I haven’t been feeling well in the last few days, fighting a virus has left me stuck in bed for most of the day. I don’t exactly have the mental acuteness to write a lengthy blog post today but thought I would point you guys to the blogs of some travel photographers whom I follow. This is by no means an exhaustive list but I do genuinely enjoy the work of everyone on listed below. Here I’ve included some big names but also added some photographer who are less known in the industry.
Following the work of other photographers is very important: it’s wonderful to see other professionals in the industry succeed, some of these guys are also great educators and I’ve learned a lot from reading their blog, in addition, looking at their images also help train my eye stylistically.
- Chase Jarvis: well-known commercial photographer and educator, http://blog.chasejarvis.com/blog/
- Ken Kaminesky: travel photographer specializing in HDR images; http://blog.kenkaminesky.com/
- David duChemin: world humanitarian photographer and educator from Vancouver; http://davidduchemin.com/
- Bonnie Tsang: lifestyle photographer based in LA; http://bonnietsangblog.com/
- Peggy Wong: travel and lifestyle photographer, also a designer; http://www.onbluepoolroad.com/
- Dave Delnea: commercial photographers from Vancouver; http://blog.davedelnea.com/
- Chris Ozer: captures stunning imagery (mostly) of NY; http://chrisozer.tumblr.com/
- Nick Hall: commercial photographer and filmmaker doing a lot of adventure work; http://nickhallphotography.com/blog/
- Joey L: Canadian commercial photographer with great vision; http://www.joeyl.com/blog/
- Jessie Webster: lifestyle and interior photographer with contemporary style; http://www.sweetthingblog.com/
I'm beginning to lose track of how many guest posts I've featured on JIT, but it's a great thing! The blog is also becoming more photography-oriented, which is fine by me too. Today's post comes from Kim Akrigg, who's written about the interesting and somewhat atypical story of how she became a photographer. Kim comes from my hometown of Vancouver, so be good to her! =)
When I was younger I liked to draw, so my mother put me into art classes. I painted, sketched, and sculpted my way through my earlier years (as well as danced, played the piano, took swimming lessons, horseback rode, skied, and participated in an assortment of other activities but that’s another story). My mom thought I should like photography, but I decided I didn’t think it was a real ‘art’ since all you were doing was pressing a button. She tried and tried to get me into it, buying me an old film camera and disposables, but I didn’t really think much of it.
Then around 12th grade, I started taking photos with a little point and shoot, which led to my first DSLR. I then discovered a blog of Rosie Hardy’s back before I even knew Flickr existed. I was so amazed that someone could take such beautiful photos, and it made me want to be able to do the same. I found an ad in the local paper for a photography class, and signed up. I was hooked, and started carrying my camera everywhere I went, experimenting with self-portraits, but never really wanting to show them to anyone I knew since I was afraid of what they would say.
Finally I started posting some of the photos to Facebook, and getting good responses back. I was getting pretty tired of taking photos of myself but I was too nervous to ask anyone else to model for me. Around then a photographer who had been shooting a lot of my friends asked me to model for him, and he introduced me to Model Mayhem. From there I started shooting some friends, beginning to use make up artists, and my work started to look more how it does now.
It’s a little surreal to me sometimes how something I initially thought I had no interest in has become the only thing I want to do, and it’s even more strange that I’m able to make a career out of it. I can’t really imagine myself wanting to do anything else, it’s the perfect job for me. It’s the right mix of something that’s different with every shoot, creative, and always challenges me a bit and keeps me on my toes. It’s led me to meet such interesting, wonderful people, and to see the beauty that most people don’t notice in the world.
When I was younger I liked to draw, so my mother put me into art classes. I painted, sketched, and sculpted my way through my earlier years (as well as danced, played the piano, took swimming lessons, horseback rode, skied, and participated in an assortment of other activities but that’s another story). My mom thought I should like photography, but I decided I didn’t think it was a real ‘art’ since all you were doing was pressing a button. She tried and tried to get me into it, buying me an old film camera and disposables, but I didn’t really think much of it.
Then around 12th grade, I started taking photos with a little point and shoot, which led to my first DSLR. I then discovered a blog of Rosie Hardy’s back before I even knew Flickr existed. I was so amazed that someone could take such beautiful photos, and it made me want to be able to do the same. I found an ad in the local paper for a photography class, and signed up. I was hooked, and started carrying my camera everywhere I went, experimenting with self-portraits, but never really wanting to show them to anyone I knew since I was afraid of what they would say.
