Wednesday, June 30, 2010
Monday, June 28, 2010
Life with a Purse & a Platt ~ Update
I have no major vices, sometimes I wish I did. Coffee is the hardest drug that I rely on. No addition of choice...what type of artist must I be? I have discovered that coffee, Gatorade and powerbars can keep you alive much longer than one would expect.
Work has been plentiful lately. We do our best to pace ourselves throughout the year, nonetheless we have been busy.
Let me give you an update on what we been up to.
Elizabeth, my wife has sent us off on a grand photography venture that we have been loving. You can read about the perennial seeds of that adventure here.
Towards the end of July we will be hosting famed photographer Jared Platt for a two-day stay in Pittsburgh to talk and teach about Lightroom version three. You can read about that here.
I have not had as much time to write as I wish but I have discovered a blog by Tom Dinning, a bloke from down under, who has some pondering thoughts on the subject of the still image. You can read and view his work here.
Weather in Pittsburgh has been hot and humid, very humid. Seems no matter how long you live in the Northeast part of the country your body never adjusts to the weather changes.
Got to go...my red wine and vicodin has just arrived.
Work has been plentiful lately. We do our best to pace ourselves throughout the year, nonetheless we have been busy.
Let me give you an update on what we been up to.
Elizabeth, my wife has sent us off on a grand photography venture that we have been loving. You can read about the perennial seeds of that adventure here.
Towards the end of July we will be hosting famed photographer Jared Platt for a two-day stay in Pittsburgh to talk and teach about Lightroom version three. You can read about that here.
I have not had as much time to write as I wish but I have discovered a blog by Tom Dinning, a bloke from down under, who has some pondering thoughts on the subject of the still image. You can read and view his work here.
Weather in Pittsburgh has been hot and humid, very humid. Seems no matter how long you live in the Northeast part of the country your body never adjusts to the weather changes.
Got to go...my red wine and vicodin has just arrived.
Create | Connect | Grow with Jared Platt
Learn the very best workflow practices for your photography studio from professional photographer and instructor Jared Platt. Cut your workflow in half, increase the quality of your work and raise your brand to a new level.
FREE Q&A/Create-Connect-n-Grow
Topic: Meet Jared Platt and hear him speak on Lightroom workflow.
When: 7/20/10
Where: 502 W. North Ave. Pgh 15212
Time: 7pm – 9pm
RSVP: craigphotography@mac.com
Workshops Details: Jared Platt – Lightroom Workflow Workshop
This seminar is a one day class room seminar. You will work on your own images throughout the day. Come ready to work and to learn.
Place: Pittsburgh, PA
Date: Wednesday, July 21, 2010
Address: 502 W. North Ave. Pgh 15212
Time: 9 AM - 5 PM
Seats Available: 30
Price: $300 (lunch included)
Register by clicking (HERE)
FREE Q&A/Create-Connect-n-Grow
Topic: Meet Jared Platt and hear him speak on Lightroom workflow.
When: 7/20/10
Where: 502 W. North Ave. Pgh 15212
Time: 7pm – 9pm
RSVP: craigphotography@mac.com
Workshops Details: Jared Platt – Lightroom Workflow Workshop
This seminar is a one day class room seminar. You will work on your own images throughout the day. Come ready to work and to learn.
Place: Pittsburgh, PA
Date: Wednesday, July 21, 2010
Address: 502 W. North Ave. Pgh 15212
Time: 9 AM - 5 PM
Seats Available: 30
Price: $300 (lunch included)
Register by clicking (HERE)
Friday, June 25, 2010
Notes From the Walk
My favorite thing about the photowalks are the conversation that takes place during the walks. Last night walk we talked about how to stop motion and how to show motion in a photograph.
Luckily we ran into a couple of foreign exchange students from Russia who were willing be subjects for stop motion. You can go to my Flickr page to see a couple of shots that I took.
Thank you to all the participants from last night....please keep your questions coming.
Thursday, June 24, 2010
Tonight ~ Photo Walk (Reminder)
6.24.10 -
Photo Walk
Topic: Dusk on the North Shore
Time: 7:30 pm
Where: Gate “A” Heinz Stadium Pittsburgh PA (directions click here)
What to bring: camera, passion to learn and a friend.
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
Pittsburgh Wedding Photography
Posting wedding pics is something that I do not do to often, not sure why???? Have a great day....
