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.