DVJ Photo

2 Million Views

2012-01-23T21:15:00.001-05:00

2mil views!, a photo by DVJ Photo on Flickr.

That's right, over 2 million views!
How did I get that?
Sheer numbers helps. With over 3,000 different photos, it's easy to find something for everyone.
It also helps, I think, to be versatile. I don't just do model shots, I do abastracts, minature, and some off the wall photo editing.
But, the biggest reason why I have over 2 million views is the help of friends, family, and all the models I have had the chance to work with.
In no particular order:
Kattaly Baby (MM #1581393)
r3dh3ad (MM #1848668)
Devilish Delusions (MM #521061)
Katya Selinevich (MM #1576736)
Melissa Gibson (MM #849349)
Jaine Jewel (MM #2214502)
Caty Fox (MM #2197050)
Kelley Nymph (MM#768653)
Laura Muschelli (MM #2202555)
Amber Muschelli
Bailey Morgan Marie (MM #1946928)
Mandy McMahan (MM #531222)
Yvon Jacie (MM #1924533)
Aria Moore (MM #1963315)
Veronica Sosa (MM #1200754)
Esstelle (MM #201956)
MorHeather (MM #1846880)
Evil Miss lauren (MM #248170)
Africa l davis (MM #1269349)
Dani
Tha Diva (MM #356419)
Bunny
Teddy Cooper (MM #1804688)
BabyDoll Chance (MM #1038298)
Tea (MM #1715191)
Kamara (MM #1559008)
Shell (MM #733097)
Danielle
Breelaun (MM# 320532)
Summer
CZ
Juu-Sama

PHOTOGRAPHERS
Pocius (MM #1895764)

PHOTO EDITING
Editing Joy (MM #2301197)
Hatter Photography 2010 (MM# 887309)

MAKE UP
Ann Marie Willette-Anderson

Last but not least, thank you to all the fans.

First Photo

2012-01-14T16:53:00.001-05:00

First Photo, a set on Flickr.

It's a new year, and I'm already a week behind posting. It is my goal to post at least once a week.
For this first post I am going to talk about my new series; First Photo.
First Photo is an idea I have had bouncing around for a bit. As I am still without a professional camera, I decided to bring this concept to light.
The first photo of any shoot shows many things. What a model's default pose is. What distance the photographer starts off at. Does a model go for sexy right off the bat? Are they happy, sad, ready to work, or ready to make demands? Does the photographer have a clue about what he is doing?
This series contains the first photo of every series I have done. I also include the first photo if the model wears more than one outfit at a shoot (as most do at my shoots).
So, browse through, and let me know what you think (in a positive way).

Happy New Year! 12,400

2011-12-31T20:11:00.001-05:00

Happy New Year! 12,400, a photo by DVJ Photo on Flickr.

2011 was quite a year. Right before flickr rolled over to 1 Jan 2012, I took this capture.
I got 12,400 views. Even if you subtract the 13 gallery views (as they are not my photos), thats 12,387 looks at my photos.
Thank you all for your support and love. Even those of you who think calling a girl "thick" is a compliment.

What is Hipstamatic?

2011-12-31T17:16:00.001-05:00

What is Hipstamatic?, a set on Flickr.

Well, 2011 was quite the year. Let's recap!
March: I got my new iPhone, and right afterwords, I got my Hipstamatic app. This wonderful gizmo can take decent iPhone photos to something cool. As I wrote earlier in this blog, the rules of photography still apply, even when using this app. So while the app added some editing that my photoeditor could not possibly achieve, the angles and the framing is due to the eye of the photographer.
My daughter and my wife have both become masters of the hipstamatic, and both have provided behind the scenes photos.
My daughter and I also did a short faux French film with just hipstamatic photos. Later on, I got the instamatic app, and my fun increased by two.

Kelley Photo Gallery

2011-12-31T17:09:00.001-05:00

Kelley Photo Gallery, a set on Flickr.

Well, 2011 was quite the year. Let's recap!
April: I had wanted to do a Noir photoshoot, and Kelley fit the bill. I had wanted two, but when I didn't get two, Kelley wound up doing both roles.
I shot at a friends house, so I didn't bring my lights. The intention was for all the photos to be black and white, so I intended the lighting to be harsh.
When I looked at the pictures, Kelley's red dress was quite amazing, so I wound up keeping most of them in color, which then had to be adjusted to compensate for the lighting.
We were going to do a cyber junkie shoot, but we ran out of time. It's still on the books.

Ohh, Foxy Lady

2011-12-31T17:02:00.001-05:00

Ohh, Foxy Lady, a set on Flickr.

Well, 2011 was quite the year. Let's recap!
March: My first attempt at a pin up shoot became something a little different called "Oh Foxy Lady". Melissa G from the Muse Project along with Katya and Jaine from the "Slumber Party" shoot were my beautiful models.
With Katya, I wanted her to do some shots in a white button up, and sexy lingerie. Pink is her favorite color, BTW.
Melissa G brought along three great outfits, some red lingerie, a black corset with stockings, and a retro style top and shorts.
Jaine, brought two of the same lingere, but one was black and one was white. She also allowed me to shoot her topless, provided that certian things were covered.
Lighting was decent, but a bit soft in a few cases. I had to do a fair amount of editing. I also learned that many of these photos look better in black and white.
After the shoot was over, Jaine did some more photos, with Melissa G providing support!

Slumber Party

2011-12-31T16:48:00.001-05:00

Slumber Party, a set on Flickr.

Well, 2011 was quite the year. Let's recap!
February: My second shoot fo the year was a "Slumber Party" theme shoot. Okay, having a slumber party during the day is silly, but when most of the models could not work at night, I had to adjust. I would have shot day for night, but the backdrop fell and nearly took out all the models.
The lighting was greatly improved, thanks to a very bright day, and my new lighting setup.
This was also the shoot I met two models I would work with again, Jaine and Katya.
Katya already had a few jobs under her belt, so she and I worked well together.
This was Jaine's first shoot, and she adapted quickly. r3dh3ad retuned for our second shoot, and along with Mandy and Bailey, it was a fun shoot.
After we were finished, Jaine and r3dh3ad did some more theme shoots that night.

The Muse Project

2011-12-31T16:36:00.001-05:00

The Muse Project, a set on Flickr.

Well, 2011 was quite the year. Let's recap!
January: I held my first big photoshoot called "The Muse Project". My goal was to find models that would inspire me to do better as a photographer. After 11 models, I had three that I would shoot more than once: r3dh3ad, Lettice, and Melissa G.
The shoot was quite hectic. I learned that 11 models at one time is too much. Next time I am looking for new models, I will limit it to five.
I also had to shoot with a limited focus lens and not that great lighting. The lessons I learned from this shoot will last a lifetime.

Model Panorama

2011-11-24T12:15:00.001-05:00

Model Panorama, a set on Flickr.

Since July, I have been without my camera.
While my hipstamatic and instamatic apps on my phone have kept me shooting, most models won't do a "photoshoot" with a camera phone.
So, while I was editing, I accidently clicked on the "panorama" function on my photoeditor. Taking the pictures I was editing, I merged them together, and discovered that I could make old photos seem new.
Thanks to advice from other photogs, and through trial and error, I found that I really like panoramas. It's a way to unify a theme, make it look like there is more than one of models, or show all the different looks one can present.
The hardest part is making sure the two or three parts blend. Outdoors are easier than indoor, but when you have three different angles, it's hard to make them all look the same.
After 30, I thought I was done. Then I decided to do a "year of DVJ Photo" retrospect, and found I had many more to do.
So enjoy.

