On Thursday the 22nd I attended a conference called Creative Mix Vancouver. It was the brainchild of my manager, Corwin Hiebert, and it was incredibly inspiring to me to see a room packed with creatives from an incredible cross-section of disciplines. We had writers and publishers, ad executives and musicians, video-game creators, film-makers, photographers, and a chef. Not to mention the fashion world, illustrators, and architects. And all of them talking about their process. It was incredible.
I tell you that for two reasons. One, to explain my unexpected absence here on Friday. I didn’t plan for that to happen, I just plain forgot. I get distracted easily and I think I thought I had something in the can and ready to go for Friday and I didn’t. Oops. Two, one of the recurrent themes at the conference was collaboration, and the notion of letting ideas into the world and into the hands and minds of other people to evolve and grow. You’ll see where I’m heading with that at the end of this post.
This is going to be a longer post. I want to update you on where things are at and where they’re going on the Pixelated Image Blog and I want to invite your participation in being part of its growth, because you’re a part of this community, even if you’re a lurker and never comment, and it’s fitting that you have a chance to be part of the growth of this thing.
So. As far as I can see from here, and it’s not far or clearly, I assure you, here’s where I think I’m heading with all this over the coming year.
As many of you have noticed, I’ve been busy. I have two passions that I bring to this blog; creating photographs and teaching others about the same. In an effort to learn InDesign I created my first eBook, TEN, two months ago and the response has blown me away. I decided to push my luck with another, TEN MORE, and it too has had an incredible reception. DRAWING THE EYE was released last week and I accidentally began working on a fourth and am almost finished it. I accidentally discovered that I love creating these. If no one ever bought these things I’d probably keep creating them because I enjoy the process and the creation of something new. The incredible response was never anticipated. So I have plans to do more. The comments I keep getting tell me the content is valuable. So while I’m making no promises, I’ve talked to a couple other photographers I love and respect, and we’ve got at least three potential collaborations in the pot right now. I’m hoping to release those after the release of my fourth eBook, CHASING THE LOOK, 10 Ways To Improve The Aesthetics of Your Photographs (left). I’ll give you some time to digest DRAWING THE EYE before I release this next one, then after CHASING THE LOOK I’m going to introduce you to Kevin Clark and Dave Delnea and do some collaborations with them. If the eBooks were songs, these would be duets. But I’ll space them out, I promise. 🙂
In the midst of all that my second print book will come out. VISIONMONGERS, Making a Life and Living in Photography (left) is at the printers now and should be out November 16, which means that’s when it ships from the publisher to Amazon. If you pre-ordered with Peachpit, you’re likely to get yours about the same time I see mine for the first time. If you pre-ordered with Amazon.com, you’ll see yours shortly after that. If you pre-ordered with Amazon.ca, or God-forbid Amazon.co.uk, well, you might as well find a comfy chair and put the kettle on, it’ll be a longer wait for you. But when VisionMongers comes out you’ll see some posts here about the business end of things. I won’t stop writing about creating photographs, but I’ll also be talking about the issues raised in the book, doing some related give-aways, and in general picking up a thread that I’ve discussed here in the past but neglected while I was writing this book so I wouldn’t get confused.
And speaking of Giveaways, I’ve got a few more in the pipe that I’m excited about. I do these because I love to give stuff away and because I like my readers. When I get a sponsor I always make a deal with them – if I get something, so does at least one of my readers. Be on the look out for some goodies from OnOne software soon. I just talked them into forking over some stuff, so I’ll announce that after I draw for the Wacom Intuos4 tablet. I’ve also got signed copies of VisionMongers, and signed copies of Steven Pressfield’s War of Art. In fact I think I’ll give away a 3-set that includes a signed copy of War of Art, a signed copy of VisionMongers, and a copy of Within The Frame signed by me, Joe McNally who wrote the foreword and Vincent Versace who wrote the afterword. Call me crazy. I’ll announce those later but I wanted you to know what’s coming down the pipe.
