My Top Secret

The following is one of my top secrets.  Well, for those that know me this will come as no surprise.  The Top Secret is that I love doing photography for myself.  As shocking as this may sound I do not do photography for anyone else but me.  How can this be?  Well, I have always loved looking through a lens and seeing the world through the lens.  Knowing that the moment I click the shutter I am capturing a moment in time.  I love the connection between a photographer and the subject.  It is fun to work with people and to know that I am able to create unique portraits.  I love trying new lighting styles, new editing techniques and love working in photoshop and sometimes editing a picture to death. 

I realize my photography is not for everyone.  I am blessed that some people do enjoy my work and that makes me feel awesome.  However, this positive feedback is NOT why I do photography.  It is just a bonus, an added perk that does bring me joy.  Then there are those that dislike my editing style, they hate my textures I put in some edits, they don't like how I process black and white pictures, I have been told I post too much work, that I shouldn't post a colour and black and white version of the same picture, I have been told my lighting style sucks.....to this all I can say is I don't care what you say....I'm gonna be me.  I do this or myself.  It brings me joy to do what I do.  I would hope the people saying this can find joy in something and do something for themselves that brings them joy.  

There I've let my big secret out.....don't tell anyone, I don't want people knowing how selfish I am when it comes to photography. :)

-Randy

The Camera

There is so much talk about "The Camera" in the photography world. Canon and Nikon the 2 big camera companies want the photographers to believe that their images depend on having the latest and greatest camera. Now I am a believer in getting good lenses, however just look at the history of photography. The picture in this post is of my Grandpa Pond, I am not even sure what camera he used, but it was taken up in the mountains of BC, he set the camera down and took the pic himself. Camera technology will always get better but it still remains the job of the user to have complete control over what image is being captured.

I hear Tammy has got herself a sweet new lens, 70-200 2.8 IS lens I have been dreaming about. Hope one day she'll let me take some pics with it. :) Here is for hoping, hehehe. Well, I am going to start putting away my pennies, dimes, nickels and maybe a few quarters in hopes of landing one of these lenses. :)

As I prepare for the day I was just thinking about my Grandpa and his love of nature and how he must have enjoyed taking pictures. This image speaks to me and just looking back at my Grandpa's life I can say I sure miss him. He had a good life left a great example for his grandkids to follow. Thanks Grandpa for the inspiration, the gifts and love that you left for me. I hope with my photography I can find what you did, beauty in nature and that connection with God.

Now hopefully Calgary loses to the Shark tank tonight. :) GO SHARKS GO!! :)

-Randy