Toilet #1
Following up on my blog highlighting the work of Edward Weston, I had an image that didn’t fit with the direction I was headed. Moving from nudes to chards, cabbages and peppers, Weston found a facination with a new “nude” form……. toilets!
Personally, I prefer the human form, specifically female. |
Photo by Edward Weston
Hibiscus #3
“Anything that excites me for any reason, I will photograph; not searching for unusual subject matter, but making the commonplace unusual.” -Edward Weston
Hibiscus #3 copyright 2010 Jim Lockman/Click!
Renowned photographer, Edward Weston, was one of the masters of 20th century photography. His photography influenced photographers around the world. In 1930, Weston, a friend and contemporary of Ansel Adams, was actively pursuing the photography he loved the most, photographing nudes. Later, Weston’s love for the human form inspired photography of a new subject…….. vegetables!
Over the years, Weston made photographs of cabbages, chard, radishes and his favorite, green peppers! He captured countless numbers of his “nude” peppers. His most famous photograph is “Pepper #30.”
A few years back I planted a Hibiscus in our backyard. Most Hibiscus available at local nurseries are annuals because they are tropical plants. I found a perennial Hibiscus, “Lord Baltimore.” It has been wonderful! Lord Baltimore has grown to span an area about eight feet by ten feet and reaches about seven feet tall. It begins blooming mid-summer and blooms for a month or so. Now the bad news. Each bloom is about ten inches in diameter and only lasts about a day.
My hibiscus is the most photographed plant…ever! I trot out to the backyard almost daily to see if there is some angle that will yield an award-winning photo of this treasure. The blooms come and go so frequently and the blooms face every direction, making it difficult to create an image with at least a sense of composition. Having edited the stored images of my prized possession, I have created a collection of hibiscus photos in memory of Edward Weston and his “nudes.”
Hibiscus #3 and Hibiscus #1 above copyright 2010 Jim Lockman/Click!
My collection totals over 28 numbered images. The number of Hibiscus photos is more than one hundred.
Hibiscus #11
Hibiscus #14
Hibiscus #21
The Hummingbird Escapade
“Trust in the Lord with all of your heart and lean not to your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will guide your path.” Proverbs 3:5,6
copyright Jim Lockman/Click! 2010
Last Saturday I spent a couple of hours shooting pictures of hummingbirds. Basically, I stood about five feet from the feeder with my camera locked against my face and stood like a statue waiting for the little fellows to drop by for some refreshment. They did not disappoint me and as long as I didn’t move, they were there to oblige. When I rushed upstairs to download the prized images, my computer said there was no flashcard in the card reader.
I didn’t want to lose these images! What followed was almost a nightmare!
Making a long story short, I tried different readers, computers and even tried downloading directly from the camera. No success. I Googled forums on “corrupted” cards, had a live online chat with the manufacturer’s support staff, tried to use Rescue software from another card company. No way, Jose. Finally, Sunday night I downloaded some free software for image recover. Voila.
I could have shot more photos, but I had much time invested already plus I could see the images on the back of the camera!
I’m so glad to have this episode behind me so I can share these images with you.
copyright Jim LockmanClick! 2010
Monday Musings!
Well, I’ve finally realized how to solve the problem I was having with Monday Musings being posted on Thursday, Tuesday or any other day for that matter. From now on if there are not enough stories for Monday, there will be no musings! Wasn’t that easy?
This is almost too gross to post. Over the past couple of years, I have encouraged people to google “Walmart Bingo” to see samples of Bingo cards with outragious items occupying the card spaces. Today, I found a site that has many (an understatement) photos, videos and stories from Walmart stores. If you have some free time and if you must, check out www.peopleofwalmart.com. You will be among the five million people who visit the site each day. Web ad sales, anyone?
If you are a beginning blogger or thinking of blogging, “What makes you a blogger people love?” will give you some tips.
For Nikon lovers, Terry White posts, Nikon Breaks Out with a D3100 and it’s So Close To What I Want!
Having written 12 best selling books, author Seth Godin posts about leaving traditional publishing behind. Read here.
Joe Farace guesthosts for Photofocus on the subject of “Winning Photo Contests.”
Scott Bourne says, “Perfect practice makes perfect!” when shooting photographs.
Book a shoot during your next boring planning meeting.
And finally, Dan Miller has some insight on making money in “Hourly work will keep you poor.”
Copyright Jim Lockman/Click! 2010
Monday Musings (on Tuesday 8-10-10)
Because I posted my “Monday Musings” so late last week, it was difficult finding blogs, etcetera that were worthy of being included this week.
One of my favorite blogs comes from Seth Godin. Seth has a way of getting into my head and making me think about marketing and life a little differently. Having authored over fifteen books, Seth has reached a large number of people with his unique viewpoints on marketing. “The places you go” is one such blog worth a reading.
