28th Oct 2007
inspiration
I’m going to deviate from posting nothing but flash flavor and talk a little bit about why and how I got in the position I am in today. I constantly seek new inspiration and ideas. Every now and then, there are a few jems that stand out and I would like to mention them here.
There are a few photographers that I admire and have learned quite a bit from in the last 10 years. Nature photographer John Shaw, was a major source of inspiration for me. I love this quote from Shaw:
“Cameras and lenses are simply tools to place our unique vision on film. Concentrate on equipment and you’ll take technically good photographs. Concentrate on seeing the light’s magic colors and your images will stir the soul.”
**Update** Apparently, I’ve made a mistake, John Shaw was the individual to bring this quote to my attention, originally spoken by his friend, Jack Dykinga. Thanks to FF reader Todd Nordquist for bringing this to my attention.
It was my late grandfather, Art Eno, who willed all his professional camera gear while still living…(nikon f4 film rig and a zillion manual focus lenses and the mack daddy tripod). He also handed me Shaw’s first book on nature photography, which I read cover to cover a million times. I then bought and read every one of his other books. I shot transparency film for a few years and actually learned the craft. I was a pretty ok nature photog.
This book taught me how to use the camera and how to think about composition.
Secondly, if you havent had a chance to check out images made by David Roberts, please take a look at these few I found posted on an old school link from the WPJA’s site back in 2004. It was in 2003 that I was searching for photojournalism photographers and found David’s site. (NOT the WPJA). I wish his old PJ site was still up, ctphotojournalist.com but it says “new website coming soon”…. oh well. Anyway, back then, I had no idea what the WPJA was…All I cared about was that I found a photographer whose work was ALL FILM, and just some of the most creative work I had seen. I pretty much looked at every one of the photos on his personal site. I was truly amazed by his creative vision.
I guess he had some of the first dibs on the trash the dress fad.
While I was in Guadalajara Mexico last week, I fell into the blessing of staying at a hotel whose neighbor parking lot was occupied by the majestic Cirque du Soleil touring production, Quidam. I ran across the street to buy tickets… These guys sell out every night! We got 2 tickets in the best section possible for only $75 each!!!!!! WOW, in Atl, the same seats go for $250! Folks, i’m here to tell you that Cirque is by far, the most amazing theatrical production company I have ever encountered. This was my 3rd time seeing Quidam. I’ll go back 100 more if I could. Quidam was my first experience with Cirque back in 1997.
Cirque brings together the most amazing technical elements. If you want to study lighting and composition, go to one of their shows… I’m in awe every time i go. I’ve seen:
Quidam (3 times)
Alegría
Corteo
DELIRIUM
Dralion
Varekai
Go check out one of these shows! If Cirque comes to your town (all the shows I mentioned are touring shows), I would consider it a SIN to miss the production! I have a BFA in Theatre. I’ve seen TONS of shows and other performances, NOTHING compares… One of these days, I’ll be hitting the Vegas productions… I hear they the jam pony!
Anybody have any thoughts? Been inspired by these people too? Please share your thoughts.
Cheers!
matt
What got me into photography were two things: my dad’s Canon F1 New and John Shaw’s books. To this date I find his books as current as they were 15 years ago. His photos are always an inspiration. His compositions impeccable.
Hey Matt,
Thanks for your site. Your photos are very inspirational. I have alot of ideas for my own wedding in Jan. I now just have to find the photographer that has the required ability/understanding about what I am after.
In regards to Cirque du Soleil, firstly I have to say, remember that the word cirque is french for circus. And for us Aussies, we normally refer to the circus by it’s title before or after the “circus” in their name. So, Cirque Eloize becomes Eloize. Ashton’s Circus becomes Ashtons. Cirque du Soleil is Soleil.
Unless you are talking about “the circus” whereby you would then say, “the cirque”.
I have to say this because I am a performer in Circus Oz (www.circusoz.com currently in Mexico, then a week in Texas followed by 3 weeks in California — if you are around these areas let me know and I’ll get you some tickets) and it just seems wrong that the generic word circus or cirque should just be associated with just one company. There are many circus companies that are as good or even better (but this depends on which definition of good and better you use) than soleil.
I have been talking quite a bit to our lighting designer, asking him why he lights things in a particular way. He said, because it looks cool. How can you argue with that? For some examples, have a look at scotthone.com/collection]. The circus photos should be fairly obvious.
The first concern that he has as a lighting designer is safety. The acrobats have to be able to see what they are doing without being blinded by the lights.
And every act is different. People climbing a chinese pole. Straps. Flying trapeze. BMX trick bikes riding seemingly randomly all over the stage, juggling (bounce, toss, and contact), tumbling, acrobatics — everthing is different.
The audience has to be able to see what the acrobat(s) is(are) doing. As well, without being too uncomfortably blinded by the lights.
