Business Briefs: NBS President Wants Me Back Next Year!

After reviewing the photos that I captured during their summit held in Snowmass/Aspen in February, the president of the National Brotherhood of Skiers verbally agreed to hire me again next year as the event's official photographer. That will make three years in the row that I have worked for the organization that finds and develops African American Olympic caliber skiers.

NBS President Haymon T. Jahi

"When people ask, I will tell them that we already have a photographer for the event," said current NBS prez Haymon T. Jahi. That's great news! And it's good to know so soon in advance as well so that I can make plans for the event which will likely be in Winter Park.



One of the reasons why I enjoy shooting this weeklong event is because of how much it challenges me both personally and professionally. Think of any difficult shooting situation you might find yourself in, and it's likely that I had to deal with those circumstances covering the NBS summit:

Shooting at high-noon against the backdrop of blazing white snow. Yep
Shooting indoors at night in barely-lit night club settings. Yep
Shooting indoors mixing flash with less than flattering tungsten lights. Yep

Talk about testing a photographer's mettle. I always walk away from the NBS events with a greater understanding of both my strengths and weaknesses as a growing photographer.

As far as personally -- well, I've lived in Colorado now for nearly 14 years and have yet to ski! I know, I know! I can hear all of my readers grumbling already, but I have to admit that I was afraid of the notion of speeding down a mountain side on two pieces of wood and metal. But covering the NBS means getting outside of that comfort zone, and I vow to take lessons next year!



Here's a shot of me wearing about 6 coats and some workout pants because I hadn't yet bought an appropriate ski gear. Hey, at least I had some waterproof Thinsulate boots! It's a work in progress, but at least next year I will have pants and a great ski jacket I purchased while in Snowmass.

Get Out There: Photographers, name your dream shoot!

U.S. Photographers: Dream Big - Then Grab Your Passports
Lenovo® and Microsoft team up for first-ever "Name Your Dream Assignment" Contest

Grand-prize is $50,000, a digital camcorder and the Lenovo® ThinkPad® W700ds with Microsoft Windows Vista®

Daydreaming about Anguilla's coastline at sunset? Taking a canoe down the Taramakau River? Or standing inside Mount Kenya's Ice Cave? If you're a U.S. resident with a camera and a vision, you could make your dream come true in Lenovo's first-ever "Name Your Dream Assignment" photo contest.

From March 3 to April 3, 2009, U.S. residents of any skill level will have a chance to win $50,000 to shoot a dream photo assignment anywhere in the world. In addition to $50,000, the grand-prize winner will also receive a digital camcorder and the Lenovo® ThinkPad® W700ds with Microsoft Windows Vista® to take on the journey. Photographers can enter their ideas and with clear, succinct explanations here.

Each participant may submit up to three ideas. Take the time to read through some of the ideas that have already been submitted. I found inspiration from just reading what others dream of shooting.




Participants don't just enter this contest - they'll help select the winner. A public online vote and a panel of expert judges will determine the outcome. The panel will also take into consideration skill and experience. Two runners-up will also receive the Lenovo® ThinkPad® W700ds with Microsoft Windows Vista®.

To continue daydreaming with other hopefuls, please join the contest's online community at its official Facebook fan page and on Twitter.

Get contest rules and information here.

About Lenovo
Lenovo (HKSE: 992) (ADR: LNVGY) is dedicated to building exceptionally engineered personal computers. Lenovo's business model is built on innovation, operational efficiency and customer satisfaction as well as a focus on investment in emerging markets. Formed by Lenovo Group's acquisition of the former IBM Personal Computing Division, the company develops, manufactures and markets reliable, high-quality, secure and easy-to-use technology products and services worldwide. Lenovo has major research centers in Yamato, Japan; Beijing, Shanghai and Shenzhen, China; and Raleigh, North Carolina. For more information see www.lenovo.com.

About Microsoft
Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq "MSFT") is the worldwide leader in software, services and solutions that help people and businesses realize their full potential.

Get the Job Done: My Image in a Traveling Exhibit

Starting this Friday, one of my images will be on display at the Working with Artist Gallery in Lakewood as part of the Digital Photo Academy's First Annual traveling exhibit sponsored by Panasonic and MPIX.

Beginning in August 2007, Digital Photo Academy students were invited to submit photos based on different monthly themes, including classic topics such as sunrises, fall foliage and landscapes.

I won the August 2007 assignment, "The Allure of Water" with this image of a young girl running through fountains at the Northfield Stapleton shopping center in Denver. Now those winning entries by myself and eleven other DPA students are being featured in a traveling exhibition in 10 of the museums and art galleries where DPA classes are held each month around the country.