And that brings me to the last thing. The books, electronic or paper, are not replacing the content here on the blog. This is where I connect with you, share my latest thoughts and (mis)adventures, and enjoy the pleasure of a growing community- I wouldn’t trade it for anything. So this is where I open it to you. This is an invitation for you to collaborate with me and throw your best ideas at me and see what sticks. If you’ve got an idea about something you’d like me to write about or teach, an issue you’d like me to address, or a question you’ve been dying to ask – now’s a chance to get it out and make it known. If you’ve got an idea about the design of the blog, a feature you don’t see, or a photographer you’d love to see me interview, let me know. Basically I’m telling you I want you to have a hand in the direction of this blog. I’m not guaranteeing I’ll do all – or any – of what gets suggested, but the more voices I hear the more able I am to know why you come here, what you get out of it, and what you’d like to see more of.
And to encourage the participation of less vocal members of this community, I’m going to put a prize into the mix. I don’t even know what it is, but if I fail to come up with something more clever I’ll just sign a couple books and look through my closet and send something – anything – to keep you happy. I’ll pick one contributor to this conversation, might be a random choice, might be someone with a great idea, I’m not sure. But you deserve a shot at something for reading this far and contributing.
Thanks again. To all of you, from the more vocal people whom I now call my friends, to the lurkers who just come and listen quietly in the corners. It’s truly rare for an internet community – either a blog or a forum – to be so consistently blessed with such kind, fun, people, and somehow avoid the crazies. Thanks for being a part of all this. And for reading this whole post. Lord, this was long.
Comments
Yet another lurker here…….this time from the UK. I really appreciate the insights you post on this blog, along with all the literature you have produced. I’ve just checked out the release date for your ‘Visionmongers’ book on Amazon.co.uk and it says 28th Dec!! Oh man….I can’t even get some decent reading material for Christmas day!! Oh well, it’ll have to be New Years Day reading. Thanks again for sharing your knowledge and expertise.
I’m off now to the Philippines to do some photo work for Outreach International.
David, thank you.
‘Life’ sometimes gets in the way of what I really would like to be doing…
I seldom comment on, but religiously read your blog posts. They are a wonderful course of inspiration – and remind me of the opportunities photography provides me – emotionally, artistically, socially, etc
In the spirit of ‘connectedness’, why not provide a quick ‘interview’ of a random reader/commenter every now and again? Not just the pros, but also everyday folk… what makes us ‘tick’ (photographically), where have we come from, where are we going, etc.
“Community” is about feeling connected to your neighbors. If we get to learn a little more about each other (albeit briefly), we feel more connected and this can foster greater collaboration.
Thanks again.
I am a lurker. I have never commented on a blog but feel compelled to do so. I have benefited from your book “Within the frame” and your ebooks. I have read a number of photography bogs and websites but I keep coming back to pixelated image. Thanks for inspiring me!
David,
I too have lapped up everything you have written and look forward to your postings. One thing true for myself and because of you, is that I am more confident with my own vision. (Running sentence). My biggest challenge now is to keep myself from “pontificating” about all these stuff I learned from you. God knows, I never wanted to be a “know it all”
but I do need to learn to keep my mouth shut nowadays.
David, rest assured that your content is IMO worth subscribing to simply because of the way and things you share with us. Simply a lovely thing to be able to know how you think and work as an ‘upbeat’ photographer.
Even if you don’t give us giveaways I’m already very happy =]
In fact, if there’s one thing I’d be concerned about, it would be that you somehow get too distracted with keeping us in line that you become less able to afford the time your humanitarian work requires. I personally would like to keep seeing you work with them and maybe know a bit more about the process of identifying how to produce work that best fit their needs.
Also, geeky question – gonna talk about how you approach sharpening in LR3 soon? =]
Hi David,
I am very new to photography but already I love it. I heard about your blog on the internets and already I’m hooked. Thank you.
