Judging POYi: I am not a moron
Posted by Tim Gruber | Filed under Uncategorized
Brad Magin breaks down his week of judging the newspaper category in POYi.
It has often been said that if you took the same set of pictures in a contest and had them voted on by a different set of judges you would have a completely different set of winners. I will add to this theory. I claim that you could take the same set of pictures and the SAME judges and have different winners the NEXT DAY!
Even though I have never won a POYi award, and I probably never will, I feel like I won an award even greater. I had the honor and privilege to view and judge all of your pictures. I cannot thank you enough for allowing me that opportunity.
via: Trent (check out his blog as he consistently turns up great links.)
Tags: 2read, contests, photojournalism
The citizen photographer
Posted by Tim Gruber | Filed under Uncategorized
While I’m not naive to the power of citizen journalism when it comes to spot news there’s a lot I could nitpick in this article like blurring the lines between the paparazzi and photojournalists. Thanks, but no thanks.
The last paragraph is worth a chuckle:
But it may mean that the actual aesthetics of news photography will change as the public starts to privilege ‘amateur’ imagery over the professional. To be believable photos will have to be more like YouTube and less like Frank Capa or Don McCullin. In other words, more real less reel. Actuality will finally triumph over art.
I hope not.
Tags: 2read, photojournalism, web
A Fussy photographer with a fussy camera.
Posted by Tim Gruber | Filed under Uncategorized
Alec Soth in the City Pages.
He’s a fussy photographer working with a fussy camera, and by the time he’s set up the camera and the shot, the subject’s instinct to perform has long ago expired, which is exactly what Soth wants. That’s one reason he avoids shooting celebrities: They’re trained to turn it on as needed and that drives him crazy.
“Imagine if he was standing over there in the corner for like 10 minutes dinking around with his camera the way I do. What happens? I’m getting bored with the experience and I start thinking about other things and I’m not aware of the camera anymore.”
Tags: 2read, photography
Originality Doesn’t Make Great Drama
Posted by Tim Gruber | Filed under Uncategorized
Good read with this post that’s geared to script writers, but just as easily applies to anyone trying to tell stories.
People mistakenly equate rule breaking with originality; they believe originality automatically makes something good; and, they also think being different is the key to success… when, in fact, being good is… and, there is no direct link between being excellent and being original.
My guess is, the guys who developed House understand that it’s great characters and great writing that make great drama… and originality isn’t as important as having a great character
High quality story telling will always triumph over originality
This is something I need to keep in my mind as I plan out my 10 day shoot for my magazine class. In the class I’ll be producing a multimedia package instead of the traditional print piece that most people have in the past. One of my goals for the class is to push myself in terms of multimedia storytelling and while I’d love to produce a charming original piece solid storytelling needs to be at the core of everything I attempt to produce.
Tags: 2read, creative, inspiration, multimedia, school
