Friday, May 6, 2011
The Road Less Traveled
by Kit McCallum
How often we must bear the challenges of life;
The endless roller coaster between happiness and sorrow;
The constant ups and downs of daily strife.
And always the question remains .... why?
Life is not an easy road for most;
It twists and turns with many forks in the road,
Although always, and inevitably, we are given a choice ...
Do we turn to the right ... or the left?
Do we take the high road ... or the low road?
Do we take the easy path ... or the difficult one?
Decisions are not easy for those struggling for direction ...
And sometimes the many choices and signs become overwhelming.
While standing at a crossroads in life,
The urge is to take the most comfortable path;
The road with least resistance ...
The shortest or most traveled route.
And yet, if we've been down that comfortable road before;
Have gleaned its lessons in life, and learned from our experiences;
Do we yet again follow the known?
Or does our destiny lie in another direction?
The fear of the road less traveled is tangible and all too real;
It manifests itself in many ways,
And tends to cloud the issues that might otherwise be clear.
It is in these times of confusion,
That we must seek peace and solitude;
Time to contemplate on our life,
Our experiences and our choices past;
Time to look back, and reflect on what we have learned
Without fear or confusion.
For only each of us knows our own personal thoughts;
Our unique past and personal history;
The experiences that brought us to the crossroads we now face.
We can always learn a small degree from others experiences,
And yet ... no one person can walk in our shoes,
Others know not, the trials and tribulations faced in private ...
For each is individual ... unique ... and personal.
And that is why ... while standing at a crossroads,
Only "we" can formulate the decision for ourselves;
The true direction that lies within;
The choices we must deliberate on with clarity and wisdom.
For it is only through personal reflection,
That we can now choose our destiny;
... Our next adventure;
... And the future we will embrace.
How often we must bear the challenges of life;
The endless roller coaster between happiness and sorrow;
The constant ups and downs of daily strife.
And always the question remains .... why?
Life is not an easy road for most;
It twists and turns with many forks in the road,
Although always, and inevitably, we are given a choice ...
Do we turn to the right ... or the left?
Do we take the high road ... or the low road?
Do we take the easy path ... or the difficult one?
Decisions are not easy for those struggling for direction ...
And sometimes the many choices and signs become overwhelming.
While standing at a crossroads in life,
The urge is to take the most comfortable path;
The road with least resistance ...
The shortest or most traveled route.
And yet, if we've been down that comfortable road before;
Have gleaned its lessons in life, and learned from our experiences;
Do we yet again follow the known?
Or does our destiny lie in another direction?
The fear of the road less traveled is tangible and all too real;
It manifests itself in many ways,
And tends to cloud the issues that might otherwise be clear.
It is in these times of confusion,
That we must seek peace and solitude;
Time to contemplate on our life,
Our experiences and our choices past;
Time to look back, and reflect on what we have learned
Without fear or confusion.
For only each of us knows our own personal thoughts;
Our unique past and personal history;
The experiences that brought us to the crossroads we now face.
We can always learn a small degree from others experiences,
And yet ... no one person can walk in our shoes,
Others know not, the trials and tribulations faced in private ...
For each is individual ... unique ... and personal.
And that is why ... while standing at a crossroads,
Only "we" can formulate the decision for ourselves;
The true direction that lies within;
The choices we must deliberate on with clarity and wisdom.
For it is only through personal reflection,
That we can now choose our destiny;
... Our next adventure;
... And the future we will embrace.
Loss
Sometimes we have something
Without truly knowing
What we have
Sometimes we hold something
Without knowing completely
What we hold
Sometimes we are given something
Without fully appreciating
What we are given
But that knowledge usually comes
When we realize
What we have lost
-Javan
Without truly knowing
What we have
Sometimes we hold something
Without knowing completely
What we hold
Sometimes we are given something
Without fully appreciating
What we are given
But that knowledge usually comes
When we realize
What we have lost
-Javan
True and Genuine Love is...
So many of us question love.
I - for one - will be the first to stand up and admit that I don't have all the answers.
I wish I did....
But, I will - proudly - give many thanks to this world I know...
For the great love that I have come to know along the way.
With that being said, I would like to say...
That true love makes a man walk miles through the bitter cold of winter for just a brief look at the woman he loves.
True love is when you wake up every single day and the one you love seems more beautiful than yesterday.
True love is when the greatest joy you have is making life better in whatever smallest way for the one you love.
True love brings comfort and happiness through life's hardest tests.
True love is not a word, but a feeling borne deep in the soul.
True love is knowing that nothing in the world is perfect, yet the one you love seems perfect in every way.
True love is when you no longer can even imagine loving another the way you love the one you're with.
True love forgives the mistakes your lover makes.
True love is when you look in your lovers eyes and see a sparkle and reflection of what Heaven is all about.
True love is when a mere kiss can bring you the greatest passion you've ever experienced.
True love is knowing that in an ever changing world, you and your lover change together.
True love holds a man and woman together through the mightiest of storms.
True love is understanding.
True love builds each other up instead of tearing each other down.
True love is the sunshine after the rain.
True love can bring the biggest man to his knees and fill the tiniest woman with the strength of a dozen oxen.
True love is always standing on the foundation of trust.
True love is when your lover remains the most beautiful in your eyes no matter any physical ailment that comes to them.
True love is when you hold each other together at night and are truly thankful for being blessed with one another.
True love is when you see your lover sleep and whisper in their ear: "I love you so much," for the chance that they will hear you in their dreams.
True love is when you get off work late and stop at the store on the way home to buy doughnuts and chocolate milk so that your love wakes up, knowing that you thought of them when you were apart last night.
True love is walking in the rain to meet your lover on the way home... because you missed them so much and just couldn't wait to hold them in your arms.
True love is all of this...
Yet so much more.
-Danny Watson
I - for one - will be the first to stand up and admit that I don't have all the answers.
I wish I did....
But, I will - proudly - give many thanks to this world I know...
For the great love that I have come to know along the way.
With that being said, I would like to say...
That true love makes a man walk miles through the bitter cold of winter for just a brief look at the woman he loves.
True love is when you wake up every single day and the one you love seems more beautiful than yesterday.
True love is when the greatest joy you have is making life better in whatever smallest way for the one you love.
True love brings comfort and happiness through life's hardest tests.
True love is not a word, but a feeling borne deep in the soul.
True love is knowing that nothing in the world is perfect, yet the one you love seems perfect in every way.
True love is when you no longer can even imagine loving another the way you love the one you're with.
True love forgives the mistakes your lover makes.
True love is when you look in your lovers eyes and see a sparkle and reflection of what Heaven is all about.
True love is when a mere kiss can bring you the greatest passion you've ever experienced.
True love is knowing that in an ever changing world, you and your lover change together.
True love holds a man and woman together through the mightiest of storms.
True love is understanding.
True love builds each other up instead of tearing each other down.
True love is the sunshine after the rain.
True love can bring the biggest man to his knees and fill the tiniest woman with the strength of a dozen oxen.
True love is always standing on the foundation of trust.
True love is when your lover remains the most beautiful in your eyes no matter any physical ailment that comes to them.
True love is when you hold each other together at night and are truly thankful for being blessed with one another.
True love is when you see your lover sleep and whisper in their ear: "I love you so much," for the chance that they will hear you in their dreams.
True love is when you get off work late and stop at the store on the way home to buy doughnuts and chocolate milk so that your love wakes up, knowing that you thought of them when you were apart last night.
True love is walking in the rain to meet your lover on the way home... because you missed them so much and just couldn't wait to hold them in your arms.
True love is all of this...
Yet so much more.
-Danny Watson
Mother Theresa
People are often unreasonable, illogical,
and self-centered...
Forgive them anyway.
If you are kind,
people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives...
