Photographic Discipline
December 22nd, 2009I am a true photographer, especially a fashion photographer. How many of you can HONESTLY say this ? Think really hard because I am willing to bet that the majority of this new breed of photographers who have never shot film have no clue what the basic fundamentals of photography are . Now I know you are all out there calling me an asshole and every other name in the book but the proof is in the photos.
I spoke to a photographer today who has only been shooting for about a year. He told me how much he loves digital. I asked him why. Get ready to fall back in your seats because his answer made me cringe. He told me he loves digital photography because he doesn’t know the basic fundamental lighting techniques and he just fixes his photos in Photoshop. If he needs an extra light he just pops it in where he needs it. I was so thrown back I couldn’t even gather my thoughts to say anything back. Think about what this person said. It’s SAD and PATHETIC ! And I am so damn sick of it ! Don’t get me wrong, he is a friend and a good person but it’s guys like this that are hurting the business and hurting true professionals like me and many others.
So now we have the business of photography to be concerned with. If he doesn’t know the basic fundamentals of photography do you think he knows anything about how to run a photography business ? Hell friggin no he doesn’t !
This brings me to my main reason for writing this post. Just because we are now shooting digital, does not give you an excuse to lose your discipline which is exactly what has happened with everyone today ! With the advent of digital, photographers have gotten LAZY and don’t even know how to connect with their subject, which is what makes a great photograph. Richard Avedon was amazing at this. I highly suggest you all go out and get the DVD Richard Avedon – Darkness and Light by American Masters Productions. What you will see is he used a Rolleiflex camera. The Rollei as most call it for short is actually my favorite camera and it only cost me $250 used of course. They aren’t made anymore. The camera is medium format, 6×6 cm and can take 120 or 220 film. There is no meter in it, no electronics, no batteries, no auto focus and no zoom lens. You must crank to advance to the next frame and to achieve focus you line up the diagonal line in the focus prism. You must hold it very steady and to make it even more challenging the image you see when you look down is reversed ! So lets say you are using 120 film, you have only 12 chances to get the shot you need/ want. That’s right you heard me, 12 chances ! That’s it ! You don’t get 1,000 chances. So you must take your time with your subject and this gives you the opportunity to actually connect ! There’s none of this taking the shot, looking at it to see if you got your exposure correct wile the model sits there thinking about what a moron you are.
Meet the Rolleiflex ! Click the image to make it larger. I labeled all the elements for you. I still shoot with this camera on tests to keep my chops up. It slows me down, relaxes me which relaxes the model. I have to think about the shot and if I REALLY want to push the shutter, which btw is almost silent. What I find very ironic is this post really can apply to everyone in any business and even in family life. We all need to slow down, think, then react. We need to reconnect with each other and remember why the person you are photographing is so special. Why is your wife so special when you come home and give her a kiss ? When you put your kids to bed at night look at them, talk to them, cherish them. Slow down and tell them you love them. Ask them if they are happy. Tell them how happy you are.
You could ask the same questions, say the same things to your subject as they sit in front of you letting you inside their soul to see everything. And because you took the time to really look at them, get to know them, they are going to give you all they have, just lke your wife and kids or girlfriend will give you more and appreciate you more. Life is all connected. It’s one big giant circle and everything is interrelated. Trust me…… try this….. you can’t go wrong.
So who do you think got me to start shooting the Rollei ? My mentor and great friend celebrity fashion photographer Jerry Avenaim. He has taught me what Avedon taught him, Demarchelier taught him. The fact that I am following in the footsteps of some of the greatest photographers to ever grace this planet makes me feel so special and I thank the universe everyday for this.
Here is another view of the great Rolleiflex. You can see the viewing lens and taking lens. You can also see how to set the shutter speed and aperture. Look at this camera and think about how much discipline a photographer has to have to use it. Remember, newspaper photographers used this, photo journalists who had to be able to get “the shot” ! PHOTOGRAPHIC DISCIPLINE ! PHOTOGRAPHIC DISCIPLINE ! PHOTOGRAPHIC DISCIPLINE ! Please get this in your head and practice it. You will be a better photographer as well as a better person.
