My name is Gypsie Fireflower...





Expression is my life...


I am an Artist...
I graduated from Auburn University (Auburn, Alabama) where I received my Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in painting...
I have been drawing/painting from the time I was a small child...
I am a "self taught" Photographer...
At age (10) I began taking photographs...
The day my Grand Father gave me his old camera, I never put it down...
I am a published Poet...
When I am not painting or taking photographs, I write poetry and inspirational short stories...
Presently, I am working on a children's book...
I love what I do...
It is my passion...

I am who I am...

Nothing more...
Nothing less...

*smile*

















The above images are apart of my latest series. Since I love to shoot both portraits and random objects, I have decided to create diptychs using both subject matter(s) together as one. I am using lots of symbolism in order to help "tell a story"...

I hope you enjoyed them as much as I have creating them...


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art (ahrt)

1. the quality, production, expression, or realm, according to aesthetic principles, of what is beautiful, appealing, or of more than ordinary significance.
2. any field using the skills or techniques of art: advertising art; industrial art.   
4. (in printed matter) illustrative or decorative material.   
5. the principles or methods governing any craft or branch of learning.
6. the craft or trade using these principles or methods.
7. skill in conducting any human activity.
8. a branch of learning or university study.
9. skilled workmanship, execution, or agency, as distinguished from nature.


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pho·to·graph  (foh-tuh-graf)
 
1. an image, especially a positive print, recorded by a camera and reproduced on a photosensitive surface.


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art·o·graph·y  (ahrt-ah-graf-ee)

1. creating art by use of photography...(lol)...a made-up word defining exactly what I do! *wink*


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PhotoShoppe:

I am a Purist at heart! It took me a long time to ((imagine)) holding a digital camera, and an even ((longer)) time to ((consider)) PhotoShoppe! Today, I will have to say: I love it...

I have been using "digital" for 2 years now! For the last year I have been working with Photoshoppe! I have grown so much as a Photographer! The possibilities are endless, not to mention the convenience!!! As a "Mixed-Media" Painter I love texture and I will always have tendencies to "manipulate" whatever medium I am working with at the time!! In this case, Photography. Even so (as with a canvas), "over-working" any medium can be "over-kill"...! Therefore, I use PhotoShoppe in moderation depending on what I envision with a particular photograph...





I believe that everyone is beautiful in there own unique way and my goal is to capture that beauty! Unique facial features are what make a portrait! A scar...a mole...are "flaws" that create (character) in ones facial features! "Flaws" can be VERY effective visually, because they help tell a "story" and can be VERY intriguing to the viewer! Unless requested by you as a client (meaning: you contacted me), I will NOT edit these "unique facial features"...





Note: I do NOT consider "zits" to be "unique facial features" and yes, I will edit them for you! *smile*


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The Darkroom:

Truly an "art form"...

I believe that every photographer should experience working in the darkroom! From processing film to developing prints! From creating texture to "touching-up"...! These techniques/terms were used long before PhotoShoppe...





(...to get this effect without PhotoShoppe with the above and below images, I would have used acrylic(s)/brush on the actual color/b&w print...)





This following image was pulled from a 20 year old 35MM negative that had multiple scratches and water damage! The negative was very thin, but I was able to pull out an image as well as "touch-up" the existing spots and scratches. The "Before" image is from a CD copy of the original negative prior to touch-up; The "After" image is evidence of a "restored" image...





(...to "touch-up" the scratches/spots without PhotoShoppe, I would have used B&W photo-paints/small brush and painted over them...)


I work ((VERY)) fast and I try to take at least 300 frames per hour! I already have images in my head prior to working with any model...I know what I want from a model and I take my work and time very seriously! I try to "save" as many images as possible, meaning: I "touch" everything! If it's "trash" I throw it out, but if it has "potential" I will work on it! This takes ALOT of time and hard work, but well worth the effort! With every image I work on, the MORE I learn! I personally enjoy the challenge! The following image is an example of a "not so interesting" image that I would have ordinarily "thrown out"...! But, with the use of PhotoShoppe (as well as being an Artist), I was able to come up with a "much more interesting" image that ended up becoming a GREAT shot!! With "unlimited" creativity and "given" time, surprises come endlessly...

Not very interesting...





Much ((more)) interesting...





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Portraits:

Most of the "models" I photograph, are of random people I have encountered from various places. I love people and their different lifestyles...





Sometimes a portrait can be the very essence of what once was...





I guess I can say that Alabama is in my blood and always will be. Though I have a tendency to "venture off" from time to time (the gypsy in me), I always seem to find my way back...for random reasons! lol! Even so, I know in my heart that one day I will leave...and never look back again. I will find "home" elsewhere, and when that day comes...I will miss "small town" Alabama...

I will miss the people and the stories that accompany them...

Stories of "hard living" while making "a dollar stretch". A place where people hang on to the only thing they have ever known: Their land...their name...and their family...

I will miss the rural countryside that I have a deep passion for...

In "small town" Alabama, there aren't any skyscrapers, big lights...museums. Entertainment doesn't "fall in ones lap"...its created. Hence: The birth of an Artist...

The young people, for lack of anything else to do, play the guitar and write music about a life they long for or the life they will never leave. The artwork you will find hanging on the walls are paintings, by "Grandma", who loved painting the beach by memory of what she saw in a magazine. If you want to see "big lights" you stretch out a quilt in an open field at midnight, and look up...

Stories worth telling; Portraits worth capturing...





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The Studio:

I do "location shots"...! I use natural light as opposed to lamps or flash...





I do very little "studio" work. This is a personal preference and I have been using natural light for 32 years...

The following images are from one of my series titled "Night Shots"...! These images were taken late one night in February 2008. No flash; No lamps. This was a fun project...verrrrrry cold, but fun!*smile*











The only models I had for this series were mannequins in store windows...*wink*


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Down to Business:

I no longer do TFCD! For more information about my rates and services, please visit http://www.myspace.com/fireflower_portraits (or click on the link above-top page)!!! Note: I always give ((((FULL REZ)))) with every image (that means...you can actually ((print)) them for portfolio usage)!!!! I do ask that each model sign a release form prior to "shooting"...





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My Schedule:

June 2011:
BOOKED

July 2011:
BOOKED

As the old saying goes: "S*** Happens"...! Things do happen to where I have a cancellation here and there. So, when contacting me through MM, PLEASE include your number and schedule so that if/when I get a cancellation I can contact you during the months posted "BOOKED"...! Chances are, I can work you in...*smile*


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"It's not the tool, it's how you use it!"


...I shoot a "Nikon Cool-Pix" digital camera! My daughter has a red one...mine is blue!!! So dont be surprised when I pull my camera out of my pocket!





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Thanx for taking the time to view my page! Drop me a line and lets shoot! I look forward to working with you...

G.

MM Models I have worked with:

Dark Foxx #472805
Misty Layne #837882
Kelli #740274
Scattered Light #805522
"Myself" *smile* #902619

Models viewed on this profile (not) affiliated with MM:

Josh Barbaree
Kayla Kitchen
Cooper Swanson
Alex Alexander
Joshua Evans
"Elvis"
LaMark Moore
Bobby Kitchen
Dewayne Reynolds
Tim Babe
Stephanie Pittman
Richard Lough
Michelle Irvine

"Oldies But Goodies" photos by Gypsie Fireflower

http://www.slide.com/r/yPD70Y_C5D_9pTXz14Z2fDTrHNQ3PmVB?previous_view=mscd_embedded_url&view=original

Hope you enjoy the slide show! *smile*

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