Country Stampede 2012

Well, I survived another year of Country Stampede in Manhattan, Kansas.  I came to the conclusion that this was the 15th year in row that I have been in attendance, but it never seems to get old. 

http://www.countrystampede.com/

• Lucas Hope
• The Cleverlys
• THE FARM
• Luke Bryan
• Travis Marvin
• Thomas Rhett
• Steve Holy
• Travis Tritt
• Zac Brown Band
• JT Hodges
• Jerrod Neimann
• Brantley Gilbert
• Toby Keith
• Evidence of Journey
• Sweethearts of the Rodeo
• John Michael Montgomery
• The Band Perry

Just as I have shared before, it is a great time, good music, and lots of rowdyness.  You do however need to be responsible.  This meaning, that when the temperatures hit over 100 degrees, YOU MUST DRINK WATER! Other than that, it's a great time....So Party on! 

A sneak Peek of Katelyn

Thes are just a few of Katelyn right before she fell asleep during an initial shoot. I can't wait to actually photograph her when she is wide awake. 

Camping at Beaver Lake

Right behind my passion for photography is my passion for the outdoors.  It can only be a bonus that I can combine all of the three into one eventful weekend.

I could really wake up to this every day for the rest of my life.

By the grace...

I have not had the opportunity to blog or share any photos in quit sometime, but that is beside the point.  These pictures are not the greatest I have ever done, but they happen to have a particular meaning. I took all of them while me and a few friends where driving through Joplin, Missouri at the end of last year.  Just several months after a tornado flattened almost the entire area.  I was rather fortunate to work for a company that was able to place some of these people with a job until they were able to rebuild.  So out of this tragedy I had the opportunity to meet some amazing people, who shared some amazing stories with me.  We all became such good friends, and I am sure that these kinds of ties will last for a long long while.  This is a song that was wriiten for those effected by the recent tornado. I am forever blessed to have these people in my life. #godblessjoplin

There is a little story about how Joplin High School became Hope High School. If you would like you can take look at the following link.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/blogpost/post/joplin-high-school-becomes-hope-high-look/2011/06/01/AG6DjTGH_blog.html

And here is the video/song that was written for those that lost their life, and those that continue to rebuild.  Thank you Joplin, Mo, for showing the rest of the world how it's done.

Copyright

After I have read several blogs about what is legal, not legal, or just proprer ettiquette, I seem to be more confused about what boundries of the law that I should follow.  I read some great articles or blogs that share some great information, but at the same time I hesitate to share them on here or anywhere.  I've read that it is totally legal to summarize the article, but then I should include the link were I got the information.  I've also read that the use of copy and paste is not legal, but if you include the link, then it is acceptable, but just poor manners.  One person says that it is o.k., and the other said that it is not.  I would think that most of these people would not spend countless hours researching and writing, just to share with the people that read it.  Allowing others to share your work is what helps to get the person recognized.  If anyone out there can give me some understanding of this type of situation, or point me to a credible source it would be greatly appreciated.

My Photography As I Know It Is Dying?

A few days ago I read this article, and it got me thinking about several things.  Now that I am sitting around the house without my creative outlet, this opportunity has given me more than ample amount of time to think.  Sure, I can still take pictures with the numerous cameras that I have, and hang on to them for when I can get this operation going again.  BUT....This is where I have had the extra time to think about the above article.  Is there any truth to it?  To back-pedal just a bit, I had a computer crash about six months ago, leaving me with no reliable computer, nor my Creative Suite.  Several days ago, I placed the order for a new computer (several thousand dollars later), and now all I need is my Creative Suite 5. (I can almost taste it, as I sit here a listen to my fingers rattle on the keyboard). 

Anyway.....back to the article - After reading this I began to question a few things, such as the pictures that I take.  What will happen if I choose not to change with the times?  And even if I did change with the times, would I still survive?  My point is, that me personally could care less if any picture that I view is digital, film, edited, or not.  I simply like looking at others work, no matter the source.  I really could care less if I made thousands of dollars every month taking pictures. I like what I do, and I enjoy the learning process.  I still to this day can look at Ansel Adams pictures all day long, and never miss a point to say Oooo - Ahhhh, even If I have already seen it.  So to answer the question of the article, I will still continue to learn, and I will continue to teach myself more of what I want to understand, I probably will never make a million dollars doing this but I like the process.

-Are you ready to jump in and give things a try? Are you willing to test to find out what works and what doesn’t?-

Yes I am, but I don't need a huge following while I do it, nor would I expect national recognition, nor to photograph the Kardashian's.  I just would like the opportunity to be inspired, and to inspire others.  Whether that be looking at someones else's work, creating my own, or sitting in a public place saying quietly to myself  "that would make a great photograph!"

