2 new photoblogs

Well as 2007 winds down I have launched two new photoblogs. The first showcases experimetal techniques that I have been working with over the past year and will continue to as time merits You can find that site at http://www.photoblog.com/dyckman/

And the Second Photoblog is designed to showcase some of my more current images that have not made it on to my main web site. And you may see these at http://www.photoblog.com/phawkinsphoto/

I hope you had a very Merry Christmas and which you a joyful and healthy New Year.

Here’s a story about true customer service!

Several months ago my big monitor that I do my color correction on went black. I went on Apple's web site and called technical services and was told it needed to be brought in to a Apple Store to be repaired. So on a trip to Minneapolis I took the monitor in and they said that would fix it for a flat rate of approximately $400.00
So off it went.

I got it back really fast and it had a 90 day warranty, It was working great until day 93 and it went black again. Well I’m thinking I am total up the creek on this one. I called the same Apple Store that I took it to for the repair and explained my dilemma, the store manager said bring it in ASAP. So we took a quick trip down the next day and they agreed to fix it for free. WOW!

Two weeks letter the phone rings and it’s an Apple rep saying that they could not repair the monitor and would I like a new one the next size up free of charge. I said sure, then he asked if I had the adapter that I needed for my Tower and when I told him no he said they would provide a voucher for that as well.

I have been using the new monitor for about six weeks now, WOW, It is fantastic!

If I wasn’t all ready sold on Apple I would be now. That is what I call Customer Service. I’m one happy Customer.

Random Thoughts and Favorite Quotes

Happy Thanksgiving a day Late!

You've got to push yourself harder. You've got to start looking for pictures nobody else could take. You've got to take the tools you have and probe deeper.
-William Albert Allard

A great photograph is one that fully expresses what one feels, in the deepest sense, about what is being photographed.
-Ansel Adams

One should really use the camera as though tomorrow you'd be stricken blind.
-Dorothea Lange

Keep it simple.
-Alfred Eienstaedt
 
"Simply look with perceptive eyes at the world about you, and trust to your own reactions and convictions. Ask yourself: "Does this subject move me to feel, think and dream? Can I visualize a print - my own personal statement of what I feel and want to convey - from the subject before me?"
-Ansel Adams

Pictures you have taken have an influence on those that you are going to make.  That's life!
-John Sexton
 
A good picture is equivalent to a good deed.
-Vincent Van Gogh

Happy Holidays to you all!

Late Summer

Summer is about over! Our last Art show for the year is Harvest moon the weekend of September 7th, 8th and 9th in Ely Minnesota. Keep an eye on our web site this Fall as we are planning on redoing it.

I have an exciting project that I am working on, Unfortunately at this time that is all I can say about it. In the months to come I hope to reveal here what it is.

I hope to be making more regular posts this coming Fall and Winter, so check back and we’ll see you then.

2007 Art Shows

Peter Hawkins Photography Inc.
2007 Art Shows

June 16th & 17 Virginia - Land of the Loon Ethnic Arts & Crafts Festival - Wait listed

July 15th & 16th Bemidji -Art in The Park

July 27th, 28th &29th Ely - Blueberry Art Festival

August 4th & 5th Grand Rapids - Tall Timber Days - Tentative

August 18th Duluth -12th annual Glensheen Festival of Fine Art & Craft - Tentative

July 21st Nisswa Majestic Pines Arts Festival Nisswa

September 8th, 9th & 10th Ely - Harvest Moon Festival

Self asignment coming to completion

As we near the end of our time in Westport Washington I have been reflecting my winters self assignment. That is to visit the Wesport harbor often and make some interesting non tourist / postcard images. The weather has been the biggest challenge this winter.

I was hoping to get some foggy days and I did, it really added mood to the mix. We did get a couple of foggy mornings. I made an image of the Maritime Museum in the fog that is real saturated and shows the top of the old sea wall, what is interesting about this building is that it is the old Coast Guard Station. The fog encased boats evoked a mood of mystery of the sea and the perils that there crews face in the open ocean.

I found myself intrigued with reflections. There were abstract color reflection and detail reflections. They seemed to yield endless possibilities for new images. I’m amazed that each trip I would find something different than the last trip.

My biggest lesson learned is that the more you visit a subject the more you will find. At one point this winter I thought that I was going to loose my mind if I went back to the Harbor, yet I made myself go and really walked away amazed at the images I came away with. Long story short one needs to become familiar with the subject in order to really photograph it.

On a side note the Harbor has an area on dry land for things that have been abandoned in the harbor. This junky area really yielded some interesting detail images. Again I took multiple trips to this area as well.

My advise to myself and anyone is to really get to know your subject and look closely for detail, think outside the box and visit the subject many times and push yourself to make exciting new images.

Potential Show list 2007

In the coming months this list will be confirmed with show dates and Booth numbers if available!

Art In the Park Bemidji
Blueberry Festival
Glensheens Festival of fine Art Duluth
Grand Cities Art Fest Grand Forks
Grand Marais Arts Festival
Loring Park Art Festival Minneapolis
Majestic Pines Arts Festival Nisswa
Park Point Art Fair Duluth
Powderhorn Festival of the Arts Minneapolis
Land of the Loon Festival
Harvest Moon Festival Ely
22nd Annual Ruttger’sOktober
Fall Colors Fine Art and Jazz Festival Stillwater
Festival of Cultures Duluth
Lumber Jack Days Stillwater
Marine Art Fair Marine on St. Croix
Tall Timber Days Grand Rapids