I can’t believe I just wrote “right” instead of write… maybe you can write a blog post about proofing your content, photographs and writen both, before you hit “publish”
How could I possibly add more than what has already been writen by you and, above, countless (I’m sure there is an actual count) others.
I love reading this blog because it gives me insight into you as a person, I find your photography good (great!) sure, but I find you completely fascinating – so when I read, I’m listening to you talk about yourself, your passions and your interests. People in general fascinate me, so for me to direct you in what you choose to right isn’t my goal.
Yes there are things I want to learn and know, but that comes organically, through readership, friendship, experience – I’ve got the time – so whatever you decide to put down, it looks like I’ll spend it reading.
Please talk Gavin Gough into making an eBook as well. You both have a great way of writing and you found out the power of doing the eBook…but there are some things from Gavin i’d love to learn and read on as well. Told him about it but maybe he needs a push in the right direction. I mean after all he was the one who told me about you and got me hooked on your eBook and I can’t get enough of them (cheap and full of info, whats not to love about them?).
Lurker? Me? Yes!
Big Question. How do you do it all? Writer, photographer, teacher, blog, family man, podcast, traveler, etc. etc. etc.! Would you share your magic pill with us?
Can’t thank you enough for all you share. The ebooks are amazing! Anyone who is on the fence about reading them, jump over! Do it now! They really are beautifully done.
As far as ideas for the future… I would love to see a blog series (maybe once a week or every other week) that takes us through your process for composing and recomposing an image. Much like your last podcast and like on pages 13-14 and 15-16 in the “Drawing The Eye” ebook. I thought it was enlightening to hear your process and to also see that progression in the images.
Thanks!
Mike
Mr. Dave –
Here are some thoughts, in no particular order:
1) Love the e-books as they are easy for me to receive and to access as I travel, etc. Please encourage your publishers to make your Big Books also available electronically.
2) Thanks for making the e-books so inexpensive!!
3) I know your emphasis in the past on this blog has not been on gear, but (from the back of your classroom, I raise my hand and ask): I am considering additional lenses for my DLSR. How can I read the specs from different lens manufacturers and “know” which is the best lens for me? Its not like I can take each possible lens for a “test drive” and see how it works on my camera and compare images from each lens. Any hints? I know my mileage may very – that is, I should take the manufacturer’s specs with a grain of salt.
4) As a Lurker, I have failed to say “Thanks, buddy” enought to you!! I love the tone of your blogs, as you treat us Lurkers as adults who share your love for light, color, and people. (And, love of things techie, of course!!)
Keep the faith!!
Jim
PS – you must have a TON of frequent-flyer miles. Don’t you think that it is just a little insidious that airlines give us encouragement to fly MORE when what we really need to do is stay home and balance the checkbook, clean the garage, etc? Just wondering.
Hello, my name is Tina, and I’m a Lurker! Thank you for the consistent quality you share everyday. As a total amatuer enthusiast, who feels like the next great shot will happen mostly by chance, I love the creative assignements from Within the Frame and the e-books. I would love to see more of these on the blog, perhaps with your own shots from the challenge, and then your thoughts and feelings about the process. This might provide another way for us to see inside your head. Thanks again for all of the great material you share with us!
Your messages have spoken to me several times, and I know I can think of three times in particular where something struck me at the exact time I needed a kick-start.
I just bought all three e-books, partially because they are a screaming deal, partly to fund this resource that I turn to often, and partly because I’m sure I’ll dig the content.
You’re a gifted photographer, but you’re also blessed with the gift of teaching. In as much as I can encourage you — keep it up. You make a difference!
It’s a pleasure to be part of this community.
A ‘lurker’…indeed! Or, maybe a lur-n-er…?
I don’t often comment on blogs because…IDK…I’m soaking it all in and enjoying the nice, leisurely, private ‘soak’…? But now I feel challenged…Also, I don’t tell how much your words, work, world, have influenced me because I feel a personal responsibility for NOT giving you ‘the BigHead’…kidding, of course. (Somehow, through your work I have developed the impression that THAT is not something that would ever happen.)
