me and we'll get it done.

Electrivert's "Bad Cables" White Paper

2011-12-14T15:32:00.001-05:00

The engineers at Electrivert have commissioned a white paper from Glo Marketing to describe what makes cables and connectors fail - and of course how their assemblies fare much better in extreme conditions.

I got a box of smoky, melted, bent and otherwise abused industrial cabling assemblies and lit them like fashion models - and enjoyed every minute of making bad cables look every so badly amazing. My artsier favorites:

Hydrangea Image Chosen for Family Center Benefit

2011-11-27T21:10:00.001-05:00

The Family Center of Grosse Pointe and Harper Woods has an annual fundraiser called Holly Fest that features live and silent auctions. This year, in partnership with The Great Frame Up of Grosse Pointe Woods, my Hydrangea quercifolia (Oak Leaf Hydrangea) image will be beautifully presented as a silent auction item. The oak frame and heavy-weight museum board mat look just superb - just like all the framing that they do.

Notable Greetings Michigan Wildflowers Cards at Anton Art Center's Christmas Market

2011-11-22T20:58:00.002-05:00

Head on over to The Art Center in Mt. Clemens for a great selection of locally-produced items - including of course - my Michigan Wildflowers cards and prints, great for gift-giving, naturally!

Download a PDF flyer >>

The Christmas Market runs until December 22, 2011. Open every day except Monday.

My Floral Studies Look Great in Groups

2011-11-20T19:28:00.004-05:00

Here's a nice set of floral studies from my Notable Impressions line of fineart photographic prints. A group of four makes a good group - and as you can see, they don't have to be all the same kind of flower to work well. Here we have a Solomon's Seal, Annabelle Hydrangea, single-flowering Peony and an Oriental Lily.

Another client recently selected this very dramatic group of three:

And here's another - Hydrangea quercifolia, framed in a nice simple oak frame:

Pizza Dough!

2011-11-20T19:22:00.001-05:00

New work for GLO Marketing - photography for the upcoming website of Dough and Spice in Warren. Great folks to work with there - the owner is totally into his pizza dough - they make a frozen product that is used by many food service companies and more. We did portraits, 'hero' sort of food shots like these, manufacturing process images, a quick pic of the delivery truck and more - all in a very efficient half-day of photography.

Food Photography for Ardmore Park Place and Grosse Pointe Magazine

2011-11-15T14:58:00.000-05:00

It's nice to do the food photography - and for such an interesting and historic place like the Ardmore Park Place. The images are to be used in advertising for Grosse Pointe Magazine, a real work of art for the Pointes.

Riverside Custom Design Bath

2011-11-15T14:51:00.004-05:00

New work for Riverside - this time, a custom master bath in a Grosse Pointe home. This bath had a very nice vanity installed with a custom marble top. You'd never know I used four lights in this small room, but that's what it took to have a little drama without really creepy dark shadows. The bath had a nice large shower too...

New! Sunflower Cards

2011-11-08T15:38:00.000-05:00

I've been photographing my Michigan Wildflowers series in Cheryl's garden for more than a few years now. Cheryl English is a most accomplished artist who began a specialty of making several different types and sizes of sunflowers in stoneware for her blackcatpottery.com work.

Her garden is a treasure trove of plants, and I have been most grateful for the access I have to it. I have photographed perennial sunflowers and annual sunflowers, but we have never made a selection of them, until now. This year, Cheryl planted more annual sunflowers, which added a new diversity to the collection.

So finally, sunflowers for the sunflower artist!

You can find them at my NotableGreetings.com site: http://www.notablegreetings.com/greetings.html#sunflowers

Wall Pocket for Black Cat Pottery

2011-10-06T16:48:00.001-04:00

I can't resist - more wall pockets from Black Cat Pottery. These are made from actual leaves that are formed into a shallow wall pocket with a flat back and glazed edges. They look great!

Electrivert Products

2011-10-06T16:41:00.001-04:00

I love this stuff - nice clean electrical bits, photographed on a shiny white background. Plus a chance to get all dramatic with some of the images of production departments. And - all done on location with no fancy retouching either! Thanks to GLO Marketing for the opportunity!

Pool House

2011-10-06T16:31:00.002-04:00

A very nice architectural design with interiors by In-Detail.co:

Bath for InteriorStatements.net

2011-08-03T19:02:00.007-04:00

This beautiful bath has some impressive tile work, including the glass tiles behind the mirrors and an onyx shower - wow!

My goal with images like this is to be as true to the natural lighting as possible. I use my high-power studio strobes and my portable flash units to fill in shadows or highlight details. The goal is to balance them with the existing light without looking like someone's been there with alot of lighting equipment - never an easy task in small spaces like this bath!

Astonishingly Lovely Pottery from Black Cat

2011-07-18T16:08:00.002-04:00

Every once in a while, I get the chance to photograph some new work for Black Cat Pottery.

This time, the ginormous sunflowers and masks were just astonishingly lovely. Go to Black Cat Pottery and find out where you can get some for yourself or as a gift. Just wonderful.

Michigan Wildflowers in Winter

2011-07-12T15:58:00.003-04:00

There are always opportunities for photographing in the garden.

Here's proof: a great selection of interesting Michigan wildflowers captured on a really really cold (about zero Fahrenheit) and sunny day. Thanks goes to Cheryl at Black Cat Pottery for access to an amazing garden.

See details on this set of cards and order some for yourself at Notable Greetings.

New Image Gallery at Notablegreetings.com

2011-07-11T21:54:00.004-04:00

My new image gallery for the NotableGreetings.com website works very well!

See the fine art prints page for a much improved presentation of all the images available in the 6x6 and 12x12 print sizes.

Minowitz Manufacturing Company Photos

2011-06-20T20:31:00.005-04:00

Pleased to report that a full day of photography in their expansive enterprise (of at least a half-dozen buildings) resulted in a very goodly many images for the upcoming renovation of the minowitz.com website.

Their specialty is basically big stuff for army tanks - big heavy stuff. Making it all is a corps of very talented people who are expert at what they do - very custom fabrication done to exacting specifications.

Thanks to Tammy and Jeff at Glo Marketing for another great opportunity! From portraits to machine shop images, to still life setups, this job had it all. I even got myself out at 5:30am on a Saturday to watch the sun rise on the front of the building for an exterior photo.

Framed Notable Greetings Cards

2011-06-18T22:09:00.001-04:00

I find that many people like to frame my cards - here's four from the 'Hot Peony Pinks' collection, framed up by a client:

Get your Notablegreetings at the Mount Clemens Garden Walk June 25th

2011-06-17T08:08:00.006-04:00

UPDATE June 25, 2011:
What a beautiful day we had! Perfect temperature, a sunny afternoon, and the wonderful hospitality of the Miller Street Garden Boutique. Thanks Bob!

Original post:
Yes, I'll be there at the Miller Street Garden Boutique at 35 Miller Street, with cards and prints, gallery wraps and always ready for a little chat about gardening or photography. June 25, 2011 from 9am to 3pm.

I'll have some new work, like this Michigan Wildflower image of a Cardinal Flower (Lobelia cardinalis).

See all the latest Michigan Wildflower prints...

