A Grasshopper's View - ground level photography

Ah yes, did you ever wonder what the world looks like to a grasshopper? No? Honestly, I never did either but I have a feeling the photos here come close to capturing the experience. Ground-level photography (for lack of a better phrase) is something that not a lot of us think about but maybe we should. When I started seriously exploring photography I didn’t think twice about laying in the dirt (or grass or sand or whatever) and doing whatever was necessary to get the shot. Today my first thought is – can I get back up? Well, I have made a decision to re-examine the world from ground-level whenever I can.

The Weeds

I visited a park one evening and was content just to sit and listen to the birds while the sun slowly set but, of course I still had my camera at the ready. I was looking around when a lone dandelion caught my eye with it’s big white head a stark contrast to the sea of green all around it. I thought about getting down and shooting it but as I got up from my chair I saw these weeds reaching up through the grass. I was drawn by the “glow” and thought the subject was worth exploring. I popped open the screen^*, set the camera to “Live View” and got down on one knee. Holding the camera about an inch or two from the ground I started shooting. I had the lens wide open (f/5.6) to minimize my depth of field and really throw the background out of focus. (For more on Depth of Field, refer to "Improve Your Photography: Depth of field – what it is and why you should care")

A View from Below

This shot is quickly becoming a favorite of mine. I don't remember the exact circumstances but a friend had posted on a social media site that they were feeling down - could someone cheer them up. My wife has a variety of flowers planted throughout our yard so I went out to see what I could find. I was only looking for a quick snapshot so I went out armed only with my smartphone. I love the colors of this flower but the light was a bit harsh and I couldn't get a good angle without my shadow so I decided to shoot up. This is a perfect example of what can be done with the lowly smartphone camera. I did get down on a knee for this but certainly didn't have to crawl around in the dirt.

Speaking of Dandelion

This tight shot of a dandelion was taken during a lunchtime walk and had decided to mount my old Canon 80-200mm f/4L on the DSLR. I have had this lens for about 30 years and still bring it out on occasion, even though manually focusing can be a bit of a chore these days. While I, thankfully, didn't have to lie on the ground to shoot this I did sit so that I could get closer to it's level and still have a steady base.

Spring is Here!

Few things say "Spring" to me than seeing the first daffodils poking throw the ground. I have groups of them throughout my yard and find myself shooting them year after year. This was a time I did lay in the dirt; there was no way around it. I will often go out every day (or every other) and shoot them from the very first time they break through to when they are in full bloom. I have had times when I shoot one day in glorious sunshine and the next I am laying in an inch or two of snow. This shot was taken after a brief period of rain. Plants and flowers are always a bit more photogenic with some water on them; don't you agree?

The Dock

I leave you with the most difficult image to shoot. I was hiking through Turkey Swamp Park after work one afternoon when I came across this scene. It was so tranquil and inviting - I immediately know it had to be a panorama and it had to be shot from ground-level. I was on the dock just a couple feet from the shoreline. I didn't have a tripod so I had my elbows on the dock, camera turned to portrait and started shooting. I didn't have my T3i with me, I was shooting a Nikon D60 which doesn't have the flip-out screen so I had the camera up to my eye. It was awkward but worth the trouble.

I hope I inspired you to get out and get down. Working at ground-level presents it's own set of challenges but I think the result is well worth the effort. What do you think? I'd love to hear your stories - leave a comment below.

^* - I own a Canon T3i which makes ground-level work easier than ever; the screen at the back of the camera swivels. This is great because I can hold the camera down low, tilt the screen, compose and shoot. This technique also makes it possible to take shots that would be very difficult, if not impossible, to shoot with the camera to your eye. Have you ever tried to shoot up at a dandelion? Not easy! Now, I still get down on the ground when I need to but it isn’t very often anymore.

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All photos are copyright Joseph S. Valencia All Rights Reserved They may not be used in any way without express written permission of the photographer. If you wish to use any of the photos you may contact the photographer at valencia32photo@gmail.com

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Interview with Photographer Chris Gahler

Chris has been a friend of mine for more than 40 years; he is someone whom I respect both on a personal and professional level. We met in high school, played soccer and had a number of classes together; despite all of that it wasn't until a number of years after graduation that I found we also shared a love of photography. He has worked in a number of capacities including work in a print shop, a one-hour photo store and is currently the Media Resources Manager for a major healthcare provider.