So, having read the above comments, and in keeping with the spirit of this blog, I would have no real desire for you to interview McNally, et al. I can go to their blogs to read their thoughts. If you are going to include interviews, I would rather hear what you would ask, and what the comments would be (language barriers aside) from…oh, the oxen driving farmers…the lady in the “Smile” blog,…the monk carrying water….someone who awakes every morning to the mountains of Ladakh (sp?)… I think THEIR views of the world would actually help give insight into Your Vision, and how/why you capture it, more than what other photogs say.
I might also be interested in a series of questions that you would pose to someone attending one of your workshops. Or maybe even One question repeated…Day One…”Why are you here?” Day Two…”Why are you here?…Day Three….” ” , and so on. I would like to know the transition that one goes through as they approach and clarify their Vision. Not an ‘established’ photographer…although it would be intriguing to hear you, or Amy Vitale, etc. answer the same exact question on the same trip.
Technical advice is always welcome, but I find that the release from technique into visual clarity is what I find most inspiring.
The easy answer, for me, is….don’t change a thing.
NOW, maybe you know why I’m a ‘lurker’….I didn’t mean to take so much space….!!!
Thank you for sharing your thoughts and craft with the world.
I would love to hear about your experiences with model releases (especially in regard to foreign travel).
Also, if you are thinking of interviewing other photographers I would ask that you consider Zack Arias…
David, good evning to you!! I’m just back from Beo so i’m still catching up on things a bit. I don’t know if i’ve mentioned it before but one thing i’d like to see is the E-books made into an actual book. I’m not really one for the whole E-book thing as I prefer my words in hardback preferably or softback as a last resort, E-books make me feel like my bookcase will come alive and bludgeon me with an axe whilst I sleep! I know Chomsky does it with some of his interviews/talks so I guess there’s a market?
Apart from that “Welcome home!” as I think I missed out on that whilst I was away as well 🙂
David,
You should do more podcasts! 🙂 (…now, aren’t you glad you asked to hear voices?) just kidding, I have made peace with the fact that the podcast series is finished, really, I have. I learned so much from that series. I have read many times that photographers should “work a location” and “use their feet;” yet in a few short minutes, your final podcast masterfully illustrated those concepts.
I’m realizing that “learning mode” may be my comfort zone. However, since I can’t just learn and absorb my way into becoming a better photographer, I like that you’ve kept the ebooks short and specific; it gives me space to practice before continuing on. I can’t just get lost in the e-book, instead, I feel the push to get out there and get busy working on my 10,000 hrs.
I always love reading the stories behind your photos, (the girl with the goat is my all-time favorite).
I think you give a big-picture perspective when you teach that really helps me significantly with understanding. You seem to be very aware of your creative process, thank you for sharing it with us.
I appreciate the way you challenge our thinking, teach us and inspire us to do more (with less!)
David,
I will echo some of the comments. Thank you for sharing your knowledge and experience and enthusiasm. I am an IT professional of Indian decent. So lot of your postcards reminded me of home…
I read your article on exposure and it definitely helped me in capturing more details/information. Now I am waiting for the VISION 😉 But in all seriousness, if you can include some articles like that then it would really be helpful. I did buy your first TEN e-book. It would be great if you can share how you did the borders around your postcards on the blog and how you used inDesign for e-book.
Again thank you very much for enriching our lives and giving knowledge.
From one of your less vocal students.
pk.
You cover so many things with your blog and your books that your question about what else to cover is a challenging one!
I will say that recently you posted a picture that “didn’t work” after you posted your harvest series. One thing I would like to see is a bit more discussion on things you try that don’t work. Maybe why you tried them and why the picture didn’t turn out like you hoped.
I know you address this to some extent in your Podcast series with the pictures provided by other photographers but I’d be interested in seeing more about how you critique your own shots.
In your last podcast you shared a sequence of shots you took that eventually led you to the one shot you were looking for. That was truly fascinating and I would love to see more of that!
