Busy times in Saratoga Springs. Three weeks now, I haven't had a single day off! Get's a bit crazy after a while. But the assignments have been fun. Look for work in the Saratogian, The Scene, Ballston Spa Life and Hamilton County News.
Don't get me wrong however; I love my job. I knew that I had gone into the right field about a month into my full time gigging as a photographer. I was hired to shoot a show that I would have gone to and shot for free. It's an experience to be a a photographer. Quite often you're granted carte blanche - you get to go wherever you want.

From Fall 2009

Last year I got to shoot the Army Field Band at SPAC for the Saratogian. I showed up with a grin, my camera and a little piece of paper (very 1960's looking) that said I'm a member of the press. That little piece of paper gets glances with raised eyebrows every now and again. But it usually does its job. The Army took one look and granted me access backstage before the show. It's always a good thing to show up early to a gig whenever possible. You might spot something on the side of the road, or as in my case get to do things that weren't a part of your original assignment.

From Fall 2009

Getting this behind the scenes look at the prep work into the show was great. And it's moments like that make my job fun.

From Fall 2009

This shot is one of my favorites from the track -

From Saratoga Track

It's another that is a behind the scenes. Take this one from a race slightly earlier

From Saratoga Track

It's good, but not great. The difference? Take a look at the background. This is what viewers at the track get to see. All the cars, outhouses and other muck. You don't notice it live - your focus is on whether horse-glue sally is going to pull out the win with Jockey Elmer on her back. But it makes a world of difference in a photo, where your eye has time to survey the whole scene, and you're not wondering whether you just lost ten bucks. But with a little piece of track issued plastic (the track is a little more strict), a walk like you own the place and a quick nod to the security guard as you pass, you get to shoot with the stalls in the background. Great isn't it?


Eric