7 Years & Counting!
That’s right. I am now into my 8th year of writing online. Last Saturday marked my 7th anniversary of what started out as a simple way of sharing an amazing semester abroad with my family and friends and has since become the Photoshop & Photography Blog Community that we have today!
It’s been a labor of love, especially over the past 3 years or so that I’ve been focusing almost solely on digital imagery, and I’ve been blessed to develop some great friendships along the way. One such friendship, which I mentioned a few weeks back, has been with Rob Jones of Towner Jones Photography. Rob and I share a similar philosophy for our work and I am always inspired and encouraged when I meet other like-minded Photoshop & Photography enthusiasts. In case you missed that post, the guiding principle for me is something along the lines of “pay it forward.” When I learn new things about Photoshop, I love to pass it along. If I see something and wonder how it was done, I am driven to figure it out both for the challenge of it and so I can then show others what I’ve learned.
I’ve been fortunate enough to develop relationships with some notable figures in the larger digital imaging community and have been blessed to receive some notariety myself. It is all a bit surreal for me because I see myself more as a just a guy who loves photography and needs an outlet for it. If my only readers were my mom and a couple of friends – like it was back in the day – I’d be happy, so I keep having to pinch myself that I get to do this everyday and share my thoughts and work with so many of you. (If only I were able to do it full-time!)
Because I never want to let any attention because of the blog go to my head, I do my best to share the spotlight (for lack of a better term) with my readers through projects and contests and other regular series so that others have some opportunities to reach a wider audience just as I’ve had over the last few years. Again, always trying to pay it forward and build community rather than toot my own horn.
There have been a lot of changes since I first began this endeavor, especially in the last year, and there will be more to come. Some of my series have fizzled out – due to lack of traction, time/development constraints, or they were just bad ideas – and others have risen higher than I had ever thought they would. Instead of taking a more nostalgic tack, which would be very tempting and easy to do, I thought that this milestone would serve as an excellent opportunity to look forward so we might do some brainstorming together to see where we might go from here.
First off, I want to lay out a few goals that I’d like to work towards with the blog, in no particular order:
- I’d like to continue to build this site as a place where creative people can share their work, inspire each other, and find unique opportunities to participate in creative projects.
- I’d like this site to be a resource where others can come for help and feedback so they can grow as image makers.
- I’d like this site to be an outlet for my own work with an openness for comments and critiques so I, too, can continue to develop my craft.
- I’d like to have an ongoing dialogue with my readers (through the comments or otherwise) not only so I can have a clearer sense of who they are, what they do, and why they come back, but more so we can all learn from each other and push each other to be better.
- And, if I’m being totally open and honest here, I’d like to see the blog grow in terms of being a source of income so that I can move closer to my dream of doing photography and Photoshop training full-time so that my passion might become my profession.
Next comes the more tricky part: How? Here is where I would like to solicit your input and ideas for how to turn the goals into realities. Maybe there’s something you’d like to see by way of a project/series/contest or other program here on the site. Maybe you have ideas about how to improve on what’s been started already. Here’s a few things to get the ball rolling (again, in no particular order):
- The Points of View Photo Project has been quite successful, in my opinion, and those who participate are constantly telling me how much they enjoy the new challenge each time around. I will certainly be continuing the project as long as I have original source images to share. I’m always open to reader-submitted source images, so if you’d like to see how others might interpret one of your shots please send it in to pov@jasondmoore.com.
- Workflow Fridays has fallen off somewhat, mainly due to how tough it’s been this summer to coordinate it. I’d like to see it continue because I think it’s a great way to get a glimpse into the process of someone else so we can pick up tips and tricks we might be able to incorporate into our own work. If you’d like to contribute, please send me an email and I’d be glad to review it for posting.
- Photo Reviews have been a fun way for me to flex my creative muscles and share my thoughts and opinions so others might improve in their work. I’d like to see this continue as well but I just need people to send me their shots. If you’d like your photo reviewed, email me at reviews@jasondmoore.com.
- Ask Jason is along the same lines and is off to a good start with yesterday’s post. If you have questions, send ‘em along to askjason@jasondmoore.com.
- Photoshop Tutorial Videos have been really fun for me to do in the past and it’s been such a crazy year that I haven’t been able to get back to it. There’s a new contest over at NAPP that I’m going to talk about more down the line that will hopefully get me back into it.
- Contests have been going quite well lately, especially with the BIG Photo Contest last month, and they are a great way to highlight some excellent photography. I’ve been approached by a few people with some really unique prizes that you will hopefully be seeing in the coming months.
