Long Time Coming

Well its been a long time since I last posted anything on shooting from the hip.The daily routine of life has totally interfered with both blogging and photography.In the time since I last posted I have moved to north western New Brunswick.A big Move?Yes,but one that was well needed.
On the photography front I haven't had time to shoot much.But this weeks pics are some thing I see many mornings here in Grand Falls.The fog lays low in the valley and during the morning sunrise there are beautiful colors in the sky.There is a church just down the road from us and the steeple juts out of the fog.
This is one of the few photos that I have taken that I have previz the photo before I took it.Although the colors are a little different than what I had envisioned but overall its the photo I has seen.

Flight Time

It has been a while since I last updated the blog.I have been extremely busy in trying to find work and have spent most of free time doing that.I have however gotten a second paid photography job.I recently got photography some graduates from the local community collage at their graduation ceremony.
I am currently in Winnipeg and during the long flight down from the north I got the opportunity watch the sunset above the clouds.For years I have photographed the sunset from the bottom of the clouds but this was extremely different.The tops of the clouds also turned the most wonderful colors and all the hills and vallie's created by the clouds.

A rose by any othher name....

Its been a long while since I last posted to this blog.Many things have transpire to keep the photographer in me silent.I have taken some photos and done some experimentation but in general I have done very little in photography.
Today I took a different sort of photo for me.I generally don't do still life's very well.In this case how ever I manage to get a photo right out of the can .I haven't even tried to post process the image.
here it is.

Cloudy Weather

Well today I got up and wanted to go for a ride for some photography but of course it is overcast and the lighting is very flat.So it looks like an indoor shoot today.But what to shoot.My kids are starting to get fed up with being daddies models and my wife doesn't like her images,so I guess I will have to turn to my self.I will try and get some hints and tricks from YouTube and will try and post the results.

Late Night Photography

The other night I got the chance to do some party photography.Some of it good some of it not so good.The challenges of shooting at parties of course is lighting.I don't have a very powerful flash but we try and make do with what we have.Here are some results.

Inspiration

Inspiration is the hardest part of art.Some times it flow lie a river.raging with in the sole and other times it like a babbling brook in mid summer.The last month has been so busy that I haven't had time to dig out the camera.I had managed to blog almost every day and now I have hit blogger block.
Today is Easter.For most of world spring has arrived but here in the North it represent the second half of winter.We have more snow here today as we have had all winter.There is no chance for outdoor photography.So Its still life's or portraiture work till it warms up above the freezing mark.

Pratice Makkes Perfect

Well my favorite model must be my daughter.I have taken lots of photographs of here over the years and have talked about in this blog many times.I love her smile.It is infectious.When Jasmine smiles you cant help but feel better about the day.
I am struggling with two things with lighting.One the space that I have to work in and the ability to blow out the background with out back lighting.Here is my latest try at digital backgrounds.

A Windy Slow Day

Well the month February was a hectic one to say the least and March hasn't started off much better.I have been a bit lax at getting to the blog so here to a new start.
The weather here in the north has started to improve.The days are getting longer and the cold is starting to disappeared.Today however there is a bit of a blow on and I cant get out to do any photography.The clouds how ever are starting to line up for what might be an absolutely gorges sunset.I hope.I have a clear shot of the lake and the buildings are just peeking above the ground snow.
Tonight I have another photo shoot.I 4 month old baby boy.I will attempt to get some Anne Geddes type shots.I love her work.Her use of simple objects such as flower pedals and adding the beauty of the baby really inspires me.

A Warm Winters Day

Well its the last day of February and the weather here should be in the -30 c somethings,but when I awoke this morning It was only -11c.I know,I know that that sounds cold,but put into focus when you spend months of being in a deep freeze when the temperature start to rise so dose spirits.This has been a great week for me.Watching Canada put on one of the best Olympics games ever and the success that they are enjoying,doing a photo shoot that was very successful and selling my first photos.I also have become more aware of other photographic opportunities in my area for photography hopefully I can convert some of them into sales.

A Big Day

Well finally I did it.I got paid for a photo that I created.On last Saturday I did a photo shoot with a local family.Using digital backgrounds that I purchased back in last summer.I didn't make much but it is at least a start.I guess I can call my self a professional photographer now.

Shoot for the Day

Well after a revelation of street photography I decided to talk an indoor photo walk.I shoot a lot of black and white images of items and kids around the house.My daughter ,who is a natural at posing ,helped by being my main subject.I also did some work for the TFTTF photo challenge this week which is scape.My entry will be snow scape.

