New Blog Site

I have moved this blog to a new site.
If you are not re-directed please visit keithbarracloughBlog.com

Thanks!
Keith

Why use a retoucher?
Let me give you three examples. 
All the retouched images (ones on the left) were done by Gretchen Hilmers, (her web site),
a digital retouch and compositing artist based in LA.   She has an impressive resume.
Worked full-time with Jill Greenberg as her retoucher and digital asset manager and is now freelancing.  
Check out her work - you'll be impressed.
Working with her has really changed the way I see my images.  I don't necessarily change the way
I shoot - I still like to get it all in-camera.  But knowing that she's there to put the finishing
touches on an images really make life a lot easier (and I can be more creative).  Plus I get more work
done because I'm not struggling retouching an image myself.
She use to working long distance so having her in LA and me in NYC doesn't get in the
way of our working relationship.  She's great on the phone and follows up.  Very professional!

The subtle changes in the images below are quite noticeable when the images are side by side. 
Especially in the close-up portrait.  Skin can be very tricky - trust me, I've tried it.

Last day in Vermont.  I'll call this "Breakfast at Woodstock". 
A cheap (very cheap) take-off from an Audrey Hepburn movie. 
Fresh eggs and blueberries...

Early morning at the pool. 
Got to love the smells summer - chlorine and suntan lotion.

Every now and then I get a chance to photograph someone with a very different type of job. 
This is Chuck Wise with the family goat.  As the caretaker of King Farm in Woodstock, Vermont
his job is to take care of about 150 acres of pristine forest as well as all the animals living
there - which happens to include four goats.

Lest We Forget

Here's to the first heros of July 4th. 
They started it all and gave us what we have today.
We are forever grateful.

TeachersCount

Just completed an assignment with TeachersCount, an organization who's mission is to raise the status of the teaching profession.  The campaign is a series of posters titled "Behind Every Famous Person is a Fabulous Teacher".   The posters are distributed, free of charge, to teachers throughout the United States.

Their most recent poster was of Yankee center fielder Curtis Granderson and his college teacher/mentor David Koelher.

The shoot could not have gone more smoothly.  Curtis was a little late, but that was okay with everyone on set.  The U.S. World Cup team was playing and the studio had it on their tv. Seeing them come back from a 2-0 deficit to tie 2-2 was well worth the wait.

TeachersCount is proudly supported by Jones New York, Scholastic, The NEA and Staples.

There's always some fun that happens on photo shoots - or at least there should be.

While Curtis was quite coordinated in tossing the ball and catching it, David had some slight problems. 
His instructions:  toss and then catch the baseball while looking into the camera - it's not as easy as it sounds.

I love it when there's a lot of laughter on set.

Location Portraits

Here are some outtakes from a photo shoot earlier this week.
Actors David Gutnik and Antonia Gorence.

You Think This Is Funny...

Found this today on aphotoeditor.com and Were Just Saying.

And the comments to the post were amazing:  "Actually, I am a photographer."
and "Even if I bought a Nikon D3S?" (I hope he/she was kidding).

My point is - for our profession to survive, we, as professional photographers need to evaluate why we are in this profession.
What does it really mean to be a photographer?
--Is it just to take a nice photo?
--Is it because we own some nice equipment?
--Is it because we have "sold" an image, or two?
--Is it because we have friends that think our pictures are "pretty"?

Do you really love photography?  Do you dream about it?  Smell it?  Taste it?  Live it?
Sorry, but I don't think that's enough.  It's a start though.

Taking a Photo I course at a community college is a start - but doesn't make you a photographer.
Joining a local community photo group is great - but doesn't make you a photographer.
Putting your images on Flickr can get you exposure - but doesn't make you a photographer.
All of the above is a great beginning but it all needs to be coupled and supported by a strong understanding of how this business works.

Just because I can make toast doesn't mean I can cook!  Though the way some think about this profession maybe I am.  "I can click a shutter, therefore I am a photographer".  Many really believe this.
--Learning about the business of photography - the concept of licensing, how to marketing, being a good negotiator, the ins and outs of networking...
--Having a style and a vision of what your images mean and how they relate to you target audience.
--Learning, dreaming, smelling, tasting and living this profession.

All this is a start.  But there's more.

It's never been about just picking up a camera.  It's about creating and following a pattern of behavior that enables us to live a life in which we have always dreamed.

More Fashion

Here are some more images from my personal fashion shoot with Anna-Sophie.
Video was shown for the first time last night at the Release Party in New York City. 
I'll have the web version ready next week and will post it here and on YouTube.

**I am starting a "Notes from NYC" section (see below) where I outline what's going on in the city during the week.  Hopefully I can update it all on Monday, but there will be last minute posts letting everyone know of what's happening.

