Not a great week for updates, but like most things these days it's not for a lack of new things. Since the wedding at the end of January this blog has had a double shift // more readers, less updates. Unfortunately, this month hasn't been as focused on the exploration of photography - it has been more of a play by play of shoots and some core information. So, I'm going to get back on the horse and bring some of my research online.

This blog is about the experiences of an amateur photographer (me) exploring photography and learning as I go. I think the saying is; good decisions come from experience, and experience comes from bad decisions. This exploration started just about one year ago when I looked down at a Hasselblad for the first time; it made me totally reconsider my Digital SLR photography. Now that a year has passed I find myself entering the special place that many amateurs aspire to; the hobby paying for itself.

Post wedding-shoot I was contacted by a woman who wanted her wedding shot for $600 (minimal coverage - simple request). I didn't jump on it and I'm sure she found someone. I wasn't particularly interested at the time. In the background of this, I have a few new orders for prints, which is very exciting. So, I'm just on the cusp of that hallowed ground of "green photography" (sustainable development... haha pun intended).

It is tempting to keep my cards close and push the advantage (try to maximize income); I could add the work "professional" to the blog title and put out some kind of price list. But, I started this blog for a different reason. I progress as a photographer because I am surrounded by people who care about photography. In particular my uncle Bill who has been shooting for 40+ years has been a veritable library of information. But, there is another facet to it:

I was in a car with a guy some time back and we got lost. He was a tough guy, so admitting defeat was not a priority, but as we passed a few firemen outside their station I suggested we pull over and ask for help. He cringed at the idea, but agreed only because I would be the one asking. We got the directions we needed, despite the firemen chuckling at me. I feel no shame in asking questions and making mistakes, as long as they are honest mistakes. I make a lot of mistakes in photography - don't shoot aperture priority at a wedding, it causes blur - don't be cheap on your camera strap, I've dropped my Nikon twice - so I'm the guinea pig. I started one year ago and now this independent hobby is just starting to trickle money. Who knows what's next. I think I will explore the meaning of the word "Professional" some day.

Well, there is one thing I'm planning on looking into - In my recent research I have been focused on photojournalism and photo stories; I didn't know what made this genre different, but I'm begining to see. I've met a couple of stringers in the past month, one from CT and the other from PA. One worked for the Hartford Courant and the other the AP. I think I will sit down with them and ply their stories out of them; how they got started, why they stopped.

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Visiting the trees - The Audubon Society

As it turns out the Rhode Island Audubon Society is not part of the National Audubon Society. This doesn't make a material difference, but if you are a Rhode Islander you can directly help the local wild life refuges by being a member of the Society. As a photographer this presents an interesting question - the local Audubon has nothing to do with the Audubon Magazine.

As a goal, something to aspire to, I would love to get some photos into the Audubon magazine. But, perhaps there is something more local going on that is more attainable. This is pure conjecture, but food for thought. A local newsletter? website? Who knows.

What is worth knowing is that the nature trails and reserves held by the Rhode Island Audubon Society are open to the public for free. Saturday afternoon when the thermometer was in the 50's in Providence we decided to head out to the closest reserve in Smithfield, RI. Three inches of rain had come down the day before, so we were warned that the trail may be under water at some points. They were, but it was fantastic. I can't say we saw a lot of wildlife, because we didn't, but we did get to watch red squirrels chase each other and meet some characters on the trail. As much as anything, it was nice to be outdoors with fresh air and mild weather.

I shot a roll with the Nikon F and Fortia @ ASA 64 and a roll of TMAX 100. The Fortia is in at Renaissance for development and I'll develop the TMAX tomorrow. Regretfully, no pictures for today.

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Updates:

*photo courtesy Amie Jones from the Audubon path (she was shooting with a Canon DSLR). I will update when I get my film developed.

Heard back from Mr. Akiyama of the Nikon Kenkyukai in Tokyo - The Kenkyukai membership has some of the most amazing NIkon artifacts I have ever seen. But, they are not dedicated to just historical items, they are interested in exploring all things Nikon. Nikon Kenkyukai Link

Had orders for some more prints; I may have to just make a run of the popular prints and get some cost savings (as opposed to one off prints).

Had the opportunity to go up for some aerials, but I didn't follow through. Some time in the next couple of weeks I will go up and bring back some pictures. I did get some shots down at TF Green, but they are also in at Renaissance.