Same Old Song

Same Old Song

Its been while people, I know, Im sorry, life happens and sometimes your attention is taken away. I apologize for the wait. I hope you can forgive me, and still continue to support. Now that thats over with, lets talk about some of the things that has been going on in the world. Its a crazy world we live in these days. Black men are targets for the police, its an election year and our choices are between an idiot and a liar. Ill let you decide who is which. By now Im sure you all are aware of the name Alton Sterling and Philando Castile. These are just the latest of many men that in my opinion were murdered on camera by the police. I was very upset by this and felt so much pain and anger I didn't know what to do with myself. I watched the videos over and over, until I felt like I couldn't do it anymore. After a while I felt so numb and helpless, I mean how do I explain what I just saw. How do I digest this information, and just continue my life as if nothing happened. 

            

             Like most of you, I went to Social Media to see what people were feeling, because I knew I wasn't alone. People were just as upset, just as hurt, just as numb to the bullshit. It was then I decided, from this day on, I will live my life differently. I will try to make change, I will try to be the difference in this world. I found local organizations and community activist who were organizing protests and rallies around the city. So we marched, and we yelled and we screamed 'Black Lives Matter", "No Justice No Peace". we did for several hours and for many days. Yet and Still I feel like its not enough. Its more than just yelling in the streets, because eventually the yelling stops, and the protests stop, until another incident occurs. then what, we grab ours signs and do it all over again?

           

            There has to be a better way, there has to be something more that we all can do to make this world a better place for everyone. Racism is very much alive, and its starting to be seen on a more regular bases, not just in the inner city but all over the world. I don't think anymore of less black men have been victim to police brutality than there has been in the past. I just feel like because of technology, now we all can bare witness to it. While some sit by and say, its not me so its not my problem, well you are part of the problem. Those who claim well black people kill black people all the time, why is it not an issue then, and for that reason I'm not doing anything. You are part of the problem to. Just because it didn't happen to you, doesn't make it right. Yes we have an issue with black on black crime, but if you aren't doing anything about that then don't try to discourage someone from trying to do something about other issues.

           

You can do more in your community, you can help others and support your own. You can help create ways to keep these young black men out of prison, you can help teach them a better way.  We all can do something, not everyone is mean to march and protest, not everyone is meant to speak out at rallies, but everyone can do something. Its up to you to find what that things is. Its up to you to decide when enough is enough. I will follow up this post with some tips and ideas we came up with at a hip hop town hall meeting. We sat down and came together to try and make a change, we hope that they will be helpful. Below is a video of the protests and rallies held in Atlanta this past week or so. Watch and see all the positive energy that was present, people of all backgrounds coming together. Peace!!

               

               

Behind The Scenes With KBP!

Your Backstage Pass!

Hello everyone, something just hit me, I realized that you guys have never seen me in action. I blog and shoot interviews and of course do photography, but believe it or not, I'm a pretty private guy. A friend recently suggested that I change that. Stop being so mysterious and show the world what you do, and every now and then show them how. So I decided to post a video of a recent photo shoot my team and I did. For anyone who had questions or was just curious as to how I create my images. Well here is a small glimpse of just that. Hope you enjoy it, and please share and or re blog if you like. I will be posting more of these in the future, with every different type of shoot I do. So if you guys have any questions or want some tips, please comment and i will try and incorporate them into the future vids.  I also included some of the shots from that shoot, video is at the bottom. Let me know what you think! Thanks again!

Canon or Nikon?

The War Continues, Which Side Will You Choose?

Leading the pack in the DSLR arena is my personal favorite Canon and Nikon. Both are great cameras and their almost cult like fan bases are just as great. Just ask any professional photographer in the world, I almost guarantee they will either say Canon or Nikon DSLR. Yes there are other brands, but honestly what is the point of even mentioning them. But if you are an amateur photographer with the great problem of choosing your very first DSLR, I got you. A few things you should know, I am a Canon man myself, but I have to say I have thought about getting a Nikon, just for the hell of it.

