Comments on: The PDN 30 http://aphotoeditor.com/2008/03/05/the-pdn-30/ Photography Director Rob Haggart Thu, 28 Aug 2008 22:52:06 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5.1 By: J. Wesley Brown http://aphotoeditor.com/2008/03/05/the-pdn-30/#comment-14956 J. Wesley Brown Thu, 03 Apr 2008 07:33:09 +0000 http://aphotoeditor.com/2008/03/05/the-pdn-30/#comment-14956 "makes me wonder if printed portfolios are finally starting to fall out of favor" ?! For someone seemingly tuned in to the future of things, I was amazed to see you write this. Anyone who's ever printed photos for real (larger than A3 and really, I'm talking a minimum of 100cm wide) knows that those printed portfolios are a joke at the size they are at and especially considering that when printed for magazine format, its a piece of cake to get it right comparatively. Bottom line, if I can give you a nice jpeg at 1024 pixels then it will look nice on your small magazine page. A physical portfolio print at that size MIGHT give you an idea of whether I can turn in a nice 100cm print. “makes me wonder if printed portfolios are finally starting to fall out of favor”

?!

For someone seemingly tuned in to the future of things, I was amazed to see you write this. Anyone who’s ever printed photos for real (larger than A3 and really, I’m talking a minimum of 100cm wide) knows that those printed portfolios are a joke at the size they are at and especially considering that when printed for magazine format, its a piece of cake to get it right comparatively.

Bottom line, if I can give you a nice jpeg at 1024 pixels then it will look nice on your small magazine page.

A physical portfolio print at that size MIGHT give you an idea of whether I can turn in a nice 100cm print.

]]> By: scott Rex Ely http://aphotoeditor.com/2008/03/05/the-pdn-30/#comment-12767 scott Rex Ely Tue, 11 Mar 2008 23:18:00 +0000 http://aphotoeditor.com/2008/03/05/the-pdn-30/#comment-12767 I think the best compliment to the list is I thoroughly enjoyed looking at the images and listening to: BOXER, from The National. Try it..... I think the best compliment to the list is I thoroughly enjoyed looking at the images and listening to: BOXER, from The National. Try it…..

]]> By: Dmorton http://aphotoeditor.com/2008/03/05/the-pdn-30/#comment-12636 Dmorton Tue, 11 Mar 2008 07:45:59 +0000 http://aphotoeditor.com/2008/03/05/the-pdn-30/#comment-12636 Sorry I have no website, why would it be nice to have a link to my name Robert? Sorry I have no website, why would it be nice to have a link to my name Robert?

]]> By: robert http://aphotoeditor.com/2008/03/05/the-pdn-30/#comment-12473 robert Sun, 09 Mar 2008 17:58:34 +0000 http://aphotoeditor.com/2008/03/05/the-pdn-30/#comment-12473 "this guy even does it with the intonation and accent of his voice although you may need to have a British ear to fully “get it” - puke inducing and about as challenging as a gnats cock." sorry but I have a british ear and I really did miss that. It would be nice to get a link from your name though. RDP “this guy even does it with the intonation and accent of his voice although you may need to have a British ear to fully “get it” - puke inducing and about as challenging as a gnats cock.”

sorry but I have a british ear and I really did miss that. It would be nice to get a link from your name though.

RDP

]]> By: Dmorton http://aphotoeditor.com/2008/03/05/the-pdn-30/#comment-12449 Dmorton Sun, 09 Mar 2008 08:19:10 +0000 http://aphotoeditor.com/2008/03/05/the-pdn-30/#comment-12449 @38 - the video link. Anyone that sucks up to and helps re-enforce the celeb culture makes me wanna vomit all over them,this guy even does it with the intonation and accent of his voice although you may need to have a British ear to fully "get it" - puke inducing and about as challenging as a gnats cock. @38 - the video link.

Anyone that sucks up to and helps re-enforce the celeb culture makes me wanna vomit all over them,this guy even does it with the intonation and accent of his voice although you may need to have a British ear to fully “get it” - puke inducing and about as challenging as a gnats cock.

