Wednesday, June 8, 2011
New Arca Video
Descriptive materials on Arcas are almost never to be found. Rod Klukas put together this video on the latest Arca MF digital technical camera. This camera is the state of the art digital camera for architecture used by leading APs all over the world. Sweet!
Wednesday, June 1, 2011
Interview
I'm being interviewed today for a magazine article about my work in an upcoming group show this fall in Santa Fe. I just read the questions. It is so great when somebody actually "gets" the essence of your art work. That is depressingly rare. I'm stoked. More on this when the magazine is coming out.
Tuesday, May 24, 2011
49 Brilliant Pieces of HDR Photography
If this what anyone thinks architectural photography is all about.......you are going to starve to death.
49
49
Thursday, May 19, 2011
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
Follow up of the "Urge to Wander" opening
The opening was great, well over 100 people attended. Many old friends, family and acquaintances. Most important the Open Space staff and management, who were the subject of one component of the exhibit, were thrilled with th exhibit and want to permanently install those images in the Visitors Center.
Some pictures from the following day:
Some pictures from the following day:
Saturday, April 23, 2011
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
Press Release for My Upcoming Show.
THE CITY OF ALBUQUERQUE
OPEN SPACE VISITOR CENTER PRESENTS IN THE ART GALLERY:
OPEN SPACE VISITOR CENTER PRESENTS IN THE ART GALLERY:
“Urge to Wander”
Photographs by Kirk Gittings
and
and
“Arid Harvest” Photographs by David Ondrik (Reception Area)
________________________________________________________________________
What:The photographs of Kirk Gittings: Architecture, Landscape (Main Gallery)
The photographs of David Ondrik: Arid Harvest (Reception Area)
The photographs of David Ondrik: Arid Harvest (Reception Area)
Where: Open Space Visitor Center, Art Gallery
6500 Coors Blvd., NW,
(Between Montaño & Paseo del Norte at Bosque Meadows Rd.)
Albuquerque, New Mexico
Albuquerque, New Mexico
505-897-8831
When: May 7th – June 28th, 2011
OPENING RECEPTION: Saturday May 7th, 3:00 – 5:00 pm Free Admission
Contact: Joshua Willis, Parks & Recreation Dept., Open Space Division, 505-897-8856, jrwillis@cabq.gov
Kirk Gittings has worked as a professional photographer for his entire career. His photographs document the layering of archeological history with that of modernity. Kirk will show a collection of photographs that interpret the environments of the desert, the people who choose to live there and the structures they create past and present. Included in the exhibit will be a portfolio of images commissioned by City of Albuquerque Public Art program on the Open Space staff at work in the landscape.
“What I love most about New Mexico and the Southwest is it's deep rich past. I have walked old Native American trails, the Chaco roads, the Camino Real and Santa Fe Trails. I sense that, wherever I walk, I step in the footprints of Pueblo Indians, Spanish Friars, Conquistadors or U.S. Cavalry. It is the lingering patina of these personae, and the gods they prayed to, that lies behind the sense of presence that I try to evoke in my images.”
Kirk Gittings, Piedra Lisa Open Space
More about Kirk on this website:
Also in the Open Space Visitor Reception area:
David Ondrik: Arid Harvest
David will display a body of work exploring the food that is being sustainability grown in the high desert of Albuquerque, New Mexico.
David Ondrik, Carrot Bundles
More about David of this website:
The Open Space Visitor Center is located at 6500 Coors Blvd. NW between Montaño Rd. and Paseo del Norte at the end of Bosque Meadows Rd. The Center is open Tuesday through Sunday, 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM and closed Mondays. Call 897-8831 for more information or visit www.cabq.gov/openspace/visitorcenter.html
Friday, April 1, 2011
Sunday, March 20, 2011
The Spouse Factor
Many photographers I know have had issues with their spouses. In this crazy and demanding life of a photographer a spouse can be a tremendous support or a stumbling block. Do they understand really what we do? For a transformative experience have him/her assist you for a day on a difficult shoot. Prior to that experience (she had no clue what I do of course-but she is a "creative"-she is a professional chef) I think my wife thought I just wandered around a site snapping photos and drinking coffee. What we do is very physically and mentally challenging. Show her by example. What is all the time in front of the computer about? Show her the before and after results of your Photoshop efforts to explain the endless hours in front of the computer. My wife is my biggest fan and I can't imagine surviving this brutal business (especially in this economy) without her.
