News about Have Camera Will Travel
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Gary's Photography Rules
Through trial and error, I've discovered a few things over the years. I've decided to create a list of photographic rules I try to follow. Needless to say, there's always more to learn and rules are meant to be broken.
Things I've Learned
Every time I do a photo shoot in a less than urban location, I relearn
things I know I knew but have to keep reminding myself.
1. Always wear good sturdy hiking shoes in the mountains. Wearing
good mountain boots kept me from breaking an ankle, again.
2. Don't carry any more equipment than you'll need. I took 2 bodies
and 3 lenses with me last trip. I was thankful that at the end of the
day, my pack wasn't tearing my back up.
3. Always keep extra camera batteries with you. A battery can fail.
No battery...no camera.
4. Don't forget to stay hydrated. Always bring water with you on a day
outing. At high elevations, you'll get dehydrated quicker than you can
fall down a hillside.
5. Memory cards fail. Always check your files when you have the time.
Always bring spare memory cards with you. The last thing you need is to
find out you've lost 100 photos to a bad memory card you didn't catch
and replace.
6. Put a small first-aid kit in your bag. I guarantee you sooner or
later, there will be blood.
7. Sunscreen. Did someone say sunscreen?
Denver Night Photography
I recently joined other members of the Denver Photographic Society in a night shoot in downtown Denver, Colorado.
I've posted a few images from that outing.
Topaz DeNoise 4
I've done a quick look at the latest release of Topaz Labs Noise Reduction software, DeNoise 4 and compared it to Noise Ninja.
Maui, with all its contradictions.
I've posted my latest feature on Maui. Included are a few tips for photography and my general impressions of the Island. I hope you find it interesting.
The Hawaiian Island of Maui
I've recently returned from a trip to the Hawaiian Island of Maui. I'll have a full photographic feature up within the next few days, along with some travel and photo tips. Stay tuned.
Winter Coming to an End.
I've been holed up in my own world for the past few months, working primarily on the printing side of my business and thought it time to put an update on the web site. I'm working on a few new projects for 2010.
Speaking of printing, did you know I provide large format printing services? Yes, that's right. I'm a master printer and if you need large format prints of your images, drop me a line. I don't do prints smaller than 8x10, and work with other artists and photographers to get their products ready for presentation and sale. Check out Gray Photography's Printing Services on my main web site for more details.
I'm beginning to schedule my summer art festivals. I took last year off due to the economy being weak. Art Festivals have been suffering the past few years and making a profit has been a challenge. I've taken the opportunity and time off to update my portfolio with fresh images. As the festival season gets into full swing, I'll be writing more about the experiences I have.
I have a planned trip to Maui, Hawaii for mid-April. I've visited Kauai and Oahu in the past but have never been to Maui. Someday I hope to have visited all of the Hawaiian Islands. I'll be posting a photographic feature from this visit, you can count on it.
One of my projects in 2009 was to photograph the primary narrow gauge railroads of Colorado and for the most part I was successful. I still plan to finish up the Cripple Creek and Victor Railroad, in Cripple Creek, Colorado. This isn't a big line, but they are running vintage steam locomotives and no collection would be complete without including this line. I'm also planning on photographing the Rio Grande Scenic Railroad.
This is a more recent railroad running from La Veta, Co to Alamosa, CO. They have a couple of steam locomotives and a vintage 40's era diesel locomotive as well. Colorado is such a cool place for vintage trains, I feel lucky to live here. As usual, you can expect to hear more about this as I progress. My railroad photographs will be featured items at the art festivals I attend.
Lastly, I'm in the process of booking weddings. Yeah, I do wedding photography. I'm pretty picky about the jobs I take, as I like to enjoy what I'm doing. I've one booking for the Denver Botanic Gardens later this summer, and that event will provided some excellent photographic opportunities. If you or someone you know is looking for a Colorado wedding photographer, point them in my direction. I still have to pay the bills and life isn't one lone series of trains and beaches HA!
My ongoing series "The Quest For Better Photography" will continue. I'm just about ready to publish another section and eventually hope to have an entire book worth of material, which of course I'll eventually publish as a book.
So, for all my readers, thank you for your continued support. I don't make a penny from this web site and I've received a lot of positive feedback over the years so there's no thought of shutting it down.
Lastly, if you have something interesting to say about travel photography or locations you've photographed, I'd love to share your writing. Send me a note and some sample photography. If it's worth the reading, I'll give you some free web exposure. I'm always looking for contributing artists and writers. Don't be shy.