Boom!

You don't need a camera for this exercise.

Hold your hands up like you're holding a phantom, imaginary camera, and move your shutter finger, and at the same time, say "Boom". Don't SHOUT it, c'mon, that's just weird.

Do you feel silly? Don't. I got this from Kevin Kubota, one of the best known photographers in the world. (and a really cool guy as well...)

Have you ever wondered how those supremely talented photographers can find the instant of maximum emotion or action? It's not chance. It is practice, and practice, and practice. The cool thing is, you don't have to have a camera in your hands in order to practice.

Little Angel

Walk downtown in whatever place you find yourselves. When you pass a little cafe with people talking outside, couples seated deeply in conversation, hold up your imaginary camera and go "boom". Try to catch the moment, the proper look, the downcast eyes or the eyes searching deeply into the eyes of the other. Find the moment, the smile, the earnest look of the salesman, the laugh of the children..... "Boom".

It's ok, you can whisper "boom". It works no matter what volume you boom at, although if you do it loud, you might break the mood you are observing...

And if your subjects see you "booming", you will probably get a smile. And if you tell them that you are a photographer and impressed with their expressions, you might end up with a friend or even a client. You never know!

Boom!

Homework? Be aware of where you are, and all of the images and expressions you are surrounded by, all day, every day. Then, of course, “Boom” them!

Coming next week.... It's all about the subject...

March 23, 2011: Develop your "Swipe" File

I have a massive number of other people's photos. I have images that I cut out of magazines, photographed from billboards and displays, and yes, swiped from the web.

Nobody but me actually SEES these images, but they are my life blood.

You see, being a "professional" photographer, it is assumed that I am this classy, artsy kind of person who is being creative and has every little nuance of every image firmly created in my artsy little brain before I ever touch the camera.

It's a nice thought, but it ain't so. Here is your epiphany of the day.

There is nothing you, as a photographer can do, that hasn't been done before. What makes your (and my) work unique, is the way you take things that have been done before and assemble them in your own way.

So learn, "swipe", clip and review those images that really appeal to you.

What I do, is take all of those digital files and make them into a screensaver for the computer. Those images, created by the best photographers in the world, are always in front of me, inspiring me, giving me ideas, causing me to experiment to try to recreate those effects, and helping me plan on how I can USE those ideas for the benefit of my clients.

USING, playing, creating and improvising based on those magnificent images is one step that will help you become an extraordinary photographer.

Homework? Go visit some incredible photographer’s web sites. Photographers who do remarkable landscapes like Joe Brady at http://www.joebradyphotography.com/, or Peter Lik at www.peterlik.com. Another favorite of mine is www.indigophotographic.com, Michael Barton's web site. He centers on people with a delightfully unique perspective. 

The image displayed here, titled "I See your Soul", is inspired by the work of Michael Barton of www.indigophotographic.com.

Immerse yourself in the beauty of their work.