Inspiration from Dan Fogelberg

I don't know if any of you are fans of Dan Fogelberg, but he was also an avid photographer in addition to being a singer/songwriter. Dan died on December 17th, 2007.

I think his verse speaks to all artists, no matter how they choose to share their vision.

I was touched by it and wanted to share it with my classmates.

"You have been given the most sacred of gifts
You must be fearless now and follow
But don't look down
Though your heart may be weary
Don’t look down
Though your wings are on fire
Don’t look down
Though the night may seem endless
There’s a reason you’re flying
this fast and this far
Let your faith be your strength
And your love be your guiding star"

This verse was from Dan Fogelberg's last album, Full Circle.

Best wishes for a happy holiday season and a 2008 filled with fantastic images.

Missoula updates

Greetings to fellow photographers everywhere from Missoula. Yes, I'm still here and my beard continues to grow (as does my belly). I'm not sure I'm up for blogging, but somebody said come on in the water's fine. As a rank beginner, I will accept any and all advice.

My camera still goes with me everywhere, and I continue to shoot anything which catches my interest. I walk, schmooze and network as people propose subjects to photograph and offer to buy any good ones. I'm getting pretty good with the camera and with Lightroom, but I am way behind on the business angles. I don't even have a business card or leave behind to go with delivered photos. Not good.

On the business and technical aspects, Heather Y is getting very good due to working hard and getting lots of experience. Her new leave behind cards are exquisite. Ian is mastering b&w film and as Marcy says, "getting the tonal quality down." Bear is still around and I see him every Friday night at the Irish folk music jam at the Celtic Connection. The owner, Michelle, bought some images from me to use for advertising, and I created an album of musicians and listeners for the store, as well. Kelly lives in the next building over from me, is working for a veterinary and is building a darkroom in her apartment.

A.K. returned from Peru and went first to New Orleans then Charleston where she will be through the holidays. AJ will spend xmas with Kalee in Sandpoint, before coming to Missoula for New Years.

Neil and Forest opened a joint father/son show at the gallery. They were glowing and so was Jean at the First Friday opening. Neil's photos are from an article in the current Montana Quarterly about the Hutterite community and the nearby one-room schoolhouse. Forest is showing some of his New Zealand landscapes. Great stuff!

Is it rude to write long accounts on a blog? Maybe I should stop for now.

FStop Online Magazine

Following links from Strobist, I got to FStop Magazine. Has some interesting "the making of" articles on composite images.

http://www.thefstopmag.com/

Happy holidays to everyone. Please post some updates on what you guys are doing.

Deals

Courtesy of Casey:

Hello!
For those of you who are setting up a business or know someone who could benefit from this offer just thought I would pass it along! Pictage is offering no enrollment fee (typically $250), $19/month membership fee (typically $99/mo) for 6months, and a free book. There are no time commitment contracts...so thought I'd give it a whirl. I don't know how often they discount or if its their clever marketing department...but if you are interested the offer ends today. Hope all is well!
Casey

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Also, I just got an email from Mac-On-Campus regarding an offer from Livebooks for students. It's $99/year for an Edu version of Livebooks. I'm signed up pending verfication of attendance at RMSP. I'll post a follow up to let you know if I was able to qualify.

Just received an email confirming my student status, so I'm good for a year. I emailed pdf scans of my RMSP ID and my Invoice for SI. Here are the details:

What is liveBooks|edu? An affordable, easy-to-use, professional website package for qualifying students and faculty. liveBooks|edu is a Flash website with an easy-to-use tool for complete control over all the content on your website - 24/7. Upload images into the portfolios using a simple drag-and-drop lightbox, click "save" and your images are live on your website instantly!

To allow students and faculty access to a professional website marketing tool, liveBooks|edu has lowered the subscription price to $99/year.

Try liveBooks|edu for a FREE 30 day trial. Enter promo code 11624 on checkout. Visit www.livebooksedu.com to learn more.

Use the website tool of the pros and start getting work today!

well a few weeks ago i climbed mount Thielsen. wich is located near crater lake. it is my seconed highest climb at 9180 ft. next to mount fuji at 12500 ft. Thielsen is a 10and 1/2 mile trail rated as difficult up to the mountian crest and then is rated as most difficult for the last 3 miles and is almost vertical for the last 3/4 of a mile of loose slate rock leading to the end where most turn back. which is a 120 foot complety vertical free climb up a rock face leading to the top of the mountin. the view alone was worth it!!!

