What does this video spark in you?
Will the message stay with you long after you’ve seen it?
Can you feel your heart connecting with his words? Images?
The world’s a puzzle; no need to make sense out of it.When you think you need to know the answers, stop and ask yourself why.
School is no longer in session and grades are a thing of the past.
Puzzles demand a process, not a product.
Pay attention to the process, make sense of that.
Then you may find what you were looking for all along.
Featured photographer Ingrid Williams talks about her second 365 challenge, what’s changed and how to create a workflow that works!
I remember sitting in the kitchen listening to another podcast of F-stop beyond. Tasra was the guest speaker and she was talking about the 365 challenge photographer Scott Borne had issued. I was intrigued and as I listened I realized this was not just a “take a picture a day challenge.” In addition to taking a picture a day, you also had to read a few pages from your manual and view other professional photographers’ images daily.
Well viewing other photographers images would be pretty easy, but reading my manual? I remember thinking “does anyone really read their manuals?” I’ve skim through the pages of my manual, but I never actually read it cover to cover.
Tasra declared that doing these three actions daily would improve your photography by 300%. One month later I signed on. One year later I ask myself “Did my photography improve by 300%?” The answer is yes. In those 365 days I learned so much about my camera and my photography.
Each day I learn how to use my camera’s features more effectively. By viewing other photographers work, I learn more about lighting techniques( direction, angles, diffusion, exposure) composition (paying attention to, leading lines, distractions, S curves…) and vision (Visualizing the image before I snap the shutter, staying present and maintaining focus).
Fast forward a year and a half later and I’m doing 365 Project 2012. And I’m also still doing my own a 52 week challenge that I started before I found out about Tasra’s. This time around I hope to really take my photography to the next level.
My goal is to compete in a several photo contests and have my work displayed in a few exhibits. For 365 Project 2012 one activity changed. Instead of reading my manual daily, I have to shoot at least one series a month. This is a great goal for me because It will help me produce a series of work for an exhibit. However, I do have one small obstacle that may slow me down this time around – -I’m working full time. I wasn’t working when I did the first challenge so I was able to go out anytime to take photos. This time around I have to have to organize my days do that I can get out and shoot. I think I’m up to the challenge.
My advice to all first time 365er’s…
Just do it.
A year seems like a long time, but it will be worth it.
I read my camera manual 4 times during 365, After the fourth time, I read 1 or 2 pages from the manual and started reading other photography articles from the web, books and magazine. Many of the articles were written by the photographer whose work I was viewing. Many of the articles were tips and techniques that I could put into practice.
I use Lightroom 2 for post processing but this workflow can also be applied to Photoshop. Having a workflow helps me stay organized and reduce my processing time. I created presets for exporting, printing and basic processing. The latter comes in handy when you need to process several images that are similar. Below is my workflow in a nut shell:
Most importantly, have fun.
Jen gets real about the voices in her head and how it hinders her work… “Those voices in my head, the ones that tell me all the negative stuff about my work and what people might think, need to go!”
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“This isn’t edgy. It’s inappropriate, and creepy, and I never want to see a nine-year-old girl in high-heeled leopard print bedroom slippers ever again.” – Chloe Angyal
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Fun. Creative. Quirky.
Lourdes, one of our Teen Identity team members, has a lot of living left to do… with dreams for creative endeavors, she’s got plenty of time to make them reality. Her answers are simple and straight to the point… much like Lourdes.
More images and stories coming over the next few weeks from our latest Teen Identity team photo shoot… where we empower and inspire girls to unleash their true beauty, find their voice, and change their world… forever.
What is your vision of your future?
im not really sure what i want to do yet. but i love to sing, act and all that kind of stuff. but i’m still keeping my options open.
What do you value most in your life currently?
God, my family and friends.
What characteristics do you look for in friends? How do you choose your friends?
usually, i look for people who have a good personality, dont care what people think of them, and always keeps me laughing!
What do you say or tell your friends when they’re feeling down or depressed?
i usually talk with them. and make sure they feel the best way they can.
What do you worry about most?
i worry about school. keeping my grades up. school causes me a lot of stress!
Describe your ideal world related to how girls are treated… at home, at school, at work, in life.
that girls will be treated amazing. there will be no judgement on how girls dress, feel, look, and act. every girl will be able to express their feelings and be them!
What’s the MOST IMPORTANT lesson you’ve learned from Teen Identity?
that every girl is beautiful. no matter what race, body structure, hair color, etc.
What are your favorite memories or moments from this past photo shoot?
i loves seeing all the girls and learning how to pose and how what you do really affects your picture.
How did you prepare for the photo shoot? Did you practice posing or looks… get your clothes ready… style your hair special… or anything else?
well, it was a very crazy day for me! but yes, i got my clothes ready in advance but for my hair i just kept it plain and simple.
The customization revolution started with personalized names on mugs, keychains, fake license plates, and notepads. But if your name wasn’t John, Jennifer, or Jason, fat chance finding something custom.
