by successfulbob | graphic design, graphic design, Lumix GH3, Lumix Lounge, photography, photography education
“Do you mind if I share an idea?” said my wife. “Oh, Oh.” thought I. This means she doesn’t like what I’m working on and wants to make a suggestion… I’m not always overly receptive. But, I know she often has great ideas.
You may remember a post I was so proud of a few days ago with my original idea of illustrating a polo player striking a ball.
I had been working on and image and got stuck in the proverbial rut. She being outside could see it and was willing to deal with my stupid ego to help get me out of a bad place.
So I replied, “OK what is it?” She tiptoed around a bit and shared, “You know if instead of the row of horses you should try just one alone and bigger.” I thought about it and agreed although I was still married to the original idea I had. Five minutes later, “Can I make one more suggestion…??” “Absolutely.” I replied. “You ought to take two riders fighting for the ball and make that the subject instead of just one horse.”
“OK” I replied. Then I perused the polo images and found this…
Original capture of polo players chasing down the ball.
Here is the resulting image after applying Holly’s input. (Ain’t she great??)
I’ll leave it for you to decide… Which image is more powerful? The one above? Or, the one I was stuck on before?? Another set of eyes can help point you in the right direction. I’m fond of saying some of my best ideas come from other people…. Which means you need to be willing to listen to critique and act on it to become a better image maker.
This image was captured with the Panasonic Lumix GH3 with the f4.0-5.6 100-300mm lens at 1/640th sec f5.6 ISO 200 at 300mm (600mm at 35mm equivalent)
by successfulbob | Lumix GH3, Lumix GX7, Lumix Lounge, photography, video
I was a virgin before this project. Videographer that is…
My partner in this production, Neal of Promo Films West has been after me to do video for a large number of years. With my move to micro 4/3rds Lumix cameras I finally aquiesed. Since getting the Lumix GH3 and Lumix GX7 I’ve been experimenting with bits of video but this project for Sedona Real Inn & Suites was the first time to go into full production. These cameras capture great video and Neal was super impressed by some of the features but one in particular got him very excited, The ability to shoot at 1080 and 60P. I had no idea what a big deal this was when we started but after seeing the motion used in the clips I get it. Neal did the editing on this project and was quite creative.
Here’s the promo… Let me know what you think.
Sedona Real Inn & Suites Promo VideoLooking to get some video for your property or project? Let’s talk. Neal and Promo Films West are ready to go to work for you. Give me a shout or drop an email.
by successfulbob | photography, photography - art quote, photography education
WHAT IS THAT?
“Common objects become strangely uncommon when removed from their
context and ordinary ways of being seen.” Wayne Thiebaud
I know there have been times when I wasn’t quite sure what the subject was of an image… But, I liked it!
Then finding out what was actually in the image I became even more impressed.
Think Body-Scapes, (*Please if you are offended by nudity please do not follow the Bodyscapes link)
Think Howard Schatz
Think Jerry Uelsmann
Think Edward Weston and the pepper among other iconic images
Think Abstract Photography.
When was the last time you pushed the limits of what you were trying to capture? Sometimes less is more when trying to tell your story. Spend some time poking around some of the links I shared here. Find more of your own and share them back here.
THEN THINK. JUST THINK….
by successfulbob | graphic design, Lumix GX7, Lumix Lounge, photography, photography education
Thundering hooves passing by as the riders chase a small white ball with long sticks…
My first live polo match enhanced by the tailgating party before-hand. Holly and I were on our way to the airport and our friends *Skip & Sheila Cohen hooked us up with this experience at the Polo Club in Lakewood, Florida.
*Skip is founder of Skip Cohen University – definitely worth a look if you have interest in marketing your photography business!
But, I digress… I ended up shooting the match with the 100-300mm f3.5 to 5.6 lens on the Lumix GX7. There was plenty of light so there was enough shutter speed to handhold with an ISO of 800. I always enjoy photographing new subject matter whether I have a specific reason or not… Then I’ll sometimes do a self assignment to see if there is a way to sell the images.
The possibility here is for art images to sell to polo players or as decor. But, I wanted to be even more specific. I saw they had produced a really high end magazine supporting the matches with lots of graphic artwork. So how about a couple cover possibilities??
What can you do to push your skills? What’s your latest personal project that you did for the heck of it? And then turned into money? I working on that part now. I’ve already contacted the Sarasota Polo Magazine to see what I can work out with them…
by successfulbob | marketing, musician photography, photography, photography education, success education
SUCCESS!
This job started as a result of a personal project. I was trying some new art techniques on images made of musicians during live performances. Showed the results to Mark and he immediately asked if I would design his next CD release cover and marketing materials…
Six fold CD packaging design for Mark T Small started with a personal photo project
Apparently he made a good choice. Here’s an email from Mark.
“Bob – I think your art work is paying off big time. The media promo started Jan 1 and I am getting more looks than the last CD. Doing some radio interviews and getting some good action on the blogs. I really think that your work is making these people pick the CD up out of the pile to further investigate. Thank you so much Bob. The reporting radio stations start next week and I will keep you posted. I sent out 200 CDs for media on 1/1 and 200 CDs on 1/24 for reporting. Pretty crazy – I will keep you posted .
Thanks again Bob – best to Holly”
mark
Mark T. Small (a.k.a. – J. Wyman Burke)
Delta & Chicago Style Blues
www.marktsmall.com
I ask you… What personal project are you working on to stretch yourself? And, how are you working it into your business?
Yours in Photography, Bob
by successfulbob | Lumix GX7, Lumix Lounge, photography
Man the meal was awesome!
Got the recipe from my fellow photographer Jim Lersch near Branson, Missouri. (He does some top notch commercial work and a different way of photographing seniors… Don’t hesitate to see him speak or buy his educational materials) Man it was wonderful but I gotta tell ya Mushroom Risotto is not the dish to have as a side unless you cook it in advance. 25 minutes of stirring in the goodies will leave you with a cramp in your arm… The Pollo al Vin Cotta?? Freakin’ amazing!
Now how does photography fit in this post?? Well you know me and panoramas! Grabbed the Lumix GX7 and pano’d the all the food ready to go after the prep.
Panorama shot of the spread before the food was all combined.
My wife grabbed the camera and caught me at the stove in my apron. ( I think she kinda liked that….)
Don’t forget that memories pass in the blink of an eye. Make sure that you don’t forget to capture your own as well as your clients. Cheers!
