Declarations For 2010 : Quarterly Update
Mar 31, 2010 Random
(I wanted to take a break from my regular posts and post an update to a previous post from 12/30/09)
2010 is off to a great start and I wanted to take a minute to provide a quarterly update of my 2010 declarations. As I stated before I do not believe in resolutions but I do believe in declarations. Saying you are going to do something and work toward that initiative, so here is an update with where I am with each one.
Health: I am tuned into what I need. I am still living a vegetarian lifestyle and enjoying it immensely. Late nights have been a little more frequent than I would like and that is in relationship with my pursuit of music photography.
Photography: I am shooting more photos than ever. I think the images I have put out during 2010 have been some of my best work. Last week I secured the venue and made strides towards planning my 40/40 exhibit. Also, I have started The Music Matters Project which benefits Sweet Relief Musicians Fund. (My goal is for The Music Matters to be an annual project.)
Personal: I believe I am working towards being the best person I can but I think that’s not for me to judge. I can honestly say that I am trying. During the last three months I have been active and met some cool people I have only known from twitter and blogs. Knowing that there are some real smart, good people in our creative/technical community here in Arizona who are willing to help you while placing a high emphasis on collaboration has impacted my life. This morning I submitted to present at Ignite 7 in June and I am part of the weekly #phxhoops crowd.
Professional: This is an area I feel I have fallen short. I am very distracted with opportunities. There are many side projects I am working on. I thinks it’s time I regain focus and keep my eye on the prize. All professional decisions will be based on whether or not it’s moving me towards my goals.
If I had to put a grade on where I am for My Declarations of 2010 – I’d grade myself at a B-. Everyday I strive for progress. I am making simple improvements that will benefit me over the long haul.
Your turn…Did you have any Declarations for 2010? Share some with us and how you are doing?
Thanks for reading. In April I have a lot of photography and music related articles planned. I appreciate you letting me go off topic a little today.
Tags: declarations, music matters, photo talk, Photography Discussion, progress, resolutions
RCPM : Marquee Theater / Tempe, AZ
Mar 29, 2010 Concert Photography
Roger Clyne and The Peacemakers played two nights at The Marquee Theater in Tempe over the weekend. As usual it was two nights of fun and great music with some very good friends. The band brought their “A Game” for the hometown crowd. They debuted a new song “Empty Highway” as well as played some of the most energetic versions of the favorites. (Video of “Interstate”)
I have photographed RCPM about seven times. Just as I think I have things figured out and have some baseline settings to work from things change. These shows in Tempe had a distinctly different lighting set up. There were more red lights (the photographer’s nemesis) and orange lights than any other time I have photographed them in the past.
With the way new cameras are designed if you can get the light right you have a shot of getting a great photograph. If the light is wrong there is no chance of a good photograph. Period.
One of the main theories I talk to everyone about with photography is my theory of “know your equipment, know your settings & trust your instincts.” These shows were a perfect example of that. (Link to previous post re: theory.)
I knew my equipment – I use a 24-70 f2.8 lens. I knew my settings – I started at ISO 800 at 1/125. I threw it all out the window and trusted my instincts that normal settings would not get the job done. (Mind you I only have three songs to make something happen.)
After all was said and done I have some photographs that are completely different than any other RCPM photos I’ve taken. (More photos can be viewed on my Flickr site: www.flickr.com/grtaylor2) Because I trusted myself and I was confident that I was making the right decisions for the lighting. The greatest this is trust and confidence only require patience and practice to develop.
My rough two weeks of shooting music is complete and I loved every minute of it. I have two weeks off to photograph whatever I want until the next two weeks of shows – which include MUSE, Elvis Costello, Bad Brains, Willie Nelson & Kid Rock.
Thanks for taking the time to read this. Please drop me a line or leave a comment if there are any topics that you would like to see discussed here.
Tags: concert photo, music photo, music photography, RCPM, Roger Clyne
