THE DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHY 'ADJUSTMENT'...

THE DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHY 'ADJUSTMENT'...

       In our present society, professional photographers are constantly battling the trends of this digital age of convenience. We are having to (more often than we'd prefer) explain to clients the INTRINSIC VALUE of what we do for a living and WHY they should consider hiring a real professional, instead of your run-of-the- mill amateur, who is obviously untrained to do the job the right way. If your photos come out looking green or out of focus or trees and power lines seem to be growing out of your head in the photo, there is a reason for that. True professionals take extra care of these details which many don't think about. Instead they think about the cost to their wallet and the bargain they are getting. Our time is spent quite often haggling price and dealing with frustrating requests for "CDs" and practically giving our intellectual property away for peanuts, just to maintain presence in this competitive industry. It keeps us looking in our own wallets, wondering how we are going to put food on our own tables. We have to decide whether to go along with the trend of bargaining and sacrifice our own well-being to make our clients happy that they were able to haggle with us in the first places. Many photographers who found great success shooting with negative film and transparencies have left the business altogether, because of the transition to digital was too big of an investment to make or they couldn't keep their rates at a fair market value (considering the value had diminished drastically in such a short period of time). And this saddens me.

Yet, there is a brighter side to this story, and I'll attempt to explain this so there is no confusion to those taking the time to read this. 

MY NOTE TO PHOTOGRAPHERS:
        
As photographers, we have the responsibility to make people feel good about their investment in us and our products/services. And if you are a professional photographer in this industry who finds yourself questioning only the bottom line ($) and think you will get rich overnight, let me be the first to tell you: YOU ARE IN THE WRONG BUSINESS... In order to truly make it in this digital age, where the influx of images readily seen has exploded into our daily lives, we need to examine the WHY we are in this business more than the HOW, WHAT, WHO, and WHERE we find our subjects. We need to examine our value placed on what we do instead of the devaluing others have done. We need to embed our passion for seeing and sharing our love with the masses into our craft, and that alone should be our selling point. If you want to see your images embellishing the walls of your clients, friends, families, and friends of those clients, friends, and families- you will need to first adjust your thoughts about doing business. Yes, the cost of doing business can be extreme. 

ADJUST.

Yes, the mom, brother, mother, cousin, etc who owns a fancy camera who does it as a hobby might even consider their hobby could be worth a little something. They will shoot a wedding for a couple hundred dollars and think nothing of what that does to the market value of the true professionals. How can we compete? We simply can't!!! But something can also be learned from the hobbyist who we have all bashed to some extent. Although they may not intentionally devalue photography, they ARE IN FACT- embedding a certain passion into their craft. And that alone has an intrinsic value that you cannot even put a price tag on. Call them lowballers or just call them hobbyists. I have adjusting my thinking when dealing with this trend and now simply call them people with cameras. I might even take a leap and call them photographers, depending on their quality of work. Because I have battled this quite a bit in a small town where the professionalism is few and far between what one should expect. The big issue is (in a small town like this one), people have nothing to compare to. They are used to the idea of the bargain portrait studios of Walmart, Sears, Olan Mills, etc. And now that many of those studios have closed down for somewhat apparent reasons, the market has opened up to those photographers willing to negotiate some value back into the arena.They have the opportunity to thrive. But not without reapplying a value you won't ever find in one of the aformentioned bargain studios. Compromise will have to be made with price to fit into the budgets of those used to saving money. Again comes that very important piece of advice.

ADJUST.

MY NOTE TO PAST, PRESENT, & FUTURE CLIENTS:

As clients, I can't even begin to explain the gratitude I feel towards each and every one of you. I am happy you see the value, passion and expression I try to embed into my craft. Without the continual feedback and praise I've received over the years, I might have given up long ago, when trying to design a successful business. Although money does matter to all of us to some degree, I am happy to say I am not into photography for the pay alone. Because I would be lying if I told any of you I am getting rich doing it. I have the same struggle paying bills, debts and staying afloat with life in general... But I am trying. And that is what matters the most. I am passionate... I am willing... And I am fortunate to be in a career I love with every ounce of my being. Although I have had to unfortunately turn down a few clients in the past or never hear back from them after sharing my rates/terms, I am now seeing the light and ADJUSTING my business models to fit your budgets perfectly. I don't enjoy being told NO, based on the affordability. I would like to be valued as an artist first and foremost and that is why I have embraced this ability to ADJUST. I used to cringe every time someone asked me if I give CD's with high resolution, rights released images with my sessions. In retrospect, after losing out on jobs I would have loved to have done- I am beginning to understand. It's not that I was being greedy and couldn't part with my images and risk losing the quality control I provide. Or by giving images away that kept me from joining the masses of bargain bottom dollar 'burn and turn' photographers out there... It's that I didn't quite understand how providing this CD service could actually help me. I understand it now, completely. Although I still stay true to the issues about quality control in the end product, I would much rather entrust my intellectual property to people who sing my praises and give referrals without even thinking about it. This year will be the first of many, where I am redesigning my business model to fit the needs of my clients first, and the profit margins are the least important. I'd hate to be called 'too expensive' or 'out of line', so I am setting up a business model which helps everyone equally. I hope to have more of your business and bring back the value to photography, on a more global level.

