Today's blog is about a journey, the journey of a camera, a life, a family and an idea. This particular story is very dear to me and it is my hope that it will give you insight into yet another facet of who I am and what I do......
Many years ago when I met the young lady who would become Mrs. Wilson (she had no idea what she was getting into:) I was a young, hobbyist photographer. I loved photography, I found it to be the way I could express my creative side and at the same time create something meaningful to share with others. I had no idea what a wonderful world it would eventually become for me. In fact, I had no idea the journey I was about to take nor any clue where it would lead me.
The gentleman who would become my Father in Law, Quentin Zinsmaster, whom we lovingly called "QJ" was a hearty, outspoken, fun loving man who just happened to be a professional photographer. He had been since the 60's and had the talent, zest for life and personality to prove it. His take on life and on the world of photography was classic and classy. He loved the craft, the art of it, the people involved in it and the legacy each shot he took created for someone, himself included. He quickly became my mentor. With a conversation that took place around a kitchen table one Saturday evening in his home in WI the decision was made that I too would take this journey. With encouragement, support and some prodding I began my career as a professional photographer.
For many years QJ had used his camera to capture the world. This camera, a Hasselblad professional, medium format camera was a classic. Using pro grade film and weighing more than a newborn this camera was the benchmark other cameras aspired too. In the right hands this camera could create images that were timeless, beautiful, elegant and full of emotion. It captured exactly what it saw, what it's user had the vision to create. It told story after story over several decades and generations. Then something changed.....
A few months ago my Father in Law became ill. After several tests, numerous hospital stays and several hard weeks, his life came to a close. His loss was so deeply felt by everyone in his family, his friends and those he had photographed over the years. The camera that had captured so many stories, so many memories and created so many beautiful images had fell silent. But this isn't the end of the story.
Last week my Mother in Law along with other members of her family came to TN to visit with us. She brought with her a gift of unimaginable meaning. Knowing what QJ's camera meant to him and how many lives it had touched she just couldn't think of it simply "going away" or being forgotten. She gave that camera along with all his lenses, battery packs and lighting to us to do with as we saw fit. What an amazing chance to continue something bigger than just the art of photography.
Armed with this amazing, classic and priceless camera I am going to continue sharing the countless stories it has yet to tell. I will be using this camera from time to time to capture some of my Fine Art images. With a tripod and some fantastic pro film I will continue to use it to share the beautiful colors and deep contrast of REAL black and white photography yet to be taken in our world.
In a world of amazing digital technology this camera still has its rightful place as a defining piece of equipment in the history and future of our profession. It can capture images that are so amazingly pure in color, tone and texture as well as true, crisp black and white images. It will allow me to use the most raw and pure forms of my skills in harmony with its classic function to once again create timeless images. This is more than just a camera, it is a piece of history, not only in my wife's family but the lives of so many others. It captured hundreds of wedding days (including my wife and I many years ago), hundreds of seniors, countless places and moments that are forever held in place by it's task.
In having the honor of now owning and using this camera I hope to continue the wonderful legacy of my Father in Law. I hope to continue to share the art, the moments, the emotion and the magic of life. This camera will continue on, it will continue to bring joy, beauty and feeling to our world. It will now continue to share the world as it once did in the hands of the master artist whom I called my mentor, my Father in Law, my friend.
Thursday, August 18, 2011
Monday, August 8, 2011
What makes Fine Art so Fine......
Over the past 20+ years as I have grown and evolved as a photographic artist I have seen many trends and styles come and go. As with any profession there are always buzzwords that seem to find a way of becoming all the rage for a time. A few years ago in photography there was suddenly a mass of "photojournalism" and "photojournalistic" photography being promoted. Those were often used in conjunction with the term "candid" and promoted as the thing of the time. I would often wonder how many clients and in fact how many of those "photographers" actually knew the difference between photojournalism and candid photography, they are completely different.
As of late the new buzzword is "Fine Art" in our profession. Something near and dear to my heart and something I feel strongly about. I am asked quite often "what is Fine Art Photography"? There is no really short answer to that but I will attempt to share with you what really makes Fine Art Photography... Fine.
