Do Not Eat The Photos

APRIL GALLERY NIGHT!

2010-04-16T07:55:00.004-05:00

Its official. I am having a gallery showing!

Date:	Friday, April 16, 2010
Time:	6:00pm - 9:00pm
Location:	Sparrow Collective
Street:	2224 South Kinnickinnic Avenue
City/Town:	Milwaukee, WI

Please come and enjoy the evening with some of closest friends and family. It should be a great time.

Brew City Diamond Line / The Pouch

2010-02-15T07:40:00.001-06:00

I recently did some catalog photos for Brew City's Pouch and Diamond Line. It was a lot of fun and challenging.

2010-02-12T07:41:00.000-06:00

I want to go back to New Mexico.

Carrie & Dave

2009-05-31T10:23:00.008-05:00

We photographed a wonderful wedding this past weekend. Carrie and Dave had a reception in Germantown with lots of friends, food and good times. Here are just a few of my favorites from that day.

Danny Gokey of American Idol

2009-05-14T16:47:00.005-05:00

When you are shooting a wedding the most important person is the Bride, first and foremost. However, in the industry we are capturing all kinds of people in the crowd. It not unusual to get a request years later for images that may have seemed junk to you as an artist, but special someone else. At a wedding last year I caught Danny Gokey from fall 2009's American Idol signing at a wedding on June 7, 2008. They are not the best images in the world, but it proves you must capture everyone and anyone from an event; you never know.

Look at more images of mine at www.kevingroenphoto.com

Missing the Muse

2009-04-30T16:56:00.005-05:00

Its been a tough couple of months for me and I have little excuse for lack of posting photography or snippets about what I have been up to. To quite honest the muse is missing and she seems to be playing dirty tricks on me currently. I have thought of little tricks to bring her back. I have left bread at the door step. I have quit drinking. I started drinking. I talked with elders. I worked with the youth. I traveled thousands of miles in a car with my parents. I listened to the Sun King backwards. Nothing is working.

What I do know for sure is that giving up is not an option. I know that doing less is not the answer, nor is doing exactly the same, things need to get shaken up somehow.

Here is my call, what do you do for inspiration? What do you do when you hit the proverbial 'writers block'? I have thought of copying my idols, mimicking their muse. Listening to a lot of Beatles albums. Going back to basics.

Little can be said, other than this. Having pride in ones work is all that is needed. I am missing that most of all. I will leave you with an image of my grandfather taken in 1951. For some reason this image oozes pride to me.

Momenta Workshop

2008-12-16T15:43:00.003-06:00

Hello again. I am proud to announce that the work that I did with the Momenta Workshop is much better represented on their website. Momenta Student Work 08. It was an incredible experience and I am looking forward to taking part in yet another program with them.

You can see the gallery of work that I did with them in September at this link. Please look through the entire website of theirs. Its a great cause and I proud to be part of it.

Rest in Peace Studs Terkel

2008-11-02T07:43:00.005-06:00

An idol of mine passed away on Friday. Studs Terkel died in his home at the age of 96.

I had the awesome opportunity a couple years ago to photograph Studs Terkel. Unfortunately I was I a total rookie and I had no idea what the hell I was doing. In fact there is really only one usable shot from that session, and this isn't it. Regardless, I was sitting at table in Cafe Lulu in Milwaukee with Studs Terkel listening to him tell us a story right in front of me. His voice was cleaner in person that it was on the radio. He had a hard time hearing us, but that didn't seem to bother him all that much because he just went on and on about George W. Bush and his fabricated war. At one point he was so worked up that he stood up at the table and started ranting and raving about the blunders and mistakes made in that past few years. It was brilliant and a moment in my life I will never ever forget.

Here is a link to some of the usable shots in my gallery:

http://www.kevingroenphoto.com/gal/260103_StudsTurkel

A Study in Contrast

2008-09-23T08:05:00.002-05:00

A Study in Contrast

2008-09-23T08:04:00.002-05:00

A Study in Contrast

2008-09-23T08:03:00.002-05:00

Photography and philosphy

2008-09-17T19:27:00.004-05:00

If someone comes to me and asked me, "Explain your photography style, or show me an example of something you are most proud of." I would never say something like, "I am proud of it all, or I have a very unique style all of my own - check out my website you will see."

