by successfulbob | fine art photography, photography education
An excerpt from Robert Genn’s newsletter… Find more here on the Painters Keys
“The creative memory is fickle and needs to be taken fresh. If you seize the day and go to work at the first flush of interest, you’ll find your work and your creative ideas freshen up too. Just as the love of a certain medium can have a “life,” so too can subject matter. Many artists report tiring of themes or subjects. Feeling they haven’t exploited them thoroughly enough, they guiltily resist moving on. Sometimes they get stuck for months, even years.
The popular use of digital cameras makes it easy to put stuff in the can–sometimes without even looking at it–for another time. This can be a mistake. The important thing is to be wired, enthusiastic and alive in the moment. You can learn a lot from your dog. Tail wagging is a bit much for some humans, and it can get on the nerves of fellow travelers, but it’s the straight route to creative joy.”
I’ve been told to take my happy butt and leave places on more than one occasion so I can relate to the Tail Wagging. I have been trying to bring that enthusiasm to my photography more lately and I think it’s showing up in new imagery.
Been playing a lot with the in camera panorama stitching in my Lumix GX7. Panoramas are a different way of viewing the world and the ease of working with this is great leading to some extra experimentation.
I often find ideas to use from artists outside the photography realm… If you’ve found inspiration like that how about sharing with me and I can pass it on? Add a comment or drop me an email. Cheers!
by successfulbob | architectural photography, photography, photography education, success education
Light rain misted the Atlanta restaurant my friends brought me to see. I ran outside and took a few moments getting my hair wet to photograph the brick building from several angles and went back in to laughter, swapping stories, enjoying food and downing a Guiness or two.
Original capture. Obviously the light under the overcast, rainy day was pretty flat.
Back in the office I downloaded the image and went to work to give the image an old world painterly quality.
Here’s the finished art piece I sent.
Send an email to the owner with a copy of the image and receive this response, “Oh my GOD!!!! I will call you – I want to talk to you about this as soon as possible – when is a good time to catch you by phone? Let me know the best number to reach you…….
Best, AK”
A few attempts at communication and all was quiet… for a year.
Back to Atlanta for some PPA biz and I made a canvas of the image to take to AK and the sale was made. We are working on some details right now but she wants to use the image as the restaurant’s signature image for marketing on the web, in the restaurant, on menus and T-Shirts.
Two questions for you… Do you do work on speck? And, do you follow through?
By the way, the owner didn’t think I was being pushy for continuing to follow up. She thanked me profusely!
by successfulbob | black & white, landscape photography, Lumix GX7, photography, photography education
There’s a small lurch as the wheels slowly begin to turn and the view out the window begins to change. Traveling on a train is great entertainment especially when rolling through Sycamore Canyon on board the Verde Canyon Railroad. Red rocks slide by as do glimpses of water flowing gently through the winding creek bed.
Verde Valley Railroad train. Illustrative Art setting pushed to black and white with the white balance setting.
And best yet, I get to play with more settings on my Lumix GX7 as we squeal and clatter along the rails to Perkinsville and back. The more I play with this computer, and yes it is a powerful computer in my mind, the more I like it. Didn’t realize I would enjoy the soft… or the dynamic black and white. I already know I like the in-camera panoramic stitching. (but I don’t use it on this trip because it’s hard to stitch while on a moving platform… or is it?? something I’ll have to experiment with in the future!)
The semi-abandoned train station in Perkinsville.
Because I have this time to mess about with picture settings and play the ‘Let’s see what happens if I do this’ game. I’m finding new looks that I want to program in the camera. It is becoming an another tool in my artistic arsenal to share images. I encourage you, no matter what camera you own to go in and play with the settings so you can find and learn the full capabilities at your disposal.
Pushing and playing to learn new ways to artistic expression with the Lumix camera.
by successfulbob | photography education
Huddled in the bathroom with three other people and two dogs all of us shivering with fear listening to the wind howling I was wondering if the roof would peel back. Suddenly the water heater began to shake like a break dancer with an appreciative crowd adding to the cacophony already rendering the air.
Four more times the water heater did an encore dance driven by tornados on the road behind the house. Then blessed relative silence as the torndos wormed their way down the road overturning buildings and twisting the tops of trees off as if they were mere matchsticks.
Water lashed the building in sheets finding it’s way through microscopic openings we didn’t know existed puddling on the floor.
NO this isn’t a report from the typhoon in the Phillipines, it was 1994 on St Thomas in the US Virgin Islands in the middle of hurricane Marilyn as the wall of the eye passed by…
“What the hell does this have to do with photography, Bob??”
Well, I’ve been reading some posts on forums and blogs and seeing the vitriol being released about MWACS, AWACS, GWACS, the arguments to sell or not sell images CD’s, the “my camera is better than yours”, who is a pro photographer or not.
And – I’m tired of it! You know why? We are so fortunate to live in the country we do with all the benefits we enjoy. The arguments are not life or death. We are intolerant and don’t take the time to be thankful for what we have and how wonderful it is to work in an industry we enjoy. Let’s show a little more love to each other. Be more tolerant. Revel in the relative bounty we enjoy and take a moment to show and share gratitude for the bountious world in which we inhabit.
Thanks for listening to my mini-rant. I now return you to posts specifically geared to photography, business and marketing. Remember to share the love!
Spent a long time recovering from this hurricane.
Can only imagine what the people in the Phillipines are going through. Please be thankful for all the you have and the gifts you constantly receive in your life and share the thoughts with others
by successfulbob | photography, photography - art quote, photography education
Simple message.
One sentence long.
Andy Warhol. “I always think I don’t do the first one good, so I try to do it more.”
Simple sentence. Lots to think about.
