I have seen so many faux-tographers popping up...aka "Guy/Gal with a Camera". Their shots are so-so. I am not saying I'm a professional by any means. But when the subject of the picture is poorly focused or the exposure is completely "eew! What the--?" and their photo-editing software is completely free on the internet...It kind of upsets those that are truly enthusiastic and passionate about the art of photography. As a photographer, you are constantly learning. You should keep WANTING to expand your horizons; shoot out of your comfort zone! I am always looking to challenge myself. I like posting my work and asking people, "How does this image make you feel?" I want to be a photographer that has the ability to evoke emotions. The only emotions that faux-tographers evoke are irritability and frustration.
I have been facebook stalking a few photographers. A few are continually showing improvement with every session they post and I'm praising their work or sharing a piece of advice a photographer has given me. I know that facebook doesn't exactly post photographs as they truly are. They usually come out more "noisy". But even then, focus doesn't change much with facebook uploads! I have seen a few of these people show such beautiful potential and those are the photographers I don't mind. The ones that irritate me are the ones that charge anything over $30 and their shots are crap. Complete crap. Curse you faux-tographers!
A few of these faux-tographer's clients have emailed me and asked what I charge for the Semper Eye Experience. It always makes me happy when they say, "your work is beautiful AND affordable! Wish we found you sooner!" I take it as a compliment.
Let me repeat, I am not calling myself a professional photographer by any means; but just as I am the first to knock myself down when I don't get the shot as I had aimed for, I am the first to tell myself when I am truly proud of a shot.
I have noticed that most professional photographers are very supportive of less-experienced photography enthusiasts like me picking up a camera and shooting. Then the ones that are taking those crap-shots are the first to shun/snub me. I have had the privilege of having several professional photographers to ask advice from and to critique my work. They are always teaching me something new and I appreciate them all.
To quote one of my many photography mentors: "True photographers see the beauty and potential in everything. Faux-tographers just feel threatened. To photographers, it's all for the love of the arts!"
Have a wonderful Friday, everyone!
Friday, September 30, 2011
Thursday, September 29, 2011
Photography is Art (rant!)
There have been several times where people see my work and exclaim, "wow! What a beautiful shot! I really want your camera!" To say the least, it bothers me. Sadly, some are under the impression that a nice camera is what makes the photographer. When I complained to one of my mentors about how this comment upset me, he calmly reassured me, "It is not the violin, it is the violinist,".
I have seen a couple of people walk around with polaroid instant cameras and the shots they take are beautiful!
It really bothers me when people give all the credit to the camera as if all of my reading, frustration, advice-asking, more research and experimenting were completely unnecessary. It's like admiring Picasso's work and saying, "Wow! I want your brushes!" Photography is art. Would you wear a pair of Air Jordan's and proclaim yourself a professional basketball player? Would you tell the Beatles that you want their microphone and instruments? No!
I received this email today and it made me smile, "Camera quality is 20% of photography, the talent of the photographer is the rest!" Under the signature was, "Your camera does not define the type of photographer you are." Perfect.
What is so beautiful about photography is that you can work with what you have. If you have the eye/passion for it, that's all that matters. Having the enthusiasm for photography is worth so much more than people realize.
I have seen a couple of people walk around with polaroid instant cameras and the shots they take are beautiful!
It really bothers me when people give all the credit to the camera as if all of my reading, frustration, advice-asking, more research and experimenting were completely unnecessary. It's like admiring Picasso's work and saying, "Wow! I want your brushes!" Photography is art. Would you wear a pair of Air Jordan's and proclaim yourself a professional basketball player? Would you tell the Beatles that you want their microphone and instruments? No!
I received this email today and it made me smile, "Camera quality is 20% of photography, the talent of the photographer is the rest!" Under the signature was, "Your camera does not define the type of photographer you are." Perfect.
What is so beautiful about photography is that you can work with what you have. If you have the eye/passion for it, that's all that matters. Having the enthusiasm for photography is worth so much more than people realize.
Wednesday, September 28, 2011
The Photographer?? Where?!
My family is BIG into photography. It started ever since I was little. My earliest memories included running around a film-development shop called, "PhotoQuik". My parents are photographers. While in school, everyone's parents at recitals had these quiet little point and shoot cameras, not mine. There was that distinct, "ka-KLICK" of the shutter that reassured me my parents were documenting that very moment for me to look back on.
I never understood the emphasis on photography until later. I knew how to appreciate photography, at least the very basics of exposure. I knew more than the average Joe thanks to my mom pointing out the best lighting, dramatic aperture and colors; I kept my eye out for photograph composure thanks to my dad (he's a Civil Engineer. Enough said!).