As mentioned before, these are the top brands of DSLR on the market, so without question the image quality will be great on both, and honestly not much of a difference. Specs will be pretty much the same so again nothing to really argue about there. For the first time buyer, most important question will of course be price. I would love to tell you that Canon is cheaper on the entry level, but in all honesty it’s not. Nikon typically is cheaper, so naturally most first time buyers would see that and go for the Nikon. Let’s look at what I like to call the beginner level DSLR for both brands. First is the Canon T3 series, well built, and will give you the bang for your buck. Running price is 359.99 on the Canon website

Nikon D3100 also well-built and image quality is equal to Canon. Only thing that sets it apart really is the price. The Nikon is running at 279.00 body only of course. Here is where the issue for me comes in with the Nikon brand; they typically have issues with using old lenses and other name brand lenses. For the most part, you have to use Nikon brand lenses for Nikon DSLR, unless you purchase a mount adapter. Canon is compatible with almost all lenses, old, new and other brand names. In the long run it makes things much easier, and gives you more options.

That is it really, at the end of the day both brands are great, and I might buy a Nikon in the near future, but once you really get into photography and more knowledgeable of the craft and art of it. You will quickly learn it’s all about the glass. Your lens means everything, you can have the most expensive camera body, but that glass makes all the difference, and a little creativity always helps to.

DOs and DONTs For the First Time Entrepreneur

By Bishop

To follow up with my most recent post, about passions and the work it takes to make them a viable business. I figured along with my personal story of struggle I should also give some advise that can help and hopefully keep you on the chase.

I'm sure for most of you reading this it a dream, just like me i dreamed of leaving my 9-5 and becoming my own boss.  I got 2 degrees in my field and decided yes this is the career choice that best suits me. Yes I was even ready to quit my job without any support or back whatsoever, I personally would not recommend that, but to I'm only going off of my personal experience and what I have heard and learned from other entrepreneur friends and colleagues. With that said, there are a few tips that I know can and will help you be successful. Or rather some mistakes to avoid making that can make or break you business.

1. Plan Well

Most new business owners feel that all they have to do is have a product or service and people will come. Well sorry to break it to you, there are thousands of other people doing the same thing an a lot them are probably better at it. Not to mention they have also been doing it much longer and have already built a brand. This is your first priority, building a brand, no one has ever just said i can do this and made a million dollars. Knowing your demographic and or possible clients better than they know themselves will save you a lot of trail and error. So go out there, see what the competition has to offer, I highly suggest you find an already thriving company that provides the same service or product, and see what they have done and are doing that works. There is nothing wrong from learning from a master. That's how everything works in life, you learn from someone is has been doing it and is very good at it.

2. Friends and Business Don't mix

Don't do it, its simple as that, its a very rare situation that friends and family make good business partners. I'm not saying it wont work, but eventually one aspect will spill over into the other and that's when things get ugly. Imagine having to basically boss up on your friend or family member or if they did that to you. The respect has levels to it, your friend and your boss, have two very different kinds of respect. When the two paths cross it may cause some tension in your personal relationship, that then leaves you with no co-workers or founders and sometimes no friends either. You would be much better off networking your butt off and finding like minded people that compliment your weaknesses. 

3. Funding Your Business

Depending on what your business is, you may want to consider a loan, I wouldn't recommend that but a lot of successful businesses started out that way. Whatever you do, don't fund with credit cards, that might be the fastest way to put yourself deep in debt and losing everything. I personally had a miracle, no seriously, I am truly blessed. I will share that story one day in another post. Put Together a real business plan so you know exactly how much you would need to start your business. Then find loved ones and family that believe in you and your dream, or you can always find a online service like gofundme.com and kickstarter.com and have strangers fund your dream. If you just so happen to have a few thousand dollars laying around then use that. Invest in you and do it wisely, I still use money from gigs to fund my business. I always put it right back into the company, purchasing and upgrading equipment, marketing and promoting of the business.

4. Learn Your Market

There is no way you can get everyone, and that is a fact for every business. When you try to get everyone you more often then not loss more than you would gain. Know who you would like as a client, learn how to get their attention and keep it. That will in the long run save you a lot of energy time and money trying to reach everyone. 

