Catching up

It would appear that one or two of my readers were concerned at my where abouts and subsequent lack of posting; one even threatened to remove me from his blogroll for the inactivity. Timothy Archibald posted here on how quiet the photographer blogs had become; might have something to do with whether one is busy or not. We are still here but the alter ego has been working and has been more concerned with trying to take a decent photo then with his commitments here. We have been hitting the road but its been all pretty straight forward with no epic dramas or lost sticks of gum to write novellas about. So in an attempt to ingratiate myself back into the fold here are a few tit bits that have taken my fancy over the last couple of weeks.

First up I would like to BIG up Max S.Gerber for his excellent post here on one of my favorite blogs, the always entertaining 'I Like To Tell Stories' by the magnificent Jonathan Saunders. His blog is a wonderous mix of writing and pictures, ever so personal and revealing with an honesty and touch that is refreshing and true in the ever crowded blogosphere. It is a constant challenge to be creative and original and not get caught up in the topic du jour and Jonathan always avoids the en masse and continually surprises by doing his own thing, a true original who should be cherished. As an added treat this year he will/has be/been trying to do a behind the scenes time lapse video of his shoots. They are pretty fuckin great and don't worry lighting nerds there's plenty of revealing set up footage so expect to see the Saunders signature stylings all over a magazine near you real soon. Click on the links below to watch the magic happen:

Saunders Jonathan does the Girl Scouts CEO

Saunders Jonathan does Faxon

Saunders Jonathan does Bjorks Ice Dress

If you read me you probably read most of the other blogs on my roll, but it can be hard to keep up with all the goings on there is only so much information one can process in a day and then just when you think you heard it all Elliot goes and does a Spitzer. Anyways another big Up to Rob Haggart over at APE for continuously hitting it out of the park every day with original content. There is no keeping up with his prodigious posting, well on his way to the hall of fame. I have also been enjoying Thomas Broenings public battle with his inner art demons. It will be really interesting to see where this all leads on his trek to balance art and commerce and its a real treat to have a front row seat to the struggle. That's the thing folks don't forget to read the comments on some of these postings as there are some real nuggets.

"Yes, you do hear all of the consultants (myself included) say the same thing. "Do what you love", but often for photographers (and other artists) it is very difficult for them to BELIEVE in the eventual commercial success of their personal work without pandering or "speaking the language of the market" because generally that kind of work is not what they are seeing being purchased by the "marketplace" generally.

It makes much more sense to me to try to understand exactly what we are talking about when we are looking at what the market really is. For example, there are over 18,000 buyers of assignment photography in the US alone. I can guarantee that none of you will ever work for all of those buyers. Do you need 10 ? 5 ? new clients a year ? It is virtually impossible to turn off 100% of those people by showing your personal work.

Yes, the wrong people will call for the wrong reasons. But if you make your book for the most literal buyer, then you cant show it to a creative genius. With proper promotion and some original thinking in your content and succinct presentation in your book, yes, you will be considered for some jobs that are inappropriate. But to me it is the only shot you have at the ultimate creative collaboration with commercial partners that you have always wanted to work with. Imagine instead that you have a meeting scheduled tomorrow with one of the most creative magazine art directors, or agency creative directors in the business (they've seen everything, remember ?). What are you bringing them ? That original and personal portfolio is the one that you BOTH will like better...

Remember: If you market to the smartest people out there, then the stupid people will call you anyway! (It doesn't ever work the other way around, but that is the approach that most of your competitors will take... ).

To wit...

It is interesting to try to wrap your head around the numbers of photographers who look virtually the same and are vying for the same business. Those photographers have dutifully studied what is "happening" in commercial photography, gone to various meetings where art buyers explain it all, commiserated with their peers on magic formulas for promotion, sizes of portfolios, image content etc. and have educated themselves basically into carbon copies of each other.

The logic in a personal approach is to try to get yourself out of a giant pile of others who could be considered a "type" or style or have similar content. Many people (incorrectly, in my view) assume that if they are not showing what they think the buyer wants, then they will not be considered at all. But the fault in the logic is that EVERYONE is showing what they think the buyer wants, and the more that you look like everyone, the less your chances are of getting the job.

Also... If you were a creative director, what would you want to see ????" Allegra Wilde Photography Consultant

There are more and more photo blogs coming onto the scene and I promise to update the blog roll real soon with some new finds. I was thinking I wouldn't bother but I have discovered that some readers come looking and as I really believe in community and sharing who am I to be such a lazy stick in the mud although I do have a penchant for original content with a personal slant.

Douglas Adesko (L)

I have been taking a bit of a hit for my 'Portrait with the Artist' series. Most people get it and after some inner contemplation I will be continuing with the venture much to my therapists chagrin; after all we take ourselves way too seriously (me especially) from time to time and I am just trying to have a bit of fun while of course basking in my handsomeness. Needless to say it would be a shame not to post the latest enductee. Big up Douglas Adesko who took the time to get in touch and made space in his hectic schedule for pints with 'the Jackanory' this week. I have always been a huge fan of Doug's work and it was a real treat to share some quality one on one time. Doug is based in San Francisco and was in town on a work/meeting junket. Anyways looks like he might be uprooting the family and moving to New York for a six month stint in the near future.


Finally I would like to take a moment to bid a dieu to our 'Dear Leader' Olivier Laude who has gone the way of the Soth and the Christian Patterson by retiring his blog. I am sad to see him go although he will be reincarnating via a subscription only blog. Be sure to sign up as his maniacal musings will be worth the free price of admission. I have to say that I was deeply disappointed to discover that Christian Pattersons 'Speak See Remember' has totally disappeared. I understand and respect his decision to bow out but I think the loss of his postings is tragic. There was so much great stuff and his particularly insightful museings on the world of color photography were a priceless resource.

Don't forget the 'Room with a View' competition is accepting entries through the end of the month. Many thanks to those who have already made the stellar effort I will post some of the submissions next week and to those of you still sitting on the fence go on give it a lash there's still plenty of time.