A Third of the Way Through: Time for a Little Introspection

re: A Third of the Way Through: Time for a Little Introspection.

finnohara — Wed, 13 Aug 2008 15:43:42 GMT

Thanks for your candid observations and full disclosure Vincent. I'm really enjoying your blog here, as well as your photographs.

Alright, I'll even divulge some info here: when watching the Olympics, I scan the photographers faces, the ones out of the photo pens, to see if I can see you. I'm such a nerd...

Good luck,

Finn

re: A Third of the Way Through: Time for a Little Introspection.

bluelite — Wed, 13 Aug 2008 16:46:05 GMT

I must give kudos to Newsweek for letting you publish photos that YOU like, rather than what's going to sell that week's magazine. As a photographer myself, I personally like to see photos that capture the essence of the sport; the ones that make me go "wow!" because I don't have access to those kinds of shooting positions or never would have thought to frame it that way. It doesn't matter so much who won or whether it was the defining moment of the game. As you wrote, shots that capture the winning pitch are a dime a dozen. The fencing pictures from the first day are "wow!" shots.

Keep it up!

re: A Third of the Way Through: Time for a Little Introspection.

cmonetti — Wed, 13 Aug 2008 16:56:56 GMT

Hi Vincent,

I've been reading your blog since the beginning (loved the details about packing the gear). I think it should be converted to a textbook to be read by anyone that wants to approach professional photography. It makes you realize what huge amount of work is behind the photographs that we see every day.

As for the photographs that I would like to see: I loved your work with the tilt-shift (I'm a big TS fan, can't afford one but luckily there are rental places), so I would love to see something similar: creative, off the schemes and stunning.

Thanks for the blog and keep posting, it's a huge inspiration for all the wanna-be photographers like me! ;-)

Claudio.

re: A Third of the Way Through: Time for a Little Introspection

LarryAnderson — Wed, 13 Aug 2008 17:06:02 GMT

Vince, it is YOU who gets the Gold!!!

I had the privilege of meeting you and studying under your care in Monterey, CA at the Apple Distinguished Educator Institute during July 2007 and I've changed my whole aspect toward photography, thanks to you, Don, and Marco!

Each day (actually, several times each day), I check this site to see what new stuff you have posted. Frankly, I can't believe all the great shots you are getting, not to say anything about the awesome writing you are doing to go along with them.

Reading your words makes me feel like I'm right there with you. Keep "making" (remember? You told us never to "take" a photo) those phenomenal photos and please know you have busloads of supporters back here clinging to your every photo and word.

(And, I think you should auction off that shattered filter on eBay. You could pay for a Caribbean vacation with the proceeds! :-) )

--Larry

re: A Third of the Way Through: Time for a Little Introspection

LouH — Wed, 13 Aug 2008 20:17:42 GMT

While you come to terms with your new-found editorial freedom, rest assured that your blogging is hitting the mark. Apart from the stunning images and great insights into the world you work in, you've also managed to offer insights into the Olympic experience that I've not found elsewhere. Counting to four in the judo is a case in point. Thank you for enriching my Olympic experience!

re: A Third of the Way Through: Time for a Little Introspection

np36 — Wed, 13 Aug 2008 21:08:01 GMT

Vin:

Great post ... it sets you apart from the crowd and speaks volumes to your maturity as a photographer and your dedication to helping others - photographers and fans a like - understand what you do and why you do it. Your willingness to share your own doubt and feelings about all this shows the mark of a great teacher, and wonderful professional.

re: A Third of the Way Through: Time for a Little Introspection

jagdow — Wed, 13 Aug 2008 21:13:02 GMT

If these are your "so-so" images so far, I can't begin to think what you will produce when you "step it up a gear..." !

As for the "ultimate photograph", here's my two cents ... I'm more interested in seeing images that in some way seem to capture the essence of the event, or the atmosphere, rather than the key moment that happened. I enjoyed your first image from the fencing, where the two nameless competitors were competing in the arena, to your shot of the gymnast losing her balance on the high beam, although both were terrific images ... it's less about exactly what happens, and more about how it happens, if that makes sense. You've done an incredible job of capturing both types of image so far. Thank you !

re: A Third of the Way Through: Time for a Little Introspection

kellihogg — Wed, 13 Aug 2008 21:37:27 GMT

Vince, I absolutely love the Olympics and always tune in, but your blog is helping me enjoy the games in a brand new way. I am with jagdow below, if you aren't happy with your images so far, I can't wait to see what you shoot when you take a new approach. I know you said you are jaded, but don't forget there are a lot of photographers out there that are in awe of your work. My dream was to be a sports photographer, but I never chased it. Your blog and your images have captivated me from the beginning and are forcing me to go out and shoot anything...little league or even pickup games, just for the sake of capturing an image.

