I’d like to say first and foremost I love the bubble for allowing me to show off my work, particularly as I’m still learning, which means…
I’d like to say first and foremost I love the bubble for allowing me to show off my work, particularly as I’m still learning, which means that the quality of my work when I first came here wasn’t as good as it is starting to get now. I can thank the lovely helpful people I’ve met along the way for helping me focus better on what works and what doesn’t. As much as I loathe the negativity in the forums, I read some of the threads there and learn from them too, so thanks so much everyone for your support, or not, it’s all making me a better photographer. I’ve got a secret to share, regarding my seascapes. I’ve been lucky enough to have a friend who is very keen to get the perfect seascape shot, and for that reason I’ve been getting up at 2am or so to drive out to his place so we can then continue on to beaches 2 or more hours away, just so we can be there before dawn. The weather has to be right, there has to be clouds, the tides need to be doing the right things, and there needs to be rocks as foreground and or middle ground interest. In the 18 months that we’ve been following this course, we’ve managed to capture some amazing photos, and the shoot that gave me all these latest photos was the best so far. It’s taken his dedication to getting the conditions right, and a little bit of work from me with a camera and PS to produce this work, so please, when you look at my seascape photos, say thanks to Nick Lagos, its all down to him. His shots are a million times better, believe me! For those of you who may be interested in what kit I’m using, I have a battered Canon 5D, I use a 16-35mm f/2.8 L lens, and I bought the Lee filters to fit the wide angle so that I don’t get vignetting. I use both ND and ND grey grads, and combinations of them all, but only 2 at the most. My Manfrotto 190D tripod is not as heavy as it should be, but does a reasonable job, and I always have the cable release tied around the stalk between head and legs. I’m using the 322 RC head on the tripod, but I also really should have a level to put onto the hot shoe….keep forgetting to buy one…other than that I shoot in raw and small jpg, so I can run a quick slideshow on a laptop if necessary, or even when I get home to the clunker. I use ps and photomatix to get the best out of the shots, and my ability to use ps has been learnt through going through tutorials on the net and in manuals. Since maths and me don’t get on, I really have no idea why things work, only that sometimes I get a good result if I do “this” or “that” I get a lot of inspiration from the artists here, I can’t thank you all enough for showing me new subjects and processes. Once I read about some new technique I’ll google it and find out more. I recommend this to anyone who may want to improve their work. I’m technically challenged when it comes to using a camera, although I’m learning more and more the longer I shoot. I’ve only been shooting semi-seriously since 2004, and only came off P on my camera in late 2005. I still don’t shoot on M, unless I’m after a particular result that I want to try….and that’s how I work….hit and miss :) It’s all been digital, starting with a Canon G2, then powershot pro1, then 20D. So, thats my story, sorry if it’s a little boring, but I needed to clear up some misconceptions that I might actually know what I’m doing! There’s absolutely no truth to that rumour, its all down to Nick’s need to get the “Big Pic” and I’ve just been swept along with his enthusiasm. As all his loyal subjects will attest, he’s the best thing that’s happened to us, those of us who’ve been lucky enough to be taken into the fold, / so once again, thanks Nick, the legend lives on buddy! /
I’m honored to have my photograph Lago di Garda, in blue !...
I’m honored to have my photograph Lago di Garda, in blue featured in the Live, Love, Dream Group: Thank you to hosts of the group! And: / Thank you to all of you for your comments, I really appreciate them very much! More photographs from Lago di Garda: / /
I’m honored to get two of my photographs featured yesterday: my newest submission At the dairy factory...
I’m honored to get two of my photographs featured yesterday: my newest submission At the dairy factory has been featured in the Dutch Touch group: whereas Lago di Garda, in blue has been featured in the Happy Haven group: Thank you to the hosts, and thank you for all your comments and support, I appreciate it very much!
