Keeping a Journal for Motivation - Resolution

This week I'd like to start out by saying thank you to all my gather friends for the much appreciated support and ongoing inspiration I've received while pursuing my dreams of setting up shop on-line to become a successful pro-amateur photographer. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.   

I'm happy to report that I had a good week, moving right along toward realizing my ultimate goal for 2010. Read on for a short re-cap of this weeks successes and bummers.

 

My 2010 Resolution Journal - Week 4

 

Bummer:

Attended a 'Fifteen Minutes of Fame' event at the Tampa Museum of Photography.

We arrived too late, there was a freeway jam, and I did not get a chance to connect and talk with some of the photographers, my main reason for attending, besides wanting to view their work.

The various presentations also reinforced my new found discovery that photography is a unique art onto itself and that I'm light years ahead in my work in some areas and don't have a clue in others (compared only to the amateur presentations I saw last night). It was disconcerting to realize how much work it will take to reach the level of photography I aspire to.

My new camera is still giving me fits - lost out on or I should say ruined two wonderful photo opportunities. Killer shots all blurry, I hate not knowing my way around this camera yet. Wish I'd at least had my little point and shoot with me.

I'm thinking of getting one of those cool new - still only pre-order Sony cybershot HX5s - that is one good looking and well priced camera, just to have something I can pop in my pocket.

 

Success:

Decisions - decisions ...

I've chosen to set up six different on-line galleries at my website, hope to be finished choosing and uploading by today or tomorrow.

• Natural Florida for my birds, macro flower, beach and landscapes
• Travel Florida for sightseeing and attractions around the state
• Urban Portraits for my portrait series and lifestyle photo studies
• Germany Travel photos
• Fine Art Photography for my abstracts and photo art creations
• and a seventh called Photo of the Month.
• In addition, I hope to have about three hundred photos under
• Stock Photography eventually - then work my way up to 500

Subject to change as I grow as a photographer, I may change direction, but for now, I consider this a good start. 

Education:

• Taking a photo class this Saturday
• I have a portfolio review scheduled for March.

Tools:

• Researched Photo-Management Software and now I am torn between
•  Camera Bits Photo Mechanic 4.6 - I like it because it is the quickest and interfaces with batch up loads to photoshelter where my website is.
• Adobe Photo Shop Elements 4 - I like it because it has more editing features then the others.
• ACDC8 - I like it because of the price and editing features

 

• Found out from talking to other photographers at the park that our local Walmart has a lightweight monopod at around twenty bucks which will work fine for my camera, so I'm picking up one of those today.

Next week: I will fine tune my main website and move on to set up portfolios and show work for sale at other photo sites I've chosen as suitable for my work.

I've decided to sign up for additional photo classes and will check out one more camera club I found that is active in my area. 

Wish me luck, I must remember that one surely can't be successful in business, much less sell a print or stock photo if one doesn't get those images out there for people to see.

Stay tuned for the final week five journal entry - next week!

 

 

Recent photo art work ........

Abandoned railroad station transformers - posterized.

 

 

.... made me think of goth and modern vampire novels:)

 

 

 

Snowy White Egret on a windy day

   

 

 

 

 

Embrace in the Park

 

Thanks for looking!

P.S. For those reading this series for the first time:

I took up the Gather Challenge to keep a Resolution Journal for the next five weeks - ending March 9, 2010.