Friday, June 19, 2009



Okay,





So I got up this morning and decided to out and take a drive and find a spot to create some photos. I drove for about 10 minutes and got off the main road. I took a turn here and there and before I knew it I was lost. Luckely I was sure I was still in Florida, I think.


I found my way out and decided to go to downtown New Port Richey. I took a few photos there but was so late that I had to leave for St. Pete. for an appoinment.










While in St. Pete I saw some statues and they gave me an idea.




I bought a pack of cigarettes cause they looked like they needed a smoke.
I think the horse needed a cigarette the most. I think I will do an entire eassay on Smoking Statues. I am redoing the horse with a bigger cigarette. So I started the day thinking one way and ended up doing something else. It you tell yourself that you would like to take some photos you probably won't. If you tell yourself that you are going to go out and create some photos then your mind starts thinking of what to create. This is where photography really becomes fun and rewarding.

While I was taking these photos a few people were looking and started to laugh. Perhaps they thought I was nuts or maybe they saw what I saw.
As I create more photos I will post them in my blogs. Hey, can someone get this woman some clothes?

Thursday, June 18, 2009

What's Going On?

Okay,
We are just a few days away from completing the most fantastic set of DVDs on photography! I did a lot of research before starting this and this set is light years ahead of the rest.

Clear, concise explanations of some of the most difficult techniques and concepts. With exciting examples and bonus footage.



The set includes three DVDs This is the cover of the case
Composition
Camera Functions
Lighting










Then there is the photo contest;



At the moment there are over 320 images submitted. The prize is a $400 gift Certificate to B and H photo. Don't wait till the last minute. Upload your 5 best now!
Lastly,
I am going to get up early Friday and go out and do what I tell everyone else to do. Make a point to take photos. Yep,, I'll be up at sunrise and I am coming back with stunning photos. I don't know where yet. I am going to get in the car, close my eyes, drive for 15 minutes and wherever I end up I will stop and create great photos using the rules of composition and lighting.
Well, maybe I won't close my eyes.

Thursday, June 11, 2009

Photo session at University of Tampa for DVD







All filming for the GET THE PICTURE "Jump Start Your Photography" is done. Ken is doing the editing and The DVD's should be ready in 3 weeks.











This is how it looked Sunday at the University of Tampa. We had a two man film crew. Ken in red and Mike in white. If that wasn't enough we had Greg Nicolisi taking stills of all of us. Pretty exciting stuff!







No photo session is complete without the pretty model, (and very patient model ) Amber.





This is a photo illustrating Composition.








These Instructional DVD's are the BEST out there! Not because we produced them but beacuse of the time, talent, and expertise that everyone put in. We spared nothing and everyone gave 150%.










Greg brought his Porsche. I'm telling you this is exciting stuff! What's great about the way the DVD's are produced is that they are extremely informative but also fun and exciting to watch.










Just one thing. Is the star expected to do heavy lifting? Where's the road crew?

































Tuesday, June 9, 2009

Understanding more important than memorizing




Understanding why something works is paramount if you are going to master it.

I read an article in the local newspaper about a high school graduate that received a $250,000 scholarship from Microsoft to continue his education in computer science. I can't imaging how many applied and did not get it. So why him? What could he have possibly done or said to come up on top?


I believe that many others who applied had similar talents and resumes. Something however made him unique in the eyes of the judges.

He was quoted as saying this; "A lot of people like to memorize formulas, I like to understand the logic part of formulas and how they work."

This statement is so profound that I believe it is the major reason he was chosen instead of other applicants.
This statement explains why some people do the status quo and others excel. Why some are miles ahead in a given field.
Photography is no different. I tell the story of a fellow photographer that I have not seen in at least 15 years. We went to the same workshops, attended the same seminars, and conventions.
We even had similar equipment but our photographs were different. Mine told a story and had impact. Mine quietly lured you in emotionally. His were sharp, high end snapshots. The lighting


and composition on mine were different. When we entered prints in competition mine would hang with ribbons on display and his would not. The funny part is he knew more rules on lighting and composition and camera technique than I did. He was in photography longer than I and had more experience.

One day I figured it out. He had memorized more than me but understood less. Memorizing a rule is one thing but understanding why and how it works is what separates you from the pack.

Memorizing a formula is simply the ability to regurgitate information. It is the status quo. Understanding is having a firm grip and command of the formula. It is how you excel.


When learning photography techniques it is important that you learn not just the rules but why and how they work. This is what will make you excel way beyond your piers.


Memorizing the rules allows you to copy someone
elses work. Understanding the rules lets you create your own and establish your own style.
I encourage all to learn not only the rules but why they work. This is what my seminars, DVD's and classes are all about.

Friday, June 5, 2009



Buying a camera?


In my photography classes I always emphasize the fact the the camera doesn't matter. It is, after all, the photographer that creates the photo. If you end up with a bad photo it's not the cameras fault. It only did what it was programmed to do, record. It cannot create.

If I truly believe that why not tell everyone to buy the least expensive camera.

I just bought a new camera and I chose one with a price tag of $3,000. That did not include the lens, just the body.


The reason I tell my students to buy the biggest and the baddest is because like any major investment you don't want to short change yourself. It is an investment and not something you'll replace in a month. Your camera will last for years so purchase something that you won't outgrow in 6 months. Plus, the higher end cameras are built tougher and can go through the paces and take a slight beating.

Having a more expensive camera doesn't mean you'll get better photos but you'll have a reliable piece of equipment always ready when you need it. Higher end cameras allow you to change lenses for different effects so they usually have a couple of extra bells and whistles.

My real message in telling people it doesn't matter what camera you have is this; if you have a camera, any camera, learn what to do to create great photos and then go out and have fun with it.

There will always be a new lens and a new camera. Camera companies are pushing out several new models a year. If you stop and think there are photos hanging in art galleries and museums that are 40 or more years old. Why are those photos so great? They where taken with antiquated cameras and not the modern marvels that we have today. The only difference is that those photographers invested in themselves and learned the steps to creating great photos.
So, go and pick up some books on photography, watch videos and go to seminars, sign up for my emails (they are free). The more you immerse yourself in photography the better and faster you will succeed in becoming a really good photographer. The more you understand photography the you'll realize it's not the camera

Thursday, June 4, 2009

Sam and Brittany's wedding










This past Saturday I photographed Sam and Brittany's wedding. Great couple and family, terrific locations, and a lot of dancing made for terrific photo opportunities.









Church was huge so for a few shots I used a 15mm fisheye lens to capture all of it. I use the Canon 5D and 5D Mark II which have a full size sensor so nothing is cropped out.















Photo of Sam before wedding using existing light. The photo of Brittany after the ceremony was taken with flash on camera and another off camera held by my trusty assistant.
















Lots of dancing and fun photos























This coming Saturday I have a wedding and we'll be taking some photos at Phillipe Park