Graphics Everywhere!

Who ever said that work couldn’t be fun, was lying to me. I have finally found my niche in the work atmosphere working here at First Baptist Church of Eugene. For those who haven’t heard, I am working at the church doing graphic design, photography, tech, media, sound engineering, and team building. I keep my creative juices flowing all week long.

What about my photography?

No. I haven’t put my photography on the back burner. I have just been redefining who I am as a photographer. Before: I was taking on all sorts of jobs, from weddings, senior photos, and more. I was sacrificing creativity for money. Is that really a good idea? After much thought, and a new job, I decided that I am going to focus more on what I enjoy as a photographer. I needed boundaries for me to continue to enjoy photography. I am now focusing on what I enjoy doing as a photographer, and only accepting jobs that I enjoy. It has been better, but most definitely slower. I am not in it for the money anymore.

Slower isn’t a problem, it’s a blessing!

Since I work full time in a creative atmosphere, my photography isn’t slacking at all. I am always digging around in the usual Adobe applications such as Photoshop, InDesign, Lightroom, Premiere and eventually Illustrator (Mostly Photoshop, messing around with typography and textures). I have really been able to take my photography to a unique new level, because of my better understanding of these great Adobe applications!

So, how does this apply to you?

Well, you are sitting here reading this now. So, apparently this might have SOME value to you. I am hoping that you see the value behind my focus in photography. I also am realizing that I need to update my blog more often, and try to figure out how to get a more updated (and more professional) web page up to display my artwork. I am also hoping that if you are a photographer that you’ll see the value in focusing on what you enjoy, instead of the money.

Art (music especially) has been directed in the direction of “what makes money” instead of “What makes you happy.” Don’t do it for the money, do it for the LOVE of what you are passionate about!

(Unless, you need to pay rent or something)

New Car & Job

I got a new car a few weeks ago, because I finally got tired of the trouble my Volvo was giving me. The smoke, the oil leaks, broken turn signals, the leaking sun roof, and the works was finally enough to make me get a new car. So, as I was driving to my dad's work to look at some options, I was pulled over by a cop because of the smoke causing drivers to slow down, or evade me. I knew at that moment, as I laughed with the kind police officer, that it was definitely time for me to get a new car. My dad showed me this brand new black 2009 VW Jetta, and I knew it was perfect. I didn't even take it for a test drive before signing the lease. It's beautiful, it drives great, doesn't leak oil, doesn't smoke up the road behind me, and everything works! It's also VERY photogenic, and i love it's attitude!

Also, if you haven't heard, I am now currently employed at First Baptist Church of Eugene as part time assistant to the Director of Media and tech. I basically go around the church, and help manage tech and media stuff. It's a lot of fun, and I get to spend a lot of my time thinking creatively, and artistically. It's a good match for me, and I enjoy it! Right now, it is Christmas season, so I have been keeping myself very busy, but our Christmas programs are this weekend.

As part of my job, i designed this card to help advertise the Christmas Program. The green part was the front, and the red is the back of the card. It also shows the time of the show, if you are interested in checking it out! You are invited by me, how cool is that?

So, i should have more time to run around with my camera after this Christmas season!

Yay! Web Page Updated!

So much for a week! I hacked together a new web site in a few hours. Honestly, the new page has been up most of the day. That quickly. Bam. It is a little chicken scratch in some places, but I think this page will last me a bit longer than old page would have. This one incorporates a lot of integration with some slick Flickr Slide shows. But, overall, they look really slick! So, be sure to go check it out! With a little tweaking, and content update, this page will be rockin' in no time! Wait, why are you still here? Go check it out! Be sure to leave feedback as a comment to this blog entry on if you enjoy the new look, and how you feel it could be improved!

www.willfoster.info

Howdy

Hello Everyone,

Just figured I should send out a quick update to everyone that has considered themselves a fan of my photography. I greatly appreciate all the motivation you've all provided to me. These last few months have been hard for me to get motivated, but every time I would go back to the source and just look around the page to see the numbers climbing daily. I would have never thought I'd have this many people committed to my photography! That's motivation! Thank you so much!

