My Photo Editor Mind - Autofocus can hurt you

One of the major drawbacks of autofocus is that photographers sometimes rely on it to compose their images. But there’s a problem. The focus is smack dab right in the middle of the image, and the image reflects that. You end up with either a poorly framed image or an image that seems off balance with too much sky or too much ground. If you go through a variety of your images and notice this pattern, try various focus settings to help solve this problem. Don’t let this technology get in the way of your vision.

My Photo Editor Mind - You know you know

Part of my job as a photo editor is to help and guide you to make your images better and tell you the truth if there is a problem. Lately is seems I’ve been telling a lot of truth. It’s actually really hard to do, and something I take quite seriously. The funny thing is, whenever I tell someone that maybe their project isn’t ready, or it’s not enough for a contest entry, the usual response is “I know.” Not one person recently argued with me. I guess you wanted me to tell you what you already knew deep down inside, I get that. That’s what I’m here for.

My Photo Editor Mind - Intimacy – Get closer

I get to look at a lot of images from a lot of photographers in varying stages of their careers – from beginners to experienced and seasoned photographers. And a common problem I see in many photographers’ work is a lack of intimacy. I actually think it’s one of the hardest aspects of photography to master. But if you want to be a great photographer, you have to be able to shine a light on the subject’s essence, their inner self. You are asking someone to become vulnerable in front of you and your camera. By achieving this intimacy, you are allowing me, the viewer, to connect with your subject, and that is when you take your photography to the next level.   

How do you accomplish this? I’m a believer in spending time with someone, lots of time, letting them get to you know you and trust you. I also think revealing a part of yourself helps too, or it might just be taking the time to listen to what they have to say, letting them know they matter. 

It’s tough, but this is when the magic happens. Just as composition and lighting are important aspects of photography, so is intimacy.

My Photo Editor Mind - Now is the time

Updating your website can be both overwhelming and intimidating, and just one of those things that can be easily set aside for another day, another month, or even a year. Well I’m here to help you, from just going over recent work that needs to be added to a full-blown overhaul. It might be just to talk over whether you actually need an update. I’m here to help, so let’s get started.

My Photo Editor Mind - KISS (keep it simple stupid)

OMG, just because you shot it, that doesn’t mean it has to go on your website. I’m seeing quite a bit of this this week. Less is more; keep it simple stupid; you’re only as good as your worse photo. Most editors, including myself, get a gut reaction about a photographer in seconds, not minutes, actual seconds, first impression and all. If you’re looking for work, you have a few frames, and I’ve made a decision about you – brutal, hell yes, but that’s the reality. So lighten up on the quantity of the photos. Show me who you are and what you want to do, and keep it to the best of the best! Oh, and if you need help, I’m here for you!

My Photo Editor Mind - What is a portrait?

I am currently judging a contest, and one of the categories is portraits. I am amazed (and not in a good way) how bad some of these images are. When I think about a portrait, I want to get a sense of the person I’m looking at. Who are they? Do they have a sense of humor? What makes them smile? Are they playful or serious? Instead, what I am seeing is people posing in such a way that they look uncomfortable, so it makes me uncomfortable to even look at the image. Another issue is there is so much stuff in the images I can’t even find the subject. Over-designed, over-lit, over the top. Yes, lighting is important and composition is critical, but the most important aspect of portrait photography is the subject. Who are they? Show me who they are.

My Photo Editor Mind - Best Editing Advice

After I have completed a rather large edit for a project or story or even a website, there is one thing I always do – go through all the outtakes. Seriously, all of them. I recently edited a project and had decided on my final selection. The sequence was right, the flow of images was right, each photo building on each other, telling the story. I felt it was complete; I was done. Then as I always do, I went through the outtakes.

The process of editing is a process of elimination, so you finally have a set of photos that works, but through this process, you might have deleted an image that actually works with the final edit that may not have worked with your initial thoughts on the edit.

I always check my outtakes, and on this recent project I actually pulled images back into the edit that were initially discarded. Be patient with the process; you’ve spent an awful lot of time to get these images, now take as much care in editing them. And if you need help, you know I’m here to help.

My Photo Editor Mind

I am an award-winning professional picture editor who has helped photographers tell their stories and elevate their work, whether it was still images or video.

Every photo project, every portfolio, and every collection of photos must have a beginning, middle, and end to tell a story effectively, and I can guide you along this journey.

With over 14 years picture editing experience, most recently at the Los Angeles Times, I mentored and supported photographers from beginning to end, guiding them as their projects took shape and helping them make their final edit.

Photographers with whom I have worked with have been Pulitzer Prize finalists, RFK winners, and POYi winners.

I will encourage and nurture your personal vision, and I will bring passion to every job I work on.

My Photo Editor Mind - Contest time already?

Oh my goodness, it’s that time of year again where it’s a mad rush to get contest entries done. It’s really interesting how people approach contests. Some get in touch with me a month in advance; others are very last minute. The hardest part of my job is to sometimes tell photographers that their work isn’t contest worthy. It’s hard to do, but better I’m honest than charge someone for unnecessary work. Best of luck to those who are entering; it’s a moment of hope. For those of you still in need of help, I’m here for you.

My Photo Editor Mind - You can’t handle the truth

Clients always tell me they want me to be honest with them about their work. And I am honest…brutally. When I was a photographer, I knew the only way to improve was to hear the truth about my work, but that’s not to say a few critiques didn’t leave me in tears. I think you have to see your images for what they are, not what you felt when you shot them. Sure, your friends will tell you how awesome your work is and what a great photographer you are, but let’s face it; they have to. They are your friends. That’s not a real measure of quality.  Accepting your images for what they are is a huge accomplishment and part of the learning process. So next time you say you want the truth from me, rest assured you’re going to get it.