As a member of RB’s Share The Love mission, t…
As a member of RB’s Share The Love mission, this is the 2nd in a series of interviews to introduce you to another talented artist. One day in March, not long after joining Redbubble, I was commenting on someone’s image when I was drawn to the avatar of a lady who had commented just above me. I thought to myself, now this looks like someone who has a delightful personality. As you will soon learn, Susi Lawson is charming, caring, and creative. She is a talent package bursting at the seams – a digital artist, photographer, instructor and writer! Her precious little neighbor, Cassa, is sometimes a model and one of my favorites is an image called School Daze. Susi conveys perfectly (through Cassa) the personification of childhood! Susi’s extraordinary works, Tiber River Walk and Catharsis are a canvas for her incredible talent in the artistry of digital painting. She is an outstanding portrait photographer and the post-processing afterwards is extraordinary. Susi captured the inner essence of a Native American in her portrait, Cherokee Pride and in the Face of a Farmer she shows us the authenic beauty to be found in a face weathered with character. And she can touch your heart with a tender tribute to a dear friend. During your browsing of all the treasures that fill Susi’s image gallery, be sure to look for the self-portrait that speaks volumes about her sense of humor! If only we all could look this good in a zany self-portrait! Susi was delightful to interview and it has been a pleasure to get to know her. The hard part of this interview was finding enough adjectives to properly describe her work. So forget the adjectives, seeing is believing! And now it time for Susi to talk! What drew you here to the Redbubble community? First it was the respect for work of all the artists here. By that, I mean the prominent copyright messages that help protect our work that we spend so many hours creating. Then there is the option to sell or simply to display what we create. But what has kept me here is the sense of warmth , friendliness and positive energy that I feel whenever I sign in! This is such a supportive and fun community! How does your creativity affect other aspects of your life? Creativity IS my life, I was born to create as I think we all are. Creativity is the opposite of destruction, so I see it really on a spiritual level, ya know? As long as we are busy creating (positive) then we have no time for destroying (negative) so Art is sort of the Zen of spiritual maintenance :-) / / I truly believe that art, of any kind, whether it be visual, musical or otherwise, makes us all the more compassionate and empathetic to our fellow humans, as we are taking in the world around us as ‘observers’ and sharing what and how we see the world and receiving feedback to validate this experience. We are saying simply, “I am alive and I know you are alive and we all have something of value to contribute.” It is so simple but also profound in its simplicity. How many mediums do you work in? Which is your favorite, and why? I used to work in watercolor, color pencil, charcoal and acrylic and used my camera all my life to capture moments in which to take to paper or canvas. I have always loved visual art. Then in 2003 my right arm froze in place (adhesive capsulitis) and I had to have shoulder surgery. It took a year to work thru this whole process and so I began to work more with my digital camera as an art form itself rather than a tool for my traditional work. It was too painful to raise my arm to the canvas or apply pressure on paper so I started teaching myself Photoshop with the encouragement of a great Aussie photographer, Nick Lagos. I soon fell in love with combining photography and art in the computer and a new passion was born! (Thanks Nick!) To answer the 2nd part of the question: My favorite medium now is Corel Painter and Photoshop using a Wacom tablet and my Canon 1dMKIII camera. What subjects do you enjoy the most in your work? I have always been entranced by the human face! Since grade school I have been drawing and photographing the people around me. I was a very timid child and the camera or sketch pad, gave me the courage to express myself and share my thoughts and feelings by the wonderful interaction of Art. I have ventured into landscape and other areas of Photography, but the portrait will always be my passion. Tell us about one person or moment that has made your time on Redbubble particularly special or meaningful. I have to say Billy Boy is my favorite member here as he is always so upbeat and supportive! There are times I have had a bad day and get on Redbubble and see that Billy Boy has left a humorous or generous comment that reads as so heartfelt that it lifts my spirits up! Thanks, Billy! What three works or people have moved or inspired you? Denise Romano is a newcomer to digital photography and not only is my friend here in town, but I met her during my shoulder ordeal, as she was my superb physical therapist and an immediate bud. Denise also turned to digital photography in her own personal challenges and asked for some assistance in choosing camera equipment. It has been wonderful watching her grow and evolve so quickly and become the talented photographer you now see here! Don Seegmiller is my favorite Digital artist and I contacted him two years ago and asked how he achieved his amazing art and he said “Buy Corel Painter and a Wacom tablet” and I did. This was a real turning point and a big “AHA moment” in my exploration of digital art! This new software and stylus pen changed the whole look and feel of my work and started getting my work noticed on the web. Don teaches at CG Society and I was fortunate to make it into one of his figure classes last year, which I highly recommend. (His books are also superb) David Harvey I must thank! Not only is he a Professor of Astronomy in Tucson, AZ, but an incredible portrait photographer! I was amazed to find out he admired my work as well and he built and sent me a computer that was fast enough for me to start making Video DVD lessons to teach others how I create my portraits. I will never forget his generosity and sheer act of kindness. I now sell my lessons on my “web site“:http://susilawsonphotography.biz. What goals do you have for your work outside of Redbubble? I now write articles for Rangefinder, AfterCapture, Creative Photoshop and Corel Painter magazines which keeps me very busy and is also educational as we can’t help but learn as we write about what we love. I will continue to produce a new set of video lessons once a year. I now have three and I am planning another release close to Christmas. If anyone wants to share with me what they would like to see on the next lessons please do! I also am playing around with some book ideas! My daughter is leaving for college this week so I am considering teaching workshops. I have not yet decided if I want to teach through organizations such as NAPP or WPPI or create my own workshops. I plan to start locally to get my feet wet! I just want to keep evolving and growing and embracing the digital art field which I feel honored to be a part of. One of my dreams is to travel and meet some of the amazing buds I have made online in communities such as Redbubble. But even though I cannot reach out and shake your hand or give you a hug, know that you are appreciated and loved more than you know! Without a community to provide support, feedback, acknowledgment and encouragement, I know I would never have achieved my goals or be able to set future ones, so thank you Redbubble and all the Bubble Buds who make this place a home!!!!!!!!!!!!!
A nice Christmas day surprise, my honorable mention image The Humanitarian-...
A nice Christmas day surprise, my honorable mention image The Humanitarian has been featured in the December/January issue of AfterCapture Magazine as a part of the prize from the 2009 Photography and Digital Imaging Competition, run by Double Exposure Magazine. Thanks so much again to my good friend Dick Colby for making me known to the people at Double Exposure Magazine which then led me to entering this competition! Thanks also to my generous and patient bestie Paul Vanzella for posing for me as I fumbled with my camera trying to work out how to use it for portraits…..This image was taken in one of our very first shoots together, a LONG time ago! Dick, Paul and Nick Lagos have been very inspiring mentors for me in the last couple of years, I’ve been blessed to know them, thank you guys, you’re the best!!!!
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