University of Alabama Graduation 2012: The Last Greek Stepshow

It's been a month since I graduated from The University of Alabama. Honestly, it feels like it's been much longer. The transition from being a full time student to free-lance working as a photographer/videographer hasn't been as rough as I imagined.

Currently, I'm working as the Director of Photography on two projects. The first is a low budget feature film named "Doobie Sampson." The film is definitely out of my area of interest as a writer or director, but taking the role as DP fits me pretty well. The biggest reason why I applied for the job is to prove to myself if I'm capable of shooting a feature length film (1:30 to 2 hours) at my current level.

The second project is a music video for R&B artist, Gifted. The singer has written for Ne-Yo and Jagged Edge as well working with Def Jam and Atlantic Records. He's looking to start a solo music career, and professor of mine contacted me about my interest in the project. The song is called Superstar. It's actually really good and if you're into music you've probably heard of the producer, Bei Major. Click on the link above or HERE to listen to it.

Now, one of the traditions I've kept up during my tenure at Alabama is photographing or recording graduations at Alabama. Since I was graduating as well, I decided to get friend and colleague, Kevyn Bryant of K.Bryant Images, to help me.

We decided to capture each Greek organization graduating and create a promo video featuring the idea of "The Last Greek Stepshow" since your graduation step is the final event you'll do as a Greek undergrad.

Along with making the promo video we put together a video for the organizations with graduating members. Here are a few. 

Omega Psi Phi

Yes, that's me for once.

Delta Sigma Theta

Alpha Phi Alpha

Phi Beta Sigma

If you'd like to see more of the videos you can find them on my youtube playlist UA Graduation 2012: The Last Greek Stepshow.

Finally, we are only three likes away from 1,000 followers on the Que The Lights Facebook Page! Take out the time to LIKE us if you've enjoy any of my work over the past few years at The University of Alabama!

Welcome to the #QueSystem

First and foremost, I'd like to tell everyone some great news. I am officially a magna cum laude, College of Arts and Sciences, New College, Telecommunications and Films, Beta Eta Chapter of Omega Psi Phi graduate of the University of Alabama. 

I'm an alumni folks. It feels great. Currently, I'm working on a few things. I'm getting a new demo reel ready for this year. You can check it in my post A Year in Review. I passed the footage for Beta Eta Spring 2012's probate to my editor, and I'm waiting to hear back from a company that may be hiring me when I move out to California. Finally, I'm going to be working on a video for the graduating class of 2012. I always make work for myself, but I'm at my best when I'm pushing my craft. 


Now, I'd like to share some work with you from Beta Eta Que's 2012 Week at Alabama aptly named "The Que System." We decided to base our week around The Kobe System, a collection of videos highlighting the arrogantly awesome entity that is Kobe Bryant. You can watch all of them HERE.


These videos led to the parody name of our week, "The Que System." Justin Streeter, probably the most well known Que on our campus, played the role of Kobe for us (I'll be linking some of my fraternity brothers that were in the videos as I say their name). 

In substitution of high-profile celebrities used in The Kobe System, we poked fun at the various fraternities and sororities on campus.  I also ended up producing a litany of other promotional videos for the week as well. 


We decided to shoot a parody of R.Kelly's "Trapped in the Closet" music dramedy based on campus greeks. My fraternity brother, Marcus Ayers, has a knack for impromptu hilarity so it ended up being one of the more interesting videos. 

Trapped in the Closet (Greek Edition) 

Part 1 and 2 were shot using the Canon 5D MKII along with a H4N Zoom recorder I held hear the rapper during his time freestyling. I used the method to make sure the music on site didn't overpower hearing the rapper's lyrics. 


Alabama Cypher Pt.1 

Alabama Cypher Pt.2

The ChoQuelate Factory was a invite only event we held for individuals who supported Beta Eta (The Ques of Alabama) during the year. We decided to let Errius play the role of Que Hefner in the video. 


The ChoQuelate Factory

As a chapter, we did a good amount of parodies and skit videos for the week, so Reggie recommended we shoot a video similar to VH1's "Behind the Music" series. So the idea for "Behind the Boots" was born. I wanted this to exemplify the other side of our chapter many individuals don't get to see. This was the favorite for a good majority of people. 


Behind the Boots- Beta Eta Chapter of Omega Psi Phi

Finally, I tend to only post videos that I shot on Que The Lights, but this next video is an exception. If you've ever heard of Phillip and Emmanuel Hudson then you know about the internet sensation, Ratchet Girl Anthem. It's an example of the internet at its best. A simple semi-freestyle over a beat pointing out the indiscretions of ratchet (ghetto or you can look up the term on Urban Dictionary) girls that went viral. Ayers along with UA football player, Bowman, decided to make a remix for Que Week. 


Greek Ratchet Girl Anthem

I hope everyone at The University of Alabama enjoyed Que Week 2012 since this is the last one I'll be working as an undergraduate. It's been a great four years. I wouldn't change anything. 


