Taking a reading break with my favorite tea - Mighty Leaf tropical green

I think it’s fair to say I have a book habit – I love collecting and reading books. While I still enjoy and buy “real” books, most of my reading has been on a tablet for the past few years. Coffee table books are great, but nothing beats the convenience of carrying a whole bookshelf worth of books in a device smaller than a magazine. You can touch any word and instantly get the definition, add notes and highlights, and change the size and color of the text or background for day or night reading. The days of having the backseat of my car layered with books are over for good.

I started on Amazon’s original Kindle, and upgraded to the Kindle 2 when it was released. However, the first iPad quickly became my reader of choice once I read my first book on it. It was in color, had a bigger screen, and had that Apple elegance and user experience that’s hard to describe until you actually experience it yourself. I even tried the Kindle Fire for a while, but I kept coming back to the iPad and its superior screen and user interface. The new generation of interactive media rich books and magazines for the iPad are great, and I’m sure we’re only seeing the tip of the iceberg.

I enjoy reading all sorts of books that I find interesting and stimulating, and my current iPad 2 makes carrying a large library around extremely easy. I split my time between the Kindle app and Apple’s iBooks app, but prefer the iBooks app for it’s better book management and support for the epub format (the most common format for ebooks). I also like the way it handles PDF files so I use it to store and read my growing PDF library. Most books are now usually available at both Amazon or the iTunes book store, so I usually choose the better price.

While I have not upgraded to the new iPad, photographs on the new retina display look incredible, and that may tip the scales for me at some point in the future.

Anyhow, here’s a list of what I’ve been reading over the past few months, and I’ve got a pretty long que which should keep me busy for the rest of the year.

The Visual Story – Bruce Block – visual design, composition, storytelling, all great concepts explained in this book geared towards film makers, but equally applicable to photographers.

Photographically Speaking – David duChemin – a great primer for beginners and advanced photographers alike, plus many great examples and photo critiques that help understand what makes an image work.

Writing Down the Bones -Natalie Goldberg – explore the inner workings of the creative process, and so applicable to photography.

Van Gogh – Stephen Naifeh – an in-depth biography of this influential but mentally disturbed painter, lots of great insight and historical perspective on art at the end of the 19th century. I love reading biographies, and this one is one of my favorites.

Steve Jobs – Walter Isaacson – amazing story of tis iconic thinker and his influence on all of our lives over the past 25 years.

No Death, No Fear - Thich Nhat Hanh –  teacher and poet examines our concepts of death, fear, and the very nature of existence.

Would love to hear your comments and feedback, or questions in general about the iPad – thanks!

I spent the weekend in NYC visiting a few museums and galleries, and enjoying some quality time with the family. The MET just opened the new American Wing that has a great collection of paintings from the Hudson River School. I wanted to go see the paintings, as well as  take some photos and do some research for an upcoming article I’m working on. But really any excuse to get into an art museum is always a good thing, there is so much to learn and get inspired from.

While walking the streets of NY, I noticed how I was constantly studying the light, seeing how it interacted with different surfaces and shapes, and how it changed at different times of the day. I find that the more I practice photography, the more I see things in terms of lines and shapes, and notice the quality of light much more than I did in the past. These are critical skills to develop, regardless of whether you shoot landscapes, wildlife, or still life. Plus the architecture in NYC is really cool, so I had a good time working with a different subject than I normally do.

These were all shot with my Panasonic GH2 (my favorite street/pocket camera), Panasonic 20mm pancake lens,  and processed in Lightroom 4.

It’s always interesting when someone writes something positive about your work, and recently I was featured on two blogs. I am honored that both of these photographers would think of my photography the way they do. For me the biggest positive is the motivation to continue not only to work harder at what I am passionate about – nature and photography, but also to continue to share that with others who have the same passions and feelings about life, our natural world, and the potential to make a difference with creativity.

I also encourage you to check out these blogs and the photographers mentioned – always something to learn from others.

• Edward Brydon writes a monthly article titled “Feature First Friday” and highlights some of the things that catch his attention in photography. Read this month’s entry.

• Kevin Hardy talks about his influences on the A Life More Rewarding blog, and also showcases his own work on his website Limited Exposure.

Thank you both for your generosity.

