Graduate Critique Seminar PHOT-709-A01

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Fashion photography is considered a genre of photography that has been around since the 1800’s. An historical fashion photographer who inspires me to photograph fashion photography is Gordon Parks, who was a freelance photographer for Vogue Magazine in the early 1940’s and in 1948 he became a staff photographer for Life magazine.

Fashion photography consists of avant-garde, couture, beauty and creative looks. Fashion photography can be seen in high fashion magazines such as Vogue, Teen Vogue, W, Style, GQ, Glamour and Allure, which are under Conde’ Nast Publications. Other infamous fashion magazines are Marie Claire, Harper’s Bazaar, Elle and Cosmopolitan. Most fashion photography that we see on these infamous magazines are graced by celebrities.

On the cover and inside of these popular magazines are infamous fashion designers such as Christina Dior, Michael Kors, Chanel, Marc Jacobs, Louis Vuitton, Yves Saint Laurent, Dolce & Gabbana just to name a few. These fashion designers are pieces of the pie that make up for fashion photography.

To me fashion photography has three pieces, an idea, a theme and execution. The idea is what the clothing designer and photographer discuss for the photo shoot. When I shoot fashion photography most of my clients have a fashion designer and we discuss how they want their clothing to be photographed. The theme is usually my idea and I usually choose whether if we are going to shoot in the studio, location or both. I get inspired for a specific theme for photographing fashion photography by the sketches that are emailed to me. Most of my fashion photography I shoot in the studio now because I like to photograph clients with my studio lights. The execution part of fashion photography is/ can be a multi-part session. Execution can consist of actually photographing the client and post-editing photographs. For me my fashion photography and most of my photography work has little post-editing. I utilize Photoshop, of course every photographer does. However, I know how to use my cameras as a tool and prefer to shoot it correct in the camera to avoid post-editing work. Fashion photography is forever changing and with those changes I want to be apart of the fashion industry.

Current fashion photographers who inspire me are Don Flood, David Oldham, Jeff Harris (product photography), James White, Mario Testino, and Martin Evening.

Work by my FAVORITE photog: Don Flood

www.donfloodphoto.com

Fashion Photography links:

http://www.vogue.com/

http://www.harpersbazaar.com/

http://www.elle.com/

http://www.cosmopolitan.com/

http://www.artmixphotography.com/

http://www.condenast.com/

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My Nikon D40 to my beautiful Nikon D200s. When I made the decision to become a photographer I had no clue about cameras, lens, aperture, shutter speed or ISO. I was a novice to say the least. The year was 2007, and I was scoping out the downtown Atlanta area, near Auburn Ave and came across this artistic building called Studioplex Atlanta. As I was walking around I saw a photographer D. Austin photographing a model and asked if I could watch him shoot. He was using a Nikon D40 and I knew then and there I wanted to shoot high fashion. Two weeks later I saved up enough money and bough a Nikon D40 from amazon.com. I started shooting flowers, buildings, cars passing, bugs on the side of my ghetto ass apartment building.

The specs for the Nikon D40 are 6.1 megapixels, 2.5-inch LCD with three display options; built-in flash and hot shoe, shoots  up to 2.5 frames per second, uses one rechargeable Li-ion battery EN-EL9, stores images on SD memory cards and weighs about 1.6 pounds. It’s a good amateur starter camera. I have to find images on my 320GB and 250GB external drive for images that I shot with my D40.

In July 2009, I was hired by the Marietta Daily Journal as a full-time staff photographer/ photojournalist. The chief photographer was surprised that the images that I had on my website were shot by my Nikon D40. He then told me that I had to “upgrade” my camera and I began online shopping for another camera. I am a Nikon lover and I knew that I wanted to stay in the Nikon family. I then bought two Nikon D200s and sold the Nikon D40. I then bought my 17-55mm lens (2.8) and 70-200mm lens (2.8) VR. The specs for the Nikon D200 are 10.2-megapixel SLR, 2.5-inch LCD, Five frame-per-second, stores images on (compact flash) CF cards, powered by EN-EL3a or EN-EL3 rechargeable lithium-ion battery and weighs 2 pounds.
Here are are my babies (photo taken with Blackberry 9650, 3.2 megapixels)

