Insurance

This was supposed to be a post about the type of tools I use when I am practicing my photography. I plan to highlight equipment, including cameras, lenses, tripods, cleaning gear, camera straps and computer hardware and software I use. Instead, this is a warning to all readers to make sure they properly back up all their images and their documents on their computers. This evening as I was doing some routine computer work, my main desktop locked up and will not allow me to boot it up. I have some good help dealing with it but even with the help I can't get it working. There are still some things I can try and can ultimately take it back to the shop that built it.

The warning is really to make sure your images are safeguarded. I am confident that even if this computer were dead, which I am pretty sure it is not, I can pull my internal drives and save all my images prior to 2010. I have two Western Digital 320 GB drives and the second drive mirrors (backs up) the images on the first drive. I essentially have two copies of all my photographs. The critical photos, I also back up onto CD or DVD as added insurance. For all my 2010 photos, I have started saving them onto a Western Digital My Mirror Edition Hard Drive which backs everything up on to a second drive within the same enclosure. I got mine at B&H Photo in NY. Western Digital has discontined my model in favor of a 2TB version (1TB for each drive.) It currently sells for $175. Pretty inexpensive insurance I'd say.

I am no computer expert and don't plan to become one but I do plan to take a hard look at how I back up my files to make sure my methods afford me the greatest protection that is reasonable. I would encourage you to do the same.

Creativity in Photography

Creativity is an elusive concept and something may photographers struggle with. It does seem that while a lot of us have a hard time with creative blocks, it's not really something we spend a lot of time talking about or working on. I think we may be making a mistake by not spending more time discussing the nature of the creative blocks. It's my opinion that if we did more things like photowalking and working with other creative people, we might reach a kind of critical mass that would propel us to the next level of creativity.

In an effort to stimulate creativity, I have been reading the excellent e-books written by David DuChemin. His books cost just $5 each and are a great bargain. His first two books, "Ten" and "Ten More" are extremely practical and filled with exercises designed to get us thinking and working at pre-envisioning out photographs. They also are aimed at getting us totally comfortable with our cameras so we can interpret our own vision in our photos.

This evening I have been reading David's book "the Inspired eye Notes on Creativity for Photographers." Several things David had to say really resonated with me. First David starts off by saying creativity isn't easy. Oddly, this makes me kind of happy. I like the idea it's not just dumb luck or luck of the draw that makes our creativity work. He goes on to say that work will generate creativity and that we probably won't find creativity without work. Again, I find it comforting to know that as long as I am trying, inspiration may come to me. Ultimately, it's the idea that on my worst shooting day, there is still hope.

The images I have posted here were both shot in the same morning and were both a little bit out of my normal shooting modes. The first was shot with a Nikon D300 and 70 - 300mm lens from a tripod. I was forcing myself to shoot in manual mode and was looking for abstract images or shapes and colors. The second was shot handheld in my car while driving. Again, I was using a D300 and an 18-70mm Nikon lens for this shot.

Motion Exposed

The following article is one I posted in my column for examiner.com

The tools needed for effective event photography can range from cameras, lenses, tripods, studio lights, computers, and software; the list can be endless. The simple truth is, you can be very effective with a limited number of tools but one tool is absolutely essential. That tool is vision.

Vision means the ability to understand the type of photo or photos you want to take and includes the ability to manipulate your equipment to capture the image you have as your vision. As an artist, you need to spend some time determining the type of photograph you want and the steps you may need t take to achieve that photograph. Some equipment can certainly make your job easier but it really starts with a concept in your head and the knowledge to make it a reality.

The knowledge does not necessarily come easily but there are many ways to help yourself gain the knowledge and confidence to shoot what you want, the way you picture it in your minds eye. Books are an excellent choice as you can read them and re-read them, referring to them as often as needed. Several books that are highly recommended would include: The Hot Shoe Diaries by Joe McNally. This book covers editorial style photography using small flash units to light your subject. This book is an excellent way to learn lighting techniques. Another source for lighting tips is the incredibly popular blog called The Strobist blogspot. The blog has dozens of tutorials and assignments designed to help photographers learn to light with small flashes. Finally David DuChemin is a Canadian Photographer who has gained quite a following and has begun publishing his own books including as series of inexpensive e-books designed to inspire photographers to attain their vision.

Read these books, check out blogs, look at as many photographs as you possibly can and above all else, get out and shoot photos as often as you can. The more you walk around with camera in hand shooting subjects that inspire you, the better you will be able to achieve your own personal vision.

Divine Guidance?

Last Friday I had to run errands for the family and at the last minute decided to grab the camera bag. I had an idea for shooting some photographs of the Bike Around The Buttes which is held each spring and benefits the children in our community that have Type 1 Diabetes. This year was the 25th year! While I was out looking at the ride course, I happened on this scene which looked like God was trying to tell me which road to travel.

Shot with a Nikon D300 and AF-S 70 - 300mm ED VR f 4.5 - 5.6 lens. Shot on Aperture Priority with final cleanup in Adobe Lightroom.

Here was another looking the other direction through the Buttes. It ended up being a great morning to be out.

The more complicated and confused my daily work life becomes, the more simple, pure, and enjoyable the act of photography becomes. As I was reviewing some engagement photos, I came across two that I liked and the client liked very well. Shown here for comments.

Portraits

Along with the exercises in David DuChemin's books, I have been working on my portrait skills and found that I love environmental portraits as much as any others. Here are a couple I have done recently. Senior portraits and engagement photos are a lot of fun to shoot.

I can't wait to shoot some more of them. If anyone is looking for senior portraits, headshots, family portraits, or any other photographs, let me know, I am sure we can work something out that will satisfy your needs.

Making up for lost time

I have neglected this blog for quite awhile but now plan to make up for missing posts. I will continue to post some photos that were taken in the past and will post some new ones as I take them.

I have become very interested in the ebooks of David DuChemin andhave been reading "Ten" which discusses how to become a better photographer without buying more gear. Davids book have exercises which I will be working through in the coming weeks. I will report the results here on these pages.

In the meantime, a photograph from a couple of years ago that I find quite intriguing.