Chris spends his day shooting formal and informal portraits, covering events, marketing photography for print and web (this includes portraits & events plus things like clinicians “in action” and facilities photography. While he doesn’t get to do it do much of it anymore he finds clinical photography perhaps the most interesting; this can be anything from documenting an OR procedure to wound care to forensic photography. This is in addition to managing his department. When he isn't working you can find him with his wife and two (2) children. It is hard to tell if he is a gifted child photographer or if his children just make it extremely easy. What I do know is that his family is his world and that they truly love life. This is reflected in his photographs which bring out the personality of those he is shooting.

For all of the years that we have been friends there is only one time that we actually got to shoot together and those images are shown here. We got together to shoot the Sutfin House at Monmouth Battlefield State Park during a paranormal investigation. Chris and I had talked about getting together and when the opportunity presented itself he was available. Chris is the guy with the shorts and the Nikon outfit and the second to last shot at the end of the post is me with my Canon - it was saved from Facebook and is cropped, the quality does not reflect his work. We had a good time that day and I have been looking forward to our next excursion ever since. The last image was shot a few years ago at my house.

Now, without further ado I present "Interview with Photographer Chris Gahler". Enjoy!

Personal questions

What is your favorite childhood memory?

So many to choose from but one that sticks out is going with my father to fly in the Goodyear Blimp. My dad worked 7 days a week more often than not so time with him was at a premium. I don’t remember all the details about the day but I’ll never forget the feelings. I wish I could find the photos we took that day!

What are the five foods you can’t live without?

Pizza, Burgers, Pasta, Chicken, Ice Cream. Yes I eat like a child.
(Joe: there is nothing wrong with eating like a child – especially when it comes to burgers, pizza and ice cream!)

What’s the best advice anyone has given you and who gave it to you?

I don’t remember the first time I heard the Serenity Prayer. Google it is you’re aren’t familiar! Then post it somewhere you can see it every day. I just remember being floored by the simple yet powerful message. I try to live by this concept every day. I guess the irony here is that the best advice I ever received came from some poster somewhere!

What is your favorite thing to do when you aren't shooting?

Playing with my kids. I believe play is just as important for adults as it is for children, perhaps even more so. The kids give me an easy excuse. (Joe: playing with your children is the best medicine for whatever the day threw at you. Enjoy every second.)

If you could spend an hour with any famous person, past or present, who would it be and why?

Jesus Christ - the scholarly consensus is that he was probably a real person.... I’d like him to clarify a few things for me. Well actually many things. Recent history has seen so many terrible things happening in the name of religion. Perhaps tea with both Christ and Mohammed might get some answers.

Professional questions

Why photography?

Dumb luck. Dad bought a new camera and I inherited the old Kodak Instamatic. The bug bit me and that was that.

Can you explain your photography in 10 words or less?

Simple, say more with less.

What is your greatest achievement in photography?

How about what I feel best about? Working in healthcare I have had an opportunity to provide photographic support to child protection programs. I won’t go into details but young lives are changed and sometimes even saved. I wish I did more of this although I wish I didn’t have too.
(Joe: it’s interesting that sometimes what brings us the greatest satisfaction is doing something we wish there was no need for.)

If you could share a gallery show with anyone past or present, who would it be?

Tough one. I’ll go with Richard Avedon. That was a toss-up with Annie Leibovitz. On the other hand a show with Mapplethorpe would bring out some interesting people.
(Joe: “interesting” is a good choice of words….)

Where do you draw inspiration from when you shoot and what’s your favorite part about the process?

This is really two different things. I draw inspiration from my fellow photographers. All of them. I am amazed by other people’s photography, including yours I may add. My favorite part of the process is trying to find the best way to view any given subject. That is the essence of my photography and perhaps photography in general. Any given subject may look completely different depending on so many different variables. Lighting, camera angle, focal length, depth of field, shutter speed, filters all affect how your camera sees a subject and by extension how your audience will see that subject. I love trying to find that “perfect” blend. Only rarely do I hit it.
(Joe: I am humbled by the compliment. For those reading this who are just starting out – this could be your answer to “best advice”, study and learn from other photographers.)

Bonus question:

What are your Top 5 "Deserted Island" albums?

Dark Side of the Moon, Made in Japan, Bat Out of Hell, Sgt Pepper, Thriller. If you aren’t familiar with any of these shame on you lol

Note

The first two images shown are Chris in action while shooting at the Sutfin House at Monmouth Battlefield. The third image is Chris and me taken at a party at my home a number of years ago and, finally, the last shot is me in action, as taken by Chris. I was actually taking a shot of him, taking a shot of me.

