Rodolfo Paiz wrote:
I first saw this thread last night around 9:00pm. Now, it's 4:00am and a solid seven hours later when I finally reach the last page. My bottom hurts from sitting so long, and my eyes are exhausted. But my heart and soul are filled with song and inspiration: to fly, to photograph, to live, and to do everything better each day. I'm also reminded never to take myself too seriously at anything: either there is someone nearby from whom I can learn, or whom I can teach, or both.
Technical skill, abilities, and equipment are all prerequisites for getting the kind of photography you've shared with us, Jim. But none of that is worth a dirty penny without soul, and feeling, and meaning to it. Which explains the reason why you get so many of "The Shots"... the combination of masterful skill and humility for the art itself and the creation which surrounds it.
Thank you. For the photos, for the knowledge, for the inspiration, and for the lesson in humility and servant leadership. You have my deepest respect, good sir. And like many here, I shall seek out the opportunity to shake your hand and say so again. ...Show more →
I regularly catch up with this wonderful thread and reading your remarks, Rodolfo, made my day!
I can't think of a better way to express it and I whole-heartedly agree!
And big thanks to Jim for all this!
Ute
That's wonderful! I did the same thing with my 1981 182. I looked at the sticker price on the then new Skylanes six years ago and they were bumping $250k so I did a spreadsheet and estimated what a low time original early 80's airframe would cost, and then added in everything I wanted to do to it to bring it up to snuff. I fully knew that I'd be upside down in it when it was done, but I'd still be $50k to the good and I'd have a Skylane Cessna never dreamed of rolling out their doors. My plan worked and I have a beautiful "new" '81 Skylane that everyone calls my "Better than better than new" 182. Metal panels dual Garmin w/weather,TCAD,long range tanks and seats that would make a Lexus blush, super-soundproofing and speed fairings round it out. I've flown it 700 hours since I bought it and love it more every hour I fly it.
Good luck in your "Big Dream", if you don't have dreams of some magnitude, I fear it would be difficult rallying for each day. I wish you the best in those efforts!!
Welcome to our thread! Thanks!! I am blessed to shoot about 200 days annually. Of course, not all the assignments are great opportunities for dynamic images of beautiful machines flying through the air. I just completed a week long assignment in Austin capturing each detail in the application of a commercial roofing product. 14-16 hour days climbing scaffolding and lugging still and video gear all over the top of a building. While I am pretty sure I didn't get any images y'all would be interested in perusing on our thread, it was a challenge and, although exhausting, I enjoy that type of work too. I guess the bottom line is, I feel so fortunate to head out all over the world with gear in hand, that within reason, it doesn't matter what my client needs, I'm fired up to do my best to exceed their expectations.
Today is a fun day, I'm headed to the hangar to hide a bit, and give my son a little dual in our Cub. He's decided he'd like to get his license after all these years. Thanks for joining our thread, come by often!
Regards,
Jim
Edited by JWilsonphoto on Feb 23, 2007 at 09:07 AM GMT
Thank you for your kind words. I follow your beautiful images as well! I'm glad everyone is still enjoying this, we'll keep it up until it's not fun anymore!!
Many of my assignments annually have something to do with architecture, either building products, finished structure (commercial and residential), some involve capturing fairly technical aspects of product application/function. This image was challenging in that the building was somewhat less than striking architecturally and it was wedged in on the property which made getting it in it's entirety very difficult. I shot it on a Sinar P2 4x5 and pulled out one of those very expensive lenses that you need about twice a year, but when you need it, you need it.
I love digital, but there's still something magical about a beautiful 4x5 chrome on a light box! The process of getting it there is oh so painful and expensive though, compared to digital. I fear I'm addicted to the instant gratification (read peace of mind) of knowing exactly what I'm getting. This shoot brought back the memories of years and years of assignments and getting on the plane to go home with the only assurance being a crummy Polaroid test representation that I had learned to interpolate with reasonable accuracy. Aside from the fact that you actually see what you shot several days later, the process of setting up, loading and shooting the Polaroid tests (several times at least) and then loading and shooting multiple brackets of 4x5 transparency film is really tedious. With Polaroid sheet at $4 a pop, and transparency film ready loads at $3 and $3 for processing, it's easy to spend $30 to $40 on one bracketed perspective, not to mention 30 minutes of time. Come on Canon, bring on that 27 megapixel sequel!
Following up on an idea I got last week. I've found a great place that will make me up some nice quality t-shirts with my initials and website address on the back and an image on the front. I think I'll have a handful of them made so we can find each other at this year's events. Just so you'll know, the biggest identifying feature will be a large JW on the back. I'll wear them wherever I'm shooting to give us better odds of catching up with each other.
Looks like I'm branching out into HD video. I have a number of clients that have asked me to shoot "broadcast quality" video for them. Currently I shoot with a Canon XL-2 but will be adding Canon's new H-1 HD camera to my arsenal within a couple of weeks. I guess this means I better dust off my Final Cut Pro software and dig in, as if Photoshop isn't enough of a black hole of time!
I suppose it's my marketing background but I have a real hard time turning away business if I think I can do it well. Video is another area of imaging that digital technology has drastically changed the complexion of. $10,000 gets you very close to what $75,000 bought in image quality just a few years ago.
