~ 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

~ Danielle ~

Danielle is a lovely young woman from Innisfree, Alberta, Canada. She contacted me to shoot some Graduation photos for her. When we were shooting the Grad session I was getting some amazing shots with her. So I asked her if she would be interested in doing another photo shoot. I do selective TFP with models and I could see the potential of some awesome portfolio shots with Danielle. She was game so, we did a shoot and tried a variety of locations, lighting and she did an awesome job. She braved the nasty mosquito plague we have had and is just a stunning model to work with. I am hoping that we can do more work this summer.
Here are a few of the most recent edits from the shoot:

~ Grad Photo Shoot ~

I had the pleasure of doing a wedding a few years ago and today got to shoot some Grad photos for the younger sister of the bride. She has moved to Vegreville and is attending the local Catholic High School. We did a shoot in the studio, but I felt her dress was so beautiful and that we needed to do a few shots outside. So we went outside to the backyard where our apple tree was in full blossom. I took a few shots and knew right away they were going to be really fun shots to edit and post. Here are a few of my favourites from our shoot.

-Randy

~ Olivia and Athena Shoot 2011 ~

I have had the honour of meeting and befriending a very talented and beautiful photographer named Olivia Kovios. She has amazing talent and at such a young age has developed some impressive skills as a photographer. She has been so helpful to me, always willing to do some modelling whenever she can and helps me out with advice and just an ear for me to vent to about photography at times.

She does wonderful portraits of her 3 beautiful children and we finally did a shoot with Olivia and her daughter Athena as the models. It was a blast to work with these two. Athena is such a camera friendly kid and having a Mom as a photographer she just photographs so well. I am so thankful to Olivia for allowing me to get some outstanding portfolio shots and being such a great person. I highly recommend you check out her website and blog and facebook page.

~ Elk Island Get Away Spring 2011 ~

I have been seeing the weather out and wanting to shoot some nature shots. So yesterday I came home from work, had a bit of a nap then drove out to Elk Island Park for some shooting. I used my 40D and 70D equally. I feel like a little kid again when I am shooting nature pictures. I love it. I really enjoy working with people, but I do love more then anything shooting the beauty of this earth. I feel so connected to God when I am outside, fresh air, beauty all around.

Here are a few of my captures:

~ Best Photo Bomb ~

Was shooting in the studio when the awesome Joanna Hall popped in!!! :) Joanna is a super model bombing an up and coming model, hehehehe.

-Randy

~ Computer is back running again ~

My HP computer was getting old. So I installed a new hard drive and changed over my operating system to it. Took me a long time, to install windows then all my other programs. Still have lots to do. Good news is I can edit again, SO HAPPY!!! Anyway, it's WAY past my bedtime. I'll post a few new edits then going to sleep. :)

-Randy