Have you ever been challenged creatively? I'm trigger-happy when there's something to shoot, but sometimes life keeps me too busy to pick up a camera. This year, I'm working hard to make a new photo every day, regardless of how busy I am, how crazy everything is, or in spite of any other excuse. So far, on those busy days, I've had to take pictures while driving, of food, or other odd things I see around me. Most of the time, though, I'm doing what creatively needs to be done - creating opportunities for making images. This is helping me grow and continue observing more than would have otherwise been seen.
If you'd like to play along, be my guest! Share your images with me, and I'll keep updating mine here:
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2047211&id=1109361005&l=3971309d04
Saturday, January 16, 2010
Friday, January 1, 2010
A New Decade for Photography
Happy New Year! In reflecting back on the past, I've been able to see my progression as a photographer.
1970s - As a young child, I was the subject of photos and occasionally played with Grandpa's twin lens reflex camera.
1980s - The years went on and my siblings took the spotlight, so they were the more common subject of family photos. I often had a roll of film which spanned the events of more than one year. My dad was the example for always carrying a camera and documenting the people at each event.
1990s - After graduating high school and spending some time on my mission, I discovered photography as a more convenient method of documenting my activities. Growing frustrated with my point-and-shoot camera not being able to focus through windows, or have proper nighttime exposures, I learned how to use an SLR. Returning home and gaining notoriety as a guy with a good camera and a great eye, the decade of weddings began. David Thomas Photography was now a business, and by the latter half of the decade, had an online presence (www.dt-photo.com). I was actively involved in the YSA program and gained a reputation as a great and affordable wedding photographer. That grew into a business which provided the majority of my income for a time and gave me lots of experience to sharpen my skills. Taking a couple of years of classes through Covina's Tri-Community School of Photography helped me earn a certificate and gave me exposure to industry experts who still worked in the field of photography.
2000s - Starting a family gave me plenty of excuses to photograph kids and polish my portrait skills. The film to digital transition was another adventure which kept me focused on family more thant clients, but still provided plentiful learning experiences. I'm still soaking up knowledge from so many sources, especially websites and podcasts, where before I was limited to monthly magazines and occasional bookstore visits. Hundreds of thousands of exposures, more than half a dozen cameras and quite a few lenses have added to my experience and I'm enjoying photography as much as ever.
2010s - Looking at photography now as more of an art form than a revenue stream has taken away pressure of drawing an income and will allow me to continue enjoying my talent.
1970s - As a young child, I was the subject of photos and occasionally played with Grandpa's twin lens reflex camera.
1980s - The years went on and my siblings took the spotlight, so they were the more common subject of family photos. I often had a roll of film which spanned the events of more than one year. My dad was the example for always carrying a camera and documenting the people at each event.
1990s - After graduating high school and spending some time on my mission, I discovered photography as a more convenient method of documenting my activities. Growing frustrated with my point-and-shoot camera not being able to focus through windows, or have proper nighttime exposures, I learned how to use an SLR. Returning home and gaining notoriety as a guy with a good camera and a great eye, the decade of weddings began. David Thomas Photography was now a business, and by the latter half of the decade, had an online presence (www.dt-photo.com). I was actively involved in the YSA program and gained a reputation as a great and affordable wedding photographer. That grew into a business which provided the majority of my income for a time and gave me lots of experience to sharpen my skills. Taking a couple of years of classes through Covina's Tri-Community School of Photography helped me earn a certificate and gave me exposure to industry experts who still worked in the field of photography.
2000s - Starting a family gave me plenty of excuses to photograph kids and polish my portrait skills. The film to digital transition was another adventure which kept me focused on family more thant clients, but still provided plentiful learning experiences. I'm still soaking up knowledge from so many sources, especially websites and podcasts, where before I was limited to monthly magazines and occasional bookstore visits. Hundreds of thousands of exposures, more than half a dozen cameras and quite a few lenses have added to my experience and I'm enjoying photography as much as ever.
2010s - Looking at photography now as more of an art form than a revenue stream has taken away pressure of drawing an income and will allow me to continue enjoying my talent.
Sunday, April 27, 2008
Window Models
After photographing a wedding at the San Diego Temple, it was lunch time, so we visited a local mall. As we were walking through University Town Center, a tux shop had nothing in the window display, so I asked if we could use the space for a few minutes. Greg & Raela jumped up and posed as a crowd gathered on the outside and I clicked away through the glass. It made for some great shots which had them looking like posed mannequins.
Lesson learned: Always be creative, willing to ask and improvise.
Lesson learned: Always be creative, willing to ask and improvise.
Sunday, March 9, 2008
Groomsmen and Dad in Pool
Setting: Backyard reception...around a pool. The Groomsmen let me know in advance that they were going to throw the Groom into the pool. He made it known that he wouldn't go in without a fight, so when the time came, the 4 groomsmen holding him were also being held by him. This meant there was only one way to get him in the pool and sothey all ran and jumped in while holding him! Moments later, the Groom thought it would be fun to make sure everyone in a tux was in the pool, so they cornered the Father of the Groom and started to carry him toward the pool. As they went (rather quickly) the dad tried to save what he could, tossing his watch and wallet to a bystander. He was unable to get his shoes off in time though, and one of my favorite memories is watching him wipe the water from his face and then capturing an image of him standing chest-high in the pool, pouring water out of his shoe.
Sunday, February 24, 2008
Wrong Church!
After booking another online wedding and getting fairly good directions and the name of the church, but not the street address, I found the cathedral-type building on the corner. I set up with the videographer and mariachi band, and waited for the bride to finish getting ready. I was led to a room where another photographer was finishing some bridal photos. Being 2nd photographer wasn't a new experience for me, but this bride didn't know who I was. Turns out the “church on the intersection of street #1 & street #2 was on the other corner...beyond the sports field which was part of the same property, and obscured by trees and bushes. Fortunately, the other wedding hadn't started because the bride was running behind. Unfortunately, the reason was that she had gotten into an accident and totaled her car. She was fine, it just shook up her nerves even more than before.
Lesson Learned: Meet with the Bride & Groom before the wedding.
Lesson Learned #2: confirm location by actual address.
Lesson Learned: Meet with the Bride & Groom before the wedding.
Lesson Learned #2: confirm location by actual address.
Sunday, February 17, 2008
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