Category: Photography Blog

PHOTOGRAPHY HAS BEEN NAMED THE MOST LETHAL ACTIVITY AT GRAND CANYON NATIONAL PARK

According to a report by NBC News, “National Park Service data revealed that there were 205 fatal falls across the entire park system in the U.S. from 2014 to 2019 — the most recent year for which data is available. At the Grand Canyon National Park, 14 people were killed in fatal falls in the same period. Photographing accounted for four of those unintentional deaths.”

Be careful out there! Don’t assume anything and don’t fall.

MICROSOFT AI GETS IT WRONG AGAIN

The CEO of Microsoft AI Mustafa Suleyman has shown an alarming ignorance of copyright law after he claimed that all content on the open web is fair use. – PetaPixel

“I think with respect to content that’s already on the open web, the social contract of that content since the ’90s has been that it is fair use. Anyone can copy it, recreate with it, reproduce with it. That has been ‘freeware’, if you like, that’s been the understanding,” Suleyman says.

FORM VS. FUNCTION

Traditionally, advertising has been more form over function. I’ve done a lot of advertising campaigns in my time behind the camera. Most have been based on form. Yet if I had a choice, my goal would be elegant function. It’s something I’ve strived for over the past 35 years as a full-time pro photographer.

Perhaps the world will turn towards this goal. However, that would mean a big change from appearances, which currently rule.

WHO IS A PROFESSIONAL PHOTOGRAPHER?

Simply put, it is someone who derives the majority of their income from photography. It doesn’t mean that they are being primarily supported by another job, a trust fund, retirement or a family member. A full-time professional photographer has to go beyond that definition. They need to make ends meet every month with the income they earn from their photography. And that means they have to charge a fee that could seem higher than those who don’t. It’s simple really, but the distinction has lost some meaning over the past 20 years. Please consider the differences when exploring these different services.

4-15-24

I’M ON A CAYMAN ROLL

It wasn’t that long ago that I wrote and photographed a feature for the Porsche Club of America’s national magazine on a Cayman S that was perhaps the most expensive one ever ordered. Now, the April 2024 issue features one of the least expensive used Cayman S models purchased that has been turned into a top-time-of-the-day autocross weapon.
Congrats to Tara and Steven Lau for their wins at last year’s Porsche Parade and national SCCA events! Check it out in the latest Porsche Panorama Magazine.

ICM

“Intentional Camera Movement” (ICM) is the hot new topic in photography, joining that other popular image description,”Bokeh”. I’ve been told these terms mean “motion panning” and “backdrop blur”, respectively. Reminds me of the use of “negative space” as just another word for “background”. This new terminology sure makes the person using it sound like they know what they are talking about!

Funny thing is, motion panning (aka ICM) in color photography has been in use since Ernst Haas fist pioneered the technique in 1954 while using ASA 10 original Kodachrome in low light (see his photograph “Bullfight” above). The other art synonyms have been around even longer. Silly me.

SHARE YOUR WORK WITH A QUALIFIED PROFESSIONAL

Showing your work to your family and friends only goes so far. To receive the most honest and critical evaluation of your photography, choose a professional working in your field to view your best stuff. That way you have a qualified opinion that can help you keep growing in an efficient manner.

(Photo of Randy on assignment: Andrea Wells)

STEINBECK’S AMERICA – FROM SOUTH TO EAST

Inspired by John Steinbeck’s 1962 book Travels With Charley: In Search of America, I felt compelled to document my own journey across America at the end of the 20th Century. Here are my notes from the third part of my trip:

From South to East

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WILL IT BE A HAPPY NEW YEAR?

“In an increasingly polarized world, one of photography’s most profound strengths is its ability to cultivate empathy and compassion across cultures. At its best, photography can transport us into unfamiliar environments, activities, and viewpoints. It reveals the humanity in people whose lives and backgrounds differ vastly from our own. Photography has a transcendent way of building understanding and sympathy by showing us new perspectives.” – Alex Cooke of FStoppers

CELEBRATING THE 15TH ANNIVERSARY OF THIS BLOG SITE!

Happy New Year!

It seems unbelievable to me, but when I started this blog site at the beginning of 2010, I never thought I would publish over 1,000 posts.

As simple as it might sound, way back then, I made it my goal to post something about photos, films, music, cars or travel on a regular basis every week. Somehow I stuck to it. I hope you’ve enjoyed it as much as I have!

(Photo of Randy: Somewhere in England 2023 by Andrea Wells)

12-12-23

STEINBECK’S AMERICA BOOK NOW AVAILABLE

Inspired by John Steinbeck’s 1962 book Travels With Charley: In Search of America, I felt compelled to document my own journey across America at the end of the 20th Century.

Over an eight-year period, from 1992-1999, I traveled in a VW Eurovan along Steinbeck’s route while photographing the entire project on analog Fujichrome transparency slide film.

This book has been a labor of love of mine for our country and our people. Peppered with Steinbeck’s words mated to my images, I am humbled to offer this book for you to purchase.

156 pages, 121 Full Color Photographs, Soft or Hard Cover.

For information on how to order, contact us HERE.

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Brooklyn. Coney Island Sand Castle/sculpture. Williamsburg street fair. Bedford Stuyvesant street fair. Park Slope street fair

THE BEST HOLIDAY GIFT FOR A BUDDING PHOTOGRAPHER?

No, it’s not a new camera, a lens, a tripod, or the latest gadget. It’s learning how to see at a photo workshop taught by a master. My choice would be Alex Webb, Sam Abell or Arthur Meyerson. They will teach your budding photographer more in one week than five years in the field or ten years behind the computer.

(Photo: Alex Webb)

Alex Webb
Sam Abell
Arthur Meyerson