5. Your Idea Is Not That Amazing

Your Idea is not ground breaking and your not the first to think of it. You are not going to change the world, sorry to break it to you. No one wants to support someone who is too confident. Please be humble when approaching the start up, because only hard work and with a great plan and even better execution will guarantee success. These are a few of the things I have learned a long the way, and I hope they can help you going forward with your entrepreneur dreams. 

Work or Passion?

When Passion Becomes Work!

              I have been a professional Photographer/Video Producer, and everything that comes under those titles for over 7 years now. It started as a passion, that drove me from the comfort and security of my family in my home town of Boston. After graduating from Worcester State University, something made me move hundreds of miles away. I wanted to get away from home and start fresh, start a brand new life, so that's what I did. I packed up my shit, hired a moving company, transferred my job and i was off. I moved to Atlanta Ga in 2007 and started school at The Art Institute of Atlanta. I didn't know anyone here, but I made it work, I struggled, and suffered and I sacrificed. I finally graduated in 2009 and started my production company. King Bishop Productions, yes I was on my way, I did all the ground work, I got the degrees, made the connections. I was ready to take over the world. 

               There was only one problem, the world put up one hell of a fight. In its heavy arsenal of weapons, was this atomic bomb called life. It seemed like as soon as things were about to go my way, life smacked the shit out of me. I tried starting several productions companies with friends, and failed each time. I constantly thought about quitting my job, yeah, that's what is holding me back, this stupid place that gives me a check and keeps me from sleeping couch to couch. I really thought that my job was my enemy. I used to hate going in to work, seeing all these miserable people, look at you all, content with working for the man, I would think to myself.  I know what your thinking, damn this post started out so good and inspiring. Well yeah get over it, because that is exactly the feeling of having a passion will give you. You will be so motivated and excited to get started on being great, and showing the world your genius. Then the bumps in the road will surface, and reality will start to make its way into your thoughts. That's where the journey really begins. 

               Millions of people start new businesses, and most fail within 2 years. But out of those millions, there are a few, that wont stop, and will continue to fight, learn and eventually win that war of Passion and work. A friend recently said to me, "you know what, this photography shit is hard. I salute you for sticking with it and striving to become better, because I'm done!" That was the best bit of motivation I have received in a very long time. I am very proud to say, I have made it past the 2 years and quitting part of the dream. Though I am far from where I want to be, I am so much farther than I thought I would be. From the outside looking in, it would appear that I have it made, or my lifestyle is like a dream. Well that's only half true. The other half consists of constant questioning of my abilities, I often feel like I'm not good enough. Like I should do something else, or just settle. I am more often than not alone, and in my thoughts, and plotting on getting to the next level. I don't party, I barely even date, and when I am around other human beings, I often feel out of place. All the things that make them happy, seems stupid and not worth my time. Because my passion has now become work. I still love creating visuals, more now that ever. But with smallest bit of success, you almost have triple that with work to continue to be successful and grow. 

           Now a days I find myself being a source of information on how to make your dream into your job, and I always feel bad after I tell them that its a non stop struggle. I have several friends who want to start this company and that one. They ask me, how did you do it, how do you keep it going, what does it take. I can always tell which ones wont make it because the look on their face says it all. They think you are about to sell them this amazing dream and story of pure joy. I often paint such a different picture that it catches them off guard. As the information settles in, I see the lack of enthusiasm diminish. It always hurts me just as much as it does them. The truth is, there is not one person out there, no matter what level of success they have. Not one will sit there and paint a beautiful picture of how they achieved it, and if they do, they are just keeping from you the most important part of what brings success. Its your failures, your pain, your suffering, and struggles, that make you a success. If you can go through all of that, and keep going, no matter if you become world famous and rich, or just a lonely photographer/video producer that writes a blog every now and then. If through all the loss of friends, creating of enemies, losing money, making money, having no social life, and always feeling out of place. If through all of that, you find strength to keep working for that passion, You are truly successful. 

            

Fitness Gone Viral!

Fitness and Selfies!

              In a world where being self absorbed and damn near narcissistic is the norm, its no surprise that everyone is now a gym rat, or a fitness freak. You cant go down any timeline without seeing someone posting a pic in the gym, or a selfie showing as much skin as possible. On instagram the most famous people next to music artists or actors and apparently strippers are, you you guessed it. Fitness gurus, personal trainers or people who just work out so much that they look like comic book heroes.