I also shoot video so now I am looking for a camera that shoots still and video, maybe the Nikon D90, Nikon D3100, or Nikon D5100

Nikon links:

http://nikon.com/

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/

http://www.keh.com/

NOTE: Images I shot with my Nikon D200 (17-55mm)

NOTE: I shoot sports and headshots with my long lens (70-200mm)

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How tethering works/ shooting tethering

When my friends called me one day in 2007 and told me that he flew to California to shoot a wedding and that he lost his CF card he did some research and found a feature called tethering. Johnny said that he had to give his clients their money back and hope their family members had photos in their smartphones from the wedding. He owned his own studio and immediately did research on tethering. Introducing tethering.

Tethering: “shooting while tethered provides immediate feedback about your work on a larger screen, making it easier to review and adjust your approach mid shoot and let the “keepers” enter your digital workflow more quickly.” (http://thephotogeek.com/choosing-nikon-dslr-camera-tethered-shooting-software/)

I have photographed my clients shooting via tethering and they absolutely love it. It gives the client the ability to view what they are doing while we are shooting and edit their faces/ poses.  It can also save you money from buying SD and CF cards as well. I can defiantly understand why my photographer friend was upset when he lost his CF card of his clients wedding day.

Tethering software:

DIYPhotobits.com Camera Control

Loligo Tether

gPhoto2

Icarus Camera Control

PhotoRemote

StudioTether

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Lumiere Art Gallery

On Thursday, October 6, 2011 my graduate critique seminar class and I went to the Lumiere Art Gallery in Atlanta, GA. Initially when I went to the website and saw the current exhibition “Photography as Propaganda” I was not excited about going to the art gallery. I browsed through the website and saw works by Boris Ignatovich, Dorothea Lange, Yevgeny Khaldei, Peter Sekaer, Ivan Shagin, John Gutmann, Alexandr Ustinov, Rondal Partridge, Max Alpert and Georgi Zelma. Most of you all know that I am not too familiar with the history of photography, but that is why I am in school (and I want to make more money). But truthfully I have learned so much about photography and the history of photography. But I digress. As I walked through the gallery I was amazed to see the images of photojournalist and their  shooting style is almost the same as mine.

While shooting for the Marietta Daily Journal and Cherokee Tribune for two years  I learned a lot about the technical aspects of shooting ie: aperture, shutter speed, ISO, exposure compensation shooting using my TTL cord (didn’t have to have the damn speedlight on the hotshoe all the time). What caught my eye at this gallery was that most of the images that are on display are ways that I have shot. I shared this at Lumiere Art Gallery but it was “amazing” to me that the photographer John Gutmann knew how to take a group photo with numerous people in it and have everyone in focus. Top image by SJ Photography; Bottom image by John Gutmann (TIP: use a small aperture f/14,16,18,20, or 22).

Mikhail Trakman’s image of a man kissing his wife good-bye (foreground) and the man sitting on the left in the background slightly out of focus was how I was “trained” to shoot photojournalism (TIP: place subject in the foreground, use a wide aperture f/2.8, 3.2, 4) and your background image is blurred. I have photos like that on my website. Again, it was amazing to me how in the 1930′s these same techniques that I use today were being utilized back then and they were shooting film. There was no LCD monitor to review your image and if the exposure wasn’t right you could delete and re-shoot. No these were correctly exposed images of a nasty war being told and these photographers did it so well. Top image by SJ Photography; Bottom image by Mikhail Trakman.

Max Alpert’s curvaceous image of the Dneprostroy Dam in 1932 is an aerial view of the dam, however the half- circular, water flow brings the image to life. It is beautiful. (TIP: shoot it however you want)

Alexander Ustinov’s image of fireworks by is something that I would shoot my self (TIP: dark night when the fireworks explode into the air and try camera settings at f/3.2 and shutter of 60, if you want blur as the fireworks come down slow down your shutter speed).

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Competition. It is something that most of us fear. However, it does exist and as a photographer I have competition. Merriam- Webster’s definition of competition: the act or process of competing : rivalry: as a : the effort of two or more parties acting independently to secure the business of a third party by offering the most favorable terms. This past week in my graduate critique seminar class we looked at each other’s work for our final project. While I was sitting in class and we were reviewing each other’s work I realized that I was in competition with my fellow classmates. I look to myself as a great photographer, however my peers are my competition and they are great photographers and graphic designers. In a sense I was a little envious of the work that was displayed on the walls.