As the trends of digital capture sway and shift, I intend to remain present doing what I love. I will not let anyone down, because of affordability or lack of money. I will work with clients in a more personal way and ensure the praises continue to be sung. WORD OF MOUTH is a powerful tool and if the words being said are good about me and my work are good, that is really all I need. I apologize for my occasional ranting on the subject of "low-balling amateurs trying to muscle their way into the industry and muscle everyone else out". I will try to put thoughts and articles like that far away from my own thoughts.

True artists shouldn't worry about these kind of things. We should ADJUST and OVERCOME to the challenges/trends of the industry and continue to thrive in any way we can. I hope you will add value to what we do and share this blog post with others who are on either end of the spectrum. We could all use a little inspiration and ability to ADJUST every now and then. 

Until next time... Best wishes to all!!!

|||JDB-02/11/2014||| 
www.photographybyjeremyberkson.com
"Photography only appreciates with time, because time is appreciated with photography."

Photography by Jeremy Berkson: The Power of Observation...

Photography by Jeremy Berkson: The Power of Observation...: As I venture out in the world, I am an observer... ...Taking in all the beauty which surrounds me. The majority of my subjects come to ...

The Power of Observation...

As I venture out in the world, I am an observer...

...Taking in all the beauty which surrounds me.

The majority of my subjects come to me while I am first: on my way to and from commissioned jobs, events, or simply walking outside of my door. Second, and most importantly is the fact that none of these photos would ever have happened if I wasn't prepared (with my camera strapped tightly around my neck).

If I simply wandered around without being so observant, I might miss that golden opportunity to shine so brightly. 

I've been teased by my friends and my peers (to no end) about the amount of photos I might make on any given day, but I try not to let it bother me. The thing they tease me most for, is what makes me feel so genuinely productive. This is, in fact MY CRAFT and I feel it necessary to be fully absorbed in my surroundings at all times. Isn't that what makes a great photographer? Catching the perfect situation, expression, emotion, detail, etc???

I believe I have the right to capture anything and everything I can. People also say in this business, that 'one should specialize in a particular market'. "HOGWASH!!!", I say... My greatest ability/drive to produce, is diversification in my subject matter. Why on earth would I want to give that up, merely for a bit of detailed marketing or money?

You see... A camera is a tool. Merely just a bunch of moving parts with an element of visual reproduction. It (the camera) is an extension of our eyesight. The photographer has the responsibility and task of using his/her tools to produce compelling re-creations of his/her surroundings.

It might be considered wise to specialize in one or two areas of expertise for mere business reasons, but it would be quite foolish to ignore everything else. Yes, this is my business. Yes, I need to pay my bills. But first and foremost... It is also my passion.

So with that being said, let me take you on a journey of diversification and give some background as to where, how, and why I found these particular subjects. They aren't in any particular order, but you can plainly see that I am not just moving from job to job or strolling through life calling myself an artist, without first paying attention to everything around me.

It is, in my opinion what 'sets me apart' from most professionals out there. I'm not saying that others are out of tune or lack this kind of attention. Maybe they are more deeply involved with the business end of things and feel they shouldn't waste time on things that don't grow their business or style. I feel this way of doing things encourages me to do more of the things which will help me succeed. 

*THIS IS HOW I FIND MY INSPIRATION ON A REGULAR BASIS.*

I look around me... I seriously take a giant look around me for that next frame of capture. A true artist embodies his/her work with passion, lots of practice, and attention to detail. And I hope you will agree, even if it is in a teasing way- that I am doing just that.

So, without further delay- Let me take you on a quick random journey, through the lens and out into the world which I see and appreciate so heavily... I hope you will find inspiration through this vision of mine and do a bit of your own soul searching with your camera or eyes. Whatever the subject may be...

 

 

 

 

Water droplets found just outside my door while having the morning cup of coffee...