Then it evolved and more names could be found… still no Tasra or Imahni, but definitely more variety. And then, you could order something direct… with your name… even Tasra or Beyonce.
So when everything is custom and you can buy it, how does a company take customized creativity to the next level?
Starbucks mastered it with the gold card.
My son… he mastered it with a Lego creation that stole my heart.
After many times looking through the Lego Magazine with him, I always said I liked the Volkswagen T1 Camper Van best. He didn’t understand. There were Ninjago weapons and Superhero fortresses… and I liked the VW? Despite that, he made it for me… as a special surprise “because he loves me so much.”
This authentic camper van is a replica of the classic Volkswagen Camper Van from 1962. Every iconic feature is here! On the outside, the terrific detailing includes ‘V’ shape three-way color split at the front, rounded roof and window frames, opening ‘splittie’ safari windshield, opening doors, iconic pop-up roof with textile curtain surround, roof rack, rear side air intake vents and lots more! The detailing is equally impressive on the inside, from the authentic VW air-cooled flat four cylinder boxer engine, front cabin bench seat, gear stick, angled dashboard and iconic spherical speedometer, to custom LEGO® features like folding rear bench seat, folding dinette table, closet with mirror and even a painting!
This custom camper van is an original camper van from 2012. Every fascinating feature you could want is here!
A photographer gets real about growing up and doing the work, dealing with fear and living an awesome life. Daniel Dunn is our featured 365 challenge photographer this week. His story will challenge and inspire you. It’s never too late to join the challenge with over 500 photographers. It’ll change your life forever!
My name is Daniel Dunn, I’m originally from Pittsburgh, PA, but have lived in beautiful Breckenridge, CO for the last 12 years. I moved to the mountains for the mountain lifestyle, and to pursue all the things that I like to do. I like to play outside as much as possible. I love to mountain bike, trail run, backcountry ski, nordic ski, go camping, hiking, walking dogs, rock climbing, surfing and listening to music at outdoor venues.
I am a Type 1 Diabetic, and I say that because it’s a big part of my life. I participate in the DOC, which stands for Diabetic Online Community. I do this because when I became diabetic, only 9 years ago, I was an adult and very alone, and really didn’t have anywhere to turn for information. Hell, I didn’t even have health insurance. And now I had a chronic disease. I was really pretty scared and it seriously rattled me. The doctors that I went to first started treating me as a Type 2, which the treatments are very different, or can be. I needed insulin. I didn’t even know what insulin was. The thing with diabetes is, it’s all about education.
You can live a perfectly normal life, if you just know what you’re up against. I didn’t, and I didn’t have any help, or even begin to know where to start looking for help. That’s where the DOC comes in. It has been a huge blessing, and I want to give back and help. So I try to spread the good word about diabetes, and let people know that not only can you live a happy and healthy life, but you can thrive.
I’m single, no kids, no dog, and not a whole lot of commitments. I love to travel. I love road trips, but love to go international. I’m a coffee addict and elitist. I like to read and listen to music. I love good food, beer and wine. I pay the bills by working as a server in a high end restaurant. And I’m generally a pretty happy guy.
I wanted to make photography a habit. I wanted to practice it everyday. I want it to be something that I sort of don’t even think about when I wake up, it’s just there, and that’s what I do.
There are a few reasons behind this desire to have photography be a major part of my life. I don’t want to call it a mid-life crisis, but I turn 40 in a couple months, and when I look back at my life, I realize that I’ve had a lot of fun. And I’ve been a lot of places. And I have a wonderful network of friends and family who love and support me. I have a great life, but there was always this “something” missing. I’ve always said to myself how I wanted to do “something” with my life, and I think photography is it.
I’m not sure when, but sometime in the last year I had some major, very important realizations. One was this. That I actually had an awesome life, and people were envious of my life. I don’t have a bunch of material items like cars, boats, nice clothing, or a beautiful TV that people would want. But I do stuff. I travel. I play outside a LOT!
And people who are very important to me, would tell me how much they want MY life. And it kind of surprised me a bit. That was something.
A second thing was this. I was able to purchase my own home in the last year, living this alternative, not by the book lifestyle. I didn’t get a job right out of college, and settle into it for the next twenty years. I’ve had more jobs, in more industries, and lived in more places, and owned more cars, and had more than my fair share of heartache, than most people I know. But it seemed OK to me. I set this goal about two years ago, to purchase my house. Something deep inside told me that it was time. I haven’t settled down or anything like that, I just wanted a very little place to call my own. And that’s awesome. I have it. Something said it was OK to want that be a part of my life.