In a world dominated by digital enhancement and camera technology that is amazing, Fine Art Photography takes a more base approach. In essence, Fine Art Photography is not only a style, it is a technique, a creative flair that is unique to each artist. That being said, unlike other mediums such as painting, drawing or sculpture, Fine Art Photography has a more narrow scope of focus (no pun intended). To achieve Fine Art in photography the devil is in the details. Unlike candid photography or even traditional portrait photography where props are often used to create the overall feel of the shot, Fine Art Photography uses the singular subject and or theme and builds from that in detail. Every aspect from lighting to positioning, background details, manipulation of the shooting environment and equipment. Often in a Fine Art shot the "imperfections" become the perfection if the artist is aware of them and encorporates them into their vision.
The technique of Fine Art Photography is not something that can be accomplished within a few months or even years of photography. It is a skill, a style and an art that is cultivated from thousands of hours of shooting hundreds of thousands of frames and being absolute in self critique and growth. It requires a mastery of the camera and its function. A mastery of light, shadow and technique. With the addition of digital tools such as software and lighting the craft is even more limitless. If done correctly Fine Art Photography is not for the faint of heart and certainly not for a novice. Sadly, I often see photographers use the term Fine Art in conjunction with images that are at best a creative candid photo. Those are wonderful images, fun, enjoyable and emotional but they are NOT fine art images.
Fine Art Photography is more than just photos, portraits or images. It is a work of art, a piece of time that has been carefully captured with the purpose of lasting for generations while still evoking the emotion and depth of the moment within which it was taken.
When you hear the term "Fine Art Photography" know that for those of us who are photographic artists this is more than a buzzword. While a photographic artist will typically charge a higher fee the images created are worthy of those fees. It is our craft, our passion, our style and the way in which we hope to leave a lasting piece of art, a legacy and a record of our world for generations to come.
As of late the new buzzword is "Fine Art" in our profession. Something near and dear to my heart and something I feel strongly about. I am asked quite often "what is Fine Art Photography"? There is no really short answer to that but I will attempt to share with you what really makes Fine Art Photography... Fine.
In a world dominated by digital enhancement and camera technology that is amazing, Fine Art Photography takes a more base approach. In essence, Fine Art Photography is not only a style, it is a technique, a creative flair that is unique to each artist. That being said, unlike other mediums such as painting, drawing or sculpture, Fine Art Photography has a more narrow scope of focus (no pun intended). To achieve Fine Art in photography the devil is in the details. Unlike candid photography or even traditional portrait photography where props are often used to create the overall feel of the shot, Fine Art Photography uses the singular subject and or theme and builds from that in detail. Every aspect from lighting to positioning, background details, manipulation of the shooting environment and equipment. Often in a Fine Art shot the "imperfections" become the perfection if the artist is aware of them and encorporates them into their vision.
The technique of Fine Art Photography is not something that can be accomplished within a few months or even years of photography. It is a skill, a style and an art that is cultivated from thousands of hours of shooting hundreds of thousands of frames and being absolute in self critique and growth. It requires a mastery of the camera and its function. A mastery of light, shadow and technique. With the addition of digital tools such as software and lighting the craft is even more limitless. If done correctly Fine Art Photography is not for the faint of heart and certainly not for a novice. Sadly, I often see photographers use the term Fine Art in conjunction with images that are at best a creative candid photo. Those are wonderful images, fun, enjoyable and emotional but they are NOT fine art images.
Fine Art Photography is more than just photos, portraits or images. It is a work of art, a piece of time that has been carefully captured with the purpose of lasting for generations while still evoking the emotion and depth of the moment within which it was taken.
When you hear the term "Fine Art Photography" know that for those of us who are photographic artists this is more than a buzzword. While a photographic artist will typically charge a higher fee the images created are worthy of those fees. It is our craft, our passion, our style and the way in which we hope to leave a lasting piece of art, a legacy and a record of our world for generations to come.
Tuesday, August 2, 2011
You get what you pay for!
Hello friends! With this posting I would like to take a look into the old saying "you get what you pay for". Having been a business owner most of my life I have learned that value is important but also that value is different for everyone.
With the economy struggling and our current financial climate so uncertain, finding a "good deal" is important. I'd like to take a moment to look at what a "good deal" really is. I am going to explore this from the perspective of a small business owner / photographer as that is what I know best.
