Since it has been a while since my last post, I wanted to do a Weekly Wednesday Favorite with an image I made today (well 2 really). I also thought it would be cool to show you a before and after image.

First and foremost, I have been shooting plenty of personal work lately under these conditions: Be Intentional. Slow down. Visualize. Execute. Finish the image. I have been using my Nikon D3′s, Nikon D200, iPhone 3Gs and Nikon Coolpix L20 (whichever one is closest to me). I have turned off my attention to the “internets” lately, because I found myself wasting time and not really growing. As I do from time to time, I withdraw, and start to dig while looking inwardly instead of outwardly.

During my latest hiatus from the internets, I have been really trying to live by the “Use what you have” and “Less is more” principles. I talk about these a lot, though fall into the traps of new gear, gadgets and tools. I have refrained from all purchases except for upgrades to Lightroom 3 and Photoshop CS5. I had Lightroom 3 for 3 weeks before I installed it. Why I waited? I have no idea!!! It is a fantastic tool for every photographer. So many features that I like, but most of all it is just FAST. Photoshop CS5 is still shrink wrapped. I know, I know… Why the wait? Just haven’t felt the urgency yet.

This goes along with my less is more I think. Lightroom 3 does such a great job for my Finishing needs, that Photoshop CS3 has been plenty. But, what about that Content Aware feature of CS5? I know I can’t wait to try it! In fact, in the image below, I think I would have used it in a few areas… (Can you guess which areas?)

OK, enough talk. Lets see some fruits.

While giving Chyler a bath in the sink this evening, I could not pass up the opportunity to make a few images. I know the number of sink baths are limited. I wanted to capitalize on the moment.

Here is the original capture of the image Exported from Lightroom 3. (Sharpened for Web and Logo applied in Photoshop CS3).

Here is my finished version of the image. All retouching/finishing done in Lightroom 3. (Sharpened for web and Logo applied in Photoshop CS3)

*Finishing Notes: Convert to B&W mode, adjust skin tones, apply curve, Crop, Dodge N Burn, Add Film Grain

One more of my favorites.

I shot 10 frames and kept 4 of them. I am ecstatic with the abilities of Lightroom 3. For the most part it has everything I need.

Hi all!
We are having a Photo Q&A next week at the Craig’s studio on the North Side. Topic of discussion will be:
Off Camera Lighting.

So bring your questions and we can all work together to answer them. Hope to see you there.

Photo Q&A/Connect-n-Grow
6/22/2010
7pm – 9pm
Location: Studio ~ 502 W. North Ave, Pittsburgh PA 15212

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Do you shoot photographs like Rambo?

OK, so Rambo may be a bit extreme, but two recent comments I read and heard have triggered (pun intended) this post.

Quote 1:
While introducing myself to the priest a few weeks ago (at a church in the South Hills of Pittsburgh), he was giving me the restrictions.

The only thing I ask is that you do not take a lot of pictures during the homily and prayer. The guy that was here last week, was like a ‘machine gun’. He was so distracting that I could not concentrate and pray!

I assured him that I would not be ‘that guy’ and would respect his wishes.

2nd Quote I read from a ReTweet last week:

Culling thru wedding photos is definitely the most trying part about this job. I need to turn off continuous drive mode… too many photos.

These two quotes got me thinking about where I was and where I am now.

Do either of these descriptions fit you? I know at a time, they fit me well. When I first started out shooting, I did feel like I was holding a machine gun (spraying and praying) to capture each and every moment/detail/portrait. Why? Well I think it was because ‘I could’. I mean it’s digital right? Why not just shoot everything? The other reason was that I thought, ‘These wonderful people are paying me to capture everything, so I do not want to stand around and look like I am lazy or not busy.’ The latter, is the main reason.

The more I grew as a photographer, and continue to grow, I have become more confident in that ‘down time’ where I am searching, rather than shooting in continuous mode. I am sure a ‘lack of confidence’ is a reason why I was such a machine gunner at first too, as I suspect a lot of newbies suffer from this as well.

I continue to push myself to:

• Be intentional.
• Shoot Less.
• Deliver Less Quantity, but More Quality.

By sticking to these principles, I am able to be more aware and focused to do a better job.

Being intentional has helped me more than anything. This means slowing down. Anticipating. Reacting. If I am busy shooting and spraying everything, chances are I will miss the Definitive Moments. This creates ‘fluff’ but the ‘meat’ will be gone forever.

It is impossible to capture every single moment throughout an event. It is not impossible, however, to capture the moments that matter. The moments that ‘make’ the day. These snippets of time are where real value is documented. Less = more. Are you familiar with the scarcity principle?

People assign more value to opportunities when they are less available.

This holds true because:

• Things difficult to attain are typically more valuable. And the availability of an item or experience can serve as a shortcut clue or cue to its quality.
• When something becomes less accessible, the freedom to have it may be lost.

Translated into photographs/moments: That ONE moment is way more valuable than the many so/so moments.