Camera Phones vs. Real Cameras

2011-11-24T11:55:00.001-05:00

Red Road, a photo by DVJ Photo on Flickr.

Can a person take really good photos with a camera phone?
My answer is, yes!
Let's be honest, most photographer and models are snobs. If it's not an advanced 35mm camera with interchangeable lenses, hot shoe flash, and remote control triggers, then obviously, your some sort of amateur or perv, in essence, a looser.
I disagree.
A photographer is a photographer, no matter if they use a phone camera or a Canon. All the rules of photography still apply.
What differes is the quality of the pictures and the options you have avaliable. Even an iphone 4, with it's amazing clarity, can't match the quality of a high end camera. And yes, more than likely, you have a digital zoom, which makes every picture taken look like someone threw up.
But there are ways around the limitations. Iphone has two great apps, the hipstamatic and the instamatic. Thanks to a combo of filters and lighting options (the hipstamatic has a virtual flash option) you can get some interesting and amazing photos (like the one above).
The portability makes it easy take a picture of something cool, with out having to lug a $1000 worth of very heavy equipment. Plus, you can do on the fly editing (with the instamatic at least) bringing out the best of the camera you are using.
As phones get better (and as point and shoot cameras improve as well), there will be more and more options for amateur and professional photographers to showcase their talent, or take interesting "at arms length" photos of them in the mirror.
So, don't let the snobs stop you. Take your photos with the camera of your choice. Share them, learn from them. Then, as you grow as a photographer, you may decide to take the next step, and invest in a 35mm!

Evolution

2011-10-06T09:31:00.001-04:00

Evolution, a set on Flickr.

Eveyone evolves.
Does not matter if your a 90 pound weakling or a stunning blond, everyone grows and changes in how they act, what they do, and how they apply it.
As a photographer, I have grown. I look at my pictures from 2004 and 2011 and I see how much better I have gotten, and how much more I need to improve.
One thing I have learned during my evolution is that it does not matter what others think. If a photographer offers constructive advice (as many have), I take their suggestions and apply it to my evolution. I study others, and try to mimic or achieve their results. This is all part of evolution.
This series covers my photography from 2004 to 2011, and I hope beyond. Please read the captions, and feel free to comment, in a constructive way.

Requests

2011-09-28T16:38:00.001-04:00

muse project 1241, a photo by DVJ Photo on Flickr.

Normaly, I don't do requests in regards to posting photos. Sure, I may post a bunch of pictures of a certian model because she is popular.
Once in a while I may edit and repost a photo based upon suggestions, but I normaly don't post requests.
But today, a couple of people requested a photo of r3dh3ad in this exact pose, after another picture of her piqued their interest.
So, here is the photo for all to enjoy.
Currently, I'm still waiting on funds to fix or replace my camera, and 13 whole people found my flickr page from this blog. Guess I need to start doing more posts.

Be dynamic!

2011-09-13T16:18:00.001-04:00

beach shoot 510, a photo by DVJ Photo on Flickr.

While I have time on my hands thanks to my camera being DOA, I decided to have some fun with some photos.
Instead of doing the typical color correction and lighting fixes, I decided to "be dynamic" and try to do more radical alterations. Some are quite bold, like this picture of r3dh3ad. Others are still dynamic, but not exactly successful. The rest are just simple edits designed to enhance an already interesting subject.
I like these times where I can strech myself.

DVJ Photo, down for now.

2011-08-01T22:16:00.001-04:00

boozetest 032, a photo by DVJ Photo on Flickr.

BEHOLD!!!
The last picture taken with my camera before it died. For some reason, it won't save the pictures. All I get is a blank preview and a black photo.
I can't afford to get it fixed right at this moment, so no photos for a while. I'll still post what I have, and I have plenty of Hipstamatic photos, but for the 3 or 4 cool shoots I had set up...well there is always next year.

10's

2011-07-30T10:27:00.001-04:00

comic girl 119, a photo by DVJ Photo on Flickr.

Yesterday, I got kicked off a flicrk group I moderated called "She's A 10". The reason, "Because the other moderators thought that none of your postings were 10's"
Wait, what?
Really? None of the moderators thought any model I shoot was a 10? Are you going to tell me straight to my face and say that r3dh3ad here is not a 10? Or Katya? Or Kattaly? I know beauty is subjective, but come on!
So, I got kicked off for that supposed reason. I wasn't banned, just have to post 10's.
Personaly, I think it was because I took such a hard stand against porno pictures. I'm sure quite a few moderators were the ones posting.
Well, forget it. As NONE of my models are 10's according to them, I don't see how I will ever meet their BS ideal. Sorry, I don't think being able to do porn makes you a 10.
Besides, I have 203 other groups who love my pictures, and I own 7 of my own.
Good luck on keeping the porn off your group. I will post my photos with people who appreciate true beauty.

Fans

2011-07-28T20:07:00.001-04:00

kattaly 238, a photo by DVJ Photo on Flickr.

Photographers love fans.
Sure, we take photos for the love, but we rely on fans for the validation. It's the fans that tell us how much they love our photo. When compliments, or suggestions, come from another photog, especially one you admire, it's very gratifying.
I hold no illusions that 99% of my work has a strong sexual content. Be it something demure or a hot chick with a gun, my pictures are full of beautiful women in sexy poses, most of the time in very revealing outfits.
So, because of this, my work does attract some rather liberated people. 95% are quiet, appreciative people who find what I do appealing, for what ever reason. Some comment, most just add me as a "friend" and add some photos to their favorites list.

Then there are the....well let's call them degenerates.

At least once a month, I have to block someone who is just plain crass or rude. Someone who thinks that they can act like a delplorable human being saying gross sexual or disparaging remarks. Sadly, it's the bad ones who leave a bigger impression than the good ones.

So, I love fans, I appreciate constructive remarks, and am greatful for anyone who likes my work to wants to add it to a gallery.

However, if you are nasty, don't bother me and we will get along fine.

Last Photo

2011-07-27T22:12:00.001-04:00

kelley 289, a photo by DVJ Photo on Flickr.

You can relax. This is not my last photo.
Just about every day, I post 6 to 8 photos. Most of the time, the last photo in the group is the least popular.
It's a shame, because they are not always the worst photo. Sometimes they are the best one. Flickr can be a bit weird in the order it uploads photos.
What makes it all the more puzzling is that when I post photos into a group, it goes last to first. So, while this photo is the last on the stream, it's the first in the group.
As I post this entry into my blog, the picture has only 9 views. The pic of Katya and Jaine in lingerie has 36. I'm sure you can guess why the latter is more popular.

AGENT

2011-07-25T21:48:00.001-04:00

AGENT, a set on Flickr.

ADVERSARY, like The Firm, is always up to something. You need AGENT, a no nonsense operative who has the skillz and ability to stop the toughest ADVERSARY.
Sounds like a great idea for a comic, no?

DVJ Photography Magazine

2011-07-24T18:29:00.001-04:00

mag0, a photo by DVJ Photo on Flickr.