Its a very personal thing; being a photographer. You need to be one with the person you are shooting, no matter what. Even if you are taking a picture of piece of food you need to be one with it. This all sounds silly, but in reality its the truth.

I think each project I try is a challenge. I want to take it to a new level that I haven't tried or seen. Its curious being a photographer because no matter what, you mimic others work. You may not do it on purpose, but you do. This could mean shooting like my favorite TV show or looking at some of the great photographers of our time. No matter what you are influenced by something. However, my point is you biggest influence should be whats in front of you at the moment you are taking those photographs. This is part when you become less amature and more professional.

If you are still wondering what the answer to my original question is, "Whats my style?" I would say I am contemporary. I like big bright colors, and very dark black and whites. I like to make sure my subject is the main point but still worry about everything else around it. I like to see things in ways you don't see it.

For example, my most recent shot of Ryan Braun is a good example. I like this photograph because he doesn't look like he is playing a baseball game. He looks like he is bored, standing there chewing on his fingers. Someone who is such a large figure in the summer months seems so small and distant in that photograph. In a way, that shot to me puts the month of September for the Milwaukee Brewers in prospective.

WEBSITE HAS GONE LIVE. http://www.kevingroenphoto.com

2008-09-07T23:33:00.003-05:00

The time has finally come. I can share with each and everyone of you the official release of my website (http://www.kevingroenphoto.com) With what started with me posting a Craigslist ad early one Saturday morning to the finished product I couldn't be happier.

Working with the designer was simple, streamlined and enjoyable. Tommy has been a pleasure to work with. A designer who lives in Miami Beach, FL he has survived a few tropical storms and a couple of hurricanes he still has been able to get phases of the project done for me. He has had the know how and patience to work with me as a client and most of all a photographer. I will gladly give him a reference for further work.

I have also had the help of other friends through out this process. My friend Niki who helped go though edits of my bio. My friend Tom who helped create the first official "KCG Photography" logo. My friend Charles who gave even more input to the site through his experience in arena of the web. Then there was the input of masses of friends who looked over the site and pointed out bits and pieces that weren't just right.

As for people that read this blog, don't worry I plan to update this just as often as the website. This Blog will be used more as a talking piece about my photography in general. I was using the Blog to let the pictures to speak for themselves. Now that the website has taken the place of that I can use this as more of a talking piece of my style, experiences, and love of what I do.

Please visit here often and check the website for constant updates. Now that all of the hard work by others is done its up to me to add more to the galleries. I am digging through old projects and assignments to add. I am also currently on the lookout for new people and places to add to the site. Let me know if you are interested in being part of this. This is an exciting step for me and I am glad to share with all of you.

Milwaukee Brewers vs. SanDiego Padres

2008-09-07T23:30:00.004-05:00

Ryan Braun.

Milwaukee Brewers vs. SanDiego Padres

2008-09-07T23:29:00.002-05:00

Milwaukee Brewers vs. SanDiego Padres

2008-09-07T23:26:00.003-05:00

Cory Hart on Cory Hart Bobble Hart bobble head day

The Gig - Milwaukee Wisconsin, Kickball Spring 2008

2008-09-02T09:26:00.002-05:00

Kickball

2008-09-02T09:25:00.001-05:00

Lauren pushing really, really hard to get to first.

Kickball

2008-09-02T09:23:00.004-05:00

P. Yu enjoying a victory smoke

Kickball

2008-09-02T09:23:00.002-05:00

Kickbacll

2008-09-02T09:22:00.000-05:00

Mike and his very coordinated outfit.

B, Bee, Be

2008-03-12T18:28:00.000-05:00

Wheres the bee?

Jen at Doctors park

2008-03-12T18:18:00.001-05:00

Ektachrome color slide film.

Jen at Doctor Park

2008-03-12T18:18:00.000-05:00

Ektachrome color slide film.

US Bank Building. Milwaukee WI

2008-03-12T18:16:00.000-05:00

US Bank Building in a relection accross the street from the building. The oil slick is lovely huh?

For those who know

2008-03-12T17:57:00.000-05:00

Fun with Photoshop.

Neo

2008-03-12T17:44:00.000-05:00

He's going to be the new poster boy for Tidy Cats.
Can you hear him saying, "Yea, I poop in a box."

