Austin Joffe

EARTH

2010-09-01T17:39:00.000-07:00

As promised, here are the photographs to the next set of my fine art series, Earth.

Please contact me for purchasing info: austin@austinjoffe.com

Sample Portfolio

2010-08-21T12:38:00.000-07:00

Hello, once again, I would like to post a link to a sample portfolio to those who want to see more of my work than what's on here.

http://austinjoffe.com/portfolio

Also, keep checking back. I will be showing Earth in the next few days! If you're curious as to what "Earth" is, it is one/four sets to my fine art series. It is a series of the Earth's basic elements, Water (which I recently posted), Wind, Earth, and fire.

How well do you know your color?

2010-07-23T11:53:00.000-07:00

Ok ok ok; I know I havn't posted much lately. I promise I will pick it up in the next few weeks or so. PROMISE! I've got some new work AND some upcoming stuff I would like to talk about; but not now, soon!

For now, there are a couple things I would like to mention this time.

First, for the local NC Triad folks and beyond, my good friend Phillip Pledger has recently started the blog Phuzz . It's a central point that locals are able to see whats happening in the arts around town. So if you're in Winston-Salem/the triad area or even coming into town from another planet, be sure to check it out!

Now for the purpose of this post, Color.

I'm a huge fan of Dwell magazine, and the website. Recently I viewed a video of the artist Josef Albers. His works were based around color theory, and how color interacted with the mind, soul, and atmosphere. Check it out!

Pretty interesting eh? So, how well do you know color? I encourage you to take a few moments and enter this contest. Test your color skills and exercise those skills. Check it out! Contest

When you're finished, I would like to see it! Email the same submission to austin@austinjoffe.com

H2o

2010-06-30T09:57:00.001-07:00

20x30 True black and white limited edition print series: H2o

Each print will be signed and numbered. 20 of each will be printed to order.

Contact me directly for order info.

austin@austinjoffe.com

Photo News

2010-04-22T19:54:00.000-07:00

Canon 5D stands in the spotlight

The Canon 5D has always been a great camera. I made the Mark II purchase a few months ago and it was one of the best purchases I've made in quite some time. With it's full-frame 21mp sensor, its famous for the quality it produces. I'm not here to talk about the stills though.

The latest Canon 5D Mark II is not only known for its superb image quality, but even more famous for its 1080p capabilities. It's really the next big thing under the Red system. When people talk about this camera, the first thing they think about is the video; It's no longer about it's still quality. - We all know this.

Although I havn't quite learned how to use it, I can tell you the video on this camera is amazing. Just amazing. Amazing I say. Amazing. Vincent Laforet can tell you that. And so can Greg Yaitanes, the series director of the TV show, House. I have also read that the show "24" has used the Canon 5D Mark II. High production Television series' using DSLR's as recording devices, sweet. It really makes me feel as if I have purchased something for beyond a digital camera. The episode of House will air May 17, 2010.

I'm in the process of learning the video side of the 5D. I will be attending Vincent Laforet's Free Online Class on creativeLIVE and you should to! - it's FREE.. FREE FREE FREE... It will be a great investment of time.

The 5D has changed the way professionals are doing the things that they have done for years. That's something to be said.

So here's my question to you; What els has been shot with the 5D? Do you have one and have experimented with the video? Please share! Tell us what you think, any difficulties, pros/cons. Or even any questions that you may have about it.

Sample Portfolio

2010-02-10T13:10:00.000-08:00

Still working on my website. Until then, please check out a sample portfolio

New Business Card!

2010-02-10T12:32:00.000-08:00

Again, times are slow.

While I'm waiting on the "dream Job" to come in, one of the things I have been working on is the business side of photography.

Scott Hackney, graphic designer, and I have been working on a new business card for myself for a few months now. We started so far from where we ended up. From text only, to a photograph of mine with text, to what you see below.

From the start there were a few "must haves" for the card:

- MUST be simple
- MUST stand out
- MUST be creative
- MUST be versatile for marketing

So, we started with text only; my name and what I do (Austin Joffe Photography) with the information on the back. We experimented with different design elements; but, we just weren't feeling it. It was dull, and lacked diversity.

