My Photo Editor Mind – Rocio De Alba

One of the advantages of being a freelance photo editor is getting to edit a variety of types of photography. Rocio De Alba contacted me; she’s an artist whose medium is photography and she wanted me to edit her work. Wow, at first I was intimidated; this woman is really good! Then the more I looked at her work, I realized a good image is a good image is a good image, whether it is fine art or photojournalism. I can do this!  We’ve had some great sessions on the phone; I love her self-discovery and how she works through her life through photography and with a sense of humor. If you get the chance, check out her work at www.rocioalba.com. Her work is also part of a group show on exhibit at The Center for Fine Art Photography in Fort Collins, CO starting Sept 4, 2015. Damn, I’m digging this job.  

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Ode to The Man Man

My Photo Editor Mind - Just because you got the shot doesn’t mean it’s good.

Many years ago when I was a photographer, I remember I got this shot of an explosion. I barely remember the particulars, but I think it was some kind of movie set or something similar. I was so excited when I got back to the paper, and I argued like a MF to get it in as the lede image. I won. It wasn’t much time later when I looked back at that photo and realized it wasn’t that good. Just because I got the shot, that overrode any objectivity I had about the image. My emotional attachment and excitement was so great, I didn’t see the photo for what it was, only for what I felt. Feelings can get in the way. Yes, we all make these kinds of mistakes, so if I can pass along any advise when someone you know says it ain’t that good, you might want to listen because chances are it’s not that good. If you need a second opinion, I can help you.

My Photo Editor Mind - Where have all the relationships gone?

I think the one thing I miss about working at a newspaper is the relationships that grew out of it – from photographers to page designers and everyone in between. So sitting in my home office alone facing my computer isn’t quite as enjoyable. My cats are not very talkative, they kind of sleep all day, though one always stays in my office while I’m working. Once the work started coming in, the relationships started to build. Maybe it’s because I'm on the phone, but I swear I’m telling people things about myself I don't normally share in person – and they are sharing their lives with me. Even though the conversations start with the images, the conversations take off from there. I feel I’ve had great “life” conversations. I think this may work out after all.