- Sponsors have been a great support for both the contests and this blog as a whole. I’ve been blessed to receive donations of prizes for the contests as well as monetary donations to help keep this blog going in one form or another. And I am so thankful for those of you who have done that! I’d like to invite all of you to consider either donating via the PayPal button in the sidebar or sponsoring the site or one of the ongoing projects. Find out more by visiting the Become a Sponsor page or by emailing me at sponsors@jasondmoore.com.
- Jason D. Moore Prints are available for purchase through my Zenfolio Store – powered by Mpix. I am adding new shots as often as I can so you can have a fine art print and support the site at the same time. Check out the store for Jason D. Moore Prints.
- The Jason D. Moore Photography Apparel Store has recently opened as well. You can pick up your very own shirts, mugs, stickers, tote bags and more to show your support of the blog as well as the larger community it represents. And I’m adding new items all the time. If you do buy something from the store, be sure to send me a picture of you wearing it so I can post it here.
- Photowalks have been a tremendous source of inspiration for me as well as a great way to meet my fellow photographers. I’m planning on holding more in the future, for sure.
- Photoshop & Photography Workshops have been something I’ve done in the past on a smaller scale and something I’ve been toying with doing again.
- Supporting Causes is a good way to increase your visibility, yes, but more importantly it’s just the right thing to do. There are a couple of things in progress that will be announced in the coming weeks that I think you would all be able to join me in supporting.
- Others? What are your thoughts on all of this? What else can you think of? No matter how far-fetched, off-the-wall, outlandish, mundane, basic, ambitious, or just plain good your ideas might be, I want to hear them! So please leave a comment below and let me know what you think.
I really want to make this site more than just another photoblog and I want to make sure that everyone from the hobbyist to the professional feels welcome and able to be a part of it. So please, give me your input and help this community grow!
Boston Photowalk Images
Last week while I was in Boston for the Internet Retailer Conference, I had the pleasure of meeting up with fellow photographer and regular reader Chris Stern to go on a photowalk around the Boston Common area along Tremont Street from the Ritz to the Old City Hall and back.
When I was in school at Boston University back in the day (“which was a Wednesday, by the way…”) I wandered these streets time and time again, but it wasn’t until I was out of college that I really got into photography and this was my first opportunity to get out and about in the city with my camera.
I took about 250 shots – which includes my usual 3-4 captures per subject/angle – and there is still a lot to get through. However, there have been a couple of standouts in the batch I’ve processed so far. View a small gallery of some of my shots from the day.
This Past Week
My apologies for not being able to keep up this past week. I was exptremely busy in Boston with the Internet Retailer Conference and was pretty much out of commission the rest of the time. I was, however, lucky enough to be feeling pretty decent on Wednesday night when Chris Stern and I were able to meet up, along with my coworker Michael, to do some shooting around the Tremont Street area for a couple of hours.
I haven’t had a chance to process anything yet but I hope to this weekend. If you want to see a growing number of shots that Chris took, check out his Flickr page. Some really nice shots in there. I’ve really enjoyed Chris’ work lately and I’m really glad we had a chance to finally meet in person.
Until next week…
Boston Photowalk Tonight
Sorry for the lack of posting this week. Not only have I been consumed by this conference but I’ve been under the weather all week. But fear not, I’m on the mend and our impromptu Boston Photowalk is still on for tonight!
It’s not a formal photowalk by any means. It’s just a chance for anyone who wants to get out shooting in the city to get together and have a good time.
We’ll be meeting at the front entrance to the Hyatt Regency Downtown Boston at 6:30pm tonight and go from there. It’s only a block off of the Tremont Street side of Boston Common.
So charge those batteries, format those cards and come on over and walk with us!
In Boston
I’m now in Boston for the Internet Retailer Conference. Blogging might be a little light but I’ll do my best.
I’m here all week. Anyone up for a photowalk on Wednesday evening? We’re meeting at the Hyatt Regency Downtown – near Boston Common – at 6:30pm. Hope to see you there!
Remember to submit your photos now for both the June photo contest and the BIG Photo Contest
Headed to Boston
This Sunday I’ll be headed out to Boston for 4 days at the Internet Retailer Conference with some of my coworkers to learn more about marketing, SEO, and internet technologies.
We’re meeting this week to talk details of the trip and I’m sure the agenda and our plans as a group will be a topic of conversation but I am hoping to find some time to get out and shoot when I’m not in session or otherwise tied up with my colleagues.
If any of you are in the Boston area, or will be, between Monday and Thursday, let me know and we may be able to find some time to meetup. I’ll try to post updates to Twitter so you can know my availability throughout the week but please drop me an email to let me know if you’re interested and when might work for you.
