Tuesday, February 10, 2009
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
Now it's time to get back to normal
The holidays are over, and aside from the inauguration of our new President next week, there's nothing special going on yet. So to keep yourself busy during this time (depending on your client load) you sometimes have to make something happen. Although personally, it's sixteen degrees outside locally, and although I like winter, that's just too cold for me to be outside freezing my extremities off to shoot some pictures. Bravo to those of you who're willing, or crazy enough, to do that. There's not really enough snow on the ground here to justify trying to get any special winter shots, nor to justify being that cold looking for it.
And excuse not to go shoot? Not really, but I like to find indoor venues to shoot. I went to a local museum with the family the other day and while I wasn't really trying to be "Mr. Photographer" there were several things that I couldn't resist shooting, and trying to capture from different angles. Plus, I'm always on the lookout for good images to add to my stock image folders.
We went into the planetarium attached to this museum to view a short showing about the winter night sky in our area, and one of the rules they tell everyone before it starts includes the always popular "no photography" during the show. Now I understand why they have that rule in place, and I understand that being in a dark room with nothing but a projection of fake stars as "light" you don't want some yahoo flashing his camera in the middle of "and here's Orion and his two hunting dogs". But for someone like me who walked into the domed room with a rather large and noticeable camera around his neck, that doesn't need a flash, the rule is rather moot. I did, before the show started, try to shoot some silhouette shots of the door, as the only light was coming from the doorway, but I don't think they were very successful. But trying to capture images during the show would be horrible at best, and darkened, blurry streaks of unknown (which might make for some interesting shots, sometimes) due to the slow shutter speed that might be needed to capture anything. Add to that the fact that I was hand holding my camera, and although fairly steady at around 1/40th a second, getting down to lower than that, and it looks like I was shooting during an earthquake. So I'm sure that it's necessary to remind people not to take pictures for flash reasons, and it's part of the script (and in the museum literature), it's always humorous to me, as if I needed to be reminded not to take pictures when it's annoying or impossible.
Here's a dinosaur statue from the museum.
And excuse not to go shoot? Not really, but I like to find indoor venues to shoot. I went to a local museum with the family the other day and while I wasn't really trying to be "Mr. Photographer" there were several things that I couldn't resist shooting, and trying to capture from different angles. Plus, I'm always on the lookout for good images to add to my stock image folders.
We went into the planetarium attached to this museum to view a short showing about the winter night sky in our area, and one of the rules they tell everyone before it starts includes the always popular "no photography" during the show. Now I understand why they have that rule in place, and I understand that being in a dark room with nothing but a projection of fake stars as "light" you don't want some yahoo flashing his camera in the middle of "and here's Orion and his two hunting dogs". But for someone like me who walked into the domed room with a rather large and noticeable camera around his neck, that doesn't need a flash, the rule is rather moot. I did, before the show started, try to shoot some silhouette shots of the door, as the only light was coming from the doorway, but I don't think they were very successful. But trying to capture images during the show would be horrible at best, and darkened, blurry streaks of unknown (which might make for some interesting shots, sometimes) due to the slow shutter speed that might be needed to capture anything. Add to that the fact that I was hand holding my camera, and although fairly steady at around 1/40th a second, getting down to lower than that, and it looks like I was shooting during an earthquake. So I'm sure that it's necessary to remind people not to take pictures for flash reasons, and it's part of the script (and in the museum literature), it's always humorous to me, as if I needed to be reminded not to take pictures when it's annoying or impossible.
Here's a dinosaur statue from the museum.
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
What are you thinking!?!
I've asked myself this question several times over the last several weeks. The answer isn't always the same, nor is the reason I'm asking. But for the sake of this blog and the information I'm wanting to put out to you, dear reader, I'll say that I've been asking this question, or a variant of it pertaining to myself and my camera.
I have a great love and respect for my camera. I want to take it out and use it regularly. I want to carry it around in the open and always be taking pictures. Thing is, I have a weird issue with doing this. It's not a matter of gumption, fortitude, or attitude to pull it off, it's a matter of sticking out more than necessary. I've lived in the area I do for most of my life. I know the surrounding towns like the back of my hand. I also know the small town mindset that plagues this area of the state. I can honestly say that with one exception, I have not seen people just walking around with cameras around their necks. At least not everyday, all day. The one exception was in a town in another part of the state, where the culture is a lot more diverse and where photography courses were offered in academia.
I do carry my camera out in public, when I know that I can try to get shots that are useful for stock or art. Places like festivals and fairs offer those types. And I know that I should stop making excuses and have my camera out for more than just that. But I think I know a couple of reasons why this issue plagues me.
One, I have to be careful how I use the shots I take. I know of the rules for taking pictures of people, places and things, and that I can, if someone was upset enough, be sued for selling the photo if I didn't have permission. Granted, that shouldn't stop me from taking pictures, it should just be a reminder of where to put photos on the computer. For example, not putting a non-usable photo into a stock for sale folder. Reason number two, my camera is big, especially with it's big lens. I have a battery grip that adds a lot of bulk and grip to the thing, and, if I had my zoom lens and my flash, my camera can be pretty imposing. It's also heavy, which is why I don't attach all the big stuff at once for long periods of time. I know that I can take the battery grip off and use it without it, but it's great for vertical shots with it's extra controls, and it does extend the grip integrated into the body which fits my man sized mitts quite naturally. I do walk around usually with the smaller lens, which helps some, but it's still a big, black box hanging around my neck.
Reason three is simply that when I'm out running around, I'm usually not in a position to be stopping to take a picture. Running errands, buying groceries, driving from town to town, these things don't exactly make for the best environments or times to stop, pull up the camera, and snap away. Of course, there are opportunities for shots there, if I'd take them, but again, I don't pull my camera out and just walk around with it. So I'm shooting myself in the foot. One of the things I berate myself over regularly is "I'd love to stop and shoot what I just saw" while driving around, but time schedules and daily life don't always allow for spontaneous stopping the car and shooting pictures. And I will not drive with the camera around my neck so I can take pictures while driving. Uh-uh. Nope. Not going to happen.
So I carry the camera with me, in the car, in my camera bag, in the back seat, every time I walk out the house. And there it sits, unused most of the time, as I'm always following the scout motto by being prepared, and knowing that it's better to have and not need, that to need and not have. I know I should stop with the excuses and reasons, and just start carrying the thing around my neck everywhere. Once I do, it'll probably become so integrated, that people won't notice, and neither will I. I know that people carrying concealed weapons who don't want people to know they are, usually need to wear their weapon all the time until it becomes another part of their body. This way, they won't be showing the signs of "I'm hiding something that's poking me in the back/arm/thigh/waist". I know I can do it. It's a camera. It's not concealed, but it can become a part of me, if I let it. I'm going to have to tough it out, and just do it.
On a related note, I've only been stopped once for carrying my camera, and that was in a government office that had "no photography" signs posted. I saw the signs, and I was carrying around the camera with no intention of using it at that point. So there wasn't an issue. I was told not to take pictures in a restaurant on a trip to Houston a few years ago. I thought the decorations were pretty cool and with the group I was visiting, it was perfect. One of the employees said that I shouldn't take pictures, but I'd already done so. I also didn't get it, as we'd been taking pictures of each other at the table the whole time we were there.
And the strangest place I've seen something stating "no photography" was at a certain royal burger place a couple of weeks ago. There was a sign on the door that wasn't there before about no photography being allowed inside. This particular location had just undergone some recent remodeling after a flood, and it wasn't any different that any of the newer restaurants in the chain. And I'd certainly not seen a sign on any of the other ones in the area. It just struck me as odd, and I'm kind of sorry that I didn't get a picture of it at the time. I'm sure it's still there, so I'll have to stop by some time and get it. I did that at a museum on that same trip to Houston, snapped a pic of a "no photography past this point" sign just for the irony.
I'm such a rebel.
I have a great love and respect for my camera. I want to take it out and use it regularly. I want to carry it around in the open and always be taking pictures. Thing is, I have a weird issue with doing this. It's not a matter of gumption, fortitude, or attitude to pull it off, it's a matter of sticking out more than necessary. I've lived in the area I do for most of my life. I know the surrounding towns like the back of my hand. I also know the small town mindset that plagues this area of the state. I can honestly say that with one exception, I have not seen people just walking around with cameras around their necks. At least not everyday, all day. The one exception was in a town in another part of the state, where the culture is a lot more diverse and where photography courses were offered in academia.
I do carry my camera out in public, when I know that I can try to get shots that are useful for stock or art. Places like festivals and fairs offer those types. And I know that I should stop making excuses and have my camera out for more than just that. But I think I know a couple of reasons why this issue plagues me.
One, I have to be careful how I use the shots I take. I know of the rules for taking pictures of people, places and things, and that I can, if someone was upset enough, be sued for selling the photo if I didn't have permission. Granted, that shouldn't stop me from taking pictures, it should just be a reminder of where to put photos on the computer. For example, not putting a non-usable photo into a stock for sale folder. Reason number two, my camera is big, especially with it's big lens. I have a battery grip that adds a lot of bulk and grip to the thing, and, if I had my zoom lens and my flash, my camera can be pretty imposing. It's also heavy, which is why I don't attach all the big stuff at once for long periods of time. I know that I can take the battery grip off and use it without it, but it's great for vertical shots with it's extra controls, and it does extend the grip integrated into the body which fits my man sized mitts quite naturally. I do walk around usually with the smaller lens, which helps some, but it's still a big, black box hanging around my neck.
Reason three is simply that when I'm out running around, I'm usually not in a position to be stopping to take a picture. Running errands, buying groceries, driving from town to town, these things don't exactly make for the best environments or times to stop, pull up the camera, and snap away. Of course, there are opportunities for shots there, if I'd take them, but again, I don't pull my camera out and just walk around with it. So I'm shooting myself in the foot. One of the things I berate myself over regularly is "I'd love to stop and shoot what I just saw" while driving around, but time schedules and daily life don't always allow for spontaneous stopping the car and shooting pictures. And I will not drive with the camera around my neck so I can take pictures while driving. Uh-uh. Nope. Not going to happen.
So I carry the camera with me, in the car, in my camera bag, in the back seat, every time I walk out the house. And there it sits, unused most of the time, as I'm always following the scout motto by being prepared, and knowing that it's better to have and not need, that to need and not have. I know I should stop with the excuses and reasons, and just start carrying the thing around my neck everywhere. Once I do, it'll probably become so integrated, that people won't notice, and neither will I. I know that people carrying concealed weapons who don't want people to know they are, usually need to wear their weapon all the time until it becomes another part of their body. This way, they won't be showing the signs of "I'm hiding something that's poking me in the back/arm/thigh/waist". I know I can do it. It's a camera. It's not concealed, but it can become a part of me, if I let it. I'm going to have to tough it out, and just do it.
On a related note, I've only been stopped once for carrying my camera, and that was in a government office that had "no photography" signs posted. I saw the signs, and I was carrying around the camera with no intention of using it at that point. So there wasn't an issue. I was told not to take pictures in a restaurant on a trip to Houston a few years ago. I thought the decorations were pretty cool and with the group I was visiting, it was perfect. One of the employees said that I shouldn't take pictures, but I'd already done so. I also didn't get it, as we'd been taking pictures of each other at the table the whole time we were there.
And the strangest place I've seen something stating "no photography" was at a certain royal burger place a couple of weeks ago. There was a sign on the door that wasn't there before about no photography being allowed inside. This particular location had just undergone some recent remodeling after a flood, and it wasn't any different that any of the newer restaurants in the chain. And I'd certainly not seen a sign on any of the other ones in the area. It just struck me as odd, and I'm kind of sorry that I didn't get a picture of it at the time. I'm sure it's still there, so I'll have to stop by some time and get it. I did that at a museum on that same trip to Houston, snapped a pic of a "no photography past this point" sign just for the irony.
I'm such a rebel.