Each day I see more and more new "photographers" come to be. They promote themselves via sites such as Facebook, Twitter or a snappy website on the Internet. They showcase the fact that they "specialize" in virtually every type of photography known. They build the excitement of their service by telling you how they can get virtually anything from a coffee mug to an airplane with your photo on it. Then to put the bow on the package they show you ridiculously cheap prices for these products and services. At first glance one would think "wow, that's a great deal"....... but is it really?
Two things I know for a fact. A photographer who "specializes" in virtually every type of photography known to mankind is no specialist at all. Thus the reason that I turn down certain types of work. I shoot a limited number of Fine Art weddings and a very limited range of portraits. My area of specialty is in commercial art, particularly nature, food and fashion. The second thing, a professional photographer who is experienced and good at the art is not inexpensive. A professional photographer who is serious about what they do has enormous expense in doing it. The cost of the true professional equipment, the cost of insurance (yes, you'll want to make sure they have that on your wedding day), the cost of truly professional prints, products and offerings, none of this is cheap. One of my favorite quotes from a photographer years ago is "the sweetness of a good deal on photography doesn't compare the bitterness of a poorly taken image that you will look at for years to come".
Now before I start to get hate mail because of this post let me be clear on something. I do NOT have a problem with amateur photographers. Everybody starts somewhere, I did as did everyone else. I love to see the hobby photographer out with their camera on a mission to capture the perfect shot. My problem is simple, an amateur should not be shooting the jobs better left to professionals. Also, they certainly shouldn't be charging pennies on the dollar for that service.
This does nothing but farther destroy the "value" of our profession. When professional photographers have to try and "compete" on price with the discounters, they can't. They can't begin to cover the expense of a legitimate business, true professional prints, albums, products and services. They are faced with being the "more expensive choice" or with being forced to close or significantly lessen what they do. Not because they aren't worth the price but because the consumer doesn't understand the difference, and yes, there IS a difference.
Friends, please understand that I am not "kicking the little guy" in this post. I am simply tired of seeing my profession, my friends who have been photographers for years and the way we as professionals make our living become eroded and devalued. Any photographer worth having will tell you that we never stop learning. We learn every time we pick up the camera. I do however feel sad that a time has come when any experienced professional photographer who is in fact an artist has to become "discount" to compete.
Certainly in these times we have all given something to survive. Every photographer I know has made some effort to make their service more affordable. That is simply the right thing to do. At some point however, a line must be drawn. Professional photographers who have invested thousands of hours and tens of thousands of dollars should be allowed to make a living at their chosen craft.
Just keep in mind my friends that photography is art, plain and simple. It is an art medium no different than a brush and canvas are a medium. Shouldn't a true artisan be compensated for the years of experience, vision, creativity and hard work that has gone into what has ultimately created your image? I think we can all agree that the answer to that is yes. When you see a "good deal" or someone who guarantees to beat any price on photography, ask yourself this question. How can they provide a true, quality product and service for pennies on the dollar compared to others....the truth is, they can't. It is up to you, the patron of our art to decide what is worthy of your investment. I can only hope that in time the skill, experience and true quality of art we provide will rise above the buzz of a good deal. Having a professional who is skilled, creative, passionate and moreover experienced is paramount. It should never be "good enough" to have a "good" photograph.
With the economy struggling and our current financial climate so uncertain, finding a "good deal" is important. I'd like to take a moment to look at what a "good deal" really is. I am going to explore this from the perspective of a small business owner / photographer as that is what I know best.
Each day I see more and more new "photographers" come to be. They promote themselves via sites such as Facebook, Twitter or a snappy website on the Internet. They showcase the fact that they "specialize" in virtually every type of photography known. They build the excitement of their service by telling you how they can get virtually anything from a coffee mug to an airplane with your photo on it. Then to put the bow on the package they show you ridiculously cheap prices for these products and services. At first glance one would think "wow, that's a great deal"....... but is it really?
Two things I know for a fact. A photographer who "specializes" in virtually every type of photography known to mankind is no specialist at all. Thus the reason that I turn down certain types of work. I shoot a limited number of Fine Art weddings and a very limited range of portraits. My area of specialty is in commercial art, particularly nature, food and fashion. The second thing, a professional photographer who is experienced and good at the art is not inexpensive. A professional photographer who is serious about what they do has enormous expense in doing it. The cost of the true professional equipment, the cost of insurance (yes, you'll want to make sure they have that on your wedding day), the cost of truly professional prints, products and offerings, none of this is cheap. One of my favorite quotes from a photographer years ago is "the sweetness of a good deal on photography doesn't compare the bitterness of a poorly taken image that you will look at for years to come".