There was an interesting article in the NY Times recently that caught my attention – “Researchers said they found that in most activities, a mind that wandered could diminish one’s happiness.” The idea that the more you focus on something without distraction the happier you are is something I’ve experienced many times, and actually look forward to each and every time I go out with my camera. Happiness that comes from staying focused applies to many other activities in life as the article explains, but the most significant statistic was that work ranked as the unhappiest activity by those involved in the study. While at work, their minds wandered the most and lead to the least amount of happiness of all the activities mentioned.

This instantly made me realize several things:

1. I am very fortunate indeed that I actually have the opposite experience, which is that I am most focused and happiest when I am working.
2. Being creative requires tremendous focus and little room for distraction, at least that is my experience whether taking pictures, processing images, or making prints.
3. There are an awful lot of people that are not happy with their jobs, and should really re-assess whether there are any options.

“Do everything as if it were the only thing in the world that mattered, while all the time knowing that it doesn’t matter at all.” – Pema Chodron

For me true happiness comes from somewhere much deeper and more significant than how much money I make, or whether I can buy more stuff. Is this a difficult, frustrating, and incredibly challenging way to make a living? …YES. But the value I derive from sharing my view of the world with others through my prints is what truly matters to me, and defines my “currency.” Sharing that with my customers and supporters is really inspiring and special. Sharing that with my family, my wife, and my 7 yr old son makes me happy, very happy.

Are you focused in your daily work?

Motivation for me seems to come in waves, and when I’m inspired it’s a great feeling that gets me out with my camera regardless of the time, weather, or any other distraction that may arise. Sometimes however, that motivation can fade ever so gradually, perhaps because of other responsibilities in life, the demanding business aspects of making a living as a photographer, or a creative road block. I’ve struggled with all of these, but I use these times as an opportunity to take stock of where I am in my artistic journey, and re-charge my batteries so to speak for the future.

I’ve always believed that having a lifestyle that supports your passion is a sure way to keep motivated even when things get a little dry. This is something I’ve worked on for many years, and continue to refine day by day. I’m extremely fortunate to have a family that shares and enjoys this lifestyle. While many think I have a dream career, it is HARD work, with long solitary hours both in the field and at home in the studio. Often we complain of not having enough time to achieve our personal goals, and when we get off track we can get discouraged and unmotivated. But finding time is often just a re-examining of our true priorities, and deciding what really matters to you.

For example, we canceled our tv cable service years ago and have never looked back. This has provided many extra hours a week that I use for marketing, reading and learning new skills, working in the studio, all things that keep me motivated creatively. Sure we still watch tv programs, but the content we are interested in comes from internet services such as NetFlix, and purchased DVDs where we control when we watch the shows. Most importantly, I have more time to spend with my son who is now in second grade and asking more and more questions about everything. Do I miss it? Not in the least, and as Seth Godin says on his great blog, “there are so many other things I’d rather be doing.”

I’ve also dedicated myself to a daily yoga and meditation practice which helps me both physically and mentally to stay sharp and focused on and off the trails. Where as in the past I might have let the weather become a mental distraction, now I am better at accepting nature as it comes and making the best out of every situation. A mind that is negatively biased is a sure way to lose motivation even before the camera gets out of the bag. Like I’ve told many workshop students, seeing is often more mental than physical, and being open to the moment is where true creativity comes from. Focusing on how I can grow today, and not worrying about past failures or regrets is another benefit

Reading is also a favorite way for me to find motivation, and this includes art and non-art books as well. I am an avid reader, and never leave home without my Kindle which is loaded with all sorts of books. A recent book that was truly inspiring was “The War of Art” by Steven Pressfield, and I can’t recommend it enough to anyone who really wants to take their creative passion and/or profession to the next level. One of my favorite quotes: “The professional dedicates himself to mastering technique not because he believes technique is a substitute for inspiration but because he wants to be in possession of the full arsenal of skills when inspiration does come.”

Aside from books, there a quite a number of blogs I turn to for motivation regularly, here are some of my favorites:

• Seth Godin Blog – overcome your “lizard brain” – must read

• Pro Nature Photographer – for those considering a career in nature photography, lots of motivational stories from other pros

• Goodlife Zen – practical inspiration for a happier life

The study of painting, and specifically landscape painting by the Hudson River School has been extremely enjoyable and a rich creative leaning experience for me. I recently visited the National Art Gallery in Washington DC and seeing spectacular masterpieces up close by Thomas Cole and Frederic Church left me in complete awe. The mastery of light and shadow, texture, and perspective by these 19th century artists reminded me of how much I need to continue to learn and grow as photographer. Studying other mediums is a practice I recommend highly to any photographer, and nothing has improved my photography more than the study of painting. There is always something to learn from other visual art forms, and often the seed of motivation and inspiration will come from these experiences.

