Posts Tagged ‘Add new tag’

Chris and Leslie’s Engagement Portraits; Fall Color in Redstone, Colorado

11.06.2010 - By Peter
Categories: Engagement, Portraits
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I really love shooting in the mountains in the fall. Everything seems to come together, nice weather but interesting clouds, the trees are all dressed up with warm tones and there is an urgency to create photographs. This wonderful color is a fleeting transformation to the cold dull tones of winter. I am afraid as I write this that all of the fall color and warm days even down here in Boulder are soon to retire for another year.

Chris and Leslie got the best of my fall days photographing this year. One of those days that will have me eagerly waiting for next summer to end so I can do it all over again trying to push myself to a higher level of experience for myself and my clients, creating meaningful portraits and art in the process. Working with Chris and Leslie was so natural and relaxed although it was my first time to photograph ether of them. They have that zeal for life and each other that makes my job so easy. When I can just focus on the art of capturing emotion and let my clients be natural and relaxed as it all comes together.

Next September I will photograph Chris and Leslie’s wedding. Hopefully we will have more amazing fall color. I am already excited for the opportunity to work with them again as now I have had a glimpse at what Chris, Leslie and myself are capable of creating together.

We created the image below as a 60 inch canvas. Kathy just took it to deliver it to them in Denver. I already feel like I have lost a best friend. I’ll have to create another one just for me to enjoy. I have had this vision for this image for quite a while even making similar attempts but I feel like this is the image where it really came together and happened just as I envisioned.

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Posted in Engagement, Portraits

Fibark: After Dark

06.22.2010 - By Peter
Categories: Adventure, Personal Work
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Fibark is America’s oldest and boldest river and whitewater festival. If you have never been, it is something to witness. One of the most popular events is the Hooligan Race. A “boat” race where groups create makeshift rafts and boats from all types of unlikely objects. A huge mass of spectators watch as these crafts come through the rapids and self destruct sending parts and people flying into the churning river.

Fibark: Hooligan Race 2010 from peter Holcombe on Vimeo.

After all the dust settled I had another opportunity to photograph Nick Troutman, the reigning World Freestyle Kayak Champion, but this time he brought along Eric Jackson, a four time World Champion and US Team Olympian, and Eric’s 16 year old son, Dane Jackson, who is already a force to be reckoned within the junior and pro men’s contests around the globe.  Much thanks again to Nick, Dane and Eric for taking the time to make these images and get back into the freezing cold river well after most everyone had gone to bed.

It was a dark night, but I fixed that quickly. I set up several flashes and one very bright spot light. I was really about capturing the flow of the water and spray off the boats as they looped through the air. These almost abstract images are more focused on the water than the boat and paddler. There is a beautiful reaction to every motion the paddler makes within the water.  Many kayak images are all about the person and the boat but these images brought the subtleties of the water into the forefront. Any paddler notices this all the time but it is seldom caught in an image in such a dominant sculpted form. There are so many amazing aspects to kayaking and I hope this series shows some of the beauty of the waters reaction to the acrobatics of these world class paddlers.

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Posted in Adventure, Personal Work

Minter Family: An Estes Park Family Portrait.

08.21.2009 - By Peter
Categories: Portraits
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I had a great day photographing the Minter Family! This has been one of the best summers ever, and I fear that it is disappearing into fall way too soon! I started the day deciding to drive my Mazda Miata convertible up to Estes Park time to a shoot for the first time. I had to pack a little differently but eventually managed to fit all my cameras, lighting equipment and myself into this tiny car. Once up in the mountains and on location it proved to be a little challenging due to whipping cold wind. I always bring a few extra jackets to this location. A few for the clients and one for me. I learned this the hard way, or I should say the COLD way. This is entirely normal in the mountains but is something I have to overcome in the portrait process. Usually as the sun goes down and the light gets better in quality the wind calms as well but the temperature also drops fast. The Minters have had a busy summer traveling and it was great for me to spend this evening in the mountains with them.   At one point I asked them to climb up on this huge boulder positioned dramatically (it seemed) on the edge of the world. This is not for the faint of heart, but they did great balancing as the gusts of wind buffeted there backs trying to knock them off balance. We ended the day with three bull elk grazing on the succulent green tundra grasses just a 100 yards away. Summer is really a great time in Colorado.

2i0a7701-tThe Minter family portrait they selected from this shoot. I love the view of Longs Peak in the background. This is a classically Colorado family portrait. It will be finished on canvas in a Gallery presentation.

img_9950-head-swapThis is one of my favorites. I love the edge of the world look and the dramatic setting sun in the distance.

img_9922Dramatic and powerful. Do you really need to see a face to be a successful portrait?  I don’t think so. This is really fun and different. This might be a great approach to a family that feels self-conscience about having large portraits in their home.

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Posted in Portraits