Dior, Spring 2013

One of the best photos I’ve seen in a long time: This is from the spring Dior campaign, it was shot in the woods near Versailles.

And to clarify for my local, Hoosier fans: I mean Versailles (pronounced VEHR sigh), as in Louis XIV and Paris; not Versailles (pronounced vir SAYLZ), in Indiana. Dior doesn’t shoot campaigns in Indiana. (If they did, the women would be in the bikinis and pumps, each rolling around on the hood of a Camaro. At least from what I’ve seen, that’s the one look that you get from about 98% of Indiana’s female models.)

Back to this fantastic, classy, French photo, click to enlarge.

A Rare Exception

The following post is not safe for work.

Normally, I can’t stand images that are mostly desaturated, but some part of it is left in color. Usually, these photos are so tacky (a child in BW holding a yellow flower, a hot guy in BW with bright red underwear, . . . ). his is a sure sign that someone either just started as a photographer, just learned Photoshop (it’s one of the easiest things to do), or that the photographer just lacks anything that resembles creativity or imagination.

Sorry, I’m being harsh.

But, getting back on track, I started this post by saying “normally, I can’t stand . . . “

This photo caught my attention. I love it. It works. And it’s not just because the model is hot. And has an incredible ass. And an amazing cock. And great abs. And is in a pose that is incredibly sexy and strong. And . . .

I’m Lucky

A few of the people I have photographed have become some of my best friends. A couple of my photo subjects have, despite our brief encounter, changed my life.

During my best shoots, I’ll get to take part in an experience that no amount of time could make me forget.

And then I’ve photographed one or two creepers and an occasional asshat.

Someday, when I’m old, I’ll write memoirs and tell all.

Get Some

Lykke Li is one of my favorite musicians right now. People have asked me in the past why I don’t ever shoot video, and I have to be honest — it has just never appealed to me like photography does. But every once in a while, I see a music video (like this one) that makes me wish I did have video skills and equipment.

Advice on Photography and Fine Art Galleries

The following link provides some great advice about how to market photography to fine art galleries. I’m saving this here as much as a reference for myself as I am to help other photographers along — I know next to nothing about how to get work into art galleries — what few galleries have displayed my photos have all approached me first.

I think I’m doing okay on most fronts, but it’s ironic to see Edit as Point #2 — recently I’ve been thinking that it’s time to edit/finesse my Gods series. It’s just turned into kind of a hodgepodge of more of the same. Point #6 (Feedback) speaks to it, too, as I’ve always thought that I like my Gods photos a lot more than anyone else does. So that begs the question, why continue?

All points to ponder. Meanwhile, here’s the link.

Expert Advice: Marketing to Fine Art Galleries

Myths about Fair Use

Random people occasionally send me a link to something (an event advertisement, a bar’s website, etc.) that’s using one of my photographs. Usually the people who send me these things seem to expect me to “go after” the perpetrators. The truth? I rarely contact someone who’s used my work without permission.

Don’t get me wrong, I enjoy these messages just because like it when people show me where my work lands. But in the effort of picking and choosing my battles, I tend to let these slide — who it is really hurting if a bar in Chicago has lifted one of my photos for their Facebook page?

But some people think that I’m letting some grave injustice happen to myself; that my copyright has been compromised or that I’m letting someone get away with stealing. That’s not quite true.

So when I saw this article, I thought I’d share. It rejects some of the myths about U.S. copyright laws and fair use, and it explains things in a relatively easy way to understand (for a topic that’s vague at best, and far too often polluted with legal jargon that makes it impossible to “get”).

If you don’t feel inclined to read the whole thing, here’s one of my favorite quotes:

Fair use is a right that you employ simply by accessing material, copying it and incorporating it into your project within an appropriate context. You do not need to get anyone’s permission to do that, and you do not even need to let them know that you did it.

I suppose there’s a long conversation to have about what “appropriate context” is. Copyright and fair use laws — like libel, obscenity, and related topics — are difficult to define in an either/or, black-or-white way. And it’s made even more complicated because we, as a nation, prescribe such value to our First Amendment rights. And now my brain is starting to hurt, so maybe that’s a topic for another day.

Finding Vivian Maier

They’re making a documentary about my favorite street photographer. As a side note: The Chicago accents in it are making me homesick.

Hubby

Most wedding photography is so boring. [Click to enlarge.]

A Tyler Shields Lecture

One of the better editorial photographers around, here’s a video of Tyler Shields giving a presentation about how to get attention as a photographer. He talks about a few things, like how to stay cutting edge and why getting the “real” photo instead of letting Photoshop do the work is always best. He also talks about the difference between photos that people will like and photos that people will buy, and why it’s important to shoot both. Tyler also shows plenty of his own work in the presentation, which is always a joy to see if you like photography.

Thanks to one of my Facebook friends (Mike Smith) for sending this to me!

The Making of MeTube

This is just fantastic. I’m remiss to say that I can’t remember which of my fabulous friends showed it to me.