A rant

I might be slightly biased, but I think Chris does great work.  He's come a long way at pursuing his passion for photography, and I think his work speaks for itself.  The profession itself is a tough market.  A very tough market.  In an age where technology has made a small pocket-sized digital camera inexpensive, and capable, taking decent pictures can be a fairly easy task once you get a quick tutorial on how all the buttons and settings work (especially if you leave it on "auto" and let the camera 'do it for you', right? ;)).  Everywhere you look there are ads, or facebook groups for new "photography" sites, and new "professional photographers".  What? So you bought yourself a new DSLR camera?  And you just took it out of the plastic?  Well, of course that now makes you a professional!  Go on out there and register yourself a domain and then, *poof*, you now can offer professional services for your 'craft'!  After all, for every good camera, a good picture makes, right? {insert eye roll here}

I do not claim to know the ins and outs of proper methods of exposure, or ISO settings, or white balance, or aperture.  I can, after a few helpful hints from Chris over the years, view a photo with a bit more critical eye.  I can appreciate the rule of thirds.  I know it's important to make your subject stand out in the photo and to ensure that you don't have your subject stand in front of distracting objects (ie, don't stand right in front of a tree...otherwise, you look like you have branches growing out of your noggin).  I also know that if I was to inherit a hand-me-down DSLR camera from Chris one day, that I would in no way shape or form be willing to market myself as a pro.  I'd love to study more, and maybe someday assist Chris - who knows, maybe someday a family business, perhaps?  But I digress...

Without calling out any names, because I don't feel that's professional (pardon the pun), after all, this is a very public forum. However, I do have a story (and I apologize in advance for the lengthy, wordy post).  An acquaintance of an acquaintance bought him/herself a decent camera.  He/she took photos as a hobby, and over time learned a little bit about photography.  Truth be told, this person learned a lot from a photography forum...the evidence of which apparent in the photos that would later be posted after specific 'how do you...' questions that he'd/she'd pose on the forum. It was a forum that Chris belonged to, and he replied to these 'how do you...' questions.  Chris is very encouraging when it comes to people curious about photography, and loves nothing more than lending out a helping hand (making him the perfect candidate to teach some photography basics at the Photo Bootcamps he puts on).

Anyway, so this 'acquaintance' then decided he/she wanted to try his/her hand at 'profesional' photography...Lo and behold, behind Chris' back, this individual ended up stealing a work contract that Chris had worked himself the past 5-6 years.  The sad part? This 'acquaintance' considers him/herself a "friend" of Chris'.  To add insult to injury?  This 'acquaintance' landed a spot in one of his photography bootcamps, even!  Why would a "professional" photographer need a photography bootcamp - geared toward the amateur who wants to learn more about his/her camera?  Shouldn't this person already know the basics?  I mean, he or she has already labelled him/herself AS a photographer...even going so far as to say he/she'd been at the craft for a NUMBER OF YEARS on his/her professional photography website!  It just makes me crazy. 

This person gets on the defensive when offered constructive criticism by knowledgeable professionals and continues to spew out crap pictures that he/she's attempting to place out into the marketplace as "art".  He/she undercuts the other professionals out there...making it even harder for the real professionals to maintain the niche market that they may be used to.  The frustrating part?  Even those paying for the services don't realize the difference, it seems, between a good photo, and a mediocre or crap photo.  They see the price.  They go for what's cheaper...or, they think that quantity is better than quality.  Oh, so you give me 500 crap photos, with maybe 5 okay shots and this other gentleman over here offers me 30-40? (even though his all look really good)?  Well, dang, of course I'll go with the one that gives me the most for my money.  {Insert HUGE eye roll here}.

(*sigh*  Obviously I have a bit of passion for this topic...and perhaps I'm too close to the immediate subject to be even professing to have a valid opinion for it...but...I HAD to express myself before I literally imploded).

Need a good photographer that offers decent, competitive, wages and high quality product?  Please, send me a message.  I can recommend someone.

one mo' time!

In case there were any that missed the shoot last weekend, you have another opportunity to support a fantastic cause, and have a lot of fun! This Sunday, November 28, between the hours of 3pm and 9pm drop by 105 Queen, Suite 5 (just upstairs from Jems Boutique (where Just Us Girls used to be)) for another opportunity to show your support for the fundraising effort for prostate cancer research. Your generosity will be rewarded with a fun time, and a great keepsake. You can choose to have a print of a formal "portrait" session, or print off a few pics of yourself sporting one of our fancy fake moustaches. The possibilities are endless :)

Movember -- it's in you to give

Cancer is everywhere. In some capacity, it effects everyone, directly, or indirectly. I hate cancer. I loathe it with every fiber of my being. I can only hope that someday there will be a cure for all the dreaded cancers out there. Sadly, in 2010 alone, more than 4400 men will die as a direct result of prostate cancer.

The Mo, slang for moustache, and November come together each year for Movember.

Movember challenges men to change their appearance and the face of men’s health by growing a moustache. The rules are simple, start Movember 1st clean-shaven and then grow a moustache for the entire month. The moustache becomes the ribbon for men’s health, the means by which awareness and funds are raised for prostate cancer. Much like the commitment to run or walk for charity, the men of Movember commit to growing a moustache for 30 days.

This year, Chris and our friend Matt decided to get involved for the cause. Not only have they set aside their razors, but they (along with the lovely Nicole) are putting themselves to work for the cause as well. Full Frame Media and Spin Photo are joining together tomorrow to donate their time and talent to put on a photo shoot, a mini portrait session, to donate to the cause. The Mo'Photo Shoot, hopefully the first year of many, will take place tomorrow.

How can you help? If you're in the area, drop on by to 102 Queen St, Suite 5 (above JEMS), between the hours of 11am and 5pm, and join in on the fun. For a $20 donation, you'll be able to take part in a photo shoot, and leave with an 8x10 sheet of photos. So, you get to decide if you want a full 8x10 pic of yourself and you're carefully groomed 'stache, or as many wallets that an 8x10 sheet can hold, to share with your friends. Don't have a 'stache? Don't worry! Fake ones will be on hand. Put one on a pet, a child, your wife, or daughter. Don't wanna wear a 'stache? Don't! Just smile prettily for the camera! All proceeds are going to the Movember Foundation.

If you're not local to the Island, and you still want to help, feel free to click on the following link to donate via PayPal or credit card: http://ca.movember.com/mospace/1019488/

I have to remember how proud I am of Chris for helping to come up with such a great idea for such a great cause...especially as that 'stache gets thicker and thicker. At least November is almost over ;). Hope to see you tomorrow!!

A moment of pride...

Chris made it into the paper!

http://www.theguardian.pe.ca/Arts/Entertainment/2010-08-14/article-1672671/Focal-points/1

Holland College has been hosting a one-day photography bootcamp. It's specifically geared to those people who own a digital camera that really don't know what all the buttons mean/do. Chris was chosen to be the guide, and he starts with some classroom instruction, before the group is then bussed out to some of the Island's most picturesque locales. On location, the group then get some hands-on experience, and professional critique, when practicing what they've learned from inside the classroom.

The camp was supposed to be a summer gig, but there's talk of the potential of extending it into the fall. For more info, and if you're interested in signing up, click on the link below:

http://www.hollandcollege.com/bootcamps/photography_bootcamps.php

I might be a bit biased, but I have it on good authority that the bootcamp instructor is pretty awesome :)