Looking down into the Rolleiflex viewfinder you see the image is reversed. Yes this is my living room. The image is reversed however, your thinking will become so clear and concise. Your photographs will become breathtaking and you will leave your mark on this world when you leave it. That is something I am very proud to say I have done many times and it is a feeling that you will always cherish just as you will cherish the memories of the subjects you photographed because you slowed down, stopped, listened, looked and then…….. you reacted.
I wanna hear your thoughts and experiences.
December 22nd, 2009 at 2:32 pm
Amen!
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Jason Christopher Reply:
December 22nd, 2009 at 2:37 pm
Thank you Laura ! Do you use a Rolleiflex ? Are you practicing photographic discipline ?
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Laura T Reply:
December 24th, 2009 at 9:36 am
I started with a nikon film camera, then I became enamoured with the
speedgrafic 4×5 cameras and the incredibly luscious images produced
with negatives from the 4×5. I spent my first 4-5 years printing every-
thing in the darkroom, even the first wedding I shot. I never got into
medium format other then to spend a couple of years loading film as
an assistant. Even now with digital, its my goal to get it right in the
camera, as I don’t have the time to recreate a crappy photo. Digital
does give me the abililty to practice and perfect new lighting ratios and
methods, not to mention some way out there techniques. I have a hard
time taking seriously the person who “just decided” to become a
photographer. I devote alot of time and money continually learning to
be a better photographer and honing my craft. Now I will step down from
my soapbox….
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December 22nd, 2009 at 2:48 pm
You know how I feel about this. Surely it’s important to know your basics, but it’s extremely important to experiment as well. Avatar the movie from James Cameron (which I haven’t seen yet) puts this into practice where concept and idea is far more important and the technology is there to help you out in any way possible.
As long as you have the idea and the vision to follow through, I think the method you choose isn’t important. Because I know Photoshop, I have a backup photographer with me at all times. Because I shoot digital, I can make mistakes as I learn. Your friend, has been shooting for a year in different lighting/places/faces, it’s all a learning process.
Goodbye to the once elite photographer and embrace your younger generation as technology allows even the least creative people to take a good photograph. Down with elitism!
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Jason Christopher Reply:
December 22nd, 2009 at 8:49 pm
LOL Bram you do make a good point. There are many points one could make about this. I will admit I am a bit old fashioned however I still embrace fundamentals. I watch my little nephews play baseball and they are not being taught the fundamentals, thus they really aren’t learning the REAL way to play baseball.
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December 22nd, 2009 at 2:50 pm
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Bram Timmer and Jason Christopher , Jason Christopher . Jason Christopher said: RT @fashion_shooter Photographic Discipline http://bit.ly/5Y7YGg [...]
December 22nd, 2009 at 3:04 pm
I still shoot as much film as possible, and love shooting medium and large formats.
To me, film feels much more pure.
You do have to think about your composition, exposure, etc.
You HAVE to know what you’re doing when shooting film. It’s too costly not to.
A film body just feels better in your hands, and the glass is always so tack sharp.
Throw in the wonderful saturation and contrast you get from slide film, or the great tonality of black and white film, and you start to wonder why people spend so much time in post trying to mimic the characteristics of film instead of just shooting film to begin with.
Long live film
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Jason Christopher Reply:
December 22nd, 2009 at 9:05 pm
Destry ! I soooooo agree with you ! I used to shoot for Teen magazine and they did not accept digital. They wanted their photographers to shoot film. So I had to know the different qualities of every film type out there. And you know what ? I still say that looking at a 6×7 chrome of a beautiful landscape on a light table is an amazing high !
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Destry Jaimes Reply:
December 23rd, 2009 at 7:18 am
I believe film is the reason I’m sooo damned dead-set and picky about getting it right in camera. I try and stay out of photoshop unless I’m going for an effect like I recently did in a self portrait to make it Rockwell-ish.
It still bugs me that no matter what I do, the raw digital files just can’t compare to the same thing shot on film. I very frequently shoot both formats at the same time – digital in one hand, film in the other.
On a job a couple of weeks ago, I did just that. I shot digital and film. Same exposure settings for both – f9.5 @ 1/250th ASA100
Film used was one of my favs – velvia shot on a Bronica ETRSi
Once the film was processed, I compared the slides to the raw digital files, and the slides were spot on as far as color and contrast – beautiful, and ready to print.
