Transition...

In keeping with my latest post I have decided to make a big change. I am putting law school on hold. I had a decent discussion with my boss and we were able to negotiate a full time solution.

Details aside, I believe this will put me in the perfect position to pursue a career in photography.

Working at the Camera Shop provides me with all of the latest news and equipment relating to the industry. I also get to hear about all of the methods that other photographers use along with all of the mistakes they made. Every so often we get people asking about a photographer, now that I have a lot more free time, I will be able to offer myself as an option. In order to get some good experience, there are quite a few customers who have asked me to assist them on weddings and group shots.

Best of all, I am going to be able to offer everything I know in the realm of non-people photography. Eventually I will be able to offer classes 'in the field' that go beyond the beginner courses taught at the store. A few short instructional guides are in the very early stages that should be quite helpful the beginner and intermediate user. A local trail guide, a major goal, was put on hold because of school; work on that is going to begin in earnest.

While being a lawyer certainly has its benefits, it isn't really for me. I do like the idea of protecting the things and people I care about in any way possible, but I feel like I can accomplish far more doing something I love. Plus, it is far easier to share a story about a great picture than it is to share the reason why I won a case. I do need to mention one thing. Law school was a great experience. I will truly miss it. Interestingly enough, I believe that it expanded my photographic eye more than anything else I have learned. The law is so dynamic and complex; it requires a very open and broad mind; it leaves a desire to look deeper. Just like a well decided case, a beautiful photograph leaves you inspired to make the world a better place. The problem with law is that very few people appreciate the intrinsic exquisiteness of it all. As with photographs you have compromise, the give and take; subtly or saturated, sharp or soft, highlights or shadows. They are both artistic.

However, with photography I get the most important thing of all... outside. Very little law is done while hiking through the deep woods, kayaking a peaceful river, or hiding in a blind for that perfect shot.

If I had a choice I would live two lifetimes and pursue both, but we all know that isn't possible... yet... *crosses fingers for genetic rejuvenation*

Well, to close this whole thing, I hope that everyone will check out my gallery and please... make comments, or at least click the thumbs up or down thing. And, if you ever need a photographer, or know anyone who does, try and think about me.

Also... I really need to throw this in here. Mike, sorry I didn't get this in until the bottom but it's all about me! ;) Anyhow, my great friend Mike Prince is a part author in a new book! I'm very very excited about this. For less than $10 you can get the book shipped to you! Go here to order it... seriously, $10... it's well worth it! You can check out their site here.

New Gallery

It has been a long time coming. I have finally decided to put forth the effort to venture into the world I love so much.

While I don't have that usual story of "I was born with a camera in my hand" I can certainly say "I grew up with my eye through a lens."

I first discovered my love of photography during the Muskegon Air Show in 2002 (I mourn its loss with anger and sadness every year...) with my parent's Minolta Maxxum 5000i. I don't remember exactly how many rolls I went through on the second day, but it was enough to deter my 'bug' for several months due to the cost of film and developing.

Late 2002 saw the release of the Olympus C730UZ and in early 2003 I got my first digital camera.

I kept nearly 1600 pictures that year. The bug bit down hard. Due to its point and shoot nature, I was unable to capture the images that I wanted (it was infuriating to shoot a bird in a bush when the camera would keep focusing on the branches... by the time it finally focused, the bird flew away; that happened far too many times). This frustration led to the Canon EOS 300D Digital Rebel w/18-55 and w/75-300 IS lenses. I was in heaven (sort of).

There were many things I loved about my Olympus - rarely had to retouch the pictures, never had to adjust the colors, and it NEVER had any problems (except its limitations). My Canon had plenty of issues, I always had to retouch my images, the colors were bland (at best, even with upping the in-camera settings), and after a year it began having lens errors (very frustrating to have the camera randomly shut down just as you push the shutter).

Last year, August, I got a job at The Camera Shop of Muskegon. This led me back to Olympus. I was able to take the 520 out for a test spin and fell in love. While I was forever tainted with the need to retouch images, the 520 made it far easier. I kept borrowing the camera until they announced the E-620. I had to have it!

Olympus let me loan an E-620 for several months (got it a month before it was available to the public... should have milked for all the fame I could have.) Then, on June 19th, I finally got my own.

I have since increased my arsenal of gear, but more on that later; for now, I only want to say that I feel it has been far too long since I started this love affair and want to announce the new online home for my passion of viewing life a little differently, TTL (through the lens).

Please take a few more moments (I know this was longer than necessary, but oh well, what else do you expect from me?) and check out my new gallery!

Also, the thumbs up are a simple way to say you like, even if you don't feel like commenting!

Thanks!