My Exhibition News

Posted by photographicdesign on November 14, 2014
Posted in: Uncategorized. Leave a comment
Prince Williams Parish

Prince Williams Parish

I have a show going up at the Art Emporium this November- and I’m pretty excited about the “buzz” it’s gotten even before it’s hung in the gallery!

If you go to the Art Emporium open house this weekend, You can even enter for a chance  to win a framed and matted 10×15 of the Prince Williams Parish (Shown above) if you go to the Open house this weekend and sign up for the drawing:

From  Art Emporium:

“We will have a sneak peek of Clayton’s new show, “Absence of color… Presence of Inspiration” during our Holiday Open House, and we will be giving away this professionally framed 10×15 photograph ($250.00 value) to one lucky visitor!

Stop by Art Emporium this Saturday between 10:00am and 6:00pm to enter for your chance to win Clayton’s piece “Prince Williams Parish”. -Random drawing will take place at 6:00pm.

(No purchase necessary to enter. Winning drawing recipient need not be present to win. Winner will be notified by contact information on the drawing ticket. All results are final.)”

This Charleston Daily Mail newspaper also had an arts section with one of my images from the show last nigh too- WHOO HOO!   🙂

My image and a small write up was in the Charleston Daily Mail last night

My image and a small write up was in the Charleston Daily Mail last night

Posted by photographicdesign on November 7, 2014
Posted in: Uncategorized. Leave a comment
Sheldon Church Ruins, Located in S.C.

Sheldon Church Ruins, Located in S.C.

“Practice any art, music, singing, dancing, acting, drawing, painting, sculpting, poetry, fiction, essays, reportage, no matter how well or badly, not to get money and fame, but to experience becoming, to find out what’s inside you, to make your soul grow.”
Kurt Vonnegut

** Get a “Sneak Peek” of my new Monochromatic Exhibit at Art Emporium‘s Open house IN Charleston WV, on the corner of Quarrier and Hale Streets,  Saturday November 15th, 2014 – Clayton**

# Art Emporium  #Clayton Spangler  #Exhibit

Legacy and beyond; bidding close to a chapter

Posted by photographicdesign on October 29, 2014
Posted in: essay. Tagged: , , . Leave a comment
Enter the Red Doors

Enter the Red Doors

This past Friday marked a personal milestone for me.
It was my last issue of being the photography editor for WWVM.
The magazine lives on of course, and will continue to be published; albeit under new management.
I think that most of us would bemoan the fact that when change happens and we aren’t on what we consider the “good side” of it, we would feel entitled to vent and complain that the powers be didn’t give us our due or that “fate was against us.”

I don’t feel that way at all.

As a matter of fact, I’m completely grateful for what I was able to accomplish and be a part of in the years that I have been the photography editor for the magazine. I helped a few new photographers find audience with our readers, promoted West Virginia in a positive light, and learned more about this great state than most people will in a lifetime.
I have seen and been in places both remote and untamed, met the people who would claim them, met with creators of hope in communities that most thought had seen better days; only to find new life from those who have dreams and a fresh vision for the future.

After reminiscing over my career as WWVM photography editor, I can’t think of a single thing I have regrets over, save one- stories that  I wanted to continue telling, but can’t continue to in the position I once held ; having to be content to let others take over the narrative instead.

As I gave final notes on my final issue before we went to press, I was reminded of the words that the then publisher Harry Price gave me when I asked for beginners advice starting out on my journey with the magazine.
“Clayton” he said ” Be prepared for when this becomes a work of the heart!”   Even then, I ‘m not sure I fully grasped the implication of all this would come to mean to me; but I understand the power of it now.

That being said, I hope the legacy I leave behind will show that I made a difference to the magazine, and that I’ve touched readers lives as much as they’ve touched mine.
And no, I do not intend on choosing to mark this moment in saddness; but to embrace it and all that I’ve become by being a small part of it all.  This is but a chapter, not the end of a book.

Thank you all for your support and I look forward to seeing what comes next!