The digital files, as usual, needed adjustments to contrast and color vibrance because they just looked too boring. Only after I adjusted the digital files did they match the slides.
There are so many photoshopped images these days, and I’d love to challenge some photogs to “show us your raws, and lets see how close you were in camera”
Film will separate the men from the boys (sorry ladies, that’s just how the saying goes).
And yes, there’s nothing like looking at beautiful chromes on a light table. Does anyone even know what a loupe is anymore?
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December 22nd, 2009 at 3:26 pm
Great blog but I’m taking issue with this post and your words.
1. I can name hundreds here in town who can call themselves TRUE photographers. It’s not that rare, this is Los Angeles, after all.
2. I can name three BIG time fashion photographers here in Los Angeles who shoot celebrity and every damn mag cover you’ve seen WHO CANNOT LIGHT. They have lighting teams and if you ask them, particularly one of them, he’ll be the first to tell you he knows nothing about light. He started with film so your argument doesn’t really make sense.
3. A certain famous female photographer whose day rate is the highest in the world knows the basics of photography but cannot run a business to save her life. Same can be said for plenty of photographers I know.
4. A novice, shooting for a year or less, cannot hurt my photographic skills in any way whatsoever. It’s not those types of baffoons taking business away from anyone. Trust me. If you are worth your photographic weight you’d have nothing t worry about. I’m not saying you don’t, I’m just saying there are pros and amateurs in every field and and it’s not the pee wees killing my business or yours
5. You are making it seem like every person who has ever shot film was a master and truly concerned with their art and that there were no bad film shooters EVER. I know you know that’s not the case!
Seems like your beef is just with lazy photographers, pure and simple.
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Fashion Photographer Jerry Avenaim Reply:
December 22nd, 2009 at 7:35 pm
Marcus,
you are absolutely right in so much of your response. There are three kinds of photographers…
1. Visionraies
2. Technicians
3. Those who combine both…
That is the key to success in Fashion or any kind of photography. Thanks for speaking up!
Jerry Avenaim
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Jason Christopher Reply:
December 22nd, 2009 at 8:41 pm
Thank you for clarifying this for me brotha.
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Jason Christopher Reply:
December 22nd, 2009 at 8:34 pm
Marcus, thank you for writing. I need to clarify my first statement. I will admit I over generalized. However, from what I have seen and heard from many photographers these days is that they aren’t concerned with the fundamentals of photography. They enjoy Photoshop much more, and that is just fine. When I heard what my buddy told me about the fact that he will just fix his mistakes in Photoshop it also got me thinking about how so many NEW photographers are not taking their time with their subjects when they shoot. I’m not talking about lighting only. I’m talking about CONNECTING and thinking before you click the shutter. So with all due respect I think you took my first statement way too seriously.
Now with the true photographer statement I made I will stick by that. A true solid photographer in MY opinion is well rounded. I’m not saying we all have to be lighting geniuses, it’s not all about lighting. Again, it’s about connecting with your subject. And the photographer who is not well rounded cannot connect with their subject because he or she is too busy worrying if they got the exposure correct, composition correct etc. Why are they too busy doing that ? Because they never learned the fundamentals. You can say the same thing with a baseball player or any sports player.
My argument does make sense Marcus. Jerry was kind enough to clarify it for me. There are three kinds of photographers. However, I still believe in MY opinion that a photographer should have some lighting knowledge but then again my post isn’t JUST about lighting. I’ve hired lighting techs for some of my shoots. There is nothing wring with that. What I am trying to help you understand is that there is MUCH more to photography than getting your lighting correct. Lighting is the smallest point in this post. Did you even read what I wrote about how connecting with your subject parallels other parts of our lives as well ?
The female photographer you are referring to is Annie Lebovitz. She ran her photography business just fine. If you knew the real story you would know that her girlfriend was partly to blame as well as the fact that Annie just simply overspent. You didn’t even get my point about the business of photography. I have talked to so many new photographers who don’t know what a contract is, don’t use one, don’t know about usage rights, don’t know how to negotiate etc. etc. etc. THAT is the business part I was talking about. And yes, guys like me who started their career when digital didn’t exist knew about everything I just mentioned. I don’t know how or why but we just knew, we took the time and DISCIPLINE to research it.
