The Black Dog’s PhotoBlog

As my grandmother use to say, fall is the season when nature prepares to say goodnight before she goes to sleep for the winter. At least, I think she said it that way.

While as the nights become longer and the days become shorter it does trigger those leaves to change their colors and though they’re not sleeping yet we know that soon those leaves will fall and the trees will go into their winter slumber.

So before they sleep, I say, lets enjoy those colors while we still can.

Yes, I know “going green” is the latest cool buzz word. But it really is a serious thing and something we all need to be thinking about these days. I won’t give you the lecture as I’m sure you’ve already heard it all. Instead, I’d like to share with you some of the things this and many photographers do in an effort to “go green”.

1. I use the internet and my own webspace to help me cut down on excess printing of photos and advertising materials.
2. I recycle as many products as possible, such as ink cartridges, film containers and paper.
3. I use recycled products when available such as recycled photo paper for all printed proofs, office stationary, business cards, advertising brochures & packaging materials.
4. I use rechargeable batteries.
5. I use digital imaging as much as possible which considerably cuts down on my use of hazardous chemicals, paper and the need for unnecessary packaging.
6. My newest thing, “The Outdoor Studio” cuts down on my use of electricity. With the natural light from the sun, I have less need to power artificial lighting.

What do you do? I’d love to hear your ideas on Green Photography. Please share your thoughts and ideas with me and I’ll be happy to try and incorporate those ideas into my studio.

Some links green photographers might find helpful;

Red River’s GreenPix 100% Post Consumer Processed Chlorine Free Photo Paper

Business Cards & Stationary from Green Printer

As I reflect on the past 10-years, I’m also looking forward to the coming 10-years.

Every day there seems to be new inventions, new technology and many improvements to existing things. I’m looking forward to what the next ten years will bring in photography inventions and improvements. There really has been big changes in the photography world in the last 10 years with the invention of digital and it does have me curious what surprises the future of photography holds.

I’ve recently picked up a new lens. It’s called a Lensbaby 3G. For all of you who have never heard of this lens, it’s a really unusual looking thing and in a world of automation, this lens is all manual. One of the coolest things about this lens is it’s flexibility and it’s demand for creativity on the photographer’s part. It has a very limited focal point that you can move to any point in the photo by bending the lens (yes, the lens bends.) Once you figure this lens out you are rewarded with some amazing photos and there is a endless amount of possibilities that open up to you. I’m really looking forward to using this lens more in my portrait and nature photography.

10 Beautiful Roses taken with my new Lensbaby 3G lens.