Thanks for taking a picture of me Jana! You are amazing!

Followers

WHO IS BALD IS BEAUTIFUL PHOTOGRAPHY?

Well, it's me of course! Hi, I'm Scott, just an ordinary guy who loves life and all the little nuances that it brings! Simply put, I'm a father to a wonderful son, a husband to a beautiful wife, and an amateur photographer who enjoys looking at the world through a piece of glass! I took up photography a couple of years ago, after having gastric bypass surgery. Since 12/07, I have lost 180 pounds, but found a real passion for documenting life with my camera. I could say that the big names out there have inspired me, and they have, But my true inspiration comes from the people I meet everyday who share the same thoughts and zeal I have for photography. We are truly blessed with some really great photographers around Nashville. So, what are you waiting for.... ...grab a camera, snap some pics, and enjoy life to the fullest!
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Monday, September 6, 2010

Sunrise On The River!

Stones River Sunrise-2


Isaiah 45:5-8

I am the LORD, and there is no other;
       apart from me there is no God.
       I will strengthen you,
       though you have not acknowledged me,


so that from the rising of the sun
       to the place of its setting
       men may know there is none besides me.
       I am the LORD, and there is no other.


I form the light and create darkness,
       I bring prosperity and create disaster;
       I, the LORD, do all these things.


"You heavens above, rain down righteousness;
       let the clouds shower it down.
       Let the earth open wide,
       let salvation spring up,
       let righteousness grow with it;
       I, the LORD, have created it.



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Saturday, September 4, 2010

Angels Watching Over Me!

Got His angels watching over me, every move I make,
Angles watching over me!
Angels watching over me, every step I take,
Angels watching over me!

You know, I’ve always like that song!


Mt Olivet Cemetery-3 Mt Olivet Cemetery-11

The angels were definitely watching over me during sunrise at Mt. Olivet Cemetery!  I learned a very valuable lesson about sharing too much information on Face Book, and how awesomely Blessed I am or was!


Mt Olivet Cemetery-15 Mt Olivet Cemetery-7 Mt Olivet Cemetery-9

On Saturday, I posted on Face Book that I was interested in catching a sunrise, and if anyone was interested, let me know.  Well, one of my FB friends spoke up and asked where I was going.  The naive person that I am, immediately answered her and said either Pooles Knob, or Mt. Olivet Cemetery.   I did not think anything about it.  Well, the day went on, and no one else spoke up, so I decided I would go by myself.  The person I had spoken to earlier, said she would be there.  


Fast forward to the next morning.  4:30 a.m. and the coffee is brewing, the batteries are charged, the memory cards are formatted, and I am ready for the sun.  As I’m walking around the dark and gothic cemetery a van pulls up the hill and parks about a 100 yards away, with their lights shining right on me.  I go directly into big, bad, bald, kick butt mode!  The camera goes up, the glasses come off, and the tripod is folded into weapon mode.  I’m ready…for what I have no idea, but I’m ready.


Mt Olivet Cemetery-2 Mt Olivet Cemetery-5 Mt Olivet Cemetery-8


All of the sudden the van pulls up and parks right behind my car.  OK, game on, I’m a lean, mean tripod welding, fighting machine. Not really, I’m scared!!!  Then she, that’s right, she gets out of her van, walks around back and raises the hatch.  All while talking on her cell phone in a loud voice.  The person on the other end was either still asleep, or hard of hearing.  This is where it’s gets real interesting, she’s loudly telling the sleeping/hard of hearing person the following words: 

“SCOTT O’NEAL, YOU KNOW, SCOTT O’NEAL”.  “COME ON, YOU KNOW HIM, IT’S SCOTT O’NEAL, BALD IS BEAUTIFUL PHOTOGRAPHY!” 

I’m thinking, “Oh no,I have a stalker who read on Face Book where I was going to be!”   Let’s just say, this old, folliclly challenged guy was skeered!


As I gingerly walked around her van, her daughter jumped out and said, “I told mama it was another photographer”.  That’s when I said, very politely mind you, “WHO is your mama?” As it turned out, I did know her and the person that was on the phone.  So. all in all, my Guardian Angels kept me safe once more.  And as you can see, we had a gorgeous sunrise and really awesome fellowship that morning.

        Triptych template

For some more fantastic photos from this cemetery, may I recommend the FLICKR Group for Mt. Olivet Cemetery!

Morale of the story, when asking if anyone wants to meet up for a pre-dawn sunrise shoot, tell ‘em to email you and you’ll share your destination! :~}

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Thursday, September 2, 2010

August Time Killers from the Web!

Mt Olivet Cemetery-3

I’ve come to an interesting conclusion.  Angels and the internet have one thing in common, they are always there, we just have to look for them!  Maybe I should spend more time searching for Angels instead of killing time on the net .  :~}  But until that happens, here’s this month’s installment of “Time Killers From The Web” .


Tennessee Photographers

Brooke Rainey Photography :  The other day at work I received a card from a friend.  She said I might be interested in looking up this photographer.  now she has never used Brooke, but once I saw her site, I liked what I saw.  Very clean site, with tons of great and enchanting photos.  Just another local fave! You can also find here here on Facebook.