]]> By: anoooon http://aphotoeditor.com/2008/03/05/the-pdn-30/#comment-12344 anoooon Sat, 08 Mar 2008 06:20:45 +0000 http://aphotoeditor.com/2008/03/05/the-pdn-30/#comment-12344 #46 Mike It's good to hear from you on this forum. I didn't want to take anything away from your work. I couldn't help but bring it up. It was really weird to see that quote. #46 Mike
It’s good to hear from you on this forum.
I didn’t want to take anything away from your work. I couldn’t help but bring it up. It was really weird to see that quote.

]]> By: A Photo Editor http://aphotoeditor.com/2008/03/05/the-pdn-30/#comment-12330 A Photo Editor Sat, 08 Mar 2008 03:25:15 +0000 http://aphotoeditor.com/2008/03/05/the-pdn-30/#comment-12330 Goddam PDN. Thanks for clearing that up Mike. Goddam PDN. Thanks for clearing that up Mike.

]]> By: mike http://aphotoeditor.com/2008/03/05/the-pdn-30/#comment-12321 mike Sat, 08 Mar 2008 03:08:14 +0000 http://aphotoeditor.com/2008/03/05/the-pdn-30/#comment-12321 #38 & #39 - If it matters I did directly contribute the quote to Platon in my interview. PDN even got it right in the print version. My interviewer asked me what I learned from him - it was a major lesson. Sucks that they did not get it right online. I actually apologized to Platon before I realized it was not my mistake... #38 & #39 - If it matters I did directly contribute the quote to Platon in my interview. PDN even got it right in the print version. My interviewer asked me what I learned from him - it was a major lesson. Sucks that they did not get it right online. I actually apologized to Platon before I realized it was not my mistake…

]]> By: Kevin http://aphotoeditor.com/2008/03/05/the-pdn-30/#comment-12318 Kevin Sat, 08 Mar 2008 02:26:26 +0000 http://aphotoeditor.com/2008/03/05/the-pdn-30/#comment-12318 Meha Matei shot my wedding 2 years ago... now shes in the PDN top 30.. Meha Matei shot my wedding 2 years ago… now shes in the PDN top 30..

]]> By: Giulio Sciorio http://aphotoeditor.com/2008/03/05/the-pdn-30/#comment-12311 Giulio Sciorio Sat, 08 Mar 2008 01:00:38 +0000 http://aphotoeditor.com/2008/03/05/the-pdn-30/#comment-12311 @#9 Thank you! This is exactly the problem with a lot of new comers. The work looks good online because you can hide all the mistakes with a small 500X750 pixel image but does it look good in print? A photo is not finished until it's printed. @#9 Thank you! This is exactly the problem with a lot of new comers. The work looks good online because you can hide all the mistakes with a small 500X750 pixel image but does it look good in print?

A photo is not finished until it’s printed.

]]> By: andy anderson http://aphotoeditor.com/2008/03/05/the-pdn-30/#comment-12286 andy anderson Fri, 07 Mar 2008 22:45:21 +0000 http://aphotoeditor.com/2008/03/05/the-pdn-30/#comment-12286 I agree with post #27. News Flash.............New York City is NOT the center of the universe!! I agree with post #27. News Flash………….New York City is NOT the center of the universe!!

]]> By: A Photo Editor http://aphotoeditor.com/2008/03/05/the-pdn-30/#comment-12222 A Photo Editor Fri, 07 Mar 2008 14:27:06 +0000 http://aphotoeditor.com/2008/03/05/the-pdn-30/#comment-12222 Yeah, It's not Mike's fault. He's doing what photographers have always done to build their careers. It's PDN's list. It just goes to show you how working for a named photographer can advance your career quickly. Yeah, It’s not Mike’s fault. He’s doing what photographers have always done to build their careers. It’s PDN’s list. It just goes to show you how working for a named photographer can advance your career quickly.

