I am extremely pleased that one of my images was featured in a full page advertorial by Canson Infinity in the March 2012 edition of PDN magazine. It was a great honor to be selected by Canson and PDN for this article, and of course I bought a copy as soon as it hit the news stands!

The editor sent me a bunch of questions that I answered as best I could, then she edited my responses down to fit the article. It wasn’t as easy as you might think, and it highlights one of the reasons I always advocate learning how to talk about your photography and why you are passionate about what you do. It clarifies your intent and helps with developing a creative vision. These are all topics I discuss often in the workshops, and I plan to write about more here in the near future.

Download a PDF version of the Ad

Last year I was contacted by REI, one of the largest outdoor retailers in the country, about licensing a few of my images for new stores they were opening in NYC. They specifically wanted images that conveyed and connected them to the beauty of the Hudson Valley. The images were to be used in two retail locations, one in the Soho district of NYC, and the other in Paramus New Jersey, and would be printed very large, upwards of 15 feet.

I was very happy and honored to help them out, and I am extremely pleased that they licensed a total of 4 images. I provided them with high-resolution files at the sizes they specified, and they took care of the rest. The stores finally opened this fall, and I finally made it down to the Soho store this weekend to check out the installations. One of the images was placed behind the main counter, and into a lightbox, which is basically a back lit enclosure with the image printed on a translucent film that allows the light to pass through the print.

I have to say it looked amazing, similar to a lcd display in terms of brightness, but better because it is a print, so the resolution and detail is much higher. I have been aware of light boxes for some time, but after seeing one this big, I’m looking into making this a presentation option for my prints together with canvas and framed. I’ll share what I discover here.

I have not had a chance to visit the Paramus store, but will post photos here when I get a chance.

I’ll be giving a talk/seminar at the Westchester Photographic Society tonight titled “Beauty Within – A Journey of the Landscape“, where I talk about my basic approach and philosophy  to photography, and present some of my evolving work using a slideshow presentation.

As much as I try and prepare for these lectures, I seem to do best when I just talk from the heart and let the images and the places I’ve photographed inspire me. I do spend a lot of time preparing the actual slideshow (using Apple’s Keynote software), and make many notes about what I want to say. But so often as in photography, the feel of the setting and the audience will dictate my own tempo and direction, and I try and adapt to the people that are present. I guess I can’t get rid of the improvisational nature of my personality, which is why I studied jazz for so many years.

This isn’t always a good strategy for everyone, but it underscores how important it is for any photographer to have a really good grasp of their work, their preferred subjects,  and most importantly why they photograph. There is an exercise I recommend to every photographer and you would be amazed at how much you can learn about your creative motivations, and even find some new direction in the process. There’s a great post over on the Pro Nature Photographer website (which I recommend highly) by Brenda Tharp which talks about this exercise  - examining our motivations and discovering the gift that is photography and the benefits we all derive from it, including those who purchase prints for their homes or offices.

Becoming as proficient as possible in explaining your work allows you to speak with more authenticity, authority, and ultimately will improve your photography immensely. I know it has for me, an important reason why I love to talk to other photographers, whether personally or in lectures and seminars. I will be giving a free landscape photography seminar soon in my hometown of Beacon, and I’ll post the details here and on my Facebook page in the near future. I’m always available for speaking engagements, so please contact me of you’d like me to speak at an event, whether photography related or otherwise.

New York, NY – Columbia Presbyterian Medical Center  has selected five prints by Hudson Valley photographer Robert Rodriguez Jr, to be on permanent display at their new renovated building. The Milstein Family Heart Center, is a six-story, 142,000 square-foot building featuring dramatic glass curtain facade and offers sweeping views of the Hudson River.

Art Consultant Bernice K. Leader from Leader Associates Art Consulting chose “Jordan Pond Colors”, “Lake Tiorati Sunrise”, “Magic Moment”, “Drops of Water”, to be displayed at the 1st floor open space atrium. A 20×60 canvas of “Lake Tiorati’ was chosen for their ICU unit.

Robert is humbled that his serene landscapes is on permanent display at one of the most respected hospitals in New York City. He hopes that patients and doctors will have a glimpse of the beauty of nature here in the Hudson Valley.

If you would like to bring nature into your office, retail, or home environment as a fine art print, canvas, or mural please call us for a free consultation at 888-425-4755.

]]> http://robertrodriguezjr.com/2010/05/06/nyc-hospital-chooses-hudson-valley-landscapes-for-their-new-cardiovascular-building/feed/ 1 http://robertrodriguezjr.com/2010/02/15/bank-square-coffee-shop-installs-mighty-storm-king-mural/ http://robertrodriguezjr.com/2010/02/15/bank-square-coffee-shop-installs-mighty-storm-king-mural/#comments Tue, 16 Feb 2010 00:51:16 +0000 Brenda De Leon http://robertrodriguezjr.com/?p=2433

Beacon, NY – Bank Square Coffee House installed Robert Rodriguez Jr’s “Mighty Storm King” mural at their main street location. Bank Square Coffee House is Beacon’s newest and finest coffeehouse featuring high quality Hudson Valley roasted coffee and vegan baked goods.  Long time Beacon residents, Leonard and Katy (owners) are outdoor enthusiasts who wanted to bring the beauty of the Hudson Valley “inside” for their  local patrons and tourists to enjoy. They also own Mountain Tops Outfitters, an outdoor recreational shop (right across the street), offering all the gear and apparel needed for hiking and kayaking.

The 54 x 128 mural is at their main entrance and depicts Storm King Mountain, a popular landmark in the Hudson Valley.  In the 1960′s, Con Ed proposed to build a pumped storage hydroelectric power plant at the mountain to meet the rapidly expanding power demand in the New York City region. This marked the beginnings of a new era of environmental advocacy in the U.S.

