There are some well guarded secret methods and accessories that help beauty and fashion photographers achieve the realistic looks they get in their work. Using real looking models, these techniques help convey the honest and real beauty sought after by consumers of their work.
I hope that these videos may help those wishing to break into this market 😉
Absolutely ridiculous. I saw a message from a picture editor asking for “iconic images” for a publication, in exchange for which a byline credit or a small fee could be paid. This is for iconic images! It is this devaluing of photography which is killing the industry. Asking for the best of this work, “iconic imagery” as was said, and offering a credit or a small fee, is quite frankly insulting to all photographers. I’m sure a lot of this iconic photography has involved colleagues risking their lives and being away from their loved ones for weeks and months on end, and the offer of a credit simply does nothing to appreciate or respect this work.
I saw another message from a different publication asking for photojournalistic work from around the world, in exchange for the opportunity for the photographer to take these pictures; so, the photographer comes up with the story idea and pictures, to give this publication, and their payment is the opportunity to have done so! When questioned, the reply was “we are a non-profit publication”.
Let me clear something up for all those after free pictures, no matter what your excuse or reasoning is. We are for profit individuals, who need to make a profit to pay for our accommodation, meals, food, water, heating, transport and so on. Let’s not even start on how much equipment costs now days. Stop asking for free pictures.
Posted in Business, Photography, viewpoint
Tagged byline, free, non-profit, pictures, pictures for byline, pictures for credit
Fujifilm’s new X-Pro1 certainly looks like a very interesting camera. Very much looking forward to seeing what this camera can produce. I applaud Fujifilm on bringing out a large sensor, interchangeable lens camera with an optical finder; this is something I have been begging for from other manufacturers, way before Micro 4/3 or the Leica M9 were even announced.
As photographers we are now beginning to get what we want. There is a misconception amongst most camera manufacturers that pro photographers and serious enthusiasts want large, heavy, professional looking equipment with huge lenses-not true camera designers, please take note! Another issue I personally have is with mega complex menu systems that get in the way of photography; pro photographers we may be, but camera engineers we are not. It’s all about the photography, so please take a leaf out of Leica’s book and create simple, elegant menus which don’t need a manual and an entire day to try and understand.
It’s wonderful to see these small new cameras going back in time for their inspiration; Leica first came up with the 35mm format and designed small, mirror less cameras going back to the original  Ur-Leica, the screw mount interchangeable lens Leicas that followed and all the way to the current Leica M9. What’s wonderful is to hear that Fujifilm is producing a Leica M lens adapter for the X-Pro1 and the acknowledgement of just how good Leica lenses are. It remains to be seen how good the sensor is though, but the X-Pro1 may perform well as a second or third camera, or backup, to a Leica M9. Naturally as it has a cropped sensor, it will magnify the focal length of any lens attached.
What also made me smile was the way the short distance between the rear element on the lens and the sensor was described as producing better quality; it is naturally all true, but again, goes back in time to the original Leica. This is all great news for the photographer though. Image quality and performance is yet to be seen, but judging by their achievements on the X100, I’m sure Fujifilm have done a good job with the X-Pro1.
Addendum:
Dpreview have published their preview on the X-Pro1.
Posted in Camera Equipment, Video, viewpoint
A superb selection of images, showcasing Getty Images photographer Peter Macdiarmid’s favourite shots from 2011.
Posted in newspaper, Photography, Pictures
Tagged end of year, pictures of the year, press photography, review, year in pictures
A PCSO puts her hand up to cover the lens of Nicholas Razzell, stopping him from taking pictures. The Old Bailey. January 4, 2011. Photo: Ian Vogler
It’s a very worrying question, with an extremely worrying answer coming from some members of the Police force and even more so from Police Community Support Officers. Having several friends in the Police, I know for a fact that no where in their training does it state that officers should censor this country’s free press. As long as members of the press aren’t breaking Police cordons, or on private property after being asked to leave, the Police (and I include PCSOs in this) have no power, nor rights to interfere with a photographer going about doing their job; in this case gathering news.
Sadly, last week’s court case at the Old Bailey, where two of the racist murderers of Stephen Lawrence were finally jailed, illustrated just how ill-informed some members of the Police and PCSOs are. Just what the motivation is to stop a story like this being covered is baffling.
City of London police officers obstructing members of the press at the Old Bailey after the sentencing of David Norris and Gary Dobson for the murder of Stephen Lawrence. January 4, 2011. Photo: David Parker
Journalist, turned press photographer, Nicholas Razzell has been photographing high-profile criminal and civil court cases since 1999, including Jeffrey Archer, Paul Burrell, Kieran Fallon, Naomi Campbell, Paul McCartney, Charles Bronson, numerous murder and terrorism trials and more recently cases such as Julian Assange.
When asked about photographing these court cases, Nicholas says, “For most of that time the press and TV either self-police or on the odd occasion have had to work behind barriers. However, it is only in the last 5 years or so that I’ve found Policemen and particularly PCSO’s who have either no understanding of the law or it’s enforcement, getting involved”.
City of London police officers obstructing members of the press at the Old Bailey after the sentencing of David Norris and Gary Dobson for the murder of Stephen Lawrence. January 4, 2011. Photo: David Parker
“This came to head when Julian Assange was released from custody at the High Court in London when a Met Police Inspector (ably assisted by a Sky TV Producer) organised a “pool”…practically destroying any freelancers chance of getting a competitive picture.”
“Last week (Stephen Lawrence case, the Old Bailey) was just another occasion where we were prevented from doing our job. As yet there is no “right to privacy” in the UK (thank god) and it certainly isn’t up to uniformed and uninformed officers on the street, or PCSO’s to decide what we can and cannot photograph. Physically preventing us from getting a picture is one step away from moral and political censorship”.
City of London police officers obstructing members of the press at the Old Bailey after the sentencing of David Norris and Gary Dobson for the murder of Stephen Lawrence. January 4, 2011. Photo: David Parker
Another photographer adds, ” It was a complete joke. The Police officers couldn’t decide which side of the street to make us stand on. One officer said we couldn’t stand under the scaffolding (open to the public) on kerb opposite because “the building company haven’t given you permission” – to stand on a public street? Then they insisted we stand about 50 yards away (to do a car shot) and when the car arrived one officer followed me across the street to make sure he blocked my view. I asked another officer if this was still a public street? She refused to answer”.
One thing is for sure; a member of the Police force should not put up their hand to cover a photographer’s lens and stop images being taken. These newsworthy moments happen in a fraction of a second and are gone forever. Press photographers have a duty to bear witness, not only for the next day’s newspapers and websites, but for historical reasons too.
For any members of the Police force and PCSOs unclear about the rights of citizens (including members of the media, because we are after all, citizens too) who wish to photograph in public places, may I encourage you to read the official Met Police Photography Advice page?
Addendum:
Any member of the media, regardless of if they are a member of the NUJ or not, can report any incidents to the NUJ. Please make sure you have badge numbers and if possible, audio and/or video recordings. This will not only help the press to do our jobs properly, but will also help the Police train their officers and PCSOs better.
A City of London Police spokesperson said: “We work closely with journalists and photographers at the Old Bailey to make sure they’re able to do their job and the public are able to go about their business. We continue to liaise with journalists, photographers and the local community to ensure this is the case”.
Posted in News, newspaper, Photography, police, viewpoint
Tagged censorship, court, nicholas razzell, pcso, police, police community support officer
I’ve just come across a project shot by Don McCullin for Asus and Intel, called In Search of Incredible. There are some interesting behind the scenes videos by Clive Booth.
Photo This & That 