Hold The Eye Images

Top Question That I get Asked?

The number one question I get, "what's the best thing I can do to improve my photography?". The immediate answer is take more and more pictures. Sounds simple but it is so true. You can not spend your way to better photography on gear, software, or tutorials. All of these elements play a role but pale in comparison to the good old hard work of snapping the shutter. I know, I have said this many times before, but I fall prey to not shooting enough on occasion. I think of shooting like exercise, needs to be done every day and worked into your schedule. Like exercise, doesn't have to be a full on production, shooting a few images at lunch, grabbing a couple of images while walking the dog or even photographing something in the kitchen. Any of these activities make you exercise your photographic eye, help you with camera knowledge, and make you stop, pause and think photography. The key ingredient being the exercise of your photographic eye and learning to use your camera as a second hand. Both take lots of practice.

The footnote to all of this is the axiom, "always carry a camera". If you always have a camera with you, grabbing a few shots, looking for something special, becomes second nature. This instinct is what you are trying hone. The ability to see something special, a person, a design, an event, where most would simply pass by. Part of this gift may be natural but a small part. You have to be an observer to "see", and powers of observation require work. The difference between great photographers, good photographers and .....well PWC's, is the all elusive gift of the eye. A gift that can be developed with exercise, but like muscle weakens with idleness. Learned shooting skills will leave you if they are only exercised on infrequent trips. Now, I'm not trying to discourage the photographer who uses his passion to escape the pressure of everyday activities but does so infrequently. I did the same for quite a few years, escaping into my photography whenever I could even though it was sporadic. In hindsight, I should have carried a camera with me all the time although the cost of film may have limited my random shooting.

Do these comments mean, you don't need to learn photoshop, use the right camera? Of course not, but learning to see the image in your mind's eye before you take out or pick up your camera is the holy grail of photography. It only takes effort, costs nothing but time, and pays dividends on a scale that money can't buy.

 

 

It's January 28, I'm in Big Sur and it's 75 degrees

With that as a title, what more could you want. The water is like glass, gray whales are migrating and easy to see, sea otters are in the kelp beds, condors are enjoying the day, and because Highway 1 is closed at Lucia, the road is pretty much empty. Or, at least empty for a weekend in Big Sur. Spent the day just enjoying the weather, walking around in a tee shirt, feeling like summer.

Now for the photography. People always make images more interesting. So here are some snaps!

First, I spotted a bunch of guys at sunset. I have taken thousands of these shots so keeping with the idea that people add to every image, I decided to use them as the focal point.

 

Often you have to use the sun, but don't have the cover of clouds, just angles and highlights. Here are some desperate images when things were looking bleak, or should I say bright.

I know those images were a stretch at best. But when you have a sunny beautiful day, well photography is tough. So I have to include those images I have taken hundreds of times, but love the scene no matter how many times I have viewed. JP Burns Park is one spot made for photographers and lovers of the exotic.

But in the end, I fall back to images with people as the most interesting. So I'll close January 28 with two images of folks enjoying the beach.

The above image has surf images I didn't see when photographing but it looks like the guy on the beach is looking back at them.

And so the day ends the same way it started, beautiful warm weather, and people enjoying this very special place.

Thank you Ventana Inn, great weekend!

 

Take a big step and improve your photography

I'm not talking about taking a photoshop class, buying a new camera, new lens, or a new photo instructional class. All of these steps may help in some form or fashion depending on your need but any one is unlikely to take your skills to a new level. So what am I talking about? My suggestion is to take on a serious personal photo project that will require planning and photo skill for completion. My own personal project "the Grand Dell Saloon" has been ongoing for a year, required me to learn new photo skills, and I have only begun scratching the surface. I have faced new photo situations which required skills I didn't have, new social relationships and connections, some special photo equipment, and the list could go on and on. So let me describe generically the idea and how it works.

Once you learn the basic skills of photography, how to use your camera, and train your eye a bit, you begin to take nice pictures. You learn to photograph people, landscapes, most importantly you learn to love photography, the art of image capture. You improve your technical skills with training and practice, upgrade your equipment, and begin going to places simply to photograph. All of this is good, rewarding, and exciting. But eventually, you begin to ask yourself what's the next step?

I'm sure there are many answers to this question, but my suggestion is to take on a serious personal project. The elements being an ongoing photo project with a story at its core. You may not know the story when you start, and that's part of the journey. For example, you could select a retirement home where a family member resides, and tell the story of the life and friends. Shoot it in black and white with the notion of a book for the members. Another idea would be story of yourself, told through your camera, a bit more creative and difficult but certainly interesting to undertake. You could select something of social interest like Occupy Wall Street, follow it over time and tell the story.

