10.21.08
u.k. invasion mix
The British are coming! With the drop of Oasis, Keane and Snow Patrol's albums this month...I put together a few of my favorite Brit rockers. Cheers!
(exit RSS readers to view iMix)
Steve Gerrard:
Here's some others you may have missed Fred...
Elbow
The Kills
Idlewild
The Courteeners
The Last Shadow Puppets
The Zutons
And if you like Snow Patrol definitely check out The Reindeer Section.
(11.14.08 07:54 AM)
FRED EGAN:
Camille <<< I'm looking forward to Snow Patrol's release later this month also. I listened to one of their new yet to be released songs and it sounds promising!
(10.24.08 12:59 AM)
Camille Elise:
So excited for Snow Patrol's cd release!! They nudged up on my top five of all time when I saw them live....chocolate is definetly the best from final straw.
(10.21.08 02:06 PM)
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10.20.08
through the viewfinder
Taking a five minute break to develop a couple image from last week's shoot in North Carolina...enjoy.
Vanessa M:
Wow! I love the processing on the first image. Any insight on how to create this effect or is it a trade secret? :-) I love your work and am a huge fan!
(10.29.08 10:38 PM)
FRED EGAN:
Britney <<< Thanks for coming out of the blog reader closet :)
(10.24.08 01:01 AM)
FRED EGAN:
Carl <<< Yeah, I could teach the technique/theory behind it...camera cruise?
(10.24.08 01:00 AM)
lauren clark:
AWESOME!!!!
(10.21.08 10:07 PM)
Carl Reid:
The 2nd shot absolutely fantastic...do you teach this "viewfinder" technique!??!
(10.21.08 11:17 AM)
FRED EGAN:
Linhbergh <<< Thanks for sharing your thoughts with me :) I'm not sure if you are familiar with the "through the viewfinder" technique but it's defined as taking a picture of any subject through the viewfinder of any camera with another camera. So I can appreciate your opinion that the framing takes away from the image, but that's just how the image is created.
(10.20.08 10:53 PM)
Caroline Joy:
Fred, it was so great to meet you the other night! Definitely let me know if you come through A-town! Lovin' the second shot there. :)
(10.20.08 09:41 PM)
Linhbergh:
I absolutely love the first one. The only thing I'm not liking is the distressed/film framing. I personally think it takes away from the image. I see what direction you're going for, but somehow it just isn't coming across like, I think, how it should.
The second one is fantastic though. The framing works well here.
(10.20.08 05:13 PM)
Britney Almaguer:
While both of the shots are amazing, the second is just downright inspiring. I dig it so much I wish I taken it. Never have posted on here, but always check in to see the "latest and greatest of Fred". Keep it up.
(10.20.08 04:33 PM)
Jamie Delaine:
Ack, can you please stop being so AMAZING? Sheesh. I love that first shot; feels so personal and up-close--I love when I get that feeling from an image.
(10.20.08 03:56 PM)
PhotoSmith - Sarah e. Smith:
Nice TTV shots! I love using my Duaflex and various other viewfinder camera...haven't used them in a while though, you've inspired me to get them out again!
(10.20.08 02:57 PM)
Chase G:
Awesome. Thanks for this 5 minute break. Haha
(10.20.08 01:59 PM)
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10.16.08
swells and lulls
The wedding photography business is cyclical...made up of swells and lulls...up time and down time. This can be challenging artistically and financially; which is why it's important to be shooting your own projects during the lulls in your year. I just wrapped a personal shoot (Backwoods Getaway) up in the Carolinas that I collaborated on with my friend/producer Jeff Holt. Your projects don't have to be big budget if you have a network to work within...but you will have to spend some money. It may mean you purchase a nice wedding dress to shoot an ideal bridal session, bring a hair/makeup artist on location, hire a model or all of the above. We produced this shoot on a shoestring budget and got great results.
Jeff, models, me and models right after wrap.
Chimping so the models can see what I like and what I don't like when shooting our action scenes.
Shawna Allen:
Wha? You were in the Carolinas and didn't even stop by to say hi? I'm crushed :) Can't wait to see the pics!
(10.17.08 06:53 PM)
Jamie:
Can't wait to see the photos! Sheesh, some people in this world were just born to be models--holy hotness. Hah!