Making Better Photographs in Your Garden at Assumption Cultural Center March 24, 2011

2011-03-24T19:29:00.001-04:00

Learn how to make a photograph like this one
of a Gray-headed Coneflower.

March 24, 2010 Update:

We had a very successful class last night on Making Better Photographs!

The attendees were a mix of interesting photographers who each had a certain subject they felt passionate about.

Just a few examples: one loved to photograph barns; another birds and wildlife; another, close-up work with nature.

I received heartfelt thank-yous from everyone, so I was pleased that they felt it was worth their valuable time.

One participant said in an email the next day,

"I enjoyed your presentation at the Assumption center Thursday night. It opened my eyes to what I need and how I should approach photography in the future."

All together a great experience for all. Thank you!

Original post: February 11, 2011
I'm looking forward to presenting my "Making Better Photographs" at Assumption Cultural Center on Thursday, March 24th.

We've reserved a two-hour session from 7-9pm, so there will be plenty of time to talk about cameras and digital processes after my prepared remarks are done.

We'll go over the idea that one should "make a photograph" not "take a picture." The act of making a photograph better describes the process.

One should be actively looking at the subject and how it relates to its background, paying attention to lighting and how it reveals the subject, knowing what camera settings can be used to best advantage.

"Taking a picture" is just a grab at success. "Making a photograph" just might ensure success.

Assumption Cultural Center is at 21880 Marter Road in St. Clair Shores.

Call them at 586-779-6111 to reserve your space. $20.

Detroit Elevator Company Photographs

2011-03-13T11:02:00.004-04:00

We started big on this job: "let's do the whole staff!"

No problem - 3 lights and a tall ladder and we've got first the install and maintenance crew and then everyone in the team.

I found out that noone on the staff has less than 10 years of experience with the company - which says volumes for the kind of people there.

What a pleasure to work with a group of supremely talented, dedicated and just plain good people.

Thank you for welcoming me and doing everything you could to make the day's photography so successful.

New Work for Steel Testing Labs

2011-03-13T10:40:00.003-04:00

A photographer's delight here - lots of texture and pattern with the steel samples, and a real test of 'thinking on your feet' for making photographs in let's say less-than-ideal conditions.

Thanks to everyone at Steel Testing Labs for allowing me to get in the way for a few hours.

Here's a few of my favorites:

Speaking Engagement for the Friendly Garden Club in Sterling Heights

2011-02-27T09:46:00.007-05:00

Update: March 11
What a pleasure to present for everyone at the Friendly Gardeners. We had such a great evening!

I am so pleased that the presentation went well and that I inspired at least a few of the members to get their cameras out and start photographing again with some new insights.

I even received a nice thank you from the event organizer:

"Thank you-the presentation was excellent!"

Gail & the Friendly Gardeners

Original post February 27, 2011:
Looking forward to presenting my "How to Make Better Photographs in Your Garden" talk for the Friendly Garden Club on March 10th.

I'll be bringing my newly-updated presentation with many new photos and a freshly-polished topic outline.

I feel like I learn as much from the group as I hope they do from my presentation, so it is always a treat to be asked to present.

Some of the new images:

Speaking Engagement for Ferndale Garden Club

2011-02-01T13:39:00.005-05:00

So very pleased to have presented my "How to Make Better Photographs in Your Garden" talk to the Ferndale Garden club on Thursday, February 10 at the Gerry Kulick Community Center.

What a great group of passionate gardeners! I really enjoyed sharing my evening with the Ferndale Garden club - and I was pleased with all the positive comments from the group and the level of interest in the question-and-answer session after my prepared remarks were complete.

One of the attendees, Laura M., was nice enough to email me her comments: "Everything I heard last night was extremely positive. I especially enjoyed the presentation! Your hints were extremely helpful!" Thanks Laura!

And I just received another from Sharon F.: "Your presentation was the best one I heard since joining the garden club, as of a couple years ago. What a great presentation idea. We spend so much time in the garden trying to grow those things of beauty, it never occurred to me to focus on capturing the garden's essence (obviously, it takes some talent). I am lucky if I can keep up on the weeding."

Sharon also purchased a Hydrangea Paniculata print - and emailed me to say "It's beautiful. Thank you." Thanks very much Sharon!

Here's a new image that was part of the presentation - a white tree peony blossom that I never tire of looking at:

Detroit Store Fixture Company for Glo Marketing

2011-01-30T21:25:00.001-05:00

We crammed in 30 photographs on a busy day of image-making for the new Detroit Store Fixture Company website that Glo Marketing is developing.

Everything from an eight-foot-long glass display cabinets to a collection of jewelry display pieces were captured. The backgrounds were cleaned up to sparkling whiteness and we'll be back for more!

If you are a store owner - or an artist like me - who needs anything for display or promotion, then Detroit Store Fixture is the place for you! I have my own gridwall and accessories that I use for art fairs and shows - all from the good people of Detroit Store Fixture. The most convenient location in the metro area - and the best selection for hundreds of miles around - you get the idea - Detroitstorefixture.com.

Black Cat Pottery: New Work

2011-01-30T21:15:00.000-05:00

Cheryl English has been busy making more amazing art with her Black Cat Pottery. And I was lucky enought to be able to document some of it for her.

Wall pockets and trays, made from the impressions of real leaves from local native trees, along with bowls, masks and more, were photographed in her studio.

Enjoy! And go to Black Cat Pottery for more info on where to get your own work of art!

Notable Greetings Cards At Urban Attic

2011-01-06T10:19:00.003-05:00

Stop by Urban Attic, located in the most excellent Ardmore Park Place, to pick up Notable Greetings cards and to shop a delightful selection of artful gifts and vintage finds.

Owner Jennifer Flynn has a great eye for interesting home accessories and giftable niceties.

And she's and awesome gal too. See what she said after my wife and I visited with my cards: "Meeing you and Don falls in the 'gift' column of my shop-opening checklist. I look at Donald's beautiful photographic cards in the shop and can hardly believe my vision is coming into view. I am thrilled to showcase Donald's work, and I'll stay in touch to let you both know how the cards are received. I placed one of the yarn cards in a simple white frame, and just makes me smile!"

Wow, thanks!

Visit Urban Attic's Facebook page, or stop by at 26717 Little Mack Avenue, Suite 4, St. Clair Shores, MI, 48081.

Upcoming Class at Assumption Cultural Center

2011-01-05T19:41:00.000-05:00

Thursday, March 24, from 7-9pm: the "Making Better Photographs in Your Garden" class is coming to Assumption Cultural Center in St. Clair Shores!

Spaces are already filling up, so get busy and call them if you want to get a space: (586) 778-0767 ‎

Portfolio Pictures for Nightcry Graphics

2011-01-04T20:00:00.002-05:00

These photos for the Nightcry Graphics website were big fun and right up my alley: tabletop still life with a strong sense of lighting and a happy 3-D sort of lenswork. I like to use a wide-angle lens that allows me to stay behind the camera and reach out and move the objects - being 'up close' like that translates into a really lifelike effect.

Kudos to Nightcry Graphics for some excellent work and the opportunity to have fun with it.

