More Unexpected

Ahh, being a kid is a great thing. Just look at the look in the eyes, of the new, the unexpected, the unknown, all seen with freshness and new eyes. I sometimes look like that after I eat as well.

The Unexpected

We often think that we need all kinds of equipment to be photographers. And I also think that one of photography's primary weaknesses is that it has always been associated WITH equipment. The idea of studying photography gets lost because those new to it think they just buy the right equipment, and presto, suddenly you ARE a photographer.

There is little intimidation because learning equipment is easy, so within a short time you are making pictures, regardless of their significance or success, they are being made.

With painting, sculpture, etc, you are staring a block of clay perhaps, or a blank canvas, and suddenly the lack of knowledge is impossible to ignore.

There are new cameras out now, as there often are, but these new bodies are getting all kinds of play, exposure(no pun intended) and seem to be the focus of our entire industry in some ways.

But me, I don't care. I try not to even notice because I know that in a few short months there will be more new cameras, more new software and the likes, and for me, it makes no difference.

I've never liked new things. Frankly they make me a little nervous, so I'm happy with the old, and I realize that these new things have nothing to do with what I'm trying to accomplish, which is to see better, to get better and to be able to have more freedom to do the things I want.

I could literally go back to the same camera I started with, a Nikon FM2, and be perfectly happy, and the crazy thing is, I'll bet that exact body is still out there, working and in the hands of another photographer as we speak.


So recently I traveled to the heartland to do a portrait shoot and decided to take a camera I've had for years and one that I never use for portraits, and decided to only take a wide angle lens, also something I typically don't use for portraits.

What I got were, I think, my favorite portraits of the trip. Now these might not be mom and dad's favorite images, but for me, they are different, and are the look I like as much as anything else.

I also like the fact that because this camera is so small and is around my neck all day everyday, I get images with it that I would never get with a bigger, more pronounced camera.

Last week, at a lecture, I heard a conflict photographer say, "This entire ten-year project was done with a Leica, and nothing against digital, but it could have NEVER been done with the modern digital gear," meaning it would have been too dangerous to walk around with the large, modern bodies, in a situation where it was deadly to be known as a photographer.

So, in a few short days, I must travel again, for another portrait and I'm toying with the idea of ONLY taking this old camera. Believe me, it feels really odd to show up with this thing and have the client say, "Where is your gear?" or "Your not going to use that are you?" But the result is all that matters, and stripping myself of the security of gear is to force myself to actually see.

Paradise Found

I was sitting on the grass of a hillside just outside the barn during the Eddie Adams Workshop and an older gentleman walked up, looked over my shoulder, and said, “Boy I love that camera,” as he peered down at the Contax G2 sitting in my lap.

I didn’t recognize this person at the time because it had been years since I had seen him and I had met him only once, briefly, roughly eight years ago.

If I had known who it was I would have stood up and shook his hand.

For those of you who don’t’ know Bill Eppridge I highly recommend taking some time to get to know his work.

However, I think most of us, as Americans, at least those my age or older, will already be painfully but respectfully aware of his legacy.

Bill was a photographer for Newsweek Magazine, and the photographer responsible for photographing the campaign of Robert Kennedy.

All I can say about this body of work is that is triumphant in it’s tragedy and a living, breathing reminder of lost innocence, in not only a country, a people and a time, but also in the lost innocence of photography of this nature.

This body of work will never be duplicated, not even close, and should stand as a reminder of the idea of freedom, respect, reporting, relationships and the significance of photography as a recorder of history.

“I stopped being a photographer and began recording history,” Bill said of the moment when Robert Kennedy was assassinated.

Granted unusual access, Eppridge was with Kennedy every step of the way, including those last moments forever seared into the minds of human beings worldwide as the fateful day came undone.

Let me remind you, these images are not only monumental, historical images, but they are beautifully done. The black and white is crisp, contrasty, sharp and retains a depth and focus that is not seen in today’s reportage world. He used basic ingredients compared to what we have today, and for some reason it just looks better than anything else I’ve seen. And, let me say, he was not out shooting hundreds, thousands of images at a time. When the shots rang out he had few frames left on both cameras, and admitted that the first image was out of focus, but the remaining three or four pictures were all....perfect. He thought, he composed and he made them count with history on the line. For this I have great appreciation.

I was fortunate enough to be at the workshops when the lights dimmed, the doors closed, students took their seats, and Bill unleashed this work on all of us. It was impossible to not be moved.

If you haven’t figured it out, I’m slightly jaded about the photography world, in a good way, but with work like Bill’s, nothing else matters. You are confronted in a way that seldom occurs. You are confronted by his lifelong commitment to photography, and by the images that will remain in your mind’s eye because they are too good to forget.