Finally I started posting some of the photos to Facebook, and getting good responses back. I was getting pretty tired of taking photos of myself but I was too nervous to ask anyone else to model for me. Around then a photographer who had been shooting a lot of my friends asked me to model for him, and he introduced me to Model Mayhem. From there I started shooting some friends, beginning to use make up artists, and my work started to look more how it does now.
It’s a little surreal to me sometimes how something I initially thought I had no interest in has become the only thing I want to do, and it’s even more strange that I’m able to make a career out of it. I can’t really imagine myself wanting to do anything else, it’s the perfect job for me. It’s the right mix of something that’s different with every shoot, creative, and always challenges me a bit and keeps me on my toes. It’s led me to meet such interesting, wonderful people, and to see the beauty that most people don’t notice in the world.
Sara's entry found its way to my inbox in early January, reading it made me laugh, reflect, and nod in agreement. It also convinced me that she was one of the coolest photographers that I've yet to meet. Here's her wittily truthful post, I hope you'll enjoy and be inspired by it.
Photography is a language.
To most of us it's a foreign language we are learning how to speak, but even if you are fluent in shutter speed and aperture, even if you know everything about bouncing flash and own the best camera on the market, the thing is if you don't have something to say, then you're pretty screwed.
I have been taking pictures for the last 10 years and I think the single most important advice I could give is that at some point you'll have to invest some time in finding your voice, in making sure you're not actually wasting time narrating someone else's story.
I wrote this manifesto back in 2005 and I guess it is the most honest thing I could actually share with you. Every time something went wrong for me I can track it back to ignoring one of these points.
I'm not saying you should actually subscribe to it, you don't even have to agree with anything I say. But if there is one thing I've learnt so far it's that you need to find a set of rules that is true to you and stick to them. Even when every cool kid on the Internet is doing something entirely different.
Here it goes:
1. You don't need to tell the truth in a picture, but you need to be true to yourself when you shoot it.
2. Take pictures because you have something to say and not because you want others to say something to you.
3. Technique is just a tool. Everything that floats the boat is valid.
4. Never publish a picture you'd be ashamed to show your family.
5. Don't let bad critiques take you down, but be lucid enough to see the truth in them.
6. You are allowed to make mistakes.
7. No bullshit. Dig deeper.
8. Take your time. Rome wasn't built in a day and all that stuff. This doesn't mean you're allowed to stop when things get difficult.
9. Learn something new every day.
10. Don't be scared to start something you don't know how to do (yet).
11. Don't sell your work to someone you have no respect for.
12. Stay independent. What you do is meant to keep you sane, not to make you rich.
13. Learn from other people's work.
14. Have fun. You always find a way, even when you think you won't.
15. Remember to laugh.
16. Help those who are starting out. Nothing you do is precious enough to be kept hidden: the real value is in the way you do it.
17. Don't kill yourself. Might look good in a biography, but it's not very clever.
Photography is a language.
To most of us it's a foreign language we are learning how to speak, but even if you are fluent in shutter speed and aperture, even if you know everything about bouncing flash and own the best camera on the market, the thing is if you don't have something to say, then you're pretty screwed.
I have been taking pictures for the last 10 years and I think the single most important advice I could give is that at some point you'll have to invest some time in finding your voice, in making sure you're not actually wasting time narrating someone else's story.
I wrote this manifesto back in 2005 and I guess it is the most honest thing I could actually share with you. Every time something went wrong for me I can track it back to ignoring one of these points.
I'm not saying you should actually subscribe to it, you don't even have to agree with anything I say. But if there is one thing I've learnt so far it's that you need to find a set of rules that is true to you and stick to them. Even when every cool kid on the Internet is doing something entirely different.
Here it goes:
MANIFESTO
1. You don't need to tell the truth in a picture, but you need to be true to yourself when you shoot it.
2. Take pictures because you have something to say and not because you want others to say something to you.
3. Technique is just a tool. Everything that floats the boat is valid.
4. Never publish a picture you'd be ashamed to show your family.
5. Don't let bad critiques take you down, but be lucid enough to see the truth in them.
6. You are allowed to make mistakes.
7. No bullshit. Dig deeper.
8. Take your time. Rome wasn't built in a day and all that stuff. This doesn't mean you're allowed to stop when things get difficult.