]]> By: anonymous http://aphotoeditor.com/2008/03/05/the-pdn-30/#comment-12216 anonymous Fri, 07 Mar 2008 12:54:47 +0000 http://aphotoeditor.com/2008/03/05/the-pdn-30/#comment-12216 If there's one for sure thing in this biz, it's that there are no rules on how to build a career. Everyone's got a different story. Way different. I feel that point right when you begin to build momentum - late 20s early 30s - is hard as hell, b/c it's the point where you find out if you're a mini or if you have something in you. And everyone starts as a mini in some way, so I'd personally never hold it against any young photographer who's at that point. It's a hard biz, especially in the editorial/fashion market now, which is stagnant (not the photography, but the actual mags) and rarely risking younger talent or new ideas. Not like that wave of rags out in the 90s. So this rubs off on the younger shooters. They end up shooting it like a commercial job (i.e. not original), just to not screw it up and to get tears. Nobody in the systems promoting anything with any nuts. I've kind of been there and done this though, so maybe I'm just nice b/c I sympathize and know it's not as easy as being born a creative genius and knocking on W door. If there’s one for sure thing in this biz, it’s that there are no rules on how to build a career. Everyone’s got a different story. Way different.

I feel that point right when you begin to build momentum - late 20s early 30s - is hard as hell, b/c it’s the point where you find out if you’re a mini or if you have something in you. And everyone starts as a mini in some way, so I’d personally never hold it against any young photographer who’s at that point.

It’s a hard biz, especially in the editorial/fashion market now, which is stagnant (not the photography, but the actual mags) and rarely risking younger talent or new ideas. Not like that wave of rags out in the 90s. So this rubs off on the younger shooters. They end up shooting it like a commercial job (i.e. not original), just to not screw it up and to get tears. Nobody in the systems promoting anything with any nuts.

I’ve kind of been there and done this though, so maybe I’m just nice b/c I sympathize and know it’s not as easy as being born a creative genius and knocking on W door.

]]> By: dude http://aphotoeditor.com/2008/03/05/the-pdn-30/#comment-12195 dude Fri, 07 Mar 2008 09:21:51 +0000 http://aphotoeditor.com/2008/03/05/the-pdn-30/#comment-12195 @38 @39: Nothing new. There are droves of mini-Avedons out there, a few mini-Terrys, a few mini-Burbridges, several mini-Goldins, one or two mini-Clangs, an army of mini-LaChapelles, one particular mini-Sims I can think of and I can't even count the number of mini-Shores, Parrs, Dijkstras, and so on. And don't even get me started about all the high-contrast-B&W-stockinged mini-Newtons and mini-von Unwerths. It's gotten so bad these days that 95% of the photographers out there are a mini-someone. Just hang out at any art school these days and you will be astounded by the lack of original thought. It's natural that Mike should be influenced by his boss. It's obvious that he has a lot of admiration for the guy (I hear Platon is one of the nicest, most down to earth people on the planet) so he is AHEM "paraphrasing without citation" to put it politely but when the mini-ness comes from having worked for someone, I always hope to eventually see their work evolve beyond mini- status and come into it's own. Sometimes it does and sometimes it doesn't. I can think of a few careers built on knocking off an ex-boss. Ultimately, I don't think it's ever a good thing to be viewed as a "mini" though. After all, why get a fake when you can have the real thing? @38 @39: Nothing new. There are droves of mini-Avedons out there, a few mini-Terrys, a few mini-Burbridges, several mini-Goldins, one or two mini-Clangs, an army of mini-LaChapelles, one particular mini-Sims I can think of and I can’t even count the number of mini-Shores, Parrs, Dijkstras, and so on. And don’t even get me started about all the high-contrast-B&W-stockinged mini-Newtons and mini-von Unwerths. It’s gotten so bad these days that 95% of the photographers out there are a mini-someone. Just hang out at any art school these days and you will be astounded by the lack of original thought.

It’s natural that Mike should be influenced by his boss. It’s obvious that he has a lot of admiration for the guy (I hear Platon is one of the nicest, most down to earth people on the planet) so he is AHEM “paraphrasing without citation” to put it politely but when the mini-ness comes from having worked for someone, I always hope to eventually see their work evolve beyond mini- status and come into it’s own. Sometimes it does and sometimes it doesn’t. I can think of a few careers built on knocking off an ex-boss.

