~ Monday Rant, Photographer classes I try and avoid at all costs ~

This won't come as news to people that know me well....but just feel like ranting it again. :)

I love photography and can't get enough of it.  In my experience of photography I have had the unfortunate experience of encountering many different types of photographers and there is one type that seems to get under my skin.  The kind that acts like they know it all to everyone around them, when in reality they are hiding the fact that they have no basis to be acting like that.

It is good to be confident, but I have known photographers that just seem to have such big egos it becomes a huge annoyance.  I have always felt that the work that an artist or photographer produces should speak for itself.  Yet some photographers make everything about them.  There are a few classes of photographers that fit this mold, here is how I'll define them (this was written with some humor but the scary part is there is truth in each one of these classes):

THE "TECH KNOWITALL" SHOOTER: this photographer frequents photography forums and always is there to correct everyone on lighting, exposure and uses their vocab of photography as a way to make themselves appear superior.  This is the photographer that feels their gear is superior and makes them a BETTER photographer than anyone else.  Discussions with them can easily lead to the desire to hit them in the face.

THE "ARTISTIC NUDE" SHOOTER: this photographer has learned that there are young women out there wanting to be "Americas Top Model" and they actively recruit these girls 18-21ish to pose for artistic nudes.  This class of photographer gets a LOT and I mean a LOT of followers and that only adds to their massive egos.  People (mainly males) love commenting on this classes work, saying things like "hot pic", "Yummmy" and this really makes the photographer think he/she is a god.  This class doesn't really know about composition, lighting or how to edit, they just care about hot girls and more LIKES and comments when they post.

THE "I PRETEND I KNOW HOW  MY CAMERA WORKS" SHOOTER: this is the opposite class of the tech knowitall shooter.  This class doesn't know how their camera works, they just shoot and pretend like they do.  They shoot as a "pro" but have no clue what is happening with their camera or how to use the gear they do have.

THE "I HATE EVERYONE WITH A CAMERA" SHOOTER: this shooter typically is a "pro" that rants and HATES that everyone is getting a DSLR and that this will somehow put them out of business.  They go on social media and get their hate on, ranting about "Moms with cameras" or a person charging less than they are for a wedding, family session etc.  They cannot stand that other people are enjoying photography and wanting to profit off it.

THE "SELF ENTITLED CRITIC" SHOOTER: this shooter doesn't really shoot much, they love going on photography pages and leaving a critique on the work.  They tell everyone how to do it, what's wrong with it and how to be better....the problem is they hardly ever shoot work of their own and couldn't take a decent shot to save their life.

I know there are more classes of shooters to avoid, these ones just seem to be the most common in my experience.  I prefer the humble types of shooters that are friendly, the ones that don't care what stage you're at in photography, they are not concerned about your work, they just do their thing.

To end this blog a recent edit from a shoot.  MODEL: Billie Dee

Long time Microsoft Supporter Rant about my Day One Edition Xbox One

I have always been a Microsoft supporter, using their products and when their first console came out I was right on board.  I loved my xbox and was a beta tester for xbox live.  Then preordered the xbox 360 and had it the first day it came out.  Ordered it from EB games and walked right in on release day and grabbed my 360.  Now comes the NEXTGEN hype and I made sure to preorder.  This time I figured I'd order it right from Microsoft.  Good idea?  NOPE!!!!!


My experience with Microsoft has been terrible since I pre-ordered my Day one Edition Xbox One.  Here is a breakdown of events:

• Preordered it long time ago (July 3rd) to be exact

• Received an email telling me to update my credit card from them and then I called them and updated it, to make sure I get my console on Nov.22.  The lady from Microsoft tells me and reassures me that it will be delivered on the release day.  

• Then I get this email:

Dear Randy,
Our Mistake.
You recently got an email from us telling you that your credit card had expired for your Xbox One pre-order. That wasn’t the email we meant to send you, and we’re sorry about the confusion it may have caused.

What we meant to ask you to do was to verify your billing and shipping address. You can do that by checking your order history.