Since Feb. 4, the exhibit has been held in Phoenix, Detroit, San Diego and Cleveland.
This week, from Feb. 13 through Feb. 19, the photos will be on display in Bethesda, Boston, Dallas, my hometown of Denver, Los Angeles and Chicago. Here is the schedule:

Working With Artists Gallery in Denver on Friday, February 13 - Thursday, February 19. Opening night party on Saturday, February 14.

Image Mechanics Gallery in Los Angeles on Friday, February 13 - Thursday, February 19. Opening night party on Saturday, February 14.

Ron Gould Studios Gallery in Chicago on Friday, February 13 - Thursday, February 19.

I'm still having trouble believing that something I photographed as part of my first ever digital photography class with Denver Darkroom has been viewed by people across the United States! What a great way to have some of your work be accessible to a larger viewing public.

Plus, it's not too late to submit an entry for January 2009's topic: NEW BEGINNINGS. Entries should be uploaded by Friday, Feb. 20th. And remember, the winner who is selected will be part of the DPA's 2nd annual 12 Assignment images that will be on display in museums, galleries and studios in 2010.

If you happen to make it to any of the other cities to see the display, drop me a line at shebawheeler@picture-yourworld.com and tell me about your experience! I would love to hear from you.

Congratulations January Photo of the Month Contest Winner: Amy Martin

Congratulations Amy Martin for your winning entry in the PYWP Photo of the Month: THE SEVEN DEADLY SINS. This month's poll was another tight race with only four votes separating the top entries shot by Amy and Sean Donnelly. The topic was difficult but fun, giving the photographers who entered a chance to stretch their creative muscle.

Since this the second contest Amy has one in a row, she has promised us that she will host a session on shooting pets. Pet photography is definitely something I've been wanting to learn how to do better. Besides bragging rights, Amy gets to choose February's monthly assignment, which will be announced tomorrow! So make sure you come back to see what the topic will be!

Congratulations December Monthly Photo Contest Winner: Amy Martin

Image by Amy Martin

Congratulations Amy for your winning blog entry for THE DECISIVE MOMENT. This month's assignment drew the most votes ever with 52 people casting for their favorite image. I'm very proud of the entries this month and want to personally thank everyone who took the time to shoot. You got the best compliment ever: numerous statements from people saying they had a hard time deciding whom to vote for because all of the entries were so great. Only three votes separated the to top entries shot by Amy and Armando Martinez!

Besides bragging rights, Amy gets to choose January's monthly assignment, which will be announced tomorrow! So make sure you come back to see what the topic will be!

Get the Job Done: Crystal and Jaime's Wedding Reception

Crystal and Jaime

In a few hours, I will be done editing photos from my last assignment: Crystal and Jaime's wedding reception. I think the event was a great success. My second shooter, Jason Peckovitch, was able to set up an impromptu portrait session and take photos while I walked around the reception itself shooting candids and highlights of the night. I will blog about that later, but take a look at his images here.


Jaime, Crystal and Dolores

This assignment was also special for me because it was the first one I got based on a referral from another photographer. It never ceases to amaze me how wonderful the Denver photographic community truly is. I have met so many talented people who are more than willing to share their time and their skills. My very first assignment was referred to me from my instructor Efrain Cruz. Now, my buddy Doug Shatto took it a step further by giving my name to a colleague who needed shots taken. Doug lives and works primarily in Colorado Springs, and he wasn't able to shoot the wedding reception, so he referred the client to me. Thank you so much Doug for sending Dolores Olsen to me. I owe you big time buddy!



Having this happen helped me come to terms with an idea I had been mulling over. In a recent issue of the "Professional Photographer Magazine," celebrated children's photographer Trista Blouin said one of the first things she wished she had known when she started her business was the fact that she couldn't take on all aspects of her business single-handedly. "Determine your weaknesses and outsource to the best talent within your budget." Unfortunately, I felt the same way (as many photographers often do) and end up doing everything themselves for fear of losing control -- but only end up wasting time and money. I had been thinking about possibly outsourcing specific photo requests that I no longer am interested in, or can just admit that I'm not good at it. I have lost my initial interest in covering fashion shows namely because of their predictability and terrible lighting situations. Plus, covering sports is not my strong suit either. I've decided that when I'm asked to do those kind of shoots, I will refer out to photographers I know enjoy those kind of jobs and can do it much better than me. I no longer think that's a weakness; I think it's good business sense.



