Xmas gas

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Working for free

Do you do it. I do. Most people do it. But, do you realize it when you are? I was at the gym yesterday, doing my workout, but due to my own errors, hadn't had enough carbs to take me through the duration. This caused the effect of my concentration drifting between sets. Someone asked me for some advice. Obviously, being polite I gave it freely. Just then one of the personal trainers came on to the gym floor to say hi to someone else and overheard me giving advice to this guy. Well, this guy then said to the personal trainer, 'Look out, because I'll be asking for your advice soon', to that I said, 'yeah, but he charges for the pleasure'. Now, I know his advice won't be any better than mine. I've tried and tested experience and knowledge which works. So should I not also charge someone who want to be taught by me?

I've got this idea that I don't mind helping people to learn and move forward utilizing knowledge I've given then adding their own. What I dislike are those who are too lazy to learn for themselves and just want to know to be told what to do. They'll also be the first to say what you told them doesn't work. Forgetting that for it to work, they need all the learning that precedes the final stage. Now that learning is an individual thing, bespoke to them.

This idea doesn't just apply to me and the gym, but my day job too. Unless of course if I'm being paid in British Sterling of course. Then I'll ensure they get the results they want.

Is all of this any clearer?

Which 'end of the stick' do you grab?

Having had a couple of responses, verbally not through this blog I might add, I may need to clarify a thing or two.

One must understand how I'm using the term 'things for free'. Its 'free' when I gain absolutely nothing. Now to 'gain something', that represents either, getting paid, learning something new or perhaps having something produced that could help me move forward with a project I might have on the go. An example of the latter would be where I've perhaps taken some photos for someone of which I'm then able to use for my portfolio or website.

Of course you could say I've gained through the knowledge that I have helped someone, charitable gains we'll call that. That has, in my view, the prerequisite of having no financial gain to the other party. Then there's the Learn and Earn option, of which I consider this as offering my services/knowledge very cheaply, almost comparable to a 'Loss Leader', just that in my case it would be, I want to specifically work on a project because of the marketing opportunities which may have a greater chance of generating other work or interest of potential clients. I guess what i'm saying is 'If they're earning so should I', no?

So, any other questions?

I haven't finished with this yet, so more later this week..

'God helps those who help themselves'

Well, for starters, he said no such thing. But......Paul said in 2 Thessalonians (3:10)"… If anyone will not work, neither shall he eat.”

Now. Whats that go to do with me? It's about misinterpretation (I don't think I ever used that word before). You all have encountered that before. Maybe just not thought about it as hard as I have been recently.

OK. I need to get you on the right track, just to set the pace. Why choose a biblical misquote? Why not one of the many thousands(?) of other inspirational, motivational (mis)quotes? Because this is about me offering and giving help to others, specifically those who ask me for help with work related issues.

This is not a moan to them nor a call for them to stop. Its about me managing my priorities. Being focused on what I want to be doing.

Its does not help that I really enjoy helping others through the use of my knowledge, or my way of looking at a giving task. Now I'm not saying that I know something about everything, just that the stuff I do know, I really enjoy knowing it and am constantly trying to use it, to the point of distraction. everything else just looks grey in comparison. Also that sometimes the way I look at tasks, can often lend the view to non related topics. You still with me?

Because I enjoy helping others, I've found they often, take advantage of me, trying to get me inspired to help them, by way of the lure of the 'fabled carrot'. After all, from my perspective, having a hobby that also happens to be my job, makes it easier to undertake a troublesome task.

Well, do they take advantage of me? Perhaps I exploit myself. By exploit I'm describing being distracted from my own goals without any reward. Unfortunately, making others happy or helping them with their problems, knowing that I've actually contributed to them moving forward makes me feel rewarded. Here's the 'bullet'. It don't pay the bills.

To be distracted with things which fall under the guise of work around the house, if only I could be. It wouldn't really matter that there was no financial gain only expenditure, because the fruits are enjoyable by more than me. They are intrinsic things. They just do not appear as rewarding to me.

I'm going to stop 'doing things for free'. Unless there is a direct connection to what I want to be doing moving forward with either learning or having the results usable in my own projects, I have to be able to say no. I cannot try to join the dream of someone else. I have to be focused on what I want to be doing. Not slowing me down and distracting me. Otherwise, 'In God we trust'..the rest pay cash.

More later this week.

DK

Whats going on

Ah, procrastinate, such a harsh word to use. Almost seems as though I'm back in the 'Well of Poo'. I don't need any company down here, what I need are those who doesn't want to get down here, but are willing to throw me a rope to climb out, and that I've been given a lifeline upon which I'm able to change the predicament I've got myself into.