It's interesting though. As fascinating as HD video capture is, for me, that still image slice of time that we compose, expose and bring to life, has no equal for impact. Although, you gotta agree that bringing all those snarling Merlins to life at SML 2007 in HD will be pretty cool!
I began reading your thread earlier this evening in curiosity, and finished all 80+ pages several hours later out of pure compulsion. Your art is inspiring and entertaining; and given the seemingly "simple" subject matter, it's amazing how much each of your photos give me to think about in terms of colors, composition and technique.
More than that, I am encouraged in my spirit to see how plainly your faith impacts your life's work, and, more importantly, the people you encounter in it. This is the life we were meant to live -- embracing a deep, divine-encompassing passion and inspiring others to the same through humbly sharing as much of it as we can. You've really painted a picture through your words and kind responses to so many that I would like to someday imitate.
No one else has taken up the topic since you mentioned it, but I would really enjoy a seminar geared towards general photography ( or other subjects besides aviation, since I have neither the gear or experience there). I normally would have a tough time shelling out hard-earned cash in the hopes of getting something from a stranger, but your kindness, your teacher's spirit and the obviously God-given talent displayed in this thread would make that pretty easy.
Great Photographs guys, stunning work. I have a small request, dig up your pictures of the Swiss Army Knife! in other words: Pilatus PC-12, I want to see some stuff!
Just when I think our thread has run it's course, someone like you surfaces and absolutely blows me away. Truthfully, I almost didn't post those Mustang images a few months ago, it was just a whim. The fact that that you wonderful people have looked at this thread close to 56,000 times and posted 600+ photographs and comments means more than I can express. The first thing my Granddaughter Gracie does when she comes over is ask to see how many more times our thread has been viewed and what you all have said. You have become friends, and a part of my family. I consider it a priviledge to be able to share my images and what knowledge I have accumulated in the pursuit of our craft over the years. I have been blessed beyond my wildest dreams because for once I followed God's direction inspite of the seeming unlikelihood of success. Makes me wonder what He could have accomplished in me if I had exhibited that level of obedience and trust throughout my life.
Thank you Jeremy, for making my day. I look forward to meeting you personally at some point in the future. Oh, in answer to your question regarding seminars in general photography, I would be happy to host those as well. We just need about 25 or so enthusiasts in a particular area to e-mail me their willingness to attend and what they'd like to take home from our gathering.
Please stay in touch. Let me know if I can help you in any way.
Sincerely,
Jim
Edited by JWilsonphoto on Feb 25, 2007 at 09:55 PM GMT
Glad you like it! One of those rare opportunities to shoot through canopy with no crazing or scratches. Unfortunately, there isn't a place to view my images in their entirety. Actually, this thread is without a doubt the most extensive presentation of my work in existence. All my images are available in fine art form. They are printed one at a time and I personally scrutinize each one for color and sharpness. Coincidentally, I am demonstrating one of the new "Z" series wide format printers from HP this week. If it prints to my specs, I'll be producing my own art prints in short order. While I'm sure this will be a fine piece of equipment, I'm a bit skeptical that it can produce the depth and gloss that are the hallmark of my printed images.
Are your prints on a fixed price system? If so, can you publicly state what your prints generally sell for? I'm sure a lot of us here would like to know, and I'm also sure a few of us might turn into customers.
You really should think about some way to put your entire stock online and in searchable form. Even if the process takes time and is completed in a few years, it could be an invaluable marketing and sales tool; and it would also serve for the enjoyment and education of many. That project really could take a while, but is not in any way "difficult" in complexity, just volume.
On a third and final note, do you feel there's close to enough interest to launch a first seminar or two in 2007? I could make a first-half-of-April weekend nearly anywhere, or a fall (September through mid-December) in anyplace where we don't freeze our sensors off while shooting aircraft in flight. Consider me a firm commitment if the dates work out for me.
Thanks for your input. I wonder if it would make more sense to have that database feature as a part of my website or just use an already existing web gallery database? I think I'll research adding it to my site with an e-commerce feature. I've been approached by a number of entities that would do all the fulfillment and I wouldn't have to touch a thing. That doesn't appeal to me, because I would not want a single print to go out without my approval. My lab is very good, but I still find things here and there and "bounce" prints on a regular basis.
A number of you have purchased prints from the images on our thread. From the get-go I have priced the prints to all of you much differently than my standard print prices. My stock "fine art" for lack of a better description, landscape and aviation collection prints are priced as follows:
These are signed and numbered images, printed on 100 year archival media, generally Fuji Crystal Archive papers. FM friends have purchased their prints at roughly 1/2 those prices. Once again, these are "one off" hand printed images, I don't have the lab run fifty of something and keep a stack of them around like widgets.
As for our seminars, I don't have enough names submitted yet to put something on, but will continue to work on it and keep you posted.
Thought you might get a kick out of this. When I finally discovered the perfect headsets, I wrote the company a letter telling tham what a great product they make and how much time I spend wearing them. I ended up shooting for David Clark and being on the other side of the camera too. Their headsets are quite a bit more than the average, but they are well worth the difference!
