Las Vegas
These guys were amazing. I loved every minute. It was funky, it was powerful, it made me want to dance. And kind of reminded me of Tower of Power. Great music. And I had front row seats, so also a great view for photos.
I have not always loved Vegas. I used to think it was tacky. And my opinion of its tacky-ness has not exactly disappeared. As a photographer, though, I've learned to see it in a new light each time I visit (and I've visited often since a couple years ago when I started shooting weddings in Southern California! It's the halfway point, made my drive much easier.) And now I love it. So much art, music, and people watching! Even nature, believe it or not. The Vegas area has a lot to offer.
So much discovery and adventure - something new every time. My last visit was no exception. The highlight of my trip was definitely Valley of Fire! But I will get to that later.
First, a selfie:
And now, the lights of the Las Vegas Strip.
One of my favorite things walking through all the Casinos is looking up. The light fixtures, the textures, the colors, there's an unbelievable amount of details that most people never even see (like the photo above, at the Encore).
And this next photo has an interesting story behind it. It was one of my... well... less-than-graceful moments.
Here's the boring setup to the story: An amazing night - dancing to a jazz trio at Tuscany Suites, then a peaceful hour walk (yes, I walked alone and accidentally had to cross I-15 on foot. But it was peaceful, I promise!) to see a funk/soul band called Sante Fe and the Fat City Horns (there will be photos tomorrow). I was at the concert with my friend Wyatt and he offered to give me a ride back to my hotel, but I just wanted to jump out at the corner on the strip so I could do more photography that night. The city never sleeps, right?
Well, here's where it gets interesting: There is a railing in between the sidewalk and the street. For good reason. Way too many drunk tourists would be happy to take their stilettos right into the road without thinking twice about the cars or, you know, potential death. So, dozens of cars on the road, hundred of people on the sidewalk... I hop out of the car at a red light and say goodbye, then climb through the railing to get to the sidewalk. Yes, you can probably see where this is going. Sigh... I forgot about my photography backpacking backpack ON MY BACK (it's a fantastic backpack, by the way. Every photographer should have one) as I try to climb through the railing. Yeah, that was an oops. After a few seconds, there's a semi circle of drunk pedestrians on the sidewalk staring at me and wondering how to help get me out of the railing. That was my assumption, at least, I have no clue what they were really thinking! Maybe they were seeing three cherries in a row... And I'm wondering which side would be the least embarrassing to roll towards - back to the cars still waiting at the red light or forward to the sidewalk of people? Eventually, I shimmied my way through and did a little summersault onto the sidewalk. It was the strangest thing, though, they were all standing there, still staring like deer in the headlights. It was as if they were waiting for me to say something before they had permission to move on. So I said "Well, that was graceful!" and apparently it was sufficient direction for the masses to move forward.
To hide my embarrassment and to redeem myself and the camera gear on my back, I pulled out a tripod, tried to look as official as possible, and started working. This (below) is the photo that came from it:
They say a picture is worth a thousand words. Well, I got a story AND a photo out of that one!
Check back tomorrow for photos of the concert with Santa Fe and the Fat City Horns.
I've been to several inspiring landscape galleries this week. What an amazing experience to walk through a gallery and stand in silence, full of emotion, and actually experience each photo in an photographer's gallery. I'm inspired, I'm grateful, and I want to open my own gallery! Soon!
My favorite was Peter Lik, in Las Vegas. If I ever have the opportunity to meet that man, I will cry when I shake his hand. The power in his photos... I cannot find words to describe it.
This week has also brought up some thoughts, and some questions. Many reputable photographers show composite photos in their galleries. This means two or more photos are taken, then combined in post-processing ("photoshopped"). There is a lot of skill involved in combining photos, or any editing, and it defines much of a photographer's style. My clients know it takes an average of 3-4 hours at the computer for every 1 hour shooting. And I don't often show the unfinished product - I take pride in my work and want the photo to be complete before delivered. But today I'm going to make an exception and here's why:
I believe the world is a beautiful place. As a photographer, I get to prove that. Life in this world is beautiful and we get to celebrate it - in its light and darkness, its joy and pain, in its changing seasons, night and day, large rock formations or small butterflies on a flower. I can use photography to let other people see through my eyes, my lens, and what an amazing thing that is. I hope that if someone feels inspired by something a photo, they also open their eyes to see it in the beauty of every day - or every night.