It was the day our first son, Connor, was born that I truly learned what photographs mean to people. Ever since he was born, I took snapshots of him every moment. Whether he was awake or asleep, it didn't matter! Every picture of him was beautiful to me! I wanted to document him from the very start! Sadly, we lost Connor 2 1/2 months later to SIDS. Our world was shattered to say the least. About 2 days after losing Connor, I sat at the computer and looked at all of the photographs I took of Connor. Peace immediately came over me when I realized that we would never forget Connor's face because we had so many pictures of him. For his funeral, I made a slideshow documenting his life from Day 1 up until 2 days before he passed away when we first captured his real smile. I am so thankful for all of the pictures I have of Connor. I am thrilled that we can include his smile among the frames all over our home.
Fast forward to 17 months later and I'm on the verge of giving birth to our daughter, Natalie. I was part of an online forum where military wives could chit chat, start drama, share information, look for support and just pass the time whether it be during deployment or training. A photographer messaged me on there offering to take photographs of our upcoming labor/delivery. If not labor and delivery, she wanted to give us photographs of our newborn daughter. She and I chatted for about a week before I truly went into labor. Then, I was texting her about every twinge/contraction I was having. The early morning that I went into labor, my parents and sisters walked through the door (it's about a 7 1/2 hour drive) while I was dancing through contractions (to 80's music of course!) and cleaning up what I could. I couldn't sleep. As my husband and I drove to the hospital, I texted the photographer, Gretchen, that we were on our way. I told my husband, Justin, to text her and let her know as soon as we knew if labor was truly happening or not. A little while later, I finally met Gretchen face to face. A feeling of relaxation and happiness came over me. She had such a beautiful energy about her that I couldn't help but feel like it was about to be a wonderful experience in a hospital. Little did I know that Gretchen's generosity would enrich our lives!
During contractions, Gretchen coached my husband and I. She helped us get through the labor without medications exactly as I wanted. We were all having a great time (except me only every 3 minutes during contractions). Part of me wishes we had some sort of videographer capturing all of our jokes. Besides the jokes, there were intimate moments where Justin would hold me or caress my hand so lovingly. He would kiss my forehead, keep my ice-cup full and make sure I was as comfortable as I could be. I fell in love with him all over again to say the least. Gretchen's energy added to the experience. She shared with us her experience. Gretchen arrived as a photographer and left as a wonderful friend.
Weeks later, we received the photographs of the labor and delivery. No, none were of "down there". Ha ha! Looking through the photographs brought me to tears. They were so beautiful. She captured the essence of the moment. She gave me photographic memory of how I fell in love all over again with my husband. One shot that I have branded into my mind is when Justin and I saw Natalie for the first time ever. She captured the looks on our faces of pure joy and falling in love unconditionally at first sight. What a gift she gave us.
Through the following months, Gretchen became part of the family. When Natalie was a few days/weeks old, we puppy-sat her yorkie "Rosie". Rosie was Natalie's first encounter with a small dog! Although Gretchen's family and mine have moved apart from each other, we are still in touch!
Gretchen and another friend of ours that is a photographer (Pepper Cherry!), would talk to me about photography. They would send me links to "wannabe photogs" and we'd all have a laugh about it. We'd even sit there and "critique" their work. I used what my parents taught me about photography and I was able to keep up most of the time! ;)
After years of wanting a dSLR, my husband finally took the dive and surprised me with it. I will never forget how amazing it felt. I had been reading up on exposure. I wanted to learn more about photography. I didn't want to be just another person that thinks a nice camera is all it takes for a nice photograph, I wanted to truly LEARN photography. I wanted to be able to talk to someone at a camera shop without using layman's terms.
With the advice and constructive criticism from both Gretchen and Pepper, I started to feel confident in my work. With their help, I started to charge for my photography services. I never wanted to call myself a photographer until I felt like I truly earned the title of being called one. I didn't want to be just another person with a nice camera. I wanted to be a photographer. I wanted to earn the title through practice-shots and lots of studying. A photographer out here in Cincinnati and I started to talk (I originally asked if he could do photographs of my son, DJ, but we never got around to it). I showed him my images after about 2 months of having my camera and practicing exposure. He said, "you're going to make a great photographer!" It meant so much to me. He's an outstanding photographer that charges more than a car payment for one photo-session. Austin became one of the photographers that I ask advice from.
About a week ago, I sent in my work to Austin for the usual criticism. After 5 emails full of images complete with my own criticism, I waited and waited. After what seemed like forever (aka 2 days), I received an email from Austin. It was the shortest email I have ever received but one of my most treasured:
"You are a wonderful photographer. Your images are magnificent and I'd like to print one for my office."
Me...A photographer...? I still use the term lightly, but I'm more than happy to grow into it. :)
I never understood the emphasis on photography until later. I knew how to appreciate photography, at least the very basics of exposure. I knew more than the average Joe thanks to my mom pointing out the best lighting, dramatic aperture and colors; I kept my eye out for photograph composure thanks to my dad (he's a Civil Engineer. Enough said!).
