Golden Gate Shooting and Alex Lindsay

So there I was with my friend Rick, taking pictures on a hill near Point Bonita when I hear a voice saying “excuse me sir do you know you need a permit to film here?” I’ve heard this before and always just act like I didn’t hear or just act stupid like I don’t know. The guy kept coming so I turned to look at him and it was Alex Lindsay! What a surprise! And we were off the road a bit and a little hike uphill and around. Most of the photogs were on the road, which is how I like it because the shutter clicks get picked up by my video camera. Alex is the creator of the Pixel Corps, a guild that I have belonged to for many years. Alex is also the guy responsible for my getting into podcasting. Alex predicted before many others that podcasting was going to be big. Leo Laporte was just starting his TWIT podcast and Alex offered to videotape it and post it as a video podcast. Alex put out an email to members asking if anyone could show up on Saturday morning and help with the shoot and I said I’ll be there with camera (a cheap dv camera) and a tripod (equally cheap). We filmed the show with three cameras (I was controlling one of the cameras), edited it, and posted it as the first video TWIT. I helped film a few more at different locations and enjoyed the work. But it wasn’t my thing.

I like tech as much as the next nerd out there but I don’t care to know everything or even try. I never even listened to TWIT when I wasn’t there filming it. The outdoors was my thing. On Saturday and Sunday when I had time to leave home, I wanted to be in the woods. So I decided to create Beautiful Places. A perfect blend of the nerd in me with tech, podcasting, equipment, etc. but also a perfect match for the nature lover in me. I feel lucky that I was able to find what I loved doing, and I owe a lot to Alex Lindsay for being that inspiration. We used to go to the Pixel Corps offices and hear Alex speak every Saturday. Those times were like a strong wind lifting me up. Alex’s generosity with his time as well as his willingness to let me tag along and work on projects that were way over my head allowed me to get real experience with real shooting. I’ve told this story before, but I was actually attending school at the Academy of Art in SF when I decided to create Beautiful Places. I was so sure it was right for me that I quit school and bought an HD camera with my leftover student loan money. Alex just smiled and nodded that Obiwan nod of his with the “you have done well” look on his face.

We talked about an hour about cameras, what he was doing there (HDR shots for a matte painting), my school, the Pixel Corps, then he went off to work and Rick and I went home.

I wish that everyone could find that one thing that really interests them, that will start their day with joy that they are able to do it. Sure, maybe your work doesn’t do that for you, but at least something you do on the weekends. That’s really what podcasting is for me right now, just a weekend now and then traveling to a beautiful place and filming it. I hope to some day be able to take large amounts of time and travel to further places. Right now, I am filled with happiness that I am able to teach kids during the week and create Beautiful Places on the weekends.

What is it that you like to do? Are you able to do it? Is it possible to make it into a career someday? Take a leap and start doing it! I’m not saying to quit your job, keep it and start your hobby on your day off. You may find that the fulfillment and joy it brings makes those days at work that much easier. And start a business that involves what you love doing! The tax benefits alone are worth the effort of starting your business. For me, my travel, equipment, gas, food, etc. are all business expenses! OK, sorry if that last bit sounded like Chris Brogen. I like him though and he has been inspiring some of the latest things I am working on.

Above is my favorite shot of the day. You can see more on my facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/tonyfarley/ Taken with my new Canon G10!