Is Retro a Craze?

I don't think so.

Camera design has been top of mind the last few days because of recent announcements by Fujifilm (the X-T1) and Olympus (the E-M10). Both cameras extend the classic look of photography's SLR heyday.

Some think I shouldn't get to excited about this.

After all, we know that hemlines go up and down, and suit ties expand and contract. But photography is different. (Raise your hand if you like Black & White prints.) The camera buying public isn't slave to collusion by a handful of controlling manufacturers. If you choose an Olympus OM-D over a Canon Rebel, it's because you like it.

I carry three cameras in my bang-around bag: the Olympus OM-D, Fujifilm X-20. and the Canon S110. Sometimes when I'm working and spot the OM-D or the X-20 perched on a table, I think to myself, "Wow, that's a sharp looking camera."

My take on this is that classic industrial design is different than fashion. It's not a craze.

It just looks good.

-Derrick

We're All Independents Now

Johnston Press, owner of 24 newspapers across Scotland and the Midlands, is reportedly firing its photographers.

This is not sitting well with my childhood dream. When I was a kid, I knew two things. 1) I wanted to be a photographer, and 2) I wanted to work for a newspaper or magazine. 

My favorite publication at the time was Life magazine. Yeah, I've always been attracted to those urban assignments. The National Geo guys had too many hardships for my taste. 

As it turned out, I landed a few staff jobs for publications. (Not Life, unfortunately, but it was still fun.)

I know I'm lucky to have had those experiences. Because now, we're all independents.

It's tougher than ever to make a living as a photographer. You have to be part craftsman, businessman, social media expert, and a bit lucky. I'm not saying this is good or bad. But there does seem to be some sort of secret sauce to survival.

Now, instead of working for a publisher, I am a publisher. Who would have ever thought that? There's probably more opportunity now than ever for journalists. The trick is seeing it.

And after all these years, I'm still finding my way.

-Derrick

Two Stories About Lack of Respect for Photographers

That's a great shot. (But we don't care who took it.)

This was the vibe emanating from two stories in this week's news. Here are the posts from PetaPixel that caught my attention.

First we have the two young men who run History in Pictures. They use the work of photographers as content for their sites. However, they don't always pay attention to copyright. And they never give photo credit.

 “It would not be practical,” Di Petta said. “The majority of the photographers are deceased. Or hard to find who took the images.”

Second, our old friend George Zimmerman returns to the news (the man who was charged and ultimately acquitted for the murder of Trayvon Martin). He's now painting, and has copied a photo taken by AP freelancer Rick Wilson. Zimmerman's last painting sold for over $100,000 on eBay.

Zimmerman responds to AP allegations with a cryptic tweet: "No worries AP, I’ll just take whatever U sue me for off your tab when I’m done suing you :-) Or… I could put out how much U offered me 2…"

Here's the deal.

We all enjoy the work of photographers everyday. Pictures are shared everywhere. And that's the joy of photography. Sharing.

But we should recommit ourselves to observing the rules of the game. Give credit where credit is due. And follow the law.

As a photographer, you can help by ensuring that your contact information is embedded in the IPTC data of each image your send out into the wild. Most cameras can add this information, and certainly Lightroom, Photoshop, and Aperture can.

Then at least we can address the excuse: "it's too hard to find who took the images."

Put it right there under their nose.

-Derrick

Oh, and Pouches Too

I just love clearance bins at gadget stores.

Of course most of the stuff in there I don't need, nor could ever use. But one of my regular treasure finds are pouches and cases. I've collected a whole box of them at my studio.

Why the love affair with pouches?

There's a logical side to it. For example, I just posted Create Your Own Modular Camera Bag System on The Digital Story.  And my random collection of pouches comes in very handy for this approach.

But there's an emotional aspect too. I like the idea of having my world organized into identifiable containers - even if it's only my camera gear. 

These days, keeping up and staying organized is a big challenge in my working life. Things move fast. I can spend an hour getting it together at night, only to have it disheveled again by noon the next day.

They don't make pouches for clients and coworkers. But they do for camera gear.

And that's why I can't walk by a clearance bin without digging around.

-Derrick

My Sunset Mantra

Of course cameras and lenses are important.. 

I spend a lot of time debating among my options. This optic or that? Can I get away with just primes or do I need a zoom? Which body is the best choice? These are the questions I ask while packing my bag.

But once those issues have been addressed, I think about food. That's right, I make sure I save a bit of space saved for snacks.

Why?

Because one of the things that can cut a good shoot short is hunger. Has this thought ever gone through your head?

"I think I got that sunset. I'm hungry. I'm going to pack up and get some dinner."

As we all know, sunsets, and just about any other subject in nature, can surprise us. We think we got the best shot, only to discover a better image was waiting for us 10 minutes later.

And what's the primary reason I've left too soon?

Hunger.

Makes me feel like a wimp to admit it. 

That's why I always remember to have a Clif bar stashed in my camera bag. I'll never again fall prey to a growling stomach.

My sunset mantra: Relax. Chew slowly. Get the shot.

-Derrick