I also agree with the fact that images that capture the essence of the event are what are important. As you said, you can see photo after photo of all-stars swinging a bat. Who cares if it is the losing team if the image clearly defines the atmosphere and attitude of the event?

Keep up the great work!

re: A Third of the Way Through: Time for a Little Introspection

ANDREASPHOTO — Wed, 13 Aug 2008 22:55:05 GMT

Vincent, Andreas here...I can't imagine posting such involved and well written entries in the peak of the action that you are in right now. Thank you for your commitment to your craft - it's what sets you apart from so many others.

Andreas.

re: A Third of the Way Through: Time for a Little Introspection

Lentil — Thu, 14 Aug 2008 00:39:33 GMT

"As long as we keep the readers (you) interested, we’re accomplishing our jobs (I think.)"

We think so too. Tell the boss we're hooked.

re: A Third of the Way Through: Time for a Little Introspection

NaomiLBarrett — Thu, 14 Aug 2008 00:59:19 GMT

Shoot for YOU... that's why Itune in and read your blog and look at YOUR pictures... It's because of YOUR individual perspective. I read Donald's and Mike's, as well, just to see and "hear" the differences. All 3 of you are artists... Artists do what's in them. Thank you (and Newsweek) for these blogs that I've stumbled upon and the time and dedication you have applied to them... to give us average wanna-be-sports photographers a glimpse of what it's like behind the great pictures... You are an inspiration... please continue to shoot only for you... that's all I want to see.

re: A Third of the Way Through: Time for a Little Introspection

Andrew250cc — Thu, 14 Aug 2008 02:01:25 GMT

I have been reading your blog daily and look forward to it every day. I love having insight into the enormous amount of effort that it takes for one to shoot the Olympics and the obstacles that they encounter. I first came across your images on the SportShooter.com website when I saw your tilt/shift series. That was the first time in a long time that a sports image has stopped me dead in my tracks. Usually I just click through, I love looking at photos...but unfortunately they are all quite similar sometimes, especially when it is concerning sports that are heavily covered here in North America. I love the surreal effect that you managed to capture of locations that most people have seen countless times before in photos.

I just wanted to say that I really appreciate this blog and your comments. I am going to make a point of reading the other two blogs (somehow I didn't stumble upon them yet). The position you are in, being given carte blanche effectively, is truly refreshing as I am a photographer and that is the ultimate job to have. One that allows you to shoot whatever way you feel and make images in the style that you would were you just there of your own accord.

re: A Third of the Way Through: Time for a Little Introspection

laanba — Thu, 14 Aug 2008 03:09:19 GMT

First I want to thank Newsweek for such a wonderful idea and for letting you guys have free reign. What a wonderful idea. I just stumbled across this blog this evening and I have gone back and read every single post. I am amazed that you guys have time (or the energy) to write after a full day.

I think for me my favorite thing to see would be something that gives a flavor of the event. I like to see wide angles showing the environment next to a detail shot that only a close lens can bring. Artsy, abstracts next to a typical shot. But of course my favorite photos that I've taken are when I am just enjoying the moment around me. I wish you luck in finding your balance because I know it will produce stellar work.

re: A Third of the Way Through: Time for a Little Introspection

Fotograaf — Thu, 14 Aug 2008 05:21:10 GMT

Vince,

Introspection and self-critique is a healthy thing to do but don't beat yourself up too much. There is a reason why I and many others bookmark your blog. I have attended some of your presentations and have been following your work for several years now, inspiring myself and others to be better at our craft. I can only imagine the frustration for someone like you trying to produce different looking images when everybody is lumped together in the same photo position box. In my early days I played a lot of tennis and I wanted to play with a T2000 just like Jimmy Connors and to this date I remember what my dad told me, just because you have one of those it doesn't mean that you can play like him. Same holds true to those photopits filled with nikon and canon lenses, some have it and some are just average and some are just there. I bookmarked Rod Mar's, Don's and your blog as I don't want to be overloaded with images but I always have time to look and study at the consistent quality work product that you produce. You might not notice it because there are so many photographers in Bejing but believe there is a disparity in the images we get to see statesside. I'd rather come look at your blogs than to let the editors decide what we get to see.

With that said, I don't like judo or fencing but your images of those two sports ROCK.

I am looking forward to see more

Dirk

re: A Third of the Way Through: Time for a Little Introspection

Fred Co — Thu, 14 Aug 2008 09:16:55 GMT

Salut Vince,

I had the same thoughts as you while reading the blog these days, these images are great but too much like the ones we get from news and wires.

I still expect, and I know you can and you will bring us great and outstanding photographs for us to see, feel, hear and smell what it's like to be in a such world event :o)

Many thanks to all of you guys for taking the time to share all these thoughts and informations throughout this blog, this is very much appreciated.