Hi all,
Most of you are too young to remember when photomags were all over the place. They had little to do with technique, and everything to do with pin-up and glamour.
I have always loved these classic style magazines (I even have a few), so I decided one day to create my own DVJ Photography mag. Even though this started as a lark, I really like how this turned out. I may even consider going to maccloud and printing off a couple of issues.
Please click on the picture, and take a look at the retro style of this series.

Beautiful Nudes

2011-07-24T12:37:00.001-04:00

Beautiful Nudes, a set on Flickr.

Nudity.
It has always been there. In painting, statues, and most assuredly, photography. I'm sure after the first family photo was taken, the first nude portrait was photographed almost immediately.
Nude photos exist in a gray area. On the one hand, it can be an artistic expression of beauty and celebration of the human body. On the other, it can be a rather crass display of "T&A" and shots so nasty that make you wonder if everyone in the world is a deviant.
I like to think my photos fall into the former. I work very hard to ensure that the photos are tasteful, showcasing the beauty of the model. Any that approach crass, I won't phost.
I just discovered that I have over 90 nude and semi-nude photos from the past few years on my flickr page. Due to settings, you only can see two of my nudes here, only cause they don't show anything.
I invite people to come and enjoy the beauty of women. I do warn though, ANYONE WHO POSTS A SEXUAL OR HURTFUL COMMENT ABOUT THE MODEL WILL BE BLOCKED FROM MY FLICKR. I will not let some jerk ruin it for those who appreciate beauty.

Via Flickr:
A set of nudes and semi-nudes I have taken over the years.
This is a celebration of the human body, not a place to get your nekkid fix.
ANY RUDE OR SEXUAL COMMENTS WILL BE DELETED AND YOU WILL BE BLOCKED.

Experiments

2011-07-22T23:30:00.001-04:00

gangster 223, a photo by DVJ Photo on Flickr.

There is always something to learn with photography. Things like composition, lighting, framing, angles.
Yet, while improving your skills behind the camera is important, just as important is what you learn behind your desk. If your lucky, or can afford it, you have Photoshop, and all the joy it brings. If you are like me, you have a decent photoeditor that does most of what you want, but do you know everything it can do?
Once in a while, I get away from basic editing (fixing shadows or adjusting color) and strech myself. I push myself to see what my editor can do. Then, I see if I can recreate whatI just did.
This photo and several others is me trying to emulate the editing of some photos from photog's I admire. If I didn't quite get there, but I liked what I saw, I kept it. You may thing it's great, or post some snarky comment about what I did wrong. My response is, this is an experiment. It's all about learning.

DVJ Photo's photostream

2011-07-17T21:41:00.001-04:00

DVJ Photo's photostream on Flickr.

After such a great shoot, I went a little Kattaly happy. So, I currently have 18 photos of this lovely woman.
Be warned, some of the photos are nudes, so if your offended, don't look.

Meet Kattaly

2011-07-17T13:48:00.001-04:00

kattaly 030, a photo by DVJ Photo on Flickr.

Meet Kattaly,
She is a new model I met through Model Mayhem.
This shoot was a rather short notice affair (only had about two days to get everything together). Good thing about Kattaly, is she was able to bring plenty of great things with her. Also, she was ready for just about anything, as her pictures will show.
It's refreshing to work with models like her. Friendly, fun, and willing to go the extra mile.

Cowards

2011-07-08T23:31:00.002-04:00

Thanks to some pathetic ass, my account has been tagged as moderate, pending a review.

Per flickr:
A good rule of thumb is, bare breasts and bottoms are "moderate." Full frontal nudity is "restricted.”

Any pictures meeting these criteria were tagged as moderate. My basic setting is moderate. You will not find a nipple anywhere in my photo stream. No vagina shots either and no cock.

So as far as I can see, the only reason why flickr froze my account at moderate is that I got turned in.

Who, they won't say. What photos supposedly violated the rules, I don't know that either. I had to guess. I won’t know if I was right until flickr either lifts the restriction, or deletes my account.

So, I got turned in by either someone who is jealous of who I get to shoot, or it's someone I blocked for making gross sexual contents about the models.

Whoever did this, UP YOURS!!!

I firmly expect that the restriction will be lifted. This is the second time this has happened, and I beat it last time. This is annoying, but you will not stop me.

I'm not asking for sympathy, nor am I accusing flickr of censorship. I am just pissed at whoever did not have the guts to email me and tell me what offended them.

UP YOURS AND ALL!

What is popular? What defines a photo as being popular?
Honestly, I don't know.
Take this photo. I posted six photos of Laura, four of her in the dress, two of just her beautiful face. Based upon number of views, this is the most popular. Is it the best photo of the set? Possibly. Is it the best photo I have ever taken? No. Is it a good photo? Yes. Is she beautiful, and the pose very sexy and aluring? Absolutely.
So, do we know why it's popular? No. Are we happy that it is?
Yes.

Choices

2011-06-04T17:08:00.001-04:00

DVJ Photo's photostream on Flickr.

I had this really good post, and for some reason, Blogger and Flickr could not talk together.
So, instead of spending time trying to recreate it, I'm going to give you the short and sweet.
Last night I was having a hard time trying to decide what set of photos to pull from. The big thing that was affecting me was some harsh words, negative comments, and the fact my work attracts a certian type of person. So worried about deciding what would best represent my work, I could not make a decision.
After sleeping on it, I figured out that it does not matter what I choose. If I'm happy with it, then that's what is important.
So, I picked 12 photos that I liked, and so far, lots of people like them too.
So, the best advice I can give anyone, don't worry about what other people think. Try to improve your skills, but at the end of the day, it's your name on the photo.

Katya

2011-06-01T20:19:00.001-04:00

may shoot 2 406, originally uploaded by DVJ Photo.

This is Katya, is a model I met through Model Mayhem (#1576736) when she applied for my Slumber Party Shoot.
When she is not modeling, she goes to school.
There are many qualities that Katya possesses.
One, she has natural instincts. Two, she can do anything, from pinup to editorial, she looks great. Three, she and I have similar ideas for photoshoot themes. We both want to do a shoot at a waterfall, and one in the rain.
I can't wait to do both with her.

Laura

2011-05-30T21:02:00.001-04:00

may shoot 2 080, originally uploaded by DVJ Photo.

Meet Larua (Model Mayhem #2202555), a new model I just worked with this last weekend.
She is an actress mostly, and just started doing modeling in addition. She was a lot of fun to work with, and I can't wait to work with her again.
I found her while doing a search on MM for a specific model for my "Black Orchid" comic idea. When I saw her, I knew that she was the one. I sent her an email, and she said she was interested.
In exchange for her working with me on "Black Orchid", I offered to help her build her portfolio. I is my hope that my photos help her.
Keep an eye out for more photos.

Pictures for Today

2011-05-30T00:25:00.001-04:00

DVJ Photo's photostream on Flickr.

Here are the first truly edited photos from my Summer Gurls shoot. The three women are so beautiful, it was tough picking out pictures, so I just started looking until I found one that caught my eye and used it.
I would like to mention that lighting is where I have issues. One of the photos was posted on a Facebook group I was invited into. No sooner was the picture posted I got hammered by the professionals. Based upon their input, it turns out that if I had not diffuesd the flash, I could have filled in the dark areas, providing a more clear image. Looks like I have some reading about fill flash.

