For the Regulars
April 29, 2008
Note: Postage Increase on May 12
Since I am in-between sending promotional mailings and by now all of the photo editors and art directors who are going to look at my site have already done so, I’ll indulge in this text-based post to update all of my regulars on what’s going on in Frankland. Based on my stats there are 1200 individuals looking at this site everyday, so I figure a few dozen of you must be repeaters. So here is a little insight into how my reentry into the photo industry is going….
For two monthly cycles now I’ve been sending postcards out to a carefully hewn AdBase mailing list, after which I follow up with an email blast to all those who accept emails. A few people have gotten hard copy Blurb books (about $35 a pop to get them in people’s hands). I can sort of track who has been visiting my website although I don’t do anything with the information other than seeing a cause-and-effect relationship with my promotions.
The Behemoth
So far I’ve gotten a couple of portfolio calls, which means FedExing my massive 11x14 60-page Pina Zangaro portfolios off for a couple of weeks at a time, which is why I seem to be constantly printing more prints and dropping hundreds of dollars on basic portfolio supplies — nothing fancy — these are bare bones and basic. Enough people have told me that when some new photographer sends their work off in über-swanky hand-made leather portfolio they immediately think “poser” as if dressing the book up will somehow make their photos better. Still, when you consider that I’m sending off 60 high quality prints, the value of the book is pretty high even if they’re bound in the cheapest cardboard binder.
My little blue book in its natural habitat.
I’m a little concerned that the Blurb books are too small, or too muddy, or too blue, and I feel like abandoning the entire Print-On-Demand Book concept as just not being good enough, at least for B&W. The Blurb books are far better than LuLu’s product, but they still don’t come close to comparing to decent inkjet prints. The Shared Ink and Asuka options are larger and nicer but they are a lot more expensive — $200 plus — so it’s prohibitive to give them away.
Also, I have anxiety over this website… I get nice unsolicited compliments almost every day but most of them come from other photographers. I know the art buyers want to see photos right away, which is why most successful commercial photographers use horizontally-scrolling, Flash-based, Live Books generic-canned websites. So when people land here and the first thing they see is text or funny photo of Cris biting Meagan’s boob, I wonder how many take that extra moment to click on the gallery or scroll around? It really takes less clicks to get into my portfolio than most other photographer’s websites, but I fear that text or the randomness of the photos posted on the home page might turn some clients off. But then there is the argument that those “tenth of a second” people aren’t the type to appreciate my work anyway… I’ll never be that flashy or loud. So I don’t know, it’s a crapshoot. Give me a sign, lol.
Realistically I know that I set forth on this course and for the first time I have a really tight, focused portfolio of just one subject and theme… and some client (or two) will love my work. So if I just keep at it — and not bail too early — good things will come. But this is the frustrating part. Last year when I shot a lot it was way more fun.
Infamous
Otherwise… I’m just plugging away. I’ve started to apply for grants and submit to shows, although I am struggling to come up with some highfalutin art speak for what I do. I know that finding amateur models on the internet is a hot topic these days, what with all the modeling reality shows and anxiety over social networking. A few people have told me that my work isn’t edgy enough — while a few others have chastised me for shooting gratuitous nudes and making creepy pictures. A few industry people have told me that B&W work is a harder sell than color, since magazines have a hard time printing B&W, and a few others hate the 4x5 frame lines — but others love them. As far as I’m concerned my clients are more than welcome to crop the photos….
John Simon better fork over the dough!
As for shooting itself, I haven’t been traveling or shooting with any crazy new people lately. I don’t do much online anymore. I will go to Utica this Sunday with Cris to shoot with Meagan, since they are my good friends and very reliable models. We’ve all promised to take this upcoming shoot more seriously than when Jessalyn visited, so we’ll see what happens. I haven’t been soliciting for new models — these days friends will refer their friends and it seems like I find more “like-minded” people that way. If I shoot for just a couple of hours every week then I can at least keep fresh work-ideas-inspiration churning through, and I have plenty of people lined up for the Summer.
Recently I read an Irving Penn quote, “A fashion picture is a portrait, just as a portrait is a fashion picture.” I love that. The fashion photography blog A Visual Society uses that line in their header.
I dumped the 35mm Leica gear and scanner last month — My new Nikon D300 digital is just kicking film’s ass, even the B&W conversions are better with this camera — it holds highlight details more like film — and I really don’t like having too many choices with my gear. I mostly use a $95 50mm f/1.8 lens with it and love the results (I also have the cheap 18-70 zoom which works well). Likewise, I swapped the expensive Linhof Technika for a utilitarian Crown Graphic and it’s gone rather seamlessly — in fact I think I get better photos with the Crown because it is easier to handhold. I do miss fondling the high quality vintage German gear but that’s about it — if anything I like the newer photos better.
Still got my baby though…. (ca. 1983)
I won’t discuss politics here other than to repost this letter from a Danish editorial:
“We in Denmark cannot figure out why you are even bothering to hold an election. On one side, you have a lawyer who is married to a lawyer, and a lawyer who is married to a lawyer. On the other side, you have a true war hero married to a blonde with a huge chest who owns a beer distributorship. Is there a contest here?”
And you should really visit my friend William’s blog: Cafe Selavy. It is excellent.
Because mixing family photos in with my other work scares the church-goers away, I started a simple Blogger blog for family stuff — the kids and all that, especially Olivia. If you know me, ask for the link. You have to like cell phone videos though.
The Wholesome Blog
Finally, all the surprise publicity from Fleshbot and other sites has been sort of fun except that I seem to have attracted an anonymous “hater” who likes to leave nasty comments on my website. I delete these as soon as possible, but if you see anything of that sort please let me know and we can have a laugh at their expense.
Reader Comments (add yours)
1. Kieron Heath — Apr 29 2008 07:39 PM
Once again, I advise you to read Rob Haggart's blog www.aphotoeditor.com. As you may have guessed, he was a photo editor.
He talks an awful lot about how to get into the industry and gives insight into how editors work.
2. william — Apr 30 2008 08:14 AM
A complete surprise. Thanks for the endorsement. Now I really have to think about audience. Surprised to hear you let the Leica go. I have the XA, too, and it is always with me. Good luck with the commercial photography. I think some graphics on top of the photos will legitimize them in some people's eyes sort of like a Vanity Fair cover.
The Obama statement makes me laugh. I'll have to tell some of the more dangerous stories on my site.
Again, thanks.
3. Jeffy — May 1 2008 01:44 AM
I can imagine feeling torn between a static flash gallery and your awesome, but labor intensive blog. Yes, 95% of the people that visit the blog, even those of us that are regulars, aren't in the position to give you work.
But it just seems more likely that if you keep up this combination of personality, insights and the actual work you'll create an entry that gets passed around different circles than fleshbot and that 5% will increase to 7% or something and it's really about that extra 2% of people. And each new entry is another chance, whereas the flash gallery route, yes the work might be interesting but it looks like it will never change.
4. Jessalyn — May 3 2008 10:21 AM
My portfolio is totally a black plastic book from Hobby Lobby for $9. Fuck that expensive stuff. My photos are what count.