As I walked out of the building shortly after the final image faded to black, I ran into a friend who was standing there shaking his head from side to side. “What?” I asked.
“That was incredible,” he said, seemingly unable to come to grips with what he had just seen.
THAT is what photography is all about.
So, if you have a moment, take some time and take a look.



www.billeppridge.com

More From Mom

white, pink and blue
morning glories
dancing in the breeze
just outside the window
where I write
I am not sure
but, I think
the hummingbirds
have gone for the winter
looking for more summer
they do not visit
the morning glories
anymore at my window
stopping to look
in at me as I write
they know it's time to go
perhaps someplace in Mexico
looking for warmth and food
we will miss them
the lonely winter is coming
the morning glories will fade
we will watch and wait
white, pink and blue

Just Passing Through

It's nice to shoot when you have no real agenda. It is perhaps the best time to make pictures because it is pure. Just you, your thoughts, the light and your eyes.

Photokina

So I went to the largest imaging show in the world. In Germany, Cologne to be precise. It was grand. Really, ten times larger than any other show I have seen. In fact, I only saw part if it.
At one point I found myself searching for a friend. Never found him. Still haven't seen him. He could still be there, lost inside the bowels of that place.

This show isn't a photography show, not by any stretch, but rather a show of the mechanisms that support the imaging world.

Here are a few snaps.

We English

Check out this blog by Simon Roberts. He has some very interesting posts regarding editing, and breaks down his methods while working on a project titled, "Motherland," which was published by Chris Boot.

Think about what you are reading, about things like reading of his spending one year making the pictures. Not a quick hit approach, nor was the subsequent editing and proofing system.

We English Link

The State of Affairs

Yankee Stadium Link


Several days ago I was photographing a young boy, about 2.5 years of age, and we ended up in a magazine section at a grocery store in Indianapolis. I know that might sound odd, but I think the images will turn out rather nice. Unexpected, and shot with my old Contax G2, a camera that is on my arm most days, these days.

Anyway, at one point, this little guy was sitting in a cart and the cart stopped in front of the magazine stand, right in front of the bodybuilding section.

I made a few images, two I think, before he was moved and we continued on. But right before I moved on I noticed several of the sports magazines, major ones, and on the cover I saw images I have grown to expect.

Color, studio, controlled portraits of sports/celebs. They were predictable, told me nothing about these people, but were the kind of image that seems to be virtually the only thing assigned anymore.

I wondered to myself, "Did the photographer enjoy doing this? "Did the player enjoy it? It didn't appear like the players enjoyed it, and in fact you could almost see what was going through their mind, "Oh man, who thought this scenario up?" You could feel the reluctance through the images.

I wondered to myself, "Why do we do this?" Still?

Now the same can be said for much of the celebrity work I see as well. CONTROLLED, but not interesting. Would I rather see ANOTHER controlled, staged image of Will Smith, or would I rather see a real image of him, on a Wednesday, at 4pm, when he wasn't working. A REAL photograph. An informational photograph, one that explains more than what someone looks like.

But, in the age of control, it seems that fewer and fewer of these images are being made. Are the days of William Claxton gone? Jim Marshall? I think so.


So a few shorts days ago we saw the end of era in sports, in sports history and American history for that matter. We saw the end of Yankee Stadium, perhaps, it could be argued, the most important American sports venue of all time. And what images did we see? The expected. I'm not saying there are not great images out there, that someone, somewhere made, but I didnt' see any of those. I kept thinking, "Okay, somebody, hit me with something with soul," something besides what I KNEW I was going to see. And, the sports magazines, where are you? I guess the Americana magazines are all gone.



So I have this friend in Florida, a photographer, Andrew Kaufman. He shoots a lot, and a little if you know what I mean. Name a format, a style and he does it. He makes books too, and creates on his own, projects, single pictures, etc. Andrew shot Yankee Stadium. And, I think he did it in a way that is different, and in a way that shows what it felt like as a FAN to be there, not as a photographer on assignment needing to fulfill a certain image requirement. Nor do the images appear as if he was rushed to make them, which brings me to another point.

Magazines, quit rushing for the sake of rushing. I think a lot of people would gladly wait a little longer to see a better story. Give us something more.

Now Kaufman was kind enough to send us a snippet, and I've also included a link to a lightbox on his site, so if you have a moment, take a peak.

You might like this work, or not, but I think you will agree it looks different. Now, according to last reports, this work had not been published yet, which is some ways, to me at least, in my twisted mindset, is a good thing. Some things need to sit, fester, before they are unleashed on the public. But, this stuff SHOULD be published somewhere.........anyone............anyone..........

