Look Ma! No photos! What the???

As I take a quick look back at some of my blog posts, I can't help but notice that a whole slew of them are simply written themes or ideas without any accompanying images. Obviously, this was not planned, and I know a photographer's blog should be very visual, but there are several good reasons for this.

The main one is time. Some of the ideas I've had for posts were just short thoughts or announcements that I wanted to post immediately due to their time-sensitive nature.  Not only did they not especially need photos to go with them, but (at least for me) editing images to add to a post is time-consuming.

Because of this, it seems I've been putting off many of my more extensive and interesting ideas and tutorials because I haven't taken the time to arrange and edit the many photo examples I need to illustrate what I'm trying to say or get across.

So, I guess what I'm trying to say is I will make it a priority to start posting ideas and topics that include a variety of pretty cool images to clearly show what I'm saying.

After all, isn't that really whatchu whatchu whatchu want???

Then One Day The Smithsonian Called: Why You Should Always Save And Archive Your Work!

Well, it took a while, but one of my photos is finally in the Smithsonian.

It's true. I tell you no lie...

Now, it is not in the permanent collection and on display in a museum in Washington, DC for all the world to see. I wish. Rather, it's a portrait I shot of painter Carlos Alfonzo in December, 1990, originally appearing in the publication Miami New Times Newspaper. And it will be used as part of a printed catalog to coincide with the exhibit:

 Our America: The Latino Presence in American Art.

My photo of artist Carlos Alfonso (Cuban, 1950-1991) in his Miami studio, 1990.

Now, I am not the most organized guy in the world, and when it comes to my photography, I have a whole mish-mash of storage systems. Most of my digital work is, of course, logically filed on hard drives and on discs. Oh, and for the most part, key worded. Finding things in the computer age is not usually a problem.

It's my film originals that I probably need to work on a bit. Fortunately, many of my older negatives are neatly stored in chronological order in binders with their labeled proof sheets, and yes, the bulk of my color film slides are in boxes or pages, generally safe, in one searchable place.

Good thing, too.

Because one fine day, I was minding my own business, when out-of-the-blue came an email from an Emma Stratton, Permissions Coordinator, Smithsonian American Art Museum. Now when Ms. Stratton comes a calling on behalf of the Smithsonian, you pay attention.

And so, I paid attention...

And what she asked me oh-so-politely was if she could use my image of Alfonso for the upcoming Smithsonian exhibition catalog. Luckily, she had seen it used before in another catalog for another exhibition at the Miami Art Museum in 1997.

Obviously, I said yes. That was the easy part...

So, after agreeing to the deal, and excitedly shouting to anyone within earshot, I actually had to get down to business. I needed to track down the original negative, make a quality scan, create a digital file in photoshop, edit and retouch that file, then output it in a size and format that met their specifications for the printed catalog. Oh, and get it to them.

All on deadline...

In the end, it was not all that difficult, but without finding that original negative fairly quickly, I most likely would have been screwed.

Which brings me to my point: you need to develop a system of organizing and cataloging your images as you go along. Something that makes sense when you're trying to find an individual photo many many years after it's been shot.

Now, I had no way of knowing that Carlos Alfonso would sadly die not long after he sat for my camera. Nor could I ever imagine what his place and fame would be in the context of Hispanic and American art, or what the demand would be for a picture of him many years later.

But, because I was disciplined enough over the years to keep most of the rolls of film I shot together in pages with their proof sheets in books chronologically in a protected cabinet, I immediately and confidently told Emma Stratton I could send her artwork. I knew it would not take me long to find the negatives from our 1990 portrait session, even in the year 2013, and it didn't.

In this digital age, it is very tempting to simply live for the moment, shoot what we want when we want, and assume the computer will keep it all organized. In a perfect world, maybe, but if you value your work, you really owe it to yourself to pay much more attention to organizing and archiving your images in a way that makes sense.

After all, you never know when someone from the Smithsonian will come knocking on your door...

Lead, Follow...Or Just Try To Keep Up!

You know, sometimes I feel like I'm taking two steps forward and four steps back!  But then I think:

"I guess being at the back of the pack has its advantages when you're all going into battle..."

That's true, as long as they don't attack from the rear!

Ok, carry on. As you were...

Happy New Half Year! And So, I Begin Anew...

Ok, I'm not the kind of guy to make a lot of resolutions on New Year's Eve.  Yeah, I try to clean up my act, good intentions and all that, but I purposely keep those kinds of promises to myself fairly vague, so I don't feel so bad when I blow them off.

I do however, believe in the power of the calendar when it comes to planning the goals in my life.  I'm not really astrological in the spiritual sense, you know - the whole fate and destiny kind of thing based on the alignment of various heavenly bodies and all that, but I do (like a lot of people) think that the beginning of a day, or a week, or a month, or a year makes a logical starting point for my various life activities, especially if I plan on making changes to them.

