This blog is not as chipper or happy as my past ones. It is to serve as a red flag, a warning and guidance to all of you up and coming photographers, as well as, the feet-planted-firm photographers.
I went on my business trip 2 Sundays ago and took some nice photos. Then, when I came back home I went to our local park and spend a good deal of time capturing photos of the wildlife. I edited them, posted them, soaked up the smiles and congrats from my wife, but I failed to do the ultimate thing. I did not back them up.
I preach to everyone telling them to back them up. Even my wife will tell you that I constantly tell her "You never know what can happen, so back up your stuff right away".
Well, I lost about 13 GB of photos yesterday. I honestly don't know exactly how it happened, but I have a good idea. I was trying to clean up my computer and I must have dragged one of the folders into my Trash without really focusing on what I was doing. Wednesday was not a good day for multi-tasking. I then emptied my Trash and last night when I went to find the photos the ENTIRE folder was gone. 3 searches came up with nothing.
Needless to say, today I am in a VERY bad mood. It is no ones fault, but my own and I am upset because I am the boy scout who is always prepared. Yesterday I was not. Fortunately I might be able to recover a few files and there were no paid clients photos in there. I back those up right away. No, it was my own personal photos that I failed to back up and it's upsetting.
So young and old - back up your photos right away. [b]ecker (a fellow photog) always, always talks about backin up and I always agree with him, but you still have to do it. Back it up on DVD, twice, then back it up on an external HD and then put them in separate places. Not in your home, but have another location set up in case your home is vandalized, burns down (God forbid) or any catastrophe happens.
This is my vent for today. I am off to work to try to recover what I can and get over being so angry with myself. I don't want anyone's pity, just make sure you back up your stuff. This should serve as an example to all of you out there. This Pupil now understands the value of backups.
Thursday, March 13, 2008
A&K with G&C at CPK in HB
I felt like abbreviating everything in the headline tonight. Just because that's the mood I am in.
Last night was a great night. Kymberli and I got to meet Gabriel and Carlie Ryan at California Pizza Kitchen in Huntington Beach and we had a great time. You two are so much fun and so full of life!! Thank you for taking the time out to meet up with us.
We discussed so much and I have to say that we are blessed to have friends like this in the photography community. One of the subjects we talked about was the fact that when I went to college (many moons ago) you didn't get the openness of photographers. If you asked a photographer how he/she shot a certain session they got defensive and were very reluctant to help you. I even got sucked into that mentality for a long time and it sucked. For me and for others. Thank goodness that we have outgrown THAT!
We had a great meal, talked shop, had quite a few laughs and had such a wonderful time.
Actually, time kinda flew right by and before we knew it dinner was over. We are definitely going to have to do this again sometime. It was interesting because I felt like we were really getting into conversation, but the place started to fill up and we all had to get home for our beauty sleep (there is not enough sleep to help this chrome dome).
Here is one of the photos that my wife took. She did a great job using my camera. Thanks, babe!
Here are a few pointers I would like to give to all of my fellow photographers out there.
1. Don't always bring your huge backpack with a ton of your photo gear to dinner. It makes for a fifth wheel under the table. Bring a point and shoot and ENJOY the moment.
2. Always, always check the ISO on the camera before putting the flash on and messing with the dials.
3. Be yourself in the photo. I was being all serious and Gabriel and Carlie were just being themselves. I look like a tightwad in the photo. Had I been more relaxed and going with the flow I think the photo would have been even more fun!
Here's the photo of the three of us.
Last night was a great night. Kymberli and I got to meet Gabriel and Carlie Ryan at California Pizza Kitchen in Huntington Beach and we had a great time. You two are so much fun and so full of life!! Thank you for taking the time out to meet up with us.
We discussed so much and I have to say that we are blessed to have friends like this in the photography community. One of the subjects we talked about was the fact that when I went to college (many moons ago) you didn't get the openness of photographers. If you asked a photographer how he/she shot a certain session they got defensive and were very reluctant to help you. I even got sucked into that mentality for a long time and it sucked. For me and for others. Thank goodness that we have outgrown THAT!
We had a great meal, talked shop, had quite a few laughs and had such a wonderful time.
Actually, time kinda flew right by and before we knew it dinner was over. We are definitely going to have to do this again sometime. It was interesting because I felt like we were really getting into conversation, but the place started to fill up and we all had to get home for our beauty sleep (there is not enough sleep to help this chrome dome).
Here is one of the photos that my wife took. She did a great job using my camera. Thanks, babe!
Here are a few pointers I would like to give to all of my fellow photographers out there.
1. Don't always bring your huge backpack with a ton of your photo gear to dinner. It makes for a fifth wheel under the table. Bring a point and shoot and ENJOY the moment.
2. Always, always check the ISO on the camera before putting the flash on and messing with the dials.
3. Be yourself in the photo. I was being all serious and Gabriel and Carlie were just being themselves. I look like a tightwad in the photo. Had I been more relaxed and going with the flow I think the photo would have been even more fun!
Here's the photo of the three of us.
Monday, March 10, 2008
An Adventure In The Park
Today it was so nice here in SoCal that I just needed to get outside and soak up the sunshine. I decided to hit Old Faithful (El Dorado Park) for some bird shots. It was so nice that I walked around and shot about 175 photos, but really just enjoyed being out there and loved being in the sun.
The park was filled with Great Egrets today. They were getting lots of tasty treats from the stream and they were cautious of me, but not as much as usual. Here are some of my shots from today. The only editing I did was some sharpening and cropping.
