BTS: IN TRANSIT

03/05/2010 10:58 PM

If you’ve noticed, it’s been a few days since my last blog post. The reason is because I’m currently moving to New York City!

This year it’s so long L.A., hello NYC. I had a great time in L.A., but desperately wanted to be in a different market. It was either try to break into shooting celebrities in L.A. or moving to a market where I could shoot beauty photography full-time. I chose the latter.

Granted, I’m leaving behind friends and industry contacts, but I want to look at this as a fresh start; something to be excited about. A time to create new work and reinvent myself artistically. I’ve been absorbed in all sorts of media lately and it’s given me a new perspective for my approach to photography.

I touchdown March 10th and should be ready to shoot by the 15th. This year will be an incredible journey, wish me luck!

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INSPIRATION: FUTURE UNCERTAIN

02/24/2010 7:37 PM

Growing up I wanted to be sooooooo many things. A firefighter (Kindergarten), a video game designer (middle school), a basketball player (high school), and a businessman (college).

My 12th grade year of high school was promising enough. I was voted, “Most Likely to Succeed” by my fellow classmates. I had a lot of choices going into college, I chose photography.

Do I regret my decision? Yes and no. Sometimes I wish it was a much easier, stable, and less stressful career choice. Then, sometimes I’m glad I’m not cooped up in an office answering calls all day, only getting to enjoy my youth on the weekends.

No one can say where you’ll end up based on the path you choose. In retrospect it’s easy to say, “Oh, you’ve messed up your life because you didn’t get that degree 5 years ago.” Which reminds me of a quote I want to share:

“You can’t connect the dots looking forward, you can only connect them looking backwards. So you have to trust the dots will somehow connect in your future. You have to trust in something – your gut, destiny, life, karma, whatever. Because believing that the dots will connect down the road will give you the confidence to follow your heart. Even when it leads you off the well worn path, and that will make all the difference.”

- Steve Jobs

Follow your dreams. Screw expectations, unless they’re your own. I know this may not work for everyone, but it’s worth putting it out there.

Believe in yourself. Go after the things you’ve always dreamed of. And like a wise man once told me, “If that doesn’t work, you know what? You can always stop, try it again, or do something else.”

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INSPIRATION: DEDICATION, HARD WORK

02/24/2010 12:09 AM

So, what does it take to be successful? To answer that, here’s a quote from my favorite boxer of all time:

“Dedication, hard work, prayers and belief, and a good team.”

- Floyd Mayweather, Jr.

Recite this each morning before you begin your day. MOTIVATION!

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COMMENTS: DROOLING OVER NEW EQUIPMENT

02/23/2010 10:03 AM

This comment comes from Canonrumors.com:

I just love how nobody is pleased with what they have when there is the possibility of something new. At one point people were stoked for the 5DMK2, but then almost immediately decided that it wasn’t good enough b/c of the 7D. Hilarious.

If people spent more than 3 months “testing” the High ISO and frame rate on b/s subjects, they might actually learn to use their camera.

I could go on flickr right now and click on the 1DMK4 photos link and see a bunch of garbage, then click on a 20D link and see beautiful work. I just think its funny that even when someone has an $8K setup in a 1DsMK3, they still have out of focus shots, and crap images in poor lighting… but at least they have award winning AF, low High ISO noise, the ability to shoot at 6400 ISO, dual CF slots, and dual DIGIC processors. Oh, and don’t forget their 2 billion megapixel plat of real estate for their garbage shots at 10fps..

I currently use the 5D Mark II and until something mind-blowing appears, I’ll be using it for a long time. There will always be something new coming and most likely it will be better than what you already have, but do you need it?

What do you think?

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THOUGHTS: JUST 1 HOUR

02/19/2010 12:37 AM

Bored out of my mind today, I decided to try my hand at retouching. After spending an hour or so on my image, I saw a vast improvement.

Then I had an epiphany.

Imagine how much you could improve if you practiced for at least 1 hour a day. It could be playing a musical instrument, lighting, dancing, or even cooking.

Just 1 hour a day. Do this for at least 3 months, look back and see how much you’ve improved. It’ll take dedication and hard work but you can do it.

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