Three Filters Every Landscape Photographer Should Carry and Why

The following link is to a post by Mike Panic for Light Stalking: http://www.lightstalking.com/landscape-filters

Three Tips for Dealing with Burnout

Three tips for dealing with on the job burnout:

I spent a 35 year career at full throttle as an over-the-road trucker. It has taken 2 years of retirement for me to start settling down, and not be afraid of not doing anything. I have stayed at full throttle for almost the entire time. Now, although I do not plan to retire, the following tips are my goals for my future. I think they are good enough to pass along to many of my friends that have worked right along beside me.

1.) Take (make) some extra time just to do something or go somewhere that is “non-job related”. Just because you are married to your job is no sign you should be with that job every minute of your day.

2.) Vegetate. Do nothing but rest. Do this especially before and after a trip, or doing a project.

3.) Instead of setting aside one hour, or one day, for a project make it a 2 hour or 2 day project.

Bonus Question: Ask yourself this question about your next project: Will the world end if I do not complete this job by the time someone else wants me too?

Answer: Usually it won’t. But, if your burnt out you won’t do the job to the best of your ability anyway.

Bonus Tip: Life is a gift. Enjoy it.

Three Tips for Dealing with Burnout

Three tips for dealing with on the job burnout:

1.) Take (make) some extra time just to do something or go somewhere that is “non-job related”. Just because you are married to your job is no sign you should be with that job every minute of your day.

2.) Vegetate. Do nothing but rest. Do this especially before and after a trip, or doing a project.

3.) Instead of setting aside one hour, or one day, for a project make it a 2 hour or 2 day project.

Bonus Question: Ask yourself this question about your next project: Will the world end if I do not complete this job by the time someone else wants me too?

Answer: Usually it won’t. But, if your burnt out you won’t do the job to the best of your ability anyway.

Bonus Tip: Life is a gift. Enjoy it.

Collectivism in America

My father was a sailor in WWII, and I served active duty in the navy for just shy of four years during the Vietnam debacle. I will not offer an opinion on whether we should or should not have been there. However, only someone who is brain dead would think that it was a military loss. The real blame lies with two groups of people - the gutless wonders in the U.S. government, and the whiney little maggots that protested the fact that people were dieing for their freedom to protest. Now, we have replaced the gutless wonders with more gutless wonders, and today most of them are from that bunch of whiney little maggots of the 1970’s.As a sailor I was stationed on an aircraft carrier, and home ported in the San Francisco bay area. So, I occasionally spent my off duty time in San Francisco, and in the Haight/Ashbury district (the area where the hippies congregated) of the city. Throughout the years that I have traveled in and out of this city one thing has remained constant. The city was a sewer when I first arrived in 1969, and it is a sewer today. And, there are two groups of people that deserve the blame for what is San Francisco - the little maggots who whine about what they believe their world should be, and more of those whiney little maggots from the 1970’s that are now running city government. And, they still cannot see that it is their system of government, the system that is based on their utopian ideas, and that the utopian society that they cherish so much, is what keeps them in their squalor. San Francisco is one of the world’s largest hippie communes. Communes are governed by collectivist. From the ranks of collectivism have come failed leaders such as Hitler, Stalin and Marx. Each of these leaders championed a different style of socialism. Each of them turned into dictators. Each of the societies their rule brought about started out with the idea that man should share his wealth with his fellow man without the need for his fellow man to have earned that wealth. Collectivism starts out looking to be successful because there are 3 classes of people in the society, the poor, working and ruling classes. The ruling class is productive only because they are passing tax laws and regulations that take money from the working class to pay their salaries and buy the votes of the poor. The productive working class find themselves supporting a “Robin Hood” class of government employees (notice I did not say “government worker”) that depend on money from the working class to pay their salaries and buy the votes of the poor. As always, these societies fail when the working class is taxed and regulated to the point when those who were being most productive become the slaves to the unproductive poor and the ruling class. In the end the productive people always quit being productive because of a lack of reward.