"Notes From NYC":  A selection of events coming to NYC for the week of June 14

APA/NY's "Working with a Retoucher"
Monday June 14th from 6:30pm - 9:00pm
Calumet Photographic @ 22 W 22nd Street
Register here - http://www.apany.com/web/eventregistration.html

Festival Week  - Presented by Le BOOK
Connections: Tuesday June 15 and Wednesday June 16 from 12 to 9pm
Productions: Thursday June 17 and Friday June 18 from 12 to 9pm.
Both at The Puck Building - 295 Lafayette Street (Corner of Houston St.) NY
RSVP at http://www.lebook.com/productions

To The End of Love

Coney Island - Where one can "dance to the end of love".  What ever that means.
Got to love Coney Island.  It is everything I thought it would be.  A little tacky, lots of people (every type you could ever want to see) and very 'bad for you' food.  Nathan's hot dogs taste just like a hot dog - nothing special.  But when in Rome...
I found this scene in a "back alleys".  I feel sorry for Miss Coney Island and the Alive Chimpanzee.  No one was paying them any attention.  I never found out what this group found so interesting.

The beach was huge, and empty.  As well it should have been at 10:30 in the morning.  The ones who got prime spots most likely were nursing a bad burn the next morning.

This is one place that I need to return.  So many people, so many photo opportunities.

A Quick Diversion

On the subject of "What I would never want to be when I grow up"

No it's not the over-weight guy on the left or the girl in tight shorts on the right...

It's the guy who plays the "human target" in this game on Coney Island.  For $3 you get five shots.  Yes, it's only paint, but it's the thought that counts.  And to be called a "freak" no less. 
I didn't see what they made him wear (I'm assuming it was a he).  I waited, but no one showed up to take a shot.  I should have been the first.  Hard to take photos and shoot at the same time though.

Please excuse the slight diversion...

Fashion in Central Park

1 Producer, 1 Stylist, 1 Hair/Makeup, Video Crew, 2 models and 5 Assistants - all making for a perfect Saturday.  I've photographed in NYC many times in the past year, but this was the first "all New York" photo shoot. 
Crew:
Producer: Lindsey Nicholson
Models: Anna-Sophie - Q Management / Chas Bruns - freelance model 
Stylist: Tina Latonero
Hair/Makeup: Yuko Takahashi
Video: Mike Douglas - CuttingRoom
Assistants: Adele Godfrey, Len Mazzone, Kristine Wood, Miguel De Leon, Mike Howard

Tina, Lindsey and I have been working on this project for about seven months.  Having gone through a few revisions, we finally settled on a multi-tiered project incorporating still photography and video.  I didn't want to do the usual "behind-the-scene" footage - in my opinion that has been over done.  So working with Mike from CuttingRoom we shot footage of Chas (playing a photographer) taking photographs of Anna-Sophie (playing a model).  My photographs (below) are the photos he "took" during the shoot.  The video will be finished in a week or so and I will post it here and on YouTube.

It was an amazing day - Great crew, fantastic weather (76 degrees and partly sunny) and a beautiful setting.  Here are some of the images taken during the day.

Shapes in Nature

I've always been drawn to the relationship between shapes and the environment and how they interact with, or relate to, each other.  It amazes me how such diametrically opposed shapes can work so well together.

Here are some examples of what I mean.

The softness of the clouds seem to match the curves of the rolling hills while the contrasting rough shapes of the chopped wood add a bit of tension, breaking up the scene's uniformity.  But it all seems to work.  This is nothing new to photography.  People have been composing images (paintings as well as photographs) like this for years.  From what I've noticed in many photo annuals (CA, PDN) there is a new resurgence of this style - minimalism that incorporates contrasting shapes.  It is actually everywhere, both in nature and man-made.

Here's another example.

Portrait Series II

Having once been a teacher I have come to learn that students can be a little suspicious of what they are learning, wondering why all of the information thrown at them is so important.  Only after completing school (and growing up a bit) do we really start to understand how history, math, science and the arts shape our lives and effect our point of view.

Jared was asked to show how he feels about school.
From his point of view: Suspicious, Curious, Apathetic

Portrait Series I

In the next few weeks I'm going to show a series of portraits I took of high school students.  The photographs show their reactions when asked a question or given a school scenario.  The results show their emotions, telling a lot about who they are and what they think.

-- You're suspicious of what a fellow student has told you.  You don't want to look gullible.
-- You're embarrassed after you found out you have been deceived and can't believe it's happened again.
-- You're angry and want revenge.

Compo Beach

I was in Westport, Conn for a few days last week.  All the rumors of its beauty are true.  Much of my time was on Compo Beach photographing the small beach huts/restrooms, etc...

Even though they were still boarded up from the winter, the beauty, and irony, of the structures were still there.  It was a little strange seeing doors that lead to no where or bathrooms that, at first glance, seem to be blocked. 
Here are a few images from the trip:

Blackboard Confessions

I've started a new blog called "Blackboard Confessions".  I will send updates through this blog, which will occur weekly (usually on Sundays).  This blog will still be about my photo shoots and my thoughts about the industry in general, but I've been wanting to do this other blog for some time.

