What is it to be an artist?

I've spent a long time and a lot of money on photography, and I am grateful for everything I have learned, and all the experiences I have had.

Lately I have been realizing what it is to be an artist (at least in regards to the photography that I do). One has to think about what people are about ; how they feel; what they're interested in, and what is important to them... and capture that in a natural, raw (yet flattering) way. That's something I never really knew before. I know all the technical settings for my camera, where to have the lights, etc., but I never knew the connection with the subject was so important in capturing something in a natural way. Ever look at a photo and think to yourself that the subject isn't comfortable in it? If you have, odds are that they weren't comfortable at all.

Strange as it may seem, I tend to make my best images when I'm having a difficult time in my life. Some people even think that in order to be a successful artist of any kind you have to have a lot of pain in your life. (Musicians are the most known for having and enduring lots of pain, due to the widespread reach of their art form). Anyhow, of course I want to be happy, but I'm beginning to wonder if that's possible given how much I absolutely HAVE to create. If I'm not creating something, I feel like I'm useless. If it came down to it, would I choose happiness over my art? I'm not so sure.


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So much reading...

Lately I've had so much to do at work that I haven't been able to get as much reading done as I'd like. Photography websites, blogs, Flickr, Twitter, Photographer portfolios, forums, etc. There's so much to learn and know about photography that it's overwhelming sometimes. I know I can't ever get through all of it, so I guess my best bet is to just read about what I find interesting in regards to it all. Lately that has been the business side of it all, as opposed to the technicalities of how to produce certain kinds of images. The business aspects aren't all Greek to me, but they're not that far off. It's going to be a lot of hard work but it will be worth it in the end if I'm able to attain what I want.

I really think a year off of everything would help me significantly. Both as a photographer and as a person. I know where my passions lie, I know what I want to do for a living; all I have to do now is get there.

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Throw me back

Not as good as I was hoping it would be. I'm at work so early in the morning that I need to have some caffeine to help me stay awake. I am definitely NOT a coffee drinker, and I happen to like Mt. Dew quite a bit, so it works out. I gotta say I like high fructose corn syryp better.

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Zoom zoom.

A shot of the dash in my car. Just another "hey that might be kinda cool" photo.

I'm trying to take pictures of random things with the BB but never think they're good enough to put up here. I'll attempt to look past the quality and just continue to throw pictures up here as much as possible.

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Take me to your leader.

This is a portrait of my two Canon flashes and accompanying PocketWizards. I'm taking a break while shooting some old guitar pickups, some decks of cards, and my Strat. Normally I'm a 'natural lighting' kind of guy, but wanted to play around with light that I can control entirely. It's tougher than one may think right off the bat, but becomes second-nature the more you work on it (sorta like driving). These lights are fantastic, and I'm learning a lot every time I fire them up.
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Advertising in the snow

Just a little something I created in yesterdays snowy festivities down by work. What else is there to write besides aepoc? Exactly. :)

Shoot with Marie: 01-30-2010

Had another shoot with Marie on Saturday, January 30th. We only had a few things we wanted to get, and for the most part we got them. It was about 10 degrees, so we shot right outside the Capitol building in downtown Madison so we could go back inside to warm up a bit (and so Marie could switch up the outfits). The shoot lasted around 45 minutes, and we each got some great looking photos. They can be viewed here on my Flickr stream.

I also wanted to have a little interview with Marie in regards to what she looks for in a photographer, what projects she's interested in, and that sort of thing. See below for the interview:


AEPOC: How do you know when you want to work with a certain photographer? What sorts of things do you look for in their portfolios?

Marie: I definitely look for skill, of course, but more importantly I look for a pattern. I look for consistency and purpose. I like to shoot with photographers who have ideas that mean something to them and who want me to put their thoughts into a photograph. I feel like it is then truly art, because let's face it, anyone can take/be in a picture, but to make it good there needs to be skill and purpose.

AEPOC: What sorts of photos are you interested in shooting? What types of projects would you like to be a part of?

Marie: I really need to diversify my portfolio, and thus I am up for almost anything. This question really comes back to my mantra of purpose. I want to shoot projects that serve a purpose, whether it means something just to the photographer or myself, or if it is a nationwide campaign, I want it to mean Something to Someone.

AEPOC: Is there a specific career path you're leaning towards at this point based on the modeling? Professional modeling, acting, or something unrelated?

Marie: Well, my plans are to move to LA in the next 2 years, but not necessarily for modeling. My real career path is to become a teacher, but modeling for some shopping money can't hurt!

AEPOC: What do you love most about being in front of the camera?

Marie: I love being in front of the camera. There is something about it that makes me comfortable, and I don't know why, it just does. :D

AEPOC: How do you feel about post production, and the negative connotation of the question "has this image been Photoshopped"?

Marie: I feel like post production can either enhance a photo or ruin it. I think that whoever is doing the touch-ups needs to use their discretion wisely. When it comes to altering a model in a way that makes them unrealistic, I dislike it, but enhancing color, contrast, and exposure is fine, that is where technology has brought us and if it can make the overall image better, why not.

Something Like Prison

Took this the other day at work. Seems like an applicable title to me.

Going down

Took this in the elevator this morning. I was going up to the 8th floor, and as soon as I hit the button to take the shot, I got to 8 and the UP arrow turned to down. Decided to keep it anyhow :)

Starting a new project

Professional Photographer Chase Jarvis gave me a good idea with his "The Best Camera Is The One That's With You" book. For those of you that aren't familiar, it's a 241-page book he created with photos strictly from his iPhone. I am going to try to document my days with my BlackBerry and see if I can keep at it. I won't be going to as many awesome places as Mr. Jarvis, but it should still be entertaining.

My first photo is a soda from Culver's the other day.