10 Things to get yourself out of a Slump !

Everyone gets into a "slump" every now in then. You know... when all your creative juices just seem to dry up and everything you shoot seems to look and feel the same old, same old.

Well here are 10 things you can do to get yourself out of that "slump".

1. Don't touch your camera for a period of time. Then after a while pick it up. You might find yourself hungry to create.
2. Chose 1 Prime Lens and spend a week or month just shooting everything with that lens. Or Relearn how to see by using that one prime lens, and photograph one common subject for a good month. And build yourself a good body of work.
3. Go WIDE ! Get yourself a Wide angle lens like a 35mm or 24mm or 15mm and go out shooting with that. Might have you seeing life alot differently.
4. Start a Project. Sometimes as photographers we are so busy doing "CLIENT" stuff that we have very little time for "ME" stuff. So plan and start a project. One that will take a good year to complete.
5. Take a vacation. Go on a cruise and travel the world. Packages are cheap right now and usually comes with all inclusive food and lodging.
6. Read some new and inspiring books.
7. Read some new Photographer Blogs
8. Move to a different country for a good while to get a change of pace and life.
9. Got to see an EPIC MOVIE ! As you watch, observe the lighting and camera angles. Gain some ideas through it. (movies like: Last Samuri or Pride and Prejudice)
10. Attend a PHOTOGRAPHIC Workshop. There are a ton of great workshops out there that are being taught by some truly inspiring photographers. Take some time out and sow into yourself by attending one. You will be surprised at how it may inspire you.

Happy Growing.

Rockie

Did you know your Canon 30D can do this !

Notte Sento (English subtitles) from napdan on Vimeo.


So... a fellow photographer I know, Bandele, posted this great video today about a short romantic movie of a girl who misses her train to Milan and is set to wait overnight in Rome until Dawn.

What blew my mind about this short story was how it was made from 4500 + photographs shot on a canon 30D ! Thats right !!!! A canon freakin 30D !!!!!!!!!!

Folks this goes to show that there really is no limit as to what we can do as photographers if only we would think "out of the box".

Have a watch and let me know what you all think.

Cheers.

Rockie

Vegas Workshop (Part 3)

Ok.. LOL.. I promise this will be my last post on my Vegas Workshop !

What can I say... I had a blast there with all my photog friends and took some wonderful images to boot. But here are some more for ya.

Thanks so much for dropping by. Don't forget to leave a comment.

Blessings,

Rockie

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This is Tiffany. One of our many beautiful models who not only graced us with their presence but were so patient with us as we practised on them. The only Model I never had a chance to practise on surprisingly was Nancy ! So Nancy, your coming up to Vancouver so we do Vegas Part 4 !!!

[Tech info: back lit the subject in broad daylight. No flash and no reflectors]

This Wonderful couple were not even our MODELS ! LOL. What had happen was Scotty and I were talking about this concept for this shot, but at that moment all our models were occupied. So when this couple walked by I asked them if they would be willing to stop for a few moments and model for me ! Man was I blessed. ! What cha' all think ?

So I loved this concept so so much that when I saw Tiffany not doing anything I shouted out to her to come on over and I went and recreated this once again. Only this time I just could not decided which color tones I wanted to finish the image with so I did both.

Which one do you Like the Most ? Post me a comment.

[Tech info: both these 2 with Tiffany and the couple right above were created with secondary lighting. I used a 580ex flash, and the ST-E2 infra-red flash trigger to bring the flash off camera. Brynn from Vancouver held the flash on the Left hand side and the rest was just finding the right exposure to match the back ground with the subject. Also these images were takin' in broad daylight outdoors !]

This final shot of Tiffany is one of my favorites. I am such a sucker for "prayer" poses ! When we had all arrived and I saw these super cool big huge Bronze type doors, and then saw the saree that Tiff was wearing I knew I need to get a "prayer" pose.

[tech info: this was all natural light shot, and hand held.]

Vegas Workshop (Part 2)

Here are some more images from my Vegas Workshop I took this February with Scott Robert Lim. Scott by the way is our wedding instructor at Image Explorations Workshop. Unfortunately his class is already sold out, but if you want to be put on the waiting list for 2010, just contact our office at: don@macgregorstudios.com and request to be put on the list for 2010. Just remember that a deposit must be made for spot to be held.

Enjoy Rockie

Vegas Workshop (Part 1)

I was recently in Vegas taking a workshop from famed wedding photographer Scott Robert Lim. And let me tell you, it was a blast ! Not only were we in Vegas (a place where I have never been), but I also met some of the best up and coming photographers around ! (more on them shortly) I was blessed to say the least.

Check out the follow images I made while down there. Some were from the Neon Boneyard (kind of a neon sign graveyard) and the others where made at 2 different hotels.

It was an investment that was well worth my time and money. More Images to come !

Blessings and enjoy !

Rockie

Power of Prayer !

I created this image for a friend of mine who comes from a super family who have a special calling in prayer. So when I saw Mark put on this hoody I immediately knew what I wanted to do.

Some have thought this image is too dark for a "prayer" type of imagery. But for me I see the Strength and Power in it. It feels like this is a dedicated warrior who understands the power and art of Prayer for Righteous means.

I love it.

Just wanted to share. Hope you like as much as I do.

Peace.

Rockie