Taking Care of Business

Taking Care of Businessby Keith Birmingham

It was recess. Two nine year old boys, Norman and Timmy, were on the school playground playing with their toy trucks. When Billy the Bully walked up to them they both stood up with trucks in hand. Billy the Bully started calling them names, and demanding that the boys give him their trucks. Norman refused, but Timmy became very frightened. Timmy threw his truck to the ground, turned around and ran back to the schoolhouse screaming for help. Billy the Bully leaned backward and roared in laughter so that all the other kids on the playground would see that he had scared Timid Timmy. Now, watching Timid Timmy run away disgusted Norman. But, hearing Billy the Bully’s laughter infuriated him. While Billy the Bully roared with laughter Norman reached down and grabbed a handful of sand. When Billy the Bully stopped laughing and turned his attention to Norman he received a face full of sand. Billy the Bully raised his hands to shield his face. Norman used this opportunity to kick Billy the Bully between the legs. Of course, Billy the Bully now bent over in pain. And, when he did, Norman used his truck on Billy the Bully’s noggin, laying him out cold on the ground. Now, Stormin’ Norman picked up both of his trucks, and calmly moved to another part of the playground to continue his games. But, the story doesn’t end there. That was over thirty years ago. These boys grew up. Billy the Bully continued to play with trucks. He grew up and became a trucker for awhile. But, he grew tired of all the hard work, and being gone from home all of the time. So, Billy the Bully got an office job in a major trucking firm. Now, people had to do what he said or he could fire them. Timid Timmy also continued to play with trucks. He also grew up and became a trucker. Things looked good for awhile, but Timid Timmy continued to whine instead of taking care of his business. And, because he spent more time whining than he did taking care of business Timid Timmy’s business failed. But, the “softhearted” Billy the Bully was there to smile wickedly and give Timid Timmy a job working under him. But then, one day at a company meeting Billy the Bully was promoted to Corporate Operations Manager. His first order of business was to promote Timid Timmy to Terminal Manager in the worst terminal he could find. And, as usual, Timid Timmy accepted the promotion, and immediately began to whine and complain about his working conditions. Now, Stormin’ Norman also continued to play with trucks. And, he also grew up to become a truck driver, an owner/operator, and eventually started his own trucking company providing more and more people with good paying jobs. He treated his employees well, and he and his employees prospered. And then, one sunny afternoon Stormin’ Norman closed a deal to purchase the very corporation where Billy the Bully and Timid Timmy now worked. And, the first order of business for Stormin’ Norman was to terminate Billy the Bully and Timid Timmy for incompetence. Stormin’ Norman never tolerated bully’s, laziness or incompetence. Stormin’ Norman was successful because, unlike Timid Timmy, he stood up for what he believed in. He didn’t waste his time whining and complaining. Stormin’ Norman could be counted on to take care of business, He and his employees could be counted on to get the job done. They didn’t quit because the job was too hard. Stormin’ Norman proudly ran with the big dogs.*Footnote: If you have comments on this little story (good or bad) and would like to contact me please e-mail me at maddadkeith@yahoo.com

The I-40 Hard Pitch Softball Classic

This was one of the 08:00 pm, Thursday night games. Sorry folks, but I was unable to attend any of the other games of the tournament.

Chasin' Dreams - Keith Birmingham

Chasin' Dreams (on the Dotted Line)
Copyright, 2011: Keith Birmingham
126 bpm in 4/4 time

C D
C D
C D A
A        G       A
Something told me a long, long time ago.
A                               G                       A
That I should cut the strings and let her go.
A                                 G                    A
And, today she's in the arms of another man.
A                                      G                       A
And, tonight I'll sleep with another one night stand.
C D A

A                                 G                    A
I've spent my life rollin' down the dotted line.
A                                     G                    A
I was chasin' dreams that never would be mine.
A                                   G                      A
Now I find my self at the end of the dotted line.
A                                        G                       A
And, the dreams I've always had are all that's mine.
C D A
C D A

LEAD: Chords and notes of the verses.

