sunday photo/art quote 12-29

Bringing photography to be recognized as an art form was a difficult push in the early 20th century. Alfred Steiglitz, Edward Weston and Paul Strand were some of the main photographers pushing the limits of the materials of the day. Today’s quote come from Strand and is a gentle reminder to keep our eyes open for photographic opportunities all the time, no matter where we may be.

image of paul strand quote“The artists world is limitless. It can be found anywhere, far from where he lives or a few feet away. It is always on his doorstep.” – Paul Strand

Doesn’t it always seem that when we travel to a new location photographic opportunities seem to be everywhere? I believe when we move out of our normal everyday space our vision is freshened. The blinders we wear everyday because we have seen our neighborhood so often are firmly in place. Have you ever had another photographer shoot with you in your place and be surprised by what they capture?? I know I have. And it’s the same when I go into another photographer’s area. He or she often goes, “I never would have thought of shooting it that way.”

Work your home space. See it as if for the first time. Good shooting!

lumix G6

Taking a couple weeks off for vacation slows you down a bit when it comes to staying up with regular posts… I’ll add in the Holidays to take the blame but enough excuses! I’m back on the horse!

Santa dropped off a package using the local Fed Ex driver… OK it wasn’t Santa but it sure feels like a present. The Lumix G6K is in my hot little hands and I gotta tell ya things just get better and better as each camera comes out. This is a Pro-sumer camera that has all the features. Great video with a fully articulating screen. Touch screen focus. A great chip and processing engine. Almost all the features of the Pro camera Lumix GH3 plus a few more. Yep it’s got the in-camera panoramic feature that I really enjoy. (just ask my fellow Luminaries!) The only thing that keeps this out of the full on pro realm is the fact it’s not built on the magnesium frame. But wait that makes it even lighter if you want to have a camera with you all the time. With a 2.8 12-33mm lens (35-70mm 35mm equivalent) this camera weighs well under 2 pounds! It’s on Amazon for just under 500 bucks with a 14-42mm lens. Freakin’ amazing!

panasonic Lumix G6

sunday photo/art quote 12-15

Sometimes you need to step away from the photography and fine art community to look for inspiration.

I have met many photographers that are so intense (I must admit I have been one at times) that they forget to have fun. You’ll find that your best work comes forward when you study intensely then let go… Let the information you have gathered gel & process inside that wonderful electronic computer storage center we call a brain. Then have some seriously good times, get back to it and see how a relaxed attitude can allow creativity to reign.

This month’s quote comes from comedian Jerry Seinfeld.

jerry seinfeld quote image“Life is truly a ride. We’re all strapped in & no one can stop it… I think the most you can hope for at the end is that your hair’s messed, you’re out of breath, and you don’t throw up.” – Jerry Seinfeld

I’ve been on holiday for a couple weeks and ideas are starting to come fast and furiously. Yahoooooo!!! When’s the last time you cut loose? Get out there. You’ll be glad you did.

 

 

sandhill cranes

Maybe it was because I hadn’t had my morning shower yet…

The Sandhill Cranes came right up to check me out as I was photographing them…

Shows the importance of having multiple cameras with different lenses on hand even if you think you know what you will be photographing. I thought all my imaging would be of birds in the middle of the pond called Palmer Lake or flying away from said water. Had I not had the second body/lens combo I would have missed a cool opportunity.

sandhill crane photoSandhill Crane in pond Sarasota, Florida.

sandhill cranes in flightSandhill Cranes in flight and in silhouette.

Sandhill Cranes in the morning mistSandhill Cranes in the Morning mist.

On the Lumix GH3 I had the F3.5-5.6 100-300mm (200-600 35mm equiv) lens and on the Lumix GX7 had the f 2.8 35-100mm (70-200 35mm equiv).

 

sunday photo/art quote 12-8

Many photographers, especially those in the infancy of their careers, often wonder what they should photograph.

There are many, many, many ways to make money creating images with your camera. Before you make a decision to choose a specialty, or to change the type of photography you are already doing I invite you to consider the words of this wonderful photographer…

beverly walden quote imageWhat makes you heart beat faster?? – Beverly Walden

If you can take these words and weave them in with your decision of how you make your living in photography you will be on your way to a successful career.

Spend some time poking around the Walden’s web-site where you can see the love, depth of lighting and product line available. You will see what makes Beverly and Tim’s heart race. Check Beverly’s Blog. Beverly & Tim also have a photographer education web-site.

So, where are you headed with your photography?