So I'm not even going to try and justify my absence from staying on top of the blog. I'm so embarrassed that I'm not even going to post the entry to Facebook any more.
Things have been awesomely busy however. With my wedding season now underway, this weekend I'll be enjoying my final wedding-free weekend until November. I'll be celebrating by doing two engagement shoots.
So who knew this was going to happen, eh? The reality of owning a flourishing business has only recently dawned upon me, and while I'm humbled by the success, I'm also nervous for the upcoming year.
I know I was going to try and keep this blog semi-informational and not just a dumb diary of sorts, but I think baby steps. Trying to find my log-in information was a challenge, and actually typing it in, well, I'm exhausted. However, I guarantee I'll be back.. heck, I even have a topic picked out: Fish Eyes and Why We Love Them.
In the meantime, I'll just leave you with some pretty; behold, the latest video slideshow...
Oh hey blog! I know. I'm sorry I didn't write you. I've been busy... trust me, it's me not you.
No awkward explanations... just a busy summer and fall. However, if I'm going to have a blog, I better stay on top of it. Rather than updates and the ever-yawn-worthy 'whats happenin'?', better to use this blog to explain what this is all about. You know.. like I said it was in the beginning. Le Sigh.
So where better to start than talking about why I chose to shoot the way I do. That weird stuff.
Ultimately there is one critical aspect to this: The key is how to use the elements to make the image interesting.
What is 'interest' though? People tend to have expectations based on experience. They're used to seeing photographs that are a certain way; a smiling face, center of the frame, eyes looking at the camera etc etc. It could be the most beautiful person in the world, technically perfect exposure and focus, yet because that's what the viewer expected to see, it's not very 'interesting'.
The answer to making an interesting image is to break those expectations. Present the viewer with a visual puzzle. This can be done in a multitude of different ways...
In the above shot, there are lots of repeating vertical lines, and the subjects are lined up uniformly, but because the thing the viewer wants to see most, the heads, are missing, it will make the viewer pause a second and look at other elements.
This image embraces something I'm fond of using (or not using that is) and that's focus. The shot is obviously out of focus. The intention here, to grab the viewer for that extra second, is to make them look for something that's in focus. People like clear objects. They expect them to be easy to see. Take that away and you grab those extra few seconds and make them ask "what's that smudge? a person? a cotton ball?" This image also characterizes another trick...
The previous sample you can see the subjects, or smudges, are positioned to the far left and right of the frame. In this next sample, you can see the subjects are small compared to the image and placed in the far bottom right corner. Photography follows a few rules, and the important one in this case is the Rule of Thirds. How does this fit with expectations? Well, the eye expects to find the subject in the center. If it's not, again, something is weird and it has to search and move. In the case of the last image, we're also seeing a lot of dead-space or negative-space. That is, there's an area with nothing there.. makes a person ask "why did he make them so small and hide them in a corner?"...
This last example uses a couple of the past techniques. The subjects are placed at the outside fo the respective frames. Important parts are missing and cropped out, and we also see some out-of-focus. So what's left to see here? We can see Lisa's eyes, and know she's looking at Adam, but we can't see him. Really all you can take from this is possibly the most important part of an image: conveying a feeling or an emotion. The viewer is forced to only look at her eyes, and forced to understand what she's feeling, because here's nothing else to see.
These are only a handful of considerations (psht, like I'd let you in on all of my secrets) when directing a viewer. It's not, or shouldn't be, about making a pretty picture. It's about controlling what the viewer sees and guiding them to understand what you're showing them, and what you saw when you created it.
Photographers often talk about "capturing special moments" (I think I just threw up in my mouth a little..) but really the skill isn't just in delivering technically sound shots, with today's cameras any monkey can give that good go... it's about the ability to go beyond that, and put some impact and weight behind it. The real challenge is in creating an atmosphere for the viewer when you can only access one of their 5 senses.
Making an image 'interesting' doesn't make it good. All it does is give you a few more seconds of the viewer's attention to get across your message. So using these tricks can confuse them enough to keep their brain engaged in the shot while you say what you have to say...
cut scene: Ohio, 1958. Camera slowly zooms on a man bubbling with fury, sitting in a chair in the dark..."These are the worst photographs ever taken. I feel like such a fool! Revenge will be mine. Not just on Photographer McSuck, but on photographers everywhere, for all time!" diabolical laughter echoes around the room...