A                                  G                  A
Though some may say I am a broken man.
A                               G                A
I've always known exactly where I stand.
A                                       G                       A
And when the piper calls I'll hold my head up high.
A                                           G                    A
I'll kiss the moon and then I'll dance in a stary sky.
C D A
C D A  fade

I Was Young - Keith Birmingham

I Was Young - Keith Birmingham
04.20.2011
Copyright, 2011 -Keith Birmingham
C G      C
C            Am                                                          C
Life was good when the weather was fair and the sun was shining.
C                   Am                                                                    C
The women danced through my mind like the songs that I was singing.
C                   Am                                                                C
The booze it flowed like a river and I never knew that I was sinking.
         G                           C
But, I was young. And, I was dumb,

C                          Am                                                       C
With dark grey clouds rolling in I began my search for shelter.
C                      Am                                                                       C
And, I found warmth in the arms of a woman I thought would care.
C          Am                                                              C          
But the love she had was the love of my misfortune.
                   G                         C
And, I was young. And, I was dumb.
                   G                         C

C          Am                                                  C        
                   G                         C

C                   Am                                                     C
So, I moved on in my seach for the life that I was after.
C             Am                                                        C
Elusive dreams that I had would haunt me everyday.
C                 Am                                                             C
I count the cost of the friends and the family I have squandered
      G                         C
And, I was young. And, I was dumb.
                       G                             C
And, I was young. And, I was dumb.

C                 Am                                                           C
Now those dreams have faded to a life in the here-after.
C                Am                                                                  C
But, I have found the love that I have searched for anyway.
C                 Am                                                        C
I found the love I was seeking was the love of myself.
                      G                          C
But, I was young. And, I was dumb.
              G                               C
I was young. And, I was dumb.
repeat and fade G C

Travel Photography Starts At Home

On The Strip, Las Vegas, Nevada

**********

Are you a budding travel photographer with all the required skills but not the time to travel to the locations to take those one in a million shots you’ve been dreaming of? You feel you are ready to take the leap and launch your photography career but can’t afford to give up the 9 to 5 just yet? Odd as it may sound, shooting travel photography doesn’t necessarily mean going anywhere.

I remember leaving regional Australia to live in London for a few years in my early twenties thinking I was finally moving to somewhere picturesque, somewhere interesting. Returning home a few years later I realized what I had left behind. My point is this: Every corner of the world is unique, even yours. Each country, state, or region carries its own set of characters, notable figures, culture and landscape. The challenge for the photographer is to find them to present to others.

Maybe you live in a city with a number of historical buildings, or near national parkland. Your town might host an annual carnival or event that is well known. Whatever your location or the size of your local area, there is bound to be something which interest people. Make it your goal to educate people about the place you come from, to show them why they should visit.

The great benefit to photographing subjects that are near to you is that you have the opportunity to revisit them as often as you need to get the results you are looking for. This can help relieve some of the pressure you may feel if you were spending a limited amount of time at a location. Here you are able to shoot in varying conditions and at varying times of day to capture the many moods of your subject. Spend a morning here, an afternoon there in between other commitments and before long you will come away with a comprehensive series of images depicting your subject in various light and shade.

To keep yourself enthusiastic about your subject, you might want to shoot two or maybe three projects at a time. Spend a Saturday afternoon shooting your local town’s attractions and people, and next weekend drive into the nearest city to shoot architecture and café culture.

But how do you choose projects that will assist in creating strong saleable images? Search stock photography agencies, look through travel magazines and newspapers. What you see everyday is what sells. The key is to plan what you are going to shoot. Although we are all guided by weather conditions, it is possible to select the images you want before you arrive at your location. I rarely arrive without at least a few images mapped out in my head, and never without a shoot list.

As travel photographers, it goes without saying that we have a passion for travel. It’s why we do what we do. But it is an extremely difficult business to get into. The catch 22 is that to produce a portfolio or stock image library you need time and money. To fund your photography you need to work. It will take time and dedication, but by shooting close to home you will gradually improve your photography skills and start to build a portfolio of images to be proud of. It all comes down to the way we view our surroundings.
Mark Eden is a freelance photographer and the founder and director of Expanse Photography. A photographic services company offering fine art images as well as stock and assignment photography and a range of publishing and printing services. Mark can be contacted through the Expanse Photography website http://www.expansephotography.com.

Article source: Richard's Photography Articles Directory

Do you Clean your Own Sensor?

Do you Clean your Own Sensor?

