Happy New Year everyone. I am back from a hike up north celebrating in Traverse City. The fellow you see in the above image is a local street performer who got the attention of the MC and was called on stage to demonstrate his talent. I was lucky enough to time the shot right and make a good image.
For the new year I haven't made any resolutions... I just set a mission to get better at my craft no matter what may jump in my way....accidents, budget, attitude...throw it all out of the window and adopt a new motto. Mine is "Shut up and shoot" If you don't make the effort to get out there and see what works and what doesn't you are not learning my friend.
I have spent a lot of time reading and practicing and finding new things that work either by intention or happy accident. I will shoot using all sorts of light and having fun in the process and silencing any doubting voice in my head. I look forward to 2012 being a great year with clear thought and a refreshed spirit. My vision is sharp, my mind is open, and I feel alive. I will be shooting more sessions and in my free time I'm working on a project that could lead to my first book. The book will be just a picture book about areas in northern Michigan that I grew up exploring as a child. I have ideas upon ideas about my images I have planned but I think I may find a few accidental shots that may look like intended genius...we'll see.
I am also taking a leap and using the video function of my cameras to show how i see the world in motion. I have always loved photography and video will be an extension of my photography vision. I'll shoot some behind the scenes, natural phenomena, and anything else that piques my interest.
As far as my vision goes.... Anything, visually pleasing, goes. I have read all of David DuChemins' books on vision. One that struck a chord with me was "Photographically Speaking"
This book forced me to look at my images with an even keener eye and made me question if the work I am making is saying what I want it to say. I would recommend this book to anybody looking for a deeper perspective into making images that mean something and being able to express that image in terms better than "here it is, this is what I shot".
"Shut up and Shoot" is a reminder to myself not to be lazy or make excuses for not picking up the camera for whatever reason. It's a kick in the pants to push me to experiment, fail, prevail, fxxx up monumentally, and go at it again afterward. It is a good motto and I will live by it anytime I start to doubt my abilities and creativity. It's good for other passions in life and tasks as well. Just shut up and get to work on whatever it is you love and enjoy the journey wherever it takes you. 2012, the world isn't going to end, it's gonna rock if you employ the right attitude.
