People

Valparaiso: Heaven for Fans of Street Art

February 28, 2020 by julie@julieshipman.com

Valparaiso, Chile, is a feast for the senses. The vibrant color painted upon a weary city exemplifies the hope and spirit of humanity.

Valparaiso has a rich history as one of the South Pacific’s most important seaports. In the 19th century, ships going from the Atlantic to the Pacific Oceans stopped off first at “Little San Francisco” or Valparaiso, Chile. However, after the building of the Panama Canal, the city experienced a serious decline as ships were able to bypass Cape Horn for a shorter route to the West. After almost a century of decay, the city has emerged as a magnet for artists, students and entrepeneurs while attracting an increasing number of tourists, amazed by the City on the Hill.

As seen below, large ships traveling to Antartica use this port city as its loading point. It’s still a busy seaport carrying copper, fruit and tourists in cruise ships.

But the most captivating part of walking the streets of Valparaiso is the Street Art. It’s truly magnificent. These images will provide a glimpse into the magnificent scenes painted on the walls and homes. I encourage you to really look closely at these. The color, creativity and message are brilliant.

They are expression. They are emotion. They are ART.

People find a way. Where there is art, there are smiles. Locals of Valparaiso.

Below: colorful doors… some are almost camouflaged by the art.

An example of a complicated multi-sectional mural. There is a lot going on here!

Dogs are a big part of the culture of Valparaiso.

Random sights and sounds. Such a vibrant city. Art! Food! Culture! History!

2003 Historic Quarter declared UNESCO World Heritage Site
S. America’s Oldest Stock Exchange
Chile’s First Library
S. America’s First Fire Department
World Class City settled by: GB, FR, Ger, Italy, Spain, Scotland, & Swiss
Home to Pablo Neruda, winner of the Nobel Prize. See below!

And, do not leave Valparaiso without riding one of the 16 historic funiculars that is still in operation as public transportation to aid in climbing the steep hills! Cost is about 25 cents.

Chasing ATLAS can create personalized trip for you to this region including a culinary experience in Santiago, biking through the exceptional wine valleys nearby and a quiet trip to a quaint old fishing village to the south. Or maybe use Valparaiso as a launching point for an Antarctic Cruise or onto Easter Island? Or hiking in Patagonia? This area of the world is so rich in culture, food, wine, scenery, history and outdoor activities. If you feel like a trip there is in your future, let us help you explore with experience.

www.chasingatlas.com

Have FUN, Get GREAT Senior Portraits… for both photographers and seniors!

April 12, 2018 by Julie Shipman

This is the story of a senior portrait shoot… for Atlas. She’s graduating early from Park City High School, Class of 2018. She’s full of life, confident, smart and fun. I’m quite fond of her.

We began the shoot in downtown Salt Lake City, the ‘west side’ as they say. We were on 4th West somewhere between 7th and 8th South. She wanted a bit of an ‘urban and gritty feel.’

I like to look for texture and framing. We got both with these bricks.

The light was nice and soft. It was around 4 pm. So, we started off with some easy portraits.

I immediately noticed her AMAZING hair. Look for what stands out with your clients and then highlight his/her great features!

And those eyes!

My assistant (yes, it’s true.. in this case it turned out to be her mother – but use what you got!) was helping me with a reflector (the BEST photographic bang for your buck on the market) …to get the light to glow a bit.

Then look around at your surroundings and see what may make a great photo. Texture, reflections, color, scenery… use it.

Use windows or mirrors for great reflections… this first one also has some great leading lines.

Yes, I could have edited out the goo on the window but I thought it was kind of interesting. Personal choice. “Capture the moment” is SO cliché but do it anyway. Look at her hands. 🙂

Ooh, we see color! I told her to stand there and have fun. She did that nicely. Then I noticed the sunglasses over her head and made her wear MINE. I’m sure the eyewear of a 51 year old is not that great, however, she embraced it! And… notice the way she posed her leg? PERFECT.

Just having fun. A taxi? With a ‘native American’ head on the side? Lots of red. Yes, it’s a bullseye. And, ya got that little 45 in there to remember our political era! Ha!

And those ever-so-interesting railroad tracks. If ya got em, use em. Great leading lines and usually interesting background. Also, notice I played with the toning a bit.

I think your digital image is really only half done at the shoot. Use your LR and PS to play around! Tone! Fix! Edit! Process! Whatever you want to call it. Do it.

Okay, we are losing some light and we know we want to head out to the Great Salt Lake. But first, we need cookies. The BEST cookies ever. Shout out to Ruby Snaps.

We are heading out to the stinky lake. It’s starting to rain. No worries! Make it work. We start out with natural light and the reflector. Beautiful and soft. A totally different look than downtown.