In The Past - Keith Birmingham

In The Past - Keith Birmingham

by Tunesmith Tavern on Monday, July 4, 2011 at 2:27pm

This may or may not be the final version. I just wrote it this morning. I usually takes a few days and come back to it to see what I may want to change. We shall see.

I could tell by the way that you turned your head
When I looked into your eyes.
I could tell by the way that you looked away
When those tears were in your eyes.
I could tell by the way that you held your hands
That you had been with another man.
And, I know your love is in the past,
And, I've lost you for all time.

There's no reason why I should hold on to
A dream that we have lost.
There's no reason why I should find someone
Or reason to point the blame.
We can argue about our innocence
But, I'm the one who will bear the cost.
And, I know deep inside I will never find
A love that will set me free.

Even now as we go our separate ways,
Even now, I cry for you.
Even now when the pain that you have cost,
Burns inside my brain.
I still long for the love lying in the dust,
Of broken, shattered dreams.
And, I know your love is in the past,
And, I've lost you for all time.
Yes, I know your love is in the past,
And, I've lost you for all time.
And, I know deep inside I will never find
A love that will set me free.

A Few Things to Consider

Here are some of the basic things a photographer must consider when starting a business.

From Wesley Hitt, photographer, North Little Rock, Arkansas.

The wear and tear on the camera and lens.
Batteries for your flash.
Memory card and the new one you will buy one day.
Do you have a roof over you head? A roof over your equipment?
Roof over your computer? How do you afford new computers?
How do you burn your CD? The cost of the CD? The cost of going
to buy and storing your CD's? Do you have insurance? Insurance on
yourself and/or your equipment?
What is the value of your time? Are you worth $25 an hour or are
your worth $125 an hour? Figure out now if you want to be known
as the cheap photographer or the good photographer? They do not
go together.

Trying to Accomplish Too Much

d.015_729, file size = 2.7mb, Nikon D200, ISO 100, 60mm, 1/180 @ f/5.6, spot metering,

 **********

Having three photographic specialties is proving to be a bit over-burdensome even before my business is “open for business”. For more than a week I have been shooting local sports in the afternoon and evening (in the practice mode) while preparing my paperwork and website for business. That alone is teaching me that I will be working my butt off for minimal financial return. But, it is such fun to try to photograph those kids striving to be the best that they can be. So, I do consider satisfaction as a key factor in my profession.

But, it leaves me little time to pursue my other specialties, industrial and travel photography. So, I have sought and received some feedback from other professional photographers via forums and e-mails. I would like to say thanks to those who have contacted me back with your opinions. They are all being considered. I am now searching for ways to “outsource” much of my work so that I can maintain all 3 specialties. But, I am also considering accepting fewer assignments that I thought I would. I believe I can live off of the rates that I would get, and the sales that I would make, and I would still be able to do my traveling.

Tomorrow I will be making a trip to Oklahoma City to discuss the possibility of displaying some of my nature and travel work in a gallery setting. I don’t know much about it, so I won’t say much about it. But, it would give me more enthusiasm for travel/nature work.

All I can say, for now, about the industrial work is that it is still on my list. Actually, my list will almost surely contain the same specialties. I may, however, have to choose one out of the three to concentrate on.

East Bound and Down

No Complaints

No complaints from this end. I have had a busy, busy, busy 18+ months of retirement. But, with any good luck, it's only going to get busier. A week ago I made an investment that could very easily go the wrong way for me. But, I believe in God. I believe in myself. And, I believe in my photography. And, I plan to enter the career that I have been wanting all of my adult life, and working hard to start for the past six years now. And, that don't include the several times that my efforts were stymied my life itself.

I did not have the money to get anywhere near all of the equipment that I want or need. But, I believe I have a good starting kit. And, I am making arrangements to be able to rent what ever else I need. My website is up, but I have to do some pricing work, and a few other things. And, I have been spending from 2 to 6 hours each day out getting familiar with what my new Nikon D700 can do. This camera is actually near the low end of what would be considered a pro-model camera. But, it has all of the functions that I need. And, the two lens that I bought are the top of the line products. And, I can tell you that they are showing me that I was doing better at photography than I thought I was. My biggest hangup has been the quality of my lens. That will never happen again.