Ultimately, I don’t think it’s ever a good thing to be viewed as a “mini” though. After all, why get a fake when you can have the real thing?

]]> By: polaroid artist http://aphotoeditor.com/2008/03/05/the-pdn-30/#comment-12180 polaroid artist Fri, 07 Mar 2008 05:58:06 +0000 http://aphotoeditor.com/2008/03/05/the-pdn-30/#comment-12180 @38 - holy sh*t i just watched that - thats amazing - i cant believe this guy...maybe it's platon's evil twin!! @38 - holy sh*t i just watched that - thats amazing - i cant believe this guy…maybe it’s platon’s evil twin!!

]]> By: anoooon http://aphotoeditor.com/2008/03/05/the-pdn-30/#comment-12178 anoooon Fri, 07 Mar 2008 05:02:29 +0000 http://aphotoeditor.com/2008/03/05/the-pdn-30/#comment-12178 It would seem Mike McGregor has been a good understudy of Platon.... His quote on the bottom of his PDN page is almost a direct quote from an interview with Platon on his site. "There is room for just one ego during a shoot and only the subject can be that ego." http://www.platonphoto.com/interview/cnn.html the quote is close to the end of the video. Mike's got really good work. It would seem Mike McGregor has been a good understudy of Platon…. His quote on the bottom of his PDN page is almost a direct quote from an interview with Platon on his site.

“There is room for just one ego during a shoot and only the subject can be that ego.”

http://www.platonphoto.com/interview/cnn.html

the quote is close to the end of the video.

Mike’s got really good work.

]]> By: polaroid artist http://aphotoeditor.com/2008/03/05/the-pdn-30/#comment-12177 polaroid artist Fri, 07 Mar 2008 04:59:46 +0000 http://aphotoeditor.com/2008/03/05/the-pdn-30/#comment-12177 yawner terrain - weakest in years.... yawner terrain - weakest in years….

]]> By: PDN Top 30 — HeatherMortonArt buyer http://aphotoeditor.com/2008/03/05/the-pdn-30/#comment-12162 PDN Top 30 — HeatherMortonArt buyer Fri, 07 Mar 2008 02:33:43 +0000 http://aphotoeditor.com/2008/03/05/the-pdn-30/#comment-12162 [...] For more interesting discussion on this year’s winners, including reaction to the fact that all of the photographers were judged on electronic submissions rather than printed portfolios (what does this mean for the future of your book?), be sure to go here. [...] [...] For more interesting discussion on this year’s winners, including reaction to the fact that all of the photographers were judged on electronic submissions rather than printed portfolios (what does this mean for the future of your book?), be sure to go here. [...]

]]> By: j q http://aphotoeditor.com/2008/03/05/the-pdn-30/#comment-12115 j q Thu, 06 Mar 2008 22:01:43 +0000 http://aphotoeditor.com/2008/03/05/the-pdn-30/#comment-12115 the work seems pretty gentle this year around I think it's reflective of a general new york fine art trend (natural moody static mysterious) the work seems pretty gentle this year around
I think it’s reflective of a general new york fine art trend (natural moody static mysterious)

]]> By: another_anon http://aphotoeditor.com/2008/03/05/the-pdn-30/#comment-12056 another_anon Thu, 06 Mar 2008 16:28:53 +0000 http://aphotoeditor.com/2008/03/05/the-pdn-30/#comment-12056 @34 - I thought it was only me. So much of the fine art portraiture looks to be of people on some type of downer. I personally feel disconnected to so much of it because I am a pretty happy person and I come from a culture where laughter and joy and optimism are celebrated. So it really doesn't work for me. But I still appreciate on certain levels, but I get tired of it pretty quickly. "You're pale and look like you popped a Xanax (or need to) - can I take your picture?" . @34 - I thought it was only me. So much of the fine art portraiture looks to be of people on some type of downer. I personally feel disconnected to so much of it because I am a pretty happy person and I come from a culture where laughter and joy and optimism are celebrated. So it really doesn’t work for me. But I still appreciate on certain levels, but I get tired of it pretty quickly.

