Bikes, Blues and BBQ 2011

BBB was a blast to shoot, one of the highlights of each year!

View more photos at www.aponi.zenfolio.com

Forest Shadows

Shooting on the switchbacks of Devil's Den has been one of my particularly favorite places to shoot for the previous two seasons. It doesn't come without its challenges though... the sun filtering through the forest creates mottled shadows, and quite often these shadows fall across the faces or entirety of the subject. That's when my good friend Photoshop comes into the picture. In the untouched photo you can see the how the subject is nearly lost to the shadows. Some adjustments were made with curves, shadow/light 10%, a duplicate layer created and the top layer was enhanced with a Topaz filter (shadow/highlights) and then an 80% opacity was applied to the top layer allowing a touch more of reality to peek through, and voila! A wonderful, classy, ever so slightly Norman Rockwell appearing photo appears before you. Oh wait, I also did a mild blur to the trees and a touch of a vignette for drama. Go ahead, smile. I did :)

Update: upon request the second bike behind the subject has been removed. Just another sample of editing possibilities.

See more photos from Bikes, Blues and BBQ at www.aponi.zenfolio.com

Shooting at War Eagle Mill on the Bridge during Bikes, Blues and BBQ

Bikes, Blues and BBQ galleries can be viewed at www.aponi.zenfolio.com

Some fun folks on Dickson Street during Bikes, Blues and BBQ

Shoot Schedule for Bikes, Blues and BBQ

American Competitive Trail Horse Association

Facebook posts designed by Aponi Studios utilizing photography by the studio taken during the finals of the American Favorite Trail Horse. This three day event is part of a 13 episode television series hosted by the American Competitive Trail Horse Association (ACTHA), produced by Electric Picture Company set to air this fall on HRTV. America will vote for their favorite trail horse.

Photography by Aponi Studios shot during the event can be viewed from the gallery at: www.aponi.zenfolio.com

Visit ACTHA's Facebook page: www.facebook.com/actha

Or visit Aponi's Facebook page: www.facebook.com/aponistudios

Lee's Old Cars

I spent the good part of an afternoon shooting old cars in a private collection in the Prairie Grove area. I shared the shoot with another photographer friend. The objective was simple; listen to old cars 'put out to pasture' and see what stories they had to tell. It's really something to look them over, imagine what sort of folks might have had them, where they might have gone... dances and drive-ins, races or shows. Which car seated a pair of young lovers or sleeping children, was someone's prized possession, first car, memory? In many cases the imagination is stirred toward sanding, priming, painting, second chances, new beginnings. Lack luster hoods and fenders, blanketed in velvety covers of robust rust, old cars whose true beauty continue to shine through peeling paint, spiderweb cracked windshields, chipped chrome and old-car-barnacles.

Rico/ NWAHJA Horse Show

Stop the slideshow in the header before pressing play here.



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America's Favorite Trail Horse, Blanco, TX

Just back from a FABULOUS week in Blanco, Texas where I was one of the official photographers for ACTHA (American Competitive Trail Horse Association), who hosted the event. Photos are in production now set to be available this week. A collection of photos are available from Aponi's featured gallery now, and available for purchase: www.aponi.zenfolio.com

Six Foot Outdoor Banner

10' x 7' Expo Banner

Mountain View Antique Car Collection