These are not weekend or vacation shoots, require some thinking, planning and a flexible strategy. You are part photojournalist, part portrait photographer, street photographer, and documentarian.  Getting out of your photo comfort zone is part of the process as well as learning new photo skills. You don't have to be confined to people stories, you could do animal/wildlife with a similar structure. An environmental story could involve all the elements, pull together people, wildlife, landscape, and change. Think of these elements as photo way-points part of the path to complete your work.

What do you end up with? A collection of photographs that link together, give the observer insight, and tells the story. And in the process, you become a much better photographer, with a whole new set of skills. That's my two cents.

 

It's all about Mood and Story!

The cliche of every picture tells a story is so true. It doesn't have to be something dramatic, it can be two people looking at each other or a grimace. Facial expression and body language are the key elements in portrait story telling. Obviously the environment of the image can add or subtract in strong ways, but at it's essence, body language and expression are key. Let's be clear, I'm not talking about simply flattering poses although often what doesn't seem flattering latter become iconic and cherished. Here are some examples from last night's blues jam session at the Grand Dell Saloon in Campbell CA. The house was packed with musicians, as one person described to me "blues royalty is in the house". Unfortunately, I don't know all the royalty so I just photographed the stage while I was there. I even locked my car keys and studio keys in the studio, but that's another story, the outcome of which will not be covered in this or future blogs. So here goes think expression and story telling.

Guitar players need to look a certain way to be interesting, this was a winner expression.

Singers of the blues, use their hands as a way of expression along with their face. Here John Nemeth spells out the feeling of the song with both hands and face.

I haven't mentioned lighting in this blog, but it is always key, as illustrated in this image.

Another example of catching a guitar player telling a story of the blues

And it you are patient, holding the camera up to your eye, watching for that special moment, you'll get it as in this image.

You also might want to create a special era look, for example with black and white. In this case to appear in an earlier era with a bit of wax museum feel.

The key ingredient is patience, waiting, allowing the natural flow of the scene to work its way out. Think like a predator, waiting for that moment to strike. It will be a natural and authentic look which observers of your photograph will recognize. Good luck and shoot often.

Why do you Photograph?

When I started my own photography, years ago, it was to record the beautiful new landscapes that I encountered in Oklahoma. You see, I grew up in North Carolina and went to Oklahoma for the first time while in the Army. I was stunned at the landscapes and with camera costs being within reason at the PX, I bought my first SLR and my interest in photography began. I met others interested in photography and began my journey. But that's just how it started, not the reason(s) it has lasted so long.

Fast forward to today, so I pause and reflect on why I love to photograph. I could make a list but that doesn't seem to be an appropriate way to define my passion. So let me try and communicate my feelings. First, I love the still image. It's ability to speak without motion or voice. At it's finest, it tells a complete story, moves people in ways words often fall short, stirs emotion beyond reasonable bounds, and marks history. This level of image is rare yet every period in history is marked by these pictures which define events.

So when I pick up a camera, I know I have the opportunity to create something special. I simply have to possess the vision and skill. Sounds oversimplified and maybe from a practical application it is. I have been photographing for decades, but feel as though I have just started. The more I learn and develop, the better my images become, and that keeps me shooting. There is no plateau or place where I'm satisfied. But it is not discouraging as you would think, quite the contrary, the closer you get the more you raise the bar. All you have to do is look back at your images, the progress is obvious even if some of your past work makes you cringe. Underlying all of this is a feeling of reward. Not financial reward, that's a totally different matter, but personal reward. This personal reward from your efforts is the driver as it is with anything worth working for.

So when I ask myself why I photograph, it is for some internal reward that I feel from my images. It's not something that comes from others, but affirmation doesn't hurt. It comes from finding that thing you are looking for, developing the skill to see it and the technical expertise to capture it. And the "it" is not a destination, but an ever evolving space in your imagination. A personal creation that continues to develop. So likely it will never be over, and knowing that eliminates the anxiety of pushing on. I simply continue to grow, knowing I will never "grow-up". Sounds sort of odd to say it that way, but that's what it's all about.

 

A single light and John Nemeth and A.C. Myles

This particular shoot was done with a single light, not my normal setup. The reason being, two musicians and more of a concert setting without expected dancing. Secondly, I didn't intend to photograph anyone else who might be attending, simple getting some images for the venue. Shooting camera manual, including focus, with the strobe set at 1/4 power around 10 feet away, hung from the ceiling with a drop ceiling clamp. The camera ISO was 400, the shutter speed 250 and the f stop seasoned to taste. The lenses were a Nikon 24-70mm/f2.8 and a 70-200mm/2.8. The headliner was blues man John Nemeth and he was joined by a young up and coming guitarist A.C. Myles.

