It’s been an exciting year for me- one which is almost over- marked by a date on a calendar. But in truth, my future does not end on that “date” to become “renewed”- my future is already in motion to carry me through and on to the next facet of my existence. I mention this not because it should be important to anyone else; but because it is an affrimation of belief and hope for me. 
    I think that’s the key for all our futures – Hope and the belief that  we aren’t striving to just make it to a certain “date” on anyones calendar- but that we are reaching to become who we are meant to be as a person and as a society- to evolve past the boundries of a moment in time, and to embrace our place in existence as we reach out and help those next to us do the same.

   It is in accordance with this belief and measure of faith that I feel the Christmas Spirit as I wish you strength and courage in the upcoming year- and to find your own path that brings you joy and happiness-

Merry Christmas everyone!

This is Ed. Ed used to own the Union 76 Gas station in Welch WV…well….technically, he still does- but it’s more of a service center now- the pumps having been replaced by flowers and such. If you look at the mural behind Ed, to the right, there’s a man in Blue leaning- That’s Ed painted  in the mural by the reknowned artist Tom Accosta. I had to photograph him with this backdrop- and that’s also why I painted him as I did.

I met Ed while I was shooting down in the southern coal fields of WV. I was with my life long friend Todd and his son Stephen while we were looking for stories and photos for “the magazine” (Wonderful West Virginia Magazine)

Ed glanced out his window at this crazy guy out in the middle of traffic shooting buildings and old signs-thinking he must be “touched in the head”- called him over to ask what he thought he was doing ( yep, that would be me-LOL)

After explaining that I loved visiting towns and geting to know the history about things, how they used to be- what happened here and there- I found a remarkable person who had seen just about all of it. Ed had been there as the business had boomed, coal was king and paychecks were plentiful- people working and the typical american dream was alive and well here in Welch.
Fast forward today: Things are slower now- the “boom” long over. But the history remains along the streets and bubildings of towns like this all over the state.

I was fortunate enough to take the time to hear the oral stories of the place Ed had to share that day.  We talked about automotive news, the state of things, and how times have changed, But what I got out of the conversation was much more than all that- I got a measure of  someone who was sincere , softspoken and had relevence as well importance in a community he served- a dignity that trancends the current situation.

So..what’s all this got to do with a post about Thanksgiving you might ask?
Well……all this got me to thinking that I’m thankful for having the career I do in photography that lets me meet people like Ed- in this state or any other. I’m thankful that I get to share my photography and get to bring other peoples photography into the public eye as well.

I’m thankful that I sent a print of Ed to him- because he sent me a handwritten note back with gratitude that I cared enough to take time show an interest, wishes for doing well- and to come back and visit anytime.

I’m grateful for family and friends- and I’m also grateful that because of the camera I wear and how I use it when I do, that I have family and friends no matter where I roam.

That’s what I’m thankful for……

Blessings to you all and have a happy  thanksgiving together!

Once we begin the journey; we become the path-CES

     Ok- I’m going to do my best not to make this into some kind of rant, to nicely share my opinion but I’m not going to “sugar coat” what I’m about to say either.
If you are offended by people who have an opinion- you should probably go on back to whatever else you were looking at before you came here….:-)  If you want to see what I have to talk about….more after the break

We all start somewhere- That’s the bottom line and that’s the truth.  No one started out being great; and the great ones work at it- every day!

     I think something that I saw on the “Great Group Hug” known as Facebook finally pushed me to this point that I feel I have to say something or risk having my beliefs go down the drain!
We’ll get to that in a moment….. Let’s start where all stories SHOULD start-at the beginning.

     I have to come clean about something- I shot my very first wedding for $50.00!!! (Professional photographers everywhere just cringed….) I was one of the “masses” that we all talk about as the “Fauxtographers”- but back then (Ok smart a$$es- Not last week; this was back when the minimum wage was 4 bucks and film RULED!) I didn’t know it, but I was a pawn- I thought that some of my snapshots were appreciated and that the mother of the bride wanted me with my “vision” to take her son’s wedding photos- after all it was only going to be a “small affair”.
I’m lucky I didn’t get sued (People didn’t sue other people at the drop of a hat back then) as my shutter and flash were out of “sync” on the second roll of film-The first roll was a “gem”, but was of the pre-ceremony… did I mention I only took Two rolls of film?….YEESH- what a dunce!

