revjim.net

While Photography was the nature of the business I was trying to get into, releasing the shutter while pointing the camera at a particular subject amounted to less than 10% of what was really required to get the job done. The remaining ingredients can be found in almost any business venture, with different ratios of each depending on the nature of the business.

So, why did I choose photography as a business to be in and, if I intend to continue to pursue photography as an art form, what have I really given up by not ? For me, this business was the promise of a new future for me and my family.

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Push came to shove last night. I tossed and turned all night weighing my options. I almost didn't go to work today. Then I sucked it up, took a deep breath and made a decision. I'm not happy about it. It leaves me with lots of feelings of uncertainty, failure, disappointment, and disillusionment. But, the alternative was worse, believe it or not. […]

David Hobby, photographer for the Baltimore Sun, writer of "strobist.com":http://strobist.com/ and "small flash lighting GOD":http://strobist.blogspot.com/2006/06/developing-idea-part-2-compact.html, has written an article about "Photography's Vanishing Middle Class":http://strobist.blogspot.com/2006/08/photographys-vanishing-middle-class.html that is well worth the read.

He notes that the Professional Photography market is in utter upheaval and makes this plea of his readers: […]

I'm not at all prepared for the "upcoming exhibit":http://revjim.net/2006/08/08/upcoming-exhibit-sat-sept-16th-7pm/. I need 3 photographs printed, matted, and framed, at the very least. I still haven't finished "picking them out":http://revjim.net/2006/08/09/image-selection-for-exhibit-and-kera-art-mug/ let alone going through the motions of getting them here. […]

A good friend who only checks her email periodically let me know a few days after I mentioned my "search for volunteers":http://revjim.net/2006/08/17/lighting-on-location/ that my request may have seemed a bit clinical.

She's right. It did.

I tried to answer every question I could, weed out all of the "just a little bit interested" people up front, and give a clear indication of the intent while still not laying out every detail and setting the session in stone before it even starts. In doing so, I gave a very cold feeling. So, let's try this again. […]

I really want to dig deeper into making well lit environmental portraits and art outside of the studio using portable lighting techniques. So, that's right, you guessed it, I'm looking for volunteers. If you or someone you know would like your portrait made, or if you'd like to be a part of art that I create, or if you'd just like to volunteer your body as clay for me to mold, I want to hear from you.

I only ask for four things from my potential subjects: […]

I will be showing three photographs at a small exhibit featuring 6 DFW photographers on Saturday, September 16, between 7 and 10pm in Grapevine, TX. If you can make it, I would be honored to have your support and attendance.

It turns out that it wasn't a publishing issue, or a user error that caused all the "problems I had with the first copy of the book":http://revjim.net/2006/08/01/theres-good-news-and-theres-bad-news/. No, it was, in fact, "really, really, crappy software":http://www.acdsee.com/products/fotoslate/. Thankfully, I have a few helpful friends who pointed me in the right direction and, $690 later, "Adobe InDesign […]

Ahem.

Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, topless cheerleaders (psst… drumroll please) it brings me great pleasure to make this announcement…

Jess and I are both trying out "Etsy":http://etsy.com/, the marketplace for handmade goods. I've got "a few photographs":http://danieljames.etsy.com/ in mine as well as a large, affordable poster, and Jess has packages of "handmade paper":http://sivatonight.etsy.com/ for sale in hers…