Now, if you are ever left wondering if these photos are beautiful because they are "photoshopped" then I have failed.
Photoshop does not create beauty in these photos - yes, it is important and it refines what is already there. But the colors, the sky, the stars, the light, the textures, the crispness, that's all SOC - Straight Out of Camera. So, today, here is an example of an unedited photos. I imported this Vallery of Fire photo (from Valley of Fire State Park) to my computer and didn't do any editing before taking the screen capture. This is a single shot, not a composite photo. And it's all real. None of it is photoshopped in, it's just the beautiful world we live in!
I look forward to sharing the rest of my Valley of Fire State Park photos next week. I'm headed down to Moab today :)
A couple weeks ago, I committed to visit and photograph all 47 National Parks in the 48 contiguous states in America by 2020. I also have several state parks and such on my "to visit" list. This week, I'm on the road again - in Vegas!
I am so excited for the photoshoot here. Valley of Fire! My brother in law Ryan sent me a link to photos of Valley of Fire a couple months ago and I've been dying to get down there to take more night photography shots. This trip, I'm lucky to have Kristen, one of my interns from back in 2011, go with me. Looking forward to catching up, and lots of photos of stars, rocks, and light painting.
I just got off the phone with a client, feeling inspired and excited. It's funny, because I found myself saying phrases that may sound cliche, but words that ring true for me. Why I keep doing this. Why I love my job. Why I love my life. I enjoy that chance to discover myself - to hear words come out of my mouth and realize just how true they are.
Just before saying goodbye, I said "Yes! It's a beautiful world out there, and I have the chance to PROVE it."
So there we go! I found another motto. I am celebrating beauty - and proving it!
One of my favorites (click on the photo to see it on istock):
This photo was a few months ago, sunrise at Red Rocks Conservation Area - just outside Las Vegas. I am happy to say I'll be returning to Nevada a few times between now and October. Next time, I'll be photographing the Valley Of Fire State Park, it's been on my bucket list for a long time! I will also have time for a few portrait sessions, send me an email if you're around Vegas and would like to set up a photoshoot while I'm there. whitneylewisphotography@gmail.com
A whirlwind morning!! - I worked out, swam laps, then visited the Container Park in old downtown Vegas. There was some crazy dirt bike convention where they blocked off several blocks and I experience a culture of people I had never experienced before! But the Container Park was pretty cool. It reminded me of a shopping center I visited in Christchurch New Zealand in 2012. They set up the shopping area with brightly-colored containers while they were rebuilding the city from the earthquake. A little stage in the middle with live music, an oasis in the midst of all the destruction. Apparently the container thing has become a trend!
The one place I always go when I visit Vegas is The Beat Coffeehouse. They have an entire building of rooms turned into an art gallery. Each artist has a room and each room in a different style. I never know quite what I'll find when I walk through. My favorite this time, was a jewelry guy. Through our conversation, he shared that after having a stroke last year, his whole life has been about family. He quit his job and joined his wife in their jewelry making business, they sell the daughter's art on the walls also. I love those conversations - why people do what they do. The perspective that comes from our experiences.
And then Lake Las Vegas. A deserted shopping area, almost a ghost town with all the buildings empty and "for lease" in the window. But beautiful. Simply beautiful. We got there for sunset and went on a stroll. No hurry, just some photos, some relaxing, and a few moments to take it all in.
I spent an hour sitting under this bridge. I wrote, I sang, I meditated, took pictures, and watched people walk by. The acoustics were magical! And I love the ripples from the ducks in the water. It was nice to slow down, no pressure to take certain photos, not running around doing, but instead, just to be.
