Worlds Fastest Camera

The first time using any new camera is exciting.  You get to experience all the features you've read about and see first-hand how everything works.  One feature I've read about regarding the Sony A77 is that it's the worlds fastest camera, and often when we thing of fast action we think of sports.  Yes this camera is a the perfect camera for capturing sporting events, but it is also great for capturing the moments that we're hard to capture before.

Yesterday I attended a Chinese New Year's parade in LA's Chinatown.  I gave myself the assignment of trying to capture the essence of the day in one image, which may sound easy but it isn't.  Giving yourself assignments when you shoot, even for fun,  helps give focus to your images and helps sharpen your skills as a photographer.

By the end of the day I wasn't confident I'd shot the image, but then I started editing and I found my perfect shot.  I used the super fast, 12 frames a second feature a few times throughout the day but when you're shooting this fast it's hard to see the action.  I missed the moment in reality, but when I started editing I was happy to see I caught one split second that told the story of the day and this is my favorite shot.  In the twelve frames burst of shooting I caught one that told the story and I may have missed this moment before the A77.  I'm happy to have this camera now because it opens up new opportunities to capture life's precious moments, and there is no repeat button on life.

If you want to have a lot of fun with a camera look into getting the new Sony A77.  It's a lot of fun to shoot!

Always Dream Big

Photographing Olay

The WPPI (wedding & portrait photographer international) convention in Las Vegas is coming up next month, and I will be speaking on the Sony stage each day from February 20th through the 22nd.  This year, I will show how to work with different lighting techniques using one light for shooting brides and portraits.

If you've seen me speak in person or caught the CreativeLive workshop on fashion and beauty you know I am a fan of using one light.  Sixty thousand people from around the world logged in to watch my three day class on fashion and beauty and you can download it now by going to this CreativeLive link.  Even if you're not into fashion and beauty there's a lot to learn regarding the business and philosophy of photography.  The one light approach is special in many ways because it not only gives you beautiful images, it teaches you how to see light differently.  For example, this year  at WPPI, I will use one light and enhance the look of the images by using nets, like the one shown below.

I will also show how to use "finger nets" with the one light approach, so if you're in Vegas for this year's photo convention please come to the Sony stage.  

One client I've shot for over the years is Olay Cosmetics.  Using one light taught me how to see the subtleties of light so I can land assignments for companies like Olay.  This image was a composite of two images so the lighting had to feel the same.  The use of one light and nets were a big part of making this Olay image.  What I will share on stage during the WPPI convention will help you see lighting and photography in a new way.  

Always Dream Big!

For more helpful information on learning photography go to the Gallery Store.

Golden Dragons

Today is the 113th annual Golden Dragon Parade taking place in Chinatown in celebration of Chinese New Year.  I'm taking my new Sony A77 out on a test run and I hope to share today's street photography with you later.  Enjoy your weekend and always dream big!

The New NEX 7!

It's finally here!  If there is one camera I've been looking forward to having it's the Sony NEX 7.  My friends know how much I loved the NEX 5 as I always had it with me, so when they heard all the news about the NEX 7 coming out they were all equally excited.  Actor Courtney Vance has been waiting along with me to get his hands on one and my first call was to him to say I had it.  Another person who's been excited about this camera is one of Will Smith's right hand men, so I also let him know it is now available.  My first day with the camera was a real California day with an amazing sunset, so I ran to the beach and captured my first image of a couple enjoying the last rays of light for the day.  What a great camera!

My first day with the camera was exciting as I ran through all the features.  Right away I loved having a viewfinder vs just the display to view and compose my images.  The camera fits comfortable in my hand and gives me the option to shoot stills or video.  It's the perfect camera to have with you all the time.  I also now have the ability to use flash at anytime by simply pushing a button instead of having to add an attachment.  The camera is very slick, small and sexy and just looks great in your hands.  If there is one camera people stop and ask about it's the NEX line.  I can't wait to shoot more video, especially now that I have the new Sony 32 gig cards.  Stay tuned to see more soon.

There is another camera I've been waiting for also and tomorrow I will share my thoughts this great camera as well.

Have a great weekend and always dream big!

Struggle, Dream and Believe

This morning I am excited for the future.  Dreaming is important, but to dream alone is not enough. We must act!  I absolutely believe that the universe should test us to see how badly we want our dreams.

I start my day by being thankful for my health first and for my struggles and my success.  I am thankful for my dreams and being able to share my thoughts on dreaming big with the world.  Success does not come overnight and it's not supposed to.  There is a price for everything and sometimes that price is your struggle.  Once you understand that your struggles are payment for your success you accept it easier and sometimes with a smile.

