The Photog Formula

Happy Valentines Day everyone!

As I’ve been doing more and more alternative process photography and doing a lot of research on the web, I’ve come to the conclusion that there are endless “Photographic Possibilities.”

And, ironically, that’s exactly what I got from my loving wife this morning, “Photographic Possibilities; The Expressive Use of Equipment, Ideas, Materials, and Processes” by Robert Hirsch.

I haven’t done a lot of reading from it yet, but I know it’ll be one book close at hand at all times!

I’m sure I’ll be using it along with my Darkroom Cookbook while I do assignments for my independent study photography class.  I can’t wait!!

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I’d also like to take this opportunity to mention another photo blog I came across; Elizabeth Briel.  She does a lot of cyanotypes that are amazing!  That’s another process I’d like to try and I’ll be referring to her site for help.

Thanks for dropping by, and have a great weekend!!

I’ve been doing a lot of research lately about different types of promotions and publicity tactics.  I learned a few new things while at NCSL in Washington, D.C. last week and wanted to learn a little more.

One of the coolest things I’ve found is 2D barcodes.  I’ve seen them before, but never really understood what they were or how to use them.

If you haven’t seen one before, here’s an example:

(This is my contact information.)

So I got to thinking.  (I know, scary!)  I’m tired of the same old 8.5×11 sheets of paper hanging on every bulletin board around.  After awhile you become blind to them and they all start looking alike.

So I wanted someway to stand out, yet still be functionable.

2D barcodes to the rescue!!

We are living in a fast-paced technological world now, when faster and simpler is better.  Now I’m not going to debate on whether this is good or bad.  But you should really take a look at your business plan to see if you’re getting left behind.

I just created a mobile version of my website so that people will be able to view it on their mobile devices.  It’s not pretty and needs some serious work, but it’s there.

And now these 2D barcodes can get the visitor to be engaged, at the same time save time.  If someone sees one of these barcodes on a poster, business card, or even a bumper sticker, they can scan it with their smartphone, (sorry only phones with cameras and internet access can play!), and go directly to the page or video that’s linked to the barcode.

All this while they are still walking down the street!  No need to remember a website, phone number, or contact details.  Brilliant!

I’ve already decided to put one on the back of my business cards that links to more information about myself and my business.  I’m also developing contests, special deals on services, creating tutorials that will only be accessible through one of these barcodes.

So if you’d like to learn more about these, just Google 2D Barcodes.  Or you can visit these sites:

• www.i-nigma.com
• www.snapmaze.com
• www.kaywa.com
• www.neoreader.com
• www.beetagg.com (I use this one)

One other note, you might need to download the free software to your phone before you can scan the barcodes.  But it’s free and simple to use.

So if you see a barcode on one of my sites, make sure you scan it.  You could win something!!

To get you started, scan this barcode for my contact information that you can add to your phone with one click!

NOTE: “Scanning” simply means launching the barcode reader application, which in turn starts your camera.  Then just snap a picture and the application does the rest!

If you didn’t know, I went to our nation’s capital this past week with my college’s student senate.  We went to the NLCS (National Conference on Student Leadership).

I learned a tremendous amount of information on becoming the best leader I can be, met a lot of great people, and got to tour our great capital.

Being the photographer that I am, I wasn’t about to miss the opportunity to capture our great monuments and historic buildings with my camara.

I can honestly tell you that touring the historic sites gave me goosebumps more than once, and actually brought tears to my eyes standing in front of the Wall.  Being prior military myself, that experience was a little overwhelming, to say the least.

When I think of the great leaders and people that have walked in those historic buildings, I get emotional all over again.  If only the walls could talk!

I think it should be mandatory that every American visit our capital, if just for a couple days.  This is where we got started.  These are our roots.  And to look at the Declaration of Independence, the Bill of Rights, and our Constitution in person is an awesome feeling!

So if you get the chance to visit Washington, D.C. do it!  You won’t regret one moment!

Here I am, at 12:37 am, thinking about the direction I want to take with my photography.  Why?  For one thing, I’m in the middle of taking a series of 30 seconds exposures to create an image of star trails.  Why I started this tonight when I have a 9 o’clock class tomorrow morning, I don’t know.

I’ve been doing quite a bit of work in the darkroom lately developing 35mm, 120mm, and even some paper negatives from my newly created pinhole camera.  I had forgotten how fun it was to actually create your own photos.  Not just taking them, but making them.

But I’m a bit discouraged.  I don’t know what I want to do with my photography, where I want to go.  I do know a few things, however:

I don’t want to be a wedding photographer.
I don’t want to be a pet or children photographer.
I do want to be unique.
I do want to be creative.
I do want to have fun in the process.

So where does this leave me?  I seem to spend more time searching and viewing other photographer’s work then I do working on my own.  And at the end of the day, I feel like I’ve accomplished nothing.

This is not what I want to do.

Sometimes I feel like giving up, throwing in the towel, and saying, “To hell with it!  I’m not going to get anywhere anyway!”

Then there are days when it all seems crystal clear.  Those days are few.

I enjoy taking photos of many things; architecture, landscape, urban, macro, the stars, abstract, just to name a few.  Do I need to pick one and concentrate on that?  Or do I continue taking pictures of everything hoping something will “click”.

I great photographer once told me not to limit myself by choosing a genre, but to take photos of whatever I wanted.  I like that advice.  But what do I do with it?  (BTW that photographer was Clay Enos.)

I’m frustrated by the fact that I don’t have a studio space, or the clientele to warrant getting one.  I feel cramped in my house.  And now that the weather is turning colder, it’s only going to get worse.

I’m relieved that I have access to a darkroom where I can escape for a few hours.  But that, too, will not last.