And YES those so called photographers are hurting guys like me and other veterans because they are under bidding and not quoting correctly and when I get that call from the same potential client I have to educate the client and explain that the photographer who just gave them a quote of a thousand bucks for a job that really should be 5 grand is not an experienced photographer who can run the show.
I agree with you on your last point. I did make it sound like every person who shot film is a master and that there were no bad shooters. I apologize. However my beef is also with lazy photographers lol. I hope I clarified my post better for you.
I do wish you would have given your real email address. Makes me think you are scared to stand up for yourself. No harm done though. I am trying to unite everyone not make enemies.
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December 22nd, 2009 at 4:16 pm
Thanks so much for posting this Christopher! This echoes a lot of my own feelings on digital photography of late. I went through photo school at just the right time so that my education was split precisely 50/50 film/darkroom and digital and it makes me sad to think of photographers being educated without the film experience. The discipline it forces you to adopt just doesn’t have a parallel in digital. Of course you can *apply* that discipline to digital, but the imperative to learn it in the first place is sadly lacking.
On the slightly tangential subject of the business of photo, I’ve recently noticed a frightening trend wherein smaller design firms who routinely work with other photographers are reacting with shock, confusion and occasionally even annoyance when I bring up contracts. Just a few weeks ago I had an account manager for a new client ask me what I meant by usage rights. She’d simply never had a photographer bring them up. This is a sobering reality to face.
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Jason Christopher Reply:
December 22nd, 2009 at 8:40 pm
Thank you Stephanie !!!! You just reinforced some of my points ! Oh and it’s Jason, Christopher is my last name
You are correct though. I have gotten some of those calls too where the client is shocked that I mention usage rights. It;s not just in photography. Usage rights apply to EVERYTHING. A song, a name, a name of a business, a script, I could go on and on. For some reason there are some really ill educated clients out there who just don’t get it.
I had someone call me once who wanted me to shoot for a coffee table book. She was from New York and when I brought up usage rights she told me that she only works with professionals !!! LMAO !!!! I literally laughed so hard she probably thought I was crazy.
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Stephanie Maulding Reply:
December 23rd, 2009 at 12:19 pm
Wow, I only read your blog every week and I screwed up your name. Apparently my brain subconsciously reached a compromise between calling you Jason and Mr. Christopher. Ha! Sorry about that.
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Jason Christopher Reply:
December 24th, 2009 at 10:00 pm
lol that’s ok Stephanie. I forgive you
You only read my blog once a week ? Have you read through all the archives ? Are you aware my archives go back all the way to Sept. 07 ?
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Stephanie Maulding Reply:
December 26th, 2009 at 1:02 pm
Well, really I read it whenever you post as it pops up on my Google Reader. And that seems to be roughly once a week.
And yep! I’ve read through all the archives. I’ve even got a few posts bookmarked for reference!
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Jason Christopher Reply:
January 4th, 2010 at 4:49 pm
That’s awesome Stephanie ! Thank you very much
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December 22nd, 2009 at 5:07 pm
Hey we’re not ALL lame.
I’m particular to my Yashicaflex personally. It doesn’t spoil me with that split-line focusing. That’s for lightweights…I gotta judge blurriness without assistance!
But seriously. Having a reversed image such as in a TLR, or upside down one as in a large format camera, can actually help you with composition and spot stuff you’d miss if you can only see the image normally.
I sometimes will simulate this with thumbnails in Lightroom. Flip ‘em or turn them upside down, so I can get a better sense of something that isn’t working. Gives a fresh perspective.
Happy Holidays!
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Jason Christopher Reply:
December 22nd, 2009 at 8:45 pm
Hi Matt !!!
LOL no you’re not all lame
I like your way of thinking about the reversed image. You make a good point. And my point was mainly about when shooting film, you are forced to slow down and look at your background and everything in the photo. I’m sorry I got Marcus so upset. That was not my intention. Happy Holidays to you too bro ! Oh and next time you are near me just call my cell. I apologize for not getting back to your email.