Now before I start to get hate mail because of this post let me be clear on something. I do NOT have a problem with amateur photographers. Everybody starts somewhere, I did as did everyone else. I love to see the hobby photographer out with their camera on a mission to capture the perfect shot. My problem is simple, an amateur should not be shooting the jobs better left to professionals. Also, they certainly shouldn't be charging pennies on the dollar for that service.
This does nothing but farther destroy the "value" of our profession. When professional photographers have to try and "compete" on price with the discounters, they can't. They can't begin to cover the expense of a legitimate business, true professional prints, albums, products and services. They are faced with being the "more expensive choice" or with being forced to close or significantly lessen what they do. Not because they aren't worth the price but because the consumer doesn't understand the difference, and yes, there IS a difference.
Friends, please understand that I am not "kicking the little guy" in this post. I am simply tired of seeing my profession, my friends who have been photographers for years and the way we as professionals make our living become eroded and devalued. Any photographer worth having will tell you that we never stop learning. We learn every time we pick up the camera. I do however feel sad that a time has come when any experienced professional photographer who is in fact an artist has to become "discount" to compete.
Certainly in these times we have all given something to survive. Every photographer I know has made some effort to make their service more affordable. That is simply the right thing to do. At some point however, a line must be drawn. Professional photographers who have invested thousands of hours and tens of thousands of dollars should be allowed to make a living at their chosen craft.
Just keep in mind my friends that photography is art, plain and simple. It is an art medium no different than a brush and canvas are a medium. Shouldn't a true artisan be compensated for the years of experience, vision, creativity and hard work that has gone into what has ultimately created your image? I think we can all agree that the answer to that is yes. When you see a "good deal" or someone who guarantees to beat any price on photography, ask yourself this question. How can they provide a true, quality product and service for pennies on the dollar compared to others....the truth is, they can't. It is up to you, the patron of our art to decide what is worthy of your investment. I can only hope that in time the skill, experience and true quality of art we provide will rise above the buzz of a good deal. Having a professional who is skilled, creative, passionate and moreover experienced is paramount. It should never be "good enough" to have a "good" photograph.
Saturday, June 25, 2011
What the future holds.
Happy Saturday my friends!
I hope you are all having a great start to your weekend and that you have some fantastic weather to enjoy. Welcome to the second week of my blog, the one that I've been two years creating :) They say that the best things in life take time so hopefully this blog will be worth the wait. In that same thought this week I am going to talk a little about where I have been and where I am heading. Just as I mentioned, time is often the greatest gift we are given. It can be our most valuable possession in life yet is something we really don't posses at all.
For many years I was blessed to be a general photographer. I loved the challenges of shooting weddings, the joy of shooting families and the pride of shooting seniors as they embarked on the next step in life. Each of the sessions over the years gave me something, a memory, a lesson and a dream. As I grew older and in many ways more focused on my own ideas and visions, I realized I was being given another choice. The choice of where I wanted to take my work, my career and my remaining time in the world of photography.
A year ago I revamped my plan for the future. I renamed my business, gave it a new look and feel and basically started working my way into a new direction. For me this was a tad scary and overwhelming. I began to move away from general photography. I left behind the boundaries of a traditional studio. The knowledge of being comfortable in my daily routine. I began to trade that for the honor of becoming a photographic artist. I realized that all the countless days of shooting general photography subjects and all the hundreds of thousands of images had been to bring me here. They had served to teach me, to shape me and to inspire me into the artist that I am today.
Being a photographic artist is an honor. I now have the creative freedom and the inspiration of experience to capture the world in a totally different way. I have come to see the beauty of the world. I now see the world with an eye that I had never before been aware of. To see the miracle that is a butterfly, the colors and textures painted by a loving God on such a delicate creature. The wonder of a bird in flight or a flower growing wild with a beauty that is breathtaking. The power of a mountain river or the majesty of the ocean waves. This is the world we were given. The world we share and so often look at but never really see.
