by successfulbob | photography - art quote, photography education
While I wouldn’t have used the word *’INFESTED’ I love the thought behind today’s Photo/Art Quote from Leo Steinberg.
I’m going to guess that being an art critic and historian old Leo was used to using some seriously negative pejoratives in his writing… But I digress.
Why does this quote resonate with me enough to share with you today?
“All art is infested by other art.” Leo Steinberg
I would like you to take this quote literally and be aware that your brain is like a computer and the old saying, ‘garbage-in=garbage-out’ is true. As is the opposite. Fill your mind with fabulous and wonderful imagery whether it be from standing in museums studying the Masters of photography, painting or sculpture, reading books and magazines with imagery you admire or looking at advertising photography. I have art books. I stand in front of paintings in museums and art galleries. I will fire up my I-Pad to view and study a single artist for 15 minutes before sleep so those images will be processed in the night.
As you study the artists you admire you will begin to see their influence coming out in your work. And, that’s a good thing! We all stand on the shoulders of those artists that came before us. Do so proudly and as you mix and match the artists styles you admire you will begin creating work that is uniquely your own. Allow other art to ‘INFEST’ your work.
Then others will eventually be standing upon your shoulders and the cycle continues.
Yours in Creative Photography, Bob
*Which is probably why you won’t find me quoted in lists of photography quotes!
by successfulbob | fine art photography, photography, photography marketing
Hey that image looks really familiar! Oh it’s mine…
It’s fun seeing your work in print.
Speaking later today at the Texas PPA convention at the La Torretta Resort in Conroe, Texas and found this magazine on the counter from when I spoke here in January.
Texas PPA Magazine cover
Looking forward to giving my program nad sharing some of the techniques that made it possible to create this image…
Just thought I’d share with you.
Yours in Creative Photography, Bob
by successfulbob | photography
I saw a blog post the other day from Scott Bourne on photofocus and he said, “Your photos are better than you think!”
And, it got me to thinkin’.
He said that your pictures are better than you think they are “because there’s only one you”.
I agree with that. But, I would like to expand on the idea a little more and from a slightly different angle using today’s photo/art quote from Harry Callahan whose (from Wikipedia Callahan) “technical photographic method was to go out almost every morning, walk through the city he lived in and take numerous pictures. He then spent almost every afternoon making proof prints of that day’s best negatives. Yet, for all his photographic activity, Callahan, at his own estimation, produced no more than half a dozen final images a year.”
“I guess I’ve shot 40,000 negatives and of these I have about 800 pictures I like”. – Harry Callahan
We all tend to compare our everyday work, our B-Roll’ if you will, to everyone else’s finished movies. The images you often see posted on the web on Google Plus, 500 pix, people’s blogs, or in magazines and elsewhere are usually ‘Hand Selected Prime Grade A Number One’ images from a large number captured and then massaged before being shared with the world.
So before you become frustrated with how much your images ‘suck’ – sit back, relax and and look at your best work, and only your best work, from about six months ago (so your a bit more impartial) before you start comparing your work with others.
I think you’ll be surprised.
Yours in Creative Photography, Bob
PS – Have you had frustrations with your work? Share your story here how you got over it…
by successfulbob | Lumix GH4, Lumix Lounge, photography, photography books
Cameras.
We want them to do everything, but when they can do most everything everyone would like them to do we complain that they are hard to operate. Let’s face it cameras have become mini-computers with powerful processors and a myriad of options. Some can get quite confusing until explained in-depth. How to get the the most out of your camera now involves more than just reading the GH4 manual.
You can also download the advanced GH4 Manual which will get you more information on the capabilities of the GH4 which is still pretty dry stuff.
Or, you can read and refer to ‘The Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH4’ The Unofficial Quintessential Guide’ by Brian Matsumoto and Carol F Roulard from Rocky Nook Books and get some down-to-earth easily understandable information on how to get the most out of this powerful computer also known as a camera.
I’ve been using the GH4 for quite a while and I thought I had a good handle on most of the features and capabilities. After a quick cruise through the book I was surprised to learn of some available features because I never even thought to look for them or glossed over the value of them. Having things spelled out simply, from a photographer’s point of view vs an engineer’s or manual writers point of view, makes figuring out – and using – camera features much easier.
Matsumoto and Roulard write in an easy conversational style yet impart all the goodies we need to know. For example, many photographers are frustrated when menu commands are greyed out because they are not available. The authors tell how to avoid frustration and tell you why… They also share how to use the Quick Menus to the fullest capabilities which speeds use in the field when you don’t have time to scroll through (or remember where) menu items are.
I’m going back in to read the book even more in-depth because I’m sure I’m still missing some of the powerful features in the GH4.
The Unofficial Quintessential Guide
If you own the Lumix GH4 and want to get the most out of it I’d recommend getting this Guide.
Yours in Creative Photography, Bob
PS – As a bonus, you save 35% on Rocky Nook Books by using the Coupon Code BOBCOATES
by successfulbob | Lumix G7, Lumix GH4, Lumix Lounge, musician photography, photography, photography gear
Jazz singer Vivian Sessoms entertained at Sound Bites Grill the other night and here’s her image for the SBG ‘Wall of Fame’.
Vivian Sessoms in art treatment for the ‘Wall of Fame’
I was testing the new Lumix G7 side by side with the Lumix GH4. Both cameras used the same lens and same settings. ISO 3200 f2.8 1/60th sec. It shows me they are comparable and the G7 would make a great back up for the GH4. Price makes this a cool camera for those on a budget. The G7 does miss out on a few pro features on handling, like having to remove a tripod plate to get to the battery and SD card compartment. It also has smaller batteries and is built on a plastic body. But, image quality looks to be on a par. And, at half the price of the GH4 depending on your workload you might be willing to put up with a few non-pro features!
Here’s a sample of a couple stage captures from each camera with the same settings.
This image was captured with the Lumix G7.
Captured with the GH4.
Yours in Creative Photography, Bob
PS – If you are ordering gear from Amazon it helps to support this web site and the info shared if you buy through any link on successful photographer. TIA!
