Monday 8 December 2008

My Strobist Post

Addressed to David Hobby of Strobist fame commenting on some negative feedback on his article/essay about offering free photography services



Hi David,

I have been an avid reader ever since I met (....well, actually saw you and heard you speaking while out in the corridor on the last day) you at the Gulf Photo Plus 2008 event in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. At the time, I had heard about and briefly gone over your site. Frankly, I didn't "get it" until I took Joe McNally's workshop. I actually showed up to the workshop with my 'strobes', which were actually a couple of portable studio lights in a large duffel bag. Only later did I realize that 'strobes' were actually the camera mounted flashes....Hmmm...No wonder Joe looked at me funny!!!

My eyes were opened by what could be done with strobes. I renewed my acquaintance with STROBIST, which then took on a whole new light. I learned a lot from your site (though haven't fully put this information to good use). I read everything you post as if I was just starting out in photography. I love the passion you put into this site and the reason you post.

With the exception of the last month or so, I have followed your posts and tutorials keenly (though silently...a lurker!). I felt that I wanted to learn as much as I could (and boy, have I) from the site before posting comments and interacting with the site & your readers. BUT, some of the comments on this post and from the other sites (you mentioned above) forced me out of lurking.

In my opinion, a lot of the negative comments come from readers who have either just read the title and or briefly skimmed over your post without fully understanding what you actually said.

My take on what you said is, to offer a 'free' service to the market....

- where you are 'creating' an interesting assignment for yourself, where one didn't exist before
- while pointing your photography business in the direction you want it to go
- in order to market yourself (or services)
- while expanding and/or diversifying your portfolio
- in which you control the shoot completely
- to make use of your down time (for whatever reason)
- all the while making it clear to your subject/client that the work CANNOT be used commercially without authorization
- to show your targets your artistic/technical prowess (interpreted thought)

AND (last but not least...)


- as you are a photographer and you love 'making photos' (i interpreted that one all by myself!)

So, I don't really think you are:

- simply offering to do an 'assignment' for FREE (not especially a commercial one)
- stealing another photographer's potential earning
- undermining the industry as this is something that YOU ARE CREATING for yourself

Maybe, I am a little too idealistic, but I think that some of us photographers (me included) have forgotten why we became one. Or maybe, just maybe, not realized the purity of what we are doing. Guys, I say, let your art/profession bring you your earnings. We are living in a dynamic world and if we start pointing fingers or become 'nay-sayers' we stand to loose our footing in the ground we gain as professionals.

I started out in photography because I loved to try and share my image of the subject I was capturing. Somewhere along the way I went commercial...a natural course, I'd say. Strobist has renewed my inspiration to share and give (while not being taken advantage of). Though I am have started earning a decent income in the UAE, you guys (David, Chase Jarvis and a few others) have opened my eyes to charity/volunteer work. I hope to shoot stuff that inspires me to the next level, helps the community/people/causes around me, try to become more 'human' and keep my love for photography growing.

One thing I would like to suggest is that you (the photographer) should clearly make known a list of your terms and/or conditions early on in the dealings. Hey David, maybe one of the things the post could result in is a list of points that a (any) photographer might need to cover if he/she would engage in this kind of work???

By the way, I just switched to full time photography in August this year though I was part-timing for over 3 years. While admitting I am a nobody in the photography world, I am not afraid of "free" photographers. I am no David Hobby, Chase Jarvis, Joe McNally or Vincent Laforet but I know that there are enough clients here (Dubai / Sharjah) to hire me because of what I can commercially offer them. I hope to earn even more doing the thing I love!

Photography

Thanks David for all you have done so far and wait to hear more from you.

Charles Verghese
Photographer
(Posted a copy of this on my own blog which I started a little while ago - blog.charlesverghese.com)

Wednesday 27 August 2008

On My Own Again....

Guess it was just a matter of time... for me anyway.

At the end of July 2008, I finally quit my job as an Account Director of a small advertising agency in Sharjah, and ventured out into the unknown on my own...Well, not on my own exactly. I do have my wife to thank for. She has been constantly nagging pushing me to strive to higher goals (earning) and aspirations. And let me not forget to mention Mom who has helped out quite a bit in her own subtle (if not misconstrued) way. She who had brought me into this world...she who stood by me when 'others' labled me a "LOSER". Guess that's what moms are there for!

Also want to pen in a few others like the people at Gulf Photo Plus (courtesy of my last boss) who kicked me into the next level of this dream job. I was doing a mediocre job of being a freelance/part-time photographer, when these wonderful folks showed in an e-mail flyer and ..BOY did my world change.

I will now be operating as a (full time) professional photographer. I will need your wishes and support to succeed.

I have been either directly or indirectly been striving to reach this state for over 2 years now. Seems like a weight off of my shoulders only to realise that I am gropping around in the dark....not knowing what lieas ahead. But as my wife puts it...aim high, I aspire to every next level there is or will be in this wonderful roller coaster called LIFE!

