More thoughts, same week…
- In the past few weeks, I have been diligently working on printing, matting and framing my pictures for a new show. During this time, i have often wondered if “outsourcing” these things would have been easier on me. Being a perfectionist (or seemingly so) – I wear white gloves, inspect the mats under strong light for any specs of dust, and clean them with either a sharp edge razor blade or an eraser. I double clean the glass with non ammonia cleaner, take utmost care in printing doing multiple proofs to ensure color accuracy. I use the very best paper i can afford and/or works best for the image. In short, I am sticker for details. In the past, i have had print shops do this for me. They are experts in their field and can do this faster. But, can they offer my prints the very best that can be? In short, do they even care about my prints?On the other hand, the chop shop guys are experts in their thing. They know what they are doing, and can do it faster for this one reason alone, with possibly very less compromise on the quality etc. They also buy in bulk – and therefore substantial savings. They do have overheads and therefore the 70% markup.I am thinking, i will continue doing all of these myself – for sake for passion, if not for anything else.
Thoughts for the week…
- I am currently working on preparing for an upcoming exhibition. I will be exhibiting a series of abstracts from my digital art series. You can check out the images on my website (select Portfolio -> abstracts). The images were printed by John at ejarts, on Hahnemuhle Fine Art Pearl, using an Epson 9880 printer. The images are 12×16 on 15×24 roll paper. The are now ready to be hung on the wall – The frames are 18×24 black metal moulding – nielsen frame profile 15 equivalent. I have made bottom weighted mats cut from Bainbridge Pure White 4-ply boards – with under matting to expose my signature on the bottom of the actual print. It is double weighted – once inside the mat, and the mat itself as well. I feel that having weights on the mats somehow gives the perception that the board is heavier than the 4-ply. Plus, it looks nice. & professionally done.
- I have been recently trying out painting with LED lights. I am currently using this light, and have found that the color temperature is about 17,000 degree kelvin. Here is how to get started: (a) If your camera supports a Live View mode, turn it on. (b) Mount your camera on a tripod (c) Select a long exposure (d) make sure the room is dark or has no light (e) Make sure the camera is either in RAW, or if you don’t have the option – select Cloudy or Shade WB (f) If you don’t have any of these – select Day light WB, and fix a piece of CTO or Double CTO (orange) gel filter on the flashlight. Hold it in place with elastic band or scotch tape. (h) Fire the shutter, and wave your light on the subject(s). (j) Have fun!
- I am currently reading Single Exposures by Brooks Jensen. It is a wonderful book – and i recommend this book to every artist and photographer. It is like reading a blog, except printed and bound into a book.
- Its been 5+ years since i became seriously interested in Photography. It has been some 2+ years, since i started looking at Photography as an Art medium. I realized something a few days ago about how my photography has changed.
- For starters, i don’t take my camera out randomly anymore. All my shoots are planned. I often plan weeks or months in advance on what i will shoot, how i will shoot and when i intend to shoot it.
- I don’t shoot a lot of images like i used to. I have somehow, even started reviewing the images on the back of the camera and just delete the ones i didn’t like – either from a compositional perspective or something else.
- I work best when given a deadline. I have created my own deadlines – in terms of signing up to present my work at exhibitions. I have found i work better when given an “assignment” and i have a “project” to work on.
- I have sometimes started pre-visualizing the work “after photoshop” - a thought that is often required in order to capture higher dynamic range images effectively.
- There are several things that simply cannot be “learned” effectively via books or reading online. These are the things that often requires a “guru” or mentor. I am fortunate for having one, and learning to look through the “mentor’s” eyes are sometimes an “eye opening” revelation. Makes me say out loud “now why didn’t i think of that before”…but, as they say, you just don’t know what you don’t know…
- I hate websites that automatically re-size your browser upon visiting them (without asking for your permission!) . For example – All Foliolink portfolios!
Translator
By N2H
Powered by FireStats