Slacker

Some people have been asking where I have been, where the posts have been, and I have to apologize for slacking off on the Smogranch front.

I have been in a state of perpetual pack and unpack, jetting from one place to another, for work, and for shorts periods of time. So, little time to post anything more than simple observations, mostly unrelated to the photography world.

Don't get me wrong, I write everyday, and take notes on most situations I find myself in, but most of what I jot down isn't really intended for the blog world, unless you are looking for a cure for your insomnia.

So, I'm home now, for a few days, and will try to post later today, tomorrow, etc, But, we are supposed to get rain today, the first in months and months, so I might be outside just watching the day pass.

After my shoot, and subsequent quick trip to Los Angeles, and after I catch up on paying bills, returning calls, emails, talking to mom, sis and bro, etc.

M

What I love about photographing kids is that you never know what you are going to get. And, typically, in a short shoot, you will still get a range of emotion far beyond what you might expect. When I know I'm going to photograph this girl I always get a little nervous because she, and her brother, are so much fun, and I don't want to blow it!

We sometimes set our sights too high when we shoot, especially these days when we can create so many images so easily. We sometimes lose track of the fact that images don't usually come in great numbers. Good images anyway.

Just a small sample. Late light, great hair and the language of negotiation!

Luv the Dutch

Okay. Where were we? Is it time to move?
To try a new place? How can there be so many
bikes?

Year Zero

Okay, here are some pages from a recent book, my 53rd with Blurb, about Cambodia, a trip I took back in 1995 when this Southeast Asian country was still wild and somewhat untamed.

I hear rumors today of the party scene in Phnom Penh, of the throngs of teens going for clubs, etc, and I hear of the developments around Angkor and it really turns my stomach.

I hope, hope, hope this is not the case. I really do. The Cambodians have suffered for decades and to emerge into this style of "modern" life is another cruelty they do not deserve.(According to some reports, the highest AIDS rate in all of Asia.)

Of all the places I have been, Cambodia ranks near the top in terms of the overall experience I had, and the Khmer culture is remarkable to say the least.

I can see why so many people fall for this place.

Rojo

Okay, you remember a few short weeks ago when I posted about my tiny plants? Okay, I know we are not talking photography here, but I need a small vacation.

Well, here are the same plants now. Yikes. Anyone need any?

Twins

Okay, these two images, to me, are exactly the same. Is it me?

Not Sure

Just a grab shot. Reflections are easy. They all look good. I think I was angling for that paint work in the middle, behind the person walking. Too small. Oh well. Not sure about this one.

Buy Small, Be Ready, Always take it With You

A lot of people ask me about which camera to buy. I always say the same thing. Buy small, be ready and always take it with you, otherwise, why buy it?

I have a variety of cameras, but in end, I think the most valuable of all of them are the smallest ones.

First, I always have it with me, always. Cameras are great, but when left at home, they are just metal, or plastic boxes. That's it. They just sit, waiting for you to come home and take them out again.

Also, small cameras are more subtle. For some photographers announcing the fact they are a photographer is important, and I'm sure can be strategic at times, but for most people being quiet and low key is the best mode.

When you have a small camera, one you always have with, you can make a variety of snaps you might now otherwise get. They won't all be good, but some will be, and others are just funny.

This dog wanted nothing more than to sink his fangs into my fleshy thigh. Walking down the road, this evil canine let out a vicious snarl, bark, growl just as he passed by. I nearly stroked out, but was able to get one shot off. Why? Because my tiny camera was in my hand.
It was more of a defense mechanism than a photograph, but I got it none the less.

Go bite someone else Cujo.

Color for Color

Just a few pictures. Color for color. Yes, I do shoot color. Am working on two projects right now, both in color. Still prefer black and white, but have to open it up from time to time.

Saw contact sheets yesterday, not mine, but it was exciting all the same. They were 120 squares, printed on 8x10 fiber paper. The black was inky black and the paper had a glimmer when held to the light.

It was the photographers first foray into a new project, and there was a thoughtfulness to the images. A searching. A feeling out. But not crazy, over the top, shooting for the sake of shooting.

There were keepers on each roll, and also many other images within the 12 on each page.

I also saw framed silver prints in someones office. They were a year-long project on a remote monastery. The light was beautiful. A year's worth of it, all refined down to four or five images. Those pictures said everything that needed to be said. They were personal.

All the work I saw had soul. Soul. Something seemingly lost in our modern photo-world. So much of what I see has no soul, nothing that shows the photographer living with the pictures, both inside and outside. Things now are rushed, polished, retouched, perfected, with the idea being that no image is good enough unless it has been "touched."

But I don't agree.