Lately I have been doing a lot of little photo shoots. Working on my portfolio, and working on a new web page for my photography. I feel that my current web page at willfoster.info is definitely lacking in every way that it could. Marketing myself as a Photographer and Graphic Designer is difficult with a web page like mine. It needs SERIOUS help, so that's going to be my focal point for the week (or any more needed after that).

Speaking of updates, I recently uploaded some photos from a couple photos shoots with some of my friends on this Facebook fan page, and I would be grateful for you to check them out and leave a comment. Also, there is a lot of features on my Facebook Page that nobody has really explored. The wall is hardly ever written on, and I have absolutely no reviews, and some of you I've never met. Feel free to send me a personal message through my normal profile, I will most likely respond! I am not a celebrity or anything, I value every message that is sent to me, and manage everything myself!

If you are in the Eugene area, or interested in visiting the Eugene area, I would be more than interested in getting coffee and hanging out. Discussing photography, or even just life. I appreciate conversation, and especially in a great coffee house atmosphere!

That's all for now, I will try to make these updates more regular, especially in my blog. Have a wonderful day!

The Tour

The tour has been fantastic! In case you hadn't figured it out before, I am on a 12 day tour through California with the musician Paul Wright and the band Rootdown.

The trip has been fascinating! Each stop I have met new amazing people! Meeting new people all over California has been great. Running sound gear in all different venues has been interesting, lots of Mackie and Allen&Heath boards. We had one show that had 3000 people, and other shows that the venue could only hold a small handful.

It has been interesting.

Photography wise, It has been a trip. I have found that my camera is a conversation starter. People have asked me a lot of interesting questions about photography and traveling with bands. I wish i had better answers for them, since this is my first tour as a photographer (and sound guy). It has been cool taking photos of the concerts, and just seeing what I can come up with. There has been some very interesting venues! All of them have been churches for youth groups, or just all church events of some sort except one in a small stage in West Hollywood, and a really cool Irish pub in Huntington Beach. Huntington beach was the only opportunity we had to really see the Ocean.

Tomorrow is the last concert of the tour. It is in Salem, Oregon. Then I will be going back to normal life. I definitely need to start looking for photo shoots again.

First, I need a real job to pay the bills.

It will be nice to be back home in a nice relaxing environment. I am looking forward to getting behind the camera more often for portrait photography and what ever other gigs I can find. It has been fun traveling to places I had never imagined going before. I have met a ton of new people along the way, and it will be really cool to hopefully keep in contact with these people! It is 2:50am, I am really exhausted, and my computer battery is just about exhausted as well.

I am in Medford for the evening, and headed out to Salem tomorrow. I should probably get to sleep so i can wake up tomorrow, and enjoy the day!

Thank you, and God bless you!

Photo Details: This is Jackson, the Bass guitarist for Rootdown, in front of a Porsche that we found earlier today in Chico, California. It was pretty much the most fantastic car that I would ever dream about having!

Summer is Over, What's Next?

This summer has been awesome.

Working at Camp Harlow has been great! Lots of great friendships, and opportunities have been built over the summer. My only regret was that I didn't get to spend as much time as I wanted behind my camera. It often sat around and i felt like it was just collecting dust. Photography is my number one passion and i didn't get many opportunities to let it shine this summer. I have a few photos I need to update my Flickr photostream with, but not as much as i would have preferred. I have a lot of catching up to do.

Now that camp has ended, I have a lot of time to get back in the game. I have been offered an opportunity to travel with Paul Wright and his band to 11 shows down in California and Oregon. I was a little hesitant at first, but now that I have decided to do it, I am completely excited. I still don't have an idea on what to expect. I have been wanting to get some traveling in, but this is definitely an unique opportunity for me.