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December 23rd, 2009 at 5:07 am
Jason i am so with you on this. I just helped a friend with thier new studio layout and they really did not have a clue on what lighitng they wanted to use or even a base lighting setup. I talk to others that go out and photograph High School seniors and come back with 400-500+ files, they cannot believe i do the same in about 100 or so. Wait for the moment to happen and then enjoy it with your model, don’t blast through it and never see it until it’s on the screen.
I have been taking my Mamiya C330 out more and i believe my clients actually love the slower pace, i have had more comments on how ‘relaxed’ my sessions were compared to others they have used. I believe it might just see more light now than the digital (well for most jobs at least)
For digital only shooters, don’t get me wrong now, it’s not the ‘film’ that is the argument here. You can simulate this with your digital as i have done many of times. Turn off the preview screen on the camera, get a 500mb (yes M as in mega not giga) card and carry only one, think about the light and where to meter and do not look at them until you download them to your destop ‘lab’. heck don’t even take the laptop with you. that way you will have to drive all the way home wondering if you got the shot. It’s a great feeling and high to not know sometimes.
Thanks for keeping up with your blog Jason and all the inspiration you give us.
Have a Merry Christmas
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Jason Christopher Reply:
December 24th, 2009 at 11:09 pm
Torrey you rock ! You said it so perfect ! It’s not the film that makes you a better shooter. We are still capturing moments, the ONLY difference is in HOW we are capturing moments. Same with movies. A confident and secure director who knows what he is doing and has a clear vision for what he wants from his actors for a one hour tv show will only shoot about 25-45 thousand feet of film. An insecure director who is not confident in his skills will over shoot, somewhere between 60, 80, 100 thousand feet of film. And I remember the producers having a stroke when they would get the dailies back. LOL
So your idea of shooting on a 512mb card is great ! I love it ! I thought I was the only one. My biggest card is 4GB. and I only have two of them. I only got those because I recently bought the Canon 5DMark2 and the RAW files are huuuuuuuuge. The rest of my cards are 1GB and I also have four 512 cards. Yes that means you have to empty them more often but so what ? I PLAN my shoots down to the bone and my vision is crystal clear. I know the shots I want because I storyboard as well.
In the film days sometimes you would have to wait three whole days to get your film back unless you put a rush on it. Yes you had your polaroids but that didn’t tell you everything. BTW these are principles I teach in my photography workshops.
Torrey, thank you so much for commenting and being a part of my blog. If you have any questions please feel free to email me or post them here on the blog and I will always answer. Also don’t forget to hit the retweet button
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December 23rd, 2009 at 6:48 am
Social comments and analytics for this post…
This post was mentioned on Twitter by asidebeside: Photographic Discipline http://bit.ly/5Y7YGg – Some say Photoshop is unorthodox, I say Concept over Execution over Process. No limit ideas….
December 23rd, 2009 at 11:43 am
I’ve been taking a college photography I (film) class although I’ve been shooting for years. I’m using a Yashica TLR and it forces attention on basic elements of photography such as composition and DOF choices. As you say, you only have 12 shots per roll of film and you want them to be good. However, I’ll be using my digital Nikon SLR for the family Christmas morning pictures. I enjoy your blog. Best wishes.
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Jason Christopher Reply:
December 24th, 2009 at 11:11 pm
Ron that is awesome ! I am very happy to hear that you still believe in fundamentals.
Using your digital camera for Christmas morning is just fine
lol
Cheers my friend !
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December 23rd, 2009 at 7:32 pm
Avedon gave up the rollei in the 60’s for the 8×10 and to my knowledge he hardly ever used it again.
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Jason Christopher Reply:
December 24th, 2009 at 9:57 pm
I am pretty sure you are wrong. Regardless, what is your point ? That has nothing to do with this post.
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December 23rd, 2009 at 11:35 pm
hey jason well said my friend, i hope people see this post and change their views on photography for the sake of the art. we need photographers like you to keep the art alive!!!
