I’m having one of those weeks where I hate everything I do, not feeling very creative, I’m highly unmotivated, and I need to push myself to even accomplish anything.  Lethargic is the word.  I am just getting over a sinus infection, and still feeling a bit groggy physically.  Whether it’s just a case of man cold, or allergies, I’m not very sure.  I’ve got to get excited again about what I’m doing, somehow.  How do I usually do that?  Well in the past I’ve challenged myself to get out of my comfort zone and trying something totally new.  Breaking out of your comfort zone is vital so that you don’t get bored with what you’re doing.  The same daily mundane tasks of designing, editing, keywording, uploadings, emails, etc will get to you after a while.

“I Can’t”
The famous “I can’t” is the only thing holding most people back from trying new things.  Comparing yourself to everyone else can sometimes cause you to figure, “why bother”?  That’s not the right way to reason.  Many times you are your own worst enemy, and the biggest obstacle you face is your own. Read the rest of this entry »

Aaron Goodman is the man. I’m blown away by his stuff. He knows his gear, his lighting, and (even more importantly) his Photoshop; and he’s not afraid to use all of these skills in unison. His concepts are mind blowingly creative – enough to knock your socks off. Some of them are so simple, yet effective, that you think to yourself, “gee why didn’t I think of that?”.  The SAT’s with the pencil girl is one of my favorites. I want to try and think of more of these types of conceptual images, to add to my stock photography portfolio; as long as I can afford to spend the amount of time on them that they will obviously need. In the past I’ve spent hours and hours on images that have a very low return, so obviously when it comes to selling images like these through microstock outlets, you have to use your own good judgement and planning.

Read more in this excellent article by AfterCapture magazine here.  All images Copyright © Aaron Goodman.

I was in NYC walking down Canal street (Chinatown) back when I was about 20 years old, with a bunch of my friends one afternoon. My friend Paul is a crazy guy, and I told him, “Quick – Go and chase that pigeon over there!” When he took off running, I snapped the shot with my Vivitar point and shoot, and this was the result

Sometimes you get a conceptual image by accident…this one could portray escape, stress, fear, moving away, luncacy – you be the judge!  A little bit of photoshop, a little zoom blur and color isolation, and this was the final result.  An abstract motion blur of a guy running away while flailing his arms around.  You just have to be ready for unplanned action.  Keep that camera around your neck, at your side, or in your hand with a hand strap if you can.  Don’t carry it around in your bag all the time.  Anticipate capturing the next random thing even before it occurs.  It only takes a second or two to move your camera from your side to your face.

Feel free to share your own “accidental conceptual” images here – just post a comment below with a link.