Welcome 2012

Figure it is time to blog in 2012 and welcome in a New Year.  Looking back at 2011 I feel quite happy with my photography.  I learned a LOT from making so many mistakes, some were really hard to swallow but I live and learn and hopefully won't make those same mistakes again.  There were lots of positives.  I think the big highlight was making so many friends in the Vegreville area and starting a local photography group.  The Facebook Vegreville Photography group is an awesome group.  The photographers there are just down to earth people who love photography.  Lynda and her husband Soren are HUGE in planning and participating in events.  They are the busiest people I know and both love to go out and shoot.  Lynda can model and shoot and is just a cool person, who I feel honored to know.  Then there is Tara (who might move), the Dons (both awesome photographers), the Hallzee clan, then the local models Danielle and Breanne who have been great at coming to support the VPG.  I have also met a model named Nicole who I hope to work with lots in 2012. Nicole is very creative and is so at home in front of a camera.  We also adopted some Edmonton photographers.  Another highlight was shooting weddings with my good friend Mac Sokulski and starting our www.rpmphotography.ca which is now up and running with a few weddings under our belts.  Hoping to continue this in to 2012 and keep enjoying photography with my friends.

Thanks to everyone clients, models, people, my wife and 3 cats for allowing me to work with you.  Without the world around me my life would be so boring as a photographer.  As 2012 is still so fresh, I cannot wait to jump in to it and start snapping pictures and making memories.  Happy New Year everyone.
-Randy

~ December Weekend ~

Just an update, had a LAZY weekend....but I did manage to get some photography work done so I can send out some photography work on DVD to people.  There is a challenge with being a teacher and photographer, teaching always takes priority so sometimes photography work gets neglected.

I did have a good weekend, sad my Oilers lost to the Calgary Shames.  But lately it's been typical for them to lose to them.  I still would rather be an Oiler fan though.  I know it sucks for Flames fans but those 5 Stanley Cups will always prove who the best team is. You can't argue about the ultimate in hockey success, a cup win is a HUGE mark of success.

Holiday time is coming quick.  I am hoping to do a few shoots even though holidays are close at hand.  I just LOVE taking pictures and hope to get some more work done so I can kick back, enjoy holidays and have some new work to edit.

Well, I BETTER get to bed.....gonna be a long week I.
-Randy

Update on Life

Wow time flies.  I have been busy with life....this school year has been busy.  Lots of challenges and opportunities for photography.  Balancing teaching and photography can be tricky.  I have to thank all of the patient people that wait for me to get their images out to them.  A lot of people are so understanding and for that I give thanks.

Recently I had a chance to shoot with a model from Vegreville.  Her name is Nicole and I met here during the end of summer at a Drag Race here in Vegreville.  She was racing with her boyfriend Lee Hern.  They are an adorable couple and at some point I hope to do some couple photos of them with their wheels.  They live and breath racing and cars it seems.  It is nice to have a local model like Nicole to collaborate with.

I am really looking forward to holidays.  We have our trees set upstairs and downstairs now.  I put the lights up on the house so Christmas mode is in full effect now.  I am looking forward to going Cross Country Skiing with Jenn.  I went last year for the first time and really enjoyed it.  I am still a big noob....but I am enjoying it.

Well, not much to babble about in this blog post, but I wanted to do an update.  Ohhh and I also should end with a Movember update.  I BEAT my goal of $500 and thanks to everyone that supported me.  I am so pleased with the support I received from you all.  My total for 2011 is $615!!!! :)  THANKS to Tara Ruptash for helping me with my Movember photo shoot wrap up by taking some pictures of me.

Here are some photos from my recent work:

November 11, 2011 Thank You

This world is still an evil place, every day the news is full of evil and wrong doing.  Yet, it is important to never forget the history of the human race and remember the sacrifices made by so many that came before us.  Lots of great men and women have paid the ultimate price to give us the wonderful things we enjoy today.  Freedom in Canada is a special thing and we have such a wonderful country thanks to these heroes.

I really hope that people can learn to be more loving towards each other.  To respect the differences we have and learn to give to those less fortunate.  I admit I live a pretty selfish life and really don't do enough for others. However if we don't start caring about others we are destined to keep fighting, killing and hurting each other.  Some people really dislike religion or the bible.  However if you were to follow what the bible teaches then this world would be a better place.  But even without following the bible, just learning to show love and care for each other would make such a huge difference.

I am hoping to start living a life where I am less focused on myself and try to do more for others.  Those Men and Women that paid with their lives did so for us, so we could be free.  I guess I will end this blog post by just saying THANKS!!!