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
Nick Merrick again at the 2011 Santa Fe Workshops.
Nick is one of the greats. I have had the unique opportunity to be hired twice to photograph the same buildings he did. This gives one the ability to experience how another photographer actually sees and solves problems in the field. It was instructive, even humbling. His technical approach is masterful and his vision is extraordinary. The workshop should be illuminating. If you are thinking of going professional or a professional who wants to upgrade their skills, I wouldn't miss it. He will be teaching an Architectural Photography Workshop at the Santa Fe Workshops on July 3-9th. See
© Nick Merrick
"Master photographer Nick Merrick is well known for moving beyond mere documentation of buildings and interior spaces to create photographs that interpret the design intent of the architect.
In this workshop, designed for photographers with experience in architectural photography, we cover technical issues of lighting with strobes and hot lights, color balance, contrast, and their relationship to the aesthetic issues of image design. Nick shares his working philosophy and photographic techniques through digital demonstrations that utilize Capture One software, and guides participants in lens selection, composition, and styling decisions."
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
Deadlines.....
In the commercial world meeting deadlines are for me a matter of professional practice. You simply can't maintain a professional reputation by blowing deadlines. Sometimes this leads to long days processing files etc., but you have to do what you have to do. Don't take on a job with a tight deadline if you aren't willing to jump through the hoops to get it done. It is common practice to charge more for jobs on tight deadlines to compensate you for the long hours. But...........what if quality gets compromised? If at all possible you don't want this to happen, but if that is a danger be upfront with your clients. I have on occasion (with the client in sync) delivered half processed files to meet a clients deadline-for say a job proposal-and then continued the processing and delivered the finished images a few days later.
In the arts for me it is a different story. I still try like hell to meet deadlines-but there can be no compromise in the quality. The work is done when it is done. Period. I think I have the perfection disease. I've got a show coming up this fall. It is a high profile group show at a museum and will be up for a year. My contribution is 5 16x20 Piezography prints from drum scanned 4x5 negatives. 5 measly prints.......at this point I have almost 2.5 months in those 5 prints.....they need to be perfect......one of them is stiiiill---not quite right......I am now a fewf weeks past the hard deadline delivering them......but that one print still bugs me a little........
I finally delivered the prints yesterday-6 weeks beyond the hard deadline! I just couldn't let them go till I was satisfied. Last night I received this note from the curaor who I greatly respect:
In the arts for me it is a different story. I still try like hell to meet deadlines-but there can be no compromise in the quality. The work is done when it is done. Period. I think I have the perfection disease. I've got a show coming up this fall. It is a high profile group show at a museum and will be up for a year. My contribution is 5 16x20 Piezography prints from drum scanned 4x5 negatives. 5 measly prints.......at this point I have almost 2.5 months in those 5 prints.....they need to be perfect......one of them is stiiiill---not quite right......I am now a fewf weeks past the hard deadline delivering them......but that one print still bugs me a little........
I finally delivered the prints yesterday-6 weeks beyond the hard deadline! I just couldn't let them go till I was satisfied. Last night I received this note from the curaor who I greatly respect:
Quote
Thanks so much for bringing the photographs this afternoon. We looked at them when you left & they are stunningly printed – just beautiful. Thank you for taking the time & making the effort to do this work – it’s really OK that they were late – it was well worth the wait!
IMO, In the arts it pays to be your own worst critic. More on this fall show as the opening approaches.
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
Problems Sharpening Files?
Read through this PDF for PhotoKit Sharpener 2.0. There is allot of good info about sharpening in general. And.....if you are unsure about sharpening, try out PhotoKit Sharpener. The PKS presets can give you a good starting point for a good sharpening workflow.
PKS
PKS
Convergence and Convention
I always got the idea that Paul Strand could give a s__t for convention, but followed his visual instincts instead. And what genius those instincts those were! Because of that, IMHO he was the most interesting of the early modern architectural photographers. "Time in New England" is one of the great photo books of all time. It is out of print but available used.
Saturday, March 5, 2011
"Architectural Photography--How to get paid?"
Interesting discussion on LuLa
Architectural Photography--How to get paid?
Architectural Photography--How to get paid?
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