beepy

Damn, this started out as too late for Medium Format and the poster bait and switched to a film vs. digital thread! :-)

What I *was* going to say was that digital is the GREAT leveler with regards to physical format. Who cares about the

sensor size - except if you want more image for larger print work. Enter the medium format cameras emerging today,

including the new Leica S2. What is pretty cool here is you get larger resolution/print capabilities without the shock of

physical format change like 35mm to 645 (new enlarger, developing equipment, blah blah). Photoshop still works.

We live in interesting times - I'm quite eyeing the emerging "MF form factor" cameras... and others.

<a href="http://www.modelmayhem.com">modelmayhem.com</a> is a place to start.

<p>

Use a make-up artist. Then someone else is there.

<p>

Why would they trust you? Paying helps establish trust:-) (Joking). Shoot in public. Prepare a model release and show to

prospective model before shoot. Etc.

<p>

A portfolio of images showing your work with people is the most powerful way to convince people to stand in front of your

camera.

<p>

Use friends and family first.

<p>

What do you want to shoot that requires a model?

<a href="http://www.engadget.com/2008/09/22/leica-debuts-s-system-37-megapixel-flagship-s2-camera">Engadget

article</a>. Interesting. Canon 5D announce is resetting the price expectation in the 20+ megapixel SLR category (following

Sony's announcement). Fun times for buyers.

Word of warning - he article begins with an image of Mick Jagger making a rude hand gesture at the camera - in case your surfing in the

public library:-)

<p>

I found the NY Magazine article about paparrazo Ron Galella, <a href="http://nymag.com/news/features/50264/">"Man in the Bushes"</a>

rather interesting, I remember this guy when I was growing up just outside New York City.

Polaroid had a very strong brand - <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polaroid_Corporation">the brand was brought, and

the film business is slowly being shut down</a>. Maybe quickly. Probably Polaroid had a brand arguably worth buying

because of its much broader appeal.

I should've sent the notice earlier, before the opening last nite.

<p>

Jerry Uelsmann and Maggie Taylor <a href="http://www.paloaltoonline.com/things_do/best_bets.php">opened a show at Modernbook

Gallery in Palo Alto</a> last nite. The big splash of the show is the publication of Maggie's new <a

href="http://www.modernbook.com/maggietaylor.htm">Alice in Wonderland</a> illustrated book - also published by Modernbook.

<p>

There is new Uelsmann work there, a large portfolio of previous work and Maggie's prints for the book. Really good stuff!

<a href="http://blog.wired.com/gadgets/2008/08/why-the-megapix.html">Why the Megapixel Race Needs to End</a>.

<p>

<blockquote>

Megapixels, like megahertz before them, are the big consumer swindle of the camera world.

</blockquote>

Interesting specs on the <a href="http://www.digitalcamerareview.com/default.asp?newsID=3661&review=canon+50d">EOS 50D</a>

announced today. Automatic vignette correction, 15 megapixels, 14 bit A to D.

<p>

<a href="http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2328818,00.asp">Five cameras total announced</a>?

<a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2008/08/17/fashion/17photo.html?pagewanted=all">Somewhat interesting article in NY Times</a> on the

increase in Photoshop "fakery" and attitudes towards "reality."

I just picked up the <a href="http://www.dpreview.com/news/0806/08062401ricohgx200.asp">GX200</a> in Japan. A friend

of mine from Holland borrowed it this week and is wandering all over the Southwest with it.

<p>

A dandy little camera, lots of control, and fits in my pocket, shoots raw. A nice counterpoint to my Canon 1Ds Mk III (which

is much less - portable)...

<a href="http://themoment.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/08/14/in-focus-in-living-color/">NY Times article on show exploring the emergence of

color photography as art</a> at the Julie Saul Gallery in New York through September 6.

<a href="http://hasselbladusa.com/products/h-system/h3dii-50.aspx">New Hasselblad 50 Megapixel camera</a> coming based on this <a

href="http://www.kodak.com/global/en/business/ISS/Products/Fullframe/KAF-50100/overview.jhtml?pq-

path=11937/11938/12138/13219">Kodak sensor</a>.

<a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/10/technology/personaltech/10camera.html">NY Times article on game changing Canon Rebel

XS.</a>

I would be more worried about trespassing than safety... Unsure how one would get permission to go into buildings - derelict

yes, but highly unlikely unowned.

Watching Sally Mann documentary <a href="http://www.amazon.com/What-Remains-Life-Work-Sally/dp/B0013UQUQE">What Remains:

The Life and Work of Sally Mann</a>. It is quite articulate - many comments and reflections by Mann on her work, influences, approach

and being an artist. Highly recommended.

<p>

Another documentary I found recently interesting was <a href="http://www.nwdocumentary.org/weston/">Eloquent Nude</a> - the story of

Edward Weston and Charis Wilson. Charis is quite the character - and quite articulate also.

<p>

The Richard Avedon documentary from the American Masters Series is good - another articulate (but perhaps misleading) visual artist <a

href="http://www.amazon.com/American-Masters-Richard-Avedon-Darkness/dp/B00005Y71Y">Richard Avedon: Darkness and Light</a>.

Unfortunately it is out of print - and quite expensive to buy. Perhaps find it in your local library?

<p>

Finally, an Alfed Stieglitz documentary - less fulfilling, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/American-Masters-Alfred-Stieglitz-

Eloquent/dp/B00005KA7A">American Masters - Alfred Stieglitz: The Eloquent Eye</a>.

<p>

(was unsure what category or forum to post this under - wish "documentary" was added to News category).

It's not about Nikon fighting Nikon. It's about Nikon fighting Canon. Canon was nimbly stepping around them - coupled to

an emerging strong position in printer technology that was taking on Epson fairly well.

<p>

I for one (having switched from Nikon D1x to Canon 1Ds when I gave up on Nikon's ability to execute to a technology

agenda including full frame) had counted Nikon out in the long term. (By the way, my opinion doesn't matter - but my

money was flowing to Canon).

<p>

Nikon has made an impressive set of announcements and steps that have me reconsidering them as a solution - and I

never did get rid of my Nikon lenses:-) The high ISO performance of Nikon's new cameras is very impressive.

Absolutely read the <a href="http://www.photo.net/bboard/q-and-a-fetch-msg?msg_id=00PtZU">news article linked in this

photo.net thread</a>.

<p>

We have gotten soft - and weak.

<p>

On the other hand more than a few of his subjects were still lives:-)

I love Ellis suggestion - I've felt I needed an assistant for a long time:-) (Actually, I was in a workshop with Alain Briot with

my 8x10 Arca Swiss somewhere in New Mexico - with 9 digital shooters. By the time I set up my tripod and camera they

were ready to move to the next location. Natalie Briot stepped in to assist me because it was getting a little crazy. She was

smooth in handling film holders etc. Totally helped).

<p>

Less the assistant - a press camera. Get a Graflex Super Speed Graphic with the 1/1000s twist cock lens. Fastest 4x5 I

ever shot. I do studio work with it. Street photography sometimes.

<a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2008/04/20/arts/design/20kenn.html?pagewanted=all">Cowboys in

tintype - a New York Times article</a>. (may require a free subscription).