My job on the tour will consist of a few things. I will be running the sound mixer at each of the concerts, which includes setting up the stage. And on top of that, I will be taking photos at the concerts and just general photos as we were traveling and in between concerts.

As for gear, I broke my SB-600 (and gave it away to my photographer friend from camp) and purchased a new SB-800 to replace it. I also just purchased a new lens, a Nikkor 17-55mm 2.8 DX lens. It's pretty sweet lens, and is much more manageable than my 70-200mm and takes better photos than my 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6 DX lens.

So, thats all for now.

Commons Night @ Faith Center

I never mentioned this earlier, but today I had for the very first time some of my more artistic photography up for display at a concert at Faith Center. There was a lot of great music, and other artwork as well. I was given the opportunity to display some of my stuff, and i definitely made it into something last minute. I really wanted to do this, but something about it was just so nerve racking. So I really appreciate all of you who enjoyed my photography that was on display. I was able to select 5 photos that I felt reflected my style of photography and also the people that would be attending the Commons Night.

Unfortunately, I didn't get to meet too many people out there because I was running around with camera taking photos of the performing artists. But looking around, I saw a lot of people looking at my photography. I really appreciate the response I have gotten from my photos. I really hope you enjoyed seeing them on display. I hope to do it again, and hopefully give everyone a fair warning next time around!

A lot of people were asking me how much I would sell the artwork on display at the Commons Night. Some of you may have wanted to know, but didn't know who I was to ask. Anyway, to answer the question, I sell my 16x20 prints framed for $100 and if you are interested in a smaller size, please contact me personally so we can work something out. It brings absolute joy to my heart to know that you are interested in putting my artwork on display in your homes or work establishments.

Also, keep in mind that I have a book for sale of photos from Eugene called, "Streets of Eugene." It is currently only available online, so shipping charges will apply. I will eventually be able to sell these personally if you'd prefer to wait.

Streets of Eugene

Photography by Wil...

By Will Foster

Thanks for everything! I really appreciate all the support and high fives from everyone! I look forward to sharing my photography with everyone again soon! Have a wonderful weekend.

Quick Update

So, some of you may be wondering whats been happening with me since I got laid off from my job. Things have been extremely busy. Who would have known? Being unemployed and everything. I have kept myself busy with photography, and just trying to get things in order. I have been able to keep my bank account populated, and my life busy with many different projects. Most of my photography lately has been paid work. Which means I don't get to share it on here with you. I will get back in order with some model shoots here soon, and just for fun photo shoots.

I am in the process of getting in line some new tools and toys for my photography. I just got my self a 70-200mm f/2.8 VR lens, Battery grip for my D300, new Dell XPS 1530 laptop, a camera/laptop bag, a back drop stand, 104" wide white/black seamless paper backdrops, and some more gear to get me pointed in the right direction. I am excited to see where my photography will go in the next year. Even though I am not really quite sure where it is going.

I am looking forward to getting some new photography up on here and on Flickr to share with you. So keep your eyes peeled and look out!

The photo above is from a recent set from a week or two ago of Heidi. It was a fun shoot and i got to play around a lot with some new lighting ideas and found a cool location for rainy days. You can see more from this set here.

Have a nice day.

Stranger Things Could Happen

So, some of you may know that before last week, I had a full time job. A well paying job. One that I obviously did not enjoy. I was often reminded that money doesn't equal happiness. My bosses knew that I had better plans with my life, and the same with my coworkers. They always told me to pursue my dreams, and my passions. They knew I was a photographer. I worked there for almost a year, just about 20 days short of a year actually. It was hard, not because the work was difficult, but because the job bled into my personal life. I would go home, and stay at home. Never wanting to do anything for the rest of the day. It was bad, especially getting off work at 5pm. The last few months, I skipped lunch so I could get off work at 4pm. But things change.

