What The Hell Do You Do?

Why Do I always find this the most awkward question? People always want to talk about what they do for a living. It’s ok to talk about if you have absolutely nothing else to chat about. I guess that’s why I find people always wondering exactly what I do for a living.

The last I want to do is talk about myself or what I do. I don’t know why that’s so, but I just know that I prefer other discussions. So I’ll lay it out here and tell everyone what I do for a living.

I work for a Digital Marketing Firm in Arizona called TMC Interactive. We specialize in content marketing and digital marketing strategy, which means I write a lot and publish articles about clients and what they do to blogs and through other social media outlets.. We also just recently launched a division of our company called Marketing Press, which specifically deals with the development and design of WordPress websites.

More specifics than that about my job will bore the hell out of you.

I have always placed a high-value on relationships. I like to get to kn0w people and what they like to do. Hobbies, Music, Family, Sports or Foods will always rank higher in my book that job. So the next time we speak please don’t be offended if I’d rather talk about Baseball or the last music event attended over what we both do for a living.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Webisode Four of my FOCUS series. This webisode highlights a photo I shot in December 2008 on the Gila River Indian Reservation in Arizona.

If you have a photo that you would like featured on FOCUS please contact me at grt2@grtaylor.com

Previous webisodes:

Focus #1: Kristina at Snake River Overlook
Focus #2:  Self Portrait at Papago Park
Focus #3: RCPM / European Swallow

To view my complete photography portfolio please visit www.grtaylor2photo.com

I enjoy taking self portraits. I like documenting my life but I hate people taking my picture. Ironic I know…

There are many reasons I dislike being in front of the camera. The main reason is just because I am 100% uncomfortable when someone is taking my photograph. I spend most of my time taking photos of other people but when the lens is turned on me I am struck with anxiety. So, I found out a long time ago if you like your picture taken but don’t like people to do it – you have to do it yourself.

Here are 11 quick tips to help with Self Portraits (in no particular order)

1. Have Fun

2. Loosen Up

3. Experiment With Light

4. Get out of Your Element

5. Set Marks for Where to Stand or Sit

6. Focus on an Object at Your Mark

7. Use Auto Focus and Then Switch to Manual Focus to Lock In The Focus

8. Use a Tripod

9. Use The 10 Second Auto Timer (or Remote)

10. Exercise Patience & Take Your Time

11. Have Fun – It’s Just Photography

My Self Portrait Photography can be seen here: Flickr / Portfolio

Do you have any tips for self portraits? Do you want to show off your work? Leave a comment with a link to a gallery or specific photos.

]]> http://grtaylor2.com/2010/03/09/11-tips-for-self-portraits/feed/ 6 http://grtaylor2.com/2010/03/02/march-photo-blog-editorial-calendar/ http://grtaylor2.com/2010/03/02/march-photo-blog-editorial-calendar/#comments Wed, 03 Mar 2010 03:18:40 +0000 GRTaylor2 http://grtaylor2.com/?p=596

In my effort to make this the best photography blog on the web I wanted to share some upcoming topics with everyone. Each month I sit down and develop an editorial calendar and starting in March I will publish what’s on tap for this site at the beginning of the month.

NEW Series – Photographer Interview Series: Each month I email five questions to various photographers. These photographers will be of all different skill level and acclaim – ranging from the published professional photographer to the amateur hobbyist. My questions will differ from person to person but all questions will be photography based. I am happy to announce that this week we will kick the series off with one of my all time favorite photographers – J. Grant Brittain. Grant is one of the most acclaimed skateboard photographers in the world. If you have ever picked up a skateboard magazine chances are Grant’s work has been in the forefront. (He discusses one of my favorite photos – it’s very cool.)

FOCUS Video Series: FOCUS is a web series where photographers are interviewed and given the opportunity to discuss some of their signature photographs. In March’s webisode of FOCUS a photo of Roger Clyne & The Peacemakers from 12/31/09 will be highlighted. This series to open to anyone who would like to be featured regarding a significant piece of work. If you would like to featured on FOCUS please send an email to: grt2@grtaylor2.com (Webisode #1) (Webisode #2)

Concert Photography 101: What it takes to take great concert photos. We discuss camera settings, equipment, lighting, gaining access and everything else related to concert photography. Here is a review of the first three installments (click here)

What else is happening? March is a busy month of music for me. I am scheduled to shoot Mike Watt, Flogging Molly, Hank III and Roger Clyne & The Peacemakers. I will post photos and reviews of each concert. Also, pay attention for a Call For Submissions for music photographs for a very special non-profit project I am working on (I can’t say anything else about it yet since the details are being finalized.)