Sooooo.... I'm getting pretty good at these selfies! Except no awkward arm out in front of my face. I set the camera up, focus on the spot intend to sit, then a self timer and 9 photos in a row with 2 seconds in between. Yes, yes, I know. I feel a little vain and little ridiculous. But even photographers need new profile pictures for Facebook! Or memories. Oh yes, that's right. Photos are for memories, not just Facebook :)
And the amazing Dan McBride...
See the other blog posts from this Road Trip:
Day 2: Red Rock Conservation Area
Day 3: Lake Las Vegas
Day 2: Las Vegas
Early morning wake up call to do a video interview. Dan was behind the camera, and I just sat and talked to this amazing artist for a few hours. We laughed, we cried, we talked about stories, purpose, and art. I could have stayed there all day talking to her! Quite inspiring.
Then we met up with one of my past interns, Kristen, and went shooting (with cameras, not guns). Red Rock Canyon Conservation Area - it's my second time here, the first time I had driven up in the middle of the night on my own intending to camp but had to sleep in the car in a Costco parking lot because the gate was locked... it was a crazy story, but in the morning I saw the sunrise in a peaceful, peaceful park. Only 4 of us in the entire area. It was beautiful. This trip, however, we got to see it for sunset!
These next two photos were taken within minutes of each other - it was only the camera settings that makes one look like day and one look like night. Kind of fun to compare them side by side.
And for these next two, Dan was driving, and I was shooting out the window! I'm a bit of an adrenaline junkie, so I'll take any chance for a small thrill :) He specifically wanted a photo of the one on the left because it looked like a different world, one to write stories or films about. I love traveling and doing photography with different people because I have the opportunity to see the world through another set of eyes, another perspective. Some say walk in their shoes, I think I prefer the analogy of seeing the world through someone else's lens.
Oh! I forgot. Before Red Rock Conservation Area, we got a notification that the artist in LA wouldn't be able to do the interview. So that left 3 days with particular destination in mind. At the beginning of the trip, Dan's said "aside from work, my one request is to go to a beach. We'll have plenty of options in LA, so that will be awesome." (We decided it may not be worth it to go all the way to California for a beach and instead we'd... go to the Grand Canyon - I'VE NEVER BEEN, can you believe it?) But like magic, a sandy beach appeared at Red Rocks. I put my toes in to say we checked that one off the list.
Dan on the left, Kristen and Trevor on the right. Red Rocks and the Vegas lights in the background.
Well, we stayed WAY past closing time and I kept looking over my shoulder scared a ranger would show up and chastise us. I can be rebellious, but I'm still scared of getting caught! We saw headlights coming around the bend and leapt into the car. This was our "high speed car chase" for the trip. You know, where you have to drive just fast enough to get away from the guy chasing you, but not too fast in case he's a cop and will pull you over. Ah, the joys that sleep deprivation bring. Take a normal evening and turn it into a dramatic story!
But after we barely escaped our attacker (yes, some sarcasm included... it turned out to be another late night visitor casually exiting the park and completely unaware of us)... just outside the gate we stopped for another hour of photos after the sun went down. It was so rewarding to see Dan's face light up as he discovered the joys of night photography. Tripod, long exposures, lights - and STARS! I love teaching and watching that lightbulb go on, so it inspired a plan to set up a workshop later this summer for Las Vegas Photography at Night. Leave a comment or shoot me an email if you'd like details when we get it all set up! We're thinking Red Rocks, Lake Las Vegas, The Strip, and Valley of Fire.
