Ramblings

A few weeks ago Deb and I were on vacation in Arizona. Our first day was spent mostly traveling and stopping at Munds Park for the night. The next morning we made the long drive to Page Arizona near the Utah border. We had scheduled to tour Antelope Canyon that morning. Well, the slot canyon tour was awesome and I got to meet some very nice folks. Deb was on the standard tour while I took the “photographer’s tour”. Well worth the time and cost.

However… just days before we left I discovered that Horseshoe Bend was in this same town and from everything I saw it looked amazing. So after the slot canyon tour and getting cleaned up, (We were covered in red sand and it was in every nook and cranny of all our belongings… including my camera.) we took the short drive to Horseshoe Bend. There were wind advisories out that day and it was windy. The 3/4 mile hike to the canyon was like walking through a sandstorm. It was actually painful as the sand was quite course here. We made it to the canyon and it was magnificent. But the wind gusts coming out of the canyon were quite honestly, life threatening. I got on all fours and crawled to the edge and took some shots. Backed away and stood with Deb for awhile. At times we held on to each other as the wind gusts came. Yes, they were that strong. At one point, prior to leaving, we were separated and a wind gust came and pushed Deb away from me. She ran to keep up with it and I ran after her. I could only watch in fear as she was carried and eventually fell to the ground. I could not stop due to the force of the wind and went right by her until I myself fell about 20 feet beyond. I went back to Deb and she looked at me with a face covered in blood. I helped her up and we made the journey back to the car and to the hotel where she got cleaned up. It was apparent she needed medical attention. She ended up getting one stitch in her nose and bruising far beyond anything I have ever seen. Most of her face was black and blue 48 hours after the accident. She did not sustain any major injuries but enough minor ones to prevent her from doing any hiking while we were in Sedona.

All in all we were so grateful we both walked away with our lives. Would I do it again? Yes, but alone next time if the weather was like that. If you head to this site heed any warnings of wind. Be careful and enjoy the view.

Here is one of the images I shot of Horsehoe Bend. Copies of the image are available here (click link).

Horseshoe Bend by Bill Raab

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March 21, 2012 by Bill

Color or Black and White | Which do you prefer?

Abby needed a head shot for a specific reason and wanted a black and white image.
I love black and white photography but I also love images rich in color. I admittedly do more color work than black and white. What I love is coming upon that image that just “works” in black and white. Generally these images come to me as either lacking in color variations to begin with or more infrequently (due to care of composition), such a hodge podge of color and patterns that one loses the subject in the palate.

This head shot was very simple as far as composition. It lent itself very well to black and white processing. But I love the warm skin tones and the color of Abby’s hair was so complementary, that I had to provide the color image too. Truth be told that is where I start anyways… If an image just jumps out at me as black and white I will process it as such and be done with it. On the other hand, many times I process the image first in color and then do a black and white conversion. So, quite often with my black and whites I will provide a color image. Frankly I love both forms of processing and many times notice the same picture takes on a different feel when compared black and white to color.

It is an interesting little game that plays out.

So, in as far as these two versions of the same image… what do I see? The color image is warm and inviting. The tones of her skin and hair are complementary as I previously mentioned. It’s friendly and bubbly. The black and white version, to me appears happy and bright.

So what do you see and how do you feel about Black and White compared with color images?

Headshot | Minneapolis Portrait Photography

and with that… what color do you think this young man’s hair is… and this better make you smile!

Minneapolis Portrait Photographer

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March 5, 2012 by Bill

Website Featured | Minneapolis Wedding and Portrait Photography

Wow, I love this! My website was one of three wedding photography sites featured by GraphPaper Press who are the developers of the theme I use for this website. I have used their themes for a little over two years now. This being the second theme of theirs I have used. I love the flexibility and ease of use and tech support has been awesome in every instance.

The fact that my site was chosen to display their work is a testimony to the quality of work I do. I am honored that they feel my photography shows off their web theme development. I appreciate the kind comments they made about my photography. Thank you GraphPaper Press, you rock!

See the article here.

Minneapolis Wedding and Portrait Photography

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February 20, 2012 by Bill

Focused or Not, Who Cares? | Minneapolis Photographer

I had fun yesterday… we should all hang around with people like this and have some real fun from time to time. Put down the iPad (or NOOK Tablet in my case) and get out and have some fun with the kids. Some of these shots are not in focus. Does that matter? Heck no, look at those faces. Every bit of emotion of the moment still comes beaming through. So, lighten up… don’t sweat the small things… and have some real fun!

