My Photo Editor Mind - Mental Vacation
In a rut? Not inspired? Shooting the same pix over and over, bored, dreading the next assignment? Maybe it’s time for a break, so you can recharge yourself. Okay, I know, you have to shoot for the next month with no breaks in the foreseeable future….but there are other ways to accomplish this.
When I was a photographer, one of the best things I could do for myself was start a project. My energy would be so focused on the project that it would inspire and energize me. Not a project person? Maybe it’s a hobby. I also enjoy home improvement projects, currently installing hardwood floors in our house. I become so consumed with the project, sometimes slightly obsessive, that other thoughts fall by the wayside.
I appreciate it’s different for everyone, but a mental break can do wonders. Refocusing your energy on something other than those daily assignments can help inspire you and get you moving in a positive direction.
My Photo Editor Mind - 2017
Thank you to all the photographers who allowed me into their lives and souls and let me edit your work last year. Through you, I traveled to Bolivia, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, North Korea, Romania, Canada, Australia, Iraq, Japan, Germany, to name a few, and many unique areas in the United States. I’ve gotten to learn about places I didn’t know anything about and got to meet some fantastic people. Here’s to a great 2018!
My Photo Editor Mind - Contest Time
What comes after Thanksgiving? Yep, a dire need to hit the gym. But maybe more importantly for some of you, it’s that time of year when people start planning their contest entries. I’ve already had people schedule my time to make sure I’m available. I’ve had my share of wins and yeah it feels pretty good, but it’s not everything. When you gather your work for possible entries, take a moment and reflect on what you have done this year: new stories, new ways of shooting, your accomplishments. Did a story you work on effect change? Did you meet a great subject that just inspired you? There are probably a lot of great things that happened this past year, so take a moment and feel good about yourself. Reflect on the good work you have done, please. Win or lose, it’s the work that really matters.
My Photo Editor Mind – The Editor/Therapist Is In
When I was a photo editor at the Los Angeles Times, I used to joke that I was just as much a therapist as I was an editor. I don’t know if people really understand how the two are connected. Sure, I’m a picture editor; I look at images and edit them in a pretty sequence, but I always insist we talk after an edit. Why? Because it’s not just about the images. Every time you push that shutter, there are hopes and dreams connected to that moment. Did you accomplish your goal? Are you reaching your potential? Are you good enough? Are you in the right business? Are your insecurities peeking out again? Are they controlling how you shoot? I see this a lot actually. When I ask to see your outtakes or set up a meeting with you to chat, I’m trying to get inside your head to see how you handled the situation. Is there confidence, or is it frantic shooting? The next time I say I want to talk about the images after an edit, what I really want to talk about is your psyche.
My Photo Editor Mind - Ann Johansson
When I was a picture editor at the Los Angeles Times, I use to hire freelance photographer Ann Johansson. It’s funny; we barely knew each other in Los Angeles. I hired her for these evening performance gigs on the weekend. She’d come into the paper, we’d chat for a minute, and I wouldn’t see her again until the next time. After I started my freelance photo editing business, she hired me. I’m almost ashamed to say, before, I didn’t have the time to get to know Ann and even worse, to know her body of work. This woman has accomplished more than most photographers do in a lifetime. Imagine an assignment that literally takes you around the world; yeah, Ann did that! From Sierra Leone to Haiti, tornados to industries, and a book to help bring awareness to celebrity charities titled Cause + Celeb. Wait until you see what she’s working on now!
Here is one of my favorite images from her trip around the world.
My Photo Editor Mind: What should I blog about?
It’s been so long since I posted any blogs…I have been so busy that there wasn’t any time to think except for the work in front of me. I loved it! Then right in the middle of all that we went on a long-needed vacation to Spain. It’s been too long since I went out of the country. It’s amazing: once you step on the plane, you leave behind all the little stresses of life. Now I’m back to work and staring at a blank page wondering what to blog about, then I thought…I bet someone has a topic they would like to hear about. So let me know.
My Photo Editor Mind - Soft Edit
With that project almost done, now is the perfect time to review it and see what’s missing. I like to call this a soft edit. I think it’s really important to review your work, especially on longer-term projects to see what you missed, if the direction shifted, and to fill in the gaps. Have someone look at it that is critical, not one of your friends that thinks everything you shoot is great. You know who I’m talking about. If they can’t help you, then I can.
My Photo Editor Mind - Your Website
Your website is making a first impression on anyone who looks at it. Regardless of whether the images are good or not, if there are too many images and categories and it’s disorganized, that is what people will think of you. That’s their first impression of you. Enough thinking about it, let’s update your website! I will help you consolidate images and categories, and help you streamline your presentation, whether you are a seasoned pro or just starting out. And for gosh sakes….put your phone number on your website!
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.