Holiday Cards

2011-01-04T19:42:00.003-05:00

My favorite Poinsettia image was chosen for our holiday card this year. And it was so very well received that I wanted to share this message from a friend:

"Thank you for your wonderful Christmas card...you know you must stop doing such beautiful ones as all the other cards in the pile, on the mantel, or on my tree sculpture are complaining that they look so drab and ugly when they are next to your card...poor things...I had to move your card to the top of the tree and separate it from the rest because the others were so miserable...now every card is happy and so am I."

Thank you!

Holiday Grettings from McCausey Lumber

2010-11-15T13:22:00.000-05:00

This year, my friends at McCausey Lumber company asked me to help with a photo for their holiday card. I was lucky that the warehouse could be rearranged to accommodate the photo, and it all worked out very well.

The relatively simple lighting setup makes the most of the warehouse background and allows the group to stand out well too.

People Pix

2010-11-15T13:13:00.001-05:00

This project involved photographing the employees of a veterinary practice to be used on a website. Now this usually means doom for photographs: nasty on-camera flash snapped in the hallway between appointments.

But I did it a little differently by doing all the photos outside with flashes and softboxes and fill cards like a fashion shoot - put the telephoto lens on and do headshots like they were modeling comps.

In the end, we had a fine collection of images that everyone was proud of - a far cry from what might have been!

Upcoming Event at The Art Center in Mt. Clemens

2010-10-28T17:24:00.003-04:00

Anton Art Center is on South Gratiot at Macomb

Pick up a 6x6 or 12x12 print like this, matted and ready to frame.

The Christmas Market is coming to the Anton Art Center from November 19 - December 22.

I'll have a good selection of cards and prints available, and Black Cat Pottery will have some great new work too.

So get on over the The Art Center and see what's happening!

Google maps link to The Art Center...

Wildflower Cards and Prints at the Grosse Pointe War Memorial

2010-10-22T17:38:00.000-04:00

A big thank you to attendees at the MIDIV WNF & GA annual meeting on October 21 at the G.P. War Memorial.

Sales of the Michigan Wildflowers note cards were brisk, as were greeting cards with Daylilies...

and the Autumn Jewels collection.

Hope to see you again next year!

Daiek Woodworks "Mockup" Photograph

2010-10-13T12:10:00.002-04:00

Here's a great story about a photograph for Daiek Woodworks:

I got an assignment to come photograph a "mockup" for a new project the shop is working on. My earlier experiences with mockups were with things about the size of something that would fit on a table top - door samples for example.

So off I went with all my gear (knowing the be ready for anything) and there on a cart in the shop were some rather enormous timbers - eight of them about 12 feet long. They represent one small portion of a building-sized wooden sculpture that will decorate a four-story-tall wall at a new medical complex.

Impressive stuff - the objects you see occupy a space about 8 feet wide and 12 feet tall. Once it was assembled and stood up vertically, it was time to arrange the lighting. I set up the usual strobes and added a nice little kicker from the lower right with a slightly warm gel on it.

The whole setup was done right in the woodworking shop, so it was back in the studio that I drew a path around all the pieces and removed the background. I decided to add a nice drop shadow and an interesting background, so my digital skills paid off again. (Try doing that in one setup in a woodworking shop! Remember I'm an old-school guy with years of experience with large-format view cameras and hot lights, so I'm very pleased to be so productive with the digital tools.)

The dedication to extraordinary woodworking skills and engineering at Daiek Woodworks are far superior to anything I've come across, so I consider myself fortunate indeed to photograph the woodworker's art of this caliber.

I live for stories like this

2010-09-08T10:20:00.001-04:00

I got an email from a client who purchased one of my large gallery wraps.

She says "it's an awesome addition to my home - for years to come!"

And she sent a photo too. Thank you!

Finnforest USA Master-Q Photograph

2010-09-07T10:57:00.001-04:00

Finnforest USA is the North American Supplier for engineered lumber from Finnforest and the Metsaliitto group. This photograph of the new Master-Q laminated veneer lumber (known as Kerto-Q in Europe) shows how several boards can be nailed together to form a beam.

The important product feature is the quality of the Finland Spruce veneers used, and the fact that one-fifth of the veneers are glued crosswise. So a strong light was called for to make a snappy texture to the wood.

The product was shot on a tabletop on location, so the background was easily replaced with a nice clean gradient. Another advantage to this approach is that the background can now be anything the art director needs.

I really enjoy photographing products of every kind because I am intrigued by the technical challenges of using the simplest tools - highlight and shadow - to reveal the personality of the product.

In this case, that block of wood is really as heavy as it looks. The bare-bulb flash reveals every fiber in the wood; the subtle spotlighting effect makes it loom large and strong. I also chose a wide-angle lens (the product was not much more than a foot away) to create a monumental perspective.

Crest Volvo Hyudai Photos for Grosse Pointe Magazine

2010-08-18T10:31:00.014-04:00

Recently I had a great opportunity to put together a group of photos for an ad in Grosse Pointe Magazine. Crest Volvo Hyundai needed a photo of the front of the building for their ad. They recently added Hyundai to the dealership lineup - the sign was installed on the day before!

Deadlines and budgets are very tight for these ads, so I headed over that evening to see what I could do with a nice dusk shot. It worked out well, and I'm glad I went that day, because the evenings for the next few days were even cloudier! I put the long lens on the camera for a few shots of some of the cars in the lot too.

The next morning was nice and bright, so I went back for more shots of the cars in the lot.

It would have been fun to do a big production like we used to in my days as a car studio assistant - get out my big black cloth for the side of the car and my big white one to reflect in the grille, with all the lightstands and sandbags keeping the whole thing from blowing away like some giant kite.

But, there is something really fun and honest about strong sunlight on these cars with their strong shapes and it all worked out quite well.

If you have business that needs publicity photos, give me call and we'll find a way to deliver the right image for your needs.

New Card Stock

2010-07-26T14:58:00.006-04:00

It was time to reorder my card blanks, but I found that the stock was discontinued. I also found that the days of unlimited selection are gone when it comes to paper stocks.

I was able to secure some new paper stock that may even be more appealing to me - not just because of its interesting color, but also because of its eco-appeal.

This time it's more of a sage-gray color and it is made entirely of recycled paper. I went with a nice heavy weight and a felt finish so the cards feel great in your hands. Matching envelopes were ordered of course and it all makes a great package.

Some people have tried to get me to use plain white or cream, but you can get that anywhere. Here you get a card stock chosen with an artist's eye for color. The sagey-gray tone makes the pictures look as if they are matted and ready for framing - and many people have told me that they are intending to do just that!

Photos from the Blossoms benefit artist's reception evening

2010-07-14T10:22:00.009-04:00

Here's a wrapup of the Blossoms benefit artist's reception at The Great Frame Up:
Over 60 attendees enjoyed wine and cheese
Great sales on card sets - available online if anyone needs more!
Sold some prints too - we had 12x12's matted to 16x20 and 6x6's matted to 8x10
One happy buyer went home with one of my big 30x30" gallery wrap canvases

Raised $825 for The Family Center of Grosse Pointe and Harper Woods!

I had more than 50 different images matted to 8x10 and 16x20 inches - they were all over the shop! You can see some of the framed works and the big gallery wraps here too.

