Courting Trumpeter Swans - My Vision

Four years ago I started a project that I'll probably continue working on until my eyesight or my legs give out: photographing the habits of the Trumpeter Swan. This is a bird that mates for life. These graceful birds are a joy to observe and photograph, and one of the best spot in the world is only about 300 miles or five hours from my home in Salt Lake City: Grand Teton National Park.

Unfortunately, because the busy schedules we all have, I rarely have a chance to break away and visit the park more than a couple of times a year, even though it is relatively close to me. I hope to set my priorities straight and increase my level of commitment on this personal project.

When I do photograph the swans, I can wait and shoot all day without seeing or catching the behaviors that I'm looking for. However, in each trip I learn something more about these amazing creatures that makes me more prepared for my next visit.

The above photograph was taken on my first trip in 2005. You'll see more images of these birds, as well as images from other subjects (about once a week) as I share "My Vision" with you in this blog.

You can also view my Flickr Photostream to see more of "My Vision."

Featured Vision: Rosie Hardy

Rosie Hardy is an 18 year-old expressionist photographer living in Manchester, England. Her Photostream has some of the most commented-on images at Flickr.

Words like, "inspiring, ...original, ...incredible, ...creative, and ...magical" are typically used to describe her work, and are well-justified.

(Viewing tip: when viewing images on Flickr, move your cursor across the image and stop just to the outside of the featured image to get rid of Flickr's "Add Notes" feature -- those annoying boxes that clutter her images.)

Rosie is becoming well-known for the conceptual imagery residing in her photographs and her use of natural light. She is regarded by many as one of the few young photographers making captivating pictures. Her photographs are based on original ideas and imagery, rather than a focus on equipment.

Other than her camera, her most used piece of equipment is her tripod. That's because the female model in most of her current photographs is Rosie, herself!

Recently, Rosie met another photographer on Flickr, Aaron Nace, and they have teamed up to form ARF Fotography.

Daily doses of Featured Vision can be found on my Twitter tweet: YourPhotoVision. They are also archived on Twitter, under the hashtag: fotoINSPIRED (#fotoinspired).

Why Should I Enter Photo Contests or Shows?

Participating in photo contests and shows is a good way to share your photo vision with others. It can increase your recognition and reputation; and for some people it can provide the incentives and the competition to drive the creative process.

A few words of caution: 1) Be careful not to give away your rights. Read the rules and fine print. Avoid those contests that have language such as, "...all entries become the property of..." These contests are just a way for publishers and corporations to obtain cheap images. Reputable contests and shows will never require you to give up your copyright.

2) Make sure the prize(s) are worth the effort or the entry fee(s). In some cases, just the recognition of winning or even being selected to hang in a prestigious show or gallery (in the case of a fine art contests) are more than enough compensation. If the judge is highly respected, just being able to mention in your resume that your photography made it into the show can be a real feather in your cap.

3) Start small. In the beginning, enter local or regional contests or shows rather than at the national level. The competition at national contests can be fierce. The number of entries in a contest like The Great Outdoors Photo Contest is often in the tens of thousands. Setting your sights too high in the beginning, and having a long series of disappointments at the onset, could smother creativity.

My first contest was a regional contest among my local peers, the Intermountain Professional Photographers Association. I walked away with the "Photographer of the Year" award. There was no prize money, but the local press coverage (which included running the above picture and my face) really helped to jump-start my reputation in the community and the confidence in my photo vision.

The Great Outdoors Photo Contest

National Geographic Traveler (NGT) and Photo District News (PDN) are sponsoring "The Great Outdoors Photo Contest." The entry deadline is less than a month away: April 20, 2009 -- but you can extend the deadline to May 4th, if you're willing to pay an additional $10 per entry.

The contest is open to both amateur and professional photographers. There are five categories: 1) Parks and safaris, 2) plants, animals, insects, and gardens, 3) beaches, islands and underwater, 4) scenes of the natural world, 5) outdoor sports and activities. Entries will be judged on basis of creativity (34%), sense of place (33%), and capturing the moment (33%).

There will be a prize awarded in each category, (for both amateur and professionals), and a grand prize awarded in both the amateur and professional contests. The two grand prizes are five-night stays for two at Mandarin Oriental Riviera Maya Hotel in Mexico (with a retail value of $6,000).

Entry fees are $12 per entry for amateur submissions and $35 per entry for professional submissions. Winners will be selected on or about June 1, 2009, and notified by e-mail by June 15, 2009. The Amateur Contest winners will be published online by NGT after June 15, 2009; and the Professional Contest winners will be published in the August issue of PDN.

Contest entries are to be submitted electronically to the web site, www.TheGreatOutdoorsPhotoContest.com, where full details are available. You can also get an idea of your competition because the site has images of the "Latest Entries" (the contest began on February 6th)!

My Comments: Typically, I'm not a big fan of photo contests, because many are just a cheap way for publishers and corporations to obtain use of your images; however, NGT and PDN are top-notch companies and assure that "You retain copyright to your photograph and the Sponsors may not sell your photo entry for a fee."

Featured Vision: Lothian's Foto's

"Lothian's Foto's" is a Flickr Photostream by Richard Brocken, the father of two children, Thomas and Eva. They live in the Netherlands. Richard plays the clarinet in an orchestra for a living, yet the photos of his children, especially his daughter Eva, are some of the most striking I've ever seen. I'll let some of the testimonials on his site echo my observations:

"Lothian's photos are simply phenomenal. He combines his excellent technical ability with an extraordinary ability to see something profound in his and his children's every day lives, and creates works of art which are moving and inspirational."

"A photogenic model is important, but it takes a great photographer to make it a great portrait. Personally I think the Lothian portrait's of his daughter are among the best i've ever seen."

"Lothian's Foto's is one of the most creative artists at Flickr that I have encountered. ...his work goes beyond photography and standard portraiture work that is prevalent throughout this community. ...His eye for beauty is keen and the way he captures his subjects is unsurpassed by few."

Daily doses of Featured Vision can be found on my Twitter tweet: YourPhotoVision. They are also archived on Twitter, under the hashtag: fotoINSPIRED (#fotoinspired).