Plus, if you share more of your less stellar shots then maybe it will be clear that you are actually human! : )
Hi David,
About a month ago I came across your book WtF and subsequently your off-shoots – the blog, the ebooks, the podcasts and have enjoyed all immensely. The timing seems to be perfect as I have recently made a decision to take my favorite hobby and try to the best of my ability to execute excellence. Obviously, what you write hits home with a lot of people and it is good to be a part of this community, thank you. Reading the above comments I also like the idea of adding video clips from your 5D MII, color management techniques, business tips. In the podcast (#9 I believe) that I listened to ont he way home from work, you talked about the Flickr community offering positive critiques – perhaps a blog entry on this could be useful? Does anyone use Aperture ( J. McNally aside) – I would love to hear more Aperture-specific comments.
I also appreciate you recommending other ebooks as well (Expose Right, Seeing the LIght…both very helpful!).
Thank you very much for all that you do and for the invitation for feedback.
Looking forward to Visionmongers and the continuation of your e-books and collaborative efforts.
David, what I like most about all your books and blog postings is that behind them all, there always seems to be a large awareness of the tension in us all between geek and artist. It is in your exploration of that tension and your apparent conclusion that many of us need to focus more on the artist (as the digital ecosphere seems to favour the geek) that I find your writing to be most inspirational. But you also have great shooting techniques and social awareness. In other words, I really appreciate the “all-round” balanced photographer you are, and I aspire to move more in that direction.
So thanks for the books and the blog and the podcasts, it’s all good stuff. I don’t have any specific suggestions for content right now, as I think you’re doing a great job, but I always like interviews, so that’d be cool. You know, McNally, JoeyL, Chase Jarvis, Zac Arias, all the usual suspects… Erwin Olaf would also be extremely cool…
Anyway, thanks again…
Visionmongers at Amazon(.com) is just under $30. But it has an estimated delivery date of Dec 2 for us Amazon Prime nuts! Hmm. Sooner or cheaper? Hard call.
Something that I’ve been dealing with over the last few days is disappointment and discouragement. A lot of this picture making stuff is all about making your voice and your self vulnerable to the rest of the world, and it can be crushing and humbling and destroying to receive the rejections or to be passed over for another photographer. I’d like to know how you deal with these low points and not so much from an “I’m stuck for inspiration” view; more from the “keeping the faith in your work and what you do.”
Thanks! Your books, pictures and blog posts are inspiring. When my pixels grow up they want to be like yours.
Your blog is a must read for me every day. “Within The Frame” was inspiring as are your ebooks. I have passed all of this on to friends and photo club memebers who also now follow along on our journey to become better photographers. Thank you for all your hard work and vision.
After I read “Within the Frame” I read it again. Then I gave it to my wife to read. I’m looking forward to “Visionmongers” with much anticipation. Your ebooks have been fantastic. My personal project for 2010 is going to take each of your assignments and work them to death.
Keep up the great work. I’d love to do a workshop with you.
Topic:
One of the things I’m wrestling with is the fine line between creating iconic archetypal images and falling into cliche and imitation. How do wekeep our images fresh, when everybody expects certain image types?
Thanks for the wonderful place you’ve given us…
David,
I know this is a photography blog, but I’d like to see some video footage of one of your trips. Besides, you have a 5D Mark II, it wouldn’t hurt to use its fantastic HD video capabilities. I think the inclusion of video from time to time would bring you closer to your readers who would have an opportunity to see what it’s really like on one of your assignments. I’m not talking about a half hour National Geographic type production. But, short behind-the-scenes footage. I hope you’ll take my suggestion into consideration.
Pingback: uberVU - social comments
David,
As usual props for the transparency. And the next e-book! Vision Mongers is on the Christmas Wish List, unless it shows up in my mail box before then ; ). I am still chewing my way through WTF, like a fine meal, each bite savored and not rushed!.
