I was looking on my Deviantart .com account recently to look at my old photography since the early 2000's. Deviantart dot com was the beginning of my journey of photography. From my early film days. (Shot everything in complete Auto settings) to my first digital camera. (Canon Sureshot) To my real first digital camera. (Canon EOS 10D then a month later, a Canon EOS 20D) Looking back at my early photography, like any photographer (being my own worst critic) I have seen the mistakes and progress I made back then with my photography. (To much Photoshop effects and those damn frames on the pictures...Yikes!)
This Journey of photography has taken me through some changes in this span of years. Learning how to shoot in manual settings. Knowing how to create solid composition. And finding my voice as a photographer. It hasn't been easy along the way. Nor was it easy to acquire the tools to do so. But thanks to the freelance jobs alone the way. The wonderful models I have been able to work with. The Indian Film Festival of Los Angeles and working with them for 5 years. As well as the many people I have met through those experiences. I thank everyone that has helped me alone the way with your creativity, patience and your belief in my abilities.
As I mentioned Deviantart .com, I was looking back to see when I started watermarking my photos. As I look to the beginning of my photo gallery it turns out that Virtu Imagery was born in 2007. This was clear when I saw the photo I took at live band with a girl drummer. The other photo was of Awedrea, my first "Real Model" I got to shoot. (I was excited as a schoolboy)
2007 was the year I created my vision of Virtu Imagery. Now, ten years later, I can look back on what I have created. And I must say, "Not Bad!" But trust me, I have not "arrived" or "Set the world on fire." I still have a long way to go. I still feel I have yet to scratch the surface of my abilities and creative vision. I still have something to say as a photographer. And I'm not done. I'm still looking for the images to say what I want the world to know.
Now I'm not the type that keeps up with anniversaries or things like that. Or take signs of providence with a grain of salt. But I'm glad that I was able to catch this when I did. Its good the stop and take a retrospective look at your progress as a photographer. Not out of vanity, but to see how far you have come. It easy to look at other's work and dismiss your own work as "not good enough" or "you will never be as good as fill in the blank". I believe I don't have to be as good as , Such and Such? I just got to be Good!
So as 2017 comes to a closing end? I just want to say "Happy Anniversary Virtu Imagery." Lets do this again in 2027.
This was at the Rusty Surf Ranch in Santa Monica CA.
This was the girl drummer of a LA band called "Last Drag."
Riviera Village,
Redondo Beach, CA.
Model: Awndrea