Best wishes to all,

Clayton

🙂

SH*T Happens…

Posted by photographicdesign on October 23, 2014
Posted in: Events. Tagged: , , , . Leave a comment
Clayton Spangler shooting an episode of underEXPOSED with Gracey Dove at the 2014 Bridge Day (Friday before)

Clayton Spangler shooting an episode of underEXPOSED with Gracey Dove at the 2014 Bridge Day (Friday before) Photo © Bill Brown

So…..I get a call from the powers that be in charge of Bridge Day this year- wondering if I would like to cover the B.A.S.E. jumping event; but with a twist. There’s a Canadian film crew coming and they want to shoot an episode of underEXPOSED- a popular APTN  (Aboriginal Peoples Television Network ) television show.

underEXPOSED” is an adrenaline packed, youth documentary TV series, featuring a team of action sport photo journalists. Each episode has the star partner up with a professional photographer who “mentors” them in the nuances of how to best capture the action and give them tips and tricks to get the job done.

Not everything goes according to plan all the time.
There are always “glitches” that happen when you least expect them, but it’s how you handle those problems that defines the moment, not the other way around.

The shooting and filming part actually went rather well for me…..:-)

However it was AFTER the day was over things started falling apart for me-when we were shooting the end piece of the show where I critic Gracey’s work and let her know how she did.
You know it’s about to go south when:

  • 3) You find Three of the Four CP Flash cards you shot- did I mention you used to have four!?!
    (Yep….it had it’s own special pocket and fell OUT of said pocket at the venue– never to be found again and had ALL of that mornings shots on it!)
  • 2) You borrow a computer and find they don’t have a compact flash card reader- so you borrow one of those too.
  • They ask you to show your work side by side with hers – and they didn’t tell you to bring a computer/laptop
  • You shoot raw photos- the computer you borrowed doesn’t have any photo editing software to convert RAW files.
  •  You find a free program that’s a raw viewer that will allow you to adjust brightness and global color- thats it- no other functions.

OK- don’t panic; don’t let them see you sweat.
I proceeded to handle all this with my calm pilots voice – you know the one, like the plane is about to go down and the pilot is telling you there may be a “bump” at the landing?…yeah….that’s me right there and then….

The thing is….When you’re shooting for clients who expect to use your work; there are no good excuses as to why you don’t have anything to show-Visually staring at a blank space where a photograph ought to be tends to really piss off  irritate art directors….just sayin…

( Although I have to say, they were very polite and understanding- but I still needed something to finish the show with…)

I had taken a lot of  example photos to show Gracey at the landing zone- where the B.A.S.E. jumpers land under the New River Gorge Bridge- It’s not like I didn’t come back without a “keeper” photo or anything!
Actually because I shoot with a graphic, lead your eye to the subject style- the ones I shot were actually pretty decent- at least they were different from the typical photos I see a lot of – which makes it interesting for the audience- And hopefully I came out still looking like a “professional”…:-)

In the end, we did the “Side by Side” showing of images and everything looked great ( the magic of television…)
Gracey got an honest critic of her work- and we both came away learning something!
( She learned about panning with the action- I learned to put media cards in a ZIPPERED pocket! )

The photograph below sort of sums up the challenges of the day too- I mean, it’s one thing to jump off a bridge, right? But with an approaching storm,  winds kicking up and clouds start to block out the sun?….
A lot of the media pit had cleared out by then- most had deadlines for stories to file; but I hung on for dramatic shots like this one.
With a strong tail wind blowing, this dude went for it and made a great jump- and I got a shot that wasn’t like everybody else’s…..Win Win!

Moral of the story? Sh*t happens, but you don’t have to smell like it. 🙂

B.A.S.E. Jumper with chute deplyed before an upcoming storm front hits. Photo © Clayton Spangler Photographic Design

noise and a point of view

Posted by photographicdesign on September 4, 2014
Posted in: essay, thoughts, Uncategorized. Leave a comment
Me by Vickie Harper Reed

Me by Vickie Harper Reed

I’ve been thinking.

Thinking a lot about “noise” and “Signal” (Thank you Zack Arias) and to what I’m “tuned into” nowadays.
There are so many people out in the blogsphere that have something “shiny and new” to tell you everyday ( My last post was December 2013 before this one) so I don’t blame you if you aren’t a “Regular follower” because I’m not a “regular poster”.
The truth is, even though I originally started a blog to reach more people thinking it was a good way to raise my web rankings , now I don’t care if I do or not- I’m not writing them for everybody; I’m sharing my thoughts with just you and me- so let’s get cozy….:-)

Here is one I am having now- I wrote this in response to a friend who was lamenting about how today’s creative market won’t sustain the artist.
My reply:

“creativity became a commodity when we became focused business people instead of artists….Competition to sell an idea of “Art” became more important than the dream that inspired it.” ~ Clayton Spangler

In my opinion, it  is far easier to create mediocrity en masse than thought provoking works that inspire.  I don’t think this is the public’s fault at all. I think that it takes a lot of effort on behalf of ANY artist to educate and create a supportive clientele that will sustain them through their creative process in life.  It’s the “Good Enoughs” that copy those views without any real meaningful thing to say themselves that devalue the work to the point it becomes a product.