Here's Don with Loriece Boatright and Mary Lamphier. Loriece is the jewelry designer whose work I have photographed for her marketing materials and equestrian jewelry Web site.

Many thanks to all our guests and everyone at The Great Frame Up Grosse Pointe and The Family Center for such a fine evening.

Artist's reception at The Great Frame Up a success

2010-06-25T14:02:00.011-04:00

We had a nice crowd of supporters for the Blossoms benefit artist's reception last night. Many thanks to everyone who enjoyed their evening with us. Photos coming!

Here's a few comments:

"Your work is beautiful and filled with emotion. I have started looking at the walls in my home am envisioning your work. Much of what you have to share - passion, emotion, connection, craft, makes for a positive."

"Really happy for you. Your work is wonderful. "

"I enjoyed your open house and experiencing your awesome talent. Someday we will read of your work being displayed at the Metropolitan Museum of Art."

Well done. Very nice show. Everyone was nice and complimentary."

"We were both in awe at the talent he has, the patience it must take to get the shots he does, and the detail he shoots."

"Don, it was a wonderful event last night. Congrats!!!"

"Loved so many of the prints... just don't have enough wall space. I have decided on two that I dearly love... the Trillium and Solomon's Seal."

"It was a nice reception. I love my photograph. Thanks for doing this for the Family Center!"

"Thank you for the Blossoms Benefit and the fabulous spotlighting of The Family Center. We are so excited and honored to be associated with you and your creative work. We are all "buzzing" about the reception!"

Thanks again to Heather and all her staff at The Great Frame Up who stayed late and helped manage the event!

Food Shots at City Kitchen

2010-06-04T14:23:00.025-04:00

Some new work for the Grosse Pointe Magazine: advertiser City Kitchen needed some photographs of their dishes. I was only too happy to show up with my lighting kit and get started.

I like to use a simple setup with a dramatic backlit kick. I drag the shutter speed so the room's ambient light fills in some of the background information for me. Then I use a soft front-left light for detail and a raw backlight to give it all some sparkle.

We decided on one setup with the dishes changing places as they came from the kitchen. City Kitchen can use all these images together, or as separate shots as time goes by. I bet a single-page image of one of these dishes is all they need to keep their dining room full. Count on City Kitchen for beautiful, well crafted food served in an upscale setting.

I also made a few photographs of the dining room. While it may be preferable to do those at night when the windows don't intrude on the feeling of the space, I tried to make the most of it and minimized the windows while allowing them to make their presence felt. There is a single table in a bay window at the front of the restaurant that looks onto the streets of The Village in Grosse Pointe and its lively shopping district. I'm sure it is a favorite place for many City Kitchen regulars.

Blossoms Benefit Artist's Reception June 24

2010-06-02T11:00:00.004-04:00

Coming soon! The artist's reception will be at The Great Frame Up on June 24 from 7-9pm. Join me and fellow featured artist Cheryl English of Black Cat Pottery.

Featured works are available as big 30x30" gallery wraps or 12x12" images in beautiful frames with double-thick museum mats. Almost 50 images will be available in the 12x12" and 6x6" image size, matted up and ready for framing.

I've also got a good selection of my Notable Greetings cards available too. Something for everyone - great gifts or art for your home. Thanks to Heather Burgess and all the staff at The Great Frame Up for their great work and enthusiastic participation.

"Blossoms" Benefit Updates

2010-05-10T18:18:00.003-04:00

Many thanks to Grosse Pointe media:

The always amazing Liz Aiken for the half-hour TV interview with Heather Burgess from The Great Frame Up and myself on the "In A Hearbeat" show at WMTV5, which ran 3 times a day for a week in late March.
The Grosse Pointe News for its coverage of "Blossoms" in the March 11, 2010 issue.
The Grosse Pointe Connection for the cover image of my Hydrangea, Art Benefit teaser and inside story in the March 26, 2010 issue.
The Grosse Pointe Magazine for its full-page article on the "Blossoms" benefit.

Interest for the benefit has been high - we're trying to make this a great benefit for The Family Center of Grosse Pointe and Harper Woods and so far, we're succeeding!

Great Food at Dylan's Raw Bar

2010-03-31T15:34:00.010-04:00

Pointe Magazine needed some shots pronto for a new advertiser, Dylan's Raw Bar in Grosse Pointe. We had three new dishes, some interior views and a portrait of Chef Derrick Collins to do. It was 11am and the final images had to be uploaded to the graphics people by 4pm.

So I set to it, thanking heaven for radio-controlled flash triggers and digital cameras so I could dial in a lighting setup quickly (and without an assistant too). I was also thankful for years of work in fast-paced product photography studios and for years in a premier food photography studio in New York city.

And it all turned out very well. I am pleased with the results and the Dylan's folks are loving it too. Let's hope that the ad pulls in new diners who no doubt will be ecstatic about the great food and great atmosphere at Dylan's in Grosse Pointe.

A Healthy Dish for Pointe Magazine

2010-03-31T15:12:00.005-04:00

A new food photography job for John Minnis, publisher of Pointe Magazine. This project brought me to the Cafe at Beaumont Hospital Grosse Pointe.

A beautiful plate of healthy food by chef Dan Kellogg looks really tasty with a great lighting setup inspired by my years in New York working in the food photography studio, with a strong backlight that helps to bring out the texture in the salsa.

Lately, I like to keep things bright a zippy when photographing food. I think everyone is a little tired of dark and dramatic. Open and sparkly is my new method.

Daiek Woodworks: In The Craftsman Style

2010-02-15T12:02:00.014-05:00

Daiek Woodworks is creating a new website - inthecraftsmanstyle.com, where they will showcase their expertly designed and made doors and cabinets that reflect the Craftsman aesthetic. I was lucky enough to be able to photograph some of the work that will be featured there.

The texture of the oak and the superb color of the stain is revealed with my use of intense, unfiltered lighting. Using a very soft diffused light would never show how crisp the work is. Here's a few more of my favorites:

Gallery Show at The Great Frame Up

2010-02-02T10:28:00.009-05:00

Don Schulte Photography photos will be on display in the galleries of The Great Frame Up in Grosse Pointe Woods from April through June, 2010. We'll have framed work, matted prints and loose prints for sale, along with some of the Notable Greetings cards line.

More great news: we'll be having a gallery reception benefit for The Family Center of Grosse Pointe and Harper Woods on June 24, 2010, starting at 7pm. Have some wine and cheese and light hors d'oeuvres, AND every purchase you make of a Don Schulte Photography print - benefits The Family Center, offering enrichment programs for families. It also serves as the community's centralized hub that links families and professionals with resources that promote growth.

The Great Frame Up is extending this offer for the duration of the show: April-June, so mention The Family Center benefit if you want to buy a framed photograph of buy a print and have it framed - it's a win-win for parents and families in your community!

Notable Greetings Cards at Circare

2010-02-01T10:53:00.002-05:00

Need a quick fix of Notable Greetings cards? Head on over to Circare, a gift shop that is a "place of discovery" for original art, gift items, toys and more. On Mack in St. Clair Shores, just east of Nine Mile Road: 23024 Greater Mack St Clair Shores, MI 48080.