JohnGalt.mousepad by maddadkeith
Learn how to make money as an artist online at Zazzle.

Positioning Myself Within My Market

In the past couple of years I have narrowed down the choices of the specialties in photography that I want to work in. I enjoy these three specialties: event, travel and industrial. Now, I am trying to narrow it down what events I can and want to cover from the area that I live in. My problem is that I do not like the idea of narrowing my subject matter any more than it already is. But, the area in which I live, and the fact that until I establish a name in the industry I will automatically be limited in the subjects that I shoot.

For now I live in Weatherford, Oklahoma. I believe that most, if not all photographers in western Oklahoma rely on portrait work and weddings to support their habits. I believe that I can establish myself as an event photographer in this area. I am currently researching and scheduling sporting events that are available for me to shoot. But I have no doubts that I will need to supplement my "event" income with my other photography specialties, - industrial and travel. I believe there is the possibility of  plenty of stock and assignment work for the transportation industry and the oil patch of western Oklahoma and north Texas. I have no doubt that the oil patch will remain moderately active for quiet some time. No doubt, sooner or later, the U.S. will recognize the need to “Drill Here! Drill Now!“ It is going to happen. The only question is “when?”. My major goal in shooting for the oil patch would be to shoot rig moves for the entire industry. I believe this could result in assignments that would offer me travel opportunities to other parts of the world. In these travels I would pursue stock and assignment work geared for the travel and tourism industry.

My choice is to live in a rural area. I was born and raised in western Oklahoma. I do however have a larger dream of earning a living as a documentary and event photojournalist. If I find that my markets are not big enough to support my business in the area that I live in I know that I will need to make a move to where the market is. For now, my 2nd choice for a place to live would be on the west coast, and probably in the Las Vegas, Nevada area. The event photography market there is immense. The competition is immense. And, there are several segments of the event industry from which to choose a specialty. In western Oklahoma your choices are governed more by the lack of variety of events to cover. But, it is all good when you make a living with a camera in your hand.

Old Wood - by Keith Birmingha

From "Wise Words and Quotes" - a book of quotes by Vern McLellan:
There are three things that grow more precious with age: old wood to burn, old books to read, and old friends to enjoy. -

Old wood best to burn, old wine to drink, old friends to trust, and old authors to read.  ~Quoted by Francis Bacon, Apothegm


OLD WOOD

When you burn that bridge behind you.
Just be sure you know your way.
Or you may loose yourself in sorrow.
It's the price you have to pay.

Old books are best to read.
Old whisky's best to drink.
Old friends are best to trust.              
And old wood is best to burn.

Some new love may strike your fancy.
Some new love may pass your way.
You'll be happy in the moment.
But, in the end your gonna pay.

Old books are best to read.
Old whisky's best to drink.
Old friends are best to trust.   
And old wood is best to burn.

So, open up your eyes my friend.
And, look at what's at steak.
For the life you want to search for.
And the hearts that you will break.

Old books are best to read.
Old whisky's best to drink.
Old friends are best to trust.
And old wood is best to burn.

This Ain't Me

I know that there is a radio personality in Phoenix named Keith Birmingham. There is a doctor in Texas named Keith Birmingham, a couple of would-be rock stars named Keith Birmingham, and (God forbid) a politician named Keith Birmingham. Well, this Keith Birmingham is a photographer for a major newspaper in southern California. I thought my readers would like to see some of his great work.


http://www.keithbirmingham.com/

Reminder: This Ain't Me!!!

Loadin' Up

Loadin' Up

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d.006502: file size=3.1MB, 240 resolution, Nikon D70s, ISO 400, focal lenght=18mm,1/500 sec @ f/6.3, auto flash, manual exp. mode, auto white balance.

*****

There are about 20 new links in the "Professional Resources" and "More Professional Resources" boxes.These boxes will soon be broken down into subject specific categories.

Auto Shows

Starting this summer I hope to hit several auto and truck shows. This is just a sample of what you can expect a some of them. Actually, I like the shows that are staged out of doors more. People seem to be friendly, as though they are not laborously shopping for something they cannot afford. I have not found much of a market for my "show" shots. But, I have never set up a booth at one. That may be the key.

