I've been pretty tough on my photos lately and thought I would reach out to some of the other equine photographers and experienced photographers in my local camera club.
I met with a photographer Friday after work to talk about lighting positions, a south texas photographer about settings, members of the club about aperture.
The results of reaching out produced my best indoor photos I've taken since I started photography a few years ago.
Don't be afraid to reach out to other photographers, even if you feel like their your competitors. There's so much you can learn and share from each other!
Sunday, June 22, 2014
Sunday, June 15, 2014
15 minutes a day
Yesterday I attended a workshop in Arlington Texas sponsored by Arlington Camera and the instructor was Master Photographer Steve Kozak. I liked the format which was closed off to 38 photographers and it was a small group of Q&A.
We would ask a question that was causing problems in our photography and Steve would answer the question. Most of the time when you have an issue there's a good chance someone else is having the same issue. I liked the format and learned a couple of things. Most importantly I learned to see things differently before I take my photo
Steve is also outstanding at photoshop; he talked about doing your editing at the same time, same place, same lighting and you would have better results. Editing in LR and PS is something I'm not comfortable with yet just because I'm not good enough.
I've decided to set at least 15 minutes aside at or around 8pm to work on my editing skills in hopes that I can create a routine in the same light, same setting, same time to work on my editing skills.
We would ask a question that was causing problems in our photography and Steve would answer the question. Most of the time when you have an issue there's a good chance someone else is having the same issue. I liked the format and learned a couple of things. Most importantly I learned to see things differently before I take my photo
Steve is also outstanding at photoshop; he talked about doing your editing at the same time, same place, same lighting and you would have better results. Editing in LR and PS is something I'm not comfortable with yet just because I'm not good enough.
I've decided to set at least 15 minutes aside at or around 8pm to work on my editing skills in hopes that I can create a routine in the same light, same setting, same time to work on my editing skills.
Wednesday, June 11, 2014
Photography bucket list
Today I read a post from a fellow photographer who is going thru some health concerns. He's worrying until the outcome- we always seem to fear that it's going to be bad and the things we want to accomplish won't happen.
It made me think about my photography bucket list and what I would like to accomplish.
1) photograph bald eagles in Alaska, sure I can get them down here In Texas but I want to catch them In Alaska.
2) photograph grizzly bears trying to catch Salmon in Alaska and whales in Alaska. I guess I better book that trip and knock 3 of these off the list
3) photograph a barrel racing futurity
4) make the cover of Barrel Horse News
5) see and photograph the Statue of Liberty
6) get a media pass for the Texas Ranger, I tried once and didn't pass I'll keep trying
7) to take one photo, hopefully sports related, that will last thru history and be talked about in the future. Where beginners will look at it and want to copy it
My goals are small, I work in baby steps when it comes to photos
What's on your bucket list?
It made me think about my photography bucket list and what I would like to accomplish.
1) photograph bald eagles in Alaska, sure I can get them down here In Texas but I want to catch them In Alaska.
2) photograph grizzly bears trying to catch Salmon in Alaska and whales in Alaska. I guess I better book that trip and knock 3 of these off the list
3) photograph a barrel racing futurity
4) make the cover of Barrel Horse News
5) see and photograph the Statue of Liberty
6) get a media pass for the Texas Ranger, I tried once and didn't pass I'll keep trying
7) to take one photo, hopefully sports related, that will last thru history and be talked about in the future. Where beginners will look at it and want to copy it
My goals are small, I work in baby steps when it comes to photos
What's on your bucket list?
Tuesday, June 10, 2014
Learning to read
I saw an interesting comment by a new photographer saying they didn't like to read and from what I gather they wanted someone to show or explain everything to them.
At times I still feel like I am new to photography and not as experienced as others, but a majority of my time I spend reading articles, reviews and posts in the hopes of improving. I like watching YouTube as much as the next person but just seeing instructions on a computer screen or magazine text seems to help me more.
Today I received my newest photography book to read Scott Kelby The Digital Photography Book. I can already tell it's going to be a good read, and I'm only about 30 pages in, and I'm going to learn quite a bit from it.