     But- they realized afterwards that just because someone has a camera- doesn’t mean they know how to use it- being cheap can cost you. (and that is EXACTLY what it boiled down to and WHY I was chosen-I was flattered and would do it for what they offered- NOT because I was a talented artist- that came many, many years later….*kidding*)

Rule #1-  we don’t know what all we don’t know when we start out.

I think that was a turning point for me- you can all stop laughing now…..

     Truth is- It was AFTER that fiasco that I BECAME a serious photographer. I didn’t go out and try to book more weddings like so many would today- I was really concerned and focused on what I did wrong and HOW I COULD MAKE MY PHOTOGRAPHY BETTER!

     I didn’t ask anybody on FB what they thought about my “wedding Photography”- nor did I post the three “Good” photos on any message board so people could reassure me that my stuff “RULED”- I went and bought Michael Langford’s book -”Basic 35 mm Photography” because it had examples that would show and teach me what a proper exposure and an incorrect one ( side by side) looked like .  AND … as an added bonus- EXPLAINED how to achieve the results that would allow me to “Speak visually” through my camera.
(Not once did I find in the glossary ” How photography would make one rich” or the elusive” The easy way to creating images that RULE”)
     I am constanly learning all I can to make myself a better photographer- Every day….and I wouldn’t want it any other way-  It’s a life style more than a career.

**OPINION WARNING** To me, photography is a living CRAFT AND ART- not just a means to an end.

Back to the story…..

     I’m not gonna moan and b*tch sit here and complain about all the “Faux-tographers out there who post incessantly on FB who cleverly say to “contact me if you
want me to photograph your _______* Insert Family, pet, senior,  function, wedding- whatever.”
Professional photographers pay their dues (They also pay sales tax,  property tax, B&O tax,  Insurance, health insurance, rent, ongoing education etc…) Professionals show their best work- and consistently create their best work as a product each and every time- not just the “lucky shot that “RULES”

     Trust me- there aren’t ANY professional **UNDERSCORE PROFESSIONAL** photographers worth their salt that SUCK and stay in business- because if they are not CONSISTANTLY good and innovative- they won’t be able to afford to pay for all the things listed above…and they will fail.

Thanks for hanging with me so far… stay with me…. we’re about to get to the “juicy” part….

So what am I getting at you ask? Well…..

     The only reason I share on FB because I want to share something  with people that “speaks” to me- NOT because I am seeking compliments or approval. I have a LOT of FB friends- and if I’m being truthful- I really only know a handful personally- As a photographer and artist – I have to rely on my training to make serious business decisions; I will share it on FB because I think you might be interested- but the decision in HOW I do that will be mine.

     What got me going today was a relatively new Pro Photog (ok- anybody that hasn’t been in this for over 30 years is “new” to me, ok? LOL) asked the question “should I teach a photo workshop since I have so many people asking me to Shadow/assist/ learn from me?” and the responses were overwhelming “YES’ From the mass of group huggers. ( How many would soon become the “competition” I wonder?)
Not that this person SHOULDN’T teach a class- they are talented and seem to be really professional- I don’t mean that at all!  But ASKING a group of people that in reality, “Like” me with a button- then maybe the idea should receive a little more thought.

I think you have to ask yourself “What is the purpose of teaching/photographing/creating/sharing?”  Is it a means to an end, or something that you feel drawn to do?”

     I started teaching workshops because a photographer friend who ran the Tourism Photo Lab in my state asked me to, on technical merit ( I worked at his photo lab at the time- It was NOT because of my photography skills- but because I was an expert in the Lab process)I feel  I was asked because I was recognized in my field at the time (Ok- I graduated to photography workshops later- but not before I paid some serious dues and learned and learned and learned-I have worked many years at this- I have my certifications, and I can back up what I say and do- and explain thought processes and procedures in how and why I do the things I do.)

