just johnin'

Progression

2010-06-27T11:00:00.001-07:00

It's been about a month now at the Chronicle and I already gained a years worth of experience. I can sum up all the yelling, bitching, and disappointment over the past four weeks into 4 basic tips for improving your photography at any skill level

1. Get close

2. Be aggressive

3. Be patient

4. Take me somewhere I can't go

I was really impressed by staff photographer Nick da la torre, when I tagged along with him during a portrait shoot on Friday..I took note of his confidence and how he carries himself during a shoot. I really admire him for his bluntness, while this takes some getting used too, I understand that he is only trying to help me. I have included some video from the shoot on Friday.

On Assignment! from John Jiles Jr. on Vimeo.

I close with some of my personal standouts from the past month.

Almost forgot! I finished my year long 365 project!
Read the description here http://www.flickr.com/photos/john_jiles/4718195513/

I went to a boxing match!

I got on the AP wire!

Thankful

2010-06-15T07:50:00.000-07:00

narrowly escaped a fire at her apartment

Urban Speed

2010-06-13T19:26:00.000-07:00

Of course I had fun..Cars + photos + free food, duh!!!

urbanspeed meet june from John Jiles Jr. on Vimeo.

Settled In

2010-06-13T19:09:00.001-07:00

About to start week number three at the Chronicle, and I have to say I've learned more in 2 weeks than I ever have. I think my relationship with my editor is getting better as I am getting used to hearing criticism and no longer on pins and needles when I come from assignment. This past week was good though, I got my first photo ran in City and State( I made sure to grab several copies that day, i hope no one noticed,lol). The photo was a feature, that showed construction workers for the new ballet building assembling scaffolding, which meant that they formed a straight line for at least 6 stories straight up the building, it made for quit a photo, it was the best feeling to have steve pat me on the back, and shake my hand, and say "job well done." I finally felt like I had been accepted and become part of the crew at that moment.

The winner:

Honorable mentions:

This photo was from an assignment I had to shoot a portrait of this piano legend in the latino community. I remember hearing the piano an approached the door and having this strange calm cover over me, it was definitely surreal

First take a food photography, Minuti Coffee a block from the Chronicle building

whatchu lookin' at nikka??

2010-06-07T22:12:00.001-07:00

smack, smack, smack...That's the sound of reality smacking me in the face when I show my work to my photo editor...I'm good but not great..I mean I should have expected it..these guys know their shit..I learned more in 10 minutes than I did from two semesters of photojournalism classes sorry Donna and Eli. But I really appreciate this opportunity, everyone's gotta earn their stripes..Like Steve said, "If I don't tell you you're not gonna get any better," and he is right..So I'am gonna sit back and take it..because it's going to make me better.

while i was away

2010-06-07T21:48:00.000-07:00

A lot has changed since I last posted in March, I stopped for a while because my pictures kept getting cut off, I didn't know it couldn't be fixed until Jasmine pointed it out, she was supposed to fix it but I got tired of waiting on her..just kidding I know you're busy ;-) So three months..I graduated....pause...I graduated....man that still sounds good. I made lasting friendships, and let some go. I saw my brother and his family..twice, I'am proud of you man. and took a LOT of photos. I got this internship with a small paper called the Houston Chronicle you might have heard of it.

2010-03-07T18:22:00.000-08:00

This week in J325....3/1/2010

2010-03-05T10:12:00.000-08:00

I am still really amazed by the quality of film, it just show so much detail...here are a few of my favorites from last month, since Eli just got our assignments back to us. I feel really honored to have a Magnum photographer as my teacher, this guy took me to school yesterday with my own camera...always more to learn.. update on this post with pics coming soon

Judge Joe Brown.....Photographer

2010-03-03T18:34:00.000-08:00

Day 253 of 365 Integras are for pimps

2010-03-01T23:20:00.000-08:00

March 1st, 2010

whoa it's march...Thank God.. anyway I was at walmart this evening picking up some things, which included an issue of Honda Tuning which featured this sick sick, turbo'd GSR with a built motor, Advans, everything, is def what's up, makes me so excited about the new stuff coming for my teg this month, JDM Si-vtec, new Greddy SE catback, new emblems, only the cleannnnnnest DB7 in Austin.

Woghiren + Hannam Wedding

2010-03-01T20:52:00.001-08:00

March 1st, 2010

My first wedding is a wrap! I must say it was very humbling experience still shows I have MUCH to learn, so i will keep on perfecting my craft, a big thanks to Jasmine Vallejo for helping with the photography. My apologies for the some of the pics being cropped on the slideshow, it was my first go at this sort of thing, will work on that for next time.

Megan and Ewaen from John Jiles Jr. on Vimeo.

Photos: John Jiles and Jasmine Vallejo
Music:Kina Grannis and Corinne Bailey Rae

the shooters!

2am Bokeh

2010-03-01T01:14:00.000-08:00

Day 252 of 365 Identity Crisis

2010-03-01T01:11:00.000-08:00

February 28th, 2010

Who am I? Been feeling a little off lately....No iam not that sensitive just need a little time to breath..They say guys aren't supposed to show emotion, so i'll just say "iam getting it off my chest.. you ever have one of those weeks?....last week..just seemed like everywhere I turned I was letting someone down of upsetting someone, I can count at least 5 times. I thought I was a good person, I always try to treat people as I would want to be treated..it has always worked well for me, what happened? Am i changing, or just one of those weeks? I'll take my Mom's advice and pray about it? Am I taking this too seriously? Nahhh it's good to be honest with yourself and I am..I think I just some time to chill, go MIA, you know slow my roll a little bit.. I should be fine, I always have been. got it off my chest

edit: what a difference a day makes..well s*** guess i was having bad day, heads up!

Day 251 of 365 THEjohnjiles

2010-02-27T22:26:00.000-08:00

February 27th, 2010

Strobist:
1 sb600 @ full power behind bench
1 sb600 @ 1/4 power through umbrella camera right

Olivia

2010-02-27T14:42:00.001-08:00

February 26th, 2010

Some of the best from a shoot I did at Sideways Autosalon with Olivia Castro. I was really pleased with how the lighting came out, the concept of a "shoes + cars" theme really worked here.

General Strobist Info:
2 Interfit 150 monolights triggered optically
2 Sb600's triggered via Cactus Wizards
Modifiers: 45" Silver Reflecting and white shoot-through umbrella's

listen to this..

2010-02-27T10:03:00.000-08:00

this week in J325.. 02/21/10

2010-02-27T09:54:00.000-08:00

Day 250 of 365..I can't think of a Title

2010-02-27T09:44:00.000-08:00

February 26th, 2010

So a little background on this picture. Since the June 19th, 2009 I've been taking a self-portrait "pretty much" everyday. I'll be honest I started it after being dumped by this girl earlier that year and having a rough semester so my self-esteem was in the dumps. Since then I've gotten more confident, met a lot of new people,and gotten a lot better at photography. 365 it's my therapy

jj

something new

2010-02-26T21:47:00.000-08:00

February 26th, 2010

eat your heart out Jaz.