The above is the only scenario I can consider when thinking of a Mr Don Brown, inventor of the dropped ceiling, simply because there is no other conceivable reason it exists. Let me explain.
Covered a job this weekend at a dance studio. Let me be clear, this studio was beautiful. It was, as most new commercial construction is, afflicted with a suspended ceiling. You know the kind: tiles, frame bars, sprinkler heads, recessed lights, fluorescent strips, air vents, exit signs. None of which are photogenic when trying to create artistic dance photography.
Thankfully, Kim wanted low-key shots which made the post-processing much less of a job than it could have been. Below is a comparative shot of the shot SOOC vs the one that was worked over. My heart will break a little every time I have to shoot around hung ceilings, and Don Brown will doubtless continue to haunt location photographers everywhere for some time to come.
Thankfully the shoot was a resounding success (in no small part to Kim who was patient and fun over 3 hours of shooting, and the wonderful She who held booms, reflectors and did round-offs while she thought no one was looking), and I was extremely happy with how things went. Technically the wireless system was flawless, and having that much room and flexibility to work with the strobes was cool. All of the concept ideas came through, and post-processing was a blast. If you haven't seen the slideshow yet, here you go...
As always I'll close with some music. I've had a few people ask about the track I used for the movie. It's definitely a departure from the last two blog entries of folky stuff. It's a remix of an Imogen Heap track, "Hide & Seek" done by Tiesto, (apparently featured on "In Search of Sunrise 6").
What can I say? I'm from europe. dance music is in my blood. Just like Wisconsinites have Polka in theirs...
Up next: Two shoots this weekend. Having looked around, a lot of photographers like to post thoughts and tips on how to help their readers make their own shots better. I would never be that presumptuous. Though I might have a couple of suggestions...
Woah, 2 posts in a week, he must be serious about the blogging thing! That's right folks, strap yourself in for a thrill-ride bettered only by watching televised poker...
Lets get real though. Photography is a dangerous business. It all started with getting new lighting equipment, and ended up with me gimping back home. In between I might have learned not to walk around with the camera glued to my face. Just because your entire body turns left, doesn't mean your foot will follow. Just sayin'.
The new toys are great though! Enough wireless equipment to light a small stadium. In all honesty, off camera lighting (and particularly 'strobist' work) is a whole sub-genre in portrait photography. Though addicting, it has it's place. In my case, there are situations where it's just impossible to create the kind of dramatic effect I need aside from doing this. I'll offer up a rather charming quotation from a fellow forum member, Raoul Isidro...
"But after a while of producing flat photography, you would be tempted to acquire a more powerful speedlight to attach to it. Then, after much confidence and creativity using the speedlight, you will drool and lust after powerful strobes and flashes with complimentary umbrellas and parasols that are propped up by handsome looking stilts and structures. You would then want more control and freedom and add wireless transceivers, more slaves and more servants. After countless blinding flashes that burn your retinas prematurely, at a silent lonely moment... you will discover... the beauty and pure joy... of available light photography"
Given a preference, I'll always be a natural light photographer at heart.
So what else is new? Well, new glass for a start! I finally managed to get a copy of the legendary 21mm Ltd prime I've lusted after for so long. If I could eat it I would. The lens cap is lined with velvet for cryin' out loud! So here's a quick snap from a walk around doing a lens test...
So what's coming up? Well, June is super busy, and it starts in May (?). This weekend, I'm working on an awesome project for a business, Studio VIA in Brookfield WI, which I'm preeetty excited for. You know me, I'm all about dance. Look for update on that once it's all done and dusted early next week!
Like any good party, we'll end this with a song. New-to-Me artist I just fell for this week, hailing from Oxfordshire in the UK by the name of Stornoway. Remind me of B&S and moreso The Stone Roses. Either way they're kick a$$...here's their Myspace and for those needing gratification requiring less than 2 mouse clicks, here's a video to inspire that second click...
Partly busy, partly just not really getting that blogs don't write themselves, but after a sputtering start, I'm back on top of this thing. It doesn't help that i'm the king of procrastination. Posting a Craigslist ad lead me onto a couple of hours looking for a new Corvette. Photography is an expensive venture, let me tell you.
As desired however, things have picked up nicely for the summer. Since we last talked dear blog, many great shoots and many new toys arrived. With weddings to start soon and multiple other shoots between, I'm looking forward to a great summer.
