Stuff & an apology

EdinburghGary

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Hey hey hey! :D

Dunno if there is a right or wrong section for this, just thought I would have a brainfart, and share it all with you.

Things have been strange lately. Ever since my Skye, Harris and Lewis trip in fact. I felt that the trip allowed me to get some photos which were more than I could have ever have hoped for. With the help from Mike, who really opened my eyes up Filter wise, and getting time to relax with Woodsy, Gandhi, Blapto, and getting to meet Welly and Raathistle, it was a special week for me.

Coming home, I was expecting the usual lull due to the instant lack of inspiration you feel after coming away from such awesome surroundings. The lull came for a few weeks, then I went all crazy trying so hard to replicate that set, to get back to that level I had discovered on the islands, and whilst I tried and tried, I ultimately failed. You can't capture what isn't there...

I think it was Snapper73 who picked up on it first, he had spotted my search for inspiration, and my inability to find it. He told me that what he did between his landscape trips, was shoot people. I decided to try and do the same. At the same time as his insight, I had already been working on weddings back at home. People shots were slowly taking up more of my time, and Landscapes have more or less stopped completely.

As many of you will know, after a week or so "testing" the portrait market back at home, I have decided to open a shop. Just going into that a little more here, on a personal level. I am scared of my decision, and apprehensive, but unable to stop myself from taking the step. I feel like if I don't *try*, then I never will again, and I will always wonder *what if?*. Ultimately, I may fail hugely, and whilst I really hope I don't, I am prepared to accept failure and be proud of trying.

Due to the portraits, and now the shop, I really have not had *any* time to do anything other than obsess over my immediate future. Obsess over STUPID things, almost like intensive, non stop day dreaming. My head is already in the shop, 24/7, I can't stop thinking about it, I keep having stupid / quirky ideas, and everything else in my head seems to be fading in comparison. I am micro budgeting everything, all the time, round and round in circles in my head. It's a crazy, and it's tiring, but unavoidable and exciting. In short, I am a bit of a confused, muddled and tired mess! :D Yet at the same time, energised, hyped, excited and full of ambition.

Due to the current state of everything Gary, I have REALLY struggled to keep up to date on crit. Even the "Bump Thread" has been ignored, and I do feel guilty. Just my head at the moment, has no room for offering crit, I can't concentrate on it, and I can't focus enough to really give proper feedback. At best, I will see a shot I think is awesome, and simply tell the photographer that I love it.

So, from a confused Gary - my apologies for ignoring all the wonderful photos. I will be back to my usual self when things settle somewhere :D

Gary.
 
PMSL gary your a star and i wish you well in the shop.. if i can ever help just ask;)



md:thumbs:
 
No apology needed mate.
If anyone was to ask me who's made the biggest photographic journey in the shortest of times......I would hands down say you.

You've also been the driving force behind positive influence and change in crit and comments on the forum, and for that I personally offer my thanks.
I know you have your giddy moments (partially due to ..... ya know...your boingboingweeeee I suppose ;)), but if there's ever someone who could teach others how to be a very good forum / community member...you're it.
I wholeheartedly wish you well with the studio too....because I want to come and play when it's done :p
 
You're one of the real gems of the forum Gary and I'm sure there is no need for an apology. Haven't mentioned this in any of your other threads so now is as good a time as any. All the best with the new business venture, hope it goes well and is all you hope it will be. :thumbs:

Tommy.
 
You guys are all awesome :D Like a big extended family :)

I was saying to Claire the other day - If I hadn't discovered TP, my D200 would probably still be sitting in the loft, covered in dust. This place took me in, and encouraged me to learn, praised me when I made small improvements...you all made me feel like one of the gang, and I dunno, the place was just so warm and welcoming. You all helped me discover something hidden within which I had no idea existed - a passion for photography.

The two year mark has more or less just passed from when I bought the first camera (d200), and in about 15 or 16 weeks, it will be 2 years since I took my first photo on it and posted it here for crit!

My first every photos & posts, I am gobsmacked how much you have all given me since!!

http://www.talkphotography.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=41774

http://www.talkphotography.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=41963

Gary.
 