John Nemeth's stage presence is quintessential blues funk. The way he moves, his sense of timing, his voice, the harmonica all adds up to a real deal blues package. So here is a sample of the images.

He likes to talk with the audience, tell stories, and develop a personal relationship which he does well.

And he loves to play that harmonica!

And he can sing the blues!

His young guitarist A.C. Miles also sings.

And together, they are quite entertaining!

So if you happen to be a fan of music(get a life if you're not) and see the name John Nemeth, go see him, it will be a treat!

All images shot with a Nikon D3s.

What's your best picture of 2011

That's a politically correct question to ask this time of year, it begs a bigger issue, do you have a favorite picture for a whole year? I don't have a favorite picture for more than a week, so either I'm strange, or you are not taking enough pictures. I grow weary of old images, they lose their magic for me, and I move on. Sorta like teenagers and girlfriend/boyfriends.....not going to add more. I like a look, or a lighting set-up, a scene, or a composition, but shortly thereafter, I move on. I enjoy having a favorite while it lasts, but ultimately like the search for a new favorite more. That means I take a lot of pictures, and I do. I love finding pictures, that is discovery just before the camera gets involved. Sometimes it is a place, a person, or anything that makes me say "OMG, get my camera". Sometimes it's even just in my head, I think of an image I want to find. That's the process I go through, so the discovery is special, the outcome has a special but short lived time to enjoy, then I move on to the process again. When I read this, I think maybe I need photo therapy, I should cherish images, love them for long periods of time, it's human nature to do that, maybe I need help. But then again, living in the past is boring, finding new things makes photography interesting to me, keeps my juices going and is what I love most. Even when I repeat photo experiences I'm looking for something new. Often the new is not as good as the "old" but it doesn't matter, because ultimately the search will improve my photography. I know that intuitively, as well as from experience. I'm a better photographer in 2012 than I was any day in 2011 if for no other reason, I have added to my skill set since 12/31. That's right, continuing to learn makes me a better photographer. I learn from everywhere, not just better photographers. I can learn something special from someone who has just picked up a camera, and says something that catches me immediately. It is all part of the process. Now there are images that more people like than others, but I'm likely focused on the next image or one just taken.

So let's start over, "What's your best picture of 2011?". Mine was the last image I took on 12/31, which was the culmination of a years worth of learning. And I really do like it for what it captured and more importantly what it implied. It took a lot of work, experimenting, and failure to be able to light this particular venue and a lot more work to be accepted to shoot freely. If you will recall, it was my personal project from last year. So in a way, I'm still on the journey from last year, but oh, so much wiser and better at what I do.

The end of 2011 is a time to reflect, but keep moving. I will be shooting tomorrow night, this image will fade into the depths of my hard drive, likely not showing up again until maybe Halloween, if ever. But the process will yield it's replacement, maybe an unusual landscape or street scene, and it will be my favorite of all time, for a short time and I will move on.

It's New Year's Eve and the Grand Dell Blues Saloon

The Grand Dell Saloon takes pride in being the home of good blues music, a place where musicians can come, play, and have a good time. This New Year's Eve was no exception. Last night's gathering headlined Andy Santana on vocals, harp and guitar, Anthony Paule lead guitar and vocals, Hans Bosse on drums, and Mike Phillips on bass. This is an all star blues band, that knows how to rock out for a good time and they made the evening special. Here are the guys, as they played to a full house crowd. First up is Andy Santana, the groups leader for the evening. His chops are legendary and last night was a treat!

 

But the band didn't stop there. Lead guitar Anthony Paule plays and sings like the music is in his soul.

Drummer Hans Bosse, is also amazing and the ladies claim, "easy on the eyes".

Bass player Mike Phillips is also legendary playing in the Charlie Musselwhite band.

The Grand Dell is also a destination for musicans just stopping in. Last night Johnny Cat stopped in and joined the band for a few tunes.

The music was enjoyed by the crowd

And yes, dancing was the order of the night. Even Father Priestly with his braided mohawk danced with Shannon! Folks, all sorts of people love blues music.

And as the night came to a close, the King of the Dell, Tony danced with "The Mrs." and the night came to a wonderful closing bringing in the new year. Happy 2012.

Walking around with a camera

I went to Carmel yesterday for breakfast. Has nothing to do with photography but like all trips, things to photograph are all around us. First off the waves were enormous on the coast. Especially at the rocks driving around Carmel Beach. Spectators kept pointing and taking pictures of them. This image points out how people make the picture in most cases. The size relationship and the small child being shown the waves makes this image much more special than the simple size of the waves.