BTS: Summer Gurls

2011-05-29T12:14:00.001-04:00

may bts 022, originally uploaded by DVJ Photo.

I love seeing how things work on a film or video shoot. Thanks to the assistance of my wife Ann, my daughter Charis, and Amber, Model Laura's sister, you get to see the kind of fun I have.
This was shoot in a small wooded area behind my house. Things were going pretty good, then suddenly we were beset by bugs. I still managed to get some great photos,but we had to relocate back to my house. Next time, I'm going to bring bug spray.

Black Orchid: The Comic Book

2011-05-28T23:35:00.001-04:00

black orchid 008comic, originally uploaded by DVJ Photo.

Many years ago (okay it was 25 years), I had aspired to be a comic book creator and writer. I could not draw to save my life, so I tried to find others to help me. But as things change, I moved, they moved, we lost track, it seemed my dream to create a comic book had come to an end.

Then, I got into photography.

First, as I was learning how to edit, I took some photos of D, edited them, and called it "Hyperarm"

Second, I was trying to figure out ideas for photoshoots, I decided to pull out my list of comic book ideas, and I found Helicopter Girls. Thanks to a lot of luck, and a posting on Model Mayhem, I brought my idea to life.

Then, I took it one step further. I rendered the photos to look like air brushed comic art, and I was amazed at how well it came out.

So, once I saw I could do it on a regular basis, I decided to bring out my very first, and by far favorite comic book idea "Black Orchid" and do it as a photorealistic comic book.

But not any old person would do.

I began a search to be the physical representation of "Orchid", a retired assassin who is forced back into her old life when all her friends are murdered and turned into killing machines. I found her with Michelle (MM #2202555). Today was the first day we tested the outfit, and the results were beyond amazing. We even got her sister Amber into the fun.

So, while these are only test shots, I think they can serve as good promotional material for a comic I hope to start working on over the rest of 2011 with a release date of 2012.

So, here is the first promotional art for “Black Orchid”. Keep a watch on this blog for more updates!

Summer Gurls

2011-05-28T22:47:00.001-04:00

Summer Gurls, a set on Flickr.

Today was a good day.
Like the song from Ice Cube, I was very busy today. Two of my regular models, Katya and Jaine were joined by the lovely and talented Laura for my Summer Gurls shoot.
The idea came from another model, who sadly could not make it due to illness. She wanted to do something in a summer dress, in the woods, with the sun peaking through the trees. I had wanted to do a fintness shoot, so I figured we could combine the two. But, as most everyone was not "fitness" ready (figure that one out), we scrapped the fitness, and came up with Summer Gurls.
These photos are just a small sample from the shoot. They are raw, so any color or lighting issues have not been corrected.
I'm sure you will enjoy.

Jaine Jewel: My Discovery

2011-05-28T00:11:00.001-04:00

Jaine Jewel Photo Gallery, a set on Flickr.

Working out at the gym, I noticed one of the fitness trainers was an amazing looking woman. She had features like no other, and an amazing body (even though I prefer curves). I asked if she would like to join me at my next shoot, and she said yes.
So, two shoots (and a third tomorrow) later, Jaine has now burst upon the scene. She already has worked with another photographer, and his work with her is amazing.
As always, it's hard to let someone go and work with others, but you can't be selfish when you want them to be successful. Besides, she and I are friends, and we support each other.
Please enjoy my photos, and visit her Model Mayhem Page: http://www.modelmayhem.com/2214502

Welcome to the DVJ Photo Blog...again.

2011-05-27T09:33:00.001-04:00

DVJ Photo's photostream on Flickr.

Greetings,
The last six months have been very busy. With so much going on at home and at work, priorities must be chosen, and this blog was not one of them.
But now, as things are calming down, and I am doing more shoots, I hope to start sharing with you all more, and hope to pick up some new friends along the way.
So, welcome to the DVJ Photo Blog. I hope you enjoy your visit.
Take a look at my most recent photos with the amazing Lettice!

camera beauty

2011-04-03T20:37:00.001-04:00

camera beauty 5, originally uploaded by DVJ Photo.

Sometimes, you can be messing around and next thing you know, a whole new idea is created.
I love old cameras; movie and film. So when r3dh3ad found this movie camera a friend had bought me, she asked if she could play with it. I said sure, and thus "Camera Beauty" was born. Every shoot, I will take a picture of at least one model with one of my old school cameras.
Hope you enjoy!

DVJ Photo's photostream

2011-04-02T21:18:00.001-04:00

DVJ Photo's photostream on Flickr.

Sorry it's been so long, but things have been busy. With several shoots, looking for a job (I do have to pay the bills), and general family time, it's been hard to keep everything up.
Starting now, that will change. I will do at least one update a week, if not each day.
If you really want to hear my words of wisdom, or just see how much I like Nikita, you can subscribe to my twitter feed at dvj_photo.
For now, please visit my stream.

The Muse Project Shoot 1

2011-01-30T19:20:00.001-05:00

muse project 1137, originally uploaded by DVJ Photo.

What is a muse?

The dictionary calls a muse: a goddess that inspires a creative artist, esp. a poet.

While I may not be a poet, I am a photographer. I wanted to get a core group of models to inspire and push me to do better in my photography, and in turn, help the models build their port.

My last muse was a model named Juu-Sama. This is her gallery: http://www.flickr.com/photos/dvjphoto/c … 680485090/

For three months, I looked for female models that I felt were versatile, interesting, and willing to try different and edgy shoots.
My wife and I will looked at not only the physical aspects, but personality, versatility, and availability.

The First Muse Project shoot took place on 29 Jan 2011, and boy was it amazing. 9 models, 6 hours (we went way overtime), and 1261 photos in all.

This first photo is of R3dh3ad. The top is actually a dress brought by Esstelle, one of the Muse Project models. You will see Veroxy, another Muse Project model wear the same dress. Both rocked it equaly.

I hope you will enjoy this journey over the next year!

Happy New Year and Facebook Page

2010-12-30T23:19:00.003-05:00

Well, 2010 has come and gone. I have had some good times, some rough times, and times that were just plain fun. I have met some interesting people, worked with beautiful models, and slowly started building up my gear.

I want to thank my wife Ann and my kids Charis and Kenji for being so understanding, and giving me time to develop my craft.

This next year begins two new projects, The Muse Project and The Beauty Plus Project.

I'll wait and make the announcements of who the models are once we have our first shoot in January.

Last, but not least, I have create a DVJ Photo fan page on Facebook. This means I need to be a bit more consistent on posting!

Everyone have a great New Year, and I will see you all again very soon.

Style To Kill

2010-12-06T20:14:00.002-05:00

gangster 203, originally uploaded by DVJ Photo.

Well, after several false steps, set backs, and just plain irritation at many different things (including a hit and run driver), I was able to finish my Style to Kill shoot.
But the shoot was not without issues.
As I was cleaning my lens, some condensation got on the inside of the lens. So, the effect for many photos was, frankly, crap.
But somehow, I was able to rescue a healthy batch of photos.
Either I was very lucky, damn fine editor, or an amazing photographer. I like to think it was all three.

Tha Diva Shoot

2010-12-06T20:05:00.002-05:00

tha diva 074, originally uploaded by DVJ Photo.