Children Portraits | Minneapolis Photographer

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February 11, 2012 by Bill

Tapestry | Together In Hope | Minneapolis Event Photography

Tapestry had an event at Church of the Open Door in Maple Grove several months ago. I had photographed that event just due to the simple fact I wanted to. So, I was grateful to be asked to shoot this event for them which took place at International Market Square in Minneapolis on February 9, 2012. It was a wonderful evening of letting people know just what Tapestry does and how they do it. Founded in 1978, they have been around for awhile serving our community in a way only they could.

From their site:
“Our Mission:
With a spirit of dignity and grace, we provide life-affirming support to women and children in crisis in three areas: unplanned pregnancy, personal empowerment and humanitarian outreach.

Our Vision
To transform lives.
To make what seems impossible, possible.
To remove barriers and reveal options.
To equip, empower and educate.
To live and serve in truth.

Our Values
We are Christian.
We value all life.
We are good stewards.
We respond.

We are Christian. We are a community of people who have come together to serve because we feel called by God to weave His grace into the lives of those we serve.
We value all life. We are deeply committed to providing an environment that fosters life-affirming values for the unborn, as well as the mother and father. Everything we do either directly protects the sanctity of life or directly focuses on improving the quality of life.
We are good stewards. We are dedicated to the highest level of excellence in both service and stewardship. We strive to identify the most critical needs of our clients and devote our resources to meeting those needs. In addition, we offer complete financial transparency so that our financial partners can feel confident that their investment in our ministry completely aligns with their values and goals.
We respond. To the fullest extent of our resources and abilities, we will serve all of our clients needs regardless of race, religion, ethnicity or gender.”

It turned out to be sold out which was an awesome thing to have happen. I believe there were about 300 people there. Here are some shots from the event. I also encourage you to check out their website.

Lastly… thank you to Kimberly and all involved at Tapestry and to all the beautiful people who pour into this ministry.

Tapestry | Together In Hope | Minneapolis Event Photographer

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February 6, 2012 by Bill

What do I shoot with? | Minneapolis Photographer | Exposed To Light

If you came to this article to find out about the gear I use I will provide a gear list at the end of the article. However, this is not intended as a “gear head” post. I like gear but it is not what I shoot with… it is a means to an end.

Let me explain…

What I bring (what every photographer should bring… but often times they don’t) is a heart and passion for the work that I shoot. My eyes are only a portion of what I see with. I feel as much as I see.

A short time ago I shot some work, alongside me was another professional photographer. We weren’t there together, but we were both in the same place at the same time shooting the same thing. Once all was said and done I got the chance, after a few days, to see this other photographer’s work. To me it was immediately evident that this other photographer shot this “work” with no passion whatsoever. Anybody with this photographer’s gear could have gotten the same shots.

If there is no connection to your heart, to your emotions, to your spirit… believe me, your images will reveal that. On the flip side if you are experiencing this sort of connection and are passionate, not only about your work, but your client (subject), that will be revealed. There are so many photographers out there right now… and there will only be more… you need to differentiate yourself from the crowd. You need to chase what you are passionate about and what moves you.

Photography in its truest form (IMO) is about imagery that evokes emotion, imagination and memories. Aside from that anyone with a modern camera can fulfill the meager expectations of just taking pictures.

Two things… One, I say this all as one who has not arrived. I am not where I want to be but I am chasing the goal… and I have the heart. Whether I ever arrive at the destination I envision, or not, I will chase that vision with all of what is in me. I want it to be apparent in all that I shoot that I did it with heart and passion and with a love of what I do.

Two… the gear

Canon 5D x2, Canon 40D, Canon 16-35mm f2.8L, Canon 24-105mm f4L, Canon 50mm f1.4, Canon 50mm f1.2L, Canon 85mm f1.8, Canon 70-200 f2.8L, Canon 580EXII, Canon 430EX and various other supporting equipment. (Smiling) But it is not what I shoot with.

