Category Archives: Music
What makes a photographer a ‘professional’?
Professional Photographer
It is said that 10000 hours is the magic number of hours required to be an expert at anything
whether your chosen field is art, sports, business, or perhaps something else.
However, 10000 hours is no guarantee of world-class expertise
Some are more gifted than others at certain talents, which may add or subtract some hours.
Many jobs require college degrees pertaining to that field, an investment which usually
sums up to a significant amount of time and money.
For photography in 21st century we live in, entry barrier that used to exist is… well. gone.
While photography has been around for near 200 years now, it has never been
easier to get a useable camera with industrialization and mass production.
Everyone can buy a camera. Click a shutter button.
Turn a few knobs. Maybe even some photoshop tasks.
Being a professional photographer is more than having decent camera gears.
It is not about clicking a shutter button.
It is knowing when to press the button.
It is not about having a big expensive camera.
It is knowing where to point that big expensive camera.
It is not about doing a favor for a few people you know.
It is knowing how to run a business.
You have to earn it.
It takes determination.
It takes time.
It takes talent.
It takes work.
It is about taking a risk.
It is about following your passion.
It is about living in pursuit of happiness.
There was an engineer who had an exceptional gift for fixing all things mechanical. After serving his company loyally for over 30 years, he happily retired. Several years later his company contacted him regarding a seemingly impossible problem they were having with one of their multi-million dollar machines. They had tried everything and everyone else to get the machine fixed, but to no avail. In desperation, they called on the retired engineer who had solved so many of their problems in the past.
The engineer reluctantly took the challenge. He spent a day studying the huge machine. At the end of the day he marked a small “x” in chalk on a particular component of the machine and proudly stated, “This is where your problem is.” The part was replaced and the machine worked perfectly again.
The company received a bill for $50,000 from the engineer for his service. They demanded an itemized accounting of his charges. The engineer responded briefly:
One chalk mark………………….$1
Knowing where to put it……..$49,999
It was paid in full and the engineer retired in peace
Strange Machines – Concert @ Middle East Downstairs
Concert Photography in Cambridge, MA. Strange Machines headlining a show in Cambridge, MA.
These guys totally killed it @ Middle East Downstairs last night.
Ricardo Barraza: Guitar & Vox
Mike MacDonald: Guitar & Vox
Bill Noonan: Drums
Kris Hanson: Bass
www.reverbnation.com/strangemachinesboston
www.facebook.com/StrangeMachines
Ended up with some of my favorite music photos to date, check them out.
Strange Machines – Band Promo Shoot @ Central Square
Music Photography in Cambridge. Had a quick band promo shoot session with Strange Machines at Central Square tonight. Strange Machines are a local up and coming band based in Boston. Their music can be described as a unique blend of rock, reggae, blues and funk. I recommend that you check out their music on reverbnation as well as their facebook page:
www.reverbnation.com/strangemachinesboston
www.facebook.com/StrangeMachines
Random strangers passing by the graffiti alley added some more fun.
Berklee Recital 2 – Ah Young
Boston Music Photography. 11.30.11 Ah Young Min’s Recital at Berklee College of Music.
Berklee Recital – Ray
10.24.11 Ray Kim’s Recital at Berklee College of Music.
Nixon once said “If you want to make beautiful music, you must play the black and the white notes together.”
I say “If you want to create beautiful photos, you must be able to think in black and white first.”
Berklee Photographer, NEC Photography, Recital Photos
Musician’s promo photo shoot – Ray
Musician’s promo photo shoot in Boston, MA. Ray is a local singer songwriter. His music can be described as a mix of folk, acoustic, pop, and rock. I think? We met up and headed to mission hill neighborhood of Boston and had a lot of fun shooting press kit materials. There were a lot of cool spots to use as backdrops as we walked around. He is currently working on an EP album named Organic Structure, set to be released around early 2012.
Kurtis – Promo session with local hiphop musician
Boston Music Photography. Street photo session in Boston with local hiphop artist Kurtis. We walked to part of the city where I thought it would be a good match for this promo shoot. He’s actually a very nice person with laid back attitude who is fun to hang out with despite his outter gangsta-ish look.
