Tuesday, November 25, 2014

Meditations and Manipulations

http://wp.me/p5n8HS-n

Tuesday, November 18, 2014

Just Your Friendly Neighborhood Photographer...

   In my professional opinion,  under no circumstance, should you underestimate your professional.(Photographer, Massage Therapist, Cosmetologists, Hair and Makeup Artist, Etc... you get the idea)

   So why assume you can just go out and buy the tools to do what they do as a profession, without being willing yourself to do the training, school, experience, and just outright motivation, and expect to come out with the same outcome?
You may find yourself frustrated when Photoshop (if you have the systems needed) just crashes on you and you need to restore your settings so it re-opens the file, causing you to lose all your data and work, or perplexed when you go to print your JPG Files and they are distorted because you did not size the photo correctly, in whichever program you have used. Or, you falsely assume you do not need post processing, in this case, you are a master of photography, can set all the settings in your new device and know all about your lighting and your subjects, and can get it right there in camera (or you can throw it on your AUTO Settings, which will produce to an extent good quality photos, it will still not compete with low ISO and Manuel Shooting, or have anything to do with the setting of what size your device is shooting)...  if this is not the case, you go to print your photos and did not shoot them in the right setting, or size them in post processing, because you are not educated in camera systems or post procession, and they are distorted. At this point, you are left with the decision of downloading a program (some are thousands of dollars), and editing your photos in post processing, therefore educating yourself, or re-shooting and learning how to set your camera to the correct settings, and therefore educating yourself. Don't even get me started with data systems, filing proactively, and system backups. Point being, please don't assume you can create the same work we do, and do what we have dedicated our lives to, just because you can afford to go buy gear. It is just that, gear, not knowledge. If it were that easy everyone would do it, professionals will continue to keep upgrading their equipment and software, costumer service, knowledge, and experience, then add in their own unique style, your new DSLR will not.
 
    Now, if this is something you are picking up and are willing to invest time, money, and soul into, I give you two thumbs up for effort, and happy shooting, cutting, dying, covering yourself with body paint! You still are going to have to catch up, once you learn and educate yourself, with the professionals who have years of experience under their belts, if you want the same outcome we provide in our service and artwork.



-Your Friendly Neighborhood Photographer

Saturday, November 1, 2014

Using and Relinquishing Negativity

"All inner resistance is experienced as negativity in one form or another
Negativity ranges from irritation or impatience to fierce anger, from a depressed mood or sullen resentment to suicidal despair. Sometimes the resistance triggers the emotional pain body, in which case even a minor situation may produce intense negativity, such as anger, depression, and deep grief.
The ego believes that through negativity it can manipulate reality and get what it wants. It believes that through it, it can attract a desirable condition or dissolve an undesirable one.
If "you"- the mind- did not believe that unhappiness works, why would you create it? The fact is, of course, that negativity does not work. Instead of attracting a desirable condition, it stops it from arising. Instead of dissolving an undesirable one, it keeps it in place. Its only "useful" function is that it strengthens the ego, and that is why the ego loves it.
Once you have identified with some form of negativity, you do not want to let go, and on a deeply unconcious level, you do not want positive change. It would threaten your identity as a depressed, angry, or hard-done-by person. You will then ignore, deny, or sabotage the positive in your life. This is a common phenomenon. It is also insane."

Echart Tolle

Tuesday, October 28, 2014

Ashtonian number 9

So here I sit, alone, left entirely in peace after a hectic day celebrating the 9th birthday of my son, and I can really think is, how can things be so quiet?My house has always seemed full... Careful what you wish for.
I long to share but then withdraw, I tire of myself. Tomorrow promises to be productive, shooting in the fall can be glorious, the smell of pumpkin spice everywhere... I am hopeful sleep will come on swift wings, and I will dream of nothing.

Zo