Also, you're welcome. 

The Graduates of 2011

2011 was an amazing year for me. So many things went right I have no room to complain about the day to day problems in life.

I don't want to focus on my year in this post, you can check out A Year in Review for that. I want to focus on the individuals who made my year special by accomplishing what I'm gearing up to achieve in a few months, graduating.

Essence Peasant 

My tenure at The University of Alabama has been phenomenal. There is very little I can say I haven't done as a student. Most importantly, I'll be the first male in three generations to finish college. 

Crystal Pope

College isn't a privilege. It isn't a given right. I have a lot of friends whose family members all went to college. To them, attending an institution is another inevitable step in life. They rarely realize for the majority of individuals, college is a limited secondary option. For the most underprivileged, it is only a dream. 

Scott Hill 

I am blessed to say I had options. I had five or six schools offering full scholarships. I ended up choosing to go to Alabama to stay near my family. I didn't want to be too far from my younger siblings.  I have some misgivings about my school, but I know I made the right choice. I wouldn't have stayed here for nearly four years if I didn't.

Caitlin Jones

I know a lot of people who attended UA and didn't come back after the first semester. I know a lot of people who attended UA then transferred to another school. I know even more who couldn't handle the amount of money required to attend college and couldn't finish. 

Charlsa Mitchell

I'm just happy to be where I am. I don't take my blessings for granted. There are so many people who wish they were in my position. 

If you'd like to check out more of my graduation photography check out my Flickr! Click HERE. 

The Wedding of Joseph and Brittany Bradley

August 24th represents the beginning of my last year at The University of Alabama. I'd be lying if I said the anticipation of graduating isn't haunting my brain. I'm ready and it seems like everyone around me can tell.

Still, I take a step back every day and remind myself to treat life like a winding stairwell, one foot at a time. I'm looking towards the future, but there is plenty of work to finish now.

This summer I was given the opportunity to shoot my first wedding. The results were absolutely phenomenal. It's never easy walking into unknown territory as a filmmaker. A new challenge always feels like a mixture of fright and steady anticipation. This never stops me from accomplishing my goal.

Joseph and Brittany Bradley are friends. They are individuals above the meandering crop of every-day folk. I'm not saying they are better than anyone else. I am pointing out their day to day outlook on life is the embodiment of our nostalgic ideals of the world. They're the couple you want to be.  This isn't because of monetary stature or position. At their core they are just good people.

That's why I enjoyed every moment capturing their memories.

Be sure to follow Que The Lights on twitter and facebook!

We Are The Brothers Que Pt. III -A Final Farewell

This will be the final installment for the 3pt. series of graduation at The University of Alabama . For the graduation I not only took pictures, but recorded a footage of the graduating brothers of Omega Psi Phi hopping.

This all was done for a specific reason. I'd recently noticed my identity as a photographer could be seen on the website and my photography page , but none so for my YouTube Channel. This led me to the idea of incorporating slideshows as another piece of my work. I first thought about doing so with some of my older pieces, but opted to use my recent work as a starting ground for my idea.

Check out the new video encompassing not only photography from the graduation, but incorporating the video as well to give a more dynamic feel.

Graduation isn't too far away for me. This may only be the halfway point of my third year in college, but with the extent of my studies (especially the fact I've yet to take a semester off-fall, spring, or summer) I could graduate earlier.

This doesn't mean I'm interested in the option. I'm on scholarship plus I enjoy the the act of learning. I avoid this conception of education as merely a step towards employment. This is not wrong, but I find myself more enthused about learning as a process that is continuous & evolving.

I'm not mad at people who want to get in & out. It's just not my philosophy (though I will graduate on time regardless). Also, be sure to check out the archives. You can find an interesting post HERE
The Graduate School Quest - A quick run-down of the three best Film schools in the nation.

Happy Holidays!

We Are The Brothers Que Pt.II -Graduation Pix

Last post I gave you a glimpse into greek culture regarding some of the more known rituals involved with graduating members of my fraternity.

Along with video, I took pictures to test out the new lens I picked up, the Canon 50mm f/1.4.

I had major problems navigating around packs of people or capturing full panorama type pictures, but the results were nonetheless fantastic.

To check out more photos from graduation click HERE.

We Are The Brothers Que

It's end of the school year. The transition from school to break is a very welcome situation. As students are leaving another event is happening, graduation. Recently, two of my prophytes (older members of your fraternity) graduated. I decided to bring out the camera to photograph the occasion. I won't be posting the photos yet, but I have something just as interesting.

To commemorate the graduation of an Omega Man the fraternity members that are present let the graduating Ques set out a hop to immortalize the departing bruhz' time on campus. Check it out, the biggest reason why I am hosting this is due to the new lens I bought for the camera, a Canon 50mm f/1.4.