Tied Together

http://www.photosensitive.com/blog/tied-together-launches-in-halifax-ns/573

Last year around this time I decided to enter in to Movember and grow a mustache to help bring awareness to Prostate Cancer.  With the help of Facebook and the www.movember.com website I was able to raise money for Prostate Canada.  My Dad was diagnosed with prostate cancer and thankfully for medical research and treatment he is going to be okay.  I was contacted by a member of the photosensitive website when she saw my self portraits taken for Movember on flicker.  I then took a photograph of my Dad and I and submitted that to Photosensitive.  They then put together a massive collection of black and white images of Canadians and their stories related to prostate cancer and this show is now touring across Canada.

I am especially honored that Jack Layton's picture is included in this exhibition of work.  He was such a GREAT man and it is just a huge honor to have my Dad's picture up with his.  I am so thankful for the people at Photosensitive for the work they do.  The world is a better place for having such wonderful and caring people in it.  My heart goes out to all of the families impacted by cancer and I truly hope together we can work together to lessen the sadness cancer brings and hopefully end it.

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

T.I. - Live Your Life [feat. Rihanna] (Video)

My editing song of the day.

Respect

As a teacher and a photographer I see respect slowly dying out in our society. As the world moves more and more to living our lives online, people forget about showing respect. It seems easier to send a text now then talk face to face or even pick up a phone. Even email is being used less and less as Facebook and social media becomes more popular for a means of communication. This impersonal way of communicating is really taking away the human interactions. Teens are bullying each other more and more, through text messages and social media. Parents too are at fault for not being able to model respect to their children. People are being more and more rude. Status updates on FB become more explicit and teens to adults are being totally open to the world about their personal lives and also in the expression of their anger and hate.

To me this lack of respect comes from an increasingly selfish society. People are more concerned with themselves than they are about their fellow man. Teachers are not being respected. I remember having teachers I did not like, some of them were mean and not the easiest people to deal with. However I did not disrespect them. Despite what I felt about them as teachers, I still showed them respect and was never taught by my family to show disrespect or be rude to an authority figure like a teacher. Today, parents are teaching their kids that they able to be rude and show disrespect to teachers and authority. The parents are pampering their children by coming to the beckon call of their child. If the child struggles in school parents that pamper their children are likely to blame the teacher, the school and not look at their child as a possible problem.

I really feel like lack of respect is a growing problem not just in schools but in most all areas of life. Photography is not immune to this. So many professional photographers have problems respecting each other. I am not sure if this stems from jealousy or feelings of inadequacy but it is real and I do not understand it. So many photographers have real problems and strong feelings about the work of others. When I started out in photography I looked to other photographers for help. I had some amazing people help me out.  Nathan Elson is one such photographer. He was always kind and helpful to me and someone I respect for the way he handles himself. He is a pro in Calgary and does amazing work and frequently gives back to photographers by teaching workshops and giving advice and tips in his twitter and blog. However there is a lot of photographers not willing to respect another person that is growing or learning. Many dislike the growth in photography and see it as a negative that many people (lots of them female) that are buying DSLR cameras and going out and starting photography businesses. I do not look at someone and decide to respect them based on their work. I respect them because I want to be shown respect too. So many people want respect but are not able to show it to others. They do not see that it starts with showing it. I love seeing young photographers that are starting out. I love seeing people taking the same journey that I have had. I have seen some young photographers struggle, produce some really amateur work. I just smile and remember to when I was just like that and realize there are days when I am still like that. However, I show them respect and help them any chance I can. I know people helped me and I am always wanting to give back. The best part is I have watched some of these young photographers become REALLY REALLY good. So good in fact that many are better than I am in less time it took me to develop my skills. The point is I am still growing and we all are. If respect is shown and given to each other, it makes this growth a lot easier. The disrespect only breaks things down and creates such a rift in relationships and does nothing to improve the world.

In closing I want to post some shots from a recent shoot, nothing to do with my topic of respect. :) I just wanted to share.

~ Thanks Giving 2011 ~

The world sure seems to lack the spirit of thanksgiving.  It seems it's an ever growing selfish world with people centered on doing what ever they desire.  The whole idea of respecting others seems lost.  It seems there is such a rush in our world to just keep getting and getting more.  I think I am really thankful for my health.  It sure is a fragile world we live in and one moment to the next no one knows what can happen.  I think this is why I love photography so much.  It captures those moments and memories.  It allows us to look back and be thankful that we had those memories and feelings.