My business management instructor Jim Turley suggested all photographers should have a list of photographers, printers, photoshop gurus etc etc to refer or outsource too so you can spend the time doing the things you love to do. For me, that is shooting portraits and editing in Photoshop. I already outsource out my printing to Wolf Camera and my website design and maintenance to SmugMug. And I'm developing my list of photographers to refer clients too as well.

This Weekend: Shooting First Assignment for Auraria Campus

This is going to be another busy weekend for me, but I'm looking forward to all of my assignments, including my first official freelance assignment for the Auraria Higher Education Center.

The weekend starts out with a presentation of senior portrait shots to Gloria at noon. It was a lot of fun shooting Gloria, and she was definitely a trooper. Our photo shoot encompassed land, air, and sea -- well, sort of, if you count a flower bed as "land," climbing a tree "air" and playing in a fountain "sea." She was a real trooper and was generally open to anything I suggested. I can't wait for her to see all of her pics and pick out her print packages.


Gloria posing in a flower bed.


Gloria frolicking in the water fountains



Gloria climbed up into a tree for this playful shot.

Late Saturday afternoon, I will shoot another senior portrait session with Nina, another friend Jordan referred to me. I will shoot a few images of Nina in studio to try to recreate some similar poses of Marilyn Monroe that Nina said she wanted, and then I hope to take her around our neighborhood (she only lives a few blocks from me). There's also a really cool outdoor water fountain with beautiful lights that I thought might be a good background for some night shots with Nina, but we will see what time we have to work with.

I blogged earlier about being hired as a freelance photographer for the Auraria Higher Education Center. On Sunday, I get to cover my first event for the campus public relations director Cheryl Carter. If you remember, I shot a rededication ceremony for Cheryl's parents last year and then reconnected with her a few months ago when I discovered she was the event coordinator for my first wedding shoot. Tolisa and Jordan's wedding was held at St. Cajetan's Church on the Auraria Campus, and it was then I learned that Cheryl had just recently taken a job with Auraria.

Cheryl said she has been trying to find work for me, but many of the events that have been held on campus in the last few months have been during the week. I haven't been able to do any shoots because I still work full-time at The Denver Post (no, don't go there, I am SOOOO not ready to give up my gig at the newspaper yet and be a professional photographer full time!)

On Sunday though, the campus will be hosting an upscale food expo, and I will be shooting it for four hours. Cheryl has also asked to purchase two CDs from the wedding and reception held at the church and the Tivoli Student Union so she can use them for advertising on the school's website.

POTW: Shadows

It's been a long while since I had the time to shoot and submit a "Photo of the Week" assignment for the Colorado 4X4 Shutterbug Forum. But a great shot presented itself during my night photography outting on Saturday.

I took this shot at the Denver Skate Park in LoDo. Capturing the boarders and bikers in mid air while their shadows played along the pavement was exciting. But this was my favorite of the bunch. I like the symmetry of the curves in the image, the good use of Rule of Thirds with the main subject in the upper left hand side of the frame and the usage of highlights and shadows. A commenter on Flickr said it looked almost organic, as if the boarder was in the womb....so I changed my initial title of "Solitary Rush" to "In the Womb."

Get the Goods: Win a LowePro Camera Bag

Capture the winning assignment image for "A View From Above," and Digital Days Photography Workshops will give you a LowePro Camera Bag!

Assignment #12 challenges digital photographers to seek out spectacular views only seen from above, such as from a plane or a hot air balloon. If taking your two feet off the ground is out of the question, then try shooting something from a moutain or clifftop.

The winning image will be featured in the July 08 Digital Days Newsletter and on the Digital Days Photo Workshop Facebook.com page.

1. Shoot the assignnment topic
2. Email your files to DDNews@hfmus.com
3. Submit no more than 3 jpg images per person
4. DEADLINE is on Jyly 29, 2008.

What should you be striving for? Check out the last winning entry for Assignment #11: Enchantment by Carey Studt:



Judges comments: "This photo completely captures our idea of "enchantment." A simple forest path is transformed through the lens into a mystical world seemingly from from fairy-tale. The real becomes surreal in this beautiful image."

Get the Job Done: Gearing Up for My First Wedding Shoot

The nightmares have already begun. Last night, I dreamt that I was shooting at the bride's house, but I couldn't get my camera to fire. All of these wonderful moments were passing me by....the bride getting dressed, the bride coming down the stairs in her wedding gown for the first time, relatives arriving and hugging and kissing. To make it worse, the bride kept asking to see the photos on the LCD screen and all I had to show her were blank, black screens....

