Get Out & Shoot

If you are an aspiring photographer, pro photographer or a person who simply enjoys photos then my advice to you is "Get Out & Shoot".  Every day I pick up my camera, every day I take at least one photograph (usually 50-150).  Taking pictures is how you learn to become a better photographer.  The photos I take daily are only personal pictures, if I am working that day then I could take hundreds more.  BOTTOM LINE, if you are not out shooting daily someone else is and you will be losing ground to someone else.

With that fine 'how do you do', here are some photos I shot earlier this morning in Spokane, WA.  My friend and I made a plan to head over this morning and just take pictures.  Each of us shot somewhere in the neighborhood of 200 photos.  I was able to get a couple I was happy with but there is always room for improvement (lots of improvement) in my case.  Maybe you might like a few, or, if you think they suck then let me know that too.

Self Portrait........

If you know me then you should know that I hate getting my picture taken.  I have tried to finagle my way out of photos since I could walk.  Funny story actually, there is a family photo of all the men and boys from my dads side of the family, at 2 I have got that pissed look in my eyes while every one around is all smiles.  Trust me, I will post it some time so you can see how much I really hated it.

So what the hell made me get in front of the camera and do a self portrait.  First off, I am working in a new space and it is wonderful to have some extra room.  Second, I love playing with flash.  Third, I was just in one of those goofy moods.  So here's my portrait, I can promise that you won't see too many photos of me ever. 

Out On A Drive

Today was beautiful.  The sun was ducking in and out from behind the clouds which made for wonderful fast changing light.  Days like this are 'contrast' rich which is fun and challenging.  The only downside to the day was the chilly temperatures, I swear every time I stepped out of the truck my hands turned to ice.  Anyways, here are a couple photos that I liked from the day.

As of late I have tried to think about perspective more.  So, I thought why not take a photo from the viewpoint of stripes on the road.  Does it work, maybe.  It is definitely something different compared to how most of my images look.

The second photo was just random.  The light was fading fast and I was on my way home, still cold I might add.  When I saw this old fellow it was a WTF moment.  My first thought was this guy has to be freezing, as I got closer you could see the chill in his bright red face.  I pulled off to the side of the road a little ways ahead of him and waited as he approached.  You can't see it in the photo but in his left hand he was holding his groceries, the nearest store was 4-5 miles away.  When I offered the gentlemen a ride home he kind of chuckled and said "I'm okay, I have only got another 1/2 mile to go". 

Free 5x7 Week 4: Nov. 20 -

As we move into week four I should first announce the winner of last weeks image, congratulations goes out to reader "GSRJ".  Before we move to this weeks photo, I would like to announce a change to the rules.  I won't be giving this weeks image away until we get at least three different contestants.  This could take a day, week or a month but there has to be at least three contestants. 

So, Week 4's image "StreetLight" (I really am not that clever with these names huh?).  As always, I wrote a little something about the photo below.  Good luck people, follow the rules, tell your friends and you might just be getting a 5x7 print.

ABOUT THE PHOTO: I LOVE STREET LIGHTS AND THIS PARTICULAR LIGHT LOCATED IN DOWNTOWN COEUR D'ALENE WAS NO DIFFERENT.  I ADMIT I AM PROBABLY A LITTLE ODD BUT I LIKE 'ODD' AND STREET LIGHTS. 

Goodbye Fall

The leaves still remain but it was cold out. It's hard to see due to the aperture, but, in the far distance you can kind of see the mountains covered in this year's first snow. The sun decided to grace us with its presence for a brief moment but it didn't help the 32 degree temp. It did however make for a couple nice photos.

Free 5x7 Week 3: Nov. 13 - Nov. 19

Winner of this photo was reader "GSRJ".

ABOUT THE IMAGE: THIS IMAGE WAS TAKEN A COUPLE MONTHS AGO NEAR WOLF LODGE ON LAKE COEUR D'ALENE.  THIS SPOT IS GREAT BECAUSE THE SUN GENERALLY IS VISIBLE LONGEST HERE.

Toy Store

These stars, along with lots of other cool stuff, were hanging from the ceiling in a local toy store.  They had some great colors and they really are reminding me of Christmas. 

Random Photos

FREE 5x7 Week 2: Nov. 6 - Nov. 12

"k_melena" was the winner of this photo.  Congratulations and thanks goes out to her.

ABOUT THE PHOTO:  A FRIEND AND I WERE OUT 'PHOTO WALKING' YESTERDAY AND I CAME ACROSS THIS WONDERFUL CHAIN LINK FENCE.  THEY JUST DON'T BUILD THEM LIKE THIS ANYMORE.  SO, AS I WAS GLANCING AT THE FENCE I NOTICED THIS PERFECT WINDOW BEHIND IT AND VOILA, THIS IS THE PHOTO THAT TURNED OUT.