A reader asked if I would query photographer Ethan Hill about his recent shoot of Roger Ebert for Esquire. You can read the story on the Esquire website (here) and Roger’s reaction on his blog (here). I asked Ethan to describe the assignment, preparation and shoot:
It was a lucky set of circumstances that I was [...]
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Internships and Labor LawI think the government wants to make sure that people—particularly young people—are not exploited. We don't want people to be "volunteering" their labor in a way that profits an employer. It's an easy avenue to exploitation, even easier where there's a suggestion that you'll get a job at the end of it. A second policy is not to have free labor—what used to be slave labor—replacing paid and tax-paying adult labor. Without these laws, a studio owner could decide to replace a paid studio manager with a few unpaid interns, and we don't want that: having someone drawing unemployment, or worse yet going on welfare, when he or she is willing to work.
-- New York attorney Alan Koral
via PDN.
Digital Lift-OffOf the $368 billion marketers plan to spend this year, 32.5% will go toward digital; 30.3% to print.
via, Forbes.com.
Study Shows Magazine Editors Have No Clue What Makes The Web DifferentMost editors said their website and their print magazine shared a common mission. 16 per cent of respondents said their Web site’s mission involved community-building with readers. Interestingly, only 5 per cent mentioned new or unique content as integral to the site’s mission, with 96 per cent reporting the primary use of content from the print magazine online.
they don’t even know what they want, and they’re not even willing to pay for itPeople want everything now, they wanted it two days ago, and they don’t even know what they want, and they’re not even willing to pay for it, that’s what’s happening more often than not!
So I came to the conclusion, middle of last year, I said, “you know what, I’m done chasing, I’m done panicking, I’m moving to a place that’s right for me and my community, for people that understand my work, and I want to inspire people to get out and freakin go see what’s out there.”
Our Industry Talks A Lot About Ideas.But at the same time, we have allowed the emphasis, the value, and the fundamental business model of our industry today, to shift away from ideas and to focus predominantly on execution.
A lot of lip service is paid to the value of ideas, but agencies are often primarily regarded as executioners and, in that regard, purely as suppliers. In the future, suppliers will be valued less and less and squeezed more and more. It is idea generators who will be most valued – because “ideaspeople” create the greatest value, across every industry sector, not just our own.
via scott goodson's writings .
What matters to me is to find the quality in the subject that makes it extraordinary or uniqueYou know, I will often say, "I like this image." And Indrani will say, "Well, what is it that you like about it?" And my answer will be, "Well, I just like it." That's an egotistical perspective, and she points out that it really doesn't matter what you yourself like. It's important to analyze who you're trying to reach with the image.
via PopPhoto.com.
Publishers Need To Put A Premium On ContentNow, I ask you—the publisher—whether you're devoting enough corporate energy, resources and financial backing to your editorial staff in order to actually produce an indispensable editorial package? If the answer is yes, then why are you charging so little for such a valuable product? Ask the Economist how it feels about its edit and its worth. Why do you think it can charge a premium and you can't? What makes it so special? You guessed it—its edit is worth that price, or so the reader believes, and that is all that matters.
The answer to the publishing industry's woes is to provide something worth paying for. For far too long we have been lured with the easy money and wicked ways of our advertising mistress. Well, in the past few years we got dumped. And it hurts. But I say we pick ourselves up out of the gutter and find our self-worth once again. Stop firing the editors and writers, and start paying for the production of excellence. There is no other choice.
via Publishing Executive.
The photographs are blurry, skewed, badly printed and in terrible condition“If you want to be famous, you must do something more badly than anybody in the entire world.”
Time Is Running Out on Legacy Media BrandsOld media, even highly focused old media, simply cannot keep up. Look at almost any vertical and the story is the same: There are huge discrepancies between offline reach and online visitors. Too often the legacy publisher continues to think about the brand's Web site as an extension of the base product and therefore something smaller in reach and ambition than the mother ship.
via AdWeek..
Do you know what is the most valuable asset you possess?It’s your creativity. It’s what sets you apart from every other photographer; it’s the distinguishing value that is added to any great image you create. Without it, you could be replaced by a machine.
Ironically, this extremely valuable asset can’t be covered against loss by an insurance policy.It’s up to you–and only you–to take precautions that you don’t lose your creativity.
Read the rest on Strictly Business.
