Planning A Trip

So now that I have the finances and time to travel.  I'm planning a big trip in the fall to Seattle, Washington.  Why Seattle, well I received my commercial photography degree there and I loved all the exploring I did while I was there and I can't wait to get back there!

 

Knowing my small fear of flying I knew I wanted plenty to keep my busy so I didn't have to think about where I was.  I had heard a lot about kindles and they were very popular at work.  I did some research and finally decided to buy one.  There would be plenty of reading materials and games that would keep me preoccupied. 

 

In my search for reading material I naturally headed for the photography books and there I found many books.  This week I will tell you about my first read.  It is "Before The Shutter, Planning Your Next Travel Photography Adventure" by Anne McKinnell.  I thought this would be appropriate reading considering I'm planning a trip.  I do remember seeing Anne McKinnell on twitter and she also has a terrific blog. 

 

I read through Anne's book and was very pleased with it.  Very helpful in preparing for my trip.  I would highly recommend this book for anyone who is planning a photography trip.

 

For some folks planning a trip it is where your going, your flight, hotel and car.  And that's what I was thinking too, but I had to consider far more.  Like equipment, what did I need or already have, lighting, time of day is important, consider the weather, what if it rains.  I'll need rain gear for me and my equipment.  I needed to really think about where I wanted to photograph in Seattle.  And it's not just Seattle, there are beautiful locations surrounding Seattle too.  I created a list of locations I wanted to photograph.  But I had to make sure I stayed within my 8 day trip.  Another thing I needed to consider is do I want carryon or check in baggage.  Frankly if I can carryon with my equipment I'd be happy, but I don't know if I can do that.  So maybe I need to visit the airport near by and ask. 

 

There is soooooo much to prep for that I had to really create a file and just start typing and putting it together.  Thanks to Anne's book I will be fully prepared for my trip and have lots of photographs to bring home.

 

The photographs below were taken at a maritime village in Connecticut. 

The 2 directly below were from a few years back.  Both were done with Topaz Adjust.  The B&W one I also use Silver Efex, both had 2 textures from 2LilOwls using haunting 19 and haunting 6.

The sewing room on the bottom was photographed last year at the same village just a different dress.  On that one I used Silver Efex and 4 textures 2 from French Kiss lestex3 gale and fauve gold and 2 from Flypaper textures fly24 and lost void.

                   Sewing Room 2                                                                          Sewing Room 3

                                                                      Sewing Room

Working with these photographs using textures and software are very time consuming, but so much fun! 

Time for Change........

 For the past several years I've been trying to get my photography business going.  By doing shows, having websites and working on social media to get the word out.  But I've found that to be unsuccessful.  My shows, well some were great, but most not so much.  My websites will not until the last year or so did they really start to pick up, but they would only get sales providing I maintained social media.  I often found myself frustrated and exhausted with trying to keep up.  I was always looking for another way to make money with my photography.  I hated the constant fighting to make a living and keep my head above water.  I felt like I was degrading my photography.  I was settling and I didn't want that.  That was when it was time to fess up and say it's time for a job.  One where I could rely on a weekly paycheck.  During the course of this last year I did very little photography and spent most of my time learning the new job. 

 

Come December I had to start thinking about shows for 2014.  Did I want to do them?  Was it worth it?  I took a good hard look and though I didn't like what I saw I had to face the truth.  I love photography, but I hate having to struggle so hard.  It's not an easy business and I know it's hard, but I know I could do better.  So this year I have come to a comprise.  I will not be doing shows, but I will maintain my websites and social media and do something I haven't been able to do for quite a while and that is travel.  Fortunately I have a job working in a garden center and the people are great!  So my job is manageable and also allows me to continue with my photography

 

So now with a little more freedom I have taken on a new challenge.  I'm reinventing myself and my photography.  For the past several months I've been doing a lot of reading, learning some new techniques and getting excited about my photography again.  I so anxious to get started, Spring can't get here soon enough.  I have to say I have never been one to photograph the winter season.  As beautiful as it can be it is also very cold and quite frankly I don't care for the cold.  So I am anxiously waiting for Spring. 

 

One of my other problems is I have a hard time committing to anything.  So it is my goal to commit to this blog, social media and to my photography. 

 

I feel this is right for me......I feel it in my soul and so happy to get started. 

 

Over the next couple of weeks I will have some new and some old photographs to show and will explain further on my new techniques and goals.

 

I will be telling you about the books I've been reading and how they have inspired me.

 

I have a new website which will be my Portfolio.  It is a work in progress, stop in for a visit and let me know your thoughts.

 

Anxious to see these lovely flowers in the Spring.

Which by the way can come any time now!

 

 

Lupine

 

I processed this lupine using Topaz Adjust soft focus

        then layered 2 textures French kiss Solstic Elan 2 and 2 Little Owls Jewel chalks 13.

 

Hope to see you next week.