I have had a really rough week of work.  Probably the most challenging since I started teaching in Vegreville.  I am really thankful for this short break.  I need time to refocus and rest.  So much is going on in my brain and I need to just detach from the stress and try and relax.  Felt like this week I was really being hit from everywhere.  My feelings are pretty low right now, kind of that feeling like being kicked when I am down.  It's not fun.  I think I just need to reset my life and do somethings different and set some new goals and directions.  Things seemed to be going fine but then life smacks you in the face and you realize how quickly things can change.  I really hope the remainder of 2011 is a positive one.  I do have lots to be thankful for.  I hope all my friends and family take time to be thankful for what they have.  I give thanks to God for all the good things in my life.  

I will end my blog today with some family photos taken awhile back.  Thanksgiving to me is about family so I feel it's fitting. :)

-Randy

World Photo Walk 2011 - The Lonely Man

I attended my 2nd straight World Photo Walk.  It is a challenge to get together with a group of photographers and walk for a few hours and try and find a magical shot.  You never know what you will discover but that is part of the fun.  I enjoy looking for those special moments.  I think a highlight from this walk was shooting what appeared to me to be a homeless man sitting against a wall.  He had a bag beside him with what looked to be his belongings and he was reading something.  I had my 40D with my 70-200 on so I aimed and fired.  It wasn't until I was on lightroom reviewing the images that I realized how special this shot was.  I processed it as a black and white and tone mapped it using photomatix.  I also realized he was reading a cell phone manual.  Probably one of those pay as you go phones from a convenience store.  To me this image is really reflective on our society.  We have elevated cell phones to the point where everyone has to HAVE one.  Really makes me think when I see this image about technology and how it is really a big part of our lives.

~ Critique of Photos -my Rant ~

I thought I would plug my friend Mac's podcast.......if you want to go listen to it here is the latest episode:
http://shuttertimewithsidandmac.com/2011/10/02/episode-2-critiquing-your-images/

The following is all the opinion of moi.....I realize my buddy Mac feels totally different.  I just needed to vent this out:

He has a totally different take on critiquing a photo than I do.  He seems to think photographers are "sissy" if they do not like being critiqued on their work.  His co-host Sid mentions "big boy panties" and Mac calls them "Sissies".  I have deleted comments so I guess I am a sissy.

First of all I will comment on what a critique to me is.  It should be intended to HELP, the photographer improve and to make the photograph better.  If a photographer does NOT ask for a critique I do not think it is worth giving it.  Sure you have a right to like and dislike someone's work, but if it is not asked for then how is it going to be constructive.  If I post on a place that is a forum known for critiquing then that is great, let people give me the advice I need.  However if I am on FB, don't give me a critique if I don't ask for it.  It is NOT my portfolio and most of the stuff I post is things I do for fun.  I edit a LOT and not all is stuff I care to get "critiqued" on.  As a teacher in class, I try and teach students to give constructive critiques.  I see work all the time that I could rip in to and give constructive criticism to.  If the person I am viewing does not ask for my advice than it is not worth me giving it.  But if you are looking at social networking websites as venues for giving professional critiques then I think you need a new hobby.

So just like Mac and Sid calling people sissies and needing to get big boy pants on I think they need to realize they will get slammed and comments deleted if they give unwanted critiques.  They need to expect that a majority of people will not respond to this in a positive way.  They say "if you're putting your work on the net, you're asking for it".  So they also need to understand their unwanted critiques will also get slammed and deleted.  To me it's common sense.  If someone does not want to be critiqued and they get negative feedback they may not like it.  I will not grow as a photographer from negative feedback and critiques, I will grow from going out and taking lots of pictures.  I do think that Sid and Mac should not be referencing Social Media as places for photography critiques.  Just like a person shouldn't be using FB as a place to host their portfolio work, they shouldn't be looking to it for intellectual responses.  Most of it is filled with profanity filled status updates like "FML my bf broke up with me".  Most photographers do business over Social Media places or have family and friends there.  In my opinion, NOT the places for critiquing a photo. I would suggest they do a podcast on places for doing critiques.  Here is what I found in a simple google search:

http://www.photocritique.net/
http://www.photosig.com/go/main/help?name=faq/faq.011
http://www.nfolio.net/

Just 3 random sites I found in a quick search.

I kind of understand what they are getting at, but really think it is not something they can win at.  Too many people have feelings and will act like sissies (myself included).  Not sure why unsolicited critiquing is such an important topic to Mac and Sid.  But to me it really borders on an area of photography that has ALWAYS got me hot. I have ALWAYS disliked the negativity around photographers that hate on other people.  So many Professionals rant and cry, much like sissies about the fact that amateurs are ruining the industry.  I love the fact that people are picking up cameras and going out shooting.  Some people have thick skin and some have thin, I don't know what kind of person they are because the internet is so impersonal.  So giving my unsolicited critique to a stranger or someone I do not know could have devastating outcomes.  So I was on my high horse and ripped them for the image when it was something they loved and enjoyed.  If that person breaks down and loses hope about photography because of my comment I would feel terrible.  I wouldn't laugh about it and say put on your big boy pants, or call them a sissy.  What if they are just starting out?  Is that something I am in a position to be doing?