Be kind anyway.
If you are successful,
you will win some false friends and some true enemies...
Succeed anyway.
If you are honest and frank,
people may cheat you...
Be honest and frank anyway.
What you spend years building,
some could destroy overnight...
Build anyway.
If you find serenity and happiness,
there may be jealousy...
Be happy anyway.
The good you do today,
people will often forget tomorrow...
Do good anyway.
Give the world the best you have,
and it may never be enough...
Give the world the best you've got anyway.
You see, in the final analysis,
it's between you and God,
It was never between you and them anyway.
~~~ Mother Theresa ~~~
and self-centered...
Forgive them anyway.
If you are kind,
people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives...
Be kind anyway.
If you are successful,
you will win some false friends and some true enemies...
Succeed anyway.
If you are honest and frank,
people may cheat you...
Be honest and frank anyway.
What you spend years building,
some could destroy overnight...
Build anyway.
If you find serenity and happiness,
there may be jealousy...
Be happy anyway.
The good you do today,
people will often forget tomorrow...
Do good anyway.
Give the world the best you have,
and it may never be enough...
Give the world the best you've got anyway.
You see, in the final analysis,
it's between you and God,
It was never between you and them anyway.
~~~ Mother Theresa ~~~
Thursday, May 5, 2011
One Bright Shining Star
This is one of two poems I just came across - written just after losing my wife! Years ago! I hadn't read them until just now! Wow! What a low point for sure...
Tonight,
I take a moment
And stop
On the path
I've walked...
It's been a long and hard journey -
So many mountains to climb -
Oceans to cross...
I'm so very tired...
I can feel the winds of yesterday,
Kissing my skin like a long lost friend;
I can hear the songs of a thousand songbirds,
seeming to whisper in my ear:
"Everything's going to be alright."
And, in the distance
I can see the end
Of this long and hard journey,
And it makes me
Continue on -
No matter the pain...
I turn to look behind me,
Onto every single step I've taken
On this path of life.
I can see all the faces
And all of the places
I've met along the way...
The winds seem to whisper in my ears:
"You're almost done."
And the stars seem to dance to a song
No one can hear.
I see a bright shining moon.
Every single footstep seems to glow
In the darkness of a world
Many cannot see...
I feel a solitary tear
And it's warm on my cheek
As it slowly
Makes it's way
Down my
Face...
I take a picture out of my heart,
It's tattered and faded;
From a time
Left far behind.
I can see you in my dreams
And sometimes they make me warm
In a cold, cold world...
But,
Mostly,
It makes me feel tired
And alone...
I cried out the stars,
Hoping just one angel could hear me.
I whispered onto a passing current of wind:
"Why?"
It's a long and hard journey -
So many obstacles along the way.
Still,
I could always look back on
Yesterday
With a smile...
Until,
One autumn day in September.
I remember it all too well...
I look up to the stars -
They seem to dance in my tears;
And,
I bow my head in silence.
I take this moment in my hands
And I hold it close to my heart...
I recall the first moment
I looked into your beautiful eyes
And it was as if
I had seen
Just a glimpse
Of Heaven...
You held me in your arms
And I held you -
And no world existed
Except what we claimed
As ours...
We laughed and loved,
Hoped and dreamed;
Life could not be more beautiful...
Our love was like a carefree Sparrow
Capturing
A single current of wind.
We soared and floated,
Leaving the cares of a world behind.
Your smile brought me peace -
The world was truly a beautiful place...
You and I -
We saw so much
Of a world we didn't quite understand.
But,
We had one another
And,
That was enough...
I held your face in my two hands -
Wiped away your tears -
"This can't be the end."
It was...
Even though apart,
You were so close in my heart -
A part of my soul.
And when the time came -
I was counting down the days
Till I could hold you
Once again
In my two arms...
One month to go...
God called you home...
And,
I remember that day well...
Because...
I saw in the heavens,
Through the tears I cried;
A brand new star
That shined extra bright
On the world we lived...
It's been nine long years,
And, I'm still walking -
Searching -
For some place
Or some face
That will bring me home
To you...
Jeg elsker dig, min kone, med alle min hjerte.
Tonight,
I take a moment
And stop
On the path
I've walked...
It's been a long and hard journey -
So many mountains to climb -
Oceans to cross...
I'm so very tired...
I can feel the winds of yesterday,
Kissing my skin like a long lost friend;
I can hear the songs of a thousand songbirds,
seeming to whisper in my ear:
"Everything's going to be alright."
And, in the distance
I can see the end
Of this long and hard journey,
And it makes me
Continue on -
No matter the pain...
I turn to look behind me,
Onto every single step I've taken
On this path of life.
I can see all the faces
And all of the places
I've met along the way...
The winds seem to whisper in my ears:
"You're almost done."
And the stars seem to dance to a song
No one can hear.
I see a bright shining moon.
Every single footstep seems to glow
In the darkness of a world
Many cannot see...
I feel a solitary tear
And it's warm on my cheek
As it slowly
Makes it's way
Down my
Face...
I take a picture out of my heart,
It's tattered and faded;
From a time
Left far behind.
I can see you in my dreams
And sometimes they make me warm
In a cold, cold world...
But,
Mostly,
It makes me feel tired
And alone...
I cried out the stars,
Hoping just one angel could hear me.
I whispered onto a passing current of wind:
"Why?"
It's a long and hard journey -
So many obstacles along the way.
Still,
I could always look back on
Yesterday
With a smile...
Until,
One autumn day in September.
I remember it all too well...
I look up to the stars -
They seem to dance in my tears;
And,
I bow my head in silence.
I take this moment in my hands
And I hold it close to my heart...
I recall the first moment
I looked into your beautiful eyes
And it was as if
I had seen
Just a glimpse
Of Heaven...
You held me in your arms
And I held you -
And no world existed
Except what we claimed
As ours...
We laughed and loved,
Hoped and dreamed;
Life could not be more beautiful...
Our love was like a carefree Sparrow
Capturing
A single current of wind.
We soared and floated,
Leaving the cares of a world behind.
Your smile brought me peace -
The world was truly a beautiful place...
You and I -
We saw so much
Of a world we didn't quite understand.
But,
We had one another
And,
That was enough...
I held your face in my two hands -
Wiped away your tears -
"This can't be the end."
It was...
Even though apart,
You were so close in my heart -
A part of my soul.
And when the time came -
I was counting down the days
Till I could hold you
Once again
In my two arms...
One month to go...
God called you home...
And,
I remember that day well...
Because...
I saw in the heavens,
Through the tears I cried;
A brand new star
That shined extra bright
On the world we lived...
It's been nine long years,
And, I'm still walking -
Searching -
For some place
Or some face
That will bring me home
To you...
Jeg elsker dig, min kone, med alle min hjerte.
The Darkness That Surrounds Me
WOW! I wrote this poem - drunk in a hotel room just after I lost my wife!!! I just came across it!!! WOW! I was at such a low place back then!!!
I can see you tonight
In the darkness of this hotel room;
I can hear your voice -
Whispering to my heart
And soul...
I light up a cigarette,
Take a drag;
I watch as the smoke seems to dance
To a sweet song
From my past...
I take a sip of Vodka,
And it goes down rough;
Escaping to an oasis of peace
That never seems to be enough...
The lights are out,
I'm writing to the glow of a computer screen;
And the world goes on
Outside this hotel room...
This is my life,
And this is my time
To do what I will;
Money in my pocket
And lots of memories
To fill...
I take another drag of my cigarette,
Exhaling into the darkness that surrounds me;
I wanted to quit smoking yesterday,
But didn't have the strength
Nor the motivation...
It is here I feel free,
In the darkness that surrounds me;
One solitary man
Searching for something
That I just can't see...