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All photos are copyrighted. They may not be used in any way without express written permission of the photographer. If you wish to use any of the photos you may contact the photographer at valencia32photo@gmail.com

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My Responsibility as an Experienced Photographer

I recently read an article that someone posted on Facebook titled “4 Questions Amateur Photographers Need to Stop Asking”; it sparked a debate and got me to thinking. When I saw the title I thought it was about amateurs pestering professionals about how to make money with photography. That is not even close to what the article is about – a more meaningful title would have been “4 Questions Novice Photographers Need to Stop Asking.” I am an “amateur” because I make very little money through photography, this is despite having more than 40 years’ experience. Having said that, I can honestly say that I still ask “What are you shooting?” when I come across someone with an interesting camera/lens. I don’t mean it to be “Gee, if I had that I could make better pictures.” but rather “I would love to know what you think about your gear.”

Here are the “dreaded” questions and proposed “alternative” questions:

• What kind of camera do you have? - Why do you prefer your camera over others?
• What settings are you using? – What was your process for taking this shot?
• What Photoshop filter did you use? – What post-processing techniques did you use?
• What is __________? – The blank could represent anything and was considered lazy. Look it up via Google or YouTube and only ask for help if you are still confused.

The author of the article took exception to these questions because he felt it showed laziness and lack of understanding on the behalf of the person asking. He was outright insulted by the Photoshop question. While the alternative questions might be better and elicit a more helpful answer in the long run I think it might be asking a bit much of a rank novice. I would look at the “dreaded” question as insight into the level of photographer asking the question and present the answer to the “alternative” question.

I have been asked the first two questions while out shooting and happily take the time to chat, if I can; especially if they are carrying a camera with them. The only time I might get a bit “testy” and brush someone off is if I am obviously in the middle of something where a distraction might cost me a shot, such as if I am stalking an egret or approaching some other wildlife. I am otherwise more than happy to answer your questions; you might even get more than you bargained for.

Throughout the years there have been many photographers who have helped me in some way. Most of the time it was in a formal setting such as a camera club or an organized photography outing but there have been times when I saw someone shooting and asked “what and why” or I would be shooting and someone would approach me to give me some pointers. Without this interaction who knows where I would be in my art today. Now that I am “the old guy” I take that role seriously and believe it is my responsibility to share what I know.

So, what do you think? Are the “dreaded” questions really bad? Would you scoff at someone asking them or help them gain a better understanding?

image - https://pixabay.com/en/photographer-camera-photography-2032135/

header image - https://pixabay.com/en/question-mark-photographer-woman-1651149/

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Self-portrait is copyright Joseph S. Valencia All Rights Reserved They may not be used in any way without express written permission of the photographer. If you wish to use any of the photos you may contact the photographer at valencia32photo@gmail.com

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Interview with Photographer and Photoshop Guru Scott Kelby

Scott was born in Florida and still lives there today with his lovely wife, Kalebra, and their two children. He is an accomplished photographer, writer and, as a friend once described him, a Photoshop Magician. I understand he is also quite the musician but I cannot seem to find him on Pandora; maybe he will play for us on The Grid one afternoon…. Ah yes, The Grid. This is another hat that he wears; Scott hosts a photography webcast each Wednesday afternoon called The Grid. Each week there is a different guest and they discuss different topics, one show a month is dedicated to “blind critiques” and viewers are encouraged to submit photos. The reviews are brutally honest – Scott and his guest will let you know if you should sell the image or your equipment. If you only catch one show a month, make it this one because you will learn a lot from the critiques. The show is also as entertaining as it is informational. You never know what will happen – I was watching a recent portrait critique session with guest, Tracy Sweeney, when Scott broke out into “Fat kids, skinny kids, kids who climb on rocks” and a brief interlude as to why that was such a great jingle. It appeared as though he was the only one in the studio that was old enough to remember it which made it even funnier. You can catch that episode here - The Grid – Blind Photo Critiques with Tracy Sweeney – Episode 274. I will list a few of my other favorites at the end of this post. We can’t forget that Scott is also President and CEO of KelbyOne, founder of “Scott Kelby Worldwide Photo Walk” and Conference Technical Chair for Photoshop World. I’d love to know how he finds the time to shoot!

