arctic monkey

I sincerely appreciate your input. Both of you have given me leads that I haven't checked out yet. Again, thanks for your time!

Help. I've been searching for a 3 chip DV camera with optional

manual controls for quite some time and I'm getting frustrated

trying to find the best price. I suppose it all comes down to what

I'm willing to shell out of my wallet. I can let go of 2,300 USD

max, for the camera only. I rented a Sony DSR-PD 150 a few months

ago and was happy with the controls/options and have read quite a

few reviews that hale it as a wonderful camera. I'm quite sure

that's what I want. What are the best places to find this camera,

or one of equal value, for the cheapest price??

 

Part Two: The purchase of this camera signifies my introduction to

the digital video world. Any advice regarding tripods to editing to

breaking into the business would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

Abstract photos, in my opinion, are those that don't necessarily contain a "universal theme" or those that don't "evoke emotion" or feeling or all that blah blah blah. Forgive me but it seems that every direction I turn people are wanting to tell a story with their photos, this being the main reason for creating them in the first place, which is all fine and well and perhaps part of my feeling towards this comes from not being able to do it as well as others. It's the very life and breath of the photojournalist and I do enjoy images that strike a feeling in me but I don't think that should be the basis for all photographs, as the New York Institute of Photography would have you believe. Que the abstract. Images that are made just to look at are what I consider to be abstract (of course herein lies another part of categorzing this type of artistic expression), although I do like this definition, "Abstract art is reasonably well-defined. A typical definition says that "artistic content depends on internal form rather than pictorial representation." In other words, the subject of the photo is no longer the subject." So, in light of that, perhaps what I'm trying to say has already been said, just more eloquently.

 

Over the past months, while brooding over what area of photography I should devote my time and efforts towards, the lure of the abstract holds my attention more than any other and it is with this field that I have MUCH to learn. At this point my definition should be taken as an opinion and nothing more. I may return to this forum in a few months with an entirely different view but I thought I'd add my 2 sense now. We'll see what happens in the future.

Matt V. has some very sound advice and I agree with his opinions. I'm farely new to this site but have already learned more about photography here than most of the other resources I've encountered. I consider myself rather adept at writing which makes critiquing a bit easier for me. However, there is the fact that I had to incorporate into my critiques some helpful advice in order to give my portion back to the community, meaning I had to know a little something about photography (enter Matt's advice about studying the masters and reading helpful books such as Photographing the World Around You by Freeman Patterson, a book I've found to be quite informative). I found the easiest way to do this is to simply get in there and start critiquing all over the place. Don't stick to photos which are "good" or appealing, these are often the images that require less creative ways to critique. Rather, try to hit the photos that you can, based on what you know, see some sort of flaw (not the best word to use) or way that you think can make it better. It takes practice and most often you'll be handing out your opinions instead of pratical/technical advice and that's ok, perhaps better considering the sensitive type. It's the best way to realize what you've learned up to this point and to continue gathering knowledge in the process, because hopefully you'll interact with the photographer gaining their bit of knowledge as well.

 

Regarding Shahbaz's question, I think encouragement directed towards giving more detail is good but that encouragement should come from the viewer by asking poignant questions. I do realize that it's often difficult to step up to the more advanced photographers, I myself suffer from this occasionally, but if you truly have the desire to learn, the courage must be summoned within you, by you. If you happen upon someone who is unwilling or just plain lousy at sharing their knowledge, move on, but reach to obtain their methods of creativity by studying their portfolios and imagining just how they produce appealing photos. This site is much more than just photography, it's a way to learn how to interact with people (even though it's not face to face), build your own skills at researching, studying, and using your imagination, and being proud of the fact that you're involved with the education of others (and your own), even if it's primarily from what comes from within your portfolio. Wow, that was a mouthful.

 

Hanna's got it down. In fact, her advice is the exact path I took that eventualy brought me here. It's a very good way to find the sort of people that you could possibly feel comfortable "conversing" with. Throw out a few comments and see what comes back but try to be as involved as much as possible, it will help you and probably many others.

 

Now I'm going to move on, check out Hanna's portfolio, leave a thought behind, and look for another place to share what I've learned. And see some wonderful images along the way!

After a brief stint researching learning how to surf near Bali I come back to Australia. I'm finding festivals, dances, and "cultural days" and am WONDERING IF ANYONE CAN GIVE ME SOME DATES. Again, I ask before doing much research but other people's opinions are always nice to read.

 

MICHAEL, thank you very much for sharing some of your trip info. I will definitely look into some of your suggestions. Sounds like you had a great time despite the travel time and temps!

