Revarie from Vincent Laforet
Revarie is a short film by NYC photographer Vincent Laforet. What makes this film Unique is that it was filmed entirely with Canon’s new EOS 5D Mark II. Which up until recently had just been a DSLR. Now they have added the capabilities of 1080p HD video to its feature list. I think we’ll be seeing more of this crossover of mediums. Which is pretty exciting to think of what is next to come. Who knows any of us photographers could be a closet videographer and we just don’t know it yet! Check out the video on Vincent’s site here.
Maybe you can’t make money doing what you love.
Maybe you can’t make money doing what you love. Is that really the right question to ask yourself?
Today, it is so much easier to get your images out there for the world to see. That hidden talent may find a long tail fan willing to hire you or purchase a print. Awesome.
You have gotten your college degree.
You have done multiple internships.
You have paid your sweat equity assisting asshole shooters just to gain more experience.
When what you do is what you love, you’re able to invest more effort and care and time. That means you’re more likely to win, to gain share, to profit. Being a parent can be what you love in life but it doesn’t pay. Sometimes the price we pay to do the things we love has a price that might be too high to pay. Be careful what you wish for.
The commitment it takes to be a professional photographer is all consuming. Artisans in many ways are selfish little beings. The paycheck as a shooters comes with some strings attached.
The pitfalls:
1. In order to monetize your work, you’ll probably corrupt it, taking out the magic in search of dollars. Eating cake is great; eating cake everyday can be a drag.
2. Attention doesn’t always equal significant cash flow. Be sure you understand the market place in which you are working. Shooting for charitable causes feels right, but it’s hard to pay the rent with a hug.
3. Life will pass you by. That 80th birthday for grandma, a close friends sudden death and even opportunities for a relationship are samples of emotional parts of life that will miss because you are location in a remote place or on a plane going to the remote location. Are you ready and willing to let part of life go by?
Along the way to being that professional, take time to look around you and embrace other ideas that can pay the bills.
Maybe you can’t make money doing what you love (at least what you love right now). But I bet you can figure out how to love what you do to make money (if you choose wisely).
Shoot everything. But don’t wreck your art if it doesn’t lend itself to paying the bills. That would be a tragedy.
That’s It, That’s All
I got in to work today not in the best mood, possibly from the spontaneous rainstorm I peddled through on the way in. But that’s just Portland, right? Boo hoo. All that changed when I saw Itunes was selling That’s It That’s All, the new snowboard video from Travis Rice and Curt Morgan, without batting an eye I bought it. I ended up watching it almost twice through before I forced myself to shut it off. I am at work, and should be working. I can only tell my boss I’m “researching” the video so many times before the jig is up.
This video sets the bar I had no clue existed for snowboard flicks. I got a sneak peek of some stills late last season from Tim Zimmerman who was photographing all the action along the way, those alone were making me drool to see this film. The film itself is a work of art, using the same camera rigs as the Discovery Channel’s Planet Earth documentaries they captured some of the greatest shots Ive seen in a long time or ever! The selection of riders is without compare and the tricks are amazing, who knew double corks could be done in so effortlessly? I think this video came at a great time in snowboarding, with Mack Dawg out of the game, someone needed to set up to be the “it” production company for snowboarding. T.rice and Curt took that step… in to a helicopter, blasting Maiden, and looking for the next pow line to film. Can’t wait to see what you guys come out with next!
Fear and loathing of PHOTOGRAPHY
Many cultures long viewed photographs with fear, worrying that a piece of the soul disappeared when a photo was taken. Never mess with a man’s religion.
Those cultures that retain a belief in ’sympathetic’ magic (where something that was a part of the person, like nail clippings, hair, blood or even an article of clothing) could be used to cast a spell or curse. A part of the ‘victim’ is essential in creating a ‘voodoo doll’. As a courtesy, it might be nice to let these people own their souls. There are plenty of celebrities giving away their souls as paparazzi “Canon fauder”, get it? Canon….the cameras, forget it, I digress.
