Sunday Morning Reflections - Spending Time With a Buddy

It's a typical Sunday and while this might get a little sappy, it's really about the importance of a great skill set. 

There are a whole series of guest posts in Luminary Corner from my good buddy, Bob Coates. We've been friends for a lot of years, going back to my early WPPI days. I'm convinced he's shooting some of the finest work of his career, all under the fine art umbrella, but here's the fun of a friend with a great skill set. His career has taken him through wedding, portraiture, commercial and architectural work. While fine art is his passion today, there's nothing he can't shoot and yesterday was a prime example.

I do a lot of volunteer work for the Friendship Centers here in Sarasota. I also do their blog and help them with social media on their BeAwareBetterCare.com site. I met this group of amazing people, because my Dad and I used to attend their Caregiver Support Group when dealing with my mother's Alzheimer's. 

Earlier this week they asked me to participate in a local ad campaign featuring people involved in many of their community services. They wanted an image of me and Dad together with me in the foreground and Dad behind me, slightly out of focus. The image will be used in a testimonial ad.

As luck would have it, Bob and his wife, Holly, are in Sarasota on vacation and with absolutely no effort I was able to "twist his arm" for a quick shot of me and Dad, but then he did a shot of just Dad for me.

Tech Note: Bob captured these two images with the LUMIX GH4 and the 42.5 f1.2 Leica Nocticron Lens

So, here's the point I'm trying to make...

Bob's got an amazing skill set. He's a Panasonic LUMIX Luminary and is never without a camera. He's passionate about the craft, constantly learning and always trying to expand the boundaries on his comfort level. He never compromises on the quality of an image or for that matter in giving back to the industry, the community or his friends.

Photography is a career field dependent on your constant education. No matter how much you think you understand every aspect of the craft there's always going to be something new. Technology is always going to keep us challenged and give everyone the opportunity to keep raising the bar.

Just don't forget about the importance of passion! Bob is one of the most passionate photographers I've ever worked with and the foundation of our friendship has been built on our mutual love and respect for the craft. Plus, he's constantly trying something different that he hasn't done before.

It's Sunday and for you, it just might be the perfect day to just kick back with your camera and head out to photograph in a way you've never done it before.

---

"I'm always doing things I can't do. That's how I get to do them."
Picasso

As always. wishing you all a wonderful Sunday and a day to hug somebody you love, but also give yourself a hug for staying focused on being the very best artist you can be!

All images by Bob Coates. All rights reserved.