As I look back over my photography journey I would never in 10 million years ever through that I would be a catwalk fashion photographer and rubbing shoulders with the rich and famous, not to mention conducting my own photography workshops and teaching in private schools.....
All I can say is WOW what a journey and I am super excited to see what the future will hold with workshops planned in Australia, New Zealand and America in next 12 months.
Photography has changed my life in more ways than I could ever imagine....
Where have you come from and where will photography take you do you think?
Good question. For one thing, I would be a very bad boss to myself. I'd better not start a business doing whatever, let alone some photography job... Perhaps it'll bring me to one of your classes though!
A very timely question. I have been involved with photography as a hobby since the 1960's. I sold my first photographs this year. My ultimate plan is to retire from my current profession in a few years, then buy a RV, travel across North America for a few years, photographing my journey. Then publish a book of my photographs.
In the 2.5 years I've been doing photography, I have certainly come a long way, and I still have a way to go. However, I have made progress by joining a photography society locally, and I've had my work displayed at a few local galleries (sold one so far! Woohoo!) and I'm about to have 4 framed pieces displayed in two shows for competition, and one will be on display at our City Hall! I was designated in the top five photographers of the year last year in my society, and I've won some awards along the way. It's still a hobby for me, but I love the progress and exposure. Congratulations to you also for all your work and success!
I had no idea when I started posting on 365 that photography would do what it has done for me. I was dealing with grief (not over a loved-one but the loss of a job I loved- through no fault of mine). It moved me beyond what I had been doing into new ventures and brought some new friends along the way. It pushed me out of the back ground and in front of photographers who were far better than I but offered nothing but positive construction, encouragement and compliments. Each one of those "legs of the journey" brought a little more confidence and helped me to realize my strengths as a photographer and pushed me to find ways to improve upon my weaknesses. While I feel I'm still somewhat at the beginning of the journey, I'm excited about where I'm going. I started out with what I lovingly called my "rinky-dink" camera, and now have my "middle of the road" camera which if I never have anything better, I'll still be able to accomplish my goals with. Perhaps the biggest step forward was joining the local camera club where I intended to stay "waaaay in the background" and was rapidly thrust out in front of the curtain! But I'm loving it and enjoying the opportunities to particularly support and encourage those who are where I once was. Oh, I've gone on too long- but it was such a great question!!
Where will you be holding your workshops in the US?
Well, Saturday, it's taking me to the football field to take team and individual pictures of the teams. LOL! I hope it doesn't rain.
But, back when I was a newspaper photographer, it took me to many places. The most memorable was to a huge ceremony in Munich, Germany, in 1992 where two of our soldiers were being honored for saving the lives of several people. The award was presented by the Bavarian Prime Minister. It was a very exciting trip for me, as the Prime Minister got his wife's attention to smile at me as I took their picture.
I think I have improved a lot since starting out, but still a long way to go. I used auto for my first year then moved onto manual setting and love it but still struggle at times. Congratulations to you on your journey I don't believe I will ever be that brilliant but would like to think I'm always improving. Please feel free to comment on my shots and mentor me if you have the time that would be very much appreciated :-) @agima
I'm rarely on 365 these days, just kinda busy....while I've graduated from a point and shoot to more sophisticated camera with some lovely glass, and waiting patiently for my fujifilm x110t to arrive....I think photography has taken me mainly down meandering paths, and bumpy sidewalks, to wildlife refuges and down on my knees in my own backyard, through parking lots past crowds waiting for porta potties, and helping me capture the world the way I see it, and sharing it with others, who sometimes "get it". Best wishes for your continued success!
@darylo We are on a journey, a journey that doesn't end until we decide we can not learn any more. So well done on your path and I am sure with continued progress you will and can only get better. :)
YAY for getting you work displayed.. Its a really cool feeling hey?
and city hall and all.. Nice very nice.. Congrats and I am sure you feel like you are walking on clouds as you should feel as it is a massive achievement. So well done
top 5 hey... Nice.... I would love to hear your views on my work and I will have to pop over and check out yours. :)
@agima LOL and thanks! I never tried to sell a photograph until this year. Always gave them away. I sold 4 photographs this year and it is a kick for sure! As far as my plan - thanks again. My first thought is the book will be landscapes as I plan to visit every national park in the U.S. However, I also want to visit small towns and I love doing street photography, so perhaps there will be two books. Thank you for the encouragement!
To be honest for me.. its kind of fizzling. I don't know whether I've hit a bump and I've no longer for the passion for it, or whether there's just a few more things happening in my life and its in the back burner.
