A few months ago I did a daily post series showing the differences between an edited image vs. the un-edited version. I wanted to give everyone an idea of how much work goes into every image we present to our customers. I will only show the best of the best & just like an artist who paints, each proof is a unique canvas. I spend a great deal of time narrowing down my selections to those angles that will best tell the story.
In this location, one tricky thing is the large amount of overhead light coming in even though there isn't direct sunlight. This creates a raccoon effect around the eyes.
I added a large amount of contrast & saturation to the outer edges. I also reduced the shadows around the eyes.
I aged this last proof by adding dark edges, diffused glow & reduced the contrast.
All us locals are shocked that Millsap's Casey James was once again in the bottom 2. After his overwhelmingly positive reviews this week we just knew he was back on top. Big parties are in the works this week & I hear rumors of Millsap school even having one. Lisa Hester (watch party organizer at Rockin' S Bar & Grill PK) mentioned that news crews may be back out there next week for live feeds. So if you want your 15 seconds of fame then drive out to PK lake!
I really think even though AI is fan voted, the show is very scripted. Down to the initial auditions process too. Producers know exactly who they want to cast & star in every season. Just like in a TV drama, there is every type of personality for all of us to relate to. The nerd, the jock, the rags to riches, the lower class, the hunk, the off beat one etc. This years show had each or those. There is no doubt that AI has cast the winner to be the rags-to-riches favorite Bowersox. She is a true talent & I'm glad for her.
Even if next week is the end for our local guy on AI, it's really just the beginning. Late nights in smoky bars will be a thing of the past for Casey. From what I've read, the top 2 contestants will get record deals with AI or 19 records, so essentially sign their life over to them. So even if AI fans don't vote him to the top spot it will be just a matter of time before record labels will be fighting for him. After seeing the vampire Ford commercial last night, I wouldn't be surprised if directors soon take notice of Casey's looks. Twilight here comes Cool Casey.
For all the latest Casey happenings, check out a great fan site:
Last night I attended a Casey watch party at the Rockin' S Bar & grill at PK Lake. This water front grill has been hosting weekly AI watch parties to support a guy who has been playing there for years. Casey's older brother BC attended the party this week then joined the house band after the show. When I got there Brandon Todd w/Fox 4 was interviewing BC for the 9 o'clock news. It was cool to see the reporter & camera man shooting different angles etc. I snapped a few shots of that. At the party also was my cousin Pattie & friend Trish. The cameras didn't really phase Pattie since one of her jobs is acting, besides being a mother of 3. It was much more exciting watching the show live with a room full of cheering supporters, as opposed to it seeing it a few hours after on my DVR. Equipped with multiple large screen TV's, there isn't a bad seat in the place.
For country week, Shania Twain was the mentor & the contestants had to choose from her catalog. I first thought this was not good to limit their choices to just her songs, but after the show I realized she's had much more than just those cheesy pop/country hits like 'Whos bed have your boots been under'. Casey did good by not choosing an obvious Shania tune & went with an unknown 'Don't'. He badly needed to redeem himself from the last couple of weeks by not giving us the same sound. All the judges agreed that it was his best yet, & the place erupted with cheers after his song. After last weeks close call of being in the bottom two, hopefully his fans voted more than ever & put Casey ahead in the race.
Here are a few images from the night.
one of my favorites as BC watches little brother deliver a killer performance.
Pattie voting with 2 phones. Mine had no service so I voted w/ BC's while he was playin'.
In case you missed it
For those of you who have been following our Idol blog posts, I found a few other links you may like:
Awhile ago I posted some hilarious photos from the site ManBabies.com The site is full of images where dads have swapped heads with their babies. There's some very good photoshop work in a lot of these. Here are a few that made me laugh.
Last week I photographed 2 Mineral Wells seniors, both named Jake. The first guy chose the rustic urban #3 location then a few in urban #1.
The following week I met Jake #2 at the football field for a few shots. We then drove to his house to finish up. His location had plenty of different areas to work with. I was relieved to have a good overcast day. Many of the spots wouldn't have worked had the sun been beaming down.