*** OPINION WARNING***

     You should get feedback from your mentors- don”t trust what “everyone else” is saying about you- That leads to a false sense of accomplishment. By all means- if
you feel you have something of importance to share that sets you technically/aesthetically apart from other photographers/photography- teach it- share that gift- but PLEASE-do it because you are drawn and feel a need to do it- not just because you are flattered/ want to make a buck.

     I have seen so many people new to photography ready to go out and teach without being ready, passing on bad technique as well as bad habits- this goes back to the rule starting out- you don’t know what you don’t know!

     I remember one class I went to, Fairly new photographer friends of mine at the time- they had a “sponsor” as well as having a studio and were teaching Photoshop techniques they used to get that “signature look”- They kept fumbling over the names of what the tools were called and couldn’t explain clearly the steps that went into “the look” in the program!!!  I had to bite my tongue and sit on my hands!!
(FYI- They were VERY talented – but should NOT have been teaching without the skills needed to communicate as teachers)

Rule #2:  Not all who Create; can communicate!

***OPINION WARNING*** If I’m going to pay you to teach me something, I expect  require you to be proficient at it.

     I don’t blame anyone for picking up a camera and wanting to make a go of it- I really don’t!  If you have the drive to create something both personal and wonderful that
needs that outlet; I say go for it!  But realize that for some of us- we take it very seriously- we protect it with every breath we take-we protect the integrity of our work with copyrights, and we protect our craft by inviting people new to the game to come and be a part of our professional organizations (I recommend the www.ppwv.org or www.ppa.com ) so that they may learn what it takes to succeed and not pollute what we strive to keep so pure.

     OK- I’m climbing off the soap box  Through for the moment  …..Thanks for listening!

    I had the privledge of leading my 2011 Fall Photography workshop this past weekend at Cass Scenic Railroad State park.
    I always enjoy sharing my love of photography with others- to share the experience of a special place to me with them; was icing on the cake!

    There aren’t many places like Cass anymore- it was built originally as a disposable town, to serve as a temporary camp for workers and to be discarded once the logging in the mountains of Pocahontas County WV. was through. The fact that we have been able to preserve not only the wooden company houses – but the actual logging railroad- is a phenomenal achievement in itself!

    One of the highlights durning my workshops is the night photography session with a sleeping Shay Steam engine- We set up lights,  catch the dusk color and create a portrait of these very large Shay Steam Engines!  The only way to get this kind of access – other than coming to one of my workshops- is to actually work there- this is a rare priveledge to photograph near the trainyard at night!

Here’s what we’ll be doing….

 Cass Scenic Railroad Photography Workshop
With
Clayton Spangler

2011 Friday, September 16th, 2011 

4:30 pm – 5:30 pm Cass Showcase / With Gerri Bartels- Cass Scenic Railroad Tourism Department

Large metal building located at the top of the stairs behind the Cass Depot.

Cass Showcase will be open to photograph, Gerri will present a brief history of Cass

7:00 pm – 9:00 pm Cass Community Center: Large church like building on Front Street.

Meet your instructor. Introductions and review the weekend’s agenda, Visual Language – How to guide a viewer’s eyes when telling your “Photographic Story.”

______________________________________________________________________________________

Saturday, September 17th, 2011

8:00 am – 9:30 am Walking Tour of Cass 

9:30 am – 10:00 am Last Run Restaurant (break) 

10:30 am – 11:00 am Cass Depot for arrival and Departure of the 11am Train 

11:00 am- 12:30 pm Train to Whittaker 

12:30 pm – 1:30 pm Lunch 

1:45 pm – 4:30 pm Photographing the Sawmill Ruins 

5:00 pm – 6:00 pm Dinner on your own. 

6:15 pm – 8:00 pm Cass Community Center -Working with Images, realizing their potential.

