Winter projects are go

I always second guess myself writing these.

Feedback in the past has suggested I am too negative, I am too hard on myself. 

I wonder if I am too arrogant, disconnected and aloft?

I am far too concerned with others perceptions.  My 'drafts' folder is testament to that. 

I have to let it go.  Be that peculiar self that I am.

I am not the businessman. 

The 'marketing guru's' and charlatans can play their game.  I will be me.

Anyway, on with the usual programming...................... 

A recent health scare has put some perspective on the current 10 year plan.

A 10 year plan maybe rather optimistic now.

I have had a habit of putting things off until tommorow.

I have had the attitude that today maybe good, but tommorrow will be better.

I know now tommorrow will not be better.

Today is as good as it gets.

That is liberating.  That maybe the kick in the ass I need.

We are still talking years rather than months.

I can still make commitments. And I have time to achieve my goals.

The experience I obtain today, will make me a better photographer tommorrow.

That skill set will only grow.  There is time to put that skill set into practise.

But there is an urgency now.

Everyday gone is gone forever.  I am all too conscious of that fact now. 

A frustration is ever present of wanting to do more stuff.

Flesh out the sketches that already exist in my mind.  

Throw off that comfort blanket of being 'good', in hopes of reaching 'great'. 

Perhaps I need to take more risks.

Grab the attention that part of me has never wanted.

Every now and then my arm is twisted for family portraits.

My sister visiting from Oamaru was one of those times.

There is a spark in the back of my mind to offer heirloom portraits.

Images that will stand the testament of time.

A majestic portrait of my great grand parents of their wedding day in 1896 reminds me that photography means something.  Not just to me.

But to my children, my children's' children. (and your children's children)

The appreciation will not be fully felt until long after my passing. 

But it has to be timeless, it cannot follow fads. 

Instagram and snapchat have shaped many perspectives. 

In 20 years today's fashions will be distant memories. 

Neither can excuses be made for it as 'art' or 'my style'. 

It is good or it is not.  'Rules' translate from one language to the next. 

It is not a feeling, or an opinion.  They are universal.

The technical quality will remain, artistic qualities may change with passing generations. 

The future of digital iconography is unknown.  

I cannot claim I yet have the ability to translate my vision into reality.

For that I need to practice, repeat the process over and over, tweaking theory as I go.  

To show you what I can already see in my mind.  Not good, but great.

It cant be all serious stuff. 

There are always allot of smiles, laughter and goofyness along the way. 

Smiles cant be faked.  Emotion is important too. 

There will always be room for the 'arti farti' shots.

The shot between the shots.  The character, the personality. Memories.

The concepts, the cool stuff I have seen from across the globe. 

Doing stuff that others just cant do.

That is good news for the residents of Southland.

For until I can replicate my vision consistantly, I will be affordable. 

You will be my guinea pigs, my muse's for perfection.  

I cannot yet charge top dollar for that.

It is a process.  It is something that drives me.

Sometimes I curse the fact that I am a 'people photographer'.  

I shoot people. 

For it isnt something I can do on my own. 

For with all the creative energy, for all the countless hours spent researching, learning and pondering.  I still need you. 

You are the most important part of the puzzle.

But then again.  

If it was easy, everyone would do it.

Good isnt great.  But I will be.