Handsome boys fashion school

APE (L) Jackanory (R)

So yeah I have been to some great photo lectures/seminars in my time. As a young snapper I had the pleasure of seeing/hearing Helmut Newton and Bob Richardson, both of whom left an indelible impression. And more recently I was at NYPH'08 for the epic show and tell by the king of darkness himself Roger Ballan and the shock and awe display that was Simon Norfolk. Oh and not forgetting the time that Chase Jarvis managed to turn my frown upside down at the Photoshelter Townhall event in NYC last year.

Not one then to shy away from such happenings I took myself over to the latest Photoshelter offering; their Shoot the Day extravaganza over at Shoot Digital studios. There were plenty of tasty titbits on hand but I like many of my peers had primarily come to worship at the house of Rob Haggart aka A Photo Editor who had come from far to preach and teach his myth busting Editorial Boot Camp.

WTF ! It turns out that Rob and I share the same celebrity stylist unbeknownst to ourselves. Looks like we both got handed the same wardrobe; that's why you can see us in all our glorious color above. Rob it turns out is a bit of a shirt tucker but I on the other hand prefer to leave it all hanging out. The uniform of the day is some snappy thick framed glasses, white button down shirt and some blue jeans. APE was rockin the flip flops while I was shod in Vans. Rob is actually much taller in real life and he did me a favor by not using his height advantage to show up my own shortcomings by scooting down to my level for the pic above.

So I am not going to bore you with a play by play because those cool cats at Photoshelter got this whole multi media thing down and all the talks, lectures, seminars etc etc were recorded so you too will be able to share in the viewing pleasure. Not sure when they are going to go live but I will be sure to give you all a heads up.

I did though sit up front and center to try and throw Rob off his game and even managed a question too but no worries there APE is a cool customer and was well able for all comers. But I will say that he did make a big announcement about a business venture he is launching this week. Many of you will know what he is at but stay tuned to APE during the week for the revelation.

Many thanks to the good folk at Photoshelter for really putting the time and effort in to creating a viable photographic community. Its a huge production staging these events and its a real sign of their commitment. They will be rolling out some more happenings countrywide and I encourage everyone to get involved and attend. Not one to toot the horn but they did extend the Jackanory every professional courtesy and even allowed yours truly access to the champagne room aka the media and guest speaker room. And in case you were wondering what was behind the velvet rope; well VIP's, leather couches, sandwiches, wraps, flavored water, raw veggies, dips and a giant plate of coleslaw (below) that one of the fabulous people must have requested on their rider.


Big up to all the Photoshelter peeps and to Rob and Jennifer and everyone else I spent quality time with.

A Photo Editor on the APE promo

So now that the furore has died down a bit and Rob has worked out some of the initial glitches I asked an esteemed photo editor to give us her take on the APE promo slideshow.

In the interest of full disclosure the PE in this case is Brenda Milis of Mens Health magazine. I have worked with Brenda and she in turn worked with Rob during his tenure at Outside.

The Q+A took place yesterday and APE has since taken steps to improve thumbnail viewing, read here, and oh and he has now got himself a business partner so look out for some exciting developments soon at APEinc.

WTJ: What do you think about the APE promo slideshow / idea ?

BM: I think that it is a great resource for photo editors, yeah... as Rob says, it is a nice SUPPLEMENT to the other ways we PE's find photographers--nice way to find more people and remind ourselves who we've always liked.

As for slideshow itself-there's one big weakness (besides tiny thumbnails which I mention later): The photogs who are deep in the slideshow are at a definite disadvantage because those who will get the most exposure/seen the most are the ones with images towards the beginning. I'm sure it's something Rob has thought of and will rectify/fix in slideshows to come.

*I'd very much like to know how Rob decided to put these images in order because there are some very established photog's right up front-not having had time to look at all 297 images yet, I wonder if that continues throughout ?...don't recall seeing that info in his text/blog. random ? by preference ??

*I really like that Rob doesn't list the names of photogs upfront (at first I thought that would be dreadful, but I was soon won over!)---makes you actually look at the darn image without reading the name and therefore reading your own preconceived notions about the photographer into what you are seeing--good move, Mr. Haggart.

WTJ: As an editor you didn't have any Flickr shock anxiety ?

BM: Nope--Flickr does not make me anxious, though it can annoy me. Of course I don't like being annoyed but actually am much LESS annoyed than I expected to be. Those tiny thumbnails are bullshit, btw.

WTJ: What do you say to all those photographers who deemed this vehicle to be beneath them ?

BM: I understand their not wanting to be mixed up with the 'peanut gallery'---a lot of photographers HAVE spent years establishing themselves and getting work and building reputations and I understand them wanting to be more respected/feel that they are at a different level than a lot of the lesser-knowns, those newer to the game. That said, I DO like to see everyone side by side---it's refreshing especially since names aren't listed up-front.

WTJ: Did you look at the slideshow on APE or did you go to 'I Like These Photos' for the full screen version ?

BW: Absolutely--that's where you can use the manual controls and if you don't make the slideshow time to your own liking, I think you'd go mad !

WTJ: So you didn't look at all 297 photographers images ?

BM: Not yet and THAT is exactly the problem. While I PLAN to go back and look lots more, with the way a photo editor's day works---lots and lots of crises and interruptions of all sorts throughout--once you stop looking, you don't know when or even if you'll have time/focus to go back. I DO PLAN to go back.

I think I got through 35 or 40--it takes quite a bit of time, actually, because I am seeing lots of pictures I like and then I check the name and then I go to the individual website if I don't know the photog. and then I take time on their website.

So ultimately it will be a very time-consuming yet extremely valuable tool.

WTJ: Were you surprised to see some big names in the mix ?

BM: A bit, yes. But I reckon that's a tribute to APE's appeal / influence / reach in photo community

WTJ: Anyone you hadn't come across before that caught your eye with their one image ?

BM: Yes

WTJ: So you did you click on their website ?

BM: Yes

WTJ: Would/will you call in anyones book as a result ?

BM: Haven't decided yet--need time to re-visit.

WTJ: What are the chances someone (new talent especially) may get a job as a result of this exposure ?

BM: EXTREMELY HIGH.

WTJ: On a digression seeing as we have you on; the number of mailers you get on average in the post per day ?

BM: I prefer mailed promos over emailed because I'm guaranteed to LOOK at my mail whereas I might simply delete my emails if I'm overwhelmed. On average I get 5 per day.

WTJ: Percentage you huck in the bin ?

BM: I don't throw anything in the trash-I recycle, otherwise I'd die of agony over the waste of paper.

WTJ: Anything in particular you look for in a keeper ?

BM: Please always include more than one image on your promo--otherwise I will suspect you just got lucky and once took a great photo !

Also, if you have at least 2 (hopefully 3) images on your promo, it will give me a sense of your overall shooting style --so (a) I know what it is and (b) I know that YOU know what it is.

WTJ: Number of emailers you get on average in a day ?

BM: 5-15

WTJ: Do you open them if you don't recognize the address ?

BM: I try to force myself to open all of them--ends up being about 50%

WTJ: And on a closing note promotional pet hate ?

BM: I prefer for promos to not come in envelopes (waste of paper-I'm big on not wasting since we waste so much)-but it doesn't particularly annoy me. I love photos so I don't hold many grudges towards any...