That night included a Latin band and me learning how to Salsa and other dances that I don't know the names of. Bachata or something? A lovely Cuban lady introduced me to everyone and got me on the dance floor every song with a new partner. And before the Latin band, we stopped by a jazz trio - THIS was one of the highlights of the trip. Dan wouldn't dance, so I danced alone for a few minutes, then felt awkward and sat down. At the end of the song, the guitar player pointed to me and said "we're going to dedicate the next song to you, because we can tell you want to dance!" (Now, it is true that one of the masks I wear is a dancer. I learned traditional jazz dancing back in 2006. Lindy hop, charleston, blues, and I still dance about once a week! But it still made me a little bit uncomfortable because I didn't know what to do!) It only took a couple moment, as if it were rehearsed, everyone cleared the dance floor for "my" song, and I walked up, closed my eyes, and let the music move me. Wow. It was such a surreal and emotional experience. I traded back and forth with the saxophone player - he'd play a phrase holding eye contact with me, then I would imitate the sound through dance in the next phrase. It was solo dance, all improv, expressing whatever I happened to feel in that moment. And the music was great! Afterwards, I snapped back to reality as people came over to talk with me about the dancing and give compliments. I'm still a little speechless and overwhelmed when I think back to it. Such an art-filled day with the painter, interview, video, photos, then music and dance. I love the exposure to so many creative expressions!
And of course, my self portrait for my "life as a photographer" gallery. With the look on my face here, I feel like I should be wearing a "life is good" shirt.
See the other blog posts from this Road Trip:
Day 2: Red Rock Conservation Area
Dan and Whitney's Excellent Adventure
Partners in crime: Videographer Dan McBride and Photographer Whitney Lewis
Purpose for the trip: Video interviewing artists for FantasyCon (in Las Vegas and Los Angeles), stock photography, meeting strangers and telling their stories through photo and video, and lastly - finding inspiration for the love of the art. Nature, people, the beautiful world we live in.
Day 1: Road trip from Salt Lake to Vegas
I love road trips. Listening to music, telling life stories, asking strange questions, getting sentimental about all the memories from past trips along these roads, and of course stopping along the way for photos.
Here was the first sunset of the trip, just on the side of the freeway. I left Dan at the car and took a walk down the path:
Above and below, the photos on the left were taken from the car, the photos on the right were taken... well, at a certain fast food restaurant with a big yellow M. I am not generally a patron of this establishment, but when you have to pee... sometimes a McDonalds will have to do. Also, they have an awesome playground!!! I am almost ashamed of how proud I am that I waited in line behind half a dozen children to go climb through the tubes. What I really wanted was a ball pit!! But alas, I shouldn't be picky. After all, we walked in, used a restroom, played on the playground, took photos, and left without buying anything. Thank you McDonalds!
Every time I drive over the hill on I-15 and see the lights of Las Vegas emerge, I always think "I should stop and take a take a picture" but fear stops me. Parking on the side of the freeway in low visibility is something I do frequently for photos, but it's not exactly safe. The danger of our trip began here and I finally took the photo I've been dreaming about. (slight exaggeration on the importance of this photo, but it set a great tone for the trip to stop anytime the voice in my head tells me to pull out my camera...)
Checked into the hotel, and wandered Fremont Street. I stopped and danced Charleston with a street drummer. Hugged a few strangers... It's a fun place, full of interesting people, activities, music. I think my favorite was the electric cellos.
And it was St Patricks Day weekend, so we got festive with the tacky green sequins! Awesomeness.
And this photo I love. There are locks and names and all kind of things attached to this sculpture of a heart. It sounds cliche, but I still feel strongly about it - Wouldn't the world be an incredible place if we all just loved each other? I am ready to live in a world of unconditional love. I appreciate and admire artists who use their talent to remind us to love the people in our lives. I will strive to do the same.
See the other blog posts from this Road Trip:
Day 2: Red Rock Conservation Area
I'm sorry to say that no real Vegas stories came out of my trip, not much exciting happened. I've been to Vegas before with Thomas. We loved the Cirque De Soleil show, but other than that, though the city was kind of tacky... This trip however, I saw it through a photographer's eyes. And I'm now happy to report that it is not just tacky, but it is delightfully tacky. The lights, the water, the color... all of that combines for some amazing photos!!
