----- Original Message ----- From: "Stan Halpin" <[email protected]>
To: "Pentax-Discuss Mail List" <[email protected]> Sent: Wednesday, July 14, 2010 10:19 PM Subject: Re: Construction IX
Christine - I have been traveling and only quickly dipping into PDML this last week. I did notice that one of the newer members gave you thanks for your opinion on something, with words to the effect of "it is nice to have the opinion of a professional photographer . . ." And now if you blush and try to deny it, all we need to do is refer you to this body of work. Very nice! You took advantage of opportunities for repeating frames-within-frames in several shots without letting the artsy stuff interfere with clean documentary shots like the client wanted . . . I think the whole project has been very impressive.
Well, I am blushing at your very kind words, Stan, but big thanks just the same. Much appreciated. This project has really helped me hone my skills.
1) I've had to learn how deal with a team of people while working on a project of this nature, and I learned that with time folks can and do grow to trust a photographer, and they can even be happy to see one. :-) It's important to make them feel they are very much a part of the story--the history--as opposed to a prop in the picture.
2) I've learned about movement of the body, and capturing the body moving and working, which has helped learn to anticipate movement. I know my escort thought me odd at times, but sometimes I would just watch folks and not take any pictures. I still missed *A LOT* of good action shots, but I would have missed a lot more if I hadn't taken the time to begin to learn this point. I still have a lot more to learn.
3) I learned this adage is true: There are great photo stories in your own backyard.
4) I learned that your *seeing* can grow stale especially on a project where there is repetition of the same kinds of movement and action.
5) I learned that when one is shooting in a potentially dangerous situation like a construction site, the photographer at all times has to convey credibility and good sense. The photographer is always working to earn everyone's trust--they don't want yahoos around. I don't think I was ever perceived as a yahoo, but eyebrows raised when I presented myself with a desire to do a photo essay. I'm a short out-of-shape woman, but after my 1st time shooting, I immediately printed up about 5 of the best shots, walked them over to the management office the next day and gave them to the project manager as a gift. He liked the pictures and began to see the potential story, and he relaxed about letting me on the site, and I never gave him any reason to be concerned about my behavior.
6) Lastly, and most importantly, as a photographer, you have to make sure you help keep the people you are photographing safe as well. As time progressed, the workers felt comfortable with me and the idea of a photo story. They loved seeing the photos on the web, and sometimes, I'd hear about it if I hadn't taken someone's photo. As soon as I would walk on the site (especially in the early days), the workers would wave hello, talk to me etc. And I started getting requests for specific shots, and some of the workers had a bit of the macho dare-devil spirit. I could see that if not careful, safety could be at risk, so I never encouraged this.
Veering off on a wine-inspired philosophical tangent, I must say that my mind boggles a bit with the diversity of work being done by members of this group. There you are in your construction boots and hardhat tromping around a construction site while Tanya is chasing rugrats around darkened rooms with no flash. We are offered quality examples of nudes, snowflakes, flowers, industrial sites, bear, deer, even cats! Subways and streetcars and urban streets and Oxford punters and Himalayan mountain passes. Dance moves and exhaust manifolds. Barns and baseball and doors and diners. And dogs. And even the occasional wedding and horse show.
Indeed. I don't think I would have made the progress in improving my skills as fast as I did without PDML, and it's not just because of feedback on MY photos. It's the communal learning experience of learning from other people's work. That's helped in equal measure to be sure, and the diversity and international aspect has been invaluable in honing my photographic skills.
Cheers, Christine
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