Over the next few months I will begin placing my art in various places around the Southeast and if all goes well eventually nationwide. My work will be in galleries, both physical and online and in art exhibits and home decor stores. My hope is that with each print someone will see the beauty of our world and appreciate it for the gift that it is. My dream is that my work will inspire people to think, to be thankful and to live life with a bit more hope and peace than before. While I will still take on a very few select assignments such as weddings or portraits they will only make up about 20% of my schedule. I will devote the remainder to my art and to the craft of creating images that I can share with my patrons and clients.
The future for each of us is uncertain, full of wonder, challenge and mystery. The time we spend each day making that future our very best present is what will make it a wonderful part of our past. Until we meet here again, take care, be safe, happy and full of joy and may you have peace in all you do.
I hope you are all having a great start to your weekend and that you have some fantastic weather to enjoy. Welcome to the second week of my blog, the one that I've been two years creating :) They say that the best things in life take time so hopefully this blog will be worth the wait. In that same thought this week I am going to talk a little about where I have been and where I am heading. Just as I mentioned, time is often the greatest gift we are given. It can be our most valuable possession in life yet is something we really don't posses at all.
For many years I was blessed to be a general photographer. I loved the challenges of shooting weddings, the joy of shooting families and the pride of shooting seniors as they embarked on the next step in life. Each of the sessions over the years gave me something, a memory, a lesson and a dream. As I grew older and in many ways more focused on my own ideas and visions, I realized I was being given another choice. The choice of where I wanted to take my work, my career and my remaining time in the world of photography.
A year ago I revamped my plan for the future. I renamed my business, gave it a new look and feel and basically started working my way into a new direction. For me this was a tad scary and overwhelming. I began to move away from general photography. I left behind the boundaries of a traditional studio. The knowledge of being comfortable in my daily routine. I began to trade that for the honor of becoming a photographic artist. I realized that all the countless days of shooting general photography subjects and all the hundreds of thousands of images had been to bring me here. They had served to teach me, to shape me and to inspire me into the artist that I am today.
Being a photographic artist is an honor. I now have the creative freedom and the inspiration of experience to capture the world in a totally different way. I have come to see the beauty of the world. I now see the world with an eye that I had never before been aware of. To see the miracle that is a butterfly, the colors and textures painted by a loving God on such a delicate creature. The wonder of a bird in flight or a flower growing wild with a beauty that is breathtaking. The power of a mountain river or the majesty of the ocean waves. This is the world we were given. The world we share and so often look at but never really see.
Over the next few months I will begin placing my art in various places around the Southeast and if all goes well eventually nationwide. My work will be in galleries, both physical and online and in art exhibits and home decor stores. My hope is that with each print someone will see the beauty of our world and appreciate it for the gift that it is. My dream is that my work will inspire people to think, to be thankful and to live life with a bit more hope and peace than before. While I will still take on a very few select assignments such as weddings or portraits they will only make up about 20% of my schedule. I will devote the remainder to my art and to the craft of creating images that I can share with my patrons and clients.
The future for each of us is uncertain, full of wonder, challenge and mystery. The time we spend each day making that future our very best present is what will make it a wonderful part of our past. Until we meet here again, take care, be safe, happy and full of joy and may you have peace in all you do.
Saturday, June 18, 2011
At last....... a blog for Davissa.
Welcome my friends to the brand new blog for Davissa Fine Art Photography. Many of you have asked over the past two years "when are you going to do a blog"? The simple truth is, I didn't have time. I didn't want to be one of those bloggers who posts about once a year (like I do on my personal blog) so I elected to wait to do this. Well, the time is here so let the blogging begin.
For those of you who may be new to the world of Davissa and all things David, you are in for a unique, creative and sometimes probably memorable trip. The fact that I have decided to launch this blog on the eve of Father's Day is no fluke. I wanted to launch this as a tribute to the my Dad and the fantastic influence he was in my life. My Dad was a hard, strong, funny and loving man with a sense of humor and a wisdom I miss daily. He was in fact, my best friend. He gave me inspiration, challenges, suggestions and the much needed kick in the pants from time to time. He never judged me, discouraged me or failed to try and understand the complex person I am. He was and will always be one of the greatest people I will ever know. So, to honor a great man, a great friend and great Father, here we are!