Revaluation

Today I had a revaluation.I was reading an article about street style photography from National Geographic magazine and they talked about being close to your subject.One of my favorite black and white photo's that I have taking was a street photo of a fiddle player in a market in Winnipeg Canada.I took it from a balcony and the subject wasn't aware of the shot.I have always loved candid shots.A quick glimpse into the life of someone else life.Today I realize that if I approach a person and they pose for me or act silly that is as much as a part of there story as the candid shot I seek.That is a key to street photography.I am shy in general but I could find a great home in street photography and cant wait till I can get out for my morning walks.

The Shoot

Well it finally happened.I had my first professional photo shoot.It didn't go quite as I had planned but it went well.The set up was easy enough.A small set of strobes set up in my kitchen.The space was tight but it worked.I planned to shoot a lot of high key images but that didn't always work.I like the images that I took.The posing was good.The post production work on them went pretty well.I hope the client like them as well.Here are some the images from the day.

Photo Day

Well today is a huge day.I hope this is a turning point in my life.I will take every thing that I have started and enter a path that I hope will lead me to my own gold.Today I will do my first paid photo shoot at the house.I have been asked to take some photos of one of my employees kid at my work place.I am nervous but quietly confident that this will be a turning point.Now I just have to up the energy level in my self as it has been a long week.

The Shoot

Well in a short I will be shooting another free bee for my employer.This just sucks.I wish I could get paid for what I enjoy.Maybe this weekend as I start my photography business.I have lined up the first of a series paying customers.

Photoraghing Houses

Well to today I have to shoot the inside of several houses for the company that I work for.It is not art but at least for part of the day I will be able to have some fun.Also this weekend I have my 1st professional shoot.I will be doing a child shoot for a employee.

Love is in the Air

Today is Valentines day and with that you cant help but think of love.I think of many pictures that help convey that sense.The wedding photo,even in this modern day ,is a way of conveying the the love and joy of one special day.It still an occupation when stated has a sense of awe about it.The Wedding Photographer.You are such things that dreams are made of.It is very much more technical than what it seems.To capture cutting edge images and still capture the love isn't easy.It is a true craft.

Eight days A Week

I have mentioned before of my love for the Beatles.Their music has been an inspiration for me for many years.I love the cycadelic imagery that their songs form.The title of this post comes from their early work.It is very true.When you Tully love something it with you eight days a week.All the time 24-7.That is true with my photography.If I am not doing it I am editing photos.I spend a lot time watching YouTube and trying to learn technique.I love experimentation.Many great photos have been happy mistakes.Today I hope to do some happy photography.

Photo Shop,You Tube and Learning

I am a huge Internet fan.I love the availability of information,especially on how to use photo shop.As a photographer it is an invaluable tool.With the ability giving to the editor to remove item,touch ups and other tricks a photograph is more than a representation of the actual vision.
I wonder what some of the great photographers of the last century would be able to do with these tools.What images would flow from the silicon darkroom.I have a new challenge.To try to use the philosophy of great photographers of the last century and add a digital touch.

Opening

Well after years of waiting the 2010 games opened last night with quite a show.Having a background in theater I realize the work that goes into a production of that size.The graphics that were used were amazing.Lots of projected graphics.It was truly amazing .My kids were glued to the show.

Olympic Fever

Well its less than 24 hours away from the opening ceremonies of the 2010 games in Vancouver.All of Canada will be watching.I would love to be one of the accredit photographers.They will be up close to the action .Getting in the right position is critical for good sports photography.You need a good knowledge of the sport that you are photographing as well as the ability to quickly pre-vision what you would like the final image to be.Here is my Vancouver 2010 avatar for face book.

The Olympics

The Olympics is probably the most photographed sporting event in the world.There will be over 600 accredit sports photographer from around the world.The Olympic organizers have developed several photo services centers including repair facilities and media processing.This will be one of the most widely seen events in the 21st century. would love to be a part of that.

Looking for Speed

I have mentioned that this should be a summer of change for me.One change for me is that I hope to be able to shoot the Edmonton Indy.I have already found a site that dose lens rentals and I hope to be able to use a 400mm pro lens.This years Indy will be the first that I can use my digital slr.So tons of photos,lots of editing and the sport that I love.

Super Sunday

Today two teams will become the most photograph people on the planet today.Every year at the kick off of the super bowl the is a sea of flash that go off.I always wonder what the thousands of images produce.What memories are created.Most of the time when those flashes go off it is a complete waste of time.The throw distance of the flash isn't enough to illuminate the players or freeze the action.I hope that this years super bowl will only be the a sports story and not lead news story.

Chaseing the Light

As a photographer light is the most important part of equation.No light no photo.But I wonder how many people understand the complexity of light,Last night I watch a documentary on light.It was fascinating look what we see,feel and are controlled by every day.Living in the Arctic you feel more emotionally connected to light.The lack of light in the winter and the over dose of it in summer.As the sun just peeks over the horizon I wonder what the light will show me today?

No Reservation

Tonight ,after working all day and doing freight half the night,I am settling down watching Anthony Bourdain`s TV show called No Reservations.It follows a New York chef on his travels around the world.I would love to do this my self.Taking pictures and seeing the world.I grew up reading old copies of National Geographic and wanted to see the world.I loved the pictures from far off places and even today National Geographic has some the most stunning images I have ever seen.I want to explore more street style photography.

A Lesson Never too Late to Learn

This morning I herd a quote" It’s what you learn after you know it all that counts.” ~Harry Truman~ and its had me thinking all day long about the way we learn.I learn best by thorough explanation followed by hands on trial.I also found a photography web site that is a study of portraiture from the early 70's and although the style is a bit dated the information is very relevant.I cant wait till I put what I read to use.

100 and countining

Wow 100 posts.This years Shooting from the Hip has reached many milestones and this is yet another.Now That I am trying to post every day it is a quick run to 100 posts.
Yesterday I shot for an hour or two and today I am editing them and moving the images into digital backgrounds.The more I use the digital backgrounds the better I get with them.I did two that I am really proud of.

A New Day

It a Saturday morning and the sun is peeking over the horizon.A new day is dawning and with it brings a weekend of photography.I am pumped about this weekend.I plan to shoot the whole weekend.hopefully I blog through it.Oh yeah and the other passion in my life,racing,has the 24 hour of Daytona endurance race.Wow what a weekend.

Back to the Future

Well almost a year to the day I once again got a call from my district manager.A year ago he asked me to take some photo's around the town and send them to him for a presentation that he was preparing for the entire head office staff.That's what started the blog.It was a way to document the going on of my photography.Today he wanted more photo's and once again I am feeling like a new start.I have been getting the word out about doing portrait work.I have several people that are interested in some digital backgrounds that I have.Lets hope I change them from leads to customers.

A Year In The Life

Well Shooting from the Hip hit a milestone today.We are one year old and hopefully it has been a year of discovery.There have been a lot of photographs and lots time pondering what they me to me.So here is to another year of photographic discovery.

Bacground Information

It amazes me that you pretty much can download any information,image or media clip that you can ever want.Tonight I downloaded a number of digital backgrounds for free.I also watched a movie on how to remove a solid background color out of a picture and have a digital background come through.I can even read an e-book on photoshop all for free.I use use a free software program called gimp to do my photo manipulations.What a great way to run a business.

In the Background

Today I down loaded some new digital backgrounds for my photography business.I am trying hard to get the business started and so far it has been up hill all the way.Problems with my computer,my wife's computer has no CD ROM drive.I have started to be able to shoot the high key images that you use to do the cut in gimp or photoshop.Then using layers you add what ever background you want.
here is one example.

A long Weekend

The best laid plans of man never seem to materialize.I had planned to spend the yesterday shooting a mother and baby shoot.It was going to be a present for an employee of mine who just had a baby boy.That employee was schedule to work on Saturday.Instead of showing up ,working and then coming to the studio with his girlfriend to do the shoot,he decided to stay home.That caused me to be called in to work and made for a very long day.
The days was filled with a lot of time to think.A lot of time to think of my future and my desires.I have been spreading the word about my photography.Trying to drum up some business to help the whole getting started process along.So far no takers.I guess I have to re think the approach.

The Dragons Den

There is a great TV program on CBC in Canada called The Dragons Den.The show is about budding entrepreneurs that try and get venture capital from some rich and successful business owners.The show is great and it is inspiring.I have been trying to generate some leads for my own photography business.I am trying to follow the marketing plan that the program recommends and hopefully we will generate some cash.

Craetive art

Once upon a time a picture didn't lie,or did it?There is a famous picture from the war photo journalist Robert Capa of a man dying in battle called Loyalist Militiaman at the Moment of Death, Cerro Muriano, September 5, 1936 that we now believe may have been staged.This would be an early attempt to fool the mind into believing something that we think is real isn't.In this day and age we are bombarded with images from all sorts of sources.Some are real and some are not.

