March, 2009

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Fotokids Photography & Design Workshop In Guatemala

Thursday, March 26th, 2009

Isn’t it interesting how one little thing can make a dramatic change in your life and the lives of others?

 

For some time now I have had a goal to work with young people to help them realize and develop their potential, using photography as the tool to stimulate and awaken their creative abilities. I have no experience in working in or with this type of organization, and have struggled with the logistics of creating one on my own.

 

A close friend and colleague of mine, who knows that I am developing an online course to teach basic and advanced photography (www.thephotomentor.com), saw a post on a forum he follows that he thought might interest me, and forwarded it.

 

The post was a request from a fellow creative – a photographer by avocation and a graphic designer by profession – looking for a few more volunteers to help teach a workshop with an organization called Fotokids (www.fotokids.org). The group works in Guatemala teaching young people to develop their personal abilities and professional skills in photography and graphic design. They are doing the very thing I want to do!

 

As you can imagine, when you see an opportunity for something you so strongly desire handed to you, you waste no time, and immediately take advantage of it.

 

The week-long workshop in June will have the kids begin with a real project from a real client, and take it from concept through to delivery. I’ll be teaching photography and Adobe Lightroom and Photoshop techniques, which is the software the kids currently use. Here’s a link to their blog, which tells about the workshop: http://design4kids-santiago.blogspot.com/

 

There is absolutely no doubt that his is a fantastic opportunity to share my knowledge and give to these kids, and I’m certain that I will learn and receive even more from them and sharing this experience with them.

 

I believe that there are two lessons in this: that when you truly believe and focus on the things you want, you attract them to you – often in ways you never expected – and that the way to make a dramatic change in your life – and to positively affect the lives of others – is to take action when you are presented with an opportunity.

 

Right now the only things for certain are the dates – June 17-25, 2009 – and the location – Santiago Atitlan, Guatemala. Stay tuned.

Posted in Cameras, Composition, Creativity, Digital Photography, Photoshop, Technology, Travel, Uncategorized | No Responses »
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Celebrating A Life Well Lived

Monday, March 16th, 2009

I just returned from a short trip to attend the memorial services for a life-time family friend. Though not related by blood, he was my “Uncle Rudy” – as close as any of my blood relatives.

 

His wife, my “Aunt Barbara” insisted that the weekend was not for mourning – it was to be a celebration of a life well-lived. He had just turned 91, and had been ill for several months, so she had a time to adjust and say good bye. Rudy lived a rich, rewarding life and had accomplished everything he wanted to do.

 

In his 45-year career as a doctor he had given greatly to his community, and had received much in return. They traveled the world together, and experienced all the richness that life has to offer.

 

Seeing his life remembered in the photo-collage that the family had created was heart-warming and inspiring. It triggered memories of times from my earliest years spent with our families together. It’s amazing how just a single photograph can bring back so much, and recreate such happiness.

 

True to Barbara’s wishes, the weekend was a time of happy remembrances and a reuniting of family and friends. We all tend to think of the people close to us but time and distance has a way of separating us and we never find time to keep in close touch.

 

It’s a bit of a painful reality check to see how we can all drop what we’re doing and find the resources to come together to say goodbye to a loved one, but don’t seem to be able to justify the time and expense to get together to enjoy each others’ company while we’re all still here.

 

The weekend provided a chance for reflection and renewal for me as well. And it gave me an opportunity to connect with a young member of the family who I had known of only by name, who is now a high school student and an avid budding photographer. We hit it off right away and it will be exciting to help guide and mentor her as she progresses and grows. And maybe it’s also a way of continuing the legacy of our families’ connection for new generations.

 

I suspect that somehow Rudy had a hand in that . . . J

 

Posted in Cameras, Creativity, Portrait, Travel, Uncategorized | No Responses »
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Never Pass Up The Shot

Thursday, March 5th, 2009

OK, never is a pretty long time, and we’ve all got schedules to keep. But when you see a potential shot, and there’s any way to make it happen, take it now. Obviously street scenes and candids that include people will never be recreated exactly the same. But even subjects that aren’t going anywhere –  like landscapes, architectural shots – will never look quite the same again.

 

The combination of light, weather and all the other variables will never make it look quite the same. I too am subject to the rule of “gotta be somewhere” and have passed by scenes that were just perfect photo-ops, planning to come back at another time. No matter how many times I’ve returned, at the same time of day, with the same weather conditions, something has always been different and the shot was never quite the same.

 

Sure, there often is a shot there, but the shot – the one that caught your eye and imagination – is gone forever.

Posted in Architecture, Cameras, Candids, Composition, Creativity, Digital Photography, Landscape, Portrait, Uncategorized | No Responses »
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