My New Venture

I've been a professional photographer for over fifteen years now. I started my career shooting film cameras and eventually moved to digital about ten years ago. During this time, I've amassed a great amount of knowledge about the world of photography. Over the past couple years, I started thinking seriously about how much fun it would be to teach other people who have a passion for photography as well. My focus is not on other professionals. No, my focus is on the "non-professional" market because I see a great need for educating them on the fundamentals of photography. My goal is "to get them off Auto". By that, I mean the trap that millions of photo enthusiasts fall into when they get their cameras. Most of us, including me, get a new toy and want to start using it right away. We can't be bothered with the owner's manual. Therefore, the easiest way to start using a new digital camera is to put it on "auto" and go. And that's usually where the camera stays. Sound familiar?

Last year, I had the opportunity to partner with a New York-based school called the Digital Photo Academy (www.digitalphotoacademy.com). They conduct photography classes throughout the country, teaching students both in the field and in the classroom, how to be a better photographer. F-stops, rule of thirds, depth of field, leading lines, fast lenses, macro, etc. Several different topics are discussed to help change one from being a simple "point and shooter" to a "photographer" who understands photography concepts and how to employ them under different conditions. I have the privilege of being one of the instructors who teach in Seattle and it has been fun and rewarding to meet so many people who share a common interest.

If you want to become a better photographer, I invite you to visit the Digital Photo Academy website (www.digitalphotoacademy.com) to see what upcoming classes are available in your area.

Hawaiian Adventure

I travel for work and pleasure. Once in awhile, I actually get to do both at the same time. My upcoming trip to Hawaii will be one of those trips. When I'm not working, I plan to play around with photography techniques and ideas and post them on my blog. I'll be showing how different types of lenses can dramatically change your image. I'll show how filters can take that image from "ho hum" to "wow". Maybe I'll show that the world from a horizontal perspective can be made even more interesting by taking that same image vertically. Please check back often as I hope to be posting images and ideas on a regualar basis during this trip. Mahalo!

Rubber Duck Flash Mob

One good reason for keeping a camera on you at all times is that you just never know when a good photo opportunity will arise. Sometimes it might be a beautiful sunset, other times it might be an uniquely-colored Volvo. Who knows? Sometimes you might even see a rubber ducky flash mob.

The point is that fun photo opportunities are all around us. Use your camera phone. Use your point n' shoot camera. Just use it and have fun. You'll be glad you did!

Blue Angels

This last weekend was the end of the annual celebration in Seattle called Seafair. A big highlight of Seafair is the performance by the Blue Angels. For anyone not familiar with the Blue Angels, this is a group of highly-talented Navy pilots that performs a variety of stunts, often times at very close range to each other, with extreme precision and at high rates of speed.

Like thousands of people, I like to photograph these jets when they are in town. One of the best places to capture awesome images is while you are on the water in your favorite boat. I had the good fortune to spend the afternoon with my sister and her family. As you might guess, these jets are very loud and it's a good idea to bring ear protection for your young children.

Like most photographic situations, having the right kind of equipment can make all the difference in the world. That will determine whether you get the shot or not. Photographing high speed objects like the Blue Angels jets requires a fast camera, fast lens, and steady hands. Having lots of space on your memory card is a good thing too because you'll probably take a lot of bad shots in order to capture one or two great ones, but you'll find that it's worth the effort.

Children's Portraits

Have you ever tried to photograph your children? They are full of energy and often times have a mind of their own. It can be a challenge to get that perfect photo, but it's sooo worth it! While patience is a virtue, so is spontaneity. Don't wait for the right time to take that photo. If you do, you will miss those moments that will never happen again.

Should you try to pose your children or let them act naturally? There's no absolute right or wrong answer. I think a combination is best. In my portrait sessions, I am aware of what my little models are telling me so I know how to work with them. The children, through their behavior, will let you know which way to go.

One thing to keep in mind is that children keep growing and change constantly. There's no bad time to capture those moments in time as your child grows from a newborn baby to a young adult. If you wish, consider hiring a professional photographer to help you create memories that will last for years to come.

Mocha

When most people think of Mochas, they usually envision a delicious chocolate-flavored coffee drink topped with whipped cream. Not me, at least not anymore. Mocha is my dog's name. I admit that he doesn't look very "Mocha-like", but that is not my fault. Latte or vanilla-steamed milk seems to be more appropriate. He is a purebred Pomeranian, but don't let his good looks fool you. He has a chiseled body underneath all that fluff.

Mocha doesn't mind being photographed. He is a great canine model, if there is such a thing. If I am doing a pet portrait session, I don't think they necessarily have to be stuffy and staged. No special lighting or backdrops. Perhaps photographing them in their normal environment makes the portrait more real. One thing seems evident to me. . .if I keep a camera nearby, I can catch my dog looking particularly cute or doing funny things naturally. That often seems to be the best time to photograph him.

Lunar Eclipse

I watched the lunar eclipse last month with my son and my dog. It was an awesome sight! My son and I enjoyed the view, but my dog, Mocha, didn't think it was anything extraordinary. The next lunar eclipse won't happen again until 2010.

My first choice for witnessing this event would've been at the Mauna Kea Observatories located on the Big Island of Hawaii. You can check them out at http://www.ifa.hawaii.edu/mko. Not that it was necessary to use such powerful telescopes to view the lunar eclipse, but I just like vacationing in Hawaii and this would've been one excuse to do so.

Here are a couple photos that I took that night. The first photo is a close up of the moon. I haven't seen it look quite this color in recent memory. The second photo shows the moon to the right. To the lower left, there is a white spot. That is Saturn.

Someday, I'll have to get myself a telescope to see what else is up there.