You know, ever since I started getting ‘into’ photography, I wanted to start some sort of project, much like the Sartorialist. Yes, yes, I know that there’s no way in…er… anywhere hot… that I’d manage to get that sort of recognition (though working for GQ would be pretty awesome…) but I just noticed that he uses a plain old 85mm 1.8 on his Canon (i think it was a 40D or 30D) for all his shots. Which is basically a lens which most people have (including me). I wanted to find the photo that has him holding the camera, but I couldn’t, there are just too many photos on his blog…
Which gets one thinking really. I’ve always believed that the line between a master photographer and someone close to that ’shifu’ status is very, very thin. And actually, what makes the greats, the greats, is really who you know and your marketability. I think when you come to creative arts, that’s really what it’s about. It’s not really like sport, or banking, when you can really measure the success/greatness of someone by a quantitative amount, but instead, what differentiates you from the rest is essentially making sure people notice you in the first place. And while there, of course, has to be a certain quality there, to really make it takes some sort of ‘lucky break’ of the right people noticing you and then pushing you out there.
Hmmm. Did I leave something behind?
It was pretty interesting working with an actual fully time professional videographer today. Normally people will employ the services of a cousin or friend to carry around a small handycam or something, but today there was a proper big-ass video cam guy.
It dawned on me that videographers (at least others I have seen at other weddings) by nature tend to be more quiet and less vocal and it really boils down to the nature of the work I suppose. Photographers have to take group pictures and have to tell those aunties to move there and that little boy to look here, so as a result you just end up talking more and to a certain extent you really have to force yourself to as well (especially when you’re tired!). Videographers just walk around and record their stuff. Most people tend to leave you alone if you are the videographer. But pretty much everyone will talk to the photographer.
I’m not sure if that’s a good or bad thing, because on one hand I can’t imagine going through a wedding like a videographer; not talking to anyone and not being talked to by anyone, because I find that part of the process quite enjoyable as a whole. Yet, at the same time, you do sometimes want your privacy to take the pictures you want to take and wander at your own desire.
Videographers don’t seem to mind, though. Rather, they get on with the job and it’s pretty neat watching them work. The only issue between photographer and videographer is having to get the best spots, because obviously, we’re both looking for that angle of view so in tight angle situations, it can get pretty messy.
But I’m glad I got to know the guy today, even if it was extraordinarily nerdy/geeky/loserish to be talking about each other’s gear during the wedding.
I suppose it’s just one of those things.
You know that feeling you get when you think you’re pregnant and you freak out and then you take a pregnancy test and it comes back negative?
I’m NOT PREGNANT!
Damn it feels SO good.
(disclaimer for those who always read into what I say too much: always use protection)
Did my first baby shoot today. Seriously, seriously fun. The thing about shooting children, especially just one, is that you do grow so attached to them. After spending a few hours with someone, most children tend to warm to you, so going back, you can’t help but smile at the various moments during the shoot when she made you laugh. The best part is that one day, she’s going to look back and look at a time when she just had no idea what was going on and what was happening and maybe, just maybe, wonder ‘hey, who took this photo?’ and hire me when she gets married.
Hah. Right…
A couple more shots from the rainy day. Am I selling myself out with this branding thing…?
The light in the first shot turned out really nicely, breaking in through the canopy of trees above. And yes, I know, I know, another back shot, I think I have issues.
The second shot below I like because of the open space. I guess particularly in Singapore because it’s rare to get that much open space (and yes I know it’s only about 20 metres or so) but it just feels so vast… or maybe I’m just a product of a cubicle life. But what I like best is that even though the couple are small, you can tell she’s smiling, and that’s all that matters really!
Saturday morning it poured, but luckily it sort of petered out by the afternoon so I met up with J&M for a little casual shooting. Interestingly enough, a little rain and some clouds really help from a light (as in, from the sun) point of view. Everything is rather muted and soft, perfect!
Other than all the very lovely mushy shots, I really liked this one mainly because it was totally unposed and he really was putting his hand out to check the rain. I guess ultimately it’s moments like this that make me love photography; the candid, yet charming reality of life that we so often shy away from.
Okay, well, after much ado, much thinking, much debate and no conclusions. I decided to just do this the easy way. So here I present to thee, the finished (with updates coming) bittersweet6twenty website!
I hope you like it. I think it’s easier to use, not overly complicated, and less ‘pretentious’. Enjoy!
Enjoying the simple things in life.
You and I said
theroo, happyjz
theroo, jb, theroo, bao, jo
theroo, happyjz, theroo, happyjz, theroo, jo
theroo, , , theroo, giraffe
jo
theroo, Ber, Ber