Your Complete Guide For Photographing Star Trails
Ever seen those pictures where the stars streak across the sky in a big arc? Or maybe the whole sky looked like it was spinning?
What you saw was star trails. The streaks were light left behind on the sensor or film from the star as it traveled across the sky in front of an open camera shutter. In fact, it only seems that way. What actually being recorded are stationary stars and the rotation of the earth that makes them spin. Kinda like you were standing on a vinyl record while it is playing. (yes, vinyl record, it is a form of ancient iPod).
For me, the images seem to have a certain magic or mystery about them. You must have heard a photographer talking about capturing that perfect moment in time. Well for capturing star trails you will need to capture the perfect hour or two in time. For such amazing looking images the technique to capture them is really quite simple. Keep reading for a complete set of instructions from start to finish.
How to Get Your Book Published
When I first thought of publishing a book I had no idea how to get it published. I knew I had a great concept for a photo/inspirational book and that I could shoot powerful photographs, but with no experience I felt it would be an uphill battle. I asked around for advise but only received negative information about how hard it was to get published.
The truth is no one will believe in you, or your dreams more than you. The universe is supposed to test you to see how badly you want your goal. If you give up at the first sign of "no" then you don't believe in your work that strongly. Whenever I'm working on a book project I always hear how "it's impossible", or "it takes years to get a deal" or "most photo books fail", and tons of other comments from those who want to cast their fears on you. Remember, you only get the fruit when you go out on a limb. Believe in yourself and just do it. You have nothing to loose.
I believed in my book project so I started shooting and conducting interviews. Now I'd never interviewed anyone in my life, but I knew the only way my book would become reality was if I got over my fears and did it. My idea was to photograph and interview 50 successful subjects on how they each got started in their careers. I wanted to learn first hand the background of their struggles, triumphs, setbacks, failures and ultimate success. To make matters worse I wanted to do this book with celebrities and many of whom I'd never met before. I knew I had to grab their attention the best way I could so I made elaborate invitations that looked like a great party invitation which included some of my best images and sent them out. It worked but It wasn't easy. I completed all 50 photographs and interviews but it was not easy, but the stories behind the scenes made the journey well worth it. Successful: How I Turned My Dreams into Reality is the photographic journey of 50 African-American celebrities telling me in their own words how each made their dreams come true. Each interview has a lesson to accompany the interview. For example Samuel L. Jackson is the lesson of endurance. I did his interview in his movie trailer while he was on the set of one of his movies. I remember it so well because his interview resonated with me so strongly. He described how he watched everyone around him become successful and that it was hard to take and he gave up on acting. Then he learned that he loved the acting and that it was the work that gave him joy, not the results of the work. He decided to act for the love of acting not for fame and fortune. When he put his heart into enjoying his craft the work started to pour in and little by little his dream became his reality. The same holds true for photography or any other profession for that matter. If you do what you love the work will follow. You may be tested but if you stay true to your dream the work will come. Successful is full of living proof.
The idea to do Successful came from my own inspiration to become a photographer. As a kid I thought photography was only a hobby, but at the age of 12 I read a book by photographer Gordon Parks called "The Learning Tree" and later another called " A Choice of Weapons". These books showed me anything was possible and that I could make a living as a photographer. It was a light-bulb moment for me and because those books had such a stong impact on me I wanted to do a book that would help others achieve their dreams. Gordon Parks had such a profound impact on my life so I had to attempt to photograph and interview him, even though I had never met him. My dream came true and I photograhed and interviewed my idol during the last years of his life. He passed away at the age of 93 but we became friends and the lessons I learned during his interview stay with me even now.
Today part 1 of Successful is available as an eBook and can be downloaded to read on your iPad or computer. The introduction is by Vanessa Williams who says, "Everyone dreams. And, of course, everyone doubts. In Successful, my friend Matthew Jordan Smith takes your dreams out of your imagination and places them in the palm of your hand. I wish I had a book like this at the beginning of my career to lead me and my high hopes through the mysterious maze in which we all become lost, at one time or another, when our dreams collide with our realities. Now those of us who are just beginning, those who are trying to keep on keeping on, and even those who feel like givin up, have a new vision. We have Successful."
I finished shooting and interviewing all 50 subjects and then went shopping for a book agent. In the beginning everyone around me told me it would take years to get a deal, however I got a deal in three days and had publishers fighting for it. Now part 1 is availabe to you as an eBook download and contains video footage links, behind the scenes images and much more. Always believe in your talent and your dreams. Let no one talk you out of pursuing your dreams.
Always Dream Big!
Successful is now available at the Gallery Store or by clicking the link below.