I hope some of these ideas will spark some motivation in your creative endeavors, and help you overcome those times when nothing seems to be working for you. I know the feelings all too well. With the right attitude and mindset, they can become pathways to search for and find those sparks which can turn into a flood of great ideas.

I saw the angel in the marble and carved until I set him free.  ~Michelangelo

I had a friendly conversation with someone recently who is unhappy with their current career situation and wanted some advice/guidance in terms of photography and the rewards and challenges involved. To be honest, I have these types of conversations quite frequently, and questions about making a living as a photographer rank at the top of the most requested information – well maybe after “what kind of camera do you use.” These questions are all valid, and I’m constantly learning more and more as I grow as a photographer.

One of the common pieces of advice I hear often from seasoned professionals is “don’t quit your day job” if you have thoughts about becoming a pro. I understand the underlying reason for this response, yet I have always felt it is a negative and fear based position that I’ve never agreed with. Who am I to tell anyone what they can or can’t do, or for that matter place a limit on their determination? Is this perhaps a sign of insecurity, after all they themselves had to make the very same decision at some point in their lives.

It reminds me of my ankle injury three years ago when I had 5 screws and a metal plate inserted to get me back to “normal”. From the day I broke it, I was determined to recover and return to the very physical activities I was so accustomed to doing. When my doctor finally told me to start walking again, I was anxious to start therapy, but he recommended I wait a month before my first visit to the rehab center. I couldn’t wait, yet to my utter dismay, on the first visit the physical therapist proceeded to explain the limitations I would face because of the injury and hardware now in my ankle.

To this day, I will never forget how I felt on the drive home, and I decided right then only I would decide my limitations. I’m a pretty humble person, but how could someone tell me what I was or was not capable of doing? I had just finished reading “It’s Not About The Bike” by Lance Armstrong, and we all know what he went on to achieve after being given a death sentence with massive cancer. I was inspired and motivated, and  started my own intense therapy regiment of daily yoga, weight training, and hiking which lasted almost a year. Today, I am 95% of where I was before the injury, and the last 5% I make up by being wiser and smarter about the types of physical activities I’m willing to engage in. Experience and wisdom do come with age!

“Success is going from failure to failure without losing enthusiasm” – Winston Churchill

My core belief is only you can determine what you are capable of, and no one can or should tell you otherwise. IF you have the dogged determination and stamina, then yes you can become a professional in whatever field you choose, including photography. Will it be difficult and challenging? I can tell you it is the hardest thing I have ever tried to do. But so what – I am having a blast and I am doing what I love. I wake up every morning at 5AM eager and excited about the day ahead, and if  you are not clear and focused mentally, then you will find it exceedingly difficult to succeed no matter what your goals are.

“I’ve missed more than 9000 shots in my career. I’ve lost almost 3000 games…I’ve failed over and over and over again in my life. And that is why I succeed.” -Michael Jordan

Am I afraid or worried that others will crowd this extremely competitive field? Not at all – I work day and night at creating my own path and no one can be me – just as I can not be anyone else. You will know if and when it is the right time to quit your day job, but if it is, then don’t look back, and never listen to the voice of fear – it’s never helped me achieve anything.

I love motivational quotes, mostly for what it teaches me about how others perceive the basic issues of adversity, challenge, and success. Here are 11 favorites that I’ve collected over the years together with some preferred personal images. Share your favorite quotes in the comments!

“The miracle is not to fly in the air, or to walk on the water, but to walk on the earth.” -Chinese Proverb

“Happiness is when what you think, what you say, and what you do are all in harmony.” -Ghnadi

“Zeal is the volcano, the peak of which the grass of indecisiveness does not grow.” -Gibran

“Let us be like a bird for a moment, perched on a frail branch when he sings; though he feels it bend, yet he sings his songs, knowing that he has wings.” -Victor Hugo

“You cannot do a kindness too soon, for you never know how soon it will be too late.” -Ralph Waldo Emerson

“Achievement is the knowledge that you have studied and worked hard and done the best that is in you. Success is being praised by others. That is nice but not as important or satisfying. Always aim for  achievement and forget about success.” -Helen Hayes

