My Grandmothers Olympus OM-1
No, not the movie with Nicole Kidman, I’m talking about other photographers. I got into photography at the edge of the digital revolution. First digital camera that I owned was the Canon Powershot A80 in late 2003. By 2004 I feel head over heels in love with photography and upgraded to my first DSLR, a Canon EOS Rebel 300D. Seems so long ago but it was only 10 years really. My first paying gig was my first publication in EuroTuner of May 2008 of my friends Ross’ VW GTI . Before that it was all practice and learning at car shows and on other cars. There have been a lot of photographers that have inspired me and driven me to do better. Now there is even MORE people shooting with the digital ability of cameras on phones. With the creation of Instagram and other social app/sites that help people explore and share their creative work. But when you’re good it doesn’t matter what rest in your hands, it’s the ability to produce an amazing image with whatever tool you have. It’s been nice to discover so many artist out there and find new talents daily on these sites.
But when you find a photographer and you spend a lot of time on their site, examining all their images, these are the people that drive me to keep doing what I love. I recently found Chris Williams and WOW! What makes it worse finding a talent like his, is that he lives where we’re moving too. Thanks Chris, kick me even harder to get moved!! His images of the Northwest are what I aspire to create. Most of my first years were spent chasing cars and now all I wish to chase is the sun, as it sets on the horizon in some gorgeous landscape. It’s easy to get trapped on a device and sit there and look at all these feeds, but as some point, you have to get out and start creating your own feed of excellence. So you have to challenge yourself every second of the day if you want to get anywhere. You have to find these people and see what they are doing, to inspire yourself to make great work. If you don’t, then you’ll be the moss growing on the tree that I’m photographing.
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