Re: One day's work

[hmphoto <hmphoto@delphi.com>]

>The downside of having deadlines to shoot an assignment, is that you may
>not get the most favorable lighting when having to return with a covered
>bridge or grotto shot, as shown in the referenced web link to this posting.

This is really true.  In the instance of the Grotto shot I needed to wait 
for an entirely different season.  In the spring it is supposed to be 
really beautiful there because of all of the blooming flowers and such.  
Also in the winter the sun is to much in the southern portion of the sky. 
 So this is about the best light available.  On the fishing shot I was on 
the lake by 5:55am, sunrise was at 6:10am.  I was hoping that the fog 
that is in the photo is what would be on the lake at 5:55, but it was not 
until almost 6:45 until the sun had burned the fog off enough for the 
shot to work at all, and I was not even sure it was going to burn off.  
They were calling for partly cloudy skies, and often I have seen the day 
start off sunny then clouds clamp down shortly after sunup.  Fortunately 
for me it remained clear and the shot worked.  Believe me it looks MUCH 
better on a slide, this is one of those images that doesn't translate to 
electronic form very well.  I have to decide which shots are going to be 
the best light shots and shoot them when the light is right, and take 
what I get for the rest.  The main shots for the book are the best of 
light shoots, and the smaller shots are the others.

>Photojournalism is a tough way to make a living, for sure.  You have
>deadlines to meet, and you have to plan and arrange everything you are
>going to shoot to meet those deadlines, hoping that no unforeseen
>circumstances come your way.  Add to that the technical pressures,
>especially when working with available light -- even when it is not
>"available" -- makes it even more difficult.

This, IMHO, is what makes PJ fun, and makes it the best training ground 
for photography of any nature.  You MUST learn to think fast and to adapt 
to your environment.

>I tried photojournalism for a while,.... and for a meager income as well

Exactly why I no longer shoot for newspapers.  At my present company 
photographers are treated with respect, mainly because one of the 
founders won the Pulitzer in photography back in the 70's so we put a 
HIGH emphasis on good photography.  We choose which photos get used and 
even have say on how the image is used in the magazine, tell me where 
else a shooter has that kind of input.  

>Perhaps there are some working
>photojournalists on the LUG who can relate to this, being enviable of the
>amateur photographer, who just goes out and photographs for the love of it
>without having to worry about their reputations every time they bring back
>a few rolls of exposed film.

I remain in photography because I love it.  I don't see how anyone can be 
effective at this job with out loving it.  I have met photographers who 
look at it like another day at the salt mines, and frankly their work 
shows it.  For me it is the challenge of getting a good shot in any 
situation. The fact that people from all over the world call me to shoot 
for them because I have a reputation of getting good shots every time I 
go out is evidence to this.  I am aware that my reputation is on the line 
every time I pick up the camera, this just keeps me on my toes.  It is 
when you get complacent, oh I have shot this kind of thing a hundred 
times before --don't worry, that you screw up.  My photos may not all be 
stunning, but all are usable and of equally high quality.  I would rather 
be known for producing good art on a consistent basis than be known for 1 
or 2 great images and my daily work look pitiful.  I am sure many of you 
know what I am talking about.

And of course the Leica glass helps keep the image quality up there. :)

Thanks for your response, this is exactly what I was wanting to generate. 
 Many times people look at the magazines we produce and say, or think, oh 
they are annual publications so you have all year to shoot them.  When in 
fact we generally shoot an entire magazine in 2-3 days max. We do about 
30 odd magazines, of which 25 or so are annual with 4 quarterly, and 3 
state wide mags with only 2 photographers so we keep very busy.

Regards,

Harrison McClary
http://people.delphi.com/hmphoto