“Do your work with your whole heart and you will succeed – there is so little competition.” -Elbert Hubbard

“If you limit your choices only to what seems possible or reasonable, you disconnect yourself from what you truly want, and all that is left is a compromise.” -Robert Fritz

“Technique and ability alone do not get you to the top – it is the will power that is most important. This will power you can not buy with money or be given by others – it rises from the heart.” -Junko Tabei, first woman on Everest

“The greatest service we can perform for others is to help them to help themselves.” -Horace Mann

“There is nothing either good or bad but thinking makes it so.” – Shakespeare

I am very pleased and especially grateful that Lexjet has selected me to be featured in their latest InFocus newsletter. In their Artist Spotlight section, I was able to talk about my approach to landscape photography and how it relates to my past career in music, and how I try to find new ways to share my work in corporate and retail locations. Behind any success there is lots of hard work, but when you love what you do, the line between work and play is transparent.

I truly hope that this serves as an inspiration to anyone who is afraid to follow their dreams. This post is not really about me, but about the will and dedication to stick your neck out for something you believe in, hopefully yourself.

“Don’t surrender your individuality , which is your greatest agent of power, to the customs and conventionalities that have got their life from the great mass.Do you want to be a power in the world? Then be yourself.” – Ralph Waldo Trine

A big thanks to Eileen Fritsch from Lexjet for the great job deciphering my hour long rambling on the phone!

Like father, like son!

I love to read, and between my Amazon Kindle and regular old-fashioned books, I read a lot. The Kindle allows me to read more often, since I can take it with me pretty much where ever I go, and it’s kept me happily entertained on many long hours waiting for the right conditions while photographing. The ability to bring dozens of books with me in a small device that fits easily in my backpack is truly amazing. Camping has never been better, assuming you can charge the thing, which for me is never a problem – I make sure I can charge my camera batteries where ever I go!

At the same time, nothing beats the feel of a good novel or photography book while relaxing at home during a cold and wet winter day. And while I do read the Kindle at home, it just doesn’t compare (nor should it) to enjoying images in a large coffee table book by my favorite photographers.

This list isn’t limited to photography books because I wanted to share some of the stuff I’ve been reading as of late, regardless of subject. I’ve always believed that learning as much as possible about anything that interests you will pay off in the long run, regardless of whether you’re an artist, father, business owner, or all of the above. So here are a few of my recommendations.

Business/Marketing
A huge topic for me, I can’t get enough about everything there is to know and learn in this new world of the internet and social media, but here are some good thinkers worth reading.

- Trust Agents: Chris Brogan, Julien Smith
Establishing trust online is key to any marketing success, and these guys have invaluable information and advice to share. I’m on my second read.

- Duct Tape Marketing: John Jantsch
Lacking in your marketing efforts? Start here – the best marketing 101 book I’ve read in a while, and even though I’ve been at it for a while, there is always something new to learn!

- The Think Big Manifseto: Michael Port – A truly inspiring book on motivation and the power of believing in oneself to achieve any dream. I’ve read this book twice, and it leaves me feeling empowered and confident about my future as a big thinker.

- Getting Things Done: David Allen
The classic book on stress-free productivity which everyone should read, it started the GTD revolution, so important in a world filled with distractions and demands on our limited energy and time.

- Tribes: Seth Godin
His previous book showed me what a “Purple Cow” was, and this book delivers even more wisdom about what it takes to succeed as an entrepeneur. While not written specifically for an artist, if you a visual artist trying to market and sell your work, this book is mind and eye opening.

Positive Thinking

- Peace Is Every Step: Thich Nhat Hanh
A short book with profound ideas and teachings, yet so simple in its message. You don’t have to change your beliefs or meditate (though I meditate regularly) to appreciate how easy it is to find beauty and peace in every step of life. “I have lost my smile, but don’t worry, The dandelion has it”.

Stories and Inspiration
Who doesn’t enjoy a good novel or adventure story to get the imagination going and escape to another time and place?

- The Road: Cormac McCarthy
A dark and sad tale about an a post apocalyptic scenario involving a father and son relationship. A book about despair, love, and faith in the human spirit.

- John Adams: David McCullough
I enjoy reading about colonial times and the hardships people endured to achieve greatness, both as a source of inspiration and as a way to gain perspective in our own times. I find it difficult to complain about anything these days compared to what it was like before…great book, though quote long!

