It has been a momentous week - just imagine, the week before Christmas and instead of planning for the festivities I have been agonising about photography; or rather the images I shoot... or more accurately the way I perceive myself as a photographer. You see, up until this week I have always seen myself as a general, jobbing photographer... I'll shoot anything... that kind of thing... Well, whilst I will still shoot anything that pays (not going to turn down work am I?) I have taken a seriously hard look at the images I shoot, what I enjoy shooting and what I shoot best. I think it was on Tuesday that the light started to shine through... You see in addition to being a photographer, I am also a field ecologist (even more specifically I am a botanist). To me what I should be shooting is plants... As simple as that... I love plants, love studying them, love photographing them... I read in a book once that you should always try to find what makes you happy then find a way to make it pay... I'm nearly 50... I should give it a go... So that is what I am going to aim for... So whist I will still do tutorials, and take bookings for other work, I intend to specialise in plant photography...
This sort of thing...
woodland moss...
different species of moss...
sycamore leaf...
oak leaf...
Well, that's what you get in the winter... In the summer...
ornamental roses...
cornflower...
sunflower...
teasel...
You will also notice a change in presentation... I like the border around the image... it adds a level of professionalism and helps separate the image from the back ground. Also of note, the Identity Plate on the bottom will be in a colour to match the image... I like that subtlety...
But plant photography doesn't just mean individual blooms or leaves... it means habitats as well... like this...
reed and sedge bed...
or this...
grasses and harebells...
and... (yep there is more) I also will look at recording associated species... like...
damage to leaf caused by a leaf-miner...
Of course, whilst out with my camera I will continue to capture other wildlife if the opportunity arises... this sort of thing...
moorhen...
So, what do you think? Good idea? Well, we can only see... Wish me luck...
On a different tack I received a lovely, heartfelt message of thanks from a fellow pro whom I taught. It is great to teach someone and watch them develop their talents... it is also great to be appreciated! This is what she wrote...
"In the excitement of launching, I want to give a special shout out to my friend and photography mentor of Alex Scott of Alex JP Scott Photography.
I embarked on a series of tutorials here in Abu Dhabi with Alex, knowing that I wanted to take my photography from keen amateur to pro level. He tailored my lessons according to what I needed – from theory, discussions, photography walks, gear shopping trips, online reading & study links, to setting me homework challenges, then discussing the results. Always aware to take me out of my photography comfort-zones.
With his guidance and endless patience he has coaxed the (very) shy pro-photographer out of me… and has witnessed my skills develop and bloom over the last ten months. They say: “The only photographer you should compare yourself to, is you”… and I can see how far I have developed in this time.
So here and now, on my professional FB Page: Here’s a huge thank you Alex - from the bottom of my heart. I would never have had the confidence to launch Victoria Akbik Photography without you! I aim to make you proud and vow to continually learn, improve, and challenge myself in both artistry and technical skill.
Always truly grateful xXx"
It means a lot... Thanks Vicky...
New images will be uploaded here as usual... so if you FB... keep an eye out - if you haven't yet "Liked" me ... go on... it costs nothing!
So, that about wraps it up for this week... I hope you all have a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year...
TTFN
This sort of thing...
Well, that's what you get in the winter... In the summer...
You will also notice a change in presentation... I like the border around the image... it adds a level of professionalism and helps separate the image from the back ground. Also of note, the Identity Plate on the bottom will be in a colour to match the image... I like that subtlety...
But plant photography doesn't just mean individual blooms or leaves... it means habitats as well... like this...
or this...
and... (yep there is more) I also will look at recording associated species... like...
Of course, whilst out with my camera I will continue to capture other wildlife if the opportunity arises... this sort of thing...
moorhen...
So, what do you think? Good idea? Well, we can only see... Wish me luck...
On a different tack I received a lovely, heartfelt message of thanks from a fellow pro whom I taught. It is great to teach someone and watch them develop their talents... it is also great to be appreciated! This is what she wrote...
"In the excitement of launching, I want to give a special shout out to my friend and photography mentor of Alex Scott of Alex JP Scott Photography.
I embarked on a series of tutorials here in Abu Dhabi with Alex, knowing that I wanted to take my photography from keen amateur to pro level. He tailored my lessons according to what I needed – from theory, discussions, photography walks, gear shopping trips, online reading & study links, to setting me homework challenges, then discussing the results. Always aware to take me out of my photography comfort-zones.
With his guidance and endless patience he has coaxed the (very) shy pro-photographer out of me… and has witnessed my skills develop and bloom over the last ten months. They say: “The only photographer you should compare yourself to, is you”… and I can see how far I have developed in this time.
So here and now, on my professional FB Page: Here’s a huge thank you Alex - from the bottom of my heart. I would never have had the confidence to launch Victoria Akbik Photography without you! I aim to make you proud and vow to continually learn, improve, and challenge myself in both artistry and technical skill.
Always truly grateful xXx"
It means a lot... Thanks Vicky...
New images will be uploaded here as usual... so if you FB... keep an eye out - if you haven't yet "Liked" me ... go on... it costs nothing!
So, that about wraps it up for this week... I hope you all have a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year...
TTFN
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