I think the only way to quell some of my irrational worries and anxieties are to keep honing my skills. To do that, I'm going to spend the entire week reading up on wedding tips and techniques and reporting what I've learned here. I've been getting a lot of compliments about the shots I took of the bride in studio, so I will use those comments as encouragement as well.

Breaking News: New Blog Monthly Assignment Contest

I've been mulling over a recent Digital Photography School post written by Australian photographer Neil Creek about creating and participating in photo projects hosted online. I think Neil is right on, and I have made many new friends and colleagues posting my own images to photo projects I frequent on Flickr, DPS, Digital Photo Academy and the Colorado 4x4 Photo of the Week. I enjoy seeing how others interpret the assignment because it helps me stretch my own creative vision and learn how to see things differently. Plus, rules that require you to shoot during a specific time period motivates people to shoot regularly and keep adding new dimensions to their portfolios.

I've noticed that I've got about 20 subscribers to my blog, so what do you guys think about having our own monthly assignment contest right here on Picture Your World Photography? I'm going to be basing my rules from the various contests I participate in, and I reserve the right to tweak things as we go until a system is in place that works. You can email me your submissions and I will post them in a new blog as they start to come in. Then at the end of the month visitors will be able to vote in a poll for their 3 top images.

MAY ASSIGNMENT: "Self Portraits"

Our first theme is "SELF PORTRAIT" shots. Here's a chance for us to get to know a little more about each other based on how you choose to capture yourself in a self-portrait. Plus, it's a relatively easy assignment just to get people started.

RULES:

1) Assignment photographs should be TAKEN BETWEEN MAY 4 and 24. Only ONE photo can be submitted and each photo should follow the current Assignment's theme. The contest will be closed for voting on MAY 25.

2) Please email me submissions that are no larger than 5 MB at shebawheeler@picture-yourworld.com. Include a WATERMARK and/or a LINK to your blog or gallery which will run with your submission.

3) All submissions should be emailed with the camera settings used and the EXIF info intact.

4) All photographs will be posted on a blog and open for voting.

5) Only one winner will be selected. If there is a TIE, each winner will be asked to select a topic for the following month and blog readers will then vote on which topic they would like to photograph.

OK, that's it! This is a work in progress so I appreciate any ideas you may have to make this work. I'm also taking ideas for more challenging assignments to really get the creative juices flowing. Leave comments. And I can't wait to see what you guys come up with for "SELF PORTRAITS"

Now...Get Out There and Happy Shooting!

POTW: Exteriors

Here is my entry for this week's Colorado 4X4 Shutterbug forum "Photo of the Week" Contest. The theme was "Exteriors," so I interpreted that concept by taking a picture of the steps leading up to my boyfriend's mountain cabin in Pine Junction, CO. I love texture in images, so I wanted to try to capture the wonderful carvings in the stone steps and the hand chopped logs used to construct the cabin built in the 1920s. I tried some versions where I cloned out the metal railing, but I decided to leave it in because none of my editings looked natural, and I hate that awful repeated pattern that can develop from unsuccessful cloning attempts. I waited until close to sunset to get this image so I could get the last rays of sunlight playing near the steps.

While I like this picture, I honestly think I prefer another shot taken by my friend and fellow shooter Chester Bullock. Instead of voting for my image, I think I will vote for his because of its simplicity and impact, given that Denver is known as "The Mile High City."

POTW: Color

Here is an image from my portfolio that I am turning in today as my entry for the Colorado 4x4 Shutterbug forum's Photo of the Week. I took this over the weekend during a Flickr Colorado Strobist meetup. I can't tell you enough how great it has been working and learning from this terrific group of people. Strobist enjoy using lighting techniques with off-camera flash. The members of this particular group are very knowledgeable and willing to share their expertise as we all learn together.

This photo was achieved by taping a Canon flash with a purple gel onto the back of a motorcycle. Another flash was mounted on a stand camera right and triggered by a Pocket Wizard to create the silhouette. What's really cool about this is that I totally understood what I just said right now and a month ago I wouldn't have been able too. ;) It has been so much fun learning and mastering new techniques. If you haven't already done so, check out Flickr to see if there is a group operating in your area that can help you progress as well. Here is another image I took that weekend at the meetup.

I am also entering it in the monthly assignment contest, "It's All About the Light!" hosted by the Digital Photo Academy. (FYI folks, the DPA's contest is open to all shooters, so submit something already! And remember, the winner who is selected will be part of the 12 assignment images that will be on display in museums, galleries and studios around the country. Yours truly won the first month's assignment, "The Allure of Water" with the following image: