Lensbaby Composer: Treeman Venice Beach

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I’m nearing the end of the journey on Venice Beach.  I have a few images left to share, but this week’s series is fairly profound.  Today you’ll meet Treeman, and I’ll say more about him in a moment.  Then I’ll move on to Nathan and my personal all-time favorite portrait.  At the end of the week I’ll be posting a 35 minute video talk, based on a talk I’m giving Thursday evening at the Crosstown Camera club.  But it all starts with Treeman…

Treeman, who’s real name is Lionel, is a visual artist.  He recently appeared in the movie, Hancock, and is a very intense artist.  In this image he is in his “Treeman” character, on stilts that stand him nearly 10 feet tall.  He walks, dances, and generally has a rippin’ good time doing this.  I spent some time talking and photographing with him.  I stepped up to him and said, “Hey Lionel, I think I got some good images of YOU.”  He immediately knelt down to my level and responded, “Alec, there is no YOU, there is no ME, there is only US.  Without you I have no one to watch me perform and without me you have no one to photograph.” He is on to something pretty good there.

Lionel is one of the few on Venice who operates out of joy of what he does (vs. the dudes that try to give you a FREE CD of their music but then hound you for $10).  He and I spoke at length about human interaction, energy, the things that give us joy and the need to acknowledge what’s around us.  I won’t forget Treeman for a long time, he made quite an impact on me personally and as a photographer.  Watch a YouTube video of Treeman in action.

Technical: Canon 5D, 580EX Flash, Fong Dome Diffuser, ISO 100, F/4, Lensbaby Composer.

Adobe Photoshop Raw Converter:  Fill light =51, Black Point =29, Clarity =33, Vibrance = 51, all other settings as shot.

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3. Lensbaby Composer: Bride Portrait
4. Lensbaby Composer: Wedding Portrait
5. Lensbaby Composer Portrait Photography