Be careful what you wish for
I got to speak to a Western PA ex-pat and current Los Angeleno. What she told me wasn't mind blowing or heaven opening and doves descending. But it was illuminating. I briefly discussed my vision and goals. She pretty much said photographers in Pittsburgh suck. But that is a GENERAL statement in comparison to LA photogs. I most definitely didn't take offense to that. She has the ability and experience to compare the two since she has worked in both zip codes. I know my stuff has years to go before I can say I am accomplished. NOTE: For any of you Pittsburgh based photographers, she wasn't commenting on YOU per se. Just the overall quality of work compared to LA based photogs. I mean hello, do we have a SMASHBOX Studios here. Um...NO! Sure that's just a facility. But do you really know who works in those facilities? Yeah, I was impressed to.
Moving on.....
She offered a few tips. Some I had already thought about. Many not. Some of my ideas probably made her stand up and notice. Mostly because I even thought about them at all. Especially in this area. She has contacts. I do not. One of my ultimate goals is to be able to discover someone. I know I won't get any residual or even credit. But knowing as a personal achievement that I was part of that persons career, would be pretty satisfying.
But along this journey I have begun, it appears to be fraught with danger, disappointment and dangerous enemies. Fashion photography is very demanding. Full of turn downs and difficult people. Most of all, I will not succeed nor achieve the highest level living in or near Pittsburgh. SO with that in mind, have I set my sights on an unachievable dream. Or do I really want to ascend to that level quality and experience.
Well, yes....and no.
I want to be able to provide an image that is like no other. I have been sizing up my local competition. Most are very talented. A few are uber talented. I mean WHOA! They are that good. Some are...pretty bad. I think I fall into the good category. I can produce some dang nice shots. But the areas that I need to learn in are lighting setups and posing.
Well, if that's it, I should be good to go. Um......NO! That's about 98% of the image. You can look at an image and tell if the person is properly posed. Some images just jump out and say "remember me" others are little more than a snapshot with expensive lights.
Show and tell time:
Here is what I feel are great fashion images:
Lauren Loza
Wendell Levi Teodoro
And these are good too, but not the same level:
JLP
CEM
I think there is a difference between the above photographers. One photographer she did mention was on the sucky side when he first started has gone on to do great things after he moved to LA. You can find Scott Miller here. Scott's inspiration is Sante D'Orazio
This will be a long and hard journey.
Moving on.....
She offered a few tips. Some I had already thought about. Many not. Some of my ideas probably made her stand up and notice. Mostly because I even thought about them at all. Especially in this area. She has contacts. I do not. One of my ultimate goals is to be able to discover someone. I know I won't get any residual or even credit. But knowing as a personal achievement that I was part of that persons career, would be pretty satisfying.
But along this journey I have begun, it appears to be fraught with danger, disappointment and dangerous enemies. Fashion photography is very demanding. Full of turn downs and difficult people. Most of all, I will not succeed nor achieve the highest level living in or near Pittsburgh. SO with that in mind, have I set my sights on an unachievable dream. Or do I really want to ascend to that level quality and experience.
Well, yes....and no.
I want to be able to provide an image that is like no other. I have been sizing up my local competition. Most are very talented. A few are uber talented. I mean WHOA! They are that good. Some are...pretty bad. I think I fall into the good category. I can produce some dang nice shots. But the areas that I need to learn in are lighting setups and posing.
Well, if that's it, I should be good to go. Um......NO! That's about 98% of the image. You can look at an image and tell if the person is properly posed. Some images just jump out and say "remember me" others are little more than a snapshot with expensive lights.
Show and tell time:
Here is what I feel are great fashion images:
Lauren Loza
Wendell Levi Teodoro
And these are good too, but not the same level:
JLP
CEM
I think there is a difference between the above photographers. One photographer she did mention was on the sucky side when he first started has gone on to do great things after he moved to LA. You can find Scott Miller here. Scott's inspiration is Sante D'Orazio
This will be a long and hard journey.
posted by Brent Rust at
1:31 PM
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