I've watched summers come and go,
Reflections on winter's changing snow;
Every spring I've went to the mountains
Trying to find some peace
In the hope of a new tomorrow...
I've sat around a blazing campfire
Under a starlit sky;
Whispers spoken to those I cannot see:
"Can you please
Just tell me
Why?"
Lovers without love,
Children without hope;
So many people on this long and winding road
Carrying such a heavy load...
It's here that I feel close,
No troubles to see;
Within the darkness
That surrounds
Me...
I've walked a million miles
It seems;
And I've dreamed a million dreams.
I've seen a sparkle of Heaven
In a newborn child's eyes;
And I've heard the song of Angels
From a thousand distant skies...
I learned to laugh
Through the tears of sorrow;
And through broken times
I could always see the hope
Of a brand new tomorrow.
As a child I cried out
From behind stone walls and iron bars:
"Can someone please hear me
And heal these painful scars?"
In time,
I learned to see;
The light of God
In the darkness that surrounds me...
Peace, hope and beautiful love,
After the darkness
A beautiful dawn;
And no matter the troubles,
A reason to carry on.
I can see you tonight
In the darkness of this hotel room;
I can hear your voice -
Whispering to my heart
And soul...
I light up a cigarette,
Take a drag;
I watch as the smoke seems to dance
To a sweet song
From my past...
I take a sip of Vodka,
And it goes down rough;
Escaping to an oasis of peace
That never seems to be enough...
The lights are out,
I'm writing to the glow of a computer screen;
And the world goes on
Outside this hotel room...
This is my life,
And this is my time
To do what I will;
Money in my pocket
And lots of memories
To fill...
I take another drag of my cigarette,
Exhaling into the darkness that surrounds me;
I wanted to quit smoking yesterday,
But didn't have the strength
Nor the motivation...
It is here I feel free,
In the darkness that surrounds me;
One solitary man
Searching for something
That I just can't see...
I've watched summers come and go,
Reflections on winter's changing snow;
Every spring I've went to the mountains
Trying to find some peace
In the hope of a new tomorrow...
I've sat around a blazing campfire
Under a starlit sky;
Whispers spoken to those I cannot see:
"Can you please
Just tell me
Why?"
Lovers without love,
Children without hope;
So many people on this long and winding road
Carrying such a heavy load...
It's here that I feel close,
No troubles to see;
Within the darkness
That surrounds
Me...
I've walked a million miles
It seems;
And I've dreamed a million dreams.
I've seen a sparkle of Heaven
In a newborn child's eyes;
And I've heard the song of Angels
From a thousand distant skies...
I learned to laugh
Through the tears of sorrow;
And through broken times
I could always see the hope
Of a brand new tomorrow.
As a child I cried out
From behind stone walls and iron bars:
"Can someone please hear me
And heal these painful scars?"
In time,
I learned to see;
The light of God
In the darkness that surrounds me...
Peace, hope and beautiful love,
After the darkness
A beautiful dawn;
And no matter the troubles,
A reason to carry on.
What To Do With Old Landscape Photography Negatives
If you are one of those people with boxes of old negatives in your basement or hall closet, you are not alone. Photography has been a popular hobby with people ever since the invention of the first camera. One problem that professional and amateur photographers alike have always faced is deciding the proper way to preserve their art once it has been shot and developed.
The good news is that if you are one of those people with boxes of old negatives and pictures old enough to be in the historical archives, many companies offer 35mm slide scanning services, and digital photo restoration. Scanning a negative not only allows for the development of the image, but also enhanced digital clarity, even for the oldest negatives. Photo restoration can also repair sun damage and scratches.
While there are many companies that offer these services, here are some things that you should look for when choosing a photo restoration and slide scanning service: High resolution is very important so having 3000 dpi slide scanning services for 35mm slides, as well as 110,120,126,127, and 200 format slides is optimal. Also having state of the art slide scanners and scanning equipment is crucial.
Industry standard automated dust and scratch removal, utilizing programs such as Kodak Digital ICE. The slide scanning services that you choose should include a manual color rotation, cropping, red eye removal, rotation, and additional dust and scratch removal as points of service. Quality slide scanning image processing performed by qualified technicians who employ a trusted photo restoration program, such as Adobe Photoshop.
Additional photo scanning services, preferably 600 dpi photo scanning services for both priceless, antique photos, as well as newspaper clippings, postcards, and other medium is important. An experienced photo scanning and slide scanning, photo restoration service should also be able to offer its customers black and white slide and black and white negative scanning. The option to view and choose prints online, preferably with the understanding that you will pay for only the prints that you select.
Competitively priced services. Some companies outsource work to other countries in order to save their customers money and time, while others choose instead to do work in house, and are usually more expensive. Landscape photography involves a section or portion of scenery seen from a single viewpoint as the subject of the image.
Typically, people and animals are not shown in a landscape portrait, unless they are included in the composition to illustrate scale. Some photographers disagree as to whether man made structures, the coast, and cities should be included in a landscape, since a landscape is designed to showcase natural features.
The good news is that if you are one of those people with boxes of old negatives and pictures old enough to be in the historical archives, many companies offer 35mm slide scanning services, and digital photo restoration. Scanning a negative not only allows for the development of the image, but also enhanced digital clarity, even for the oldest negatives. Photo restoration can also repair sun damage and scratches.
While there are many companies that offer these services, here are some things that you should look for when choosing a photo restoration and slide scanning service: High resolution is very important so having 3000 dpi slide scanning services for 35mm slides, as well as 110,120,126,127, and 200 format slides is optimal. Also having state of the art slide scanners and scanning equipment is crucial.
Industry standard automated dust and scratch removal, utilizing programs such as Kodak Digital ICE. The slide scanning services that you choose should include a manual color rotation, cropping, red eye removal, rotation, and additional dust and scratch removal as points of service. Quality slide scanning image processing performed by qualified technicians who employ a trusted photo restoration program, such as Adobe Photoshop.
Additional photo scanning services, preferably 600 dpi photo scanning services for both priceless, antique photos, as well as newspaper clippings, postcards, and other medium is important. An experienced photo scanning and slide scanning, photo restoration service should also be able to offer its customers black and white slide and black and white negative scanning. The option to view and choose prints online, preferably with the understanding that you will pay for only the prints that you select.
Competitively priced services. Some companies outsource work to other countries in order to save their customers money and time, while others choose instead to do work in house, and are usually more expensive. Landscape photography involves a section or portion of scenery seen from a single viewpoint as the subject of the image.
Typically, people and animals are not shown in a landscape portrait, unless they are included in the composition to illustrate scale. Some photographers disagree as to whether man made structures, the coast, and cities should be included in a landscape, since a landscape is designed to showcase natural features.
An Introduction To Black And White Photography
You know, there is something that is definitely more artistic about black and white photography. I know I am getting a little away from the overall concept of digital photography. But as a photographer, you will no doubt run into the phenomenon that is black and white photography.
I can remember vividly a photography named Michael Zagaris who is the team photographer of the San Francisco 49ers. He said that he was just captivated by the use of black and white photography. The way the light and the shading are so much more evident. This helps contribute to the overall feeling and emotion of the moment that the black and white photo captures.
Some of you may be saying to yourselves that color photography has surely taken the place of black and white photography, and I would say that for the most part you are correct. An interesting note here is that black and white photography still holds a degree of nostalgia in most photographers, amateur and professional alike.Perhaps one reason for this nostalgia is of course that photography was first taken on black and white film. Not only that, but many photography students are tasked with taking black and white photos when they are in their first photography classes. I know in my first digital photography class I was astounded at the very idea. Only later when the photos were developed did I truly start to appreciate black and white photos.