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
Photo of the Week
All photography & artwork on this site is licensed under a creative commons licensing: Please feel free to use and distribute the photography & artwork in accordance with the licensing
Monday, June 21, 2010
Moment
Current Reading:The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson
Current Music: Elvis Costello on Pandora
Mood: Good, tired, sore
Smells: Coffee
Sounds: 4yr old daughter singing
Temperature: 84 sunny
Thoughts: Gatorade, coffee & power bars can sustain life, my past three days...
ps.........
Read through the comments on my Classic Photography post, great stuff!!!!
Current Music: Elvis Costello on Pandora
Mood: Good, tired, sore
Smells: Coffee
Sounds: 4yr old daughter singing
Temperature: 84 sunny
Thoughts: Gatorade, coffee & power bars can sustain life, my past three days...
ps.........
Read through the comments on my Classic Photography post, great stuff!!!!
Thursday, June 17, 2010
Feedback ~ Critique Me
This is the 3d or 4th time I have done this post..it is quickly becoming one of my fav posting. Let me hear it....
Reminder: Tonight
6.17.10 -
Understanding Exposure Class @ Northland Library 7-9pm I will be teaching an introductory class on understanding exposure & your DSLR camera.
To register call: 412-366-8100
Reminder: Tonight
6.17.10 -
Understanding Exposure Class @ Northland Library 7-9pm I will be teaching an introductory class on understanding exposure & your DSLR camera.
To register call: 412-366-8100
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
Sunday, June 13, 2010
Is the Classic Photograph Dead???
In the last weeks I have been having the same conversation over and over. The conversation has been about the cost of a photograph. This conversation has been with entrepreneurs, innovators and start-up companies; people who need high quality images that deliver a message to the world about their products and ideas.
This is how the conversation goes:
Them: "Photography is dead...well not photography, but the need for a photographer."
Me: "Why do you say that?"
Them: "If I need a photo for web or an ad I get a staffer with a DSLR and let him go at it."
Me: "OK, are your images delivering"
Them: "Not sure, I think so, no complaints."
Me: "How much post production are you doing?"
Them: "A couple of hours in photohop."
Me: "Ok, your staffer goes out and shoots product for a day and then spends day two working in photoshop finishing the images. What is the cost you have in lost wages and production from that staffer?
Them: "Probably two days wages and labor are lost."
*****************************************************
I ask you this: Is the classics photograph dead, or just forgotten about?
What I have discovered by having this same dialogue over the past weeks is that photography is dead and the photographers kill it. A good photograph has become too expensive to produce. Too time consuming for companies to even consider hiring an outside professional photographer.
******************************************************
Back to the conversation:
Me: "I could do that same job in two hrs and have it print ready."
Them: "How and how much?"
Me: "The how is easy...I take photographs. I have been doing that for the past twenty years. It is my job to problem solve, see light and understand perspective. How much...starting at $55 to $75 per hour."
Them: "That is a saving."
The point of this post is not to run a commercial about myself as a professional photographer (or to set a standard price as to what a photographers should charge) but to shed light on the idea that the classical photograph is dead. During these conversations, the same topic kept reoccurring.
Professional images are too expensive to go out of house.
This is an opportunity for the photographer to learn. Let's file this under "insanely useful photography tips". Classic photography is timeless.
I ask again:
Is the classic photograph dead?
Did the photographer kill it?
Let the conversation begin....
This is how the conversation goes:
Them: "Photography is dead...well not photography, but the need for a photographer."
Me: "Why do you say that?"
Them: "If I need a photo for web or an ad I get a staffer with a DSLR and let him go at it."
Me: "OK, are your images delivering"
Them: "Not sure, I think so, no complaints."
Me: "How much post production are you doing?"
Them: "A couple of hours in photohop."
Me: "Ok, your staffer goes out and shoots product for a day and then spends day two working in photoshop finishing the images. What is the cost you have in lost wages and production from that staffer?
Them: "Probably two days wages and labor are lost."
*****************************************************
I ask you this: Is the classics photograph dead, or just forgotten about?
What I have discovered by having this same dialogue over the past weeks is that photography is dead and the photographers kill it. A good photograph has become too expensive to produce. Too time consuming for companies to even consider hiring an outside professional photographer.
******************************************************
Back to the conversation:
Me: "I could do that same job in two hrs and have it print ready."
Them: "How and how much?"
Me: "The how is easy...I take photographs. I have been doing that for the past twenty years. It is my job to problem solve, see light and understand perspective. How much...starting at $55 to $75 per hour."
