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Getting the best RESULTS and having FUN doing it
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Oct 26, 2012 13:37:43   #
Take 5 Cinema Loc: Canoe BC
 
WE have had a wonderful time in a previous topic that has caused a lot of laughs and good fun - WE kinda got off topic, so just thought I would re "start" a new one by continuing of sorts, where we left off just for the sheer fun of it. Here goes

Take 5 Cinema wrote:

If there is any way you can avail yourself to the expert mentoring, DO IT. It makes your pictures go from suck to Life magazine quality quality. The number of duds drops by 2/3. Each picture is well thought out and taken FAST.

I have a trick I use (I get crazy at times). I will put myself in a mental space that I,the Great Photographer or Film Maker am on Assignment for the National Geographic Society, or Life Magazine or an assistant for Karsch or Speilberg. Ya, really. You would be amazed at how it instantly it makes your work pushing that caliber. And to make it even better, I even lie to the unsuspecting talent that I am are doing it for the Mag. I swear to you that you have NO CHOICE BUT TO PROVE by results that you are that photographer. And then this becomes one of the most wonderful of passions when you see the stunning results.

And the keepers ratio goes well over 50-60%. No shit. And the number of takes, is measured in tens, not hundreds. Try it. And you get to fool everyone including yourself. The learning curve is insanely fast.

There is one downside though. It doesn't cure yourself of gear acquisition syndrome entirely. That syndrome comes because your current work looks like shit and the excuse made is that you need better and more gear. The upside is that you might be able to earn a bit of dough so that when you die, you get to go from a used beater casket that has been exhumed to one that is on sale because the previous owner died. (or something like that)

Cheers,
Take 5


I agree. That is what I did over the last year with similar results. Still plenty to learn but now I know a lot more about what I don't know.

It causes GAS.

I tried retirement the first part of this year. I flunked out miserably and now have two jobs. The proceeds fund my newly contracted GAS.

Reply
Oct 26, 2012 17:32:01   #
R.G. Loc: Scotland
 
Take 5 Cinema wrote:


If there is any way you can avail yourself to the expert mentoring, DO IT.


This forum is awash with people who have an expert perspective.... which gave me the idea that there could be an "Education" corner somewhere on UHH where subjects could be explained in a way that beginners could understand. For example, there could be threads titled "Exposure" etc.

Just a thought.

Reply
Oct 26, 2012 17:52:31   #
lighthouse Loc: No Fixed Abode
 
Take 5 Cinema wrote:
WE have had a wonderful time in a previous topic that has caused a lot of laughs and good fun - WE kinda got off topic, so just thought I would re "start" a new one by continuing of sorts, where we left off just for the sheer fun of it. Here goes

Take 5 Cinema wrote:

If there is any way you can avail yourself to the expert mentoring, DO IT. It makes your pictures go from suck to Life magazine quality quality. The number of duds drops by 2/3. Each picture is well thought out and taken FAST.

I have a trick I use (I get crazy at times). I will put myself in a mental space that I,the Great Photographer or Film Maker am on Assignment for the National Geographic Society, or Life Magazine or an assistant for Karsch or Speilberg. Ya, really. You would be amazed at how it instantly it makes your work pushing that caliber. And to make it even better, I even lie to the unsuspecting talent that I am are doing it for the Mag. I swear to you that you have NO CHOICE BUT TO PROVE by results that you are that photographer. And then this becomes one of the most wonderful of passions when you see the stunning results.

And the keepers ratio goes well over 50-60%. No shit. And the number of takes, is measured in tens, not hundreds. Try it. And you get to fool everyone including yourself. The learning curve is insanely fast.

There is one downside though. It doesn't cure yourself of gear acquisition syndrome entirely. That syndrome comes because your current work looks like shit and the excuse made is that you need better and more gear. The upside is that you might be able to earn a bit of dough so that when you die, you get to go from a used beater casket that has been exhumed to one that is on sale because the previous owner died. (or something like that)

Cheers,
Take 5


I agree. That is what I did over the last year with similar results. Still plenty to learn but now I know a lot more about what I don't know.

It causes GAS.

I tried retirement the first part of this year. I flunked out miserably and now have two jobs. The proceeds fund my newly contracted GAS.
WE have had a wonderful time in a previous topic t... (show quote)


I'll have to try that.
I'm quite good at deluding myself.

Reply
 
 
Oct 27, 2012 13:23:01   #
Mudshark Loc: Illinois
 
In the mid '60s a Navy Commander assigned me to do a "picture story" for a Naval publication. I told him I wasn't sure exactly where to start...his response was "just pretend you're a Life Magazine photographer..." I did and he was pleased. I've done a few thousand such stories since. Even after a great deal of professional training and a college education I still sometimes think about my hero Gene Smith and ask myself "how would he shoot this...how would he go about getting access to these people or this situation..etc." It works!

