time for a change

Well, it's almost here! What is it you ask? Why, my newly re-designed website of course.....
I had originally planned to do this last year- BUt the backend management of the website was not going as planned.... So, solutions had to be found and improvements made!
Some of the changes coming ( and almost done- we're down to image selection now) are faster loading pages, galleries that are more interactive and selective, and the BIGGIE for 2008- shopping cart for fine art onlineprint sales!
I'll be letting everyone know when the "big day" arrives; I'm pretty excited about it- so stay tuned......

Another review of profiles

I mentioned a few posts back about Jason Moore Photography's blog
and he is looking back on some of the interviews he's had in the past year.
Yep, I'm in there again- but I encourage you to go and take a look at how cool everyone else's answer was to the question "What would be your most important piece of advice about life?"

For anyone who doesn't want to MAKE THE JUMP, here is my reply:
“Balance –Don’t forget about the important people in your life, other things beside photography that need to be taken care of. It’s so easy to forget that too. I am the kind of person that can be out driving somewhere and will say “Oooh, let me stop and make a quick photo of that interesting (insert person/tree/brook/scenic/ here) – the lights almost right!” and then an hour later I’m still not done. Trust me You may enjoy the moment, but the person beside you may get a little tired of the indulgence.” - Clayton Spangler

Free Advice ( and worth every penny!)

About a year ago, I did an online interview with Jason D. Moore, and some of his questions were about the why and the what-all of being a photographer. The really cool thing was- he asked the same question from a pool of very talented photographers and each answered in a remarkable and different way! ( I'm STILL honored I was asked to participate!)
Some of his favorite answers to the select questions are being highlighted on his blog.

The question featured was:
What advice do you have for a novice creative professional/photographer?
My answer was:
“Learn the basics; crawl before you try to walk, that sort of thing. Digital has made photographers of us all, but not all of us photographers. If you can’t work the camera to get the best results possible -but have to rely on the camera to tell you what to do - then your personal vision will not take place, nor be communicated effectively. A photographer has to have a clarity of vision, a passion for the craft. Be able to MAKE a picture instead of just TAKE a picture. You have to be a story teller with every shot, or the idea fails.”

I strongly recommend you check out all of the comments- there are many better than mine that will guide you in your quest for true photographic nirvana!
Here's the link: Photographic Nirvana
OK, I made that phrase up, but the link's still good or use this one: Jason Moore /Profile reflections
Let me know what you think- better yet, let HIM know what you think! That's why we do this stuff....

Last person on earth...

Here's some food for thought-
I was checking out a blog topic on strobist called "our photos, Ourselves" about a movie that featured Nick Nolte as a photojournalist.
That's not the point......
The point being made was being able to detach yourself from your photography to make objective decisions on whether an image you make is good or bad.
There was a comment made back about movies - as it became a little off topic- The question arose ( inspired from the Twilight Zone marathon) "If you were the last person on earth, would you still take photographs even tho no one else would see them?"

I thought about it- and I have to say yes; yes I would!
Even tho I wouldn't have anyone elses feedback as to what they really thought ( good or bad)

I would still feel a need to make photographs that meant something to me personally.

I wouldn't think that a writer would stop writing, or a sculpture would stop sculpting- granted the subject matter may change-but the essence of that person would still need to be expressed.

I think that I would make images that move me- if nothing else; help me to remember what once was....

PS: Plus- I'd be able to exhibit ANYWHERE I wanted to....

1st day back

Since the snow didn't start falling til last night , here is an image from my "Glimpse Of Appalachia" exhibit.

It was 12 degrees when I stepped out side this morning. Several inches of snow, and it hasn't stopped 3 hours later. ( although I think it's warmed up to about 16 now....)

For those of you in warmer climates; Winter has it's own beauty- there is a "clean-ness" to the look as snow covers the land , hiding away those things that take away.

( not that I don't THINK about a nice warm beach after a few weeks of this..... - LOL)

Hope everybody had a good new years- Welcome back to the grind!