Overworked and Underpaid

This information was forwarded to me sometime back in an e-mail. I'd give them credit, but I have slept since then, and I can't remember who it was.

For a couple years I've been blaming it on lack of sleep, not enough sunshine, too much pressure from my job, earwax build-up, poor blood or anything else I could think of. But now I found out the real reason. I'm tired because I'm overworked. Here's why:. . .
    The population of this country is 273 million.
140 million are retired.
That leaves 133 million to do the work.
There are 85 million in school.
Which leaves 48 million to do the work.
Of this there are 29 million employed by
the federal government.
Leaving 19 million to do the work.
2.8 million are in the armed forces
preoccupied with killing Osama
Bin-Laden.
Which leaves 16.2 million to do the work.
Take from that total the 14.8 million people who work for state and city governments.
And that leaves 1.4 million to do the work.
At any given time there are 188,000 people
in hospitals.
Leaving 1,212,000 to do the work.
Now, there are 1,211,998 people in prisons.
That leaves just two people to do the work.
You and me.
And there you are sitting on your butt, at your computer, reading jokes.
Nice. Real nice.

Digging Out The Day After

d.020_0221.bmp.small

File size: 676.6KB, Nikon D70s, 62mm, 1/100 @f/11, center weighted metering, ISO 200.

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File size=606.KB, Nikon D70s, 40mm, 1/1000sec.@f/5, center weighted metering.

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Digging Out The Day After

Coming Out of Hibernation - an update

I have, in effect, been in hibernation since returning to Oklahoma from Nevada. It should not be too much longer before I will decide to emerge from my "warm" cave. I am simply taking a prolonged vacation from fighting the elements of the outdoor world for my entire career as a trucker. I have enjoyed the vacation, but I am currently in the process of readying this (and 7 other) blog for commercial work. I guess I should also state that my schedule will immediately be full. I should be doing quiet a lot of traveling (not by truck), and I am working hard at becoming a performing musician. I am not there yet.

Ten Years Later

This is probably not the final version of this song. It is meant as a tribute for the U.S. Military. Please contact me if you have any questions.


Ten Years Later by Keith Birmingham
220bpm, 4/4 time with strong Native American drum beat.

Em x 32
Em
Ten years later
G
After 9-1-1.
Em
Ten years later,
G
And your on the run.
C
You thought that I would give up.
D
You thought I'd go away.
C
I'm here to let you know,
D
That I've come to make you pay.
Em x 32

Ten years later
After 9-1-1.
Ten years later,
And your on the run.
Mohammed was the reason
That you gave to all the world
For the horrors that you caused us
On 9 -1  - 1
Em x 16

(Em) Ten years later,
(Em) Are you getting tired yet?
(Em) Ten years later,
(Em)Are you getting tired yet?
   
Em
Ten years later
G
After 9-1-1.
Em
Ten years later,
G
And your on the run.
C
The cowards mask that hides your face
D
Will not save your life,
C
You stinking piece of garbage
D
I am here to take your life.
Em x 32

Ten years later
After 9-1-1.
Ten years later,
And your on the run.
The caves in which you hide
Will not protect you from.
The vengeance I will reap upon
your brothers and your son.
Em x 16

(Em) Ten years later,
(Em) Are you getting tired yet?
(Em) Ten years later,
(Em) And I‘ve only just begun?
Fade repeating:
(Em) Ten years later
(Em) And I‘ve only just begun?

Band Promotion

Band Promotion 101

By Megan Lambert

Band promotion is really important for the success of any band. There are many things you can do to promote your band. First, you have to let people know that you have arrived. This does not mean that you have to start bombarding them promotional stuff like ads and links. Do it in subtle way. Otherwise, your name will be lost.
Talk to your fans. They will get a feeling that your band is real and human, and not some robot out their trying to get their attention by sending those tons of promotional messages.
Set up an account on a social networking site. You can befriend people who have same interests in music as you do. You can talk to them. Answer their queries, and put across questions of your own.
You should work to establish a relationship with them. Once you are successful in doing that, drop them a link to your webpage. You should also provide your visitors a chance to register at your website. If they register, allow them a chance to listen to some free music of yours as a token of your appreciation.
This is great bargain. You will get to know many people this way. You will get their e mails, and you can get in touch with them regarding any new updates. Do not ignore these subscribers. Write to them every once in a while.
Live performances count a lot. It really gets the crowd coming in your direction. However, do not just get on the stage and start playing your music. Make the best of the chance to perform live. Prepare well for your performance that it becomes flawless. Do not disappoint the crowd.
It is wise to play professional. Arrange for your merchandise and music to be sold at the venue. Also have a mailing list available. You should ask people to provide information like e mails and names. This will gain you more contacts.
The above recommendations are real good. You should follow them as well.