Reply
Oct 27, 2012 15:50:59   #
Take 5 Cinema Loc: Canoe BC
 
Amazing, huh? It really does work.
Hope this gets passed to the others on the forum!
We will be besieged with a ton of Life mag photographers - and the beauty is that, it won't cost them a dime!!

Cheers,
Take 5

Reply
Oct 27, 2012 17:35:02   #
Mudshark Loc: Illinois
 
Take 5 Cinema wrote:
Amazing, huh? It really does work.
Hope this gets passed to the others on the forum!
We will be besieged with a ton of Life mag photographers - and the beauty is that, it won't cost them a dime!!

Cheers,
Take 5


Of course it works a whole lot better if you either grew up, as I did, reading Life and absorbing the photojournalism or if you've gone back and studied the various editions. By the time I came to work in the late '60s Life was history...but I was a TIME contract photographer for many years...one of the proudest days of my life when I first got a byline in that Mag...I'm still proud of that work.

Reply
Oct 28, 2012 11:05:05   #
docrob Loc: Durango, Colorado
 
Mudshark wrote:
Take 5 Cinema wrote:
Amazing, huh? It really does work.
Hope this gets passed to the others on the forum!
We will be besieged with a ton of Life mag photographers - and the beauty is that, it won't cost them a dime!!
a
Cheers,
Take 5


Of course it works a whole lot better if you either grew up, as I did, reading Life and absorbing the photojournalism or if you've gone back and studied the various editions. By the time I came to work in the late '60s Life was history...but I was a TIME contract photographer for many years...one of the proudest days of my life when I first got a byline in that Mag...I'm still proud of that work.
quote=Take 5 Cinema Amazing, huh? It really does... (show quote)


and I think while pretending to be a famous photographer is OK to boost one's confidence that to take it further and pretending to be something and some one you are not is called deception......fraud.....a con.

Reply
 
 
Oct 28, 2012 13:11:09   #
Take 5 Cinema Loc: Canoe BC
 
docrob wrote:
. . . and I think while pretending to be a famous photographer is OK to boost one's confidence that to take it further and pretending to be something and some one you are not is called deception......fraud.....a con.


I think you misunderstood my intention - it certainly was not that by any remote, microscopic intent, and certainly not to pass oneself off for another.

No my friend, it is a clever way to get yourself into the perfect photographic mindset that magically transforms your capabilities to remarkable levels. Mind over matter; What you believe, you will have; believe it and you will see it approach. These are common understandings from the best psychologists, motivators, human behavior experts, even sports experts and even the Bible when Jesus, the highest authority ever, above all others clearly stated words to this effect "What you ask for, believing, you shall have". And that is a pretty much blank check with provisos attached to it.

Those provisos are this almost impossible request for some, perhaps yourself, to believe it before you see it. But those who do so, with a pure and clean intent, sans deception and fraud intention, accomplish things that are stunning. I know, I have done it. Both in photography, film and music - within limits of course, because if my lip is not up to speed, I can't play above high C, or bench press over 200, etc. But when it comes to artistic, creative stuff, seeing things that you would not otherwise see, magic happens

It is not that easy for brain strong, proud, intelligent people. Example:? I am not musically perfect pitch. But one day, I imagined I had perfect pitch an believed it. A day later I sat down at the piano and hummed middle 'A' knowing it was right as I imagined it. When I struck the note, it was a perfect A. I was stunned. Taking that a step further, I did imagine I was on assignment for the NGS and stated taking pix of kids at a rink and the Mom sitting nearby. When I had the slides developed, I could not believe my eyes. I would let you see an example, but sadly in 2005, the entire collection of 4 binders of these, some of my best slides ever shot was stolen. And from someone I knew!! That was painful.

Have I done it since then? From time to time, but I think after that dreadful incident, I got a bit dispirited and gave up. I shouldn't you know, because it works

All I know, is that when I have put myself into that frame of mind of a master photographer (or whatever) working for "National Geographic Society" or the likes, the workmanship soars beyond my wildest imagination. Steven Spielberg did that when he was young in his first films - now the highest, wealthiest best director of our day. There is something definitely to it.

I rest my case.

