We get a lot of email here from people who are interested in becoming professional photographers/film makers, or who just want to know how to improve their game. I always tell people the same thing: shoot your way out.
There is a story I remember hearing about Andrea Blanche, the big time 80s photographer and Avedon, whom she earlier assisted for. Sorry Andrea if I have the name wrong here, it was a long time go that I read this story. The essence of it was that she went to Avedon saying she was stuck in her professional work, and didn’t quite know what to do. He told he to get out of her studio, take a 35mm camera and some TRIX and spend the summer at Coney Island taking photographs. Essentially, get back to basics and shoot your way out of the problem. My recollection is that it worked out very well for her.
In an effort to further share what goes on here, and how we deal with the constant challange of making better and better images, here is what my summer projects look like:
-Started making a film project of the skaters down at the Venice Skate park. Slow mo with the 7D of the exhibitionist style avengers at the worlds most gorgeous skate park. Along with this I am doing stills with my H3D. Loving this project.
-Doing a series of studio portraits of young people 17-23 dealing with a moment when something unkown is about to happen.
-A short film of my artist friend Kat. Terrifically talented classical painter. Still working on getting a handle on the look for this one.
-Food. ok, this is a total disconnect, but i love eating, and have been taking snap shots of my dinner plate for years. I want to try something simple, long lens, back lit, of some of the things that i like to eat.
-Mom. Going to visit mom in a few weeks and think it would be very interestig to do something with the 5D and her in her world. She is the worlds healthiest most active senior. An absolute model for how to be happy and older.
Its a lot, but I am obsessed. NOW what are you doing this summer?
Great advice. I’m going to start my list now.
HI Andy,
Thanks for writing in. Love your BW bike shots.
David
on deck:
1. possible still life project of bizarre abandoned articles at the MTA’s lost and found
2. hilarious/raunchy shoot for new upstart mag, called KONG, started by the former editor of playgirl…it’s gonna be great!
3. constantly documenting the changes down at coney the last five summers
4. similar to your writing about shooting your mom, i’m going home again in july and really would like to take portraits of my folks as i’ve never been able to accurately capture them–they are the toughest subjects for me personally
love your foray into video stuff, d! can’t wait to see the skaters.
Hi , Ive just been reading on another blog about personal work today…. So this is a good question and a good article youve written . Thanks. I actually started an ideas board today in my house… so far I wanna
do some formalish portraits of …a monk in a downtown temple, the street beggar I keep riding past who has long hair, the kids over the road who sell birds…. a time lapse of “Walking Street” a street here in Chiang Rai Thailand which gets turned into an open air market one night every week and gets crazy packed with people and last but not least a timelapse of the clock tower , this new golden roundabout clock tower that has a bizarre light show with music three times a night and people come out to watch. its freaky and cool. PS I watched the Beyonce video. Man she is a hot mamma!
Good Luck with summer. We are going into rainy season….
Nat
Hi Nat,
Thanks for writing in.Great ideas all of them.
How are things in Thailand these days? Are you working there?
David
Hi , So many ideas and its so freakin hot! I sweated an ocean yesterday cruising around the city taking photos.
Things in the North are fairly stable. There is alot of Thaksin support ( former prime minister and unofficial leader of ‘the red shirts’) in the North because he gave ship loads of money to poor people when he was in office. Money he got from being the most sly and genius ‘business man’ in Thailand. However… people here are just so cruisey. Thai people in general dont like aggression. We had a little protest and one bomb in an ATM in this city. Thats all
Bangkok seems to be clearing up. It really hurt tourism obviously.
Im here on a self funded year of shooting for an organisation who work with ethnic minorities in the mountains. The people groups are more well known as “Hilltribes”. Im just wanting to help any organisations here who are doing good stuff really. I dont know why Im here. I just want to learn, get better at shooting and um do something with my life
Yesterday I did this challenge that Scott Kelby laid down about taping up your LCD and shooting only one “roll of film” digitally. It was good. made me realise how fast I shoot and how much I need to slow down and think more.
Since I have uber time on my hands now (no friends and no tv ) its awesome to read what other photographers have to offer.
Regards
Nat
HI Nat,
Sounds great. A wonderful opportunity t do some good work.
Love the idea of taping over the LCD.
Best
David