Orion Photogenics: Blog

What is the Why?

Fri, 22 Apr 2022 17:32:21 GMT

This week, the studio is at the FSPA convention in Orlando. Our photographer, me, is also a yearbook and broadcast news teacher for middle school. It has been a great experience, providing a much-needed pep talk to teachers who are wrapping up yearbook and news programs. It also gives students a chance to shine as they compete. I have also gotten a chance to learn from the experts(also teachers). I am polishing my Adobe skills and recognizing the importance of giving others a voice to tell their stories.

I have also opened my store on the Orion Photogenics website. Look for #LizPix.

Here is my first entry. I call it Ready, Steady, Go! It shows the motion of us humans swirling all around, making change, making a difference, and the constancy of the flag, expressing purpose and sacrifice.

ProTip: Check out Tutsplus for free illustrator and photoshop tutorials. You might discover a passion!

Coffee Table Book

Wed, 13 Apr 2022 00:14:39 GMT

We at the studio have been diligently working on completing our coffee table book, All Signs Point to Key West. We have also been drafting plans to purchase retail space. We have fallen in love with the idea of shared community development and education. We would like to create a space not only for photography but education and a maker space. I have also completed my first canvas print to add o my lobster-trap frame. I plan to ask Mark at the Suite Dreams Inn to hang it in one of the suites. I will keep you posted on the success of our missions. The quote that has kept us motivated is from Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson, "I cannot recall a single time in my childhood in which I cared about the slights and misperceptions that came my way. What I do remember is, "Hmm. Well, I'll show them."

Pro-Tip: Use Adobe Lightroom to add life to your pictures.

A Visit to the Inn

Tue, 05 Apr 2022 00:20:15 GMT

The entire staff of the studio received a personal tour from innkeeper Mark at the Suite Dreams Inn. One could feel the old island vibe in every careful detail-down to the freshly laundered and comfy-looking bedding. Suite Dreams Inn - Guest House Bedroom Visitors may be tempted to extend their stays as they enjoy relaxing by the pool, admiring the orchids, lush greenery, and maybe sear up a steak on the grill! Suite Dreams Inn Garden Pool

The Hemingway suite has a private pool and courtyard for weddings and parties (be sure to contact the Orion Photogenics staff for pictures).

We also visited Sacred Space Gallery, a gallery that only features women artists to check out our friend’s artwork from Sinking Sun photography. We were completely blown away by the amount of talent that was shared with us. Now that we are creating and selling our own artwork, I recognize how frustrating it is for people to pick up your items and put them back. Because I wanted things that I couldn’t afford, I chose to not make a purchase. I was not thinking about the energy I was taking from the artists.

We also continued to take photos for our All Signs Lead to Key West coffee table book. More on that later.

Pro-tip #1: Use a wide-angle lens to take photos of small spaces

Pro-tip #2: See yourself through the experience of others when taking pictures (or existing in the world). This helps the viewer experience what you are experiencing. It only takes a beat to see from another person’s point of view.

Elizabeth

Framed by Lobster Traps

Sun, 27 Mar 2022 00:49:28 GMT

We in the studio have decided that creating lobster-trap frames is a challenge that we are driven to meet. We spent the day-waking to sleeping-creating product for our Etsy store. We made one frame, printed one picture, and made two 5 x 7 blank notecards. The next day, Lee made a box for our cards, and I made another frame to give as a gift. I have always had a lot of respect for individuals who run booths at a fair, but spending over 10 hours creating three things has really opened my eyes. Now I feel pretty crummy from all of the times I picked up items, looked at the price tag, and put it back. More respect and cash will be with me going forward.

Pro-tip: Use canvas for a picture you are displaying in a frame. It just looks better.

Casa de Cayo Hueso

Fri, 25 Mar 2022 16:51:18 GMT

Now back in Cayo Heuso, we at the studio have been busy building merchandise for our Etsy store(https://www.etsy.com/shop/keywestpics). Our passion has been rejuvenated because we have had six visitors! This week, we are polishing our lobster trap frame concept with the purchase of a Dremel tool and brad gun. We are also searching for commercial real estate. Stay tuned for updates!

The professionals at the studio are also working on post-COVID socialization by attending the local chamber of commerce meeting. We met very talented individuals, and many people made connections poolside at the Southernmost Beach Resort. We also learned that there is such thing as too much ceviche.

Pro-tip: Incorporate reflections off of the water into your photos whenever possible to add extra drama.

See you next time!

Privileged Passageways

Wed, 23 Mar 2022 04:03:05 GMT

As we are wrapping up our Four Corners tour, we at the studio are squeezing in our last treks. Yesterday, we visited Mesa Verde National Park. It almost felt like we were able to connect to a spiritual center as we walked. We are planning to tour this summer. What a privilege to be able to see the pit houses and communities that are nearly 2000 years old.

The photography challenge for today was photographing long distances in 65 mph winds.

Pro-tip: When photographing on windy days, be sure to use both hands to keep the camera steady and avoid blurriness.

Today we drove to Silverton and Ouray as our staff physician, and daughter worked. We traveled down the Million-Dollar Highway and stopped and took pictures. The waterfalls were mostly frozen and the snow was falling. We stopped at the visitor center in Silverton and wondered how the first person thought to try the San Juan mountains to find out if there was gold. Research for another time, I guess.

Tomorrow we are leaving. Again, that cracked inside feeling starts to creep in. At least it’s warm in Key West.

Colorado Dreamin'

Mon, 21 Mar 2022 02:25:01 GMT

Today, our solution designer has returned to his home office in Norman, Oklahoma. Translation: our son left our little family reunion to go back to school. Always feels like a tiny piece of my insides crack every time I have to say goodbye to the people I love. Luckily for us, he missed his morning flight and had to catch a flight four hours later. So, we got to visit the Aztec Ruins National Park (which we discovered is really a Pueblo ancestral site) and enjoy lunch provided by our contributing photographer and son-in-law. Ham and brie-mercy!

Our solution designer made his flight, and we hiked at a local wildlife preserve. We saw a Mr. and Mrs. Mountain Bluebird, a Ruddy Duck, and a Birddog-in-training named Annie.

Today’s pro-tip for taking photos on low-contrast cloudy days: use HDR Stack if your camera has the setting or take three pictures with different exposures settings: low, medium, and high. Then, create an HDR Stack in Lightroom.

The Studio is on the Move!

Mon, 21 Mar 2022 02:23:02 GMT

Today, we landed in Durango, Colorado to visit the rest of the team: our kids!

There are two new pro-tips for me:

1. There is such a thing as an overnight layover.

2. When on an overnight layover, your checked luggage does not go with you.

Now that we’re here, Lee has been taking action photos of us snow tubing. Pro tip: sports mode can be fun for beginners!

Three for Thursday Contest

Sun, 20 Mar 2022 05:11:37 GMT

Today in the studio, we are wrapping up our Three for Thursday competition. OP launched our Etsy store, KeyWestPics today, and all of the photography artists went head-to-head in a friendly competition. I entered a strong contender with my custom-framed Pirate Ship at Sundown on canvas.

Lee entered a split-photo wall image, US 1: The Beginning on canvas. Both were mounted by us using reclaimed wood from the lobster traps we picked up from Islamorada last weekend.

Pro-tip #1 for the frames: get a miter box.

Pro-tip #2 for US 1: 30-second exposure taken of cars driving by.

I feel that I have a pretty good chance of winning, because Toby, our cat, has promised his vote to me. However, it is up to the rest of our artist community to determine the winner. Unfortunately, our kids are not persuaded by kitty treats. Who will be the winner? We shall see…

Elizabeth