Why Street?

I am often asked why I enjoy photography and my answers for the most part remain the same. But, today in an email, I was asked why do I enjoy street photography and what is it, exactly? I laughed quietly because just over a year ago I was asking myself those very same questions. Well, at least the "what is it" part?

So, in order to answer the question I took a minute to think....Truly, any genre of photography comes with the photographers own interpretation. That's why it is such an intriguing art form. Street is no different, a glimpse of what the photographer sees at a particular moment time. I think what intrigues me the most is the unknown. Not knowing what else is going on around the subject. Shooting street actually creates this great rush! A sense of control over time but actually having no control at all. But, creating this mirror of everyday life on the street.

I think that one of the best ways to describe street photography is serendipity which is "the effect by which one accidentally discovers something fortunate while looking for something else entirely". (source: Wikipanion)

I suggest to anyone that art is best viewed with an open mind and open spirit. Street photography is no different.

The Photo Person!

The butcher, the wine guy(or gal), the fishmonger, we all have them and we use them. I guess you could say that they are important people in our lives.....But, have you ever included the person at the local photo lab? Honestly, I had not until today.
As most photographers do, I ventured down to my local professional photo lab today to have several prints made from a shoot yesterday. I got the ever friendly hello from the smiling faces of the sales people and proceeded over to the "self-service" photo selection processor. Not too sure that is the correct name but you get what I mean...After selecting my desired photo's and filled out the necessary paperwork for the developer, the technician walked in the developers office to ask when they would be ready. Thinking that I would get my standard it will be ready tomorrow answer out walks the head developer. He greeted me with a hello, Mr. Taulbee, how are you today. Do you need these today, he asked? Well, that would be great if you have time, I responded! He graciously said give him about twenty minutes and your prints will be ready...Now, in an age where customer service is a thing of the past, I am pleased to report that it is alive and well at Pitman Photo.

So, next time you visit your local photo lab think about including them to your list of people that help make things better in your life!

BLINDERS ON

As some of you know by now, my website is now available for the world to see. I must say that I was a bit nervous about this. It's a coming out of sorts. Before the website, I showed people my work in a 12x18 portfolio and was comfortable in that it was a one on one showing. Well, that's not the case anymore with the creation of my website. It is open for the world to see! And, yes be critical if they choose.

Honestly, I am not too sure what to expect. Of course, I am very excited about presenting my work for display but it's kinda like a horse with Blinder's On. Having no ability to see what's around me. Not being able to share with the viewer what I was thinking when I took that shot or why I choose that angle. All left up to the viewer's own imagination. But, that's what makes what we do so rewarding. The gift of imagination!

So, I say to all those out there who may come across www.thomastaulbee.com enjoy and view with pleasure...

China Bound

Well, it's official. 2009 is taking me to China for a photography expedition! This is very excited news.

This is a trip that has been in the works for years and over the last 6 months a good friend and I have been discussing the possibility of making such a journey...So, we decided that there is no time like the present. Our itinerary is far from being set but the stage is there for what plans to be a most exciting trip. A good friends' nephew spent several years in Beijing and surrounding provinces and is going to assist us with our travel plans.

I(we) want to see China like the locals. Staying in hostels and with locals, a nice hotel here and there. Food will of course play a major part of this adventure. I am a lot more adventurous than Paul but I am sure that I can convince him to take the "NO RESERVATION" approach to seeing China.

Photography will be a huge part of my trip. A lot of what I hope to shoot is "street" life but in a country like China it can be a challenge. Government control can be an issue. This is where local guides can be of great help. You can be assured we will retain locals to help us out.

There will be a lot written about this in upcoming months! And, I may ask for suggestions, recommendations or just general travel tips to China. Thanks

Race for the Cure

Just returned from running the "Race for the Cure" which took place in Downtown Miami. It is such a wonderful organization and it is always fun to participate....

Normally, I would not mention my time but considering today was a personal best for a 5K , I would! My time was 26:02 . I was please with the time and now know that I am getting close to breaking the 26 minute mark....

I think I can say with great certainty that we all have been touched by cancer in someway. It's events like "race for the cure" that really make it possible to make difference...

Have a great day!!

Commercial Work

Obviously, one of my objectives in starting a blog and a website is to create greater awareness of my photography.

