September 28, 2013

"The greatest mystery is not that we have been flung at random between this profusion of matter and the stars, but that within this prison we can draw from ourselves images powerful enough to deny our nothingness." Andr'e Malraux's Les Noyers de l'Altenburg

We all seem to know and understand what photography is.  Robert Frank wrote, " Mass production of uninspired photojournalism and photography without thought becomes anonymous merchandise.  The air becomes infected with the "smell" of photography".

Photography is now a commodity to be bought and sold from the lowest common denominator, free.  When someone contacts me now from the many sites I have my images on, they will invariably ask me if I would "let" them use my image for a project they are working on.  They will then give me the hard luck story that they are a non-profit organization and have meager funds and will not be able to pay for the image usage.
 I could ask them how much are they being paid for their services at this non-profit organization, but really, why bother.  Everyone knows and understands that photography is cheap, it is plentiful and it can be given away for free.  I am always respectful and grateful that in their search on the web one of my images interested them.  I always send back a license fee for the usage they want and rarely do they accept the charges.
 How low will photographers go to make a sale?  Given the pervasive quantity of images in the photo market cage arena, we have hit bottom, they will give away I presume, their hard fought efforts to create a meaningful image, for nothing.   

Images are easy to create if you don't have a thought, a purpose behind the shutter release.  What will it take to enlighten image creators that a lack of finance undermines inspiration, and to maintain a creative economy we need to stop the incessant saturation of laissez faire image making. In other words, the combining of consumer generated content will continue the degradation of intentful image creation pricing.

Why go to all the trouble to fight for an image, making sure we have delved into the subject and have exhausted all possible emotions, to find that your return on your effort is nothing.  What is the incentive to work at your craft if everyone else is undermining the very foundation of economic value, a worth measured in an acceptable price for your efforts?  What happens when the lemmings follow the gurus of the industry and accept the pattern of spiraling down pricing?  We are left as small actors looking for bit parts along Hollywood Boulevard.  There is a value to Art. Art is precious, it is a necessity that inspires us and makes this over commercialized physical world we live in bearable.

I believe if you love creating images then nothing will stop you from your goals.  Persistence under extreme pressure should make you more determined, not less.  You might have to find other avenues of revenue and balance your obsessive need to create images with love of family, friends and your local community.  Alot of my friends in the photography business began looking for other outlets for their creativity as the photo industry collapsed.  In some cases these outlets were their first loves.  My friends are now back to writing comedy, playing and performing music, writing essays, writing books and poetry, teaching and painting.  We as creative humans must express ourselves and this expression is not limited to just photography. Keep making meaningful images but also don't get obsessive about just one means of expression. Fulfill your lives in as many ways you can. In other words, it is a good idea nowadays not to put all your skills in one basket.

September 8, 2013


Can you still create images and work full time?  I think you can.  I have been doing it now for over three years and yes, it is exhausting but I still feel rewarded by making an effort to get out and create imagery.  I have been in the photo business for 35 years and have been taking photos since my younger brother got a Polaroid camera for Christmas and I got a reel to reel tape recorder.  When I saw that camera and the images he created, I knew that is what I wanted to do. So I would take his camera when he wasn't looking and shoot images I felt were interesting.

Working two jobs takes alot out of you and when you add in the hardest job you will ever have, raising a family, well, time management becomes so important in order to get everything accomplished. Success will come in little steps and small victories by being focused, disciplined and taking action.

Here are some things that help me:

1. Shoot every week.
2. Edit the images down to the very best
3. Do post production on the images ie: cropping, color correcting and spotting. 
4. Caption and keyword your imagery. This is a must.
5. Get them out to as many outlets as possible to make sales.
6. Get a website of your own, I use PhotoShelter
7. Have patience
8. Have fun and don't get caught up in the newest and greatest.  Don't take yourself too seriously. Just be yourself and enjoy family, friends and creating imagery you can be proud to share with others.

These are just a summary of what it takes.  We all have our priorities. In the early 90s soon after the birth of our second child, my wife and I decided to sell our house and travel in an RV (our first child was grown and out of the house). I was lucky enough to have my wife's support and we traveled in that RV for ten years.  We raised our second child in the motor home and she saw some of the great places this country has to offer.  When we finally decided to settle back down in a house (she was turning thirteen and the RV was getting alittle crowded) our daughter mentioned one day that she wished we were back traveling! That made me grateful we had done what we did and took a chance and it paid off.