Discovering Scott was a happy accident. I was new to Photoshop and was looking for tutorials, Scott Kelby and KelbyOne showed up in the search results. I watched a few videos and became a fan. I have subscribed to the KelbyOne YouTube channel and would suggest you do the same – many videos are a short but filled with information so you don’t have to worry about having 20 or 30 minutes to kill watching a video. If you are really serious about learning photography, Photoshop, Lightroom and all that goes with it I would suggest subscribing to KelbyOne and/or buying any of his books on the subject. I have watched hours of videos and nobody does it better.

When he isn’t teaching others how to be better photographers, he works as a freelance sports photographer. He is a football fanatic and has covered a wide range of NFL and College football teams but he isn’t limited to just football. If you check out his portfolio you will see some stunning shots covering gymnastics, tennis, motor sports and more. He seems to have the gift of knowing where to be and when, bringing some interesting perspective to sports photography.

So, without further ado I bring you my “interview” with Scott Kelby.

Personal questions

What is your favorite childhood memory?

It was definitely summer vacations with my mom and dad in Sarasota, Florida at the Gulf Beach hotel. We went there a week or two every year, and sometimes my cousins would join us from New York, and my brother would be there, and it was just such a wonderful time. I loved every minute and I’m so grateful to my mom and dad for being such fun parents.

What are the five foods you can’t live without?

A classic greasy American Hamburger (Mmmmmm). I love most every kind of Pasta; love Chinese food (especially Lo Mein); a love a big juicy New York Strip steak, and I’m a sandwich guy, so a nice Italian Hero would be right up my alley.
(Joe: this got me hungry – there is nothing like a great burger and I know where they hide in Jersey….)

What’s the best advice anyone has given you and who gave it to you?

You never go wrong by doing the right thing, from my Dad - not just in saying it, but in how he lived his life.
(Joe: that is great advice and something that I will definitely share)

What is your favorite thing to do when you aren't shooting?

I love to travel with wife or the whole family — it’s about my most favorite thing in the world.

If you could spend an hour with any famous person, past or present, who would it be and why?

My first choice would be Jesus, hands down…but otherwise I think Mark Twain would be fascinating to have lunch with. Especially if he met me someplace that served hamburgers, pasta, Lo Mein, a New York Strip and sandwiches. ;-)
(Joe: Mark Twain is a great choice. One of the great humorists and great writers.)

Professional questions

Why photography?

Because I think it’s a natural extension of me being a musician all my life. It’s another way of telling my story, just like writing is for me.

Can you explain your photography in 10 words or less?

I love people and places and try to express that. :)
(Joe: I think this comes through loud and clear)

What is your greatest achievement in photography?

Being able to take photos that are designed from the outset to help people on their journey of learning photography.

If you could share a gallery show with anyone past or present, who would it be?

I would love to share a gallery show with my wife. We see the world so differently, so our styles would be so different, but yet still complimentary because our post processing styles are very similar (even though she does all hers on an app on her phone. That’s her camera, too). I would love that, because we’d be together, and it’s when I’m doing something together with her that I’m my most happy.
(Joe: that is an interesting choice – based on a recent episode of The Grid with Kalebra, I would have to say the opening reception would be a blast)

Where do you draw inspiration from when you shoot and what’s your favorite part about the process?

I look at the work of a lot of different photographers. In fact, i would say it’s the thing I do the most to try and improve my photography — I study and try to dissect their work; their process; their creativity and vision. I often go to 500px or even just Instagram to get inspired before a shoot. This research phase is one of the most fun parts for me.
(Joe: what better way to learn than by studying the work of others?)

Bonus question: What are your Top 5 "Deserted Island" albums?

• Kenny Loggins, Celebrate me home
• Bon Jovi, Slippery When Wet
• Journey, Greatest Hits
• James Taylor, October Road
• Pat Benetar, Greatest Hits

That, my friends, is a brief look into the mind of Scott Kelby. There are a lot of photographers whose work I admire and study but there are only a few that I would like to sit and have a beer (or big ol’ cheeseburger) with – Ansel Adams, Annie Liebovitz and Scott Kelby are in that group. They are more than photographers; they are artists and have personalities that make them friends you haven’t met yet. I never got a chance to meet Ansel but there is still time left for paths to cross with others.