Crocker House Garden Walk - Garden Boutique June 26, 2010

2010-01-29T10:46:00.004-05:00

Notable Greetings is pleased to be a vendor at the Crocker House Garden Walk Garden Boutique on June 26, 2010.

I'll have my latest cards and prints, and I'll bring some of my Notable Sentiments inserts too. Notable Sentiments are a great way to include a special quote that complements your message.

Notable Sentiments are sold in sets of 12 notable quotes. Each set is grouped on a theme: friendship, celebration, appreciation, comfort and more. They are nicely formatted, printed on translucent paper, sized to fit well on the inside left panel of the card, and include 12 clear adhesive disks to affix them to your cards. See all of the Notable Sentiments inserts at the Notable Greetings website. Just go to the homepage and click on Inspiration.

The annual Garden Walk event opens local gardens for tours and offers many attractions on-site at the Crocker House. Visit the Crocker House website for more information on this year's Garden Walk on June 26, 2010.

Notable Greetings Cards at Christ Church Grosse Pointe

2009-12-07T11:44:00.006-05:00

Thanks to everyone who participated in the Christ Church Grosse Pointe Gifts and Greens Sale events last weekend (December 4-6).

I was there with my cards and prints. Attendance was low, but all the vendors still managed to make a few sales and new friends. It was great to renew acquaintances with some of my fans who stopped by and stocked up on cards for gifts and for themselves.

I donated a print for the live auction - one of my favorites and a good seller too - the Hydrangea that was photographed on a Mt. Clemens Garden Tour a few years back. Two of the event organizers were busy outbidding each other for it. Great fun for a great cause.

Three New Wildflower Collections

2009-11-23T14:15:00.009-05:00

Well, they are finally ready - three new wildflower collections in the Notablegreetings.com line.

Two spring collections and a fall collection - and such a great group of plants, so many varied forms and colors. Who would have thought that so much diversity and real garden interest was possible with Michigan wildflowers?

And all the flowers are from the amazing garden of my friend Cheryl English, who produces her Black Cat Pottery line with such artistry, variety and abundance.

Every so often, I get a call from Cheryl: "You need to get out to the garden, the (witch hazel, polemonium, great blue lobelia...) is blooming!" And so it is that I have today three new favorite collections that will certainly appeal to not only wildflower aficionados, but anyone who appreciates the real beauty of nature, right here in our Michigan backyards.

Spring Collection 1

Spring Collection 2

Fall Collection 1

Please visit notablegreetings.com for more about our cards and prints, inspiration and letter-writing tips.

I'll be at the Christ Church Grosse Pointe Gifts and Greens sale on December 5 and 6. Hope to see you there.

Speaking Engagement for the Three Cities Art Club

2009-11-03T13:40:00.002-05:00

Well, it has been a busy time with all the speaking engagements!

November 2nd I was at the Canton City Hall presenting my "How to make better photographs..." talk to the Three Cities Art Club. Turns out the meeting was held in the council chamber, with all the big-shot audio visual equipment - that was a treat. Many thanks to club member Allen Brooks for his persistence in getting it all set up.

What a great group of talented artists! Members brought their new works for the group to choose a favorite. Not an easy task!

Thanks to the Three Cities Art Club members for their kind attention to and appreciation of my presentation!

Speaking Engagement for the Master Gardeners of Greater Detroit

2009-10-29T13:36:00.001-04:00

Another fine evening was happily shared with a group of enthusiastic gardeners who were I believe genuinely entertained and hopefully well-informed by my "How to Make Better Photographs in Your Garden" talk.

Thanks, members of the Master Gardeners of Greater Detroit, for welcoming me!

Speaking Engagement for the Lakes Area Garden Club

2009-10-20T16:04:00.004-04:00

Sincere thanks for the opportunity to share my photographic knowledge goes to the members of the Lakes Area Garden Club for their hospitality and attention on October 13.

My "Making Better Photographs in Your Garden" presentation went along quite well - after an unexpected computer shut down and restart - something always happens when relying on Vista and a projector to work properly!

I have added a number of tips for improving photographic success to each iteration of my presentation. This time, a few of the ideas put forth in my "Be a Better Photographer by Using Your Heart" post made it into the final presentation.

I look forward to another presentation of "Making Better Photographs in Your Garden" for the Master Gardeners of Greater Detroit on October 28! I'm busy refining and improving the draft and will be ready with some fresh ideas.

New Cards at Notable Greetings

2009-10-08T15:14:00.005-04:00

Thanks to great opportunities in Cheryl's fantastic garden (please visit her Black Cat Pottery website!), I've got three new sets of cards for the notablegreetings.com line:

Cathy's Roses and Clematis

Michigan Wildflowers - Summer Collection 1

Michigan Wildflowers - Summer Collection 2

I've got two more sets of Michigan wildflowers for spring coming out soon too! Go to notablegreetings.com and click on Cards.

New Mystique Jewelry Catalog

2009-06-04T15:27:00.011-04:00

Wow. Another great bunch of photos for the new Mystique Jewelry catalog.

Always a pleasure of course to work with the great team at Night Cry Graphics in Royal Oak, Michigan. Download a PDF of the 2009-10 catalog and share it with someone who loves jewelry.

This year, we worked on about 12 new pages. The catalog is expanding and reusing some 30 or so of last year's pages.

I kept the lighting similar without trying too hard to make it match exactly. Nice to have some variation in a big catalog. I like the cast shadows - harder edged than last year, but never overpowering.

Lighting groups of items like this is always a bit of a compromise - it would be great to be able to tailor the lighting for each piece, but I am pleased with the results and happy to say that this lighting setup produces great results and requires very little retouching or manipulation.

The top photo is one for an interior page. Nice layout and alot of little leftover spaces for the numbers or letters that will identify each item.

Here's the cover image. All new items with that signature Mystique Jewelry style. A bit more drama here with the big shadow at the top keeps the interest on the jewelry and makes the gold really delicious.

If you need small product photos, catalog photos or other types of studio still life work, I can bring this setup to your location.

Contact me through my notablestock.com or notablegreetings.com websites.

Be a Better Photographer by Using Your Heart

2009-05-20T10:58:00.005-04:00

My previous post, How to Get Great Photos of Your Favorite Plants, was heavy on the practical and a little thin on the emotional. As a photographer with a strong background in art history, I understand that great work is not just great technique. It is an artistic vision that begins in the heart. Mastery of technique is certainly required to communicate one's vision, but it is this vision thing that is the subject of this article.

My thesis is that strong feelings make for strong photographs. When the photographer is closely connected on an emotional level, it shines through in the work somehow. Maybe it is that little bit of extra time or extra effort that makes a difference. What drives this extra effort is an emotional attachment to the subject and the revelation of it to viewers who sense that bond.

Yes it's all kinda mystical and new-age-y. Even silly. But an emotional attachment is there on some level and that's what we want to tap into when we are trying to get great photos in the garden or landscape.

You've been out there in the perfect stillness of a dewy morning, been rushing out when the sky clears after a thunderstorm to look for the rainbow, been struck by the radiance of a sunset. And you have said "That would make a great picture." But what you have been feeling is "This is a great, emotionally-charged moment."

So what to do? Be present. Be there fully in the moment, with no distraction. Pay attention completely to your little rectangle of the world as you frame and focus. Your connection to your subject needs to be unwavering. There must be a clarity of vision that reveals truth.

