'Honing My Craft

Hello Friends,

Just thought I would post some recent images I have captured, edited, and felt the need to share. Hope you enjoy them....

Also if you haven't visited my new website, please do so...

www.photographybyjeremyberkson.com

ZooooooooooooooooM!

Taking a Walk...

Into the Trees...

Fallen Petals...

Beautiful Eye...

Lazy Kitty...

Supermoon @ 600mm...

Patches, The Neighborhood Kitty...

Orchid Season...

One Sexy Tomato...

Beautiful From Any Angle...

Regal Eagle...

Sleepy Owl...

Drip Drops...

Fooling Around In Photoshop...

"Bum Jovi"...

Destiny...

Backlit Orchid...

Patriotic...

Cades Cove, Great Smoky Mountains National Park...

Heavenly Homemade Cheesecake...

Busy Bee...

Well... There you have it. As you can see, I have been busy 'honing' my craft and have noticed some major improvements across the board. Nobody is claiming perfection, of course... But I am that much closer to creating a unique style I can claim as my own.

Like all true visual artists, I try to remain humble. Although it is nice hearing more and more compliments all the time. I hope to keep this pace going and continue building a career which allows me to give something back... Especially to you, the viewer.

I love my job... And I love all the support I receive even more!

As usual... Thanks for your continued support and interest. ~JDB ||| 05/24/12

A Moment For Reflection

Greetings Friends,

It has been awhile since I've shown any activity on this blog. To be honest, I've been quite busy dealing with many things. This includes the nuances of constant transition, career building, relationships, relocation, etc...

I've been meaning to write something substantial and post some photos for a long time. I apologize (mostly to myself) for not contributing to this journal of sorts sooner... We all tend to neglect certain aspects of our lives and need to remember that we are born neglecting and taking for granted our many blessings. We don't always see clearly and our internal voice starves to be heard. The "don't have time right now" or "I'll get around to it" mentalities keep us stagnant and procrastinating, even if we are at our prime or busy as hell, we sometimes lose virtue and forget how to feel. Discouraging the voice of reason within us. The voice that gives weight to our many musings.

We must always remember to take a moment for breathing, writing, and reflecting. What fun would it be if we went on learning things from life's lessons to never remember them later or be able to reflect them in our work. Especially for the creative artist and photographer. We have to evolve or else the lessons are useless.

We NEED TO SEE.

Because seeing is what makes us unique and valuable. If we can't take a deep look inside, the outside seems ordinary. If we don't value each moment we have and reflect time to time, we sell ourselves short of feeling.

Whether our experiences are good or bad is irrelevant... It's how we feel like a part of the universe in the process of our experiences. We shouldn't float through our experiences void of feeling. We should "see" our ability to capture as a gift. Reminding us of our continual presence. We have to shed our insecurities and take risks. Be innovative. And remember to not just look at experiences and things that surround us... SEE THEM.

TAKE A GOOD LOOK AT YOUR LIFE...

And reflect on it. Shake your tail feathers like nobody is watching, get out there, and experiment. Not just with your craft or fascination... With the inner voice that drives you. If you let go of your inhibitions and try something new, you are becoming transparent. And you will see right through all the tensions, emotions, difficulties that become a threat to your creative counterparts.

Photographers are often described as distancing themselves from their surroundings by hiding behind a camera or viewing the world only through a viewfinder.

That couldn't be further from the truth. We are some of the most mindful people in existence and we see things in a contemplative way. So why not take a moment to stroke the ego and do a bit of reflection. Stop what you are doing and reflect. Any way you can.

I will try to do more blogging for this reason. It helps me look back and I hope it also serves the reader in an inspirational way. Until next time...

... HAPPY SHOOTING!

JDB

04/17/2012

My Artist Statement

As a photographer, I am priviledged to say that I am quite content with the career goals I have set for myself thus far.



What was once simply a hobby to me, is evolving into a means of successful enterprise and business. None of this would be possible without furthering my self-awareness, photographic and creative technique, and my education.



In part, I believe I have my great grandfather, “Poppy” to thank. I never had the pleasure of meeting him, but I should thank him, in his memory- for embedding an artistic understanding and creative eye into my DNA...We should never abandon the true value of hand-me-downs and lessons from our ancestors. Never miss the opportunity to take a snapshot of your life. These are all gifts which cannot be replaced by success, money, or material items. We should be reminded that our passions stem directly from what we learn in our youth. If I learned only one thing from Poppy, it was to pursue my dreams and make them a reality. I found my craft and it just happens to be photography. I don’t do it because I have to do it. I do it because it brings me enjoyment and helps me sort through my own rampant thoughts. I capture my own reality as I see it. Let me capture yours and you will have a memorable instance of time.



I remember stories from my Mother and Grandmother of how Poppy (Charles “Chuck” Reibman) relocated with his wife “Mimi”(Irene) and family from a bitter cold in New York to Sunny South Florida in 1959. How he sold his camera shop in Long Island and gave up commercial photography in Chicago to support his wife who had cancer.  She (Mimi) longed for a change of weather and he agreed. He continued on in Miami, in a partnership with a man at a failing music equipment store. The new and improved store was called MusicCam. It lasted awhile but was eventually disbanded.

Poppy, determined as ever, took his gear and mere capital down to the old fishing pier. Literally. He supported his entire family by making photos of tourists going out on sightseeing cruises and fishing folks with their prize winning catches down at Pier 5 in Miami, Florida.

Now we call it Bayside/Bayfront Park.

