Thursday, April 19, 2018

Fine Art Photography Success or Failure



Success starts with volunteering


Numerous times I have been asked by aspiring photographers to help them get started selling their photos.  I often feel that they think I took some photos, had them printed and was an instant success. In my future blog posts, I hope to recount how over time my road to a successful photographic art career was started.

After moving to Las Vegas, Nevada from Houston, Texas to follow my dream of becoming a collegiate coach, I discovered the Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area.  I was infatuated with the topography of red sandstone boulders and rugged, colorful mountains.  During my Track and Field coaching tenure we would load up the athletes in an UNLV van and go out for distance training along Red Rock’s 13 mile loop.  The scenery was so awesome and the higher elevation was slightly cooler than urban streets. 


Calico Hills, Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area, Nevada 


I retired from my profession of teaching and coaching to follow my new dream of working fulltime in the photographic arts.  This allowed me to spend much more time exploring the Red Rock Canyon area.  Looking back, I was as fascinated with the art of Red Rock Canyon as was Ansel Adams of Yosemite.  


Calico Trail, Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area 


From sunrise to sunset and even after darkness fell across the desert, I was fueled by the passion to record each inspiring moment in this awesome work of nature.  



Spring Morning at Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area 


One afternoon I was at Pine Creek Trail when I met a law enforcement ranger and he started quizzing me on my new Nikon 8008s film camera. 


Pine Creek Trail, Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area 


To keep a long story brief, the ranger took an interest in how I was taking photographs and eventually invited me to join the volunteer program to assist the BLM Rangers. 


Bonnie Rannald Photographer at Red Rock Canyon, Nevada 


 As an official Red Rock Volunteer, my duties included inspecting hiking trails for damage or trash removal; plus acting as a hostess to the multitude of visitors, giving directions and general information about hiking and exploring in the Red Rock Canyon.  


Calico Tank Trail, Red Rock Canyon, Nevada 


Working in this official capacity allowed for new opportunities that I might not have experienced otherwise.  It was a responsibility that I embraced.  


Skull Rock Trailhead, Red Rock Canyon, Nevada 


Furthermore, by giving of my time to others I was blessed with experience and learning opportunities that would help to mold my identity as a photographic artist.  Of all the photography books that I read and studied, the working relationship of being a volunteer gave me hands-on experience.  I was introduced to people from all nationalities which furthered my skills to communicate to others about my love of nature and photography.    


Spring Mountain Sunset, Red Rock Canyon Nevada 





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Photography places me in the moment where I can share that moment in time. It becomes a life story as represented by my interaction with the scene. The happiness and beauty or the sorrow and strife; how I focus leaves a lasting impression that might touch the viewer on a spiritual level.


 "Reflecting Nature's Artistry" 


Many of these images are available on my website:

 http://www.bonnierannald.com/ 


For custom matted and framed images:
Off The Wall




No images on this blog are within Public Domain and are available for free download. 

 All rights reserved, world-wide and images protected by Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA). All photography, graphics, text, design, and content is copyrighted by Bonnie Rannald and should not be copied, down-loaded, transferred and re-created in any way without the express consent, in writing to Bonnie Rannald. For information on Bonnie Rannald licensed, right-managed images, please submit a written request.






Wednesday, April 11, 2018

Commercial Photographic Art, the Beginning


Being a volunteer helped advance my photo career



Many years ago when I was first becoming serious about my photography, I was also a volunteer with the Red Rock National Conservation Area.  My assigned duty since I had a 4-wheel drive CJ-7 Jeep was for trail inspection.  I would go out as far as I could drive and then hike the trails looking for illegal fire pits or any trash that needed to be removed.

While I was out on the trails, I always had my camera along so I could take photos and report back to the rangers of any problems that needed their attention. 

After entering some of my photos in the Red Rock Photo Contest, I was invited to do a solo exhibit in the Visitor’s Center Gallery.  During the reception, I was to give a talk to the audience about my photos. 

One of the photos on exhibit was ‘Dawn at Red Rock”.  It was taken at the entrance to the park and was the first scene that people saw as they entered the area.


Dawn at Red Rock


The curator for the gift shop was especially taken with this photo and wanted it available to sell in the Visitor’s Canter.  This presented me with a whole new learning curve with commercial printing.  The poster was printed with 5,000 copies and sold exclusively at the Red Rock Canyon Visitor’s Center. 

By volunteering and donating my free time I received the benefit of being out in nature doing something that I enjoyed. I also learned from these experiences and they enabled me to follow my dream. 


The photograph of “Dawn at Red Rock” is one of my classic images that is available for purchase through my online gallery and website:  www.BonnieRannald.com


Nature Photographer Bonnie Rannald at Red Rock Canyon



If you found this post interesting check back often where I will focus on the story behind the image or give tips on my ventures as a nature photographer. 

Your comments are always welcome and I will reply back ASAP.   


What an exciting and interesting photo-adventure this day has been.  I love it when I am drawn to an area and not knowing what to expect I get treated to new experiences. 

Sign up and follow my blog to see where my next photo-adventure will be!


Photography places me in the moment where I can share that moment in time. It becomes a life story as represented by my interaction with the scene. The happiness and beauty or the sorrow and strife; how I focus leaves a lasting impression that might touch the viewer on a spiritual level.


 "Reflecting Nature's Artistry"



Many of these images are available on my website:
For custom matted and framed images:
Off The Wall


No images on this blog are within Public Domain or are available for free download. 

 All rights reserved, world-wide and images protected by Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA). All photography, graphics, text, design, and content is copyrighted by Bonnie Rannald and should not be copied, down-loaded, transferred and re-created in any way without the express consent, in writing to Bonnie Rannald. For information on Bonnie Rannald licensed, right-managed images, please submit a written request.

Bonnie Rannald Business Card