After last week, I got laid off. I was more expecting it, so I had prepared by not making any major purchases for the last few months. I started putting more money into my loans than into entertainment. My life ha s changed a lot since getting laid off. Besides getting my loans all paid off on Friday, I finally have time to breathe! I have been hanging out with friends and family more, and being available to those people who need me. I have also been available for more photo shoots, especially for those that bring in some income. I am very excited to be available to those around me, and especially to spend more time toward my photography without forfeiting time away from my friends. I have seriously been busier being unemployed than I had ever been employed at my last job. I love it. I absolutely enjoy being busy with stuff that I enjoy. I hope that I can keep this tradition of bringing the income to my bank account, or at least find a part time job to cover the basis.

So, it has been a very interesting two weeks. Going from working full time to essentially a hard working professional photographer. It has been interesting, and i still have a lot to work out before photography is my full time job. But i feel i am on the right track. I am very excited for everything that is going on. This summer, I will be working at Camp Harlow, and still trying to keep my photography career going on the side. It will keep me extremely busy.

I am ready for it.

PS: Don't forget to buy my photo book, Streets of Eugene! It's currently $5 off the original price!

Streets of Eugene: Released!

My book has just been released! I just received my copy, and it looks awesome! So pick up your copy today! It is available in hard cover, and soft cover. So you can choose which you prefer.

Streets of Eugene

Photography by Wil...

By Will Foster

So be sure to grab a copy of the book, and support this hungry photographer!

Considering I don't have a job anymore (more on that later), I am going to have a lot more free time in the next coming weeks, or even months. My plan is to start working on another book. I have a couple options that I may pursue for a theme. One of them being Seattle, one of my favorite places on the world!

Have a wonderful day!

Streets of Eugene: First Look

I am not much of a book reader. I am often distracted by my surroundings or find something better to do (like roll around in mud). I have sat down and attempted to embark on a bunch of amazing adventures, but most of all, I am often distracted by the photos.

I suppose I am a photographer, after all?

I guess I just setting up for my next project. It isn't something that you can just go and view from the Internet. I am hoping that throughout the many times that YOU my reader have looked at my photography you've gained a trust that I do indeed have SOME consistency in taking good (or somewhat above average) photos.

So, with that said.

I am currently waiting for my copy of my photo book that I finished a couple days ago. I want to check it out to make sure it is something that I feel comfortable selling to people. The money earned from the book will go toward some interesting ideas that I have coming up, and also to help me stay on my feet between now and this summer. I have 3 months that I need to find alternate sources of income. The book is more of an experiment to see if there is interest in people purchasing books full of interesting photography. I am going to be looking into additional projects to convert into book format in the future.

Books are an interesting form of media. Many photo books have inspired me from many different authors, photographers and artists. These books, although often supported by text, poems, or other creative artwork have always caught my eye, and have always had a special place in my heart. I absolutely love looking into the mind of other photographers through published books. Sometimes I will spend hours in a bookstore looking for the perfect photo book.

So, what am I expecting to do with these books of photography?

Well, obviously, I am going to be looking to sell as many as I can, I feel it is a very unique and practical way to share my vision of the world to the spectator of the book. I have learned a great respect for the printed media of photography over the last few months, and I am looking to produce more content into print media.

My book will be published through an online service I found a few months ago, called Blurb. It is quite a silly name, if you ask me. I am really excited to have a book in my hands full of photography that I captured. I am really excited, that it is difficult for me to wait to receive my own copy.

Although I am excited about this adventure, it will be most interesting to see the response from people who purchase the book. I am hoping that the quality of the book produced by Blurb is good enough to take on the most difficult and more aggressive readers of all ages. What I mean by that is, that the book quality will allow for the book to last a lot longer than a few days.

So, now what to do?

The book will be called "Streets of Eugene," and respectively, the book will feature abstract photos of a very slight insight of Eugene, Oregon.

Well, the book won’t be available until I get my first copy. It should be shipping on April 9th, and hopefully be in my hands soon after. I will be sure to let you, and everyone else I know in on the news as soon as it is available! If you want to start saving money, the first round of books will be $35 for a soft cover edition and $45 for the hard cover edition and will feature 52 pages of photographs. The book will be approximately 8 inches wide and 10 inches in height, and will be in full amazing vivid color!