Hope we can work something out!
Worldwide Photo Walk Press Release
5,500 Photographers – 241 Cities – 43 Countries – Participating on August 23
TAMPA, FL – August 14, 2008 – Scott Kelby and the National Association of Photoshop Professionals (NAPP) are pleased to announce that as of today, 5,500 photographers from 241 cities in 43 countries have signed up to participate in Scott Kelby’s first-ever worldwide Photo Walk scheduled for Saturday, August 23. The Photo Walks are organized to celebrate the release of Scott Kelby’s latest book – The Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 2 Book for Digital Photographers (an update to his earlier world’s bestselling book on Adobe® Photoshop® Lightroom®).
Registration is free and open to all photographers – amateur to professional – from around the world. Photo Walk groups are limited to 50 participants in each city and advance registration is required. Sponsors of this global landmark event are NAPP, Adobe, Wacom, CDW, Mpix, Peachpit, Epson, Kelby Training, and Photo Walk Pro.
A grand prize, valued at $5000, will be awarded to the single best overall photo of the day taken from all the Photo Walk locations. In addition, the best photo from the day, chosen by each local Photo Walk leader, will receive a copy of Kelby’s Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 2 Book for Digital Photographers. Prize details available at http://www.photoshopuser.com/photowalk/prizes.html
Kelby’s Photo Walk is a fun, social photography event where photographers get together for two hours, usually in a metropolitan area or a trendy section of a city, to walk around, shoot photos, and generally have fun with other photographers. Each Photo Walk has a local assigned leader that chooses the route of the walk and the ending place (a local restaurant, pub or café) where participates will look at each other’s photos from the walk and make new photography friends.
About Scott Kelby
President of the National Association of Photoshop Professionals; editor in chief of Photoshop User and Layers magazines; training director and instructor for the Adobe Photoshop Seminar Tour, CEO of Kelby Media, and number 1 bestselling computer and technology author worldwide; technical chair for the Photoshop World Conference & Expo, and co-host of PhotoshopUser TV podcast.
About NAPP
NAPP is the largest digital imaging and design association worldwide with more than 70,000 members in 105 countries. It is the leading resource for Adobe Photoshop training, education and news. For more information, visit www.photoshopuser.com.
Adobe and Photoshop are registered trademarks of Adobe Systems Incorporated.
Lightroom 2.0 Ships
It looks like I missed the boat with Adobe’s release of Lightroom 2…
So, since yesterday was such a long day at work and I didn’t have time to write a propper post, and I don’t want you to go uninformed either. So here are a few links to other posts on Lightroom 2 that you might want to check out!
- Lightroom-News.com
- NAPP’s Lightroom Learning Center
- John Nack on Adobe
- Terry White’s Tech Blog
- Lightroom Kilelr Tips
Also, as I announced yesterday, August 23rd is the date of Scott Kelby’s Worldwide Photo Walk! As of today, I still don’t see the listing for the Binghamton photo walk but I’ll keep you up to date.
There are a number of other cities listed around the US as well as in the UK and Sweeden. To host one in your city, click here to sign up!
Scott Kelby’s Worldwide Photo Walk
That’s right everyone, on Saturday August 23rd Scott Kelby is organizing a worldwide photo walk as part of the launch of his new Lightroom 2 Book for Digital Photographers. In cities across the globe photographers will come together on the same day to capture images of the world around them.
As part of this event, Scott has asked me to host the Binghamton area photo walk! What is a photo walk, you might ask? It is a social event where a group of photographers come together along a predetermined route to photograph interesting subjects along the way. It differs from street photography in that the focus isn’t necessarily people but could be anything that is of interest to the photographer. The event lasts for 2 hours and ends with a time of socializing and sharing at a local restaurant. (Click here for more info.)
This isn’t a workshop or formal training opportunity, but more of a chance for photographers to get together and go out shooting. Of course, a main component to a photo walk is to network with other photographers, ask questions and share tips, and get outside and just shoot.
Not only will you have the chance to go out shooting with other photographers and take part in a very unique worldwide experience, there are prizes too! As part of your city’s photo walk, you will have access to a Flickr Group to share your photos from the day and your host will judge the images and award the taker of the best photo with a copy of Scott Kelby’s brand new Lightroom 2 Book for Digital Photographers!
Head over to the site for more information about the Binghamton, NY photo walk and to register for free! Or, if you’re not in or near the Binghamton area, click here to find a participating city near you!
(Note: The Binghamton page hasn’t been setup as of this posting. I’ll update the link when I get home from work late this evening. In the meantime, visit the “Cities” page to find a city near you or to volunteer to be a photo walk leader in your city!)
