PHOTO ANTHEMS BLOG

31 July 2023

What Makes International Travel So Tough?

"For my part, I travel not to go anywhere, but to go. I travel for travel's sake. The great affair is to move."

~ Robert Louis Stevenson

I get asked often about why I travel, what its like, and when I'll come home. I'm amazed at how mysterious so many people think this is. In fact, international travel is no different from when you start a new job, enroll in a new school, or vacation someplace new. It could be that your significant other takes you camping for the first time and you spend your first night eating by campfire and sleeping in the woods. You do it. You get used to it. And after a while, it becomes life.

But then again, I forget my hypocrisy because I used to be the exact same way. All the excuses I've heard are some of the same things I once said... I can't speak the language. Its too expensive. I have kids or a job that won't let me take the time off. I had the same mentality, but eventually, the right circumstances happen or when certain people cross your path, change is inevitable.

German Art Model traveling through out Central and South America

The military set the ball in motion, for me. My first duty assignment was in Germany. I hail from Texas where being 200 miles or more from home was a rarity and most of those times when I exceeded 200 miles, I was still in Texas! I turned 20 in Germany. It was a wake-up call and was the first thing or event in my life that let me know I wasn't in Texas any more. During my off-duty time, I traveled around Europe. Eventually, other duty assignments took me to more places and I learned to enjoy the deployments ad frequent reassignments.

Towards the end of my military career, I settled in the city of my last duty station in Tennessee which is where my kids call home. I traveled to Lake Tahoe with a girlfriend who travels domestically often. I learned that it's not as expensive as I had been lead to believe to arrange flights, hotels, and car rentals, if you do it wisely. The advent of online booking options really aided me in those efforts. And yet, I let myself get bogged down in work and making money.

Through some hiking associations, I met a fellow traveler, who took off on her own to Southeast Asia for two months one summer. I couldn't wait till she got back to talk to her about her trip. It was at this point that I realized a few things. Excuses were just that...excuses. I had already been through enough life experiences to realize I wouldn't end this life wishing I'd made more money for my employer. I was on the road WITH that same friend the following summer to Guatemala and Belize. There was one thing in particular that I had to change in my life in order to make these things happen.

Priorities

Yes. Prioritizing travel was all it took, really. Just make the decision to go. Go anywhere! But don't be deluded. You ain't going anywhere until you get a passport and book an international flight. All the plans you make... all the good intentions, and mean-wells do you absolutely no good until you GET THAT PASSPORT and buy a TICKET! Plan a trip that is several months away to give yourself some time to make the arrangements. Central America has been the perfect proving grounds. For one, its close. Two, its cheap. Three, it eliminates any and every excuse you might have to NOT travel. As many times as you've flown across the US for the holidays or other family events, you'll pay less in many cases flying internationally to the Central America.

So what, you can't speak the language. That's fine. Learn some key things like social greetings, numbers, and how to ask where something is. My Spanish is getting better. But for my first time, I didn't remember much of anything outside of counting to twenty-nine in Español. Don't be scared of that. I'd wager that 80% of all the travelers I meet do not speak the native language. However, answer honestly. What are your priorities? Is it getting the new iPhone or a better gaming system. Or maybe trying to find a way to keep those $500 a month car payments current. Or its probably more important to have your Starbucks in the morning. You will find a way to spend your money on what is important. If you cared about traveling, odds are that's what you would be doing.

Art Model @Kayci.Lee Twitter Copyright 2018 Terrell Neasley

"There are no seven wonders of the world in the eyes of a child. There are seven million."

~ Walt Streightiff

So you got kids

Yeah, my kids are grown. Is that an advantage? I won't lie. Yes it is. However... So what?? Bring the kids!! Why not raise 'em on a good wholesome diet of culture variety? You can't tell me how this would be a bad thing unless you are planning a trip to Syria. More likely than not, your kids will also become travelers. Why? Because they'll be used to it and will ALREADY have passports. Many people stay put because they have never applied for a passport. I see kids on the road with their families all the time. Many get raised on sailboats with parents who circumnavigate the world. You know who I meet on the road from other countries traveling by themselves? 18 to 23 year old kids doing extended travel for a few months before they get locked down in jobs and careers. Do you think your 18 year old is ready to cross the Pacific on their own? Well they would be if you took them traveling and let them see how it's done one or two times before they eventually leave the nest.

Is it the job?

This is probably a tough one. But then I gotta ask. How important is traveling to you? If your job doesn't understand your need to be off more than a week a year, then...damn. I don't want to tell you you need to find a new job. YOU need to tell you that you need to find a new job. America is one of the few countries that still don't understand the value of time off and burn-out prevention. Traveling or not, a well-rounded lifestyle is more beneficial to your health and longevity. Expense reports are not. But honestly, who can tell you to change careers. I follow travel blogs all the time and often hear about husbands/wives, or single people quitting their jobs to follow their hearts. I know we can't be stupid. But whatever you make your priority, you'll find a way to do that.

All I'm saying is this: There are options out there if you look. Plenty of them. But none of them will do you a bit of good until you make the call to prioritize travel with your money and your time. You can do this. Go meet some new people and experience the hospitality of your neighbors. Thank me later.

