This week we had a family trip to our local Tōkyō Dizunīrando and as someone who has been to Disneyland or Disneyworld no less than a half-dozen times or so, I’d honestly love to go somewhere else sometimes. The first couple of visits were cool, but the ever-increasing ticket prices, paying top dollar for cafeteria food, and long lines, seemed to wear me down.
When I started shooting stock photography a few years ago, I would set out with a goal to shoot one subject only and had blinders on the to rest of what was around me. My whole approach is different now, keeping in mind that these flag photos may be the real money makers.
Shoutout from the Shimoda Black Ship Festival
Shoutout from the Shimoda Black Ship Festival
What I didn’t realize was how tall of an order it really was to shoot a subject so famous, and so well documented, like Mount Rushmore in a new way. I came up with this bright idea to shoot it at night, which in theory seemed easy but the execution would prove problematic.
I was trying to capture this semi-historic house, or part of it, in a different way that could also show it’s place relative to the Hotel Del Coronado which by the way is the real gem. I’m not sure what the connection of this house to the Hotel Del Coronado could possibly be beyond…
Back in 2012, I began looking for another way to connect my camera to camera straps, wrist straps, and tripods. The problem was this, if there was a strap to keep the camera safe from accidental dropping, it almost always interfered with the tripod plate. That’s when I discovered peak design gear, it to appeared to solve all this. If it worked as advertised, it would mean no more fumbling around with equipment and no more straps that didn’t work with other products.
Shouting really loud to Mrs. Madrids 3rd grade class from the Taiko Drum Festival in Narita, Japan because it’s really loud here!
Returning to Naples became more of a hobby than a military reassignment, somebody thought it would be fun to keep sending me back, and I loved just about every minute it.
I drove about 30 down the road to Hayama and the location of this selfie in Inamuragasaki, Japan to shoot photos of Mount Fuji. Today was definitely a great day!
Last year, realizing it was just plain foolish not having a back-up camera, I began researching a second camera. It needed to be smaller, take decent quality photos, and not break the bank. Looking at just about anything smaller in size, all name brands, the search narrowed after a few days. While considering other Canon cameras, there was also Fuji, Sony, Minolta, Lumix, and a host of others to review. Then, one camera began appearing more and more…
Shooting at Mikasa Park this morning, a beautiful 19th century battleship in Yokosuka, Japan.
My eleven months with Sony was not what I had hoped for, I missed my old 6D almost from the minute I sold it.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Living in Italy was cool but being able to travel the Amalfi Coast whenever I wanted was a dream.
The Abbey of Montecassino was completely wiped out during WWII and rebuilt. Today you can visit this amazing place!
