struggles of a photographer

I've been thinking about what to write about lately, I know, writers block again?  You'd be surprised how often even those of us who have so much to say, can't think of what to say.

I've decided to write about one thing I have really been struggling with lately, and that's flash photography. Ugh!!!  I get the concept...completely....and I've been practicing like a mad woman on a mission but it seems that the technique still completely goes over my head, most days.

Generally I rely on good lighting outdoors, and let's face it, a lot of our photos are taken outdoors...but I can only continue to rely on good sunny days for so long!  And on rainy days I pray like a saint for the Sun Gods to release the sunshine again and to be truthful there really hasn't been a lot of sun in beautiful BC, yet.
I'm reminded of a photo I took when we first pulled into BC after driving across Canada...

I feel jipped!  The Best Place on Earth...Ha!  In theory maybe...actually it isn't that bad at all...once you get used to rain gear...

Then there this was this goat on the side of the road that kept checking out my husband like he was a juicy tasty morsel...

but that's a story for another day...

My point is that somehow or another no matter the weather conditions I always scrape along by the edge of my teeth when I use my flash, I give due to Photoshop for this.  I know what look I want to achieve, and I play around with the settings until I get the look I'm after.  I guess my question to all the other photographers out there would be...does it ever just naturally come to you to know what settings the flash should be at?

It may not seem like a proper discussion to have on a blog where I'm promoting my business but let's be frank...in every business there's a struggle and though normally people wouldn't air their "bad laundry" on display for the world to see, I've got no problems admitting that sometimes I struggle.  In this business where newer better equipment keeps coming out with newer better technology, if you don't stay on top of your game, you get left behind, with me...scratching our heads...blinking rapidly hoping someone will come along and show us the ropes.  I'm asking if anyone can recommend any good guidelines to remember, or has any good advice to give....please...share!

With that being said I have finished my Introduction to Digital Photography Course "sniff"
It was a great class and I will truly miss it!  I would have loved to have gotten to know some of my fellow talented classmates better but I still hold hope that we will continue to stay in touch some how or another.


Next month I am going to a Jamie Delaine Workshop and I can't even begin to tell you how excited I am about it.  Now that I think of it I can't remember how I came across her blog but reading one paragraph was all it took to get me hooked, now I'm an avid follower of her blog and her work.  This is me paying a little homage where homage is due :)

The next wonderful and talented blogger I follow is a feisty red haired lass with a level head named Katelyn, do yourself a favor and pop on over to her site.

I guess what started it all for me was discovering this beautiful lady Katya Nova was somehow related to a good friend of mine.  Ok that's not entirely true, she is indeed a distant cousin of my friend but I guess it really wasn't what started it all for me.  That happened a long time ago but when I found Katya's blog that's what made me want my own.  I couldn't help but think..."what a great idea"!  A website and a blog where you can write little blurbs about your clients and introduce them to the world not just through your photos, but through your words as well.  Genius!  I can't wait until she has one of her workshops...I'm so there!

A fourth blogger I follow is Justine Russo from Russo Photography and like Jamie she too is a fellow BC'er...yay!  In my eyes that's two very talented people from where I live.
Justine is a sweetheart, even though we haven't officially met (we will be meeting at Jamie's workshop) we've been trying to get together for coffee for the last month so we can get to know one another but with my busy work schedule and her keeping busy chasing after her son, it just hasn't happened yet.
I can't wait to get to know her and every other photographer coming to the workshop :)

My day would be incomplete if I didn't read these talented ladies blogs on a daily basis.  Talk about motivation...just look at their lovely work...makes me want to go out and shoot something right now!!