So, as I try to gear up and prep to take this photography thing into the "professional" realm, one theme I keep running into in most forums, books, and blogs is finding your photographic specialty. There seems to be a running sentiment that a photographer needs to focus on one genre or area and keep everything else as nothing more than playthings to mess around with in our spare time. I've had a hard time dealing with this on several fronts.
I've always been keen to the idea that you should do what makes you happy and cut out things that only bring stress or drama. This is a philosophy that applies not just to photography, but to all aspects of my life, from relationships to work to simple hang-outs with friends. I'm not on that likes being told that an area I like being in won't be applicable due to economics, competition, or what-have-you. So, as you can guess, trying to narrow down only a few focuses out of the wide world of photography has been a bit of a challenge.
I guess in a business world, everything will click, and artists become much more willing to sacrifice things they enjoy once paychecks are rolling in. Unfortunately, I wouldn't be writing about trying to break into the art world if I had, well, all ready broken into the art world. So, those sacrifices don't mean much to me yet, and I continue searching. I have narrowed down a few key items, though.
1) I don't do weddings. They don't interest me creatively.
2) As such, I also don't do general "portrait studio" work ala Olan Mills.
There's a whole two items! Which isn't a lot to work with. Even number two is rather vague, since I still do portrait and headshot work, so long as it isn't repetitive. and then there are other factors, like being able to objectively look at my work and notice that, at the moment, I probably couldn't handle doing a lot of food photography on a commercial level due to inexperience. Or sports due to a lack of long lenses. Etc.
So where is my niche? What do I enjoy? And, most importantly, how can I make money out of doing what I love?
To start, my tagline for photography is "Bringing the World to You." I've been a reader of National Geographic since 2004, and it has quickly become less of a casual read and more of an obsession. I love the magazine, the Society, and all that it stands for in bringing readers aspects of our world that we may not be able to see otherwise. Whether it was the special report issue on China for May 2008 or an article in January this year on Scotland's Hebrides, I'm enthralled by learning all I can about this world. So, in point, I like taking pretty pictures of culture, landscape, and wildlife that breaks outside the realm of "normal." I love adventure.
Naturally, this is an area loved by many photographers and, to make matters more complicated, it's largely an area dominated by those that can afford the travel in the first place. Hello, Money, Crusher of Dreams. Now, I come from a family that has struggled pretty frequently on finances. I have an awesome job at Warner Bros., but it's also only slightly above minimum wage, which is immediately drained by that thing called "Rent." Travel is certainly a luxury, not a career. My future will have to involve finding a way to flip that around. Somehow.
A least I have my niche. Sort of. It's a start, a goal to work towards. I can't imagine that will be the only area I find some interest in as I journey through the optical world, but there's now some emphasis above everything else.
Anyone know of a research expedition that needs a photographer?
Gone Fishin' by =serphius on deviantART
Sunday, March 28, 2010
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
Expedition: Muir Woods and Monterey Aquarium
I'm going to try to keep regular, updated blogs when I get the chance to visit areas I find interesting or beautiful. It's less a journal and more a shortened (very short in most cases) photo-essay I'm simply calling "Expedition." This first one was allowed me by the Muir Woods National Forest and the Monterey Bay Aquarium.
My first visit was Muir Woods, just across the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco. One of the earliest national monuments (just the 7th dedicated by President Teddy Roosevelt), the relatively small park (by National Monument Standards, anyway) encompasses the southern tip of the great Redwood tree range. The land was originally bought by businessman William Kent, who eventually donated close to 300 acres of the property to the federal government to thwart the plans of a water company to dam and flood the valley it calls home. Kent insisted that the park be named after none other than John Muir, the "Father" of the National Park System.
The redwoods here are small compared to their Oregon siblings but impressive nonetheless. The tallest living things on the planet, these gigantic trees can tower well over 300 ft. They are often so large, in fact, that their upper branches can often support miniature ecosystems of their own, including smaller bushes growing out of soil collected over time. The oldest of the trees have been around since before the New Testament. They can only survive in a few areas along the coast, relying on the morning fogs and light drizzle for the majority of their liquid needs. Because of their fast growth, resilient bark, and thick wood, societies around the world have relied on them for timber for decades. Strict regulations in the US prevent too much over-cutting in the present day, but 97% of the old-growth forests have been replaced with much smaller and re-cut, replanted varieties.
I only managed to visit one of the shorter trails of the forest for my first visit (it was a random trip, and none of us wore prepared attire, let alone my poor camera dealing with the damp conditions). Still, the majesty of these trees were not lost on us, and I fully intend to head back for a more in-depth visit in the future. National Geographic had actually had a great article on the giants late last year, so I was ready to see them for myself, even if only the very Southern tip of their range.
The next day, my girlfriend Abrah and I went for a trip to the Monterey Bay Aquarium, ranked by many as one of the top aquariums in the United States (it seems to go back and forth with Atlanta's). It holds over 600 species, 35,000 plants, a stingray petting zoo, and an attendance closing in on 2 million a year. The tickets were somewhat pricey at $30 a person, but the attractions were very impressive. The building itself was a former sardine cannery that had been bought and converted by none other than David Packard, co-founder of the Hewlett-Packard company. Many of the elements were designed and built by his forge in Big Sur, as he was an avid blacksmith.
One of these elements were wave machines atop a 350,000 gallon water tank. These wave machines enabled the MBA to become the first to grow California Giant Kelp in a controlled environment. Now, the tank houses not only the kelp, but all sorts of creatures within, including sharks, rays, and smaller fish.
On the other end is what i would consider the main exhibit. Behind one of the world's largest single-paned windows is a 1.2 million gallon tank filled with the deep sea creatures. The exhibit here constantly has animals being transferred in and out depending on what research needs done. Sure enough, on our visit it had everything from yellow- and blue-fin tuna to a hammerhead shark. Last year, for a few short months, they even had yet another Great White on display.
Among the cooler sections were the jellyfish displays. They had a large viewing area for a throng of red sea nettle jellyfish and several smaller tanks for a few different species. As you enter into the jellies area, you pass through a circular room circled by the anchovies the building once canned as a staple to the Monterey economy.
Overall, the experiences were very wild and only enhanced my desire to travel and take photos of these wonderful, natural locations. I hope you enjoy the few photos I have processed so far, but don't forget that these can never replace visiting such great areas in person!
Please visit my photo gallery page to see these in full resolution: My Photo Gallery
The National Park Service Website
The Monterey Bay Aquarium Website
Rushing Waves by =serphius on deviantART
Muir Woods Moss by =serphius on deviantART
Muir Woods by =serphius on deviantART
Under the Bay by =serphius on deviantART
Jelly 1 by =serphius on deviantART
Jelly 2 by =serphius on deviantART
My first visit was Muir Woods, just across the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco. One of the earliest national monuments (just the 7th dedicated by President Teddy Roosevelt), the relatively small park (by National Monument Standards, anyway) encompasses the southern tip of the great Redwood tree range. The land was originally bought by businessman William Kent, who eventually donated close to 300 acres of the property to the federal government to thwart the plans of a water company to dam and flood the valley it calls home. Kent insisted that the park be named after none other than John Muir, the "Father" of the National Park System.
The redwoods here are small compared to their Oregon siblings but impressive nonetheless. The tallest living things on the planet, these gigantic trees can tower well over 300 ft. They are often so large, in fact, that their upper branches can often support miniature ecosystems of their own, including smaller bushes growing out of soil collected over time. The oldest of the trees have been around since before the New Testament. They can only survive in a few areas along the coast, relying on the morning fogs and light drizzle for the majority of their liquid needs. Because of their fast growth, resilient bark, and thick wood, societies around the world have relied on them for timber for decades. Strict regulations in the US prevent too much over-cutting in the present day, but 97% of the old-growth forests have been replaced with much smaller and re-cut, replanted varieties.
I only managed to visit one of the shorter trails of the forest for my first visit (it was a random trip, and none of us wore prepared attire, let alone my poor camera dealing with the damp conditions). Still, the majesty of these trees were not lost on us, and I fully intend to head back for a more in-depth visit in the future. National Geographic had actually had a great article on the giants late last year, so I was ready to see them for myself, even if only the very Southern tip of their range.
The next day, my girlfriend Abrah and I went for a trip to the Monterey Bay Aquarium, ranked by many as one of the top aquariums in the United States (it seems to go back and forth with Atlanta's). It holds over 600 species, 35,000 plants, a stingray petting zoo, and an attendance closing in on 2 million a year. The tickets were somewhat pricey at $30 a person, but the attractions were very impressive. The building itself was a former sardine cannery that had been bought and converted by none other than David Packard, co-founder of the Hewlett-Packard company. Many of the elements were designed and built by his forge in Big Sur, as he was an avid blacksmith.
One of these elements were wave machines atop a 350,000 gallon water tank. These wave machines enabled the MBA to become the first to grow California Giant Kelp in a controlled environment. Now, the tank houses not only the kelp, but all sorts of creatures within, including sharks, rays, and smaller fish.