08 June 2023

Where Have I been? Where Am I Now?

If you think the worst part of your shoulder surgery recovery will be wiping with the other hand... you'd be wrong.

Hi! It's been a while, indeed! So, yes. My last blog post was at the end of February, and much has happened since then. Long story short... Rotator Cuff surgery that also included Bicep repair. If you've had this surgery, you need not read further. You already get it. For those of you who have never experienced such pain and misery, let me explain.

IT SUCKS!

I returned from Vietnam last September to see family, restock on gear, and also get the VA to look at my shoulder. The VA experience was quite an ordeal, trying to be seen, scheduling timely appointments, and ultimately settling on a surgery date. An MRI revealed I had a medium-grade, 1.3cm full-thickness tear of my right supraspinatus tendon. I had to switch over to my Community Care option in February. I got an appointment to see my civilian Orthopedic surgeon in Rockwall, Texas, and he had me on the table 3 weeks later, which turned out to be March 16th. The surgery went fantastic. The nerve block helped, but thereafter, it was me, my Percocet, and my Valium... sleeping in a recliner for a month. Oh... ICE. Ice became my biggest friend. They gave me an ice machine that you filled 1/4 with water and the rest with ice. This machine pumps ice water to a shoulder sleeve.

Rotator Cuff tears are not what I thought they were. Not even close. I've not had an injury that takes so long to recover. I did 10 sessions of therapy while living at home with my folks. I ain't gonna lie. It's cool to be able to gallivant and traipse around the world like a wanderlusting fool, but damn... it's good to have people to go home to. My sister is a nurse. God bless her. My Pops got me to my appointments on time and waited for me. I almost wussed out at one point when I injured myself during the course of my sleep. Mama happened to be coming out of the bathroom and saw me whimpering. I told her I hurt myself. She asked if there was anything she could do. After thinking about it for a second, I deduced that there was no way she could help me, so I said no. So she went back to bed, leaving me to writhe on my own. AND I APPRECIATE THAT! I'm 54 years old. What was she supposed to do... come kiss my boo-boo to make it all better? Bake me some cookies? Give me a "hug" and tell me it's going to be alright? Nope. My Mama didn't raise no punks. Would a hug and cookies have been nice? Probably so! But that is NOT THE POINT! Mama let me be a man.

Fast forward another month, and I'm back in Hanoi, Vietnam. When I thought I was strong. TRAVEL taught me I was still a little weakling. I scheduled 4 successive flights within 10 days. I wanted to visit my kids in Nashville and Omaha, visit friends in Las Vegas, and then return to Vietnam. I made it as far as Omaha, where my son is, and had to cancel the Vegas flight. I had not the strength. THOUGHT I DID. I did NOT! I rebooked from Omaha to Vietnam, and it proved to be the most challenging physical thing I've done since leaving the military. I barely made my leg from Chicago, where I made my connecting flight to Doha in a wheelchair pushed by a nice dude with American Airlines.

The 13-hour flight from Chi-town to Doha, Qatar, was excruciating, but once I arrived, I was able to rejuvenate myself at the Al Maja Lounge for an 8-hour layover. It truly made all the difference. I was then ready for my last leg to Hanoi. My good friend, Michael... an ex-pat businessman here, arranged for me a car and driver to pick me up and get me to the temporary apartment I arranged with my previous building manager. I am now settled in a much better spot overlooking West Lake via 4 windows. It's gorgeous, quiet, and I love it.

What is the plan now? I'm going to sit tight, do my therapy exercises, take it easy, and contemplate how my girlfriend and I will make our lives here for the time being and when we'll move on to see the rest of the world. I'm trying to plan some different things to make life and travel easier. I have to make some changes. The world has changed. The US made some big changes in my absence, and it freaked me out. It was like a culture shock from my own culture. I need to make travel and living adjustments to meet these challenges. More to come on this, as several adjustments I've already made. It's just not enough. But I will get into that in another blog post.

For now, just know that I am recovering. I am 11 weeks post-op, and recovery time is expected to be a full year. Sleeping in a bed is still problematic. I sleep on the couch since it's easier to stay off my injured shoulder. This experience has been depressive, agonizing, and debilitating. I've kept to myself a lot, but I'm glad to have gotten the chance to see a few friends when paths crossed. I'm still trying to keep my spirits up. I'm in a better mental place, but knowing I can expect to stay in chronic pain for AT LEAST another four months is daunting. Priorities now are to not do something stupid to reinjure or retear my tendon. Docs have warned me that this tendon does not get good blood supply and to not overdo it. So I'll continue to do my exercises, get rest, take my vitamins, and not lift any weights on this arm. That's all I can do for now.

27 February 2023

Monochrome and The Story

“Black and white are the colors of photography. To me, they symbolize the alternatives of hope and despair to which mankind is forever subjected.”

