Back in Black

 As you might notice, there is a huge gap between now and my last post.  I guess life just gets to you sometimes and you fall out of your passion for a season.  In my case it was over a year.  I have hardly picked up my camera and it was all brought on by a negative aspect on the world.  Why photograph the world when all it contains is darkness?  Well good news is that I went shooting the other day and I really enjoyed it and I felt that little spark again.  I think I will be picking it back up and will be posting photos like have never been seen before.

I just think its foolish to throw away all that training and experience for no good reason.  The world is ugly in some aspects but it just means there is an adventure to be had in finding those rare good moments.

Ethics in Photography?

A little look into the market

Not really an expert in economics and the world of photography, but I have made some educated observations that are common-sense to me.

The days of the common photographer getting highly paid are over in this digital age.  Photographers had to be more skilled in technical in the days of film with all the processing and the expenses, which is why there were fewer artists around compared to today.  Most photo-blobs and forums will have complaints about how its so hard to make money in the market today due to the mass flooding of photographers because of the availability of inexpensive equipment.

The truth is that yes its harder to make money with the old business model for photography.  You have to shift and adapt to the times.  You have to be more efficient in your thinking and approach.

While technology has made it easier for mediocre artists to surface it has also made it easier for great artists to surface.

Most photographers are shooting the same quality of work that was done in the days of film due to how easy digital technology has made it.  In the flooded market you have to do more to stick out.  The same attention to detail and work ethic is needed to be applied in the digital age as was found in the film days.  If you put the same amount of work into your craft you will rise above the rest.  The quality of work has to be amazing, blow people's minds!

(not saying I have learned how to do this or achieved this, its just an observation)

If you do what is stated above your work will need to be placed in the proper avenue or market.  In a frictionless environment that the internet gives us, our work can be seen by millions in a matter of days.  If someone likes your photo they will pass it on to those who will enjoy it as well.  Word gets around and the old principles of marketing still apply in the digital age, things have just changed a little bit.

So put the effort in, do better than the guy you are competing with and find the right market for your brilliance. 

Simple right?

California Ain't Half Bad...

I took a trip to explore California, or at least a few places.  I had this idea in mind several months ago and I just decided I would do it last minute.


Here is what I discovered and captured... (read on)

First Behind the Scenes Video

A few weeks I did a random shoot for fun with my friend Kyle.  The theme was Clark Kent and it came out pretty awesome.  We also did a bts video and there will be more videos of shoots in the future.

Critique Journal. Entry 1

A few months ago I had an idea to critique my own work and post it here on this blog.  I figured that it would help not only myself but also the viewer in learning from mistakes or even how to make something better next time.  I learned the most effective way of doing this is dependent on time.  Even with editing I dont edit all of a picture at once.  I will do what needs to be done and go onto another picture.  I will go back to that one image and I will see what I could do better which I wouldn't have been able to do before.  Dont spend too much time on one photograph, spread it out and you will have better results.

Websites that help my work life. A-Z

Internet centrality is so vital to being a photographer or any other profession in the creative field.  I thought I would go through a list of websites from A-Z that help me out everyday.

While I missed a few letters, I made up for it by giving more than one in different places.   I hope this helps you out.

Amazon.com

I love amazon because I can get the equipment I need or anything else I might want.

aphotoeditor.com
he always has good interviews and knowledge about anything you would want to know in the photo world.  This gives you a major edge.

Blogger.com

I run my blog through blogger.  Its free and run with statistics and ad revenue.

Clientsfromhell.net

If you havent found this website yet, then I have done you a huge favor.  We all get some clients that have ridiculous requests and this a safe haven to share them
chasejarvis.com
This guy and his team shoots amazing photo and video and is also a very influential member in the photo community.  Listen to his podcasts and read his blogs, you will thank me later.

Dpchallenge.com

This is where I started taking photography seriously.  I love DPC because its more than just a contest site.  Its like a family that helps each other out, its a dysfunctional family but a family nonetheless.  This place is full of amazing photographers as well and its hard to win a contest.  It will challenge you and make you into a better photographer.

Deviant Art

This is another great place to check out where you can get a lot of feedback from artists.

Explosm - Cyanide and Happiness.

I have a sick sense of humor sometimes and I like to check it out from time to time.

Facebook

You are probably already on facebook, you need to be connected socially if you want your work to be seen.

fstoppers

This is the place to go for BTS videos and other things that are awesome.

Groove Shark

This website is free and you build your own music library.  Perfect for when you are at the computer editing.

Hulu

Since most of my time is spent on the computer, I need to have something to stimulate my mind.  I set my laptop to play hulu so I can watch a show or a documentary while I work.

iStockPhoto

I like to check out to see what is going on in the stock market to see if I can gain any inspiration or new ideas for photos.

joeyl
Ill be honest I dont have a J website but I do visit Joey L's site every so often to see what he has been up to.  He has a lot of great work accomplished at a young age.


legendphoto
this is a photo agency that hosts some serious photographers.  I check in here every so often to see what the market is producing and to get some inspiration

modelurl
modelmayhem
I use both these sites to host my model portfolio and to keep in contact with other models.  Ive used these sites to find models and make-up artists for shoots and I think its a great resource.  You should always have a list of models and make-up artists or stylists.

pandora
This is self explanatory, I love music and having it in the background.