I love her hair. And look how it mimics the natural grasses. Amazing.

Playing with toning again.

Okay, time to change outfits and pull out the lights! Here’s the scenario. Using my awesome Profoto B2’s which are completely portable and so easy to use. I make the background look dark by using a low ISO and a high shutter speed. Taken 5 minutes after the above scene but totally different look and feel.

Result with a blue toning.

Okay, clothes change again, to her ‘most favorite outfit’ according to mom.

Let’s shoot!

Behind-the-scenes photo… ugh. those funny yucky spots are rain drops. I edited them out of the final product but definitely annoying!

oh my, pretty sweet.

Catch them when they aren’t looking too. Love those. Look, she was snapping her fingers. 🙂

That hair! See how she’s getting comfortable and having fun! Me too!

Just stunning. Toning again. Tried to match the sky with her eyes. I kept her ‘messy’ look cause it works.

Next few. Just toning options. Trying to get a sunset feel even though it wasn’t really happening.

One more focus on the hair. I just kept seeing how it matched the grasses. And, toning again. Changes it completely.

And, yes, the real outtakes? Me. Looking pretty awful but pretty real. Always have several pairs of glasses on my head.

The best compliment I could get? Received this just today from Grammy. THANK YOU! Damn. I love what I do.

Hi Julie:

Speaking from the biased perspective of Atlas’ grammy, I can’t quite come up with a word that describes the photos. I’ve tried “stunning,” “remarkable,” and so forth. Nothing seems to fit.

I think the collection captures the essence of Atlas. Multi-dimensional …

The starkness of the backgrounds and the simplicity of what she’s wearing amplifies more than just her surface beauty but who she is within. Her inner glow? Hmm…

Thank you for taking some mother and daughter photos. They’re quite a pair, aren’t they? I’m so proud of both of them.

You are an extraordinary photographer, Julie. I’ve seen other photographs.

I’m so pleased you’re in Jill’s life. She speaks highly of you.

And, of course, happy you’ve been sharing your passion for your art with Atlas. It has such an impact on her in indefinable ways. I’m a great fan of her photography.

Warmest regards,

Grammy On The Go,

diana

Children of Egypt

April 17, 2017 by Julie Shipman

I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character. Martin Luther King, Jr.

My favorite thing to photograph is PEOPLE. And my favorite people to photograph are CHILDREN. When I travel, I try to take photos of people in their ‘native’ environment, whatever that may be. I always try to be respectful because I imagine it’s frustrating to be a tourist attraction for people who are just living their daily lives. However, this is often NOT the case with children. Usually, when I point my camera at kids, they smile! They light up. They come over and talk to me and sometimes they pose. A few of the Egyptian kids kept saying something to me… “Akhadh surati!” My great guide, Sabr, told me that means “Take my photo!” Or they would just say, “Sura!” or “Photo!”

Here’s what happened when I pointed my camera at these beautiful faces.

Love the fashion statement of these young women.

A note on the photo below. This little boy is sitting in front of a Christian home. We know this because of the decoration on the door. The floral-type cross is an indication of Christianity. In Luxor, you will find these doors interspersed in the neighborhoods. Muslims and Christians have lived side by side for centuries and in most areas, there is peace and friendship among neighbors of differing faiths.

These young women were walking home from school. They were typical giggling school girls with the young men looking on from behind. It felt like joy.

These young Egyptian tourists were visiting the Luxor Temple. For a group photo, the boys were posing as Pharaohs and the girls were Goddesses.

A beautiful young woman touring the Temple of Karnak…

Boys playing in the Nile.

A family bringing their sheep in… I loved the way the older woman is carrying the young girl’s shoe…

These young women touring the Pyramids at Giza. They just reminded me so much of any group of young women anywhere in 2017. They had sunglasses on their heads, pink purses, colorful cell phones, selfie sticks, fashionable clothing and lots of giggles.

My favorite photo of the bunch. I love the colors. I love this little girl. I watched her for several minutes. She was pretending to drive the tuk tuk, or adapted motorcycle. I remember spending hours on my dad’s motorbike in the yard pretending to drive it. Good stuff.

Please feel free to comment and share your thoughts. I love to get feedback. And, I encourage you to TRAVEL. Explore the world.

Back to Girona…

September 20, 2013 by Julie Shipman

The end of the journey. Last day on the bikes and back inland to Girona. Lots of miles in the saddle today although I was able to skip a few by excusing myself to “take photos.” Another truly spectacular day and one of the highlights was the young Atlas Jemison who accompanied me as my assistant. Please note that a few of today’s pics are hers, and I caught her in action shooting today as well.

Here is the start of the day as we leave Calella.