We thought it needed a photographic element, and color. So we included a small strip of color from a photograph to keep it simple, clean, versatile, and had a spark of color. Back was similar with the info. Problem was that we just couldn't find composition, and diversity within it; and the back was too much like the front. Again, we just weren't feeling it.

Finally, we came across an idea that hasn't been done on a business card; not that we have seen at least. We were both thrilled and were definitely feeling it before it was even in the design process. It just came together so simply. So at this point we had to decide on a font that was relevant; played around with a few but we decided that they were too playful. Finally, we had something that we were both happy with.

Another thing I thought I would mention is that towards the end, I was asked for a small handfull of cards so they could hand them out. I sent them in for print; but, I needed them sooner, so I had 24 of them printed at Staples; BIG mistake. The color was off, the cropping was off, pixelated, and equally important, they were printed on crappy paper. Luckily, I paid under $3 for them. When I received my cards that were press printed, they were perfect. Color: check. Crop: check. Resolution: Check. Good to go. DONT HAVE THINGS PRINTED CHEAPLY! It's not worth it!

So, what do you guys think? Does it serve it's purpose? How's the design, font, ect?

Open Cast at SSense

2010-01-13T16:33:00.000-08:00

Calling attention to any models in Montreal. www.ssense.com

Excellent opportunity for exposure and to work with great photographers.

"BE THE NEW FACE OF SSENSE!

YOUR FAVORITE MONTREAL-BASED ONLINE BOUTIQUE IS HOLDING AN OPEN CASTING CALL FOR MALE AND FEMALE MODELS TO APPEAR IN PRODUCT SHOTS AND OCCASIONAL EDITORIALS.

PREFERRED WOMEN'S SIZING STANDARDS ARE HEIGHT 5'7"-5'11", DRESS SIZE 0-2, PANTS 24-26, TOPS XS.
PREFERRED MEN'S STANDARDS ARE HEIGHT 6' AND UP, PANTS 30-32, TOPS S-M.

SEND CONTACT INFO AND PHOTOS INCLUDING A FULL-LENGTH VIEW AND HEADSHOT TO CASTING@SSENSE.COM. NON-AGENCY MODELS WELCOME!
MODELS SELECTED FROM PHOTO SUBMISSIONS WILL BE CALLED IN FOR A FACE-TO-FACE CASTING. E-MAIL INQUIRIES ONLY. "

Lifestyles of NC: McKensey

2009-12-11T13:24:00.000-08:00

When Times are Slow

2009-12-10T11:47:00.000-08:00

For the past few months, my camera has not left my side. The farthest, furthest? farthest? furthest? who knows... ... The MAXIMUM distance my camera has been from me is in the next room while I'm sleeping.; and of course while I'm assisting, in which it waits in the car. I would like to get a Canon G11 to keep under my pillow; just in case.

I will photograph anything that I think will make a decent photograph; weather it's sitting at a coffee shop and shooting straight from where I'm sitting, holding my camera outside my sun roof on the interstate, or just family and friends.

I strongly believe there is a good photograph anywhere you look. I bet there are at least 10 wall hanging quality photographs in the room you are sitting in right now. THIS is why I carry my camera with me. If it's not my DSLR, it's my camera phone, which I'm not crazy about like Chase Jarvis is; but I did use a shot from my camera phone in my final portfolio from school. Funny as it is, many people thought it was photographed with a view camera. So I pulled out my phone and showed them the "negative."

So anyway, the other day I was outside with my daughter while she was riding her bike, and just having a good time, enjoying life.

Kendall Doub, Finally

2009-12-04T16:53:00.000-08:00

As many of you know, one of the hardest parts in photography is making the right decision; in any situation. In this situation, from the shoot with Kendall Doub, I had a REALLY hard time find "the shot" from that shoot. I photo graphed him months ago and just recently found the one I like the best; after viewing them all many, many times.