If you only see a bunch of plants or spots of color, you are not there yet. Get closer or farther, get behind, in front or to the side, but work your way around your subject until you can feel it there with you. Hey, you've taken the time and effort to get outside and start photographing - why not bring everything you have to the enterprise? Make emotion a part of your technique - all it takes is concentration, connection and clarity.

ChariTea Bear's Tea Party

2009-05-20T10:06:00.008-04:00

On a fine sunny springtime Sunday, The Family Center of Grosse Pointe and Harper Woods hosted an enrichment program: ChariTea Bear's Tea Party. All the moms and dads and all the children came dressed for a party, with suits or sweaters for the guys and dresses with hats and gloves for the gals. Proceeds from the day supported its Early Childhood programs.

There was tea and juice and scones and little sandwiches to eat. There were outdoor games to play and a storytime too. The children even had a place to create their own thank-you cards with paper and markers and stickers. (That's it above) Pictures with a live ChariTea Bear were also a favorite.

But the most fun was that the children each received their own bear or dog to stuff and dress and take home. Once animated by stuffing the empty forms, each animal was never far from its new owner. I see two bears carefully kept on little laps in the photo above.

Another component of the event was a request for donations of "comfort bears" to be distributed to local pediatric cancer & hospital programs. So many were donated - over 100 - that each center will receive an impressive contribution.

Thank you to everyone who helped make this event possible. I had a great time following the children around and documenting the day's festivities.

Consider a gift to The Family Center to support its enrichment programs. Events like this are not just a happy diversion for a bunch of cute kids - the activities utilized both fine (bear-making) & gross motor skills (games), socialization skills and encouraged children to read (the storytime element), write and create (the thank-you notes component).

Conference Tables for Daiek Woodworks

2009-05-18T16:31:00.010-04:00

Was back in the Daiek shop in Sterling Heights, Michigan the other day, photographing these giant conference tables. You can always count on Daiek for beautiful workmanship and great finishes.

The larger one - on top here - has moveable sections. The two long 'arms' of the unit can pivot and change the distance between them. It all works very smoothly too. The smaller one below has fixed arms and several openings in the top for video equipment. There is a matching credenza and podium too.

The photography is easy when the stuff looks as great as this. Well, not really of course. Luckily I had six flashes and a little bit of time to get them all balanced. I prefer to use unfiltered light for its 'punch' and 'pop' on woodwork - it really brings out the sparkle in the finishes and the grain of the wood. Reflecting white into these surfaces would just make them look all milky and awful. I used my very large black cloth draped behind the tables to eliminate reflections from the shop.

The large conference table had to be in its boxes and in a truck like Right Now, so there was only about an hour for me. The credenza and the two podiums were tucked into some 'free time' while the conference tables were being set up and tested.

I am pleased with the result, and used my photoshop skills to cut them from their background (a woodworking shop in full production) and add a shadow to give them a little depth. Other than that, the shot is just about 'as-is' from the camera.

If you need a photographer who can cope with less-than-ideal locations and tight time lines, consider contacting me. I'm a Detroit area photographer that excels at product, jewelry and architectural photography. The result might just make your product look like a million bucks too.

How to Get Great Photos of Your Favorite Plants

2009-03-04T18:06:00.003-05:00

After my talk for the Grosse Pointe Garden Center, several people wanted more information on how to improve their photos using their own equipment.

My first tip is to get out early or stay out late. This means that the best light begins just before sunrise and just after sunset. This period of "magic light" provides a nice low,raking light that defines shapes very well. Trying to get good results when the sun is high - from 10am to 5pm - will be quite difficult.

This time of day will also have low light levels, so camera shake can be a problem. I recommend the the photographer bring a chair with them and use the seat or back as a rest for the camera. (the photographer can sit in the seat too) Most people have seen paparazzi chasing stars with cameras, but never noticed the one thing they have in common: a certain way of holding the camera with arms tucked into the body so that the camera is solidly supported. The right hand holds the right side of the camera; the left hand holds the bottom of the camera. This also keeps fingers out of the lens. (no more pictures with fuzzy blobby things in the upper left corner!)

Another tip is to get out there in all weathers and all seasons. Keep taking pictures of the same plant through the growing season!

Now, I just said something bad: taking pictures. One should "make a photograph" not "take a picture." The act of making a photograph better describes the process. One should be actively looking at the subject, seeing the light and how it reveals the subject, knowing what camera settings can be used to best advantage. "Taking a picture" is just a grab at success. "Making a photograph" just might ensure success.

When composing a photograph, what is beyond the subject or around the subject can make or break your composition. Always check the corners of your frame; always watch your background. Look for power lines. Attend to the neighbor's bright yellow green blue red plastic child's toy monstrosity and keep it out of your photograph!

Take your time. Walk all around your subject; get closer, farther, higher, lower. Don't just run in, ambush the poor plant and fire away.

This might be a good time to talk about the virtues of digital capture. With a digital camera, one can preview each image - an invaluable help. Digital capture also means that there is no penalty for making more images. Take the memory card to Walgreen's and print only the ones that you really want. Try doing that with film. The costliest aspect of an ongoing photographic hobby is now gone.

The final tip for this first installment is to get closer. Your physical proximity to the plant is important - arm's length is a good place to be. You can experiment with walking farther away and zooming in to fill the frame, but things look flat and boring.

More photographic tips will come in future posts. For now, go outside and take another look at your garden - through a photographer's eyes.

The Family Center of Grosse Pointe and Harper Woods

2009-02-01T13:37:00.004-05:00

Since 2008, I have been involved in photographing special events and presentations for The Family Center. My web coding skills at Construct have also been of use on a new web site for The Family Center.

There is a Photo Galleries section in the website with the latest events. While my forte is surely studio work, being at the events has been fun and a good way to keep busy with the camera during the nasty winter months.

"Church Furniture" for Daiek Woodworks

2009-02-01T11:42:00.007-05:00

Recently, I was asked to photograph some new work by Daiek Woodworks - an altar and lectern at the First Congregational Church in Rochester, Michigan. The goal for the photographs was to display Daiek's veneering skills for a competition.

Arriving at the church's administration wing on a bitterly cold morning, I was warmly welcomed by the staff, who had nothing but praise for Daiek Woodworks' creations. The Reverend Dave Wheeler himself directed me to the church and was happy to show me the features of the altar and lectern. He then left me to my work, saying I was free to move things about as I needed.

First, I created a nice interior photograph of the church - just for the Reverend - that he may use wherever he can. It's not often that a professional photograph is available of your church, so it was my way of thanking them for generously allowing me to complete my work for Daiek.

Then the work began of showing the altar and lectern from several angles, including detail shots. The task was actually quite easy, with lots of room to move lights around and a beautiful subject.

I eventually used all six of my strobes - two Canon 550's, two old Sunpack "potato masher" style units, and two A/C powered monolights. Some were used as background fills; some were edge lights; some were main lights.

The greatest wonder of digital photography is the ability to see the preview so easily. Changes are done in a moment, so there is no disincentive (like shooting piles of costly Polaroids or wandering around with a flash meter guessing at the outcome) to create the best work possible.