If you’ve checked your billing and shipping address and everything looks OK, you don’t need to do anything else. If you see a problem, then please call us at 866-883-3754.
We’re looking forward to delivering your Xbox One on 22 November.

Thanks for shopping at Microsoft online store. 

• I am not sure what to make of it, but look at them telling me how they are looking forward to delivering my xbox to me on that date, ohhh 22 November.

• So I am all excited thanks to Microsoft!!! I am getting my nextgen system soon....on Sunday, Nov.17th I get an email from them saying it's shipped and it includes a tracking number.  On Thursday I see it shows that the delivery date is end of the day Nov.25th......ummmmmm, huh?

• I have friends going to the midnight release in Edmonton at the Microsoft Store, one preordered and the other didn't.....guess what?  They both got nextgen systems.  A guy that didn't even preorder gets it before me?  Makes no sense.  Microsoft has my $$$$$$$$ and I don't have my console when they told me I would be getting it.  

• Yes, it seems silly to rant about it, but the point is Microsoft is a massive company, they could easily do something to make me a happier customer.  They messed up and I get told "sorry to hear that" from everyone I have spoken with from Microsoft when I called....but they cannot do anything about it.  

• Well Microsoft I am really sorry too, sorry I am a sucker for dealing with you and honestly so disappointed with the direction your company is taking.  After E3 I was ready to go PS4 and forget your console when your strict rules relating to the xbox one were described.  Then you lifted them and I was thrilled and preordered right away.  Honestly saying "sorry to hear that" feels like a slap in my face.  Really feeling like selling it on ebay and getting a PS4.  Not a happy gamer.  

• This is what UPS says on the tracking link: 

Scheduled Delivery:Monday, 11/25/2013, By End of Day
Well guess I have until Monday to decide if I sell it, return it and go PS4.....I most likely stick with xbox one, I am just sickened to see how a customer gets treated like this.  When a company is making as much money as they are you think they'd try harder to make a customer happy that is pouring a LOT of $$$ toward them.
END RANT! :)

~ Spring and Summer and $$$$ ~

CURRENT EVENTS

• Figured I would update my blog and write about how excited I am for spring and summer.  The winter was a disappointment.  I wanted lots of SNOW and I got basically NONE and that was sad.  I hope the summer brings fewer mosquitoes.  Last year the bugs were a nightmare.  I edited SO many of the little bugs out of my pictures.  
• I am on spring break, spending time cuddling cats, playing MW3 on the xbox and just enjoying time at home.  
• I am hoping to go see a few movies (Hunger Games today I think)

$$$$$$$ MONEY $$$$$$$$$

Money is so important in the world we live in.  When I started taking photos I was just doing it for the pure joy of it.  Most of my life my art has been about seeing people enjoy my work.  It has always been extremely difficult to ask for money.  I am always torn in trying to figure out the price to ask a client for my work and this can be an issue sensitive and open to debate among other photographers.  I understand that photography is everywhere now.  iPhones are in everyone's pocket and so many apps can do some really cool photography editing effects.  So many people take pictures and places like facebook are FILLED with profile pics of people holding their cellphones in mirrors.  So where does someone like myself fit in?  I don't really know to be honest.  

These are a few of my key skills I think relate to photography:

• 5 years of University have taught me to be creative and to use my artistic skills.  I have a B.F.A. (Art) and a B.Education which both allow me to think creatively and problem solve and teaching has allowed me to get more skill working with people and knowing how to relate to them
• Years of doing artistic things, my entire life, not just University I have been drawing, sketching, doodles and mark making any chance I could get
• Technology, I am a freak about it....mostly love Photoshop, editing and am self taught.  But have been spending YEARS learning how to use it and hours upon countless hours working in it
• Actual camera experience.  I am old and my memory is fading, but I was around 14 when I got my first camera.  It was film but I loved it and have been always using a camera on and off since then.  I got REALLY serious when I purchased a digital about 9 years ago.  

