Improve My Photography Phase II

This year I figured out what type of photography I want to do and don’t want to do.

I really enjoyed taking these photos.

I have always been intrigued by long exposure photography. I had tried it many times with no success. I went on youtube to look up how to shoot long exposures and found an excellent tutorial that helped me a geat deal. My best friend came along on a recent photo day and we shot by the water.

Youtube Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JULAvI9ZfZU

It has been a while since I written and things have improved greatly.

For starters I have started to “own” calling myself an artist and photographer. For the last few years I called myself a hobbist. I have been around a postive group of fellow artists and one of the things they have taught me is to own my calling and purpose on this earth. Own it to be it.

I have sold a few prints of my work framed and this excited me like nothing else has in a while. I also participated in an an artist show in Harlem in February. It was a poetry/photography show were artist interpreted each others work. I had three pieces showing and my image was the one chosen for the opening poem of the night. This was a really blessd feeling.

In that moment I realized I really like selling wall sized work. I also realized that most of the best photos I have taken is when I wonder around by myself and be with my subject the way I want to be. I also like doing landscape and still art better. I still like portraits but in a more casual way.

I have switched jobs and I think the move will teach me new skills as it applies to my art. I have met a lot of creative people in the last few months. I know I am on the right track.

I now have the funds I need to go to school too. I start class a traditional photography class in April.

I have invested in small pocket camera to carry around with me for fun. I purchased a 9 mega pixel cannon power shot camera. I love it. I can do photos and video on the go without having to bring my gear I use for shoots. I like simple stuff so this camera was right up my alley. I have attached one of the photos I made with the camera.

Lastly one of my goals was to do profile photos for social networking sites. Several of my friends online use my portraits of them in their profile.

I am loving life right now, one day at a time.

The gallery opening/reception was cancelled due to budget cuts. The work is up but the festivities are not going to take place this year.

I am okay with because I am happy that the work is up.

I tried reaching out to contacts given to me by co-workers. The referrals did not call or email me back.

Even with this I am still happy. I did what I set out to do this year: create a new body of work. My work being printed and hanging for the world to see is something that changed my views of my work and my life.

I have decided that next year i would like to again try something new: I want to try my hand at vintage glamour photography. The hard part is that I want to fool the eye so that it doesn’t look modern. I want to make it as close as the style as possible.

I have been studying vintage photos and feel that with a patience, more training in light and the right elements I can do it.

Let’s see….

The gallery at work is completed! I have 31 pieces of my photography displayed at work. It was a long process but an educational one. The actual opening we discussed will be delayed and made a bit smaller. This works better for me because I haven’t grown accustom to large crowds and I still have work to be done.

One of my managers helped me to create a wonderful e-card to send to friends and family who would like to visit the work. I have to wait for approval to send it out. It’s been a busy season at work so I understand completely.

So for eight hours a day I get to view my work. People who visit my area don’t know the work was created by me and it is interesting to hear their thoughts, comments and feedback as they look at it. So far the response has been very positive.

I received two referrals since the work went up: one to a agent and another for a publication. I am learning to get past my shyness to try and take advantage of this blessing.

In the mean while I have to figure out a way to thank the people that helped me get the work together and up. I also need to price my photos that I am legally allowed to sell. I want to make my work one size and unframed.

I like to keep things simple.

My friends have asked me to work on a few projects. These opportunities will help me expand my skills.

I feel very blessed to have good people around me who believe in my work and me. At the beginning of this year I was going to give up because I became clouded and doubtful. I felt that I was doing the wrong kind of work and stopped for a bit.

Sometime we have to stop to see what isn’t working and change your path. I was blessed with motivation to continue and I am thankful I did.

This summer I was the photographer at my family’s annual BBQ/Family Reunion. Everyone knew I was into photography but no one seemed to take me seriously.

Once the photos were done and the copies sent people asked about my other work and when they saw my website they finally realized that I am seriously trying to pursue this. they gave didn’t think I would get this far and it felt good to have them tell me to keep going.

I have been following my gut with my work. It has changed a bit this year. I tried to do it the way everyone else does it but it didn’t work. I stopped for a bit, stepped back and looked at what I really wanted to do. I have followed my gut when it comes to my work and I realize I am the happiest when it’s just me and my camera. I like to work with individuals, animals, landscape and objects. I am good at food photography in natural settings.

I have come a long way since I started my photography goal on 43things. I remember when I first started messing with photoshop and the different setting on my camera.

I still have a way to go but at least I know for certain I am on the right road.

My manager at my day job is featuring 30 of my photographs at work. I was shocked by the offer but am working with my team to get it ready. I am a bit scared but thrilled.

I am scared because everyone is going to see it and I never expected this to happen in this manner. I’ve been online and doing well there but this is really close to home.

A friend of mine is going to help me pitch some of the images to the New York Public Library to see if they will display a small showing of my photography. But I have to get through this first.

A friend of mine just gave me a Nikon camera. Its a good solid camera and I am going to spend some time away from the digital and break it in.

I’ve decided that I am going to use it over the next three months to do a black and white photo project.

I am very excited and happy.

A photos taken while at The Cloisters in New York City