Justin Bassett's Journey - Then and Now

Part of the fun of social media, together with great conventions, is the people you meet and the friendships. I met Justin Bassett online, although I don't remember in what forum. Then, we had a chance to catch up to each other face to face at ShutterFest last April.

He posted the two images below this morning and gave me credit for my Throwback Thursday post. It inspired him to take a look at some of his older images. 

Justin, the truth is, you've got this amazing passion and you're giving me far more credit than I deserve. With every image you capture, every new skill you practice and additional time you spend working to be a great artist you get closer and closer to that goal. You have indeed come a long way, but what a kick for you to share your starting point with where you are today!

I've said it many times in the past - the best part of the industry has nothing to do with photography but the friendships that come out of everyone's love for the craft! Thanks for allowing me to share your FB post here on the SCU blog.

by Justin Bassett
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It's amazing looking back to see how far you've come from a certain point. The image on the left is a photo I took of a friend back in 2007, when I knew next to nothing about photographing people. I was just a guy with a camera that knew just enough to be dangerous...lol.

The image on the right, was taken a few weeks ago. Truth be told, until about a year and a half ago, pretty much all of my photos looked like the one on the left. I've definitely come far in that short amount of time, and yet I'm nowhere near where I want to be with my skill level. I see photos taken by people like Roberto Valenzuela, Sal Cincotta, Michael Anthony, Susan Stripling, Lindsay Adler, and a whole host of 'Heavy Hitters' in the Photographic Industry and that's where I want to be.

One can almost equate it to the Martial Arts -- you start off with no knowledge (White Belt) and gain all this knowledge and skill to attain the level of Black Belt, which is a good place to be; you're competent and can handle yourself well, yet despite all the knowledge and skill that you now possess, your journey toward mastery is only truly beginning.

I guess my point is, despite how far I've come, I still have a long way to go before I step up to that level....but I'm proud of where I am now in my photography skills. Thank You to all who have taken the time to work with me and teach me - I wouldn't be where I am without you.