I have, again, got too many ideas of what to do and not enough time to complete any of them. At least I'm back at the gym, and getting reasonable results. I just need to get my photography moving again. My website (http://www.dnlkphotography.co.uk) is coming along nicely, I just need to get some traffic and interest in hiring me for a project, or just for a wedding or a nice portrait or family pic or even their pet. Hey, what the hell, if you know of someone who may need services I can offer, I'll give you a commission.

Well...any takers?

Mia's First Day back at school.

Now she is in year 1! looking so smart in her new uniform I'm so proud.

Last weekends thoughts

Having had a wonderful weekend. Relaxed and easy. I've managed to move along with my hobby - I've outlined my basic wedding packages. Now, yes I do know that I could have just copied them from one of the many Wedding Photographers sites, but I want to be able to say that it is what I'd recommend to any prospective clients. As its a hobby for me currently, I want take pictures that I like, at the same time photographing what they want.

Here's the catch. As its a hobby, I can afford to be cheaper than the average photographer, but I don't want to be cheap just because I can be. My work has a value, and as such, should reflect the market value of such photographs. After all, on the day, it's a job. And the ultimate value is for those being photographed. What do they value the capturing of their precious day. In most cases, it is a one time affair.

This leads me to the point of quality. I won't release the photos without careful scrutiny of them. If the pictures are not of the best quality and they show someone else....do you think they'll put you on their list for future jobs? So, if I think they need a little help, then I do it. It's all in the price. There will never be an occasion when one does not have to do a little image editing, so this is allowed for.

So. It is not just about taking pictures. But ensuring the client gets the best I can do. This they pay for.

I'll offer the packages in two ways. The first is for a days fee, with print costs on an ad-hoc basis where they can go to my website and just pay for the pictures they want. The second option is a complete package all including an agreed number of photos printed to agreed sizes.

Now, I need to work on my website ideas, so look out for my updates.

Blink and you might miss me!

Look close around the two minute mark. I'm the cop kicking the door in and gets wet.

Whatcha Doin'?

Yeah, what are you doing? Not right now, but in general. You know, that personal project that you want to be doing. Finding the time or having to save up for it. With me its usually one of these.

Now I'm no procrastinator 'cause when I can, I do (well, most of the time). But the thing is, whilst I wait for the 'right moment' other ideas start to develop. It's as if I'm 'on a roll' with ideas. So I make a list. Usually each thing is just a phrase or just one word to describe the thing I want to do. It could be 'Cactus', 'Macro' or 'New lens'. Anyway, once there's a few things written down, I might try and expand each thing by listing the details of the ideas. Currently all the majority of my 'things' are photography related, the minority ones being food related.

I find I can't treat the list like an exam paper, doing the easy ones first then coming back to the more difficult ones (or the ones which I need to save up for). I do however cheat by trying to write the list in the order of achievablity(?).

There is of course another hurdle, having enough hours in the day. Trying to fit family life and personl time in an evening or the weekend. Sometimes my head just hurts with it all.

Time for some painkillers!

Proposed projects

Being in the mind set of expanding my opportunities. I'm going to hire a hall and have an 'open day' for people who would like to have their portrait taken, or perhaps want to bring along some of their family or friends to have a group picture taken.

I have to decide how I'm going to produce the prints. Should I hire an instant printer or use my HP photo printer. Hmmm.

Easter Weekend

As the weekend hit all seemed as though I had enough time to get those little projects which needed my attention done. Wishful thinking huh?
My head is brimming with ideas, things to photograph, people to photograph. Letters to write, plans to plan out......, I'm just lacking some focus. I know the general direction I want to go, it's just, well I know what I mean.

Currently my ideal weekend would be to have a whole day of photography, preferably taking portraits. With this I can enjoy not only the job in hand , but the bonus of conversation with my subjects. Don't get me wrong, I love reportage style photography, where I'm just an observer trying to tell the story of the event in pictures, capturing perhaps some of the mood if I'm lucky.

Tomorrow I'm going to go out an attempt some street photography, maybe even re-awaken my one hundred strangers project.. who knows. I just hope to be able to add some more images here.

Back again

Here I am once again, back from doing other things.
It's been quite tough in the industry of late, very little work it would seem, but actually there are just more people out there looking for the same amount of work thats out there.

The blogs that I read are generally photography based ones, as thats what I spent my free time doing nowadays. I'm pushing myself into a photographer, or at least trying to develop my photography skills to add to my skill set. Finding what I'm good at photographing is where I'm at. I'm trying to self teach through experimentation and reading and of course getting advise from friends and colleagues who are photographers. I've done paid work doing a wedding and some portraits, but most of what I'm doing is studio table stuff of which I tend to publish on my flickr site.

I'll try to do at least a weekly update from now on.
Check out my flicker site

St Patricks Day

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Family fun

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mia and amani

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Manchester 31-12-08/01-01-09

Well, its been too long I know.
Here are some pictures from my recent visit to Manchester. It's a snow slide in the middle of Piccadilly Gardens.