Patience Pays Off

Six miles of walking and shooting netted zip until I came to this Athens train station. It was the design that caught my eye BUT it was my patience that helped give life to the image.  I waited for one train to be still while the other pulled out. I also hoped for one passenger running to a train. With a VERY cold wind to my back, I shot 110 images over a 2 hour period. Creativity doesn’t just happen:-)

Yawn Got Me!

Here was this tiny little soul, aboard her Dad’s boat, breathing in a big yawn as she came home from a day of fishing. It was her gesture, and white hat, that attracted my attention. Shooting only three quick frames, I made sure Dad was in the picture, but NOT dominant. Had his face been visable, it would have drawn attention from her.The image has good tonal range, but not as dramatic as some of my portraits.

Contrast Equals Power

Just back from my trip to Asia, I just printed this image- a good example (hopefully) of how contrast can add power to an image. Contrast of both subject matter and tones. As always, a decent images comes from a lot of walking and shooting. You can see more of my trip at http://www.SLMphoto.com (go to Combinations 16 and 17) or visit me at Courthouse Market (SAT) and at Eastern Market (SUN). Gee, from 80 degrees to winter weather. I will be the guy shivering…

Less is more…

There she was. A beginning photo student of mine with a scrap book of her best images. Therin lies the problem. Many images were good, but 90% were not as worthy as the 10% which reflected her emerging skills. I told her she was surrounding herself with “average” when she should post, mount, hang -whatever- ONLY her best so that the bar was high, not low. Meantime, I will not return to Urban Village Market and Eastern until Aug 28.

Source of inspiration…

I grew up looking at Life and Time Magazine, among many others. I urge you to go to Time.com

Wish I had said that…

Who ever said “Art is the demonstration that the ordinary is extraordinary” needs a round of applause. We go through life with such focus that we miss the nuances of all that surrounds us. Maybe that is what artists bring us in their work. I vow to slow down. A little.

Honest Abe, 2010

One of our most admired presidents was known for his honesty. And honesty in photography is an ongoing discussion especially in light of PhotoShop. With one action, you can overlay a sunrise behind a DC monument- turning a bland image into one that commands attention. But is it honest? Does it still qualify as photography OR has it morphed to to “visual art.” Most times shooters agree that whatever you could do in the old darkroom(burn, dodge, crop, tint, etc.) can be done, “in all honesty” in digitally created images. Adding a tree…or taking one out…moves you towards “visual art.” Do YOU agree??

Fake it ’til you make it..

Part of the process of learning to “see” as a photographer means you need to surround yourself with the work of others. In fact, try shooting like someone you admire. Your technique will improve and so will your own personal style. This weekend, photograph something you like in the style of a shooter you admire. Send me a JPEG for review, along with who you tried to emulate. -www.slmphoto.com

Travel safely………

As I prepare to leave for for Thailand in 2 weeks, my check list includes (1) telling credit card companies I am traveling, (2)making TWO extra copies of my passport..one to leave with my wife and the other as backup as I travel, (3)hand sanitizer and wet ones, (4)voltage converter).I always keep one of my credit cards separate from my wallet…yea, in my shoe once (when I went a less than safe area). Finally, I have been known to photograph street signs with my digital camera as way of remembering my way back to a meeting point. Tell me your travel tips:) -www.slmphoto.com

The secret of photographing people…

It is one thing to photograph friends. Shooting people in public settings is entirely different. Most new photographers feel their actions are invasive. The trick is to determine your motive. IF you are truly interested in documenting the human condition, then stand tall- know that good comes from seeing the world through an inquiring shooter’s eyes. Besides, most people want to matter. To be part of the story. IF it is clear you are NOT wanted, respect the emotion and go elsewhere. Should people ask what you are doing, say, “I make images that tell the story of people. I am interested in you AND would happily share give you a print.” These are things I share in my photography classes. -www.slmphoto.com