Therefore if you are an amateur or even experienced photographer, I would encourage you to give black and white photography a try. I think you will be pleasantly surprised at the level of sophistication it takes to really pull off a great black and white photo. After that you may be able to take in some advanced photos such as adding one stream of color. You may have seen these kinds of photos before when the photographer allows one color to be very evident in a black and white photo. For instance I can remember a picture of a little girl in a black and white photo, but the coat she was wearing was bright pink. It was great moment to capture.
As for taking the black and white photos themselves, more advanced digital cameras have gray-scale mechanisms that allow to this. Also you can have the color picture converted by using a digital photography software such as “Photoshop.” Give yourself a chance in black and white photography. I think you will be pleasantly surprised in the results.
I can remember vividly a photography named Michael Zagaris who is the team photographer of the San Francisco 49ers. He said that he was just captivated by the use of black and white photography. The way the light and the shading are so much more evident. This helps contribute to the overall feeling and emotion of the moment that the black and white photo captures.
Some of you may be saying to yourselves that color photography has surely taken the place of black and white photography, and I would say that for the most part you are correct. An interesting note here is that black and white photography still holds a degree of nostalgia in most photographers, amateur and professional alike.Perhaps one reason for this nostalgia is of course that photography was first taken on black and white film. Not only that, but many photography students are tasked with taking black and white photos when they are in their first photography classes. I know in my first digital photography class I was astounded at the very idea. Only later when the photos were developed did I truly start to appreciate black and white photos.
Therefore if you are an amateur or even experienced photographer, I would encourage you to give black and white photography a try. I think you will be pleasantly surprised at the level of sophistication it takes to really pull off a great black and white photo. After that you may be able to take in some advanced photos such as adding one stream of color. You may have seen these kinds of photos before when the photographer allows one color to be very evident in a black and white photo. For instance I can remember a picture of a little girl in a black and white photo, but the coat she was wearing was bright pink. It was great moment to capture.
As for taking the black and white photos themselves, more advanced digital cameras have gray-scale mechanisms that allow to this. Also you can have the color picture converted by using a digital photography software such as “Photoshop.” Give yourself a chance in black and white photography. I think you will be pleasantly surprised in the results.
Wednesday, May 4, 2011
If Just One Person Smiles At Me...
Thank you Alicia for inspiring me to write this!
This morning, I posted the Pulitzer Prize winning photo of a young Sudanese girl laying on the ground with a vulture in the background. It was taken by photographer. Kevin Carter, who fifteen months later took his own life. I just logged in to find a comment by my friend, Alicia, expressing sympathy, and saying that she wishes she "could just scoop that little girl up under one arm and Kevin under the other, and hold them tight and care for them, and let them know it's gonna be okay."
What a beautiful expression of love!
Along with Kevin's photo, I also posted a photo of a quote by a suicide victim who took his life by jumping off the Golden Gate bridge. It is an excerpt from his suicide note where he stated that if just one person smiled at him he wouldn't kill himself.
Now, flashback to ten years ago when my son, Zach, and I had just gotten back from a trip to town. He was just five years old at the time. We got into the house and he asked me why I had so many friends? It took me a minute to find and compose the perfect answer for a five year5 old, and I had to because this was all about social interaction and a golden rule I wanted him to adhere to.
And, this is what I said:
"When I smile and say hi to someone, it's because I really care about that person. I may not know them but to me they are my friend because the world is a lot better if it's filled with your friends. Did you notice how not everyone says hi back, and some people smiled really big as if they hadn't seen me in a long time?
When I say hi to these people, maybe it was the nicest thing that anyone has done for them in a long, long time. Maybe by me being nice to them with this little smile and a hello, I made them happy. Maybe one or two of them were having really bad days and maybe they were gonna do something bad because they thought nobody cared. But, by me smiling at them, they knew that someone cared about them..."
Of course, my boy was asking why I say hello to just about everyone I pass in my daily life. And, to a five year old it would seem like I was friends with everyone we passed.
Okay! Back to Alicia's response, and the reasons I post "depressing" stuff like that.
It's not to make you sad!
No! I post this for the same reasons I am motivated to produce some of my most important videos - so that you are reminded that each of us as individuals can make our world a better place. So that we know that no matter what's happening in our lives - it can always be worse. We all have something to be truly thankful for and somewhere along the way, most of us forgot this.
Kevin, the little Sudanese famine victim, and that guy who jumped off the Golden Gate bridge all have one thing in common and I hope you get this right now! Their lives had to have meant something! If nothing else, even to illustrate the point I am trying to make right now, which is that each one of us has inside our hearts the ability to stop things like this from happening! You are the one that can make our world better!
"But Danny, the world is screwed! Too far gone! There is nothing I can do to make things better! Why would I want to help this messed up world - all I ever got out of it was crap!"
I've heard it all, and it's thinking like this that makes the world what it is!
I also posted a photo with a quote stating that if you are reading this you should be thankful because there are literally millions of people in this world who do not have the resources to learn how to read. So, whether you agree or disagree with what I'm saying here, you even reading these words is truly something to be thankful for. And that, my friends, is the first step towards making the world a better place.
Nope! I refuse to believe that the tragedies in our lives are for no reason!
It's okay to cry when you see or hear about tragic events. But, wouldn't it be better if you could stop a future tragic event from happening?
Think about it.
Be thankful for whatever littlest thing that you are blessed with and share that with those you meet every single day!
Smile! Say hello to strangers! If you have an extra few bucks, an extra can or two of food, a coat, blanket - whatever - do you realize how much that would mean to someone who doesn't have anything? Even the simplest act that doesn't cost you a dime - that smile - could be the one thing that completely changes someone's life!!!
"If one person smiles at me on the way, I will not jump."
A better world begins with you! Because if just one of you do a kind act that results in another kind act, and so on and so on...
You don't need to be a genius to know that somewhere along the line - you saved someone's life.
Pay it forward!
This morning, I posted the Pulitzer Prize winning photo of a young Sudanese girl laying on the ground with a vulture in the background. It was taken by photographer. Kevin Carter, who fifteen months later took his own life. I just logged in to find a comment by my friend, Alicia, expressing sympathy, and saying that she wishes she "could just scoop that little girl up under one arm and Kevin under the other, and hold them tight and care for them, and let them know it's gonna be okay."
What a beautiful expression of love!
Along with Kevin's photo, I also posted a photo of a quote by a suicide victim who took his life by jumping off the Golden Gate bridge. It is an excerpt from his suicide note where he stated that if just one person smiled at him he wouldn't kill himself.
Now, flashback to ten years ago when my son, Zach, and I had just gotten back from a trip to town. He was just five years old at the time. We got into the house and he asked me why I had so many friends? It took me a minute to find and compose the perfect answer for a five year5 old, and I had to because this was all about social interaction and a golden rule I wanted him to adhere to.
And, this is what I said:
"When I smile and say hi to someone, it's because I really care about that person. I may not know them but to me they are my friend because the world is a lot better if it's filled with your friends. Did you notice how not everyone says hi back, and some people smiled really big as if they hadn't seen me in a long time?
When I say hi to these people, maybe it was the nicest thing that anyone has done for them in a long, long time. Maybe by me being nice to them with this little smile and a hello, I made them happy. Maybe one or two of them were having really bad days and maybe they were gonna do something bad because they thought nobody cared. But, by me smiling at them, they knew that someone cared about them..."
Of course, my boy was asking why I say hello to just about everyone I pass in my daily life. And, to a five year old it would seem like I was friends with everyone we passed.
Okay! Back to Alicia's response, and the reasons I post "depressing" stuff like that.
It's not to make you sad!
No! I post this for the same reasons I am motivated to produce some of my most important videos - so that you are reminded that each of us as individuals can make our world a better place. So that we know that no matter what's happening in our lives - it can always be worse. We all have something to be truly thankful for and somewhere along the way, most of us forgot this.
