Picking Up Abandoned Projects

Suppose like many other people, I sometimes/to many times start something,  only to have life/circumstances see projects started lost in the shuffle or worse completely forgotten about-not remembering them until some person or incident brings what once was back into focus...this blog is one of those projects forgotten about, all but discarded in dealing with whatever it was that saw the project placed in a little box on the shelf next to other long ago forgotten projects. things and memories ment to be returned too, but often never looked at again.

Over the past few years I've had people here in town tell me I am the Nyack Camera Man, have commented that they saw my work on a blog...I'd say, "Not me" only to have them ask, "are you sure", totally convinced it was me.  Some life things coupled with a phone conversation gave me pause to Google myself, something I am not  usually prone to do, already knowing there is a lot more there (both true and false) than most people find when Googling themselves.  I for various reasons am fortunately/unfortunately not really good at being invisible in life...perhaps I am the proverbial fool on the hill, but a fool who has over the decades been more visible than most.

I digress...doing the Google search, found this long ago forgotten blog started some five years ago by none other than ME! (Did I mention I am blond, or was before old age and gray hair set in)...Once you put something out on the net, it really never goes away, and in this case seems I still have access and use of this blog I created so long ago, so have decided to take this long ago forgotten project down off the shelf, dust it off and use it...at least for a time, jump at the chance to perhaps share some newer photographs, present my own unigue perspective on life, photography and the town in which I live and the goings on in this little affluent community nestled along the shores of the Hudson River.

People in town are used to seeing me with a camera, like an American Express Card, I never leave home without it...the camera, as I do not have an American Express Card.   Am always taking pictures of anything and every thing, whatever captures my short attention span as I go about my walk through town, up to Hook Mountain, or on occassion down to Piermont.  It's what I do, a big part of who I am.  Quick Candid moments captured forever with the click of the botton that opens up the shutter exposing my world to the lens attached to the camera in my hand.

Now that this blog has been resurrectd from the trash heap of the internet, a project too long dormant now renewed...or at least on life support, I hope I am here more often, talking about some bird or butterfly I just captured in my lens, or sharing a story about some event or parade I happened to walk through, sharing a few photographs of people, animals or things that captured my attention just long enough to release the shutter, another JPEG in the can, a brief moment in the annuals of time preserved for eternity, or perhaps beyong.

This hawk was hiding deep in the branches of a tree in our "Memorial Park" enjoying, I am sure,f some fresh River Rat Sushi...I'd share the picture of said Red Tailed  Hawk enjoying his much deserved lunch, but the scene witnessed in its entirety is just a bit grusome for most pallettes, which is why I chose to share this inbetween courses picture intead.   Hope you enjoy it.  See you in my next entry.

Just What Is a "Professional Photographer"

"What is a professional photographer?  This is a question I find myself pondering of late.  More importantly than this question, I find myself wondering if one can be a professional photographer and not be an artist, and conversely, can one be a "Photographic Artist" without per say being a professional photographer?  For 20 years I was a potter and sculptor, that is what I did for a living, and it was what the world saw me as.  There was never the word "professional" attached to that occupation, and by virtue of my work on display at various shows and exhibits I was considered an artist.  End of story.  No one asked for my qualifications, no one asked if I had ever sold anything that gave me the right to claim the title of potter, sculptor and artist.  I just was.

Photography seems much different.  Someone who takes pictures of used cars for those free car magazines you pick up in the grocery store will tell you that he/she is a professional photographer, as well the person who takes the picture at the local high school football game on a Friday night will do the same.  They seem to claim the title of professional photographer by  mere virtue of drawing a pay check each week for taking pictures of some questionable quality with a camera that is usually some relic from days gone by.   Yet, many art photographers, some of whom who have had one man/woman shows in some very prestigious spaces yet have not actually SOLD THEIR WORK are not considered professionals...does this small detail make them any less  a professional photographer?  If so, then one has to ponder another question, are many of those who profess to be professional photographers not artists?  Should art photographers be looked at differently than professional photographers?  Should there be two very distinct and different classifications?

Sure some people are both artist and professional photographer, but at what point does one cease being considered an amateur photographer, and move on to that space in modern day society where they can say without reservation or guilt that they are a professional photographer?  Does selling a piece of your work, even if it was to your Mom or Grandmother officially make you a professional photographer?  Does learning how to push the button on the camera at the Mall when Santa Clause is in town make you a profession photographer?  More importantly, what distinguishes you as an artist in the field of photography?  Anyone who picks up a camera and takes a picture is suddenly a photographer, but where do we draw the line after that?  Who is a professional photographer, who is a photographic artist?

One can take a class, pass a test and they are suddenly a "Real Estate Agent" even though they have never held a job as such, nor sold one house.  You can get a license to drive a taxi by paying the DMV a fee of $30 so they can send you a new license denoting your eligibility and sudden qualification to be a taxi cab driver, and there is not even a test involved.  In some small towns the mayor becomes judge by mere virtue of having gotten elected despite their lack of experience or qualifications to be a judge.  So, on this night I find myself asking the question, "Just what is a professional photographer?"  Has having a camera built into every cell phone that has the ability to upload a picture to the world wide web down graded photography to a point where most people no longer see it as a true art form, thus creating a situation where you are only a professional photographer when someone is paying you to click the button that activates the shutter on whatever camera they happen to send you out into the field with?

