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Well, This Cliff Jumping Thing Worked Out Well
On Jumping Over A Cliff… So this guy tells me… “You should jump off that cliff, Don.” I stare incredulously at the guy cause I am not good on cliffs. Not as bad as my bud Charles… but that is a different story. I am not crazy about heights. “Are you crazy”, I say… “jumping off a cliff can hurt, or even kill me.” “Nawwww”, this guy says… “I have jumped off a lot of cliffs and never got hurt. Ever.” “Really…” I am now intrigued…...
read moreFirst Be A Photographer
I follow a very nice group of people on a forum on Facebook. They are all trying to start their businesses with varying degrees of luck and success. One of the things that is emerging is that many of them are simply not ready to be professionals and in business. And that is a shame. It is not a shame they cannot be in business, it is a shame that they thought it was as easy as buy a camera, get some business cards on the way home from the camera store and then shoot like one of their heroes shoots. Not having any understanding that their hero...
read moreOne Layout: Many Versions
Man these Project 52 PROS are really dialing it in. And that is making it more fun than a guy should have. The assignment was to shoot to this layout (furnished in PSD layers) and make sure it worked. I wanted them to put the images into the layout and show us what they came up with. This time I am not going to choose a sample, I am going to share all the images this assignment garnered – because they did such a great job on it. Our cover photo is by Cincinnati photographer Tom Siebert. Without further ado… the images from Project...
read moreProject 52 Pros: Assignment Four
The assignment was called “The Tear Sheet” and it involved the students working through creating a “fauxtolio” to help them focus their energy on making images that they LOVED to make. The “fauxtolio” helps guide the sensibilities of the photographer as he or she begin to do all the assignments in Project 52 PRO. I hope you enjoy this random sample of images, and if you are interested in Project 52 PRO drop me a note. Related Posts:No Related...
read moreMen. At Work.
I recently completed an assignment for an advertising agency here in Phoenix. The Lavidge agency has been around quite a while and it was a lot of fun to shoot this industrial gig with them. The client was United Rentals – a major player in the tool rental niche. These guys have everything from wrenches to cranes. Tim (the toolman) Taylor would have been in heaven here… heh heh heh. Whenever I am on assignment, I try to get personal work done as well as completing the assignment to the satisfaction of the client (and myself). If...
read morePhotographs of Strangers by P52 PRO Group
This was the first assignment completed by the Project 52 PRO’s. Photographing strangers can be a very delicate and scary idea for a lot of people. The fear of rejection or having the subject be angry stops most from ever attempting photographing people they do not know. I wanted to get a very uncomfortable assignment right up front. Let’s get over some fears and find our work in the best circumstances. Knowing how difficult this assignment would be made it perfect for working through the tough issues to follow. To their credit,...
read moreMeet Jan Klier: NY Fashion Photographer
I met Jan about five years ago when he flew to Phoenix to take one of my one day workshops. We met again in Seattle when I was doing the workshops nationally. I knew he had a strong work ethic, and a powerful desire to be a photographer, and encouraged him to make it happen on whatever level made sense to him. Jan left his job in Seattle and became a full time photographer two and a half years ago. After working the Seattle market and finding some success there, he decided to make the biggest move he could… New York City. Klier wants to...
read moreThe “Truck Shot”: Simple Moves for a Better Shot
I asked the folks who get my newsletter how they think I shot it. Many folks tried to figure it out, but most had something about a front light… and that was a no go. I used four lights (2×2) and Photoshop to get the look I wanted. Working it a bit in Photoshop also helped the image look better. The Truck Shot as we found it: As you can see, the shot is rather dull and lifeless. The shot with the lighting: How it was done: Closest was 4×5 Dan. He was so close I am giving him the prize. Way to go, Dan. Here is what I ended up...
read more“The ICONIC Image” – a Discussion with Photographer Gary Crabbe
Gary Crabbe is a full time landscape and environmental shooter living in Central California. Recently, one of his blogposts caught my attention as it is something I am wondering about as well. I just came back from Zion and Bryce Canyons and while there found myself staring at those “postcard, iconic” images of these places. My light was no where near as wonderful as some of the shots I had seen, but I nonetheless snapped off a few frames. I ‘got it’ – that shot of Inspiration Point, and the bridge over the river...
read moreMeet David Giral: Montreal Photographer
David Giral is a photographer in Montreal, Canada. I met him a few years ago at a workshop near Toronto, and we have stayed in touch. He is a talented young man, for sure, but he is also tenaciously working on his business. From leave-behinds, to websites, to email campaigns, David has one thing that drives him… success. He knows how important this phase of his business is, and brings 100% effort to everything he does. So pull up a chair, grab your favorite refreshment and meet David Giral. From David’s portfolio. Related Posts:No...
read moreI Am Available for Writing and Speaking
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Glad you dropped by. This is my love and my muse. We talk about photography here, as well as the folks who make images. I am very focused on commercial and fine art photography, and we don't really spend all that much time on weddings and such. I have written 5 books - two I give away here, and two are for sale at Amazon, and the 5th one is being edited and designed right now! Thanks for visiting, leave a comment or join me the social networks...