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Apologies to Prospective and Former Clients

Well, shoot. I guess I need to post on all of my sites that "At this time I am not accepting/scheduling portrait shoots. I just took my second call for the day for one. I thought I had notified everybody I need to, and posted to my web sites that I am officially (although it may be temporary) retired from the work force". But, whatever I done to get the word out has not worked. I apologize to my former clients if any of you have been trying to contact me.

If this keeps up I may have to repossess my equipment, or buy some new stuff. Currently, I'm trying to prepare for a different life altogether. What I hope to be doing by summer is traveling to photograph events, do travel photojournalism, and  industrial photography. I have no desire to work for a studio unless it is in my home.

Thanks for the calls though.

Still Under Construction

Still Under Construction

*****

For the past six years I have been working with the goal of retiring from trucking to become a freelance photographer. Just over a year ago my life as professional trucker came to an end because of deteriorating physical health. A few months later, in order to keep from bumming money from my family to live on I sold most of my photographic equipment and my personal vehicle. I have lost a lot because of these facts. But, I am doing what needs to be done to rebuild my life. And, things are looking a lot more promising today than they did a year ago. I am 35 pounds lighter. And, I can actually stay on my feet almost as long as a healthy man my age. And, it will get better.

The purpose of this post is to advise readers that this blog has been returned to an active status. Although I do not have much to work with at this time I still have a goal to work toward. As a matter of fact, I am probably more focused on what I want to do with my photography than I ever was. So, please stay tuned. Posting will be slow. But, even if I deactivate this blog again there will be something to take it's place.

Thirty-five Years (Taking Back My Life)

Thirty-five Years (Taking Back My Life)
Copyright, 2010 by Keith Birmingham. 4/4 time.

For thirty-five years I’ve been breakin’ my back
In the heat of a July sun.
For thirty-five years I’ve  busted my butt
On those cold December runs.
For thirty-five years I gave the man
The best years of my life.
And now I think it’s time for me
To be takin’ back my life.

For thirty-five years I gave the woman
Everything I could
For thirty-five years I have done exactly
What I said I would.
But now she’s gone. I’m on my own.
And, Lord I love this life.
Cause now I think it’s time for me
To be takin’ back my life.
Now I think it’s time for me
To be takin’ back my live.

Thirty-five years of sorrow and pain
And now I’ve been set free.
To talk the talk, and walk the walk,
Of the man I want to be.
So look out world I’m steppin’ out
In the prime of my life.
And now I know it’s time for me
To be takin’ back my life.
And now I know it’s time for me
To be takin’ back my  life.

I said now I know it’s time for me
To be takin’ back my life.
Blank
And, I’m takin’ back my life.

In Memory of Roxanna Green

Roxanna Green, born September 11,2001, died January 8, 2011 as a result of a gunshot to the chest. Roxanna was one of 6 people who died at a political rally for Gabby Gifford (Democrat), a Representative of the state of Arizona. As of this writing Congresswoman Gabby Gifford is fighting for her life in a Tucson, Arizona hospital.

What should be made of the fact that the innocence of a nine year old girl was lost in this tragedy? What should be made of the fact that she was born on the day that our nation lost it's innocence? The nation will soon join the parents of Roxanna Green, and the friends and relatives of the other five victims, as we lay them to rest. But, what do we do when the funeral services are over?