Them: "That is a saving."
The point of this post is not to run a commercial about myself as a professional photographer (or to set a standard price as to what a photographers should charge) but to shed light on the idea that the classical photograph is dead. During these conversations, the same topic kept reoccurring.
Professional images are too expensive to go out of house.
This is an opportunity for the photographer to learn. Let's file this under "insanely useful photography tips". Classic photography is timeless.
I ask again:
Is the classic photograph dead?
Did the photographer kill it?
Let the conversation begin....
Friday, June 11, 2010
Photo Walk
6.24.10 -
Photo Walk
Topic: Dusk on the North Shore
Time: 7:30 pm
Where: Gate “A” Heinz Stadium Pittsburgh PA
What to bring: camera, tripod, passion to learn and a friend.
Thursday, June 10, 2010
Boudoir Photography Workshop Wrap-Up
Check out Elizabeth's Boudoir Photography Workshop wrap-up HERE.
Wednesday, June 9, 2010
Photo of the Week
Reminder: Tomorrow Night
6.10.10 -
Understanding Exposure Class @ Northland Library 7-9pm I will be teaching an introductory class on understanding exposure & your DSLR camera.
To register call: 412-366-8100
Monday, June 7, 2010
Show Up ~ Rant
You want to know what is great about awareness? The actual moment that you know you are aware.
Awareness...it’s an odd thing that we all search for at different times of our lives…higher purpose, simply to have purpose, guidance from the divine.
But then there is an instant when we hear our inner voice, actually hear it speak, both audible and in our gut at the same time…a truth.
Next, the hard part…What do you do with a truth from yourself? Worse yet, a gut truth that will nag at you until you do the damn thing that is revealed (nagging) to you.
You say your prayers then you go to work.
Deliver whatever it is. Be present.
Show up.
P.S.
I wrote this on Facebook yesterday but I feel it needs to be preserved here.
~ I am an advocate for being pulled together for a common “purpose”, not pushed together by a common “argument”.
Awareness...it’s an odd thing that we all search for at different times of our lives…higher purpose, simply to have purpose, guidance from the divine.
But then there is an instant when we hear our inner voice, actually hear it speak, both audible and in our gut at the same time…a truth.
Next, the hard part…What do you do with a truth from yourself? Worse yet, a gut truth that will nag at you until you do the damn thing that is revealed (nagging) to you.
You say your prayers then you go to work.
Deliver whatever it is. Be present.
Show up.
P.S.
I wrote this on Facebook yesterday but I feel it needs to be preserved here.
~ I am an advocate for being pulled together for a common “purpose”, not pushed together by a common “argument”.
Moment
Current Reading: The War of Art by Steven Pressfield
Current Music: Good Evening New York City by Paul McCartney
Mood: Good
Smells: Coffee & toast
Sounds: Percolating Coffee pot
Temperature: 55 degrees
Thoughts: Angels whispered in humanity ear's evolve.
Current Music: Good Evening New York City by Paul McCartney
Mood: Good
Smells: Coffee & toast
Sounds: Percolating Coffee pot
Temperature: 55 degrees
Thoughts: Angels whispered in humanity ear's evolve.
Friday, June 4, 2010
June Dates
6.10.10 -
Understanding Exposure Class @ Northland Library 7-9pm I will be teaching an introductory class on understanding exposure & your DSLR camera.
To register call: 412-366-8100
6.15.10 -
Pictage/PUG ~ Create Connect & Grow
7 to 9 ~
7:00 to 7:30 cocktails & networking
7:30 to 9pm into to new PUG followed by Q&A (topic/speaker TBD)
Location
Studio ~ 502 W. North Ave, Pittsburgh PA 15212
**Open to ALL photographers, including students
RSVP at craigphotography@mac.com
6.17.10 -
Understanding Exposure class @ Northland Library 7-9pm (Part II) ~ I will be teaching an introductory class on understanding exposure & Your DSLR camera.
To register call: 412-366-8100
6.24.10 -
Photo Walk
Topic: Dusk on the North Shore
Time: 7:30 pm
Where: Gate “A” Heinz Stadium Pittsburgh PA
What to bring: camera, tripod, passion to learn and a friend.
Understanding Exposure Class @ Northland Library 7-9pm I will be teaching an introductory class on understanding exposure & your DSLR camera.