Sorry it has been such a long while, but as you can see I have been very busy. This is the first set of three projects I worked on over the last month. My first time shooting with Tha Diva, a local model, who I have been trying to work with for about 5 months.
Come by and visit her gallery at:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/dvjphoto/sets/72157625309406505/
I will be posting more photos as I get them processed.

Into The Woods

2010-10-16T21:00:00.001-04:00

woods 111+mid tone, originally uploaded by DVJ Photo.

Sorry it has been so long, but things at Headless Critic Films have been busy.
The shoot this weekend was going to be "Style to Kill", but I wound out having to cancel because I was the victim of a hit and run.
So, instead my daughter and her friend wanted to do some fun with their new characters for their internet show.
Hope you like the results.

Style to Kill

2010-09-11T19:54:00.002-04:00

My next project, Style to Kill.
I love classic Yakuza Movies, and "Branded to Kill" is one of the best. I have long since desired to something similar to this promotional photo, and this will be my last hurrah before the winter comes.
For this photoshoot, I am going to change it up a bit. I will have three women, one dressed as the hit man (played by Joe Shishido), and two other women in black two piece swimsuits or something along that line. The guns will a bit different as well.
The shoot will have more than just this, there will be the "James Bond" shot with the hitman in the middle and the two on the side. The girls will also do some sexy "pin up" style shots in a bed.
While I will shoot in color, the photos will be rendered in black and white. I am also going to use a silver reflector and try it with no diffuser to really white out the actors. This has worked on some of my others, and I hope it will create some really dark shadows.
If you are interested, or want to know more, visit the link on my profile at Model Mayhem and leave a message.

Back on track

2010-09-02T14:09:00.002-04:00

Sorry it's been a while. With work on NOSTALGIA and other things, I have been very busy, and not had a lot of time to post new photos.
But don't worry, I will have tons very soon.

Helicopter Girls: First Official Set

2010-08-02T19:37:00.003-04:00

hg team, originally uploaded by DVJ Photo.

After taking a much needed rest the last week, I have returned with the first official set (actually 2 sets) of photos from Helicopter Girls.
The first set, is the models in their gear, along with a couple of group shots.
The second set is these lovely ladies in some beautiful dresses, ready for a night on the town, or a James Bond type mission.
I will be creating a Helicopter Girls comic page, making it look more like an action adventure story. I hope you like the results.

Helicotper Girls Photoshoot

2010-07-24T20:43:00.003-04:00

Today was the day. Over 20 years ago, I created this idea as a comic book; a team of women who fly helicopters into interesting and dangerous adventures. Part Sci-Fi, part action adventure (with a liberal dose of Airwolf and Blue Thunder), this would be one of my great comics.
Well, that dream didn't quite come true. But this is damn close.
I want to thank everyone who participated:
Back row: Tea, Kamara, MJ, Danielle
Front row: Noheli, Leslie, Brooke
Breelaun (who will show up in other photos)
Ryan, Kristen, Rob, and everyone at Advanced Helicopter Concepts (http://www.advancedhelicopter.com/site/) for letting us do the shoot with their helicopters, and provide us a place to work.
I hope you enjoy the pictures as much as I enjoyed taking them.

helicopter girls test 007

2010-07-18T21:41:00.002-04:00

helicopter girls test 007, originally uploaded by DVJ Photo.

Helicopter Girls Test 007 is the actual name of the above photo. Is that not the perfect description for a photo series about an international mercenary force who fly in helicopters?
After the disaster of last week's test shoot, this one was an example of efficiency and beauty. Even with people arriving late, we were able to shoot almost 300 pictures, have 7 models try out 15 outfits, arm them, adjust outfits, and shoot an intro video in just 2 hours. It was amazing.
I am very excited about the final shoot this Saturday.

I just hope the weather gods are with us.

Danielle: Very Natural

2010-07-13T21:33:00.003-04:00

danielle6, originally uploaded by DVJ Photo.

Danielle has no modeling experience. She is not a professional, nor does she want to be. Of the two shoots we have done (one official, one test fitting) she has knocked it out of the park. She has great skin, natural beauty (she needs little makeup), and takes direction like a pro.
I can't wait to see what she bring to the Helicopter Girls shoot!

Check out more of Danielle's photos in her photo gallery on my flickr page!

Indoor Shoots

2010-07-12T19:52:00.002-04:00

danielle1, originally uploaded by DVJ Photo.

This weekend we did a fitting and some test shots for an indoor photoshoot. I don't have a studio, just large areas where we can set things up. For this shoot, Danielle and fellow model Lulu were trying on outfits and I was seeing if the natural lighting was adequate for the shoot.
Sadly, the lighting was not up to speed. No, I did not set up my lights because I prefer not to use them. I didn't take the diffuser off the flash, so that could have helped somewhat. I don't know.
Instead, we moved the shoot outdoors (where we had much better lighting) and then moved downstairs, where this pic of Danielle was taken.
I learned a valuable lesson, always set up the lights for indoor shoots, even if you don't use them.

Digi-gals!

2010-07-07T17:45:00.002-04:00

Janelle, originally uploaded by Dangerous Curves Photos.

Dangerous Curves is a fantastic photographer (see all of his work on his flickr page).
One of his shoots has inspired me for my next series, after Helicopter Girls.
Called Digi-Gals, this shoot will cover all the different game platforms (playstaton, gamecube, wii, and even N64), and video medium (laser disc, DVD, and even analog VHS).
If you are interested in being a part, please post a message.

Helicopter Girls

2010-07-05T20:22:00.008-04:00

It's official, we now have our Helicopter Girls!

Leslie Mayhem #1097370

Annabell Mayhem #1667585

Noheli Mayhem #1605154

Kamara Mayhem #1559008

Danielle

TEA Mayhem #1715191

MJ Mayhem #733097

BabyDoll Mayhem # 1038298

Next phase: Costumes and fittings!

(all photos are copyright of their respective owners)

My Goal for Next Year

2010-07-05T15:39:00.001-04:00

p025-02bws, originally uploaded by WesternWolf.

This photo is amazing. I'm pretty sure I can do this, but I will have study, work on my lighting, and see if my software can handle the color processing.
Mark my words, I will have a photo like this sometime in the next year.

HAPPY 4TH OF JULY

2010-07-02T12:14:00.001-04:00

IMG_5308CARD, originally uploaded by DVJ Photo.

Have a great weekend. See you all in a few days.

Lack of updates and Helicopter Girls

2010-06-26T10:52:00.002-04:00

IMG_3509comiccover, originally uploaded by DVJ Photo.

At this point, I don't know if anyone is actually reading this blog. For the one or two of you that do, I apologize for the lack up updates. With Headless Critic Films gearing up for production on Y-Me, The Punk War, and NOSTALGIA, my life has been busy.
The big news is that my Helicopter Girls shoot is going great. I have received 22 applicants, cleared the use of the helicopter, and talked with Breelaun about the evening wear. Now all I have to do is pick the models who will make my dream come true. As an added bonus, I will get to integrate the Vogue Military Issue designs into this shoot.
This morning, I wanted to stretch my old artistic muscle, and came up with four comic book covers. You can see them all on my flickr page.
Have a four day weekend next week, and that is when I get to pick the models!