(10.17.08 03:57 PM)
Mabyn:
Your nuggets of wisdom taste great with a little ranch dressing! ;o)
This is so true, not only do I recharge my creative juices on shoots like this but I learn more about my craft as well. It's the time I get to experement, and who cares if it doesn't work.
I look forward to the results of your shoe string shoot.
(10.17.08 03:14 PM)
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10.15.08
business socks
"It's business, it's business TIME! That's what you're tryin' to say let's get down to biz---"
Uhhhh...hello everyone. Before we get started, I should ask something really important. Are we still feelin' the turtleneck???
Amy asks,
"How do you get your graduate clients to loosen up in front of the camera? Or is it natural for them?"
I'm assuming by "loosen up" in front of the camera you're referring to their jumping on beds, rockin' out to their iPods and laughin' hysterically...? One, you really need to have a handle on pop culture. What are kids listening to? Where do they spend their time on the web? What movies are they watching and what are they doing in their spare time? If you are older than 30, you are going to have a harder time establishing a foundation of relatability with the graduate market so you'll have to work harder. Subscribe to Teen Vogue, Cosmo Girl and Nylon to get started on your teen pop culture education. The next time The Black Kids rolls through your city, pony up for the cover.
Second, play music during the shoot as often and loud as possible...their music. And yell, "Yeah Baby!" in your best British accent after every 7th shot.
Third, demonstrate what you want.
Lastly, loosening up comes natural to my graduate clients. They exhibit cultured taste, read interesting books, listen to indie bands and take up diverse hobbies...but most importantly, they don't take themselves too seriously.
Jamie Delaine:
Ok, so one of my friends just showed me the Flight of the Concords youtube video about Business Time. Now, I see that you quoted it. That is the most hilarious video ever. I think I almost cried.
(11.15.08 01:47 PM)
Jamie Delaine:
Ah, great post! Even though I graduated last year, I am going to hire you to take my "grad" pictures someday! Even if it takes four years or so. I LOVE your graduate work; helpful post! Thanks again.
(10.16.08 04:21 PM)
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10.14.08
william fitzsimmons
The world needed to discover the tales of William Fitzsimmons long before I did. I say this in all gravity, this is more than likely one of the best folk albums I've ever experienced. Quite possibly the best album I've ever listened to, period. He touches on the human condition more eloquently and honestly than anyone I know.
Jory and I were talking the other night while singing out loud to his brilliant tunes, and I realized one of the reasons I've formed such an affinity for his songs...they are not lyrically abstract.
It's as if he reached down into my broken heart and created this honest beauty from it. The Sparrow and the Crow rarely plays without tears accompanying Fitzsimmon's delicately crafted songs. I believe that's why I'm enthralled with his latest project: the tears serve as an outward manifestation of pain...and the pain, in turn, reminds me that I'm still alive. He's managed to document the relational progression between two people over 12 songs...brutal honesty, consequence, forgiveness, hope, etc. Hands down, the most impressive concept album to grace my iTunes library to date.
FRED EGAN:
Ashley <<< "I Don't Feel It Anymore" breaks my heart and chokes the tears from my eyes. I love that whole album, it's simply beautiful.
(10.24.08 12:51 AM)
ashley PARSONS:
we recently discovered him as well. "I don't feel it anymore" might be the most beautiful and deep song I've ever heard.
(10.22.08 11:05 PM)
FRED EGAN:
Wrecklessgirl <<< And I cannot NOT thank you for introducing me to The Sparrow and the Crow :-)
(10.14.08 11:21 AM)
FRED EGAN:
Poser <<< I'll have to go check him out again.
(10.14.08 10:15 AM)
Poser:
man, that album sounds so much like denison witmer's safe away i gave you the first night we hung out. really good dude.
(10.14.08 10:07 AM)
Jamie:
OH WILLIAM! I just heard about him probably two weeks ago!!! Kristy (wrecklessgirl) showed me a duet of King of Wishful Thinking he sang with Ingrid--AMAZING!
(10.14.08 09:49 AM)
Kenny Kim:
I got to see him perform in Chicago. You are right he is talented. I very much enjoyed him and Brooke Fraser. I'm guessing you already know about her but if not, check her out!
