After my second Photo class today, I am officially overwhelmed. They don't like to ease things for you, they tend to start you off with bullshit beginner photo for 2 years and then dump you into a world of stress and fear. This weekend we must venture into the State Fair w/ our bulky 4x5 view camera and shoot portraits.
Forget the cocky bitch, I'm one intimidated pussy when it comes to studio work. It's due to the lack of experience but that's why I'm in school for right? To gain it. I'm worried about loading the film-backs and processing as well as interacting with my subject. But think of this Jane, you'll see bunnies at the Fair! Ryan Pfluger has been in my bookmarks for quite awhile. I admire his portraits since there is that connection between camera and subject that is very hard to capture. The lighting and composition is so fresh and crisp. He's one of those photographers I look to see updated work.
I'm going to try and keep updating as much as I can, especially with photographers I enjoy, but no promises. They're cracking the whip and my ass hurts, so I best get a move on.
It was funny today in my lovely Photo Junior Seminar class when my professor asked the class basic questions of what photographers we like, books we've read, how technically proficient we are and all that jazz. Like usual first classes, we all sat there, blank faced, and nervously waiting for one person to break the silence. The introverted artists in most of us didn't say a peep but when someone took a dive and said a very very well-known photographer he liked, our professor asked the rest of us if we knew of Joel Peter Witkin. I have an ego and can be quite the cocky bitch but I wasn't about to wave my hand frantically in the air and say "I know him, I know him!" We didn't respond when she asked us what camera experience we have, other famous contemp. photographers, etc.
We basically sat and stared at her. So I'm sure she's worried that we're a bunch of retards and will be the worst Junior class ever. Play dumb first and then surprise the shit out of them later.
Syracuse is a weird place to be. On one hand, I think it's nice to be out of my comfort zone to explore new things but (there are always buts) in the 2 years I've been here, I find it dull, stereotypical, and mentally takes a toll on my brain. There aren't times where I can just take the train by myself, where walking through the streets I don't feel insecure. I don't even laugh as hard as I do. Since the first day I've entered Syracuse in Fall of 2004, I needed things to get better. Now I'm sticking it out for two more years to get that degree and get the hell out. There are more things I can go into, but I'm sure to offend some people whether they read "blogs" or not. This is an obligatory "I hate Syracuse" entry that wanders in every couple of months. It's sad to wonder "what if" (especially since I got into all the schools in the city). Being this frustrated and unhappy makes me wonder almost everyday what home means to me.
Anyway, I was going through PDN's Top 30 Photographers to Watch 2006 and saw some favorites and some familiar names (people who've submitted to Hey, Hot Shot!). Choosing photos to show is a hard task and I think people should always get multiple opinions from outsiders. When you can only submit 3 images, choose images that wow people and get a point across through them. See and absorb as much as you can when it comes to new artists- I do. It's inspirational and motivational. Get with the program, photo kids.
don't kid yourself, you need a physician
Thursday, August 17, 2006
I swear I am born for fashion. I mean, the holiday sweater alone says "Jane is fabulous." I kid. My younger cousin found this ancient photo and it sure made my day.
I'm pretty sure everyone will agree that the judges are insane to auf Alison and not Vincent. According to Andy Cohen's blog, Alison will be showing at Fashion Week in September so at least she's going forward! Vincent better be auf next week- I can't stand his voice. He does not make good tv. Michael and Laura beatboxing makes good tv.
i don't know shit about cher
Thursday, August 10, 2006
Being the Project Runway fanatic that I am, I was sad to see Bradley be out yesterday. His quirky sense of humor is so whimical and he's a wack-a-doo. I can't say he's one of the best designers because he sure made a major mistake making that "Cher" outfit. (But Jeffrey's was so much uglier)
You should really listen to Tim Gun's podcasts.. he's hilarious! He was super surprised that Bradley didn't know anything about Cher because he thought little Bradley was gay.. haha, he's not so sure anymore.
This is my "I need someone to talk about Project Runway with" post.
What is great about interning for photographic agencies and galleries is the great amount of work that is exposed to you.