Danielle Pt 2

2010-06-20T01:18:00.002-04:00

IMG_1259, originally uploaded by DVJ Photo.

More photos of Danielle from the shoot with www.tonned.com.
I have a feeling this is the start of a wonderful photographer/model relationship. I have said many times, she was a pleasure to work with, and she has some great ideas for the next couple of shoots!
On the tech side, I wanted to get a dynamic workout feel from the shoot. I waited until she had been "working out" for about 30 minutes, then I lied down and shot.
I have more photos of Danielle in her set on my flickr page.

Art vs Reality Pt 1

2010-06-14T20:09:00.003-04:00

IMG_5931, originally uploaded by DVJ Photo.

Which is better, art vs reality.
As I have mentioned on this blog before, not every picture looks good, even if you have everything going for you. With photoediting, you can change a photo into something better.
In this case, I was unhappy with the lighting, and wanted to change it. My daughter said the pictures were fine as is.

So, where do you draw the line? Is there a point where you edit too much and it looks as you are trying to cover your deficiencies? Or, is the start reality make it edgy enough?

Art vs Reality Pt 2

2010-06-14T20:07:00.002-04:00

IMG_5931, originally uploaded by DVJ Photo.

So, this is the question. Does this photo look better or worse this way?

Bad photos into good photos.

2010-06-13T12:35:00.003-04:00

danielle2, originally uploaded by DVJ Photo.

There are bad photos. Lack of adequate lighting, bad equipment, poor framing, funny faces from the model, all can contribute to lackluster photos. Some are so bad, you are embarrassed to show them even in private.

Then came computer aided photo editing, and the world changed.

Bad photos can suddenly become good photos.

This photo, and a few others, were not the best. The lighting was poor and I was using someone else camera. However, I got inspired late one night, tried a few new techniques. Then voila! I turned photos I was embarrassed to post into ones I am proud of.

Thank god Danielle is a great subject.
You can see this and more edited photos at my flickr page!

Inspired: Megan Fox Photos by Craig Mcdean

2010-06-12T10:08:00.005-04:00

Photography Craig Mcdean for Interview Magazine

While checking my mail this morning, I found a series of photos featuring Megan Fox in a short
black wig for a fantastic photo shoot. They got a anatomically featured mannequin with the same hairstyle, and had Megan Fox pose in a series of interesting, and seductive, photos.
Needless to say, what he has done is so simple, but so cool at the same time. At some point I will do a shoot like this.
Check out the shoot, and the video at Interview Magazine.
However, I have two other dream shoots coming up, Helicopter Girls and the Military Issue inspired photos from Vogue (see previous blog entry). Neat thing is, I get to combine the both of them into one shoot!

Danielle Video Introduction

2010-06-11T22:49:00.001-04:00

DIGI0017, originally uploaded by DVJ Photo.

As promised, more pictures of the lovely Danielle. In addition, an intro video with her and the man that found her, Breelaun.
So with out further ado, Danielle.
You can see more of her pictures in her photo set on the DVJ Photo flickr page.

Hyperarm and other artwork

2010-06-10T21:38:00.002-04:00

IMG_5328comic, originally uploaded by DVJ Photo.

Taking a series of bad photos and trying to make them into something cool can be a challenge. While this series of D's photos are popular (girl in a bikini photo never goes wrong), I did not like the lighting and the location of these photos, so I tried a few things, and this is just one of the results.
Combine this with my love of comics, and we have the cover of a somewhat decent comic idea. Or an online comic with lots of photo edits!
You can see this and other artwork on my flickr page!

New Model: Danielle

2010-06-06T17:38:00.003-04:00

IMG_1185edit, originally uploaded by DVJ Photo.

Today, I got a chance to work with another brand new model.
This is Danielle.
She was born in Singapore, but raised here in Maryland. She is very physically fit (as you will see later on), and has a natural beauty and poise that made things real easy. She was discovered by Breelaun, a model, personal trainer, and clothing designer I met through Model Mayhem (# 320532).
I can't wait to work with her and Breelaun again.
I only have a few promotional pictures on my flickr page. I hope to have more of her up by the end of the week.

The Benefits of a Smile

2010-06-05T09:36:00.003-04:00

summer 081, originally uploaded by DVJ Photo.

In many of the pictures you see, be they on flickr or Vogue, it may seem as if hardly any model smiles. Whether they don't want to smile, are instructed not to smile, or you are supposed to smile with your eyes, tight lips are the order of the day.
My photographs are no different. Majority of the shots you will see on flickr will be serious or irritated.
However, Ann (my cohort and companion for 17 years) says that you need smiles to keep the photos from blurring together.
With Summer, as this was her first "official" shoot, we needed her to relax. What you don't see is that CZ is behind her, making her giggle and helping her relax. Her antics brought fourth this beaming smile for all to enjoy.
As I continue to progress, I hope you will see more grins, and it encourages others to smile for the camera.

You can see more Summer picks in her flickr set.

Funky 80s Pop Art

2010-06-03T21:00:00.002-04:00

IMG_7104art, originally uploaded by DVJ Photo.

I love pop art from the 80's. Everything from Nagel to Warhol redux, the 80's gave us pastels, funky lighting, bizarre costumes, and some of the most indelible statements of the "FU" decade.
Here is my contribution. From a good photo of M, and some accidental editing, I created something that would be right at home at Sam Goody.
To see M's photo gallery, visit my flickr page.

Beauty and Art

2010-06-02T22:10:00.002-04:00

IMG_5817art2, originally uploaded by DVJ Photo.

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. So is art. When you combine the two together, magic can happen.
New to MAGIX products, I spend an hour or so trying out new techniques and features on the photo editor. Some work really well, and some come out like crap. The crap ones go away, but I keep the cool ones. From there, I try to re-create what I have done with similar photos. In this case, I was successful.
So, please enjoy the combination of beauty and art in these photo-edited shots.
You can see more, and learn what functions I used on these photos on my Flickr Page.

Muse and angel

2010-05-31T21:29:00.002-04:00

IMG_5643angel, originally uploaded by DVJ Photo.

All photographers have a muse. Someone who inspires them to do better, achieve greater artistic and technical skill.
Juu-Sama is one such muse. She was my first true model subject, and from the day I met her, I was enraptured.
What was so great about her is that she was willing to do anything for the sake of art. She had a very clear view of what she wanted, and trusted me to get her there. She was my first nude subject, and helped me quite a bit get over being nervous.
Juu-Sama set the bar for muses, and I have yet to find one that meets her. I know there is one out there.
You can see all of her photos in my Juu Sama collection at my flickr page.

The power of a girl, a gun, and a bikini

2010-05-30T20:33:00.002-04:00

IMG_5343noir, originally uploaded by DVJ Photo.

I love women with weapons, as do most men. There is something exciting about a woman who has the potential to kick you ass. I think that's why these type of photos are so popular on flickr. That and D is a beautiful woman in an almost nothing outfit does not hurt either.
This photo is part of 12 I uploaded today. The first six have just some minor lighting corrections. The second six were more experiments with different kind of filters. I hope you enjoy the results.
You can see all 12 on the main page of my flickr page.

Summer Breeze

2010-05-29T08:09:00.002-04:00

summer 110, originally uploaded by DVJ Photo.

