to move up and down
K.Haveman Photography
Adventures as a photographer, journalist and human being.
All little girls are princesses.
So easy to steal but so hard to live down
Stealing photos is nothing new in the online era but it doesn’t make creators of art any less angry.
Lately the internet has exploded with the story of a photographer taken down through social media after claiming someone’s photographs as their own. See this here.
Well a new case came across my facebook this morning, even more shocking because of the fact that they appear to be a professional company. The worst part though, was their reaction.
When photographer John De Bord found his photo on a cd cover put out by Aurel Productions I can imagine he was rather shocked as according to him he hadn’t given them permission.
Now, when this kind of thing happens the creative community tends to band together to get their displeasure known. Sometimes maybe prematurely, as we never know a company could have purchased a photo from a thief and not even be aware that they are dealing with “hot goods.”
However Aurel Productions took the distaste a step further when they responded to a supporter of De Bord using profanity and name calling, although they first did say the image was taken down. See the response here, but I warn you foul language involved.
For a company who is clearly in the wrong, either by their own hand or another this response is ridiculous and condemnable.
I myself left a post on their facebook saying that their response showed they had no professional side. Withing moments I had received a reply saying I had no sides and good riddance. It seems my post as well as others have been deleted and the page is now closed for commenting.
This will be hard one for this company to live down and much face could have been saved by at least being respectful right off the hop.
In today’s online world, stolen will work will be found. Respect copyright.
Keeping it Real
Good colour, exposure and a realistic print is important.
Photojournalists know this, they know that a photo moves into the future and becomes a piece of history. A photo is what we use to look back on our and others past.
Now, that is not to say that Photoshop and artistic edits don’t have their place, because they do. In fact I love to play with new techniques and to edit in more artistic ways with non-journalistic pictures. I do feel, however that during a portrait session it is important to offer some photos that are not toned or catering to the most current fad. I will always remove a pimple or a black eye (I shouldn’t have to say this, but if it’s journalistic those things have to stay,). They are not part of the person as they are everyday.
In the future we will want realistic representations of our loved ones. We will want a photo that is real, shows emotion and them as they really were. Remember to get those photos along with the more artistic ones and as a photographer to offer them.
In short, you have to sometimes, just keep it real.
Summer’s here!
Summer’s here and it’s time to get out and shoot in that beautiful weather.
Don’t forget to pack your reflector as that sun can be harsh on those beautiful days!
I also wanted to let you guys know I have started another blog and youtube channel just concentrating on photoshop. They won’t all be about photography as photoshop is a beast of a program with tonnes of creative options but check it out.
Strike a pose
Most people hate having their picture taken, and the biggest reason for that is they hate the way they look in pictures.
All day we walk around and don’t give a second thought to how we look. Our minds happily control all of our expressions, no one notices when we make make unflattering faces or body positions because usually it’s only there for a few seconds. A photograph changes that, that split second is for eternity, (or until you burn/delete the horrid photo.)
Most people when they sit down in front of a camera they automatically start trying to control their features to what they think looks good. In their head they are going through all of their baggage . They will crane their head way up to get rid of a chin or hold their eyes real open so they don’t look squinty. This leaves most people looking stiff and unnatural.
The first step to combating this is to get comfortable. Forget the camera is there and talk to the photographer. Think of funny things to look happy, or think of a loved one. The second part is in the way you position your body, and a photographer should be able to help you with this.
It is the job of the photographer to show you in your best light not just the best light. Here is a quick example;
These photos are SOC other than mushing them together in photoshop.
In the first photo I just asked Scott to sit naturally in front of the camera. Basically how he felt comfortably sitting. In the second I tweaked his pose to flatter his face more. Notice the jawline, it looks like Scott has lost weight from one photo to the next. My light set-up did not change, nor did the camera position. A good pose can make you look better.
Even though we are always picky about the way we look, you don’t have to hate your photos. Just remember most people don’t see what your seeing and get in the right pose.
Flickr finds
I have been slacking on the blog writing so I figured I would get back into the swing by posting some links to some great photographers on flickr. Check out their photo streams for some inspiration.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/highwaytan/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/psoiree/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/photorama_it/
Also here is a shot I did this week of notable Canadian Roy Bonisteel. He was host of the television series Man Alive, as well as authored several books and is a Member of the order of Canada. He was also most importantly, a great subject to shoot.
p.s this is my flickr while I’m at it; http://www.flickr.com/photos/kristenhaveman/
Was shooting streeters the other day for the Pioneer newspaper at Loyalist College. These are the assignments everyone loves to hate, but really they are not so bad. It just kind of makes you feel like the Jehovah witnesses of the photojournalism world.
A few random shots from the first week in the pioneer news room.
Back to it
Christmas break is over and it’s back to school.
This semester we do a class called staff class. The point of staff class is to basically mimic what it is like to work as staff on a deadline. We are given an assignment at the start of class then have until 12:50pm to have the work back edited and printed.
It’s a little hectic finding someone and getting it all done under a timeline but it’s a great exercise. In a lot of ways it stops you from over thinking. The adage is “do the best work you can in the time allotted.”
Today’s assignment was to shoot a small business owner. I shot Sheila Fernley who is the owner of Rosehips in Trenton. Rosehips specializes in flowers for weddings and events as well as does the Floral Training program for Loyalist College at the shop.
A big thank you to Sheila for posing for the photograph and for being so welcoming.
