Tuesday, April 20, 2010

Copyright in the digital age...

I'm headed into ASMP's symposium of copyright "Copyright and the New Economy" in NYC tomorrow.  Should be a fascinating day with many photographers and (c) luminaries in attendance.

As important for everyone is the pending (less than two months now) publication of Ed Greenberg and Jack Reznicki's new book, "Photographer's Survival Manual: A Legal Guide for Artists in the Digital Age." I'm working on a review copy so I can tell you more, but anyone who knows how thorny these issues have always been--and the even denser briar patch we've been thrown into by the internet and the altered expectations of people who want to use our images, will definitely want to check this out--and maybe buy a copy for their attorney.

Tuesday, April 13, 2010

Rules, schmules...

It's amazing how often I find myself breaking the "rules" these days. I still read blogs, many from "pro" photographers that try to make sure you've got the light coming from over your shoulder, i.e. front lighting your subject. More times than not, I'm working with (sometimes strong) backlighting.

Don't have your subject looking OUT of the frame? Says who.

Always trying to have your photographs tack-sharp? Why?

Using high shutter speeds to freeze motion? Why?

Cranking the aperture to maximize depth of field? Why?

Staying away from high ISO's to prevent grain? Why?

Attach lens to the front of your camera? Why? (try free-lensing).

Shoot subjects at eye-level? Why? (depends what you're trying to say).

Use only natural light? Why?

Don't shoot in the middle of the day? (already covered this one in another post).

This is safe. FORGET ABOUT THE RULES AND PLAY. You're not likely to be arrested if you break any of these rules (...I suppose it's possible depending on how far you take things...).

Look at the photography that inspires you and speaks to you. For me, these days, the pictures that really resonate are almost always rule-breakers. You can't get there if you don't.