Et bon courage pour ce marathon photographique et encore chapeau bas pour trouver encore le courage de faire d'aussi longs posts après de telles journées !

Fred

re: A Third of the Way Through: Time for a Little Introspection

Flying Dutchman — Thu, 14 Aug 2008 12:03:30 GMT

Vincent,

First off, great photographs! They tempt to visit the blog everyday, again and again. Reading your story it seems you have definitely been "conditioned' to shoot in a certain way. The pressure that comes with shooting such an important event of course contribute to one falling back on his usual methods.

To create a new "style" or new and original photograph my educated guess (as a psychology graduate) would be to force yourself i.e. recondition by changing the circumstances. You could for example limit the amount of equipment you use (I believe it was Jay Maisel who said that the more lenses you take along the less you shoot). Usually, having less means forces one to be creative, find new ways. These new ways will lead to original images.

Probably, you will feel that by the end of the Games you we're just starting to get the hang of it all :)

I look forward to all the coming great pictures!

Cheers,

re: A Third of the Way Through: Time for a Little Introspection

Vincent Laforet — Thu, 14 Aug 2008 16:22:10 GMT

It's great to get all of your feedback guys - thanks so much! I finally got a chance to read through this thread tonight. I'd write more - but will likely do so in an upcoming post... it's 12:33 a.m. and I need to get up at 6 a.m. for a long day tomorrow - talk w/ you then both w/ words and pix! v

re: A Third of the Way Through: Time for a Little Introspection

G.M. — Thu, 14 Aug 2008 16:27:47 GMT

Vincent,

You mentioned the following: "I’ve found that I somehow returned to these old ways of shooting. It’s almost as if through I have been hardwired or programmed to do so over the years and it’s proven much tougher to shake off than I had anticipated."

As a photographer myself this is what I do when I find myself "hardwired", I shoot for myself. I think about what I would want to hang on my wall. You know, something you could look at every day and see something new in the shot. Try shooting like your shooting Fine Art shots. Just my Two cents worth.

I look forward to seeing more of your great photography.

Have a great day

re: A Third of the Way Through: Time for a Little Introspection

MarcoTogni.it — Fri, 15 Aug 2008 12:00:24 GMT

This is definitely the most interesting post I have ever read on the whole blogosphere. Thank you Vincent.

In my opinion a good sport photo is a photo that is not necessary significant for the play. I mean that it's good if you have a falling moment of an athlete in gymnastic, but I prefer a a simple tight photo of the athlete with a perfect clean background.

Obiouvlsy some moments are very important (for example when an athlete falls). I don't like what NY Times wanted from you, and I prefer Getty's style.

re: A Third of the Way Through: Time for a Little Introspection

willio — Sat, 16 Aug 2008 03:31:24 GMT

As someone who have spent a considerable amount of time living in China as a student, then someone who tries and make a living as a photographer and finally as an overseas Chinese, seeing the whole thing from the audience's point of view as I'm now is a remarkable experience. For one, it saves you all the hurdle that you and your team have to go through and skipping it all together to see the best part.

I was in China during the times when we see more Mc'Donalds rather than the web or cellphones, I was there during the digital revolution in the 90s and practically left when they started to get new and cool things, I was an outsider since.

What newsweek and your team (the photographers) have created is a new playing field, another olympic achievement itself, kudos! Not only that you guys can see things differently but actually making it happen, it's not an easy thing to do in this age of extreme competitiveness where records are being made in the blink of an eye.

Finally, as someone who plays in the same field yet in a different economic scale, being revealed to such details on how much effort and logistic marvel you have gone through gives an awe-spiring illusion of how far this odd profession can excel!

re: A Third of the Way Through: Time for a Little Introspection

Patrick_J — Sat, 16 Aug 2008 09:29:27 GMT

Vincent,

Your insight brings so much more meaning to your images. The inner battle that rages within is fascinating. How you do what you do, the challenge to differentiate your images, and the thought processes and experiences you recount throughout the entire experience are priceless. I appreciate the effort you put into this blog. The pressure to perform is not only on the athletes, but with each photographer who raises a lens. Getting the same image as a hundred others? Not here. Thanks to Newsweek for giving you three guys the opportunity to connect with us. It is working. This is stop #1 of my day.

MANY THANKS! Keep writing. May the three of you continue to have great success!

Patrick

re: A Third of the Way Through: Time for a Little Introspection

ImagineThat — Sun, 17 Aug 2008 00:45:20 GMT

Vincent,

I am interested in knowing what types of setting you are using to get such clear crisp photos and great colors. I have a Nikon D200 and was shooting an event indoors ISO800 on a tripod. Most pictures overall were okay, but I could not get the motion completely stopped. The lens is 18-200mm.

Any suggestions for an amateur photographer?

Thanks,

imaginethat@verizon.net