Eye To Eye

Having the courage to look another in the eye and tell them exactly how you feel can be very difficult for some of us. I once heard a marriage counselor state that most of all the issues his clients had were resolved by having the couple take 4 minutes a day and look each other straight in the eyes.

I've found the great photographers of our time and in history have always had a common theme of being very honest about their photography. They accept failure simply as a learning tool. Their resolve of knowing they are doing what they were born to do is enough knowledge for them to keep going.

Competition in business is something I really don't understand. Don't get me wrong photographers are a pretty good bunch when it comes to helping each other. But I see other businesses that stunt their opportunity for growth by not helping business around them succeed.

We should be willing to share and help others succeed. Be honest with developing ourselves and our business. We all need the courage to accept our weakness and willingness to share our strengths and the openness to sit down and converse "Eye To Eye" .

David is a NC based photographer. Please subscribe.

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Flow & Grow

Reaching for the sky from a seed covered with earth to become something beautiful  is not without challenges. Over time, the life becomes this full majestic presence of all it can be. Wanting for nothing but having everything.

Rooted in the faith of nature the trunk branches and leaves become the intellectual, emotional and practical achievements, bearing fruit with the power to influence positive procreation.

Photographing in a state of mind that is open to whatever happens and being receptive to any given moment is a mental and emotional discipline. Getting in the flow when all the nervousness disappears and just being in the full enjoyment of making images is the place where the unexpected and an unplanned surprise can reveal it's self.

I would suggest photographers learn to get in the flow, where your concentration is completely involved and focused.  A state when you lose the sense of self and your concerns of outcome drift away.

The Art of Photography is very rewarding. Personally photography is in direct context to self-development. I've heard the masters state it a few times, "if you want to become a better photographer develop your heart." I challenge you to get to the place of "Flow & Grow".


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The Beast

Some people feel the more they have, the happier they'll be. They acquire and acquire and still can't get enough. They keep getting more stuff and associate, that more stuff will make them happy. They don't dare share it with anyone or give away what they never use due to identifying themselves with stuff.

I have to steal an acronym from Zack Arias, GAS (Gear Acquisition Syndrom). It shows up in photographers, musicians, hotrodders, woodworkers and others. Defined as "If I just had x then I could do x just like x." It can lead to a whirlwind of debt, stress, not to mention the families ripped apart by GAS.

It's not uncommon that photographers acquire the latest and greatest before getting the full potential out of the equipment they already own. Some are more interested in equipment than photographing. But don't get me wrong, thinking the next best thing will improve your photography isn't entirely wrong if it's a wise business decision.

We're all guilty of having a little GAS, but that's not what makes a great photographer. Learning everything about the equipment you have, and its full potential, so you can apply it towards your vision, is the road the masters travel.

Obsession with photography can control you if you don't control it. Stay out of debt and only buy if it makes good business sense. It's more important to work on your craft than to be swallowed up by "The Beast."

The Mill

Day in day out most of us are busy with working, kids, sports leagues, spouse, parents and all the other stuff. We may start to feel like we're grinding out the time, and before you know it, you haven't made any personal time. It's important to our well being to check once in awhile to see what's coming out the mill.

Today professional photographers are working hard to gain business, and when it gets busy, some feel they need to get the goods while the getting's good. Portrait, wedding and commercial photographers love what they do, but there is something said for having complete control over one's self-expression. Fine Art Photography can be a creative outlet for commercial photographers when they make time for personal projects.

Commercial clients can restrict some photographer's creativity. They are very specific in what they want and hire a photographer that can do the job. The commercial photographer may do jobs that require many hats, and some not so fun.  But, you are still doing something you love, photography.

I would offer that commercial photographers have personal projects. Be sure to create your personal art, i.e., fashion, landscape, stills or whatever. By doing this, you can gain a good sense of self as a photographer and have an outlet for your creativity. Personal projects also provide new ideas you could integrate into your commercial work as well.

