I’m in the process of sorting through my photographs and deciding which ones will make the cut for a print book. Boxes of images, some containing the occasional shoot that was a complete disaster…..clearly, a classic case of Murphy’s Law. (Those photographs will remain at the bottom of the box, never again to see the light of day). And then there are the shoots that effortlessly flow…..a creative collaboration at its best, when the stars and moon align. One such shoot for me was for the brilliant Australian hair stylist (and entrepreneur) Cleve McMillan . It was a day of inspiration, fun and a shared creative vision that perfectly flowed (well almost…..there was a minor disruption when a light fixture mysteriously fell off the wall). The location was a gorgeous home of an interior designer, filled with a treasure trove of stunning artwork, sculptures and antique furniture all bathed in a beautiful natural light. Combined with the talents of the model: Geraldine, make-up: Linda Jefferyes, stylist: Aly May, and hair: Cleve McMillan…..what more could one ask for. The photographs we produced are some of my all time favorites and will forever be preserved in both memory and print. More images from the shoot can be viewed in the fashion portfolio.

Yesterday I attended the ASMP ‘Copyright and the New Economy: Issues & Trends Facing Visual Artists’ seminar in New York. The event was part of ASMP’s initiative to encourage photographers to register their work, and explored the issues, challenges and trends associated with copyright. One thing was very clear. What constitutes copyright, specifically ”fair use”, is a complex, baffling issue, and the copyright law is in desperate need of a major overhaul to protect the use of photography in the digital age. Copyright tutorials and steps for registering works is available on the ASMP website.

The highlight of the day for me was a presentation by Brian Storm, president of MediaStorm regarding Storytelling in the Digital Age. MediaStorm is a multimedia publication that utilizes still photography, video, audio and animation to “publish diverse narratives that speak to the heart of the human condition”. MediaStorm uses all aspects of social media as a highly effective marketing tool, encouraging viewers to share videos by readily providing links and codes to embed in blogs and websites. One of the many powerful stories on the site is ‘Driftless: Stories From Iowa’ by photographer Danny Wilcox Frazier, documenting the struggles, isolation and tension of a group of people living in rural Iowa. I encourage you to check out the many amazing stories showcased on MediaStorm.

I haven’t as yet ventured into the world of video, however this beautiful short film by cinematographer Shane Hurlbut (cinematographer of Terminator Salvation) has inspired me to want to jump in and explore the possibilities. The main character, William Turner is a janitor whose seemingly mundane life is revealed through flashbacks in the last three minutes of his life. The film was shot with a Canon 5D Mark 11 utilizing the new Canon 5D firmware that enables 24 fps recording and an assortment of Canon L lenses. You can read more about the making of the film on Shane’s blog .

Director: Po Chan
Cinematographer and Executive Producer: Shane Hurlbut, ASC
Producer: Greg Haggart
Editor: Vashi Nedomansky

“The Last 3 Minutes” From Shane Hurlbut, ASC from Shane Hurlbut, ASC on Vimeo.

I came across the TED video of ‘Adora Svitak: What adults can learn from kids’ on John Paul Caponigro’s blog. (If you haven’t already, John Paul’s website is a great site to bookmark, full of lessons on technique and creativity ranging from color management, workflow, printing and writing to name a few. I attended one of his seminars on Photoshop Color Strategies at the PDN Photo Expo last October, and John Paul is an expert on color, and not just in a technical sense. As a photographer I prefer shooting black and white, but left the seminar with a new understanding and appreciation of color.)
I’ve often thought that children are our richest resource. Not in a monetary sense but in the way they enrich our lives. Despite the occasional frustrations of the tantrums, teenage years and defiance in trying to establish their identity and independence, children bring much joy, laughter and often wisdom into our lives. As parents/guardians, our love, guidance, nurturing of their creativity and encouragement of their dreams, is vital in helping children discover their potential and shine in their own unique way. In the words of Adora Svitak “It is imperative to create opportunities for children, so we can grow up and blow you away”.