Believe in yourself

Hi Everyone! I am officially blogging - this is the first blog post of my life! Hope all is well - definitely miss those of you that are not around for DI. The program is intense, and we are busier than SI - if you can believe that!

Anyways, many of you probably have a bit of uncertainty of the Now What, that SI is over...and the weeks for those of us in DI are slowly creeping up, and we to will have to go back in to the "real world." I have always been a believer that you can accomplish anything you want in life, if you just believe in yourself and have a can do attitude. My Grandma sent me a clipping from a local newspaper back home, I now have it taped to my wall - thought it was inspiring so wanted to share.

"The only thing that stands between you and what you want from life, is the will to try it and the faith to believe that it's possible. In order to succeed, you must first believe you can. The moment you carry the conviction of belief, in that moment your dream will become reality. The only true limit to your realization of tomorrow will be your doubts of today. There are no real barriers to your success. You must simply overcome any doubts you have about your ability. You can if you think you can." K.A. Lesnar (Sioux Falls Shopping News)

Can't wait to see all of your successes!

References on pricing

If you are ready to sell some of your work, these links might be useful:

http://www.nppa.org/professional_development/business_practices/pricing.html

http://www.nppa.org/professional_development/business_practices/cdb/index.html

Trip to Grinnell Lake at Glacier

After a nice lunch on the shore of Grinnell Lake at Glacier National Park, we were visited by a couple of guys looking for leftovers. The first was a cute chipmunk and the second was a creature that I had never seen before. I believe he is a Pine Marten. Here's an image. If anyone can id this guy, please let me know.

Some photoshop Hubub

http://www.switched.com/2007/08/30/worst-airbrushed-celebs-of-2007-so-far/

Birthday gathering at Jellystone

When: Tuesday, September 4th at 6:00 PM
Where: Jellystone RV Park Picnic Shelter
Take I-90 West from Missolua to exit 96 (93 North). Take the first left
onto Jellystone Drive, turn left in front of the park office to get to the
picnic shelter.

No gifts please. Please RSVP.

We will have pizza and sodas. Feel free to bring your favorite beverages as well.

Invitation extends to all of Group C&D, our SI Instructors and assistants and friends from other groups.

Please pass this on to anyone I may have missed.

We will miss you guys who can't be here with us. Please stay in touch.

Sunday thoughts

While surfing the web on a lazy Sunday morning, I found an interesting concept that I wanted to share with everyone. The phase is "jamais vu".


The wikipedia entry is: "In psychology , the term jamais vu (from the French , meaning "never seen") is used to describe any familiar situation which is not recognized by the observer."

In other words, it is the sensation that you are experiencing something for the first time even though you have experienced it before or the opposite of deja vu.

I found this so interesting because it so perfectly described the insights and periods of personal growth I have experienced through photography. First through macro photography, then other types of photography and most recently the personal growth and emotional healing resulting from spending the summer with such a fantastic group of human beings at SI.

I'd love to know if anyone else has experienced this sensation via photography or other means.

Shooting People

Will usually get you arrested.

However, when shooting them with Cameras, about the only thing I can recommend is to get them comfortable before you even point the camera at them. Try to get them chatting about something they are passionate about (A hobby, a child, a pet, a job, whatever). Only start shooting them once they are relaxed and comfortable. the passion you got them talking about will show up in their posture, they eyes, in pretty much everything.

The big trick, as I understand it (realize I'm parroting what I've read, mixed in with some good old fashioned psychology) is to make the person *want* to be there. So give them a reason to be in the studio and happy.

Best of luck to you

-Bear

Any suggestions...?

Hey guys! :D I'm still here in Missoula. I'm doing the documentary photo class now. It was fun the first day because I actually got some good studio shots! That was a first, as you probably all know how much my shots in Allison's class were... well, lacking a bit... Anyway, now it seems (after that first day) that I get stuck with the people that are hard to work with. They don't really want their picture taken, they don't want to smile or do anything but stand stiff, and they don't even seem to want to be there. They are even hard to get talking... AACK! Anyone have any suggestions for taking pictures of people outside of the studio? Even anything would be helpful... I was so glad to hear from you guys. How are things on everyone else's ends?

Hey Everyone!!

Ollie I am sooo happy that you started this blog!!!! you are awesome! I miss Missoula and all of you very much, it is quite different to get back to our "real lives"! Everyone keep in touch!

Graduation Candids

Welcome

Welcome to the Group C & D blog. I hope everyone will post so that we can all stay in touch.