September 1, 2013


Distractions build barriers to constructive purpose.  As an image maker you must focus your intentions and pursue great imagery with passion and quiet resolve.  If you get too caught up in photography's high and lows your energy level can't sustain itself.

Sometimes life interferes with our true calling and we get caught up in its flow and lose our inner foundation and the goals we had set for ourselves in our youth.  We lose sight of the shoreline and drift where ever the current take us.  We can't do everything we want.  We have responsibilities and family and side jobs.  But, we still can pursue our image making little by little, step by step and as the years fly by, you will find, that you have created a body of work you can be proud of, and you will have an inner peace because you did your best and accomplished your goals of making meaningful images.

You open your eyes and there is the material waiting for your personal style to give it meaning and then to share your vision with others, to inspire them.



 

September 1, 2013


I have posted before about the fun we have creating our haunted Halloween porch.  Last year, I had a hard time coming up with an idea for how I was going to create a humorous image of the carved pumpkins we used on the steps leading up to our mysterious and scary porch.  Here is what I came up with.                                                    

                                                       Pumpkin Escape

Halloween Images from 2012

August 25, 2013


I have often wondered about the camera being a crutch to suspend fear when shooting subjects that are intense.  We lift the camera to our eye, meter, compose and shoot.  All the while there is an activity happening in front of us but the camera is a filter, a barrier that allows us to remain objective and not to think too much on the drama unfolding before us.  We are in a sense, disconnected from the reality we are photographing.  The scene becomes more manageable this way and we have what seems like more time to reflect and act as if a play were being performed and we are in the audience.

I was up in a small airplane last week and was photographing aerial images around Seattle. In order to shoot photos from this airplane we had to open the canopy 8 to 12 inches while in flight.  The big question was, would the air current push the canopy open more and expose us to real air turbulence and an early landing?

When shooting from a small aircraft I shoot at the fastest shutter speed possible.  In this case, I pushed my ASA and made images using a shutter speed of 1/1000 of a second.  I used a 105mm and 50mm lens with hoods.  This cuts down on side glare as the sun sets.  I kept my arms and hands away from touching any part of the plane to cut down on vibrations that could blur my images.  My pilot was great and did a good job turning the plane so I had a better angle to make images of my chosen subjects.  One of the hardest things was keeping the right distance from the opening and sides of the canopy.  Too close to the opening I had wind turbulence, too far away and I had the canopy edges cutting into my frame.  It took awhile for me to get in a groove and maintain a good shooting distance.

I started off talking about the camera as a barrier from experiencing a intense situation.  I do not like to fly!  Having the camera in this case wasn't as much a barrier but a mechanism that allowed me to remain objective and focus on my composition and exposure.  I still experienced the fear and excitement of the flight, but because I was shooting, I was able to enjoy the moment without over thinking of my fears.  If the camera ever became such a crutch that it didn't allow me to experience  the real world I was photographing live, I wouldn't pick up the camera at all.

July 29, 2013


Are we settling for casual imagery as the new substitute for images that touch a nerve in us and make us think and react in deeper ways?  A great photograph communicates an underlying connection to all humanity, it articulates a purpose, exposes a wrong or instills in us a love for our fellow human beings.   A great image is not just a localized smile or hands up in the air dancing.  We love to imitate because it is fun to be part of trends.  Social media's ever growing control on the image process and distribution makes it easier for us as photographers to play to the masses and not to our own inner voice.  Our everyday lives are broadcast over the Internet to others, exclaiming that I am here, look at me and see what I have done today.  We are like Pavlov's dog getting up each morning and checking our e-mails and social media sites.  We have to see what everyone else is doing and then we have to respond and make our voices heard in words and imagery.  It is addicting but it is it really communicating?

A great image expresses a true deep sense of the subject and what the photographer felt when he made the image.   This feeling can be shared with others through the common good/morals we all try to live by. A great photo can effect us in a profound way if we as the viewer are mind present and really looking at the subject and not letting our minds wonder over to the next local news trauma of the day.

I believe we are seeing a moving away from imagery of depth and powerful emotions to a more lazy approach to image making.

There is this casual/shallow quality to content now.  A willingness to just be there and shoot and what ever happens happens and those images will be marketed as authentic because we are being conditioned to see the world only as a quick expression and not on a deeper level with meaning and purpose.