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Jason Christopher Reply:
December 24th, 2009 at 10:05 pm
Thank you Art for being able to read a post and digest all the info first before responding like Marcus did. ( It’s ok Marcus, I don’t fault you for not being able to slow down and discipline yourself before you open your mouth. )
Art my friend you rock ! Thank you for your support
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December 24th, 2009 at 4:47 pm
Thank you Jason for this blog. it is very informative and eye opening.
Thanks also for the insight on the Rollei. I have always thought it to be a fascinating camera.
Jerry mentioned that there are technicians and visionaries. What are your thoughts on developing one’s vision?
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Jason Christopher Reply:
December 24th, 2009 at 10:32 pm
Hi Mark, you’re very welcome ! It is my pleasure. And thank you for the compliments. I really do appreciate them and always will.
My thoughts on developing your own photographic vision: well I wrote a post on developing your own photographic style here http://jasonchristopher.com/blog/2009/12/03/photograph-what-you-love/ That post is about developing your own style.
And please retweet this post if you feel it will help others as well.
Is your question about developing one’s vision for a specific shoot ?
Thank you for your comment and please feel free to go through all my archives, there is a wealth of information more to learn from.
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December 26th, 2009 at 5:57 am
Jason, I get what you’re saying. I’m a new photographer and am learning everyday. I make a point to read blogs like yours, watch videos and review lots and lots of photos daily. I spend hours doing this. I hunger for it.
Now, three years later. I’ve learned to take my time in shooting. I used to do a beauty and/or fashion shoot like I was shooting a sporting event. Rapid fire and hope/pray to get a good shot. Now, I’ll take my time, talk with the model, comp in the camera and take the shot. Sometimes I’ll apologize to the model for taking so long to get the shot. I try to get everything perfect before I view it in LR/PS. I want to spend less time in the PP work and more time shooting.
My friends laugh at me when we’re shooting the same model because I’ll shoot one shot to their 10 to 15. I don’t care though cause I know what I’m shooting is the shot I wanted. Them, not so much.
Sorry for rambling, I get nervous when responding to posts. I think what I wanted to primarily say is the key here is to learn, love, respect, and appreciate the art of photography.
Have a wonderful day!!!
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December 26th, 2009 at 3:53 pm
Hello Jason! Reading your post has come to me with perfect timing. As many things go through waves, I think I have been in a digital wave lately and I have become very content there… I’m now thinking back to the last year and I haven’t even touched film.
Being a young photographer (28) I feel I should be learning and growing at a very fast pace and I fear that I when it comes to connecting with my subjects I have not lately.
But you have gotten me excited now to shoot with film again
I’ve already checked my craigslist for a Rolleiflex… and I’m thinking for one of my next shoots I am going to be renting a medium format.
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December 28th, 2009 at 10:57 pm
Hey Jason,
Thanks Jason for your post I only knew about you because Jerry Avenaim mentioned you in his recent blog post, glad he did!… Anyhow I was wondering if you can explain what the lighting techs did for your shoot?? as you briefly mentioned in your reply to marcus…. I haven’t really heard of this other than stuff like Gregory Crewdson…
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Jason Christopher Reply:
January 4th, 2010 at 4:41 pm
Hi Greg,
Thank you for the compliment. What have my lighting techs done for me ? Great question. The best example is a shoot I did for a medical company. The shot was a couple in bed and the husband was snoring and the wife had this really frustrated look on her face. We did many different scenarios of course.
The ad agency wanted the room to look like it was moon lit. So we decided to shoot at a nice hotel and the prop stylist made it look like a bedroom. I hired a lighting tech because I wasn’t totally familiar with every single kind of light and every single light modifier. I really did not know how to make a room that was naturally bright look like a bedroom at night with moon light. So the tech I hired brought a whole variety of lighting and light shaping tools etc. We ended up using Kino Flo’s which I will admit am not familiar enough with to use myself for a shoot. I had the look in my head however, I could not translate that to a lighting set up. That’s ok though. As Jerry Avenaim said, there are three different kinds of photographers and I am a balance of both. I know lighting and I also have great vision. Do I know how to light everything under the sun ? Hell no. I’m fine with that. In movies you have a Gaffer. Your Key Gaffer is the same as a lighting tech. He has his men under him who physically place the lights where he tells them to. You think the director or camera operator is gonna set up the lights ? lol
So that is what a light tech does in a nutshell for a photo shoot.