The photo I included in this posting is from a shoot that I did for World Waste Services ( www.worldwasteservices.com ). They are a very successful independent waste/recycling company owned and operated in South and parts of Central Florida. My goal with their direction was to capture daily life in the waste management business. For several weeks, I teamed up with drivers on routes capturing images of their day to day work in neighborhoods and commercial districts that they service.

The image seen here was taken about 5:00 AM in a staging area by MIA. The photo was taken with the ISO setting at 400, white balance (Auto), Quality (fine), Saturation (auto), Shutter speed 1/8 and FStop was 4.5.

Capturing the Moment

When I decided about an hour ago to continue writing in my blog after a few days away, I struggled with what to write. So, after several attempts it hit me!

As you read in my last post the news of my Dad's passing. It has been just over a week and I have had time to reflect on what this has meant to me. Now, that both Mom and Dad are gone it gives me a clear understanding of how important the little things are in life.

As you can see by the title of this post "Capturing the Moment" should be very straight forward. But, what might not may be obvious is how important this can be. Especially, in times of loss. I spent hours looking at pictures from my Dad's past from his early childhood to most recently at a luncheon. The thought of what would happen if those pictures were not available to me. Lost, damage or even worse never taking at all.

So, I hope that you will consider this very simple advice from someone who has learned the hard way. Take pictures! Take a lot of them. Don't be shy at the next family gathering or party with friends. With the age of digital photography there are no more excuses....And, the array of online photo storage websites the possibility is endless.

One other quick note and that is a brief update on the website. We are still on schedule for the end of the month to go live. A meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, October 15 with ARC to discuss the status of the site. So, stay tuned!!! It's coming..

Thomas

Personal Privilege

Today, I am setting aside my regular posting of a photography related topic and share with you the passing of my Dad. He left us last night, October 6 in Palm Beach to go on to a more peaceful and joy filled world!

As a boy, I remember his many interest from tennis to travel and yes, photography. As a matter of fact, I remember going with him to Fleming's Photo Center in South Miami on a weekly basis to pick up film and then returning home to watch him proudly put them in the slide projector. And, then, spending hours reviewing his shots then picking the right one's for others to see and enjoy. His choice of equipment, Pentax. Nothing but Pentax equipment graced his camera bag. Honestly, I think that it was only because that's all the the photo shop carried. He liked the owner, Fred and did not want to give his business to anyone else. So, maybe you can see where I got my interest in photography.

So, in the next few days family and friends will gather to share their memories of Dad. And, I know there will be many! Thanks to all of those that have called with their best wishes and prayer's. I know that I speak for the entire family when I say thank you.

Dad, I know that "little slip of paper" is gone forever but in my mind will remain forever.
Namaste

My City

Came across an interesting blog last night about photography and it sparked my interest! The blog provided one photo everyday for a year. That's right 365 pictures. The blog address is http://pad.focalization.com . It's interesting so check it out. Although, imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, I am not going to post 365 pictures.

But, I am going to show you a photo that was taken this weekend during a friend's visit. It's a shot looking from South Beach toward downtown Miami.

Came across several upcoming photography show's in the Miami area and wanted to give you a head's up. I will post them in the next several days. That's it for now....

A touch of Nature

One of my goals in the creation of this blog is to introduce friends and followers to two very distinct genres of photography. Last posting, I introduced you to a photograph that falls into the Street or Urban catagory. Which, I encourage you to view with an open mind. So, today I am showing you what is obviously a nature shot. This picture was taking at Fairchild Tropical Gardens which is a wonderful place to photograph.

What I find alluring about nature photography is that you can be creative. Don't just point your camera at the subject and shoot! Look at it from different angles. Up/down, side to side. front/back! This can really enhance your photo and give it a truly different prospective. Try this with all your photography and create that special shot.

Picasa 3

Just a quick test of the new Picasa 3 (Beta) Program. For those out there that have used Picasa know that it's actually a
really good program for storing images on your computer. It offers basic adjustment options for photo's and the best thing is that it's free. If interested Picasa is offered by Google and can be found at www.google.com/picasa. One suggestion that I highly recommend is that no matter what you always make a back up copy of all your photo's....It's easy, fast and safe.

I have talked a little about street photography and the picture with this blog is a sample. There will be more available on the website and future postings...