Uncategorized – Chad Foreman Photography

[fusion_builder_container hundred_percent=”no” hundred_percent_height=”no” hundred_percent_height_scroll=”no” hundred_percent_height_center_content=”yes” equal_height_columns=”no” menu_anchor=”” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” class=”” id=”” background_color=”” background_image=”” background_position=”center center” background_repeat=”no-repeat” fade=”no” background_parallax=”none” enable_mobile=”no” parallax_speed=”0.3″ video_mp4=”” video_webm=”” video_ogv=”” video_url=”” video_aspect_ratio=”16:9″ video_loop=”yes” video_mute=”yes” video_preview_image=”” border_size=”” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” margin_top=”” margin_bottom=”” padding_top=”” padding_right=”” padding_bottom=”” padding_left=””][fusion_builder_row][fusion_builder_column type=”1_3″ layout=”1_3″ spacing=”” center_content=”no” link=”” target=”_self” min_height=”” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” class=”” id=”” background_color=”” background_image=”” background_position=”left top” background_repeat=”no-repeat” hover_type=”none” border_size=”0″ border_color=”” border_style=”solid” border_position=”all” padding_top=”” padding_right=”” padding_bottom=”” padding_left=”” dimension_margin=”” animation_type=”” animation_direction=”left” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_offset=”” last=”no”][fusion_text]

Senior Year of College:

Autumn of 2017 was the beginning of my senior year of college. At the age of 43, I was excited. It would be the last time I experienced that “Back to school” feeling. The feeling that only comes this time of year. The warmth of the sun is comforting as it is a bit lower in the sky. Cool nights in jeans and hoodies. The grass smells like football. A few leaves have already fallen from the trees. We’ve played our hearts out all summer long and don’t mind going inside. The smell of a freshly-sharpened pencil. Ready to draw or take notes.

[/fusion_text][fusion_text]

Advanced Digital Photography Class

This semester was also my last Digital Photography Studio Arts class: Advanced Digital Photography. The instructor for this class was Professor Josh Martin. Josh was also my advisor. The goal of this class is to begin to develop the concept and work for my senior exhibit. I was particularly excited about working on my senior exhibit because that would be the last major project of my formal education.

Self-Designed Curriculum

One cool thing about Art 452, Advanced Digital Photography, is that I got to work with the instructor to develop a curriculum that met my own particular goals. At that time I was working on some very specific photography techniques. I read a book by Chris Knight entitled “The Dramatic Portrait.” In the book I learned how to create drama with high-contrast between highlights and shadows. To do this, I used a light meter with my off-camera flash system to light specific parts of my composition at varying light ratios in order to direct the viewer within the photograph.

[/fusion_text][fusion_text]

Working Through Ideas

I worked through a few different ideas before I finally decided on a topic for my senior exhibit. The first idea was to do “Whitewater interpretations of Tarot cards.” I’ve always been fascinated by the magic and intrigue of the Tarot. Since 1997, I’ve been fascinated with whitewater. This seemed like an interesting way to blend them. After I did my first Tarot card, “Queen of Wands,” I realized it wasn’t what I was trying to do. The image, which required extensive Photoshop manipulation, was not exactly what I was going for as a photographer. It was creative and artistic but ended up looking a little too cartoony for what I wanted in my photography.

