Tonight I was hired to make headshots for an up-coming pageant of one of the contestants. This was a pretty straight-forward shoot to capture a nice, possibly glamorous portrait. We shot many head and shoulders pictures and then we had some fun making some other photos including some shots with her boyfriend. What I like best about photographing people is that as we shoot and talk, we have fun. I often snap a few frames of funny expressions and laughter and this leads to more fun frames and more laughter. And it almost always leads to a relaxed atmosphere and we just try different shots that were not planned. These were not planned, in fact Josh said if he new he was going to have his picture taken he might have 'shaved or something.' I think these unplanned shots are usually more honest and more true to the people than the ones that they plan to have taken where their poses are sort of pre-determined. SayerMotter Photograph by Richard Sayer.
0 Comments
I remember the first time my friend Craig went overseas to cover a war, I was a little afraid for him. I mean we went to school together and I didn't know anything about being safe in a war zone. What I couldn't fully grasp was that he had learned so much more about these things than I had, not that one can be safe in war, but he was prepared. I remember thinking about him one night while I was at work covering a football game and I laughed a little. How did we go in such different directions--and yet we're still the same. As I was photographing cheerleaders on the sideline he was photographing President Karzai being put into office in Afghanistan. We were both documenting the life in front of us, but his pictures will possibly be historic I thought. Now, a bunch of years later, we both are still documenting the life in front of us, we're both doing important work, but his work won't possibly be historic, it IS historic as he won last years Pulitzer Prize. This means his pictures, his story will now be studied for generations to come. I'm not one that is competitive in such things, I love the fact he has success and he deserves this success--believe me--he is truly a good guy, I am however someone who wasn't shy about asking him to come out to the little college I teach at in Northwestern Pennsylvania to speak. Its been a funny thing, I go around telling people about Craig's success as if I had something to do with it. Oh I will admit if it wasn't for me standing over a darkroom tray smelling the freshly fixed prints still wet prints that Craig was working on back in 1985 and telling him what he needed to do to improve the print(truth is there was never much to tell him) and if I hadn't gone out with him for coffee after coffee as he was working his first gig in Marlborough Ma. or drank beer with him on a bar stool with his name on it in Pittsfield Ma. a few years later, or talked with him as he was working on any number of projects for the Denver Post then he wouldn't have won the Pulitzer this year. Thats my story and I'm sticking to it. Actually its quite an honor that he has agreed to come out and speak at the college in February. I designed the poster above to hang around campus etc... Public is invited. I'm trying to spread the word so young journalists and photographers might make it part of their plans. Its a great opportunity to see and hear someone who is on the top of their game.
Of course the above was done with a :) and ; Got a chance to photograph Matt today in his wrestling gear and put together a poster for him. I had made the basic background earlier in the week but had to modify it when I put in Matt's image. The Panther head was much bigger before, but it just didn't work. So, as with all things I seem to do, I had to modify and change around until it seemed right. What's cool about it is that its now quite a bit different than the Maplewood poster I made last week so it is unique and not just cookie cutter(if you've been reading these posts now for awhile, you'll know I don't really like cookie-cutter!) Another shot I took just horsing around after the first few pictures led to this idea below. Its always fun finding some new way to make a picture. Yesterday I learned how to make numbers look like they are crumbling and dissolving, today I learned how to make a kid hold the whole world on his shoulders! SayerMotter designs by Richard Sayer.
Every year since 2006 when we first started making slideshows for the website at the Meadville Tribune we have been posting our favorite images from the year. Click on the picture above to see my favorite images from the year. If you care to read my long explanations and commentaries click on 'captions' in the lower right and some of my thoughts(as you all know by now--I've got plenty of those about my work). Meadville Tribune photographs by Richard Sayer.
Ok, so we began to do some portfolio work last year for people who wanted to put together a collection of pictures either in print or on the web that showcases their beauty and ability to perhaps use their looks in modeling. We were surprised about how many people want to have a collection of pictures like these. We began experimenting with lighting and poses and began to really build a vocabulary in making these images and building our own portfolio. So in 2011 we want to start the year off with a portfolio special. For $125 we'll do a 2 hour session with many changes of outfits and styles and if appropriate even locations. From these you'll get online proofing to view many, 20 4x6 watermarked proofs of photographer's favorites and 10 of your favorites printed on 8.5 x 11 paper ready for a print portfolio and 5 licensed images that can be used on a web-site. We look to make portfolio pictures that are works of art as well as show off your abilities as a model. Keep checking back for more details and more specials as the year goes on! Happy New Year everybody. SayerMotter Photograph by Richard Sayer
|