I can't see any need for an apology Gary.
Sometimes other things take priority, that's how it goes. I wish you every success with the shop!

cheers
 
While you thank everyone on this forum for helping you, i'd like to thank you for helping me.
I don't have as much time to type on these forums as i'd like but i find and read your posts and am inspired by your enthusiasm.
I'm about 12 months behind you but i have burning enthusiasm too. I like reading how you progress.
To be honest i had you down for the great outdoors type, not the sat in a shop shooting on white seamless type (not that there is anything wrong with that). As i've said already i wish you the best in your venture. I wish i had half as much balls as you :D

P.S I hold you responsible for my slow progress in photography. Your constant Twitter updates a few months ago about 'Lost' got me watching the whole 5 seasons back to back :razz::lol:
 
Good luck with your new venture. If your brain is constantly busy make sure you carry a notebook and pen with you so you can jot things down. This is especially important at night when you cant sleep cause your mind is too busy. Have a pad and pen at the side of the bed and write stuff down so you can then let it go and get some sleep.
 


Landscapes are *always* going to be my passion, just, the Landscapes I now want to shoot, are further a field than I have access to on a regular basis. I have some MASSIVE plans though for getting out shooting, AND getting paid for it. When I sort the shop insurance, I will be including travel cover for customers too ;)

The work in the studio? I just dunno. I cannot see it becoming a passion, but I can see it as a VERY enjoyable job. As long as I enjoy it, then I will not complain.

Lost - HOW EPIC!!! :D I am gonna be like a kid just after xmas when it starts again ;)

Gary.
 
Good luck with your new venture. If your brain is constantly busy make sure you carry a notebook and pen with you so you can jot things down. This is especially important at night when you cant sleep cause your mind is too busy. Have a pad and pen at the side of the bed and write stuff down so you can then let it go and get some sleep.

Thanks for the advice :D I use the iPhone yellow notes :D
 
Whatever is easiest for you. Personally I am getting old and dont understand all the new technology.:) I just know about people and their minds.:)

I think a pen and paper would be easier for the next few days. I destroyed iPhone number 6 earlier today :lol: Dropped it in PC World, shattered into a zillion pieces. I go through an iphone every 3 months, it is a COMPLETE pain in the arse. I love the phone though, it's just not suited to me!

Gary.
 
Maybe you should cover your palms in some sort of rubber? :D
 
Gary, that's a truly worthy post and it's good to read something straight from the heart. You always speak straight but this is a very inspirational post that puts into perspective everything we all discuss, argue and crib about on this forum.

I can't ever start to give you any advice on or help with what you've set out to achieve - starting your own business on a gut feeling must be hard but exciting and exhilarating in equal doses – but what i can say as someone who shoots for a living under pressure is that you should never stop trying to excel yourself. It's what makes that dream turn into a reality and for the reality to pay you back with success.

Success is assured, I'm sure :)
 
Hats off to you, Gary. I don't know you personally but from the way you carry yourself and the way you're spoken of around here you sound like a top bloke and someone we should all look up to.
I wish you the very best of luck with your shop, it sounds as though you deserve things to go your way on this one :thumbs:
 
Gary, that's a truly worthy post and it's good to read something straight from the heart. You always speak straight but this is a very inspirational post that puts into perspective everything we all discuss, argue and crib about on this forum.

I can't ever start to give you any advice on or help with what you've set out to achieve - starting your own business on a gut feeling must be hard but exciting and exhilarating in equal doses – but what i can say as someone who shoots for a living under pressure is that you should never stop trying to excel yourself. It's what makes that dream turn into a reality and for the reality to pay you back with success.

Success is assured, I'm sure :)

Thanks for the kind words :D

I have been up all night building my database of competitors. I am trying to rate them on how close they will be to me in terms of services, location, pricing, ability, and I will also split it into those with a shop & studio, shop only, studio only, or other...I am going to spend the weeks whilst the shop is getting prepped learning everything I can about the guys who are already doing this properly, then I am going to ENSURE I do it a lot better :D

Gary.
 
Hats off to you, Gary. I don't know you personally but from the way you carry yourself and the way you're spoken of around here you sound like a top bloke and someone we should all look up to.
I wish you the very best of luck with your shop, it sounds as though you deserve things to go your way on this one :thumbs:

Thanks :D
 
Hats off to you, Gary. I don't know you personally but from the way you carry yourself and the way you're spoken of around here you sound like a top bloke and someone we should all look up to.

Nah. He's actually a ******.








;):D
 
HI Gary just reading your opening post is just how I'm feeling at the moment, I'm in the progress of opening a studio and have been shooting more and more fashion/model stuff and cant wait to get my studio up and running to do more people stuff. My Landscape photography has also taken a real hit and cant remember the last time I went out and since then a couple of shops wants some of my Prints on canvas for there shops so have to also get that sorted.