The main objective is to stay busy with a balance of self and service. When a busy professional photographer makes time for themselves, it's not such a grind all the time because you are happy with what's coming out of "The Mill."

David is an NC based photographer. Please subscribe.
 

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Join The Club

Humans learn by observing their environment. What that means is we learn from watching and listening to others such as parents, family and friends. Since we were little, we have learned by emulation, although I think some folks just go where the wind blows:) 

Photographers learn by watching and listening as well. I've written about finding your personal vision and not trying to copy anyone else. But if you need other skills along the path to your vision, it's much easier to watch, listen and learn from someone more knowledgeable.

There's no way to know everything technically. Photoshop, for example, is a lot to learn if you're objective is not just photography. What works best for me is to visualize in my mind's eye what I want and then learn just what I need to meet my objective to print.

Clubs and organizations have seen a decline in younger aged members I think due to the internet. You can get almost any answer to any technical question you may have on the internet. As a modern day photographer the internet is an extremely valuable tool for learning.

So what's good about belonging to an organization? Along with being another family to observe, the biggest thing is learning about business. If you are serious about being a professional there isn't anything I can think of more valuable than organizations teaching and offering resources regarding the business aspects of photography.

I can find most anything on the Internet when it comes to technical. But what I have difficulties doing is being able to establish networking to a niche market and selling my art. If you're in the same boat, "Join The Club."

http://www.crusadeforart.org/
http://apanational.org/
http://www.ppa.com/
http://www.ppofnc.com
http://www.cnpa.org/

David is an NC based photographer. Please subscribe.
 

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Simply Put

Today we have so many things to keep us busy, confused, in a hurry and anxious. Corporations attempt to recruit the best talent by pitching work life balance. It's a known fact that stress kills but I feel we're not far from reaching a critical mass of awareness that will eventually change the culture of this nation.

Photographers are no different. We need to find our peace of mind too. I've found that a lot Fine Art Photographers revel in the presence of nature and beautiful landscapes. Almost all the Landscape Fine Art Photographers have a need to be outdoors with nature.

The American Indians teach us about the Great Spirit, a non-theistic belief in an active, personal, non-anthropomorphic Deity intertwined with the fabric of the Universe. They would practice getting in a rhythm with the spirit. In modern terms, we could call this getting in the zone.

The more the Landscape Photographer works their craft, the more they find a deep appreciation and love for the natural world. Some photographers have a whole heart commitment; their art contributes to the sustaining of our National Forest.

I love the natural outdoors, but most of all, I love the peace and quiet it has to offer. I would suggest to anyone, grab your camera take a short hike to get far enough off the road to be quiet, find a beautiful place and get "Simply Put."

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Way of Life

Driving through the country, I often think of the days growing up on a farm in Missouri. Now that I"m older I've come to realize the values gained from that experience. There's something gained when it's over a mile to your nearest neighbor. You live a few miles on a dirt road from the pavement that is several miles from the nearest town; that might have a store.

Images reflect our moment in time, environment and attitudes. Some photographers are so committed to the environment that's what drives them to photograph. Other photographers love the joy they bring their client with family photos. As for me I simply attempt to capture the essence of nature and things to bring awareness to our hearts.

Fine Art Photography is a vehicle for the photographer to express themselves in their special way. Their photographic abilities offer a unique ways of expression. This nonverbal means of communication can become an obsession.

The obsessed photographer wakes in the morning thinking about photography. They will watch TV checking out the lighting used in the movies. They'll drive the car taking in all the forms shapes and textures  viewed from the road. They read, watch videos, attend workshops, practice and then practice some more. Then after serious study and contemplation the process repeats. Hopefully, at a different level.

I love photography; it's who I am, down to the very core of my being.
Yes, it's a preoccupation to the point of complete obsession, and there's nothing wrong with that, for me its the "Way of Life."

David is an NC based photographer. Please subscribe.

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