We must slow down our visual overload.  This tsunami of images and words is numbing us to be more apathetic to a bigger picture of the world we live in and we are not creating worthy imagery but hoarding stuff that ultimately is meaningless.  We have to and should live life on a deeper level than this constant need for attention, any attention.  This need to be seen is pushing us to do and say more and create more careless stuff.. and this in turn is causing more people to become indifferent to any quality in life.

Slow down your life.  Slow down your creativity when making images.  What does all this flood of information have to do with your life.  This minutia of details bogs down your thinking process. We don't have to be everything and take images of everything.   You can limit your social media intake and be more selective and purposeful in your image creation.

August 7, 2013


I am in the process of editing, cropping and spotting images.  It is a never ending battle to get new work out into the world and yet live a family life.  This close up image of a maple leaf reminds me of why I love macro photography.  Macro photography is analogous to an inner dialogue physically manifested.  When I saw the Japanese Maple tree I new their was an image present.  I took some images further back but something wasn't clicking.  I moved closer to the subject and began to see details lining up.  As I moved tighter and closer to my photo goal this image presented itself.  My inner dialogue didn't allow me to just shoot an over all scene and move on.  I was mentally present and listened to my inner voice and created this image.

This was a very difficult image to take.  When you are shooting close to your subject any wind or breeze plays havoc with your focus.  In this image I needed both the dew drop and leaf to be sharp.  I had to twist and turn my body to get in a position so that the upper leaf and the dew drop was on a parallel plane for focusing.  And I had to make sure that the background enhanced the main subject.  Many, many frames later I hit the jack pot so to speak.  I think my sore back was worth it.

July 27, 2013


I like getting up early for sunrise.  It sets the direction of the day on a good path.  I decided to drive down into the Snohomish Valley.  Timing is such a intricate part of photography. We sometimes miss out on the potential for great images by not making an effort to just get out and do it, make photos.

If you are driving down Highway 9 heading south as you get closer to the City of Snohomish you can get a glimpse of the valley floor.  Here you will see whether your choice of possible subjects was worth it. This morning the fog sat low over the fields.  At these moments you have a rush of excitement because the potential is there for good images.  I drove along the South West road that winds along the valley floor.  This road is elevated so at times you can be alittle above the fog.  Beware, always drive slower and keep one eye on the road at all times you never know when a working farmer will be out on the road with his tractor or a raccoon hurrying home for the day.  That advice has saved me many times.

As I was driving I kept seeing potential images but I was looking for that aha moment when all the elements come together to make a great image.  Well, it looked like I was going to have to work for any good photograph.  As I passed an opening between a line of bushes and a farm house I spotted a row of electrical towers standing in low lying fog and moving off into the distance toward the Cascade Mountain Range.  Sentinels of our communication obsession.  So I pulled over and set up.  I used a variety of lenses to get the best composition I could given my limited area that I could shoot from.  Once I went through my normal routine of choosing wide, medium and telephoto lenses I realized that I had milked this particular scene.  And my interest here was done.  So I packed up and moved down the road.  As I passed another barn I saw a dirt road that went down into the valley and believe it or not, it didn't have a no trespass sign on the entrance.  So I went down the road and parked.  I took some images of the fog and sunrise behind a large tree and then as the sun rose higher in the east sky I hiked further down the road and found a community vegetable patch.  I stayed and photographed it for a long time shooting the different vegetables people had planted and taking images of some of their tools and large water containers they had set up.

We start in one direction and end up in another.  In a matter of a couple of hours I was able to see the beautiful valley fog and shoot some interesting subjects along the way.  If someone would have told me that when I started out this morning that some of my favorite images would be of a community veggie patch in Snohomish Valley I would have been surprised.  But that is why we seek out good images and let our instincts and luck sometimes take charge and guide us to interesting subjects that were not even on our photo radar..

July 27, 2013


I went to see the United Indians of all Tribes annual celebration last weekend.  What a great time.  The Native American traditional clothing was amazing.  There are some etiquette tips to keep in mind if you happen to be at one of these beautiful celebrations.  Ask first before you take a picture of the performers.  Some performers don't want their picture taken while others welcome it.  I guess the main etiquette when photographing people is to be friendly and respectful and when necessary ask before you leap.  During the Grand entry stand and remove your hat.  Don't pick up any feather that has fallen to the ground, ask one of the staff to pick it up and return it to the owner.  Don't block others from viewing the tribal dancing.  I like to sit or kneel in front of a standing crowd, that way no one gets irked and frustrated with me.

