Archive for May, 2009
SKY BERGMAN | Those Who Inspire
Reflections 
5
Fri 05.29.2009
Sky Bergman
There’s a saying that behind every talented person is a talented teacher. If you think about it, it must be true, even if that “teacher” only taught life lessons. When I was in college, I was fortunate enough to have a professor who not only taught me photography skills, but who also encourage me as an artist.
I met Sky Bergman during my first year of photography classes at Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo. She was one of my teachers, but unlike others, she was also a practicing (absolutely amazing!) photographer. She really knew how to cultivate our creativity and push us further. In her classes, I felt encouraged to try new things. Things I wouldn’t have had the courage to do otherwise. Another thing I admired about her was that she always knew exactly what to say to motivate us to do our best. She could pull out the greatness in everybody and pushed us to find out what makes us special. And while all of these lessons were valuable, the greatest lesson of all came when I graduated.
Sky really wanted one of my prints. Because I admired her so much, I offered to give it to her for free, as a gift. She wouldn’t accept it unless I let her pay for it. We squabbled over this until she finally accepted it, and much to my chagrin, mailed me a check for $250 (much more than I ever would have thought it was worth!). And while I was both upset that she had paid that much and grateful for the money, I realized her plan had been strategic. She showed me the value of my work, and let me know that it was ok to ask people to pay for it. That lesson about not underestimating my worth as an artist has stuck with me ever since.
Sky and I are now more friends than teacher/student, but thanks to her inspiration and invaluable lessons, she will always be on a pedestal in my eyes.
My latest “Image Stories” issue has been selected by Campaign Monitor in their featured galleries section. Other featured companies include Suburu, DHL, Apple, etc.Here is what they had to say about my bi-monthly newsletter – Image Stories:Photographer Catherine Hall approaches her newsletter as if it were her journal. There is plenty of emotion delivered in the email’s content – both via the copy and the stunning photography. The tone is continued right down to the unsubscribe link at the bottom, where Catherine relates subscribing to the newsletter as to partake in my image adventures.
The simple, clean layout is uncluttered and communicates the photographer’s message clearly, and doesn’t completely rely on the imagery, which is rare for photographers emails.
Please email studio@catherinehall.net with subject line “subscription” for complimentary issues.
TWiT (This week in Tech) Podcast: The panel included Catherine Hall, Patrick Norton, Jason Calacanis, Brian Brushwood, Dr. KiKi. Topics discussed include: Swine flu, Microsoft revenue drops, Apple poo-poos netbooks, The Pirate Bay, and more.
Tasmania Album Places 1st Place at WPPI
Awards, From The Studio 3
Fri 05.01.2009
Journal entry #15 – The People of Tasmania
As I sit on the plane returning to SF I feel deeply saddened as though a part of my heart has been left in Tasmania. My love for this island does not route from the expected such as sensational landscapes, magical forests, exotic wildlife, but lies in the extraordinary people that I was blessed to meet.
My love of travel is fueled by exposure to various cultures and my love of a country is dependent upon the nature of its people. In my life I have never found a place full of such beautiful people that made me feel safe, welcome, comfortable and embraced. I felt accepted without reservation, judgement or suspicion, which is not always the case when you have a huge camera hanging around your neck. Tasmanians are open people who are kind, generous and willing to share their lives. There is a pureness to them that I haven’t been able to find anywhere in the world. They give because they want to, because they have open hearts and minds and they expect nothing in return. The nature of those I was fortunate to meet has truly affected my life and will undoubtfully have a profound affect on me and the way I live my life.
YOU ARE INVITED TO VIEW MY TASMANIA IMAGES that placed 1st Place at WPPI album competition.
You may also find out more about my Tassy work and other Adventure Photographers in Rangefinder Magazine, O’Reilly websites, Adobe Lightroom Book by Mikkel Aaland, PDN, TWiT with Leo Laporte, Rangefinder Radio, Adobe Lightroom Gallery Site and by visiting my Blog.
Thank you Mikkel Aaland and all the Lightroom Adventure Sponsors (Adobe, Tourism Tasmania, Epson, Lowepro, O’Reilly and Qantas) for making this trip possible.