  

 

 

A wildflower or dandelion weed (if you must) along a wooden fence line, while traveling across the state to do some assisting for another professional photographer...

 

 

 

A guy shredding on a wave runner, captured from the balcony of a luxurious hotel on South Beach, Miami, FL... This was done while taking a much needed break during a long and strenuous day of assisting, where I helped an amazing fashion photographer with his lighting, location scouting, technical aspects of the equipment, traffic control, gear loading/unloading, etc... The subject was a Miss Universe supermodel/international spokesperson for a top branded hair/makeup company.  

 

 

 

Our flag floating in the breeze... Captured this while my fiancé was returning/checking out some books at our local library. I tend to feel a little stuffy indoors, so I stayed outside wandering around the park with my camera...

 

 

 

An iridescent beetle on the ground, which I noticed while hanging out with a bridal party in the driveway out in the countryside where the wedding venue was to be held the next day... After covering the wedding rehearsal and executing a ton of detail shots and driving across 4 states and not getting much sleep the night before and having to prepare for the big event the next day, you would think I was done photographing anything that day. But no sir/maam... I continued on shooting through a fun bachelor party and worked my butt off during the wedding the next day. WHEW!!!

 

 

 

The early bird catches the worm... Or in this case, the sunrise. Captured this while setting up for a environmental portrait session for a local singer who needed shots for their debut album cover/promotional materials. Couldn't have picked a better spot and had a very productive morning with this singer. Everyone was anxious and excited to see the results, but all I can think about was how beautiful the light was that morning...

 

 

 

Found this inch long tree frog while walking out of our home on my way to run errands in the morning. It was very cooperative and seemed to wait for me to run inside to get my camera and attach a macro lens to get super close. I even was able to scoop the little guy up and place him in different scenes before he got too antsy, peed on me, and hopped away...

 

 

 

Along with photography, I love gardening. I planted these colossal sunflowers in front of our house and they brighten my day when things are kinda gloomy out. The weather has been very cloudy lately, but the diffused light really makes colors pop and details come to life. I love finding patterns in nature and Fibonacci Numbers (spirals) are most prevalent in the natural design of a sunflower. Also in Nautilus Shells...

 

 

 

Out with the family, for a blistering hot day at our bi-annual Caladium Festival, I had enough with the crazy crowd/vendors/heat wave of the festival in Downtown Lake Placid and drove out with my fiancé to the heart of the matter- The Caladium Fields... Where the migrant workers did their usual laboring and all was peaceful and silent...

 

 

 

Although the sweat was dripping into my eyes and it was a challenge to see clearly, I managed to get up close and kneeling in the mud, to capture some amazing painted caladiums, along with a couple of interested dragonflies...

 

 

 

On another day, and another multiple location musician bio shoot, I was asked by security to get permission to shoot on campus at a local college, teeming with backgrounds, nature trails, and wildlife. On the way to the administrative building to inform them of my needs, I laid down on the hot cobblestone and captured this HDR with a fisheye lens of the art and architecture...

 

 

 

Another day and time, I walked the same campus just to do some random nature/wildlife/insect photography with the love of my life. The weather held up long enough for us to spend a few hours shooting together. Sometimes a storm waits for the photographer and even offers an extra element of color/surprise...

 

 

 

While on our way back from a marvelous vacation in the Smoky Mountains, my fiancé and I went off course to find some waterfalls. We were losing daylight before finding them, but before becoming totally lost and getting directions/escort from a really nice local, we saw this scene on the side of the road. I love horses and just had to stop to feed them some grass and make a few photos...

 

 

 

Another adventure and stress free day at Bok Tower Gardens with a good photographer friend, gave me multiple opportunities to make some great images. As a storm rolled in quickly, the sky changed dramatically and I saw this man sitting there with such a 'look of contemplation', I couldn't resist making a photo of him. He didn't pay any mind to me and I tried to be very discreet while taking this candid shot. I think you will see a ton of feeling in this photo. I do...

 

 

 

I occasionally get stir crazy in our home and need to get out of the house, at all costs before my future wife and I are at each others' throats. I was feeling a bit under the weather and decided to take a bike ride around a nearby lake. I must have timed it perfectly because I ended up at the shoreline right at sunset (note the long shadows). You guessed it... Before pulling out of our driveway, I made sure to grab my camera and off I went to blow some steam and get some oxygen in my brain...

 

 

 

During that same bike ride, I was having a bit of trouble finding the right scene to photograph. Also my mind wasn't yet free from anxiety. I was riding along when all of a sudden, I see this little setup someone had made on the lakeside part of their property. I thought it would be a fitting scene to later color separate during hours of editing time... 