The idea came from my time as a teacher at a vocational school called The Career Center in Arlington, Virginia.  Each students was asked to write their thoughts on the blackboard - purely on a volunteer basis. What transpired was truly amazing.  Their insight into themselves and how they relate to their surrounds and others was very inspirational.  The subject matter was open to their discretion - they could say and write what ever they chose.  This gave them the freedom to say what was on their mind and be acknowledged for their thoughts and ideas.  I think you will be surprised in what they have written.

Through the blackboard confessions blog I give you the chance to say what you want as well.  There is a blank blackboard you can download, write on and then email to me.  I will post it on the site (with your permission of course).

What's on your mind?  What would you write?
Would it be a confession?  A poem?  Commentary on today’s news?  Admiration for someone you love?  Or passing along wisdom to those who might read what you've written?

Share you thoughts...

The Evolution of an Idea

Yesterday I was asked by an art director how I came up with the postcard idea.  I have to admit I did have some help.  First, the main idea came from Randy Santos, a photographer based out of Washington, DC.
He has been sending out a monthly postcard to clients for about three years and mentioned to me that I should do the same.  I've been sending them to clients for just over a year now. 
Here is an example of an early postcard:

A few months ago I got tired of the same look and wanted to change the template, but wasn't sure what direction to take.  Talking with Amanda Sosa Stone, she said "why not make it look like a real postcard".  What an amazingly simple solution.  I designed some mock ups, sent them to her for input. 
Here is what I came up with:

The tricky part was finding stamps and designing the postmark.  I update both to show where the image was taken - it's subtle and works brilliantly.  All of this was done in Photoshop and is saved with layers, so changing everything is quite easy.  Writing a new message is easily done on my Wacom tablet.  I feel like I'm sending out a real postcard - message and all.   This is what I really love about photography - it allows me to evolve.  So Thank You Randy for sharing the idea with me and Thank You Amanda for all your great input.

March Postcard

This month's postcard sent to a select group of clients and friends.
Shot on location in Sussex, England

If you wish to receive the postcard just let me know.  I'm happy to add you to the list.

Letting Your Voice Be Heard - Finally

I just read this on the Burns Auto Parts blog.  Thank you Leslie for posting this.

The Copyright Alliance is asking for our help.
This is EXTREMELY important and I think everyone should respond to this.
The President (that is President Obama) wants to get our input on how copyright effects us as creatives. This is a Great opportunity for your voice to be heard about the importance of copyright (or the lack of).

Here is a link to the pdf from the Copyright Alliance explaining how this came about and telling you where to write:   http://bit.ly/cjDZJt

This is our chance to be heard - don't let it go to waste!!!

NYC @ Twilight

I've always found that one of the more magical times to take photos is at twilight.  Especially in New York City.  It's different here than any where I have ever lived.  With all the alleys, cobblestone streets, tall buildings and street lights, what is in front of you comes alive with deep, rich colors, smooth gradients and pools of light that one just doesn't notice in the bright light of day.

These images were taken in the West Village of Manhattan at dusk on March 8th

To see more twilight images visit my web site @ keithbarraclough.com under "Newest".

And to see more New York City and other images visit my stock archive @ keithbarracloughstock.com

Muslim Fishing Village

On a trip to Phang Nga  Bay in Thailand we had at the opportunity to stop at a small fishing village named Ko Panyi.  I'm not really sure if it is Ko Panyi or Koh Panyee (had two books showing different spellings).  In any event, this is a village who's houses are built almost entirely on stilts with a concrete walkway running through the middle.  With 270 houses and roughly 1500 inhabitants, this had the be one of the most fascinating place we visited.  The village's main income comes from fishing in the Phang Nga Bay, but also from the tourists who visit.  The villagers sell anything from dried fish, to sea shells on chains, t-shirts, small woven rugs to bottled water.  Their homes we very simple - mats for beds, stools for chairs and clothes lines or an open window for drying.  Their only mode of transportation are longtail boats.  It not only helped me appreciate what I have in life, but in the end coming away with a new sense of awe and respect for the human spirit.  I would love to have the chance to spend a month with them. living how they live and learning what they know.

To see more images visit my web site under "New Work"

 

  

 

Dignity, Emotion and Humor

A quote I recently found from Max Gerber really hit home for me. He was describing what he loves most about portrait photography. It pretty much sums up how I feel about it as well.

"The thing I love most about portrait photography
is its capacity - at times, when you're lucky - for
unparalleled empathy. The trick is finding more
dignity in your subject than they knew they had
themselves."

Along with dignity, I would add emotion, character and grace. All of these can make a great portrait. Adding none of these and the image falls flat.

Of course I like adding a touch of humor as well. Especially when pairing images. Here are some examples put together by Rhoni Epstein and Susan Baraz of Phototherapists for my new portfolio.