Getting Started

Welcome to my blog. To get things started I'll give you a bit about my background and how I got into photography.

I first got into photography while I was in college. I got bored one summer out of high school (can't play golf all the time) and applied for a job with the small weekly newspaper in my hometown. After my summer job and a couple of journalism classes I decided that this was something I enjoyed. I worked one more summer for the weekly before moving to a small daily (The Ledger Independent) and working as a staff photographer. I was named Chief Photographer for the Ledger and worked there for another year before leaving to take some time off to work as a wireless Internet installer. I left there to go back into photojournalism for a short time. I am currently available for freelance work. I also dabble in portrait and fine art photography.

Now that the introduction is out of the way, I'll get to the reason for this blog. After starting a small photography group locally I have decided there is a need to share tips I have learned while working in photography. Our group which consists of photographers from a variety of backgrounds, including those just beginning was created to share information. I'm always looking to learn more about photography and always working to make my photography better. I'll pass along tips and gladly answer any questions I can along the way just like people have done for me.

So without further ado, I'll kick off my blog. I thought I'd go with this photo from a recent fire. Shooting a fire is a running and gunning type of event. The first thing to remember is not to get in the way of the firefighters who are there to do their job. The second is to stay safe. You can't make photos if you're injured and they can't do their job if they are tending to you. This photo is your standard photo you might go for in a similar situation. I like it because it showed several firefighters and established the location with the front of the building and the sign. It is what I would call a safety photo. One of the ones you would shoot first to make sure you have what you need for publication before moving on to something else or before you are called out to another event.