by successfulbob | bird photography, Lumix Lounge, photography
I get a warm feeling in my heart when I see this cold hummingbird…
Humming bird on the feeder during snow in Sedona, Arizona
Why? Because I know the story of how this hummer (AKA ‘little shit’ because he chases away the other birds).
It’s my wonderful wife Holly. She was a big feeder of hummingbirds when we lived in the Virgin Islands to the tune of many pounds of sugar every week. (And may have single handed made it possible for many of the critters to survive after the 18 hour hurricane called Marilyn but that’s another story)
After being stopped, literally, by a hummingbird from cutting back some blooms she thought were past prime in our yard she started hanging a feeder for it after swearing many years ago to not start that again. Now we have four feeders. And because it has been going below freezing she is taking down the feeders after dark, sometimes trudging through the snow, and hanging then at first light.
She’s one special lady my Holly.
Yours in Creative Photography, Bob
by successfulbob | Lumix Lounge, photography, photography competition, photography education
Imaging competition has helped me become the photographer I am today. There I’ve said it again and I’ll continue to sing it from the rooftops and encourage every photographer that want to grow, or continue to grow to participate in two to four imaging competitions a year.
I recommend you choose between your local PPA Affiliate, PPA District Competition, International Photographic Competition and the WPPI 8×10 and 16×20 competitions.
Why??
It stretches you to push your image making to a higher level. It makes you aware of minor mistakes in posing and exposure and composition and the awareness works its way into your everyday captures keeping you from having to deal with the mistakes over and over again.
Making better images leads to better sales.
Making better images leads to winning awards which leads to having an excuse/reason to send out press releases which leads to press coverage and name recognition in your community.
I had a conversation with Skip from Skip Cohen University on the Weekend Wisdom Podcast on Sprouting Photographer about Photographic Imaging Competitions. Check it out.
Yours in Creative Photography, Bob
by successfulbob | fine art photography, inspirational video, photography - art quote, photography education
Happy New Year!
Going to head in a slightly different direction for this Sunday Photo/Art quote. Was directed to this video on creativity by Nick Pappagallo, Jr. from the Photographers Adventure Club. The message is designed for beginners but I posit that we all need the reminder, especially if we are trying new things. To push the envelope and keep the creative mindset.
The video is about a minute and a half and I recommend you give it a look…
Nobody tells this to beginners.Yours in Creative Photography, Bob
by successfulbob | fine art photography, graphic design, photography, photography education, photography marketing
You know those little strings you get when you peel a banana??
Banana bowl.
When you ‘pop the top’ on a banana from the stalk end like we have all been taught there are often banana stringy thingys hanging on. Did you know if you slice the banana at the bottom and peel it toward the top you get almost no banana stringy thingys?? How many bananas have we peeled over the years and dealt with the strings when if we had done it in the opposite way they wouldn’t be there?
Banana Art
As we are moving into the New Year let’s take a look at how we do many things within our our businesses. Look at everything with fresh eyes and see if we are dealing with ‘stringy thingys’ in our shooting. Things that we do all the time just because ‘that’s the way we’ve always done them’. Try something new… and/or make sure the way you are currently doing things the best way possible!
Yours in Creative Photography, Bob
by successfulbob | commercial photography, Lumix GH4, Lumix Lounge, musician photography, people photography
Sound Bites Grill keeps bringing new acts to the Sedona area. The latest is Andrea Marie and the Magnolias Band from Austin, Texas. Andrea has one sweet yet powerful voice. You can check out their latest CD sound here.
Here’s the artwork for the Wall of Fame at Sound Bites.
You can follow and like the band on their FaceBook page.
The images to put this together were captured with a Lumix GH4 and the 35-100mm f2.8 Leica Lens. The GH4 has a great density range to capture the full range of tones even under LED lighting. ISO 3200 f2.8 approx 1/50 sec.
Yours in Creative Photography, Bob