Thursday, November 6, 2008
I'm not real political, but in this case, I guess I can make an exception. Since the election happened this week, history has been made. So I'll say congratulations to President Elect Obama. I'm also a bit glad that the whole campaign and all is over. I am probably not the only one that was getting tired of the two years of politics every day.
And my only question now is, "Where do we go from here?"
Let's just hope that it's in a good direction.
My apologies to the original artist.
However, I thought I'd offer a little parody because after all this election and campaigning, we all need a laugh. I've got a fever, and the only cure is...
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
The next step
As I've been pondering over the last several weeks about where I'm wanting to go, I've been brought to the point where I feel comfortable proceeding to the next phase. And while I'm getting close, I'm not quite ready to reveal all the details just yet. As excited as I am, I believe it's an excitement that's more personal with a hint of professional. Knowing where you want to go is very satisfying. And in this instance, it helps me put where I thought I had to go with this behind me.
I'm looking for new clients. Businesses of any size looking for solutions to their photography and related marketing needs. I know of businesses that don't have the knowledge, ability, resources, or equipment to fulfill those needs. I'm looking to help not only with physical solid in hand media, such as printed materials, brochures, flyers, etc., but also with web based marketing, promotion, cataloged, or informational materials. And of course, I'm wanting to provide industrial, commercial, stock, product, architectural and business related environmental portrait photography.
I'm also going to be launching an area of my website that will hold stock photography images that I will be putting up for use. That's the step after this one.
I will be providing more in depth information in the coming days and weeks. If you have any questions, or are interested in learning how I can help your business, please contact me at info@wolveshollow.com and let me know your website and your business, and what you're looking for, and I'll see if I can help.
I look forward to providing these new services.
I'm looking for new clients. Businesses of any size looking for solutions to their photography and related marketing needs. I know of businesses that don't have the knowledge, ability, resources, or equipment to fulfill those needs. I'm looking to help not only with physical solid in hand media, such as printed materials, brochures, flyers, etc., but also with web based marketing, promotion, cataloged, or informational materials. And of course, I'm wanting to provide industrial, commercial, stock, product, architectural and business related environmental portrait photography.
I'm also going to be launching an area of my website that will hold stock photography images that I will be putting up for use. That's the step after this one.
I will be providing more in depth information in the coming days and weeks. If you have any questions, or are interested in learning how I can help your business, please contact me at info@wolveshollow.com and let me know your website and your business, and what you're looking for, and I'll see if I can help.
I look forward to providing these new services.
Thursday, October 9, 2008
New Day, new idea
Good day to you all in the blogosphere. I'm writing to bring some new information about a new idea I'm excited about. You may or may not know that I've had a retail store through Cafepress for some time now. It was actually one of the catalysts for WHD&P. I'm proud of it, and I've been working for the last several years to improve the products and designs that I've offered through there.
Well, I'm here to tell you that I've decided to expand our product offerings. I searched around and (although I don't remember how) I found a company called Zazzle that provides a similar service to Cafepress. Zazzle, however, offers some products that Cafepress does not. So this is perfect. We'll keep our CP store, keep expanding the offerings there to our loyal customers, and we'll start building up our Zazzle Gallery with our designs and their selection of products.
You can visit our stores here:
Wolves Hollow Cafepress
Wolves Hollow Zazzle
I hope you will enjoy the new products just as much as you've enjoyed our classic favorites.
Well, I'm here to tell you that I've decided to expand our product offerings. I searched around and (although I don't remember how) I found a company called Zazzle that provides a similar service to Cafepress. Zazzle, however, offers some products that Cafepress does not. So this is perfect. We'll keep our CP store, keep expanding the offerings there to our loyal customers, and we'll start building up our Zazzle Gallery with our designs and their selection of products.
You can visit our stores here:
Wolves Hollow Cafepress
Wolves Hollow Zazzle
I hope you will enjoy the new products just as much as you've enjoyed our classic favorites.
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
Well, folks, the website is now back up, and will be revamped soon. Hopefully we can get that done and have everything running smoothly soon.
We've made several additions to our Cafepress store in the t-shirt section. Check them out here.
More to come soon.
We've made several additions to our Cafepress store in the t-shirt section. Check them out here.
More to come soon.
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