I'm finally back in DC after a truly hellish travel experience with United (all their fault, and trust me the compensation they gave doesn't even come close to making up for the experience). But now that I've had a chance to think about the workshop and where I'm at, I thought I'd revisit how I did on my original goals.
1. An honest critique
Well, this is the one goal that I'm sure I accomplished. Frankly, Joyce doesn't give great critiques, and when asked outright to talk about the weaknesses she sees in my photography, she wouldn't go there. She did give me a great word as a description--quirky. I take that as a big compliment. I was however, able to get a helpful critique from the Canon explorers of light guy. He got what I was doing/where I was going with the photos and showed me how to make them better.
2. New techniques for getting expressions from my models
More than anything, what Joyce showed us actually validated what I was doing with my models to begin with, i.e., I was on the right track intuitively. However, what she did show me was a better way to start the session and how to slow down and sync up my pace with the model. If anything, one of the biggest lessons was to learn to slow down and not be afraid to wait until the image was just perfect.
3. Outdoor lighting
Well here I think I got more than I bargained for. Because it rained some of this week, we also got a great lesson in studio lighting. Joyce does a very flat lighting with just twosoftboxes at 45 degree angles from the subject. As far as outdoor lighting, really it was just learning to use an assistant to help with the reflectors. I had reflectors and worked with them before, but it was just helpful to spend the hours I did this week with them, considering the types of light I could get from each reflector in given natural light conditions.
4. Work more freely and creatively.
I definitely think this happened!! I'm not sure I could describe how it happened though. Part of it was definitely being around such other creative photographers and part of it was forcing myself to shoot every afternoon, no matter what I was feeling.....trusting that I'd get to that creative place eventually. Part of it was spending time being inspired by other photographs, and learning from Joyce that a skirt doesn't have to be a skirt, it can be used to drape, create a hood, etc. In other words, breaking free from my conception that objects should be used as they were intended.
5. the passover question
More than anything, my style really started to coalesce this week. Movement was definitely a theme--either through the model or the lensbaby, it was present in most of my best photographs. And quirky was in them. I'm not sure I can describe how I get to the quirky, but I know it when I see it. As a result, I'm also more conscious of why I choose to take the shots I do, and select the best from the session.
6. the future
Finally, I have a clearer idea of my photography path for the future. Classes around DC and more workshops will definitely happen. And my goal is to conceptualize and finish a project this year that could either lead to a book (starting with a blurb.com book) and/or a gallery showing. But I think I definitely came to the conclusion this week that the standard for-hire portrait photographer is probably not for me. (though don't worry, I'll still do it with pleasure for family and friends). I feel more comfortable with the idea of doing book-like projects. That seems to suit both the academic and artist in me.
I'm going to try to send out model releases this week, and once I've got them signed for use on the internet, I'll post my work from maine. Stay tuned. I'm pretty certain you're not going to want to miss it.
And finally, I am going to try to keep this going...though I'm not going to post every day, but will try to post every week. It's good to have a place where I can hold myself accountable for photography. And, this will help me progress on my projects, as well as making sure that I'm shooting regularly.
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