Picture Stories by Stephen Alvarez

Earning a living, time and the Gitzo computer tray

When I first switched from film to digital I was shocked at the amount of time that digital photogrphy took out of my shooting day. Every day there was an extra 2-3 hours that I had to suddenly be renaming, downloading, backing up and captioning files. 2-3 hours out of what were already 14 hour days. That was time that I used to eat and sleep. At one NG meeting an editor said "listen I can not get that time back for you, it is gone..."

Breaking down

I just shot a CEO portrait in the office. I don't do these very often, but I always enjoy the challenge of taking a very busy person's portrait. 2 set ups, in and out in under 20 minutes. In my small studio it is challenging to say the least.

Stephen Alvarez

Sewanee, TN

Rachel Liberty Combs portrait

Rachel Liberty Combs in the studio last week.  

Stephen Alvarez

Sewanee, TN

Jason Lee Wilson, in the studio

Jason Lee Wilson is working on a new album (his last one is here) and he asked if I'd shoot a few photos for it. The song that he sent for me listen to is intensely honest and introspective. I wanted to make a photo that reflects it. 

Jason's voice and style is somewhere between Marty Robbins and Chris Isaak. 

I used a Canon 90mm Tilt Shift lens to limit the focus. And a simple set of studio lights. A 5 foot octagonal bank on camera right, a white reflector on left and a strobe with a 20°grid to light up the background. 

We are working on a video as well. I hope to have it wrapped up sometime next month.

-Stephen Alvarez

Clyde Payne in the studio

Clyde Payne in the studio.

-Stephen Alvarez