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Andrew Hughes

Mar 28
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Matching the Portrait Style of Another Photographer a Continent Away

By Andrew Hughes, corporate photography, Graphic Works, Masqueman Photography, portrait photography
Photographers often dissect each other’s work to see how a photograph is made. We look for subtle tell-tale signs that show the environment and the light sources for the scene. Trying to recreate another photographer’s style can be very difficult, especially without all the facts. That is what I was asked to do when I was hired to shoot some pickup portraits.
I was tasked to photograph a few of the local Atlanta employees and match the style of the South American office portraits that were already completed. I have the utmost respect for the photographer who took the photos that I was supposed to match. This guy was good and had a wonderful look to his shots. Unfortunately, I do not know this gifted shooter’s name, but his work can be seen in the three photos below.

I was tasked to match these wonderful portraits from another photographer
Try as I might, I could not recreate the scene in the very small office I was given to work in. I got the results below “after the fact” with some photoshop. It was the only way I could do it.
I took the portraits on a white background so that I could composite a background into the scene. The background was pieced together from several of the source photos plus some illustration to extend the blinds.

Later on, the client share a very important clue about the original portraits. A behind the scenes picture revealed the extent of the original photographer’s portrait setup inside an office made of frosted glass. The photographer used the large glass wall as a humongous diffuser. Brilliant!
There was zero chance of me using the same techniques in the space I was given, but it all worked out regardless. Whew!
Mar 21
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Shooting a Variety of Male Portraits with Ronald was Like a Walk in the Park

By Andrew Hughes, Atlanta, male portrait, Masqueman Photography, Piedmont Park, portrait photography
I enjoy making portraits both in and out of the studio, but when Atlanta is in the full “bloom” of Fall, it pays to head outside and take advantage of the beautiful foliage, crisp morning air and lovely vistas.

I was contacted by Ronald to make a variety of photos for social media, business and personal use. We decided to meet in Piedmont Park and take advantage of the weather which was darn near perfect. My plan was to go with the flow and take as many different styles of photos as we could fit into our session. This was more informal than many portrait sessions that have a specific shot list in mind. I kinda like the looseness of it.

On the way to the park, I noticed an irresistible stairway that was being lit with sunlight bouncing off of a building across the street. That was our first stop.
I like to surround my subjects with framing elements like these defocused leaves.

Ronald wanted formal and informal photos so we shot in wearing just about everything he had in his wardrobe bag, including a snazzy tuxedo.

Once in the park, I used repeating architectural elements as a background. Something about columns and well-dressed people just go together. I call this pose “the knuckle sandwich”.

The columns were attached to arches which make a perfect framing device.

And one more…

Changing the direction with me shooting from inside the building creates a whole new scene. I liked the canine passerby.

The sun was blaring bright by now but there was still some haze to diffuse it a bit… a very little bit.

Shooting with the sun to the subject’s back makes a great rim light. Even shooting in harsh lighting conditions can produce good images, but it was challenging. Even the ivy and dead leaves were like little white mirrors pointing sunlight into my eyes.

A quiet moment and rest from the sun glare.
A quick swap of clothing and location in the park changed the feel of the portraits. I like to use natural landscapes to my advantage. Here, the hill was hiding a playground full of children.

I like the structure of the cement background and even the very intense contrast. It’s okay to try different techniques in one photo session because it gives more variety to the client.
We took a break in the shade which allowed me to capture backlit color on the bushes and trees.

To shoot Ronald in front of the Atlanta skyline, I used the only source of shade available, which was a monument. He is literally standing on a shade sliver.

Locals know where this scene is, but to everyone else, it might look like a metropolis anywhere. This image just used available light.

To increase contrast, I used a flash to camera right, which is opposite of the background’s light angle. I wonder how many people might have noticed this? It was the best way to control the light on his face. Regardless, I got the shot that I wanted.

And here is the setup I used…a single naked fill flash balanced with ambient light.
I am not sure who had more fun on this photo safari, but it was a wonderful adventure. Thanks Ronald!
Sep 27
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Family and Baby Portrait Session Moved Inside Due to Rain

By Andrew Hughes, child phtotography, family portraits, Jason Caponi, Masqueman Photography, Studio
It’s been another year and it was time to update the Caponi family photos. The kids are growing up fast so it is important to catch them before they become teenagers. Outside was rainy and gross so we moved the photoshoot inside for different styles of portraits.
Little Michael is a beautiful bouncing baby boy. Look at those huge eye and reddish-blonde hair!
Michael’s grandparents are from the Gulf Shores so the shirt is a nod to them. He is already standing, and at the current rate of growth, he will probably be running his first half-marathon next year.

Jason is a wonderful Dad, but you can see that he literally has his hands full.

Just the boys of the family pose for portrait.

Alessandra is such a beautiful little lady. Here are two similar photos. I just changed the background and modified the poses to provide more choices for the parents. 

Look at that smile with all her front teeth which is not always the case with kids her age.

Alessandra had been taking tap lessons so we wanted a photo of her outfit before she outgrows it.

Here she is showing off a very special gift that her Nonna gave her. Nona was her grandmother who absolutely adored her. I have rarely seen such a close connection between 2 people of different generations. You can read more about Nonna here.