Holiday Mart Results

2009-02-01T11:29:00.006-05:00

Well, the Holiday Mart is over - thankfully it seems, with much reduced attandance from other years, according to all repeat vendors.

This was my first year, so was surprised to be selling anything at all. I find that these venues are break-even propositions, possibly useful for making some new contacts. Most of the attendees are content to walk the aisles and ogle the items.

Occasionally, I meet a person who is moved by the work, or finds it triggers a memory. Spending time with them talking about a particular plant or garden is time treasured. One woman remarked upon my photographs of clouds. (You can see them hanging on the gridwall on the right side of the image above.) She said, "You took these in the fall, didn't you?" I was surprised at her ability to recognize the particular icy veil of early October sunsets in Michigan, and said "of course they were, but how did you know?"

She responded, almost tearfully, that her late husband was quite a pilot, who enjoyed traveling the state in his own small plane with her. She said the photographs spoke to her with the exact same subtle tones and vibrance of the late-day October sun she rememberrs from so many trips in happier times.

So, whether or not "enough" sales are made during a weekend, there is - more often than not - at least one memorable encounter that can make the time spent more than worthwhile.

Notable Greetings at the Holiday Mart

2008-09-10T18:36:00.003-04:00

Visit us at the Holiday Mart from October 17-20, 2008 at the Grosse Pointe War Memorial. The Holiday Mart is a benefit for Planned Parenthood of Michigan, so a portion of all sales goes to the charity. Lots of great art and all for a good cause!

New Cards at Notable Greetings

2008-09-10T18:26:00.006-04:00

Lots of new items for gardeners who love the Notable Greetings line of cards. Thanks to everyone for all their support and encouragement. How about these Autmn Jewels?

And anther new set: Clematis: Summertime in Cheryl's Garden shows the terrific diversity in the genus.

Just in time for relief from the holiday rush: Holiday Greetings: Antique Ornaments.

Go to http://www.notablegreetings.com/ to see the entire collection.

Mystique Jewelry Catalog

2008-08-04T16:28:00.006-04:00

I am pleased to present another fine catalog for Mystique Jewelry. A collaboration of my photography and the excellent art direction of Angela Marsh from Nightcry Graphics, this year's catalog is even bigger and better than last year.

I spoke with Tricia and Jeff Auten, creators of the Mystique Jewelry concept, and am happy to report that thanks in part to our efforts, their sales are better than ever and even more people are interested in signing up as home consultants. Their existing consultants report that the new catalogs have been a great sales tool.

As a photographer, I really like the instant feedback of digital capture. I attach the camera to a bigscreen tv, and we can look at every detail. This really saves on the retouching time and ensures a great final result.

If you are interested in seeing the catalog in its entirety, visit my Notable Stock website and send me an email.

Waterworks Theatre Posters

2008-08-04T12:26:00.004-04:00

Here's a nice little shot for Waterworks Theatre, the best outdoor theatre in southeastern Michigan. Held in Starr-Jaycee Park in Royal Oak, it's the best kind of local production that feels like the real deal. Well Done!

As for the photo, it's a mix of flash and daylight, shot late in the day against a well-ivied alley wall. Wish you could see the crowd in the alley working away on this photo. Not a bad result.

Kudos to Angela Marsh of Night Cry Graphics for the way cool work on this postcard.

Designs By Loriece Jewelry

2008-04-22T11:52:00.010-04:00

This new image was created for Designs By Loriece. This designer offers a stylish, contemporary look in jewelrey, giftware and home accessories that reflect the outdoor lifestyle.

The image here is of the Spirit Horse design, which represents aspects of the character of the horse. This design, when viewed from the side, looks like an eagle's wing, which represents courage in native cultures. The horse also possesses aspects of courage.

The lighting setup for this photograph was the basic 'wrap it in diffusion material' catalog style, with particular attention paid to the position and intensity of the three lights used. I also set up small flags to cast shadows on the diffusion material to further accent specific edges.

What a treat it is to have the benefits of digital capture for an image like this. The setup is really quite tiny - the jewelry is only about 1 x 1.5 inches, so little movements and specks of dust are a big deal. I like to set up a television near the set and link the camera to it so I can see the images good and large.

I remember the stacks of Polariods of so many years ago as we struggled with jewelry shoots, making sure that everything was perfect to go to film. The digital proof on the big screen works ever so much better.

Simple Setups on Location

2008-02-13T14:42:00.010-05:00

How do I get great results with a simple setup on location?

This project for a custom woodworking company that specializes in doors was done on location in a dusty shop with just a single flash and a fill card. I used a white cloth as a background and touched it all up later in Photoshop. Yes, this is another example of us 'lazy' photographers making silk purses in post-production.

But in this case, there was no way to get it perfect in one shot and in the time allotted. The shop crew could not be disturbed from their work and there was literally no other place to do the photos - studio shots were not part of the budget or the timeline.

So what to do? Get a good digital capture: sharp, color-balanced, well-lit and clean. Make sure that the walnut looks like walnut and the oak looks like oak. Then, add it to a background and everyone's happy. This approach actually works much better sometimes because all the backgrounds can match.

If you need product shots done at your location, don't just ask a photographer when they can show up - ask them if they have the experience to make a quick-and-dirty photo into something that is substantial enough for a glossy brochure. I've done it with things as tiny as jewelry and as large as the 9-foot-tall pair of matched walnut doors you see here.

In Addition...

2008-01-22T19:24:00.001-05:00

Now here's a little rant from my life as a writer: if I never see the phrase 'in addition to...' again, I'll be very happy.

I work as a print production manager, website coder and writer for Construct - a marketing communications company in Harrison Township, Michigan. We specialize in very custom work for very special clients that understand the value of creative professionals (as opposed to 'desktop publishers').

We are working on a fundraising brochure and the client's edits came in. And there it was - someone added an 'in addition' to a perfectly concise sentence: "In addition, donors may..." Sigh.

Actually my response was more like 'good grief'. Maybe a little stonger. Maybe a lot stronger.

Next time you feel compelled to also add an addition in addition to something, please be kind to your poor readers and rephrase. Simple declarations will get the writing down the road to improved communication much faster and farther.

Executive Portraits

2008-01-17T20:23:00.002-05:00

I've been busy lately doing some work for The Family Center, a nonprofit providing the Grosse Pointes and Harper Woods with many programs for families. This project was an executive portrait sesion with the founder of the nonprofit and the new executive director. Shot on location with simple lighting and not much time for fancy stuff, it worked out well, especially on the cold and dark and misty morning we had.

I always like to do one setup and get the "expected" photo out of the way, then I move "out of the box" and do another setup somewhere else that is a little more informal. In this case, limited time and space enabled me to concentrate on getting the work accomplished. We all worked well together, and the result is a nice portrait that not only is well-lit but also reveals their personalities.

New Work for Riverside Custom Design + Remodeling

2007-11-13T19:00:00.001-05:00

Working with Riverside is one of those excellent experiences that enables photographers to either succeed brilliantly or go down in flames. Complete freedom to choose the camera location and lighting is rare and welcomed by the confident artist. I find it energizing to enter a situation with simple tools and make the most of what is present in the time allowed.