If you are interested in knowing that book has been released, just let me know!

Photo Walk: Eugene, Oregon

I needed some motivation today. When i need motivation, I take a trip on foot with my D300 and my trusty 50mm f/1.4 lens. Some call this a "Photo Walk," I call it relaxing! Just wanted to go to an area of Eugene that I have never really voyaged into. It was very interesting, very low income part of town. I am actually quite excited for the results, especially the one that is featured in this blog (above).

So, go check them out here!!

Also, if you want prints, you can get them here. I really appreciate when people purchase my art as prints to present in their own homes.

Thanks, and have a wonderful day!

Self Portrait: Rain Never Stopped Me Before

Taking photos of myself is often frustrating. It is really hard to pose, and I respect the people that have the nerves to let me direct them. I usually come up with something cool each time I do a self portrait, but I don't usually know I got something that satisfies me until tweaking the photo on my computer later. This time, however, I knew that I had something! It was kind of a last minute idea, originally, I was going to pour water on my head in my bedroom. Talk about a disaster waiting to happen!

I decided that I should relocate to the bathroom, kneeling in my bathtub. You know, where proper draining with an adequate water source! How conventional! I was wearing clothes (obviously), and it was very cold, even though I was using hot water. The ambient temperature of the room was around 60 degrees. Burrr! I haven't shivered like that for a long time.

Lighting wise, I used two strobes. One with my own personal creation. I modified a POP TART box with some wax paper and put it over my flash to create a slightly larger light source and had it on camera left. I had a bare flash on camera right dialed down to just barely fill the shadows on my face. I think the over all look worked out really well. It turned out a bit more "scary" than I had expected, but overall, I am very satisfied.

Friday Thoughts: Unforeseen Consequences

Walking down this road of life, I have learned a lot of things. What to do and what not to do. I have written many entries on here about how my life has affected my photography, and how I plan to change my life to improve my photography.

It is so crazy just how much stuff can change in such a short time. I have been doing photography for 2 years, and I am already developing a very specific style to my photography. I am not sure if that is a good thing, but I feel it is important to have a style where people can see my photographs and know who it was behind the camera.

Who says a consequence needs to be a bad thing?

I absolutely love changing my life. The consequences are just all so very interesting, and most definitely challenging! My more recent consequence is my job. I don’t know really what is going on there. I had a job description and everything when I started, but times have changed and since I took on more responsibilities, eventually my job description was obsolete. Eventually, they hired people to take on the roles that kept me busy during the day. I enjoy being busy. It makes the day go faster! Times have changed. I am hardly ever busy, or occupied with anything challenging anymore. Looking for a new job is difficult, especially with the economy as it is. Everyone is downsizing. I just need to find a temporary job to soothe the bug in me to do something new.

Photography has consumed me, in a good way. Great even! I like using words that people usually use negatively, and instead use them positively. Anyway, it has changed my life. It has caused consequences that have changed my life. Changed my outlook on life. Morphed me into something new. I am passionate about my work as a photographer. I am a much more passionate person about what I stand for, and who I am. I still haven’t made much money doing it, but I will continue to do it, because it is my passion. Someday, I hope that people will consider purchasing my work. I think that would be swell.

Lately my father, Bary Foster (I call him Dad), has inspired me. He is involved in so many non-profit organizations here in Eugene, Oregon including raising money with Team in Training by doing some thing he loves, riding his bike. He is also starting to blog more about his Team In Training experience (which you can read here). My dad is an amazing person. I am so blessed to have him as a father. He has most importantly and more recently inspired me to take photography and be more passionate about it. Use it for the good. Sort of like Robin Hood, but without the funny hat, villain, and weaponry!

