This year, for International Print Competition, I made an effort to get back to my roots. I entered 4 black and white images because that's where it all started for me, in the dark room. This image, "Stout Advice", was created on film. I loaded up my Rollei 6003 with TMax 400, developed it in my trusty Omega stainless steel tank (this is the tank that I learned B/W processing with) and then scanned the neg into Photoshop. The final print was so rich and the shadows had detail that reminded me of my days in the dark. I could almost smell the fixer.

This image, entitled, "Hits Like a Girl", was photographed on film and with my 1D MKIII. In the end, I really like the digital version better because it was edgier. The film version had great depth but there was something more sinister to the image created with the MKIII. The coolest thing about this image, the subject might look like a model, but she really is an MMA fighter.

Where are your family portraits?

Where are your memories? Are they saved on a disc? If they are tucked away on a disc, do you think you will be able to look at them 10 years from now? Well, the good news is you saved a bunch of money because it only cost you about fifty bucks to have them taken and they burned them all to disc for you.

Oh this image? It's my son when he was 4. It's a print. It hangs on my wall. I can see it every time I walk past it. The print is almost eleven years old. In ten years, it will still look just as nice. I had it printed by my professional lab. Yes, it cost a little bit more than just running down to one of those "Mart" places, but it was worth it to me.

What a great project to be a part of, The 21st Century Guide to Portraiture. Thank you Betty Lensmith, for inviting me to submit to this truly powerful collection of educational material. I am honored to be a part of it, it humbles me to see my name alongside some of the greats in our industry.

These bright and shiny trinkets could be misinterpreted as cute little pins that have been purchased. The truth is, they have been paid for. Not with money, but with lots of hard work. These shiny trinkets have been earned. Anyone can claim to be a photographer now. The unfortunate reality of our photographic industry is that an uneducated client often chooses a photographer based on price. Or more degenerating to the art form, based on the fact that they can have the images on disc and print them where ever they wish. I had a client ask me why she couldn't just buy the images and print them herself. I gently explained to her that when someone looks at a print, their impression will be about me, the photographer, not the fact that you, the client took my files to some kind of mart and had prints made. I have the greatest lab in the world print my images because when it hangs on your wall, I want to be proud of how it looks. Knowledge is power. Knowledge is what separates me from anyone with a camera. I have the shiny trinkets to prove that.

A Most Excellent Adventure in Liverpool

Liverpool, NY that is. In October, I had the pleasure of teaching with my good friend John Aitken. We joined forces for a Super Monday workshop in his hometown of Liverpool and took to the streets.

Even though the day was drizzly, we managed to find some pretty cool light.

Special thanks to Dave Piazza from FJ Westcott. Sometimes the light needed a little help, but that was easy with my Rapid Box and QFlash.

Come rain or shine, it was a good day to be a photographer.

I Get By With a Little Help From My Friends

Teaching is such a blast. After all the mentoring I've had, it's great to be able to give some knowledge back to the community of professional photographers. I am truly blessed with great friends like David Piazza, National Rep for FJ Westcott. His support and friendship is priceless.

thanks to Kelvin Ringold of PPCNYS in Syracuse, NY

thanks to Mike Dziak, President Twin Cities Camera Club

These are the Westcott TD6 SpiderLites and the 7' Parabolic Umbrella making big, beautiful light.

thanks to Mike Dziak, President Twin Cities Camera Club

It is also very wise to have a beautiful model. Special thanks to Julia Johnson for being so patient and amazing.

thanks to Mike Dziak, President Twin Cities Camera Club