I'm more than a little cranky today, so excuse this potentially adolescent rant. I've just got to get something off my chest and onto this damn screen
I shot a bunch of portraits for a client recently and when they came back to me with their selections for which images they wanted me to process, all of them were boring. I mean, they were fine pictures; reasonably sharp, correctly exposed, no goofy faces, etc. But they weren't interesting in the slightest, and I'll admit that it really made me fume.
In amongst the others that they didn't choose were a number of really cool shots which in my opinion were really special photographs. The kind of shots that I knew were special when I pressed the shutter.
Now I know that they're the client and they're paying and all that. But I couldn't stop thinking, "Why did you hire me when what you wanted were pictures that ANYONE with a camera could have taken? You've seen hundreds of examples of my work, why bother asking me when what you want are glorified mediocre headshots?"
I know that I've got to make a living at this and all that jazz, but I don't want to bother going down this road if I will end up as some run of the mill photographer who's work is nearly indistinguishable from anyone else's. I felt that way with my old career in art direction, completely replaceable at every step. A cog in the great wheel of commerce.
Look, there are plenty of very talented, technically excellent photographers who make a good living and are very happy giving the client what they want. And if that's you out there, I'm very happy for you and I mean you no disrespect. In fact, it would be so much easier if I could be more like you. This is all about the crap that goes on in my head. It's about my completely irrational and mortal fear of failure, of mediocrity, of becoming average.
My goals in photography are multi-faceted. I want to satisfy clients, sure, but much more importantly, I want to satisfy myself. I want people to want me because they want what I can uniquely give them, not because they just need a photographer. It's like that line from The Fountainhead where the Dean says to Howard Roark, "Who's going to let you build like that?" and Roark replies, "Who's going to stop me?". I want to make art.
A friend quoted the "They don't call it show art, it's show business" line a few days ago. And while he's right, I don't have to like it or take it lying down.
I'm going to fight to be noticed.
I'm going to work to be exceptional at what I do.
And I will not compromise my beliefs.
The only people that really change the world are those people who think they can.
Consider the world 'on notice'.
I shot a bunch of portraits for a client recently and when they came back to me with their selections for which images they wanted me to process, all of them were boring. I mean, they were fine pictures; reasonably sharp, correctly exposed, no goofy faces, etc. But they weren't interesting in the slightest, and I'll admit that it really made me fume.
In amongst the others that they didn't choose were a number of really cool shots which in my opinion were really special photographs. The kind of shots that I knew were special when I pressed the shutter.
Now I know that they're the client and they're paying and all that. But I couldn't stop thinking, "Why did you hire me when what you wanted were pictures that ANYONE with a camera could have taken? You've seen hundreds of examples of my work, why bother asking me when what you want are glorified mediocre headshots?"
I know that I've got to make a living at this and all that jazz, but I don't want to bother going down this road if I will end up as some run of the mill photographer who's work is nearly indistinguishable from anyone else's. I felt that way with my old career in art direction, completely replaceable at every step. A cog in the great wheel of commerce.
Look, there are plenty of very talented, technically excellent photographers who make a good living and are very happy giving the client what they want. And if that's you out there, I'm very happy for you and I mean you no disrespect. In fact, it would be so much easier if I could be more like you. This is all about the crap that goes on in my head. It's about my completely irrational and mortal fear of failure, of mediocrity, of becoming average.
My goals in photography are multi-faceted. I want to satisfy clients, sure, but much more importantly, I want to satisfy myself. I want people to want me because they want what I can uniquely give them, not because they just need a photographer. It's like that line from The Fountainhead where the Dean says to Howard Roark, "Who's going to let you build like that?" and Roark replies, "Who's going to stop me?". I want to make art.
A friend quoted the "They don't call it show art, it's show business" line a few days ago. And while he's right, I don't have to like it or take it lying down.
I'm going to fight to be noticed.
I'm going to work to be exceptional at what I do.
And I will not compromise my beliefs.
The only people that really change the world are those people who think they can.
Consider the world 'on notice'.
Bill, I hear you. If you haven't already done so, then have a read of Joe McNally's first blog post - it totally fits in with your 'rant':P
http://www.joemcnally.com/blog/2008/01/24/where-do-i-begin/
It happens to the best of 'em! But let me tell ya, I'm so excited that you've put the world on notice! All the better for us and the art! Huzzah!
Ugh. I have been learning this lesson recently as well, and I have come to the conclusion that I will just not give the client much choice...if any.
Cause even though the client is paying me, it's a waste of my time, energy, and emotion if they don't pick the right pictures. So I stopped letting them choose. :)
Amen.
Additionally, I should point out that one of my favorite comments to (rarely) get from a client is, "Hey, you're the photographer. You've got the eye. It'll be better if you make the selections."
Ditto to the Amen.
Educating a client is sometimes very useful, and often very important. This is a skill which all photographers (or artists/designers) should learn. Unfortunately, this skill is separate and independent of artistic skill, and this is why "bad" photographers often win clients, and "good" photographers can become frustrated with clients that don't see their artistic vision. Good luck, and keep up the good work!