- Robert Frank

Black and White, aka... MONOCHROME. This is the way things started out. Of course, you already knew that. Actually, monochrome refers to more than just Black and White. Sepia is also monochromatic, as is Cyanotype, Ambrotype, and Selenium. All it really means is one color tonality. And this is how the story was told in original photographic works. Whether it was for private portraits, reporting the local news, or civil war photos to accompany journalistic works... regardless... this was the technology that began it all. Dorothea Lange made you tug at your heart with her Great Depression Era photography. Gordon Parks put the truth of the civil rights struggles on the front page.

Today, we usually refer to making photos artistic, we often refer to turning them black and white. This is a style. And why do we do this? There are several reasons. Mainly it's the aesthetic appeal of vintage artwork, which is once again the trendiest way to shoot. Case in point, Instagram. Many images we see nowadays are posted with Instagram retro or Lomography filters overlaid on top of the image to give it an old feel. Old has become new again.

Another reason we like B&W is the simple fact that it is traditional. Traditional photography was more comfortable and familiar. We like a specific image because of the unconscious mind's eye, which tends to be drawn to certain things and will overlook others. Light, shadow, shape (primarily geometric), patterns, balance... these are elements the eye sees and notices more quickly. These things appeal to you or will at least get your attention whether you like them or not. Color may tend to distract the eye from the fundamental elements and the purity of the composition. Bright and primary colors may lead the eyes away by cluttering and confusing your unconscious mind, making you miss the real story the eyes naturally look for.

Remove color information, and what remains are the truisms that make up the photograph. Don't get me wrong. There are times color information is paramount. Try shooting roses or wildflowers in Black and White! Information is missing and which leaves the story incomplete. Shooting a redhead in B&W might even be considered a crime. However, street photography is more effective in black and white.

Distractions are reduced. You see the raw mood of the scene and can interpret the composition. Sometimes what you see can be painful, but you FEEL that story. Ever looked at portraits of homeless people? Many photographers perfect street and portrait photography photographing the homeless and destitute. The natural tendency was to convert automatically to B&W. The pain on the faces, the grittiness of the subject, and the desolation are captured that brings the human element back to the person and maybe you pay attention more. Personally, I have a difficult time with street photography and shooting homeless people. I don't feel I ever get it right.

"Life is like a good black and white photograph, there's black, there's white, and lots of shades in between."

- Karl Heiner

What makes good B&W images? For me, I'll take B&W Photography like I like my women... Moody and Contrasty! (I'll be here all week!) It's going to be different for everyone. I like rich shadows that contrast nicely against the highlights. Or, I can go high key to where the highlights outweigh the shadows. Too many people will let photo-editing software make the decision for them and the images look flat. You can even shoot B&W straight from the camera. The problem is that these are global adjustments over the entire image, and these machines do not have the artistic savvy to render correctly. They may come close. They may give a good starting point, but that control should reside solely with the artist.

I used to develop my own film and prints in the darkroom. There was NEVER a shot that was perfect from capture. Some burning (darkening) and dodging (brightening) were always necessary. It was a craft and a true art. The same holds true in digital. This year, in fact, I will change up my entire workflow just to get a new feel and appreciation for Black and White Photography.

And then there are the film-purist photogs who do not shoot digital. These guys will stick to film if they can still buy paper, film, and the chemicals to process them. I have no clue what will happen to these guys once film is no more, or the cost of developing becomes too much. But lately, it seems film is making a comeback. I hope it stays. I am one of those who actually loved the darkroom. It was a sanctuary to me. I'd have total silence in the near darkness. I'd develop my film with my eyes closed most of the time. Doing the prints usually required a light, called a safe light, that would not destroy prints during development.

Why do we still like monochrome? In a nutshell, it tells the story much better. It maintains a timelessness that is unique to us. And its versatility is helpful in just about any critical situation. Black and White is simple. It is beautiful and unencumbered. And remember, Black and White is not just black and white, but also every shade of gray in between.

20 February 2023

Photography is Amazing!

“Dwell on the beauty of life. Watch the stars, and see yourself running with them.”

― Marcus Aurelius, Meditations

I've been in this game for a while now, since 2005. At any given time, its easy to get bored, burned out, or just simply tired of a profession, industry, or business of some sort. It's normal. Things stagnate from time to time. Monotony often sets in and you have to look for a little change in routine or maybe take a break to step away from your profession from time to time. In the Armed Services, we were encouraged to take some R&R to blow off steam on a regular basis. Getting burned out could cause lapses in inspections of equipment or result in attention to detail issues.

I can't say this has been the case with me in photography. I am just as excited about it now as when I saw my first print come to life as it sat in a fresh batch of Kodak D-76 developer. And that was something in and of itself that you just couldn't get tired of. It was like magic. After careful exposure, and burning and dodging in a darkroom, a blank sheet of Ilford Fiber-based Variable Contrast Multigrade IV paper, suddenly came to life with the image you previously captured on film. I'll confess, though. I had my doubts when I switched to digital in 2007. I was a film purist because I felt digital took out the craftsmanship in which I made that print with my hands, manipulating light and shadow to make the final print. Photoshop seemed too much bits and bytes, and not enough of a man-made feel. I got over that the more I realized, its not so much the hands, but more the mind that creates and manipulates the light and shadow.

