Believe it or not, I paint too.  Not that I have painted much in the past decade, but I always envisioned a day when I would pick up the brushes again.

I received my BFA in Painting.  I had decided to pursue photography full time upon graduating.  However, switching majors and extending school (and tuition) for another few years seemed pointless.  So the last few years of school I focused on photography.

But I never gave up painting.  I continued to take painting classes- namely in watercolor.

It’s a terrible medium- one little mistake can ruin an entire painting (and you can’t “paint” over the mistake like oil or acrylic).  But the transparency and watery effects of watercolor cannot be replicated.

I am currently inspired by the work of Alvaro Castagnet, Dusan Djukaric, John Salminen, Paul Jackson, Judy Morris, Cheng-Khee Chee, and others.

You will notice that the majority of these artists do not paint flowers.  I can’t stand flower paintings (can you say “overdone”).

These are the first watercolors I have painted in the past decade.

They suck.  But they are a starting point.

While I am continuing to photograph weddings, maternity, and portraits, I look forward to delving into resource materials for upcoming paintings- my two file cabinets of 35mm slides (and 5 external hard drives of the hi-res scans).

So, in addition to having another baby this month, continuing to shoot weddings, trying to find time to exercise, I have added another endeavor to my list.

Who’s up for another pot of coffee?  Do you wonder why I don’t sleep?

Sincerely,

Ryan

R. Fox Photography

(919) 645-8345

ryan@rfoxphoto.com

August 18th, 2011 by admin | No Comments »

I came across a photograph shot years ago today, a sort of “self-portrait”. Thank you Laura Sullivan, a talented, creative, and patient writer for dealing with me one our trips overseas together (more later). Laura, as you may have guessed, photographed the moment with my camera.

When traveling, I prided myself on trying to experience life as the locals experience life. This involves avoiding tourists, speaking the local language (as much I can learn in a few weeks), and taking public transportation (not much fun except in Europe).

So when I was in Cambodia shooting an assignment at a NGO (Non-Governmental Organization) hospital run by Americans, I noticed fried tarantulas sold as food. As luck would have it, a merchant walked through our restaurant with a basket of the deep fried eight-legged freaks. Not wishing to think (that would have completely ruined the moment), I purchased one of the fried critters, and immediately ate it.

Words cannot describe the experience. And we’ll leave it at that.

But I do have a cool photograph of the moment to prove I did it.

On a side note, I shot photographs of my very pregnant wife Jasmine a few days ago. While I have been meaning to get the pictures sooner, the 100 plus degree temperatures everyday for the last three months have not been agreeing with her pregnant state, and we have been married long enough for me to know not to suggest the photographs until sunset.

Trying to get my son to cooperate was like, well- eating a deep fried tarantula!

Ryan

R. Fox Photography

(919) 645-8345

ryan@rfoxphoto.com

August 9th, 2011 by admin | No Comments »

Yesterday I shot headshots  of a budding author- Emma Burcart.  Emma is presently shopping her novel to literary agents.  I wish her the best of luck as I know from years of shooting editorial and travel photographer how difficult it can be to get the attention of editors and publishers (think of JK Rowling’s early struggles).

My favorite photograph of the day- umbrella to camera right, rim light behind her at 1/64th power, and on camera flash pointed toward wall on left.  But forget the technical aspects- she looks beautiful.

I managed to make her laugh when I suggested we stage a shot of her lying face down on the kitchen table with an empty bottle of gin next to her, pencil in hand.  Writers are known to be a quirky bunch, right?

Do not worry, I am a photographer and painter.  We also have “reputations”.

Emma spent a lot of time looking at author headshots (often laughing so hard I thought water was going to come out of her nose).  She wanted a photograph that could stand the test of time.  After all, those 80′s headshots we see on the back of novels did NOT age well, right?

Oh, and I do not put the hand on the chin for pictures.  I absolutely refuse.  Too high school.

I can’t wait to read your novel Emma.

Sincerely,

Ryan Fox

R. Fox Photography

(919) 645-8345

ryan@rfoxphoto.com

July 26th, 2011 by admin | No Comments »