Do check out my website which I plan on updating soon. AND do write in or post your comments. I would love to hear from any of you through e-mails or through posts on this blog.

2008-08-27
11:17:04 pm

Down Memory Lane




Down Memory Lane


Originally uploaded by Raxons Rain (Charles Verghese)
A dhow (traditional ocean going boat) with a Barajeel (wind tower) in the background. Image taken in the Dubai Heritage Village (United Arab Emirates). By the way, this is also my 1st Flickr upload!! Enjoy....comments and critiques welcome.

Light Shadows!



Light Shadows!


Originally uploaded by Raxons Rain (Charles Verghese)
Shadow of one of the lamps in the Dubai Heritage Village in the United Arab Emirates. By the way, this is also my 1st Flickr upload!! Enjoy....comments and critiques welcome.

Forgotten Door



Forgotten Door


Originally uploaded by Raxons Rain (Charles Verghese)
Image of a (fake / decorative / ornamental) door at the Dubai Heritage Village in Shindhagah area od Dubai (United Arab Emirates). By the way, this is also my 1st Flickr upload!! Enjoy....comments and critiques welcome.2008-08-27
10:55:33 pm

Dubai Gateway



Dubai Gateway


Originally uploaded by Raxons Rain (Charles Verghese)
Photo taken of and in the Dubai Heritage Village in the Shindhaga area of Dubai (United Arab Emirates). By the way, this is also my 1st Flickr upload!! Enjoy....comments and critiques welcome.



You Spin Me Round, Right Round...Like a record Baby


Originally uploaded by Raxons Rain (Charles Verghese)
Photo of a latch on a box taken at the Dubai Heritage Village in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. By the way, this is also my 1st Flickr upload!! Enjoy....comments and critiques welcome.

Originally posted at blog.charlesverghese.com on 2008-08-27 @ 10:52:37 pm (GMT +4)

Creek Crossing



Creek Crossing


Originally uploaded by Raxons Rain (Charles Verghese)
Abra (Water Taxi) crossing the creek in Dubai (United Arab Emirates) across from the Dubai Heritage Village. By the way, this is also my 1st Flickr upload!! Enjoy....comments and critiques welcome.

Originally posted at blog.charlesverghese.com on 2008-08-27 @ 10:51:39 pm (GMT +4)

Air Power



Air Power


Originally uploaded by Raxons Rain (Charles Verghese)
This photo is of a pulley attached to a tall mast that used to be part of a dhow (traditional middle eastern boat). These pulleys were used to hoist up sails that powered the dhows across the region. By the way, this is also my 1st Flickr upload!! Enjoy....comments and critiques welcome.

Originally posted at blog.charlesverghese.com on 2008-08-27 @ 10:50:31 pm (GMT +4)

Old Light



Old Light


Originally uploaded by Raxons Rain (Charles Verghese)
This photo is of a row of lamps at the Dubai Heritage Village in the United Arab Emirates. By the way, this is also my 1st Flickr upload!! Enjoy....comments and critiques welcome.

Originally posted at blog.charlesverghese.com on 2008-08-27 @ 22:42:23 pm (GMT +4)

Spikey!



Spikey!


Originally uploaded by Raxons Rain (Charles Verghese)
The metal ornamentation on the surface of one of the doors at the Dubai Heritage Village in the Shindhaga area of Dubai (United Arab Emirates) contrasted against the backdrop of the sky. By the way, this is also my 1st Flickr upload!! Enjoy....comments and critiques welcome.

Originally posted at blog.charlesverghese.com on 2008-08-27 @ 10:36:16 pm (GMT +4)

Rugged!



Rugged !


Originally uploaded by Raxons Rain (Charles Verghese)
Image of the edge of one of the doors at the Dubai Heritage Village in the Shindhaga area of Dubai (United Arab Emirates) - looking upward!! By the way, this is also my 1st Flickr upload!! Enjoy....comments and critiques welcome.

Originally posted at blog.charlesverghese.com on 2008-08-27 @ 10:36:16 pm (GMT +4)

Dubai Gateway


Dubai Gateway

Originally uploaded by Raxons Rain (Charles Verghese)
Photo taken of and in the Dubai Heritage Village in the Shindhaga area of Dubai (United Arab Emirates). By the way, this is also my 1st Flickr upload!! Enjoy....comments and critiques welcome.

Originally posted at blog.charlesverghese.com on 2008-08-27 @ 10:53:55 pm (GMT +4)

Tuesday 26 February 2008

I've managed to turn on my blog

Hi All,

I have managed to switch on this thing called a blog. Ofcourse, I have known what it is for about 2/3 years now, but always though it to be a waste of time. Since I joined Facebook and started to meet up some very very old friends, I thought that I'd give this a shot. Sadly, I think with this first post, will be only be read by me. No worries (Charles)......

IF YOU BUILD THEY WILL COME!

C-Ya'll (Arkansan term) on the Flip side!

Originally posted at blog.charlesverghese.com on 2008-08-26 @ 22:45:44 pm (GMT +4)