Bigal's a great guy probably just tiered of giving out advice to everyone that comes along and wants advice for free, I have quite a few of his pictures in my office and would buy more when I get the chance. Look at it this way would you take your care to a mechanic and ask him how to fix it and expect him to tell you how for free, taking money out of his pocket plus costing him his time.

I am no longer in business at the dunes, but I think you need to re-read this thread hrdtail. In a previous post I admitted I said the wrong thing, and totally disregarded being called an a-hole. Let it go and I will too. It's funny how business people are held to such a high standard that if you say one wrong thing, "but I'm glad I know now so I can keep on walking". Whatever man, sorry I don't live up to the perfection that you demand from retailers.

To get my photography where it is I have read dozens of books, attended college, wasted my life savings on equipment, spent endless hours testing and perfecting camera techniques, and tweaked photos in Photoshop until my fingers bled. The secret to great pictures is hard work and attention to detail, and there is so much to learn that I couldn't possibly sum it up in a couple tips.

When I got started I thought it was all about money, but I now realize it's really about the pursuit of excellence. If I didn't need money to live I would do it for free because that is how much I love what I do. On this last trip (New Years) I returned to my roots, duning and taking pictures just for fun like the old days. It was refreshing and I re-captured that passion for images I almost forgot about.

You want to learn to become a photographer? Then pay your dues like I have, and give everything you have or give it up right now. If you think you can go buy a 40D and a nice lens and BAM you're a photographer, I have news for you. It isn't going to happen. Sorry if that sounds rude, but it is the truth.

Now back to the pics...

Big Al is the man , he can make anyone look good with his killer pics, Al, I would like to be able to buy all the pics you have taken. but right now my wallet cant do that, Thanks Al

This is my wife Jennifer New Years weekend at the bottom of Test.

Patton Hill, same weekend.

I am completely with you on this. I had to save quite awhile to get my XTI, before that I was doing black and white on a now 25 year old Canon AE-1. I just missed probably the biggest thing that affects the type of photos I like to take and that is the mulitplication factor. Live and Learn. The AE-1 definitely has my respect though, I can just as good a picture on it as I can my XTI. I have taken a couple classes, and plan on more. I even had one teacher that was giving me lower grades on photos because I wasn't following the "rule of thirds," but at the end of the class I finally had a couple pictures that really popped and didn't follow the "rule." She ended up giving me an "A" becuase I stuck to my style and did what my eye saw best. That being said, I do use the "rule" for some stuff.

Thanks, sounds like you're heading in the right direction.

Jeep guys at Patton.

Love the pic of that Predator. Very nice. It amazes me how you get your shots centered on the frame.

Its nice to see that you have a lot of friends and supporters Bigal, after all, that’s what this site is all about right? Being friendly and supportive. Those of us who are not GD inner circle can only try and visualize who is behind the keyboard, and at that particular moment I saw this pimple face kid waiting patiently to ask for an autograph, only to be told to EFF OFF. At that moment I felt sorry for him and felt like I had to stick up (call me a sap but that’s how I felt) For god sakes he even apologized, asked you for your website, talked about his mom and dad, and told you what an awesome photographer you were. I don’t know who Fords4life is, but damm, what a great person (not to mention he still asked questions after you slammed him). I wanted to reach through my computer and throttle you, and that’s why I reacted how I did.

Hey, I’ve been through blood, sweat and tears in my profession as well, but I just thought you should have used a bit of tact in your response.

Ok, I think I’ve said my peace and I apologize to you for thinking you were an AHOLE at first, let’s move on and have a safe 2008.

Hell yaeh!!!! he was even able to make my slow arse LOOK fast

Awesome B&W shot Al...