[/fusion_text][/fusion_builder_column][fusion_builder_column type=”1_3″ layout=”1_3″ spacing=”” center_content=”no” link=”” target=”_self” min_height=”” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” class=”” id=”” background_color=”” background_image=”” background_position=”left top” background_repeat=”no-repeat” hover_type=”none” border_size=”0″ border_color=”” border_style=”solid” border_position=”all” animation_type=”” animation_direction=”left” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_offset=”” last=”no”][fusion_imageframe image_id=”2026″ style_type=”none” stylecolor=”” hover_type=”none” bordersize=”” bordercolor=”” borderradius=”” align=”none” lightbox=”yes” gallery_id=”advanced digital photography final” lightbox_image=”” alt=”” link=”” linktarget=”_self” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” class=”” id=”” animation_type=”” animation_direction=”left” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_offset=””]https://chadforeman.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/advanced-digital-photography/stella-military-portrait.jpg[/fusion_imageframe][/fusion_builder_column][fusion_builder_column type=”1_3″ layout=”1_3″ spacing=”” center_content=”no” link=”” target=”_self” min_height=”” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” class=”” id=”” background_color=”” background_image=”” background_position=”left top” background_repeat=”no-repeat” hover_type=”none” border_size=”0″ border_color=”” border_style=”solid” border_position=”all” animation_type=”” animation_direction=”left” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_offset=”” last=”no”][fusion_imageframe image_id=”2023″ style_type=”none” stylecolor=”” hover_type=”none” bordersize=”” bordercolor=”” borderradius=”” align=”none” lightbox=”yes” gallery_id=”advanced digital photography final” lightbox_image=”” alt=”” link=”” linktarget=”_self” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” class=”” id=”” animation_type=”” animation_direction=”left” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_offset=””]https://chadforeman.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/advanced-digital-photography/photography-military-costumes.jpg[/fusion_imageframe][/fusion_builder_column][fusion_builder_column type=”1_3″ layout=”1_3″ spacing=”” center_content=”no” link=”” target=”_self” min_height=”” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” class=”” id=”” background_color=”” background_image=”” background_position=”left top” background_repeat=”no-repeat” hover_type=”none” border_size=”0″ border_color=”” border_style=”solid” border_position=”all” animation_type=”” animation_direction=”left” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_offset=”” last=”no”][fusion_imageframe image_id=”2022″ style_type=”none” stylecolor=”” hover_type=”none” bordersize=”” bordercolor=”” borderradius=”” align=”none” lightbox=”yes” gallery_id=”advanced digital photography final” lightbox_image=”” alt=”historic airplane photography” link=”” linktarget=”_self” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” class=”” id=”” animation_type=”” animation_direction=”left” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_offset=””]https://chadforeman.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/advanced-digital-photography/advanced-photography-airplane.jpg[/fusion_imageframe][/fusion_builder_column][fusion_builder_column type=”1_3″ layout=”1_3″ spacing=”” center_content=”no” link=”” target=”_self” min_height=”” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” class=”” id=”” background_color=”” background_image=”” background_position=”left top” background_repeat=”no-repeat” hover_type=”none” border_size=”0″ border_color=”” border_style=”solid” border_position=”all” animation_type=”” animation_direction=”left” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_offset=”” last=”no”][fusion_imageframe image_id=”2025″ style_type=”none” stylecolor=”” hover_type=”none” bordersize=”” bordercolor=”” borderradius=”” align=”none” lightbox=”yes” gallery_id=”advanced digital photography final” lightbox_image=”” alt=”pilot portrait” link=”” linktarget=”_self” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” class=”” id=”” animation_type=”” animation_direction=”left” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_offset=””]https://chadforeman.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/advanced-digital-photography/pilot-portrait.jpg[/fusion_imageframe][/fusion_builder_column][fusion_builder_column type=”1_3″ layout=”1_3″ spacing=”” center_content=”no” link=”” target=”_self” min_height=”” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” class=”” id=”” background_color=”” background_image=”” background_position=”left top” background_repeat=”no-repeat” hover_type=”none” border_size=”0″ border_color=”” border_style=”solid” border_position=”all” animation_type=”” animation_direction=”left” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_offset=”” last=”no”][fusion_text]

It All Leads to This

Everything added up to that. At Montrose Elementary School in the mid-1980’s we were preparing for Bexley Junior High. BJH was to prepare us for Bexley High School. BHS was to prepare us for college. Don’t get me wrong, BHS did a great job in preparing most students, It just took me an additional 20 years. I had a few setbacks and side roads that most people don’t take.

