A Real Photographer...

Link

A Real Photographer ....

Real photographers are not those only who have PRO Accounts in Flicker or Premium accounts here, nor those who just own an expensive DSLR and lenses.

A real photographer is not measured by how many of your photos appear in Multiply. It appears there simply because Multiply wants you to stay and maintain a Premium account with them.

Real photographers are not those who study photography, nor those who did not study at all.

A real photographer does not rely on his expensive cameras to capture a good photo. His camera, whether it’s the cheapest disposable camera or the D3, is only an extension of his mind. He starts to see a good photo not from the viewfinder but from his imagination.

A real photographer is not bound by photography rules. He is willing to jump outside the box of photography rules and make his originality.

A real photographer does not depend on good locations to photoshoot to have good photos. For him, every place where he stand is the best location.

A real photographer does not depend on expensive Flashes to capture good toned, shadowed pictures, but knows that nature has already provided him the best lighting.

A real photographer knows that he has to shoot thousands of photographs to have a handful of good shots.

A real photographer is not deceived by camera manufacturer’s glittering ads that their CAMERAS are the best.

A real photographer does not get flattered when someone appreciates his work, but was very happy when somebody criticizes his work as for him this is an opportunity for improvement.

A real photographer spends most of his time to appreciate the works of others than his own.

A real photographer knows that the best camera ever created is the EYES. Every person who has a pair of good eyes owns the best camera in the universe.

A real photographer does not brag, and does not expect his work to be appreciated by others, as he does photography as his soul. He is ashamed to show his soul and is only obliged to show it to a few privileged persons whom he know more.

A real photographer feels awkward brandishing a big DSLR and long lenses and still dream that technology could shrink DSLRs like a matchbox.

A real photographer does not care discussing the best models of cameras in the market rather he practices his skill on what he has, not what he's dreamed to buy.

A real photographer appreciates technology advancement on newer camera models, but still relies on experience as the best teacher in honing his skills.

DISCLAIMER: Do not take this seriously, and do not believe this as this is only to test your EMOTIONAL MATURITY as a photographer. Take it lightly and go, stare your camera, caress it, love it, and most especially get an Eye Drop, place a few drops in both your eyes, and see the world in the BEST CAMERA you ever had. You are the best photographer in your own category.

"Tis the Season: A Photo Journal Challenge

Link

'Tis the Season: A Photo Journal Challenge

Tuesday, November 18, 2008

Two great inspirations allow us to roll out yet another exciting challenge here at http://www.bookoto.com/.

First, the worldwide celebration of the holiday season that is literally at our door. What is the holiday season, and how do YOU celebrate it? According to wikipedia: "the words holiday or vacation have related meanings but will usually refer to one of the following activities or events:

• A general leave of absence from a regular occupation for rest or recreation.
• A specific trip or journey for the purposes of recreation /tourism.
• Official or unofficial observances of religious/national/cultural/other
  significance, often accompanied by celebrations or festivities (public/religious
  holiday)

A holiday or vacation trip/break will often be undertaken during specific holiday observances, or be made for specific festivals or celebrations. Certain religious holidays may be of a more somber nature. Vacation or holidays are often used as a time to spend with friends or family."

Second, who wouldn't be inspired by this fabulous quarterly publication of Stampington & Company's Life Images by Somerset? We could not help but be awed by the breathtaking photographs and the heartfelt journals. Appropriately so, we have excitedly chosen Life Images by Somerset as our feature publication on http://www.bookoto.com/. "All the colors of the world emerge in this tapestry of original photographs, brought to you in Life Images, a new, 144-page quarterly special publication. Full-page images, accompanied by the photographers' journaling, invite you to share a moment in someone else's life." - from Stampington & Company's website.

THE CHALLENGE: "'Tis the Season": A Photo Journal Challenge

Get your cameras ready. Between now and December 28, 2008, however you celebrate the holiday season, take a photograph of an image that makes this season meaningful to you. Take a picture of people or a person, an object or a thing, an act or a gesture, a place, a tradition, or even a random thing that caught your eye and made you feel so good that it made you say to yourself, "Yes, the holidays are really here!" Capture the magic of the holidays. Capture the meaning of this season. Then share it by sending it to us.