To register call: 412-366-8100
6.15.10 -
Pictage/PUG ~ Create Connect & Grow
7 to 9 ~
7:00 to 7:30 cocktails & networking
7:30 to 9pm into to new PUG followed by Q&A (topic/speaker TBD)
Location
Studio ~ 502 W. North Ave, Pittsburgh PA 15212
**Open to ALL photographers, including students
RSVP at craigphotography@mac.com
6.17.10 -
Understanding Exposure class @ Northland Library 7-9pm (Part II) ~ I will be teaching an introductory class on understanding exposure & Your DSLR camera.
To register call: 412-366-8100
6.24.10 -
Photo Walk
Topic: Dusk on the North Shore
Time: 7:30 pm
Where: Gate “A” Heinz Stadium Pittsburgh PA
What to bring: camera, tripod, passion to learn and a friend.
Thursday, June 3, 2010
Photos of the Week ~ Random
All photography & artwork on this site is licensed under a creative commons licensing: Please feel free to use and distribute the photography & artwork in accordance with the licensing.
Tuesday, June 1, 2010
This is only a rant, let me do no harm.
This post would be so much better if I had a camera with me….sorry about that.
Ok I love this place; it has been two weeks since I have been in this coffee house. Last time I was here I wrote about the Brazilian girl and the Chinese lady. I did walk back into this place with expectations, but not really, it is just a coffee house.
As I stand in line – I think to myself how lonely life must me, how unnoticeable this person must feel. To be “seen’ is a hard thing to understand. From a distance, we are all seen or are all too self- absorbed to bother with what goes seen or unseen in our life.
To be outwardly self-expressive, using one's own body as a place of self-fascination. Not the body as a piece of art, but the body a canvas for art.
I stand in line waiting to order. The young lady in front of me has a full back tattoo that depicts a scene form Lord of the Rings…Seriously, truly a full cinematic-clip-in-all-of-its-glory tattoo on her back. She had a bikini top on showing off the full of her back. Two things go through my mind; one - damn this is good work (please Lord God never let my daughter do this). Two - when did she begin to feel invisible?
I have been running into extraordinary tattoos lately. There was the man with the Steelers logo (HERE) on his is head, the wedding guest with an Irish toast on her back (HERE) and last night after telling this story to a man at the pub he showed me his tattoo of a Dr Suess story that has taken up the better part of his left arm.
Don’t get me wrong - the pursuit of the unconventional is OK with me; all of life is a canvas as far as I am concerned.
The idea or subject matter of being noticed has stayed with me after seeing the back tattoo of the Lord of the Rings. What is it that would bring a person to place art/tattoo on their body in a place that everybody but themselves can see?
How unnoticeable must she feel? I could be completely wrong – self-expression is not for other people to judge, it is for the individual to express.
This is only a rant, let me do no harm.
Ok I love this place; it has been two weeks since I have been in this coffee house. Last time I was here I wrote about the Brazilian girl and the Chinese lady. I did walk back into this place with expectations, but not really, it is just a coffee house.
As I stand in line – I think to myself how lonely life must me, how unnoticeable this person must feel. To be “seen’ is a hard thing to understand. From a distance, we are all seen or are all too self- absorbed to bother with what goes seen or unseen in our life.
To be outwardly self-expressive, using one's own body as a place of self-fascination. Not the body as a piece of art, but the body a canvas for art.
I stand in line waiting to order. The young lady in front of me has a full back tattoo that depicts a scene form Lord of the Rings…Seriously, truly a full cinematic-clip-in-all-of-its-glory tattoo on her back. She had a bikini top on showing off the full of her back. Two things go through my mind; one - damn this is good work (please Lord God never let my daughter do this). Two - when did she begin to feel invisible?
I have been running into extraordinary tattoos lately. There was the man with the Steelers logo (HERE) on his is head, the wedding guest with an Irish toast on her back (HERE) and last night after telling this story to a man at the pub he showed me his tattoo of a Dr Suess story that has taken up the better part of his left arm.
Don’t get me wrong - the pursuit of the unconventional is OK with me; all of life is a canvas as far as I am concerned.
The idea or subject matter of being noticed has stayed with me after seeing the back tattoo of the Lord of the Rings. What is it that would bring a person to place art/tattoo on their body in a place that everybody but themselves can see?
How unnoticeable must she feel? I could be completely wrong – self-expression is not for other people to judge, it is for the individual to express.
This is only a rant, let me do no harm.
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