8:30 pm – 10:00 pm Night Photography Session

______________________________________________________________________________________

Sunday, September 18th, 2011 

8:00 am – 9:30 am The Greenbrier River adjacent to the parking lot.-Outdoor session: Gear Choices and “what’s in the bag”

9:30 am – 10:00 Break at the Last Run Restaurant 

10:00 am – 12 Noon Cass Community Center -Photography work flow. Capture to Print. Wrap Up

My 2011 Fall Photography workshop at  the Cass Scenic Railroad is NOW OPEN FOR REGISTRATION-September 16,17,18, 2011

( There are only 25 spots each  available for my Photography workshops at the Cass Scenic Railroad )
   We’ve scheduled the workshop to take advantage of awsome Fall color in the peak of the season, as well as being up close and personal to fire breathing – steam belching locomotives!
   Come and learn the history behind the logging town of Cass WV- and find your own “visual voice” as I instruct you in how to “see” thruogh your camera and become a better photographer!

   If you think this might be something you’re interested in, Reservations are being handled by Cass Scenic Railroad- reservations are already being made and seats are selling out quick!

Cass Scenic Railroad State Park
P.O. Box 107
Cass, WV 24927
(304) 456-4300
1-800-CALL WVA
E-mail: cassrailroad@wvdnr.gov

Hey gang!
The “2011 Scott Kelby  Worldwide Photowalk ” is now officially open for registration- I’ll be leading the walk in Charleston WV!

It’s FREE and limited to the first 50 people to sign up here 

Saturday, October 1st (08:45am – 11:00am)
Location: We’ll meet on the steps at Haddad River Front Park
600 Kanawha Blvd E, Charleston, WV
After the walk, meet at: We’ll meet at the Art Emporium on Quarrier and Hale Streets.

We’ll meet on the steps of the Haddad River Front park, then proceed to some of the more classic downtwon historic streets and buildings! winding our way around til we end up at the Art Emporium for the finish!
Don’t forget- this is a SOCIAL photo event- and the whole idea is to have FUN and SHARE what we see with each other; so plan on making friends and although you don’t have to Stick together as a group once we get started- let’s make sure we have a “buddy” system and play it safe! It’s easy to get “tunnel vision” once you start shooting- so we need each other to watch each other’s back in downtown traffic and populated areas…

Milestone:
definition 1. (Engineering / Civil Engineering) a stone pillar that shows the distance in miles to or from a place
2. a significant event in life, history, etc.

    I’ve been striving to be better at my craft since the day I started- I don’t want to ever settle for “good enough” when I know I can do better.  Having an “eye” for photography is great ( Ask anybody with a new camera)- having the knowledge to consistantly create imagery I’m proud of is better.
    I’ve dedicated more than half my life to learning, experimenting and gaining technical skills that allow me to “make” a photograph rather than to just “take” a photograph.
    Today I got recognized for it by my peers.

    I started on my “Certified Professional Photographer” certification process this past Spring- although I’ve thought about it for years- with a written test that challenged my knowledge of technical aspects of photography, experience, and practical equipment and lens choices.

I passed the written exam, but it was only step One of  the Two required to be a CPP.

     The second is a submission of your current work showing expertise in lighting and posing- you can’t fake that- you either know this stuff, or you don’t . Your work will be judged by a panel of experts in photography- and the outcome is either “pass” or “Fail”.  ( Like I said, you either know it or you don’t…)

Was I confident?  Not 100%- I don’t know of ANY photographer who thinks they “know it all”- at least not any professionals worth a darn….
   So I couldn’t be complacent-It’s not a “given”  just because I’ve shot images for over 27 yrs, I would pass- I actually went back to the books and studied to make sure I was “up to date” on things!

    The bottom line is I took a very difficult path to PROVE I knew what I know- to myself and to my clients – who make all this possible- I took my exam and had samples of my work judged by my peers; as of yesterday afternoon-I am now recognized as a  Certified Professional Photographer !
- ummmmm….yep, I passed- flying colors- all that stuff !!!  -

Steam Locomotive at a Night Session during Claytons Workshop at Cass

Hey gang!
The first date for my  2011 Photography workshops at  the Cass Scenic Railroad is NOW OPEN-June 10-12, 2011

( There are only 25 spots each  available for my Photography workshops at the Cass Scenic Railroad )

If you think this might be something you’re interested in, Reservations are being handled by Cass Scenic Railroad- reservations are already being made and seats are selling out quick!

Cass Scenic Railroad State Park
P.O. Box 107
Cass, WV 24927
(304) 456-4300
1-800-CALL WVA
E-mail: cassrailroad@wvdnr.gov