While I agree with your need and desire to be an artist with a unique style, I have to say that reading this as a participant in the 365 project as well as a recent client of yours made me really uncomfortable.
This may or may not be about me but the fact that you have out it out there is alienating, as if whoever this client is cannot be trusted to have the keen artistic sense deserving of your work. I would hope that, as a professional, you would be trying to build up relationships with your clients and feel comfortable enough offering them your opinion on what shots to choose, and letting it go at that. It may frustrate you if they do not choose the shots that are your favorites, but as you state, they are paying you and it is ultimately their decision.
Please understand that I hold you in the highest respect and I do love your work, I just think you should give everyone their due and keep the ranting off a public web page.
As a recent client of yours, I cannot but take offense at essentially being called an unoriginal Philistine (whether or not you were thinking of me is irrelevant). Putting this aside, let's examine what upsets you.
I think the problem is that you don't realize that you have one vocation and one avocation. Quitting your job as an artistic director to focus on being a photographer did not create some sort of union of job and hobby as you will always be balancing between answering to yourself and your client. Your vocation as a paid photographer makes you an artisan. Your eye and judgment create a range of photographic options for your client. From this subset of all possibilities, the client chooses the one most like the image they have in their imagination or that suits their purposes. Essentially it is a collaborative process (granted your skills are disproportionately greater than the client's choosing). Remember that whenever you allow money into a situation, you also invite outside influence.
Your avocation as unpaid photographer makes you an artist. It is only in this realm that you are solely dependent upon your vision and desires without the constraint of others' opinions. If you later end up selling what you produce at first for free so much the better.
I think you need to realize that no matter how you earn money, whether it is as an art director or as a photographer, you will always have two spheres that you work in: one for yourself and one for others. If this continues to haunt you, rather than recognize the realities of yours and everyone else's situation, another option would be to stop giving your clients choices. I think many would like this arrangement but please be upfront about it.
Regardless, I think in the future you should reconsider trashing your clients on your blog especially since most clients have found you through your websites. We enjoy your pictures and continue to support your growth as an artist. These are private frustrations that would be better for all if they didn't become public ones.
Man, I'm getting spanked.
Well, I welcome and appreciate everyone's input, and I certainly mean no disrespect to anyone, including my past clients. I'm fairly sure that they're all happy with my work and that's the important thing.
But this blog is about photography and my artistic process and sometimes I may talk about things which may upset some people. I decided a couple years ago that I was going to stop doing things halfway and that I would be honest whenever possible. To live my life with as few regrets as I can. I think subjects like these should be talked about in an open forum, then maybe the discussion will help other people who have similar thoughts and feeling. That way we can find solutions.
I attempt to do good work, and I intend to talk openly about it, and if that scares away some potential or repeat clients... Well I guess that'll have to do.
Thanks for taking the time the read and comment on my work, everyone.
I'm with you, Bill. Honesty and openness are the best policies. This is a blog, not BillWadman.com. You're free to share whatever you like day to day... Why shouldn't you be? Isn't that what a blog is for?
You just have high standards for yourself... You've always been very honest with me about how photos you've taken of me turn out... I am always ok if you and I disagree on whether or not a photo is great or not. What may be pleasing to one eye may not be to another, and we are always our worst critic...
Keep doing what you're doing. You're great.
Hi Bill, tough day at the blog, eh? As a major admirer of your work can I make a diplomatic suggestion? The paid work is important, and your clients won't always see things the same way. Could you give them what they ask for, and then slip in one extra print, your choice, and make it clear to them that that one is the Wadman choice. This will get them thinking, and they might share it with friends who may agree that as the artistic photographer you nailed it better. At least your integrity as an artist is represented by this gesture, and your integrity as a professional remains intact.
Anyway, loving the pictures, and particularly enjoying the writing between the pictures.
I think I would be able to fully agree with your point of view on this if we were discussing your frustrations with your clients selections of third party subjects. However, as you are in the portraiture business you are inevitably working with an artistic product that is also an extension of someone's self image and very personal, subjective emotional make-up. I know that if I were in the fortunate position to be your client, I would absolutely want to rely on your assessment of the artistic quality of your shots, but would ultimately have to give ear to my own self-perception issues. No matter how interesting an image of my own body is artistically, I may absolutely cring at some aspect of it that is soley tied to my view of myself, and perhaps not even apparent to anyone else. And if it were an significantly personal issue, I may not find it easy to communicate to my photographer. In that respect, "interesting" be a bit frightening to your client as well.
That happens a LOT. The only way to avoid it is not to show them the boring ones. Plus, as others note, what subjects want from a shoot isn't what you as a photographer may want.
You wouldn't believe the struggle I had with the New York Post editors recently over this. They basically kept pushing me "more boring, more boring."
