Digital BW, The Print

Being a "commercial shooter" does not mean anything when it comes to being creative.  It certainly does not make one an 'expert' at photography any more than some of the 'look at my family pics'  photographers.  And, in general, the family pics have a lot more validity for a lot longer time than 99.999999% of the commercial work.  And, it's ok if you don't like family pics.
 
Tom Baker

Paul Aparycki <tawow@...> wrote:
I am sorry if you are offended, but I stand by remark about the incredible
level of what can only be described as "HEY, come and look at my family
vacation pics!!!".

I used to troll about a lot looking for galleries and pages of
photographers. I AM interested in seeing others work and most importantly ,
trying to get a handle on others viewpoint or perception. I don't anymore.
Virtually all web sites or galleries devoted to what can laughingly be
called "art" or "photography" are as I have described . . . more of an ego
stroking for the individual as opposed to worthwhile imagery.

I knew when I rsponded, perhaps a little heavy-handed, that I would end up
being burnt at the stake, but bear with me for a few minutes . . . and I
really hope I don't have to keep repeating this in other posts.

THIS IS GONNA BE A LITTLE ON THE LONG SIDE (yes Gary, I know "gonna" is not
a word), ;-))

I sense that on this list, and actually it doesn't really matter whether it
is this list or the banana importers from antarctica's list, that there are
many who are hobbyists, many who are geekheads (a large majority perhaps),
and some who are serious photographer/printmakers, and a very, very few who
are commercial shooters (I am in that group). Where I jumped, perhaps too
soon, was at the implication of "overshoot".

Let us go to a fabulously intelligent and very well informed lady by the
name of Henrietta Brackman . . . who?? I doubt any of you know her name. She
is an artist's portfolio consultant (yeah, I know, it sounds like a load of
crap), and she has worked with and modified the "books" of some of the most
famous names in commercial photography over the years. "What does that mean
to me? I am on a printers list, I am an artist!!!!", well, the constraints,
the guidelines that most art directors use are quite similar to those that
most publisher/editors use which are the same as those that most gallery
owners/curators use . . . so we are all in the same boat (sort of). Anyhow
(yes Gary, I know that is not in the dictionary either), her commentary
about a portfolio goes something to the effect of, 12-15 images, at the very
most perhaps 20. If you have others put them aside and save them for later.
She, and most of the agents she has worked with ALL agree on one thing . . .
photographers (that is YOU AND ME) are really, really, really, shitty
editors . . . and she is absolutely one hundred millionteen (your call again
Gary) percent right. Ms Brackman maintains, and correctly, that virtually
all photographers have too much emotional baggage tied to their images.
Those statements are probably the single most important lessons I have ever
learned in image making.

Learn to cull . . . without mercy. When you show your work, as MS Brackman
states, show a small to medium sampling . . . save some for later and then
you do an update . . . the audience is HUNGERING for more. Pull 5 maybe 6
from the original lot, replace them with others, and perhaps add a couple
more . . . a DYNAMIC and moving presentation that makes people want to see
your work again and again . . . BUT, what do most of you do? Well, my mommy
or my brother, or my wife/husband said I take great pictures so here is the
picture they liked, Oh, and by the way, here are 3,842 more (SEE THE SLIDES
OF MY FAMILY VACATION!!!!!!!!! . . . . PUKE,PUKE,PUKE).

I have looked at so many of the "galleries" that some on this list, and
others, have posted. I can see exactly what Ms Brackman is talking about
when she refers to baggage. So many who have gone to for instance, the Grand
Canyon . . . and shot it to death. Yes it is an extraordinary place to be,
but the so-so shooter CAN'T bring that out in their photo. There is indeed a
competent,well exposed well composed photo, but little emotion . . . the
emotion exists solely in the eyes of the photographer (if you can call
him/her that), who when they look at the image have "a moving experience" .
. . something which DOES NOT exist in their photo, but in their eyes they
still remember that moment. Good for them, but the photo is at the same
level as the 25 cent postcard, cute, but no cigar . . . THAT is the problem
with digital and it's overshoot mentality.

Pleeeeeeze (Gary, help me here), learn to be a good photgrapher before you
buy a nintedo camera!

Paul Aprycki

Oh,and by the way Tony, you obviously don't pay any attention when it goes
your way, but there has been, in particular the debacle over John Sexton, a
mastubatory exhaltation over the merits of more, more, more, more pixels,
memory etc

I would suggest you learn to be honest


>ho are the lazy slugs, Paul ... And what do the references to masturbating,
>lugs & cripples imply about your own world view, which I note is not shared
>y others who on this list at least show somewhat more respect for others by
>ot seeking to be so confrontational & insulting in their attitudes to
>thers. None of these comments have a place here and I for one don't intend
>o allow you to drag this forum down.

>f you have an opinion that's fine, if it involves insulting and degrading
>emarks that don't assist or have relevance to the content of the thread
>hen who of us cares to listen, not many I think.

>ony Kelly





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Please visit the Group Homepage to check the Files, and other resources as they are often being updated.

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If you wish to receive no emails or just a daily digest, or you wish to unsubscribe, please edit your Membership preferences by visiting this same page.

Please follow these basic guidelines:
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