Response to book

First of all I want to say that I really like the color choice and texture of this book. I was also really happy when I got it in the mail that it was not huge. I am really glad that this book was not long and boring. Every section was to the point and did not ramble on about the same thing for pages and pages. It covers a lot of information in a small, easy to read book. It is also really similar to the book we had to read for Senior Show. 

I think that this book is great for fine art photographers. Even though I do not want to pursue fine art photography there was a lot of information that was helpful and that I could use. I needed the reassurance with my name being used as a logo. For a long time I have been going back and forth with the thought of needing to create an image as a logo instead of just using my name. I have also been unsure if I needed to change my email address to match my website and this book helped me make that decision. I think that it definitely sounds more professional to have your first and last name for your website as well as you email address. It's also a lot easier for clients to remember. I still can't decide if I should have a separate business card for cosmetology and photography. It would be easier to just have one. I also combine both professions into one job. I think that since I can do the hair, makeup and be the photographer for a photo shoot it would be ok to just have one business card. 

One thing that I thought was kind of funny was that in the marketing section Schwartz says to have your twitter handle on your business card. She doesn't say, "it would be a good idea to have your twitter handle" she says, "to" have your twitter handle. I guess she assumes that everyone has a twitter account. She does mention later about Facebook and how it is, "the baseline social media platform" and how so many people have it. I'm not a fan of social media for personal use but I think that Facebook would be the best way to get information out to almost everyone about your business. I also like instagram because it is photo based which fits right into the industry we are entering. 

Something that I learned from this book was about editions. I know that an edition is only a certain number of a particular image but I did not realize that a different size started a new set of editions. I always thought that if the image was the same that it was a part of the same edition. I felt like the book read my mind because as soon as I was thinking, "well what if I want to make more prints!?" Then I read about making AP editions. I don't think that making editions would be a good idea for me. I'm too indecisive. 

Did anyone else notice the horrible type setting in this book? They must not of had a good graphic designer. They also put a space before and after an m dash which David Shields always said was not allowed. 

Overall this book was helpful. Even though it was geared towards fine art photography there was a lot of useful information for me. It will be good to have to refer back to if I have questions or to pass on to another new photographer in the future. 

Book Review

I thought the book was an easy read and I appreciate that it is catered specifically to photographers.

The section called "Set the Stage" was helpful for me.  The author talks about how difficult it is for a photographer to edit their own work.  I always find it to be difficult to narrow down images or decide on a sequence.  The book mentions that local gallerists and curators will usually take out time to look at your work and give constructive feedback if you ask right.  I think that's a good idea because they are constantly surrounded by art and have an experienced eye.

The section on artist statements was helpful.  I like how there is a breakdown of what to include and what not to include.  I also like that there are examples of good and bad artist statements.  The information on gallery representation and exhibition proposals has some good information.  I appreciated the questions to ask before you sign with a gallery so you know what you are getting into.

I like that the book provides a list of online magazines, photo blogs, and portfolio review programs.  I had heard of a few of the websites but it's nice to know other prominent ones out there.  It's also great to know what portfolio reviews are out there.  I have never been to one but I imagine that it would be a great experience to have professional look at your portfolio and a good way to network.  


Overall, I think this book covers a lot of information and keeps things in the simplest terms so it's easy to digest.  It can be overwhelming to lean all these new things like residency programs, artist statements, gallery representation, and coming up with goals for your art.  This book makes everything seem doable and less daunting. 

Book Response

I thought this book was very similar to the book we are reading for senior show, Art/Work. I do appreciate this book because it is focused on photographers, unlike Art/Work, which is very generalized. A lot of the other book's content is not relevant to what I am trying to do so this book was a good break from the other.

I also find pricing my work difficult. Art/Work suggests that you price your work according to how much it cost you to make it. I feel that photography is harder to price. I could estimate  the cost of the frame and print; however, how would I go about figuring out how much "equipment" I used. For instance, I buy a $500 lens.. am I supposed to figure out some sort of equation to add in the cost of my equipment + the cost of the frame and the print? Crusade for your Art advises you to price your work based on how much money would would like to receive for it. I feel like I am not experienced enough in prices to know how much I would like to receive for a print.

When reading the "Branding" section, I found it interesting that the author advises us to create our business cards first. I personally disagree with this. I feel that you should make your website prior to this because you are most likely going to put a link to your website on your card. If you give someone your card and your website isn't ready then what will happen? Someone will see your website looking incomplete. For me, I think it is important to create the website first because of this reason.

I also thought that the section "Selling Your Work Online" was interesting. Before reading this book, I had not read many things regarding selling prints. I don't know how I feel about selling my prints online. I somewhat feel as though galleries and museums would be turned off from representing you since they do not know how much of your work has been sold online. I kind of lean more towards the argument that selling work online does decrease the value of your work, since the only work I've seen sold online seems very commercialized.

