I watched the Tom Brokaw special "1968" on the History Channel tonight. Well...I watched as much of it as I could while trying to assert my role as "Mr. Mom" on evenings when my wife is at work. LOL

One of the people they interviewed was, of course, some kind of hippie radical expert or something...gee, I really wish I would have remembered his name! He talked about the hippie culture and the Haight-Ashbury element that would consistently "go to the edge." This concept really struck a chord with me -- at least as an visual artist. :)

Am I shooting at the edges? I mean...am I pushing my talents and abilities as a photographer further and further each time I pick up a camera? Am I doing the same when I sit down to work with the images in my favorite image editing program?

Are you shooting at the edges?

For inspiration and awe of some truly amazing photography, check out Robert Seale's web-site -- http://www.robertseale.com/index.html. I love how his talents carry over from portraits to sports action!

Craig Tanner is an amazing photographer based out of Atlanta, Georgia. I had the pleasure of meeting and working with Craig when I volunteered at a Rocky Mountain School of Photography workshop several years ago.

Craig recently wrote an amazing article called "The Myth of Talent." I highly recommend reading this to all photographers who ever found themselves inspired by the work of others, and / or frustrated confused at their own work. In "The Myth of Talent," Craig shares his "big break" experience that set him on the path to becoming the great photographer and lecturer that he is today. Click here to download (pdf file) "The Myth of Talent." In the article Craig shares "Seven Ways to Create Your Own Artistic Growth"... (more detail on each is in the article)

1. Breathe
2. Set Goals
3. Model on Others
4. Reflect
5. Recharge
6. Create an Artistic Support Group
7. Be Your Own Biggest Supporter

Be sure to read the entire article for great inspiration and advice! For more information about Craig and the projects / lectures he is involved in, click here to go to his website.

Thanks Craig for allowing me to share your inspiration with Daily Photo Tips readers -- you rock!!

If you are a wedding photographer -- or an aspiring one -- be sure to check out Admired By Beckstead. David Beckstead is a fantastic wedding photographer and former WPJA photographer of the year award winner. He created the site (click here to see it) as place for people to submit their favorite wedding images and for him to pick the best of what he reviews for display on the site.

David even takes time to publish comments on some of the images -- be sure to look for the comments as a means to learn more from David on what works well for various images. You can use the site for inspiration too -- just peruse the galleries right before your next wedding shoot!