(10.14.08 09:38 AM)
Michelle:
I went to College with William and I discovered his music a couple years ago. It's fun to see how many people know about him now. He is an amazing artist!
(10.14.08 08:35 AM)
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10.13.08
817.966.9990
See that number up there? If you call it you will not get an Indian tech support representative...you won't receive a solicitation from your credit card company for an awards program...and you won't get a male escort service (...for now).
For the first time I'm--OK, maybe second time...for the second time I'm willing to candidly share whatever I know via iChat video/phone consultation. If you are just starting your wedding/portrait photography biz, now is the time to pick my brain about branding, Look Books (ever wanted to see the whole thing???), the complete story of how I got started [unrated and uncut version], developing your eye, why I don't use Photoshop, what really happens on the Mammoth Men trips [again, unrated and uncut version] and other tales of how to be...well...interesting. Anything is game.
If you're even thinking about dialing digits, do it fast. I'm only accepting 5 more phone consultations at $250/hour. Email me at fred@fredegan.com with the subject line "We Need to Talk" and tell me when you want to pow-wow. If you ever thought it would be nice to have me in your back pocket as a friend, this is a good start in getting to know each other...just sayin'. Also, I'll dish out my iChat screen name so you can hit me up in the future with little nuggets of curiosity.
carl Reid:
Great idea...we all can use help trying to grow our business especially during these hard times. If you don't mind I linked your blog to my blog for our Canadian photogs to participate as well. http://attachedphotography.blogspot.com/
Carl
(10.18.08 08:39 PM)
Kim:
I am dying to take a peek at a Look Book. the consult is so worth it on the otherhand, knowing myself, I would spend just an entire hour yappin' about the weather. And the conversation would end with Fred just telling me to get a life!
(10.14.08 02:53 PM)
FRED EGAN:
Brandon <<< What can I do? I can offer consulting via phone where I'll divulge whatever knowledge you want dropped ;-)
(10.14.08 10:17 AM)
frombrandon:
You definitely need to do a post now on your post processing. You can't just leave all of us poor photographers out to dry. :o) What do you do, Fred?
(10.13.08 11:40 PM)
Sharron:
I'm with the others. Sounds like an awesome chat, but money is an issue. No Photoshop? What do you use? Capture One? Aperture?
(10.13.08 10:59 PM)
Hannah Suh:
Would love to chat it up with you on iChat, but it isn't the cards for me right now. But what a great opportunity for the people who CAN take advantage of this right now. Everyone should have a Fred Egan in their pockets. :)
(10.13.08 10:09 PM)
Pat Sullivan:
Glad to hear the photoshop bit, gives me that much more respect for your work. I think it takes too long anyway, I am a recovering user myself.
(10.13.08 09:45 PM)
Thomas Wilson:
Man I wish! Sounds like a great opportunity but Money is a big issue right now. What stuck me is that you do not use Photoshop! What do you use? Also over the last 2 years of reading your blog I always wanted to ask about your equipment, Nikon or Canon?
(10.13.08 09:41 AM)
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10.11.08
success...
I was listening to the Chicago based interior designer Nate Berkus on XM radio the other day. He was interviewing Alessandra Branca, an Itlalian-born interior designer, on creating your own signature style. There were several great take-aways; however, one thing popped out at me regarding success as Alessandra shared her story.
As Alessandra's reputation became more prominent and the demand for her talent greater, her mother mentioned that success isn't achieved when the projects/clients are picking you...but when you are picking the projects/clients. I thought that was extremely insightful.
How do you define success?
poser:
The word 'success' in Hebrew is translated: "the ability to make wise decisions". i think that is extremely wise
(10.12.08 05:55 PM)
kimberlee West:
that's an awesome way to view success! i also love this perspective... "Success is not the key to happiness; happiness is the key to success. If you love what you are doing, you will be successful." -Albert Schweitzer
(10.11.08 08:40 PM)
Heather Thorne:
Great post! And our chat the other night has really forced me to reevaluate how I do define success for myself. Thanks, Fred!
(10.11.08 10:00 AM)
Lynn Michelle:
Talk does not cook rice. - Chinese Proverb
Success is doing something, your way and making it your own.
(10.11.08 08:25 AM)
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