Photo notes and motes
Nov. 24th, 2009 09:33 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
jjmaccrimmonAs mentioned yesterday
To my friends, family, readers, and interested parties: I apologize that I haven’t been as available to comment, pass along news and views and so forth. It’s not been a matter of disinterest, disengagement or disrespect. While I have been trying to read many of your blogs, posts, comments and tweets; commenting (intelligently) has been an iffy prospect based on time and brain cells available.
As for myself, I admit it; I have failed utterly at keeping up with my blog(s). Other than the Nature Photo of the Day/Week, and the occasional random video find, the last few weeks (er.. months) have been an exercise at merely keeping my head above water.
Financially, socially, creatively and physically, I’ve been stretched way out of shape and struggling to keep up with everything. Instead I’ve been keeping with the old adage of sweat the big stuff and the little things will fall into place. I’ve dropped doing a bunch of things until very recently. In some cases, this has proven to be a learning experience of what is important, necessary and just plain irritating. Before you get any wrong impressions, life’s been good for the most part – just VERY busy.
As always, family and work comes first. The remaining time available to do anything and everything has been a heavy influence on my photo production, editing and marketing my efforts. It takes time to select photos for print. It takes time (money and creative direction) to assemble a web site. It takes time to prepare and print promotional material, flyers and ads. Time is something I don’t have in great abundance, especially with the requirement to have a day job to pay bills, to take care of my children, my home and have any hope of keeping up skills. At this point, I’d come to some simple conclusions.
1. I need a web site developer and maintainer
I’ve selected one and will be working to get the website and gallery functional again very soon.
2. I need an agent/production assistant
In order to promote my work, book festivals/shows and other assignments, I’ve got to get someone looking at this more than I have been able to lately. Most likely this will be after the first of the year and a part-time gig.
3. I need an indoor site where I can consistently shoot
Lincoln was great for some shooting. Lowe has been great as well. In each case, they’ve been inconsistent in terms of availability, reasonable costs, comfort or privacy. I need to location to work in if it’s only a shed, with an air conditioner, power, four walls and a ceiling.
Art & Photography
I’ve been settling on a series of nature, model and abandon site photos to print and publish this week. It’s been a long time coming due t funds and time. I’ve held off on committing to this kind of expense as the funds started coming in again (in trickles and spurts) till now. I didn’t want to blow money I didn’t have or buy stock material when no-one was buying much in the venues I’ve dealt with.
FlyMo “issues”
I finally got the chance to chat with Cheryl about the Anti-Fashion Show and the background stuff going on with my relationship with the Flying Monkey. Since I have at least one member of the FlyMo Board on my friends list here, I'll couch my comments. What I was told was that the Board had issues with photographers selling photos of shows and how it made the FlyMo look. She (as producer) limited the number of photogs 'allowed' to shoot (even if it wasn't enforced beyond me). To note:
* I have never sold any of my photos from shows I've photographed at the Flying Monkey, though I've been considered it. I see no difference between selling a photo of a show (that I've paid to see) versus an artist who paints a portrait based on a show photo or someone else posting for public view images of their performance group.
* I've always provided a digital copy of all retained images to the show's producers afterwards and frequently provided them free advertising before a following show. This is pretty much how the rest of the entertainment community works (well) everywhere else. It's a win-win for the photog and the show/event so long as the photos are tasteful.
* I've never had a single complaint come to my attention from any producer here or in LA about the quality of the product or manner I've supplied it.
I've also learned that the comments by a new photographer (selling) at the FlyMo Artist's Market were BS on his part. He bragged that he was offered a booth/stall "within the next couple months." Cheryl reassured me that no-one on the Board would have made this kind of statement. I guess this is good news, but it still doesn't give me a timeline for when or reassurance of if I'll ever be able to move into a stall. At this point, I feel a bit more comfortable that there isn't an individual speaking out against my being there. I still don't exactly feel a warm fuzzy about shooting shows there or being allowed to ever shoot using the auditorium. I guess time will tell.
Pin-Up Photo set
As mentioned, back on the 25th of October, we had one of the most amazing photo experiences ever. Four models posed for Wendy and I. We got something in the range of 700 photos between us and have been dilegently to edit and provide to the subjects involved. These are marketable photos so we're doing them right. The results have been nothing less than stunning.
Short notice shoot for a publication
One of my friends was accepted as a subject for an article on tattooed runners and the tattoos their running inspired. Wendy and I shot together on very short notice. It would appear that Wendy's photo of a steampunk inspired tattoo was selected over mine. Oh well, at least I know one of our photos made it in, though it might have been nice hearing this at the same time as Wendy.
