Drive Time on Day 4:

So a lot of driving today. A couple waylaid turns later, (because a non-plan roadtrip cannot have wrong turns) we made it back to Texas. I kept my eyes out for some possible portraits, but never did find the right look to stop.… — **Drive Time on Day 4:**

So a lot of driving today. A couple waylaid turns later, (because a non-plan roadtrip cannot have wrong turns) we made it back to Texas. I kept my eyes out for some possible portraits, but never did find the right look to stop. Instead, I took a lot of images out of the car window… Here is some of what I came out with. In the train image, I shot at a very low shutter speed, but since we were going the same speed, it panned nicely. The conductor saw me after the shot (probably because I was leaning out the window with my 70-200mm) and waved and blew the horn.

Ben Corda November 23, 2010

Blood, Sweat and Sand...

Ben Corda November 22, 2010

When we started planning (or putting off planning) this road trip, we decided we needed a rough “destination” to keep us on track. That destination was Roswell, NM. About noon today, we rolled through the alien crazed city and realized that this was not the destination for us… A quick lunch/breakfast at Denny’s and tricking their “free” internet led us to discover a new leg of our journey. White Sands, NM beckoned us with pristine desert sand.

When we arrived at White Sands Missile Range and the national park there we were ecstatic. Getting sand in our shoes and climbing dunes much like school kids, we scoped out our place to watch the sun set.

When the sun set, we looked around for the moon and did not see it. As we were packing up to leave, a huge yellowish glowing full moon rose over the opposite mountain range. In haste, I tripped in the sand and as payback for all the abuse I put my camera through, it lashed out me and put a nice gash in my forehead. Chasing the sun/moon is great, but sometimes can be dangerous…

I tried to clean up the blood when I got back to the car and we headed to Holloman Airforce Base to spend the night. After checking in, I looked at myself in a mirror and realized that the hotel employee must have used considerable self-restraint not to say anything to me…

Under a Texas Sky:

Thanks to all for all the tweets and comments, but @J_Wethington reminded me of that dreadfully catchy song… “The stars at night/Are big and bright/Deep in the heart of Texas.”

So true. Here is a 2 minute expos… — **Under a Texas Sky:**

Thanks to all for all the tweets and comments, but @J_Wethington reminded me of that dreadfully catchy song… “The stars at night/Are big and bright/Deep in the heart of Texas.”

So true. Here is a 2 minute exposure of our tent under the Texas sky.

Ben Corda November 21, 2010

Panoramic Dreams:

Following hiking trails is hard for us photogs… We like to wander and chase the light. When that light dissipates, the true fun starts. If you look at the above image you can see a part of the road in the upper left-hand cor… — **Panoramic Dreams:**

Following hiking trails is hard for us photogs… We like to wander and chase the light. When that light dissipates, the true fun starts. If you look at the above image you can see a part of the road in the upper left-hand corner. Our car was parked there… Middle of mountain lion country, no map and in tennys- I felt so relaxed and it was splendid!

Ben Corda November 20, 2010

Quintessential Crossroads:

After crossing cattle grates, swerving on gravel roads and passing signs warning of poison gas, we arrived a classic four way stop in the middle of nowhere… Though this is kinda a cheesey stock photoish image, I lov… — **Quintessential Crossroads:**

After crossing cattle grates, swerving on gravel roads and passing signs warning of poison gas, we arrived a classic four way stop in the middle of nowhere… Though this is kinda a cheesey stock photoish image, I love the texture of the foreground!

Ben Corda November 20, 2010

Courage/Breathe/Relax:
I approached this man at a gas station in Pecos, TX (home of the first rodeo). We were stopping to fill up for the last time before we entered a “gas station free zone.” A New Mexico native, Chris was traveling bac… — Courage/Breathe/Relax:

I approached this man at a gas station in Pecos, TX (home of the first rodeo). We were stopping to fill up for the last time before we entered a “gas station free zone.” A New Mexico native, Chris was traveling back home from wind surfing. I hope that I still do things like that at his age…

Ben Corda November 20, 2010

A fresh look...

Ben Corda November 19, 2010

Day 1: Westward roadtripping

It took driving all day to get to a “new” looking location to get the old creative juices flowing. From a hotel in San Angelo, TX, plans are being very loosely formed about where to go and what to do, but as always being led by cameras and lofty goals…

night shoots are the best! the background image of one of my upcoming projects.

Ben Corda November 17, 2010

Ben Corda November 15, 2010

Aron and Jessi
Went to take Aron’s family’s Christmas pic, but wanted to post this one instead… — Aron and Jessi

Went to take Aron’s family’s Christmas pic, but wanted to post this one instead…

Ben Corda November 13, 2010

Ben Corda November 13, 2010

A Church?

Ben Corda November 11, 2010

Recently, I bummed a ride with two endeavoring journalists to New Orleans. They were covering a picket organized by the Westboro Baptist Church of Topeka, Kansas.

