What Does Your Photography Mean To You?

Photograph by Pamela Hansen, one of my M.A. R. S students.

As the final event of my recent M.A.R.S workshop, I did something that I like to do on all my workshops: I ask the participants, "What does your photography mean to you?"

Photograph by Dennis Hilburger, one of my M.A. R. S students. *Canon 7D camera with 20mm lens *HDR 7 exposure bracket beginning at F/9 with a beginning exposure of 1/15sec. Then the bracket was -1 stop,-2 stops, -3 stops +1stop, +2 stops, +3 stops, *ISO of 160 *Photo shop was used to add the light beam illuminating from the lighthouse and the fill was reduced to the desired look.

As usual, several of the participants became emotional and teary-eyed while giving their answers - drawing several members of the class (as well as the instructor) into the strong feeling of the importance of photography in all our lives.

Photograph by M.A.R.S. student  Dennis Symons.

I have ended my classes and workshops like this for years, but I still get new answers. My favorite this year (which will not come across as being emotional in the typed words below:

"A way of remembering our childhood. After second grade, we stop brining home pictures to put on the refrigerator to show our parents. Why not do this as we get older, too? Photography is a way to bring back what the world has killed - the artist in all of us."

You could hear a pin drop in my classroom after that answer.

Photograph by Donna McCann.

Of course, I heard the usual, but equally as important, comments: a passion, an outlet, a way to remember, my ego, a connection and so on.

Below are some of the other new comments. If you have a comment, please share it in the Comments section here on my blog.

- An escape.
- A way of seeing more deeply.
- My social life.
- A way I write my history.
- Love and happiness.
- A happy accident.
- I have no choice. Freedom.
- Owning art.
- Back to my roots.
- Because of it I'm living today.
- Staying fresh.
- Art heals.
- I have to see with new eyes every day or else I'm nothing.
- I see better when I make art.

Thanks to all the students in my class. And thanks for the thoughtful words in your "thank you" card and for my new Indian Jones-style hat (not shown). I needed a new hat!

Photograph by Lee Waxman, another new friend from M.A.R. S.

My next open workshop is in Croton-on-Hudson, New York.

Explore the light,
Rick

P.S. Speaking of childhood memories, click here if you need some :-)

iStuff Sunday #5: Ramps and SloPro

iStuff Sunday is a regular feature that I'll link to here on my blog. It's written by my friend David "The iMan" Leveen, who shot all the videos for our Light It! iPad and iPhone apps.

Click here to see all my apps.

Each week David will cover some cool techniques and fun stuff for your iPad and iPhone - and maybe even for iLife and iWork users.

If you want to suggest a topic, let us know in the Comments section here.

Also let us know if you'd be interested in an iPhone workshop by the iMan.

This week: Ramps and SloPro.

Explore the light,

Rick

P.S. Happy Mother's Day to all you moms out there!

7 Things My Mother Told Me That Can Help You With Your Business - and in your life

My late mother, Josephine T. Sammon, and my son, Marco C. Sammon.

Here are a few things my mother told me (when I was a kid) that can be applied to your business, as well as your activities in the photo community. They can also help you in life.

1) Someone is always watching.

This is great advice to keep in mind in designing and posting stuff on your web site/blog. You never know who is watching. Someone may be watching who needs exactly what you have to offer. He or she may be a millionaire and may have a few bucks to spend on you! 

Keep your site/blog up to date with the best you can offer. 

Also: know your audience. Post, write and design for your specific audience.

2) Always sandwich a criticism with compliments. 

If you feel as though you need to criticize another photographer's work, don't just jump in with criticism. Rather, try to encourage the person to do better - before and after you get to your point.

3) Never give up.

Every time I got a rejection letter or email, I thought about this quote. Sooooo glad I followed my mother's advice. 

I know it sounds easy, especially when you are down. However, don't let others get you down. Also remember that timing is everything. A "no" today could be a "yes" tomorrow.

4) To thine own self be true.

Ya know, I really did not like it when my mother used this quote. However, it's really good advice for photographers. Be true to yourself. Follow your heart. Photograph what you love. 

5) Sticks and stones can break your bones, but names can never hurt you.

Today, it's easy to hide behind fake names on the internet and post bad book, app and photo reviews. Ask my buddy Trey Ratcliff about it. And, check out his dramatic reading of his negative books reviews. 

Don't listen to what others say while hiding. In fact, don't listen to negative comments from folks who just set out to be mean. Their comments often say more about themselves than you!

6) Don't curse.

I vividly remember my mother washing out my mouth with a new, big and white bar of IVORY soap after I used a curse word. Well, I am not saying that today I am a saint, but I never use an inappropriate word on the web. I have dropped people from facebook and twitter for doing just that. I don't want to be associated with 'em. So, keep it clean and you will not offend anyone.

7) Be a good listener.

When I went on my first date, my mother told me to be a good listener. This was good advice, as I got a second date. :-)  

Today, we must be good listeners on twitter, facebook and in the comments section on our blogs. You can't just talk - you must listen. Get to know your audience.

Along the lines of being a good listener, remember this: There is always room for improvement.


Speaking of listening, if you have a mother's quote/advice you want to share, please post it here.

Thanks Mother (I always called her Mother),

Rick

P.S. Happy Mother's Day to all the moms out there!

Save $100 on Perfect Photo Suite

My friends at onOne software currently has a sale on Perfect Photo Suite 6.1. You will be able to purchase the software until May 16th for $199.95 (normally $299.95).

Perfect Photo Suite 6.1 - Everything You Need to Realize Your Photographic Vision   

Seven integrated products for your photography workflow
- Perfect Effects: Create images with impact
- Perfect Portrait: Simply powerful retouching
- Perfect Resize: Enlarge your images for print
- Perfect Layers: The power of layers without Photoshop
- Perfect Mask: The essential cut-out tool
- FocalPoint: Put the focus where you want
- PhotoFrame: Borders, backgrounds, textures and adornments
- Works as a plug-in for Lightroom, Aperture, and Photoshop! The program also works as a stand alone application.

Click here to order.

Explore the light,
Rick

Gumby and Glacier - dreams come true

Photograph © Bull Schmitt

One of my dreams came true this past April: I got to play Gumby (donning a survival suit aboard the Norther Song) during my weeklong Light Photographic Workshop in Alaska with Hal "Bull" Schmitt.

As a small child, I thought Gumby was "nifty," the word we used back in the early 1950s to describe something that today we call "awesome."

Photographing a glacier in Alaska was another dream that came true.

As you saw in previous posts, we photographed bald eagles, killer whales and humpback whales. Check out my five days of posts for lots of photo tips. One important tip that perhaps I did not mention: have fun, as I am doing in the photo that opens this post.

I also offered gear suggestions in past posts.

In today's posts, I'll share some of my favorite glacier photographs. All (except the third shot down) were taken with the Canon 5D Mark III and 24-105mm IS lens. I took that shot with the Canon 5D Mark III and Canon 15mm fisheye lens - which I am trading in for the Canon 8-15mm lens.

I created the black and white image above in Nik Silver Efex Pro. Read about all the plug-ins I use here.

Hal and I hope to see you in Alaska in 2013. Shoot me an email if you are interested in joining the fun - in Alaska or on any of my workshops.

Explore the light,
Rick

P.S. Below could have been one of my favorite glacier shots . . . but someone got in the way. Actually, I composed the photo that way . . . teasing my co-instructor.