Photo 3 of 30: Clouds

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Today's goal was to shoot clouds, and with the weather that the Chicagoland area has been receiving lately it also became a challenge to capture this image.  All gray skies would mean that you would get just a white photo and then there were moments of pure blue.  Where are my clouds?  When there was a spotty break, the clouds where racing across the sky and we were put under a wind advisory.  If you get a chance google Chicago's Lake Michigan and the wind and you can see an unfortunate bike rider get smacked with water as the waves rolled over onto the walking path (sometimes you just have to take a day off).  Back to the point, how successful would I be in this challenge?  Where are my clouds?  I was lucky to capture the mix of cloud patterns from barely a whisper to a clearer formation as you shall see in my image number three out of thirty!  Enjoy... Next up is "Something Green."

Photo 2 of 30: What You Wore Today

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So, today's post is "What You Wore Today." A couple of posts ago I had mentioned the tasks that I deemed most challenging for me to produce for these upcoming 30 photos, and I did not imagine that this would be a challenge but it was.  For the type of work that I produce, my camera is always in my hands, I do not use tripods or remotes that some photographers use as a part of the everyday work.  I am all about the hands on.  So how do I capture what I wore without the use of these items or another person to take the picture? The answer, take a series of images and combine them into one.

 "twoofthirty"

So here is what I wore today... it is my typical everyday comfort attire.  The combo of a t-shirt, leggings, hoop earrings, and flats (sandals or flip flops when it is warmer).  I am a typical girls girl... love shoes and purses, but I also love earrings.  My statement when it comes to jewelry and accessorizing.  I will forgo necklaces and bracelets, as long as I have a great pair of earrings on.  So that's my outfit in a nutshell.

Photo 1 of 30: Self Portrait

1|30: Self Portrait

Here begins my journey for the 30 Day Challenge or better know as "Simone's 30 Photos: A Challenge of Sorts." I truly believe the time frame will be the biggest challenge, so just finishing this venture will be the biggest accomplishment outside of sharing an intimate look into my life via the camera lens.

This image was actually taken with my phone's camera (which I will try not to use from this  moment on)... it was a reflection of my somber mood and my phone was handy in comparison to my camera.  It is me in the sans makeup, jewelry and clothing (outside of the eyeliner & stud), thus the title for the image "Simone in the Raw." I figured this was a great self portrait to start with and I will be curious to see how I end it.  Since the photographs following this one in this series of 30 images will be more personal in nature, the image was a must to start this journey.  I do plan on putting forth a more personal reflection so that those who read or follow may get an inside scoop on what makes me ... me.  So I hope you check back from time to time to see my progress and I thank you humbly for taking the time to read my blog and enjoying my professional work.

The 30 Day Challenge?!?!?....

So a friend of mine began a 30 day challenge that she borrowed from another blog.  Totally designed for the photographer at heart, amateurs and professionals alike.  What I like about the challenge is that it allows any of our followers to catch a glimpse of our personality.  I am thrilled to begin the challenge, but I know that I will not be able to complete it within the 30 day requirement.  With my schedule as of late, I am bombarded with commitments and obligations that will detract from me completing this in and on time.  So I will call it... "Simone's 30 Photos: A Challenge of Sorts."  I will begin in a few days and my goal is to complete the challenge within 60 days.  So look for new posts with cool images based upon the challenge for that moment.  Below is the list and there are some that will truly challenge me as a photographer (which I marked with an asterisk):

Day One: Self-Portrait
Day Two: What You Wore Today
Day Three: Clouds
Day Four: Something Green
Day Five: From A High Angle
Day Six: From A Low Angle
Day Seven: Fruit
Day Eight: A Bad Habit
Day Nine: Someone You Love
Day Ten: Childhood Memory*
Day Eleven: Something Blue
Day Twelve: Sunset
Day Thirteen: Yourself with 13 Things
Day Fourteen: Eyes
Day Fifteen: Silhouette
Day Sixteen: Long Exposure
Day Seventeen: Technology
Day Eighteen: Your Shoes
Day Nineteen: Something Orange
Day Twenty: Bokeh*
Day Twenty-One: Faceless Self-Portrait*
Day Twenty-Two: Hands
Day Twenty-Three: Sunflare
Day Twenty-Four: Animal
Day Twenty-Five: Something Pink
Day Twenty-Six: Close Up
Day Twenty-Seven: From A Distance
Day Twenty-Eight: Flowers
Day Twenty-Nine: Black & White
Day Thirty: Self Portrait

