Shoot it right the first time

   Some years ago, a seasoned photographer who for many years had worked with National Geographic,  set a monumental goal.  One shot per day, no more, no less.... but it had to be the perfect shot and he would wander his environs until he knew he had it. Then he would click the shutter and be done.   Of course he was on his own time, so unlike the rest of us who deal with interruptions and delays and other demands that come with living an ordinary life, could never have the time to do anything similar.  However his project was a great example to work toward. Too often with digital, there is the temptation to simply shoot till the right image just magically appears, without being discriminating or taking the time to study the technical requirements of lighting and focus and exposure and composition and on and on..... 
   A few years ago I was walking out of a photography class and happened to have a short conversation with the instructor.  It was a University level class, and only the second day that assignments had been due, however the instructor expressed his frustration at the number of emails that he had already received from students, ranting about how poorly they had been treated in the grades he was giving out.  "They expect perfection by the second week of class". 
    As with any skill, there is no substitute for study and practice.  Practice getting to know your camera and the manual settings, get a tripod, use it....   To "Shoot it right the first time" will take most of us many years...I'm still learning, and still working.  Mistakes can't always be fixed with photo-shop, and a lot images would not be worth the work and time it takes to fix them... Recognize it, learn from it, delete them and get over it.

The Process of Creativity

    Have you ever wondered what it would be like to grow up in a home where there was no electronic devices of any kind... or to raise children in such a home?  Back in the early 60's when most families were  purchasing their first television set, my father said..."it is a waste of time to sit and watch TV.  You  can do better things with your time."    I became an avid reader, and also became adept at finding things to do  and collecting projects.   Which over time has caused it's own set of issues.....like not being able to focus on any one thing and say "This is what I do"   There are just so many things that  can capture my attention and make me loose all track of time.  If someone could just tell me where the "make it fit" button is located.

 A helpful  suggestion from a photography instructor was to keep and "Idea Notebook".  It doesn't have to be anything special... just a simple spiral bound with 50 or so pages.  When thoughts come that would make great shots, or places to go etc... write the ideas down.  Even though you can't get to it right away, the notebook is there to inspire, when you  suddenly discover you have an extra hour or 2.                     

      Here is a shot from equipment at a construction site.... Free to download and overlay with other images to create something interesting.....  

Do you have an inner voice?

  Recent events in my life are requiring some minor adjustments - like typing with one hand and learning how to not be so difficult with others helping out. Even some of the simplest tasks now constitute the entire day's objective.   I have made an effort with this blog to not involve many personal details of my life ...so here are just the basics. Surgery Friday... left hand...  elevated...stitches out next Tues...cast on for 2 wks....then  therapy.
   At 4:00 this morning I found myself not sleeping so I ended up editing photos. (yes - one handed)  Last fall we were in Heber Valley and I got some great  early morning shots of cows in a field- with mist/fog.   Usually you would never shoot directly at the sun - but the haze was so thick I decided it would work. So while I couldn't  sleep I went back to edit "cows #3" .
   Some time ago I dreamed that I only had a short time left, and woke in a panic that I had never painted the murals I had always wanted to paint.  I think most of us have an inner voice that urges  us on to do things that then get repeatedly pushed aside because we can't seem to break out of that cycle of overloading our "to do list" .  Moral of todays' ramblings -  go ahead and give yourself permission sometime this week to listen to you inner voice and do something amazing.  ( the cow print just came back - sometimes it works to break the rules and sometimes it does not!)

Inverted Reflections

In the previous post I realized that as a precious family photo is restored - care must be taken in the process as to not lose some of  the aesthetic antique quality that most would prefer to maintain in the end product.  With photo editing software one can also "grunge" up a newer looking image.  The image in this post  was shot in B/W mode, then manipulated to achieve a more distressed infrared appearance.  Changes applied to images are virtually limitless - still further blurring the line between the true classic photographer and a media design artist.

Photo restoration projects

Before    




               &  After











I have neglected the blog postings for the last month while working on a big restoration project.  This photo illustrates what can be done with your family history photos.  There are many applications that can be edited into your old treasures.  Contrast can be amplified and glue marks taken out, missing corners, edges, and horizons that are off kilter can also be fixed. The color and tone can also be customized to your personal preference. The original size of the above image was less than a 5x7 - but with high quality scanning and editing and printing, this will make a lovely 8 X10.  

To restore your photo with similar damage the cost could vary from  $20.00 to $35.00.     Click on contact info. to email me for additional information on submitting your  photos or digital files to me. 

Spring where art thou

   Above photo is a shot of the road heading out to the east entrance of Zions....  I suppose even the beautiful red rocks of southern Utah can look good with a little dusting of snow.

Good Manners for a Wedding Shoot

Just a few important points to remember when shooting a wedding ceremony, that have nothing to do with lighting or composition or ISO setting.
WHERE IS YOUR GOOD SENSE !
1- Your are not there to be part of the event. You are supposed to be as invisible as possible.
2- Never forget the first rule if you have been requested to shoot during the ceremony.
Sometimes the Bride might need a reminder that a wedding is real, it is life, and to experience it completely, without a photographer stepping into the middle of it, shooting away, or blocking the view of others with all the light boxes and other equipment and an assistant in tow, vying  for space with the flower girls.
3- Sure you want to build your portfolio, but do it on your own time.  You have not been hired to disrupt their special day because you want 500 shots to edit - when 75 really  good ones that never need a bit of editing would be far better.  
    If you want a shot that looks like you are right up there with the pastor, minister or judge....just invest in a good zoom lens on a second camera, and help bring back some sacredness to the event.
   Wow,  I feel so much better now that I got that off my chest.
By the way....I was so happy with the photographer we hired for the last wedding I paid for... she was absolutely great!

End of a sad day

For the entire account of this story - see the previous post.  Just after I was through  typing and posting it, I checked on the fawn.  No sign of life at all but I did notice this one tear that had not been there before.  Do deer cry, or is it just a biological function that happens at death?  I made the call to the DWR.  A very detached woman  took down the address and said that they might not get here till tomorrow.  I cried a bit while I swept  hay off the porch, and then took the photo.

Just not in my front yard

     Deer die in the winter here all the time.  The low last night was 13 degrees.  We certainly have had colder nights in the last 2 weeks, but the freezing temperatures  have kept the snow cover on the ground and it has taken a toll on  all the animals, but especially the deer.  Deer have caused problems around here with their indiscriminate browsing, or jumping out in front of cars after dark, and so I've never been too concerned when  hiking up the hill, beyond the deer fence,  I discover what is left  after the snow has melted.  It's just Natures way of keeping things in check.  The weaker die off and life moves on....... and it's okay until it happens right under your nose.
    We woke up this morning to find a small fawn curled up by the front porch.  Frost had formed on it's fur, but the head was up and it seemed alert.  I  went to the neighbors barn and gathered a bag full of grass hay, but the poor thing was too far gone..... For a time it used the pile of hay  for a pillow to rest on.  I mixed a gruel paste of dry milk, flour, sugar and warm water and slid the pan up close. The fawn did not even sniff at it.   I called the DWR, and all they do is come and pick it up after.....  So I have just waited and watched.   As the temperature warmed up I had hoped that the hay might get eaten, but no such luck.  The frost has melted off the fur as the sun has warmed the brick on the house... but it will only be another hour or so, I guessing. 
     This happens all the time on our hillside, but it is so much easier when they die in the dark, anonymously and 200 yards up the mountain, instead of the warmest little corner in our front yard.