Themes of my peers final project consisted of street photography, a sickly grandmother, unity, iPhone self portraiture, digital manipulation with film photography and much more. I realized that my competition has opened my eyes to the many notions of photography. Their work was amazing. And even though they are my competition I wanted to see more of their work. Their series gave us a great introduction to the photography skills, graphic skills, printing and framing.

I enjoy viewing creative lighting, colorful images, fashion photography and photojournalism. But critiquing my peers work last week I had another take on photography. I know that I can shoot, again I’m a great photographer but I would like to push myself more to create creative images that we viewed on the walls of room 552 at SCAD Atlanta.

I was ecstatic to see how creative other photographers and individuals are and can’t wait to see more images/ work from my competitors. Great work fellow photographers.

NOTE: Prof. McMullin says its not a competition

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Photographing products. I rarely photograph products, but last week I was contacted by two graduate Luxury Management students at SCAD-Atlanta to photograph everyday products with jewelry. I was thinking how in the hell am I going to shoot this shit for these ladies. I was so nervous when I was photographing their images that I had to turn my air on in my apartment. I prefer to shoot people, I can tell them to move left, right, drop their chin or fix their shirt or whatever. But with products I am fully in control of the subject. I have to be an art director and photographer.

Here are some “product” shots by SJ Photography

products that I have shot have been clutches for Rebecca Robinson (www.psnob.com) May 2010and for my friend Ken Jones (Tribute to Oprah broach) June 2011who sells jewelry. I know in numerous blogs it sounds like I am bragging on myself saying that I am a great photographer. I apologize for being narcissistic. But I am starting to become more comfortable and actually enjoying photographing products. It is funny that I say I am enjoying to photograph products now because this past weekend I shot the Taste of Atlanta and the company (Indako.com) asked me to photograph some products for him. It is 6 green water bottles, a bottle of vodka and some glasses. So Sunday I came home and thought again “how am I going to shoot this?” I haven’t shot the products yet, one of my softboxes broke and I am waiting on my new silver and white umbrellas to come. Its like how my mother says “put it out there and it will come to you.” I like to photograph fashion and photojournalism but I also want to shoot products. An inspiring commercial photographer who shoots products is Jeff Harris (www.jeffharrisphoto.com)

Here are some “product” shots by SJ Photography

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Images by Jeff Harris (www.jeffharrisphoto.com)

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My fucking photography equipment is breaking…dammit. Tonight I am not going to talk about anything technical dealing with photography (so to speak). I am venting about my photography equipment starting to fall apart. I don’t even have 300 words to say/ type because I am so upset. Right now as I am typing this blog post I am banging on my keyboard.

In 2007 when I began photography I bought my light kit: SP150B Studio Light Kit by Square Perfect which consists of 2 (20×28) soft-boxes, (1) gold umbrella, (3) travel backdrops (black, white and gray) and backdrop stands.

Part I of my fucking photography equipment breaking. I was shooting one of my fashion designers (Avnah Davis-Long) and it was windy outside and I don’t have any sandbags (now I am going to order some). The wind carried my softbox and punctured a hole in the Velcro sidepart (for lack of better words).

Part II of my fucking photography equipment breaking. I was shooting another fashion designer (Janesa Johnson) for my Grad Critique class and  I thought my extension was cord longer and pulled on the cord to plug into the wall. I had my light stand extended all the way up and the next thing I heard was “boom.” When I turned the light on all I heard was a loud “beeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeep” so now I have to buy a new flash head. $132.95…Sorry Prof McMullin & classmates I am not too happy right now about my equipment (the money I am going to have to spend). I have even tried to take the flash head apart and fix but it still not working. The bulb is still working, just the flash head is broken. My mother said “well honey at least it means that you are shooting a lot and I know how much you love photography.” Maybe Alex H can fix softbox & flash head since he works at the Cave (hope he reads this).

http://www.squareperfect.com/Strobes-Flash-Heads/Square-Perfect-150WS-p5531167.html

Square Perfect 150W/S SP150 Strobe / Flash Head

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Shooting photojournalism. I think the hardest thing about being a photographer is being a photojournalist. Shooting for the newspaper I would get ooh’s and awe’s about my photo equipment all the time. In a sense it was a distraction to me. I am only 5’4 and I was carrying around two Nikon D200’s (17-55mm lens and 70-200mm lens). My mother says, “Honey your like a buck-o-nine and you have the huge lenses.”