As for desired content- to echo what a few others have said, I would love to see you walk us through another final image of yours. All the frames leading up to your “pick”, and what technique you used to capture it. It was very heartening and extremely educational to see how you mined the scene to get the image you wanted… I did it for the first time last night at an event and was very very happy with the final frame. It takes some stones to show us all your mediocre shots, working up to your favorite. I would so love it!
Thanks again for all you give to the photographic community!
-Adam
SKRIBIT is a reader topic generation widget. http://skribit.com/
This blog has become a must-read for me in a very short amount of time. Your insights and humor make it both informative and fun to read. I would love to see a post where you expand on “Being There”. I enjoyed your previous post, but really like even more examples of times when you’ve struggled with this and had to bring your focus back.
Thanks again for all your hard work and I look forward to seeing where things go.
I have really been enjoying your writing David, not to mention the images in your galleries. The Chapter Two teaser from Vision Mongers really spoke to me as I also am targeting a “less than lucrative” market sector. I found it somewhat reassuring that others have been successful in following their passion rather than where the dollars are. Looking forward to the rest of the book.
Thanks for being part of my morning ritual. Cheers.
David, this blog is quickly becoming the number one place I go (after checking email) when I open my browser. The fact that you focus on the creative side of things and you update it so often makes it the best photography blog on the web IMHO. For someone like me who lives and breathes photography, it gives me my daily fix of inspiration and it acts as a mental kick in the behind to get out there and shoot!
Beyond that, it has helped me turn my passion into a money-making operation. I am now taking on paid assignments as a supplement to my “real” job. Right now, it’s only buying me new equipment with the money I take in, but eventually I will have a set of glass that will satisfy every creative need, and the money will go toward paying the bills.
So keep the posts coming. I need my daily fix of creative inspiration! And most of all, a big MAHALO for taking the time to put this all together. It means a lot to all of us.
Hi David – I admit to being a lurker but I read your blog every day and always look forward to your next post!
You mentioned writing a bit more on the business side of things and that’s something I’d love to see. I’m a web designer by trade – photography is how I get rid of stress. But as a creative person who’d be quite happy to be in her studio ever day and never worry about invoicing or taxes, I’m always interested in how other creatives go about managing the day to day tasks of running a business.
Oh, and I LOVE the e-books and WtF. I’ll keep reading them as long as you keep releasing them!
David,
In Scott Kelby’s Photography-books is always a chapter with ‘photo-recepies’. Usually he explains the technical part of taking the photo. Maybe you could take some of your own photos and talk about them on the blog. How did you come to them? What does make it so great, … Like you did in the Last ‘Within-the-frame-Podcast’.
Thanks,
Vincent
what does a trip look like for you from conception to finality? how far in advance to you set everything out, or at least the framework?
also, what does a photo walk look like with you? how do you set it up? how do you plan the route(s)? do you deliberately try to point people in a certain direction?
Thanks for the eBooks. The insight and clarity makes understanding the craft a bit easier while offering nothing that resembles a shortcut. You time is important to you, so thank you for sacrificing it to our benefit.
I’d love to see more about the logistics of your assignment trips. You’ve done some in the past (I recall a post about the travel gear you use and how you use it) and they’ve been very insightful. I’d like to know about the mechanics of how you make an image – do you travel with an assistant? do you find a local to help you with reflectors/diffusers/etc?
I find it helpful to get a peek into how others go about making images – it gives me some ideas to add to my workflow or adjust to fit my style.
David, did you use utilize Lynda.com to learn InDesign or did you push your way through it on your own?
Your e-books are like the perfect little learning snack; I can sit and read at my computer in between all the work stuff I do. And I’m looking forward to adding your next big production to my library of David books.
Yours is one of the very few blogs I follow religiously. Every morning I put on my Scott E-Vest, smile lovingly at my Black Rapid Strap dangling from my camera 😉 , grab a cup of joe, a pen and paper, and come visit.
Can’t thank you enough for being so generous with your time and your knowledge. And your great giveaways.