So I leave you with this:

I never set out to change the world, I only hope that I can inspire someone who will...

 

I'm just not sure

I just signed up for an account with Wordpress in hopes of getting some ideas or inspiration from some other bloggers.  This way maybe I can better associate with others from both sides of the fence.  What a bad idea that was.  The site wasn't very functional, and I think for a small fee you can actually post a blog.   This pros here are that blogger seems to make things very "easy-to-use" and somewhat simple for the newbies.  I seem to have more control here, and things are more simple.  Just a little food for thought if you plan on the Wordpress route.  I will continue to try to figure it out, because the frustration of the experience will eat away at me.  However, I will continue to use Blogger for the majority of the experience.  It just might be easier!

Technology and the Victims

I put this picture of me on here as a younger kid to give me some kind of focus.  A reminder that there was a time when things seem to be more simple.  Even though no one really follows this blog sometimes I feel better writing it all out.  I suppose it makes me feel accomplished in some twisted simple form.  Lately, I have tried to make my focus to learn from those around me.  With every step that I take the process seems to get more complicated.  With technology advancing at  the rate that it is, the frustration of the process seems to grown even more rapidly.  For every new website, or social networking site that pops up, there is 376 different ways of doing things.  More passwords, photo sizes, video, HD, and so on;  not to mention that the ol' pocketbook really takes a hit.  So my question to myself is "are there more simple ways of doing this, than the path I have chosen".  I feel grounded at the current time because of a recent computer crash, that has rendered my ability to fight the frustration useless.  I suppose it was about time to upgrade the Photoshop anyway.  I never realized how lost I could feel without my PS.  Some people smoke cigarettes or drink coffee, for me a few goods hours playing on Photoshop was my "happy place".  Do I have a degree in Photography? Yes.  Do I feel that it was worth it?.  Let's ask my Photo teacher a few years back how he feels?  Don't ya just love our current education process, and how it works!  I kinda feel that I was given the materials to make a quilt, and then was told to create one.  So how does that work?  Endless days and nights watching YouTube tutorials, reading blogs, books, articles;  trying to find a small shred of evidence that I was in the right direction.  To be more specific the photo degree that I received was half film, and half digital.  Somewhere in the middle of the course the institution decided that film was out, and digital was the way to go.  Kinda leaves you with half a quilt right?  So at this point I am forced to feel my way through the situation, and learn to teach myself.  Here's where the frustration enters.  When the curriculum is constantly advancing, how is one suppose to decided what is justified?  P.S. I don't have a sewing machine, so I am forced to learn from scratch with the little pieces of material I acquired along the way.  When you throw in the technological advances, it just makes you want to repeatedly beat you head against you keyboard for some relief.  So, like many of my friends would say, "I'm going to put on my big-girl panties , and deal with it!"  I suppose that not having a current version of photoshop, or anything at all, will give me ample amount of time to read, watch, and begin the learning process again!  Out of all this will come more understanding of how I can fight this frustration!  I will, because I have made it this far!  And between all of the videos, blogs, and books, I will be searching for that little piece of simplicity!  So for all of you websites out there that require a smaller resolution.....resize it your damn self!

Firework 2011

Aside from taking pictures this is just a clip of our own firework show in Rogers, AR just off the shoreline of Beaver Lake.

On a side note...

I could seriously shoot myself in the foot right now for not trying HDR (High Dynamic Range) before I did.  Im a little slow to come around, but like everything else, I will teach myself!

Shoots and Shuttters!

Travis

2011 Rogers, AR Snow Storm

After the cold had finally died down, and the temperature reached the double digits again I wandered outside with the trusty ol' camera and got these shots from an icicle hanging from my porch.  I have had cabin fever for about the last week, because it was so nasty outside I really couldn't leave the house at all.  Well, I suppose it's time to hunker down again, because we have another winter advisory in effect for the next few days.  

 

I found a new friend in Animoto!

• http://animoto.com/play/MFdhi93G6hK4vKx0sLpHhg?autostart=true

• These are some photos of a baby that I took last summer.  It's just a 30 sec video of so, but now that I have found it I plan on using it allot more.

• Animoto.com

These are totally random...........

Anika on our hiking trip last summer.

Amanda and Megan at Beaver Lake.

Laura and her son during a Christmas shoot.

Devil's Den Hike

I recently took a short hike through Devil's Den....Pretty neat place.  If you even get a chance to try it I would really recommend it.