While on assignment for the Marietta Daily Journal and the Cherokee Tribune I shot food, new, lifestyle, sports, 1A feature art. And I didn’t mind shooting those I was nervous about walking up to the person and asking them “Hi my name is Samantha and I’m a photographer for the MDJ or CT and I just got a shot of you, can I please get your name for the newspaper?” That was scary to me. I became a photographer to be creative and to be behind the camera. I had to come out of my shell and actually talk to individuals. That was nerve racking to me.

I became the full-time photographer for the Cherokee Tribune and since Cherokee County is small I was shooting people and events over and over and they began to recognize me. It made me a better photographer, a better woman and a better person.  Here are some shots from my photojournalism days. Enjoy.

My fellow classmates blogs:

samantha wilson
www.johynewilson.wordpress.com & http://sjphotography.tumblr.com/

madeline anton
www.atelierteller.wordpress.com

catherine hamrick
www.catherinejane8.blogspot.com

nicole lecorgne
www.nicolelecorgne.com/news

alexander hadjidakis
www.alexanderhadjidakis.com/blog/

emily harris
www.ehmodphoto.wordpress.com

cammi lusk
http://cammiluskphotography.blogspot.com/

alexandra marrero
www.ladynikon.blogspot.com

jarrett christian durney
www.framereview.wordpress.com

xiaoyan fan
www.xiaoyanfan.blogspot.com

holly schumacher
www.hollyjimages.com/blog

forest McMullin (My Professor)
http://forestmcmullin.blogspot.com/

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I have to say that this has been a hell of a quarter. Coming into the Masters of Fine Arts Photography program at Savannah College of Arts and Design, I thought I knew EVERYTHING about photography. I was so sure that I was going to “sky high” in my graduate classes. Little did I know, I didn’t even know, understand or have even studied the history of photography. And while learning about historical photographers I was taught that photography dervied from painting. Oh great another “major” that I have to study. But I do. I do have to study about Daguerreotype, Weston, William H. Fox Talbot, Alfred Stieglitz, Edward Steichen, Diane Arbus, Lewis Hines, Julia Margaret Cameron, Dorothea Lange, Walker Evans, Gordon Parks and the list goes on. These historical photographers and photojournalist have paved the way for me to became a contemporary photographer/ photojournalist. After “mastering” these and many more photographers I hope that the history and historical painters will follow.

My graduate critique seminar class final project was to shoot a fashion documentary. While photographing my five fashion designers I was taken aback to my photojournalism days. Probing questions about “how do you choose the correct needle?” When did you begin to sew?” “What type of fabric is this?” “How long did it take you to make this collection?” I photographed a combination of wide angle shots where my designers are speaking about their fabric choices and there in the far distant there is a mannequin, quiet but powerful. I shoot tight close-up shots of my fashion designers holding needles in the mouths and sewing them into blouses and skirts. I photographed getting down and dirty getting on the floor of the sewing room at SCAD to shoot my designer as she re-assembled a gown for her client.

I was in heaven. Even though my project may not have the advanced technical Photoshop skills as my fellow classmates. I believe it does have a heart of passion of a photographer who love fashion and respects photography.

Thank you classmates & Prof McMullin for a hell of an experience. I look forward to seeing and working with you all in the near future.

NOTE: I will upload my images of my final project once my classmates & professor have seen them on 11-17-11

SJ Photography

Where you can see my fashion designers work:

• Avnah Davis- Long ~ AVNAH Couture – www.avnahcouture.com
• Kia Scott ~ KEA Couture (Kapturing Everyone’s Attention)  keasbridalcouture@gmail.com
• Kara Craig ~ Karacraig.com
• Janesa Johnson ~ Janesacjohnson.blogspot.com
• Simone Adams ~ simoneadams112@gmail.com