It has been over a month since my last entry. I have been busy with all sorts of things and it is the Holiday season and Christmas is just a few days away. But to be honest I just haven't had much that I felt was significant enough to devote the time.
I think I started this blog over a year ago. My intent was to create a journal which might facilitate the exchange of information related to photography and the creative process. In addition there is the marketing aspect of blogging that I was also interested in exploring.
Since that time I have visited many other blogs for info, insight and general interest and I have discovered something that I hadn't anticipated. I am asking myself more and more, why are we doing this? When I first started this process I was rabid to see what everyone else was talking about and what incredible knowledge and insight I was going to gain. I suppose I have become somewhat jaded, and I guess that's to be expected, but I'm just not sure I'm "getting it" anymore. (insert joke here)
Please don't misunderstand. I am not anti-technology. I get the whole "viral thing" and the need to be relevant in the new millennium. I know it's important to stay current with new advancements. I have all the latest and greatest tech toys. At least the ones I can afford. I think the iphone is amazing and I don't know what I would do without my "Desktop Darkroom". Over the course of the last two years I have been finally swayed into the world of digital and I am a convert and believer. (Although I still love the preparation and thought that is required when loading a roll of 10 shots into the RZ and having to wait for processing before you know exactly what you got). When something is truly better because of technology I will be the first to sign on. So I cry Uncle. I give up. Please no more.
I guess where my issue lies is that I find myself more concerned about the mechanics of this whole thing when I know I should be concentrating less on the "how" and more on the "what". I am forever stressing over how long it's been since my last blog entry. I feel a self-imposed pressure to create a post even when I have nothing to say. But more than my own misgivings I am finding that I am increasingly disappointed with the lack of actual meaningful input on other blogs.
I know, glass houses and all, but lately I have been amazed at the useless, mindless, and blatantly amateur postings I have been experiencing. It's not so much the blogs themselves. At least not the ones that I read. Although there have been a few postings lately from what I had always considered responsible vehicles that have been less than riveting. But, I have spent too much time reading comments from knuckleheads. I suppose when you put your views out for everyone to see that's the danger you risk.
Here's my beef. Stop commenting just to drive readers back to your own blog or site. Or at least make an effort to present yourself, your work and your opinions in a more professional manner when I get there. I know that everyone is not Avedon, Penn or Stieglitz. But, please at least attempt an effort to make it look like you take pride in your work.
I am sure whoever has read this far, if anyone, is totally convinced I have a huge chip on my shoulder. Think what you like. Maybe I do. It is, however, disappointing to see the dumbing down of this profession at the hands of convenience via technology.
One specific example I can think of to illustrate my point is Flickr. I used to spend a decent amount of time reviewing peoples work on this site. I can't do it anymore. It's a complete waste of time. I know that I am probably missing out on some amazing work. The problem is I have to weed through all the junk to find it. There are reasons there are editors in this world. God knows the majority of what I create is crap. It's a process. A back and forth. An evolution to get to your final piece. The one you want the world to see. It's work. Just because we have cameras that enable us to bang off a thousand shots at a clip doesn't mean you have to upload every single one of them to your site, blog, webpage, youtube, vimeo, flickr, fbook, myspace, yourspace or whatever. Yikes. Exercise a little restraint. Maybe, just maybe, we might want to step back, take a breath and figure out exactly what we are trying to communicate though our imagery. Maybe we should spend more time deliberating in our heads before we fire the shutter. A little more thought and a little less "shoot from the hip".
I can't remember where I read this (probably a blog) but I think it carries an important message. Every once in a while shoot film. It teaches a couple of valuable lessons. First, you force yourself to think more about what you are going to shoot, both from an aesthetic (content and composition) as well as a tech (exposure, lighting, depth of field, etc..) perspective. And, second, patience, because you are forced to wait. No instant gratification.
I'm ranting and rambling now, but I hope I have made my point. My final thought on this (Really) is this. Don't feel as though just because you have a blog you have to post to it all the time. If you don't post for a week or a month, so what. If you don't have anything good to say then don't say anything. By all means, though, if you feel the need to wax eternal far be it from me to rain on your parade. I guess what I am trying to say is that we are photographers, creatives, designers and such, maybe we should spend more time photographing, creating and designing and less time talking about it.
I'm gonna go take a picture.
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I don't often post stuff from other peoples blogs, but this one is just too moving to not share.
I stumbled on this letter while I was reading David DuChemin's blog pixelatedimage.com/blog. I have only been reading his stuff for a few short weeks, but there is a ton of great info, not to mention he seems like just an all around good guy.