“You’re pale and look like you popped a Xanax (or need to) - can I take your picture?” .

]]> By: scott Rex Ely http://aphotoeditor.com/2008/03/05/the-pdn-30/#comment-12041 scott Rex Ely Thu, 06 Mar 2008 14:16:19 +0000 http://aphotoeditor.com/2008/03/05/the-pdn-30/#comment-12041 There seems to be a pharmaceutical effect I'm getting from this list. Not quite trippy, but sorta subdued and restraining. Global prozac kind of feel. There seems to be a pharmaceutical effect I’m getting from this list. Not quite trippy, but sorta subdued and restraining. Global prozac kind of feel.

]]> By: dude http://aphotoeditor.com/2008/03/05/the-pdn-30/#comment-12033 dude Thu, 06 Mar 2008 12:52:31 +0000 http://aphotoeditor.com/2008/03/05/the-pdn-30/#comment-12033 @18: No offense taken and none intended. They are fine photographers with good work, but in just last year's picks the credits represented included Italian Vogue, Dazed, i-D, W, and Wonderland... so next to those, Zink and Surface pale considerably. I have nothing against those mags - they're fine if you want to become a successful commercial photographer, but the last time a Surface "graduate" really blew up, it was Clang and that was 7 years ago. Seen his work in Surface lately? I think he fired that client a while ago. Fact is, they're not taken as seriously in Fashion (with a big "F") as the stateside letter mags like V, T, W or even some of the newer indies with heaps more cred. @18: No offense taken and none intended. They are fine photographers with good work, but in just last year’s picks the credits represented included Italian Vogue, Dazed, i-D, W, and Wonderland… so next to those, Zink and Surface pale considerably.

I have nothing against those mags - they’re fine if you want to become a successful commercial photographer, but the last time a Surface “graduate” really blew up, it was Clang and that was 7 years ago. Seen his work in Surface lately? I think he fired that client a while ago.

Fact is, they’re not taken as seriously in Fashion (with a big “F”) as the stateside letter mags like V, T, W or even some of the newer indies with heaps more cred.

]]> By: Dmorton http://aphotoeditor.com/2008/03/05/the-pdn-30/#comment-12024 Dmorton Thu, 06 Mar 2008 11:33:41 +0000 http://aphotoeditor.com/2008/03/05/the-pdn-30/#comment-12024 "Seeing the work online is one thing. Seeing the 30×40 print is a whole other story." Thats to state the obvious. If its about print quality for you, again 19th Century photography (daguerreotypes, contact glass plate printing and other process) more or less perfected image quality over any enlargement process - take a look at quality large plate prints, 14x19 plus from the period. Much of the photography we see today is just not challenging, yes I like to see great print quality but I want to see a visual progression ! I'm bored and its not because I need to be visually "educated" its because Ive seen the stuff, visually and technically so many times before for so many years. There are the odd occasions when I look on flickr and see someone who has, in my view, outstanding talent, I mean they are doing stuff which cant be taught and yes I know flickr is full of terrible stuff as well. “Seeing the work online is one thing. Seeing the 30×40 print is a whole other story.”

Thats to state the obvious. If its about print quality for you, again 19th Century photography (daguerreotypes, contact glass plate printing and other process) more or less perfected image quality over any enlargement process - take a look at quality large plate prints, 14×19 plus from the period. Much of the photography we see today is just not challenging, yes I like to see great print quality but I want to see a visual progression ! I’m bored and its not because I need to be visually “educated” its because Ive seen the stuff, visually and technically so many times before for so many years. There are the odd occasions when I look on flickr and see someone who has, in my view, outstanding talent, I mean they are doing stuff which cant be taught and yes I know flickr is full of terrible stuff as well.