9. Learn something new every day.
10. Don't be scared to start something you don't know how to do (yet).
11. Don't sell your work to someone you have no respect for.
12. Stay independent. What you do is meant to keep you sane, not to make you rich.
13. Learn from other people's work.
14. Have fun. You always find a way, even when you think you won't.
15. Remember to laugh.
16. Help those who are starting out. Nothing you do is precious enough to be kept hidden: the real value is in the way you do it.
17. Don't kill yourself. Might look good in a biography, but it's not very clever.
Here's another guest blog post, this one is from Hanna Bacalla. Hannah's photographs are beautiful. When she asked me what she should write about, my instructions were quite succinct: be honest. She quickly sent me this post with a message "It's the most honest thing I've ever written." I hope you enjoy her honesty as much as I do.
I am a self-taught photographer born and raised in the tropical island of Cebu, Philippines.
At first, I really have no idea what to write. I was confused whether I should write about my experiences, the whole process of my work or my influences? Or all of the above? I was never good at writing nor giving a piece of mind through writing. I do that through pictures.
I got my first film camera on my 6th birthday. Unfortunately, being the forgetful person that I am, I don't have much memory of it nor pictures to show.
I eventually rekindled my relationship with photography when I got my first digital camera around 2004. It wasn't anything special. Just your typical digital camera. I started shooting some friends who are also into modeling. I fell in love with photography more and more and people started to notice my work. I was even surprised that I got featured in some papers. After a few months, my camera broke. I think it was a sign for me to upgrade. But I couldn't because I cannot afford it yet. Months went by without a camera and it made me really depressed. I started doing mixed media and used the photos that I took earlier that year to create some pieces.
Finally, around May, 2006, I got my first DSLR and in less than 24 hours I got my first gig! First fashion shoot that I did for a local newspaper.
From then on it was a roller coaster ride.
Honestly, it's not always as happy as I want it to be. But by creating these images it made life a bit easier.
I have accepted the fact that it will always be a love-hate relationship between me and my work. One minute I think it's great, the next I think it is just okay or there's something lacking. But I always think that it is a good thing. It motivates me to be better and work harder.
My inspiration comes from my dreams, emotions, experiences and just random things that I encounter in life. My influences are mostly painters, digital artists and other photographers.
If I have to pick three of my favorite photographers it would be my undying love for Paolo Roversi. His work is just perfect and the feel of his photographs is just magnificent. Beautiful beyond words. I'm forever a fan of Erwin Olaf, he is one of the photographers that inspired me to get started and he's just a pure genius. Lastly, I will always love Eugenio Recuenco for his amusingly witty pictures and mind-blowing sets. He inspired me a lot and I always revisit his work if I need motivation to keep going.
Over the years, I have been redefining my style. I'm more focus on my personal work than ever before. I'm always in search of beauty and sombreness. Something that works it's way under the skin and yet remains so beautiful.
-Hannah Bacalla
hannahbacalla.com
In the 6th installment of the guest blog series, my guest Landa hails from the Netherlands, which reminds me, Amsterdam is still on my list of places to visit in Europe... Landa approached me with a specific topic in mind for her post, and being so impressed with her work, I told her she could write about whatever she wanted. So here she is, sharing her thoughts on inspiration, style, and even life. Show her some love!
Searching for your own individual style in photography is something I’ve been struggling with. Especially in the last few months it is really annoying me that I’ve done many things and tried different things, techniques, styles and lenses and I still don’t really have a clue about what my own style is and what I want to show and tell the world. I kind of hope you recognize this. Perhaps not even in photography, because maybe this is actually just ‘this thing called life’. We all grow older and get to know ourselves better, and we develop our personalities and style. Maybe some of you have stories to tell, maybe others don’t know exactly. I’ve got some ideas, but they’re still a little vague to me.
Three years ago I started studying Lifestyle & Design at an art academy in Rotterdam and I think I chose LSD to develop myself some more. I know I love people, I love how they move, how they feel, how they think. Especially how they dress and why they wear what they wear is something I’m intrigued by. Studying psychology was my second choice, but I dislike books without a lot of pictures and reading for hours and hours. Besides that, I already knew I loved photography. I know I want to become a good photographer and nothing can stop me, besides myself. I’m now in the 5th semester and my minor is digital photography. I get all these assignments where I have to make concepts and realize it all from scratch. I used to be all about the easygoing things where I didn’t have to arrange a lot. But since that didn’t really get me much further, I knew I had to change something. Now I decided to push myself and just go with the idea I like the most, no matter how hard they are to execute. It’s sometimes a big hassle, but in the end it’s always worth it.