Anyway, He noted that he had recently read Joe McNally's blog and that there was a letter that Joe had written to a young (19 year old) guy who was inquiring, stressing, flip-flopping, and generally pleading for insight into his potential leap into the world of professional photography.
Now if you don't know who Joe McNally is you're probably not a huge photo aficionado and most likely haven't been paying much attention to your National Geographic credit lines. Suffice it to say he is one of the best. So given his level of expertise, experience, and dare I say, celebrity, at least within the photo community, one might expect, at best, a brief, somewhat heartfelt, but nonetheless canned response. Joe did exactly the opposite. He waited until he had the time to devote his full attention and insight to address this young individuals plea. All I can say is we need more people on this earth that think and operate with the integrity and passion of Joe McNally. I hope you get as much out of this post as I did.
"Letter to a Young Photographer"
Just an FYI - Don't stop at Joe's letter. The comments on his blog in response are equally moving.
I have attached a video of a shoot that Joe McNally did a few years ago just to give you an idea of the lengths he goes to to get the shot. Watch all the way to the end to get the full effect. Really!
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An Afternoon Shooting a Gem of a local Vineyard & Winery.
Dalice Elizabeth Winery is a great Regional Winemaker located in Preston, CT. John and Mary Lee, the two owners, operators, winemakers are dedicated to producing a quality group of wines as well as some of the best eats to go along with the wonder vino.
Let's just say that I had to concentrate on getting all my shots before partaking in their incredible hospitality. Check out their site to get more info and directions. Stopping by and spending some time is a must if you're in the eastern CT area, or sign up for a class. Good stuff!
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I Saw "Art & Copy" last night in Hartford, CT.
What a great flick. If you ever had any interest in how the big idea is come up with this movie answers that question. At least for a great many of the most successful ad campaigns of the last half century. All the great creatives are here with a sometimes irreverent, but always entertaining, perspective on their business.
It is showing throughout the country in limited release. Check out their site ArtandCopyFilm.com for showings and details. Can't wait to see it again.
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The summer of 2009 was way too short especially if you live in the Northeast like I do.
It's bad enough that we have to endure winters that last all year (or so it seems) but when our summer doesn't even kick in until early July and then ends so abruptly it just adds insult to injury.
I was watching one of the baseball divisional playoff games last week and half the players were wearing the ball caps with the fold down ear flaps and the fans looked like they were dressed for an arctic expedition. I digress.
So here are some pics taken in August of this year in Newport, Rhode Island. I still have more of these to edit, but I'm pacing myself to make them last into the first snow. AAGGGHHHHH!
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I've got a ton of black & white work which was mostly shot on film.
I still remember loading film into the little black canisters in the dark and being so anxious to see the results. Even though they were negative and you still had to print a proof sheet to get an accurate look at what you had shot, it was like opening presents at Christmas.
Lately I have been experimenting with creating black and white images from color files, both in Lightroom and Photoshop. I still haven't decided which process I think works best or if it is a combination of the two. I'm thinking it's probably the latter of the two, but the jury's still out.
Also, I am still working in CS3, so I'm not sure what new capabilities, if any, are available in CS4. (Probably should upgrade soon.) Although I can't really imagine hoe much more advanced they could get with this process. I seems as though they are covering all the bases now.
Here's just one example that I'm pretty happy with of a recent shoot that was shot with just color in mind.
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I recently finished a couple of books that I thought were pretty inspirational and instructional.
I am also re-reading a biz classic, "Selling the Invisible", by Harry Beckwith. What a great book.
There is so much good info and valuable insights into truths, myths, and misconceptions in marketing. A few salient points which I'm sure most of us have heard a gazillion times and yet continue to ignore or at least not pay enough attention to. Customer service is king. Especially these days as we are inundated with voice mail, store clerks that can't be bothered with us, (not to mention count back your change properly), and self service everything. It would be so nice just to be "Waited On". Oh, dare to dream.
Another of those salient points. Do what you say you are going to do, when you say you are going to do it. Better yet, do it before you said you would, and you might get Knighted.
"It's Not How Good You Are, It's How Good You Want To Be" by Paul Arden has a "Break the accepted rules" message. No it's not an outside the box kinda book. Can we just forget about the box already. What it is, is a ton of useful insight about accomplishing things we set out to do, or goals we want to achieve.
The last book, and my personal favorite - at least for now anyway - is "Ignore Everybody", by Hugh MacLeod. I think the title says it all. Truly a creative approach to creativity. Basically a go with your gut message. One chapter is titled "Don't Try To Stand Out From The Crowd. Avoid Crowds Altogether". Hugh also has a great blog "Gapingvoid.com". Check it out. I think he sells wine too.