Contact by a major production company in Los Angeles
They wanted abandoned site info for a video they were producing. When I finally relocated the info after a few days, they'd already selected another site. I am yet waiting for further follow-ups because of the sites I have available there; but I think they want something different.
Contact by a major “erotic art” photog in LA..
They also wanted site info, but due to the nature of their material, they wanted owners names and contacts. That kinda goes against the whole "abandoned site" concept. In someplaces I've been able to find the owner, but in many of those southern Cal locations, the ownership was about as clear as visibility in a sand-storm. While I could offer up info and possibly strike up a business arrangement, I think the well known photog/producer and I are approaching the subject from routes that won't benefit each of us the way we hope.
Dr Sketchy’s and Shows
As some have hopefully noticed, I've returned to shooting a Dr Sketchy's Anti-Art Show session. In this case the Nashville session is very fun, fiesty and advant' guarde. It's as big now as was the Los Angeles sessions when I last attended. The models are gleemed from a number of Nashville performance groups and are fairly poised. We've been to two sessions and are going back to the next one in December (which is themed as naughty AND nice with Shibari planned for the model).
While on the subject of Nashville and shows, we drove up to Nashville (for a weekend) to see my friends in Ego Likeness perform in conjunction with Bella Morte and (Los Angeles based)
Versailles. The show was tremendous and we got there early to grab prime spots to shoot. So far those photos look awesome. Wendy even commented that it was very easy to get into the energy and excitement of Ego Likeness's performance.
We also crossed paths with another local photog we had some issues with at the October Dr. Sketchy's. I'm going to stay on the high ground and merely say that his greeting to us that night less than cordial. While his attitude was cool to us that Saturday, it was downright hostile the next evening at the November Sketchy's session. He actually threatened us because of some imagined or percieved slights to friends at the show the night before. The problem is that other the bands and the promoters we spoke to no-one other than to say sorry here and there. After his verbal threat, even the hostess apologized with embarassment for the outburst. I guess time will tell. He's since sent a friend's request on the other blog and seems calmed. Time will tell.
To my friends, family, readers, and interested parties: I apologize that I haven’t been as available to comment, pass along news and views and so forth. It’s not been a matter of disinterest, disengagement or disrespect. While I have been trying to read many of your blogs, posts, comments and tweets; commenting (intelligently) has been an iffy prospect based on time and brain cells available.
As for myself, I admit it; I have failed utterly at keeping up with my blog(s). Other than the Nature Photo of the Day/Week, and the occasional random video find, the last few weeks (er.. months) have been an exercise at merely keeping my head above water.
Financially, socially, creatively and physically, I’ve been stretched way out of shape and struggling to keep up with everything. Instead I’ve been keeping with the old adage of sweat the big stuff and the little things will fall into place. I’ve dropped doing a bunch of things until very recently. In some cases, this has proven to be a learning experience of what is important, necessary and just plain irritating. Before you get any wrong impressions, life’s been good for the most part – just VERY busy.
As always, family and work comes first. The remaining time available to do anything and everything has been a heavy influence on my photo production, editing and marketing my efforts. It takes time to select photos for print. It takes time (money and creative direction) to assemble a web site. It takes time to prepare and print promotional material, flyers and ads. Time is something I don’t have in great abundance, especially with the requirement to have a day job to pay bills, to take care of my children, my home and have any hope of keeping up skills. At this point, I’d come to some simple conclusions.
1. I need a web site developer and maintainer
I’ve selected one and will be working to get the website and gallery functional again very soon.
2. I need an agent/production assistant
In order to promote my work, book festivals/shows and other assignments, I’ve got to get someone looking at this more than I have been able to lately. Most likely this will be after the first of the year and a part-time gig.
3. I need an indoor site where I can consistently shoot
Lincoln was great for some shooting. Lowe has been great as well. In each case, they’ve been inconsistent in terms of availability, reasonable costs, comfort or privacy. I need to location to work in if it’s only a shed, with an air conditioner, power, four walls and a ceiling.
Art & Photography
I’ve been settling on a series of nature, model and abandon site photos to print and publish this week. It’s been a long time coming due t funds and time. I’ve held off on committing to this kind of expense as the funds started coming in again (in trickles and spurts) till now. I didn’t want to blow money I didn’t have or buy stock material when no-one was buying much in the venues I’ve dealt with.