Recently, I decided to work full time at a local camp for the entire summer. Which is a consequence of me looking for a new job. I have worked at this camp for the last two summers, and I am very excited to be a part of the team again for another summer. I suppose this is a great example of a consequence that is life changing. I think this is a start on my goal to help the world with my photography. I won’t get a lot of money, but it is a huge doorway into success in what I would like to do. Serve people around me, and change lives!

How has a consequence changed your life for the good?

Facebook Fan Page

So, some of you may have already realized this, but there is definitely a fan club on Facebook for my photography. This is a huge support tool that I have been working on to help you my "fans" or more importantly, my friends keep in touch with my photography. There is no cost, or commitments.

There are some benefits of becoming a fan on my Facebook page. Especially since the page itself is a gateway to everything I do in the photography world on the Internet. You will have access to my blog, Flickr, prints, and more! More importantly, I am implementing a few new ideas that are exclusive to only my Facebook Fan Club. These include behind the scenes look to my photo shoots, "Before and After" comparisons of some of my more interesting work, and more importantly, direct contact with me!

Now, I am not exactly a celebrity, or have taken any photos of celebrities, but it wasn't me that decided to call this page a Fan club, but Facebook it self. I find it kind of a silly thought to think I have Fans. I just more wanted to give you, my friends, a gateway to my photography. Regardless, I have a fan club, and your invited!

So, without further blabbering by me, here is the link to join my Facebook fan club.

Thanks, and have a wonderful day!

Photo Shoot: David Lawrence

I have known David for quite some time now. Although, the first time I really hung out with him was after he was in a terrible BMX accident that kept him in the hospital for about a month. Apparently it is a dangerous sport. Which make for much more interesting photographs!

Well, he is definitely back on the wheels now, and rides whenever the weather permits him. I am a good friend with his brother, Eric, who provided me with David’s phone number. I mentioned that I was interested in a photo shoot. Immediately David showed tons of interest. We were afraid we’d have to wait a long time for the weather to improve (we are in Oregon after all), but to our luck the day of contacting each other about the photo shoot the weather was amazing.

So, I went out to a skate park for the second time in my life and captured some really cool shots of David working the cement on his BMX. After he had popped his rear tire, we did some portrait shots of him sitting on his bike.

Thanks for your support!

More photos from the photo shoot are available here!

Photo Shoot: Steffani

This was clearly a unique photo shoot. Steffani had never done any modeling before this shoot. Rewind a little, I found her on MySpace. Which I had later discovered is probably too “stalker-ish” to go ask people to do a photo shoot with me. My search for unique individuals is becoming more and more difficult. Luckily, Steffani is friends with a model I have shot a few months back (Halie Noel) and Halie gave a good word out for me, and immediately Steffani was interested (Thanks Halie!).

The shoot went really well, Halie helped with clothes, poses, and added to the entertainment of the photo shoot. It turned out to be a blast! Halie realized that being behind the camera could be a lot of fun! Steffani totally nailed the posers and was looking beautiful on camera! She’s a natural!

Steffani, Halie, and I are planning a few more photo shoots. I am looking forward to having both Steffani and Halie in front of the camera again (hopefully soon!).

Thanks for your support, and interest in my photography!

More photos from the shoot are available here!

Second Thoughts and Apple Sauce

So, some of you may have heard about me considering going to school to pursue graphic design and/or photography. Since I have done a lot of thinking and processing about the whole idea of jumping ship, and moving to Seattle so suddenly. Then other thoughts came into mind about the expenses, risks, and such.

I don’t plan on staying in Eugene for the rest of my life, or very much longer, but I do know that it isn’t my time to leave here. I have a lot going for me in this town, and it would be difficult to let it go. I have built some amazing friendships, and I am just starting to get noticed and recognized as a photographer in this town. Business isn’t exactly rolling in the doorway, but I am on the right path to start earning some income.

Secondly, school is very expensive when it comes to art schools. I was thinking about attending the Art Institute in Seattle. Sure, it seemed like a great idea. The location was amazing, the school was promising, and I would already be on top of the game in the classes since I have a background in graphic design and especially photography.

