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Photographs 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 moreMeet Hector Cruz: Emerging Pro
Hector “Big Boy Drums” Cruz… I met him a few years ago on on of the Flickr forums we were both hanging out on. His sense of humor and humility was something that was refreshing. He wanted to be a photographer, and was bound and determined to learn how. We bantered about stuff many times… and then we both sort of drifted away from that forum and on to other endeavors. Recently I began seeing Hector’s work on Facebook and I was very excited to see how far he had come in a short time. While others are bitching and...
read moreRui Bandeira’s “Endangered Jobs” Project
I saw this work today by one of the Project 52 photographers. It began as one of our assignments: Photograph a Stranger. Rui jumped in and not only photographed some strangers… he is developing it into a very cool project. I will let Rui describe it in his own words: Jobs with art or endangered … Every day, on my way home, I see a shoemaker who works in his small space, and every day I want to stop to take a photo… The will and the idea was following me for some time, and was progressing, I thought it would be fun to do a...
read moreClarion Call 2013: “Open to Creativity’
This will be a truly fascinating day. Plan now to make it a must listen. Selina is a great friend, and a consummate teacher/mentor. Her work researching creativity and its many manifestations will give you insights into the process you may never have touched. I am recommending this to every photographer I know! NOTE: IF YOU SIGN UP HERE, WITH MY LINK, and decide to purchase the Clarion Call Four “Open to Creativity” program, you will also receive a code to both of my UDEMY Courses to register for FREE. That is a $100 value. In...
read moreThirty Three Tired and Dated Photographic Expressions: Un-Edited
Riffing on a post by Ash Ambirge today, I asked the intrepid members of my Lighting Essentials Flickr group to come up with a list of photographic cliche’s and terms that they were also tired of. I did not edit them, nor did I censor any of them… 33 different pet peeves by 33 photographers. Now, you may believe some of them should be on the list, and others may piss you off. Good…. that means it is a great list. So without further comment: 1. Blowing out the Ambient 2. Creamy/Dreamy/Delicious Bokeh 3. Use the Histogram to...
read moreAputure Trigmaster Plus II Triggers
Wow… Have you ever gotten a product that made so much sense to you that you think it was made to order? That is how I feel about these Trigmaster Plus II’s from Aputure. Wireless Triggers for flash is now one of the most important tools we have seen emerge in the last decade. Being able to fire flashes without having cords running all over the floor – or work to create “line of sight” for opticals means more freedom for the photographer. I am a manual flash photographer. I am not interested in ETTL, ATTL, or...
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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...