I would like to think that yesterday was the beginning of our nation refocusing our attention on the problems that face us as a nation. Immediately after September 11, 2001 our nation stood together in our determination to destroy the evil that attacked our country. But, it was only a short term reaction. Now, the United States, over the past nine years has become a fractured nation. We have a fractured society, and a fractured government. The word racism is tossed about more frequently than ever, and by more segments of our society. America seems paranoid, and rightly so, that our borders are unprotected. Drugs and gangs have turned our cities into sewers, and they are now invading our rural communities. Pedophiles are killing our children. Bomb squads are being called to our schools on a daily basis. The people we send to Washington, D. C. to manage our affairs spend their time pointing fingers of blame at the opposing party, and seem incapable of managing their own affairs, let-a-lone a nations affairs.

I hope that each of us will, on a daily basis, look closely at the image we see in our mirrors. And, each day I hope we will recommit ourselves to becoming a part of the solutions to our societal problems. I hope that each of us will rededicate ourselves to becoming more pro-active in the political process of our government.

It is said that politics is the art of compromise, but our politicians have seemingly lost that skill. Nobody likes to loose an argument, but history will show that this nation is strongest when everyone works to earn their share of the pie receives their share of the pie. I believe that most important talent a politician should have these days is the act of compromise. It makes everyone a winner.

Life in the Key Of - lyrics only

Life in the Key Of
by Keith Birmingham
130bpm in 4/4 time

A rising moon,
A setting sun,
It's all good.
It's all fun.

From valleys low,
To mountains high,
A deep green meadow,
Or a clear blue sky.

Radio blastin' from
The back of my car.
I was gonna be
A Nashville star.

A country song and
The girl of my dreams,
The world by the tail,
Or, so it seemed.

Life had losses..
Life had gains.
Life moved on,
And, I remained.

Although life moved on,
My dreams won't die.
And,I've paid my dues to
The corporate lie.

From valleys low,
To mountains high,
A deep green meadow,
Or a clear blue sky.

A rising moon,
A setting sun,
It's all good.
It's all fun.

Chasin' Dreams

Chasin' Dreams (on the Dotted Line)
Copyright, 2011: Keith Birmingham
126 bpm in 4/4 time

C    D
C    D
C    D    A
A                G               A
Something told me a long, long time ago.
A                               G                       A
That I should cut the strings and let her go.
A                                 G                    A
And, today she's in the arms of another man.
A                                      G                       A
And, tonight I'll sleep with another one night stand.
C    D    A

A                                 G                    A
I've spent my life rollin' down the dotted line.
A                                     G                    A
I was chasin' dreams that never would be mine.
A                                   G                      A
Now I find my self at the end of the dotted line.
A                                        G                       A
And, the dreams I've always had are all that's mine.
C    D    A
C    D    A

LEAD: Chords and notes of the verses.

A                                  G                  A
Though some may say I am a broken man.
A                               G                A
I've always known exactly where I stand.
A                                       G                       A
And when the piper calls I'll hold my head up high.
A                                           G                    A
I'll kiss the moon and then I'll dance in a stary sky.
C    D    A
C    D    A  fade

Thirty-Five Years - (Takin’ Back My Life)

Copyright, 2010: Keith Birmingham      124bpm in 4/4 time

F     Em     F     Em
Am
For thirty-five years I’ve been breakin’ my back
G
In the heat of a July sun.
Am
For thirty-five years I’ve  busted my butt
G
On those cold December runs.
Am
For thirty-five years I gave the man
G
The best years of my life.

F
And now I think it’s time for me
Em
To be takin’ back my life.
F, Em

Am
For thirty-five years I gave the woman
G
Everything I could
Am
For thirty-five years I have done exactly
G
What I said I would.
Am
But now she’s gone. I’m on my own.
G
And, Lord I love this life.

F
Cause now I think it’s time for me
Em
To be takin’ back my life.
F
Now I think it’s time for me
Em
To be takin’ back my live.

Am
Thirty-five years of sorrow and pain
G
And now I’ve been set free.
Am
To talk the talk, and walk the walk,
G
Of the man I want to be.
Am
So look out world I’m steppin’ out
G
In the prime of my life.

F
And now I know it’s time for me
Em
To be takin’ back my life.
F
And now I know it’s time for me
Em
To be takin’ back my  life.
F
Blank
Em
And, I’m takin’ back my life.