 I am all for healthy living, working out and eating right. The unfortunate truth is that most of these people don't achieve these levels of physical excellence naturally. Its actually very difficult to do, and takes a lot of time an dedication to reach these levels. Also takes a deep pockets and a little artificial help. I mean its the American way right, bigger, faster, stronger, better and by any means necessary. Now that technology has helped to make everyone a so called celeb. We cant walk around looking normal or 'BASIC". But unfortunately we have real jobs and lives to live. Kids, and responsibilities that come before everything else. But with the obsession of Instagram, Vine, Twitter, Snapchat. Everyone and I mean damn near everyone has to find shortcuts to greatness.

In comes dietary supplements, such as creatine, whey protein, pre-workout mixes, and of course Steroids. They now have supplements that are basically steroids, but because of the amount or the absence of one ingredient it is legal to sell in your local GNC. It doesn't stop there, waist trainers, Spanx and these plastic wraps that everyone seems to be selling on Instagram. All these things are on the rise, and its all due to a little small lens on your personal cell phone. People are so desperate for attention that they will destroy their bodies to look amazing. They are willing to take caffeine pills, chemically enhanced protein shakes, squeeze their internal organs out of position, cut circulation in parts of their body just to have that perfect body right now. Its not just regular people, a lot and I mean a lot of celebs go under the knife to achieve mega star status. We have become a nation of narcissistic fabricators lol. Like doing a thousand squats a day will get you an ass like Nicki, that's a damn lie, working out has never made anything fatter, lol it makes it tighter and actually in most cases smaller. So good luck ladies, and for you guys taking all these supplements, hope you have a spare liver on hold somewhere. That shit is worse than drinking, and when you add drinking and "Turning Up" to the mix, yup, you are actually doing more harm than good

It works sometimes, but is it all worth it, to some it is, even at the cost of their health. Now this may seem like I'm judging, but not at all, I work out on a regular basis, I even use those pre-workout mix powders. But that's about as far as it goes, and i drink lots of water so kind of ease up the effects. See the difference between me and some the of the people I have mentioned. I actually do the research on each product before using them. I also don't much care for being in front of the camera, I much rather be behind one. I feel that the results is not worth it all, not now and most definitely not later. Unless its done the healthy way, its not for me. Now with all that said, I'm only writing this post because its been something I have been really trying to understand what the fascination with being famous is. Living in Atlanta I see it everyday, everyone is a model or a rapper, or producer. I am just a little photographer and low budget film maker that writes blogs when he gets bored, what do I know.  I mean I could careless who sees me, and thinks I'm sexy. When you go out to a public place and instead of socializing people are too busy taking selfies and that perfect pic or vid of them "Turning UP". I think something is wrong, if everyone is rich and famous, where are all the regular people? Does being healthy now mean rubbing it in peoples faces, and suffering later for looking great now. I rather just eat healthy and work out, and hopefully that is enough to keep me living a long and productive life. Until my next bored moment, tell me what you think about fitness and selfies.

Oh yeah!

Follow me on Twitter and Instagram and SnapChat all with the handle of @IamBishop617

Selfie Stick + Iphone 6 = Wow!

Iphone Test Shoot

The surprising results!

So I got bored the other night and decided that I would use my selfie stick for the first time since I bought it. This was over 5 months ago. Yes I have a selfie stick but yet i never take selfies, i just thought it was a cool little gadget. Almost a year later, the rest of the world caught up and now a lot people have these things. So I was ahead of the curve lol. I recently saw one on a tv show and remembered that I owned one. So one night I decided to use the selfie and my Iphone6 as a camera to see what I can create with it. 

               To my surprise, the quality was pretty good, image wise and the slow motion feature on this Iphone6 plus is amazing. I shot at night and was shocked at how well the camera worked in low light. I ended up editing the video on the phone itself with apples Iphone Version of Imovie. I thought it was pretty cool movie so I uploaded it to Youtube. The video is right below, enjoy and tell me what you think.