JessicaRicco.com

Doors: A Collection

Jessica — Wed, 14 Jul 2010 23:55:51 +0000

I have a fondness, or rather, a really silly obsession with doors. They are the kind of a thing I always like to photograph. There is something quite magical about a really old, or really unique door. It is almost as if the neater the door, the neater whatever is behind it. This of course isn’t always true. The character of a good old door is unmistakable though, and, as with most things, they just don’t make them like they use to.

Here is a small selection from my recent trip to the UK and Ireland.

Forty Shades of Green

Jessica — Sun, 20 Jun 2010 23:40:06 +0000

“Green, green, forty shades of green

I close my eyes and picture

the emerald of the sea

From the fishing boats of Dingle

to the shores of Donaghadee” – Johnny Cash

Green is the color of life signifying growth, healing, and renewal.

This past June I went on a wonderful tour of the UK and Ireland. Ireland really is as green and rainy as everyone says. But, it is in fact, this rain that influences the dramatic Irish landscapes. The influence of the gulf stream and the moderate climate combine to make Ireland well-balanced – no hot hots or cold colds. However, I did find myself with quite the unexpected sunburn after a day riding bikes on Aran Island.

Anyway, I decided to make a little project out of the proverbial wonderful Johnny Cash song, “Forty Shades of Green.” Below is my interpretation of Ireland’s many shades.

Hydrangeas, Etc.

jessieessiejay — Sun, 11 Apr 2010 02:48:11 +0000

I bought my mom some pretty hydrangeas for her birthday. I used the natural light from the windows as the only source of lighting.

Here are some fun pictures I took today while walking the dog. I like to call the first one “Reclamation.”

Making Nicole a Fairy

jessieessiejay — Sun, 21 Mar 2010 17:40:27 +0000

What girl doesn’t love playing dress up? Nicole brought her trunk full of vintage clothing over early one morning and we promptly disappeared into the woods. I think the golden colored dress nicely contrasts the dark, wet trees and bright green leaves making her pop out. In retrospect, I would have opened up the aperture more for a more blurred background, similar to Ashton’s portraits, but ultimately I like how these came out. This shoot was really enjoyable – if you have some fun clothes and a friend who’s willing to get his/her feet dirty – go outside! No, I’m serious, get some fresh air and some good practice.

Blizzard of 2010

jessieessiejay — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 14:46:42 +0000

I cannot remember another storm of this magnitude in my lifetime – I guess maybe the blizzard of ‘93, which happened on my birthday is the closest runner up. As I type this Orange county, New York is under a state of emergency and we have 20″ of snow in my front yard with higher amounts in other areas. The best part is it’s still snowing and has been since Wednesday night. It is hard to describe the magnitude of this storm without pictures, so here goes:

Those are supposed to be our cars.

This is where my driveway is supposed to be.

The snow is so heavy that it broke several limbs on this tree.

Below: check out the dog trying to play fetch in 2 feet of snow!

Ashton and the Window: Using Available Light

jessieessiejay — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 20:09:52 +0000

Here is a perfect opportunity to highlight the importance of always carrying your camera: one afternoon a few months ago Nicole and I visited her nephew, Ashton. I love taking pictures of him because, of course, he is adorable and photogenic, but he also has incredible blue eyes.

I shot these photos in the late afternoon using only the available light from the window in the living room. Unfortunately, I was not 100% prepared because I did not bring my speedlight for fill light. Since I don’t like using the on-board flash on my Nikon, I cranked down my shutter speed and opened up my aperture, which worked out well to throw the colorful background out of focus. These first few images are in the middle of the living room – I positioned myself on the diagonal between Ashton and the window to shoot the side of his face that was well-lit from the window without blocking the light.

The following pictures were taken right next to the window – Ashton was playing hide and seek behind the curtains. The drapes were a cream color, which effectively acted as a reflector to light Ashton’s entire face.

What an adorable face.

~More Later.

Making the Forest into Fairyland

jessieessiejay — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 18:50:19 +0000

This morning I woke up to a backyard full of fog, dampness and random rays of sunshine. The morning/sunrise and the evening/sunset make for the most interesting light, so, forgetting my other obligations for the morning (finishing a report, going to the bank…etc), I grabbed my camera and ran outside.

I find that using a macro lens in the forest makes everything look like there should be Fae or little gnomes running around, sitting on mushrooms or laying on ferns. Something about the light this morning also enhanced this feeling for me. What do you think?

I love when the background is so out of focus that it is just soft colors that blend together…

Maybe this is someone’s home?

No matter how many photos of water drops I take, they never come out crisp. Maybe it has to do with the fact that my tripod was gently balancing on layers and layers of wet leaves = not so sturdy. Someday I will get the perfect water splash…but that day is not today…

That’s all for now!

~more later…

Couple Photography

jessieessiejay — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 01:33:18 +0000

While I do commissioned product, event and portrait photography, one of my favorite things to do is just take some photos of my friends. Here are some photographs of Lisa and her boyfriend Zac.

I love portraiture because people can make such incredible faces. Color in landscape and food photography is essential, but emotion can be even stronger and more thought provoking in black and white. It is often the case that the first time you photograph someone, he or she is a little uncomfortable. Just keep the mood light and keep talking - soon he or she will warm up and settle back into his/her natural behavior.
If you are interested in my portraiture services, visit the Portraiture Gallery.

That’s all for now

~More Later!

Throwbacks: Hand Developed Shots from the Canon AE1

jessieessiejay — Sun, 16 Nov 2008 04:21:38 +0000

The first “formal” photography training I had was in 11th grade via the Introduction to Photography class with Mrs. Palinkas. We learned to shoot and develop black and white 35mm film. This class is what accelerated my passion for photography. I recently bought a new scanner, and thought I would share some of my favorite hand-developed “throwback” photos:

I think these next two are especially spooky. Like you would find them in a creepy attic in a horror movie. Sarah is such an awesome model. I dressed her up in this white button up shirt, a black skirt, striped colorful socks and her old Etnies. Good memories.

Anyway, that’s all for now!

~More later…

Some Favorite Animal Photos

jessieessiejay — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 02:29:17 +0000

I’ve found that getting an impressive shot of a pet can be somewhat of a challenge. Usually my dog and cat are so interested in the camera that they run up and sniff it instead of maintaining a pose. You have to be quick on the draw. With fast moving pets I usually like to test the exposure settings in the room so I don’t have to fumble with them when the cat strikes a good pose.

This was my boyfriend Chris’ sister’s kitten. Unfortunately, he ran away. Good thing I was able to snap these shots of Mitten before his abrupt and indefinite hiatus.

One day last summer I was mowing our front field-like lawn and happened upon this in the grass:

This fawn was only a day or two old, and even with the grumbling of the lawn mower (which happens to be a Kubota diesel tractor) this little guy stayed put – in my way. No more mowing that day.

This next shot is of my neighbor and her beloved mare. Tara is pretty much one of my best friends. She owns a business bailing and selling hay. Sometimes she’ll call me at random times to go frantically help her gather hay bails because it’s supposed to rain. I have great adventures with her.

And this is the evil monster that lives at my house. Right at this moment she is trying to sabotage me by sleeping on my arms as I try and type. She also loves to jump off the windowsill and land ever so crudely on my keyboard.

She is sort of cute when she sleeps though.

That’s all for now…

~More later…