Sam Yu

2008-02-11T21:46:00.000-06:00

This is duck prepared by Sam Yu

Sam Yu

2008-02-11T21:45:00.000-06:00

This is duck prepared by Excutive Chef, Sam Yu

Snow

2008-02-11T21:44:00.000-06:00

Please make it stop. Someone. Please make it stop

Snowflake

2008-02-11T21:43:00.000-06:00

I thought it was going to be easy to take a picture of a snowflake. I was sadly wrong. I did get some on the fabric though.

Wrecked Boat

2007-12-08T10:29:00.000-06:00

This boat has been off the shore of approximately Bradford beach in Milwaukee for over a month now.

Railroad Project

2007-12-08T10:19:00.000-06:00

Plate #3

2007-11-28T19:25:00.000-06:00

The man, the legend. RP Ervin.

Chicago Botanical Gardens

2007-11-03T10:42:00.000-05:00

Its my homage Eugene Atget but in color, and not in Paris.

Chipmunk at the Chicago Botanical Gardens

2007-11-03T10:36:00.000-05:00

Can you name all of the Chipmunks? Can you name the female Chipettes?
answer here

Chicago Botanical Gardens

2007-11-03T10:31:00.000-05:00

A typical Wisconsin landscape

2007-11-03T10:25:00.000-05:00

I have been shooting a lot of landscapes these days. I preferably would have liked to get closed to the cows, but there was a fence in my way. I tried shooting this with the 4x5 view camera but vastly under exposed, oh well I will get them next time.

Autumn is in full swing

2007-11-03T10:21:00.000-05:00

Pumpkins, pumpkins everywhere

Jesus on a pile of filth

2007-10-30T21:27:00.000-05:00

This weekend I went to Rockford, IL to visit a friend. I had to take a photograph of a three story free standing building using a view camera. My friend suggested we try to find a building in the old industrial area of town. We pulled into a large gravel parking lot that was bordered by an old train depot and other abandoned manufacturing buildings. The first thing I saw when I exited the car were two used needles and a beheaded toy doll, this was a sad part of town and I intended to capture it with the camera. After spending an hour or so shooting the exterior of the building we dared to go inside this place. There were three stories, each level more spooky than the last. The following four images are of that interior. Maybe it was the time of the year or the way the light was at an extreme angle but by the time I had gotten to the third floor of the building I had gotten the willies and made for a b line out of there. This image I feel is the strongest of what I took in the place, a photo of Jesus upon a pile of filth.

As an update I want to apologize for the lack of photographs I have been posting online lately. As many of you know I taking photography classes this semester. These classes are not taking away from my craft but they are making it difficult to post what I do online being that I do not have a way of posting 4x5 negatives online. I will try to scan my prints but I am never satisfied with the way they look after the scan. With a bit of trial and error I should have a lot more to share. Keep visiting.

Psalm 24:1

2007-10-30T21:16:00.000-05:00

The second floor was covered in filth. There were clothes and plastic pieces scattered everywhere. It was obvious there were people that spent the night in this place. I found this Bible laying in the middle of the room open to Psalms 24:1.

The Third Floor

2007-10-30T21:11:00.000-05:00

Walking up to the third floor this is the first thing I saw when I cleared the top. The graffiti in this place was not your average tagging. There was pain and torture in the artists hand when he posted these images all over the building. In the rafters above there was a pigeon that flew down and smashed into the window looking for escape. He might have been afraid of us, but the constant banging gave me the willies.

Spanish boots made of spanish leather

2007-10-30T21:06:00.000-05:00

Rockford, IL

2007-10-30T20:49:00.000-05:00

Bolt in the gravel

Chicago Botanical Gardens

2007-10-30T20:41:00.000-05:00

Chicago Botanical Gardens. Soon all green will be gone and the decay of Autumn will surround us. I often wonder why people call this thier favorite time of the year.

Chicago Botanical Gardens

2007-10-30T20:34:00.000-05:00

Chicago Botanical Gardens. Rose

I still own the rights

2007-10-30T20:29:00.000-05:00

Sometimes you can't make everyone happy. This is part of a product shot I did for someone in town. I got the impression they were unhappy with what I gave them. Thier vision was much different than mine, and that is just how it is. Photography is subjective and I can't expect to make everyone happy with the photos I take. It was a hard lesson to swallow, but at least I got it out of the way early.