It was the day our first son, Connor, was born that I truly learned what photographs mean to people. Ever since he was born, I took snapshots of him every moment. Whether he was awake or asleep, it didn't matter! Every picture of him was beautiful to me! I wanted to document him from the very start! Sadly, we lost Connor 2 1/2 months later to SIDS. Our world was shattered to say the least. About 2 days after losing Connor, I sat at the computer and looked at all of the photographs I took of Connor. Peace immediately came over me when I realized that we would never forget Connor's face because we had so many pictures of him. For his funeral, I made a slideshow documenting his life from Day 1 up until 2 days before he passed away when we first captured his real smile. I am so thankful for all of the pictures I have of Connor. I am thrilled that we can include his smile among the frames all over our home.
Fast forward to 17 months later and I'm on the verge of giving birth to our daughter, Natalie. I was part of an online forum where military wives could chit chat, start drama, share information, look for support and just pass the time whether it be during deployment or training. A photographer messaged me on there offering to take photographs of our upcoming labor/delivery. If not labor and delivery, she wanted to give us photographs of our newborn daughter. She and I chatted for about a week before I truly went into labor. Then, I was texting her about every twinge/contraction I was having. The early morning that I went into labor, my parents and sisters walked through the door (it's about a 7 1/2 hour drive) while I was dancing through contractions (to 80's music of course!) and cleaning up what I could. I couldn't sleep. As my husband and I drove to the hospital, I texted the photographer, Gretchen, that we were on our way. I told my husband, Justin, to text her and let her know as soon as we knew if labor was truly happening or not. A little while later, I finally met Gretchen face to face. A feeling of relaxation and happiness came over me. She had such a beautiful energy about her that I couldn't help but feel like it was about to be a wonderful experience in a hospital. Little did I know that Gretchen's generosity would enrich our lives!
During contractions, Gretchen coached my husband and I. She helped us get through the labor without medications exactly as I wanted. We were all having a great time (except me only every 3 minutes during contractions). Part of me wishes we had some sort of videographer capturing all of our jokes. Besides the jokes, there were intimate moments where Justin would hold me or caress my hand so lovingly. He would kiss my forehead, keep my ice-cup full and make sure I was as comfortable as I could be. I fell in love with him all over again to say the least. Gretchen's energy added to the experience. She shared with us her experience. Gretchen arrived as a photographer and left as a wonderful friend.
Weeks later, we received the photographs of the labor and delivery. No, none were of "down there". Ha ha! Looking through the photographs brought me to tears. They were so beautiful. She captured the essence of the moment. She gave me photographic memory of how I fell in love all over again with my husband. One shot that I have branded into my mind is when Justin and I saw Natalie for the first time ever. She captured the looks on our faces of pure joy and falling in love unconditionally at first sight. What a gift she gave us.
Through the following months, Gretchen became part of the family. When Natalie was a few days/weeks old, we puppy-sat her yorkie "Rosie". Rosie was Natalie's first encounter with a small dog! Although Gretchen's family and mine have moved apart from each other, we are still in touch!
Gretchen and another friend of ours that is a photographer (Pepper Cherry!), would talk to me about photography. They would send me links to "wannabe photogs" and we'd all have a laugh about it. We'd even sit there and "critique" their work. I used what my parents taught me about photography and I was able to keep up most of the time! ;)
After years of wanting a dSLR, my husband finally took the dive and surprised me with it. I will never forget how amazing it felt. I had been reading up on exposure. I wanted to learn more about photography. I didn't want to be just another person that thinks a nice camera is all it takes for a nice photograph, I wanted to truly LEARN photography. I wanted to be able to talk to someone at a camera shop without using layman's terms.
With the advice and constructive criticism from both Gretchen and Pepper, I started to feel confident in my work. With their help, I started to charge for my photography services. I never wanted to call myself a photographer until I felt like I truly earned the title of being called one. I didn't want to be just another person with a nice camera. I wanted to be a photographer. I wanted to earn the title through practice-shots and lots of studying. A photographer out here in Cincinnati and I started to talk (I originally asked if he could do photographs of my son, DJ, but we never got around to it). I showed him my images after about 2 months of having my camera and practicing exposure. He said, "you're going to make a great photographer!" It meant so much to me. He's an outstanding photographer that charges more than a car payment for one photo-session. Austin became one of the photographers that I ask advice from.
About a week ago, I sent in my work to Austin for the usual criticism. After 5 emails full of images complete with my own criticism, I waited and waited. After what seemed like forever (aka 2 days), I received an email from Austin. It was the shortest email I have ever received but one of my most treasured:
"You are a wonderful photographer. Your images are magnificent and I'd like to print one for my office."
Me...A photographer...? I still use the term lightly, but I'm more than happy to grow into it. :)
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