 

On a side note, I've found a wonderful and informative site dedicated to the global trekker. http://www.bootsnall.com/

 

Here's another for Australian outback info and pics. I haven't searched the whole site yet but it looks good.

http://www.ozoutback.com.au/postcards/postcards_forms/abor_chn_dance_2/index.htm#Pics

I appreciate your answers and will look into both of your suggestions further. Vietnam is in my sights as well and has taken over the research at the moment but your information is greatly appreciated.

You're absolutely right, I haven't done much research. In fact, this is where I began and even now, after a few hours of reading, I'm almost embarrassed at my ignorance. I had hoped for a chance to see the old ways as I'm very interested in the Aboriginal culture before the government started to interfere with, let's call it "white law assimilation." I suppose I could refine my question to, is there any way I can experience old Aboriginal culture? I may find the answer before returning here but I'm still interested in personal views. I was hoping I could find an area in Australia where Aborigines still practised traditional dance, music, and still taught by drawing and telling stories from the Dreamtime. I still sound ignorant but it's possible... In some of the very remote areas of Alaska natives still live a subsistance lifestyle (it's a dwindling scene) and you can still attend Indian Pow-Wows across the midwest. This is what I seek, even if they're dancing in a gymnasium. Thanks again for the link.<div></div>

I'm searching for the best way to immerse myself in the Aboriginal

culture...somewhat comfortably with approximately a week to spare.

Where should I go? Who should I contact (travel preferably w/o tour

guides), best railways, charter flights, small towns? What do I

need to keep in mind regarding respect for Aboriginal

customs/traditions (whites showing up for a short spell to

photograph their ways)? Suggestions for traveling the bush with

camera equipment would be very helpful. Anything else concerning

travel in and out of Australia is gratefully apprecited, I'll be

working with a budget. A long winded question, please feel free to

answer all or just one, thanks!

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"Is it possible for someone like me who has a solid employment history (but not in the field of photography) to find any kind of work in the photography arena in order to gain some practical experience?"

 

If you haven't done so already, check out the advice given to me by Robert Hooper on my question about Brooks. Very informative and helpful. It's very relative advice (to your question) that's been pounded into my head by my thoughtful brother and many others. I know what you mean about change! I feel it too.

In the nooks and crannies, behind the city scenes, hidden artists

present us with creative and often entertaining visuals. I hope to

see some of their work appreciated.<div></div>

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I'm glad Mark found your forum question, he's a very nice and informative person. See if you can get in touch with Andrew Stiles as well, he posted an answer to my Brooks question and seems like a nice person as well. He's also attending as we speak so he'd be able to give you an in-depth look at SoCal lifestyle and how the school has been treating him so far. There's another school in Seattle that seems very interesting, for me anyway. It's The Photographic Center Northwest and I plan on taking a few of their classes if not the whole certificate program.

 

I wish you luck and hope to hear in the future how Brooks is treating you.

Well, one wonderful week spent in Seattle turned out to be much more productive than I had imagined. I attended the open house and was thrilled every minute I spent at AiS. However, I think it's just too expensive for the likes of a poor oilfield worker like me! Even before I cruised down there I had decided that it was not the most logical school for me to attend. How could I spend 44,000 on an AA when I could dish out approximately the same amount for a BA from SVA in New York? I probably would have scrapped the trip altogether had I not been promising to hop down and visit friends from high school for awhile now. I must say that it was energizing to be in the school atmosphere, I loved every minute of being there. The photography course seems quite in depth and the few instructors that I met seemed very interested in teaching willing students. I would love to attend the course and spend as much time in that atmosphere as possible but I will not pay that much money to do so. Considering that, I was a little disappointed after the open house, bummed about having to figure something else out and not knowing exactly which direction to turn especially with the growing feeling that the college process is probably not necessary for this line of work. Then I was introduced to a couple who started a wedding photo business about a year back. They seemed pleased with how the business was going, excited to be starting another season and more than happy to talk about how they began. Through them I discovered The Photographic Center Northwest and upon reading their small but well compiled and informative catalog I decided this was the school for me (as in this is one of the resources I will use to further my knowledge, there are many other ways). Once again I was very excited to move to Seattle. I decided that it would probably be worth it even if I wasn't going to attend some sort of training program but leaving a high paying job and a nice lifestyle to start all over again from ground up was going to be difficult. I needed a more purposeful reason, like college, to justify the move. Finding this school, even though it's geared more towards fine art photography (which I find interesting), was one more great reason to make the move. Now I just have to get the round the world trip out of the way before I settle down in Seattle and start establishing myself as a professional photographer.

 

So, I ramble on. Thanks to all of you who responded to my question. Any other info regarding building a presentable portfolio and the basics of "selling myself" in this business would be gratefully appreciated.

Thank you both so much for answering my question. I'll respond to each of you via email.