So why have I changed my mind?

Well, I wouldn’t say I have changed my mind. But more delayed the thought of going to school. The cost to go the Art Institute in Seattle (just for tuition) was somewhere around $80,000. Of course, they let me know that there is financial aid and such, but if I didn’t qualify $80,000 is a lot of money. And that is if I was sleeping in my Volvo and not living anywhere specific each night a different street corner. So, we are looking more at a $100,000 price tag on my education. Now, that doesn’t seem too bad, I get a degree and probably a job. They say 100% of all graduates have gotten jobs in the graphic design market. Starting salary at $32,000 a year. What? I earn that much money without a degree. I could start a business for $100,000 and with proper marketing I could earn more than $32,000 a year.

Maybe I should go to a local community college and study business?

So, my goals have changed, and my thoughts on life have changed. I am looking at the larger picture, maybe not the largest, but larger. I have been processing the concept of traveling. I am not sure where to, or for what. I have a couple ideas bouncing around, but nothing has made it to the surface. A lot of doors are opening up for me, especially since I almost have all my loans paid off and under control. At 25 years old, apparently that is unusual. I will have no credit card or loan debt. Apparently, I am good with money or something. Unusual, especially for the amount of gadgets I have for my photography.

So, this has been a case of another “thoughts on life” by Will Foster. I hope you enjoy the photography I have been posting here and there. I have been a little distracted by thinking about what to do with my life. You know, it can be stressful, making these “life-changing decisions.”

Thanks for all your support!

Photo Shoot: Janie

View More Photos From The Photo Shoot

I got the opportunity to do a photo shoot with the rather inexperienced but still amazingly beautiful Janie this last weekend. She may have been inexperienced but she picked it up quickly and was all smiles. She did an excellent job! She was a blast to hang out with, and the photo shoot ended up taking most of the day, and I captured around 350 photos of her. Out of those, 150 of which she really liked! I probably wont release all of them, but I’ll pick out the ones I like the most out of those to share specifically for you.

There will be more photos uploaded soon. I first have to finish editing some previous photo shoots before I finish editing the rest of Janie’s photos. I’ll keep you posted!

Have a wonderful day!

Thursday Thoughts

A few weeks ago I drove up to Portland, Oregon to go to a photography seminar after work. The seminar was exciting, being my first, but disappointing that it was mostly just advertisement for product.

A few things that I did learn were the importance of a tripod in specific shoots, which convinced me to get a new Manfrotto 190XPROB tripod with a cool head. At the time of writing this blog entry, I have not gotten to use my tripod considering that it is still conveniently located in it's box, and the head is sitting somewhere in either a UPS truck or UPS's home base in Springfield. Regardless, I am excited to use this tripod for some Midnight Photography with some of my friends.

Most importantly, at this Seminar I realized how important it was to go out and take photos for me. I never really went out on my own to explore and take photos by my self. My first time was Sunday afternoon after a couple of my friends convinced me to get out and do some photography. The weather was amazing for early spring, and I took advantage of the amazing clouds in the sky to help compose my photos. And also, later in the week I took some more to add to the collection.

Photography is very important to me, there is very little that can stand in my way of pursuing it as a life long goal. I have been processing the idea of going back to school and it has been becoming very huge deal in my life to find a great school, but not disconnect myself from Eugene at all. I am currently looking at the Art Institute of Seattle, which is very expensive.

Other projects in mind include raising (yes, 100% of all profits) money for a charity or a missions trip by putting together a book of my photography related to Eugene, Oregon before I move on to another location (such as Seattle). I would be getting it printed and selling it myself (obviously) through my web site. Also, I think it would be really cool to have a coffee table book with my photography it.

Anyway, thanks again for all the support, and thoughtfulness. Go ahead and check out all the photos from my photo walks in Eugene, Oregon (More cities coming soon!)