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So you want to be a National Geographic Photographer? What photographer didn’t want to shoot for National Geographic when they were a kid- I did (ok… I admit I still wouldn’t mind). In my mind, Geographic is one of the last great “photographers” magazines. What other magazine could sell branded photo gear? Ok… we all know being a professional photographer is not as glamorous as people think, but it still carries a little cachet- even with fellow pros. So how do become a National Geographic photographer? Fellow Nebraskan and Geographic photographer Joel Satore answers that and more on his website. You can also get some incite from Joe McNally’s blog. Well I’ve never really pursued editorial assignment photography, even though it may have been my inspiration. However some of my stock gets used for editorial. My images have appeared in Delta Sky Magazine, Quick and Simple, The farmers Almanac, Entertainment Weekly.com and a few others. My only brush with National Geographic is on their travel website, where they used one of my shots of the Garden Of The Gods in Colorado.
So… I suppose I could… sorta… in a way… say I’ve shot for National Geographic. Well… they at least used one of my shots… on the website. Okay… Joel Satore and Joe McNally- you guys can relax- I won’t be stealing your next assignments. However… any photo editors out there… I’m just saying… ;)
P.S. Another great blog to check out if your interested in editorial (or any) photography is A Photo Editor.com by Rob Haggart, the former Director of Photography for Men’s Journal and Outside Magazine.
One of the things about shooting stock photography - you never know where an image might show up. Most recently I discovered my image on the cover of a novel titled Poverty Castle by Robin Jenkins. I can’t say whether the book is any good or not but I like the cover! The photo is available at Getty Images
The original shot is Below. It was photographed on a trip to Kansas City from Omaha. We pulled of the highway to explore a wildlife refuge and we passed this abandoned house (actually I think it was a hotel). My wife/producer/model, grabbed her red coat and travel bag and we hopped out of our van. With the overcast skies I didn’t need any supplemental light or reflectors. We joked that the image would be used on some Oprah book club selection- well we were close - unfortunately for the author, no Oprah book club. It was also used for a French theater production called “Des couteaux dans les poules” which roughly translated means “Knives in chickens”. A quote about the play:
“It’s the story of a transformation. That of a young peasant, once in the Scottish countryside. A Scotland of another time when life on earth and work are the only reality, where the farmer sincerely loves his wife as his land and his horses.”
Wait a minute! Something seems strange here. Here’s a description of the book Poverty Castle:
“Poverty Castle is an absorbing work of contrasts and subtle irony centered around an idealistic family in Argyll (Scotland). A compelling novel, it deals with human nature, as always with Jenkins, and the socialism of industrial Glasgow (Scotland).”
I had no idea Nebraska looked so much like Scotland! Could there be some sort of connection? We have a few golf courses around here, but no single malt distilleries… just a bizarre coincidence I’m sure.
Repost: This is part of the “Lost Unsharpmasked” series :)
Pro photographer Jim Talkington has put together a great blog over at prophotolife.com . He has so much good stuff over there it’s hard to describe. He has Photography tutorials, articles on business, videos and more - I don’t know how he keeps up with it! I like his series on DIY lighting where he uses lighting equipment that can be purcased at your local hardware store. He successfuly teaches basic studio lighting techniques without the distraction of what equipment is being used. So kudos to Jim for a worthy photography site. Go check it out when you get a chance. prophotolife.com