Thanks to objections of the locals and the formation of Scenic Hudson , today Storm King Mountain remains a national landmark representing the start of the modern environmental movement.

For locally grown coffee, smoothies, teas, vegan baked goods, visit Bank Square Coffeehouse at 129 Main Street, Beacon, NY.

If you would like to bring nature into your corporate, retail or office environment as a fine art print, canvas, or mural, please call us for a free consultation at 888-425-4755.

On February 17th, 2010, the Professional Club of Lower Fairfield County (PCLFC) will have Robert Rodriguez Jr, a renowned landscape photographer, as their special presenter. Robert will be giving a slide show presentation titled “Beauty Within – The Journey of Landscape Photography” for the association’s members.

The special presentation will be held at the Stamford Senior Center, 2nd Floor, 888 Washington Blvd, Stamford, CT on February 17th, 2010 at 7:30pm. PCLFC Members are free, visitors $5.00.

Robert is a highly respected educator in all aspects of  landscape photography including field work, digital printing and editing. He gives seminars and workshops in the Hudson Valley region on a regular basis and has been invited to speak at numerous industry associations.

If you would like have Robert Rodriguez Jr as an invited guest speaker please call (888) 425-4755.

Poughkeepsie, NY – Mill Street Loft, a non-profit multi-arts educational center based in Poughkeepsie, NY will feature Robert Rodriguez  Jr’s “River Dreams” as part of a silent auction at the Poughkeepsie Grandview on March 4th, 2010.  The photograph was selected by a distinguished jury.  The silent auction is an annual event and will feature artwork by local professional Hudson Valley artists.

For 30 years Mill Street Loft has been dedicated to bringing a wide range of creative, educational, and culturally-enriching programs and art courses to diverse audiences throughout the Hudson Valley. Their 30 year annual “Friend of the Arts” event will benefit their youth scholarships and outreach programs.

Starting bid is $250.00 (framed print size is 24 x 34).  If you wish to place a bid click here.

For reservations and additional information, please call Mill Street Loft at 845-471-7477 or e-mail at info@millstreetloft.org.

Poughkeepsie, NY – Astor Services for Children & Families has purchased five black & white prints by Hudson Valley photographer Robert Rodriguez Jr, to be on permanent display at their Poughkeepsie location at  13 Mt. Carmel Place. Founded in 1953, Astor Services is a community based non-profit organization providing educational services in a caring environment where children and their families find strength, healing, hope and trust. They now serve over 6,000 children and families annually in the Mid-Hudson Valley region and the Bronx.

Deputy Director, Dianne Terpenning first saw Robert’s photographs at an exhibition held at the Malboro Free Library in Marlboro, NY.  When the opportunity arose to update their conference room,  Dianne was confident that Robert’s landscape images would help create the warmth and positive ambiance they were looking for. Now that they are installed, Dianne says “…everyone is thrilled with the prints and now that the new furniture and blinds have arrived, we’re quite professional looking. Many thanks again – everyone loves the prints!”

Robert visited the office for a consultation to help them decide which prints would best complement the atmosphere they wanted to create. Given their location just a few blocks from the Hudson River, Robert’s landscapes of the Hudson Valley seemed a perfect fit. Robert printed, matted, and framed the custom prints in his private studio working within his customers budgets without compromising the extreme quality standards he sets for himself. “No matter what the budget or situation, I always make sure I’m doing the best possible work I can. Only this way can I feel confident I’m exceeding what I’ve done before, and that always makes the customer happy – our ultimate goal”, says Robert of his worth ethic.

If you would like to bring nature into your office environment please call our office at (888) 425-4755 or contact us for a free consultation.

Hudson Valley Photographer, Robert Rodriguez Jr will be conducting a series of photography workshops in the Hudson Valley.  The workshops are divided into field and classroom sessions. “Photography is the language of light, color, shape, texture, and emotion. Your ability to learn and use this language effectively is the basis of how I approach each Beyond the Lens workshop,” says Robert.

Robert is a highly respected educator in all aspects of  landscape photography including field work, digital printing and editing. If you are serious about your photographic potential, then his workshops will provide you with the ideas, concepts, and inspiration that make any camera a tool of true creativity.

Beyond the Lens Photography Schedule:

• Saturday  Feb 13, 2010 – Adobe Lightroom Master Class
• Saturday  Feb 27, 2010 – Fine-Art Digital Printing
• Saturday March 13, 2010 -Fine-Art Digital Printing #2
• Saturday May 15, 2010 – Hudson Valley Spring Workshop
• October 1,2,3, 2010 – Vermont Fall Colors Workshop – More Info and Details Coming Soon!
• Saturday Oct 16, 2010 – Fall Colors Landscape Workshop

]]> http://robertrodriguezjr.com/2010/01/20/2010-photography-workshops-now-available/feed/ 0 http://robertrodriguezjr.com/2009/12/09/one-of-a-kind-show-in-new-york-city/ http://robertrodriguezjr.com/2009/12/09/one-of-a-kind-show-in-new-york-city/#comments Thu, 10 Dec 2009 04:14:04 +0000 Brenda De Leon http://robertrodriguezjr.com/?p=2099

Robert Rodriguez Jr will be exhibiting at the One of a Kind Show and Sale NY on Dec. 11 – 13 (Preview Night Dec 10)  located on Pier 94, 12th Ave at 55th St. The One of a Kind Show and Sale NY will be a three and a half-day holiday shopping show, featuring the best in fine art and fine craft from more than 200 unique artists, artisans and designers from across North America.

Robert’s latest landscape photography will  include images from the Hudson Valley, Maine, and the Adirondacks in canvas, framed, and matted prints. The latest 2010 Hudson Valley Wall Calendar will also be available together with notecard sets.