I am pondering this, as I get asked this question in various ways on a daily basis.  "Do you work for a paper or magazine?"  or the straight to the point question, "Are you a professional?"  For the record, I have never held a job as a photographer, not worked for a paper or a magazine in the capacity of photographer.  Photography up to this point in my life has never been a full time occupation or vocation.  So, if having a JOB related to photography is that magic line in the sand, then suppose I am not a professional photographer.  I have though been hired to take pictures at a whole lot of events, even sold many of my pictures to various individuals who felt compelled to have one or more of my pieces hanging in their homes.  I even have my own business cards, and if you are reading this blog you already know I have an internet presence.   I  work diligently at my craft, put many hours in each and every week hopefully honing my skills as a photographer.  Do these facts make me a professional photographer even though I have never held a JOB in the field?  Or perhaps, because I tend to take photographs that are more art than commercial in scope, perhaps I am an art photographer?  If I am an art photographer, where does the whole professional photographer thing come into play, and perhaps most importantly is it a label as an artist that I want, as in my mind that is what I am, an artist?

Feeding Birds At Memorial Park

I try to get out every day for a bit with my camera, am always on the hunt for that one good picture that makes my creative day a success.  Some days i get lucky and far exceed that goal of one good shot, then there are those days when nothing I shot seems that good....today was one of those later type days where reviewing my work was turning up nothing that sang out, 'This is a good shot."  As is often the case on days when nothing seems to be working, I grabbed my camera and decided to go out for a late afternoon shoot, give the camera another chance at capturing something that spoke to me.

As the day quickly moved into late afternoon found myself down at Nyack's Memorial Park as dusk approached when I saw a lady feeding our local army of seagulls and mallards.  Though this is a very common appearance at the park, I snapped a few shots, and when I loaded the shots up onto the computer found one worth a share.

Hope you all enjoy it.

PS...making a trip to the New York Botanical Garden tomorrow to see the orchid display, and would encourage everyone to make the trip as I hear the display is breathtaking.

A Few Tips For Back Yard Bird Photographers

One of the first questions I get asked when walking around town with my camera is, "WOW, what are you shooting with that big lens (Canon l series 100-400 for those who might ask what lens I am shooting with)?  Generally, because I am a big fan of them, it is birds of any type and variety.  They come in all shapes and sizes, are quite industrious, not to mention stunningly beautiful.

Though I end up taking pictures of lots of other things, I am invariably hoping to stumble upon a chance to point my camera in the direction of one of the many fine feathered friends that call our community home.

With the return of spring, the opportunity for some great bird photographs is increasing, so this seems like a good time to share a couple of my own bird photographs (recently taken) along with a few tips for the back yard bird photographers that might happen upon my blog.

Tips For Photographing Birds

1.  Try to photographing them in direct light...simply stated, have the sun behind you, and shining on them.  You want to bring out the detail of the feathers, capture all the fine detail that you can.  Side light is going to cast shadows, and if the sun is behind the bird you are going to get a silhouette of the bird most times.

2.  Patience!  Find a place to roost where you know birds congregate, and wait for them to come into you.   If you are walking a trail, and not sure where the birds might be, again patience is your best friend in capturing that unexpected shot.  Walk slowly...very slowly.  Sudden movements will startle the birds and you have missed your opportunity.  Once you spy the bird, patiently figure out where you want/need to be (if possible) to get the best shot, then ever so slowly (and patiently) move into position.  This said, have your camera at the ready, as any shot is always better than no shot.

3.  Be inconspicuous if you can, take cover.  If you are driving and see a great shot, try to park in a way that you can use your car as a blind.  Walking in the woods and find a promising spot, lean up and into a tree so that the birds see the tree, rather than you.  Carry a chair and park yourself in a thicket of grass.  The key is doing your best to be invisible to the birds so as not to scare them off.

4.  Digital cameras give you the option of continuous shooting....USE IT!  Fact is, there is a certain degree of luck in capturing a great shot, but you can increase your luck by firing off several shots as sometimes one of them turns out to be that masterpiece we photographers love shooting where everything about the shot JUST WORKS.

5.  I like manual focus if I am in close on birds, but use auto focus when shooting birds at more of a distance.

6.  Always...ALWAYS (let me repeat) ALWAYS be ready to take a shot.  You cannot use your camera is it is locked in the trunk, or worse sitting at home on the kitchen counter.  You never know when that once in a life time opportunity is going to be right there in front of your eyes, so never leave home without your camera.

7.  It's the eye!  When you are focusing your lens on a bird, CONCENTRATE on the eye, as that is where the key to the proverbial money shot is.  If you get a great eye shot, chances are you got a GREAT PHOTOGRAPH.

Happy Birding Everyone

Nyack Library's "Captured Reading" Photo Contest Deadline is March 31, 2014

As a photographer I believe contests are a fabulous way to show off  talents, perhaps get a little  recognition from our community.    This month, the Nyack Library is seeking submissions in their, "Captured Reading" contest, and entry could not be simpler.

Snap a picture of someone reading then  email your Jpeg image submission to photography@nyacklibrary.org by the deadline of March 31, 2014.  Be sure you include a signed release from the person who's picture was taken if one is needed...IE, if the shot was taken indoors, rather than in a public place you are going to need a release.

To get you started, here are a couple of pictures I have taken of people "Caught Reading".  Grab your cameras and head out today in search of your own image of someone who is "Caught Reading" and enter Nyack Library's contest for a chance at some great prizes.

From Z-Vents

This Spring, the Nyack Library will be holding a Get Caught Reading contest. We invite photographers of all ages and expertise levels to find their creativity and take pictures of people expressing the joy of reading in all its forms and formats: books, e-readers, magazines, audiobooks, newspapers. These photos can be taken any place you'd like -- indoors or out! !Prizes will be awarded ! Thank you to our wonderful local merchants for their donations.

Library Website