Photographer Clay

Author: The Photographer Clay

  • Don’t be halfhearted as an artist

    Don’t be halfhearted as an artist

    Don’t be halfhearted as an artist or photographer, or as I like to call myself a photographic artist. Every piece of work we do, especially if we are going to “release it to the wild” should be done with full intensity to make the work a masterpiece. As the saying goes, go big or go home. You cannot make a good name for yourself by churning out incomplete, half-baked, halfhearted projects, work, or art. After all, you are what you create.

    Years ago, I was in a special operations unit. We trained for the “what-if”. When we trained we trained hard and with full intensity. What we discovered was if you trained halfhearted when the time came you were not prepared. While creating art and beautiful photographs may not be life-threatening or have life-and-death impacts the same concept applies. If a piece of work is released without your best effort it can, and often does, become the standard. Once the quality is sacrificed because “you don’t feel like it” you may find many other times when “you don’t feel like it” and release artwork to the world. Once it is out there, it is out there. You’ve let the proverbial “cat out of the bag”. This is especially true if we are producing work for others. Eventually, your clients or customers will see that this wasn’t your best effort and think why didn’t they give me the attention to detail others receive. It will reflect in your reputation.

    The way to becoming better is to work to be better than you were yesterday, last week, or last year. An artist should always create with full intensity and fullhearted effort. Go big or go home or as Yoda (I’m a Star Wars fan) said, “Try not, do or do not, there is no try”. If you truly want to be a photographer and more so if you want to be an artist, do or do not, there is no try.” Even practice with intensity so that you are ready for the big show when it comes because you never know when and suddenly the opportunity presents itself and if you haven’t trained, you won’t be ready.

  • Is it inspiration or theft?

    Is it inspiration or theft?

    I recently began thinking about the difference between using ideas as inspiration versus concept theft. How close to similar is too close? So where is the line? Is there a line? Does it get too close when we start to solicit the possible group that was interested in the first concept to the new similar work?

    First, let’s look at a common definition of intellectual theft; “Intellectual theft is stealing or using without permission someone else’s intellectual property. Intellectual property is any creative or commercial innovation, any new method that has economic value, or any distinctive mark which might include a name, symbol, or logo that’s used in commercial practices.” What if a creative concept has economic value but is put out there to help others? Now it appears it is more of a moral or ethical issue.

    In reality, there is probably little that is done today art-wise that hasn’t been done to some extent in the past. I’ve used works done previously as inspiration when I wanted to do a project and looked to work done by others in the past to build a mood board and examples. I have always thought I put my own spin on the final projects but did I really? For me, this is an interesting quagmire. Is there an answer? Does it matter? Does it make a difference if I know the person whose idea or concept I am wanting to use and ask, “Hey! Do you mind if I give your idea or concept a try?” What if I don’t know the person but the idea was put out there and I just stumbled across it?

    This is definitely something I am going to have to give more thought to.

  • Some days you’re just out of ideas

    There are some days when you just run out of ideas. Creativity is down and you just zone out. Today is one of those days and it’s okay.

    Occasionally, you just have to remind yourself it’s okay to slow down and take a break. This is especially true for me right now as I am rapidly approaching a major life event, retiring from working for employers and going to start working for myself creating art.

    I see lots of artists and photographers who push themselves nearly everyday to create and so many times in the past I’ve seen people just like them burn out and stop completely.

    It is okay to not push yourself too hard. Give yourself time for yourself. Take a day off, better yet take a week off and recharge.

  • Are Photography workshops really workshops

    Are Photography workshops really workshops

    Are photography workshops really workshops or are they becoming guided photography trips? Let us first look at the definition of a workshop;

    1. a room, group of rooms, or building in which work, especially mechanical work, is carried on.

    2. a seminar, discussion group, or the like, that emphasizes the exchange of ideas and the demonstration and application of techniques, skills, etc.:a theater workshop; an opera workshop.

    If that is the case then many times I have either attended a workshop or hosted a workshop when I gather with a group of fellow photographers and creatives to spend the day discussing, and exchanging ideas, and concepts, while creating photographs and art.

    I see so many advertisements for photography workshops that sound more like a guided photography trip yet they are billed as a workshop and cost a small fortune. Am I paying for the knowledge of where to go or are the hosts going to impart their knowledge to me? If it is the latter, are they also going to be taking photographs? Or is this all a way for the host(s) to make money and get their trip paid for by others?

    I often believe there are both types and we have to be careful to fully understand what we are paying for when we book the workshop. The only “workshop” I paid for I looked at it as a guided photography trip where the “hosts” didn’t teach me anything they just had scouted out the areas ahead of time.

    As I wrote about yesterday, everyone seemingly has something to sell us. Presets for photo editing programs, books, contests, and workshops all in the name of “making us better artists”. Do we really need these things or do we need to just create art and photographs? Maybe both?

  • Marketing to artists, are we easy targets?

    Marketing to artists, are we easy targets?

    Are we, artists and photographers, easy to sell to? I often believe we are easy for others to make money from. We buy chances to get published, offer free use of our photographs and art, and pay fees to get an opportunity to “win”.

    I’ve allowed “magazines” the privilege of using my photographs for free when the publisher made money from subscriptions just to say I was published but was I really published or was it the ability to use a free photograph the real selling point? Are we, photographers and artists so caught up in our own ego that we will pay to play?

    It often appears to me that everyone is willing to sell to us and we are willing to pay. Vanity contests, vanity magazines, vanity books, and vanity exhibitions.