Lastly, I appreciate everyone reading. February was a record month for www.grtaylor2.com and I want to thank everyone who commented, tweeted, re-tweeted posts and recommended this blog to anyone. If there are specific topics you want to discuss please leave a comment and I will address the topic soon there after. Keep shooting photos everyone…

There are moments when I am shooting photos that I lose track of  my surroundings. Let me clarify, sometimes I am so engaged with my photo subject that I don’t realize who or what is around me at that moment. A couple of weeks ago my brother Kevin came to town. Just like every other visitor Kev came to Arizona with a list of things that he wanted to do and see but I didn’t expect landscape photo shoots to be one of them.

Kevin and I took to the road and headed to the Four Peaks Mountains and a couple days later Kevin, Kristina and myself went to Sedona. Two great locations in Arizona for landscape photography.

After our photo trips back at the house in Tempe we sat down to compare images. Kevin surprised me with a couple of magnificent photos of me taking what I consider key landscape photographs for my portfolio. How cool is that! Now I have photographs of me taking some of my favorite photos.

Check out more of Kevin’s photos on his Flickr page by clicking here – Thanks Kevin it was great having you visit and it was a lot of fun shooting photos with you.

The last time I’ve been this hyped on a new band was when someone gave me a copy of Is This It - by The Strokes. We Were Promised Jetpacks, from Edinburgh, Scotland came to Phoenix, AZ on tour to support their album These Four Walls and killed it. Four guys with a indie sound and indie spirit that played their asses off for the sold out crowd at The Rhythm Room.

The Rhythm Room is a great old Phoenix Club that has hosted some legendary shows over the years. Since it is such a small venue taking photographs is a challenge. The lights are dim and there is not much of a spotlight during the sets. Another challenge is that when the club is at capacity moving around to get a good spot for photos is tough. The crowd stands up against the stage and there is no real photography access. Luckily last night the crowd was mellow enough that I could politely ask people to move for a minute and they were happy to oblige. In hindsight the tough shows to photograph are always the most rewarding and I am happy I had the chance to shoot ‘Jetpacks in such a small venue.

Most of the show was photographed  at ISO 800 with my 24-70 f2.8 lens at about 1/60 (with no flash.)

What new music are you hyped on? What was your toughest music photo shoot?

As previously posted I am committed to a Photo 365 project (link to past video post.) Many people have been posting their photos daily, so I thought it’s time I posted how my project is going.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Photo 365 Obeservations

- I am really uncomfortable in front of the camera and I am trying to make myself relax
- Most photos are taken at the same time every day – early morning. I think it’s funny I am not wearing a wider variety of clothes
- I have a good side. One of my eyes reacts strangely to light and is photographed as being lazy
- I need to shave and get haircuts more often

Other Photo 365 Notes

- Daily self portraits are not as easy as I thought it would be. There are times when I just don’t feel like taking my photograph
- I had marks in a closet for my tripod but I have since abandoned the tripod method. I needed the tripod for a landscape photo shoot and it’s easier just holding the camera in front of me
- I was planning on sharing this project at the end of the year but I changed my mind and decided to post the photos monthly

Photo 365 Resources

Photo 365
Photo 365 Tutorial

How is your Photo 365 going? Have you experienced any unforeseen difficulties? Please take a moment and share with a link to your project – (This is a good time to show off your work!)

Click here to view the embedded video.

Webisode TWO of my FOCUS series. This webisode highlights a self portrait I took at Papago Park in Phoenix, AZ.

If you have a photo that you would like featured on FOCUS please contact me a via Email

To view my complete photography portfolio please visit www.grtaylor2photo.com

Happy Valentine’s Day everyone – I wanted to display two photographs that visually illustrate the feeling of Love.

These are my favorite photos that illustrate love. The top I took at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in 2002. The painting is Munch’s Vampire and the couple in front of the painting are complete strangers. This also is an example of having your camera ready at the right place and time.

The bottom photo I took of us the old fashioned way. Held the camera in front of us and snapped the photo. It was taken on a carriage ride through New York City’s Central Park.

Do you have any photographs that visually express the feeling of Love? Post a link to them in the comment and share!