Are you mediocre? That’s a hard question to answer honestly. Think about it; are you mediocre at what you do? Some might answer “so what” “who cares” and that is ok.
I am mediocre at a lot of things (ask my wife or my accountant).
As a photographer I am not mediocre. Not at all average. I show up, daily. Again, you ask “so what” who am I to make that judgment that my work is not mediocre?
Photography is the easiest medium to master but the hardest medium in which to be noticed.
Genuine, authentic, remarkable ~ these words are not easily disposed on the sluggish.
This post is about you the budding, dreaming photographer. Create something new, daily…then repeat, daily.
3.10.2010
2.8 70-200mm
Test shot or perfect shot? Last night we received a new lens. Snapping photos of our daughter playing with the bubble wrap, we discovered this photo....
For you techies out there here is the lens info:
Nikon AF-S Zoom-Nikkor 70-200mm f/2.8G ED VR II Lens
Ken Rockwell gives a good review of the lens (HERE)
Finally, Elizabeth also blogged about this photo, see her view about this photo (HERE)
For you techies out there here is the lens info:
Nikon AF-S Zoom-Nikkor 70-200mm f/2.8G ED VR II Lens
Ken Rockwell gives a good review of the lens (HERE)
Finally, Elizabeth also blogged about this photo, see her view about this photo (HERE)
3.09.2010
Moment
Current Reading: A Life of Picasso (Vol 3) By John Richardson
Current Music: Pandora
Mood: Much Better
Sounds: My daughters laughter
Sounds: Calliou
Smells: Cantaloupe & coffee
Temperature: Currently 38 degrees high of 55
Thoughts: Walking towards divinity is walking towards your own heart…
Current Music: Pandora
Mood: Much Better
Sounds: My daughters laughter
Sounds: Calliou
Smells: Cantaloupe & coffee
Temperature: Currently 38 degrees high of 55
Thoughts: Walking towards divinity is walking towards your own heart…
FREE Photography Q&A
OK all you budding photogs and all you wise and all-knowing seasoned photogs--now is your chance to get together and either seek wisdom or bestow your wisdom in the land of PHOTOGRAPHY.
Elizabeth and I will be hosting a FREE Q&A/Shoot-N-Learn/Connect-N-Grow on March 18, 2010 at our studio at 502 W. North Ave, Pgh 15212. Please RSVP if you plan to attend.
What you can expect:
*Lots of open talk regarding photography: business, technical, composition...etc
*An open forum to ask any questions you have regarding anything to do with photography
*A chance to meet others in your field and help to build a strong network
*Lots of drinks, food and general merriment provided ;-)
Please RSVP to craigphotography@mac.com
Hope to see you there!
3.08.2010
Pittsburgh Photography Workshop Reminder
Another reminder about our upcoming HOW TO EVERYTHING: PHOTOGRAPHY workshop. It's coming up fast and seats are getting filled.
You can click HERE to go straight to the registration page, or you can contact us at craigphotography@mac.com or 724.355.9079 with any questions.
Hope to see you there!
You can click HERE to go straight to the registration page, or you can contact us at craigphotography@mac.com or 724.355.9079 with any questions.Hope to see you there!
3.05.2010
Friday’s Ramblings
~ I am afraid of my inner voice…it's starting to become interesting.
~ I planted some seeds of expectations last night but nothing grew. I waited and waited and waited. So disappointing. Maybe I should have added water (or vodka).
~ Have you ever noticed when people say, “don’t judge me” that is always the exact moment that they should be judged?
~ Trying to discover a new religion, a religion with the best cookies. I’ll call it "Baked Goods to Redemption”. Do the Scientologists bake?
~ I planted some seeds of expectations last night but nothing grew. I waited and waited and waited. So disappointing. Maybe I should have added water (or vodka).
~ Have you ever noticed when people say, “don’t judge me” that is always the exact moment that they should be judged?
~ Trying to discover a new religion, a religion with the best cookies. I’ll call it "Baked Goods to Redemption”. Do the Scientologists bake?