Point of View

Every one has their own point of view.It is how we see the world.How I see the things around me may not be as you would see them.That's what make us different.A photographer can only hope that his or her vision is one that pleases others.Many artist talk about simply making art for them selves but there are very few artists that I have met that doesn't love it when some one has an opinion on their work,be it bad or good.
Many of us have a hard time taking criticism.It is hard to listen to some one else analyse something that you have put so much work into.I wonder how ever what it is like on the other side of the fence.It must be hard to make ones living giving ones opinion on the quality of anothers work.

He Shoots he Scores

I spent most of the day doing two of the things I love best.Watching the NFL playoffs and shooting portraits.Today I wanted to shoot some high key images.I bought a bunch of digital backgrounds and by shooting on a high key white background I can use Gimp to separate the picture from the background then paste it on a digital back drop.The results can be quite stunning.I hope one day to use this in my own photography business.

Stuff Happens

Well it finally happened.Yesterday I finally missed the opportunity to post to this blog.Excuses aside I still managed to take some photos yesterday.Not the most interesting photo's but at least the lighting is good.I plan to spend today completing an assignment that is part of Tips from the Top Floor website forum.The challenge this week is red.My pre-viz is to have my model in a red team Canada hockey jersey.I hope this will provide enough red.
Here is Yesterdays Pic.

A head by a foot

It getting close to racing season and I cant wait.As a photographer I love any thing that involves machines and speed.Last year I was hoping to shoot at the Indy in Edmonton but alas it wasn't to be.This once again I hope to return to the oil city to shoot one of the greatest sports I know.
Here is my photo of the day.

A day in the life.

I love the music of the Beatles.The images that they created with the lyrics really inspire me.The create a world of color and characters that were larger than life.I have for a long time wanted to create a live person interacting with the Beatles characters.Maybe with the the techniques that I have learned with the digital background work that I have all ready done.May be some digital art that includes Lucy And The Sky With Diamonds.Well tonight's photo is as psychedelic as I can get right now.

Smile and the World SmilesWith You

When you are down and out and you believe that life is at its roughest,take a lesson from my little girl.You see that my daughter has CP.She is four years old and cannot walk.She can not dress her self or even use the toilet with out help.She see the other little girls and boys walking and running but she never complains.She always has an infectious smile.So when ever I struggle with a shot or a lighting issue I look at her and she gives me a smile and all is well again.

Eyes Wide Shut

It amazes me how many people can look at an object an fail to see everything there is to see.Recently I have been noticing lately that more and more people tend to look right past the simple beauty in nature and only look see what they need.A shadow that lays across an object or a wisp of fog that hugs the lake.These are the very things that many people wish they can get away from there hurried lives to see when many times there is the same beauty right in front of them.
Here is my picture of the day.

It was 40 Years ago.

40 years ago I was 3 years old and a brand new show came on TV.It was the buzz of the land,child programing with friendly monsters ,a lovable frog and many more Muppet's.It was an innovative and creative way to educate children.The episode was always brought to you by a letter and a number.Well 40 years later they are going strong with many of the same friendly monsters still going strong.
Why is this important?Well not only did I get to share some of that magic with daughter the other day but the number that the show was brought to us was the number 2.It stuck with me till i was looking through my lens and low and behold I saw the number 2.I immediately thought of the two headed alien that use to go rinngy dinngy on the Sesame Street.Happy birthday Sesame Street.
Here is my ode to the Number 2

Week End

Well here I sit on a Sunday night wondering were the weekend went.It seems fly past quicker and quicker every week.I so look forward to taking time to do some serious shooting but just the act of living gets in the way.I did manage to shoot some creative this morning.More of the look at the snow hill out the window.The shape is constantly in a state of change.As the wind moves more snow around now a third mound of snow has started to develop.Here is one of the shots.

The Weekend

Well when I got up this morning I thought I would spend the day shooting.The weather here in the north is as unpredictable at best and when I look out the window I saw snow .I knew going for drive in the car was out as the weather quickly turn nasty.Even a trip to the store was a challenge and I only live a two minuet drive away.I spent most of the day indoors and cleaning.How ever my four year old at least gave me some photo ops.

At the end of the day

Well the first week of the new year,the new decade and so far I have managed to post every day of the year.I have also manged to take a photo.Some of them more creative than others but I believe that is due to the time i have to actually take the photo.I work from eight in the morning till past six at night.They are long days.When I come home I try and find something to shoot.something that catches my eye.Tonight is no different.It is the end of the day and I am dog tired but still my sons ipod caught my eye.