Cassie K. Photography : I found Cassie through a friends suggestion on Facebook. Cassie describes herself as a local Nashville photographer who specializes in lifestyle portraits and live events in a photojournalistic style.  I think her blog says it all…humanitarian, lifestyle, portraits! 


Tamara Reynolds Photography : Now here’s a girl who seems to have done it all.  I first found Tamara’s blog because of photos from the Nashville Flood.  Then I saw some photos of Memphis.  Then as I dove deeper into her portfolio I saw celebrities, weddings, portraits, lifestyle.  Let’s just say this girl is diversified, but in a good way!  She is very talented, and truly deserves all the praise I could give her!


Ulmer Studios : I have been a fan of Josh & Amber on Facebook for quite a while.  When I was looking over their FB site, I noticed their blog!  Where have I been?  According to the archives on their site, they have been blogging since 2007.  I truly love what they say on their contact page, “We wanna photograph people who are crazy in love”. Upon choosing US you are stating that you have looked through our images and see the style of photographers we are. We for the most part are not “posers”..we let things happen naturally and unfold. We like to tell a story – more photo-journalistic in style. How cool is that? You can also find Josh & Amber on Facebook.


 

Photo Inspiration

FlixelPix :  I can’t really remember how I found FlixelPix, but something must have stuck out for me to bookmark them.  the blog is described as “documentary photography”, and I love it!  Such clean images that tell a story.  From life to music, landscapes and macro, they have it all!  Truly an inspirational site for photographers.


Sarah-Ji Photography : Now I’ve mentioned Sarah-Ji before for her Lightroom Presets, they are phenominal by the way.  But this time I’m mentioning her for her photography and blog.  Such a simple sight, but full of inspiration.  I always love looking at photos others have taken.  They give me ideas for my own photography.  You can also find Sarah on Facebook .


pifphoto : pifphoto stands for “Pay It Forward Photo”.  A friend of mine had “liked” this site on Facebook, so I thought I would take a look.  WOW!  This is what pifphoto says about itself -Pay It Forward verb- 1. to repay the good deeds one has received by doing good things for other unrelated people. Most photographers spend loads of money on gear, camera equipment, and other photography related needs.  Its the relationships and sense of community that makes being a photographer unlike any other profession.  Lets Pay It Forward and make our industry a better place.



Photo Education

LightStalking : I really can’t tell you how I found this site, but believe me when I say this…”I wish I had found it earlier”.  What a wonderfully enlightening site for photographers.  From tips on composition, how to use smoke ti enhance your photos, or simply a list of great photo magazines, this site has it all!  Great educational resource for photographers.


The Family Photojournalists : This blog is written by 2 different men, one of which I use to work with (Daniel).  I just happen to stumble across it the other day on Facebook. Here is a quote from Daniel about the blog; “Thanks, guys-this blog is a teaching blog i share with another photographer-it teaches family photojournalism to other photographers, hence the photog jargon”.  Give it a shot, and you won’t be disappointed!


Weekly Photography Tips : This site actually came from Scott Kelby’s blog himself.  In fact, the tip was Scott giving some tips on shooting long exposure hdr.  So that grabbed my attention.  Not only was the blog insightful, but kinda funny in an obscure kind of way.  Take a look, and tell me what you think!



I ♥ Faces

Image Serenity : We all know how much I love I ♥ Faces.  This is another blog I have found from reading their site and searching through their contributors!  Simple, yet elegant is how I describe this site.  Image Serenity is a great read and full of ideas and thoughts!


Other Such Happenings : Marsha, Marsha, Marsha!  Another one of my I ♥ Faces friends that I met in Nashville earlier this year.  Here’s what Marsha say about herself; “i like my husband. i like my kids. i like to write. i like taking pictures. and i like lots of cream and sugar with my coffee. let's be friends!”


Sarah Kate Photography : Another friend from Louisville.  My trip to Louisville earlier this year for the I ♥ Faces Photo walk, has turned out to be such a blessing.  I’ve made so many new photog friends, and Sarah Kate is one of them.  Such a talented photographer, a great writer, and just plain fun!  Make sure you check out her other blogs.  Just click here, and here!


Simplicity Photography : I do a lot of contest and giveaways on the net, and Angie’s blog is another that I found that way!  Great photos and inspiration!  Hi! I am Angie...A portrait photographer from Salt Lake City, Utah. Just a gal trying to make a living at her passion and conquer a few dreams here and there. Thanks for coming by and leave a comment cause it makes my day and all that good stuff!



Frugal Living

Now these next sites don’t have a lot to do with photography, but a couple of them are always having some type of photo developing deals.  For my professionally printed shots, I use MPix, but just for fun shots, I can always find a deal or 2 on these sites.  Places like Walgreens, Shutterfly or even Wolf Camera.  Just last week, I was able to get 5 8x10’s for less than $2.50…not bad! 

We also use these sites for a coupon clipping.  Heck, we are saving about $100 every 2 weeks with deals and coupons from these sites!  The last 3 are basically for coupons and such, while the first one is nothing but photography!


The Best Photographers Freebies

In Good Cents

Mummy Deals

The Frugal Girls

That’s about it for this month.  I’m gonna keep my eyes open for any new blogs for next month’s time killers, but if you have any that you would like to see added, make sure you send them to me at BIBPhotography@comcast.net.

So, until next month, keep on keeping on!

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