What is a Professional Photographer?

I've often heard the question 'what is a professional photographer?' When people hear the term 'Professional Photographer', they probably think of the guy on the sidelines of an NFL game getting the game winning touchdown picture, or the woman at the press conference snapping the next Presidential candidate or the people in Hollywood snapping stars coming out of bars and restaurants.

I wonder how many people think of the guy at the wedding reception, or taking the family portrait or even on the beach shooting the sun rise as a professional photographer? Or what about the photographer who dedicates all his work for charity? The truth is, they are all professional photographers.....at least as far as I am concerned.

A professional photographer doesn't just go out and shoot pictures than sell them. The actual 'shooting' is only part of the job. Let's face it, anyone can go out and buy a DSLR with a kit lens and as soon as they walk out of the store call themselves a professional photographer. But a true professional photographer does more than just snap pictures. They consider the composition of the picture. The style of the picture. What will work or what will make a beautiful picture look less than perfect. I've seen many pictures from 'professional photographers' where a tree is growing out of someones head. Or an engagement photo that is slightly out of focus or a number of other imperfections.

Then there is photo re-touching. Whether it is done in Photoshop or other software, the professional photographer will make sure every photo is at it greatest potential for the client. Again, I have seen pictures from 'professional photographers' where the color is off or the white balance is way off. And the professional photographer takes care and pride in his work and it is not just all about the money. So the next time the photographer at the wedding asks you to say cheese, or you see a photographer setting up her tripod on the beach or just walking around town taking pictures you can bet that they are a professional photographer.

Softball 2012

Well, another season of HYAL softball is upon us and again Baileigh is signed up, ready and excited to start. Unlike last year, I will not be the unofficial assistant coach.....I will be the head coach.

Although I have never coached before, last year I assisted the coach in softball and the year before that I was one of the assistants in T-Ball. I got my roster and notified all the parents. Went to my first HYAL meeting and am getting all the equipment on Sunday. All I have to do now is get fingerprinted (not required by HYAL but by Hazlet Township) and attend a 3 hour Rutgers Coaching Clinic (required by HYAL). Both of which are scheduled.

As soon as I get these things taken care of, I can hit the ground running. I intend to have a fun season yet teach the basics of softball to the girls, although most of them already played last year.

Just thinking.....Global Warming???

So far this winter we had 2 snow falls - well the first one was in the fall in October, and neither was significant. And we've had (and are still having) temperatures in the 50's and 60's even and I didn't hear any mention of Global Warming. I remember some winters when we had extreme amounts of snow, freezing temperatures for what seemed like weeks at a time and I heard more about Global Warming then.

Well, I guess Global Warming must come and go.

Whitney Houston

Gov. Chris Christie has ordered the flags in New Jersey to fly half staff in honer of Whitney Houston on the day she is laid to rest. I have lost ALL respect for the gov and have never been so embarrassed by new jersey, my state.

He also said that Whitney Houston is in the same class as Count Basie, Frank Sinatra and Bruce Springsteen. Nothing can be further from the truth. I was never a fan of her or her music but to say she is in the same class as the aforementioned musicians is a bit over the top, in my opinion.

And by ordering the flags lowered on Saturday he sends the message that if you become famous but have a history of substance abuse you can still be a hero.

And as far as the media, both national and local, there are real heroes that are dying to defend our freedom and way of life and we don't hear about half of them. So instead of honoring a crack head who happens to be from new jersey, let's honor the REAL HEROES that die unnoticed.

R.I.P. -- all those that have died defending our freedom and to those that died in the line of duty at home, policemen, firefighters and other first responders.

First Kayaking Fishing Trip

Took my 'new to me' kayak out yesterday for some fishing. Caught not only my first bass from a kayak, but my first fish EVER from a kayak. In fact, it was my first time ever fishing from a yak.

I caught it on a jig with a rubber trailer around some submerged trees. I had the jig sitting on the bottom as I was moving the yak into position. I didn't feel the hit, it was VERY subtle and just felt different as I was reeling in. So I set the hook and it felt like a little guy. Boy was I surprised!! I didn't have a scale on me to weigh it but I estimate it around 2 to 3 pounds. Could only fish for about an hour and 45 minutes as it was getting chilly. Now I can't wait for the warm weather!

I recently got a beginners fly tying kit as I am getting really into fly fishing. Tying flies was something I have never even tried to do but always interested me. I'm told when you catch a fish on a fly you tied yourself is an awesome feeling. And I'm hoping to experience that.
I tied 2 last night but the pictures that follow are of the first one, a Fur Ant.


Here the vise, hook and the material are ready to go.










The rear abdomen of the fly.







Hackle Feather represents the legs of the fly.







Here is the finished fly.

Ice Fishing

Back in the 90's I did a lot of ice fishing here in New Jersey. I've caught pan fish, trout and a bass or two. It was a lot of fun but for some reason I stopped going. About 5 years ago I ventured out on a cold day with a good friend of mine I talked into going. When we got there I pulled out my trusty hand auger and that's when I realized- the blades were dull. So dull I couldn't cut into the ice at all.

After a few choice words I suddenly remembered; a few years prior, my father in law was helping me put up a shed and I needed holes dug for the footings. I know, since I don't ice fish anymore, I'll use my ice auger. DOH!!! After some ball busting from my friend, one of the guys that was fishing when we showed up was leaving. We waited until he was off the ice and used the holes he had drilled. We fished for a few hours and didn't catch anything, so we packed up and headed home. I put the ice gear away and haven't touched it since.

2 of my nephews got into fishing a while ago and since their dad doesn't fish, the have become my fishing buddies. One day this past summer my nephew Jared was asking if I ever went ice fishing because he wants to go. I told him as soon as we have safe ice I'll take him. My wife and I got him an ice fishing pole for Christmas so now he is really psyched to go. And to tell the truth, so am I. Now all we need is a streak of really cold days to get some safe ice (REALLY cold as I won't go out unless there is 6" to 8" of ice) and sharp blades for my auger.