Here's how:

• Email your photograph to: Challenges@bookoto.com or sign up and upload them to our gallery on or before December 28, 2008.
• You may send up to two (2) entries. Make sure it is original and taken for the purpose of joining this challenge. Photo entries should have been taken after November 20, 2008.
• This challenge is open to all, where ever you may be in the world.
• All property rights will be retained by the photographer. Entries will be posted in our gallery, while winning photos will be posted in our store site and blog . (No further compensation will be awarded to the winner over and above the prize pack.)
• You may use photo editing on your entries to enhance the quality of your photos.

Don't forget to include the following details with your photograph entries.:

• the title of your photograph
• the story behind your photo, or your photo journal
• what camera brand/model and lens/es did you use? Please include camera settings used to take the photos, as well as the processes/work flow utilized to achieve the end result of the photograph.

And yes, once you have submitted your entry, you may feature it on your personal blog, but don't forget to e-mail us your blog link.

THE WINNER'S PRIZE

The winner will receive these: the whole year's publication of Life Images magazine courtesy of http://www.bookoto.com/ and Stampington & Company

'tis the season.

Share with us the magic of the holidays.
Take us to your world through your photographs.

Have a meaningful holiday season
Take this challenge!

D80 Finally!

Finally, after one week of continuous searching for both brand new and pre-owned online postings fueled by a foiled transaction that shattered my heart into a gazillion pieces (please forgive me for being too emotional), my much awaited new toy has arrived.

Presenting... my new D80! (actual pics to follow)

My Yahoo Pingbox

Check out YM 9.0's new feature. Too bad it can't be embedded on Multiply's main sections yet.

Ten Legal Commandments of Photography

Taken from PhotoJojo

The Ten Legal Commandments of Photography

I. Anyone in a public place can take pictures of anything they want. Public places include parks, sidewalks, malls, etc. Malls? Yeah. Even though it’s technically private property, being open to the public makes it public space.

II. If you are on public property, you can take pictures of private property. If a building, for example, is visible from the sidewalk, it’s fair game.

III. If you are on private property and are asked not to take pictures, you are obligated to honor that request. This includes posted signs.

IV. Sensitive government buildings (military bases, nuclear facilities) can prohibit photography if it is deemed a threat to national security.

V. People can be photographed if they are in public (without their consent) unless they have secluded themselves and can expect a reasonable degree of privacy. Kids swimming in a fountain? Okay. Somebody entering their PIN at the ATM? Not okay.

VI. The following can almost always be photographed from public places, despite popular opinion:

• accident & fire scenes, criminal activities
• bridges & other infrastructure, transportation facilities (i.e. airports)
• industrial facilities, Superfund sites
• public utilities, residential & commercial buildings
• children, celebrities, law enforcement officers
• UFOs, the Loch Ness Monster, Chuck Norris

VII. Although “security” is often given as the reason somebody doesn’t want you to take photos, it’s rarely valid. Taking a photo of a publicly visible subject does not constitute terrorism, nor does it infringe on a company’s trade secrets.

VIII. If you are challenged, you do not have to explain why you are taking pictures, nor to you have to disclose your identity (except in some cases when questioned by a law enforcement officer.)

IX. Private parties have very limited rights to detain you against your will, and can be subject to legal action if they harass you.

X. If someone tries to confiscate your camera and/or film, you don’t have to give it to them. If they take it by force or threaten you, they can be liable for things like theft and coercion. Even law enforcement officers need a court order.

What To Do If You’re Confronted

• Be respectful and polite. Use good judgement and don’t escalate the situation.
• If the person becomes combative or difficult, think about calling the police.
• Threats, detention, and taking your camera are all grounds for legal or civil actions on your part. Be sure to get the person’s name, employer, and what legal grounds they claim for their actions.
• If you don’t want to involve the authorities, go above the person’s head to their supervisor or their company’s public relations department.
• Call your local TV and radio stations and see if they want to do a story about your civil liberties.
• Put the story on the web yourself if need be.