Light In The Valley

It's interesting how the light illuminates the valley. If you were down in the valley, you would be in the light but unable to see it from this higher perspective.

Sometimes we are our worst enemy. We can't see the light of opportunities the universe has to offer because we are staying in the valley. As appreciators of Fine Art Photography, it's important to view from a higher perspective. A closed minded collector that just goes along with the crowd as to what is good photography, will miss the opportunity from a great emerging artist. The same  goes for the photographer. If you're not open to challenging yourself and improving your work, the world will miss out on your uniqueness.

It's important not to try too hard. What you need is already there. You should be aware of who you are and where you want to be. Then you'll be able take steps to view the light in the valley.
 

David is a NC based photographer. View website here.

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Have A Good Tiime

Image of the Emerald Isle Bridge. Iconic to a lot of people of a good time. It is a wonderful structure that is well traveled during the summer vacation season.

I know there are several images of this bridge made by many different photographers. Some may ask why would you want to make images of the same thing that everyone else has. My answer to that is "they weren't me."  Only I can take a photo and put my signature on it. Not that I'm better than everyone, that's not my point.

As photographers regardless if your shooting portrait, landscape or anything else, there are always two subjects in the photo. One is the subject matter of the photo and the other is the photographer.

Experienced photographers develop styles uniquely identifiable  as their own. This to me, it's what separates a great photographer from a good photographer. And this is what collectors love to collect.

As photographers, the main thing is to get out to make photos and have good a time developing a personal style,.

David is a NC based photographer. To see his online gallery click here.

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Horizons

Here is another image of the beach from the North Carolina shores. The calm after the storm reveals beautiful sun light peeking through the clouds with the message of peace. The ocean’s horizon with an uphill perspective accompanied by the comfort of colors, offers a sense of serenity.

Photographers are often challenged with adversities that may seem like an uphill run to a never reaching horizon. I’ve been writing this blog for over a year now. I’ve tried to gather some knowledge of collecting fine art photography, sharing images and perspectives and have enjoyed every minute of it. But writing a blog can be  just one of the uphill horizons a Photographer may face.

With that said, I want to introduce all of you to my new blog, “Fine Art Photography Experience”.
Please visit the blog and subscribe. This blog will be a journal of what Fine Art Photographers go through with creating their images, marketing and selling Fine Art Photography. I have felt for a long time there isn’t enough resources available to us photographers wanting to establish their Fine Art business. My hope is to have engaging readers contribute so we all can learn more about becoming better photographers and entrepreneurs with Fine Art Photography.

In the subjective world of Fine Art there are so many avenues to pursue and questions along the way, that it at times seems like a never reaching horizon. So let’s get started and visit www.fineartphotographyexperience.com and share comments or questions about becoming successful with your fine art photography.

David is a NC based photographer. To see his online gallery click here.

Freedom

A good friend of mine wanted his 2014 Dodge Challenger Hemi R/T photographed after his hours of laborious polishing. Of course I couldn’t wait to get the shots. The car’s iconic image is homage to classic muscle cars. There is something really American about the Challenger. To me it represents a working man’s car. It’s something that is gritty but refined with performance. Although modern, its lines are a real throwback to the 1970’s when muscle cars were king.

When making the images of this beast, I could imagine driving on the open highway where the speed limit didn’t count. With the windows down, wind blowing and the rhythm of classic rock playing from the stereo, my imagination was fitted with a sense of authority, just being too cool for school.

The aforementioned experience can be filled with pride, excitement and exhilaration. I can sum it with one word “joy”.  As visual artists we strive to communicate what we see in our images.
And what I see in the Dodge Challenger is Freedom. So this memorial day I thank all the men and women that served and gave their life so we can have the Dodge Challenger experience.
 

David is a NC based photographer. To see his online gallery click here.

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The Pelican

This image was taken in one of our favorite spots for photos down at Atlantic Beach. We were excited about catching stormy images but hadn’t been successful up to that time. Right at the time we were packing up to leave, a little gift from heaven appeared, there they were, in all their glory, “God Beams”. There was something unexpected and magical about that moment. I remember thinking I’m not prepared and didn’t have time for a lot of technical manipulation and simply pointed the camera framed a bit and shot. Everything about this shot was right there and easy.

As lot of us photographers are equipment junkies and get really involved with all the technical. We drive ourselves to know everything about all the equipment we have and get even crazier about the equipment we want.  The trap of “if I had this latest gadget, then I could make great photos” has kept a lot of great images from being made.

Later that day we were on the beach I noticed a Pelican. It was in the air with wings spread and soaring two hundred yards or so and circling back without a single wing flap. After seeing this happen about four times I then realized, that bird has everything it needs and it’s doing what it wants without any effort at all. What I have learned, and it generally goes for everything in life, is “we have everything we need, to accomplish whatever we want”. We just need to get our heads on right to see it. I think I’m going to try harder to not try so hard, and maybe I can soar like the Pelican.

David is a NC based photographer. To see his online gallery click here.

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Timeless

This image of old store fronts in Rocky Mount NC was taken a few years ago. I could imagine when walking the streets, for the most part of an empty town, how it must have been back in its heyday. With the railroad running right down the center of town and parking on sides and in the center of the streets, I can visualize it being hard at one time to find a parking spot. These stores have a lot of character. It’s disappointing to see such a beautiful place forgotten.

I’ve said it before; I feel as photographers we have a responsibility to capture images of our history. The structures of the past are much different than what we are seeing being built today. It seems the older buildings were much more a work of art vs. the cookie cutter approach. On my website I have several images of old barns. They’re beautiful representations of old rural America.

Photography is unique, as we captures an image, we're capturing what’s in front of the lens at that moment. The image could be communicating something historical, current, and future among other things. I think the best images are Timeless.

David is a NC based photographer. To see his online gallery click here.

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Path To Perfection

Delores made this image right in front of the Clam Digger Inn at Pine Knoll Shores NC, a small community near Emerald Island NC. The lines are clear as to where it leads. A place where there is nothing to do, no one to answer to, no right or wrong, a place where everything is given without want or need. In this place everything is working in perfect harmony with the universe.

I know that’s deep, but it goes a long way as to the artist’s state of mind the moment a masterpiece is created. Photography has taught me a lot about life. Looking inside and trying not to resist that state of having everything and needing nothing. Like going out to photograph and expecting nothing and seeing everything. I attempt to enter this place when I use my camera. When I can get there, it allows me to see the beauty of a landscape. Other times, it’s the moment of a perfect gesture when someone allows their inner self to be revealed. If I’m lucky my camera will be ready as well.

Striving to improve and reaching for perfection is endless. It’s a consistent expansion of self, in every aspect of living. Just about the time I think I’m getting it, a teacher arrives to show me more. For me this is the never ending and unreachable Path to Perfection.

David is a NC based photographer. To see his online gallery click here.

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