When I can get what I want cheaply, What’s the difference between a fancy boxed and packaged product or a work of art you ask?  Only this- When you buy something as a commodity, you buy what the market deems en vogue, you are buying what has been determined profitable for mass consumption by people who have seen the success that others are having with a formulatic system or way of doing something- and is created by the masses for the mass.

When you buy something that speaks to your soul- whether that ‘s a song, a sculpture, a painting, a photograph- You may even buy the item directly or not from the artist or their agent; but it becomes priceless in it’s resonance to you by your emotional response to it.

Supporting the arts and artists who truely inspire you or have something to say that only may ever be heard or seen by you; have  at least found a kindred spirit in point of view.

Being an artist myself – It’s not always about what the market will bear; but what your heart will.

 

Doorways

Posted by photographicdesign on December 23, 2013
Posted in: thoughts, Travel. Tagged: , , , . Leave a comment
Teal Doorway- Lynchburg VA.

Teal Doorway- Lynchburg VA.

Doorways fascinate me.
The more imposing and ancient they appear; the more I am drawn to them. They strike me as holding something in rather than keeping someone out; mysterious when you look at it that way!
(Actually, I “see” most of my world that way- full of curiousness and wonder)

 

*location note*
The Church  doorway was more than halfway up the steps along Monument Terrace in Lynchburg Virginia- well worth the trek

 

Happy Happy Happy!

Posted by photographicdesign on September 12, 2013
Posted in: merchandise, website. 2 Comments

Flash drive with my logo on it

Sometimes it’s the “little “things that make you happy- Take this flash drive for instance. Yes, it’s a promo peice for some of my upcoming workshops and such- but it’s the first flashdrive I’ve ever gave out with MY logo on it!
The thing is…..It’s just kinda “cool”! I’ve wanted to do a product like this for a while, getting my name in the hands of my great clients on something that I know they are gonna use!

Truth is, in the past these little babies have been a little pricey for me and didn’t justify the bulk expense as a vanity piece of promotional packaging. that is, until I found out about photoflashdrive.com

I want to be upfront about this- I do NOT get any free swag or kickbacks from Photoflash- I don’t even care if you mention my name as the person who sent you- what I DO care about is the product and service I received today from them. It was what I expected and then some. I ended up needeing them a little sooner than expected from the shipping date they had- They worked with me to get it here ASAP- with no groaning on the other end of the phone-BONUS!

So….what have we learned here today? Flashdrives are cool, and they are even cooler with my logo on them. 🙂
( Almost like seeing your name in lights- but without the electricity bill….)

Being in the “right place”

Posted by photographicdesign on August 21, 2013
Posted in: Charleston, Travel. 1 Comment

IMG_0341_ADJUSTED

Ever been in the right place; but at the “wrong time?………

    Nothing wrong with this photo- looks like everything went just right doesn’t it? There’s a reason for that- It’s the image I wanted you to see- It’s the one that “tells the story” of my experience there.
This is the one I took the day before:

2010 Charleston SC 001

    Not so impressive is it?Almost the exact same spot- but it wasn’t “the right time” for all the elements to come together.

    Was I dissapointed in this one? no, not really- I KNEW it was where I wanted to be photographically and I worked hard   drove a long way just to get here.
I took a chance that conditions would be good to make the image I held so clear in my mind ( the conditions dept. didn’t get the memo ….) I could have held up my hands and said “oh well, I tried- this is what it is”…..and isn’t that what a lot of us do in our lives sometimes too? We get to where we think we need to be, instead of opening our eyes to the possibilities that surround us?
     Facing  facts that I couldn’t change the weather, I decided to change how I looked at the situation. I started “Working the scene” – not staying in one place waiting.
      ( although, when you get that gut feeling to wait patiently right where you are; you better heed it- cause changes are a comin one way or another!  *Smiles*)

Here is what I found:

Gallery Edition Pano

    If I had given up when I was so very close, I wouldn’t have gotten this shot- even though I was literally just around the bend from it! I would like to point out that I never took my eyes off of where I wanted to be- that’s still the Morris Island Lighthouse in the background- But I changed the angle of my approach to make what I had available work for me.
    As for patience, I came back the next day- with a fresh perspective of not coming into this with expectations of what I wanted to photograph; but kept an open mind that I should just be there in the moment. Afterall, I was coming back to the place I wanted to be.
    The top photograph in this blog was  taken on my last day in Charleston SC.  just as the sun rose above the horizon line of the ocean. This is the photo that ended up being better than what I thought I had came there for in the first place…
🙂

The adventure begins…Coastal Colors Cruise Photography Workshop!

Posted by photographicdesign on August 19, 2013
Posted in: Photography workshop. Tagged: , , , , . Leave a comment

2009_Savannah_040

What: In conjunction with Carpe Vita Travel-My photography workshop on board the  Royal Carribbean International’s “Grandeur Of The Seas”!

Where: From Baltimore with ports of call in Portland Maine, Bar Harbor Maine, St.John, New Brunswick and Halifax Nova Scotia!

When: September 18th to September 26th, 2014

More Information about the itinerary HERE: http://www.cvitaevents.com/coastal-colors.html

Sign me up for the workshop HERE: http://www.eventzilla.net/web/event?eventid=2139011725

**note** Seats are limited for the workshop – we only have 16 openings!

Sign me up for the cruise HERE: http://www.carpevitatravel.com/

This is a special amenities cruise sponsored by the Cruise Planners Home Office twice a year. On this cruise, we are able to offer guests:  $450 on board credit per stateroom Free dinner for two in a specialty restaurant on board (one dinner for two per stateroom) One free surprise gift from Cruise Planners

Photography is the way I visually share experiences. It’s my way of telling a complete story to the viewer who reads an article, or sees my work in a magazine, gallery or post.

I’ve struggled with gear, learning from my mistakes and through it all- but it was never an option to not do photography. I found a freedom within the frame- I found my purpose.

During this series of sessions at my workshop, you’ll learn how to put the pieces together to not only take better photographs technically; but to have images that speak of your experiences. It’s my hope that these lessons will help you to continually be able to do this long after my moment in your journey is over- This knowledge should give you a lifetime of better photos to enjoy.

We’ll cover the basics of course. Composition, shutter speed, aperture and how this should affect every single image decision you make or take.  If we speak “Visually”, think of this as the words that make up your sentence.

I’ll share what has worked for me from my years of experience; as well as what hasn’t.

We’ll talk about perception. Coming to new and exciting places, finding that special “something” that will make your photography stand out in some special way from someone else’s.  It’s not enough to be in beautiful places, it’s about finding what’s beautiful to you in the places you see.

It’s probably a safe bet that most of us have had images straight out of the camera that weren’t as good as we thought they should be. There are ways to adjust images that are “almost there” and puts them in the “One’s we’re proud of” catagory.

I can’t promise that anyone who comes to my workshops will go on to have a great photography career; but I can promise that you’ll be much happier with the photos you take- and in the end, that’s what it’s really all about!

For anyone out there who has a sense of adventure and wants to take their photography to the next level- This one’s for you – I hope you can join me for the Coastal Colors Photography Workshop Cruise!!!
🙂

*UPDATE*

I’ve been advised that Royal Caribbean will come looking to pull back group space that isn’t booking up with a deposit. They do this as early as 60 days before the drop dead deposit date, so if you are thinking of going, please try to get your deposit in by 1 November! We’re moving along pretty well, but still have space to fill to meet our minimum workshop number.

Doorways

Posted by photographicdesign on May 23, 2013
Posted in: Art, Charleston. 2 Comments
Doorway of mystery in Charleston SC

Doorway of mystery in Charleston SC

     I’m drawn to doorways- they facinate me for some reason. Some doorways/portals locked to us for all time; some open and welcoming-Maybe it’s the mystery of what waits behind them?

     The shadows of the iron fence drew me to this one, as did the upside down skeleton keyhole. It made me curious as most things I photograph do. I wanted to know the story behind the upside down keyhole, the stories of those who live behind this formitable doorway- it’s my nature to savor the “what if’s” as I visually tell the story of my couriosity…..