I'm lucky like you that I have a another Business that looks after its self and lets me go out and do my photography but at the moment I'm thinking about photography when I go to sleep and its the first thing I think about when I wake up and it must be driving my Girl Friend & Friends nuts :nuts: Cant really believe how fast this all happening as it was only a year ago that I first picked up a DSLR. :)

If you have the passion and drive then anything is possible. :thumbs:
 
Nice one Gary and as many have said, there's no need for apologies.

I admire your spirit mate and I'm with you on the principal that challenges need to be given by oneself - to oneself.

'If you don't aim high enough, you'll be piddlin on yer shoes' :lol:

All the best with it mate :thumbs:
 
No need for apologies Gary. With the drive, determination and passion you exhibit in your work and your life, I am sure you will make a success of your latest venture.

Go for it and knock 'em dead mate. If ever i'm up that way, I'll be sure to call in
 
I wish you all the very best in your new venture. I'm sure Gary you will succeed.

Now if I'm ever up your way I'll drag you to a steam railway for a photography meet!
 
Glad I'm not in the portrait business - I'd have to give up with you opening just 28 miles up the road! :D:D:D
 
When I signed up with TP just over a year ago, you was one of the very first "friends" I've made in here (Dark Star is the other one) and straight away I loved what you was doing and your threads always made for interesting reading.
That is why I felt compelled to add my two cent's worth to this thread. Gary, if I have half as much energy as what you have and made something out of my cartooning (and even my own photography), I wouldn't be wasting my life working in a greenhouse picking tomatoes.
So (as the kids like to say) "massive respect" to you for making a go of things and I wish you all the best.
 
Hi Gary,
You are going through exactly the same thing as I did 16yrs ago when setting up my business. It will take over your life. Enjoy the journey. The first 5yrs are usually the most time consuming. As with everything I have observed with you on here, you will rise to the ocassion and emerge successful. Of that I am sure.
I thoroughly enjoy your posts and sometimes wish that I had the energy to match you. Alas 16yrs has taken its toll. :D
I think its quite apparent that fellow members respect you very highly and that alone shows that an apology isn't required. But the very fact that you felt the need to, shows what type of person you are and again is a good indication of how well you will do.
Good luck to you mate and if I can ever be of any help with regards to running a business, feel free to ask. ;)

Kev.
 
Gary,

What you are doing is inspirational to all of us, seeing that you've been at this for less than 3 years and moving into this professional is fantastic. I wish you all the best in your venture.
 
'm saying what's already been said in this thread. Personally you've been an inspiration to me. I've only been out with you once but even then I could see the eagerness in how you approached your photography. I'd still like to go out shooting with you again some time when you're free. I think if we compiled all your crit photos in one place and viewed them as a timeline it would be plain for all to see, including yourself, just how far you've come and just how far you've left some of us behind lol.

I wish you all the best in your new venture mate.
 
Due to the current state of everything Gary, I have REALLY struggled to keep up to date on crit. Even the "Bump Thread" has been ignored, and I do feel guilty. Just my head at the moment, has no room for offering crit, I can't concentrate on it, and I can't focus enough to really give proper feedback. At best, I will see a shot I think is awesome, and simply tell the photographer that I love it.

So, from a confused Gary - my apologies for ignoring all the wonderful photos. I will be back to my usual self when things settle somewhere :D

Gary.

Well damn you for having a life outside of TP! :p

Seriously - you have no need to apologise. You are not the only person here who can offer crit and god knows you have contributed much much more than a lot of us have in the past. Forget feeling guilty and enjoy your new business adventure - I for one really really hope you succeed. With your commitment and determination I'm sure you will ;)
 
..........so that's why my PM went unanswered!!! :lol::lol::lol:

Really good luck Garry...........I hope all your dreams and wishes work out (and I bought a Traveler in the end, but not the Ocean one!) Just don't get too exhausted.........remember to stop and smell the roses occasionally......and eat sometimes too!! ;)
 
Is there only me that feels ill reading this self-indulgent rubbish?
 
Gary, I haven't been here long myself but You, Jimmy_lemon and quite a few others have been incredibly welcoming to me.

I'm glad to be here amongst such friendly people.
Having met you in real life, although just the once, I can say that you are an awesome dude. Pleasure to be with.

Can't wait to see you on another meet and best of luck with the shop.
 
I have REALLY struggled to keep up to date on crit... my apologies

About time we got an apology. I have posted at least two threads that you haven't commented on. :razz:
 
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