Effin' Babies!
There are a lot of babies out there, and I'm not talking about the tiny human kind. In this post I ponder the need to listen to the complainers of the world.
A good friend of mine sent me a link to a YouTube video from a guy who calls himself the "Angry Photographer". In the video the guy spends 13 minutes blathering on about how no-one knows how to properly hold a monopod, and with much boasting he demonstrates all of the proper techniques for using one. My friend was curious what I thought of his techniques and whether she should consider using them.
My answer. Ignore the guy. He's full of shit.
After going to the guy's YouTube channel, I was amazed to find hundreds of videos from him where he pontificates at length about all manner of photography topics. Most of his videos are in response to other videos or articles he's seen that he disagrees with. In short, he spends his time broadcasting his angry contempt for the work of other people. That's pretty sad if you ask me.
I see this way too much and I'm considering seriously cutting back on the amount of time I spend reading articles and watching videos by people who have nothing better to do than sling shit. It doesn't help me make better photos. While it may be somewhat entertaining to bash camera brands and poo-poo the latest photography trends, I am not leaving the experience happier, better, or more creative. It should stop.
There are people out there producing affirming content that provides great information and meaningful inspiration. One of them is a guy who I was thrilled to hang out with last summer, Gordon Laing. Now here's a gentleman who brings smart, illuminating insight into cameras and lenses. When I spend time reading his work or listening to his delightfully-accented voice on his podcast I walk away knowing more useful stuff and my attitude isn't sullied by some machismo bullshit. We need more Gordon and less bluster.
And this brings me to something I have been pondering a lot lately. I spend a lot of time reading blogs and watching videos on my iPad. I like to stay up-to-date on what is happening in the world, but I fear I am too head-down in my devices and not head-up enough in my world. I think I would be happier spending more time making images with cameras than reading about the latest camera rumors. I think I would be more creative if I practiced my craft instead of armchair quarterbacking it.
So here's what I'm going to do: I'm going to read fewer photo news sites and process more photos. I'm going to go out and fly my drone. I'm going to play with my kids. I'm going to work in the garden. I am going to ride my bike. I am going to go out and have some fun.
Wanna come?
Blog Archive
I love soccer and recently I had the opportunity to shoot a couple of matches at the University of Portland, home to the Pilots, legendary powerhouses of collegiate soccer.
On our road trip through the Sierra Nevada, we spent a couple of days in Yosemite National Park. Here are some of my images from that all-too-brief visit to this incredible place.
On my recent road trip with Jeff Carlson, I spent an afternoon photographing Bodie, California, an abandoned gold mining town from the 1800’s. This post contains some of my images from that visit.
I’ve started a podcast with my good friend Jeff Carlson. This is a short story of how it came to be.
I just finished building my home office. It’s been a three-year slog filled with hard lessons and small victories. In this post, I talk about the process of turning a very old room into a modern creative space.
My camera has a mode where it will combine numerous images into one mega-resolution image with incredible detail. I tested this time-consuming way of shooting by photographing old boats in Coos Bay, Oregon. In this post I explain the process, my workflow and how the images turned out.
The Hawaiian island of Kauai is paradise. I spent a week there and came home with thousands if images. In this post I review the trip and share my photos. Grab an umbrella drink and enjoy!
If you can slow down and linger, your life will be better and maybe your photos will be too.
Iceland has ice, go figure. In this post I write about my glorious morning on “Diamond Beach” in southern Iceland, where amazing chunks of glacial ice tumble about on a rocks beach for photographer’s amusement.
I’m not sure my trip to Iceland was a good idea. What do you do when the trip of a lifetime leaves you wondering if it was worth it?
On my trip to Iceland, I bopped around the island in a bright green camper van. Here’s my trip recap and review of living my best #vanlife in the land of fire and ice.
I’ve been flying drones for a while now, and I love the freedom a flying camera affords. Why climb a mountain when you can fly up it?
When it comes to camera gear, a lot of photographers will tell you that it's not about the gear. They'll say that the person behind the camera is more important than the technology. I don't think the relationship is that lop-sided. Let me explain.
This year's workshop is in the books. Here is my take on a week in the San Juan Islands with some of my favorite people.
I didn't plan to shoot the Great American Eclipse, but I did it anyway. And I would do it again!
I've been distracted by my new flying cameras. It's a whole new world when you can place your camera anywhere!
I just wrapped up my annual photography workshop. This time we explored the Palouse, a land of incredible beauty and not-so-great hotels. Here is my recap.
There are a lot of babies out there, and I'm not talking about the tiny human kind. In this post I ponder the need to listen to the complainers of the world.
When making photographs, we often forget to not be boring. My friend Gino Barasa reminds us all not to suck.
It's been over a year since my last In my Bag video and a lot has changed with my kit. Here's a fresh look at what I use these days.