HAPPY NEW YEAR 2013!!

The start of a new year - aahh!  Just like starting over!  I like it!!  I'm also wishing all who read this blog a healthy, happy, and prosperous New Year.  We make it whatever we want, since we're the ones in control of our own lives.  Remember that!

Today I've already begun printing out some images for the new year.  Time to bring in new pieces for the High Hand Gallery's new re-hang next week.  I've printed out one of the mimes from Barcelona, Spain - this one is in color.  I have a second digital B&W image from Yosemite that I am also submitting.  Today I'll cut mats, and I just happen to have new frames in stock for these two.  Sometime today I am going to mosey down to Aaron Bros., as they are having their buy one get one for 1 cent sale.  I need to stock up for a couple more.  Not too many, as I like metal frames and I get those from Delta Mat & Moulding.  However, I just remembered, we did receive a gift certificate from Dick Blick and they have frames too!  I love it when I have more than one choice!

This image of Mime #3 was taken on Las Ramblas (the main tourist drag) in Barcelona, Spain.  These people really put themselves out there!  The costumes are so elaborate, and if you can imagine 100 degree weather sitting all day long in the hot sun with heavy costumes and silver/gold makeup.  They make a lot of money at it too.  To them, 'this ain't no game!"

Later I plan on mixing up some chemicals, so I will have them ready in the morning to start DEVELOPING AGAIN!!  It's been way too long.  Plans for this year??  I'm thinking no shows - that wore me out last year. What I need to concentrate on is marketing - how and/or where to place my images aside from the galleries. I started looking into Etsy and then there's even Ebay.  There are other new venues like that on the Internet, I just need to investigate that more - and then make a move.  

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

Brookings Kite Festival

I wanted to share some more photos from the Kite Festival that we went to in Brookings, Oregon last Saturday. I took only my digital camera that morning since it was so drizzly. I had to keep it in my jacket and whip it out when I wanted to click off a shot. Maybe it's time I invest in a plastic camera jacket for both cameras.

My standard MO is that I don't manipulate my photos. I'm not saying there's not any room for improvement, it's just that I like the result of the photographic image to be what was actually seen by me. For instance, the one photo of the seagulls on the beach with the sunset mist that I posted yesterday, on that one I could have done a 'Levels auto fix', which I tried, however, it removes the 'mist' and it just looks like a more clear, stark photo of the beach at sunset, and that's not what I saw. The ethereal mist is what the photo is all about.

The black and whites I took that day at the kite festival came out mostly gray. But that's the way it was - it was misty and foggy - not clear. Now some of the B & W's were okay the way they were, some I used 'Levels auto fix', some it was a little contrast adjustment, and some needed an exposure adjustment, and some I made the adjustments manually. They weren't all the same, and sometimes none of the above did them any justice so I left those untouched.

As I mentioned, I also took a roll and a half of B&W film, so I'll need to develop those. Plus my son's been bugging me about developing the rest of his! He doesn't stay with the same film speed, so I've got to the change the timing every time for each single roll of film! I guess I'm just procrastinating on that one! Enjoy the photos today.

Jurying Photography

I received a call about a month ago asking me to jury a photography show in Folsom. As I am saying "yes", I'm thinking, "...I can do this. I've got the background and it's all about offering support to newcomers in the field."

Tuesday was the day. I was all prepared. I'd done my homework and developed a guideline worksheet that comprised the following categories: composition, background, technical work, craftsmanship, and my 'personal feelings'. It was the second version. The first version was too complicated I decided. I was trying to cover all the bases in 'digital' photography as all the entries were digital. The evaluation sheet was more for ME than the ARTISTS. There were some very good entries, and then there were definitely the newbie entries, and I hope I offered them some good advice. I've been asked many times if I gave classes. And I don't. I'm self-taught, and that's more than half the journey. Go experience it yourself. One can collaborate with other photographers as I did. It's good to get a critique from someone else now and then, and at the same time, critiquing is often too close to personal preferences by individuals.

I think if I had to come up with one piece of good advice to instill in a newcomer to photography, it would have to be COMPOSITION. If you can get that down, the rest will follow. You can learn film and/or digital processes out of a book. I think passion is what lends itself to good composition. So if you have the passion - you'll achieve the composition aspect.

The show is tonite, I wonder how it all goes? ; )