I see work a lot that I dislike, in think is terrible.  I laugh sometimes about it or talk to friends about it.  But I do not feel it's my right to step in just cause this person posted it on the net and flame them in a critique.  I just can not agree here.  I think this kind of thing is damaging and negative in photography and not something I support.  I want to see it done in a manner that supports someone and will have positive outcomes.

Just my two cents. :)
-Randy

~ Fall 2011 ~

This school year has started like every year.  I do not think I could ever be fully prepared to start a year.  So many things happen and change.  It feels like trying to jump on a roller coaster that is going full speed.  You just have to jump on at some point and hang on for dear life.  I really do love teaching, there are so many ups and downs (kind of like a roller coaster and like photography too for that matter).

I love that the Vegreville Photography Group has been growing and more people joining all the time.  We have started a photo challenge contest for fun on our FB group.  Basically just a theme is chosen and then we all submit our top 3 images for the group to vote on.  The current theme is reflections, so this week my awesome friends Soren and Lynda Olsen of OLSEN ART, invited me to join them on a photo walk.  It was totally needed, I was feeling stress at work and needed to get out.  Here are a few shots from this walk.

~ Need a good Rant on a Friday ~

So I feel I am in need of a good venting.  I am finding it mildly amusing how so many photographers get so paranoid about the way their work is handled by a client.  There are many photographers that get bent out of shape if a client were to print an image at Wal-mart and claim their overpriced printing is the ONLY way to go because it is professional.  I have compared Wal-Mart, Costco to some professional prints and yes, I have noticed differences but not enough to care where a client takes the images to be printed.  But really the client takes the image to be printed at Wal-Mart or a professional printing place, will they even notice like "we" would the difference?  Probably not.  Most people are happy with a FAR lower level of quality of work than we feel is acceptable.  So I really feel it is important to unleash a client in the end and allow them to enjoy the images in any way they see fit.  Is it worth all the stress in the long run?

I just don't get why the photographers get so worked up.  I read one photographer's website where she was saying she would threaten legal action if a client even emailed pictures to their Grandma.  Some photographers really stress about this stuff. I shoot with models frequently and love giving the models images from our shoot.  I don't mind if the model down the road edits them herself or has a friend edit them.  It really does not bother me in the least.  A picture that I take and edit is going to be uniquely mine. If it gets edited by someone else, then I don't mind, it is not like it will go in to my portfolio.  If it is a terrible edit, I don't mind, it is not in my portfolio.  There are so many photographers online, if people want to steal my images I post and re-edit them, then I can't really stop them.  I do not have an army of lawyers at my beckon call to threaten legal action.  Some photographers write so many things that a client CAN'T do with their images.  I honestly read some of their "disclaimers" and wonder why anyone would want to shoot with someone so picky.  Maybe I am just too easy going.  But I feel a client should be given more freedom to enjoy and share their images in a variety of ways.  We live in a technology driven world, where framing a print won't cut it.  People want to share images on FB, they want to be able to print at their convenience.

I am not trying to say that it is wrong to want to protect a copyright of ones work, I am just annoyed at times when photographers put so many restrictions on the work they do.  It is almost paranoid behavior.  I will give an example.  I worked at an alternate school one year.  I was teaching kids that were violent, drug users, had criminal records and lots of other problems.  I created a small stash of "Costco" munchies to sell the kids, so they would not always run from school to the local corner gas to buy junk.  This way we were able to raise some extra money for school functions etc.  I kept all the food in a file cabinet with NO lock.  The money was in a sandwich bag....VISIBLE to all the kids.  They knew where the money and food was kept.  I think had I kept everything locked up like a prison, I would have had things stolen from me.  The entire year not a penny went missing or one morsel of food.  When I read a photographer writing, DON'T, DON'T, DON'T....I just think, wow, they are asking for trouble.  Treat your clients with respect.  Not everyone is out there wanting to rip you off, make you look terrible and ruin your reputation.