For those of you who actually keep up with my blog, you may have noticed my earlier blog post (in which I deleted) with him, and how the image changed about ten times. I finally decided I would keep that one up, even though I was unhappy with it, until I found "the one" I was looking for. Because I knew something was in there, somewhere.

It was so hard to find "the one" from that shoot because there were a few good ones; which, my idea of good changed every time I looked edited through those images.

I finally looked for the one that would most fit in my series of artists and took that approach to find the "the one." The one that was most relative to the series. There were others that were, ok-good, not excellent, but had a completely different feel to them. I tried them Black and White, Color, Desaturated, to find the image I was looking for.

That said, after all that... Here is the final image I will use for the series. Hope you like it!

Please check out Kendall's work. Currently, he has shows at the SEED Gallery, in Winston Salem, NC; and at the H87 Gallery in Arnhem, Netherlands.

2009-10-07T19:07:00.000-07:00

Here are some things I failed to transfer over from the old blog.

Ivan Gonzales, photographer, Asheboro, NC

Jorge, Capoeira, Greensboro, NC

Irving Penn 1917-2009

2009-10-07T17:15:00.000-07:00

Irving Penn, Portrait and Fashion photographer has passed away today, 10.7.2009. A great man with great talent. Among my favorite photographers.

RIP Irving

More Photo News

2009-09-09T08:18:00.000-07:00

I know Ive been posting a lot about things OTHER than my work lately, but this will change, I promise! I've got some stuff I want to post soon, but not yet. For now, I would like to share some more info in the photo world.

1. Annie Lebovitz - http://entertainment.msn.com/news/article.aspx?news=429861

and in Tech:

2. Introducing the M9 - http://us.leica-camera.com/home/

PDN PhotoPlus Expo

2009-09-04T17:04:00.000-07:00

PDN PhotoPlus Expo

If your a photographer, or advanced amateur, this is an even you do not want to miss. Exhibits, an unreasonable amount of conferences, and a building full of your own species, there is no better way to spend October 22-24. For only $59 for a "gold" pass you have access to an insane amount of information and knowledge. For more information about the Expo, and registration go to this link

http://www.photoplusexpo.com/ppe/index.jsp

If you are already attending, let me know below!

Jeremy Cowart: Help-Portrait

2009-09-04T16:49:00.000-07:00

If you read many photo blogs, you have probably seen this already, if not, check it out!

I will definitely be participating. Just because. Seems pointless to some people, but if I could make one person happy taking their portrait, it's not pointless at all..

I actually hope every single photographer out there participates. There are too many pros out there that will not do anything for free; if you are one of them, PLEASE! shoot someone, your wife/husband, children for the fireplace, shoot your dog, I dont care, but do it for the smiles. Put some money back into the industry.

Creative Thinking 1.0

2009-08-26T11:45:00.000-07:00

Lately I have been figuring out and experiencing different ways to develop and build your creative ability. Much like the economy (hate to use this as an example), you have to build it, maintain it, and keep it growing.

My last blog post was about what to do if your level of creativity is in it's recession, or even headed towards depression and to turn it around; to bring your level of creativity from it's trough back up towards it's peak. Everything mentioned both on my post, and on Jarvis's post is meant to get the wheel spinning again and to train the mind to accept a different way of thinking.

Another way to get it going again is to try to answer problems that literally have no answer.

I was watching a comedian, and he said this:

"If you had everything in the world, where would you put it?"

I tried to answer this, and got into some pretty creative stuff. Would you leave it where it is? Would you organize? Would you get rid of all the trash, send it into orbit? Recycle it? Distribute it to the people who actually need it? Burn it? So many answers!

You can get very creative, and very deep into this. Think everything!

Get that wheel spinning again and tell me what you would do. Doing this will help you think differently and bring out the creativity that you are capable of.

Lets hear it!

Things To Do When You're Feeling Stale: On the Cheap!

2009-08-23T09:42:00.001-07:00

As many of you know, I am a reader of many blogs; speaking of, I will update the list to the right soon. The blog I follow most is that of Chase Jarvis, a Seattle/Paris based photographer who has a very active blog aimed towards both photogs, and the creative industry.