 

 

 

Even when I am driving from one place to the next, I become an observer. Not only of the other cars, driving habits of others, storefronts, traffic lights, or passers-by... But also of the mood. I believe I made this shot while headed  out of town to see my father in the hospital right before he passed away :( I was frantic about his condition and knew I needed to hurry. But sometimes I see something in the sky that tells me to prepare my mind or maybe something that tells me everything will be ok. Regardless of what I see or feel, I would like to remember these kind of moments, for they can be sooooo defining, and should never be forgotten. Call it divine intervention or simply call it spiritualism... I call it close observation...

 

 

 

Not all moments are as defining as the ones where we are at our wits' end. Some moments of observation take us into a world of wonder and mystery. They leave us questioning our purpose and seem somewhat puzzling. I made this image of some towering bamboo while we (my fiancé and I) were on our first visit/vacation to the Smoky Mountains. This was at a time in my life when everything felt upside down. I was lost, for a lack of better words. Not physically, but mentally. I didn't know which way to turn. Luckily I had my tool of observation a(my camera) and a strong relationship with my fiancé. It soothed those lost feelings and I found myself once again... In love with life, the beautiful woman next to me, and in myself (an observer of the past, present, and future to come)...

 

 

 

Energy is everywhere. It can be so draining and at the same time, very stimulating to tap into. Some of these energies are man-made and produced, and others are natural occurrences. I made this image when I reached inside and found some extra energy to shoot something new, off the beaten path. While driving across the state for a different job opportunity, I decided I needed to get some 'me time 'on the way there. I pulled off to the side of the long deserted road to capture the high tension power lines which give people the energy they subsequently need to run our many devices. Don't know why I felt the need to capture this. Just did...

 

 

 

Something as simple as a common wildflower which stands in a giant field, gently flowing in the breeze. The tiny existence of this one flower can become so grand and phenomenal when we stop to take a closer look and find appreciation in it. It becomes bigger than life itself and has the power to humble us, if we give it our attention and time. I think that this is the main reason for my constant power of observation. I really want to just feel like I am one with the universe and live my life as a humble person. No matter how tiny something is or how much or how little effect it has on it's surroundings- IT STILL EXISTS. If I can find appreciation in the smallest of things or live my life to its fullest capacity, trying new things everyday and being open to change and following my heart), then I honestly think I am living a good life. All material items, responsibilities, worries, and concerns seem to float away in that same breeze of existence.

I feel this level of observation can do me no wrong. I am becoming comfortable in my own skin, finally. And I feel I have something worth sharing with others. That is my main inspiration for writing this particular blog. YOU, ME, and THEM, and EVERYTHING IN BETWEEN US- IS IMPORTANT AND WORTH THE EFFORT WE GIVE IT. It doesn't matter how we do it, but being human and finding humanity in all things (big or small) is what makes us human beings.

I love this gift I have; The power of observation; AND the POWER of BEING... Just BEING...

Try it sometime... Take a deeper look around you and pluck out the details in life and your surroundings which also DEFINE YOU!!!

 

You might be surprised on how much of our universe you are missing out on, just by taking a closer look and smelling the roses, coffee, or the cool summer breeze on the hottest and busiest of days...

 

As always... Thanks for taking another journey with me and remember to be good to yourself and others. Share your gifts and the rewards will share themselves with you in return.
God be with us all.

 

Love and Light,

|||JDB|||

A Book In The Making...

Hello Everyone!!!

It's been quite some time since I've contributed to the blog, and for good reason... My life has been a rollercoaster ride of ups and downs, to say the least. With the recent passing of my father, I've had to put things in perspective. But I am healing through the grieving process and felt it was time to do some more writing.

You see, I try to remember my roots and stay grounded, when writing and reflecting on all the memorable moments I've had: good or bad. And this blog is, in fact a story of my life (in a way).

That being said, I really have been considering writing a book about my life experiences up to this point. It's been an interesting and sometimes fascinating story and why not share it with others?

Looking back, is a way to find acceptance and take a look at growth. And when I look at all the thousands of photos I've made, it reminds me just how fascinating it would be to share those experiences in some kind of readable format.

I haven't decided how to start or finish the book because it is still a work in progress- obviously. But I'm getting closer to finding the truth, and have been doing alot of soul searching for the past decade or so.

Through my photographic experiences and journaling, meditation, tons of contemplation, and the lessons I've learned about self-efficacy/self-worth- I feel as if I've already taken the preliminary steps needed to produce something worth reading, for others.

