THE Christmas Present of 2013

After months of selections and design, I am super excited to share my first photo book.  All 100+ images were taken straight from my phone, which I affectionately call the jPhone.  Any and all editing of images was done in apps such as Snapseed, VSCO Cam, Plastic Bullet, Lo-Mob, etc.

This Volume 1 features the world of New York City through my eyes and apps.  It is the perfect photo book for your bookshelf, coffee table, and even as a beautiful Christmas present.

You can preview and purchase your very own jPhone: The World In My Hand at: 

-->http://bit.ly/BestChristmasPresent.

Thank you so much.  Merry Christmas.

- J

 

Portrait: Empire Mum

I love the power of this photo: the mother/daughter composition, the blown out highlights, the care, the looking forward to the future.  This is the kind of image I love creating. 

While taking my friend to the 102nd Floor Observation Deck of the Empire State Building, I made sure to take some photos.  As I was processing this image I decided to really enhance the black and white imagery. 

If you look at the bottom left of the window you will see a faint image of buildings.  Those building are at least half a mile away. 

To me, this portrait is so classic.  These are the kind of moments that make me love the gift of photography.

Portrait: Allure Music Group

It is always interesting how time can help you see how you have grown as an artist.

Some time ago I photographed the R&B Group "Allure" at a studio I used in Harlem, NYC.   There was this one image from that shoot that has always stayed in the back of my mind, especially because I had never edited it.  I had always wanted to edit it but never got around to it.  Well, this morning I did.  And it is gorgeous. 

Check out Alia, Lalisha, & Akissa.

Wedding Portait: Empire State Groom

From the moment I found out I would be photographing Sarah and Jamal's wedding at the Midtown Loft I envisioned this kind of portrait.  Nothing says "New York Baller" like this.  Jamal is relaxing with a glass of wine and the Empire State Building in the background. 

Subway Story: NYC

   

While working on a photo project for a client I walked by this New York City subway tunnel.  With camera already in hand, I decided to stretch my arm out to see how far down I could get the shot.  It may look like I was on the tracks or by the catwalk but I was actually safe on the platform.

For all you techies I shot this at 1/60, f2.0, ISO 5,000.  

The image looked good in Lightroom but I still brightened it up a little.  Then I made a small version and placed it on my jPhone.  I opened up the "Plastic Bullet" app and applied this particular filter.

That is my Subway Story.

PhotoPlus Expo

At Jacob Javits today looking to be inspired while walking through the PDN PhotoPous Expo.

Engagement Portrait: Jessica and Steele

ENGAGEMENT

I met Jessica and Steele this summer while on a missions trip to Peru. It was there we were on the same team and began to build community.

While I returned to NY after Peru, they returned to South Carolina. Within a short time they reached out to me to be their wedding photographer for May 2012. I gladly accepted.

This past weekend Jessica and Steele flew in to New York. We took a couple of hours to photograph their Engagement Photo Shoot in Times Square, the High Line, and The Meat Packing District.

Here is one of our commercial shots.

Portrait

Portrait: Red Sensacion

PORTRAITURE

Jomaira, aka La Sensacion, killed this photo shoot with this red jacket. She looks amazing in every photo I have posted.

Keep doing your thing Jomaira!


Portrait

Only In NYC [jPhone]

This must be a new thang on the streets of New York City. Could you help me understand why they have a "Made In" tag on a sewer cap.

Hurricane Irene Photo Shoot

PORTRAITURE

When Irene told me what day she was coming to NYC I knew we would not have great weather. In spite of that, we went out into midtown and got some amazing images.

In the middle of 8th Avenue outside of Penn Station

She took one of me with my umbrella.

We crossed the street and avoided getting hit by these taxi cabs.

Unfortunately this car splashed us and the photos shoot was over.

But we had a great time.

Latina Vega - Got Skills?

PORTRAITURE

Latina has not seen this photo yet but when she does it will be the new profile pic for her website. This is truly her. Camera in hand. Alive. Energetic. And ready to roll.

Congrats Latina. You got another winner here girl.

Urban Fine Art Fave - "Bronx Girl Portrait"

PORTRAITURE

Latina is a Bronx girl through and through. You hear it in her Florida swag. You see it when she walks in the streets of New York. Like many other places, the Bronx has this way of tugging at your heart even when you are not there.

So it was with great joy I took Latina around some industrial areas of the Bronx to get some real urban portraits. When I saw this one in my camera I knew it would be on this blog.

So enjoy the Bronx Girl Portrait of Miss Latina Vega.

Urban Fine Art

Urban Fine Art Fave - "Latina Vega"

PORTRAITURE

It is amazing how the internet provides a platform to meet people. A friend of mine introduced me to the photography work of Latina Vega some time last year. Then during the latter end of the summer that same friend recommended me to Latina to assist her with a photography project she was working on.

Since then Latina and I continued communicating on FB, and supporting each others photography work.

Latina works in the Tampa, Florida area so it was a great pleasure to take portraits of her last week while she was working in the NYC.

This is one of the many great portraits I took of her.

Nydia Veras was excellent on the Hair and Makeup.

Urban Fine Art

Urban Fine Art Fave - "The Super Women of Allure"

PORTRAITURE

While editing some photos for the group Allure, I decided to give a super hero type filter to one of their photos. I liked the image so much I decided to place it here on the blog.

Urban Fine Art

Urban Fine Art Fave - "Truly Allure"

PORTRAITURE

As I reflect on my photographic work I see I truly enjoy working with Artists, both theatrical and musical. I am sure my artistic background plays a big part in that.

With this portrait of Allure, I wanted to highlight the fun and familial elements of Lalisha, Alia and Akissa. When I studied their previous photos I noticed these women really enjoy being around each other. That family element was clearly evident in the photos as well as during the photo shoot. These women truly are family.


Urban Fine Art

Urban Fine Art Fave - "The Ladies of Allure"

PORTRAITURE

Last week's photo shoot with the music group Allure was such a lovely experience.

Today I reviewed the photos and selected the proofs for Allure's approval. The thing is these ladies look so great it made it hard for me not to pick all of them.

Instead of sharing the amazing group shots here on the blog I decided to show individual portraits so you can appreciate each of these ladies.

Alia


Lalisha


Akissa

NYC via jPhone

Here are a few more pics of traveling through new York City from my jPhone:

I Get Around!

This photo is more for my non-New Yorkers. I just wanted to give you an intimate perspective of travel in NYC.

This #2 train goes from the Bronx into Manhattan, and then on to Brooklyn.

(Southern Boulevard Station, Bronx)

Empire State of Mind

I was born and raised in New York. Most of my life I lived in the borough of the Bronx. Presently I live in Manhattan.

The urban landscape has always been a part of my life. So it comes as no surprise that it is a major component of my work and art. It is part of how I see the world.

In the middle of the island of Manhattan there is this tall iconic edifice called the Empire State Building.

The photo above was taken with my jPhone at ground level about half a block away.

Welcome to the Empire State!

238 Beats - Ras Kass NYC Album Release Party

EVENT PHOTOGRAPHY

I went to high school with the three guys who run 238 Beats. The latest event they asked me to shoot was the NYC Album Release Party for the hip-hop artist Ras Kass.

Ice T was the host for the night. There were various opening artists but the one who ripped it up was a female Canadian rapper named Eternia. Her lyric flow, her stage presence, and her control of the audience was phenomenal.

Below is a video slideshow of the night I think you will enjoy.

238 Beats - Ras Kass Album Release Party from Joseph D. Martinez on Vimeo.