Thanks NYC! – 11.02.06

WOW…want a turn out of Moose Fans at PhotoPlus today. Lexar hosted me at their booth where I did four presentations. From opening to closing, a whole lot of you came to shake hands, introduce yourself and tell me about your photographic passions. Even had good friends like Jay Maisel, Joe McNally, Howard Schatz, Bruce Dale & Bill Neill come by, too cool! I sure appreciate each and everyone of you taking the time to stop by and saying hello. Thanks also to Lexar for bringing me in for a great event! Thanks Jeff!

Photo captured by Sharon Peterson with D200, 28f1.4 on Lexar digital film

NYC – 11.01.06

Ran into a good friend last night at a meeting, she said, “Moose in the city, you lost?” I like wildlife in all forms and NYC is as wild life as you’re going to find. I really like exploring the city in B&W, this is one of my favorites from the week.

Photo captured by D200, 28f1.4 on Lexar digital film

What is a Rut? – 11.01.06

The weather is bad, the camera is old, I don’t have the right lens, my computer is acting up, the light sucks, when I hear excuses like this for continually not shooting, it’s a sure sign the photographer is in a rut. What is a rut? In photographic terms, it’s when the creative juices aren’t flowing any more, the passion is on the verge of slipping away. Burn out in layman terms. It’s not a good thing.

Can this happen to anyone? You bet! I’ve seen it happen all to often to photographers who had lots of potential but for many reasons, were never able to live up to it. The books are full of images from great photographers who, in general terms, hit a rut and were never to dig themselves back out again. Do you exhibit the warning signs? Do you use any of the phrases, or a whole lot more, to justify why you’re not out shooting more than you should be? More importantly, how can you avoid getting in a rut?

I’ve personally never gotten into a rut, but pretty darn close a couple of occasions. The way I avoided the whole thing was to go out and buy a new lens. I than marry myself to that new lens, shoot everything with it until I knew it inside and out. I shot everything from my big toe to road kill, whatever got in front of the new lens was a target. No, great images didn’t come from the exercise, but opening my eyes & heart to new possibilities did come from the exercise. Avoiding getting in a rut was the most important aspect of the exercise.

Avoiding getting in a rut, or pulling yourself out of one I think is as simple as being totally silly with your camera and chase subjects you would never, ever regularly chase. Depending on how deep of a rut you might be in, you might have to play a little longer. Or, you might find the new fun is something to delve into with even greater zealous now you’re out of the rut. Does this work? There is only one person I’ve suggested this to over the years that it didn’t work for. Regrettably, that person is no longer a shooter, works as a chef.

Keeping the creative juices a live is very important, especially now that winter is fast approaching. The normal subjects aren’t as obvious or plentiful. It’s the time to explore new techniques, revisit old ones and master and combine them so when spring rolls around, you’re ready to go. Photography is a grand pursuit and one that takes all of your heart & soul. At all costs, you need to avoid getting in a rut and burning out.

What is a rut? A rut is a grave with its ends knocked out.

New York View – 10.29.06

Fullfilled a long time desire, to walk the Brooklyn Bridge at dusk. My good friend Joe McNally made it happen for Sharon & I tonight. No, there was no wildlife about except a lonely gull, it’s just a very cool place to watch life and light go by.

Photo captured by D200, 28f1.4 on Lexar digital film

McNally Shoot – 10.27.06

Wow… what a day! I was very fortunate today to spend it with my bud Joe McNally while he was shooting for his latest editorial shoot. Shooting on location at U.Conn, he took an otherwise disasterous “set” and made the magic Joe is lengdary for producing. Being an “assistant” on a stills set takes me way back. It was darn, good ole fashion fun! Thanks Joe!

Photo captured by D200, 28f1.4 on Lexar digital film

Vermont DLWS #8 – 10.25.06

We spent our last evening in Woodstock, my favorite town. The light was iffy until sunset when the God Beams came shinning through providing everyone with killer light and images. I spent most of my time this trip doing a study in brick which, as you can see, varies greatly.

Photo captured by D200, 105VR on Lexar digital film

Vermont DLWS #7 – 10.25.06

Quechee Gorge was what our lenses locked on this morning. This black and white was taken by standing out on the bridge, leaning over and shooting straight down onto the rapids. Gorgeous morning of shooting!

Photo captured by D2X, 70-180 on Lexar digital film

Vermont DLWS #6 – 10.24.06

We spent the evening at a favorite town of mine, Weston. It has a killer old mill, this is the waterfall that powers it.

Photo capture by D2X, 200f2VR on Lexar digital film

Vermont DLWS #5 – 10.24.06

Plymouth Notch was the summer home for Coolidge and looks a lot today just like it did in his day. If you’ve never been there, great place to snap a few.

Photo captured by D2X, 200f2VR on Lexar digital film

Vermont DLWS #4 – 10.24.06

No rain, no snow and no locus, it was a good morning shooting at Plymouth Notch. The light danced for us across the hillside, Vermont’s calm sucked us in.

Photo captured by D2X, 200f2 on Lexar digital film

Vermont DLWS #3 – 10.23.06

A beam of light light up this Vermont barn and allowed me to make an unique portrait of my good friend Scott Kelby who along with David Moser from NAPP, are part of the great gang having fun and enjoying our Vermont DLWS.

Photo captured by D2X, 200f2 on Lexar digital film

Vermont DLWS #2 – 10.23.06

The afternoon started off with stormy skies. But than, God beams came through an opening and the landscape was painted with light. But it was the wet trunks that eventually sucked in my lens.

Photo captured by D2X, 200f2 on Lexar digital film

Vermont DLWS #1 – 10.23.06

The rain stopped and the fog started its dance amongst the fall color just the sun rose. Yet for me, the most meaningful moment in time for me was our time in the graveyard at the graves of soldiers from the Revolutionary War.

Photo captured by D2X, 200f2 on Lexar digital film

Vermont #2 – 10.21.06

Wow, another killer day. Some great fudge, amazing cheese and 21GB of images. Can’t wait for tomorrow!

Photo captured by D200, 10.5 on Lexar digital film

Vermont – 10.20.06

Most definitely past its peak, the fall color in Vermont is still mind boggling! Heck, what is peak anyways? Vincent, Laurie, Sharon & I had a great day checking out some old favorite spots to shoot, found some new ones and picked up a few jugs of Jenne Farm Maple syrup. Darn good day out shooting!

Photo captured by D2X, 200f2VR on Lexar digital film

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