Some museums forbid all photography, even without a flash, for no other reason than fear. Clearly a famous painting is worth more than an unknown one–and just as clearly, the artist who painted the image probably wanted other people to see it. There is some evidence that over time the camera flash will degrade the properties of the art work. They may want to protect the right of children is the background of your selfsih shot as illustrated in the post from PhotoShelter. ” If you are on private property and are asked not to take pictures, you are obligated to honor that request. This includes posted signs.”
What a missed oppritunity to have the visitors shooting images of the art work to spread the word of the amazing work.
Even worse is the hypocrisy of serikotik1970’s on Flickr. It is obvious he broke the rules of the museum and poached a few shots because he felt entitled. He posts them to the Flickr site and locks them down so no one can “steal” them with out his consent. Oh like that is going to work, if someone wants something online it is way to easy to lift it. Wouldn’t it make more sense to properly tag the jpeg and like pollen on a bee, use the audience to spread your creative? You obviously have a need to be acknowledged or you would have gone so far as to put up a PRO Flickr account. I had to do a lot of extra work to get the image I lifted from your Flickr account, to link back to you so you can benefit from anyone in our studionemo audience that may want to work with you at some level.
Back to why I started this post.
The inspiration for this piece was a photo student inquiring about being “ripped” off by a website that used his photo with out his consent. He felt he was due compensation and maybe rightfully and legal so. If the same situation was looked at differently could it be a positive marketing situation, no money needs to exchange hands let’s face it the fee is so small and by the time Uncle Sam gets his 40%, it wasn’t worth the conversation). Could there be lessons in other industries that would could look at and adapt to photo to help our Fear of being ripped off?
Head into the food court of any mall and the Chinese place will be handing out free sample so of the Orange chicken on a tooth pick. They could charge a quarter for a bite size snack like the candy bar world does, however, they know that once you have the customer in your “web” then the stats go up that they are ready to purchase. With may other choice right there; a lot of energy is used to reel them in for the final sale. Could a web photo usage e considered similar to the Chinese free give away model?
Lets look at another similar industry, the music industry. With the MP3 the traditional business model of selling a physical CD has tanked. My friend and business partner at Pamplemoose, Dave Allen has this to say in a post on the Moose, A Five Point Plan to Save the Music Business.
“Free doesn’t mean no money: The music industry should not fear free. It needs to embrace it. The culture of the net is free or at least feeling free. But money can still be made from other sources: everything from advertising supported services, to brands paying for an association with the artists to newspapers paying for giveaway CDs”.
Back to the original situation. Can we look at this web usage as a form of “free” marketing that “reels” a potential customer in for a larger, smarter, business opportunity? The world is a changing market and if we as shooters don’t keep up and leverage new outlets then we get left behind and Darwin-ism puts in our place, out of business.
Here is a short tail to the long tail answer of do I give a photo usage away for free? Any photo posted to any website anywhere should be considered a marketing seed for your photography business. The old cliché goes, you need to spend money to make money, posting a jpeg is nearly free marketing dollars. The jpeg is out there with a hotlink to your website, meta data with your copyright that leads to your website and as a seed, it will populate across the web and lead potential customers to your website, your Chinese food stand. The big sales can be with custom prints, day shoots, and license fees for advertisement needs. The “free” sample actual can be considered as “free” promotions for your photo businesses. It makes sense to kiss the hand that feeds you and not bite it.
Go check out “Wild Beauty” at the Portland Art Museum
Boring poster I know, but if your in the PDX area you should go check out “Wild Beauty” at the Portland Art Museum. Its put together by the Northwest Photography Archive. It’s a collection of photos from various photographers such as Carleton Watkins, Lily White and Sarah Ladd. Its a look in to Oregon’s past and growth during the post industrial revolution era, pristine scenery captured on film at a time when people were just beginning to harness the Columbia for economic growth through trade/fishing, power etc… A definite must see.
Let Them Eat Crack! Banksy round 2
My friend Mikey H. in NYC just Ichatted me saying he just saw the Banksy show mentioned below (Which he said was rad.). He asked me if I have seen photos for the giant rat pieces Banksy did in Soho, they’re all legal too since they are commissioned pieces. Simply put, amazing stuff. Click on for more!