One of the stops on the way out was The Basilica of Mission San Carlos Borromeo Del Rio Carmelo commonly known as the Carmel Mission, founded June 3, 1770. This is a special place and I want to come back and photograph with a tripod using HDR techniques. Yesterday I had no tripod but did want to push my Leica M9 so I set the ISO at 6400 to hand hold the images. I used a 90mm Summicron/f2.0 lens. The above image was also taken with this camera but at ISO 200. I wouldn't print the Mission images but they do give insight to the potential of the location.

People once again make images, this may be a poor example but illustrate possibilities. The person kneeling is not praying but taking his own picture. But if he was....and I had a tripod.... and I could see his hands in prayer..... and if.......... Get my drift.

Finally, I learned a lot from taking these simple images because I thought of the "what if's". And that is an important lesson, every image improves our photography if we think about alternatives and every location teaches something. Accepting the fact we learn more from mistakes than perfection, this day was a great learning experience.

New Year and Beyond Predicitions

So we're approaching a new year, 2012. When I look back, not just this year but back as far as the 80's, it seems like yesterday. I recall my first auto focus camera, took it to Alaska and was so, so disappointed. It was a Minolta, no longer even being made. I came back thinking, this auto focus thing is not going to work for some time, if ever. And, I couldn't control the focal point, too much technology intruding into my world of photography. Give me a manual focus camera with a descent light meter, a couple of lenses and leave me alone. And that's how I felt only yesterday albeit 25 years ago. Attitude change came slowly, but I finally broke down and bought a Canon autofocus camera. I had shot Nikon all my life but some AP photograhers clued me in on issues discovered in the first Gulf War and how the AP switched to Canon, so I did to. This courship lasted until the Nikon F5 came out, and I immediately divorced Canon and remarried Nikon. This was in the age of film, new technolgy consisted of auto focus and better metering. Boy, I was naive about what was to come. A revolution was on the horizon and I had my head ....in a dark hole.

So now it's December 2011, the world of photography has changed in ways I could not have imagined. Not only have the tools changed but the learning curve or what's left of it have completely turned upside down. With instant feedback, the art of photography has moved rapidly through millions of aspiring artists, and phones with cameras, yes phones with cameras. I could not have imagined this only a few years ago. Everyone is taking pictures, a compendium of images is growing at an exponential rate, documenting everything, everyday, in every way. It seems everyone owns some form of camera, and uses it regularly. And some would argue, this invasion as eleminated personal privacy. But, that's another blog and subject.

Now back to the beginning, it's about to be 2012. If Moore's Law continues to apply, the world will change even more dramatically, faster, in ways only limited by our imagination. So here goes my list of predictions based on pure ignorance.

1. "Wired" will disappear. Everything will be wireless

2. "Hard drives" will disappear. Everything will be in clouds managed by others.

3. "Focus" and "exposure" and "color" will be decided in post processing.

4.  "Detail" or megapixel quality will be a choice in post processing.

5. "Still" and "video" will be the same, come from the same device, with unimaginable quality in most consumer portable devices.

6. Post processing will be complicated but taught at early ages in early education.

7. The world will be exposed in ways not seen before, nothing will be "secret" or "descreet", photojournalism will be commonly practiced by everyone.

8. "Printing" will move to electronic. The hard coyp print will be seen less and less. 

9. Film will return as an eclectic art.

10. Composition and Perspective will remain king. The art of photography will improve and the photographer's eye will be remain the critical skill. Creativity and imagination will continue to distinguish photographers.

So that's my two sense for what awaits us. I have no clue if I'm all right or wrong. For sure it will not happen next week or even next year, but things seem to be heading that way from my perspective. I'm not quite sure what I will do if it happens while I'm still around. I look forward to not having to mess with backing up my files and managing workflow. I'm not as enthusiastic about not managing focal point, exposure, etc. seems like a bit too much control in post processing. But I believe the change will occur. I can imagine ths comment "Dad, did they really focus and do all that stuff in those old things called cameras?" Maybe I'm getting carried away, but that's what writing a blog does to you. Get in the zone and it all comes out.

Back to earth, I do think photo technology is at an infancy point. We will all have to wait, and if we are lucky and healthy, we will see the change. It will create new opportunities for us, and for that I'm excited. Best wishes to all add taking more pictures to your new year's resolution list.

Lines In Napa

On a trip, taking my son Brett, his girlfriend Mary, and Deborah wine tasting in Napa, the reminder of lines was everywhere. With the leaves gone, and just as the mustard begins to flower, the lines are very visible. Here is my view of Napa in December.

 

 

 

And once you start looking for lines, lookout, they are everywhere!

 

An interesting way to exercise my eye without throwing the trip into full photography, just looking around as we travel from Winery to Winery, for a little line. Maybe next time, circles?