It seems like yesterday that I was photographing portraits and weddings. I got started by photographing my sister-in-law's wedding, then it was my new brother-in-law's cousin, then another relative then friends of theirs. It just snowballed and after 9 years I finally decided I'd had enough. I made enough money to buy equipment, lighting systems, filters, extra lenses and photography gadgets. I had all this good stuff but no desire to photograph another wedding. So, for a while, I walked away. It had become a job.
Then something happened at work. My photography skills became part of my day job. The company photographer retired and so they started calling me to take pictures for the company magazine. I had lots of covers and almost every picture in the book was shot by me. I traveled all over North Louisiana and East Texas shooting everything from welding shops, natural gas cars to chicken houses. All the while doing my regular job. Then things changed again and the company downsized and I was out of work. So, I put my equipment away and just shot for my family and church school. I shot football games for 8 or 9 years and after my sons graduated I slowly got out of that and put away my cameras again.
During all that time, I learned how to shoot individual portraits, group shots, small product close ups, landscapes, and anything that came my way. I learned how to make my own reflectors and soft boxes. I used silver and white umbrellas with studio flash units to handheld units. I made some of my gadgets myself and got some great results for just a small amount of money. I suppose I bought every photo book that was on the market and read them with a white hot passion for photography. I had lighting books, posing books, close up books, fashion books, advertising books, and tons of magazines about photography.
So, what am I doing with all this knowledge now? NOTHING. That's sad isn't it? So, I'm thinking I might feature some how to articles here on the Stroope blog and if I get enough response I'll start another blog about using your point and shoot digital camera to make professional pictures using inexpensive lighting and backgrounds. If you're interested check back from time to time for the next photo article.
Take care for now and Happy Forth of July.