I can't say its like this for every photog I meet. I have met quite a few whose camera is more of a job than a creative outlet. They work, earn money, and that's it. No personal projects, just take the money and put the camera down till its time to earn money again. I don't begrudge them. That's their choice. As for me, I think I am still in love with photo for a few reasons.

1. First and foremost, I shoot what I like. You gotta pay me a lot of money to make me shoot something I don't really want to shoot. I learned that when I first got to Vegas and got a gig shooting furniture for a business in the World Market Center here in Vegas for showroom ads. Shooting a white couch under 3 different kinds of light on the showcase floor sucked. Granted, I still didn't know near as much as I do now, but I did it for the money. HATED IT! I learned that early on and it was a blessing. Shoot what you love.

2. I have an inherent desire to be good at whatever I spend the most time in. I study my ass off in most anything I want to know about. But for something I absolutely love, my study habits kick into overdrive. Its not always in a desire to be better. Most times, its because I have something on my brain that I want to create and have to learn how to do it. So I am in a constant state of learning to improve and hone my craft. Additionally, I don't stay on the same thing for too long. One day my thing may be landscape. Another day, its portraits. And then I want to kick it up and do extended exposure. Lastly, I simply hate not knowing. The better you get, the more people you attract. I get other photographers who ask me questions about settings or maybe how to shoot something. Often times I act as a forensic scientist to detect what was wrong or troubleshoot an issue with a camera or image. "What's this thick black line that goes all the way across the bottom of my picture?" Its a result of using a shutter speed higher than the sync speed of your camera when using flash. How do I know that? I didn't want to be afraid of using artificial light, so I studied flash. So study your ass off.

“The world is full of magic things, patiently waiting for our senses to grow sharper.”

― W.B. Yeats

3. I associate with a other photographers and learn from mentors. I started the very first Meetup.com photography group in Las Vegas. It was the Las Vegas Art Models Group mainly for helping photographers learn to work with the nude model as well as helping nude models get hired by photographers. I then partnered with one of the attendees of my group, Garrett Winslow, to organize another group, the Las Vegas Photographic Society made for photographers to help them network and grow their craft. Over the years, I developed a good reputation by sharing my knowledge, but also from increasing my knowledge with mentors like Dave Rudin and Dave Levingston, just to name a few. I have also stayed active in online groups to share my work, get feedback, and offer help to others. So don't become an island.

4. I started working in a camera shop. B&C Camera, owned by my good friend and accomplished photographer Joe Dumic. He bought this camera shop when every other one was failing, turned it around and this store not only survived, but thrives. Joe has helped me immensely in my own business operations. Working in a camera store gave me the ability to tap into a knowledge base you won't find anywhere else. I was there part time, but I learned about every new camera system that came out. Technology is changing all the time. So don't restrict your universe to just the gear you know. Surround yourself with and learn from other great talent.

5. I like to experiment and take chances. I know that every endeavor I take won't pan out. I'm okay with that. Sometimes I lose money. Sometimes, all my efforts are wasted; but are they really? Every time I do something that doesn't pan out, its really a learning experience. I can honestly say, I learn some valuable lessons when I get screwed over, lose an opportunity, or otherwise fail. I learn how to be wiser with my selections on who I deal with, how to prepare better, and thus better protect myself from unfortunate events. Learning these lessons early on helped keep the ripples from these mistakes small. I don't mind small mistakes. And catching them early keeps the big ones at bay. So learn to play and don't be afraid to fail.

I could list several more, but this post is getting long. To add a few more...

persistence despite rough times,
doing your own personal projects,
constantly looking at other great work,
teaching photography,
and traveling

... would all be key elements that definitely aid in my ability to stay locked in on photo. In all these years, photo has never been a dried up concept for me. And you know...another great motivator is that if you get good enough, people will pay you to keep doing what you do. So.... Amazing, isn't it?

28 January 2023

Fine Art Nude vs Erotic Nude vs Porn

You should grab a cup and have a seat for this one.

So the question is: Are there any differences between Fine Art Nude, Erotic Nude, and Pornography? Yes, I believe so. However, the lines are heavily blurred and may be situation dependent. Often they need to fit neatly into one box or the other. Depending on the composition in question, it may fit into TWO boxes or even all 3, although no particular image comes to mind that does that. I've discussed Nude vs. Naked on my blog before, but this is not that. Opinions will vary, to be sure. People raised and educated in one place/culture will differ from another.

Classic Fine Art Nude

Fine Art Nude

Fine Art Nude is a genre of art considered more palatable for most people as it is usually presented in a traditional, conservative, or reserved way. It might have an element of "timelessness" to it. It can be broken down into Classic/Traditional or Modern/Contemporary. The nudity aspects may be implied, as no breast or genitalia is ever exposed via strategic means of covering all that, but you know the subject is not clothed. Whenever you hear the term "tasteful," it will often fall into this category.

This will usually be a woman, and the subject's thighs might be together, have a twist in their hips, or any pose that protects the private area with a bit of modesty. Fine Art doesn't have to mean old, and it doesn't have to be created by a master artist, but it will typically refer to a painting more than a photograph. If it's a male subject, it will usually demonstrate a version of the perfect male physique.