Kevin, the little Sudanese famine victim, and that guy who jumped off the Golden Gate bridge all have one thing in common and I hope you get this right now! Their lives had to have meant something! If nothing else, even to illustrate the point I am trying to make right now, which is that each one of us has inside our hearts the ability to stop things like this from happening! You are the one that can make our world better!
"But Danny, the world is screwed! Too far gone! There is nothing I can do to make things better! Why would I want to help this messed up world - all I ever got out of it was crap!"
I've heard it all, and it's thinking like this that makes the world what it is!
I also posted a photo with a quote stating that if you are reading this you should be thankful because there are literally millions of people in this world who do not have the resources to learn how to read. So, whether you agree or disagree with what I'm saying here, you even reading these words is truly something to be thankful for. And that, my friends, is the first step towards making the world a better place.
Nope! I refuse to believe that the tragedies in our lives are for no reason!
It's okay to cry when you see or hear about tragic events. But, wouldn't it be better if you could stop a future tragic event from happening?
Think about it.
Be thankful for whatever littlest thing that you are blessed with and share that with those you meet every single day!
Smile! Say hello to strangers! If you have an extra few bucks, an extra can or two of food, a coat, blanket - whatever - do you realize how much that would mean to someone who doesn't have anything? Even the simplest act that doesn't cost you a dime - that smile - could be the one thing that completely changes someone's life!!!
"If one person smiles at me on the way, I will not jump."
A better world begins with you! Because if just one of you do a kind act that results in another kind act, and so on and so on...
You don't need to be a genius to know that somewhere along the line - you saved someone's life.
Pay it forward!
Cat Stevens - Oh Very Young (photo slideshow)
Oh very young from ne033x on Vimeo.
"Oh Very Young" is a song by Cat Stevens. It was released on his 1974 album Buddha and the Chocolate Box. The song, which expresses an older person's wistful appreciation of the idealism of youth and the inevitable disillusionment of maturity, reached number 10 in the U.S. charts.
Hope is distinct from positive thinking, which refers to a therapeutic or systematic process used in psychology for reversing pessimism. The term false hope refers to a hope based entirely around a fantasy or an extremely unlikely outcome.
Tuesday, May 3, 2011
Monday, May 2, 2011
Sunday, May 1, 2011
Mastering Photography – How to Take Your Pictures to the Next Level
When you’ve taken a few pictures and gotten a few compliments on your abilities, it’s only natural to want to do more with your camera. But unless you’re a professional, you might not know where to begin. If you’re not looking to create a career out of photography, but you are looking to take your pictures to the next level, you need to follow these three simple tips.
Taking more pictures is the best way to start increasing your photo taking abilities. The more pictures you take, the more you will learn about how to compose a picture and how to create a beautiful result. Try taking pictures of everything around you, even bringing the camera with you during the day. Take pictures of nature and take pictures of architecture to see what works and what doesn’t. When you get the photos back or you upload them to your computer, look at the pictures to see what worked and what did not. Make mental notes of what you could have done better with each picture. If you can, go back and try to take the picture again if you want to improve it.
Experience is really the best teacher for your picture taking. The more you try to take pictures, the better you will innately become – even if it doesn’t seem like you’re trying. Here are some quick tips that you can use when you are taking more pictures:
Think about how you are centering your subjects in the frame
Think about trying off center subjects, like bridges, for example to see what they look like
Think about the surrounding you are capturing as well as the main subject
Try different lightings
Try going in close to a subject and then taking it from far away and then zooming in
The second step to improving your pictures is a simple one that many of us just simply do not think to do – read your camera manual. Even if you don’t have a digital camera with a million different functions, this manual is often the key to creating better pictures with minimal effort. Read the manual to see what advice it can give you as well as what other functions your camera might have that you didn’t know it had. For example, on many digital cameras, there is a function for taking close up pictures of flowers, but many people don’t realize this.
Sit down for an afternoon and read the manual and then try out what you find in the pages. You might find that you have been using the wrong film or that there are other settings that might have made the picture better. In any case, you need to find out what your camera can do before you can do more with it.
And finally, taking your picture taking to the next level is usually a matter of purchasing a better camera. Digital SLR cameras are the latest rage for camera hobbyists and professionals, but simply upgrading to a camera with a higher megapixel range can also offer you more clarity in your shots. If you have a standard film camera, you might want to experiment with lenses and different grades of film to see if you can increase your photo quality.
You might also want to consider taking a local class in photography. Often community centers will offer these classes on a regular basis, and they can help you network with other photography lovers as well as learn how to use your camera more effectively.
In the end, improving your camera skills is really a matter of experience and a matter of having the best equipment you can afford. After that, you just need to be out there taking more pictures to improve your chances of that winning shot.
Taking more pictures is the best way to start increasing your photo taking abilities. The more pictures you take, the more you will learn about how to compose a picture and how to create a beautiful result. Try taking pictures of everything around you, even bringing the camera with you during the day. Take pictures of nature and take pictures of architecture to see what works and what doesn’t. When you get the photos back or you upload them to your computer, look at the pictures to see what worked and what did not. Make mental notes of what you could have done better with each picture. If you can, go back and try to take the picture again if you want to improve it.
Experience is really the best teacher for your picture taking. The more you try to take pictures, the better you will innately become – even if it doesn’t seem like you’re trying. Here are some quick tips that you can use when you are taking more pictures:
Think about how you are centering your subjects in the frame
Think about trying off center subjects, like bridges, for example to see what they look like
Think about the surrounding you are capturing as well as the main subject
Try different lightings
Try going in close to a subject and then taking it from far away and then zooming in
The second step to improving your pictures is a simple one that many of us just simply do not think to do – read your camera manual. Even if you don’t have a digital camera with a million different functions, this manual is often the key to creating better pictures with minimal effort. Read the manual to see what advice it can give you as well as what other functions your camera might have that you didn’t know it had. For example, on many digital cameras, there is a function for taking close up pictures of flowers, but many people don’t realize this.
Sit down for an afternoon and read the manual and then try out what you find in the pages. You might find that you have been using the wrong film or that there are other settings that might have made the picture better. In any case, you need to find out what your camera can do before you can do more with it.
And finally, taking your picture taking to the next level is usually a matter of purchasing a better camera. Digital SLR cameras are the latest rage for camera hobbyists and professionals, but simply upgrading to a camera with a higher megapixel range can also offer you more clarity in your shots. If you have a standard film camera, you might want to experiment with lenses and different grades of film to see if you can increase your photo quality.
You might also want to consider taking a local class in photography. Often community centers will offer these classes on a regular basis, and they can help you network with other photography lovers as well as learn how to use your camera more effectively.
In the end, improving your camera skills is really a matter of experience and a matter of having the best equipment you can afford. After that, you just need to be out there taking more pictures to improve your chances of that winning shot.
Get more secrets to Editing Digital Photography
In order to edit pictures successfully, one must have the proper tools, just as when processing photos in a darkroom. In the latter, chemicals, exposure times, and certain materials can affect the outcome of a photograph. In today’s darkrooms, photo editing programs, one must know how to use the tools at hand to create the results wanted. Using photo editing programs makes editing much easier. It is far less expensive than working in a traditional darkroom and far less time-consuming if you wish it to be. However, you may also take your time editing to come out with the best results. Mistakes are not embedded in stone, for there’s always the “undo” button to rely on. Using your software, you can improve an image, or change it to something completely different. The resolution of your computer’s monitor can greatly affect the outcome of your photos. This is the amount of pixels there are on the screen. The more there are, generally, the better the quality of the images. Making sure you have a monitor that is suited for photo editing is an important part of the process. However, you must remember that certain resolutions are meant for certain sized monitors. A large resolution on a small monitor makes everything too small, whereas the opposite makes everything too big. Make sure you know what resolution your monitor is made for.
