Wednesday, April 9, 2008

Odds and Ends

I've been pretty busy, so I haven't had a chance to blog for a few days. I haven't had time to put together a coherent article for today either, so I'm just going to drop a few nuggets in here.


My photograph, "Bullfight", is being used as set dressing for the upcoming movie "The Assassination of a High School President" starring Bruce Willis. This film is being released in September and the according to the art director on the project, my photograph is being used in a Spanish classroom.




Another photograph of mine, "Wood End Light #4", is being used in the film "Tell-Tale", starring Josh Lucas and Lena Headley. This film will be released sometime in 2009 as they are just wrapping up filming now.





Ansel Adams once said "Twelve significant photographs in any one year, is a good crop." Don't think that every shot you snap is a keeper. Family and friends are one thing, but if you are trying to create "art"....well, most photographers need to be much better editors of their own work. The last three times I've shot, I haven't printed a single image.

Do you want to know if your work is any good? Do you really want to know? Don't ask your mother, your best friend, or any other relative. Ask someone whose work you respect. Not whose work you like, someone whose work you respect. there is a difference. You want to be able to respect their opinion, not like it. Be prepared for the truth, and sometimes, the truth isn't pretty, but the truth will make you a better photographer.

Crooked horizons are a result of laziness. They are easy to check and to fix. Check them and fix them.

Blown out highlights kill an image. Just kill it. Portraits, landscapes, still life, it doesn't matter.

17 comments:

Treasures by Tina said...

What a wonderful blog! :)

Keep up the great work!

Tina

Jennifer said...

Beautiful points! I had an instructor who told us that not all of our stuff is a Picasso so get over it (essentially, get over ourselves). Thank you for reminding me of that and a BIG congratulations for your images that have been chosen for movies. Very nice!

Anonymous said...

First off....I'm so freaking proud of you! Congrats! What wonderful news!!!!

"Crooked horizons are a result of laziness."- Amen Brother! I just don't get it.

I totally get it!!!!!!

Hyla said...

WoW Congratulations!

Anonymous said...

Great photos! Love black and whites!

Michelle Engel Bencsko said...

Hey, good work on getting into the movies. Seems you have some sort of connection there because I've never heard of any artist getting "product placement" before, and you have 2!
A good critique is sometimes tough to take, but the lessons are valuable.

High Desert Diva said...

Excellent news! Hope the photos used for the movies will bring you oodles of business...

capitolagirl said...

Congratulations on having your images selected or movie dressing. That's really exciting!

Unknown said...

Congrats! That is really exciting.

Kitty said...

Great rules of thumb, Scott. So true!

The benefit of digital is that it's easier not to be precious with your work. The editing process is indeed just as important as the picture taking process.

Congratulations with the lovely blog and the latest commissions!

Geek+Nerd said...

It's Jenness Beach in Rye, NH :)

Ivy & Mae said...

Good advice--it is easy to think your work is fine the way it is, no matter what your craft or art is--

congrats on your images being selected to help create some interesting movies

Anonymous said...

wow!! what grand news!! Congratulations!! it is well deserved~

~Bella (from Creative Souls)

Sarah McBride said...

congrats on the upcoming movie! Thats awesome!

UniqueNurseGranny said...

Good points and good news about your work.

AnnieRoso said...

You're fun to read even when it's off the cuff. :-)

ThePeachTree said...

Excellent lighthouse shot. So moody.