Tiger Woods doesn’t show up for the tournament and walk away with the top prize. He practices his craft. He works hard. Even after completing a round during the competition he’s back out on the driving range perfecting his timing or on the putting green getting the groove down for the next day’s play.
How much do you practice your craft? How good do you want to be? I think we can take the Warhol words, whether you like his art or not, and put them into practice. Good luck in really learning your craft… I’m still working, and practicing too!
by successfulbob | photography gear
Holiday season comes early! A BLACK FRIDAY way before… and after BLACK FRIDAY.
Think Tank photography gear bags just came out with a special to save you some bucks. First off there’s no shipping! Second off you can get a $50 rebate on the roller bags. But wait there’s more! Save an additional $50 in rebates if you want to add the Urban Disguise shoulder bag. Top this off with free shipping not only on these items but on all Think Tank Photo gear!
To partake of this special holiday offer simply click here and you’ll be directed to Think Tank’s roller page. There you will find a link you can click to download the rebate form. Really easy! And, you don’t have to wait for Black Friday or other special day the sale is on now through the end of the year.
Think Tank’s rolling camera bags are renowned for being the best made, most innovative rollers available. Each comes with easily configurable inserts, innovative security measures, and Think Tank’s “No Rhetoric Warranty.” The rollers are sized for you to roll your photo gear onto airlines as carry on, as opposed to having to check it.
Protect your gear… check it out here.
by successfulbob | marketing, photography education, success education
“Hey! What does your bill say??!! I’m not sure I read mine correctly…”
That was the cry when our checks were presented. Smiles passed from face to face around the table as each person read the message in the presentation folder…….
Have a great night…
You could feel spirits lift as everyone tried to figure out what was going on. We had requested separate checks. So we each got one. Even the person who had taken the waiter aside and asked to pick up the tab had an extra smile on his face because of all the laughter washing around the table.
The smooth move by our waiter cost him only the time to jot the extra notes and pass out the fraudulent checks to the group.
Which begs this question… What small thing can you do that would delight your clients in a big way that would have them sharing YOUR story?? As evidenced by this savvy server you don’t have to give away the store to bring a smile to your customers.
Got some ideas to share?
by successfulbob | photography
My head nodded for the fourth time. The speaker kept droning on and on and oooonnnn. He was reading from the slides in the Power Point presentation. What?? I thought they only did that in college with tenured professors. If I want to read something I’ll get the book. I really didn’t think it was possible for someone to make a photography program boring for me.
Think I’ll remember anything from that program?
I will! It’s just that the thing I’ll remember is to never go see that speaker again or buy any of his materials at any price.
Humor. It’s always good to help people get a message. And that brings me to the start of today’s photo/art quote from one of my heroes, Kermit the Frog. (listen to the song Rainbow Connection if you don’t think he’s one talented muppet!) at the bottom of this post.
“I feel strongly that the visual arts are of vast and incalculable importance.
Of course, I may be prejudiced. I am a visual art.”
How do you think of your photography? Do you think of it as art? As science? Do you think about it at all?
I feel photography is a tremendous visual art.
It preserves untold memories for families.
It is a major driver in the world of commerce attracting attention to products and businesses.
It hangs in places of business creating a sense of atmosphere.
It hangs in homes bringing regular and continued pleasure to the viewer.
It hangs in museums as art or recording of historic events.
I could go on and on and ooonnnn, but I won’t. Next time you pick up your camera think about it. Are you ‘Taking a picture.’? Or, are you creating a visual art?
Kermit the Frog sings the Rainbow Connection
by successfulbob | architectural photography, black & white, Lumix GX7, Lumix Lounge
I kept on walking in spite of the chill night. My black Adobe fleece wrapped tight. Hands alternating buried in the kangaroo pouch on the front trying to keep warm yet continue to have the camera at the ready. Still I walked because scenes like the ones below kept crying out to be immortalized in ones and zeros.
OK maybe a little over-dramatic but when the brain goes into creative mode you start to see beauty in the mundane things you pass every day. Photos captured with the Panasonic Lumix GX7
Light raking down from above add shadows from the peeling paint. Shadows create form and depth. From above it’s a bit like a horror show or impending doom coming your way. Any how it adds interest for me.
LUMIX G VARIO 35-100/F2.8
I liked the juxtaposition of the New Yorker sign tied together with the top of the iconic Empire State Building.
LUMIX G VARIO 35-100/F2.8
Sometime you just gotta look down and fire the camera even if you think it was a mistake. Was it??
LUMIX G VARIO 12-35/F2.8
by successfulbob | photography, photography education, success education
Week one. Really good intentions. Two or three posts for my blog as I promised to do each week. Yeah success! Week two. Procrastination. One post. Avoidance. Not sure what to write about.
Week three. I’ll get to it tomorrow or the next day…
“Oh, Sh%$!! It’s been two months since my last post… Again.” Sound familiar??
Okay, how to break the cycle?? I found an answer.
I came across this girl named Jenika who claims a web site called ‘Psychology for Photographers’ that will help in creating web site posts with interesting content that pulls clients in. And, it won’t be hard to do.
“HA!” is what I said.
Then she pulled me, a skeptic, in. In a very short time of poking around on her blog. I liked her info enough to lay out some cash, and now I like it even more. Here’s a link to learn about ‘Irresistible Words’ An amazingly helpful way to learn to create content.
Here’s the deal. I came in late to share this with you so you only have until November 6 to get this ‘Irresistible Words’ course for only $119 bucks. After November 6 it’s $249 and word is it will never be available for $119 again.
But, even if you read this on the 7th of November or later it’s still worth the $249 and I encourage you to get it anyway. You will be shocked at how well this stuff works. She gives you 30 days to try it out. If it’s not your cup of tea – she refunds your money. So what’s to loose??
Click here to view more details
Click here to view more details
