Archive for July, 2009
Check out “Party Planning NYC” By my wife Judy
Thursday, July 30th, 2009
I am one to encourage others to go and do what they like. Especially if it’s a business plan they know they can execute with no worries and have clients that are happy of the outcome!
My wife Judy has decided to open up a blog and show the public what she can do when its time to party. Her goal is to give the party host extra time to do more important things behind the scene and still have the party go on as planned. On top of all that she has a large resource for all party needs.
On board Judy has caterers and cooks, limousine drivers, photographers, special needs assistants, servants and many more!
• Sweet 16′s Parties
• Wedding Events
• Engagement Parties
• Corporate Events
• Anniversary Gatherings
… and much, much more!
Go and check out her blog… I for one will be looking at her postings everyday, with today’s economy Judy is offering affordable prices for the party people of the Tri-State Area. >>> Party Planning NYC Blog <–
BTW: Make sure you follow her blog via Google 
Farewell to my best friend Lynx…
Thursday, July 23rd, 2009
At 3:35am this morning I lost my best pal due to kidney failure!
Lynx was a purebred Seal Lynx Point Siamese Cat who has gave me more then you can ever expect in a cats life. Lynx was a show cat that brought home numerous prizes such as “best in show” and “best in breed.
Asides all the training and prized Lynx was the welcoming committee when you came to my home. When you knock on the door he would be the first one there to say “hey, wassup… welcome, come right in”!
He was a continuous talker but a very good listener also. I already miss his voice – his meow’s. I am sure he’s doing better right now… no more suffering!
Lynx was my sunshine!
I miss you and I love you Lynx!
I refuse to say goodbye… so I’m going to say see ya later my friend!
Hugs and Kisses <3
STOP-THINK!
Saturday, July 18th, 2009
When I first got into photography, my Mom gave me a book by John Hedgecoe and it was all about refining your vision.
What John would say is after you bring the camera to your eye and take the shot that first inspired you STOP – THINK. Is there another shot there.
I used to have a sticker on the back of my camera that was a stop sign with the word THINK in big white letters.
Many of us will come across a scene and we’ll take the postcard shot from the scenic overlook, in the middle of the day, bright sunlight the same shot as everyone takes. It looks nice. But we should do more. Think about another angle. Challenge ourselves to come back at different parts of the day. Use a different lens. Put something/someone of interest in the foreground.
In the shot below is an example of the STOP-THINK approach.
Coming home from the mother-in-laws the sun finally decided to peek out after a thunderstorm and lit up downtown beautifully.
I got off the freeway and drove up West River Road in Minneapolis to find a nice riverview. The top photo is from the top of the road right by the walkway and a nice park bench. It’s nice, it’s a postcard view but the light was perfect.
After I made this photograph, I looked around and saw the rocks at the bottom of the hill. So I ran down the hill and took off my shoes and socks, rolled up my pants legs and got into the water to get this composition.
Which one do you like? Granted, the bottom one I planned for the HDR treatment, bracketing three exposures +/- 1.5 but the composition speaks for itself. Now I could come back to this scene at sunrise and it will be a completely different shot.
Had the light stayed out longer, I would have moved towards the bridge for a different composition but I think that’s for next time.
So I challenge you, after you take that first photograph, STOP-THINK and find a new way to shoot that same scene. I’d love to see what you come up with.
To view the photograph at full size Click Here
Lessons I Didn’t Learn In Photo School 76–80 – By Syl Arena
Thursday, July 16th, 2009Okay, so I was browsing the ever so popular blog Pixsylated owned by fellow Canon user Syl Arena and noticed this small fact he posted on his recent “Lessons I Didn’t Learn In Photo School 76–80”.
There is much more to the blog post but this one really made me feel and know that we’re all facing the same situations on our shoots which involve a team of directors, MUA’s, Prop’ers and more. Thanks Syl for pointing this one out, it can really make a photographer and many others feel less stressful for a couple minutes just thinking on how much harder things can get if they don’t think out the box.
#77. Play photography as a team sport.
In many ways, photography is a team sport. Anytime you are shooting a subject that’s breathing, there’s an interplay through the lens. On more complicated shoots, there can be assistants, grips, gaffers, makeup artists, stylists for hair, wardrobe and props. You may have an art director and/or a client on set. It’s important to understand that even though you may be the one pushing the button, your photograph is the scorecard for how well any number of people are working together.
Twitter Glitches?!
Friday, July 10th, 2009
I don’t know what’s going on, and I am sure its not any of my computers nor my connection. I have been receiving a couple I.M’s and text’s about twitter being down and others not able to post/tweet on twitter. is anyone else out there in tweet-world experiencing the same thing?
Totally burned out, lack of inspiration
Friday, July 10th, 2009
Hey guys, sorry for not being my normal self on FB and twitter. I have just reach a level that I must pay attention to at this moment!
For the past couple years I have been working hard like a mule. Meetings, deadlines, making things right and trying to give my family the best I can offer. It’s been over 3 years since I seen a real vacation or experienced a proper rest. I haven’t paid any attention to myself or my health in years. I am functioning well but I know it can be worse if I don’t take some dedicated time for myself and rest!
Earlier in the week I announced the deactivation of my Facebook account temporarily. Yeah things got pretty busy and messy in there that it reached a personal level, so I decided to take some time away from social networking/twittering and focus on what I need to do and what else can be done! I will be on here blogging everyday and you’ll see the updates on twitter @urbangrafix, considering my RSS feed is also connected to twitter so all this is basically updated on its own. *takes deep breath*
I burned out guys, I need to rest and I will continue on with my goal to success in a couple weeks. At the moment I am working on shutting things down and making sure that everything is taken care of in the office. there after, starting on the 20th I will be resting and taking care of things that I’ve put aside for a while.
I’m always here, just drop me a comment and/or catch me on aim!
~Jay
