PPA International Awards

"The Theatre Director" Award "Loan Collection"

Brewing Winter Storm Award: " Merit Print"
Mary and Andy Award: "Merit Album"


Local Photographer’s Work Goes to International Exhibition

Photographs created by Robert L. Harris, Jr. of Robert Harris Photography in Richmond, VA and South Hill, VA has recently been accepted into the (GENERAL/LOAN) Collection of Professional Photographers of America's 2011International Photographic Competition. Harris' work will be on display at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center, January 15-17, 2012, in New Orleans, La. This exhibition is held in conjunction with Imaging USA, an annual convention of professional photographers and several photographic associations.

A panel of jurors from across the United States selected the top photographs from more than 4,000 total submitted entries at Gwinnett Technical College in Georgia. Judged against a standard of excellence, Harris' portrait "The Theatre Director" was selected for the esteemed Loan Collection—the best of the best. The Loan Collection images will all be published in the much-anticipated “Loan Collection” book, and over 200 selected General Collection images will be published in the “Showcase” book by Marathon Press.

Titled "The Theatre Director", Harris' entry will be on display in New Orleans at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center alongside other photographic works from PPA’s photographic competition and traveling and special invitational displays. These images constitute one of the world’s largest annual exhibits of professional photography gathered simultaneously under one roof.

About Professional Photographers of America (PPA)
Established in 1869, PPA is an international non-profit association for professional photographers.

Simple Pleasures

Image © Robert Harris Photography


We recently installed a beautiful 24x32 painting of the Medlin family. Photographed in the last light of the day, the portrait is a true representation of a family involved with a familiar delight and simple pleasure; feeding the ducks. With all of the visual entertainment and video games that are at our fingertips, nothing compares to the combination of sights, sounds and activity that families enjoy outdoors. No fancy technology hear; just plain bread and hungry ducks.

The warm light of the setting sun provides a pleasing tone to this painted memory, not only in the mind, but also on canvas.

Elegance is always in fashion

Images © Robert Harris Photography


With the popularity of location portraits (which we enjoy tremendously), we still create a majority of our bridal portraits in the controlled atmosphere of the studio. From the simplicity of window light and properly placed reflectors to camera studies created with as many as seven strobes, the goal is to produce a portrait that is lasting in its creation. There is never a problem if rain is in the forecast or the temperature is 95+ degrees. The studio is always comfortable.

Kristen Newton's portraits are featured above with the endless detail of her unique gown. Four to seven strobes were used to sculpt the pattern of light not only on her beautiful gown, but also on Kristen's expression. Subtle changes were made to Kristen's hair and veil during the session to show the different looks she would wear on her wedding day.

Elegance is always in fashion.

Congratulations: Seniors 2011!

Bald Head Island, NC to Southern Virginia

Bald Head Island was a beautiful setting for Grey and Seth to celebrate their wedding. Within sight of "Old Baldy" lighthouse, the guests gathered inside the island chapel to witness their union. Following the quaint ceremony, Seth and Grey motored to the Shoel's Club at the end of the island in a covered golf cart to enjoy dinner and dancing with their closest friends and family. The evening ended with the groom joining the band to sing a few special songs for his wife and friends.

Images © Robert Harris Photography


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Our weekend was not complete until we joined Kaitlyn and Charles in the heart of Southern, VA for their wedding. Beautiful blue skies presided over the entire day until nightfall and fireworks filled the skies. The bride's dog also dressed for the occasion and witnessed her master's vows with a front row seat.

Wanda and I congratulate both couples on their wedding! Our best to you and your life ahead!


Images © Robert Harris Photography

Congratulations!

Images © Robert Harris Photography


Wanda and I would like to congratulate the brides we worked with this past week. We had a great time capturing many special memories of Anne and Stephen on their wedding day in Richmond, VA. The day was not complete until the the bride's uncle chauffeured them in his vintage Bentley to the Jefferson Hotel. This beautiful automobile was a perfect ride for a great couple. We wish them well as they enjoy a trip to France and Switzerland.

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Image © Robert Harris Photography

We also had the pleasure of creating a beautiful bridal portrait for Sara-Manson Hawthorne who was married this past Saturday as well. The gown was custom made with elegant straps hand sewn from Sara-Manson's mother's gown. The final portrait was custom painted to bring out the classic beauty of both the bride and the dress that is unique and unforgettable.

Sara-Manson commented how "alive" the portrait looked when she viewed the completed art for the first time. "The entire process was better than I ever could have expected."

Thank you, Sara-Manson. It was our pleasure....

Congratulations!

Ansel Adams Printing

"The Print is the Performance"

In a previous post, I mentioned the phrase: "The Print is the Performance." This term was first used by the great landscape photographer, Ansel Adams who documented dramatic black and white photographs of the untouched American landscape . As a young boy, he discovered the piano and developed a talent that could have carried him through a lifelong career in music. A few years later however, he discovered photography. Adams found similar meaning in the process of photography to that of performing concert music. He realized that a sheet of music filled with notes could not be fully appreciated until the talent of the pianist brought them to life on the instrument. The same holds true in photography.

Adams would work on a negative (sometimes an entire day) in the darkroom to bring out the full range of what he felt and visualized when the photograph was made. He equated this process with performing the music in a concert. Thus his phrase, " The negative is the score: the print is the performance"

In today's digital world, this phrase is vitally important for photographers to understand. The moment a photograph is made is only the beginning of the creative process. It is only complete when the artist carries the vision through to a "well performed" print.

Yes, we see most photographs (including personal ones) on a computer. Technology is a wonderful vehicle for sharing images in ways we never have previously, however the value of a skillfully crafted print holds the true and lasting vision of the artist and the hearts of subjects it preserves for generations to come.

Robert

Robert Harrris Photography