Like most things in life, this process is more of a Journey than a destination. I know that most of my clients end up with 40 – 80 final finished images in their albums. It is my job to deliver those selections amid the sea of images I may capture throughout a day. During my editing process I become more brutal with flagging the keepers. Therefore the images that I do deliver represent ‘the best’ of the day rather than lots and lots of ‘eh, shots’ of the day.

So what are you shooting for?

So I encourage you as you enter this weekend of shooting to be more intentional, shoot less and deliver higher quality.

To do great work, you need to feel that you’re making a difference.

This is a great little essay in Rework“>the book.

So, are you making a difference? Are you just another “me-too” kind of photographer, jumping on the same ship as everyone else? Are you doing something unique that is making a difference for those you serve? Who are you serving?

Your efforts should feel valuable (hopefully to those you serve).

These are some good thoughts to chew on today.

Enjoy.

I had a fantastic time with my family yesterday at Kennywood Park. (For those of you not familiar, Kennywood is an amusement park in Pittsburgh, PA)

I decided to use my iPhone to document the day. I have always loved my iPhone camera, but have taken a 3 month vacation from using it. Why I took a vacation from it is beyond me. It is so much fun to use! My app of choice yesterday was ShakeItPhoto, however I used Hipstamatic for a few frames (but Hipstamatic locked up my phone twice and forced me to reboot it.)

Here are a few of my favorites from the day.

If you would like to see the entire set you can see it here:
Kennywood through my iPhone

I’d love for you to share some links to your mobile phone photography! Post em up.

From the Book:

Failure builds character. Fail early and often. There is so much failure in the air that you can’t help to breathe it in. Don’t Inhale.

I think it is important to examine what you can learn from your mistakes, but typically you learn what NOT to do. Wouldn’t you rather focus your efforts on what you SHOULD do? You have some successes. Are they repeatable? What did you do right?

Other people’s failures are just that, other people’s failures.

Just because Joe Schmoe failed at his photography or marketing efforts, does not mean you have to.

I have made PLENTY of bad photographs (still do!). Though I learn from these, I learn more from the ones that I did right. I remember what I did right in a particular situation and repeat it. This works time and time again. This builds momentum and consistency. Consistency is key for growth and success.

So you will make mistakes, no doubt. The point is, pick yourself up, create some successes and repeat it. Do not dwell on the mistakes as this will slow down your momentum and ultimately paralyze your growth.

*Quotes from ReworkREWork

I recently became part of a small book club, where we submit book titles, vote and then read/discuss the winning book. I joined as the current book for this review had already been chosen: REWork. I have mentioned this book before, because I have already read it and highly recommend it.

Needless to say I am happy to read it again and would like to share some insights from the book that specifically relates to photography and the business of photography.

Chapter 1: Ignore the Real World
“That would never work in the real world.” You hear this when people balk at a new idea. I experienced this when starting as a wedding photographer. I expressed my “lack of love” for traditional wedding photography, and decided to approach it from a documentary perspective. I was told:

That will never work here in Pittsburgh. Pittsburgh is a traditional market and people want traditional wedding photography.

My thought was: “If I can’t shoot the way I want, then I just won’t do it.” That was in 2005. 2010 is here and people still hire me for documentary wedding photography. I ignored the real world .

The real world seems to be filled with despair and negativity. Actually “seems” is a kind word in this case. There is so much pessimism in the real world when people have new ideas and goals. Why? Is it easier for people to blend in and do the same old thing? Where is the joy in that? Who are you really helping with this mentality? Certainly not your clients or your heart.

Step out and create your own world. Just because everyone else is living in the real world, does not mean you have to. In the words of Jason Fried and David Heinemeier Hanson:

The real world is not a place, it’s an excuse.

I love that quote. If you are deciding do create something with your photography, whether it be a business or a hobby, Ignore the Real World and Create Your Own.

Personally for me (as it pertains to the Wedding side of my business) here are some filters/guidelines/guardrails that I enforce to keep my Vision clear:

• Limit viewing other wedding photographer’s work
• Do not purchase “looks” (usually in the form of presets and actions) for my photographs
• It’s not about me, its about the people I am photographing
• Good gear is nice, but knowing how to use it trumps the goodness of it
• I only need to be a rockstar for the 7 mouths that I feed

What are some of your ilters/guidelines/guardrails that keep your vision clear?

Do not buy more gear. Do not get technical. Do not worry about Photoshop.

DO WORK ON YOUR PEOPLE SKILLS.

If you are disappointed with your photographs, start asking yourself if you could improve upon your people skills. How can you do this? Take an interest in your subjects. Start conversation, create some ice breakers…. LISTEN to them. Be engaged. This will help you be more intentional and I guarantee your photographs will start taking on a new life.

Especially where portraits are concerned, People Skills Trump Camera Skills every time.

Try it.

Good day!

One of the many we have

Love Chyler’s smile with her eye teeth coming in before her front teeth. How priceless is this?