What if I didn't read? I doubt Scott Kelby would come show me what to do on a regular basis- he just doesn't have the time and I sure don't have the money.
Reading is relaxing, helpful and keeps the brain from going to waste!
At times I still feel like I am new to photography and not as experienced as others, but a majority of my time I spend reading articles, reviews and posts in the hopes of improving. I like watching YouTube as much as the next person but just seeing instructions on a computer screen or magazine text seems to help me more.
Today I received my newest photography book to read Scott Kelby The Digital Photography Book. I can already tell it's going to be a good read, and I'm only about 30 pages in, and I'm going to learn quite a bit from it.
What if I didn't read? I doubt Scott Kelby would come show me what to do on a regular basis- he just doesn't have the time and I sure don't have the money.
Reading is relaxing, helpful and keeps the brain from going to waste!
Sunday, June 8, 2014
Patience
In the last two years since I started my journey as a photographer, I've learned to become more patient and look for the photo I like.
In portrait photography (to me anyways ) it's a little easier than fast moving action (which I love more than anything). I've learned to look for the shot that's going to be more appealing.
What I need to work on as a photographer is after removing the memory card and uploading those photos to my computer I just don't seem to have the patience to look thru the photos and make a few tweeks to have those few stand out a bit more.
That's going to be a challenge for me and I hope to conquer this; I attended a Scott Kelby Seminar recently and he said never put anything out for the public to see unless it's been sharpened. I look at mine and think "Hey that's pretty good" then place it out there for the world.
This year along with learning more about my photography and LR5 I'm going to add patience to the list
In portrait photography (to me anyways ) it's a little easier than fast moving action (which I love more than anything). I've learned to look for the shot that's going to be more appealing.
What I need to work on as a photographer is after removing the memory card and uploading those photos to my computer I just don't seem to have the patience to look thru the photos and make a few tweeks to have those few stand out a bit more.
That's going to be a challenge for me and I hope to conquer this; I attended a Scott Kelby Seminar recently and he said never put anything out for the public to see unless it's been sharpened. I look at mine and think "Hey that's pretty good" then place it out there for the world.
This year along with learning more about my photography and LR5 I'm going to add patience to the list
Friday, June 6, 2014
What do you see thru your Viewfinder
When I started pursuing my interest in photography a few years ago I purchased my first DSLR at a local camera store. They handed me this camera and lens and the trusty manual. I went home and didn't have a clue what to do. But with auto mode I started to snap some photos; not just some photos but tons I'd photos. I didn't really know what to shoot so I just kept on snapping
Over the last two years I've learned that looking thru the viewfinder has opened up a whole new world to me- I see things differently when I'm walking out of the front door of my home or driving to work. I can't take a hike without thinking "Wow that make a great photo".
I think about my photos more now than I did back then, I see expressions like happiness, sadness, disappointment and success. I've learned to love looking thru that little spot on my camera and experiencing a whole new world.
Over the last two years I've learned that looking thru the viewfinder has opened up a whole new world to me- I see things differently when I'm walking out of the front door of my home or driving to work. I can't take a hike without thinking "Wow that make a great photo".
I think about my photos more now than I did back then, I see expressions like happiness, sadness, disappointment and success. I've learned to love looking thru that little spot on my camera and experiencing a whole new world.
Thursday, June 5, 2014
Workshops
As I mentioned in an earlier blog that I wanted 2014 to be a learning year in my photography. I would like to look back in January 2015 at my photos from 2014 and see an improvement.
I signed up for a portrait in the park workshop next week at the University of North Texas, June 14 another small workshop and the Ansel Adams exhibit in Arlington Texas to view the Master of Photography.
July I'm trying to decide if I want to sign up for a landscape workshop in Krum Texas and In September a 6 week course in Lighting at Brookhaven College.
