mel jacobson on thu 15 mar 01
i had one of those experiences that only comes once in your
lifetime with photos of pots.
about 6 years ago, i wanted some really nice slides made.
had 24 pots picked out, went to the top notch photo guy in
minnetonka, told him what i wanted....he said he would bid
the job within the week. he did. $2400.00, or $100 dollars
a shot. after i got my underwear changed, and cleaned up,
i said, `think i will try something else.`. and did.
this was a great event. it started me on a quest to find out
how to take my own pictures. now, it is well worth my time
to shoot pots with a camera. i have done about 8 other potters
pix, all gratis.
i have opened an account with procolor and photos inc. both in
mpls. professional labs. i can take slides, run them in at 9
in the morning, they deliver them to my door by 4 in the afternoon.
i talk to professionals about film speed, how i want them processed.
they call during the processing and ask questions. they turned me
on to fuji provia, so all in all it is like having another profession.
buying the nikor micro lens for my camera also changed my life.
the ability to get in close and fill the frame is critical. one can
rarely do that with a 50mm. my full sheet of gray formica is also
a god send. just makes a perfect backdrop for my work.
i have mounted a strobe in the ceiling of the studio, it has a soft box
covering it. also have a slave unit on a tripod i can move around
to get rid of shadows. i use three photofloods.
the quality and price of photographs varies greatly. and the quality
is not always assured. when you get someone that is good, the
price is fair and you get great pix, well, feel blessed.
at this point in my life i really want to control the entire process
of my creative work. i have more time, and enjoy the many steps
to get work ready for an article. i realize i do not save money, in
fact the high price photographer may save me money in the long
run. just drop off the pots, pick up the slides, but, i do not want
to do that.
if your life depends on shows, galleries, exhibits, well i think you
should have your work done professionally. it will make the difference
often wether you get in or not. for me, i just love the camera, the
lights, and looking at pots through that view finder.
my portrait work has improved in leaps and bounds. i am taking more
black and white now. i used the new ilford bw film with an asa of
3500, yes, 3500. grainy as hell, but really interesting. did the
grandson with a 200mm telephoto as he passed his black belt
test. (brag, brag, he is only 11, and quick as a wink.) they pix
were wonderful. did 8X10's. they will last his life time. color
prints will be all gone in twenty years. one hour last about 10
years. color fades fast.
this is an important topic for potters. good documentation
is critical. digital will be a great help, and many of us are
learning it, but it takes more tech time. so, pix are important.
the discussions at nceca that we do in the clayart room are
inspiring. it is like ruth butler said....`if you want to be on the
cover of cm, well, you had better take some vertical pictures,
of vertical pots.` simple thought..she knows.
mel
the sun is here, 52 degrees on my back deck yesterday.
water everywhere. floods to follow.
From:
Minnetonka, Minnesota, U.S.A.
web site: http://www.pclink.com/melpots
Bacia Edelman on thu 15 mar 01
mel writes:
>>i have mounted a strobe in the ceiling of the studio, it has a soft box
covering it. also have a slave unit on a tripod i can move around
to get rid of shadows. i use three photofloods.<<
Hi, mel. Do you think you could explain what a "slave unit" is?
I do sort of o.k. on my own slides but use only one photo flood,
above, in a box with a bottom of Mylar. On adjustable
pulleys. It has worked pretty
well for me, getting into books or shows.
But if I tried real large work, which I no longer seem to make,
I might have trouble with shadows. One needs some shadow (at the
bottom) or the work looks as if it is floating in outer space.
No?
thanks. Bacia
Valice Raffi on wed 31 oct 01
Gene Kennedy, whose photography is featured in the web site that Wes
mentioned, has published a book of photographs of Gladding McBean. It's
called "Light on Clay" and is available by contacting Gene at
gkennedy@psyber.com
I have no financial affiliation with Gene, but he is a good friend and a
great photographer!
Valice
in Sacramento
>If one can not become well known for making pots, maybe you can build a
>reputation for photographing them.
>
>The following link is a little dated and may not be there for long:
>
>http://cac.ca.gov/kennedy/kenned.html
>
>Wes Rolley
>
Wesley Rolley on wed 31 oct 01
If one can not become well known for making pots, maybe you can build a =
reputation for photographing them.
The following link is a little dated and may not be there for long:
http://cac.ca.gov/kennedy/kenned.html
Wes Rolley
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