DNC Presentation

Hey Campers,

This presentation was done by a photo-student at George Washington University in DC. It is quite long, but interesting to check out.
Take a peak. I don't have anything from the RNC to compare. Sorry.

http://media.gwhatchet.com/interactive/20080908-dnc/index.html


Sorry, I'm on an OLD computer and it won't allow links!!!! Yes, believe it or not. You will have to cut and paste until I can change this!

For The Birds

I know what you are thinking.

"All these portraits are fine and everything, but what do you have regarding birds in black and white?"

A GREAT question.

So, these were just sitting there. Shot for no particular reason. No reason at all actually. I can't explain it.

New Promo

Hey, for all you Blurb fans, here is a new promo. Learn it, live it, love it.

Sandball Anyone?

You start with a glob of really wet sand. Then run to the dry sand and begin coating the wet sand with a small dusting of the dry stuff, all the while spinning the mass in your hands. When you are done, the infamous sandball. The ball will typically form in the size of whatever hands made the ball. Imagine that.

Then, you toss it to your buddy, take one step back and toss it back. Repeat action until ball explodes, crumbles, implodes or bounces off your melon.

Okay, these are not the greatest pictures. The light is horrible. But, who cares? It's sandball.

The Uncle Filter Now Available!!!!

Okay, I know I have been somewhat down on the entire digital revolution, but I wanted to write and say that I have finally decided to play along. Yes, that's right. I'm done with any and all analog and am going to run head first, again, into the digital void. I've seen the writing on the wall, and have been chanting to myself each night, "It's better, it's better," in an attempt to rid myself of any "unclean" thoughts of that dirty analog world.

Now you might be wondering what it was that changed my mind after all these years. I can't say it was any one thing, but there were several "events" that probably planted the seed, got the ball rolling or broke the camel's back so to speak.

First, it was hearing a story about a digital "young gun" actually telling a crowd of people that there was "no longer any reason to watch a sunrise," meaning that his computer skills were so good that he could digitally create something even better than what nature could provide. Whew, what a relief. I don't know about you but sunrise and sunset are my two least favorite times of day. I would much rather be inside, in a room full of electronics.

Second, in the words of Homer Simpson upon buying his first microwave, "What do you mean I have to wait thirty seconds, I want it NOW." In short, I realized the "instant gratification" of digital was most important. Look, at this point, my attention span is so short it has taken me three weeks to write this post. I'm gone. Done. I'm trying to get the camera makers to put a live review INSIDE the viewfinder. I want to see, feel, smell, post, archive and sell the image the moment I even THINK there is a photo to be had.(If I could only get a peak action indicator that would sound a warning horn moments before something happened.)

Third, video. I see the new generation of cameras have HD video capability. Now I know that some folks out there see this as the beginning of the end for a lot of photographers because the idea is that now ANYONE can use these babies. Stills took some knowledge of light, timing and composition, but with video you can just turn it on and hose down the entire scene. But for me, I see this as a good thing. You see, if you could couple this with the idea you can recreate the sunrise, then I actually won't ever have to leave my house. I will just make the world up as I go along. Bangkok riots, no problem. I can whip those up in a few minutes in Photoshop, then film the fake riots in real time and sell them to CNN. This is awesome.

And last but not least, filters. Yes, filters. The same filters I have avoided using all these years, are the same filters I'm going to buy into as fast as possible. Some call these things "action sets" and perhaps that is a better title because I am, after all, a new man of action. Currently we have filters that make things glow, pop, boil, ferment, steam, shake, freeze and drizzle, but I'm going a lot further. I have create the first of many actions, and believe you me, you are going to want it.

My first contribution to the digital world is the "Uncle Filter."

I know, I know, why didn't you think of that? And yes, I already copyrighted this baby, and every other potential family action figure as well.
Okay, say you have a family shot and it's okay. What could make it better? "Gee, I wish uncle Billy Bob was here." Well, bingo. You hit my "uncle filter" and presto, you have Uncle Billy Bob right there in the background. Just like on TV!

I have included a rough, demo version, just so everyone can get a taste.

I'm lucky, my uncles are really cool, but that's not to say I actually want to see them again. So now I have the perfect solution. One button and it's like uncle is right there with me. Surfing, hiking, eating, sleeping, doesn't matter, he is just ONE button away.

Okay, I've taken up enough of your time, and you are probably scrambling for your credit card. Wait, I only take cash! Please send as much cash as you have, to me, and I'll send the action out just as soon as I possible can.

Good luck, and here's to riding the digital wave!

PS: And just to drop a hint so that you can save up your cash. My next filters are "Unicorn AstroBurst" and "Mt. Kilimanjaro," which will place an exact replica of this peak in the background of ANY image.