The challenge for me is to reveal the quality of their work without the obvious presence of the photographer. I strive to use light simply and gently to allow the room to look as natural as possible. The simplicity extends to props and styling: I remove nearly everything that the homeowners have cluttered countertops with; no elaborate place settings on tables; no soap dispensers in sinks. I think it was a success.

About Riverside:
Their work with custom kitchens and baths, for both remodeling or new construction, is of the highest caliber; their design skills are exceptional. The quality of materials is always first-rate and their installers are the best I have seen. Visit their website here.

New Work Photographed for Black Cat Pottery

2007-10-17T18:24:00.001-04:00

Another great opportunity was realized recently - photographing art for artists. I was able to collaborate with Cheryl English from Black Cat Pottery on the photography of her most recent work. A very dreary morning resolved to become a beautiful afternoon, with perfect light for photographing outdoors.

Cheryl's backyard garden has an amazing assortment of plants that she uses not only in her work but also in her research for speaking engagements on the many varieties of Clematis.

We were able to complete about eleven photographs of six different works before the light changed and our schedules demanded that we end the session. I wish you could see a large version of the photograph at left. There is a small cricket that sprang up onto the foreground leaf. It paused long enough for an exposure, then popped along on its way. I also like the tousled quality of the grass in the lawn; a perfectly-barbered sheet of sod would not have worked at all.

All were photographed with available light, sometimes with a white fill card to modify the shadows or highlights. Chasing the sun around on an early October afternoon kept us busy moving items about the garden. The quality of light as it was filtered though the trees was very nice.

I used my trusty wideangle zoom, as it allows me to get in close to the work. By choosing a lens that places the work within reach, it mimics the natural perspective that one feels when viewing them in person.

I recognized that the most important part of all this effort was the opportunity to share my interest in still life with other artists. The process of choosing the right works for the right location, then placing them to their best advantage took me back to the purest forms of still life photography that I enjoy most.

Being a conduit for communication is especially gratifying. Cheryl simply needed the photos to enter a juried show; the effort was more than necessary to show the judges 'what it looked like' and the result is a new group of photographs that she can use for many different promotional needs. The promising aspect of photography for me is its ability to become more than simply a record of something. When one sees more than the literal 'being' of something, its meaning can be modified, its impact can transformed and magnified.

New Cards, Featuring "Skeins"

2007-09-26T12:14:00.001-04:00

The new "Skeins" cards are up on the notablegreetings.com website. I had some fun with these, combining my interest in classical still life with the fantastic textures of all the great yarns that are available today.

I named the collections with musical themes: Adagio, Capriccio, and Minuet. Enjoy:

Adagio

Capriccio

Minuet

Speaking Engagement for the Grosse Pointe Garden Center

2007-09-23T20:45:00.002-04:00

Friday, September 21, 2007:

I was lucky enough to be invited to make a presentation of my work and speak about nature photography to about 75 members the Grosse Pointe Garden Center. The occasion was their annual awards celebration. Quite an honor for me, and very gratifying too. One member later thanked me personally, saying that I had provided the spark of encouragement and the practical skills she needed to begin photographing in her garden again.

I had prepared a simple powerpoint slide show of my work (about 100 images) and a rather lengthy talk about how to improve one's photography with 2 simple things: understand the equipment to be a better mechanic, and become a more open-minded, inquisitive artist.

It was the second half of the presentation that most attendees enjoyed most - at least I thought so. I have strong feelings about how the presence of the photographer is what separates 'taking pictures' from 'making photographs' - how it is the expression of the mind of the artist that establishes a unique vision and begins a communication with the viewer.

There was great trepidation as I prepared my slide show and my mini-lecture. Months of planning, many revisions and much practice went into what was just over an hour's presentation. I thought it impossible that I had anything important to say. Yet it came to be that I did actually have something that was quite interesting to a majority of my audience. They were generous with their attention, their applause, and their questions.

New Cards

2007-09-17T19:32:00.001-04:00

I have been working on some new cards for the NotableGreetings.com line.

Three sets of cards feature some very nice studio images of yarn, photographed very simply in a classical still life lighting setup. I was lucky enough to have the support of my dearest Debbie to shepherd the process and introduce me to Catherine at Sweet Celeste's yarn shop in Mt. Clemens. The cards are on sale there and will soon be available at the NotableGreetings.com website.

Also soon to be seen will be two new sets of clematis, photographed in the garden of Cheryl English. Noted for her expertise on all things clematis, she also creates impressive clay works with garden themes. See more of her work at blackcatpottery.com.

On another photography note, I was recently working on preparing some large prints for Riverside Custom Design + Remodeling. Nicely sized at 30x36", mounted on Sintra and laminated for surface protection, the images of some recent kitchen and bath remodelings that I photographed for them will be displayed in the window of the shop. It is amazing how much detail is possible with the digital image capture.

Finally, I was able to re-visit the blog of a favorite friend of ours, Leah at Leah's Natural.com. Check out her website that features natural skin and body care products, then visit her blog to enjoy her Nine Lives blog.

2007-08-31T10:21:00.000-04:00

What a beautiful morning today! Perfect weather and the promise of a day of simple, carefree adventures.

Wouldn't it be great to get a note from a friend that simply says that they are beginning a wonderful day?

That's what a notable greeting is all about: say hello, make it personal, make it simple, make it count.

Today is your day to make it special for someone. And doing so will make it special for you also!

Ready for the Holiday?

2007-08-30T15:58:00.000-04:00

This is Labor Day weekend - a good time to remember someone with a card or a note. If your friend is not going to be with you this holiday, maybe it would be good to write a little note to remember the last time you were together.

Notable Greetings cards have so many different images of flowers that one is always bound to be in season. Several of the nicest flowers that are blooming now include Black-Eyed Susans and Hollyhocks. Our Sunny Daisies collection and Pinks collection have some great late-season flowers for you.

Making Sense

2007-08-24T10:12:00.000-04:00

There is a line in a manual of style that says "Good writing must be vigorous and concise." Now that's a vigorous and concise way to put it, isn't it? There is a trend toward the mediocre and imprecise that makes everyday communication not only more mundane but also increasingly unintelligible.

I like a really good word now and then. I'll even go to the Merriam-Webster site and use their thesaurus for some inspiration. Try it and see.

Bring vigorous and concise language to your next email or letter. I don't mean that one should simply be brief or short. The idea is to use excellent words and strong declarative sentences. Long, loopy constructions of several unrelated thoughts do little for the reader.

Try proofreading by reading your work aloud. If you get to a place where you stumble when speaking, it is likely that your reader will stumble in the same place. Usually the reason for the stumble is a badly constructed sentence, an imprecise word, or some other unexpected change that causes the reader to lose their way.

Our river of written communication can be full of hazards for the unwary. Navigate with vigor and precision to smooth turbulent seas.

Welcome

2007-08-22T11:39:00.000-04:00

Hello and welcome.

With Notable Greetings, I hope to begin a dialogue that helps people connect with the written word - to send a note with a thoughtful sentiment that encourages understanding and brings people together.

Whether the words are typed into a keyboard or written with pen and paper, we can all benefit from more effective communication. I'll be posting my favorite tips and hints for better use of the language, along with personal updates as we get to know each other.

Cheers,
Don