Chase recently wrote a post about "what to do when your feeling stale". Many of the things he lists are costly, or not compatible with your agenda; But, for those of us who are more broke than a..... well... Ive got nothing (see! everyone is a little stale!), just broke, I thought I would make an addition to his list that cost, little to nothing.

1. Choose a different rout to work, or where ever you go. Like Chase said, get out of your normal routine. This will allow you to get a grip of what els exists, a new view, a fresh scene. So take a different rout to work, or to the movies, bar, book store, etc.

2a. Meet new people in your industry! As photographers, meet new photographers, new graphic designers, other artists, anyone in your industry will can give you a new perspective on your creative outlook.

2.b Meet new people outside your industry! Get to know people who have nothing to do with arts, talk to them about their views on arts, or talk to them about business, or about what ever it is that they do. This could attract all kinds of creative images in your head, and, if anything, you will learn about something different - getting out of your normal routine.

3. Go new places in your city. What bars do you go to? What bookstores do you go to? Coffee shops? News stands? Find a new one, and give them a little business, or just throw them some smiles. This is a nice way to apply 1 and 2. Instead of the Pizza place across the street, try the hot dog stand over on Main st, even if it's bad, it's good.

4. Shoot something different! If you shoot people, try shooting some product; if you shoot product, try shooting PJ style; If you are a PJ, mock an ad campaign; you get the point. Step out side and shoot something you not used to shooting. Do it for yourself, I dont believe anyone is shooting exactly what they want - Take on a fine art project.

The gist is to get out of the norm, and push your life off track.

Color

2009-08-20T17:42:00.000-07:00

So, ...... no not so.... I hate when people start blog posts with "so" ...

Earlier today I was looking through some old images, I started to remember some old techniques, like cross-processing, so I though I would try to imitate the effect digitally. It's clear this is digital, I did not want it to look 100% traditional. So, here it is!

Let me know what you think!
Critiques?
Comments?
Other methods?

One of another from my series of local artists: Ivan Sahba

2009-08-16T16:35:00.000-07:00

Graduation: Now What?

2009-08-04T09:29:00.001-07:00

On Saturday, August the 1st. I was one of about 30 student who graduated from the photography program at Randolph College.

I could probably speak for most of the student when I say, Now What? Some of s have found jobs a larger studios, some are going right into business and building their own studios, and some of us are trying to figure out what we need to do continue a successful life in photography - that's where I stand.

I have been assisting a few people, but it's going SO slow. I had 3 days last week, and before that, nothing for over a month. I have had calls in between, then the shoots were canceled.

My plans are to just keep shooting, build a website, a nice portfolio, design some business cards and a nice resume.

I need to THROW myself out there. I will continue my series on local artists, and schedule other shoots from the melon, etc.

I think lately part of my problem has been trying to find a style, and to show people what I want to be seen for. It's been really bothering me and is probably interfering with my shooting. This will also stop. I'm am going to forget about finding my "style", and shoot focusing on achieving great technical, and artistic ability while still exploring new things with new ideas.

So what about you?

Students: What are your plans?
Pros: How did you get started? Any suggestions?
Others: Give us your input, anything, related to photography or not.

A Photographers dream: ONE.TWO

2009-06-23T11:04:00.000-07:00

As it turns out, my dream has so much meaning behind it. I will try and explain it the best I can, but it's kind of hard to explain via blogging.

As most of you know I'm a student trying to find a style, a way, the picture. I've been greatly inspired by many photographers. And at most times, I feel stuck as far as trying to find a road to take. Every thing I shoot I worry about what kind of style I want to go for, and which direction I want to go with it.

This is exactly what my dream was about.

As mentioned, I was speaking with Dan Winters, someone I have been looking at pretty closely lately. I really like his work and have been slightly trying to incorporate a bit of him into my work. I have been using the simplicity of his portraits. I have also been doing it while experimenting with different lighting setups and trying different things.

I think the dark clouds, etc symbolizes the confusion and the uncertainty with style that I have been experiencing lately.

To shorten it up and to get to the point, I have been doing a lot of stuff like other photographers are doing. Not copying, but experimenting. This is my plan before shooting at least.

