Adventure Photography

I want to be more of a ”do-er” instead of someone who’s standing on the sidelines. The most appealing thing to me about adventure photography is to capture the action is you have to be doing it too, you hike with all the same gear and probably more than anyone else, you lead and go first, you do so blindly. What makes the entire process so exciting is that you’re outside, not in a stuffy office or some studio trying to make every aspect absolutely perfect.

If you’re in Myrtle Beach, or you’ve ever been you know that its incredibly flat. I have always been in love with rolling hills and mountain ridges. I’m deeply in love with desert landscapes and rugged landscapes. I’m really trying to fall in love with where I am. A close friend told me there are still tons of exceptionally good images here, we just have to get out and take them. Thankfully I have a supportive girlfriend and a reliable friend that is always down to get out and shoot.

We packed up and made it to the location at 4:30pm and the sun sets at around 5:30p. Hiked in and found a ravine that heads down to the river. My friend Charlie held a big white panel and fired a speed light at the board to softly light the subjects. As Megan (the girl in the picture) and Levi, walked up the ravine, I basically drug myself up backward to get a walking shot up the hill. I normally note the settings I used, but I cant recall what they were. If you’re genuinely interested I can look it up and email you back.

I appreciate you taking the time to read my post and if you have constructive criticism please reach out, I’m very open to networking, email me and we can meet up. Thanks again.

Jon Stell


Senior Portrait session

I have never been a big fan (I say that with respect to the few photographers that treat senior portraits like head shots and make it a big production) of “styled” senior portrait sessions. I think they are usually very corny and lack an interesting… I don’t know what to call it… situation?

To get on with this long point, I know I’m not the greatest thing to ever happen to portraits. I just know when I had the opportunity to shoot an authentic scenario with this girl Christian and her dog, I took it. I knew the beach would be softly lit and when we arrived there was this beautiful haze/fog coming off the ocean. The light only improved the entire time we were there. The area where we were was a prestigious part of the low country called “Pawleys Island”. Nestled between scenic Murrells Inlet, SC and the historic sleepy city of Georgetown, SC, its the ‘creme de la creme’ of the grand strand. We stood below what are called “Hugo Houses” ( homes that were destroyed by the hurricane Hugo in 1989 and rebuilt, most of which are multi-million dollar ocean front mansions) and the pier. The setting was ideal, considering we were shooting photographs on the beach in January. River - Christians pup, was young and energetic, she was having a hell of a time keeping him in line. He’s going to be a great dog as he is very loyal and attentive to when she’s speaking to him.

Back to what I was saying about the photos… you know when you have so many tricks and techniques it seems impossible to recall all of them?? That is exactly what happens to me, thankfully I recalled a little trick that you use when you’re shooting into the sun.

  • you can control the size of the sun in photos by using the aperture (lens opening) the wider the aperture (small number) the larger the sun will be. Likewise the smaller your aperture is (larger number) the smaller the sun is.

My favorite thing to do in outdoor portraits is shoot into the sun creating a lens flare, the aperture trick makes it possible to get the subject in focus without blowing out the entire frame. Without completely overexposing. What makes this situation the most difficult is making sure the subject isn’t underexposed. what would help produce a well lit image would either be a light, or a reflector…some sort of lighting modifier.

Hopefully you found this information useful, or entertaining, either way… If you made it this far, Thank you.


Americana: Alive and well in SC

I recently went to an art festival in sleepy downtown Conway, SC. That’s about 20 miles inland of where I live in Myrtle Beach, SC. It’s a very historic old town and there usually isn’t much going on unless the local college kids decide to trek a little closer to home than that sketchy ride all the way to the beach. typical place filled with boutiques and other small shops, a few bars, and a small variety of bars that share the mascot of the college nearby.  My expectations weren’t great for this event, as normally people in don’t usually make these things a high priority, but in my opinion there was a decent turnout.

What I will say is there was no shortage of different walks of life. In the gallery you’ll see everything from kids dancing in the road to bluegrass without shoes on, to business people. I even think I saw a wedding party pass through to get to the chapel only a few blocks away. Back to what i was saying it was a gathering of local artist and crafty folks getting together, drinking beer, and peddling art, crafts, homemade soap and candles. All of this with the melodic sounds of several local bluegrass bands playing for less than a handful of people, almost acting like the soundtrack for the day.

I didn’t shoot many pictures until the sun set behind the small 2-3 story buildings that make up this historic little place. when it did I was prepared. the light was so perfect in my opinion, I had the option of stepping a little and getting some really fun little sun flares, or shooting portraits in the wonderful soft light this old brick buildings provided. I only had a 35mm f/1.4 and my camera body. I was going to put the speed light on, but after I began to move around and get some pictures, i decided to put it up and save my poor little arm.

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