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It is my great privilege to be a 21st century photographer. At an earlier time I would probably have been too poor or impatient to improve. Here is a sample of my work, with some additional information below.
Download .mp3
It is my great privilege to be a 21st century photographer. At an earlier time I would probably have been too poor or impatient to improve. Here is a sample of my work, with some additional information below.
So, about photography. I never touched a 'real camera' with intent to make decent photos until I was eighteen. My motive at that time was simply to evade a certain elective in college (which involved slicing onions) and opted for Yearbook instead. Without any prior experience, I dropped every dime I had on a venerable Sony F-717.
I cannot say I was a natural talent. Having greater discrimination than practical theory, and relying more upon circumstance than creative control, I would take fifty shots and sift out two or three that seemed alright. Unexpectedly I became immediately consumed with interest in the hobby. Always on the beat for the Yearbook, my rule was to be inseparable from the camera, and to be liberal in shooting, which was proven by 80,000 images taken in the first year. Another rule was not to become sentimental over poor images. I only saved about 300 of the first year's photographs, which confirms my lack of native skill.
I never took a class on photography. My learning came through a mixture of trial and error, internet forums, and reverse engineering of photos I saw in popular magazines and books. As in so many things, zeal went far to make up for genius. Over time I began to figure out what I was doing and within a year and a half I was shooting my first paid assignments, finding a niche in location portraiture and journalism. The most important lesson gleaned during this time was that personal interaction with your subject is more important than the location and details of the shot itself. The art of photographing people is about culling an emotive instance out of the otherwise usual minute.
Today I am more interested in finding ways to incorporate these skills into my greater passion, to glorify God and increase the joy of others. I enjoy the lasting reward of providing families and individuals with a remembrance of their most blessed seasons. Even more, the power of an image to incite reactions has given rise to plans for applying my work to the promotion of prayer over social and religious grievances. If I can only show the reality of situations from which we are normally shielded, perhaps others will become conscious of their role in God's Kingdom.
You may view more of my images at the following sites:
+ My business site and professional portfolio - www.michaelspotts.com.
+ You can also catch my collective works and latest uploads at flickr.
+ My dedicated photography blog is http://focusfirst.theopenlife.com
I cannot say I was a natural talent. Having greater discrimination than practical theory, and relying more upon circumstance than creative control, I would take fifty shots and sift out two or three that seemed alright. Unexpectedly I became immediately consumed with interest in the hobby. Always on the beat for the Yearbook, my rule was to be inseparable from the camera, and to be liberal in shooting, which was proven by 80,000 images taken in the first year. Another rule was not to become sentimental over poor images. I only saved about 300 of the first year's photographs, which confirms my lack of native skill.
I never took a class on photography. My learning came through a mixture of trial and error, internet forums, and reverse engineering of photos I saw in popular magazines and books. As in so many things, zeal went far to make up for genius. Over time I began to figure out what I was doing and within a year and a half I was shooting my first paid assignments, finding a niche in location portraiture and journalism. The most important lesson gleaned during this time was that personal interaction with your subject is more important than the location and details of the shot itself. The art of photographing people is about culling an emotive instance out of the otherwise usual minute.
Today I am more interested in finding ways to incorporate these skills into my greater passion, to glorify God and increase the joy of others. I enjoy the lasting reward of providing families and individuals with a remembrance of their most blessed seasons. Even more, the power of an image to incite reactions has given rise to plans for applying my work to the promotion of prayer over social and religious grievances. If I can only show the reality of situations from which we are normally shielded, perhaps others will become conscious of their role in God's Kingdom.
You may view more of my images at the following sites:
+ My business site and professional portfolio - www.michaelspotts.com.
+ You can also catch my collective works and latest uploads at flickr.
+ My dedicated photography blog is http://focusfirst.theopenlife.com
Gear that I use, and some facts:
+ Canon DSLRs, lenses, and accessories. My primary focal lengths fall between 24mm - 85mm (full frame) which means I find little use of telephotos, though I use extreme wides outside of portraiture. I prefer primes to zooms. When shooting weddings and portraits, I almost exclusively use a 28mm 1.8, 17-40L, and 85 1.8. If this seems limited to you, it works for me.
+ I rarely use reflectors, but I Velcro a small foam rectangle to my flash to bounce and diffuse the light. The flash is sometimes tethered to a shoe cord, and I hold it out with my arm. Rather than buying a fancy flash for $$$, I suggest getting a used Vivitar 285HV for $50.
+ An iMac running Windows XP with Photoshop & Lightroom.
+ Wacom tablets. Without them, I might not have made it here.
+ Fotosharp rain covers - Forget huge Kata covers, these are great!
+ I don't even own a tripod. Not conducive to my style.
+ My dream camera does not exist, but would be an Epson RD1 with a Canon 5D sensor.
+ Canon DSLRs, lenses, and accessories. My primary focal lengths fall between 24mm - 85mm (full frame) which means I find little use of telephotos, though I use extreme wides outside of portraiture. I prefer primes to zooms. When shooting weddings and portraits, I almost exclusively use a 28mm 1.8, 17-40L, and 85 1.8. If this seems limited to you, it works for me.
+ I rarely use reflectors, but I Velcro a small foam rectangle to my flash to bounce and diffuse the light. The flash is sometimes tethered to a shoe cord, and I hold it out with my arm. Rather than buying a fancy flash for $$$, I suggest getting a used Vivitar 285HV for $50.
+ An iMac running Windows XP with Photoshop & Lightroom.
+ Wacom tablets. Without them, I might not have made it here.
+ Fotosharp rain covers - Forget huge Kata covers, these are great!
+ I don't even own a tripod. Not conducive to my style.
+ My dream camera does not exist, but would be an Epson RD1 with a Canon 5D sensor.
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You have serious talent Spotts. Great to see your work.
Mark LePard
You're a brilliant photographer.