Of course preparing for shoots involves many many things, the most important of which is thinking about and finding new music to use when compiling the slide-shows. Priorities right? I'm always open to suggestions, but I always end up sliding back towards indie/rock/folk a la Belle & Sebastian and my favourite Band de Jour, Camera Obscura who I've featured heavily in my work so far.
Pretty sure I can track down a sweater like that at Goodwill, the beard may take some work though..
Well, now I've got the login details for this bad boy all figured out and tattooed on my hand, I should be able to update more often. Yep, be excited.
...to be the worst blogger ever, another tardy update!
No, everyone was busy over the holidays, me being no exception. Though my definition of 'busy' involves anything that requires me to leave the comfort of my couch...erm, office.
Know anyone that could do with a good shootin'? Send them my way and I can hook them up for the spring and summer. Word of mouth and Facebook are my best friends, do do a guy a good 'un and spread the love...!
Had some really nice shoots over the break though, and last weekend was especially good. Starting up on saturday morning at the butt-crack of the day I finally got to do the engagement session with Lisa and Adam, with her bff, Adam's sister Kelly acting as my assistant and shoot manager.
It was so cold. The car (in it's warm smugness) told me that it was 1 degree outside. However for the next 2 hours while I toiled away in many layers of clothing, L&A bravely modeled their hearts out and did an awesome job! I decided against the run-of-the-mill engagement pictures and went with a candid, fun style. After all, I wasn't documenting an engagement event, simply two people.
Thankfully it worked, and they loved the pictures and I look forward to their wedding this July to do it all again. Without the long underwear however.
The second shoot that weekend was perhaps the most powerful one I've done. It was of a dog. Not just any dog, but one that belongs to a friend of mine. He's been having some trouble recently, and well, Erin may have to make a difficult decision. Hopefully not, but just in case, I offered to do this. Glad I did.
I didnt really get emotional during the shoot, nor while working on the images, not even when I was picking out music. However, when I put the two together for the slideshow, woah, my eyes almost started leaking. They never do that. Point being this was one of the first times I've personally been affected by my work, so I thought that was worth mentioning. I can only imagine how powerful it was for Erin.
Aside from that, booking are coming in which is great! A quiet few weeks while we wait out the bad weather, so I'll have to stay occupied in the meantime. You may have to suffer some of my favourite pictures of dead fauna soon though.
Updated the copy on the website too. I guess I just felt that what was up there was too...well, not me. So hopefully it's less along the lines of what every other freakin' photographer writes and more reflective of what I offer, which is, well, nothing like what others are doing in this field.
Anything else? Oh yeah, because I'm such a great person I'll be volunteering work for one of the local humane societies. Doin' it for da goggies. I dont know man, I see those ASPCA commercials with Sarah MacLachlan and I get a little verklempt...
So that's the update for early January. Stay warm and I look forward to sharing some stuff with you soon!
Forgiveness is asked for the lack of blog updates, but the last month has been a busy one!
As many of you now know, my website is now up and active, and my Facebook page gets the lion's share of attention and updating, and after spending the morning with the delightful State of Wisconsin's Business Registration system, I'm bordering on being completely and utterly official!
I'm so happy with the website, thanks to all those who gave me great feedback on putting it together. I still need to piece some things and polish them, but it up...it was like an Amish Barn-raising. It may not be the hearts and flowers that other photographer's websites are with bouncy country music, but it is what I was shooting for..simple, sophisticated and elegant.
Thanks to everyone who has supported me through this process. I can now sit back and relax a little bit! The beauty of starting this business is that it can chug along on it's own, and I feel no pressure whatsoever now. I want to let it evolve in it's own time, and can hopefully avoid the stress of relying on it to let me live my life; with that approach, I can concentrate solely on it being what it is meant to be: about the photography & the images.
Amongst all of the terribly dull aspects of the launch, I have had time for more shoots. I find myself finding that shot every time I run a session now. That Shot is the one that makes me think I want to print it...like 5ft by 4ft and frame it over my bed I love it so much! It's a good feeling to have that so often. My recent one was this delicious shot:
Most of the streamlining for presenting the work is done now. After a fight with Facebook over the movie slideshows, I moved to hosting with Vimeo, who have been great. One of my favourite features of my product is putting those slideshows together. Here's the latest one from a shoot with a co-worker Angie:
