"Deadpan"

       On my 3rd photo assignment I had to do a photograph related to what is know as "Deadpan" photography. Referring to a "Plain lack of expression" from the part of the individual being photographed and the detachment of the photographer from the subject. Usually photographs are pretty much posed, but in this case the subject is probably in a natural state on a plain expression/ emotionless expression.

Rineke Dijkstra is a Dutch photographer and a great example of a portraiture photographer who focuses on deadpan photography. Her works have been showcased at the Guggenheim Museum in NYC. Here is the website where you can find her latest work installments at the museum. Below are some of her works.
                                         

Rineke Dijkstra "self portrait" after a swim. This show her exhaustion and expressions after swimming.

Rineke's photographs are so raw and simple. I really enjoy her work.

For my version of "Deadpan" I photographed my friend Johanan Colon who by the way I enjoy photographing. He has been the subject of my photographs a couple of times now. Here is the final product.

Johanan Colon

I kinda got carried away with the location we were shooting at that I just took a couple of non-"deadpan" photographs.

I really enjoy doing portraiture. Being this close to the subject can tell you so much about them and one can even see sides of that person that you have never seen before. In my opinion portraiture is also open to interpretation in a way. The viewer may ask questions such as:

• What is this person thinking?
• What emotional state the subject is in?
•  How is the subject feeling?

All this questions may be asked more often with "Deadpan" since the subject is showing little to no emotion.

You can visit my Facebook page HERE
You can visit Johanan Colon's blog and learn from his creative side and also read my recent feature HERE

Thanks for reading.....
M.Berri

"Conceptual" #1

First photo assignment "Conceptual" . So I thought to myself what is conceptual?. I google it and its basically a photo that illustrates an idea, so any idea that a person may have can be brought to life and that will be a conceptual piece (right).

So my idea for this first assignment had something to do with gravity, levitation and freedom. 

Long time ago I was inspired by this Japanese girl named Natsumi Hayashi who does levitation photos and they are amazing. Check out her website. After seeing her photos I always wanted to do something like that.

  I called my friend Gonzalo to assist me with this assignment. Unfortunately I made this shoot happen around 5:30pm and here in FL it starts getting dark around 6-630pm so instead of doing this by myself with a tripod which was my first idea I asked Gonzalo to take the photo for me.
Let me tell you that trying to jump and look natural it's not easy, but we made it happen.

getting ready

First try....not bad

Lets all try to take photos while levitating =)

I'm a pro.....

The sky was awesome and that's my friend Gonzalo who you can barely see

One last levitation shot before it got dark

The next day I found out that my assignment wasn't due until two days after and so I had a little bit of more time for this assignment. So I though maybe I can give this assignment another try and do another idea that I had. My other idea involved two people a boy and girl and it had to do with love, search and being able to find that special person. I still wanted to do something that involved levitation. After calling a bunch of my friends I couldn't find anyone available to play the main two characters, so I figured why not play in my own story.? But I still needed to find the boy who was gonna play my lost lover. I asked the one person who doesn't like taking pictures and every time I do take a  picture he argues. That person is my boyfriend. Took me a little while to convinced him, but he still did it. I also called my friend Gonzalo to take the picture just like a couple of days before because it was already a bit late and by the time I would set up and practice the jumps it would have been dark already.
I really enjoyed doing this photo shoot and more fun doing it with the person I love. I felt more in character trying to reach for him.

getting ready

I guess on this one he was telling me that he wont do this again EVER..

too close and too little air

the final product. This one was the one I used for critique day.

I couldn't decide between this one and the one above.

Just being silly ...ahh!

Love <3

I really wanted to post something on Valentines Day but I didn't have the chance. So its only been four days since Valentines so I guess I can still post something Love related since we are still on February right?. I wanted to introduce you to the love of my life, my soul mate  and best friend. This person supports me and encourages me to be a better person and for that I'm so grateful to have met him. I thank God everyday for having him in my life. He is my everything. We fit together perfectly like opposites attract of course  We've been through a lot and I'm still madly in LOVE. He keeps me afloat.
He asked me to marry him 3 years ago and this year in November will finally be the big day.

I love him

At another concert Mayhem Festival 2012

This was in 2007 the first photo we took together. Just friends no love yet

Our first concert together Mayhem Festival 2008

At a gallery opening where I was showcasing some of my work. 2012

He serenades me

On a recent trip to NYC (2012). he was my model even though he doesn't like taking  pictures

Kisses 4ever

In 2009 we broke up for about 6 months and it was the worst mistake of my life. We got  back together and we've been inseparable ever since. This was the first photo we took together after getting back together.

My better half

The LOVE of my life

At a place called Gringos locos. Orlando, FL

FuN

Been busy with a 3D project that is driving me crazy. I present it tomorrow and I'm hoping for a good grade.  Anyways I'm gonna share with you a recent shoot I did with my good friend Johanan Colon by the way you can check out his blog here. He is a very talented individual attending school to become a graphic designer. check out his designs and creations here.

One afternoon I had the idea of doing a quick photoshoot and so I called Johanan and luckily he was available to drive around with me and find the perfect spot to photograph. We went to a golf course 10 minutes from where my house and it was the perfect location. 

Such a beautiful day. I love that sky

Johanan helped me to edit this photo because I'm still an amateur at photoshop.  By far my favorite from the whole set and the one I used for my first photo assignment in school.

I really enjoyed shooting with Johanan he is great and very laid back. I can't wait to shoot with him again. I got some cool ideas for my next shoot and it will be with him. 

Facebook Photo page MBerri Photography

Wild

Its been a little over two weeks since I wrote my last post. I promised I will try to keep this blog updated and that's what I intend to do (I hope). Last week I did a quick fashion shoot with a friend of mine Shanice Gray. She is very fashion forward and that's what I love about her style and that's why I've been trying to shoot with her for a long time. Finally it came true. I wanted to do something punk/rebellious. In where there would be abandoned train tracks and places with graffiti and stuff and so we found the perfect location. We only had about 40 minutes to shoot before sunset. We kinda trespass into a location, but thank God we didn't get caught there wasn't many people around anyways. It was very fun I can't wait to shoot with her again.
Here is the final product.........

The call she had to take

Model: Shanice Gray
wardrobe: Shanice Gray