What I've Learned from Annie

Last weekend, I read Annie Leibovitz's latest book, At Work. It is an auto-biography of sorts, concisely sharing behind the scenes views of her more famous works and assignments. It was somewhat of an odd book for Annie - far more text with her images taking a much smaller role. Even the writing style is different. More choppy and random in nature. Still, this isn't why one studies Annie - you study her solely for the inspiration afforded by exposure to her work. And even if the vehicle of her writing isn't the best out there, it's important to remember that the destination is what matters.

Annie opens the book talking about her first forays into photography, and the respect a photographer must have for the camera. "If I was going to live with this thing, I was going to have to think about what that meant." She also compared photography to painting (her original field of study). She recalls being drawn to the immediacy of the print over a painting, and how that suited her impatience (something I can relate to).

She stresses honesty in pictures, preferring candid shots to the posed. But when posing is required, it should maintain that sense of honesty. She talks about her favorite pic, which happens to be of her mother... "[she] is looking at me as if the camera were not there." I think Mr. Cartier-Bresson would second this.

But, what struck me the most was how the camera became her social vehicle. Painting can be isolating, but photographing people forces one to be social - there's no way around it. This strikes a huge cord with me - as someone who was shy in his youth, getting behind a camera gave me a way to interact with others without the anxiousness my shy side would often produce.

All in all a good read for the Annie fans out there.

D

Studies

Just a quick post today - I've updated the studies page on my main site to reflect some more current publications.

ciao!

D

Nikon Equipment Reviews

For the record, I'm done with Ken Rockwell's reviews. He trashed the Nikon SB-900 flash - without using it himself - when it came out. I ended up buying one anyway, mostly on the strength of Joe McNally's and Thom Hogan's reviews. I used it on a shoot last week, and the flash, while not at bright as the SB-800, has a new Fresnel lens that puts out great light with great control. Well worth the purchase... in fact, I'll be buying a second one.

Ken, buddy, nothing personal, but you're blacklisted.

Spring Break

Working in education, it is always fun for me to watch the bulk of our students and teachers leave town, as fast as they can, for spring break. As we live in Michigan, warm destinations are the popular norm. Personally, I don't get it. Michigan is awesome, and enjoying your home turf when the masses have left affords one with an oft-solitary journey into the local, surrounding beauty. Even more, it seems each spring break we get a 'freak' snow storm. As the temperature is warm, the heavy, wet snow sticks to everything, leading to some fantastic images. Would you believe this was shot on April 6th???

Then, there's this image... funny story - I'm on the side of the road with my gear, and the county plow is coming down the road, 45MPH and headed straight for me, spraying an 8ft trail of wet-salty &%^&$. Fortunately, the driver slowed to a crawl, lifted the plow blade, and just waved as he drove by. Don't know who that guy was, but THANK YOU!

Then the police cruiser stops next to me... dano's busted again... Surprisingly, he roles down the window and tells me he's jealous. He's a fellow photog and would rather be out shooting. I understand.

Finally... Yes, Sarah, I was wearing my new Polo jeans as I walked through six inches of wet slush and mud to get to this spot. Sorry....

Sometimes the best photo destinations are right where you are!

d