Modern Fine Art Nudes may be more subjective because some will still consider it pornographic and/or obscene, no matter what, mainly if it's photography. Paintings or any media that isn't true to life might get a pass. The breasts may be exposed, and everything else will likely adhere to classic standards. Poses are usually depicted in a demur or goddess manner. Attention is not necessarily drawn to the nudity, but maybe the pose, the subject's beauty, or the composition's circumstances. It could be a scene of a nude subject in a domestic setting showing her backside getting dressed. Or possibly a topless figure performing ballet. Nudes for Anatomy Studies might also fit here.

Fine Art/Erotic Nude

Erotic Nude

This is where I've hit the mud in several debates if I contest or dispute people's assessment by classifying something as erotic photography or erotica. This is where the line begins to significantly blur. The only real difference between Fine Art Nude and Erotic Nude is the possible inclusion of genitalia or the suggestion of sensuality or sexuality. Said bluration stems from the fact that while genitals may be exposed, it could still be fine art, but maybe more contemporary.

Understand, we're talking about erotic nudes. Not erotica in general. In general terms, erotica does not even have to involve nudity whatsoever. It may just inspire sensuality or even arousal without exposing anything. Nudity is not a requirement. Concerning nudes, however, if there is any focus on the genitalia... in that the composition intentionally draws the eyes towards it, then definitely erotic/erotica. Creative lighting, depth of field, macro techniques, OR use of the hand on or near the genitalia brings you squarely into the erotic box. However, the kicker for me is this: Nudity, inclusive of genitalia or not... inclusive of sensuality or not... does not describe sexual intent. I learned this in Germany as a young man: NUDITY does not equal SEX.

Definitely Erotic Nude. Doesn't fit my description of pornography in the following paragraph.

Pornography

And now you have the real line. Nudity is one thing. Sex is another. Now let me ask this. Can something express intent for sexual desire without being pornographic? Of course, it can. Art is a direct reflection of someone's interpretation and expression of life. Sexuality is a huge part of our existence and our identity. Who says sex shouldn't be depicted in art? Rembrandt, Michelangelo, Rodin, Picasso, and Warhol had zero issues with it.

Then does anything depicting or insinuating sex fall into the Porn box? What is pornography? Most definitions agree that it's any media depicting graphic nude content or acts with the intent to elicit sexual arousal and desire. The focus may be more heavily weighted on either content than intent. Here is my problem with that definition and the two things I think they leave out: Mass Production, Distribution, and you can often throw in a third element: Accompanied by Similar or Optional Content.

For myself, if those things are not in the equation, then it's reclassed as erotica. To be clear, erotica often includes sexual, sensual, and acts meant for arousal. But if it is a one-of-a-kind piece of art (or limited editions) not widely produced and distributed. Nor is it displayed among additional options for similar material... then it is not porn. That includes works in a gallery exhibition, among others of the same genre. You can fight me on it if you wish.

Can All Three Be Art?

Of course! I have no problem with sensuality, sexuality, or sex in art. It's still an expression of life. Life begins with sex. You can't have human life without it. At least not the way nature intended! I'm not going all out and saying all porn is art, but yes, some of it can be made so, whether in print (literary, painting, photo), 3D media (sculpture), or performance art (video or live).

Sure, there are ways that sexuality in art has been done that I can not relate to, sometimes depicted in ways that make me uncomfortable. But that's like everything else in art. The vast majority of it will not suit you. I've never heard any critique of Italian artist Sandro Botticelli (Birth of Venus). However, I was in Bogota, Colombia, and saw an exhibit by Fernando Botero. A large woman in the museum left out feeling stigmatized by some of the other patrons. All art is not for everyone.

There is definitely a nasty, ugly, and illegal side to pornography. I do not support underage exploitation, human trafficking, blackmail, addiction, harassment, retaliation, violence, or any activity denying someone's privacy or civil rights. I'm not making a moral or religious argument. But I'm not going to be hypocritical and say my work is fine, but this other person's art is not just because I don't like it or it makes me uncomfortable... without being violent or infringing on someone's civil rights.

I get asked about this topic often. It's easily the Top 3. So I chose to speak on it in this format. My word is not the final judgment to be written into law. I may need to make clarifications or even be corrected. I'd love to be schooled on this if anyone has more insight I can consider.

03 January 2023

Five Years Running! Time for Some Changes

My Travel Goal is to transform my

DREAMS into MEMORIES

Another year has come full circle. Yes, that is correct. 5 years ago this month, I left on a jet plane, beginning a new life of travel that I anticipated might be for only 18 months, but I am much further along than that with no time frame for completion any time soon. Things are a bit different now. For one, I'm not in Vietnam, but I do plan to return there. After 30 months in that country, I finally made it back to the US. Presently, however, I'm in Costa Rica! Two... most of my plans since my return have been fabulously derailed due to a prior shoulder injury. I thought it was maybe a pinched nerve or damaged labrum. Turns out, I have a complete thickness supraspinatus tendon tear of my right rotator cuff. Surgery is scheduled for early February. I decided to bounce down south for a bit after Christmas while I await my surgery date.