Cheers,
Take 5

Reply
Oct 28, 2012 13:16:49   #
jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY
 
Take 5 Cinema wrote:
WE have had a wonderful time in a previous topic that has caused a lot of laughs and good fun - WE kinda got off topic, so just thought I would re "start" a new one by continuing of sorts, where we left off just for the sheer fun of it. Here goes

Take 5 Cinema wrote:

If there is any way you can avail yourself to the expert mentoring, DO IT. It makes your pictures go from suck to Life magazine quality quality. The number of duds drops by 2/3. Each picture is well thought out and taken FAST.

I have a trick I use (I get crazy at times). I will put myself in a mental space that I,the Great Photographer or Film Maker am on Assignment for the National Geographic Society, or Life Magazine or an assistant for Karsch or Speilberg. Ya, really. You would be amazed at how it instantly it makes your work pushing that caliber. And to make it even better, I even lie to the unsuspecting talent that I am are doing it for the Mag. I swear to you that you have NO CHOICE BUT TO PROVE by results that you are that photographer. And then this becomes one of the most wonderful of passions when you see the stunning results.

And the keepers ratio goes well over 50-60%. No shit. And the number of takes, is measured in tens, not hundreds. Try it. And you get to fool everyone including yourself. The learning curve is insanely fast.

There is one downside though. It doesn't cure yourself of gear acquisition syndrome entirely. That syndrome comes because your current work looks like shit and the excuse made is that you need better and more gear. The upside is that you might be able to earn a bit of dough so that when you die, you get to go from a used beater casket that has been exhumed to one that is on sale because the previous owner died. (or something like that)

Cheers,
Take 5


I agree. That is what I did over the last year with similar results. Still plenty to learn but now I know a lot more about what I don't know.

It causes GAS.

I tried retirement the first part of this year. I flunked out miserably and now have two jobs. The proceeds fund my newly contracted GAS.
WE have had a wonderful time in a previous topic t... (show quote)

Good idea, but it has its limits. I sometimes think of myself as a handsome young man when I'm out shopping. Then the kid at the register asks if I want the Senior Discount. Or they ask if I need help carrying the five-pound bag of dog food I just bought to my car.

Reply
Oct 28, 2012 13:28:37   #
Hankwt Loc: kingsville ontario
 
I was brought up to open doors for others , help carry their boxes , Say yes Sir etc Now Im called Sir , asked if i can be helped, and on way to many occasions have had others hold the door for me or let me go first....... geesh i dont like this full circle thing ....Jeeez im only 54 !!!! Let Me Help You !!!!

Reply
Oct 28, 2012 13:34:18   #
Take 5 Cinema Loc: Canoe BC
 
Hankwt wrote:
Now Im called Sir , asked if i can be helped, and on way to many occasions have had others hold the door for me or let me go first....... geesh i dont like this full circle thing ....Jeeez im only 54 !!!! Let Me Help You !!!!


Is that you in the yellow quack suit :) Cool. Let's go for a swim, sir!

Reply
 
 
Oct 28, 2012 13:37:30   #
jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY
 
Hankwt wrote:
I was brought up to open doors for others , help carry their boxes , Say yes Sir etc Now Im called Sir , asked if i can be helped, and on way to many occasions have had others hold the door for me or let me go first....... geesh i dont like this full circle thing ....Jeeez im only 54 !!!! Let Me Help You !!!!

There's a pop-up ad at the bottom of my screen, featuring beautiful women. "We don't like YOUNG men. We want to date you!" Is that supposed to make me feel good? :D

Reply
Oct 28, 2012 13:55:16   #
Take 5 Cinema Loc: Canoe BC
 
jerryc41 wrote:
There's a pop-up ad at the bottom of my screen, featuring beautiful women. "We don't like YOUNG men. We want to date you!" Is that supposed to make me feel good? :D

No, just get your money by any means possible. It is called sublte seduction good sir!

Reply
Oct 28, 2012 14:03:10   #
jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY
 
Take 5 Cinema wrote:
jerryc41 wrote:
There's a pop-up ad at the bottom of my screen, featuring beautiful women. "We don't like YOUNG men. We want to date you!" Is that supposed to make me feel good? :D

No, just get your money by any means possible. It is called sublte seduction good sir!

I ordered two, so I'll let you know how it works out. I think there's a free trial.

Reply
Oct 28, 2012 14:11:33   #
Nikonian72 Loc: Chico CA
 
R.G. wrote:
This forum is awash with people who have an expert perspective.... which gave me the idea that there could be an "Education" corner somewhere on UHH where subjects could be explained in a way that beginners could understand. For example, there could be threads titled "Exposure" etc.
UHH has a forum dedicated to explaining different aspects of photography, called
Frequently Asked Questions & Answers at http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/s-106-1.html

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