I think she is a natural in front of the camera.

Here she is wearing her Sunday dress. I’m just crazy about this little girl.

And here she is monkeying around for the camera.

Baby Michael has so many expressions and most of them hilarious. His smile lights up the room and would melt even the most Scrooge-like grump.

Another portrait of the men of the house. I like to make comparison photos when kids are so small. Here you can see that Michael’s feet are not even as big as one of Dad’s fingers.
A revealing “behind-the-scenes” look shows that the photo shoot was a group effort. Even big sis was helping Michael find his smile. Mom was over my shoulder making all kinds of funny sounds to get the kids’ attention. Considering that shooting indoors was PLAN B, everything worked out fine.
Sep 25
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A Quick Journey to Asheville, North Carolina

By Andrew Hughes, Asheville, family, North Carolina, trip
This summer I took a quick 3 day weekend to meet up with my wife and her twin sister’s family. I left the heavy cameras at home and took a “point and shoot”.  Here are some of the images from that fun time.

I took the Subaru on the road trip and it performed flawlessly in the scary storm that was so bad the radio recommended taking shelter. I think a Subi counts as shelter, right?

The twins sisters. It was strange to see another copy o my wife.

We hit the arts district which is loaded with many great sights to see.

We had some fun taking multiple exposures…
I must be strange… I like this defocused image I accidentally made.
Can I say “Pretty as a picture?” here?
My niece in her athletic glasses. Her regular ones got broken.
My nephew who has grown into a nice young man.
Jenny and I returned to our favorite stairwell for some selfies.
A great family friend kept things lively.
Despite the camera being a cheapy, it captured some vibrant scenery.
We spent much of the time in the ultra-modern rental house on the side of the mountain. It looked like a futuristic movie set… and it had 2 bears who visited. See Asheville bear video here.
There was time to just relax too.
The clouds were spectacular one night.
And a final sunset group photo and we left the next morning.
This would be a great family tradition…
Apr 08
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A Message From My Father Spirit Wrapped in Black Feathers

By Andrew Hughes, Charles Hughes, crow., death, Masqueman Photography
It was one year ago that my brother called me and told me of our father’s passing. I was sitting in my office and clearly, my ears heard the words, but my brain wrapped them in a web to digest later. I had to get out…

As I sat in my car staring into space, a huge black crow flew through my field of vision and landed in a tree next to me. It squawked at me for what seemed several minutes… and then it flew away.

At moments like this, I can get a little superstitious. Some Native American cultures see crows as liaisons between this world and the next. They are viewed as guides that help the deceased cross over.

I would rather imagine that this was a message from my father’s spirit than just a noisy bird who took a keen interest in me sitting in my car. It does not really matter if that is even logical or not… This life is full of mysteries and strange occurrences, and I do not need to know all the answers. Either way, it marked the moment vividly.
Celebrating death anniversaries may be a purely human endeavor. Other animals rarely look back at the end of someone else’s life with pride, remorse or joy. Humans may be the only creature that can understand how the past, present and future glide seamlessly through one another changing our viewpoints along the way. 
What a child’s parents experienced, may later be felt by the same child once grown. The only time I ever saw my Dad cry was when he told us that his father passed away. I understand more clearly what that moment was like for him now that I have felt the same sting.

“I am he, as you are he, as you are me, and we are all together.” — John Lennon 

Whether this is what Mr. Lennon was exactly saying, it seems to support my view that these similar shared experiences as humans bind all people and cultures together. We all mark similar milestones in a lifetime, but not necessarily at the same rate or in the same way.

THE PAST

At that moment…the past came flooding back to me. All those lessons my Dad taught me, the secret talks and the shared dreams. Pulling me out of trouble and teaching me that the only way to do a job is “the right way”. The last time I saw him… the last time we talked… I never knew that would be it.

THE PRESENT

One simple call made the present slip into the past as I realized that I would no longer be able to pick up the phone to call him.  I thought “I have to leave right now…. I have to change flight arrangements…. I have to plan what to do next…. I will grieve later…. too much to do…”

THE FUTURE

Keeping an eye to the future can help you cope with the present. During the week of the funeral, I kept myself as busy as possible, never letting my brain sit idle. After the funeral service was over, the walls came crashing down. There was no outrunning it any longer, and it was too painful to think about a future without his smile that was seemingly just for me, and his lovely voice of a southern gentleman. I have replayed messages from him just to hear it again.