So when people hire me for photography they are getting all of this skill and experience.  So how much is that worth?  It is hard for me to put a price on it.  Just this last week I was thinking how $100 does not really buy a person anything anymore.  Friends of mine just went down to Calgary and paid over $160 per seat to sit by the glass and watch their fave team lose to Columbus in a shoot out.  That did not include the fuel, food and any other expenses at the game or on the trip.  This was a hockey game, not photos that will last for years and years.  Photographers have to pay high prices for gear and charging low prices basically is an insult when you consider the prices being paid for cameras and lenses.  So what should people charge?  I have been told I charge too low...however I struggle and I am honest basically no one wants to pay me even my current prices which in my opinion are LOW already.  Maybe in a world where cell phones and digital media people are not seeing the value in a professional photograph?  I don't know, but I am sensing that more and more people are not wanting to pay for professional images.  A few friends that do photography seem to indicate to me they are getting less work.

I am not sure where I sit now on this topic of money.  But I would like to ask that if you admire my work, or enjoy what I do to please help me out.  Tell your friends, I do not advertise a ton and have always relied on word of mouth.  In the last few years my paid work is really disappearing.  I am starting to think I could charge $5 a shoot and still not find a client.  Cheap seems to be the growing trend.....I really do now know.  Hence this blog post that has a theme of confusion because I do not know what is going on with photography and money.  If anyone has thoughts I would be GLAD to hear them.  

Cheers,

 -Randy

Monday Morning Rant and Full Frame Dreams

I have not posted a blog entry in a long time.  So I figure I should update and give a good Monday morning rant.  Today I will be ranting about photographers.  I know a lot of people that do photography at all different levels.  Some are professional shooters and some are just ones that are total noobs.  One of the biggest things I dislike about photography is when some photographers get a God complex.  They start looking down their nose at other people for not knowing everything about photography.

I am so tired of hearing complaints from photographers, things like clients wanting to "just photoshop that out", or "how the camera takes nice pictures" and the list goes on.  This is probably the main reason I would never want to go "professional" in the sense of doing photography as my main source of income.  The professionals I know make photography seem like the worst profession to be in.  Most make their clients out to be villains that are just out to rip them off.  It is seldom to hear good things from photographers, most of the things I hear are complaints about other photographers or their clients.  Where is the joy?  I think some of these photographers that have these issues need to find what made them happy in photography in the first place.

In the work I do, I try and enjoy every part of it.  If I am at a wedding and someone approaches me and wants to talk about my camera or what I do, I enjoy that.  If someone asks questions and wants to know how I shoot, or what techniques I use I am MORE than happy to share that knowledge.  I love photography and it makes me happy.  Here in Vegreville recently I have made some great photographer friends and we all share a mutual love for taking pictures.  We get together quite often and shoot.  There is no big ego involved and it's for fun and the love of photography.  I wish more photographers could let go of the need to run others down and make it sound like they are such Gods when it comes to photography.  Lets face it, most people do not care or understand that we know so much about our craft.  They just will look at our images and either like or dislike the work we do.  Get over yourselves, I have been humbled every time I go online and see so many people from professionals to amateurs that make my photography skills look like junk.  I don't need to walk through life with this attitude that I am some kind of a big deal.  Every time I see a FB status update or post about this negative stuff it drives me a bit more mental than I already am.

Okay, now on to a more positive note, I had a friend let me use her 5Dmii this weekend.  I have actually NEVER had a chance to shoot full frame.  I have to admit I always knew that full frame was awesome.  The part that held me back was price.  But looking back I should have decided instead of a 7D to just wait until I had the money for the full frame.  However, I am still happy with my cameras, but wow....the full frame just looks amazing.  I have made the mental shift already and don't think I can avoid going full frame.  I am making goals already to make sure to save and get myself the new 5Dmark3.  It might take some time but I will try and add this camera to my collection asap. The summer of 2012 would be a LOT of fun shooting full frame, but I will have to see how it goes.  Since it is a new camera the price is going to be quite high and I think I have a few other bills and things that will take priority over a new camera.