Anyway, these are all quick reads, but have a ton of great info in them. I'm sure I will be re-reading them often.
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I love big. I have been editing pics for a couple of days and I just can't keep thinking that I want to see all of these REALLY BIG.
It always seems that whenever I edit down to my strongest images they are simple, graphic and have a very limited background. OH, and I want to see them BIG!. My monitors just are't anywhere near big enough.
Not sure where this comes from, although I watched a really cool bio special on Chuck Close the other night. I think it was the Sundance Channel. Talk about big. This guy is over the top in so many ways. I could go on for a very long time about Mr. Close. Kinda ironic, the name and all. Watching him paint is like watching the movie "The Usual Suspects". You can watch the ending over and over and still not be entirely sure what is going on behind the curtain. That's Chuck Close. He is entirely in your face and out in the open about his process and yet you can watch every tiny little detail and still walk away wondering "How the hell does he do that". And everything is so friggin' big.
The only other thing that comes to mind is Avedon's "In The American West" exhibit. Unfortunately I have never had the chance to see these pieces in person. (Something on my life to do list.) But the images are so stark, in your face, and BIG. I think I remember reading that the exhibited prints were something like six feet high. And sharp as a tack. Gotta love the 8x10 view.
Anyway, here's just a sample of an "In Your Face", "So close you scare the band", example of one of the shots that got me on this rant.
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It's been quite a long time since my last post. I've been pretty busy all summer, shooting, working on the house and all sorts of other stuff. Not that it really matters, but I'm back and have some new portrait pics. Kinda an exercise in white on white, except for the black. Trying to keep an eye on the eyes if you excuse the pun.
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I recently read an article in "The New York Times Magazine".
It was by a man by the name of Matthew Crawford from Richmond, VA. I felt an instant kinship to this guy because he wrote so eloquently about something that I always felt quite strongly about and wish I had taken the time to have written.
In short he explains his development and migration from the academic driven, white collar workplace to the hands-on, literally roll-up-your sleeves, manual labor work world. I am reluctant to go into further detail in describing his dead-on accurate evaluation of the benefits of his transition. I will just say this. I agree 100% with his point of view and think that we as a country, people, world and workplace would all benefit greatly by heeding his advice.
What follows is an excerpt of the article and a link to the entire text online if you so choose to read the whole thing. I think it would be worth your time.
Nor can big business or big government - those idols of the right and the left - reliably secure such work for us. Everyone is rightly concerned about economic growth on the one hand or unemployment and wages on the other, but the character of work doesn't figure much in political debate. Labor unions address important concerns like workplace safety and family leave, and management looks for greater efficiency, but on the nature of the job itself, the dominant political and economic paradigms are mute. Yet work forms us, and deforms us, with broad public consequences.
The visceral experience of failure seems to have been edited out of the career trajectories ofgifted students. It stands to reason, then, that those who end up making big decisions that affect all of us don't seem to have much sense of their own fallibility, and of how badly things can go wrong even with the best of intentions (like when I dropped that feeler gauge down into the Ninja). In the boardrooms of Wall Street and the corridors of Pennsylvania Avenue, I don't think you'll see a yellow sign that says "Think Safety!" as you do on job sites and in many repair shops, no doubt because those who sit on the swivel chairs tend to live remote from the consequences of the decisions they make. Why not encourage gifted students to learn a trade, if only in the summers, so that their fingers will be crushed once or twice before they go on to run the country?
There is good reason to suppose that responsibility has to be installed in the foundation of your mental equipment -- at the level of perception and habit. There is an ethic of paying attention that develops in the trades through hard experience. It inflects your perception of the world and your habitual responses to it. This is due to the immediate feedback you get from material objects and to the fact that the work is typically situated in face-to-face interactions between tradesman and customer.
An economy that is more entrepreneurial, less managerial, would be less subject to the kind of distortions that occur when corporate managers' compensation is tied to the short-term profit of distant shareholders. For most entrepreneurs, profit is at once a more capacious and a more concrete thing than this. It is a calculation in which the intrinsic satisfactions of work count -- not least, the exercise of your own powers of reason.
Ultimately it is enlightened self-interest, then, not a harangue about humility or public-spiritedness, that will compel us to take a fresh look at the trades. The good life comes in a variety of forms. This variety has become difficult to see; our field of aspiration has narrowed into certain channels. But the current perplexity in the economy seems to be softening our gaze. Our peripheral vision is perhaps recovering, allowing us to consider the full range of lives worth choosing. For anyone who feels ill suited by disposition to spend his days sitting in an office, the question of what a good job looks like is now wide open.
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