The display resolution of a digital television or computer display typically refers to the number of distinct pixels in each dimension that can be displayed. Some commentators also use this term to indicate a range of input formats that the display’s input electronics will accept and often include formats greater than the screen’s native grid size even though they have to be down-scaled to match the screen’s parameters. An example of pixel shape affecting “resolution” or perceived sharpness is displaying more information in a smaller area using a higher resolution, which makes the image much clearer. However, newer LCD displays and such are fixed at a certain resolution; making the resolution lower on these kinds of screens will greatly decrease sharpness, as an interpolation process is used to “fix” the non-native resolution input into the displays native resolution output.
The best thing about digital cameras is that it’s easy to take thousands of pictures. That’s also the worst thing about digital cameras. After you’ve owned your camera for a few months, you won’t be able to find that great picture you took a couple of months ago if your pictures aren’t well organized or named logically. Folders are the best way to organize groups of pictures, and the My Pictures folder is a great place to start. In your My Pictures folder, create a subfolder for each year: 2004, 2005, 2006, and so on. This might seem silly the first year you own your camera, but after five years, you’ll be glad you did this because you can go back to your 2005 folder and easily find a picture from a vacation you took that year. Arranging pictures by year is also helpful if you’re scanning older photos stored in shoe boxes or albums that you took before owning a digital camera. This is also a good way to start organizing the pictures that you currently have on your computer.
When it comes time to touch up your digital photos, you will need a photo-editing program. You can choose a low-priced, consumer-oriented program or a high-priced program targeted at professional photographers. For most of us, the consumer-oriented programs are more than adequate-and, in fact, you might have received one with your computer or digital camera. Depending on what you do with your photos, you may not need a lot of the bells and whistles when it comes to photo editing. Explore your options and find out which software is best for you. If you’re a beginner, you may be happy with a package that offers only the basics, like cropping and red-eye removal. Or, perhaps you need something with more creative effects. For the ultimate in photo-editing, you may consider investing in a professional editing suite. Be warned though, software like that is going to cost you. Adobe Photoshop, for instance, has become the industry standard among professional photographers everywhere. It allows functions like level adjustment, advanced compositing, and RAW image processing.
Sharpen filters bring out detail in images by increasing the contrast of pixels next to one another. More advanced image editing programs offer several options such as Sharpen, Sharpen More, Sharpen Edges and Unsharp Mask (USM). Unsharp Mask gives you a lot of control over how an image is sharpened. Sometimes a photo will benefit from selective sharpening. You select an area with a programs selection tool and only sharpen the area. The important thing is not sharpen an image too much. The sharpening tool that is most useful for photographs is the Unsharp Mask, now available in most raster programs. The Unsharp Mask searches through your image looking for where colors change, and sharpens those areas. The Unsharp Mask is superior to any other sharpening because it makes decisions based on adjacent pixels, not random color changes, so it usually can find and sharpen just the true edges of color areas.
Often times images are posted on the web and resized with HTML code. This leads to an image full of jagged edges. By resizing your image in an image editing program, such as Adobe Photoshop, you can utilize smoothing algorithms that will make an image look much smoother. Additionally, resizing the image will reduce the file size, allowing a web page to load faster than usual. When you resize an image, you are resampling an image. In other words, your program is taking all of the image data and redrawing the pixels so that the image is the desired size. However, when you ask the application to increase the size of the image, the size of each pixel is increased, which inevitably leads to degradation of the image. When you resize an image, you can also change image resolution, to keep the quality of your image.
At times the subject of a picture is lost in the surrounding parts of a picture. If this happens, you can always crop your picture. This means cutting down the picture to a certain size. There are many ways to do this in terms of the size of cropping. In just about every photo editing program there is a cropping tool, and you can experiment with the size of the area that you take out of your photograph. If you don’t like what you’ve done, all you have to do is click “undo.”
The display resolution of a digital television or computer display typically refers to the number of distinct pixels in each dimension that can be displayed. Some commentators also use this term to indicate a range of input formats that the display’s input electronics will accept and often include formats greater than the screen’s native grid size even though they have to be down-scaled to match the screen’s parameters. An example of pixel shape affecting “resolution” or perceived sharpness is displaying more information in a smaller area using a higher resolution, which makes the image much clearer. However, newer LCD displays and such are fixed at a certain resolution; making the resolution lower on these kinds of screens will greatly decrease sharpness, as an interpolation process is used to “fix” the non-native resolution input into the displays native resolution output.
The best thing about digital cameras is that it’s easy to take thousands of pictures. That’s also the worst thing about digital cameras. After you’ve owned your camera for a few months, you won’t be able to find that great picture you took a couple of months ago if your pictures aren’t well organized or named logically. Folders are the best way to organize groups of pictures, and the My Pictures folder is a great place to start. In your My Pictures folder, create a subfolder for each year: 2004, 2005, 2006, and so on. This might seem silly the first year you own your camera, but after five years, you’ll be glad you did this because you can go back to your 2005 folder and easily find a picture from a vacation you took that year. Arranging pictures by year is also helpful if you’re scanning older photos stored in shoe boxes or albums that you took before owning a digital camera. This is also a good way to start organizing the pictures that you currently have on your computer.
When it comes time to touch up your digital photos, you will need a photo-editing program. You can choose a low-priced, consumer-oriented program or a high-priced program targeted at professional photographers. For most of us, the consumer-oriented programs are more than adequate-and, in fact, you might have received one with your computer or digital camera. Depending on what you do with your photos, you may not need a lot of the bells and whistles when it comes to photo editing. Explore your options and find out which software is best for you. If you’re a beginner, you may be happy with a package that offers only the basics, like cropping and red-eye removal. Or, perhaps you need something with more creative effects. For the ultimate in photo-editing, you may consider investing in a professional editing suite. Be warned though, software like that is going to cost you. Adobe Photoshop, for instance, has become the industry standard among professional photographers everywhere. It allows functions like level adjustment, advanced compositing, and RAW image processing.
Sharpen filters bring out detail in images by increasing the contrast of pixels next to one another. More advanced image editing programs offer several options such as Sharpen, Sharpen More, Sharpen Edges and Unsharp Mask (USM). Unsharp Mask gives you a lot of control over how an image is sharpened. Sometimes a photo will benefit from selective sharpening. You select an area with a programs selection tool and only sharpen the area. The important thing is not sharpen an image too much. The sharpening tool that is most useful for photographs is the Unsharp Mask, now available in most raster programs. The Unsharp Mask searches through your image looking for where colors change, and sharpens those areas. The Unsharp Mask is superior to any other sharpening because it makes decisions based on adjacent pixels, not random color changes, so it usually can find and sharpen just the true edges of color areas.
Often times images are posted on the web and resized with HTML code. This leads to an image full of jagged edges. By resizing your image in an image editing program, such as Adobe Photoshop, you can utilize smoothing algorithms that will make an image look much smoother. Additionally, resizing the image will reduce the file size, allowing a web page to load faster than usual. When you resize an image, you are resampling an image. In other words, your program is taking all of the image data and redrawing the pixels so that the image is the desired size. However, when you ask the application to increase the size of the image, the size of each pixel is increased, which inevitably leads to degradation of the image. When you resize an image, you can also change image resolution, to keep the quality of your image.
At times the subject of a picture is lost in the surrounding parts of a picture. If this happens, you can always crop your picture. This means cutting down the picture to a certain size. There are many ways to do this in terms of the size of cropping. In just about every photo editing program there is a cropping tool, and you can experiment with the size of the area that you take out of your photograph. If you don’t like what you’ve done, all you have to do is click “undo.”