I am not looking forward to this surgery, but if it is what I need then I will do what has to be done. I was asked to commit to 4 months of having my arm in a sling, as my surgeon believes this procedure will come with complications. That puts me in a fixed place until June. Hence, my apprehension. I initially expected to return to Vietnam in January!

And that's why I'm in Costa Rica. I just wanted to come some place quiet to sit down and think. I have lots to consider for these next six months or so. Change is happening this year. I'm making several amendments to my life, to include banking, phone plans, and even computers systems! Yep. that's right. I am 89% certain I'm gonna switch from PC to Mac. More on that in a minute, but the priority it to adjust my service and product needs to fit my lifestyle and more adequately reflect my goals.

Banking is a major consideration when you travel the way I do. My bank n longer suits my needs. I've had a few customer service issues that have left me high and dry a number of times. It always dealt with policy more than human interaction, but I've been put in harrowing situations where the Grace of God carried me through. I don't need a brick and mortar bank. It's been years since I've had to go inside a physical branch. These banks don't usually offer competitive savings plans. Along with that, I've been paying needless ATM and foreign transaction fees. Many places abroad don't take cards and if you don't have cash, you're out of luck. I'm done with that! I'm turning my banking needs over to a few credit card providers that waive ATM fees.

I've been with the same cell carrier for more than 15 years. AT&T has ran their course with me so I'll be switching to T-Mobile. Partly because of a bad customer service experience and also because T-Mobile will cover me internationally in more places than AT&T. I'll also save some money while I'm at it. And saving money is of utmost importance when traveling. I have virtually no debt since I've started this journey. Bill expenses (phone, cloud storage, website maintenance, Netflix) are the main thing I have to pay. The first thing I did when I returned to the US was to rework my self-storage options. They'd increased in price from $80/month to just under $200 in the time I was gone. Now I am paying $80 again.

With all these changes, I figured, What the hell? Might as well switch laptops and go Mac instead of PC?

I change PCs every two or three years anyway. Macs are more expensive and you can't upgrade them after purchase. I hate that. But maybe I will buy a maxed out version and keep it for 5 or 6 years. That evens out the cost that I'd spend on PCs. It will have to be the MacBook Pro 16, but it's prudent to wait and see comparisons of the upcoming M2 processor against the current M1 Max. The performance might be negligible and there could be a significant price drop for the M1 processors to clear out inventories. That could make the M1 Max version hella attractive. Hopefully, we won't have to wait much longer than the spring for this comparison.

One thing I'm NOT switching is camera systems, however. I'll stay with Sony and upgrade mid to late spring, whenever I am done with my recovery. Will it be the Sony a7R IV or the a7R V? I think the Mark V is way more camera than I need! I won't be shooting 8K video! And all that AI-powered autofocusing may be overkill on my style of shooting and subject matter. It would be great if I was shooting sports (or fast moving subjects). Or if I were shooting wildlife and trying to capture the unpredictable nature of animals with a super telephoto lens. But that's not me. I'm usually shooting posed people or landscapes using center, single-point autofocus!

However, that being said, there are still other features I can take advantage of with the latest camera. One is the variable RAW file sizes! Another is a badass BIONZ XR processing engine which...

"... offers up to 8x greater processing performance compared to previous generations, which enables faster overall performance, impressive image quality with wide sensitivity and dynamic ranges, and more fluent processing that's capable of handling a bevy of AI tasks and intelligent AF alongside imaging processes. This processing system also reduces rolling shutter and other motion distortions for clean rendering of moving subjects."

I don't need it the same for sharp eyes or tracking subjects. What I do find outstanding is the Focus Stacking features that I can use with Macro Photography. Yet more still, I think I can appreciate several other aspects of this camera over its predecessor like the flip out LCD screen and the reportedly 8-stop image stabilization. But the question for me remains... Are those improvements worth the additional cost? That inquiry still remains before me. Sometimes, that cost difference can be $1,000 depending on sales promotions.

02 December 2022

Decorating Your Home with Nude Art

“Decorate your home. It gives the illusion that your life is more interesting than it really is.”

—Charles M. Schulz

The art nude has been a factor in my life since long before I first photographed my first naked model out in the woods of Kentucky during graduate school. Prior to becoming a photographer, I started as an art nude model during my undergraduate years for drawing classes in both university and community art settings for 12 years. As a kid, it began simply as a curiosity. I didn't have information readily available to me regarding human anatomy or sex. The only thing I understood was how people felt about the nude form and it was 100% negative. That made me all the more curious.

As an art nude photog, you can rest assured, I had my house decorated with my own nude art work as a prevalent fixture in my home. Most people who knew me, also knew what to expect when they came a-callin'. When a girlfriend came to live with me, all of it was replaced with nude images of her, all over the house.

If using artistic nudes in your home décor is something you are considering for the first time and you don't already have a reputation like me, so to speak... then let me help guide you on the road to decorating your home or office with nude imagery.