When you are taking photos look at the background as the Tribes circle and dance in front of you.  Try and position yourself in an area where the background is neutral and won't distract from the colorful clothing.   If it is a sunny day photograph with the sun behind you.  This way you won't have your subject in deep shadows.  Use a fast shutter speed to stop the subjects movements.  Capturing the facial expressions can be very powerful.  You will need to use a longer lens.  I brought a 105mm lens plus shorter lenses but next time I will also bring my 180mm lens so I can get a tighter close up of the traditional clothing and face painting of the dancers.  I will also experiment with slower shutter speeds for movement and color when using the longer lens.  I will pan with my camera following the dancers as they move though the frame.  You will have to decide how abstract you want to take your final image.

It was very powerful and impressive to see the Native American Tribes parade into the dance circle with the drums beating and the voices chanting keeping their culture alive and well.

July 21, 2013

I like to make photo lists and cut tear sheets from magazines and list potential concept shots that I want to work on.  This list expresses for me a certain amount of interest in these subjects.  I have a curiosity to explore their potential.

When we go out to shoot, (even if we have a tight list of potential subjects) we are always looking for serendipity to play a roll in our ability to create a better image.   

When we get to our location we find many things that will interfere with our image making goals.  The terrain is not what we expected, it is the wrong time of year, the light is too contrasty for your image goal, it is stormy, time of day is wrong, you're thinking to much about an argument you had with your companion, your interest is waning etc...

This invariable leads to a doubt of your subject choice.  We are always thinking of someplace with better opportunities.  Our time is precious and we can't just sit and wait.  This is not the nature of man.  We are impatient to the detriment of our ability to create great images. Our minds want it all and we don't want to work hard to get it. So we start to doubt our location and the image goals we set for ourselves.  Maybe we should move to a new, better location and see how the light is there and not have to waste time in this location where nothing is working for me to get a great image.

But if we wait and look at the scene before us and are patient, the subject will reveal worthy images to us.

The real issue is light and subject.  We all wish for better imagery.  What makes better images is dramatic light, dramatic subject and composition and the relationship the viewer has with those choices you made to create that image.

But how realistic is it to have every element line up so that all you have to do is step out of your car, set up your tripod, click the shutter and then move on because you have captured that perfect dramatic image.  Or better yet, why even get out of the car, set your ISO at 400 and shoot the scene while keeping a consistent speed of 60mph. 

What stops you from experiencing the true revelations of this world? 

Over thinking can be a barrier.  It becomes a process of abstraction leaving you unprepared to experience the here and now, the deep beauty that lies in front of your eyes just within your grasp, if only you would open those eyes and see, really see what is in front of you.  

Any layers you put between you and your subject can dull your perceptions. Doubting yourself and your image intention is one of those barriers.

These layers can hamper your ability to see old as new again. You are blinded by image stereotypes and mundane self observations to see your surroundings you walk by every day as subjects worthy to photograph.  Get out of your box and notice and see the new subjects (that were always present) of beauty that abound right in front of you. 

Once you have opened your eyes to a new world of wonder and possibilities it is time to express your new found observational skills.

Any place you choose to shoot from has the potential for great imagery.  It is letting go of your inner barriers and just open your eyes. Take in the light, its quality, direction, its motifs.  

What is illuminating this scene that has finally caught your attention? Now that you see it, will you be able to make an image worthy of your seeing.  Can you make a transition of seeing the subject in only one way to seeing your subject in many different lighting situations.  Maybe this overcast light is good for less contrast, maybe this harsh sunlight is telling me to wait for sunrise or sunset light, maybe using a different lens and getting low to the ground will bring the viewer suddenly into your new perspective and a connection will be made.

Take in the light and the paradox of timing and being there. 

How many times have photographers found the perfect spot to shoot their subject from only to have the light fizzle and their patience tested.  And how often is the opposite true, you are in a bad lighting situation but you have had the patience to wait , knowing that if the light breaks through you will have a dramatic image and suddenly the light comes and this beautiful light hits your subject and all is good and your rewarded with great images.

Trust your instincts.

June 23, 2013


I was shooting at Queen Anne Hill a few weeks ago at Kerry park.  This park has one of the most iconic views of the Seattle Skyline.  You get all the beauty of the city with the Space Needle and the downtown corridor and Mount Rainier as a back drop.  You also get the Seattle waterfront with the new Ferris Wheel and Ferry boats leaving and coming into the city as the sun sets on a warm summer evening.  It is truly magical.  It was packed with photographers and tourists visiting from other cites.  Tour buses will pull up and crowds of people will get out and come and stand with us (photographers) and take quick photos of the city and then leave for the next tourist destination.

