In My Own Back Yard

When you are inspired you don't always have to travel far for a good image. I took all of these images, either in the kitchen, backyard, or within 5 minute walk of the back door. I haven't done any of my typical post processing on them, and I am quite proud of them. So get inspired and take a Photographic Journey into your back yard. To see more join me for the rest of the Journey.

A Day at the Park Can Turn into Pure Terror

I casually took this shot last week while helping my friend Beky, with the filming of an Andrew W. K. video for "I want to kill". There were several child zombies on hand for the shooting. We had lots of fun, ate pizza, ice cream and cake, It was a typical day at the park, except for the obvious. So if it was that easy to make cute children having fun scary, with just a little makeup and blood, it was a walk in the park making a photo from that day extra creepy. To see the before take the rest of the journey.

Zombie Day and My Batting Average

I have read about many photographers shooting massive amounts in a day just to produce a minute amount of finished product. In an extreme instance, one successful stock photographer along with his assistant shoots 8,000 images in one day in order to get 50 sellable images. thats an average of .00625 if I did the math correct. So I shouldn't be afraid to press the shutter a few more times, just in case it might not turn out. I don't know my "average" but I'm pretty sure its better than .00625. I was a little lazy today and in a hurry to share my work w/ the parents of the Zombies I was photographing, so I uploaded every single shot I took to my photobucket account, without any post processing, or even sorting. So if anyone wants to see a visual representation of my batting average (open to interpretation) its right here. so have at it. I'm not worried about it take a look at my'failures right next to my successes.
http://s846.photobucket.com/albums/ab28/taintedelephant/Zombie%20Day%20In%20the%20Park/

Trudging on to a new begining

Once upon a time I used to think that a dream come true was something for those with the luxury of a dream. But that was simply because I didn't know what my dreams were. Now I have a faint Idea of what my dreams are, but I don't understand them.

Are they just trying to sell us seminars?

I follow several blogs of many respected photographers. I respect them, and I think that their work rocks. but it seams that a lot of what they do is to invite you to seminars. I think that they even complicate their lighting or whatever part of photography that they are famous for just to draw you in and make your jaw drop. so they are better than me and they do share knowledge, but they make my head spin w/ how complicated they make a simple task. just my opinion.

The Beginning of a New Beginning

On December 12 2008, I arrived in Israel with my family. My wife had lived between Israel and America her entire life, My daughter and I have never been out of America before. this adventure was intended to do several things like, bring my family closer to my mother in law (without her help, support and love we never could have had this adventure), bring me out of my shell, let me see another part of this world, and to inspire me.

Just felt like sharing

I was going to write about walking for an hour to photograph a mosque and then being disappointed, followed by something inspirational like if life gives you lemons juggle. But I am not. I'll just post some (4) pictures.

A snail in a Brier patch

You Never Know What You Are Going To Get Into

When I was about 13 I joined the Middle School Cross Country Team. Why? Because I bought a pair of skis the previous summer. I was a smart kid but maybe I had some crazy ideas. I used the cross country skis every chance I got that winter. the following rear I responded to a school announcement for the cross country team. I showed up and said I am here to join the ski team. I got some looks and then was able to play it off like I was joking around, after I found out what cross country was really all about.

Does Technology Raise the Bar?

Jerry Uelsmann untitled 1982

I really don't know. It should, but I am not sure if it does. or maybe yes. If it is abused it just floods us w/ average mediocre images, because everyone who thinks they want to be a photographer (I believe that everybody can if they intend to try) is trying to, but with a half ass approach, because the camera will do all of the work, or they can fix it in post (Photoshop). Well Technology will never raise the bar if we use it as a crutch.

The 99 Percent

I think every artist has the same problem. We believe that 99% of our work is complete crap. I mean we can see every flaw in it and and don't see a way to make it better. so we get upset that we wasted so much time on this horrible thing. that leaves us one percent the percent that we gave just as much love as the other 99 then we liked what we did and gave it that much more. Its that one piece in 100 that makes all of that "wasted Time" worth while. Then someone comes along and crushes your euphoria w/ a polite and honest criticism, or worse yet by saying that they like one of our other 99% better. Well don't despair its your art and you like it, and someone will appreciate it the way you do. ...and that other 99%, its not as bad as you think.