    Marcel DuChamp in 1917 submitted “The Fountain” for exhibition in the Society of Independent Artists’ show at The Grand Central Palace in New York. It is said that the submission under the name “R. Mutt” was a protest because the society decided that anyone could be displayed simply by submitting a piece and paying a fee. Have we devolved what is art to anything is art and worthy of exhibition to simply “paying a fee”?

  • Go from average to glamour

    Go from average to glamour

    I have written often about the power of the digital darkroom and I use a variety of tools and software to get the final images I envision. In the past, we also used a variety of tools to achieve these glamorous looks. Soft focus filters, extensive lighting setups, and some advanced darkroom techniques. Despite what the anti-digital darkroom people say, it is always been done, it is just using different tools.

    While it may appear easier today it still requires good technique and a good starting point. Those of us who work extensively in the digital darkroom understand that it takes time and practice to “make it look easier”.

  • Models and the photographic artist

    Models and the photographic artist

    As some of you who have followed this blog for a while may know I call myself a photographic artist. I work to create art with my photographs. The photograph I chose to include today is done so on purpose since it doesn’t represent any model I have worked with in the past because today I am writing about an issue that comes up far too often. Artists who are creepy or sexual predators use art to molest models.

    I’ve worked with models for nearly 10 years and this topic, unfortunately, arises many times a year in my area alone. We’ve read news stories about famous photographers and artists who have not only been accused of molesting models but convicted of their crimes. As a photographic artist, I always recommend a model bring a friend, at very least the first time we work together. I also let models know we will not do any posing or styles they are not comfortable with and I never touch a model. I’ve been instances when models have had wardrobe malfunctions and if that isn’t something that was planned I always let them know they may have a bit more showing than they want and allow them to fix their wardrobe.

    For me, it’s about art nothing more and I get totally appalled and angry at those who take advantage of models. If you are a model and work with photographers or artists who make you feel uncomfortable let others know. If you are a photographer or artist who works with models never push models to do anything they are not comfortable with and agreed upon BEFORE the session. Let’s work to keep everyone safe.

  • Sometimes you have to do simple

    Sometimes you have to do simple

    We were able to “dodge the COVID bullet” for two years until this past week. At first, I suspected I was getting a bit of a cold but soon tested positive for COVID. While I never really felt sick (I’m chalking it up to being current on COVID vaccines) I just didn’t feel like I had much energy, thus the blog went unwritten for a few days.

    During that time I was isolated I received colored gels for use with studio lighting. Since I was feeling I had a bit more energy and was still “stuck” in my house I decided I’d experiment with the gels just to see if they were actually going to fit my need. It’s a nothing photograph of a vintage telephone that sits in my office. I used one of the purple gels to just see how much it changed the color of the light. Experiment success.

    Over the years, I have learned it doesn’t always take something exotic or elaborate to get you inspired and moving again. Sometimes you just need to do something simple. Here’s to getting back on track again. And for those following my journey to retirement from working for others and my journey into the full-time art and photography world, I’m down to 57 days, which equates to something like 34 working days.

  • The importance of model releases

    The importance of model releases

    I didn’t always get model releases signed. Nowadays, I get a model release anytime I photograph people unless they are clearly in public. I do this even when I have no intent to sell the images commercially. Why? Because I have had two occasions where I photographed a model and then a couple of years later they, the model, decided they didn’t like the photograph or photographs. Fortunately, in both instances, I have a signed model release that clearly states I have ownership of the photographs resulting from the session and they have no further claim and the permission is irrevocable. I will say this, in both instances, I followed through with the requests just because it wasn’t that big of an issue for me. On the other hand, the photographs that I was requested to “take down” are examples of my work and were damn good in my opinion.

    One of the biggest reasons model releases are important is that they protect both you and the model by clearly outlining how and where the photographs may be used. In my trade of time model release, I also include how many photographs the model will receive in exchange for their time, a time limit as to when they will receive the images, and the minimum size of the digital images. I also suggest they read the text of the release BEFORE signing. Once the release is signed an email version is sent to both the model and myself.

    If you are not using model releases I would strongly suggest you consider them for each and every session you do with models. As the old adage goes a verbal agreement isn’t worth the paper it is written on.

  • Time and the part-time artist

    Time and the part-time artist

    I suspect I’m not the only one who experiences the problem of feeling there is a shortage of time and creating art. Currently, I work a 40-hour-a-week job and create art in my “spare” time. Lately, it seems that “spare” time is virtually nonexistent. I’m up every day at 4 AM, the three S’s, make coffee, and sit to write a blog entry. Then it is off to the “job”. My so-called 9 to 5 isn’t mentally taxing but it is often physical. By the time I get back home at about 3:30 PM, I’m just ready to vegetate. There are days when I force myself to come in and work on some projects but over the years what I have discovered is that creativity just can’t be forced. It doesn’t happen when you sit down and say, come on come up with some great art, at least for me.

    I know it is difficult to say, to hell with it I’ll just quit my job and work making art full-time. Most of us have commitments and bills to be paid. We also know it is tough to break into becoming a successful well-paid artist. So, what is happening for me, is that I have worked at a job for the past 50 years or so and I’m in a position to retire and devote more time to creating art. My health is still good, but my mind, well sometimes it wanders, oh look a squirrel, and then suddenly a random song or line from a movie pops out.

    It’s never too late to start creating art. If you are passionate, I know that word gets bantered about far too often, about creating art take advantage of it, and do as much as you can as soon as you can, but I have also seen many people get burnt out when working a “day job” and creating photographic art. Many I have known over the years are no longer photographers or, as I have done a few times, let their equipment sit for weeks or months at a time. This is the quandary of the part-time artist. So much to create and often so little time.