Well HAPPY MONDAY everyone, thanks for reading this far, lol...if you did.....here are some images taken full frame of Nicole. :)

~ Friday Rant ~

A long time ago I came to the conclusion that drugs mainly weed, pot, marijuana or whatever you want to call it plain out sucks. So many people have died needlessly due to drug abuse. I have zero tolerance for drugs. If you want drugs as part of your life, then don't plan on my support or friendship. I believe drugs give people a high, I believe that in some sickness and disease that drugs can help. I have seen what weed does. As a teacher I had students murdered due to drugs. I am not going to tolerate drugs around me. This is something very personal to me and very recently people in my circle of "friends", and I say that loosely, involved weed around me and put me in a potentially dangerous and compromising situation. Sadly this "group" of friends were "grown ups" and should know better....but they didn't. I needed to just vent and write this.

I don't expect people to live perfect lives, I am far from perfect. I have so many flaws and issues, but drugs just straight out make me mad. It's useless, a waste of life. Life is challenging enough, why throw in drugs? I guess I appreciate that this recent event happened. It gives me clarity and helps me take a stand on my personal beliefs. I have always had a huge respect for the Police and all law enforcement, I even planned being a Police Officer in High School. I really think the abuse of drugs will always be a never ending battle and the Police sadly are the ones that deal with it on a daily basis. Huge respect to the work they do. This is just an all over the place rant, but I am just annoyed and peeved and it's Friday. I think drugs suck is the basic message here. :P

~ Nut Jobs ~

So apparently I have offended someone. They called my home today and yelled at my wife saying I had something offensive on my website and should take it off, something relating to Seventhday Adventists. Then this woman hung up on my wife. If this person is reading my blog today, I have something to tell you.....I am not going to sugar coat it...so here it goes:

GET A LIFE!!!!

Seriously, I was born and raised in a Seventhday Adventist home. My Father is an SDA pastor and has devoted his life to the church. I have seen what "Christianity" and organized religion is about, so don't even get me started. So who ever this coward of a woman is that couldn't leave her name or number, I say to you get a serious life. It humors me as well to think this person reads my blog and then gives us the angry phone call. Trust me lady, what you think about something on my websites means nothing to me. It's people like you that give christians a BAD name, souring people in to not wanting to go to church.....I would of loved to answered the phone and talked to you. Call me again please, this time don't hang up....and give me your number so we can become phone friends.....I'd love to do nothing more then call you, yell and hang up. What a good christian thing to do. LOL..........yes, it's people like this that God wants to fill his kingdom with. I cannot for the life of me understand what she means about offensive stuff on my blog relating to adventists??? I have said nothing bad about SDA people, or what we believe in. Maybe she's offended by my taste in music? or the pictures I take? Regardless, lady you are a douche and I have no problem blasting you for your actions. GRrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr!!!

Sorry to those who had to see me vent, it's been one of those days......

~ 420 RANT ~

This day ticks me off. 420 the code for pot heads to use to refer to their illegal drug. I know it's a big debate, there are people that say it should be legal. I prefer to take the stance against ALL illegal drugs and even the legal ones like alcohol and smoking of any kind. I wish people could see beyond the "pleasure" that they gain from these drugs. Families of law enforcement officers deserve to have more people stand against drugs. Today in Edmonton Pot heads went down to the leg grounds to "protest". I wish they could visit the graves of lives ruined by drugs. It's such a selfish world. Pro POT people can argue with me all they want about it. I've worked in schools where almost every kid smoked pot. I've seen first hand what it leads to. I am a young teacher and have had too many students buried. Suicide, murder you name it. I've lost too many students to drug related deaths and been witness to so much lost potential due to drugs. I coached basketball and saw how these teens were "brain dead" they had no motivation to excel in sports, school or much of anything. Smoking up was their world and all they desired to do.

It's illegal....not cool......police put their life on the law every day to defend laws that our democratic society makes. Even drugs like alcohol cause larger problems even more so I bet then pot. Everyone can make their choice, but I wish more people would see it for what it is. A waste and dredge on our society.

