I started with 500W tungsten bulbs and 4x5 Plus-X. Now it's 1/1000 sec. flash duration and Canon CMOS. The tools and techniques have changed, but the idea of creating dynamic imagery remains. I'll do my best to share, educate and generate discussion whenever possible. Thanks for being a part of the dialogue.
I'm eagerly awaiting the arrival of my new PocketWizard Mini TT1. Being able to sync at upwards of 1/500th of a sec is new and exciting for me - I know what a geek that makes me, but that extra bit of speed opens up a lot of creative control that I previously didn't have.
Like the ability to make the sky a deep enough blue (or threateningly cloudy) that it now becomes a design element. I think that's pretty good stuff.
Heather Morton has resumed her insightfully written ArtBuyer blog after a five month hiatus.
I'm glad to see she's back at it, her posts are always worth reading. If you haven't been there yet, check it out - it's an intelligent view into the mind of a professional art buyer.
Earlier this week Life.com and Getty Images; "joined forces to provide you instant access to millions of breathtaking photographs - for free.” … “When you find a photo you like, you’ll be able to share it, print it, and sometimes even buy it.”
When I see the word "free" attached to something that I place a high order of value on, I have to force my brow not to furrow. I know that in this age of creative commons, freely transferred 1's and 0's and the overall lack of public knowledge regarding intellectual property; that copyright is gasping for breath. Life Magazine's catalog of imagery is the highest regarded in the world. Many of the photographic masterpieces created in the last century reside within it's confines.
While I know that this isn't a copyright issue, it does speak to the larger issue of the value of an image. If my clients can go online and download Karsh, Penn and Capa for free, what value will they place on these images? What value will they place on mine? Does the inexpensive/free availability of this massive archive alter our perception of the intrinsic value of a photograph? Do we now shift the balance towards art over commerce?
I recently had the opportunity to discuss some of these issues with one of the industry's leading commercial photographers. I saw one of his images, produced for an ESPN Magazine cover, being sold online as the main component of a screensaver. His response to learning of this was as surprising as it is telling, "Copyright is dead man."
After 6 weeks of after-hours work, my newly redesigned website is now live.
Please take a moment, take a look and tell me what you think! There are more images to be posted in the coming days and weeks, but I'd love to know what you think now. Constructive criticism is highly sought after.
Excited brides calling with questions about engagement photos, wedding coverage and prices. Trying to tie up all the loose ends before they tie the knot. I love talking to the new brides-to-be because they're always effusively happy. It's tangible even over the phone. You can't help but smile when you hear that kind of joy.
I don't do too many weddings, and the ones I do tend to be of the smaller, boutique variety; but I do love them. There's really nothing like being able to play the part of "official witness" for the most important day in someone's life, recording moments of blissful happiness.
Sorry for being so sentimental, but this time of year is always special for me. When the first few calls start rolling in, it reminds me that we'll soon be seeing new leaves on the trees, hearing the birds in their nests, and watching young couples join hands forever.
I'm lucky enough to count one of Pittsburgh's most ingenious and prolific artists as one of my good friends.
Tom Mosser is a brilliantly talented illustrator and painter. From being selected Harvard Magazine's 2005 "Illustrator of the Year", to painting a 30'x180' mural for the N.J. Devils @ the Prudential Center, Tom constantly produces work of the highest caliber.
He would argue it, but he's an inspiration to all those artists (including myself) who are trying to make a living doing what they love.
Last week was a bit crazy, my skull-crushing sinusitis notwithstanding. I shot projects on 6 of 7 days and while I'm certainly not complaining about being busy, the peacefulness of this weekend was highly anticipated.
Pittsburgh-based model Siouxsie Radcliffe came to the studio on Wednesday to help with a personal project and I can honestly say that I don't know why she isn't in NYC already. She's gorgeous, over 6' tall and has a powerful on set presence.
This is just a sample of the imagery we created. My thanks both to Siouxsie and to Rachael Ryan for the stellar makeup application.
Due to repeated demand, Nancy Mosser Casting and I have teamed up again to offer another opportunity for Pittsburgh's acting talent to get quality headshots at reasonable prices.
Please make your way to my Headshots page for more info.
Amongst all the "Best Of" photo collections that get put together at the end of the year, you can sometimes finds some real jewels.
For my money, few photographers stood out more than the New York Times' Damon Winter. His coverage of Obama on the campaign trail is commendable not only for it's sheer artistry - but also for standing out from the typical political imagery.
Thanks to APE for bringing this collection to a wider audience.
As the clock winds down I'd just like to wish you all the best for the new year. Once again, the slate is clean and the possibilities are virtually unlimited.
Now is the time to take the next step on that sleeping project; that dormant idea that's been quietly, persistently knocking on the back door of your brain. With times getting tougher on a seemingly daily basis, now is the time to move forward instead of shrinking back amongst the huddled masses.
These days, if you put yourself out there in a big way, you'll be even easier to notice - and damn difficult to ignore.
The photo-blog world has been lit afire recently over a post by David Hobby of Strobist fame. The original post can be read here.
I understand the furor from both sides and an intelligent argument can be made for both. I do believe that it's up to each individual photographer to decide whether or not to do work for free, and to find the value in free work if they do. I don't think you can make any kind of blanket statement about the veracity of either though as some people have attempted.
I also believe that this will most likely result in a lot more amateurs and "weekend warrior" photogs giving work away to people who can and should pay. Navigating the often murky waters of photo licensing fees and creative/production fees is difficult enough for professionals who have years of experience. When you participate in professional photo forums, as I do, the questions that get asked most often are about licensing, and these are among working pros.
There are very few, if any, hard and fast rules about pricing. I think it a very dangerous thing for professionals like Hobby, Chase Jarvis, et al. to promote working for free to people, largely amateurs, who don't yet have the skills to negotiate proper usage terms.
The benefits of doing work for free, and there are many, need to be clearly understood by all involved before any work should be made. Doing work for free - whether it be for promotional purposes, to gain special access, for greater creative control or just to extend goodwill out into your community - you have to have a keen grasp of the potential pitfalls.
I have personally donated my own time and professional skill to many projects and I try to involve myself in some kind of non-profit work every year. That said, I always make sure that the usage fits what I deem appropriate and that if anyone makes any money from a project the profits get divvied up equally between all the parties that donated their time.
This is, no doubt, just the beginning of the discussion. I'm sure we'll all be throwing in our two cents in the coming weeks. There are a few links below to some colleagues and their thoughts as well as a video that John Harrington posted on his blog of writer Harlan Ellison expounding on how he feels when asked to do something for free. If there are kids around, keep the volume low - the language borders on abusive at times.