Am a bit puzzled by some of the comments today. I enjoy the fact that you do not curb your thoughts and observations in this blog...don't stop now. When I read this entry, I thought you were being more critical of yourself (rather than the client) as a perfectionist that holds his work to an extraordinarily high ideal and the issues that arise when mixing art and commerce.
Your clients are always going to want to have some input about what they think is their best portrait. It is an image of them after all. That being said, from personal experience (as much as it pains me to admit this), you have always been right about my photos, even when I initially disagreed with you. I now view images of myself in a different/more positive way and this is because of how you handled the process---though admittedly it sometimes took some coaxing to get me there.
I am sure your future patrons will appreciate your honesty and high artistic standards as well. So please continue to share your opinions and provoke discussion....your clients will thank you.
@Heather: I'm not puzzled at all. I was going to mention that this may not be the wisest way to approach client relations, but saw that the point had been made quite well by the clients themselves. It has nothing to do with being outspoken -- please be outspoken -- but it's a uniquely bad way to deliver the message. The best way is directly to the client beforehand, the second-best way is directly afterward. If you really want to be outspoken, just tell them this in person. Maybe keep an open mind about it: Why did you choose this one? I really liked this one. Did we have different goals for this shoot? Is there something we can think about for next time?
It's not just good business, it's a learning process.
Love is a killer app.
Why not print out one of your favorite photos, and give it to them. Tell them that thats the one you love, and you'll give it for free, if they promise to hang it up.
Then when their friends comment on it, they'll learn to value it, and maybe come back and get some more shots.
Stop ranting!
Rock on Bill- I totally feel your comment about the client picking the mediocre. I work with some real chuckleheads in the puppet world who think because they have the money means they have the creativity and the know-how. Guess what? What you are asking for is often garbage and insulting to me. However- you're paying for this steaming pile and I am now a slave to your hideous vision.
I like what the guy said above me- don't show them the bad ones. Totally, man.
It's the Red Door Policy:
Make something really great- but paint the door a horrible shade of red. When the 'creative' money types (client) looks at it, all they will see is the horrible Red Door. Then, when every moron on the panel has to put their 2cents in, all they will be able to say is "-the Red Door! I love everything else but the door is awful."
YOU know the door is awful- you have a blue door in the back ready to put in. But the Red Door lets the people who THINK they know get the chance to be helpful and then the end result is lovely.
It's a price to pay. Eventually, you will be like Roberto Cavalli who picks terrible things and everyone goes along with it.
I missed all of this! Wow! I'm behind. I loved your honesty & I get where you are coming from. I am not anywhere close to being the photographer you are but the type of pictures that you take are the ones I am drawn to so BRING THEM ON! I would love to have someone capture a picture of me like that. No one ever does. It's always the "boring" ones that I get. Very sad b/c I'm not boring!!! LOL
It's also amazing to me what people like & don't like. One friend that does make her living with photography photoshops the shadows out of pictures. She doesn't like them. The pictures of hers that I love are the ones she pulls out or photoshops. She tells her friends that I'm the artsy fartsy photographer. And I am. I want it different. Give me the color, give me the depth, give me the different view b/c anyone can point & shoot. I want my pictures to make you look & then look again.
Your work is amazing and I forget who said it but I like the idea of putting a "Bill Wademan" in the batch. They are paying you so they will pick what appeals to them but how much will it cost you to toss in your favorite? They'll go back to it, realize that was the best, and perhaps that person will learn to step outside the box. It's a good idea.
Be true to yourself & as talented as you are I can't help but think the rest will fall in place. Now when are you coming to TN b/c I want my potrait taken at Waffle House!!! LOL
Abso-fucking-lutely!
Knowing you for as little as I know you, I could bet my soul, if such existed, that you were not born to be mediocre. That last sentence is so true! It is all about who you believe you can be. In your case this will be even easier, because apart from you, there are at least 200 other people who believe you can! Forget the stones on the road, I can already see my copy of your book signed for me :)
Hey Bill,
I have to agree with you. I recently shot portraits for a grandmother and her grandaughter. Nice safe sedate and bloody boring.
I got my own take on other shots that were taken but most people seem to want safe.
I reconcile this by taking both, let them have safe and i'll have creative for my portfolio.
You do amazing work, not everyone is creative, don't let it get to you.
Wow. It is refreshing to read such honesty in a post as well as in comments.
Your last statement is true and a great attitude to hold onto in those times of doubt.
I have had similar things happen with words and with teaching. When I realized what was wanted I made the mistake of saying, "Had you told me in advance you wanted pedantic drivel, I would have sent along my grocery list. Judging by your tastes it would be fascinating." Oh man. It does get funny after a time.
Eh. They like what they like and thank goodness you can make them happy while still having the opportunity to pursue greater goals. IMO, getting out of yourself is a good thing if it reaffirms your pursing your bliss. If it eats at you directly or indirectly then get someone to sock you. But looking at the photos above, it doesn't at all seem like it has had a deleterious effect. Good.
It is cool that clients are finding you online and that they feel comfortable enough with you to be honest.