On Coaching

I always obsessively devour almost anything about/by Atul Gawande (ever since I was gifted Complications by an old friend back in high school). I've been meaning to share his recent New Yorker article, "Personal Best," with you. So here it is - do read it.

Most notably, I admire that - while I'm sure he has some of that doctor-ego - he attempts to put it aside by talking about real issues in the medical community. Most of which are taboo or ignored. But Gawande puts it right out there and postulates that even someone at the peak of his profession can improve - but that the path to improvement is one that most are afraid of opening themselves up to. He suggests coaching. If you can afford it or if you can find a willing mentor in the field or interest you're pursuing, it absolutely is worth your while. In the work-world, as an early career individual, I think it is still natural to find mentors and request frequent feedback, but as one becomes more senior, that's when it becomes more uncommon and potentially more valuable.

Personal wish list? A fashion coach! Wouldn't that be fun? Also potentially career-boosting according to my favorite source of controversy. Until I scrounge up the funds for a personal stylist (girl can dream), I've been finding Mad Men inspiration through The Fashion File by the show's costume designer, Janie Bryant. Though admittedly a little high on "cheese" and low on content, I'm always looking for some direction in where to take my wardrobe since I'm more of an avid fashion observer rather than dramatic, leading-lady dresser.

A bit closer to home, this blog is an attempt at self-coaching and improving my photography skills. Things I'm learning:

• Post-processing can be fun (and is widely done), but I tend to prefer a shot au naturel
• I take a large number of sky and body of water photographs
• I'm timid about black/white and also portraits

As an amateur, it would definitely be nice to work with a "coach" who could point out areas of improvement and impart some technique.
One day!

December 2009 - Central Park, New York, NY

The Pier

August 2008 - Baltimore, MD

How to

"The number of photos we take is incredible. And I’m starting to think that the next generation will laugh at how many photos we have taken. What is the point? Who will look at them all?
At some point, when we are just clicking to click—with no visual intention—then the photo serves to put a wall between us and the experience rather than a window.
What are you doing behind the lens all the time? Raise the bar for yourself; allow only good photos.
[...]
Because if you force yourself to publish only good photos, you force yourself to think more about images and what they communicate to the viewer. It’s the first step in transitioning your career to the visual Internet." - Penelope Trunk

Empty Ravens

September 2011 - Baltimore, MD

Overboard

September 2011 - Inner Harbor, Baltimore, MD

I am so going overboard... and overwhelmed! And the weekend is nearly over, friends.

Gone

Summer. Childhood.
Carefree cartwheeling.

Falling in love. And fireworks.

Time to make way for autumn...


2005 Japan; 2011 Phoenix; 2010 San Francisco; 2009, 2010, and 2011 Baltimore

At the Trough

June 2006 - outside Amsterdam, Netherlands

Sailing

"Sailing
Takes me away
To where I've always heard it could be
Just a dream and the wind to carry me
And soon I will be free"

From the Top

April 2007 - JHU, Baltimore, MD

Baltimore

During the September weekend of the inaugural Baltimore Grand Prix, I took a helicopter ride and had the chance to photograph my current city from a new perspective...

approaching downtown's inner harbor from the southeast

hovering over downtown, southbound view of Calvert St. and Saint Paul St.

westbound view of Pratt St. and Lombard St.

 

flew in this guy!

with this guy!

Idea Surplus

August 2011 - Plano, TX

Forward

August 2003

See also: The Online Photographer

City in the Trees

August 2011 - Sandia Peak, Albuquerque, NM

Working with this photo, I was just getting frustrated and ended up deciding to have a little fun...

Sandia Peak

If you could walk twenty years

August 2011 - view of Albuquerque, NM from Sandia Peak Aerial Tramway

twenty hours, twenty miles

view of Santa Fe, NM from Sandia Peak

 Where would you want to go? Where would you be?

Sandia Mountains

Special Dinner

Thought I'd share the very first round of photographs taken with the new Nikon. I think it's interesting how you can basically follow my progression of figuring out just how to use it through each course of the meal. Also, who can pass up a food post!

edamame guacamole with plaintain chips and tortilla chips

crab dip (aged cheddar, old bay, crostini)

braised short rib, chimmichurri sauce, baked mac n cheese

wild sockeye salmon, tartar buerre blanc, baby spinach & roasted garlic

dessert: chef's selection of three greek-inspired pastries

Ah well, so much more to learn... but it was truly delicious, filling, perfect!

"Twinklebox"

I saw this two days ago and loved it so, so much that I just had to share it.

While I don't think I'll be dabbling in film anytime soon, I keep watching and re-watching the various cuts and the angles that are used. I'm awed by the intensely high quality and just how well done this is to capture the teensy inner-workings of a music box. Okay, enough talking about it because I'm clearly just not doing it justice. Here it is:


Twinklebox from Aaron Bradbury on Vimeo.

First seen on Russel Davies.

Lone Ranger

August 2011 - Sandia Peak, Albuquerque, NM

So glad it's only 5 minutes until Friday! I've been traveling a lot recently and I'm not quite ready to share most of my recent photos, but here's one for now... gotta keep you guessing about the view over the edge of the platform though!

By the way, this image from the hands-down, fantastic photographer of Daily Dose of Imagery totally wowed me today. Take a look and take a guess at the production techniques that make it work.