I wish you would write about how to practice the principles you teach in your books. Take “Drawing the Eye” as an example: I find that my ability to see pictures is a different kind of thinking than verbal or logical thinking, so when I see a picture and then try to walk through a checklist–or even just *one* item–my mind shifts from one mode to the other and the picture just disappears in front of me.
At some point, all those things become instinctive but I don’t know how to get from here to instinctive. Simply making a lot of photos isn’t sufficient–I need to be doing something intentional. But as soon as I tap into the intent, my ability to make visual sense of what is before me goes away.
Great post and I appreciate all your hard work. In WtF you talked a little bit about ethics of shooting people. I’d really like you to go into more depth on that. Like, how do you know if you’re taking something too far. If a shot presents itself how do you know if it’s ethically wrong. My goal is to eventually go on missions trips but I want to be sensitive to what story I tell.
Thanks!
David,
You mention your manager – the first time I’ve heard you had a manager (probably my inability to remember much) but would be very interested in the why’s and wherefore’s of a manager…
Thanks
Gerry
Not for nothing, but a great giveaway would be signed prints!
I am really enjoying the digital books – I have been reading them on my iPhone and it makes me think that you could really put together a killer iPhone app of the digital books mixed in with the blog articles. Particularly the call to action sections of the Ten books and the final section of the current one could be setup in a to-do list type of way so people can track their progress with your tips.
Muah HA HA HA! Finally the time has come where I can make my demands! Dance monkey dance! Sorry, I just had to do that.
David, your books are great, I keep a copy of within the frame on my night table. I’ve always said that the best way to learn is to teach and I’m sure I’m not the first to come up with that idea.
One thing I know I’d love to see is you spill the beans on how you get such great shots. I like some of the ones I get but mine don’t hold a flame to yours. I guess that’s not something you can really explain. That experience shows us the error of our ways and what we should try to do next time.
I guess like you say David, this is more of a community, we don’t know eachother but we share the same passion, that makes us Amigos!
@ Scott — Why not try using a tripod more often? You’ll get more of those “home run” shots you’re looking for.
I’d enjoy hearing your approach to color management. There don’t seem to be many folks writing about it, and it’s a fundamental need for anyone who is printing and/or posting to the web and/or sharing his/her work with clients.
Yes, I would like to know when you are finally going to agree to a scooting adventure through [insert country here] for two weeks?
I’ll shoot video of you doing your photo taking kung-foo, and you can post it all up so your readers can see not only the final image you took, but the actual slow-mo live action video of you taking the shot.
🙂
All of your books, regardless of whether they are in paper or eBook format, have been superb so far. Despite you having learnt InDesign only recently you should be praised by the quality of the layout of your eBooks as they look fantastic.
I’m really looking forward to CHASING THE LOOK. Like other posts above, I would like to see a few more post-processing details similar to the ones you put in DRAWING THE EYE as it made interesting reading.
Keep up the great work!
Paul
I’m beginning to get the feeling you like to keep yourself busy. 🙂 The e-books are great. While, I didn’t do all of them, I found the creative exercises in TEN and TEN MORE a useful way to pick up my camera and get out on days I felt dried out: bored with my local area, lacking in inspiration.
I shoot things for family and friends and, mostly, for myself and the cathartic, creative feeling I get making and seeing through the camera. Your tips and advice are helpful and honest. Will I go “pro”? I don’t know. A small local/web business selling prints/cards…maybe. Regardless, I look forward to VISIONMONGERS and the knowledge therein.
As for suggestions, I liked the podcast. While the critique of others’ photos was interesting, your comments were burdened with a lack knowing the intent of the photographer (as you admitted). The final podcast in which you critiqued you own photo was very interesting and let us into your thought process much as your books. More podcasts examining your photos and your intent would be informative and help people rethink how they see and develop their pictures as they take them.
Thanks David for the hard work and for sharing.
