June 8: Click Here

I've had some images published from the Peru trip, along with images by Forest Woodward and Matt Catalano.

Check out the images and stories on these links:

http://www.livinginperu.com/blogs/features/1373

http://www.socialearth.org/social-entrepreneur-surfer-dude-puts-waves-to-good-work

http://surfermag.com/travel/reinventing_surf_tourism/

More of Forest's images: http://www.forestwoodward.com/

More of Matt's images: http://www.imagekind.com/MemberProfile.aspx?MID=964b185a-acc7-41b9-9e1e-762b71d2e09b

And, here's another image you will like.

http://kimberhansen.blogspot.com/2010/06/drifting-jeremy-vanessa-teaser.html

April 6: Extras Found

I forgot about my point and shoot images until yesterday.

I found some shots from Peru. (mostly junk, but there are a few fun ones.)

First, check out Alex teaching Henry a bit of woodworking.

BTW, the workshop also serves as the barnyard.

Ok, now check out some totally abused JPGs. Twist all the saturation and contrast dials until you get something out of this world.

Then have a beer to celebrate the successful trip.

Then, finally, admire your contribution to Mustache March.

Mar 31: Spike Ball

Check out this new game.
Order your own at Spikeball.com

Take it to your favorite South American beach and have at it.


Spike Ball Peru from Jeremy Koons on Vimeo.

I might try it out in the snow here, but the beach is better.

Mar 30: Lobitos Part 5

Day 14:
Photo session with Henry.
We talk for an hour about various camera functions, settings, buttons, etc.
He now has a great grasp on shutter speeds, which will help him with surf photography (and everything else).
As a test, we shot these two images.
1/1000 f5.6

1/30 f22

Selective focus is another important technique he now understands. It was super difficult to teach him this. I thought I was using the right Spanish words, but it just wasn't translating. He kept missing the intermediate step (maintaining light pressure to keep the shutter button engaged). It finally came down to slow-motion play-by-play sign language. When he got it, it clicked, and his face lit up. He had the 'ah-ha!' moment. It was really cool to see that. It made me a bit proud too.
Here's the set where he got it.

Day 15:
Last day. Finishing last details. Finalizing first version of the surf photography course outline. Hanging out. Surfing.
Thomas gets his last ride of the trip. He'll be back.

The locals continue to kill it.

Alex gets one last look before heading in.

We head our separate ways, from the East coast to the West, from the Mountains to the Beach.

The trip was a success. The photography program has a strong foothold. I have high hopes for Henry.
The documentary is currently being edited. It should be finished by May, and we'll be seeing it in the film festivals later this year.
I'll let you know when/where to find it.

Ciao.

Mar 30: Lobitos Part 4

Announcement:
I've posted some images to my website that don't appear on the blog. Check them out at www.JeremyKoons.com
Pay special attention to the Images folder 'Atardecer.'
Thanks.

Day 10:
More surf photography.

More surfing. (Henry)

Day 11:
Happy Anniversary Lobitos.
After 2 weeks of celebrating, the parade finally marches.

Day 12:
Photo class.
I present a slideshow to the secondary school students. I then teach them a few basic camera skills.
Here are a few of their shots from class.

Day 12:
Surf tricks.
Will practices his longboard style.

Mar 27: Lobitos Part 3

Day 7:
Campeonato de Surf.
WAVES organized a surf comp for the kids. Four towns were represented. It was a great success.
A future shredder.

Another ripper splits the cameras.

Henry is all smiles as he heads out to the break.

Although he didn't surf his best, Henry was excited to take some shots from the beach.
Here are some of Henry's images.

Day 8:
I scheduled a photo meeting for this day, but very few students showed up. The ones who did were also rather young. After the photo class, Will taught some basic guitar.

Day 9:
I met with Henry again to teach him some more advanced concepts. Here's an example of how I taught him Depth of Field.
1/30 f4

1/8 f8

1s f22

He picks it up very fast.
More to come...

Mar 26: Lobitos Part 2

Day 4:
Holggers (pronounced 'ol-wear', or 'or-well', or 'hol-ware', depending on who's talking) teaches a surf class to the local kids, while the volunteers (Alex, in black) assist.

In a little drill, the kids run into the ocean, then back, before Holggers counts to 10.

Some of the kids are just beginning. They need help catching waves. A generous push from behind gets them started. Holggers encourages their efforts.

The older kids, some of last year's beginners, make it look easy.

Day 5:
My first photo class, a 1-on-1 with Henry. I set him up and let him experiment. In the beginning he is a bit shy. He quickly gains confidence and starts asking questions. We discuss all the buttons and controls, lighting (sun angle), and a bit about capturing the critical moment. Towards the end, we discuss shutter speed and focus.
Here are a couple of Henry's first shots. (The waves were non-existent this day...)

Later, we set up on the pier for some filming. I capture the crew discussing the shot.

Day 6:
Spikeball!
Forrest brought a new game to the continent. It's great fun, but a little dangerous. Injuries abound, particularly when the game intensity picks up.

I get out for another surf session with the locals.

Day 7:
Surfing and photographing.
I make it up for a short ride. (Thanks to Thomas for getting the shot.)

Then, I get back in the water to shoot some myself.

The underwater housing provides some cool angles. This duck dive is pretty sweet.

Mar 25: Lobitos Part 1

This is the first of a series of posts, detailing my trip to Peru.

Day 1:
I get a feel for surf photography. This surfer, Henry Espinoza Panta, is the first I shoot, perhaps a case of foreshadowing. He later expresses interest in photography and we work together to develop his skills. (His images will come in a later post.)

The sunsets in Lobitos were amazing. I got these on the first day.

Day 2:
Walking around Lobitos.
I later asked the kids about the PlayStation 2. They've never seen one.

In an effort the clean up the town, people are encouraged NOT to relieve themselves behind the buildings.

Many boats lay in ruins along the beach.

Day 3:
More surfing. The waves are discouragingly small, but the locals can still rip 'em up.
Working for the tubo, as a friend looks on.

Henry's brother, Ronnie, shows some buen estilo.

Will tries to hold up the sun for a few more minutes, but the surfing ends with another beautiful atardecer.

To be continued.... (12 days to go)

I will also post some images on my website this week:
JeremyKoons.com