Shes a keeper

2007-09-27T20:58:00.000-05:00

No one looks 'normal' eating a turkey leg the size of ones own leg.

My "O" face

2007-09-27T20:55:00.000-05:00

I am not really going to get into what was going on here. If you know who this is, you are going to laugh that much harder. It's unfair to drag his good name through a Google seach.

Speaks for itself

2007-09-27T20:45:00.000-05:00

Mikey's on Jefferson Street, Milwaukee WI

2007-09-27T20:38:00.000-05:00

Chicken fried lobster. Yes that's right, Chicken fried lobster from Mikey's on Jefferson Street in Milwaukee, WI.

Bristol Renaissance Faire

2007-09-27T20:33:00.000-05:00

My friend Patti being accosted by a fairy at the Bristol Renaissance Faire along the Illinois and Wisconsin border

Green Bay Packers

2007-09-27T20:24:00.000-05:00

I went to the Jacksonville preseason game this summer. They did not win that game, but as for the games that matter the Packers have gone undefeated so far this season. Its a good time to be a Packer fan huh?

3-0!

North Shore Bistro

2007-09-27T20:18:00.000-05:00

Scallops from North Shore Bistro

2007-09-04T16:37:00.001-05:00

Hello

I have made some recent changes to a couple websites of mine.

1. http://www.kevingroenphoto.com is up and running but still needs a content boost. Let me know what kinds of things you would like to see on there. I need some 'editor' help.

2. http://inediblecomics.blogspot.com is a BRAND NEW website I made over the labor day weekend. I plan to upload a lot more comics and drawings as time goes on. Please visit and subscribe to the Atom feed, it will be worth it.

*I owe all of my inspiration to Drew from http://www.toothpastefordinner.com THANKS DREW!

Chip and Py's

2007-07-04T11:36:00.000-05:00

A seaseme crusted salmon dish from Chip and Py's in Mequon, WI. Read more about it in this months issue of Vital Source.

Hubbard Park Lodge

2007-07-04T11:28:00.000-05:00

A fabulous duck dish from Hubbard Park Lodge in Shorewood, WI

2007-07-04T11:27:00.000-05:00

From Hubbard Park Lodge.

2007-06-27T17:53:00.000-05:00

Lake Michigan circa. February 2, 2007.

It seems so long ago
Rock Ice on rock formations
It was hot out today

2007-06-27T17:45:00.000-05:00

From the Mason Street Grill

2007-06-27T17:42:00.000-05:00

From Watts Tea House. Read all about it here.

2007-06-27T17:38:00.000-05:00

From a Vital Source photo shoot. This is the top of a cake from the Cake Lady

2007-06-27T17:31:00.000-05:00

Whenever I go to Chicago I look up. I run into a lot of people.

2007-06-10T18:19:00.000-05:00

Happy Memorial Day, Northern WI style.

2007-06-10T18:17:00.000-05:00

Sunrise Foods on Locust St.

2007-06-10T18:15:00.000-05:00

This is Spot, The leopeard gecko.

2007-05-22T19:05:00.000-05:00

Fox.
I don't post many pictures of my cats. For you this is a good thing. However, tonight I decided to play around with the camera and try something new. I don't alter my photos anymore than a photojournalist is allowed. For this picture I took an exception and played with PhotoShop.

2007-05-22T19:01:00.000-05:00

Neo.

2007-05-22T19:00:00.000-05:00

Charlie doing what he does best, killing me at darts.

2007-05-22T18:59:00.000-05:00

A couple orchids that I got at the Home Depot.

2007-05-22T18:58:00.000-05:00

Cousin Tim, doing what Cousin Tim does.

2007-04-28T11:13:00.000-05:00

I think we have one of the best looking Capitals ever. Taken on St. Patrick's day in Madison, WI.

2007-04-28T11:11:00.000-05:00

It's Not A Put Down
I Put My Foot Down
And Then I Make Some Love, I Put My Root Down

2007-04-28T11:06:00.000-05:00

From chef Tom Millot, Executive Chef at George Watts & Son at 761 N. Jefferson.

2007-04-28T11:02:00.000-05:00

This is my cousin Tim. This is the look he is giving because when he got there, he still had all of his hair.

