Assistants, mules and rockstars.

I enjoy shooting with help. Sometimes all the help I need is someone who enjoys photography and is basically happy to be there.

I also enjoy assisting other photographers on jobs. I have done a few this past year and its fun. The pay isn’t stellar but I learn stuff and its a great change of pace.

When I need help, I get picky.

I had a great assistant for a while. She would say that she was part pack-mule. We carried a ton of stuff on jobs. We tried new things and we grew together. Mostly we had fun. She moved to another state. You can find her at www.kimullrich.com

I have worked with ‘rockstar’ assistants. I say that because on job day they get distracted and go off shooting for themselves, socializing and having a good time. I am left carrying the bag.

But ‘rockstars’ can energize crowds that helps with fun photos.

I think a good assistant, for me,  is someone who is calm under pressure.  A lot of people can shoot good photos and a LOT of people THINK they shoot good photos. I say this only to emphasize that the good assistants are a real small group. They are calm during inevitable equipment breakdowns, take initiative when situations change, are good with people, and mostly great at brainstorming ideas.

 

 

The 4×5 is awake again.

For those of you who don’t know…

This is a  4×5 Large Format Camera. It’s over 50 years old. It takes awesome pictures.

It shoots film. One frame at a time. The negative is actual 4 inches x 5 inches.

The resolution is awesome.

I was recently blessed with some of the last remaining 4×5 Polaroid film left in the universe.

Here are some samples of what the images look like

So my friends, my POLAROID PROJECT Begins.

Look for new images every so often. I’ll assign a separate gallery for them soon.

Also…

The FOURXFIVE event is coming.

It is something I’ve been chewing on for a while.

Here is what it will look like.(I think)

There will be one or more 4×5 cameras available.

This will your chance to use a 4×5.

Shoot with it or have a portrait made of yourself or whatever you wish.

Each camera will have a photographer attached to it to help you use it.

(Any one out there know how to use one? Call me)

I will donate the 4×5 film. You will pay for processing.

When we figure out prices and dates. I will post them.

After the film and prints come back we have a party to show them off.

Here is what I want everyone to understand.

This will be a chance to celebrate the art of photography, the beauty of film.

Remembering that it is okay to take ONE image every FIVE minutes

instead of 5 frames in 1 second.

In the mean time,

If you are photographer, student, lover of the art. Get your portrait made with a 4×5.

I am happy to do it. I’ll donate my time and film.  You pay for printing and processing. Maybe it will become part of an exhibit one day.

Focusing issues…

I have nothing to say. Zac does an awesome job

Now that those pesky New Year resloutions are out of the way…

To peers and students alike,

This year is going to be awesome.  I have a few suggestions for our photographic resolutions adventures, designed to have artistic growth.

Here is the list. Try every one of these at least once.

1- Shoot at least one roll of FILM this year. Choose color or B/W based on whether you can have it processed locally. No film camera, use a disposable.

2-Shoot for yourself. Plan on everyone thinking you have gone nuts and shoot something that REALLY interests you.

3-BE in more pictures. I realize I am missing from so many memories over the years. It will make you a better portrait shooter, trust me.

4-If you shoot for a living, surprise one of your clients with a FREE shoot. Do this after all your negotiations are done, and all details have been agreed upon and the job is finished.  When it is time to bill them, let them know it was your gift to them.

These will be enough for now.

Most of us  look at blogs for the pictures anyway. So here is one with me in it, taken by a plugin remote trigger on the camera.