On the other end is what i would consider the main exhibit. Behind one of the world's largest single-paned windows is a 1.2 million gallon tank filled with the deep sea creatures. The exhibit here constantly has animals being transferred in and out depending on what research needs done. Sure enough, on our visit it had everything from yellow- and blue-fin tuna to a hammerhead shark. Last year, for a few short months, they even had yet another Great White on display.
Among the cooler sections were the jellyfish displays. They had a large viewing area for a throng of red sea nettle jellyfish and several smaller tanks for a few different species. As you enter into the jellies area, you pass through a circular room circled by the anchovies the building once canned as a staple to the Monterey economy.
Overall, the experiences were very wild and only enhanced my desire to travel and take photos of these wonderful, natural locations. I hope you enjoy the few photos I have processed so far, but don't forget that these can never replace visiting such great areas in person!
Please visit my photo gallery page to see these in full resolution: My Photo Gallery
The National Park Service Website
The Monterey Bay Aquarium Website
Rushing Waves by =serphius on deviantART
Muir Woods Moss by =serphius on deviantART
Muir Woods by =serphius on deviantART
Under the Bay by =serphius on deviantART
Jelly 1 by =serphius on deviantART
Jelly 2 by =serphius on deviantART
The Fiery Prophecy
I was driving home from a party late one night when I still lived in Southeast Missouri. I remember that it was early Summer, and we had little to do but sit around and enjoy the company until our first year of college kicked in. Our town was small, filled mostly with farmland and minor industrial businesses. The time had to be at least Midnight, if not later, and our gathering place was in deep farming and woodland territory found only via careful navigation through several two-lane backroads and highways.
I had rounded a corner, blasting what could only have been the heaviest of Heavy Metal at the time when I came upon a burning field. Fire torched the sky from various scattered mounds across an otherwise flat, empty plain. I pulled over to the side of the road, in awe of what had to be no less than 50 bonfires set up. Only after a few moments did my mind register that this small City of Dis had been done on purpose to clear brush and reinvigorate the soil for new crops the next season. It was a common practice, but usually done with one wall of fire rather than patches of piled material.
My mind could only whisper "I wish I had a camera right now."
After saving through my job advertising for real estate for a couple of weeks, I bought a Canon A80 point and shoot, July 1st, 2004. Not long after, I bought my first subscription to National Geographic, which I have renewed every year since. I tried college, had several problems in relationships, eventually gave up on school, packed what little I had into my car, and moved to Los Angeles. Throughout it all, my little Canon stayed with me, and despite having a primary passion for acting, I knew that photography would be the true medium through which to define myself. Today, I still try acting when it's available, work for Warner Bros. Studios as a day job, and am happily with someone at the moment. However, beside me at all times is a Canon EOS 40D with 3 issues of National Geographic and a steel card holder filled with business cards saying "Photographer."
Now, along with several other makeshift pages, there is a blog to describe my life as seen through a viewfinder. I travel when I can, photograph what is willing, and share this all to you. It's hardly National Geographic (yet), but hopefully this will be an open window to exploration and bringing the world to you, the reader. With any luck, I'll even stumble upon another burning field, only I'll ready this time.
The Devil's Highway by =serphius on deviantART
I had rounded a corner, blasting what could only have been the heaviest of Heavy Metal at the time when I came upon a burning field. Fire torched the sky from various scattered mounds across an otherwise flat, empty plain. I pulled over to the side of the road, in awe of what had to be no less than 50 bonfires set up. Only after a few moments did my mind register that this small City of Dis had been done on purpose to clear brush and reinvigorate the soil for new crops the next season. It was a common practice, but usually done with one wall of fire rather than patches of piled material.
My mind could only whisper "I wish I had a camera right now."
After saving through my job advertising for real estate for a couple of weeks, I bought a Canon A80 point and shoot, July 1st, 2004. Not long after, I bought my first subscription to National Geographic, which I have renewed every year since. I tried college, had several problems in relationships, eventually gave up on school, packed what little I had into my car, and moved to Los Angeles. Throughout it all, my little Canon stayed with me, and despite having a primary passion for acting, I knew that photography would be the true medium through which to define myself. Today, I still try acting when it's available, work for Warner Bros. Studios as a day job, and am happily with someone at the moment. However, beside me at all times is a Canon EOS 40D with 3 issues of National Geographic and a steel card holder filled with business cards saying "Photographer."
Now, along with several other makeshift pages, there is a blog to describe my life as seen through a viewfinder. I travel when I can, photograph what is willing, and share this all to you. It's hardly National Geographic (yet), but hopefully this will be an open window to exploration and bringing the world to you, the reader. With any luck, I'll even stumble upon another burning field, only I'll ready this time.
The Devil's Highway by =serphius on deviantART
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