Photo cred: Mikey’s friends Iphone! (more…)
Happy Birthday Universal Declaration of Human Rights
To celebrate the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, Cool Hunting’s Seth Brau recently brought the words to life with motion graphics. The Declaration was written by Eleanor Roosevelt 60 years ago. It’s nice to see such an important piece of work reinvigorated by technology. And it’s a nice reminder that leaders of our country were once useful and smart.
An Art Retrospective by Nubby Twiglet @ StudioNemo
Nubby Twiglet Art Show @ Nemo Design from Austin Will on Vimeo.
On 10/3 StudioNemo was proud to host the fantastic work of Nemo Employee, Nubby Twiglet, AKA Shauna Haider. Nubby’s pop style art consists of stripes, shoes, and letterforms collaged on wood and ceramic, sealed in epoxy resin. The 30 pieces on display are compiled from three series and span over three years. We are ecstatic to have her work on our walls. Come in and check out Nubby’s art all month!!
photo of the day
StudioNemo’s friend Cel Jarvis sent us some eye candy today of her latest work for hawks by Geren Ford for Urban Outfitters. YEAH CEL! Your work is awesome. Check out more here
Camo-a-gogo by Plain T
Tired of standing out? Do you ever wish you could disappear, or just blend in? yes? Sweet, because Japanese designer Aya Tsukioka has got your back! She has created a line of garments that transform you into inanimate objects such as vending machines, telephone booths, and fire hydrants. Aya’s inspiration was the threat of stalkers and the Ninja’s skill of concealment, which led her to seek solutions to let women hide in in their urban environment. So, ladies, next time that creepy dude that has been behind you for 8 blocks keeps lurking after you, just bust around the next corner and disguise yourself as a lowly telephone booth. And watch as your aggressor walks right by confused by his elusive prey.
The Preservation of Fleeting moments by Adrienne DeBoer @ StudioNemo
Adrienne DeBoer Photo Show at StudioNemo from alex mertz on Vimeo.
On 9/5 StudioNemo was proud to present Adreinne DeBoers “The Preservation of Fleeting Moments”. Adrienne explains that she is compelled to create a memory that will be transformed into the tangible before it is too late. Were excited to have her work on our walls, come in to check it out this month.
Photographer Paul Schiek
Paul has a show at the Stephen Wirtz Gallery in California from September 4th - October 18th titled the thing about you is you will end up like me. Check it out if you can! I wish i could.
I’ve been a fan of his work for the last few years, falling in love when i first saw into his Polaroid panoramics. Whether you’re a long time ogler of his work or are just learning of it now you will be stoked to know that These Birds Walk has just published a book of his work. This book is one of a series of affordable art books that include works from 3 more of my favorite photographers! Ari Marcopoulos, Mike Brodie, and Jim Goldberg. Ari and Jim’s books are yet to come but Mike Brodie’s (aka the Polaroid Kid’s) book was amazing. I cant wait to see what Jim and Ari have in store for us!
Campaign of the Day
I know it’s not new, but I couldn’t resist. Not only is it for a good cause, but it’s brilliant design. The photo is so good because it positions the animal in its natural state and imposes upon it the mappings of clothing patterns.
APERTURE - National Photography Workshop
The is nothing more practical for learning than to be surrounded by mentors and get your feet wet. Scott Bourne is leading the charge. Check his G9 videos on his site.
The Aperture Nature Photography Workshops at Olympic, Tetons, Yosemite and Yellowstone National Parks will take four groups of professional and amateur photographers to America’s most scenic destinations to make spectacular images while learning how to get the most out of Apple professional photo editing application, Aperture.
Beginning in September 24-27, 2008, a group of four professional photographers will be joined by four amateur photographers at Grand Tetons National Park for unparalleled photo opportunities, followed by first-hand instruction in Apple Aperture by a team of Apple-certified Aperture trainers.
Prizes: Prizes will be awarded to each winning photographer. The prize package is subject to change at the full discretion of the Aperture Nature Photography Workshops.