When using provocative art in your home or office, one must consider the reasons for your selections, the taste or style you choose, as well as the art medium. Even though I don't necessarily like it, I must acknowledge that considerations for the message your selections convey to visitors or clients can have an impact on your personal life and business. I hate, hate, HATE allowing outside influences dictate my life choices, but I can't always get around this. That's just life.

REASONS for YOUR SELECTIONS

You can think about this in two aspects. First, why do you desire to decorate your house in this manner? Family portraits, landscapes, and non-nude imagery might be an easier choice, right? Trying to examine your initial intent and motivation can help you pick out the art work you are looking for. It will direct you to the style you like as well as the art medium of choice for your walls or space. Not only that, you'll understand what fits and where for each room you choose to hang your nude art.

Your reasons likely come from other inspirations. Maybe you've seen something specifically hanging on someone else's wall or perhaps you have recently visited an art show/exhibition and the artist helped you imagine his/her masterpiece on your wall. They wanted to make a statement with their art and it's one you feel you can get behind and help get that message out.

You could be looking for something new and different. Possibly, you are tired of the same old conservative wall-hangings and desire to shake things up a bit with something that commands all the attention in a room. Nude art will definitely accomplish this goal.

Second, WHO and WHAT are important. If you come across a particular artist that you like... say, MYSELF for example. You like my work and make a conscious choice to support my art, then you have to look at my body of art and decide what pieces you like and you can have a Terrell Neasley on your walls! I run the whole gamut of artistic nudes... conservative to down right provocative or explicit. It'll be up to you to decide who's work you put on your walls and what range of provocativeness you feel you can stomach.

TASTE AND STYLE

Once you find your reasons, you can begin to look at the style of work. I left off in the previous paragraph discussing the range of provocativeness you desire. That also fits into taste and style, but there is more. You'll need to pick the location and decide what goes well with the current décor, furniture, and general flow of the room. Call it fung shui, feel, or energy of the space, but how your art nude choice will integrate into this space is important. Otherwise it just becomes gratuitous.

Feel the tone of the room and think about whether or not this art selection will be black and white. How big of a space will it fill? Does it "fit" with everything else in the room? The artist's style can be a conversation starter as well as the nudity of the image. What kind of art nude will you choose? When a visitor enters the space, shall it dominate with presence? Or shall it be more subdued and surprise the viewer when they suddenly realize it's there?

A bodyscape image can garner familiarity and yet offer a new perspective. A silhouette may be safe, in that it gives the illusion of nudity without the revealing aspects. A topless portrait presents elegance, grace, and a timeless, classic style. Or perhaps it's abstract and leaves the viewer trying to make sense of the interpretation. I've had macro vulval imagery hanging up and only a few recognized what it was! And keep in mind, nude art is not simply for your master bedroom and please don't relegate it to bathrooms.

ART MEDIUM

Nude art can be created in various forms. Most commonly bought are paintings of some type. After all, this is where art began, is it not. Somebody drew some stuff on a cave wall and sparked a new way to move our souls. But you might also collect mixed-media nude art or sculpture. You might have something that sticks with you for a particular reason. I'm a photographer. This is my love and photographs are what I'll stick with here.

VISITORS AND CLIENTS

Yes, the part I hate most! I'm at an age where I want to do what I want and let people judge me as they will. But the fact of the matter is... you can do that in some cases, but in others, life is life. Pick your battles wisely. If you have thin skin, you may want to really think about the art you wish to display if you know visitors will come calling, see your work, and then go talk about you on social media. Maybe that is a good thing. When I had visitors, there was really nothing to discuss, because my reputation was already intact and carved in marble. You can talk about me if you want, but everybody already knows how I do.

My clients readily visited my home. They saw what they saw. I have lost business on the matter before. Long before a commercial client even saw my wall art, a $6,000 non-nude gig that had the potential to elevate to $20K blew up in my face when a client's wife saw my website the night before we were to close the deal. She forced her husband to decline to sign my contract. It upset me, but I got over it and ceased to concern myself with the loss. I accept that I am not for everyone. I decline to try to be so. But you had better rethink matters if you know food on the table may be at risk.

SELECTING YOUR NUDE ART

1. Find the spot where you need art on your walls and hang an empty frame there. See if that is the size you require and whether that is an appropriate spot to hang your art. Remember, you are not just filling space. You are accentuating the character and aura of your home. AND, not all nudes belong on a wall. Some do. Others are more suited for a book, such as those that illustrate a series of work.

2. Browse nude art and see if you can find an artist that suits your style and think about how well your selection integrates with the whole of room in that hanging space. Maybe find a local artist and get them to consult with you about what might hang on your walls. Decide on the temperament on the art. Maybe start with something conservative that emphasizes the shape, curves, and gracefulness. If possible, find three good images that match your tastes and tolerances.

3. Pay your artist. Get a signed copy of your artwork in the dimensions you require. Again, it may be wise to consult with your artist on hanging and lighting the image. Traditional frames are not always necessary. A print on metal looks just as great and requires no framing. Explore non-traditional ways to hang your nude art.

4. Experiment some more. Give it a week and judge again if your art nude selection fits with your home décor. If you decide it does not fit, change it and restart the process again until you can look at your wall a month later and find that you are still happy with your choice. If this is the case, then enjoy your nude art and explore finding additional space and art selections for your home/office.