Now there’s also this other thing called being original in a world where everything has already been done. Do you recognize the feeling where you’re checking out photographers you didn’t know yet and you feel like they already did what you were thinking about doing? Like as if while you were dreaming, your dreams were reality for someone else already. Or you feel so inspired that you are afraid that you’re copying them in a way? That + not knowing what your own style is yet = so annoying. But why make it something negative? Make it positive. How I do that? I try to get my inspiration from other places. I can keep looking at photographers, but maybe I should be watching weird ass cultmovies, or go to a town in the middle of nowhere where I haven’t been before. Having an adventure in the middle of the night or trying to write a fantasy story. It’s all up to you actually, and who cares if some photographer already did something you were dreaming about, just do it, it will turn out different anyway. Learn from it.
I think it’s just normal that I’m not really sure what I want to tell the world and that I don’t know what my style is. Everyday when I walk to school there is a quote in neon letters on the wall above the entrance: “I have to change to stay the same”. So I just have to continue experimenting with different things, techniques, styles and lenses and one day I’ll figure it out: I’ll look at my work and I’ll see the ‘red thread’ as we call it in dutch. It will all become clear, we will never stop developing ourselves, we will always try to improve and it’s not bad to be a perfectionist!
Website | http://www.landaphotography.nl
Blog | http://landapenders.tumblr.com
Twitter | http://twitter.com/landapenders
Searching for your own individual style in photography is something I’ve been struggling with. Especially in the last few months it is really annoying me that I’ve done many things and tried different things, techniques, styles and lenses and I still don’t really have a clue about what my own style is and what I want to show and tell the world. I kind of hope you recognize this. Perhaps not even in photography, because maybe this is actually just ‘this thing called life’. We all grow older and get to know ourselves better, and we develop our personalities and style. Maybe some of you have stories to tell, maybe others don’t know exactly. I’ve got some ideas, but they’re still a little vague to me.
Three years ago I started studying Lifestyle & Design at an art academy in Rotterdam and I think I chose LSD to develop myself some more. I know I love people, I love how they move, how they feel, how they think. Especially how they dress and why they wear what they wear is something I’m intrigued by. Studying psychology was my second choice, but I dislike books without a lot of pictures and reading for hours and hours. Besides that, I already knew I loved photography. I know I want to become a good photographer and nothing can stop me, besides myself. I’m now in the 5th semester and my minor is digital photography. I get all these assignments where I have to make concepts and realize it all from scratch. I used to be all about the easygoing things where I didn’t have to arrange a lot. But since that didn’t really get me much further, I knew I had to change something. Now I decided to push myself and just go with the idea I like the most, no matter how hard they are to execute. It’s sometimes a big hassle, but in the end it’s always worth it.
Now there’s also this other thing called being original in a world where everything has already been done. Do you recognize the feeling where you’re checking out photographers you didn’t know yet and you feel like they already did what you were thinking about doing? Like as if while you were dreaming, your dreams were reality for someone else already. Or you feel so inspired that you are afraid that you’re copying them in a way? That + not knowing what your own style is yet = so annoying. But why make it something negative? Make it positive. How I do that? I try to get my inspiration from other places. I can keep looking at photographers, but maybe I should be watching weird ass cultmovies, or go to a town in the middle of nowhere where I haven’t been before. Having an adventure in the middle of the night or trying to write a fantasy story. It’s all up to you actually, and who cares if some photographer already did something you were dreaming about, just do it, it will turn out different anyway. Learn from it.
I think it’s just normal that I’m not really sure what I want to tell the world and that I don’t know what my style is. Everyday when I walk to school there is a quote in neon letters on the wall above the entrance: “I have to change to stay the same”. So I just have to continue experimenting with different things, techniques, styles and lenses and one day I’ll figure it out: I’ll look at my work and I’ll see the ‘red thread’ as we call it in dutch. It will all become clear, we will never stop developing ourselves, we will always try to improve and it’s not bad to be a perfectionist!
Website | http://www.landaphotography.nl
Blog | http://landapenders.tumblr.com
Twitter | http://twitter.com/landapenders