Or maybe there's the possibility that i'm just going to step away from my current kit and go to a mirrorless setup in anticipation of a bit more travelling with a 2 year old child in tow...
It sounds fantastic. What I can say, and offer some advice is a goal on concentrate on the subject or multiple subjects, but only publish them as subjects. As a make sense?
I'm kinda like you, want to go along and visit a lot of small towns and take photos of the people which there. I never seem to have the time however which kinda sucks.
I can say is get out there and do it. I take a lot of photos these days and I must say I love every minute of it, interaction I have a people and to be able to capture their emotions and feelings just one of the most fantastic things I can ever experience. So my friend, she do it
I must say that sometimes the whole photography thing for me can become a bit of a drag. I take about 200,000 photos a year in the postprocessing of those is really a pain in the and it's one of the things I hate.
What I can say is that if you have passion for photography it will come back, they can be a pain in the arse, but hey.... It's what we do and is who we are and while I also go along and take breaks with my personal photography is part of me.
I also think it is part of you! You just need some time to sit back, relax, do nothing, you get in touch with yourself.
So stressed my man it's all good and take your time.
@agima you know what... you're probably right. My wife's cat has recently been diagnosed with an inoperable aggressive malignant cancer in his jaw. We're looking at a very short amount of time till he passes (days / week). One of my mates recently made me realise that I hadnt really taken any images of him recently so I picked up the camera and started shooting. Its brought back some of the old fun that I used to have and I think my DSLR setup is great for this or shooting people. But for travelling, especially with the little one, I need to rethink and cut down.
I'm actually heading to an awesome group shoot event this weekend thats organised by an amazing model. Lets see what happens.
@toast I lost my dog a few months ago and although I have had her for 6 years I had trouble finding a good photo of her to post in the lost and found. :)
@agima thats pretty sad. Its a shame how sometimes we dont shoot whats right in front of us. Its a reminder for me to take more shots of my son growing up.
The event was amazing. Amongst the train issues getting there and back due to weather, and my lack of shooting, somehow i was still able to pull some great shots out of the bag. I havent had a chance to edit them as yet, but i'll post them on here and tag you when i'm done
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Where will you be holding your workshops in the US?
But, back when I was a newspaper photographer, it took me to many places. The most memorable was to a huge ceremony in Munich, Germany, in 1992 where two of our soldiers were being honored for saving the lives of several people. The award was presented by the Bavarian Prime Minister. It was a very exciting trip for me, as the Prime Minister got his wife's attention to smile at me as I took their picture.
Well done by the way... I gives me a kick every time I sell a photo and I dont think it will ever go away.
I like your plan my friend. what would your book be about? i.e landscape, city, portrait.
YAY for getting you work displayed.. Its a really cool feeling hey?
and city hall and all.. Nice very nice.. Congrats and I am sure you feel like you are walking on clouds as you should feel as it is a massive achievement. So well done
top 5 hey... Nice.... I would love to hear your views on my work and I will have to pop over and check out yours. :)
To be honest for me.. its kind of fizzling. I don't know whether I've hit a bump and I've no longer for the passion for it, or whether there's just a few more things happening in my life and its in the back burner.
Or maybe there's the possibility that i'm just going to step away from my current kit and go to a mirrorless setup in anticipation of a bit more travelling with a 2 year old child in tow...
It sounds fantastic. What I can say, and offer some advice is a goal on concentrate on the subject or multiple subjects, but only publish them as subjects. As a make sense?
I'm kinda like you, want to go along and visit a lot of small towns and take photos of the people which there. I never seem to have the time however which kinda sucks.
I can say is get out there and do it. I take a lot of photos these days and I must say I love every minute of it, interaction I have a people and to be able to capture their emotions and feelings just one of the most fantastic things I can ever experience. So my friend, she do it
I must say that sometimes the whole photography thing for me can become a bit of a drag. I take about 200,000 photos a year in the postprocessing of those is really a pain in the and it's one of the things I hate.
What I can say is that if you have passion for photography it will come back, they can be a pain in the arse, but hey.... It's what we do and is who we are and while I also go along and take breaks with my personal photography is part of me.
I also think it is part of you! You just need some time to sit back, relax, do nothing, you get in touch with yourself.
So stressed my man it's all good and take your time.
I'm actually heading to an awesome group shoot event this weekend thats organised by an amazing model. Lets see what happens.
How was your event?
The event was amazing. Amongst the train issues getting there and back due to weather, and my lack of shooting, somehow i was still able to pull some great shots out of the bag. I havent had a chance to edit them as yet, but i'll post them on here and tag you when i'm done