Just over 50 days until we’re done with high school as a family. Wow, that’s going to be a big piece of the puzzle that’s missing. Moving on to act II and getting ever so close to that empty nest!
How many different ways can I shoot this iconic cupola? I’m determined to find out.
Gotta get back into shooting every day. Slacker! <— Spoken in the best Principal Strickland voice you can muster.
I haven’t been consistent with my shooting these days and since I’m pretty much back to normal here at Cedarmeade Studios, I’m making that my goal moving forward. I may not post every day, but I’m going to shoot every day which will inevitably lead to posting more. At least that’s what I’m hoping.
Is that the “something wicked” that’s coming this way? | Order a print of this image.
Before anybody gets too upset, the camera was really nowhere near the cupola. Photographers use compression all the time – it’s what makes objects in z-space look so much closer than they really are. A longer lens will make the objects’ relative size so drastically different and they appear closer to each other. I was using a 400mm lens (which, on my crop frame camera is essentially a 640mm lens). I was probably 40-50 meters away from it.
I always err on the side of caution. I quickly grabbed this shot and then got the heck out of there.
My depth perception is always a little off when I’m flying this thing. Since it’s a pretty wide-angle lens, it’s really difficult to gauge where exactly I am in z-space. But it makes for some really cool angles and images when I can figure it out.
The iconic cupola at Handley High School
We devote an enormous amount of time and effort to improve our craft. To develop our own style. To create art. We put ourselves out there, sometimes in very vulnerable situations.
When I say “we” I mean Creatives – anybody who creates. It could be paintings. Perhaps videos. How about crafts or wood carvings? For me, it’s photography.
And those “vulnerable” situations I mentioned have everything to do with this phenomenon called the interwebs. Internets. The internet folks.
For most Creatives, their art is their main source of income. It’s a business. It’s a job and a career. It was a choice. IT’S NO OK, PEOPLE, TO EXPECT US TO ALWAYS GIVE IT AWAY FOR FREE! You don’t expect to walk into your local grocery store/pharmacy/department store and walk out without paying do you? Why is it any different with photography? IT’S NOT. I’ll continue to consider freebies and I’ll make decisions based on my own business model and expectations at the time, but don’t get upset if I come right back at you with a link to purchase a commercial license to use my work.
The experts say that you need to have a web presence these days. A social media presence. Ok. Done. That opens up a can of worms doesn’t it? So how do I keep people from taking my images and sharing them elsewhere? There’s no way you can catch everything. It’s a pretty vulnerable situation indeed. Here’s my thinking:
Like I said, I can’t catch everything. It’s impossible. I have, however, discovered multiple issues where an image of mine is being used (one from my online galleries) and I have no record of it being purchased. That’s stealing people. IT’S NOT OK!
But the latest issue (the impetus behind this post) has really got me heated. Angry. Downright pissed off! And I’ll be addressing the issue with the guilty party. I’m hoping that it’ll be a simple “Oh wow, I’m so sorry.” but I feel this goes beyond “simple.” Who knows, maybe this person will approach me after I post this – we’ll see.
I discovered one of my online gallery images imbedded in a Twitter feed. I have no record of it being purchased. And credit was given to someone else for having created it! WTF?!
I’ve steered clear of watermarks, but perhaps I’m on to something with this one. Maybe you’d like to order a print of this image – the actual image with no watermarks.
Look through your fridge/pantry and find all the leftovers, open bags of unused veggies, miscellaneous cans of soup and meat that needs to be used soon and just throw it in the crock pot. Turn it on high and you’ve made yourself a meal, right? Yeah, I just did that with this photo. Ha!
By the way, I’d throw that meal out and order a pizza…
This time last year I was at Hollywood Studios shooting a Marathon. I never made it back to the hat to get the night shot that I’ve always wanted. Guess I never will. Bummer.
Long live the sorcerer’s hat.
Feeling creative on a trip to Williamsburg a year or two ago.
The Wren Building on the campus of William & Mary.
Another awesome place to shoot – must be something to do with the name Handley…
Handley Regional Library
Might be time for another road trip…
I think cabin fever is getting the best of me.
With over 35,000 images shot last year there’s bound to be some I missed. I’m kinda bummed that some of my old stuff wasn’t shot in RAW. Not that they aren’t goo images, I just can’t do as much with them with all the stuff I’m learning. Oh well.
This was a side trip that I took on the way down to shoot the VA Beach Shamrock 1/2 Marathon last year. It also sparked my interest in visiting more lighthouses.
Photography is such a personal thing for me – it’s really taken over. There’s just something about it that’s satisfying and calming. I actually try to avoid taking anybody with me when I’m photographing because I know it must be painfully boring for anybody who’s with me. I could explore a scene for hours and still not feel like I’ve explored all of it.
There are just so many interesting things going on in this room.
Ah, the first snowfall.
I actually got a little freaked out about not posting an image yesterday. I certainly didn’t want to get out of the habit of shooting so I’m glad it snowed because I recently posted that I wanted it to so I could get some snow pictures.
Ta-da. Of course I shot Handley.
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Gonna have an image on one of those historical plaques you always see near historical monuments and buildings. Cool.
This image will be on the historical plaque outside my church in Old Town Winchester, VA.
Ever wonder what the split toning can do in Lightroom? Scroll down to see the “before” image.
Pretty boring “before” image
My Photography goal today was to capture a decent bracketed set of images of silent night at the 10pm service. I had the 4pm and 7pm service to rehearse it. At the moment of truth during the last verse my connection broke to my GoPro so this is as good as it gets this year. Oh well.
Merry Christmas to all…
My church’s sanctuary illuminated by candle light.
Alright, I didn’t think I’d be saying it, but it needs to snow so I can jazz up my images.
I think I’m going to challenge myself to go on my next trip and ONLY bring the GoPro as my single camera. The challenge wouldn’t be in getting some great images. The challenge for me would be trying to leave everything else behind!
Most of my images this time of year would be jazzed up with just a little snow on the ground.
Heads up. Watch for the 2015 Winchester City calendar. Yours Truly is featured on the front cover (well, at least my image is) as well as multiple months inside.
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Getting ready for our last Handley holiday concert. Seems like this is my view at a lot of venues.
This has been my view for many Handley productions over the last 6 years
Give me enough time and I’ll eventually cover the whole school. I’d need a lot of time, though.
Several weeks ago I posted the exterior of what I always thought was graffiti on the windows. | Order a print of this image.
Cedarmeade Studios 