As promised, here are a couple of my favorite, recent, The Grid episodes:

• A Talk with Stella Kramer – Episode 271 - (very good episode about putting together a portfolio)
• Photo Critiques with Rick Sammon – Episode 270 - (one of my favorite critique sessions, Rick is a great guest)
• Shoot This, Not That – Episode 268 - (shows two similar situations, one good and one bad)
• Dog Photography QandA Round 2 – Episode 267 - (Kaylee Greer stops by to talk about shooting dogs. Must see for pet photographers although Kaylee is quite low energy – she needs to be a bit more enthusiastic. ;-) )

Check out the links below and show Scott some love. I haven’t had a chance to go on a Photo Walk but have friends who have and they rave. His live seminars are more than worth the price of admission – the “Photoshop Magician” tag came from a friend who has attended some. Finally, if you see him walking around looking hungry bring him a big, ol’ greasy hamburger!

• Scott Kelby – http://scottkelby.com
• Scott Kelby Photography - https://scott-kelby-ru99.squarespace.com/
• Scott Kelby Sports Photography - http://scottkelby.squarespace.com/
• KelbyOne – http://www.kelbyone.com
• KelbyTV - http://kelbytv.com/
• The Grid - http://kelbytv.com/thegrid
• Scott Kelby on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/SKelby/
• KelbyOne on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/KelbyOneOnline/
• Scott Kelby on Twitter - @ScottKelby
• KelbyOne on Twitter - @KelbyOne

That’s it, folks! This is the first, in what I hope will be a long list of interviews with photographers. I have a few more “in the works” and looking for others. If you are a working photographer, or know someone who is, and would like to be interviewed please send an email to valencia32photo@gmail.com or use the “Contact” form on this page.

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All photos are copyrighted and used with permission. They may not be used within written permission by the copyright owner.

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An Abstract in Red

I don't do a whole lot of abstract photography and is one of my more abstract images, taking advantage of the vibrant red color of the autumn leaves, it is quickly becoming one of my favorites. The image was taken at Lake Topanemus Park in Freehold, New Jersey. I was out for one of my regular lunchtime walks – with my camera, of course, and the day was somewhat dreary. There wasn’t much going on and I had walked almost a mile without even thinking about picking up my camera. I was heading back to my car when I looked to my right, just on the fringe of the wooded area next to the trail I was on. These leaves just about jumped out at me begging to be shot. I took three (3) or four (4) slightly different shots of this group and then moved on to a different tree with different red leaves and red berries.

I am happy with a few of the images but this one just hits all the right notes for me. I like getting in close with a telephoto and using a big aperture (250mm, 1/320 @ f/5.6, ISO 500) to compress the background while throwing it out of focus. That is one of the things I most like about close-up photography – a slight change can make a completely different image and mood. I could shoot this image with a wide-angle lens with exactly the same framing but it would look and feel completely different because the background elements would appear more distant. Shoot a 400mm @ f/2.8 and maybe only the first two (2) foreground leaves are in focus. The possibilities are virtually endless.

Why not show some of YOUR abstract photos in the comments below. I would love to see them.

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All photos are copyright Joseph S. Valencia All Rights Reserved They may not be used in any way without express written permission of the photographer. If you wish to use any of the photos you may contact the photographer at valencia32photo@gmail.com

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What is a "beautiful" day?

How many times have you heard someone say "What a beautiful day; not a cloud in the sky!"? Too many to count? Probably. In fact, you have probably said it yourself. I know I have. I don't say it anymore. In fact, to me there are few things more boring than a cloudless sky. Of course, I am looking at it from the perspective of a landscape photographer. If you have been following me you have probably noticed that I tend to like a lot of clouds in my landscapes. I am always on the lookout for an image to present itself but when I see a great sky I go out in search for the perfect spot to shoot it. I have been known to drive miles out of my way; sometimes I am rewarded and others I go away disappointed.

There are times when you just don't have a choice, such as the panorama above. I stopped at the Delaware Water Gap one afternoon and ventured up River Road/Old Mine Road to the trail head for the Karamac Trail. This is a one-lane road with a traffic light at each end; there is just enough room for a car to drive along. The road is closed in the winter and, for me at least, it is a scary drive. I headed down the trail and came to an opening that looked out onto the Delaware River. The view was breathtaking! You can see there are no clouds but I shot anyway. I was so taken in by the beauty and didn't know if I was going to get back to this spot again. I could have waited for clouds but there were none for miles in all directions. My goal is to get back to this spot one day under better conditions and re-shoot.

Here is a beautiful autumn day. The trees are alive with color, there is a nice reflection in the water and the sky is a perfectly clear. I liked this image and I sold it a number of times when it was part of my stock portfolio but I never "loved" it. I always thought it was lacking in some way. I was fooling around in Photoshop one day and decided to see what the shot would be like with clouds. The result is shown below.