Today I send out my proposal for phase one of my big dream.  I am sending four potential publisher my book proposal after doing endless research.  This book has been in the works for a while and I've even had a book agent take me on to represent it a year ago, but it went no where and she wanted me to add other elements to the book.  In my heart I only want the images to speak to the viewer.  I believe to add text would weaken the book, so I'm following my heart and sending my proposal out to the world.  It has not been easy with this project but it is my dream to see it come to life.

This morning my step-son woke up upset over a small problem.  To him it was a huge problem and he couldn't see past it.  I explained to him that in life things rarely go as planned, but when you come across a problem you must not lose time being angry but put your energy into finding a solution.  He left for school with a different attitude and I was happy to have shared this lesson that we all must be cognizant of as we face life's challenges.

Wish me luck today and always dream big!

How to Capture the Perfect Moment

It's difficult to say what's the perfect photograph, but if you were to look at some of the best photographs throughout the history of photography many of these images are caught moments.  This means the photographer aware of his or her surroundings and was prepared to capture those moments.

Whenever I'm doing a shoot I often look for moments when my subject is unaware of my camera and just being themselves.  These are often the most special moments of the day and if you are aware you will rewarded with incredible images.  This is one reason to always have your camera with you.  Many of my friends use their phone as their every day camera but I like having a real camera with me.  Tomorrow I will get the new Sony NEX 7 and A77 because these are both two great camera's to have for capturing life's special moments.

The image of Christian Slater was taken during a break during a cover shoot.  He's looking out toward Central Park and just watching the people heading into the park.  I loved this moment because I felt it was a moment when he was just being himself.  The same is true of the model looking out toward the ocean.  We were doing a swimwear shoot and changing lenses when I looked up and caught her silhouette.  It was such a beautiful moment.  I had my assistant run and give her the sandle's to hold in her hand, but this moment was a caught moment and my favorite of the day.

This week give yourself the assignment of looking for special moment.

Good luck!

Always Dream Big


For more information on making great photographs check out the instructional videos found in the Gallery Store.

Activity vs Productivity

Being self employed means understanding the difference between busy work vs productive work.

A young photographer recently asked me how to structure his time so that he actually gets things accomplished.  A lot of time can easily be wasted on social media outlets, but if you plan your time and make a schedule you will get more done each day.  Planning your time today means planning how much of your day is allotted for social media because Facebook and other outlets are important but they must be managed.

Having a plan is vital for success in any field and for the self-employed photographer knowing how to work your plan is critical to your success and longevity as a photographer.  Spend the time to work out your strategy and write it down.  I like keeping a tangible notebook for this vs putting it on my computer, but I'm a bit old school with that approach.  Do whatever works best for you.  Once you have your strategy set the next step is to make a calendar scheduling the time you will spend working on your goals.  For example, my calendar shows how much time I am devoting to my commercial work efforts along with my personal projects.  My calendar and schedule are the only way I can find time for my personal projects.  They must be scheduled, or work takes over and you never get the book completed or get the exhibit you've always wanted up.  Schedule your time each week in a realistic manner and do your best to stick to it.  Life happens and you will fall off at times, but don't beat yourself up about it.  Before you know it you will be living your dream and be able to look back and see your progress.

The secret is to get to work now and not put it off until later, because later usually never comes.  Stop now and get to work in making your future.

For more information in becoming successful as a photographer check out the videos available in the Gallery Store.

Always Dream Big

Thank You Kodak

Yesterdays news regarding Kodak's filing for bankruptcy was sad to see.  Kodak has played a major role in my life as a photographer and in the lives zillions around the world.  My first photographs were taken with Kodak Tri-X film and from that point on I have been in love with photography.  Thank you Kodak for all the years of dedication to the world of photography.

Today the Kodak Co. obtained approval from a bankruptcy judge to borrow 650 million to keep its operations going as it tries to sell many of the digital-imaging patents it owns, even though they have tried to sell some of their patents since July of 2011.   They have a little more than a year to come up with a reorganization plan and I hope they are successful in doing so.  Kodak is an important player in the photo game and watching the news yesterday felt like watching the market crash in the fall of 2008 when Lehman Brothers fell apart.  We all know what happened after that so every photographer should pay close attention to what happens over the next 12 months.

After hearing the Kodak news yesterday I decided to pull out an old book and spent my lunch reading it.   "Who Moved My Cheese" is the perfect book to read at a time when everything seems to be changing around us.  When I finished the book I took a moment to reflect and make sure I don't "hem and haw" in my business decisions.  If you're not familiar with this book do yourself a favor and pick it up.  You can finish the entire book during your lunch break but the knowledge you'll learn from it will help you in life and business for decades to come.

For more help in running your business check out the latest video from the Gallery Store on promotion and marketing.  There you will find creative ways to market and promote your photography and stand out from the sea of photographers you are competing against each and every day.

Again, thank you Kodak for all you have done to inspire and nurture photography over the last 131 years.  Without you our world would be a different place.




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