Then there’s this blog.  I feel horrible about not posting regularly.  But on the other hand I don’t want it to fill up with posts like this one.  So if you’re a reader, thank you so much for sticking around!  I promise there won’t be many of these “ramblings”.  However, if I don’t post for awhile, it’s because I don’t feel like what I have to say at that moment is worthy of your precious time.

Thank you for sticking through this.  Goodnight.

I’ve written a post about this once already, but decided to talk about the subject once again.

In case you missed it before, here’s the video that will explain it all:

“Help Portrait is a movement of photographers who are using their time, equipment, and expertise to give back to those who are less fortunate this holiday season.”

I’ve joined the Help Portrait Community, which you can find here.  Stop by and sign up if you’re interested in participating.

If you’re interested in joining, and volunteering your time and expertise, you can do so on that page.  You can also join the Facebook group here.

I’m also going to be setting up a site off of NateLawson.com to keep you informed of what’s going on in the Sheridan area.

I really think this is a great opportunity for us to help those who are less fortunate during this holiday season.

Hey everyone!

I know I’ve been away for way too long, but I promise that there is a very good explanation!  (Sounds kind of like I’m trying to explain to my wife why I got home so late!)

If you didn’t know, I’m back in school again.  I graduated last semester with an A.F.A (Associates of Fine Arts) degree.  And now I’m taking a bunch of education courses so that I will be able to teach.

It’s been a decent semester so far, but one that keeps me busy.  I’m also the President of the college Video Production Club.  We air live every Wednesday night at 6pm MST on our local cable network and online at Ustream.tv.  (You can go check us out here => SNAP!)

We’re also in the works of another broadcast show dedicated to photographers and videographers.  That show won’t be live and will air every other week.  I’ll fill you in when I have more information, but it’s going to be a lot of fun!

So, I just wanted to let you know that I don’t mean to neglect you.  I’ve noticed a pretty steady increase in viewers to the blog, which is surprising since I haven’t posted anything new in quite some time.  I really do appreciate it!

Please understand that if I don’t post very often, it’s not because I’m giving up on the blog.  There are weeks when I have way too much on my plate already, or I just don’t feel like I have anything worth posting.  But remember that I will come back as soon as I can.

I’ve been playing with some Photoshop plugins that are great and I’ll share with you the results when I’m finished.  You can see a few of the images on my Facebook page here => Nate Lawson Photography.

While you’re there, why don’t you become a Fan?? 

Thanks again for your continued support!  Without you I’d be writing for myself!!

Summer’s over, Fall is quickly approaching, and that means that the holiday season is getting near.  I know, some of you don’t want to hear that there are only 113 days until Christmas, but that’s life.

Every year I feel blessed to have the family and friends that I do.  We share memories during the season and have dinners together and reflect on life’s activities.  But what about those who are less fortunate?

They don’t deserve any less than the next person.  They may just be unlucky in life.  But that shouldn’t matter during the joyous holiday season.

I came across a blog post the other day from Zack Arias.  I’ve bookmarked his site and think you should as well.  He’s a great photographer from Atlanta who doesn’t hesitate to help….anyone.

He recently posted a video from a guy named Jeremey Cowart.  This video has inspired me.  It’s made me sit back and think about what I have, and be thankful for it.

Jeremy has started a photography project called “Help Portrait” and it’s worth every second of your time to watch it.  I will be participating and I think you should too.  Even if you’re not a photographer you can still help.

Go watch the video. Then make the decision to do your part to help.  I would love to hear your responses.  Just post them in the comments.

Thank you.

Just being a photographer is great.  But unfortunately it won’t pay the bills.  What do I mean?

Well, you can take all the greatest photos in the world, from exotic locations to backyard shots, but if nobody sees them nobody will buy them.  You can also have the best photo services in the industry, but if nobody knows you do it you won’t gain any customers.

So how do you get the customers and sell your prints and services?

I ran across a guy, Tyler, that will show you exactly how to do it.  He’s not a photographer, (his father is), but he does know the business and has been marketing for many years.  He is going to show you exactly how to “get massive exposure on the web and have new clients swarming to pay you top dollar for your photography skills”.

Excited?  I am!

You can read more about him along with some great photography articles on his blog, ThinkBigArt.com.

You may also want to just watch the short video he put together, Over[Exposure].

So go take a look.  It won’t hurt.

I woke up this morning to someone knocking on the front door. As I opened the door, my breathe was literally taken from both from the site and from the bitter wind whipping down the road.

The young man at the door needed to borrow a shovel to get his girlfriend’s car unstuck, as his shovel had broken.

After another 20 minutes they had freed the car. I don’t know why they even bothered. There’s no way I’m even leaving the house today, except in case of an emergency. Even then, it’s going to be rough getting my own vehicle out of the garage.

Here are a few photos taken from inside the house. Like I said, the wind is bitter and strong.

If you live in a warmer climate, be thankful you’re not dealing with this! This just solidifies my view of Wyoming and Wyoming weather; it sucks! Where’s the desert, because that’s my next destination!

We celebrated my youngest son’s birthday today along with my sister’s birthday. Finn’s birthday really isn’t until tomorrow, when he’ll turn 5 years old.

I can’t believe he’ll be starting school next fall. My how time has a way of passing by so quickly!

Here are a few shots of the party. Enjoy!

The aniticipation is killing me!

Holy crap! It’s Spider Man!

What is it? What is it? What is it?

I’m rich! (His exact words!)

A new game!

I can even be Wall-E!

All right, some more hot rods!

3 men telling stories. (My Uncle, my Dad, and my Grandpa)

We start ‘em young in my family!

My first blog post!!