Just my 2 cents, I needed to vent.  :)  I will close by posting a recent shot from a shoot with a lovely model from Vegreville. :)

~ Danielle Super Hero ~

I had the pleasure of going out tonight with the Vegreville Photography Group.  We shot a few models and just had a fun mini shoot.  Here are a few of the images I came up with. :)

-Randy

Vegreville Photography Group

I am so lucky to have found an awesome group of people in Vegreville that enjoy photography.  We have created a FB group, called the Vegreville Photography Group.  We have got together quite on a regular basis over the summer doing photo shoots in the area.  We have some models and sometimes we have to be our own models.  It is easy going and fun, a good mix of people that are starting out and some that have shot for a long time.  I have loved this opportunity to be around other photographers so close to home.  I really hope the group stays growing.  Winter will be tough but I am sure we can still find ways to stay active.  

Huge thanks to Lynda and her husband Soren for being such a key part of our group.  They have a passion for photography and they just bring it to every shoot.  They designed and created the logo for the group and made some amazing shirts.  Their business signsations is a great place to go if you want a creative design.

Pro Photographer, Cheap Camera Challenge (#2 Hermann Lee)

~ Random Photography Thoughts ~

GEAR LUST

For most photographers this is almost unavoidable. If you love taking pictures the camera Gods will always be putting these shiny new cameras out for us to crave. The price tag will most certainly make our spouses and significant others (parents) cringe. Is all of this gear even needed? Take a look at a shoot done just with an iphone and see that it really isn't the brand of camera used that makes a picture a success.

.

Lots of photographers are crazy for the new x100 by Fuji (including myself). I do think though that before a photographer looks at the gear they need to look at the images they are creating. The camera will NEVER make you a better photographer. I think the basics HAVE to be learned before the camera (tool) can ever really matter. I do think it is ALWAYS about the picture and the way it is composed, the way the image is captured with light....maters so much more then megapixels, noise reduction and all the other photo nerd technical things that so many photographers place far too much importance on.

Most people I know do not even know a thing about their cameras. The average person does not even know what the settings on their point and shoot are about. All they know is it takes nice pictures and that is what they like about it. So really, if you are trying to sell images to a client, they won't care about the technical parts of your camera. They just want to see a great image.

-Randy

Here is a few shots from a recent shoot I did in June with an awesome model and friend, Angela Carr.

~ Summer Update 2011 ~

Well, so far this summer has been a LOT of fun as far as photography goes. I have shot a lot of pictures and hope to take a ton more before August ends. I shot a lot with my buddy Mac Sokulski of Miks Media and RPM Photography. We shot some engagement sessions and a family reunion. I have done some personal work lately too, I will post some in this blog post.

I have done the usual afternoon naps with cat cuddling included. Lots of late night games of COD Black Ops with my buddy Sonny on xbox live. I have just enjoyed the summer, but the main rant is the horrid swarms of skeeters. They are the worst ever, little tiny photo bombers that look like sensor dust on most of my shots.

I have loved the chance to shoot portraits of a few very talented photographers. Candace Vanstryland and Olivia Kovios. Hoping to add Samantha Scharf to the mix soon, as we have talked about shooting before she leaves for BC in a few weeks. I enjoy shooting other photographers. It's fun to show that there are some very nice looking people behind the lens of a camera. I am happy to showcase their beauty in front of a camera and give them props for their talents behind the lens.

Anyway, hope to keep my blog updated throughout the summer. Need to do lots of shooting and hope to keep sharing it with everyone.

-Randy

Sleepy cat

~ 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

~ U2 Concert in Edmonton, June 1st ~

So we had tickets purchased through a friend to go see U2 live in Edmonton. We left Vegreville, drove in to the big city and had a quick bite to eat and then headed to the Stadium. The gates were open and the concert started at 7:00pm. Our friends were late so we missed a chunk of the opening act "The Fray" but I was happy to be walking in just when they played the one song I really knew of theirs...."How to save a life" and we finally got through the mass of people to our seats.

The stage was impressive and the sound was pretty intense. U2 came out and just kept the crowd entertained. I enjoyed it, the weather for the most part was decent. However a few raindrops fell. As the night arrived so did the problems related to alcohol. People around made choices to ignore the no smoking law and light up various forms of things.....some illegal from the smell of it. It was obvious why there were so many police and security around. That many people + alcohol = poor choices and people acting like morons. I think Bono needs to make his new cause for helping the world should be not allowing alcohol at his concerts. Some of the people at the show were functioning with limited brain cells to start with, adding alcohol to the mix just seems to make the situation worse. Oh well, drugs and alcohol seem like they are never going to go away. Humans seem to enjoy abusing them, and I will continue to smile and wave at the people who make these things a part of who they are.

But I am not going to let people like that ruin the memory of great music and a great band. I will remember a fun night out with the wife and a super start to the summer of 2011 with a great concert.

-Randy