A truly personal experience lies ahead of me and I am thrilled to take on the challenge.  Take the challenge yourself or create your own and share it.  So get out and grab your camera and take some pictures!

Buildings, Flowers, Lines and Curves...

First off, let me apologize for such a time lapse in my usually weekly blog.  With my show running this month, the reception and back to school, I have been quite busy and neglected my blogging duties.  So let's get down to business...

I have decided to take a little time off from creating new pieces and focus more on the business end of promoting and selling my artwork.  I will hold off creating new work until my trip to Puerto Rico next month, because I won't be able to help myself.  Anyway, I have decided to focus more on the business end.  With that said, one of the first challenges any artist has is to gain an audience.  With technology today, it is easier than it has ever been, but it can also be more daunting.  The first challenge and most recommended step is to create an online gallery of your work.  There are several free places to showcase your work 500px.com, flickr.com, facebook.com, deviantart.com and so on.  I happened to have my work on each of these sites (thus the mention). You can also pay for your own domain and domain hosting (some services are offered for free but may show advertising), which I have done as well.

After you get your artwork online, how do you direct traffic to your site(s)?  This to me is the most daunting part.  You have to promote yourself.  There are many opportunities to do this as well and I am still getting the hang of it.  You can utilize the social media circuit, self promoting via Facebook, Google+, and Twitter.  I use both Facebook and Twitter, but primarily I use Twitter the most.  It is a very clean and convenient way of promoting your work with just 140 characters.  Meaning that you always have to get to the point.  Where you must not fail to get the purpose of Twitter is by only doing self promos about your work.  Twitter is a social networking site and that means that you have to establish relationships, comment on your fellow artists' tweets and work.  Retweet information that you find informative and worth sharing with your followers.  The biggest lesson that I have learned so far, is that if someone in your field follows you, than by all means, follow them back.  It is just simple Twitter etiquette.

However, the most traditional is by far entering gallery competitions, participating in local and area art fairs (once you become more successful you can expand to state, regional, national and international).  Get involved in as many competitions and galleries that you can, and by all means do not be afraid of rejections.  I have had more rejections than I can count, and each one hurts, but I keep my head up and move on to the next opportunity.  By participating in fairs, gallery showings, etc. is that it is a resume builder, you are gaining more experience, and someone who has turned you down before, might eventually change their mind because you are a more seasoned artist.  Be sure to attend all receptions that include your work and any reception that you are not participating in as an opportunity to network and learn about others in your field or artists that utilize a different medium.  You will be amazed at the wide spectrum of mediums out there. 

The best opportunity by far, is the solo exhibit.  This is a gallery who decides to showcase only your work.  I have recently been blessed with this opportunity and I currently have 20 pieces on display in my solo show "Buildings, Flowers, Lines, and Curves."  The interesting thing with your own show is that you have more say in the curation process and the flow of how your pieces are highlighted.  I was provided a reception free of charge for about 100 guests.  My first solo show was at a major university, so I was able to introduce numerous students to my style of photography and answer any questions they might have.  It was a wonderful opportunity and I am forever grateful for the institution hosting me as an artists.  Below are shots from the curation process and the show set up.  If you are in the Chicago area the show information will be below the images.

"Buildings, Flowers, Lines and Curves"

August 22 to September 22, 2011

A. Montgomery Ward Gallery

(UIC Student Center East)

750 South Halsted, Chicago, Illinois 60607

Hours: Mon to Thurs, 11 am to 8 pm

Fridays, 11 am to 5 pm