And when we are in the tent, as apposed to the stage, the audience is all around the performance, so these points become, ummm, challenging.
Then he’ll look at colours, moods and background lights for more mood lighting. If it is necessary.
Yes. It is quite amazing what the lights can do.
I’m serious about the tickets.
Cheers,
Scott
Its funny to hear about John Shaw as I had a ticket to one of his seminars years ago and I couldnt go. HIs nature work is amazing.
Also a few years back Carrie and I went to Vegas and were lucky enough to score a couple of the Cirque “O” show tickets. I have been to alot of shows and that one blew the rest out of the water, literally. One minute a guy dives 40 feet into a water tank, a few seconds later there is a dude on a bicycle riding across where the pool was! The creativity these people have are second to none. Its a water show, and then its a stage show, its a light show, its all combined and they tie it all together for a performance that you wont forget. The way I want to shoot my weddings.
Lights, magic, action!
Chris Collins
Matt, great site, fantastic images.
Just wanted to say you can get to a 2003 archive of David Roberts’ site here: - http://web.archive.org/web/20030622010106/http://www.ctphotojournalist.com/
It’s not complete but there is still quite a lot of images available.
There are also archives for other dates, but that 2003 seems to me one of the more complete ones: - http://web.archive.org/web//http:/*/ctphotojournalist.com
Apologies. The links in my previous post now work.
s
Thomas, Yep, you are correct. Pick up any one of Shaw’s books, you will be dead on! Love that guy’s imagery!
Scott. Thanks for taking the time to write! Also, thank you for your offer for the ticket. We are in Mexico City and leaving tomorrow, so unfortunately I won’t be able to take you up on your offer.
In this case, Cirque du Soleil has actually branded their image with that phrase, so even if they toured to Australia, they would still be Cirque du Soleil. Also, I wasnt trying to cheapen other circuses by mentioning them, but in this case, Soleil is not simply just the circus. First off, they have a budget to die for due to their overwhelming popularity worldwide. I was trying to say that out of any production that i’ve ever seen (hundreds in total) Soleil brings together ALL of the elements with GUSTO. Its incredible. Sound, LIghting, Technical stage elements, costume, direction, composition, music, creative message, and of course, performers…its all there and nothing is compromised. I’ll remember Circus Oz though
Chris, thanks for giving a shout out! I heard that water tank of O’s production is unbelievable, i’m there man!
Rich, thanks for the link! I totally forgot about web archive! Roberts was shooting and publishing these images a long time ago…I love his older stuff, it should be in a library!
cheers!
matt
sounds cheesy, but both you and sol were the reason i started giving photography a try. searching for a wedding photog i was struck by how impressive (and different) your style was. you both have a unique way of capturing the moment (much better than those lame posed shots everyone else seems to shoot), and you mix it with incredible style.
anyhow… i say all that to say… started small… now i’ve worked my way up to much better equipment… just bought myself a Canon 580EX II Speedlite, which unlike the previous canon speedlites DOES (thankfully) come with a PC Synch. so… i also picked up two PW’s and i spent all weekend walking around the house shotting anything and everything just so i could learn the flash a little. most of the photos sucked (no surprise haha), but thats because i’m still learning how to correctly balance the ambient with the flash… those little machines have some crazy ass power… and its no easy task when you’re shooting everything in manual…. but dang i had a fun time!!
here’s one of the only decent shots i got:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/monandpab/1783628359/
and yes if monica looks annoyed its because she is!! everytime i pick up something else for my camera i drive her nuts “testing” it out…
cant wait to learn the flash properly so i can start using it to enhance my photos. practice practice practice…
p.s. monica and i saw Quidam about 7 years ago. was our first official “big” date. we had dinner at a fantastic restaurant and then i surprised her with tickets on the way to the event. no words to describe really. it was incredible. such a great night. i totally agree with you on the whole Cirque thing… every detail, even down to the music… perfect.
not cheesy at all, so glad you have been inspired!
Yep, good to know that the 580 has the sync terminal, although i officially wish that canon would have made the terminal work while the flash was mounted on the hotshoe, stupid engineering.
Anyway, practice up, read strobist, you will be set!
cheers!
matt
Hey, Matt love all the info on your site and enjoy learning from you. I just wanted to point out that your quote on this post is not Shaw’s, however, but Jack Dykinga’s.
As Shaw says on his site: “Let me quote my friend Jack Dykinga: ‘Cameras and lenses are simply tools to place our unique vision on film. Concentrate on equipment and you’ll take technically good photographs. Concentrate on seeing the light’s magic colors and your images will stir the soul.’ “
thanks Todd, I’ve updated the post reflecting the proper author of the quote.
Who do you use to present your video clips? They are much bigger and sharper than on other sites? Are you running QuickTime downloads, or a service like a Vimeo, Veoh, etc.?