My wife Ann is a master of coming up with great concepts.
She dug up a Chinese Dress from her Asian Wardrobe Box, and I found this Japanese fan while I was trying to find some cable for a video project.
Once Summer was made up and ready to go, Ann introduced the fan to the equation. From there it was just magic.
We did some with her in front of the fan and behind. I'm saving the in front of the fan for another week.
You can see Summer's entire collection on my Flickr page.

Amateur Hours

2010-05-27T20:16:00.002-04:00

IMG_5299, originally uploaded by DVJ Photo.

Long ago (okay, a couple of years ago) I was just starting out and didn't have much. D was just starting out (not sure if she went very far) so we teamed up to do a whole series. So about three hours later, and 4 outfits later, we had a large number of photos.

These photos get the most remarks, mostly because she is either super hot, or because the flash and the strobe were too strong.

My answers are: yes she is, and thank you for the advice. Because if we can't exchange ideas, we will never get better.

G: Simple yet sexy

2010-05-27T16:47:00.002-04:00

IMG_5755, originally uploaded by DVJ Photo.

G was introduced to me by Juu Sama. I'm not sure if she was going to do any modeling at first, but it didn't take long for her to join in. I started her off with something simple, the results being these.
After a while, she went almost as far as Juu Sama, but she did not want to do any nudes, so I did not press.
You can see more on my flickr page.

Inspired: Military Issue from Vogue

2010-05-27T13:33:00.008-04:00

Like most photographers, I find my inspiration in weird and unexpected places.
Vogue is not exactly weird, but what I found inside struck me like a thunderbolt!

copyright vogue 2010

Wow! Taking uniforms (mostly Marine and Army with a little Chinese Army thrown in) and making them stylish, Vogue brought two big things in my life together, military and fashion.

The great thing about this, most of these outfits, or at least something in the same vein, Anne and CZ can do. With plenty of military thrift stores in the area, some old military items I have floating around, and a bit of frugal spending, I could get no end of mileage from just a couple of pieces.

I make this pledge, I will do a shoot something like the above pictures sometime in the next 6 months. Keep visiting this blog for more updates!

Attitude!

2010-05-25T20:39:00.001-04:00

IMG_0366, originally uploaded by DVJ Photo.

CZ is all attitude.
I say that with a fathers pride. My girl don't take crap from anyone, male or female. Her face shows her ability to kick ass, not to mention her outfit.
See more on my flickr page.

Cocaine: Series 2

2010-05-24T22:03:00.002-04:00

IMG_5910, originally uploaded by DVJ Photo.

More edgy stuff from the land of Juu Sama.
She wanted to do this shoot, and brought the outfit. I chose this bathroom in my house because it had the right harsh light, and the confined, almost public bathroom feel to it.
The "coke" was not real. It was corn starch. Neither of us have used drugs, so I don't know how realistic this looks. But then again, we wanted to be edgy, not technically accurate.

Juu Sama: Black Lace

2010-05-23T17:40:00.002-04:00

IMG_6464, originally uploaded by DVJ Photo.

Juu Sama and I tried a lot of different things during a two day marathon photoshoot. This was towards the end of the first day, and she was a little tired.
Still, I got some great shots. Too bad I had to much flash at the time. I was a bit tired too.

Demons in our midst

2010-05-22T15:32:00.001-04:00

IMG_5390demon, originally uploaded by DVJ Photo.

Okay, that's not true, but sometimes, it's the little changes that make a picture.

Cocaine

2010-05-19T20:26:00.002-04:00

IMG_5907, originally uploaded by DVJ Photo.

Another set from the Cocaine shoot. Not my most popular, but one of my most controversial. Juu Sama always wants to push things, and these photos caused some concern. I agonized whether or not to post, but I'm happy with it, and I like trying something avaunt guard. Well, as avaunt guard as I can get with my budget.

Cool D shoot

2010-05-18T19:10:00.002-04:00

IMG_5280, originally uploaded by DVJ Photo.

Part of a larger shoot featuring D.
This was my first indoor "studio" shoot. To be honest, my technical skill was not on par at the time. I had no diffuser, no backdrops, and the strobe was too harsh.
I have to admit, her natural beauty over came my technical limitations (and that she wore a sexy black outfit didn't hurt). Needless to say, these photos get the most comments from other photographers, and those who appreciate the female form.
You can check out her main set at:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/dvjphoto/collections/72157623541729879/

Summer holds court

2010-05-18T19:02:00.001-04:00

summer 169, originally uploaded by DVJ Photo.

Anne decided to sit Summer in a chair for something new. I works well because of the Chinese dress, the wood of the chair, and the foliage behind her.
She looks great (thanks to Anne), and her natural ability really made this photo, and the series, so good.
You can see more by visiting Flickr.

Noir Style

2010-05-16T16:59:00.001-04:00

IMG_5544noir, originally uploaded by DVJ Photo.

Trying new things is the spice of life. In this series, I wanted to try doing a gritty, noir style edit to my photos. While these are not great photos on their own, making them black and white and very dark makes them look cool.

Restricted Vs. Moderate

2010-05-15T20:55:00.001-04:00

IMG_7251d, originally uploaded by DVJ Photo.

Like most people, we know that there will always be people who do not like (or are jealous) of what we photographers do. Today, I received an email from Flickr that said someone had an issue with my photographs, and complained. Now, I have to identify my photos as either moderate or restricted. I chose moderate, because none of my photos are pornographic.
While I do agree with making sure content is safe for young kids or sensitive adults, that should start at home. Then, a kind email asking that I moderate my photostream at a higher level would be the next step. Then, if I choose to ignore the request, the person has the right to ask flickr to restrict my photostream.
While I am annoyed, I'm not mad. I just hope that this was an honest concern for family, not just someone who is angry they can't find a model who is willing to pose like M or Juu-Sama.

D's photoshoot

2010-05-13T20:30:00.003-04:00

IMG_5394, originally uploaded by DVJ Photo.

One model I got to shoot based off of my previous work is D. She wanted to expand her portfolio, and I was more than happy to oblige.
We did four outfits which she chose, and tried several different ideas.

To see everything we did, please visit the below link. http://www.flickr.com/photos/dvjphoto/collections/72157623541729879/

My first B&W (digitaly)

2010-05-12T19:32:00.001-04:00

IMG_5640bw, originally uploaded by DVJ Photo.

I love black and white photos. While there isn't an exact reason, I think that the stark contrast, and in some ways, the lack of color makes it more sexy. Not every photo should be black and white, but this series of Juu Sama should.
Once I get the hang of things, there will be a lot of B&W photos. They will have their own set.

Summer Art

2010-05-12T19:27:00.001-04:00

IMG_0589art, originally uploaded by DVJ Photo.

Another stab at learning more about my photo editor, Xtreme Photo Design 6 (it came with my video editing software). I really liked how this one turned out. Sort of young adult horror.
You can see more art on my flickr page (just click the picture).

M's photoshoot

2010-05-11T16:48:00.001-04:00

IMG_7255, originally uploaded by DVJ Photo.

The only second semi nude shoot I have done. As always, M, the model, was the one who suggested we do this. I prefer to let the model decide on the concept, and help them make the idea come true.
It's a level of trust for someone to appear topless infront of you. You have to be a gentleman, always. Respet the model for doing this, and never, ever ask them to do something they don't want to do.
The more I work, the more I hope to do, at the model's suggestion.