I really need to make it over there more often.
The park was filled with Great Egrets today. They were getting lots of tasty treats from the stream and they were cautious of me, but not as much as usual. Here are some of my shots from today. The only editing I did was some sharpening and cropping.
I really need to make it over there more often.
Friday, March 7, 2008
Tiggers Like to Bounce!
They certainly like to play! Boy are they beautiful. I realize I am a little late in getting my last photos up of the Tigers at the Big Cat Rescue in Tampa, FL, but here they are. I went through them and wish I could go back as I sit here at the Tampa Airport.
Just look at how much they enjoy each others company, but also the incredible size of the male vs. the female. One thing to understand is that the male was bred by a guy to be big. I think the guy is an idiot for doing that sort of thing, but nonetheless the big cat is here.
My lens set up was not ideal for this situation. I would do it differently for the next time so that I could eliminate the fence lines, but you get the idea. One of my favorites is when the male yawns. His gaping mouth could engulf the females in one bite. Absolutely incredible.
Just look at how much they enjoy each others company, but also the incredible size of the male vs. the female. One thing to understand is that the male was bred by a guy to be big. I think the guy is an idiot for doing that sort of thing, but nonetheless the big cat is here.
My lens set up was not ideal for this situation. I would do it differently for the next time so that I could eliminate the fence lines, but you get the idea. One of my favorites is when the male yawns. His gaping mouth could engulf the females in one bite. Absolutely incredible.
Wednesday, March 5, 2008
Doc Connors? Is that you?
I got to my newest hotel today and it is awesome. Not much to look at on the outside, but beautiful on the inside. Gorgeous. These guys are getting an amazing location for an A/C seminar. Beside that, I was greeted by many of the locals when I arrived. They came out in numbers just to say hi, well... they were in the sun and as I parked I put them in the shade.
These brown anoles were everywhere and I think they are awesome. When I was a kid living in Ft. Lauderdale, FL, I used to try and catch these guys and man they are fast!
Here are a few shots I got of them, just for the fun of it.
These brown anoles were everywhere and I think they are awesome. When I was a kid living in Ft. Lauderdale, FL, I used to try and catch these guys and man they are fast!
Here are a few shots I got of them, just for the fun of it.
Tuesday, March 4, 2008
Big Cat Rescue in Tampa, FL
Hello My Loyal Readers!! All 10 of you. LOL. I am writing from Tampa, FL as I am on a business trip. The great thing about going away on business is that I get to see more of the country and photograph different areas. The bad thing is that I have to be away from my wife for a week. :( I miss you, babydoll!!
This morning I decided to go to The Big Cat Rescue. What a fantastic organization. They rescue big cats from all over. Some of the cats rescued were kept as pets and some are from circuses where the cats just didn't 'perform' anymore. Our tour guide, Mike, made a great point when he said, 'This isn't a zoo. We don't have our animals perform, so some may be out and some may not. We'll see.'
When we got to our area to meet for the tour, this beautiful peacock was there. He was making a racket and some of the people said he was saying "Help me, help me." It really did sound like that.
Here are some of the other images I took of the South American Cougar, the Bobcats and some fo the beautiful Tigers. Just look at their eyes!
The best images of the Tiger couple will come later tonight or tomorrow. They were amazing. The male is 800 lbs. and the female less than half that, but when they played it was great. They were having so much fun.
This morning I decided to go to The Big Cat Rescue. What a fantastic organization. They rescue big cats from all over. Some of the cats rescued were kept as pets and some are from circuses where the cats just didn't 'perform' anymore. Our tour guide, Mike, made a great point when he said, 'This isn't a zoo. We don't have our animals perform, so some may be out and some may not. We'll see.'
When we got to our area to meet for the tour, this beautiful peacock was there. He was making a racket and some of the people said he was saying "Help me, help me." It really did sound like that.
Here are some of the other images I took of the South American Cougar, the Bobcats and some fo the beautiful Tigers. Just look at their eyes!
The best images of the Tiger couple will come later tonight or tomorrow. They were amazing. The male is 800 lbs. and the female less than half that, but when they played it was great. They were having so much fun.
Sunday, March 2, 2008
Will you 'walk the world' with Jayson Rowley?
I challenge you to listen to my cousin-in-law's music and not let it hit you. It is simple and very to the point, but so friggin cool!
Kymberli and I went down to the Viento y Agua Coffee House on 4th St. in Long Beach to see him last Thursday night. Small place, tons of character and I loved it. Actually there is even more room for the character to blossom and that is very cool. There weren't too many people there and I was bummed because the music was so cool. He has 2 songs that aren't on his new 'walk the world' album yet, but I was so into them. He plays the guitar well, sings well, but the best part was the slide guitar. I am envious of anyone who can do that, but he was making it look way too easy. Rock on, Jayson!!
I am only posting this one photo because my wife got some seriously tight images from that night. Mine is just showing his action on the instrument. Check it out and check out his website.
Kymberli and I went down to the Viento y Agua Coffee House on 4th St. in Long Beach to see him last Thursday night. Small place, tons of character and I loved it. Actually there is even more room for the character to blossom and that is very cool. There weren't too many people there and I was bummed because the music was so cool. He has 2 songs that aren't on his new 'walk the world' album yet, but I was so into them. He plays the guitar well, sings well, but the best part was the slide guitar. I am envious of anyone who can do that, but he was making it look way too easy. Rock on, Jayson!!
I am only posting this one photo because my wife got some seriously tight images from that night. Mine is just showing his action on the instrument. Check it out and check out his website.
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