As of August 1, 2008 the prize package includes but is not limited to:
1 USB Drobo - approximate value $500
1 Lensbaby - approximate value $350
1 Premium subscription to lynda.com value $375
1 set of all current Peachpit Press Photo-related books - approximate value $500
1 ThinkTank 360 Photo Bag - approximate value $350
1 Apple Aperture 2.1 - approximate value $200
1 Lifetime Pro Membership to Photrade - approximate value $500
HOW: Each participant may submit one photograph in total. All images must be digitally uploaded.
WHEN: Submissions open August 15 at Noon, PST and close September 5, 2008 at 5:00 PM, PST.
Questions can be address here:
aperturenatureworkshops@gmail.com
Locations of the week - SEXY POOLS
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- Las Ventanas al Paraiso
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- Palazzo Sasso
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- JW Marriott Cancun Resort & Spa
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- La Casa Que Canta
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- Fasano Hotel
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- The Biltmore Hotel
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- Beverly Hills Hotel
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- Banyan Tree Seychelles
Dave Seoane sizes things up. by Plain T
Photo_Mertz
Dave Seoane, steward and fabrication genius of Nemo Design took it upon himself to create an apple box for one of our favorite photographers, Carlin Sundell. Dave saw opportunity for improvement when he spotted our 6′ 7″ Carlin, sitting awkwardly on a standard size apple box while shooting. So, he created an amazingly beautiful and much more functional box for Carlin. Using Plyboo he designed a sturdy, large, and wild looking apple box for Studio Nemo. Thank you Dave!
We love Barack at Nemo
One of our own, Christopher Douglas, has designed these amazing T’s to show his (and I would venture to say all of our) support for Barack Obama for President!!!!! We had a short but fun shoot for them in the studio today. Beautiful shirt, beautiful photo (Carlin Sundell), beautiful models (Liz and Tyler) and a beautiful new start for the US of A. BARACK ME LIKE A HURRICANE!
Powder & Rails on VBS.TV
Powder & Rails is a new video series on VBS.TV. It covers snowboarding’s early days, day-glo and all! With interviews from Pat Bridges of Snowboarder Magazine, Kevin English of HCSC, Nemo’s own Trevor Graves and many more legends in the game! They give the low down on those days of tindy’s, grassers, eggplants and stiffy mute’s! TUNE IN!
Studionemo at 1st day of Dew Tour and FuelTV after party
Today marked the first day of Dew Tour in Portland,OR an StudioNemo was there to capture the awesomeness!
Just going to put it out there….
So I have a big birthday coming up and well, crazier things have happened so I’m just going to put it out there….
I would like Woody, the new Verdier Solar Power Westfalia for my birthday. Pretty please.
Kudos to those designers!
Strength in numbers by Plain T
The power of a pair is undeniable. Every Bonnie wants their Clyde! And why shouldn’t they, it is the chemical urge to find our mate, the one that will be our partner in crime forever. Some couples look like they were made for eachother. Like a key missing its lock, without eachother they are without functionality. This couple from Helsinki Finland is the epitome of inseparability. Andreas (18) and Tanja (24) have a style that stands alone, but as you see, together they become something intangible and whole. I bet they even light each others cigarettes! Go to Hel Looks to find more Finish street.
Mark Borthwick
Mark Borthwick is an amazing experimental fashion photographer but his creative doesn’t stop there. He often accompanies his photographic work with writing, drawings, and even live performances. As a photographer, musician and film maker, his work has a distinct feel of a still capture of a motion reel that you could really only get when you approach your work with this much original diversity. Theres a great interview with him on fecal face.
Go Boom by Plain T
When i hear the word boombox, i immediately think of the scene in Spike Lee’s Do The Right Thing where Radio Raheem’s ghetto blaster runs out of batteries, and he has to go to the corner store to buy “20 D batteries”. Canadian photographer Lyle Owerko is so moved by this electronic icon he decided to make it the subject of a portrait-like study of the influence of the boombox. His visual time line of the boombox captures the transformation of a stereo into what Lyle describes as a form of portable entertainment and expression.
Stapled and Torn Poster Show on Vimeo
First Friday Poster Show at Nemo Design/Studio Nemo featuring the Northwest’s best poster artists.