I am working with Joe Aguirre to help develop of couple of projects as I stretch myself creatively. He is just back from a solo show in Paris and brought me some super cool zines that remind me of older Japanese photography, my favorite!
I will update this post as we spend more time together, using these notes as a reminder of working points we have discussed.
Japantown Studios, San Jose 2016
1. Pick two camera set ups and shoot those most of the time. I will go with the Leica Q 28mm and Leica M-A film with a 50mm set up.
2. Blog posts only need a date/location and a one liner.
3. As the shooter I know the context of the photos and sequence shot, but the viewer does not. It is up to me to create that story for the viewer. Time for me to grow out of the timeline approach and move into the creative side. Let go of the linear.
4. Change it up: shoot new people, new locations, different light (but with the same camera and post set up).
5. Let go of my studio mindset when shooting on location with the Leica. Good to carry over all the lighting experience I have learned but also need to shoot more than just head shots on location.
6. There are rules and there are no rules.
7. For a shoot have a specific plan and set of shots, just like a wedding. Then you have room/space for shots that happen in the moment.
8. My editing and post production is fine, not to worry.
9. Now shooting film is fun, not to worry.
10. Let go of the snapshots, although I can do these pretty well now. Best shots are the ones no one has seen before.
11. Check out Model Mayhem for different set of models, different looks.
12. Probably just using 1-2 shots of the same person in a project, unless the focus is just that subject.
13. Projects don't have to be big or small. We picked and sequenced 6 shots that flowed together beautifully. Project done, move on.
14. I should learn some basic InDesign skills as it seems that is the go to platform for publishing.
15. But there are also design people that do books/zines that can help. Pay for it for best quality.
16. Some shots are just great single images, some can be help for larger projects, some are mainstream in a project. All good.
17. No need to delete any shots.
18. Printing is good for developing book layout, etc.
19. With model there is a flow based on the overall dynamic, but it might be thought of as a conversation punctuated by snapshots.
20. For his Paris show he printed 16x20 with some space so they fit into wooded frames from Ikea, no mat required.
21. Having some zines for sale or give away is a good idea to promote your work.
22. For an intial zine may either matte or glossy, 100 or 120 wt paper all the same with uncoated white paper. Spin to USB or finished PDF.
23. Mundane photos need to be really mundane, not postcards or snapshots.
Pro tip: Working 1x1 makes good sense for me at this point, Joe has been super to work with.