“What I’ve Learned So Far”
In December I decided to write a post every day on the things that I have learned over the years of my journey. It was fun and it was exhausting… but mostly it was good to reflect.
I will soon be making these posts into an EBook, but if you wish to read them before that happens, well, here you go. Sorry I cannot put them in front order, so start at the back if you want to read them in order. That said, read them in whatever order you want.
An Open Letter to People Who Write Open Letters
Last week an open letter dispute erupted on social media. That could be said of just about any week on social media, but this time it was about a photographer and a band who wanted to use a photograph. I found myself intrigued but after reading both letters I felt...
Peter Lindbergh: Images of Women II
PETER LINDBERGH: IMAGES OF WOMEN II Lindbergh is one of the most popular photographers we study in the 8 Week Portrait Class. His work is simply brilliant and so many of the students have an immediate affinity to his authentic, intimate way of shooting. His new book,...
In Commercial Photography Some Things Change and Some Things Don’t
Some Things Change, and Some Things Stay the Same The constant, and rapidly changing landscape of photography continues unabated. Some may think of this as a very scary time to be in this business. They may be right… for them. For me it is nearly a miraculous time to...
Shooting Ice Cream with Photographer Rick Gayle
PHOTO BY RICK GAYLE, PHOENIX I will simply link to Rick's article here. Rick is a Phoenix photographer specializing in still life and food. This is a nicely done article documenting a shoot for Coldstone Creamery. BTS shots as well as some finished examples. You can...
Read more“I think that its a society that has totally lost its bearings on the terms of what its values are, and so its put all its value into celebrity. There is such a lack of spiritual self confidence perhaps that the achievers seem to have to be the kind of holy cows that people worship.”
— Editor, Vanity Fair, ca 1993
Read more“The great thing about the job was that in the evenings when we weren’t doing these ads, we photographed Anjelica Huston and Julie Driscoll. Polly Mellon, the fashion editor was there – it must have been for Vogue. Julie Driscoll was a pop singer with Brian Auger and Trinity. Musically they were a very hot band at the time. At the end of the shoot, Dick (Avedon) gave her a kiss and she, being very, very English, said in her slightly Cockney accent, “Oh, I bet they’ll be awful,” which is a totally English way to say “Thank you.” He just froze. He sort of straightened, and said, “When I take pictures, they’re good.””
— Neil Selkirk on Richard Avedon
Two Articles on Printing at Nearly the Same Time
Awesome coincidence? Or a convergence of some unknown force? I do not know, but it is interesting nonetheless. Last week Petapixel ran an article I had written titled "Prints. Remember Prints?" (Article Here) Almost immediately afterwards they ran Lynne Cartia's...
Moodboard: Edgy Portraits
Here are a few portraits that caught my eye last week. I hope you enjoy the picks. Ryan McGehee delivered this exceptional portrait. Brave crop, lighting that engages and mystifies and an absolutely charming face. Kine Meijer showed this unique portrait and knocked me...
Marilyn Monroe by Nahum Baron
I just love this image. I don't really know why. Photograph by Ted (Nahum) Baron. --- My friend and mentor, Selina Maitreya is sharing a lot of great stuff on video. There is an upcoming course, but you can grab a lot of great info from these videos. Check them out...
Join Selina Maitreya in a Free Video Course to Help Move You Forward.
I have known Selina for many years. I have all of her books, and have trained with her. I consider her a mentor, coach and friend. Selina has joined us here on Lighting Essentials many times, and each time is a delightful experience for me. Selina was perhaps the...