3.04.2010
3.03.2010
In 15 Days ~ Q&A Meet-Up
Shoot N’ Learn, Connect N' Grow
We invite you to join us and ask all your burning photog questions:
~ FREE to all
~ Open to all interested in photography, art and business
~ If you attended a past Workshop or a Photo-Walk it’s a good time to get any problems fixed
~ Meet local photographers of all levels, make a friend, find a mentor
~ Discover why its better to collaborate then compete
You
~ Bring your questions, camera and smile (bottle of wine optional)
When
Thursday--3/18, 7pm-9pm
Location
Studio ~ 502 W. North Ave, Pittsburgh PA 15212
RSVP, Please craigphotography@mac.com
PS. A good read by David Burke (HERE)
PSS. See all Craig Photography events (HERE)
So, Curious…let’s discuss
We invite you to join us and ask all your burning photog questions:
~ FREE to all
~ Open to all interested in photography, art and business
~ If you attended a past Workshop or a Photo-Walk it’s a good time to get any problems fixed
~ Meet local photographers of all levels, make a friend, find a mentor
~ Discover why its better to collaborate then compete
You
~ Bring your questions, camera and smile (bottle of wine optional)
When
Thursday--3/18, 7pm-9pm
Location
Studio ~ 502 W. North Ave, Pittsburgh PA 15212
RSVP, Please craigphotography@mac.com
PS. A good read by David Burke (HERE)
PSS. See all Craig Photography events (HERE)
So, Curious…let’s discuss
3.02.2010
Accidents & Purpose
Yesterday was my first day of walking outside in the cold Pittsburgh air since returning from our trip. Shoveled the driveway and went through a month of mail and then magically life returned to normal.
Received some very nice comments on my nature dreamscape photography, which felt good. The style and approach to this body of work had a specific shift in my method to photography.
First, the approach…accidents happens. I forgot to pack the tripod base (the part that attaches the camera to the tripod). I take the slow photography movement approach to creating images. For that to work you need to have a tripod, a good heavy tripod. I ended up buying a cheap lightweight tripod from Wal Mart, I died a little inside making that purchase.
Second, the style…accidents can have purpose…it was very windy, daily. High winds and a cheap tripod created camera shake, typically this is not good. I discovered that creating exposures around 2 seconds (traditionally I try to create 30 second exposures to slowly burn deep focus into the image) would allow me to capture slight windy blown trees and water to produce brush strokes in tandem with a long enough exposure to capture light shifts and color change.
Next, I need a new project….any suggestions?
Received some very nice comments on my nature dreamscape photography, which felt good. The style and approach to this body of work had a specific shift in my method to photography.
First, the approach…accidents happens. I forgot to pack the tripod base (the part that attaches the camera to the tripod). I take the slow photography movement approach to creating images. For that to work you need to have a tripod, a good heavy tripod. I ended up buying a cheap lightweight tripod from Wal Mart, I died a little inside making that purchase.
Second, the style…accidents can have purpose…it was very windy, daily. High winds and a cheap tripod created camera shake, typically this is not good. I discovered that creating exposures around 2 seconds (traditionally I try to create 30 second exposures to slowly burn deep focus into the image) would allow me to capture slight windy blown trees and water to produce brush strokes in tandem with a long enough exposure to capture light shifts and color change.
Next, I need a new project….any suggestions?
3.01.2010
Workshop Dates & Updates
How to Everything: Photography Workshop ~ $100.00 (Sunday, 3/14, 10pm-2pm)
Q&A Shoot N’ Learn ~ Connect N' Grow ~ FREE (Thursday. 3/18, 7pm-9pm)
The Photographer’s Blog e-Book (PURCHASE HERE)
Photo Walk ~ FREE (Sunday, 3/21, 9am Gate A Heinz Stadium)
Q&A: Photographer’s Blog (e-book) ~ Free (Thursday, 3/25, 7pm-9pm)
Romance Sessions ~ by appointment (more info coming soon!)
2010 Seniors ~ by appointment
Studio: 502 W. North Ave, Pittsburgh PA 15212
craigphotography@mac.com
724.355.9079
Q&A Shoot N’ Learn ~ Connect N' Grow ~ FREE (Thursday. 3/18, 7pm-9pm)
The Photographer’s Blog e-Book (PURCHASE HERE)
Photo Walk ~ FREE (Sunday, 3/21, 9am Gate A Heinz Stadium)
Q&A: Photographer’s Blog (e-book) ~ Free (Thursday, 3/25, 7pm-9pm)
Romance Sessions ~ by appointment (more info coming soon!)
2010 Seniors ~ by appointment
Studio: 502 W. North Ave, Pittsburgh PA 15212
craigphotography@mac.com
724.355.9079
2.25.2010
2.24.2010
2.23.2010
2.22.2010
Moon
I spend so much time looking at the light that I rarely remember to look up... Seems to be a insanely useful photography tip....
2.19.2010
One Click of the Shutter
One click of the shutter, that is it; that is how to take a great photo for the most part.
The photo I posted today is my favorite photo of this trip so far. Is it a great photo? That’s up to you as the viewer to decide. As for myself, I like it…a lot.
The compositional process started about 12 hours before I clicked the shutter. Wednesday evening after a sushi dinner & movie (Sherlock Holmes ~ excellent) with my wife, this photo happened to be an inspiration in my head. Microbrew beer is good for the compositional soul. British import, full-bodied hoppy beer: my creative muse.
2.18.2010
Workshop: NOW BOOKING
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER VIA PAYPAL (you do not need a Paypal account to use Paypal; just a credit card)
2.17.2010
2.16.2010
Moment
Current Reading: The Place That Scares You by Pema Chodron
Current Music: Guitar Trio by Paco De Lucia, Al Di Meola, and John McLaughlin
Mood: Imaginative
Sounds: Wind rustling through the trees
Smell: Pine
Temperature: 53 degrees
Thoughts: New technique for ambient photos (See HERE)
Current Music: Guitar Trio by Paco De Lucia, Al Di Meola, and John McLaughlin
Mood: Imaginative
Sounds: Wind rustling through the trees
Smell: Pine
Temperature: 53 degrees
Thoughts: New technique for ambient photos (See HERE)
2.15.2010
Nature Dreamscape Series
Yesterday was Valentine's Day and I spent it will all of my loves: my wife, my daughter and nature. The day started off with a long hike through the woods that took me arounnd the perimeter of a lake.Having the opportunity to spend February in Florida is a different encounter in nature for me. The colors of February light are filled with soft blues, strong greens and diffused yellows. The greens are multi-layered with deeper shades, hues and saturations than I have ever seen. The morning light breaks through moss-blanketed trees reflecting off the white sand. These colors give off the sense that you are walking through a dream.
This got me thinking about my approach to my work on this trip. My photographs are much softer and wispier in contrast to the sharp focus and strong lines of my previous work. Its nice to notice this shift in style as an after-effect in the work as opposed to having it pre-planned or forced. Photographing without a defined goal is a rare thing for me…and very enjoyable.
My thoughts about this work were confirmed over coffee with Elizabeth later in the day when she referred to this body of work as my “Nature Dreamscape Series”…I like that...a lot.
Coffee on Valentine's Day with Elizabeth. There were no diamonds given as gifts but a soy latté says Love just as much (it does right?). Conversation and time alone with “E” is my connection to the divine. In the afternoon playing in the park with “little e” is our product from the divine.
2.12.2010
2.11.2010
Cold
This is my first winter in a different climate; shockingly odd experience.
7am awakened by the Florida yellow sun. In Pittsburgh it would have been dark shades of gray slowly turning into brighter shades of gray. I am discovering that there are two types of winter colds. Pittsburgh’s cold is a still and deep cold and Florida's cold is a shifting and unsettling cold.
To my Pennsylvania friends with the snow-covered towns: sorry, I’ll take FL cold any day over shoveling my driveway.
Chilly short morning walk with my daughter today, had to turn back because of winds. My 4 year old almost became the cutest kite ever when the wind practically lifted her off my shoulders.
Next on the photo-agenda dusk shooting…
7am awakened by the Florida yellow sun. In Pittsburgh it would have been dark shades of gray slowly turning into brighter shades of gray. I am discovering that there are two types of winter colds. Pittsburgh’s cold is a still and deep cold and Florida's cold is a shifting and unsettling cold.
To my Pennsylvania friends with the snow-covered towns: sorry, I’ll take FL cold any day over shoveling my driveway.
Chilly short morning walk with my daughter today, had to turn back because of winds. My 4 year old almost became the cutest kite ever when the wind practically lifted her off my shoulders.
Next on the photo-agenda dusk shooting…
2.10.2010
2.09.2010
Soil
For the past few days I have been taking my morning walk through a marsh or a swamp or maybe even a small lake, not sure what the correct word is for the land that I have been walking on. The Earth itself has not been tampered by man; rarity of all rarities. Every time I get the chance to walk on land that has not been excavated by man and machine it is always a wonderful thing for me.To be an American and a photographer, to have the opportunity to walk on soil that has not been disturbed by the modern world is an atypical and breathtaking experience.
To see some photos (Click Here)
2.08.2010
2.03.2010
Time Off
~ Next post will be on Tuesday the 9th. Will be in Florida for the rest of the month working on stock photography.
2.02.2010
Photographing in Manual Mode, So What
One of the things I like best about owning my own business are those rare days of a perfect life.
During conversations when people find out that I am a photographer their response is always the same: what a life. True, it’s a good life.
People believe that I work two or three days a week. If the camera is not in my hands then I am not working (oh how I wish that was true).
In my workshops one of the main points that I drill into the students' heads is
“ The least important thing you need to take a photograph is the camera.”
Second point:
“photograph the light first and compose the subject second.”
Third, as of yet unreleased drilling point,
“give up on using the word perfection and replace it with the word practice.”
Photography is the art of seeing, observing and creating something new...daily. There is no beginning or end to my workday; I am thankful for that.
After a morning of e-mails, internet research and photo editing I went for a walk, a very cold walk with my dog. During this walk I had this thought – photographing in Manual mode, so what? For the better part of my photography career I have been taking it as a point of pride that I shoot in Manual mode and that I am a creative problem solver of light...so what... blah, blah, blah…..that’s what you are supposed to do dummy, nothing to brag about.
It was a rare perfect day ~ it’s a great feeling when the ordinary becomes profound.
During conversations when people find out that I am a photographer their response is always the same: what a life. True, it’s a good life.
People believe that I work two or three days a week. If the camera is not in my hands then I am not working (oh how I wish that was true).
In my workshops one of the main points that I drill into the students' heads is
“ The least important thing you need to take a photograph is the camera.”
Second point:
“photograph the light first and compose the subject second.”
Third, as of yet unreleased drilling point,
“give up on using the word perfection and replace it with the word practice.”
Photography is the art of seeing, observing and creating something new...daily. There is no beginning or end to my workday; I am thankful for that.
After a morning of e-mails, internet research and photo editing I went for a walk, a very cold walk with my dog. During this walk I had this thought – photographing in Manual mode, so what? For the better part of my photography career I have been taking it as a point of pride that I shoot in Manual mode and that I am a creative problem solver of light...so what... blah, blah, blah…..that’s what you are supposed to do dummy, nothing to brag about.
It was a rare perfect day ~ it’s a great feeling when the ordinary becomes profound.
2.01.2010
Moment
Current Reading: Being with Dying: by Joan Halifax
Current Music: ipod on shuffle
Mood: Vibrant
Sounds: Barking dog
Smells: Coffee
Temperature: Currently 16 with a low of 19 (?????)
Thoughts: How often do you give a complete answer to a question but do not answerer the question completely? Notice your perspective…
Current Music: ipod on shuffle
Mood: Vibrant
Sounds: Barking dog
Smells: Coffee
Temperature: Currently 16 with a low of 19 (?????)
Thoughts: How often do you give a complete answer to a question but do not answerer the question completely? Notice your perspective…
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