Scott Bourne once again helps us look at photography beyond technique in “Five More Steps to the Perfect Photo.”
My favorite duck takes a jab at the lack of customer service available today in WTD 496.
For you Nikon fans, a blog I recently subscribed to keeps up with new “Nikon Rumors” of products being developed or released.
In a blog called “Going Pro” is a You Tube video from a Kodak ad campaign from 2005. Brought a tear to this photographer’s eye.
Finally, a post from a blog in February from the author of “Dilbert,” Scott Adams. You guys will relate!
Become unfamiliar with your surroundings!
“Sometimes I do get to places just when God’s ready to have somebody click the shutter.” –Ansel Adams
Photo thought # 2
At a party recently, a friend and I were sharing about our enjoyment of scenic photography. I commented that it seemed a lot easier to shoot great photos at a special location such as the beach or the mountains or some other travel destination rather than photographing scenes at home. He responded that it is the “familiarity” factor. We become familiar with our surroundings and don’t “see” potential photos the way we do when we are traveling.
We have become desensitized to our surroundings.When we travel, we are looking to capture a photo that will span the ages as a reminder of our travel experience and the place we visited. When we are at home, we see the same location over and over and many times are not aware of great photo opportunities around us.
If we had the same attitude as when we travel, we would find great photos are everywhere. We have to look at things as unfamiliar instead of our habit of viewing with familiarity.
The proof is in my backyard. It is a very familiar place. It’s so familiar, I often overlook debris that needs to be removed or other distractions in the yard. But when I venture into the yard to photograph two of my favorite things, birds and flowers, I always find new and interesting angles, backgrounds, and even subjects.
Wherever you go, whether to the mall, a park, a business meeting downtown, a local restaurant, or around the block, photo opportunities are behind every rock, so to speak. Take your camera (or iPhone, if you must) and begin to look deeper at your surroundings. Notice how the light falls on a certain building and make an effort to check out the lighting at another time during the day. Look for textures, interesting backgrounds, people enjoying themselves in simple settings, contrasts of old and new, architectural details, nighttime scenes, and a host of other compositions as you exercise your mind to see “new” things.
Your photography will improve and by learning to see deeper into your environment, you may gain a deeper appreciation for nature, your city or even your own backyard.
All photos copyright Jim Lockman/Click! 2010
Monday Musings (on Thursday 8-5-2010)
copyright Jim Lockman/Click! 2010
I read a lot of blogs. I’m looking for new ideas all the time, whether for photography or for some way to capitalize on the internet or social media. Also, most blogs are short and to the point. My type of reading.
One blog I peruse regularly is “Outspoken Media” and they have a weekly blog “Weekend coffee links.” They use this blog to share things of interest from the news or other blogs. Hopefully, on a more timely basis, I will be sharing blogs that I have found interesting through a blog I am calling “Monday Musings.” Blogs that I find helpful or amusing will find their way to this weekly lazy blogging outlet. I will be featuring photo tips from some of the photo blogging gurus that I subscribe to regularly.
Here goes:
For my guy friends that need some PT. Man cave.
For the love of photography, by Chase Jarvis.
Do you have any bad ideas? by author of “48 Days To The Job You Love.”
“Five things you could do in six hours to become a better photographer,” by Scott Bourne.
When making pictures, keep this in mind, by Rick Sammon.
A humid afternoon walk in the yard
Copyright Jim Lockman/Click 2010
You are special!
Over the years, I’ve had the pleasure of photographing numerous events for Presbyterian Hospital including ribbon cuttings, dinners and many other special events. Byron Bullard was administrator for the hospital during most of this time. At the beginning of each event he would address the crowd with the same remarks, “There’s no other place I would rather be than here with you today.”
I was impressed the first time I heard Mr. Bullard’s words. After a few times, though, I thought it was a bunch of baloney. I knew the people hearing this knew he wasn’t sincere. But the more I heard him and watched the responses, the more I realized people wanted to believe Mr. Bullard and that he really did want to be with them. The more he said it, the more he was endeared to the groups he was speaking to.
I discussed this recently with my friend, Keith. He commented that Mr. Bullard said it so much that he probably believed it himself.
Thus, the power of affirmation. Tell someone they are special. And if you tell them enough, they will begin to believe it. And even if it started out merely as words, the more you spread affirmations, the more you genuinely believe the things you are saying. They become “truths” revealed.
Keith understands the importance of this principle. He goes out of his way to greet those around him whether he knows them or not, and strives to make them feel special.
People need to know they are special. Affirming people is a demonstration of godliness. He created them in His image. They are indeed special to Him.
Tell your wife or loved ones constantly that you love them. They will feel loved and your love will grow as a result of your words.
The Photographist 