The Artist Inside

Theresa has a day job, as many do, managing people and budgets.

On weekends, she sits on her bed, legs straight out, typing a novel on the computer that rests lightly on her lap. Only family and a few friends know that she's an artist. And her work is brilliant.

Everyone has someone else inside - an athlete, a criminal, a mechanic, a chef. Sometimes they try to hide this other personality, and other times they can't wait for the world to discover it.

But of all these possibilities, I find the artist most compelling. 

The trap that unknown artists often fall into, is the desire to become known. Ironically, it's fame that destroys art.  And for this reason, I think modern social sites are better than we realize.

Why? 

Because they provide an audience for our art without the poison of fame. Unlike pregnancy, you can to be a little famous. It only takes a few hundred people interested in your artistry to make it all seem worthwhile. 

You can continue to create without the noxious cloud of fame blocking the very light that inspires you.  The artist inside might not have a publisher, but she does have a community. And that community hangs on her every word.

When we look back upon this period in our history, it may be recognized as one of the great times of creativity ever.  Millions of unknown artists speaking to friends, family, and community without the self-consciousness of becoming front page fodder.

Yes, an unlucky few will have fame thrust upon them.  But the great majority will be free to create openly for those who love and truly care about

the artist inside. 

-Derrick

Don't Be Afraid

Photography is changing faster than ever.

And for many, change means disruption - old habits are broken, rituals are lost.

So far in 2014, we've learned that a new, unknown app called Photos will eventually replace Aperture and iPhoto. We're still a year away from having to make any measurable decision about what to do, yet photographers are bolting for the exits like students at a recess bell.

I've had readers "unLike me because I deceived them by championing Aperture." 

But wait, there's more.

The decline of DSLR popularity, the endless surge of social media, and the love affair with mobile phone photography... all of these harbingers of yet more change to come.

Here's the thing: you don't have to switch from Aperture, sell your DSLR, start an Instagram account, or buy an iPhone. You can stand pat. You can even go in reverse and set up a chemical darkroom and shoot film. People might think you're cool.

And if you do want to catch an innovation wave to two, there are lots of folks like me here to help. 

I've never been one to say, "ditch everything you love and switch to this." I respect the history of photography. My work stands on the shoulders of others.

When someone asks me for career advice, I always have one answer: do what you love. I say the same to photographers. Use the tools you like and pursue subjects that interest you. Turn off the news if you have to.

If you doggedly follow your passion,

everything else takes care of itself.

-Derrick

Fill Flash

When people ask me, "What's the one thing I can do to improve my pictures?"

I answer: "Fill flash."

I've been thinking a lot about this technique lately. Mainly, because I don't know if I would have survived the last couple weeks without it.

I've mentioned on the TDS podcast that I'm in the middle of a big project with a local credit union. It's a series of outdoor portraits in various locations throughout Northern California.

I've faced two major challenges, and one has led to the other. The first is balancing a variety of schedules for the photo shoots. Since the subjects are not professional models, we have to squeeze our sessions in to what little time is available for them.

As it's turned out, we're shooting in mid-to-late afternoon light. In August, that's some pretty contrasty stuff. Which leads me to my second challenge, getting great portraits in harsh light.

I've depended on my trusty friend, fill flash, to survive. If you want to see the rig I'm using, take a look at this article that I just published on c't Digital Photography Magazine, The Low-Tech Solution to Wireless Fill Flash.

The thing about using flash is that it's counter-intuitive for beginning photographers. I turn off the flash when the light is low (going with fast lenses and ambient illumination), and I turn it on outdoors for portraits when it's incredibly bright. Nuts, right?

Not really. The flash evens out those terrible facial shadows when the sun is high. My other favorite scenario is for sunset portraits. A little pop of light on the subject with a colorful sky is truly magical. 

So if someone asks you, what is the one thing they can do to improve their photography?

You know what to say.

-Derrick

The Castaway Cafe

A photocopied menu for the Castaway Cafe fell out of my shoe this morning. 

It was 6am, and I was looking down the sight of a 12-hour day, most of it challenging. I'm not sure how this memory from Maui got in my shoe. But there it was. 

And it made me smile.  

We had breakfast there. It was a perfect morning seasoned with  light breezes and blue skies. We enjoyed our food outside, beneath a couple palm trees. I remember saying, "I never want to leave this place." 

But of course I had to. 

This has been a tough week. But this morning made it just a little better.  

Thanks to a folded menu that slid out of my shoe, 

from the Castaway Cafe.  

 -Derrick

Taking the Picture Is the Easiest Part

What a life! Just taking pictures all day. Doesn't everyone want to be a photographer?

That's true if you don't need money. But if you want to be paid for your work, photography isn't that much different than any other business.

For example, here are the highlights from my current ToDo list for a corporate project:

• Schedule meetings to define parameters and responsibilities
• Negotiate agreements for the different aspects of the project
• Corral approvals for the desired locations and find out the requirements
• Apply for permits and request liability insurance endorsements for each
• Assemble production team, define their responsibilities and negotiate pay
• Collect signed W4 forms from each team member
• Coordinate schedules for shooting locations, participants, client, and production team
• Prepare and test equipment used for the project
• Organize model releases and shot lists
• Find props, purchase snacks, and approve wardrobe
• Secure backup locations for each shoot
• Figure out what you've forgotten to do, then do it at the last minute

And when everything is in place, take the picture.

I like the last step best.

-Derrick