Candid Street Photography
Street photography is very different from controlled, pre-meditated outdoor photography or studio photography for that matter. When you photograph candid subjects on the streets, you do not have all the time in the world to plan and execute a shot. Street photography is a rewarding past time, as you photograph and capture a moment of real life on your camera. Every street and candid image has a memory attached to it – the city street you were in, the mood at the moment subjectively and objectively, the mood of the people around you, the incidents before and after the image was photograph all make a candid photograph an imprint on the photographer’s memory, and on the memory of the audience that sees the image. Photojournalists all over the world roam the streets of their cities in search of that image that could tell a whole story. A photograph does speak a thousand words doesn’t it? Or at least so it should be where street photography is concerned. How many images can you remember about a famous event? Remember the photograph of a boy kneeling down beside JF Kennedy just after he was shot? US troops raising their country’s flag on Iwogima as a symbol of victory? The ‘Afghan Girl’ photograph from National Geographic? A sailor kissing a nurse after WWII ended? All these images have become imprinted on people’s minds as symbolic of the whole events that they were used to describe. That’s what a good journalistic photograph is all about, and that’s what you hope to capture when you go outdoors with the purpose of capturing a lively moment.
Working as a journalistic photographer, however may not always be as exciting as the above paragraph may lead one to believe. We don’t mean to discourage anybody, but do understand that you cannot start off at the top of the rung! As with any other form of photography, one may need to assist an established professional for many months before he or she is handed the responsibility of photographing an important event by the editor! Also, the competition is fierce…it is all very well to read success stories of levi-clad photographers “camera-slung-around-the-neck” and making it big in LIFE magazine, but those were the days when photojournalism was just being given shape as an important part of news reporting as we know it today. That is not to say those photographers just got lucky breaks. On the contrary, they were giving shape to something that we follow today, and making a path as we all know, is much more of a job than following in one! If you want to truly be a photojournalist, you and are sure you do not want to be anything else, we believe that’s half the battle won!!!
Working as a journalistic photographer, however may not always be as exciting as the above paragraph may lead one to believe. We don’t mean to discourage anybody, but do understand that you cannot start off at the top of the rung! As with any other form of photography, one may need to assist an established professional for many months before he or she is handed the responsibility of photographing an important event by the editor! Also, the competition is fierce…it is all very well to read success stories of levi-clad photographers “camera-slung-around-the-neck” and making it big in LIFE magazine, but those were the days when photojournalism was just being given shape as an important part of news reporting as we know it today. That is not to say those photographers just got lucky breaks. On the contrary, they were giving shape to something that we follow today, and making a path as we all know, is much more of a job than following in one! If you want to truly be a photojournalist, you and are sure you do not want to be anything else, we believe that’s half the battle won!!!
Just the Right Angle – A Photographic Perspective
Sometimes the best way to take a picture is to look like you’re not taking a picture. With today’s digital cameras that have LCD viewing screens that can twist, turn, or flip so that you can view the image at almost any angle it would have been much easier. At the time I did not have that privilege, so I was focusing by estimating distance. The average non-photographer assumes that if you don’t have the camera up to your eye then you can’t be taking a picture. People tend to relax, and you get more natural results.
When shooting pictures in a crowded area there are two angles that many photographers over look. The first is the waist level shot which we just mentioned above. The second involves putting your camera on a mono pod, using your self timer, and lifting your camera as far above the crowd as you can. This “bird’s eye view” can often have interesting results.
When you are taking picture of a subject with a lot of straight lines, like someone against a wall or a fence for example, turn the camera itself at a 45 degree angle. Remember, straight lines tend to be boring. Diagonal lines on the other hand, are much more dramatic and will lead your eyes right to the subject.
If you are shooting a public event, like a wedding, it is always good to ask in advance, “Is there any location you do not want me to shoot from?” In most cases they will have no objection, and legally this helps protect you later on. Some of the best shots are usually found at some of the most unusual angles. Taking pictures from behind the minister and looking towards the couple as they take their vows for example. Most people attending will only get shots of the back of their heads at this point.
If you want to make something look larger than life and much more dramatic, try laying on your back and shooting straight up. Sometimes, it doesn’t need to be that dramatic and standing on a step or getting down on one knee can make all the difference in the world.
The point of finding the right angle is not to be different for difference sake. The point is to find the angle that gives you the greatest insight to your subject. The right angle can be dramatic; the wrong angle can be boring. Often when you are looking for the perfect angle, you are looking for the angle that has the least distractions in the background. There is no set right or wrong for any given photo, that’s where creativity becomes a factor.
Earlier I mentioned the “Bird’s Eye View”, don’t be in such a rush that you forget the other side of the scale as well. Every day; millions of people, photographers and non photographers alike walk over, by, or around spectacular shots. What I am referring to is the “Worm’s Eye View”.
Let’s say you are walking through a National Park and you glance down. If you see a mushroom from the very top, you basically see a round dot. If you get down on one knee, you get to see the shape of the overall dome and the stem. But . . . if you lay down and shoot up into the mushroom all of the sudden you see the dome, the stem, the fins that make up the dome, the contrast between the fins and the rest of the dome, and in some cases you see the life that takes shelter under the dome as well.
Obviously, I’m not saying you have to lay in the dirt for every single shot you take. What I am saying is that you as the photographer have to constantly be on the look out for what most other people miss. This is one of the many skills that you have to master to be considered a real photographer. The difference between us and them is not big or tall, black or white, male or female . . . the difference is how we view the world around us. We are the ones who show the world just how blessed they are to be here. From my perspective; it is part of our calling to uplift, motivate, inspire, inform and educate the rest of the planet. Of course, that is just one photographers’ perspective, and each of us has a different point of view. But that’s OK . . .
that’s what makes life interesting.
When shooting pictures in a crowded area there are two angles that many photographers over look. The first is the waist level shot which we just mentioned above. The second involves putting your camera on a mono pod, using your self timer, and lifting your camera as far above the crowd as you can. This “bird’s eye view” can often have interesting results.
When you are taking picture of a subject with a lot of straight lines, like someone against a wall or a fence for example, turn the camera itself at a 45 degree angle. Remember, straight lines tend to be boring. Diagonal lines on the other hand, are much more dramatic and will lead your eyes right to the subject.
If you are shooting a public event, like a wedding, it is always good to ask in advance, “Is there any location you do not want me to shoot from?” In most cases they will have no objection, and legally this helps protect you later on. Some of the best shots are usually found at some of the most unusual angles. Taking pictures from behind the minister and looking towards the couple as they take their vows for example. Most people attending will only get shots of the back of their heads at this point.
If you want to make something look larger than life and much more dramatic, try laying on your back and shooting straight up. Sometimes, it doesn’t need to be that dramatic and standing on a step or getting down on one knee can make all the difference in the world.
The point of finding the right angle is not to be different for difference sake. The point is to find the angle that gives you the greatest insight to your subject. The right angle can be dramatic; the wrong angle can be boring. Often when you are looking for the perfect angle, you are looking for the angle that has the least distractions in the background. There is no set right or wrong for any given photo, that’s where creativity becomes a factor.
Earlier I mentioned the “Bird’s Eye View”, don’t be in such a rush that you forget the other side of the scale as well. Every day; millions of people, photographers and non photographers alike walk over, by, or around spectacular shots. What I am referring to is the “Worm’s Eye View”.
Let’s say you are walking through a National Park and you glance down. If you see a mushroom from the very top, you basically see a round dot. If you get down on one knee, you get to see the shape of the overall dome and the stem. But . . . if you lay down and shoot up into the mushroom all of the sudden you see the dome, the stem, the fins that make up the dome, the contrast between the fins and the rest of the dome, and in some cases you see the life that takes shelter under the dome as well.