At the time of editing and post-processing, ten times out of ten, I end up using images that are nothing like my original plan; nothing like the style I am shooting for.

That said, This is where the vampires come in. I think that the vampires symbolize the fierce and critical audience out there, in THEIR land Bloodrun=the world.

It was so clear when they said "you tricked us." I think this is because I am using the style of others, or at least planning to at the beginning; and not taking my own approach on my work.... I'm "tricking" my audience. The "vampires" want to see MY work. They forced me to the top of the buildings to really get this point across which has now come clear to the real world.

If I want to become a successful photographer, I must recognize myself. I need to explore my possibilities, and figure out how I want to become known as Austin Joffe. Austin Joffe is Austin Joffe, I cannot trick anyone.... Now is that time.

A Photographer's Dream: ONE

2009-06-13T19:37:00.000-07:00

After getting home from a hard day (not really) of work today, I mowed the yard, then came inside for a quick nap to catch up on some sleep. I immediately fell asleep, and this is what I dreamed....
-----------------------------------

Early after noon; I was standing in the loading and unloading zone at an airport talking with photographer Dan Winters, who looked more like photographer Joe McNally. We talked about a possible internship and also just about life as photographers in general.

The sky was slowly getting darker as large thick black clouds rolled in from behind me. People started to move quickly as they were trying to get their baggage inside before the rain. He was quickly unloading his baggage and gear from the sliding side door of his van as I stood there and carried a conversation with him. I turned around a saw an airplane flying very low and strait into the dark clouds. Although Dan was also in a hurry to get inside, I was excited to meet such a well-respected photographer. The wind was picking up and the sky grew darker. Finally Dan said, “I’ve got to get inside!” and rushed to the airport doors. I thought that was very, very strange.

I turned around and everyone was in a panic, and started to run away from the airport. I figured this was going to be a huge storm, and that everyone was running for shelter; so the only thing I knew to do, was to run with them.

I quickly realized that I had no clue what city I was in, I had no clue what airport I was running away from, nor what I was running to; so I tried to ask the people running beside me. At this point it is so dark, it is raining, windy, and feels like midnight. Someone finally responded to me “Bloodrun”. This was the name of the city. I thought to myself, “well that’s a weird name, how did they come up with that one?”

Cars were merging and the roads were packed. We were running to the city as people were climbing up buildings. I thought this was because the roads were flooding and we needed to get to a higher elevation so we climbed the tall city building.

I quickly realized that we were not running from the rain.

We were running from blood sucking, hungry, vampires. They looked like normal people, so I didn’t know who was who; but I knew that the higher I climbed, the safer I would be.

I was able to get to a safe ledge on the building, so I stayed put.

I looked down and they were all whispering slowly “you tricked us” and they repeated it, over and over.

my vision faded to black, and I woke up.
-----------------------------------

You might think this is humorous. But to me it was far from humorous. The dream was so detailed, so real, and I have been thinking about it ever since I woke up. I remember every move, every detail, and even the way the cars merged from lane to lane, and the architecture of the building I was climbing...very real.

Unlike most dreams, I feel like this one was layed out from the beginning and not just a series of random events. I feel like I now know why everyone was trying to get into airplanes during a storm. I feel like the purpose of the storm was to exaggerate the need to escape. It was like everyone knew what they were running from, and what they were running to, but had never done it before.

When I think of Bloodrun, the name of the city, I think of the Bull runs; but, this was not for entertainment, but to stay alive.

"you tricked us"- what does this mean? I can't even remember the last time I actually tricked someone. And why were they repeating it like they were trying to get a point across? Who knows... So weird, so detailed, and so strange.

Also, I really don't think this was intended to be a bad dream. The Vampires were not scary, they looked like normal people. It was a neutral dream, but very strong and feels symbolic.

So I'm blogging about this because I know that it means something. I will continue to blog about this dream as I figure out more about it, and what it means. I truly believe its has something to do with my life as a photographer. But we'll see.

Stay tuned.