Thank you for your post Greg and if you have any other questions please post them !
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January 6th, 2010 at 9:50 am
Jason -first time visiting your site. Your site and blog are wonderful. I am, however, a bit confused (with all sincerity) by your frustration with your friend. Elsewhere on your site I think I saw that you went on tv and showed an everyday housewife how “easy” it is to shoot fashion. This willingness to seemingly reduce your profession down to a few tricks of the trade seems quite in line with your “digital” friend’s disinterest in learning the ropes. It seems to take the passion, artistry and respect away from the profession.
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Jason Christopher Reply:
January 13th, 2010 at 12:27 pm
Hi Doug thank you for the compliment. I can understand how you could be confused with that video.
1. That 5 minute video was shot over a 10 hour day. They edited the crap out of it and showed you so very little of what I taught the young lady.
2. The concept of the show is a typical person writes in and wants to be someone that they aren’t for a day. Dee wanted to be a fashion photographer. Well obviously you can’t just become a fashion photographer in one day lol. So I had to “simplify” my techniques for her because she was an absolute amateur who shoots her kids soccer games on the weekends.
So my point wasn’t to show her how easy it is to be a fashion photographer and with a few little tricks of the trade you too can become a great fashion photographer ! lol
Believe me, if time permitted I would have gone into the artistry, the business and dedication it takes to become a working fashion photographer. That video you see is literally the whole show. It airs in pieces between commercials on the USA network. So not only did I have to construct a quick few lessons but think of the poor editors who had to edit 10 hours of footage down to five minutes.
Hope this answers your question. Thank you for being a part of my blog Doug
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January 8th, 2010 at 1:34 pm
Hi Jason,
What technology has done is permit anyone to pick up a camera and take a relatively acceptable photograph. This started in my opinion with the first AE cameras such as the Canon AE-1. The key word loosely used is acceptable. Camera manufacturers had to find a way to merchandise to the masses.
In order to produce quality images one must learn the physics of light. Photography from the Greek the “writing of light” is applying a physical science to record light. I can get long winded on this but suffice it to say, I believe the image should be created properly at the time of exposure and post production in a darkroom or digitally should be kept to a minimum. As for me I’d much rather be behind a camera than in the darkroom or in front of a computer.
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Jason Christopher Reply:
January 13th, 2010 at 12:30 pm
Sandy I couldn’t agree with you more ! Thank you thank you thank you !
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January 10th, 2010 at 9:34 am
I completely agree, I can’t stand it when people depend on photoshop to make a photograph look good, however even with photoshop I haven’t seen strong photographs from people that don’t understand the basics of photography.
I do think photoshop can be a great creative tool though, for example I did a project compositing models into doll house rooms in photoshop, but both the shot of the model in the studio and the shot in the dollhouse were lit and exposed to be composited realistically.
I am a student photographer that shoots digital, but learned shooting both 35mm film and 4X5 view camera and am still learning…
Ps. I just started reading your blog, it’s great!
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Jason Christopher Reply:
January 13th, 2010 at 11:47 am
Hi Melissa,
Yes I agree. Photoshop is a great tool for compositing. The photos in my fashion section with the model standing next to the big red Caddy and that whole series was all composited because I had no choice. I wasn’t able to take the cars out of the car museum. In the original shots you see a bunch of other cars and walls etc. behind my shot. In this case Photoshop had to be used. The lighting however is all mine and not corrected at all.
Thank you for the compliment on my blog. Go through the archives because there are tons more posts and a wealth of information for you to ask questions and comment on
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January 13th, 2010 at 9:59 am
Enjoy the blog and your work Jason,
I started years ago with film so feel that I at least have the advantage of having learned the fundamentals.
I recently bought a MF film camera just because I still feel film has its own look and totally agree, there’s something about viewing your transparencies on a light table.
Of course, I have to confess, my MF camera will accept a digital back and as those prices come down from the stratosphere, hopefully someday I’ll get a DB for it.
At the end of the day, I try to look at the camera as a tool and use whatever medium that helps me get the look I envision.
