Best of 2012

Each year I look back on my images and pick a few of my favorite ones.  This year I have 42 photos to show so lets get right to the images.

2012 Imaging USA after Conference Report

Not long ago I returned from PPA’s Imaging USA which was held in New Orleans, LA. It was my first photography conference because until now I could not convince myself that it was worth the effort. My wife and I made a snap decision to attend just a few days before Imaging USA was to begin. She and our son went for the food and the city (hosted in New Orleans) and of course I went for everything photo related. I wasn’t sure what to expect but I knew there would be some vendors there and that there were a few classes offered.



I was amazed at just how many vendors were present and how many classes were offered. Almost any type of vendor you could think of was there ready to talk about their products (past, present, and future). There were 70+ classes offered with subjects ranging from lighting to business methods. There was certainly a lot to be learned at these classes and a lot for me to consider going forward.

In addition to what was being offered some of the most prominent photographers in the industry were there giving lectures or just meeting and greeting. I had the chance to rub elbows with individuals I have followed through books and the internet for years. I got to shake hands with Bill Fortney (http://billfortney.com/) and spend a bit of time talking to him! If you don’t know who he is then you are missing something.

Perhaps one of the coolest things that happened was meeting Gavin Seim (www.seimstudios.com). I have followed his work and his podcast (ProPhotoShow) for a couple of years now. He and I met at the conference and even managed to get out one night for a group photo walk. All around the conference was a great educational experience and a great networking opportunity.

The bottom line is this: Try to make it a point to attend at least one photography conference every year. It will help you keep the pulse of the industry and will allow you to meet folks you might not otherwise have had the chance to meet.

Getting that Grunge Look Video Tutorial

This tutorial covers the basics of getting the dirty grunge look on your photographs.  This image was taken while I was at the Imaging USA expo in New Orleans a couple of weeks ago.  I hope you enjoy it and if you have any questions please feel free to e-mail me or call.

Side Note:  This individual was a very interesting character and we hung out talking to him for a good bit of time.  If you take the time to get to know your subjects the images come naturally.

Film Still Draws a Crowd!!!!

While I was in New Orleans I joined Gavin Seim, a great photographer from Washington State, for a photo walk.  We traveled down Bourbon Street and started setting up our gear.  Most people just walked by without a thought.  Then, Gavin brought out an old 4x5 film camera and started setting up.

This image is what happened next.  Yep, a crowd started forming.  It took him nearly 10min. to set up to take a single shot.  This made me think that we could learn something from Gavin.  First, we learn how to draw a crowd and second, we could learn how to slow down.  I know that pixels are free and we can experiment but there are times when we should just take our time to set up.  Take the time to compose that one image as if it were going to cost us money.  Do we have to do this to get a great shot?  No necessarily but we might have fewer images to go through and delete later.