Poppy understood his client base from his portraiture and commercial years in New York and Chicago and offered them a beautiful product they couldn’t resist. His little enterprise spread like wildfire across the dock and he made a decent living. He made it convenient for his customers to come back in about an hour for a glossy 5x7 print for a dollar. His photos are timeless and speak out to the viewer in many ways. He seemed to capture people at their best in their Sunday’s best.

Poppy was a photo genius in my eyes and I only hope to continue living within his legacy and determination. With the passion and genius he embedded inside of me, I feel I cannot go wrong.

"Photography only appreciates with time, because time is appreciated with photography." ~JDB. 09/15/2010

Inspired... A photographer's blog for photographers.

Hello Friends,

Me again... It has been awhile since my last post but I didn't want you to think I was going stale or fading away. Actually, I have been on the grind with networking and career building.

Not sure how much this has worked in my favor, (its too early to really know) but I could never let my dream of being a pro photographer crumble. It's my rhyme and reason. 

The economy is slowly coming back (at least that is the rumor) and alot of photographers are doing everything they can to reinvent themselves, market their businesses, and redirect their time and resources to find new clients and appeal to existing clients and creatives. 

Almost literally, we are taking a ride on the freight train of digital capture technology- which coincidently is zooming through town at the speed of light, and you will see the trends changing frequently leaving some of us bewildered about which piece of equipment or networking tool works best.

In contrast to growing one's investment to photography... So many veteran photographers are just 'throwing in the towel' and are seeking other creative areas to focus their time. And some photographers are just plain fed up. It's a new day for the shutterbug, to say the least...

... My main purpose to writing this blog (in case you wonder) is this:

It is to remind all of you (and myself) who might feel like you are hanging on by a tiny thread whether just starting out, or continously evolving your business --- that living a life as a photographer can still be extremely glamorous and enjoyable. So many people want to do it,  and it's no wonder why. Photography still has a dynamic you won't find in very many 'jobs'. It guarantees that we will see things differently. It enables us to 'envision' our ideas and develop ways to tell that story through (sometimes detailed) planning, tapping into a creative part of the brain, and making the image we hope to make. The simple sound of a shutter functioning creates a vibration so beautiful in my brain, its hard to believe anyone would say its just a hobby. It's a life to so many. 

 It's poetry to me... Everytime. Even during those 'horrible light' days. I remind myself of the perfect days. It's therapy..... And it inspires me to see how we can still do it for the love of it. 

I can totally appreciate anyone in this industry, who refuses to give up their vision because of the growing pressures of this profession. I commend anyone with the 'cojones' to stand up in the face of a struggling economy and shine harder than they ever have, just to have a presence at all or be able to survive as a pro. I give my best to those who are searching for ways to cut their costs in this costly business, while trying to remain competitive and in demand, and deliver a high quality product or service.

Its work...

... It pays to be dedicated to your work.

We can collectively keep this a lucrative business and weed out the lowballers by delivering 120% of our worth and integrity and resist bending over for those who are squeezing the ($)life($) out of us by ignorantly comparing the costs of digital to film. Let them know... Don't be afraid to kindly inform them: Digital is way more expensive in the sense that time is money and good equipment cost 1000% of what it used to.

We can weather the storm of any recession as long as we keep it professional and don't price ourselves like amateurs or a starving industry. We are still the ones behind the scenes that can make it happen.

I will end by quoting one of the best photographers of our history...

"Photography records the gamut of feelings written on the human face, the beauty of the earth and skies that man has inherited, and the wealth and confusion man has created.  It is a major force in explaining man to man".  ~Edward Steichen
I love you all... |||JDB||| 05/30/2011 |||

Making Sense With Our Sight

Sometimes in life we are faced with a dliemma of what to do with our precious time on earth.

I learned that I can visually embrace my time through photography as a medium.

By showing frames from my life- I gain a better understanding of where I have been, the experiences I've had, and the importance of documentation.

Photography can be used for many things. It can tell a story, illustrate an idea, reinforce a personal value, make us laugh,as well as cry, and still have the power to reside in our memories, long after 'the dust has settled'.

I am grateful for the ability to use visual expression in a way that I can count on.

Whether doing it for fun, experimentation, or as a job- I don't think I will ever really just 'put down my camera'. It means to much to give notice to the beauty of things...

There is just too much to see, capture, document, and illustrate. I love sharing. Hope you feel the expression.

Enjoy life and its little gifts.

The sense of sight is just one of many we can feel blessed to be born with.


||| JDB Photography ||| 03.29.2011 |||

For The Love Of Nature

Nature is something I always enjoy making photographs of. I feel some of my best work is represented in this category. The subtle form of a rose petal, the intricate design of a simple palm frond, the magical buzz of a bumble bee... All of the subject matter in nature will always be there for the moment of capture. When I need to slip away from reality for awhile and get some photo therapy, I find myself capturing nature most of the time. It is one of those subjects that is inviting as well as ever changing. Love your surroundings. I do.

Shutter Fun

I love experimental photography. Zooming and shutter dragging can be quite phenomenal under the right conditions. Using a tripod becomes unnecessary at a certain point. Go with the flow and energize your photos with streaming light waves and mezmorizing design. It keeps me in a trance which cannot be explained. Light has a way of calling my innermost primitive self. Use the light to your advantage. The surprises are endless. The gifts are appreciated as well. |||JDB|||02/24/2011|||

"Under The Bridge"

"A Common Place"

"Light Rays"

"Parking Lot Lighting"

"In Motion"

"Delicate Dance"

"Lamp Shade"

"Destination Unknown"

"Interior Madness"

"While We Are Still Young"

"Keep trying new things. You never know what you can get."