Cheers,
Jeff
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Jason Christopher Reply:
January 13th, 2010 at 11:18 am
Thank you for the compliment Jeff and thank you so much for your comment ! Your last point , at the end of the day the camera is a tool is so true. My whole point with this post which a few people have TOTALLY missed, is that my colleagues as we were all coming up, started with film and I really don’t have the answer as to why, but we all just took the time to study the photography business as a whole. We didn’t just care about getting our exposures correct and then think we were the best thing since sliced bread. As photographers we have to be artists AND business people otherwise we will not make any money. Yes I love to make art, however I also have a mortgage and other bills I need to pay.
Thank your participation with my blog Jeff. I appreciate it.
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January 22nd, 2010 at 11:16 pm
I really like shooting medium format. I used to have an old mamiya 645. I love the waist level finder and I really like the way it forces you to slow down and really get everything right before pushing the shutter button.
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January 27th, 2010 at 2:27 am
THANK GOD SOMEONE SAID IT! Yes, sorry I had to scream it. I am so sick and tired of seeing over-worked photoshop in fashion photos. Crappy lighting with a Dolphin in the background to make it look ok, does not make you a fashion photographer.
Digital is fine, don’t get me wrong, I use my mark II all the time for commercial jobs..but the real love for fashion stemmed out of a 35mm minolta 20 years ago while living in Paris. Recently I was asked how I achieved such amazing lighting….it was simple..I know how to work a camera and I understand natural light.
Thank you for letting me rant.
Also, I found your information on permits extremely helpful when shooting in Malibu.
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admin Reply:
January 27th, 2010 at 6:09 pm
LOL I love it ! Thank you Shelli ! Now you know where to come to hear and read the truth without any holding back. I say it like it is and if someone doesn’t like it……. there is the door! I’m tired of being politically correct ! I’m tired of holding back because it might offend someone ! If you don’t like my upfront honest approach I will not apologize. I’m here to teach and educate REAL knowledge so that we can all do our jobs as honest true artists.
So from the bottom of my heart, you are very welcome Shelli !
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February 3rd, 2010 at 9:50 pm
Hi,
I know for a fact that there is one area where the digital world is making people lazy… color balance.
In the days of film, white balance was a bit of a chore. You had to load the right type of film (daylight, tungsten, etc) or put filters on your lens to ensure you get the correct color balance in your photos.
These days people don’t bother (some people still use filters and we more advanced folks use gels on their speedlights), so the task of making sure that the white balance is correct is ignored because it’s just so easy to take a picture.
Only when you start studying photography, getting critiqued and shooting commercially does correct white balance or the balancing of different temperature light sources come into play.
Digital has made people lazy because the act of taking a picture has become so easy. Attention to detail goes out the window when the motor drive starts to sing.
Thanks for the post!
Heinz
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admin Reply:
February 5th, 2010 at 11:22 pm
Dude ! You are so correct ! You make some excellent points ! And yes I totally remember having to load the correct film for daylight, tungsten etc. lol See here is the thing about digital. The ONLY thing that has changed is HOW WE CAPTURE the images. The fundamentals STILL need to be applied. It’s the same with video vs. film cameras. All we are doing is capturing the image using a different method but know your FUNDAMENTALS FUNDAMENTALS FUNDAMENTALS people !!!!
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February 11th, 2010 at 9:42 pm
Hey Jason, thanks for the information. I’m new in photography and it’s always something i wanted to do since i was a kid. Now is my chance. I first got a Rebel XTI about 6 months ago and i shoot with that all the time. But there was something always about film i loved. No matter how much effects you put onto a picture in photoshop, it just does not have that feel of film. So as of late i have bought many film cameras. From Holga to Asahi Pentax Spotomatic to Argus C-4 to Herbert George Co. Duo Flash and to a Agfa Ansco box and others. And now im always stuck shooting film (Loves 120mm) and never really want to go back to shooting digital. I agree with you on the film aspect 110%.
There is just something about holding a film camera in your hand!!!
Thanks.
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admin Reply:
February 12th, 2010 at 12:15 am
RBJ I couldn’t agree with you more ! There is something special about looking at a nice large or medium format chrome on a lightbox. It just POPS and takes on a whole different feeling.
Thank you for your comment !
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