Personal Work

So I am definitely still riding the high of last week.  Getting recognition for something you have worked for, is so rewarding.  At this point in my photography career everything I've created has been for myself.  All personal work.  There are so many people out who neglect themselves.  They let family, jobs, drama or just life take up all of their time.  Sadly, I have to say I was certainly one of these people.  The years I spent as a fine dining chef, that is all I did.  Every aspect of my life was consumed by the restaurant.  My passion and love for food dwindled as the years went by.  I neglected myself a great deal over those years.  Whether or not your career coincides with your passion, I feel that it is pivotal to take time for yourself.  As my life as a photographer develops I will not make the same mistake twice.  There are many blogs of great photographers that I follow, I take in all the advice they give.  Personal work has brought me so far already, I vow right here.  To never let that work stop.
Speaking of personal work... This past weekend our city held a pond hockey tournament.  The pond is actually a massive lake that sits dead center in our city.  The organizer filled an entire bay with multiple mini-hockey rinks.  Stadium lights, vendors...you name it.  An unbelievable set-up.  I thought this would be a great opportunity to try some night-time HDR.  I believe it was Zack Arias (and countless others) who said in his DVD "chances are to get that shot right you are going to have to get dirty".  Pretty sure those aren't the exact words but something to that effect.  He also said by showing a potential client that you are willing to go to those lengths, the confidence they have in your ability will increase.  They will "trust your process".  Well since any and everyone is a potential client, my feeling is that it better show in your personal work.  I thought I was lucky the night I decided to shoot this shot.  It was relatively warm out, it was not snowing.  Then... I start trucking through snow that was knee deep.  Slipping on rocks, let me tell you that nice warm air changed drastically.  100' feet up with no coverage what so ever, that wind was crisp.  As so many have said before..."it was totally worth it".  I am very happy with the result.  This shot was panned with 4 shots, taking 5 exposures with each one.  Time is running out, gotta head to class.  Soon I will get to my school project which is the whole reason this blog started.