How Far Can You Push Photoshop?!?

This guy knows...

www.bertmonroy.com/timessquare/timessquare.html

Telegraph Canyon...

I had the chance to photograph two wonderful Denton bands last night at Granada Theater. These pics are of Telegraph Canyon. I also shot Seryn, but those pics will have to go up later.

Buy D Magazine Now!!!

If you love exciting stories about the history, present and future of mixed drinks in Dallas, then you'll want to buy the current issue of D Magazine. More importantly, if you love my photos, you'll want to buy the new issue! There's a big five page feature story covered with my pics. The scans below don't really do it justice, but hopefully they're just good enough to entice you into buying an actual copy for yourself...

You Can't Shoot Them All...

You can't shoot every assignment you get a call for. Either you'll already be booked, be sick, be on vacation, etc... You need to have a network of other photogs you can trust. You need someone that you know can get the job done and return the favor one day.

Here's a great example. The family and I were at Disney World last week and I got a call from one of my music industry contacts. Apparently, Ozzy Osbourne's tour needed photos taken ASAP. Nothing fancy... they needed passport photos taken for a South American trip.

Why not take the crew and musicians to a local Kinko's for a few bucks a headshot, instead of paying a grand to have a pro come to them? It seems like overkill, right? Some shoots aren't about the quality. Some are simply about the convenience, and Ozzy isn't going to shut down an afternoon of work in the middle of a stadium tour to drive everyone all over town! It's actually cheaper in the grand scheme of things to bring in a pro, even if he/she seems pricey. The savings of keeping the tour running is much bigger.

Anyway, I got sidetracked from the main point. I wanted to meet Ozzy and make some extra money, but I couldn't. I was 1150 miles away, in the middle of a family vacation. So, I did what any smart photog would do. I told the client that I could send them a list of great shooters. I immediately asked my group of trusted peers who wanted to do it and who was available, then sent over three choices to the client. They booked one and everyone was happy.

I got a follow-up from the photog I referred, and she said it was a lot of fun getting to meet Ozzy. I bet it was!

Enter A Contest...

Who knows?!? You might just win...

www.pdncuratorawards.com

www.facesphotocontest.com

shotsmag.com/shotssubmission.htm

neworleansphotoalliance.org/grants/MPS_Fund/

www.thegalaawards.net/call-for-entries/

The O's Like To Yell...

Do you want to know how I got Dallas band The O's to make those faces for the current cover of Quick? A lot of yelling...

A few Good Links...

If you want to keep track of what's going on in the commercial and editorial photo worlds, you might want to keep on eye on these websites:

www.brandweek.com

www.pdnonline.com/pdn/news/Whos-Shooting-What--479.shtml

www.aphotoeditor.com

It Was Nice Meeting You, Jack Borden...

I had the chance to photograph a lawyer out in Weatherford, TX at the end of 2009 for a story on active Centenarians that ran in American Profile Magazine. His name was Jack Borden, and he was the nicest, polite, humble, productive and thoroughly entertaining senior citizen I've met. I guess after a hundred years of practice, you figure out what's important in life.

Last week, I noticed a story in the newspaper on Jack. It told about his time as mayor of Weatherford some fifty-odd years ago. It talked about his recent time spent as a successful lawyer and radio host. It also talked about his death. I was sad to see his obituary, but I was honored to know that I met and photographed a man who lived such an extraordinary life. It was nice meeting you, Jack...

Splash, Splash!!!

Want to see how Timothy Hogan shot a beer bottle? PDN gives us a behind-the-scenes look:

www.pdnonline.com/pdn/gear/How-I-Got-That-Shot-1283.shtml

and a short video...

www.pdnonline.com/pdn/gear/Behind-the-Scenes-Vi-1299.shtml

Macro Time In The Kitchen...

Have you ever looked up close at a pizza cutter? I have. When you get in real close and turn that cutting wheel into basic shapes and textures, it looks so sleek and cool. I bet there's a lot of interesting kitchen tools that would be fun to use as macro photography subjects.

A Funny Look At Photogs...

A fellow photojournalist pointed me to this blog, and it cracked me up. If you want to read a funny, sarcastic jab at photojournalists, it doesn't get any more real than this! I'm guilty of contributing to many the posted stereotypes...

shitphotojournalistslike.tumblr.com

Look past the typos, poor grammar and occasional foul language. It is a must read!

Cinefoil

I need some Cinefoil.