Which camera will it be?

I've been researching many digital cameras. I'm looking for something similar to the Aiptek which is a 4 in 1 camera. It works as a digital still camera, it records video. It's an MP3 player and its a voice recorder. I've written the company concerning the problems I've had with the camera, but so far no response. Parts of the camera are plastic and don't hold up well. That was the same problem I had with the Argus DC1730. Argus is a good camera, but its a plastic camera and can't take much wear and tear. The part of the camera where the tripod goes is plastic and from screwing it in and removing it, it has become worn and broke off. So you can't get it to stay on the tripod. Pentax of course remains my number one choice if I am going to pay up to $200.00 or more for a camera. The Optio S 50 seems like a good camera, but the optical zoom isn't a lot, only 3x. So I'll have to go window shopping and get some hands on... I'll keep you posted. In the mean time I work with what I have. Thanks for stopping by; keep an open mind.

Buying a new camera

I need to buy a new digital camera. My camera is slowly deteriorating. Southern Decadence is coming up and I may want to take a few pictures. It depends on the weather and how hot it will be. Here are some pics and art I've been working on. Thanks for stopping by; keep an open mind.

 1) approaching the levee 2) Along the levee 3) Dead squirrel 4) Nutrition 5) Abstract for D#2 6) 8 ball 7) Electrical cord 8) Covered water 9) Dove 10) It speaks for itself

Setting up a studio 101

If you're just starting out or starting over, setting up a studio can be fun and quite simple. If you're shooting stills it doesn't take much to set up an area to take photos. One can start off with just a few things and as you master your craft, buy equipment as needed. When I first started out, I didn't want to be like every photographer and besides I didn't want to spend a lot of money. For me photography was a hobby. I had no idea I'd make money at it. But it would be the non conventional usage of items that would become my trademark if you will. My backdrops pulled double duty, as shower curtains, sheets, newspaper, and drawing paper which I spray painted and hung from the ceiling. The paper was disposable and each person I photographed had a different background. There are few clients that I photographed that have had the same background. Let's begin with lighting, providing you've already selected your camera. You can start with one light, but you will want to get another. Most photographers use a main light and two fill lights or vice versa depending on the effect. The main light focuses on the subject, the fill light gets rid of the shadows depending on the position. So let's select a background. A dark color is always best to start off with. Get a black sheet or shower curtain, shadows usually blend right in. Position the light at least 2 feet from the subject. I prefer that my clients not wear a lot of make up because I want the pictures to capture who they are and not some fake image, making them look glamorous when in fact... Get a barstood or a chair with arms for your subject to sit in. You can cover the chair with a nice sheet or comforter to create an elegant look. When a photographer is working with people, he must use his imagination. Sure, you can copy other people, but its the originality that puts you in demand. You have to do what no one else is doing or close to it. If your backdrop isn't very long, find a rug that will compliment the backdrop. Keep in mind that you want people to look at the subject not the background. The same is true if you're framing a photo for a client. The frame is to compliment the photo not over shadow it. I can't tell you the times I've seen a great work of art, but the frame gets all of the attention. A good size room to start your studio would be at least 12' x 12'. You will have room to move and you can either get the entire subject in the frame of a wide angle lens or you can also do close ups withoutchanging lenses. If you have any questions feel free to contact me. Now go out and take some pictures. Thanks for stopping by, keep an open mind. Coming soon: 12, White Trash, No he didnt, and A night of intimate Art.

Stealing a shot

I don't recall writing about this, but if so, its another lesson. There are many times that a photographer will go out with a camera, having a particular thought in mind. You may want to photograph buildings, or trees, flowers, etc. Every now and then I stumble across someone else taking a photograph and I'll steal the shot. I'll either include the photographer taking the shot or I'll just photograph what the photographer is photographing. The subjects have already been posed, everything is right where it should be. All I have to do is snap a picture or pictures, without being noticed. A few months back I included a wedding photo. That was a stolen shot. Thanks for stopping by. If you have any photo questions or ideas, drop me a line.

Clouds, those beautiful clouds

1) Swoosh 2) Poof 3) Moon and light 4) Chasing 5) On the road 6) Space 7) Pillow talk 8) Got an itch? 9) Come together 10) Come together 2 11) Father and son 12) Meeting of the clouds 13) The mother ship 14) The World in Coulds 15) Angel in the sky (This is my favorite) 16) Have a seat 17) Slant, (This was done with the camera, not in a photoshop program) 18) There here 19) Going to sleep 20) Ooooh

Spend some time looking at the clouds and see what you may have been missing.

Buying an expensive digital camera

I had the opportunity to teach a family going on vacation how to work their new digital camera. The camera they purchased was a good one. Although I tend to stick with Pentax for all of my photographic needs, they chose a Canon Powershot. It had 5.1 mega pixels and a 12x optical lens. The camera is not very heavy and it fits in the palm of a person's hand. The camera has more features than the amateur camera buff will use. I on the other hand would make use of it all. There is video, and recording voice for still pictures. There is a built in flash and lots of settings. The camera can be totally automatic as well as manual. Playing around with this camera has now made me want to buy a better camera. The irony is that I had begun looking at cameras in the $200.00 price range, but now I've decided I'm going to get a Pentax SLR digital camera. It comes with two lenses, one is a 70-300 telephoto lens. The price is right under $1000.00. Of course I could opt for a Pentax Digital camera with a 10x optical zoom for half the price. We'll see what happens. I've decided to just get through 2005 and in 2006 I begin my new life in full force. Drop me a line and let me know what type of camera you're using, even if it isn't digital. Thanks for stopping by and keep an open mind.

Posing models

I hope to do some photos soon and I'm looking to create something different. It can be easier to go out and take a picture of a flower or capture a pet being itself, but photographing a model in a particular setting isn't always that easy. Learn to be creative. If you have a subject put them in something they like to do. If the person plays sports, get them a baseball bat or basketball and let them play around. They become relaxed and you can work around the model. I did a shoot a year ago and I had the model stand in one place and I moved around the model. The pictures were really some of my best. It was just what I was looking for and working in a confined space. When I have the right person and setting I can pretty much create anything. I prefer doing location shots. Working in the outdoors is so much more inspiring. The next time your working on a project do something simple and gradually escalate into being dramatic. Let your work speak for you, you don't have to speak for your work. Take a look at photography magazines and how to books or videos. Pick up a few tips and add your own style to the picture. Use different backdrops. It's okay to break the rules. When I first started out I used shower curtains as backdrops. I'd create large installations and put the model inside. Begin by creating for you, then create for your client. Thanks for stopping by, keep an open mind.