17 October 2022

10 Tips on Photographer's Block Part 3/3

"The thing that's important to know is that you never know. You're always sort of feeling your way."

~ Diane Arbus

I broke this series up into three parts for a reason. I wanted to use my first post to drive home the fact that those 4 realization points were imperative before any benefits from any tips could come to fruition. The next post dealt mainly with elements that involved a more direct focus on photography. However, this last post of the series has a bit more focus on the issue of mental health, itself. When you look at creative blocks, its your mental ability to cognitively contribute that's impeded. So, let me dive on into this.

Tip #6 on Dealing with Photographer's Block:

Get a medical check up (and some rest)

If its been a while since you've had your last doctor's visit, maybe it's a good time to make an appointment. Getting a clean bill of health can be mentally comforting all on its own. At the least, you can get a doctor's recommendation to help you deal with stress, know what vitamin/mineral deficiencies you might be suffering from, or find out in advance if there is something more serious which can be caught in early stages.

If you can't do that, then at the very least, start taking a good vitamin supplement and get some rest. Spend a day or weekend doing absolutely nothing. And when I say nothing...I'm talking about getting up to eat, bathe, or go to the bathroom and that's it. Take a chill weekend. Prep for it. Prior to your do nothing day, get errands done, pay bills, and arrange for a baby-sitter if necessary. Do a staycation early in the week and get away for a bit. Whether it's just you or you and a significant other, do it. Netflix and chill.

Tip #7 on Dealing with Photographer's Block:

Spend some time with family/friends

Sometimes hiding away or going solo is not the better option. It can be just as important to remember why certain people are important to you and then treat them as such. Call them up and arrange some hang out time. Do the phone only if there are miles and miles of separation that makes eye to eye a bit challenging. Invite a friend (some friends) over and get some pizza and beer. Hang out on the back patio and just talk. Its not necessary to have to spend a bunch of money or make a big to-do about the matter. Relax!

"All life is an experiment. The more experiments you make the better."

~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

Tip #8 on Dealing with Photographer's Block:

Take a day trip 150 miles away

This one is more of a task or assignment, but it definitely belongs here. Look at a map from where you live and plot out a sight, place, city, or landmark that is 150 miles away from you or the closest to it. Pick a date within the next week and go. You don't have to even bring your camera but at least have your charged cell phone. Nothing at 150 miles...do 200 miles. But now you've got 3 hours one-way to kill and beyond that gets into more than a trip you can make in a day. I like it out in Southern Nevada, where you can travel in any direction and see wondrous landscape of all kinds. You can head up further into Nevada, head south into Arizona, southwest into California, or Northeast into Utah. Any direction I go I can find a major State AND National park to visit.

Tip #9 on Dealing with Photographer's Block:

Have sex (or at least exercise)

I wouldn't think it necessary to go into details on the benefits sex has on your life, but you'd be surprised. And I'm not talking about meaningless sex for the sake of simply having sex. For the purposes of this post, lets assume intimate relationship sex. But regardless, who's going to argue with me on this one? The health benefits are too staggering to ignore. You want to freshen your mind with a splash of creativity? Get with your partner and become awash in the dopamine and endorphins that will rest your body and heal your mental incontinence. Its relieves stress, helps you sleep better, helps reduce depression, and more. At least, that's some of the stuff I read in this recent Insider article, 14 ways sex is good for your body and brain. But do you really need an article to tell you this?

Tip #10 on Dealing with Photographer's Block:

Grab your camera and go shoot something

And finally, when it comes down to it, do the things that you can do. You don't have control over everything. You DO have control over somethings, though. And when you can't do the things you want to do, do the things you can. You may be blocked, but you CAN still pick up your camera and press the shutter release. You CAN get in your car and drive 150 miles to a location and explore it. You can tell your mother you love her and go pay her a visit. You CAN actually do a lot of things. Go. Volunteer. And if its taskings you need or assignments, I have that too and I'd love to share them when requested of me.

* BONUS Tip on Dealing with Photographer's Block:

Pray

And sometimes you have absolutely no control what so ever. Sometimes any and everything you can think of crashes down like a house of cards set aflame. I had a school project due in a photographic final presentation. I was to photograph a couple in their mid-50's and it was to be a great project. For whatever reason, they bailed on me for our shoot. I could come up with nothing else and time was running out. At the end of my rope, I prayed about my predicament and honestly didn't really expect much. On my way back to my dorm room, I ran into Elizabeth sitting on a bench, whom you see featured in this blog post. I hadn't seen her in a year and even before that I didn't really know her. We had mutual friends, only.

We talked briefly and said our cordial, "Hello...long time no see" to each other. As despondent as I was, I just wanted to get back to my dorm... Until she asked about my photography and did I have any need for any models. She turned out to be one of the best I have had the privilege to ever work with. Answer to prayer? Yes. Directly, so. Elizabeth is one of maybe 8 models, I call a God-send, because I had no control, no power, and no idea how I was going to get any of it done.

So yeah... Prayer.

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