D vs F

2009-06-09T06:46:00.000-07:00

Recently, I came across a blog that had a post about digital photography vs. film photography and was focused on how digital photography has made photographers lazy. The blog stated that shooting film forces you to slow down, and take your time to get the shot; whereas shooting Digital, people get into the habit shooting thousands of frames during a shoot to get "the shot". The blog also mentioned the workflow of film is superior because in the end, you could have both original negs and a CD of the scanned negs.

I thought I would share this and my 0.02 because it is such a debate between film and digital.

My 0.02 to the post above is not centered around which one is better, but rather the differences and how they are more relative to the style of the photographer. So, first, I would like to say something about the quality of film vs digital.

I would not say that film necessarily has a better quality, but rather a different quality. Nothing is better than anything, just different. There are benefits in both film, and digital. I'm not going to go into that only because this post is not to compare one another. So, I will leave it at that.

Digital is faster, yes, but that’s the idea of technology; to make things faster and easier. But again, it's all relavant to your style of photography; some photographers just have that look that requires much time in post.

As far as the creative process, I think that either way, there is still a great deal of previsualization involved weather you are shooting film or digital. Professionally, and not all the time, the art direction and creative concept is finished by the time of the shoot.

At that point, people might take 3000 images to try and capture the best expression, etc. For example, even if you used a polaroid with film, there is still no way of knowing weather the model blinked for THAT shot, until you process your film. Or a light not firing, or anything. A battery in a PW could die at anytime on one of five packs, and you would have no idea. So taking 3000 shots is to capture the best expression, not to take the time and try to get it in as few shots as possible.

Thats really about all I have to say about it right now.

But also, keep in mind that the research and development of film is almost extinct, so it's close to as good as it's going to get, whereas digital it's still growing so steeply. By the time the makers release a new camera, it's already out of date, that's how fast and how much it's growing. There are 35mm sensors with 21 million pixels. I don't know how many grains of silver are in one photographic frame, but that's not going to change too much, the megapixels will continue and continue to rise. And as we know, that's only one aspect to technical quality.

Like I said, just my 0.02...

What are yours?

one camera, 24 exposures, your life.

2009-05-15T19:24:00.000-07:00

Check this out!

Down in Atlanta Georgia, The Art House Co-op has come up with a really cool idea.

The idea is to do a documentary on YOUR life; only, you do it! For just under 20 bucks, they will send you a disposable camera, you take 24 exposures of what ever you feel, and send it back. They will display all of the photos in an exhibition with 1000 others artists all over the world.

The photo exhibition will be held in ATL, Georgia; but will also be held in the city that participates the most. For example, if more people participated in California, the exhibition will also be shown there. I say gave California as an example because of of right now, they are the leaders. This and more information can be found on their website.

So, order a camera, be seen, and have fun.

A Quicky From TED.

2009-03-27T18:49:00.000-07:00

Here's an interesting speech from Don Norman about how design and happiness are related.

Last Assignment.

2009-03-05T10:04:00.000-08:00

My very last assignment from James Walters was to try and replicate the style of a photographer. Here are the two shots that I turned in.

The photographer who's style I chose to replicate was Andrzej Dragan. I thought it would be fun to step outside and try something different. As you can see, his style is clearly that.

So after I chose the style, the first thing I did to tackle the assignment was to find a model that would fit the part. Dragan clearly has carefully selected his models to match his style; so this was crucial.

Next, I need to figure out props, background, and wardrobe; anything that was going to be on set. Adam Sikora, the model, is very skinny so I wanted to show this off as it helped play the role of the character. Dragan seems to minimalize props, so I thought I would simply pose Adam so that I would not even need props. By this point I knew I was going to convert to Black and White, so I decided to use an old wooden (very splintery) surface as a table and a background with texture and detail; as you can see in the setup shot.

POST PROCESSING:

to get the effect, all that was done was (this is not in order):
-Distort/perspective adjustments on the head.
-dodging highlights
-burning shadows
-a curve adjustment on the eyes
-some minor tweaks in local contrast.
- and obviously a Black and White conversion.

Let me know what you think!