Neglect...

I have been making excuses as to why I have not kept up with this blog. I suppose I just grew tired of my photography work and needed a break. Yes, I continued working...but it became a chore to do any more than output finished product. I'm feeling better now, and intend to begin showing more of my recent work. Stay tuned...

Weddings, weddings and more weddings!

I have been neglecting my blog yet again...However, I do have a pretty good excuse in that I have had 8 weddings since my last post! It has been a very busy second half of the year and I am looking forward to having some weekends off. My plan is to work on more artistic projects over the winter. The end goal is to produce enough pieces for a Spring show...

Prime Thinking

I have not written in a while so now's a good time to mention I am thinking of parting with my excellent 17-55 f2.8. The lens is a beautiful piece of work for a zoom but it lacks in some ways that are beginning to irritate me. For one, I wish it were sharper. I know it is very sharp for a zoom but not enough for me. Secondly, I wish it were faster....But I did buy it knowing it has the f2.8 limitation. And thirdly, it is designed for crop sensors. I am beginning to consider going to full frame.

So, I think now is the time to upgrade to some fast primes and make those the core of my lens arsenal.

News

Well, I have been neglecting the blog again. Winters drive me insane. This is the time when I should hunker down and write but my blog has never been much about my thoughts. I like to shoot, and then post what I shoot. Until my studio is built winters will continue to be sparse for me.

So, why am I writing now? I guess it's a way for me to organize my photo goals for the year. As per usual, I have wedding season and those blessings but I also want to concentrate on upgrading some gear. I sold the 12-24 f4 and don't miss it. It's a gorgeous lens but I rarely used it. Now I'd like to concentrate on some primes. An 85f1.8 (or maybe even a f1.4) is on my wish list. Another possibility is a 60 or 105 f2.8. I think a macro would be a nice addition. :) I could always use more lights but I really need to add some stands, clamps, diffusers, etc. I'm bored of umbrellas and cheap reflectors.

I have noticed that the predictions of a boom in photographers has come true. Now that digital technology has simplified metering and focus, it seems anyone can call themselves a "photographer". And maybe they should. I've always thought that the technical side could be learned by anyone anyway. What can't be taught is creativity. The "eye" is always the final judge. I don't like more competition (forces rate wars) but I do like that I have more to learn from. Everyone has something to offer and I am open minded enough to see value in the perspectives of others.

We will likely be moving soon. We'll still be in the same region but we are selling our house. We have loads of reasons but my main reason is to have space for a studio and maybe even a small farm. We'll see.....

Ansel Adams on the future of photography...

I give full credit to the excellent scientists and technicians involved in the photographic industry. The research, development, and design aspects, as well as production, are extraordinary. However, very few photographic manufacturing technicians comprehend photography as an art form, or understand the kinds of equipment the creative person requires. The standards are improving in some areas, however: in my opinion modern lenses approach the highest possible levels of perfection, and today's negative and printing materials are superior to anything I have known and used in the past. I am sure the next step will be the electronic image, and I hope I shall live to see it. I trust that the creative eye will continue to function, whatever technological innovations may develop.

Ansel Adams
1983 Examples: The Making of 40 Photographs. Little, Brown and Company

Wow...

Did I really not post anything in April??? Well, things have been quite busy for me this season. Lots of weddings and events, sports teams and individual portraits, and just my regular old art concepts. Oh, and I'm busy planning another excursion to Europe for June. Three wedding weekends coming up and then I'm out of the country for a while. Hopefully I can remember to share some things here...

Workshops and Lessons

I have been teaching much more this year and am pleasantly surprised by all of my students. There is a LOT of talent out there. Some are more advanced than others, but all are dedicated to becoming better. Thank you to all who have entrusted me with a portion of your continuing education. I appreciate all of you and it has, truly, been my pleasure.

Photo Contest Results

Of the three categories I entered, I took first prize in two and third in the other. Thank you to all who gave their input and suggestions!

Fashion Photography Workflow

Click the link above for an excellent article on digital photography workflow by Patrick Lavoie.

Lightroom 2 Update

First impression....WOW !!! I have used the software on just one wedding so far and I am amazed at how cleanly and quickly it works. My workflow has been streamlined and I am enjoying the post work for the first time since I began shooting weddings. Lightroom 2 is totally worth the investment and I am excited to learn what more it can do for me.

Adobe Lightroom 2

I finally splurged and purchased a new copy of Adobe Lightroom 2. I am on a fast track to learn all of the pertinent features and will be posting tidbits as I go along. Please feel free to email me if you have any advice or pointers!

Cindy Crawford

Please click the title above to be redirected to Cindy Crawford's website. Who else has left such a mark on the modeling world and done so without all the controversy?

For Aspiring Models

I peruse www.photo.net quite frequently and especially enjoy the forums. I found this in a forum post written by Benjamin Kanarek. I think this speaks volumes:

"The model arrives. Felicity Gilbert turns out to be a London girl from Maida Vale so I have someone to talk to. Slim and willowy as you’d expect, she looks impossibly young and innocent out of makeup. She’s actually 22 and has been in Paris working as a top rank model for two years. Her fresh, almost teenage face is hard to reconcile with her portfolio. In makeup and with the right clothes (or no clothes at all) she looks incredibly chic. It proves the point that the pretty girl you see on the street would not necessarily make it as a model. If she looks even slightly curvy she is probably four dress sizes too big, if she has a cute face she would look distinctly chubby on camera and if she has strong features she, and not the clothes, would dominate the shot. Being a blank canvas is not as glamorous as it sounds and much harder work than you’d think."

Image Sharpening

Click the title above for a great article on image sharpening!

Gallery Thoughts

I have been wanting to show my work on a more consistent basis but keep coming back to the same struggle. I know I have a good "eye" but that is not enough for me. I enjoy portrait and wedding work but want to produce art. I can't draw, I can't paint, I am not a musician.....But I can compose images in my camera AND manipulate those images until I more or less achieve my desired results. I think I will begin dedicating a few more hours per week so I may get some fresh pieces completed, and then start shopping them around...

Travel....

I find myself drawn to "vintage" looks such as Cuban street scenes and Rt 66 desert images. Old cars, open skies, sepia tones, dust, and stories. Stories of times gone by. Stories of people and places. My work tends to look too commercial. I am not capturing my emotions as intended.....

Studio Lighting

So, a while back I invested in an inexpensive set of studio strobes. Well, now I am thinking of selling them. I find that I do much more location work and just don't use these strobes enough. I should have bought another SB600 instead....