What do you think? For me, the clouds make the image much more interesting. This was one of my first attempts at "serious" editing in Photoshop. I don't like adding things to images but I wanted to see cloud vs no cloud using the same image.

I will leave you with a few more examples of the same location shot with clouds and without. You be the judge! Leave comments below and let me know what your idea of a beautiful day is and whether you changed your mind after reading this post.

All photos are copyright Joseph S. Valencia All Rights Reserved They may not be used in any way without express written permission of the photographer.

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"Take nothing but pictures...."

“Take nothing but pictures, leave nothing but footprints, kill nothing but time.” – Unknown

I love this quote! I wish I knew who said it so that I could give proper credit but it appears their name is lost forever. As a Boy Scout I learned the "Leave No Trace" principle and it is a lesson that I took to heart. As a nature and landscape photographer I continue to practice "Leave No Trace" and do my very best to have a little impact on the environment as possible. This quote says essentially the same thing but takes it a bit further.

"Take nothing but photographs"

- how many times have you been hiking in the woods or walking through a meadow and come across some beautiful wildflowers? Have you had the urge to pick a few to bring home for your dining room table? Did you want to pick it so that you can photograph it under better lighting conditions? You may have said "yes" to one or both of these questions - I know I have. I hope that you, like me, have suppressed that urge and left the flowers to grow. I found this daffodil while hiking along a wooded trail at Monmouth Battlefield State Park. I love spring and the re-birth of the woods with daffodils (and their relatives) being among my favorite subjects. It is only right to leave them for others to enjoy. The same goes with trying to dig them up and replanting them at home - don't do it! It is being more and more common to hear stories of "invasive, non-native" plants taking over. There is a reason the flowers aren't growing naturally in your yard - keep it that way.

"Leave nothing but footprints"

- most of the time that I am hiking I will stay on established trails but I do, occasionally leave the trail to explore or to get a better shot. I only do this when it is safe for the surrounding environment - if I ever see a sign indicating a sensitive area or find that I cannot enter an area without damaging it, I stay on the trail. I am also very careful not to cause damage - I am not blazing a new trail, there is not need for a machete to cut down trees and brush. I carefully plot my course and then take a different route back to the trail. This also includes carving your mark in a tree or painting rocks - if you want to profess your love for someone do it in a song or poem, no one wants to see "Jimmy loves Sally" carved in the trunk of a beautiful oak tree or spray painted on a rock wall.

"Kill nothing but time"

- this is self-explanatory and is related to "leave nothing but footprints." There is no reason to wantonly kill things when you are out enjoying what nature has to offer. This includes not only creatures that walk, crawl, fly, wiggle, etc.... but also the plants and trees you encounter. This, of course, changes if you are lost in the wilderness and have to live off the land or die but that isn't what this post is all about. Find a place to sit and quietly observe to natural world going by. This bench is one of many at Lake Topanemus Park, a place I visit often during lunch when I need to relax and recharge.

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All photos are copyright Joseph S. Valencia All Rights Reserved They may not be used in any way without express written permission of the photographer. If you wish to use any of the photos you may contact the photographer at valencia32photo@gmail.com

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Welcome!

Welcome to Exploring Photography with Joe Valencia!

Come with me as I explore the world of photography. I cannot remember a time when I didn't have a camera in my hand but by the time I was a teenager it became a lifelong passion. I have done most types of photography - weddings, portraits, sports, wildlife, landscape, etc... - and have met a lot of great people along the way. It is my intention with this blog to share with you my experiences, my photographs and my knowledge in an entertaining way.

I will be writing many "stand-alone" posts; how I came to shoot a particular photograph, the post-processing done to a photograph or maybe just a topic that I find particularly interesting. There will be opinion pieces and those designed to spark discussion. I will also be doing a number of "series" that teach techniques and explain concepts. There will be some posts that fall into both categories - I am already working on a series dedicated to "Event Photography".

I have had a few good mentors along the way and many more who have contributed to my learning the craft. It is my turn to "pay it forward". If there is a topic you would like to see covered here, let me know and I will do my best to accommodate you. Leave a comment or send me an email at valencia32photo@gmail.com and let me know what is on your mind.

I encourage you to check out the blogs listed under "other blogs of interest" on the right side of the page. I will be adding other quality blogs - some photography-related and others general writing. If you like what you see here, I would encourage you to support the others and create your own list. Let's see if we can create an informal social blogging group and help each other achieve the success we are looking for.

Thanks for stopping by - hope to see you again soon!