What made this day even more special was the Moonrise.  During the summer months the moon moves south along the earths horizon line while the sun moves north.  Because of this, you get a perfect storm of sunset light reflecting off the glass buildings and a moonrise that will go over the city at twilight. What fun.

I got there early knowing it was going to be packed. I brought an extra tripod to put up next to my working tripod to save a place for a photographer friend that was going to be late.

I do make the effort to update my image files with the newest Seattle skyline imagery. I still make some sales of these images. But not as I once did, in the heyday of Stock.  There are just too many images being taken at any given moment to make it a worthwhile, constant job to concentrate on skylines only or any subject that is easily accessible. This doesn't mean you don't shoot these subjects but you balance shooting with markability, interest and light.

June 29, 2013

I have to ask myself if some of the older generation of photographers are upset about their ego's being bruised by a new wave of imagery being presented by an ever younger generation of shooters?  There is paradigm shift from a knowledge based art-form to a new manufacturing model, replacing the older photographer's concepts of image creating.  The learning curve for new photographers is becoming shorter and shorter.  Cameras are put on auto pilot and selling imagery has never been more efficient.   What this means to the older generation of shooters is that it takes less time to become capable of producing a usable image.  And with new smaller high pixel range finders and cell phones the amount of imagery being produced is mind boggling and scary if you plan on making a living in the future taking photos.

Small camera photography is the big attraction for amateurs and professionals alike. Today, you shoot on the fly and don't necessarily care about having a picture perfect image. As a matter of fact having an image that is real with flaws is exactly what the new breed of editors are looking for.  In the old days Stock Photography was a glamour magazine.  Picture perfect imagery that entices it's viewer to travel to these beautiful locations and see for themselves how they could have it all by just stepping off the plane and missing all those piles of crap. But now people want more of the nitty gritty, a real life experience. 

Downsizing to a smaller camera just makes since for this very reason. Let me give you a few examples of why a small camera is useful in some circumstances. It seems wherever I go,  I am asked if I am a professional photographer ( I admit sometimes I carry alot of gear).  I normally say no, I am an amateur and I just enjoy taking photos.  If I were to say yes it could open up a whole can of worms.  For one thing I might have to answer alot of questions that are distracting me from why I am there in the first place, to take photos.  Secondly you never know who this person is and maybe the subject you are shooting is somehow restricted and you might need a permit or permission to take pictures.  But by being a gullible amateur just having fun more often than not you get the images and move on.  

By shooting with a small camera you can take photos anonymously,  especially when you are shooting in foreign lands or in sticky situations here at home.  Why would you draw attention to yourself by having big lenses and a motor drive humming away when that could get yourself arrested.  By keeping a low profile you are able to get a more intimate portrait of the scene.  That's a bigger reward than showing off your latest and greatest. Small cameras beg to be shot from the hip with no set up time because you want capture the action when it is happening at break neck speed.

Another plus is sparing your shoulder and back the heavy weight of your photo gear.  Small camera's are easy to carry and have ready at all times.  I know we all have been there and saw a spectacular scene unfold before our eyes but didn't have our camera with us.  But now you have no excuse for not getting the image.  

Ultimately it is not whether you are a novice or professional, use a big camera or a small camera what matters is quality imagery.

If a photographer approaches a scene with reflective intent and finds a purpose present in the subject then the image will be a success no matter his age or his camera preference.

June 22, 2013

I get requests from people all the time asking if they can use one of my images for their particular project.  I always respond by thanking them for their interest in one of my images.  I then ask, what will the image will be used for.  Once I know what the image will be used for I then can give them a fair license fee.  I usually have to explain the difference between personal use and editorial/commercial use.

I am friendly and appreciative of their interest in my photography and I want them to know that.  So I respond quickly and professionally.  It is important in running a stock business to respond to all stock photo requests no matter how trivial you may think they are, because you never know when a large sale can occur from the smallest inquiry.    

June 2, 2013


We want to be seen, heard and witnessed. We live in this world longing for companionship, love, a caring touch, our inner music we can share with someone.  Photography gives us that connection to our busy lives, a history of our existence.  Social media gives us a platform to show that history to the outside world.  Our days seem better when we can share our lives with others and have them respond in a positive, sympathetic way, validating our daily grind.

May 26, 2013


Our family would like to thank all our military families for their service on this Memorial Day.  We will never forget your sacrifices.