Action Shots in My Studio – I need your help!
Last week, Alyson had a short blurb on her blog about updating photos of oneself in action in the studio to add to websites or other marketing materials. I personally enjoy seeing photos of other artist’s at work and of their studios and know that this has been on my to do list for quite some time. My current photo was taken in 2002 while I was still a student at USM – and was taken by a fellow student and photography major, Lisa Emery (a quick search on the web revealed no website or other info). I loved the sepia tones of the image, but it might be time to upload a new one. So yesterday, I enlisted the help of my daughter to snap a few photos of me working on the wheel. So where do you come in? If you have time, please take a look at the photo on my “about” page to see the sepia toned one and the three photos below, and then vote for your favorite. I can tell you that I’m leaning towards the b&w because the background is very busy – but, I’m interested in a general consensus.
Opinion Polls & Market Research
Meanwhile, I encourage you to visit AKAR to view the Yunomi Invitational Show and Sale. I tried yesterday when it opened and there were so many people visiting the site that there server crashed. I was a little disappointed today, that many of pieces from my favorite artists have already been sold – especially Cathi Jefferson’s work. I should have been more persistent. Don’t know what a yunomi is? It’s basically a teacup that is taller than wide with a foot – whereas, a tea bowl is wider than tall. There is even some work from some of my favorite ceramic bloggers in the show!
Have a great weekend,
~Cynthia
Undaunted
March 29, 2008 at 5:30 pm //
All I could think about was what horendous back ache you must get! I’d like to see what one of your new photographs look like in sepia, as I like that tone.
Cynthia
March 29, 2008 at 6:32 pm //
I guess it looks worse than it feels – though I know of some ceramic people who throw standing up to ease back strain. I don’t think I actually throw enough for it to be a bother.
Becky
March 29, 2008 at 8:21 pm //
Wonderful to open it up to others votes, but I hope you’ll choose the image that you love the most.
Heather
March 30, 2008 at 5:25 am //
I really like the B&W…but I also love the original one where you look so carefree in sepia. I need to do this too, but I hate to have my picture taken, and I am usually scowling at the canvas because I can hardly see. That’s would be a funny picture of me I bet, It might even work with my moniker! In all seriousness, I like the B&W, but like the one of you looking up best, if it was in B&W I’d have choose that one. Good luck, you really can’t loose, you are on easy on the eyes lady in any color.
Cynthia
March 30, 2008 at 7:46 am //
Thanks Becky and Heather – I’m thinking of possibly re-shooting the photograph with a neutral background and am fond of the b&w. Maybe I’ll hang up a sheet or something so that there’s less visual noise/distraction around me. But, I suppose this is really what my studio looks like when I’m throwing. My towels hang to my right and I have a L/A project behind me that I spent so many blood, sweat and tears hours over that I’m loathe to throw away even though it’s been 2.5 years since I dropped out. So, I keep it as a prop in my studio to remind myself why I am where I am.
Before I start sounding like Popeye, I’d better go check my bloglines…
janvangogh
March 30, 2008 at 10:55 am //
Actually, I like the color ones. I guess it just cause I prefer color.
That AKAR show was interesting. I am surprised at the sales. Did not know there was so much interest.
Chae
March 30, 2008 at 12:14 pm //
My favorite is your original one.
Because:
You look so happy, carefree and open to life!
It’s a marvelous photo which caught the essence of your awesomely wonderful personality!
And who says we have to update photos? As long as the one we’re using catches the inner essence of who we are, shouldn’t we use it? Isn’t it rather like – will the “real me” please stand up?
Becky’s right though – choosing the image You like best is most important! I have found in life that others do not truly see us as we are but see us only through the lens of their own personality and perspective!
Hugs
Chae
Anne W
March 30, 2008 at 2:25 pm //
I like the original photo on the About page the best because it looks more spontaneous and .. well, it looks like you sound.
However, of your new photos, I like the first one (b&w i think) because of the stage of throwing your pot is at. (I know that probably sounds weird)
Have you also tried some shots from a different angle?
I have to say, you look like you must be a terribly tidy potter.. your hair tied beautifully back and, courageously wearing black pants.
Jean Levert Hood
March 30, 2008 at 2:55 pm //
I voted, let us know the results later!! Yes, I am thinking too after Alyson’s post. More updating on the website on the to-do list now!
Shawn McCann
March 30, 2008 at 6:39 pm //
I agree that the original is such a great shot. But if you pick one of the three, then I would go with the b/w.
Lynette
March 30, 2008 at 9:23 pm //
I chose the ‘working in color’ one. I could just see all the little details better…I liked the color of the cherrys in your apron, your pretty hair(the color of it looks wonderful) and the position of your hands on the piece on the wheel. I don’t know Cyn, I just like that one best, thought I like all of them!
judi tavill
March 30, 2008 at 9:33 pm //
definately black and white…
check out my blog!
http://juditavill.blogspot.com/
Cynthia
March 31, 2008 at 5:57 am //
Janet, glad you liked the clay show – some of the artists who are selling their yunomis for $100+ are clay rock stars. My threshold was $35.00, alas, most in that price range were sold out.
Chae, thanks for your comments. You’re not alone liking the sepia one – but I think part of the appeal is the warmness of the photograph. I’m not going to keep that one, well, because I don’t really look like that anymore and I have new glasses.
Hey Anne, I wouldn’t say I’m a tidy potter – those black pants are sweats and since I’ve let my hair grow, it would get into everything if I didn’t pull it up. I can appreciate your comment on the stage of throwing – it’s my favorite part.
Definitely need to update the *new* website too Jean!
Thanks for the vote Shawn – I’m leaning towards the black and white.
Thanks Lynette for the vote! I sort of like the color too, but it’s really busy. And, those cherries are hot red peppers – muy caliente!
Thanks Judi, and good luck with your sale!
Linda
March 31, 2008 at 7:02 am //
Hi Cynthia,
I like the original sepia tone photo the best, focus is on you, the artist and the piece you are working on with less background distraction in photo. Second best is the working on pot color one – could be changed to sepia or black and white, less distraction with out color. I like your smile in the sepia one.
I posted the paperclay superglue recipe on my blog for you.
No one was probably awake when I got on the Yunomi show and sale – West Coast late at night, very early am.
Melody
March 31, 2008 at 7:49 am //
Cynthia, I voted for the black and white simply because I love seeing b&w photos of an artist. Just a personal choice.
little like sand
April 1, 2008 at 12:06 pm //
Hey Cynthia, I`m a bit late on the scene but I vote for the looking up photo. The eyes are the place where the spirit dances with the world. To see the eye to eye allows the spirits shake hands. The top of the head is where you lose heat, or in my case hair.
Casey Klahn
April 2, 2008 at 9:23 am //
Figures that I’d choose the one that got the fewest votes. I liked the composition of the sepia work, but I feel that if you’re going to have one candid, it ought to be in color.
My two cents.