I'd like to have a 4-6 week course in LR5, there are online classes but I do better hands on. So... Next January I hope the photos I will be showing will be better than I ever thought I could imagine
I signed up for a portrait in the park workshop next week at the University of North Texas, June 14 another small workshop and the Ansel Adams exhibit in Arlington Texas to view the Master of Photography.
July I'm trying to decide if I want to sign up for a landscape workshop in Krum Texas and In September a 6 week course in Lighting at Brookhaven College.
I'd like to have a 4-6 week course in LR5, there are online classes but I do better hands on. So... Next January I hope the photos I will be showing will be better than I ever thought I could imagine
Wednesday, June 4, 2014
New opportunities
Today brought another opportunity in an area I have always been interested in but never pursued
I've always been a huge sports fan for as long as I can remember; the Dallas Cowboys of the 70s might of had something to do with that as I loved watching them on Sundays. The 1980 US Olympic Hockey Team, the Boston Celtics with Larry Bird. I've just always enjoyed sports for as long as I can remember.
Last year I pursued freelance photography work with a small newspaper and landed a good little gig covering local sports on the sidelines. I learned I enjoyed it and couldn't wait for the following Friday so I could get on the sideline again.
I just learned today that the same newspaper is also going to pay me to write articles of the games I will be covering. I was so excited during the conversation and absolutely cannot wait until August so I can get back out there, I will be prepared with a micophone- or honestly my IPHONE to talk to some of the players as well as photograph the action as it's happening.
It's funny how life brings you full circle and you get to participate in things you enjoyed as a child and now as an adult you get to be creative.
I've always been a huge sports fan for as long as I can remember; the Dallas Cowboys of the 70s might of had something to do with that as I loved watching them on Sundays. The 1980 US Olympic Hockey Team, the Boston Celtics with Larry Bird. I've just always enjoyed sports for as long as I can remember.
Last year I pursued freelance photography work with a small newspaper and landed a good little gig covering local sports on the sidelines. I learned I enjoyed it and couldn't wait for the following Friday so I could get on the sideline again.
I just learned today that the same newspaper is also going to pay me to write articles of the games I will be covering. I was so excited during the conversation and absolutely cannot wait until August so I can get back out there, I will be prepared with a micophone- or honestly my IPHONE to talk to some of the players as well as photograph the action as it's happening.
It's funny how life brings you full circle and you get to participate in things you enjoyed as a child and now as an adult you get to be creative.
Beware of certain groups
As a photographer I'm always looking for groups to join and pages to like to help me in my quest of becoming an improved photographer.
This week I was approved to join a closed group for local photographers in my area. The very first post was posted by another photographer "complaining" about another photographers rates. The remainder of the posts were negative about this innocent photographer who had no clue they were the subject of the thread. They went so far to say someone should post their website information so they could contact them.
I found this a form of bullying and was disgusted with the group and the energy involved. I don't seem to think what others charge is any of my business, I may look at websites to see what I charge compares to them but I would never make a negative comment.
I ended up leaving this Closed Group and unfriended the lady that posted the beginning of the bullying (she is a photographer in a club I belong to).
I realize photography is competitive but...talking negatively about a photographer is something I was upset about and didn't feel needed another second of my time.
We all have a lot of knowledge and could help each other out and stay positive in the learning process.
Maybe she's chosen because she's better than the other?
This week I was approved to join a closed group for local photographers in my area. The very first post was posted by another photographer "complaining" about another photographers rates. The remainder of the posts were negative about this innocent photographer who had no clue they were the subject of the thread. They went so far to say someone should post their website information so they could contact them.
I found this a form of bullying and was disgusted with the group and the energy involved. I don't seem to think what others charge is any of my business, I may look at websites to see what I charge compares to them but I would never make a negative comment.
I ended up leaving this Closed Group and unfriended the lady that posted the beginning of the bullying (she is a photographer in a club I belong to).
I realize photography is competitive but...talking negatively about a photographer is something I was upset about and didn't feel needed another second of my time.
We all have a lot of knowledge and could help each other out and stay positive in the learning process.
Maybe she's chosen because she's better than the other?
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