On a much happier note, I saw some beautiful wildlife of the feathered type on my way to work. I was blessed by seeing a field so full of snow geese, Canada Geese and who knows what else. The sounds were awesome, I plan to YouTube the video clip I took with my G9. It was sweet to see as far as my eye could see, a sea of white birds. It was very cool. :)

Driving Rant

Okay, it's time for me to have a rant, I need to do this for my own therapy so please skip reading this if rants are annoying to you. I am just really getting tired of the drivers I meet on the roads in this province. I am going to be picking on the men, yes my own gender. I am starting to think that this province of Alberta is full of guys that drive rig rocket trucks. Me in my tiny little Echo seem to be a magent for these morons. They fly up behind me and with no regard for their life or mine. These guys act like no one loves them by the way they drive. This whole province seems to be full of beer drinking, 4x4 driving rednecks that grew up thinking men should be jerks and there for they do their best to fit that role every day of their life. I know there are lots of people, including men that don't drive like jerks but sadly this province with it's "oil and money" attract these types of biscuits to Alberta. It seems that these cavemen and their big trucks measure each other by the size of their tires, lift kits and how many ATV's they can fit in their truck. I really wish people could show more respect for others, I seriously find that more and more this world is lacking respect. People are so self centered and interested in going places fast with little regard for their life or the lives of others. Grrrrrrrrrrrr. :) END OF RANT. :)

Last Day of the Week for Work

Tomorrow is a day off....so today will be spent finishing up some work and then a much welcome long weekend will arrive. I am excited and really can't wait to do some relaxing and enjoying the new car. :) I think a lot of mini "road" trips will be in order once we have the car.

Well, not much is going on so I'll just post a daily bible verse and off I go to work.....

Do not wear yourself out to get rich; have the wisdom to show restraint. Proverbs 23:4 NIV

I decided to extend todays blog...adding a good little rant for Thursday. Today as I drove in to work I am passed by an SUV with a female driver talking on her cellphone. Now this is not shocking news for this day in age. Almost everyone has cellphones and SUV's are almost the norm for vehicles on the roads. Driving a small car makes me feel like an oddball, so many vehicles in Alberta are full size 4x4's of some sort. I found today's bible verse hitting close to home for me. So many people are working for money. I heard on the radio that higher income couples get less sleep.

Todays world is getting more and more fast paced. People are ignoring the beautiful things around them. Talking on cellphones, multitasking in almost everything we do. It's hard to even go out with friends anymore, people are constantly texting and being over stimulated with media, ipods, portable games and more. When people come home there is television, now with PVR, people never miss their fave shows. The internet keeps people addicted with myspace, facebook and MSN messenger, yahoo messenger and millions of ways to connect with other people. Video games like xbox live keeping people connected and stimulated with video games. So much is out there to keep people wanting more and sucking them away from their relationships and families. I don't say this to judge others as I've fallen in to this trap myself. I have been told by more then one person that "I've fallen off the face of the earth" for quitting facebook. A girl at work commented that "you don't exsist if you're not on facebook" and she is an early 20's student teacher.

As I drove in to work today I also saw a coyote running full speed across the busy highway. The car that almost hit him also had a driver on a cellphone who didn't even seem to notice the beautiful animal that had ran in front of him. The coyote ran quickly over the road and on to the golf course being developed on the other side. With "humans" working and working to make more and succeed, we're missing out on the world around us. The impact we're having on the earth for these "wants" and the quest for entertainment and riches.

I really think there is a need to unplug "Matrix" style and for people to realize where their lives are going. I am not a parent but I see how children are being raised, ipods and video games and the internet play a major role in childrens development. Parents are feeding children content that is not appropriate for children. Kids are watching more violence and adult themed material. I find the the children of today have more "adult" wants. Kids want the same stuff adults want, ipods, cellphones, computers, video games. I don't see many kids just enjoying being a kid anymore. Playing outside, using imagination and just liking simple kid stuff. It's all expensive adult wants that kids are wanting. Anyway, that's my big old rant for today....hehehhehe.......just unplug people - I have been trying it on a minor level and LOVE it....if I were on facebook my status line would read ---> Randy wants you all to quit facebook too. :)