Episode 8 - Round Midnight Redux

Discussion Open - 11 Comments

1. GordonMcGregor on 2/4/08

   Really enjoyed listening to this (yes listening to it in the car - not watching) this morning. I particularly like the insights into your thought process and approach to working with people. Being able to get into your head is really valuable (though I'm thankful I can get out again later!)

   It did spark a question - what do you do with all these pictures you take ? I don't mean the commercial work, but these sorts of images that are purely personal projects. Is there a long term goal or plan ? Is it mostly a means to connect with people, practice your art, pass the time ? I heard you mention sharing the occasional print with people that are in the images, but is there any other structure in place ? Do they languish on a hard drive, other than the exposure through the avenue of light diary ?

   Most of my images are there on the drive, doing nothing, so I think this is probably a personally motivated question, too.
2. craigtanner on 2/4/08

   valued by 1

   Hi Gordon,

   Thank you for being here, your support and for all you contribute to RV.

   I have done a pretty good job of keeping all of my Light Diary related images including all of the big PSD files organized by weeks in terms of the posts. I have all of the work on Hard Drives. As of now there is no plan besides the things you mentioned (fun and connections) although the idea of a "best of" Light Diary book is starting to seep into my consciousness....Craig
3. skedonk on 2/4/08

   Hi Craig,

   Thanks for another very interesting episode. It was interesting to hear about these images that I/we have had time to think about.

   Many thanks about the tip about slowing down. Looking back, this has been a problem of mine for years. Not limited to photography. Thanks again.
4. Kermit on 2/4/08

   Craig,

   Thanks for another great Light Diary! I guess I always thought you were working on a book about street photography. I like the title you already use for the project “Round Midnight.” I think you could make a powerful book that is part fine art and part how to, very much like Mark did with Botanical Dreaming. You could convert your light diary podcasts into text and you are well on the way. Poetry from your journal would add even more power.

   Tom Croak
5. craigtanner on 2/5/08

   Hi Everybody,

   Thank you for being here. Gordon - thank you for the kind words about the Podcast. After I answered your question I read your very astute post to the community in the Hello Goodbye thread and I followed your make a book link and I just laughed because of the synchronicity... I have been talking about a Light Diary book since last fall. I have one book in print and its hard for me to even look at anymore because its so disconnected from how I am working as a photographer these days. I actually have four books I want to get out there in the next 5 years. First I want to make a book out of the ideas contained within the Myth of Talent article. Then I would like to publish a book based on the Next Step workshop that encourages photographers to work through fear and get more of their own heart and spirit into their images along with connecting their vision to service for others. In the coffee table book area I wnat to publish a Light Diary book like I already mentioned and also publish a landscape book title Earth Rhythms. I want to publish the book along with audio recordings of the soundscapes for the shots in addition to some original music... I think I am going to need a clone because I also have two documentary films I want to make as well in the next five years.

   Skedonk...thank you for the kind words... its pretty amazing what happens with something as simple as slowing down your speech... I have been working hard on really paying attention to my approach on the street, working hard on trying new techniques especially when it comes to body language...I am doing all of that in preparation for the upcoming street photography workshop in Savannah.

   Tom... its great to see you here... thank you for the encouragement... in the poetry department I have been writing a lot of songs lately and I am very excited about a new recorder I received from a dear friend (the Edirol R09 made by Roland). The sound quality is so great I have committed to recording a mini LP at home that I will hopefully finish by the beginning of the summer. It will be available on RV... it will most likely be a mix of songs with lyrice (thats where the poetry comes in!) and instrumentals.... oddly enough its the thing I am most excited and happy about right now as an artist... that doesn't mean it will be any good!... but I am having an incredible amount of fun with the process......Craig
6. wes on 2/5/08

   Well Craig, this Light Diary has hit me on two levels.

   First, I was almost a complete failure at one of your Next Step work shops because of my fears and complete feeling of inadequacy with the camera. It had nothing to do with your ability to teach. I wish I could rewind but that isn't possible. Watching this light diary has made me look back with some shame but at the same time,

   on another level, right now, by watching this light diary, I am feeling inspired and more positive about my photographic capabilities. Your explanations and enthusiasm has rubbed off on me. I probably should jump up right now and head down town and do some shooting but I am not as driven as I should be and will do it another time. My special thank you for this Light Diary and for re-inspiring me once more. I will put your teachings to work and will have fun doing it.

   Take care,

   Thank you,

   Wes
7. mross on 2/5/08

   Craig,

   Sounds like you are not to concerned about releases. If you were to do a book would this be an issue?

   Thanks,

   Marv Ross

   Boulder, CO
8. amanda on 2/6/08

   Hi Craig,

   Great reminder not to let fear control me. Being extremely introverted makes street photography a real challenge. I will try to slow down and see what happens.

   another good Joseph Campbell quote...

   "The big question is whether you are going to be able to say a hearty yes to your adventure."

   Have a great day!

   Amanda
9. Tucreations on 2/7/08

   Craig:

   After listening to the street photography vidcast, I began thinking about an upcoming trip. What do you do differently when you want to approach someone and build rapport in a country where you don't speak the language? Are non-verbals enough? How does the process change when the verbal part of the equation is so different?

   Thanks.

   Peter Tucker
10. craigtanner on 2/7/08

    Hi Peter,

    You are in luck. One of the most surprising things for people who I work with on workshops where we do street photography is that not talking at all and using purely body language is the most effective approach for most people most of the time. Its counter intuitive because when we think of selling anything we start to go over a script in our minds.... we immediately start thinking of what we are going to say... but because so few people are comfortable with what they are selling the timbre of the voice and pacing of the words are communicating fear no matter what the words are. When there are no words all you have to control is your body which is a more powerful communicator anyway.

    My hero, Robert Hall, who was a speech impaired and hearing impaired street photographer made direct eye contact with a smile and a tilt of the head. His hands were open and near his side. He touched his heart, opened his hands again and then took an imaginary picture with an imaginary camera and then used his expression and body language to ask permission to take the picture. As long as you slow down when you do this and you are in a part of the world where people have a strong reference point for the camera it will work beautifully. I would start off by trying that approach here where there is no language barrier. It will grow your confidence. Where there is no language barrier the other thing that is so powerful about this approach is that it is extra-ordinary which is very intriguing for people..... and because you are not talking it lets them off the hook from crafting a story to respond to yours. Most people automatically mirror the fact that you are not talking.

    If you are going somewhere way off of the grid where there is little or no reference point for the camera then to me it becomes all about getting the trust of an important person in the group and having them create the connections for you working with their existing high value in the community.....Craig
11. AprilS on 3/30/08

    I was finally able to set aside time to watch this wonderful episode. Street portraiture is something I've not yet ventured to try, except once. Then the subject thought I was flirting with him!

    I've gotten as far as complimenting people on something that catches my eye, but one problem I run into is when people ask if I "do photography" for a living. It's easy for you to say "I'm a photographer." :)

    So here's my new story line:

    "I take photographs." [pause]

    "I'm working on my portfolio." [pause]

    "And I'd love to take your picture." [pause]

    Thanks for getting me to think about venturing 'out there'. One day I'll even do it!

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