2007-04-14T10:34:00.000-05:00

The following three photographs are part of a series that I made for the "I Love the Eisner" event at the Eisner Mueseum in Milwaukee. They are meant to be viewed at 12" x 12", side by side. The effect of shadows were made by using a long exposure and a million candle flashlight. A big thanks to my friends Nash and Angel for standing in the bitter cold to take these pictures. (HUGS)

Part 1 of "A Warm Embrace"

2007-04-14T10:27:00.000-05:00

Part 2 of "A Warm Embrace"

2007-04-14T10:26:00.000-05:00

Part 3 of "A Warm Embrace"

2007-03-20T21:40:00.000-05:00

These are the pictures I live for. The sun on the water, the motion, the dead look of the branches and the way its all framed. One of my most recent favorites.

2007-03-20T21:37:00.000-05:00

Iraq War Protest in Madison, WI on State Street.

2007-03-20T21:33:00.000-05:00

State Street, Madison, WI. The only place where you can get a schizophrenic guitar player with a kazoo (no, he really is), a giant 12 foot hippy and a drunk college student all in one shot.

2007-03-20T21:23:00.000-05:00

Wood National Cemetery in Milwaukee, WI. With all that is going on these days I think it would be an important mental field trip to visit this place. In fact there are hundreds of these verterns cemeteries in the country, so none of you have an excuse. Link help.

2007-03-20T21:17:00.000-05:00

Forest Home Cemetery

2007-03-20T21:14:00.000-05:00

Forest Home Cemetery

2007-03-20T21:08:00.000-05:00

From the Forest Home cemetery in Milwaukee, WI. The weather is still a bit nippy, but Spring is right around the corner. This place fit well with the dead grass and trees. I can't wait to go back and get the greenery around some of these statues.

2007-02-13T19:32:00.000-06:00

Icicles hang tight to a branch. The sun peaks through that back and gives hope that one day even these cute little icicles will melt. MELT Damn You!
Its been really cold here lately and I hope I give some nice contrast with these new pictures. I took a stroll down to the shore of the lake and found some dramatic pieces of ice to shoot. I also spent a day at the Mitchell Park domes to tried and trick myself into it being summer.
In other news, I am taking a photo class at MATC. We are currently shooting only with 35mm color slide film. I wish I could share some of the slides I have taken already, but those will have to come at a later date when I figure out how to scan them into the computer.

2007-02-13T19:31:00.000-06:00

An orchid in the Mitchel Park Domes

2007-02-13T19:29:00.000-06:00

The Hoan Bridge that covers the mouth of the Menomonee and Kinnnickinnic Rivers is seen in the distance from Bradford Beach in Milwaukee.

2007-02-13T19:27:00.000-06:00

A flower found in the tropical dome in the Mitchell Park domes county park.

2007-02-13T19:24:00.000-06:00

A 'stiff' drink at the County Clare warms you on days like this.

2007-02-13T19:22:00.000-06:00

Taken on Lake Michigan's Shore on February 5th. Its chilly wily on that Lake.

2007-02-13T19:19:00.000-06:00

2007-02-01T20:40:00.000-06:00

This may be just another flower. However, this flower is special because it bloomed in my home this past week. If you aren't from the Milwaukee area then let me tell you that it has been cold. Like the day in Groundhog Day. Cold, snowy and never forgiving with the wind. You can see how nice it is to have a flower bloom in your home on days like today. By the time of writing this the whole Azalea tree has now bloomed with these flowers. I like little metaphors like this in my life. It reminds me that it is not going to be like this forever, just be patient.

2006-12-18T16:44:00.000-06:00

Chocolate Cake from Forty8 on National Ave. behind Miller Park in Milwaukee.

2006-12-18T16:40:00.000-06:00

Bread from Wild Flour bakery on Lincoln Ave. and 28th.

2006-12-18T16:39:00.000-06:00

Northwestern Mutual building on Wisconsin Ave.

2006-12-18T16:36:00.000-06:00

Same picture as a couple weeks ago, except now there is snow on the ground and we have a nice looking sunset over Milwaukee's landscape.

2006-12-02T11:30:00.000-06:00

Let my character be my fate... curious tattoo

2006-11-06T13:17:00.000-06:00

Tuna from forty8 restaurant in West Milwaukee. Read Dennis Getto's review here.

2006-11-06T13:14:00.000-06:00

Chocolate Cake from forty8 restaurant in West Milwaukee. Look for a write up about Chef Adam in Decembers issue of Vital Source magazine.