Tag Archives: Writing

Portrait Book and Walking Workshop

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Exciting things are happening on the photography front, and I am happy to report some progress on my portraiture book in the making. The overall structure of it is complete, and I am well into writing the first draft.

The book aims to help you get more out of your portraits and to tell a story. Whether you’re new to photography or a seasoned professional, there will be things in there for you to enjoy, get inspired by and apply to your own pictures.

The content includes a mix of tips on everything from lighting to interacting with subjects, and it will have stories and examples from myself and others, all about what makes a portrait great.

Many have already helped the writing along by taking the survey associated with this book, sharing what they care about and struggle with in their own photos. I’m using this research to make sure I address the most frequently asked questions and major concerns.

On a related note, I am organizing a set of photography workshops!

If you’re in the Seattle area in mid August, September or October, you have a chance to join me on a small and exclusive photo walk, during which I will offer tips on how to shoot on the fly and on location. There will also be a Q&A after the walk, and a surprise or two thrown in along the way.

There are limited spots available for these walks, so sign up now if you want to be a part of the walking workshop.

Stories in Portrait Photography

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I am writing a new photography book, my first since The Microstock Photographer’s Guide (2007). Since that book I have shifted focus to portrait photography, in particular shots of artists and creative people doing their thing. I consider myself a storyteller, and a good portrait does just that – it tells a story.

After lots of encouragement from friends and readers, I started doing research for the new book. I knew it was going to be about portraiture, but I wanted to find an angle that was both helpful to many, and could be applied without making massive investments in lighting rigs, studio space and software. It had to be about taking interesting photos more than technically superior ones, yet still contain enough concrete tips for the pro audience.

To begin, I started with a simple survey asking 5 questions about photography. I’m still collecting data, so if you have a minute, your input would be greatly appreciated. Already after the first few responses, it became clear that focus was going to be on telling stories.

“Stories in Portrait Photography” (working title) will talk about communication between photographer and subject, about emphasizing or downplaying specific character traits and “reading people”, but it will also contain tips and things to try out for every topic presented. Whether through the use of light, angles, location or direction, there are plenty of ways to strengthen the story of a portrait — without making it overly staged.

The survey has an optional field where you can put your email address, if you want to stay updated on the progress of the book. Unlike last time, I will not be posting the individual chapters as blog posts ahead of publishing. Take the survey here.

Quick update on my other current projects:

  • The Final Prophecy – currently being distributed to/read by select beta-readers for feedback.
  • Fantasy Gaming Campaign – related to The Final Prophecy. We’re about to play our 3rd session.
  • Nebula Rescue – my upcoming iPhone game. I thought I was 90% done, but then my brother tested it and gave me a ton of ideas. Now it’s about 70% done.

Final Prophecy Update and Finishing Things

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The second draft of my fantasy short is done. I’ve written about “The Final Prophecy” before, but I will add that finishing the second draft was tougher than expected. When I got to the last chapter and a half, I stalled. That’s usually a good sign, because the harder it is for me to finish something, the more I’ve loved working on it. So much so, I don’t want it to end. Luckily, I eventually got tired of procrastinating and went back to work.

The next step is more revision. Editing used to scare me, but now I see it as a chance to polish and tweak where needed – and in the worst case scenario spot a dud before I send it out into the world. Finishing the second draft is still a milestone worth mentioning, because this is the part of the process where I involve a few trusted readers. They are the Wise Ones who point out where the holes are, and the inconsistencies as well as the gems and the exciting stuff. Their feedback provide the setup for writing draft three.

There is also inspiration coming from the gaming campaign, I’m running parallel to the writing. We just finished running an adventure set a few years after the events described in “The Final Prophecy”, but in much the same location, and some of the questions posed by the players as part of our game, provided excellent fodder for the story. Details about the daily life, geography and mythology that had not crossed my mind before.

And it doesn’t end there. I recently read two excellent pieces that helped kick me back into writing mode. One is an interview with Stephen King by Neil Gaiman. The insight into King’s process and approach was highly motivating to me. Then I read Second Drafts are a Way of Life by Ryan Macklin, the timing of which could not have been better. Both are recommended reading to any writer.

Now I’m going to take a short break from the story, while I filter it out to the Wise Ones. And in the meantime, I hope to ride the wave of finishing things, and get my arcade iPhone game – Nebula Rescue – done and out the door.