Boid Particle Flows

Posted on by 5t31th

This project was a lot of fun. I wanted to simulate painting, and to give the work itself some say in the way things would go. After a lot of experimenting with various techniques, I decided to work with boid particles, and dynamic paint using particle systems to generate brush strokes.

The boids needed some motivation in order to achieve the sort of aesthetic that I was going for. I generated to groups of particles, assigned each one a color, and made them mortal enemies. Boids operate on a set of very basic rules, and by manipulating the variables for each particle system and sculpting the terrain on which the face off in battle, I could control the outcome of work to a degree without interfering in the actual composition.

These images were printed to duratrans and backlit for display at the 2016 Idaho State University College of Arts and Letters New Years Gala.

The original prints are now available for sale.

Fireflies Tryptic Unlfolding
Synapse
Overwhelmed
Blue v yellow, the air battle

Free Photoshop Actions

Posted on by 5t31th

Here are two free samples from my Detail Mining Pack which is available for $25.00. It includes actions and tutorials.

You can download the two free sample Detail Mining actions from this dropbox link

This is before the Detail Mining Sample Pack pass
This is after the Detail Mining Sample Pack pass.

Color Seduction Assignment

Posted on by 5t31th

This assignment was interesting. I do not usually convert my photos to black and white, but I found that many of my photos work really well as grey scale images.

This is a cool tree in Moscow, Idaho. I like the way it feels in black and white. The texture in the leaves is interesting through the infrared filter.
This little road is very intriguing. The road goes a quarter mile out of the way to circle this tree. I think this photo looks great in black and white. I really like the way the green filter makes the grass and trees fade into the distance.
I really like the way this looks in black and white. The detail is transformed into a weird surreal style that I find very interesting. I was surprised again, because I really love the color in this panorama.
This is the Harvest Moon from City of Rocks in Malta, Idaho. This image is great in black and white. I did not think it would look better with out color. I really like the colors in the sky, but I think the BnW works better.
This photo is great in black and white. I haven’t really looked at black and white lightning photos before, but I like the way this turned out.
This photo was taken out in Bone, Idaho during a major thunderstorm. I found this old farm just off the road after a short hike. I think this photo looks pretty cool in black and white, but I really like the green grass.

Blue Hour Architectural Shot

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For this assignment I had to go out and shoot an architectural shot just after dusk. We were supposed to create an image that emphasizes contrast between the deep blue natural light at that time of evening, and the warm man made lights as they turn on for the night. I have always thought the LDS temple in Idaho Falls was really cool looking on the Snake River. The building is made of marble and is lit up by flood lights all around the exterior. It seems to glow against the night sky, and reflects brightly in the river. I thought this would be an interesting effect when photographed with bracketed long exposures. I am pretty happy with how this project turned out, and it was fun hanging out with the ducks and geese along the river while waiting for the light. The only problem was the wind. It was strong enough to push up little waves on the water rendering the reflections very soft.

This is the Idaho Falls Temple. I chose to photograph this building for the assignment because of the way it glows against the blue hour sky. The building is light by flood lights all around the exterior creating a very interesting effect when photographed with this technique.

Finding Themes Assignment

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For this assignment we had to look through our archives and find a universal theme in our previous work. Then, take a weekend and shoot 15 shots specifically planned out to represent or comment on the chosen theme. It was hard to look at my photos through this filter at first, but I eventually started to see a theme emerging. The theme was isolation. I decided to shoot the assignment in the Idaho desert where I go to seek isolation. The following shots are some of my favorites from the weekend shoot.

This mysterious grouping of boxcars represents the decay that comes with prolonged isolation. There were row after row of these old boxcars lined up in the middle of the desert. I have no idea what they are for, and I didn’t stick around too long to find out either.
This image represents isolation and what it takes to truly achieve it. I find that in out modern world, it is difficult to be physically isolated. We tend to stay digitally isolated; confined to a internet bubble or videogame world. This image represents the spirit of an independent adventurer overcoming obstacles to find his or herself alone in the wilderness where one can heal from the inside out.
This image represents isolation by showing this tattered flag posted at the summit of Big Southern Butte. The butte is located all alone in the Idaho desert, and this flag stands alone in the ripping wind that perpetually rakes this cliff face. This is a popular location for hang glider pilots to jump.
From the high vantage point, this image emphasizes the level of isolation experienced through this project.
This image represents the unique nature of an isolated subject. Isolation nurtures novelty since solutions must be found out through experience.
This image represents the resilience it takes to remain in isolation. Here is a deep well which is used to draw water up from the Snake River Aquifer to water sheep, horses, and cattle.
This image represents the independence of an isolated subject. The Big Southern Butte stands alone in the Idaho desert. The Butte single handedly supports a diverse ecosystem in the middle of an arid landscape.
This image represents the view seen from Isolation Summit. When one seeks the refuge of isolation this is the reward.

Self Portrait Assignment

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Here are my self portraits for Advanced Photo Media at Idaho State University. The assignment is to make 5 self portraits that tell my story while focusing on manipulating light. I had a lot of fun shooting this assignment. Doing so required me to branch out and experiment with new techniques. Each of these photos was made using a different work flow. Most of them using some blend of multiple off camera flash and natural light. Others are more technical. The “Ghost of a Classic” photo with the 27 Chevy is an example of on that was extra fun. I went out to Pass Creek in Leslie, Idaho and located this old car that I found when I was a kid. I shot the portrait with 2 speed lights and shoot through umbrellas synced to the natural light and 2 speed lights with blue or yellow gels. I then shot a series of shots with hand held flash and colored gels. I wanted to create some extra mood with the colored light in the shot and I wanted to split tone color grade the highlights and shadows in camera. I feel like it was a success, but I ended up with 4 gigs of photos to layer up…. nightmarish. The shot “Battle Station Status” was shot in my studio and is a combination of a 3 flash set up, natural light, HDR bracketing, and long exposure. It was really fun shooting all these photos and I learned a lot from the experience.

If you need a portrait then HIRE ME 🙂

This is a self portrait I made for Advanced Photo Media. The location is at a spot called Pass Creek in Leslie, Idaho. I have always loved camping around here, and one day I came upon this old ’27 Chevy rusting away in the mountains. There is no road leading to this area, but there are the remains of an old bridge made of 2×6 planks going across a small ravine that hints at how this car got here so many years ago. This image tells my story because of the link to the place, and because when I was a teenager I used to restore classic cars like this one with my dad and uncles.
This is a self portrait I made for Advanced Photo Media at Idaho State University. I shot this at McTucker Springs in Pingree, Idaho. I grew up here, and there were not a lot of places to skateboard. I shot this at sunset with two speed lights and shoot through umbrellas.
This is a self portrait I made for Advanced Photo Media at Idaho State University. This is a shot from within my lair. This is where I do all my editing and animation as well as record music. 5t31th Productions secret headquarters. I shot this using two speed lights with shoot through umbrellas. I slow synced to expose for the monitors, and overlayed a long exposure to get the ambient glow.
This is a self portrait I made for Advanced Photo Media at Idaho State University. This is the City of Rocks near Malta, Idaho. This is probably one of my favorite places to shoot in Idaho, or anywhere for that matter. The landscape is otherworldly with stone giants sleeping under mountain mahogony and pinyon pine. I have always been drawn here like a magnet so I had to include this shot. Shot with natural light and radio trigger.
This is a self portrait I made for Advanced Photo Media at Idaho State University. This location is an old alleyway in Blackfoot, Idaho where I used to jam with my first punk rock band. I shot this with three speed lights and slow synced to the natural light from a mercury vapor street light.