So these things, and a few more, go together in a way that says to me that maybe I’m growing up a bit, or maybe just growing in a different way. Maybe it was time to plan a little more long term, instead of just for the upcoming weekend. And so through all of this planning, and thinking, and reflecting, I had some revelations. I had always, through all the years, been telling myself that I was going to do something big with my life. For whatever reason, I believe in Fate, and that I was given a kindly hand in life, and fate would look upon me with grace, and I just knew that cool things were going to happen. What I didn’t know, was that I would have to work my ass off to make those wonderful things happen. Yes, good things, and big things were due to me. But they weren’t going to drop out of the sky and literally fall in my lap one day. I was going to have to work for them.
I read this quote one day on Rob Haggart’s website, A Photo Editor, and since I can’t remember it exactly, I’ll paraphrase in my own words. Go to work. Get up every morning, and do the work. Practice, think, work hard. Get the camera in your hand and go and take pictures. Then come home and process those pictures, and critique those pictures. Do it every day. And when you’re tired, do it some more. You have to do it each and every day, and just make it a habit, so you don’t even think about it anymore.
That info just collided with a lot of what was rolling around in my head at the time, and that was when I decided to go for the 365 project. It was time. I needed that extra little kick to help me to go to work everyday. And the 365 was it. It’s going great, and I’m seeing the huge benefit of surrounding myself with photography all the time, in just the first two weeks. I feel like I’m doing it with a lot of intention, and I’m proud of myself for that. I’m making conscious decisions, as to how to improve my photography. It’s going really well so far.
Do I have fears? Sure I do, but honestly, they don’t relate to photography in an outright sort of way. I know my photography is well received in the community, and I’m psyched about that. My fears relate more to bigger picture type stuff, being true to myself, paying my mortgage, that sort of thing. Well, in a way, I guess photography directly results to paying my mortgage. I want to be able to support myself fully, through my photography. I want to travel. I’d like to have a family. Right now I’m not fully supporting even myself with photography, so I laugh at myself when I think about paying the mortgage and putting food on the table for two kids and a wife. So I guess that’s fear.
I want to be remembered for something. For living an awesome life. For taking incredible photos. For traveling to exotic places. For making a difference. So I feel like I have to do all that stuff in the first place, before I can be remembered for it. And I know, those are some pretty big expectations, so sometimes I get a little nervous about that way of thinking. I guess those are fears.
Boy, this is probably a good time to come up with some sort of concrete type of goals. It’s easy to say, “I want to be better.” It’s a lot harder to say, “I want to sell 10 prints, at X amount of dollars, in 2012” But that’s exactly what you need to do to push yourself. I set an awesome goal a few years ago of buying this house, and it worked out, and it felt awesome. So yes, there is this wonderful feeling of achieving goals. I should get on it. Well, there, I just said it, that’s one goal for me. 1. I want to sell 10 of my landscape prints, at $200 (or more) in 2012
That might not seem like a lot for people, in terms of revenue, and it’s hardly sustainable in the long run, as far as supporting myself. But I need to start somewhere, and that’s a comfortable goal for me. It will have me reaching and pushing, but it’s not unachievable with the right thought and planning.
Here’s another one. I want to do 10 paid portrait sessions in 2012. I love working with people, and I really want to work on that end of my biz. Kids, senior (high school), families, I even like working with dogs, doing pet portraits. OK, another goal.
Another big goal is to get really comfortable with, and produce some photos, with artificial lighting. I actually love using strobes. I want to just be dialed with my equipment, so I don’t really have to worry about the buttons to push, and the where to put that reflector, I want to be really on it. I did get a new strobe just last week, and I’m loving using it. I’m getting ready to purchase a reflector, and I want to work with those things to produce some killer results. I want to keep it simple at first, and I know you can create awesome work with one strobe, a reflector, a model, and some creativity. I know you can, I see it all the time. So that’s a goal. Become proficient with my added light.
May not know much about many things, but this one thing I do know… coffee.
Oh, the quotes you can find from dedicated coffee drinkers. I have a feeling this year I will launch a coffee photo series of some kind. It feels like a coffee lovers imperative. If you were to launch a series of images based on the delicious idea of coffee, what would you imagine and create?
For today, enjoy this simple truth…
Day 7 of 365Made it through the first week. This year seemed so much easier than the first 365 project inspired by Scott Bourne. Perhaps it was the freedom to create my own rules, perhaps it’s the experience of knowing I’ve already completed this project once, or perhaps it’s the focus on creating images around a theme. Whatever the reason, I’m thrilled and hope it will continue long into the new year.
Whether it’s an annual review or a year in pictures, the different ways you can look back on your past year are innumerable.
What are your plans? How will you review the past year and plan for the new one?
From the Christmas cards we’ve received and blogs I’ve read, I see a general sense of relief that this year is coming to a close. Do you sense it too?
When it comes to the year we’ve had at Teen Identity, I am amazed at where we are and the vision for the future.
One of my target goals set at the end of 2010 was to photograph over 100 tweens and teens… I’ll let you know if I hit that goal when I post my detailed end of year summary. For now, I just wanted to share one of my favorite images from a model team shoot this year…
I hope you are enjoying and savoring your time with friends and family.