My Dad’s smile, captured by his granddaughter, Kristina
FOLLOWING HIS LEAD

Charles Hughes never stopped moving during his life until his medical condition confined him. I believe his last 5 years were purchased with sheer stubbornness and willpower to stay at my Mom’s side and raise his grandchildren. He was a man of boundless energy and creativity. He could be a mystery to those who loved him, hiding his true thoughts behind silence or sarcastic attempts at humor. He did not linger in the past, but decided to look ahead with the vision of what was important to him. I want to be like my father. If I see a crow, I will tell him this… just in case my Dad is listening.
Mar 14
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The Priceless Birthday Present

By Andrew Hughes, Carol Hughes, Charles Hughes, mother, parents, wedding anniversary
For my 45th birthday I received a surprise treasure from my mother. An unassuming box arrived in the mail, and there was no telling what would be in it because she has a knack for creative presents. This year she sent something of great personal value to her and now to me. It was from a time many years before I was born.
Carol and Charlie “JUST MARRIED” in 1960
 Back in 1961, my parents were newlyweds and financially strapped like many young folks. The stuff we take for granted today would have been considered luxurious for them at that time of their lives, especially since they were spending their summer working at Sky Ranch, a camp for “challenged” campers. Some of these young kids had no arms or legs, or suffered from the effects of polio and birth defects. My mother said that these children taught her and my father so much and made the summer a memorable experience.

Carol and Charlie Hughes in 1961
Having little money, my father got creative for their first wedding anniversary. He made my mom something with his own hands. In a way, these kinds of gifts represent an investment of time and love. Not to say that a store-bought gift is not appreciated, but in our product driven world, most people have stopped making things themselves. My father would continue to make her gifts for the rest of his life as seen by these whimsical butterflies made of crushed rock, wire and wood.

My dad carved for my mother a small wooden figure of woman carrying a baby on her back. For anyone who knows my Mom, they will know that this has more than a surface meaning. 

She has raised 4 of her own children, 4 grandchildren, a gang of neighborhood kids and several stadiums worth of teenaged counselors and campers. Not only that, she was the oldest of 8 siblings and helped with her mother with baby raising duties.

The timeworn face of a mother

To me, the figurine of a mother carrying her children symbolizes her perfectly. I suspect my father knew this when he carved it. My Mom  put her children before her own concerns. The weight was heavy as you can see from the stooped back, but she did it anyway… and is still doing it today in her late 70s.

You may never meet a more caring, insightful and funny lady. Many of our late night calls are filled with laughter and funny yarns filled with juicy details… just the way a good tall tail should be told. She is the type of person who knows who everyone is at somebody else’s family reunion. I am sure she has introduced cousins who did not even know that they were related. My mom will make strangers feel welcome, and always let you know how much she loves you. I kinda feel sorry for the rest of the world, because I have the best mom out there… just saying.
Mar 08
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A New Watch Blog is Born at WatchHunter.org

By Andrew Hughes, blog, horology, Masqueman Photography, product photography, watch collecting
A perfect storm of watch collecting, photography and blogging has come together in a pet project of mine located at www.WatchHunter.org. I just launched this blog last week and am trying to fill it with at least an article per week.

I started this to have an outlet (other than my patient wife) to write about my passion of being a horologist… also known as a watch nerd. You can often tell a watch nerd by the way he wears his sleeves just above the watch. He does this so that he can gaze upon the amazing timekeeping device on his wrist, much like a proud parent may look at a newborn. 
This can quickly get out of control with the advanced watch nerds skipping the wrist watch altogether and opting for the ultimate neck watch. Of course, you have to ask someone else “What time is it?”
Photo by Comedy Central
My plan is to write about the watches I own and ones I would like to own. I will have different series within the blog including “Strap Swap”, “Meet the Watch”, “Watch DNA” and perhaps a sales corner with product recommendations. The subject is limited only by the time I throw at it.

The www.WatchHunter.org blog will also create photo studio projects for me to hone my watch photography skills. Watches can be incredibly tricky to shoot. Believe me, every spec of dust, microscopic scratch and unwanted reflection tries to photobomb the shot. There are also industry standards as far as how the hands are set … usually at 10 and 2 just like they taught you in driver’s ed. Of course, rules are meant to be broken as seen in a sample above.
If you have an interest , please check it out and subscribe. 
Feb 28
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Creating an Impromptu Architectural Image for an Atlanta-based Healthcare Company

By Andrew Hughes, architecture, corporate photography, Graphic Works, Masqueman Photography
A photographer must be ready for any hot potato a client throws his direction. It is not always possible to accommodate impromptu requests, but the more versatile I can be, the better.
Perspective corrected image…
While on location setting up a mobile headshot studio for executive portraits, I was asked to make an architectural image of the client’s new building. They had just completed parts of the build-out so this location still had that “new car smell”… and they needed an image the next day.
Outside was dull, dreary and threatening snow. I only had a few moments to snap some images before I was needed inside. I did the best that I could with the 24-70mm portrait lens I had with me. I normally do not bring my wide-angle 16mm lens to portraits so it was this or nothing.

A tilt shift lens would have been handy to dial out the perspective, but that is a rental for me. As such, I had to remove the extreme perspective in Photoshop. There are limited to what looks realistic. The very first image is what a tilt-shift lens might have produced. I’m not sure which I prefer since the second slightly distorted one looks more epic.

Building with some of the perspective left in…
The light played to my advantage with the foggy overcast sky acting like a giant softbox to evenly illuminate the structure’s facades. The sun was cooperative and placed itself directly behind the building allowing parts of the giant glass tower to be both reflective and transparent. 
Out of camera capture…

Of course, the sky had to be replaced with something better than boring white. Above is the original out-of camera shot… I think I added enough drama to make it work.

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