FlyMo “issues”
I finally got the chance to chat with Cheryl about the Anti-Fashion Show and the background stuff going on with my relationship with the Flying Monkey. Since I have at least one member of the FlyMo Board on my friends list here, I'll couch my comments. What I was told was that the Board had issues with photographers selling photos of shows and how it made the FlyMo look. She (as producer) limited the number of photogs 'allowed' to shoot (even if it wasn't enforced beyond me). To note:
* I have never sold any of my photos from shows I've photographed at the Flying Monkey, though I've been considered it. I see no difference between selling a photo of a show (that I've paid to see) versus an artist who paints a portrait based on a show photo or someone else posting for public view images of their performance group.
* I've always provided a digital copy of all retained images to the show's producers afterwards and frequently provided them free advertising before a following show. This is pretty much how the rest of the entertainment community works (well) everywhere else. It's a win-win for the photog and the show/event so long as the photos are tasteful.
* I've never had a single complaint come to my attention from any producer here or in LA about the quality of the product or manner I've supplied it.
I've also learned that the comments by a new photographer (selling) at the FlyMo Artist's Market were BS on his part. He bragged that he was offered a booth/stall "within the next couple months." Cheryl reassured me that no-one on the Board would have made this kind of statement. I guess this is good news, but it still doesn't give me a timeline for when or reassurance of if I'll ever be able to move into a stall. At this point, I feel a bit more comfortable that there isn't an individual speaking out against my being there. I still don't exactly feel a warm fuzzy about shooting shows there or being allowed to ever shoot using the auditorium. I guess time will tell.
Pin-Up Photo set
As mentioned, back on the 25th of October, we had one of the most amazing photo experiences ever. Four models posed for Wendy and I. We got something in the range of 700 photos between us and have been dilegently to edit and provide to the subjects involved. These are marketable photos so we're doing them right. The results have been nothing less than stunning.
Short notice shoot for a publication
One of my friends was accepted as a subject for an article on tattooed runners and the tattoos their running inspired. Wendy and I shot together on very short notice. It would appear that Wendy's photo of a steampunk inspired tattoo was selected over mine. Oh well, at least I know one of our photos made it in, though it might have been nice hearing this at the same time as Wendy.
Contact by a major production company in Los Angeles
They wanted abandoned site info for a video they were producing. When I finally relocated the info after a few days, they'd already selected another site. I am yet waiting for further follow-ups because of the sites I have available there; but I think they want something different.
Contact by a major “erotic art” photog in LA..
They also wanted site info, but due to the nature of their material, they wanted owners names and contacts. That kinda goes against the whole "abandoned site" concept. In someplaces I've been able to find the owner, but in many of those southern Cal locations, the ownership was about as clear as visibility in a sand-storm. While I could offer up info and possibly strike up a business arrangement, I think the well known photog/producer and I are approaching the subject from routes that won't benefit each of us the way we hope.
Dr Sketchy’s and Shows
As some have hopefully noticed, I've returned to shooting a Dr Sketchy's Anti-Art Show session. In this case the Nashville session is very fun, fiesty and advant' guarde. It's as big now as was the Los Angeles sessions when I last attended. The models are gleemed from a number of Nashville performance groups and are fairly poised. We've been to two sessions and are going back to the next one in December (which is themed as naughty AND nice with Shibari planned for the model).
While on the subject of Nashville and shows, we drove up to Nashville (for a weekend) to see my friends in Ego Likeness perform in conjunction with Bella Morte and (Los Angeles based)
Versailles. The show was tremendous and we got there early to grab prime spots to shoot. So far those photos look awesome. Wendy even commented that it was very easy to get into the energy and excitement of Ego Likeness's performance.
We also crossed paths with another local photog we had some issues with at the October Dr. Sketchy's. I'm going to stay on the high ground and merely say that his greeting to us that night less than cordial. While his attitude was cool to us that Saturday, it was downright hostile the next evening at the November Sketchy's session. He actually threatened us because of some imagined or percieved slights to friends at the show the night before. The problem is that other the bands and the promoters we spoke to no-one other than to say sorry here and there. After his verbal threat, even the hostess apologized with embarassment for the outburst. I guess time will tell. He's since sent a friend's request on the other blog and seems calmed. Time will tell.
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no subject
Date: 2009-11-25 01:20 pm (UTC)I do so appreciate the time you and Wendy took to take the photos for me!
no subject
Date: 2009-12-02 10:15 pm (UTC)