The Majestic Bald Eagle

While photographing a 5th Grade Youth Football game on Saturday, Oct. 24, at Sullivan High School, I was fortunate enough to capture several images of a Bald Eagle that had taken flight over the stadium around 11:30 a.m. It was truly a unique sight...especially since it had to be several miles from its normal area....and the fact that the moscot for Sullivan just happens to be the Eagles. Several members and coaches of the 5th grade team actually spotted the regal bird and made mention how it was an omen....which could be true as Sullivan was just putting the final touches on a 30 point win. It was definitely a pretty special moment for everyone, especially for me since it was the first Bald Eagle I can recall actually witnessing in the wild.

Does Cost Determine Everything?

Having been a professional photographer for over 25 years, I'm always amazed at how many times I answer my studio phone and the first question is "How much?" I completely understand the need to be cost concience, but whatever happened to the desire for "quality?" Comparing prices on pork steaks at two local supermarkets I get, but having that mentality when it comes to portraits that you'll cherish for a lifetime? Now that baffles me. In our industry, the subject of price has, and will be, debated forever. I, however, believe that too many photographers underappreciate their own work entirely too much and are basically "giving away" their images. Once you factor in the cost of doing business and an attempt at making a living, there is absolutely no way a photographer can survive selling $10 prints. However, you'll usually find the ones that say they're "professionals" and are doing just that, are the ones that don't rely on their photography to live. They have other jobs from which their income is generated. I guess it's kind of like Wal Mart's photography studio...they don't survive because of what they generate from that one source....they survive because of the thousands of other Wal Marts. Being another Wal Mart isn't my goal I suppose!

Influences...

I'd have to say that one photographer who had a big influence on my style of photography would be Joe Craig. Joe's a fellow Missourian, from Dexter, and has been a speaker at major photography venues all over the world. I attended a week-long workshop at Joe's studio many years ago...and found I absolutely loved the way he viewed the world through his camera. His commitment to creating images that "moved the soul" was amazing. With Joe, it was about an overall experience for his clients, not just a time to have their "picture" taken. The lessons and ideas I learned that week have stayed with me and been implemented into my photography ever since.

The Early Years...

I actually began my interest in photography back in high school of my senior year. A "Mr. Van Sickle" was a teacher then and allowed me to take an independent study course in photography under his guidance. I learned a great deal during that period...shooting a lot of black and white and finding out quickly I enjoyed the artistic "unusal and different" approach for my images. It's during that time I also began developing my own film in my black and white darkroom I set up at home. I loved spending time in the darkroom...seeing images I had photographed come to life on the paper...it was very exciting for me. I was hooked....I loved photography and everything about it. Its has been a big part of my life ever since.

Im a Blogger Now

I guess I've come full circle now....I'm a blogger! I intend on using this section for not only photography related topics, but also as an area to offer tips and ideas on how to better your own photography. I imagine this area will also blossom into other avenues I have not even thought of at this point, and I'm sure it will be somewhat of a journal as well.