In this case we are talking about the start of July: the beginning of the second half of the year 2013, and I know and feel this moment has a great significance.  It will mark the first time in over a decade that I can devote my time and energy and resources full-time to my career as a photographic artist.

And so, without giving a boring history lesson on hopes and dreams in the past that I was unable to accomplish for a multitude of reasons, let me just say most all of my shackles have been removed, my career and business begins anew, and we are all finally going to find out what I am capable of.

By the way, not to brag, but working only part-time with a great many constrictions placed on me by my family responsibilities and inability to travel, I was still able to snag a handful of photo award hardware in the time I've been up here in Central Florida, including one Editorial Magazine Cover of the Year in 2006 in a national competition.

I also managed to keep my gallery resume going with an assortment of group and one-person exhibitions at various venues and times throughout the area since I've lived up here.

Not bad for a guy with one hand tied behind his back...

Now, I don't know about you, but personally, I cannot wait for all the good things that lie ahead! Wish me luck!

Now, Where Was I Before I Was So Rudely Interrupted?

"The road to hell is paved with good intentions" ~ancient proverb

"From life's school of war: what does not kill me makes me stronger" ~Friedrich Nietzsche

Well, I have to tell you, I really thought my spring would be more productive. And while I did indeed have the best of intentions of getting a lot of things done, life -in its inimitable way- threw up (and yes, if you want to take that literally as gastronomical, feel free) a few unexpected road blocks that I had to go around. Or maybe they were hurdles I had to jump over?

Ah, "hurdles" might actually be more accurate, as I certainly do not jump any where near as well as I used to!

Regardless of semantics, it's involved challenges galore, and they were (and are) obstacles that made me not only rethink the way I worked and organized my career, but had me questioning my very life as well.

The major event, on February 10th (a date that will live in infamy!) happened only a few days after my last blog post. Without going to great lengths to explain the details, suffice to say it was a major medical event, and had me laid up in the local hospital for over a week.

Now, those of you who follow me on Facebook have probably already read a lot about this ordeal, as I've made quite a few posts on both my personal page as well as my photography fan page.

The good news is I seem to be basically fine, and well on the road to recovery. Hmmm, come to think of it, if I'm going to use that analogy, maybe these are roadblocks after all.  The bad news is my balance and equilibrium are still a bit hinkey, and continual physical rehab seems to be the order of the day. So, while running and catching a thrown frisbee is probably a no go for me, I am back to driving, and working out, and most importantly...shooting a camera! Believe me, there were times during the last five months I wasn't even sure I would ever do these things again.

Thankfully, my LIFE INTERRUPTED, however briefly, is moving forward again!

Speaking of thanks, again I cannot thank my friends, family, clients, and acquaintances enough for all the support and well wishes I've received recently. The positive vibrations and white light aimed in my direction has had a profound effect on my progress and motivation!

So, let me end this post the way I began it:

Where was I before I was so rudely interrupted?

Yes! That's right! Now I remember! More to follow...

My Return To A Full-Time Career In Photography: The Teaser...

I tend to see both sides of most issues. I weigh the good and the bad when I make decisions. I look at strengths and weaknesses when I evaluate people and situations.

And so, when it comes to the idea of (hopefully) having a full-time career as a photographer again, I cannot help but think of two things.

The BAD news is: it looks like I will have to start over almost completely from scratch.

The GOOD news is: it looks like I will finally get the chance to start over almost completely from scratch.

Well, there you have it. In those two sentences you get a glimpse at both my excitement as well as my anxiety about the big changes to my life and career that will most likely begin this coming spring.

Wish me luck...

Back To The Blog, Part Deux!

To quote from my last blog entry, "Oh my. Has it really been that long?!?" Only now, it's even more embarrassing, as an even longer length of time has passed since I made that promise last June to start posting with greater regularity. All I can say is - Oy!

So, let's just get this out of the way and be done with it: I hereby freely admit that I am posting this entry just to have SOME new content and to get the ball rolling on a more regular posting schedule.  Dipping my toe in the pool before I take the plunge, so to speak...

While I'm at it, I may as well get my Season's Greetings in after-the-fact, and hope everyone had a safe, enjoyable holiday. I will also be adding a "2012 in Review" post soon, to catch you up on some of the studio projects, magazine assignments, and other client and personal work I've been busy with the past year. Better late than never I suppose, right?

Now, without the benefit of having a crystal ball, I have to say 2013 looks like it's shaping up to be an exciting and intensively creative year for me. Many big changes in store, including a family event that might possibly have a significant impact on my career. In a good way. But more details on that when I think the time is right.

Not to use this as an excuse for not posting here more often, but just a reminder that my Facebook Page (link to the right) has short but timely updates on my day-to-day activities and photo work.  You are welcome to join if you haven't already done so.

And so, let me get to work on planning my next entry here. I promise it will not be another six months before I get to it!