That’s definitely true. Creation is only half the battle, distribution is the other half. Media companies have full teams dedicated to just monitoring the data and then boosting on social media. There’s definitely been a shift in how brands and media companies approach social media. A lot of them have created Audience Development departments that focus on growing audiences across different platforms.
“You often hear that everyone’s a photographer these days, which is true and wonderful and I love it. But what sets these photographers apart is all the time they spend not taking pictures,” said Bryan Formhals, a photographer and writer who created the book with Stephen McLaren. “They spend so much time editing and thinking and writing and researching. It’s not just about pressing the button on the camera.”
Photographers Stephen McLaren and Bryan Formhals have crafted an insightful book, Photographers Sketchbooks, that reveals the thought processes and inspirations of significant photographers. The book provides a wonderful opportunity to consider projects a
Photographers Stephen McLaren and Bryan Formhals have crafted an insightful book, Photographer’s Sketchbooks, that reveals the thought processes and inspirations of significant photographers. The book provides a wonderful opportunity to consider projects and ways of working that allow for a deep consideration of the artist and the art.
Oh sure. I like street photographs. Or candid photographs in public. But you asked about street photography and I assumed you were talking about the culture that has developed around it, especially online. That I don’t like.
When you do find people that you connect with deeply, nurture those connections and build upon them. There are some absolutely wonderful, intelligent, forward thinking people swimming with the sharks. Find them, expand our fucking minds, show us new persp
In 2005, I finished a screenplay and mailed it to my best friend in Minneapolis. He hated it. I was depressed. I couldn’t write. I didn’t want to be stuck in my apartment, so I bought a point and shoot camera and started walking around Hollywood and Downtown Los Angeles.
February 4th, 2005. I joined Flickr.
February 8th, 2005. Joined the Hardcore Street Photography group.
I use the star system. Just looking at A photos is so boring. I don’t even understand that logic. It’s this hierarchical thinking that I find counter intuitive. I look at the whole pile. Good is only in relation to the other photographs around them. A photos compared to what? In relation to my other photos, they might be MY best. But are they better than Eggleston? OK. No. So are they still A photos? Should I even bother showing them if they’re not better than Winogrand, or Eggleston or Koudelka?
What’s the longest you’ve ever looked at a photo online?
A single photo? Maybe a minute. I go through slideshows pretty quick as well too, but I might play them back a few times. When I’m editing a body of work, I’ll take more time to look at the photos. But it’s more of an aggregate type situation, rather than just looking at one single photograph. Sometimes I’ll find one that is weird and try to figure out how the composition works, or what’s actually happening in the photo.
It’s also hard to compare a portfolio from a project to a completed book. Viewing a portfolio online I mean…
Q & A with Bryan Formhals