So, the plan is this: Sooner than later, I'll begin an outline which will guide me through the writing process, and search my ever-growing photographic archive for meaningful & relative images to accompany the words. I have no deadlines, so I can't say when it will be finished. But I can say it will be chock full of original content, packed with emotion, and a good read for many.

Here are some (not all) of the images which lend to that story I plan on telling... "The story of my life." Don't know which, if any will make the final cut, but at least I have a basis. I'll need to dig up some old negatives to scan and meet with my mother to get some of my favorite family photos.

I hope the book will end up in the hands of people who can relate and reflect to it. Because my end goal would be to leave a legacy. Like the one my father left me. Anyway, here is a glimpse inside my life up to now:

 

 

The Berkson's - Miami, Florida, 1979...

 

 

Mom & Dad - 1999...

 

 

Self Portrait- When I started to find my creative side...

 

 

Not just in photography...

 

 

But mostly...

 

 

I knew I loved traveling and adventure...

 

 

So I explored the possibilities of art as 'not just a hobby'...

 

 

And being a humble person, I had no idea I would receive this kind of attention...

 

 

So I pulled out all the stops, & went back to school to learn more about the thing I loved most...

 

 

Photography- A timeless way to document my life experiences and the lives of others...

 

 

And there were SO MANY LESSONS to learn, in such a short time...

 

 

It was a crash course in finding my own style, lighting cubes (ratios), making things shine, making people look their best, preparing a business plan, learning how to network, learning the history, getting thrown to the wolves, and making the shot count more than ever before...

 

 

I really had to buckle down and take it serious, because I wasn't going to get a second chance- and it was expensive!!!

 

 

So I took every opportunity to excel and absorb all the lessons of this wonderful education...

 

 

And I found myself being more creative- even though the difficult assignments stifled it at times...

 

 

I rose to the occasion- and for once in my life I had real self-worth...

 

 

No matter where my personal life was taking me, I knew I HAD TO SUCCEED...

 

 

There were storms...

 

 

And there were happy times...

 

 

There was disgust...

 

 

And there were smiles...

 

 

There were defining moments...

 

 

And famous moments (for friends)...

 

 

I realized people needed me- Especially people in my family (Dad turning 70)...

 

 

I felt like I was 'a part of something bigger than myself'...

 

 

And although my experiences weren't always great- I reminded myself that they could always be worse... 

 

 

My Grandmother (God bless her soul!), helped me through some very trying times...

 

 

And she was SO PROUD OF ME, when I walked on that stage to get my degree...

 

 

My Mom was too!!!

 

 

I knew what I wanted to do with my life, and NOTHING was going to get in my way...

 

 

All the signs were there- I just had to look for them...

 

 

I was through playing around and finally took control of my life...

 

 

So I began swimming towards a dream, trying not to get swallowed by heartache...

 

 

I knew it was going to be a long journey, before I could find my success...

 

 

And I had to leave the past behind me, in order to begin that journey...

 

 

You see we are 'driven' by love...

 

 

And when it is present in our lives, we have a sense of belonging...



 

 

It inspires us and leads us...

 

It gives us more purpose...

It makes the world seem to stop spinning so fast...

Love makes us stop and smell the roses...

We get inspired by each other and want to do more things together (New camera/gear)...

We embrace our successes together...

And plans are made for the future...

We solidify our bonds with age old traditions...

You see... Love is all there is and all there ever needs to be (R.I.P. Dad)...

And with love there is a shift that occurs, there is loss, and there is sometimes pain...

But we keep going. Because that is our survival mechanism. We embrace those great memories, many times with a photograph. My main point is this: We should always love ourselves first, love what remains, and be grateful for our lives everyday...

We shouldn't ever go against the current of our emotions, or take for granted the love we share inside...

With each full moon as a reminder for our existence, both spiritual and physical...

And with the passage of time and space...

We can look up and feel more comfortable in our own skin...

We can live each waking hour, with hope for better things to come...

We can create together, something worthwhile and meaningful...

We can 'frame' our next move(s) with confidence, precision, and finesse...

 

And we can take flight, because the most most important thing we should remember is this...

.........................................................THE SKY IS THE LIMIT!


So there you have it... I would like to thank you for reading this post and hope you will be inspired to live your own life, to the best of your abilities... And remember the meaning of LOVE. Until my next blog post or the eventual release of the book I am planning, I hope you will stay in touch with me. And continue to inspire me just the same. There are some really creative things going on out there. And I am grateful I have lived to see them all. Can't wait to see and experience more.

Thanks for your continuing support and friendships.

Yours Truly,
Jeremy Berkson

www.photographybyjeremyberkson.com