What’s New for the week of June 22 ?
PODCASTS
Ibarionex Perello last week posted a podcast with Greg Gorman. The interview runs just over 30 minutes, and it is one of the most informative explanations of a photographer’s vision that I’ve ever heard. Greg wonderfully explains what he looks for when he considers shooting celebrity portraits. Greg goes on to explain how to sculpt light, and even though you are listening to an audio podcast, you will follow his description of how to light Ibarionex. Wonderful podcast. And, at the end of the podcast, he explains the nature of his workshops. I’ve written about Greg’s workshop before, at the risk of repeating myself, this is clearly the best of the best. Not only will you learn a lot about photography, lighting and posing, you will thoroughly enjoy the gourmet meals and fantastic wine. Josh and Steve, it’s time you guys make it to Mendocino!
IN THEIR YOUTH by Greg Gorman
I have it on good word that Greg’s most recent book has been successfully printed. The cover of the book (not shown above) still has to be embossed with two portraits, one on the front and one on the back covers. I’ve also had a closeup view of all of the images in the book (see ABOUT on the top menu bar for more details), so you can trust me that this book will be an excellent addition to any serious photographer’s collection. A few quotes from the book:
“Let’s not forget that Greg is accustomzed to working with actors, who practice slipping into roles and playing roles, and his idea to showing them metaphorically “naked,” in other words without a role, with a still fragile identity not fixed in their youth and with a flexibility and accessibility.”
“Throughout my career, I have found that I have achieved my most telling, significant pictures when I get in close with a long lens. That’s how I cut through all the barriers, all the boundaries, got into my subject’s head and understood them better.”
“I don’t think my photography is about answering all the questions. It’s about leaving a little bit to the imagination.”
“The eyes tell you whether you are getting through to the heart of the inidividual, or if there’s something they’re not sharing with you.”
“Everybody is interesting, a celebrity so to speak, in their own right.”
“I think some people always stay in their youth and are always in that moment.”
VIDEOS
A new video has been posted, describing how I use retouching to accenuate the light of hard studio strobes to increase the tension between the viewer and the model. This video is of a model named, Janay. I am sure you will enjoy the podcast.
NEW STUDIO IN MINNEAPOLIS
The Photo-Op, a new co-operative photography studio, opened a few months back in downtown Minneapolis. Alex needs to redo the home page, because the images on it were taken during construction. I like it because it is affordable and yet it still has a professional, friendly and comfortable atmosphere for creative work. The studio is modestly sized with 2650 sqare feet of flexible working space as well as secured storage, kitchen and bathroom access. Other attributes you may like are: 24/7 access, several props, equipment, backdrops are available for use, there is free off street parking, and it is conveniently located near the Basilica in downtown Minneapolis. Dave wrote up a nice comparison of the Photo-Op and the Minneapolis Photo Center. I’ve shot in both locations, and I enjoyed both (no bad recommendations here). For me, with the economy being what it is, when we all have to watch our expenses no matter where we are on the economic scale, the value proposition clearly lay with the Photo-Op. Paul, we should shoot here sometime, even if it is to do your mid-summer family portrait before the girls go back to school.