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January 28, 2012 by Bill

PFR 12 in 2012 Opening Concert | Minneapolis Event Photographer

On January 27th 2012 PFR once again came together. The occasion was to celebrate the 20th anniversary of their first release. The tour is dubbed “12 in 2012″ and kicked off at Church of the Open Door in Maple Grove, MN. You should have been there. I admit my familiarity with PFR was non-existent until I met Deb 8 years ago and she introduced me to their music. We had seen them the last time they were together here in the cities which I am guessing was like four years ago (Correction make that three years ago. Thank you Erin Bennett!). It was an awesome concert that night but I did not head there with a camera. This time was different… alot different. There were film crews and another photographer running around. With all the activity going on I tried to limit my photography to the first three songs of the concert. I think I probably dipped into number five but then I set the camera aside. My intent was to focus on the event, not an individual with my photography. It was a wonderful night. I loved the Beatles tune… awesome! Totally unexpected.

Lets all hope we get to see them again soon. Thank you guys for blessing us one more time with your gifts and for putting that delightful ring back in our ears. Sweetness!

PFR 12 in 2012 | Minneapolis Event Photographer

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January 28, 2012 by Bill

Grayshot in Concert | Minneapolis Event Photographer

Last night (January 27, 2012) at Church of the Open Door in Maple Grove, MN PFR came together to kick off their “12 in 2012″ concert tour. Opening the night was Grayshot. We have had the awesome pleasure of seeing the Ankrum brothers many times at Open Door, and outside of OD as well playing with Joel Hanson. They will be embarking on a UK tour later this year and then dropping into a missions trip. I had not seen Grayshot before nor heard their music. They were great! You can check them out here. Here are some shots from their set. PFR will be in a separate posting.

Minneapolis Event Photographer | Exposed To Light Photography

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January 14, 2012 by Bill

An Article for Brides To Be | Minneapolis Wedding Photographer

I came upon this article which I really think brings up some good points to consider for your wedding from Minneapolis St. Paul Magazine. Very worthwhile reading if you can spare a few minutes.

An exclusive conversation with Twin Cities’ wedding photographer Hilary Bullock

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January 7, 2012 by Bill

Passion 2012 Atlanta | A Generation United For His Renown

Passion 2012 in the Georgia Dome was sold out… lets start there.
Passion’ s mission is to glorify God and unite college students in worship and prayer for spiritual awakening in this generation.

Sold out means a couple of things when you start talking about Passion. In numbers for 2012 it meant over 42,000 students! In heart and spirit it is all about 42,000+ being “sold out” for God. Sound amazing? It was and is.

Deb and I have served at Passion ’07, ’10, ’11 and the Chicago, Los Angeles, and Atlanta Regionals. To be honest I did not know what to expect this year it sounded huge and overwhelming. I should trust God more… it was amazing and the best Passion experience yet. We were on the Meals/Registration team. In the past we were on the Touch Team but we felt a change and different perspective was needed for us in 2012.

What an amazing week it was and God was moving through it all. Even to the point of saving people from being crushed by teetering pallets filled with 384 meals each. Due to our roles this year we were only able to make one session one night where we just had a difficult time hearing, let alone seeing. That was okay though as those it was intended for could hear and see just fine. The last session Deb and I were invited to be bucket holders where we watched as the students, at the close of the session, poured out one more time with the last of their money to help fund the next Passion conference taking place in Vancouver. I stood there holding my bucket with tears streaming down my face as they dropped their offerings in… it was beyond moving. I actually had one girl bring a piggy bank to me stuffed with coins… you had to be there… you should have been there.

Alright, as a photographer of course I would love to shoot but that has not been in the cards these past years at the conference. But I did get away with Deb one lunch period and took some shots and then again the next evening. A representative amount of those shots are below. The Freedom Hand was an art installation that the students took part in. They would donate to fund a cause and be given the opportunity to add to the artwork. It was an amazing thing! The theme this year was FREEDOM which should be apparent from the remainder of the shots.

In closing… next year Passion hopes to “tear down the curtain” which sectioned off an unused portion of the dome. We want to use the entire dome. This year was a sell out so some could not get in. We want those to get in next year plus a bunch more. We also want more volunteers so please prayerfully consider joining Deb, myself and the other 2000+ volunteers. Lives are changed at Passion, courses are steered and others re-mapped. If you come, you will never be the same.

BTW: Totals from Passion 2012: $3,066,670 to end slavery. 36K towels/156K pairs socks for homeless. $148K to Passion World Tour dates.

Enjoy the images and please visit the Passion website for more information.