Yokosuka, Japan || BillChizekPhotography.net || EL PASO, TEXAS
Last January a friend suggested I try selling my photos as stock photography and suggested a few sites. I thought about it and decided to give it a shot. Like I do before I leap in to something, I sought advice from my close personal friend – the internet.
I made a decision to take photos of Coronado, the city; sure I’d shoot the San Diego skyline, the bridge, and yes, sunsets, but I hoped to shoot more.
Ok… Gurushots.com is gettin’ a little carried away. My pic made #2 on a new list of “32 Photographs With Negative Space Proving That Less Can Be More.”
My photo is #20 of “34 Vertigo Inducing Shots Of The Some Of The Tallest Skyscrapers In The World” with mine, Summer Night!
Since writing an earlier blog entry about photographing US history locations, the subject of European history and some of my older photos entered my mind. History combined with photography is my personal perfect storm.
A photo I submitted to Getty Images was used by The Daily Beast on March 14, 2017
My photo made Gurushots.com’s “30 Photographs Of Motion That Will Get Your Heart Pumping And Your Face Smiling” list!
While living in Europe, I purchased a very nice Sony DSC-TX20 pocket camera for the nights I didn’t want to carry my camera bag going out to dinner. I worked out well, it took great photos and had an excellent wide angle view. However, I didn’t own an iPhone then.
My photo, called Strawberry Slices, just made #17 in an article called “32 Delicious Examples Of Food Photography. Guaranteed To Inspire And Make Your Tummy Rumble” !!
A few years ago I began to test selling photos in other venues and putting my photography on items such as mouse pads, cutting boards, cups, and various merchandise.
My photo was selected for the digital exposition in Minimalism at the MIA Photo Fair in Milan, Italy!
Back in September (2016) I stated that if I had a mirrorless camera, “this would be my bag 24/7!” Well, I meant it, and after writing that post I actually ended up purchasing a Sony A7R mirrorless camera and decided to give the Everyday Sling a shot as my every day bag.
If you want a jolt of reality just go to Smugmug or 500px, search a subject you’ve shot and think you understand, then get ready to be humbled! If you really want to be brought down a few rungs on the ego ladder, search for your camera model and see the photography that has been shot with your camera. This will leave you wondering how they can get these incredible images, but you can’t.
One of my photos, taken almost four years ago, was featured today by the Gurushots.com website!
A photo of my girls, White Sands Walk, was taken at White Sands National Monument, NM and was featured today by the Gurushots.com website!
Returning to Norfolk with my family is now a priority, not just for visiting friends but getting our girls out and have some fun seeing incredible American History.
I needed to lighten up my camera bag recently because it was simply too heavy for my back after surgery in 2010. When I looked at where that weight was coming from, it didn’t take long to see it was my Canon 6D and the three lenses.
This isn’t an angry “screw Canon” sort of message, it’s actually a bit sad for me as I’ve been a loyal Canon user for eight years now. I have also loved every Canon camera I’ve owned, as well as their lenses.
Our oldest daughter was studying Mount Rushmore last year so when planning a trip to Wisconsin it seemed like a no brainer to stop in South Dakota. Long before leaving, a little research seemed in order.
When originally asked if I’d be interested in one of the new Peak Design bags I actually said “no”… Sometimes I’m not the sharpest knife in the drawer.
I wanted something in the bag that could reach out to 300mm, if it was too big to carry it probably wouldn’t be with me when I went out. Then I read about the Canon EF 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 L DO IS USM.
Only 30+ hours to get a new Peak Design bag at Kickstarter!
The Campania region of Italy, has an incredible history, generous people, spot-on vino, some of the best food in Italy, and is also completely underrated.
Yesterday I did an interview with SpecialInterview.com about my photography.
If these new bags are anywhere as good as their Everyday Messenger Bag released last year, you might want to get one early through their Kickstarter Campaign.
The cool thing about this garden is that there is so much to shoot once inside and, because the Japanese Friendship Garden sits below Balboa Park, you really feel like your somewhere else and not sitting in the middle of San Diego.
Bill Chizek is a retired Navy Musician, now amateur photographer from El Paso, TX and San Diego, CA. His photography journey began in 1981. He takes photos of anything that catches his eye; aircraft, cars, architecture, and anything historical along the way. We have conducted an interview with Bill.
I’ve been interested in history since I was a little kid, don’t ask me why, it just happened. Later in life, while in the US Navy, history was ever present; … Continue Reading US History 1
If you’re at all interested in Peak Design or a new camera bag, I’ve written two posts related to my Peak Design camera bag.
I have a few ‘go-to’ places to shoot in the San Diego area, places I can count on to hopefully take a few “keepers”; Point Loma is one of those locations.
I’ve been using Peak Design gear since 2012 and am still wow’d by their products! I can’t see myself walking out to shoot without a piece of Peak Design gear
El Paso has one foot firmly placed in its history it still has one foot in the future going forward.
After seven months with my Peak Design Everyday Messenger Bag, I feel comfortable saying how this worked out.
Shooting sunsets in Imperial Beach is almost like shooting fish in a barrel. Unless it’s a completely cloud covered evening you’re practically guaranteed a spectacular sunset.
I was interviewed by a website last week, read it @ http://www.thecrazymind.com/2016/05/bill-chizek-photography.html?m=1 Bill Chizek is an amateur photographer who lives between San Diego, CA and El Paso, TX. After retiring … Continue Reading An Interview
There is only one small town between Hatch, NM and the ghost town at Lake Valley, it’s called Nutt. I believe it’s named that because ain’t Nutt’n there but a biker bar… literally Nutt’n.
I used to carry too much gear, way too much. So many extras for ‘just in case’ moments that my bag weighed a ton. Most of it was just along for the ride.
If you’re a photography newbie, or on a budget, this is a bargain! Sure, it’s not a zoom lens but you’ve got two feet for that…
The Amigo Airsho has been around for decades and is now held at the Doña Anna County Airport in Santa Teresa, NM.
There are so many things to write about living in Italy. When people ask me if I miss Italy my reply is, “every day at dinner time.”
The common denominator with these cars is their manufacturers are defunct.
I thought it would be fun to shoot all three of El Paso’s Spanish missions in one morning and post them as a collection.
I’m back @ blogging’ after a couple of years away.
Black and white photos with color accents can make a photo stand out a bit, but how do you do that?
Just north of Milwaukee, WI is a city where part of Sputnik crashed to earth and you can tour a WWII submarine.
Living in Italy was cool but being able to travel the Amalfi Coast whenever I wanted was a dream.
South of Naples, Italy are Greek ruins that are amazing, many people miss this one…
The Abbey of Montecassino was completely wiped out during WWII and rebuilt. Today you can visit this amazing place!