Photography for me is much more than something I simply do as a profession. It is in fact a part of who I am. It is an extension of the complex, creative, funny and deeply emotional person I am. Making the choice to leave my family profession years ago and follow my creative heart was a hard one. One I have often questioned, wondered about and even doubted but here I am. As the years pass and I get older, a bit wiser and certainly more comfortable in my own skin I see the world differently. The really enjoyable part of what I do is that I get to chronicle the world, the people in it, the people in my life and things I see and live daily. No my friends, photography is FAR more than just my job.
They world of photography for me is a place of peace. It is a place where I can be myself, allow my mind to run and explore and to daily as the question "what if" and then try the "if" and see what happens. That, to me, is a gift. I feel that God gave me the eye, the talent and the personality to do what I do and do it well. He brings me the inspiration and the subjective eye to see the world in perhaps a little different way each day. For that I am thankful and blessed. As a child watching the old Star Trek and Hawaii 5-0 episodes when they were new I was always in wonder of the world as it could be. Now I get to create images that can challenge the mind, open the idea and make people say "wow". That is the greatest gift I can ever receive from someone who views one of my works. If I have made them wonder, made them think and in short made them say "wow", then I've done exactly what I set out to do.
Let me be the first to tell you that over the summer I will NOT be blogging every day. I'd run out of things to say.......well, perhaps not that exactly but things you'd find interesting let's say. So, I will probably try and post about once a week here. I will share some photos with you that I have taken during the week, share with you the high points of shoots and sessions and hopefully make you laugh a little too. If you know me very well, you know that food is going to find its way into some of my posts as well, what can I say. I am after all Italian. So, my friends, share with me now as I try to create and maintain a positive place here to share what I do, how I do it and perhaps have a laugh or two as well. I want this to be a positive, interactive and educational blog as well so feel free to post comments and questions.
Have a GREAT Fathers day and and look for my next update soon.
For those of you who may be new to the world of Davissa and all things David, you are in for a unique, creative and sometimes probably memorable trip. The fact that I have decided to launch this blog on the eve of Father's Day is no fluke. I wanted to launch this as a tribute to the my Dad and the fantastic influence he was in my life. My Dad was a hard, strong, funny and loving man with a sense of humor and a wisdom I miss daily. He was in fact, my best friend. He gave me inspiration, challenges, suggestions and the much needed kick in the pants from time to time. He never judged me, discouraged me or failed to try and understand the complex person I am. He was and will always be one of the greatest people I will ever know. So, to honor a great man, a great friend and great Father, here we are!
Photography for me is much more than something I simply do as a profession. It is in fact a part of who I am. It is an extension of the complex, creative, funny and deeply emotional person I am. Making the choice to leave my family profession years ago and follow my creative heart was a hard one. One I have often questioned, wondered about and even doubted but here I am. As the years pass and I get older, a bit wiser and certainly more comfortable in my own skin I see the world differently. The really enjoyable part of what I do is that I get to chronicle the world, the people in it, the people in my life and things I see and live daily. No my friends, photography is FAR more than just my job.
They world of photography for me is a place of peace. It is a place where I can be myself, allow my mind to run and explore and to daily as the question "what if" and then try the "if" and see what happens. That, to me, is a gift. I feel that God gave me the eye, the talent and the personality to do what I do and do it well. He brings me the inspiration and the subjective eye to see the world in perhaps a little different way each day. For that I am thankful and blessed. As a child watching the old Star Trek and Hawaii 5-0 episodes when they were new I was always in wonder of the world as it could be. Now I get to create images that can challenge the mind, open the idea and make people say "wow". That is the greatest gift I can ever receive from someone who views one of my works. If I have made them wonder, made them think and in short made them say "wow", then I've done exactly what I set out to do.
Let me be the first to tell you that over the summer I will NOT be blogging every day. I'd run out of things to say.......well, perhaps not that exactly but things you'd find interesting let's say. So, I will probably try and post about once a week here. I will share some photos with you that I have taken during the week, share with you the high points of shoots and sessions and hopefully make you laugh a little too. If you know me very well, you know that food is going to find its way into some of my posts as well, what can I say. I am after all Italian. So, my friends, share with me now as I try to create and maintain a positive place here to share what I do, how I do it and perhaps have a laugh or two as well. I want this to be a positive, interactive and educational blog as well so feel free to post comments and questions.
Have a GREAT Fathers day and and look for my next update soon.
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