Photo for Prada campaign by Cedric Buchet
I interned for a fashion photographic agency last summer and pretty much went through portfolios and portfolios everyday. I organized the online image database and I even went through fashion magazines to look for tear sheets. (I miss reading free fashion mags, I have to admit.) It's great to learn how people shoot, from which angles, how they frame the image, what colors/if any do they edit in or out, how subjects are lit, the whole schpeal. Fashion is a big part of my life even if I don't wear it on my sleave (because I'm lazy and do not have the confidence to pull certain looks off) and although I love fashion, I wasn't so sure if fashion photography was my cup of tea. From the internship, I was exposed to so many different types of fashion photo and my preconceived notions of the standard heroein chic pose in a studio were flown out the window. I grew to love how certain photographers captured portraits, an area I struggle with. Not only portraits but also architecture, spaces--you know that whole deal. The line between art photo and fashion photo is a blurry one and photographers like Elinor Carucci have used personal work for fashion campaigns. Although I like fashion and is a Project Runway freak, I'm still VERY unsure about my future in the business.
What am I saying? Be exposed to as much as you can. Learn from other people. Posting everyday for the Hey, Hot Shot blog and seeing participants' submissions have kind of motivate me to pick my ass up and shoot some rolls, after taking practically the whole summer off. Going back to DeviantArt and seeing photography by 16 year olds with their D70s and making beautiful work made me feel like a wasted 20yr old. I watched my cameras collect dust! Very bad, I know.. but I wasn't focused and ready to waste rolls on anything. But you know what.. I might as well. The more I shoot, the better I'll be. Hopefully.
I've been reading up on the doctored photograph that Reuters's freelance photographer put out on the bombings in Beirut. It's a shame that photo editors in Reuters did not catch such an oblivious manipulation. Look at the smoke and how repetitive it is. It is easily accomplished by using the clone tool in Photoshop. If you want to pull a fast one on the public, at least make an attempt to use Photoshop and make things look believable. This, Adnan Hajj, sure sucks at photo manipulation and should not be a photojournalist if he decides to pull fast ones over us and try to make news bigger than they actually are. Good thing Reuters dropped him.
why you'd want to live here
Sunday, August 06, 2006
Finally got myself to open Dreamweaver and customize a new layout. The lovely background is from Squidfingers. I swear I am so rusty when it comes to Photoshop, Illustrator, and Dreamweaver. It's been so long since I've actually drawn anything since I've been only doing photo editing and retouching in Photoshop.
When it comes to careers in the very very near future, it'll be useful to know most of the Adobe programs. I have to realize that I will be in major debt once I get out of college and will have to hit the ground running in terms of suitable jobs. Can you tell I worry a lot?
I sent a little note to a photographer I admired on DevArt telling him of the HHS competition and all its little details. He accused me of spamming AND SCAMMING. Scamming? I wish he had done some research before accusing me of such a thing. Galleries almost always charge application/handling fees when it comes to Open Calls. Go to NYFA and check it out yourself.
You have to risk losing $45 to get some publicity 'cause sadly that's the name of the game if you want to be a photographer. The more people that know you, the more you can do. Sure, I want to live the life of someone who makes art for myself but realistically, how will I continue to pay for darkroom/paper/chemical fees if nobody sees my work or buys it. People don't win all the time and you take it w/ a grain of salt and just keep working on your "craft" until it deems worthy of a second glance.
Another homemade music video from the guys of Ok Go.
I've been hiding away in my air conditioned house and avoiding heat any way I can. It's no wonder I like old people; it's because I am one. It's tempting to whip out the umbrella to shade myself from the sun.
There's a week left to submitting to the Hey, Hot Shot competition. I'll be updating the blog everyday with submissions I like.
Aug. 28 is the first day of classes.. ugh, not so excited.
Jane Tam has moved to a different domain. Please forward your links to http://janetam.com. Jane is a 21 year old Photography student placed in Syracuse University but originally from New York City. She enjoys all sorts of music but you can classify her as the stereotypical indie kid. Slightly offensive and bitter sometimes, this blog is a place to vent frustrations but also a blog to display current photo/art projects as well as encourage new talent from music to art to films; basically whatever tickles Jane's fancy.