Overall, I found the book to be a quick, easy read. I didn't dose off, like I do when reading most other books. I thought it was straight-to-the-point and relevant to photography. I also appreciate the comments made by people in the art world, including photographers and publishers.

Updates

I have been busy editing and printing works for my senior show. It is to be hung salon style and incorporates vintage frames. I hope you all can see it!

Also, I've been working on my website. Link: marymorrisstudio.com
Let me know how it looks.

PHOTOS COMING SOON

Im uploading all the shoots that I've done so far, which have been 4 girls all of different competitions. I plan to show you some of  the final ones by the end of the weekend and would appreciate any feedback!

Super Update

So, I was having trouble in the beginning of the semester on what portraits to take, I was bouncing back ideas with outside shooting and a continuous light and studio lighting. They were ok, but weren't working the theme that I was going for. After weeks of contemplation I found a solution, Fem Fatal. This concept is pretty much about "fems" in the lesbian world who, for lack of better words, play the devils advocate in their appearance. Obviously as men, straight and some gay, "stud" women, we have this identify to be masculine. So the answer to who we like, or what we like is already on the outside. But for "fems" this isn't that straight forward. The idea sounded great, but unfortunately I couldn't get a hold of anyone. I kept trying but I came to a dead end. I though, we what else effects me in this world, and thats when Melanin Queen came to mind. Now as some of you know there is this "thing" going around about being Melanin, any insoluble pigment found that account for the dark color of skin. So I did some thinking and came to a conclusion of what I wanted to do. So I chose a couple girls that ranged from the lightest of the darkest of the dark. I wanted my project not only to be about Melanin itself, but about the richness of the skin and how each of these skin complexions makes that girl who she truly is, and to be proud of what color you are. Imagine if you were lighter or darker, it wouldn't be the same, so embrace what makes you, you. I will be posting pictures by the end of today. Ive shoot three girls so far, and I have another shoot tomorrow. Ill probably finish with 6 girls after all this is over with.

Christian Moll Blog Post

 Patrick Rochon

Patrick Rochon is well renowned light painting photographer. Rochon started light painting in Montreal in 1992. He has done many ad campaigns for major car companies, magazines and other big companies like Red Bull. Rochon also does multi-media light painting shows for festivals and other similar events. His collaboration with Red Bull and Snap!, mixing art-technology and wake boarding, is an excellent example of exploring new grounds of light painting and Rochon does a phenomenal job with his projects.
I was really inspired by Rochon work especially with how it relates to my final project. Light painting is an amazing art form. It really enhances your imagination, wakes up your intuition and mirrors who you are through the photos. I plan to use my final project to do just that. I really want to exploit the wonders of the abstract forms of everyday light you see with simplistic touches of light painting.

website

I thought I would try to use tumblr for my website.  I'm still working out the technical stuff and I only uploaded one set of photos but it is a start. I still need to add info like bio and contact.  I think I like the layout of this one but I could still change it.  Any thoughts? 

http://bripicone.tumblr.com/

Website update

http://anthonycolon0109.wix.com/mysite-1

So i think i finally finished my website, it still needs just a bit more tweeking. Let me know what you guys think. I was going for the simplistic look.

Matthias Haker

Matthias Haker is a self taught photographer who lives in Dresden, Germany. He makes pictures of architecture and interior spaces as well as people, fashion, and weddings. In this series above called Impermanence he photographs vacant, run down, magically beautiful architectures "somewhere in Europe".   Haker's photographs are very saturated and rich in color. There is a great amount of detail and texture in his photos. His perspective varies from a tripod or standing position to the floor of from above. These photos are interesting to me because I love old architecture especially something that was once beautiful. The color and detail that is displayed in the photos are amazing. I would really like to be able to travel and take pictures like these.

Narrowing Down Images

Here are my latest photos.  I think I am close to having a set of five final images. 

While I was taking these photos I was really thinking about light and its placement in the photo and how the light impacted the subjects.  I also considered the location and negative space around the subjects and the role the subjects played within their environments.

Chosen photos for Senior Show

These are the finished photos that I have decided to use in senior show

Niki Boon

Boon makes only black and white photographs. The photos above are of her children. The purpose of taking these pictures was so that Boon could capture the innocence of her four children as they were growing up. 

All of these pictures seem to use natural lighting. The outer edges of the pictures are darker with the subject more lit. Boon also uses foreground and background in her images to accentuate the subject. 

I was drawn to Boons images because of the environment in which her subjects are placed. I also really like that the photos are of her children growing up on a farm. The photos remind me of a life I would want my children to have one day.