Hello Roger, I'm in the same boat at the moment! I've done a little bit of research on The School of Visual Arts in New York, The Brooks Institute, and the Art Institute of Seattle and have come to the conclusion that they're all too expensive. I recently attended the open house at AiS and found that the photography program there seems quite in depth and that the instructors seem well experienced, educated, and eager to share their passion with willing students. I had a brief chat with a career services guy there and he said that the market is tough, of course, and that the problems incurred with finding secure employment (depending on what field of photography you're in to) arise mostly from graduates that seem unmotivated and almost uninterested in pursuing their career. Surprising considering they just spent 44,000 dollars obtaining their education. He mentioned that if you have a strong desire and passion for this type of work you can make it happen in Seattle, degree or not. As was mentioned above it mostly comes down to your portfolio and how you present it AND yourself. I haven't gotten that far yet (building a suitable portfolio and following up on marketing myself) but I have a strong belief that it can be done without formal education. However, I was extremely excited to be in the college atmosphere surrounded by people who have the same passion for photography. That alone is a huge motivation booster.

 

I met with a few wedding photographers while I was down there and one of them introduced me to The Photographic Center Northwest. This school gives you the option of studying photography on your own terms. They don't offer any degrees, only certificates, but I've heard that it's well worth the time and money. It's a school that specializes in photography and only photography so supposedly you can get educated in the field of your choice without having to worry about "outside" classes that you may have no desire to put yourself through. I've made the decision to move down to Seattle, study at this school, network as much as I can (I've been told that Seattle is a very art friendly city, many people willing to help you on your way and having spent only a week there I agree) and hopefully make a good life for myself. Good luck to you!

 

One more thing. I have a brother who has been through this whole process (college, debt, world experience) and his advice is to forget school and the mass amounts of money it requires. He's motivated me to take my school savings and buy an around the world plane ticket (building a portfolio along the way) stressing that I would learn so much more about life, myself, and what it all means. Besides, photography is all about taking pictures right? Well, that's what I plan to do.

Your information is very helpful and I appreciate your time. I'm waiting on a catalog from Brooks but I think I've already made a decision...it's too expensive! So is the Art Institute of Seattle, in my opinion. I've decided on roughing it and taking a few classes here and there, then pursuing the career on my own. Thank you once again.

I appreciate your time, insight and respect your opinions. It seems as though as soon as I get enough info on one school another pops up that peaks my interest! I'm now looking into The School of Visual Arts in New York. Choosing a school is a difficult process, especially if it really matters where it's located and how much the tuition is. You seem like a pleasant person willing to help, I'd like to ask you a few more questions through email...

I'm researching photography schools (see Art Insititute of Seattle

question)and the Brooks Institute is in my sights at the moment. I

would appreciate any suggestions/opinions about the school and

perhaps insight on life in Santa Barbara,CA. Thanks in advance.

That's a good way to look at it I suppose. I'll be attending the open house on the 12th of this month, we'll see where that takes me. Thanks Kevin.

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Will...Your advice is definitely noteworthy and I appreciate your time. I'm looking into visiting the open house Feb. 12th!

 

Scott...Your views are a great help. They made me pinpoint why I've considered going to school in the first place...to find out what I want to do! The AiS curriculum is quite broad, showing me a piece of many different fields of photography will, I hope, help me answer some of the questions you brought up. But I'm still wondering if it's worth the 44,000 dollars!! I'm leaning towards yes but haven't been brave enough to actually sign my money away. Thanks again.

 

Kevin...It seems like you had bad timing, unfortunately! Since they had just started the new audio course perhaps they hadn't perfected it yet. My question about it being worth the time and money pops up again, especially in your case since you've changed careers. Was the college experience worth it? A broad question but know that I haven't even thought about college since graduating high school in '96. Again, I appreciate your help.

I must say I really enjoy your work. If I come out of the art institute with as a refreshing style as yours my money will be well spent. I have a good idea of what the answer will be but...how's life in Seattle?

I appreciate your time, any inside info helps. I've received the information packet from them and am very happy so far, regarding the general ed. classes you mentioned. I worried about that as well but surprisingly the extra classes all appeal to me, except for the math. It would do me good to brush up anyway. So did you have issues with bad instructors? If so, was there anything that could have been done about it? Do you know if there has been any recent accounts of this sacrilege? I'd be extremely upset! Again, thanks for the inside info. So was it worth for you? Have you persued your photography career and if so was their job placement program any help? Am I asking too many questions?! For the third time thanks Kevin. This is a huge decision for me, I have to know if it's the right way to go.

I'm searching for opinions on Seattle's Art Institute. I've been

corresponding with admissions personnel but would really like to

hear opinions from people who are not trying to "sell the school".

My interest in attending the photography program increases every

time I think about it (24/7) but I'm deathly afraid of diving into

so much debt. Would it be worthwhile?? Thank you in advance for

any suggestions/opinions.