[/fusion_text][fusion_text]

Rockwellian Art

After my mid-term the topic was decided: Photography in the style of Norman Rockwell. I began doing my research on Norman Rockwell and discovered that his art work generated over $30,000 in War Bond sales to help the effort in World War II. This gave me the perfect idea for my final project.

Wild Blue Adventure Company

Here in Fayetteville, West Virginia we have a commercial aviator, Chris Kappler of Wild Blue Adventure Company, who offers biplane rides over the New River Gorge. He and his family collect vintage military vehicles and even have the uniforms to match. For this photo shoot my goal was to create the chiaroscuro (Italian Renaissance term used by painters to describe the drama and contrast created with highlights and shadows) with my light kit and not use as much Adobe Photoshop.

Off-Camera Flash

It was early November when we did this shoot and the sun was setting early. It wouldn’t take long to get the contrast I was looking for. Off-camera flash provides a rather unique “studio lighting” look to the natural atmosphere. I particularly like this style and enjoyed working on achieving it. I’m very thankful for my models’ willingness to participate.

The highlight of the evening was the main shot with Stella, Levi and the biplane.

[/fusion_text][fusion_text]

Military Style

We started out with some simple shots with Stella, Jack and Levi with the military vehicles. It was still rather light out, which meant I couldn’t get as much contrast between the light and dark. Either way, it’s all good practice and the authenticity of the military vehicles and uniforms is certainly worth documenting.

[/fusion_text][/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container]

The Valley Greyhounds traveled upstream to play the Fayetteville Pirates. One of my favorite things about photographing football on Friday nights is that I once again get to feel that pre-game excitement. It’s game time. All of my practice time is going into effect and this is when it all goes down.

football high school fayetteville vs valley 01 — Fayetteville Quarterback, Tristian Coots, leads the Pirates on to the field. Chad Foreman for the Register-Herald.

Being assigned a Fayetteville game is a home game for me. I live 10 minutes down the street from the football field. I am going to know some of the fans in the crowd and maybe a few of my friends’ kids are students. It’s really exciting and the only thing better would be if I got to photograph my Alma Matter, the Bexley High School Lions.

There are only 23 players on Fayetteville’s team. I was talking with someone before the game who said that consolidation of schools is inevitable. It’s a hot topic of discussion around here. People who grew up here are loyal to the school where they learned. But numbers are shrinking year after year and there’s not enough money to keep them all open. There may come a day when these small-school rivalries don’t exist. Players may be driving an hour to play a Charleston high school like George Washington or even a school up in Morgantown.

I show up an hour before the game to get some ambiance shots. They like those at the newspaper because they really round out the whole high school football experience. Things like band pictures, cheerleaders doing their thing, majorettes, fans in the crowd. It’s all about the total experience.

football high school fayetteville band — Jordan Scarborough leads the Fayetteville High School band on to the field.

It had rained all day Friday as the remnants of Hurricane Harvey made their way through the area. I was looking forward to some muddy, sloppy pictures but we haven’t had that much rain recently and the ground soaked it all up.

football high school fayetteville 3 — Valley Greyhounds defender attempts to bring down Jordan Dempsey with a diving tackle.

valley high school running back — Valley Greyhounds running back charges over the Fayetteville defense.

Unfortunately, I can’t stay for the whole game. I have to leave at halftime in order to get all of my pictures to the paper before 10 pm. The first half was a pretty good match. It was a low-scoring, defensive game with a few breakout plays. Fayetteville led 8 to 6 when the teams left the field at halftime. They held off the Greyhounds for a final score of 22 to 14.

football photography chad — Quick Football Photography Selfie

football high school fayetteville coach — Fayetteville head coach, David Moneypenney, congratulates John-Daniel Franklin after he recovers a fumble in the first half.

football high school fayetteville big hit — A Valley Greyhound pops Jordan Dempsey up off the ground.

GO PIRATES!