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"Silent Garden"
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My own subjects. Before everything else, our wildlands, the very world we live in. I take extra care on my photo hunts to avoid impacting the environment as much as possible. In time, you grow a sense of self and passion with your subjects, especially landscapes. I've always been an outdoor kid, so my appreciation of the outdoors can't be really explained. It can only be felt hope to do with my photographs. When I shoot people, pets, events or projects for anybody, I make sure their consent and satisfaction is taken into account before I do anything with the photo.
"...Just one more shot"
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Knowing when to call it quits! There's been times when I'm out on the hunt and I just can't stop myself. I always want to see if I can better heighten the scene just a little more. It's kind of like gambling... "maybe on the next roll I can do a little better"... "Just one more roll." Perhaps the hardest part is never having enough time to start a hunt. Even though I always have access to some very inspiring places, it's still very tough to gain access sometimes due to winter conditions, long drives and a business schedule. All in all, I guess you outweigh those things when the hunt finally does present itself.
Honestly, there's nothing easy about photography. The easy part is often deciding in getting up and going. Ask any photographer. Photography is a lot of work, in both the business aspect and the hunt itself. Even after the fun part is over, the digitizing process implodes loads of work. (Yes, even you digital photographers will admit to this, as well as us film gurus.) Lots of time and money can be spent on just one saleable photograph! All in all, photography is a strategy, trying to decide what is best for the image and best for yourself as an artist to grow and expand your craft. Yet at the same time, it's one of the few forms of "work" that really can't be really classified as "work". Some people also comment that photography is a "lazy man's art". "An easy art form". I bet if I were to say the same thing to a painter, tensions would fly too. Any photographer can't really complain because photography is a reward itself and that's the best part of it. It can be a "lazy man's art"... only if you want it to be.
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Talkin' gossip...
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The critics. They are the ones who really hurt the photographer in more ways than one. I'm relatively young and I already know this for a fact. Photography is a very competitive business much like the music and film industry. Photographers are very candid about giving away destinations and shooting technique simply because of their own insecurities. It's sort of a seventh sense that we grow. All of these insecurities are somehow discovered by critics and are brought out by another photographer's work selling over yours. It hurts to see absolutely junk photographs, or the worst possible "stock" photos, make their way into art shows, packed with heartfelt comments and galleries simply because of who the photographer is, or how much money they have to promote themselves. This is particularly true for gallery curators, or venue managers. You know who you are. It's one of those, "not who you are, but who you know" kind of things. Then after all the work you've put into capturing a timeless, beautiful photograph, it sits on a disc or inside a portfolio completely useless and undiscovered. In short, I dislike the favoritism of it all, but the competition really doesn't bother me. After all, competition is apart of life.
I've mentioned this before. Another thing that really frustrates me is the arrogance most photographers have today towards beginning students and the public in general. Most photographers don't give away their secrets, in fear that it could backfire on them by an amateur. There are many differences between an amateur photographer and a pro photographer. A pro will sweat it... an amateur won't know that he's doing wrong. Both people have insecurities, but the pro has more at stake and he'll do anything to wipe out the amateur. Just take a look at "photo.net" and similar sites. Visit art venues and galleries, take a look at all the hype a stereotypical "pro" will do to make himself bigger than the world. It's absolute hogwash. What's even more scary is the photos may actually be terrible and simply reliant on my previous point... "Not what you do, but how much you have". "Not who you are, but who you know". "You pat my back, I pat yours". "A dollar for five." The answer is simple: Big deal. Sometimes things in life aren't fair. It's all about keeping yourself and believing that what you do can and will make a difference. As a journalist too, my photographs are also used for these reasons. To express an event, an item, or a way of life. A picture can speak a thousand words, and every photograph has that potential, but it's not worth beans if you don't believe it will.
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Many things... I also write freelance, dapple in screenwriting, publishing and freelance web design. During my off times if I'm not out fly fishing or hiking, I'm roaming the West for the next way to play. On occasion, I'll pick up my acoustic guitar and start compiling music. In fact, I have a screenplay out right now in the works of being represented. In short, I'm very spontaneous so I love to do most anything if I have the time.
Special Delivery? You got it!
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In general, my services mainly freelance throughout Nevada and California's Eastern Sierra, serving people all the way from Ridgecrest to Reno, making me one of the few photographers in the region who doesn't just stick to one "area". My range is huge... as far eastward as Ely, NV and westward to Sacramento. I generally don't travel outside of these boundaries, but I will on occasion. All you have to do is ask. The prices of my services vary, but are generally not much more than $100/assignment, along with the cost of film and developing fees as well as shipping & handling charges. I offer my work to a wider audience and approach many types of clientele, not just the people who may fork out a little more than Mr. John Doe. The only thing I do not shoot is weddings or proms. If you have questions about the products that I offer, simply visit my
"Price & Info" page. To inquire about my services, I ask that you contact me.
No, but I
know of a lot of great workshops in Nevada and the surrounding area, but I also know of a lot of bad ones too. If you would like some information on the good and the "bad", simply email me, and I'll talk a little about them.
Yes. To visit my non-Eastern Sierra galleries simply
click here.
The photographs in this gallery contain a grab-bag of subjects from landscapes, cityscapes, to pets, people, portraits, abstracts and various still life.
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Very simple. It's not that I want to keep any information from my viewers. In fact, I WANT TO BE, not just for the sake of being outright and truthful. The reason I keep the description to a minimum is simply for personal preference. My intention throughout my galleries are to leave you, my viewers, in charge of what you see. In no way do I try to impact your outlook by including shooting specs. Even including a 'time of day', or film type is pushing my boundaries.
Junkyard Resident
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Not at the moment, but I am working on it! Last year in 2005, I began distribution of my work up and down the Eastern Sierra, very carefully deciding viewing locations I can post my photography.
Click here
to see my list of viewing locations I have so far that you can see my photos in person! Each location is a public place, shared by tourists, activists and visitors alike. I currently don't have a gallery, but until I do have one, these various viewing locations are my gallery... locals who have graciously let me display my work. Each location carries the Sierra Life logo, along with my business cards and bio. If you decide to visit a location, just ask for the photo by Sierra Life. Most likely, it will already be displayed. Give 'em a little business too while you're at it... We're some of the nicest folks you'll ever meet.
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Do you lead workshops in the Eastern Sierra?