photo bug

I have taken quite a few pictures this year, most for money. I would love to do this all the time but the invention of digital cameras has made every idiot with a
point & shoot into a "photographer". What makes my pictures different from others? Aside from photoshopping most of the pictures I take, I've had The Rufus Experience.

My jr college photo instructor, Rufus Lovett....wait, wait, let me be correct: O. Rufus Lovett. Whenever students would ask him what the O stood for, he would say, "obnoxious". I got just the basics in his class but I also got something more profound. He instilled in me the desire to make every shot THE SHOT. This counted for more in the film days.



When I was about 12 my mom got a great SLR film camera. She took some great pictures and I caught that bug. When I take a photo, my goal is for everyone to look at it and "ooh & aww" over that picture. I know it's hard to do every time and with digital cameras it's easier to discard the bad shots. But that desire, that drive from Rufus is still there.



When I was in my early 20s I worked at an appliance/TV store. I worked in the office counting the money and assisting the sales agents. One day a man came in. I had know idea who he was but he knew me. He was a local photographer and had seen some of my work. I guess that he and Rufus were friends. Rufus had come in just about a week
before purchasing a small refrigerator and I guess he told his photographer friend I worked there. Anyway, this man I had never met before came in and told me he saw my work and knew I was talented. He told me I was wasting my time working in
retail and I should work toward becoming SOME sort of photographer. I try to remember that, try to keep it on the surface to spur myself on. I may not be a rock star but I can be a rock star photographer!



Until next time.