Pick up photoshoots

2010-05-11T16:36:00.001-04:00

IMG_0585, originally uploaded by DVJ Photo.

Meet Summer, one of our pick up shoots.
You have heard of pick up games, well sometimes you do a pick up photoshoot. You are not expecting to do one, and then you happen upon a great subject, and next thing you know, you are taking photogrpahs. Very similar to what happens at cons.
So with no hair or makeup, we went with what we had. We tried her with a sword, but with this natural look, we went with a nature theme instead. We were quite happy with the results.
Check out some of her other photos on my flickr page.

Some DVJ Photo Artwork

2010-05-10T18:30:00.000-04:00

As I am always trying to learn how to do new things, here is some edited photos I have done.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/dvjphoto/sets/72157623911303349/

CZMF

2010-05-10T13:23:00.001-04:00

IMG_0526art, originally uploaded by DVJ Photo.

My daughter, along with her mother, decided to do a cool "Versus" inspired shoot one day. I had never photographed my daughter for anything other than family snaps, and I needed some practice. She was my first photoshoot in almost 5 years, so I was very keen for things to go right.
CZ did a great job. We let her be silly so she could relax, and the old man even showed her how to look cool holding a sword. The sword belongs to my wife BTW. Anne gave the direction, and from there, the magic happened. I even got our next model, Summer, because of our work.
All in all, I had a lot of fun, and CZ had some great pictures.
This is why I do photography.

Pushing the Envelope

2010-05-09T09:42:00.002-04:00

IMG_5899, originally uploaded by DVJ Photo.

Juu Sama wanted to do a crazy coke head killer shoot. I obliged here so we can do something that most people shy away from. Heroin Chic really fell out of favor, and the backlash was immense. I was a little nervous about posting these, but for the sake of art (or exposure, either is fine) I am posting.
My worries appear to be baseless as these are some of the less popular photos on my site. Still, I'm proud of them.

Summer Photoshoot

2010-05-08T17:58:00.001-04:00

summer 019, originally uploaded by DVJ Photo.

Photos from my first official photshoot with Summer (we did a pickup one the week before). Ann Marie did the makeup, hair, and the costume.
Summer has a natural poise, and thanks to Annie's directions, we got some great shots.
To see more pictures on my photostream, click the photo.

Juu Sama Semi Nude

2010-05-08T16:30:00.001-04:00

IMG_5608crop, originally uploaded by DVJ Photo.

One of only two semi nude shoots I have done since I got into photography. Both Juu Sama and M were the ones to suggest it, and I was more than happy to oblige. That is not to say every shoot I do has to have nudity, partial or otherwise, but I will not say no if asked.
To see more, visit my photostream on flickr (click the picture to get there).

The Punk War Flickr Photo Group

2010-05-08T02:37:00.000-04:00

http://www.flickr.com/groups/punkwar/
The Punk War is a group on Flickr I created to gather together some of the more avaunt guard photographs that are out there. While most of us photograph beautiful people and scenes, these artists are pushing the envelop, with their bizarre subjects, over use of photo editing software, and interesting techniques. Sometimes stylish, many times shocking, these gonzo photographers below are just some of the wonderful artists to admire.

rawwar : mother earth. @ The Punk War

2010-05-08T02:28:00.001-04:00

rawwar : mother earth., originally uploaded by no para innita.

Some artwork from no para innita posted at The Punk War

EXPLORED @ The Punk War

2010-05-08T02:27:00.001-04:00

, originally uploaded by Thru Jenns Eyes.

A Photo by Thru Jenns Eyes posted at The Punk War.

Habitats @ The Punk War

2010-05-08T02:26:00.003-04:00

Habitats, originally uploaded by SLGPD.

A photo by SLGPD posted at The Punk War.

Desert Storm @ The Punk War

2010-05-08T02:26:00.001-04:00

Desert Storm, originally uploaded by slavewire.

A photo by slavewire posted at The Punk War.

Celebrity Update @ The Punk War

2010-05-08T02:24:00.001-04:00

Celebrity Update, originally uploaded by starbeast23.

A photo by Starbeast23 posted at The Punk War.

Zombies 2010 @ The Punk War

2010-05-08T02:22:00.001-04:00

ZOMBIES2010, originally uploaded by Mike Rollerson.

This is a photo taken by Mike Rollerson, posted to The Punk War.

First DVJ Photo Blog Post

2010-05-07T21:43:00.001-04:00

IMG_3606, originally uploaded by DVJ Photo.

Welcome,
My name is Matthew Anderson, and I am the founder of DVJ Photo.

DVJ Photo is my blog showing the evolution of my photography from raw amateur to, what I hope will be, well respected semi-pro.

You will see a collection of all the photos I have taken over the years. In addtion, I will talk about the behind the scenes things that went into the taking of the photo.

For example, this is Anne. When I knew her, she was quite a popular cosplayer here on the west coast. This photo, and one of my personal favorites, was part of a shoot with another model and photographer.

The reason why she is wet was because we were trying to do a two hitwomen, one rising up out of the water. The idea was cool, the execution was not. When Anne came out of the water, I was amazed at how beautiful she looked wet. Very few women look good soaked, but with her skin, dark hair, and smokey eyes, I could not resist. We did a couple with a gun, but ditched it quickly and went with this type of shot.

So, welcome to the DVJ Photo Blog. I hope you enjoy your time here.

DVJ Photo

2 Million Views

First Photo

Happy New Year! 12,400

What is Hipstamatic?

Kelley Photo Gallery

Ohh, Foxy Lady

Slumber Party

The Muse Project

Model Panorama

Camera Phones vs. Real Cameras

Evolution

Requests

Be dynamic!

DVJ Photo, down for now.

10's

Fans

Last Photo

AGENT

DVJ Photography Magazine

Beautiful Nudes

Experiments

DVJ Photo's photostream

Meet Kattaly

Cowards

Popular

Choices

Katya

Laura

Pictures for Today

BTS: Summer Gurls

Black Orchid: The Comic Book

Summer Gurls

Jaine Jewel: My Discovery

Welcome to the DVJ Photo Blog...again.

camera beauty

DVJ Photo's photostream

The Muse Project Shoot 1

Happy New Year and Facebook Page

Style To Kill

Tha Diva Shoot

Into The Woods

Style to Kill

Back on track

Helicopter Girls: First Official Set

Helicotper Girls Photoshoot

helicopter girls test 007

Danielle: Very Natural

Indoor Shoots

Digi-gals!

Helicopter Girls

My Goal for Next Year

HAPPY 4TH OF JULY

Lack of updates and Helicopter Girls

Danielle Pt 2

Art vs Reality Pt 1

Art vs Reality Pt 2

Bad photos into good photos.

Inspired: Megan Fox Photos by Craig Mcdean

Danielle Video Introduction

Hyperarm and other artwork

New Model: Danielle

The Benefits of a Smile

Funky 80s Pop Art

Beauty and Art

Muse and angel

The power of a girl, a gun, and a bikini

Summer Breeze

Amateur Hours

G: Simple yet sexy

Inspired: Military Issue from Vogue

Attitude!

Cocaine: Series 2

Juu Sama: Black Lace

Demons in our midst

Cocaine

Cool D shoot

Summer holds court

Noir Style

Restricted Vs. Moderate