I found your With in the frame, an amazing book.. then came back to buy the TEN and TEN MORE… and had to said that there are great books
Thanks David.
Look forward to many more.
– and- about your rant about amazon.co.uk.
When I switched to using co.uk it was because they used one week for shipping and .com used four to six weeks to Norway. So even if they ship later it may arrive earlier.
(And as for cookery books I prefer metric measures but thats a different story..)
I enjoyed your last e-book and would like to see more on post processing, duchemin style. Going to a Lightrrom course this evening so I guess that will get me started.
I am very fascinated by the Classic India series where I assume there is some kind of duotone preset?
As for the earlier comment on photographing your home town. To me it is about taking the camera out and just being there. Scenes will unfold before your eyes. My home town is my main inspiration.
Eli Reinholdtsen
I’m not really sure if you’ve mentioned this before on the blog (or in WtF which I am finally getting!) but I was wondering what faith or religion you are of. I think, as you would say, things like your beliefs and values should really influence your photography (if you really believe and value them).
How ’bout a cross-border David duChemin / Chase Jarvis creativity shoot out?
Consider me a lurker, an enthusiast, a wannabe. My own personal photography philosophy is to shoot a lot and go for the home run shot. I take ridiculous chances with shutter speed in the hopes that 1/10 shots will come out sharp – like shooting 1/8 handheld. I get a lot of clunkers, but those home run shots make it worth it. I do this is because I like the look of low ISOs (and longer shutter speeds) out of the camera over the grainy or detail-robbed noise reduction results of low ISOs. Looking at your pictures, I never see noise, but I’m sure that’s not why I find your pictures compelling. Do you have a post-processing secret with noise, or is it just because you have better gear?
Longish indeed but a good read as usual. Every post manages somewhow to be very positive (a nice change in this negative mood in the world) and generaly a joy to read.
Enjoyed immensly Within the Frame and looking forward to Visionmongers.
I bought both your TEN books, and they are great! I published 52 instructional videos in the 90’s, and I can attest to the value of spacing them out. With each new book you publish, you will find new readers going back and buying older ones. I was frequently surprised how new videos by a specific artist would cause sudden spurts of sales of older videos by that artist — and by others too.
I for one feel that we are truly blessed to have your voice on the Web as we do David. Your writing is always exemplary and enlightening and you’re one of the first blogs I check every day (ok, I check out the latest What the Duck cartoon first!). I’ve really enjoyed you first three ebooks tremendously and have told my friends about them too so I’m naturally thrilled that you going to keep at it with ‘Chasing the Look’. We can’t wait. I’ll be really intested to see how the colloboration goes with your contemporaries?
You asked about topics that we would be interested in and this is something we as photographers often complain about and that is: I live in [fill in city name here] and there’s absolutely nothing to photograph here. Now you also have the luxury of touring and going to exotic places such as Ladakh, India so I would be really interested in how you would go about shooting your local town with the same fevrour and vision that you’ve expressed in your other work. Do you feel it’s harder in making the contemporary classic and is it just simply easier to wow an audience with the exotic or is it a factor of the photographers vision and style that can make the mundane marvellous.
And not to put two questions into one post, but here goes anyway. Great photographers usually have great style and I think we can say we enjoy yours. You expressed surprise the other day after spending some time with Ami Vitale how different her style was and the manner in which she went about achieving her style. In what ways over the past few years has the massive increase in exposure to other photographers work via the internet influenced your style and how do you prevent yourself from becoming influenced by the melange of styles out there and maintain your own vision if that is even possible. And at what cost? The larger the following you have the more demanding your audience is that you stay true to your style and that can impact your growth as a photographer as well. In other words you run the risk of: the more succesful your become the less succesful you can be?
Although I don’t have the eloquence of a DuChemin, the directness of a McNally or the clarity of thought of a Syl Arena I hope that some of my meanderings have sparked some thoughts in you. Look forward to continued readings of your blog and books.
All the best
Ian Weatherburn
Thanks for the great books David. Look forward to many more.