April Essay- after the storm

Each month I plan to take an afternoon or morning and photograph something different from what I would shoot in my everyday portrait business. I let what ever sparks my interest for that month be the subject. No year long calendar agenda! I have a feeling it will usually be nature related since that is where I seem to gravitate. This month we had a great thunder storm one evening, which went on into the night. The next morning water was on everything and the light on the scene was wonderful.

These are a few of the subjects I found in my own yard after the event. I tended to focused on the smaller rain drops. It amazes me how they can seem to defy gravity and stay on those petals and leaves. I did include one rainbow, I know, its cliche'. BUT I can never get over how really cool these are and how a storm can refract light like that. So in the essay it shall stay.

April 13 Judging at Cherokee Photography Club

I went out last Monday representing Bark Photography to judge a very good abstract photography competition at the Cherokee Photography Club . There were over 120 entries, which kept me talking a while. All the images were outstanding. In the projected category alone I tried to talk them into letting me give 14 honorable mentions. This is quite the creative group. Thanks for letting me see all your work.

Check them out at:
http://www.cherokeepc.org/

Jan Judging at East Cobb Camera Club

Jan 8th
Judging at East Cobb Camera Club. In Jan the East Cobb Camera club of the East Cobb Senior Center had a photography contest with general matter as the subject. That means the subject could be anything. The only stipulations were when the photographs were taken. There were 2 categories: photo taken within the last 3 months and photographs taken within the last 5 years. This was a hard thing to judge there was so much diversity. The 3 month category I could not believe how many places the members had been over the holidays. This group is on the go. After the contest I was treated to a wonderful lunch at the Fish Market in Marietta by the club. Thanks for the great meal!
http://seniors.cobbcountyga.gov/documents/ECOngoing2.08pdf_000.pdf

It’s time for the annual Bark Photography Holiday card picture. This year I choose Chance a lab puppy for the shot. He is a neighbor of mine and I have seen Chance grow since he was a wee little thing.
I wanted it to look like Chance was really up to something and had gotten really into the Christmas decorations. I got Steve to keep putting the Garland on Chance while he was being kept Chance occupied with little treats. I Think chance had a good old time.

Cobb Photo Society Talk

Nov 17th
I gave a presentation about how to take pictures of pets to the Cobb Photography society. They meet every other Monday at the Marietta library at 7:00 the are a wonderful organization with speakers one meeting a month and the other meeting they have a photo contest on different subjects each month. This is an excellent way to learn about photography and to improve your work. They helped me so much when I was a budding photographer. Anne Ledbetter Photography and Bark Photography would not be here today without them.
Cynthia who raises dogs for Guide Dog Foundation brought Abby to help demonstrate what dogs do during a shoot. The main point I tried to get across was patience and you are really working on the animals schedule not yours.

http://www.cobbphotosociety.com/
www.guidedog.org

SABA talk

SABA (Smyrna art and Business Associations) meets every second Tuesday of the Month at the Smyrna Library. Nov 11 was my turn to speak. I was first to do a 5 mininuet speall about Anne Ledbetter photography and Bark Photography then the main speaker cancelled I expanded my talk for the entire meeting. I decide to talk a little on running a business and the problems I had that other artist might have.

My Main points were:
How to balance your time and that is as valuable as money and it as a big of restriction as money.
How many Hat you were in your own Bus and how you have different rates for those different hats.