We pulled up at a quiet street corner about a block from Magazine St. The site of the picket was St. Stephen’s Catholic Church. The air was crisp on this particular Sunday morning, with sounds of children playing at a nearby playground and the faint occasional metal swoosh from the chain nets on a public basketball court.

The NOPD was out in force, strolling over from their conveniently located station, also about a block away and a “free speech” area had already been established.

A handful of unassuming people got out of a car and walked right up to the barricades with large art portfolio cases. A high school kid, a couple grandmothers, and a few other people was not what I was expecting.

Nevertheless, the WBC brought plenty of offensiveness to go around.

*Still in progress of compiling a soundslide with interviews and more images.

Ben Corda November 11, 2010

Bring Me the Horizon rates as one of the best stage presence bands that I have seen preform. The image above was shot at Warped Tour 2010 in Indianapolis, IN. BMTH will be headlining Alternative Press’s Fall Tour 2010 presented by Airwalk, whi… — Bring Me the Horizon rates as one of the best stage presence bands that I have seen preform. The image above was shot at Warped Tour 2010 in Indianapolis, IN. BMTH will be headlining Alternative Press’s Fall Tour 2010 presented by Airwalk, which I will the shooting for AP, as their all access photographer. I’m looking forward to hanging out and getting some images of those guys and the rest of the line up, which includes, August Burns Red with special guests Emarosa, Polar Bear Club, and This Is Hell.

Ben Corda November 5, 2010

I love night photoshoots. They are challenging and push the limits of my knowledge and gear.
Thanks to Jonathan ( www.jford.net ) for allowing us to use his beautiful BMW and M’Liss for modeling although it was freezing outside.
This is just a… — I love night photoshoots. They are challenging and push the limits of my knowledge and gear.

Thanks to Jonathan ( www.jford.net ) for allowing us to use his beautiful BMW and M’Liss for modeling although it was freezing outside.

This is just a quick edit, more technical ones to come…

Ben Corda November 5, 2010

For the most part, I started my photography with no formal training. Just me, a couple rolls of old fujifilm and my moms old pentax.
I still believe that the best photographers are self-taught, but also realize the importance of knowing the technica… — For the most part, I started my photography with no formal training. Just me, a couple rolls of old fujifilm and my moms old pentax.

I still believe that the best photographers are self-taught, but also realize the importance of knowing the technical “why” and “how” reasons that an image turned out a certain way.

Lately in my photo classes, we have been doing excercises that I have accomplished in the past, but now, I am gaining knowledge so I am able to explain to others how to get such effects.

Teaching always is a great reinforcement of knowledge, and as a photo editor, I try and push my staff to shoot the best they can.

This year especially, it seems as though I can look at an image and tell a budding photographer what can be made better, but lack the explanation of how. This is extremely frustrating for me, because I want to be able to be a resource to others.

I need to keep a good attitude in these next photo classes, so that I realize that although I may be able to achieve the desired shot or objective, if I listen, I will be able to explain the “how” and “why.”

Ben Corda November 4, 2010

Basketball season has started at Tech.
(short post, don’t judge) — Basketball season has started at Tech.

(short post, don’t judge)

Ben Corda November 3, 2010

Currently I’m working on a series of low aperture studio portraits, paired with environmental shots. Here is an image from a lighting test, its not quite there yet, but getting to where I want it to be. Thanks to Cody ( www.thecodybryant.com )… — Currently I’m working on a series of low aperture studio portraits, paired with environmental shots. Here is an image from a lighting test, its not quite there yet, but getting to where I want it to be. Thanks to Cody ( www.thecodybryant.com ) for sitting for me.

Ben Corda November 2, 2010

Ponca was just what I needed, a little escape from reality.

Now I’m back and diving back in head first.

Ben Corda November 1, 2010

the playground of life...

Ben Corda October 28, 2010

I have a list.

I have a shoebox full of mixtapes.

On that list are bands that I would listen to when I was in grade school and junior high. These bands fill the fore mentioned mix-tapes.

I remember summers, in between super-soaker wars, playing tennis and looking for trouble, my sister and I with our neighborhood friends would lay inside by the stereo, just listening to the radio.

The mix-tapes are soundtracks of previous summers and inspired the love for music that I still have today. The list containing those bands, is kept to keep track of which bands I have been able to photograph live.

Last night in downtown Shreveport, LA, three Canadians played their hearts out. Underrated to the end, Marcy Playground played the notes that brought me back to my childhood.

Their mainstream hit that rolls off most people tongues, “Sex and Candy” was not the highlight of the night for me. I rather enjoyed their lesser known songs, “Sherry Fraser,” “Cloak” and “Opium.”

Still, frontman John Wozniak, sent chills through me when he encored with a cover of Jeff Buckley’s “Hallelujah.”

Another band crossed off my list, another musical memory and another great performance by Marcy Playground.