Strobist
Strobist should be a site that everyone frequently checks out.  David Hobby is constantly updating us on new techniques and tricks along with other cool things that are going on in the photo world.
Sendspace
here is a great site to have when you need to email a client something that your regular email cant handle.  Its free up to 300mb.

Twitter.
This is an obvious tool to have in your social networking toolbox.  I use it to update any news that is going on and I often upload new pictures of recent shoots.  I have my website set to display my twitter and blog feed live.

ultimate-guitar
While not a photo site, its a site I always go to when my computer is working hard on something or I need a break.  I always have my guitar plugged into my amp next to me just in case.

Viewbug
I often update this contest site to see if I can win something cool.  I have had a few pictures displayed on the front page and won a few contests.  Its a great avenue to get noticed and receive feedback.

xkcd
This comic is updated every monday, wednesday and friday.  It always has something witty or interesting on it.

youtube.com
I always look here to check on new tutorials or see some interesting video to keep my sanity.  I also post video tutorials on various things.

zenfolio
zenfolio is where I display and sell my photographs for clients.  I upload them here for them to proof out and to download or order.  I also have my fine art portfolio there so I can sell them.

More Video Tutorials

Ive been pretty busy and I wanted to keep you guys informed with some new tutorials I have made.

Model Edit Using Only Aperture

Dark Style Edit Using Blending Modes

Lighting - Natural light

Whats the most important aspect of photography with the
exception of the camera (That meaning there would be no image if there were no camera)?

Using Manual Settings: A Must Know.

Something that I am a big advocate of is knowing how your camera works.  Don't always put it on an automatic setting and start shooting.  Actually know how to get a proper exposure and know what you are shooting as far as composition and how to use your camera to get the affect you are looking for.
Heres how to use the "M" setting on your camera.

Smoke and How to Shoot It.

One thing I have always wanted to photograph well is smoke.  However, I never had even tried before.  No problem because once you understand the process and whats needed to get around your environment, you are able to put together a workable plan for any shoot.

An Issue With War and Poverty: A Christian Perspective

Anyone that knows me knows how I have come to feel about war.  I served six years in the armed forces and my mentality about war changed a couple of years before I separated.  What first started to turn my opinion about war and the military was how people regarded human life.  I learned that there was very little regard and respect for human life.  If a mission would require the loss of personel, then so be it, the mission is the most important priority.

Some Recent Work

Its been a real busy past couple of weeks, hence no updates on the blog.  Well thats not acceptable so I thought why not take a free minute to update everyone.  So in a nutshell here it is.

Change the art

If you are an artist of any kind and thats how you make a living, or that is how you wish to make a living, why is it that you chose such a career?

What it is for me is that art can inspire and change the world.  Just think of the picture of the student standing in front of the tank in Tianenmen Square.  There are countless images that have caused change in the world.

Creating a Watermark in Aperture

A necessary item to have in your photograph when placing it anywhere, print or web, is a watermark.  It helps brand your photography as well as deter people from stealing your photograph to use for their own gain.

If you are using Apple Aperture, it can be a little confusing how to do such a task.  But its not all that difficult in the end.

Can a Photograph Tell a Story?

I find that a great question.  It seems that everyone knows the saying that a picture is worth a thousand words and its been pounded in our heads so much over the years that we just accept it and don't look any further than to see if a picture is pretty.

Can a photograph depict more than just that moment in time?  Can you see that subjects past?  I wish a photograph could tell more of the story.  Furthermore, could a photograph tell you more about what the photographer sees and feels or even tell you more about yourself as a viewer?

Via Request, New Color Setting Tutorial

I shared a few pictures online that used a new color setting and I received some really good feedback, even a few requests.  With that said, Im going to share this new color setting.

Digital Workflow and Selective Desaturation in Aperture Tutorials

I felt ambitious and super productive today so I set out to make a new video tutorial on the digital workflow.  I also had to do a selective desaturation for a client and figured I would show its done while in Aperture.

Hope you enjoy them.  Let me know what you think.  

First Video Tutorial

So I decided to jump on the bandwagon and start doing video tutorials.  They are so much easier to make compared to taking screen shots.  Here you can see how its done as I do it and I do a better job of explaining it as well.

I Heart Stereo Shoot with BTS

John and Brandi are an awesome duo that make up the band i Heart Stereo.  I did a shoot for them last summer and it was time for another shoot for their new website and for other promo purposes.  They are nominated for a Grammy so make sure you tune in and check that out as well.

The shots they wanted were simple, just plain white back ground and black and white.  Simple enough so we headed to the location.  We didnt want to rent out a studio so we just used white dry-wall for the backdrop.  I used two Yongnuo YN-560 flashes for my lighting setup through most of the shoot.