]]> By: d weber http://aphotoeditor.com/2008/03/05/the-pdn-30/#comment-12008 d weber Thu, 06 Mar 2008 09:06:53 +0000 http://aphotoeditor.com/2008/03/05/the-pdn-30/#comment-12008 Wait - I did? My mom will be glad to hear that. I left college in 2001 and received my first paycheque in 2002, so, 6 years. As for the NYC bias, I don't know, I'm from Toronto and live in Moscow and go to NYC maybe once a year, I like the Rangers. Wait - I did? My mom will be glad to hear that. I left college in 2001 and received my first paycheque in 2002, so, 6 years.

As for the NYC bias, I don’t know, I’m from Toronto and live in Moscow and go to NYC maybe once a year, I like the Rangers.

]]> By: Anonymouse http://aphotoeditor.com/2008/03/05/the-pdn-30/#comment-11993 Anonymouse Thu, 06 Mar 2008 05:33:10 +0000 http://aphotoeditor.com/2008/03/05/the-pdn-30/#comment-11993 @17 APE: "Recently arrived is more like it" — definitely NOT Donald W, he arrived years ago. @17 APE: “Recently arrived is more like it” — definitely NOT Donald W, he arrived years ago.

]]> By: anon http://aphotoeditor.com/2008/03/05/the-pdn-30/#comment-11971 anon Thu, 06 Mar 2008 02:37:26 +0000 http://aphotoeditor.com/2008/03/05/the-pdn-30/#comment-11971 @18, no offense, dude, but if they were shooting for top fashion mags they wouldn't be entering this competition. They wouldn't need to. If you've any grasp on the fashion editorial market you'll know it's not as simple as do good work = shoot for good mags. Far from it. Zink and Surface are decent mags to shoot for if your stateside. @18, no offense, dude, but if they were shooting for top fashion mags they wouldn’t be entering this competition. They wouldn’t need to. If you’ve any grasp on the fashion editorial market you’ll know it’s not as simple as do good work = shoot for good mags. Far from it. Zink and Surface are decent mags to shoot for if your stateside.

]]> By: Chris http://aphotoeditor.com/2008/03/05/the-pdn-30/#comment-11946 Chris Thu, 06 Mar 2008 00:16:52 +0000 http://aphotoeditor.com/2008/03/05/the-pdn-30/#comment-11946 @ #23 Seeing the work online is one thing. Seeing the 30x40 print is a whole other story. @ #23
Seeing the work online is one thing. Seeing the 30×40 print is a whole other story.

]]> By: Arty McSoth http://aphotoeditor.com/2008/03/05/the-pdn-30/#comment-11943 Arty McSoth Wed, 05 Mar 2008 23:37:10 +0000 http://aphotoeditor.com/2008/03/05/the-pdn-30/#comment-11943 Dude, The kid that prints Alec Soth's stuff was on the list last year. The PdN 30 is so NYcentric. It is sick. Dude, The kid that prints Alec Soth’s stuff was on the list last year. The PdN 30 is so NYcentric. It is sick.

]]> By: carpeicthus http://aphotoeditor.com/2008/03/05/the-pdn-30/#comment-11936 carpeicthus Wed, 05 Mar 2008 22:47:57 +0000 http://aphotoeditor.com/2008/03/05/the-pdn-30/#comment-11936 Yeah, there definitely was one in the list that I would call plagiarism, although I guess with Richard Prince out there nothing can possibly be called plagiarism in photography. But when you see it and say "Oh, I know that work, of course that photog deserves to be on the list, that was the most innovative thing I saw this year!" … but then it's not the work of the actual innovator. Hm. Yeah, there definitely was one in the list that I would call plagiarism, although I guess with Richard Prince out there nothing can possibly be called plagiarism in photography. But when you see it and say “Oh, I know that work, of course that photog deserves to be on the list, that was the most innovative thing I saw this year!” … but then it’s not the work of the actual innovator. Hm.

]]> By: Scott Lessing http://aphotoeditor.com/2008/03/05/the-pdn-30/#comment-11915 Scott Lessing Wed, 05 Mar 2008 20:32:45 +0000 http://aphotoeditor.com/2008/03/05/the-pdn-30/#comment-11915 I see some familiar names on there, even some familiar bloggers. A few new names as well. I see some familiar names on there, even some familiar bloggers. A few new names as well.

]]>