During my last shoot for the Bob Woodruff Foundation in November I met Joe Delia and his wife PJ. Joe just released his new album SMOKE AND MIRRORS and my picture below of him during the event at the Beacon became part of the album art. Go Joe!
The absurdity of “say cheese” has been a pet peeve of mine forever. Meant as a saying that is supposed to make a subject smile. Common that’s all you’ve got. Cheese? Anyway, whatever expression follows the “cheese” is not real, it is meaningless, it is cheese. The German word for cheese is “Kaese” and it is commonly used as a metaphor for “nonsense”. It is!
I stumbled upon a blog entry by Rodney Smith who I need to quote, since I couldn’t say it any better:
The truth is no portrait of substance has people smiling. Look at the history of painting, Rembrandt, Titian, Goya, Velasquez, Sargent, Vermeer, DaVinci, etc., the subjects gaze to the viewer is neutral at best, neither inviting nor forbidding. It is there for the viewer to see and feel.
Smiling is like much of American popular culture, superficial and misleading. It is part of our vernacular, but it should be expunged in photographs.
Laughter is real. Anger, joy, resentment, frustration are powerful and meaningful sentiments to be expressed. But because of this people do not want to share what lies within, so instead let’s lie without with a smile.
via Rodney Smith
Please, let’s say good by to cheese.
Off To Location: France. Shooting lifestyle and portraits in the south of France.
Image: © Stefan Radtke 2009
Edward Steichen: Glowria Swanson 1924 |
Danzinger Gallery in NY will be showing 84 Edward Steichen photographs printed by George Tice. He was the last person to print for Steichen in his lifetime. Where:Danziger Gallery When:September 15 – October 29 Opening:September 15: 6-8pm |
For my local community I am giving away three portrait sessions in my studio this September. Use the image for your job search, your social media profile, your friends or whatever else you can think of.
Sign up by sending me an email and tell me why you need a portrait.
image above: Lori Funk, Actress and Comedienne
Sorry, individual portraits only; no groups; 18 years and over. The session will last approx. an hour and you’ll get digital files of selected images.
Happy Stimulus.
For the last 4 years I have been shooting at the Stand Up for Heroes fund raising event, supporting US soldiers who are suffering from traumatic brain injury. The event is organized by the Bob Woodruff Foundation.
image above: Jon Stewart