Opportunity Knocks

When opportunity knocks I hope I am around to answer it.
Today,first thing this morning I receive a call from the head office of the company that I work for asking me to take some promotional in house photos of the restaurant that I manage.There is no extra money in it for me but once again my photo's will be seen by hundreds of people.
I am trying to find some sort of work in the photography industry but it difficult.There not a lot job listed.There is always the self employment road.I grew up in a small business.I saw the good times and the bad.I saw the great times of wealth and the slow times when times were tough.It scares me but at the same time it excites me.
Here is my photo of the day.

Goals

Every one needs goals.It helps guides one life.Well like most people on new years I set a few goals including trying to add to my blog every day along with taking one decent photo.I have read articles on how with in 3 months one should see improvement.I am hoping that I can improve my portrait work and flash photography.
Here is too hard work.
Today photo is of my son .

Red ,White and Gold

As I sit here and watch team Canada play for the gold medal in the world Jr's hockey,I am thinking of color.I love black and white photography.I am not sure if it is because it was my first introduction to photography or the the dramatic contrast of a well done black and white photo.
I can still remember the first self developed photo I saw.It was a friend of mine who was so proud of what she had created.I was hooked.I couldn't wait til I was old enough to get into the dark room.

Being what they would today call hyper,I struggled in school and a school councilor gave the opportunity to put my energy into a hobby that now has been with me now for the majority of my life.I can close my eyes and still smell the chemicals of the dark room.I can see the image as it miraculously appears on the paper.

In my quest for a photo a day I am using as many skills and styles as I can.The challenge so far is deciding what photos to use.I struggle to let my self judgment allow my self to say "hey that is a good shots". Are all these master pieces ,no ,but they are good enough to display.
No gold for Canada but here is a little Red and White.

Documenting Life

This morning as I continue with my quest for a photo a day,I read an interview with Unnikrishnan Ravendranathan a photographer that is part of an unique project called Black Boots Inc.The project is a group of photographers that are documenting life in Mexico,the States and other countries.It is a gritty series that documents street life.The quote is from an interview with Unnikrishanan on the Black Boots Ink web site.

Quote "I believe making a photograph is a challenge, to watch the play of light, fixing the composition, being in that location at the right moment and to release the shutter on time to capture the perfect moment are some basic challenges in making a remarkable photograph"-Unnikrishnan Ravendranathan

I love this philosophy of making an image as simplistic as possible.In these day of high tech gadgetry it is nice to see the art of photography being boiled down to a simplistic thing.
Here are the links to the interview and black boots ink.
Interview
Black Boots Ink

Missed Shots ( The Best Camera is one with You)

Chase Jarvis is Seattle based professional photographer whose style I really like.Not only is he a great photographer but he is a teacher,videographer and aps developer,and blogger.Chase has developed a ap for the apple I-phone that is called the best camera.The point being the best camera is the one that is with you.That lesson was not better proven to me than this morning.As I strive to take one decent photo a day I was confronted with one of the most stunning scenes that I have witnessed since I have been in the Arctic.The moon was still out and was full.There was enough light to make the scene as stunning as Ansel Adams`s Moonrise, Hernandez and as I was staring at this beauty laid out before me I realized I had no camera.This revelation has me thinking that indeed the best camera is the one with you.
Here is the link for Chase Jarvis blog and my pic of the day.

Pic of the day

As I mentioned before my New Years resolution was to take more photographs and to try and blog more.I have challenge my self to get one good photo a day.So far I have managed to get a decent shot so far.The test will come as I return to work.It will be tough to do work but I know in the long run it will help develop both my eye and my style.
This shot reminded me of the keys on the piano.

Another Sunrise

As I sit here by the window enjoying a morning cup of coffee,I cant help but wonder what the future will bring.I am currently looking for work in the photographic field.The pickings are slim and I wondering if I am wondering down the right path.
I have began to challenge my self by trying to take a picture of the day.Maybe I can even do a post here in this blog a day.Oh well here is yesterday shot.

Chaseing the Moment

Tonight I just finished watching a TV show all about the impressionist and their work.The story was told through the eyes of Monet.There was a quote from Monet that he spent his career chasing the moment.Chasing the light.
As photographers that is what we do .We chase the perfect light.We use our equipment to capture a single moment in time and we hope that others will enjoy our vision.Some pictures tell stories others just effect our emotions.
Here is my first photo of 2010.

2010

Well its a new year and with that brings new challenges.Looking back at the year that was,i am happy that I managed to keep this blog rolling a long.We are coming up on the one year anniversary of Shooting from the Hip and we will have been able to achieve over 52 post.Not every week but at least some content.

It has been a challenging year as I have rediscovered the photographer inside me.I have document many photo walks both here and in Winnipeg.I have document high times and low.

So have a Happy New Year.And wishing you and yours a very safe and sound d 2010