Creative
This is where it all happens for me, and where I can read forever if it wasn’t for the fact I have to feed my growing 6 yr old!

- Waiting for the Light: David Noton
A master of beauty, light and color, David’s images and accompanying text was a pleasure to enjoy. His candid and down to earth approach was a welcome change to so many other “serious” books, and his enthusiasm and passion for capturing simple beauty comes across in every image. I can’t get enough of his photography from around the world.

- American Wilderness: Barbara Babcock Millhouse
I’m a life-long student of the Hudson River School of Painters, and this book adds to my ever expanding collection about this subject. While not as analytical as others, it gives a good overview of the artists and their contributions to this movement and genre. If you don’t know much about Thomas Cole or Frederic Church (and his home Olana), start here.

- Landscape Beyond: David Ward
A master photographer and thinker, David makes me think more than any other photographer since Galen Rowell. His images are amazing, but it’s his writing I enjoy more than anything else. ” The ability to simplify means to eliminate the unnecessary so that the necessary may speak.”

- The Creative Habit: Twyla Tharp
The ethic of hard work is epitomized in this great book by this dancer/choreographer. It will literally kick your @#$ and make you think twice about what it takes to be creative – my favorite book of the year by far!

- Mastering Photographic Composition, Creativity, and Personal Style: Alain Briot
Another great book that focuses on the aesthetics of photography from a former painter and one of the most successful fine art photographers alive today. Timeless information that goes beyond the latest technology and gimmicks. This is a permanent part of my photography bookshelf.

- Working the Light: a Photographic Masterclass: Eddie Ephramus
A workshop in a book, this is as close as you’ll get from home to working with four amazing photographers and instructors. It’s filled with student photos and critiques from the instructors, and I learned quite a bit from this unique presentation

- Galen Rowell – A Retrospective
Finally, I left the best for last. I received this book from my wife last Christmas, and it always remain close at hand whenever I need inspiration. Working with a film 35mm camera at a time when all serious landscape photographers used 8×10 view cameras, Galen Rowell blended adventure, remote and exotic locations, and an amazing instinct for light and color. He was the first photographer I ever heard that spoke about the relationship between photography and music, and similarly inspired me to push my body and mind in attempt to express my passion and feelings for the natural world.

Above all, please remember this is only my opinion, and what appeals to me may not appeal to you. But curiosity has done wonders for me, so explore with an open mind!

My son Bryce has been listening to and enjoying classical music since he was born 6 years ago. The “Mozart Effect” claims that children who are exposed to classical music early become more intelligent, develop better memory, and grow to be brighter individuals. Even if this isn’t true, my wife and I figured it could only bring him benefit, and so we’ve made it a part of his life from day one. Every night for six years, the iPod in his room has played most of Mozart’s pieces countless times.

I purchased a live concert DVD of Mozart’s piano concertos a few years ago which we also enjoy on a regular basis. I was used to Bryce’s curious questions about the concert such as when it was appropriate to clap, why some instruments played much less than others, and how they knew when to play. During a recent viewing however, an interesting exchange occurred.

“I wanted to ask you, why doesn’t the piano player have any music?”
“Because he’s a master, and has it memorized in his head. He plays it from the heart,” I replied.
He looked at me quite confused and asked, “What does that mean?”
I asked in return, “What is in your heart?” touching him softly on his chest.
“Love?” he replied, to which I confirmed “Exactly, that is why he is a master, and plays without having to read the music.”

He smiled, and for a few moments watched in silence as he tried to understand my explanation. Then he grabbed a few matchbox cars and started another race while piano concerto no. 20 played on in the background.

I continued thinking about our conversation and of how fortunate I was to even have that sort of dialog with my son. If he can grasp even a fraction of those ideas, he’ll be on his way to a much better understanding of the creative process than I ever had. I also realized that my explanation was true for any creative endeavor, and certainly photography. How we frame and capture an image should reveal as much about ourselves as it does about the subject. As David Ward says in his book Landscape Beyond, “Images that are questions invite us to explore what we feel about the images subject. They evoke questions without necessarily providing answers.”

So true, even more so when we have a true love for our subject. Whether rain drops on a leaf, a grand landscape, or images of a family member, we should strive to make images that ask questions, and in the process draw the viewer into not only our visual world, but his own imagination and emotions.

This is the true language of photography, no different than that of music, when love is involved. I probably would have never thought of it this way had it not been for Bryce’s innocent, yet profound question.