Obviously, I’m not saying you have to lay in the dirt for every single shot you take. What I am saying is that you as the photographer have to constantly be on the look out for what most other people miss. This is one of the many skills that you have to master to be considered a real photographer. The difference between us and them is not big or tall, black or white, male or female . . . the difference is how we view the world around us. We are the ones who show the world just how blessed they are to be here. From my perspective; it is part of our calling to uplift, motivate, inspire, inform and educate the rest of the planet. Of course, that is just one photographers’ perspective, and each of us has a different point of view. But that’s OK . . .
that’s what makes life interesting.
Travel Photography II
Keep it simple shutterbug. Travel photography is about capturing a moment, a place or a culture. It is as much about the experiences the photographer has along the way as it is about the image itself. The people you meet and the places you see. No one can deny the satisfaction the photographer gains by carefully planning and executing the perfect shot using a whole host of expensive equipment to get everything just right. However a technically perfect, but emotionally distant shot pales into insignificance next to one that manages to convey it’s message with sensitivity and shows an intimacy with it’s subject.
I have known many a photographer who will spend hours setting up their tripod, attaching all the required components (and some not required ones), cleaning and polishing the lens to within an inch of its life, only to miss those few moments of perfect light, when the sun bursts through the clouds and spreads it’s golden rays over the scene, or the seconds a member of an exotic tribe smiles into their camera.
So how do you keep the quality, but not miss the moment? Get back to basics. Take a long hard look at your kit bag and then leave most of it behind. Take with you only the essentials. Aside from a spare battery set and other such essentials, one camera, one or two lenses, and possibly a polarizing filter should let you cover most situations. Apart from not being weighed down by a heavy bag, you will find yourself thinking less about the technical aspects of photography and more about the image you are taking.
An obvious, but often overlooked aspect of travel photography is getting to know your subject. I don’t mean planning weeks ahead the best way to get to your destination and the best time to go (although this is important too). What do you do once you get there? Walk around the scene. Look at the angles. Look at the people. Speak to people. Become part of the scene. Think about the message you are trying to convey, and the way you want to convey it. Is it about the place itself or the people that live there? Are you looking at the broader picture or the finer details? Or both?
These are all questions that need to be answered at some point. The successful photographer is one who knows the purpose of their shoot and acts accordingly. You may find that you spend more time getting to know your subjects than actually shooting. This however, is no bad thing. It is better to come away with a few memorable images than many average ones. In addition to the images, you will more likely come away with a richer cultural experience. Which for many a traveling photographer, is the real prize.
So while it is easy to be swept up in discussion with other photographers about who has which gadget, don’t forget why you’re there in the first place, and spend a little more time thinking about what you see though the lens rather than the lens itself.
I have known many a photographer who will spend hours setting up their tripod, attaching all the required components (and some not required ones), cleaning and polishing the lens to within an inch of its life, only to miss those few moments of perfect light, when the sun bursts through the clouds and spreads it’s golden rays over the scene, or the seconds a member of an exotic tribe smiles into their camera.
So how do you keep the quality, but not miss the moment? Get back to basics. Take a long hard look at your kit bag and then leave most of it behind. Take with you only the essentials. Aside from a spare battery set and other such essentials, one camera, one or two lenses, and possibly a polarizing filter should let you cover most situations. Apart from not being weighed down by a heavy bag, you will find yourself thinking less about the technical aspects of photography and more about the image you are taking.
An obvious, but often overlooked aspect of travel photography is getting to know your subject. I don’t mean planning weeks ahead the best way to get to your destination and the best time to go (although this is important too). What do you do once you get there? Walk around the scene. Look at the angles. Look at the people. Speak to people. Become part of the scene. Think about the message you are trying to convey, and the way you want to convey it. Is it about the place itself or the people that live there? Are you looking at the broader picture or the finer details? Or both?
These are all questions that need to be answered at some point. The successful photographer is one who knows the purpose of their shoot and acts accordingly. You may find that you spend more time getting to know your subjects than actually shooting. This however, is no bad thing. It is better to come away with a few memorable images than many average ones. In addition to the images, you will more likely come away with a richer cultural experience. Which for many a traveling photographer, is the real prize.
So while it is easy to be swept up in discussion with other photographers about who has which gadget, don’t forget why you’re there in the first place, and spend a little more time thinking about what you see though the lens rather than the lens itself.
Photography For Vacation
Photography is something that almost everyone attempts while on vacation. People that would not normally touch a camera will become amateur photographers when they are on vacation. If you want to capture those special moments so you can scrapbook and cherish them forever, you will want to pick up a few expert photography techniques.
The main thing is to be relaxed and enjoy taking your pictures. After all, we are talking about vacation photography right? There are two techniques that I use that are crucial to coming home with lots of great photographs.
The first technique is to make sure I have a camera and photography accessories that will allow me to feel a certain amount of freedom when snapping photos. You see, I’ve noticed this tendency in people that use cameras with traditional films that have to be processed at a photo lab. They have limited resources in that you can only carry so many rolls of film at any one time and if you are lugging all of your equipment around say an amusement park, you may limit yourself but at least there are plenty of places to buy over priced film. Or if you are on a hike in a remote area, again you can only carry so much film and there is no place to purchase more.
In order for your photography skills to increase, you need the freedom to snap a large volume of photos. By switching to a digital camera, you not only giver yourself the freedom of taking more pictures but you reduce your expenses on getting rolls of film developed. I remember that on the first Disney vacation my wife and I went on, we had maybe a dozen rolls of film developed and it cost a pretty nice chunk of money to get them developed too. The problem was that when we got them back from the film lab, there only five photos that were in focus. The rest were either too dark or too blurry to make out.
With digital photography I take ten to twenty times more photos than I used to and that isn’t even the best part. In the evenings while we are relaxing in our villa or hotel room, I download the photos to my laptop computer, pull up some photo editing software and just generally clean out the shots I don’t want.
By the end of the vacation, I have several hundred digital photos that have already been checked, cropped, enhanced and are ready for printing. It looks like I have great photography skills but it is just an inexpensive technique with inexpensive digital photography equipment.
My other technique is to make sure I am extremely familiar with all the features of my digital camera. That can make a lot of difference when those once in a lifetime shots present themselves.
The main thing is to be relaxed and enjoy taking your pictures. After all, we are talking about vacation photography right? There are two techniques that I use that are crucial to coming home with lots of great photographs.
The first technique is to make sure I have a camera and photography accessories that will allow me to feel a certain amount of freedom when snapping photos. You see, I’ve noticed this tendency in people that use cameras with traditional films that have to be processed at a photo lab. They have limited resources in that you can only carry so many rolls of film at any one time and if you are lugging all of your equipment around say an amusement park, you may limit yourself but at least there are plenty of places to buy over priced film. Or if you are on a hike in a remote area, again you can only carry so much film and there is no place to purchase more.
In order for your photography skills to increase, you need the freedom to snap a large volume of photos. By switching to a digital camera, you not only giver yourself the freedom of taking more pictures but you reduce your expenses on getting rolls of film developed. I remember that on the first Disney vacation my wife and I went on, we had maybe a dozen rolls of film developed and it cost a pretty nice chunk of money to get them developed too. The problem was that when we got them back from the film lab, there only five photos that were in focus. The rest were either too dark or too blurry to make out.
With digital photography I take ten to twenty times more photos than I used to and that isn’t even the best part. In the evenings while we are relaxing in our villa or hotel room, I download the photos to my laptop computer, pull up some photo editing software and just generally clean out the shots I don’t want.
By the end of the vacation, I have several hundred digital photos that have already been checked, cropped, enhanced and are ready for printing. It looks like I have great photography skills but it is just an inexpensive technique with inexpensive digital photography equipment.
My other technique is to make sure I am extremely familiar with all the features of my digital camera. That can make a lot of difference when those once in a lifetime shots present themselves.
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