dave lackey
Veteran
My latest Photographic Essay on small towns #1 is finally ready to print after 6 long months. Documentary work is far more fascinating than one would think up front. But it is a lot of work offset by meeting a lot of good people.
There are a lot of myths running around on forums and this one project alone has destroyed a few of them for me:
1. People do not care what camera you are using. Not one person has ever asked what camera I was using or whether it was film or digital.
2. No one was paranoid about a photographer running around the small town taking photos.
3. Interviews and photo requests were easily granted as the people were eager to be included in a book on the little town they love. No need to ambush them.
4. Photographic documentaries in book form do not generate profit. Each one being printed has a cost attached to it that will never be covered by selling X books.
5. Trespassing on property is unnecessary. A simple phone call or request got me access to what I needed to photograph.
6. A couple of police officers were somewhat "not eager" to get their photos done, I suppose because they were on duty and didn't want to be seen as goofing off. However, I had complete access to the Police Chief and his second-in-command and they loved getting their photographs taken with no questions asked.
All in all, a great experience and I have already moved on to other towns and begun shooting.
There are a lot of myths running around on forums and this one project alone has destroyed a few of them for me:
1. People do not care what camera you are using. Not one person has ever asked what camera I was using or whether it was film or digital.
2. No one was paranoid about a photographer running around the small town taking photos.
3. Interviews and photo requests were easily granted as the people were eager to be included in a book on the little town they love. No need to ambush them.
4. Photographic documentaries in book form do not generate profit. Each one being printed has a cost attached to it that will never be covered by selling X books.
5. Trespassing on property is unnecessary. A simple phone call or request got me access to what I needed to photograph.
6. A couple of police officers were somewhat "not eager" to get their photos done, I suppose because they were on duty and didn't want to be seen as goofing off. However, I had complete access to the Police Chief and his second-in-command and they loved getting their photographs taken with no questions asked.
All in all, a great experience and I have already moved on to other towns and begun shooting.
sar-photo
Simon Robinson
Sounds great Dave! When do we get to see the results?
Simon
Simon
dave lackey
Veteran
Good question...I don't know yet but it will be after my "big" public release to a trusted friend who lives in the town and is the Main Street's gathering place proprietor. Just having one book in his hands will generate more interest than anything else.
I have some pre-sales for interested parties not connected to the town to cover first.
A sneak peek or two may make it here on RFF in the near future.
paulfish4570
Veteran
well done, dave, well done.
These are not myths, I can assure you that. I've experienced both of them. People ask about my camera, or comment on it a few times a week in NYC (sometimes pretty women, sometimes old men). In a small town (my home town), never unless I know them personally.
Paranoia regarding photography... I've experienced it in small towns and NYC. People are very suspicious up North... whether about their children or security concerns.
Anyway, congrats on the project and I'm glad it all worked out for you in a positive manner.
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dave lackey
Veteran
Could be a difference in geography and demographics. Also, my approach was to make an appearance at the City Council one evening and explain what I was going to do and I received an "open arms" key to the town.
Most people are 40+ and above in the little town and the local gathering place gave me instant street cred as I spent a lot of time there talking and making friends. The street mayor has a thrift store where all the locals gather and talk all day long. We became good friends and his disabilities don't slow him down a bit...nice guy.
The first two are definitely myths in an absolute sense because I did not experience any of that in the small town here. Other towns, well, we'll see and I expect a unique experience in each one!
dave lackey
Veteran
Thanks for the good words, guys. I highly recommend such an experience for those wanting a project to do!
shadowfox
Darkroom printing lives
Dave, that is awesome. Congratulations!
Did you check out if the town have a local printer that may be willing to do a short run for your book?
Did you check out if the town have a local printer that may be willing to do a short run for your book?
dave lackey
Veteran
Thanks, Will!
There are no local book printers so I am going the DIY publisher for now. The good news is they have basically a 2 for 1 sale frequently.
Here is a sneak peek at the dust jacket:
Attachments
gb hill
Veteran
Dave, congratulations on the book thus far. I love the dust cover. As an avid rail fan that looks to be a prime location for spotting trains. I think your upfront honesty with the towns folk made all the difference on how they recieved you.
johannielscom
Snorting silver salts
I'd like to see thise shots one day, Dave! Well done!
FrankS
Registered User
Congrats, Dave!
dave lackey
Veteran
Greg, Johan, Frank, thanks very much!
Editing has proven to be a significant amount of time far exceeding the actual time shooting and much more time than waiting for the processing to come back from Precision Camera but the final results are now where I am happy with them! And to think that all images were done with the M3 + Summarit + TriX and the R4 + Summicron + Delta 100.
Now, to work on a video DVD using these images that will require my sitting down with several folks and get their thoughts recorded for a voice-over.
Editing has proven to be a significant amount of time far exceeding the actual time shooting and much more time than waiting for the processing to come back from Precision Camera but the final results are now where I am happy with them! And to think that all images were done with the M3 + Summarit + TriX and the R4 + Summicron + Delta 100.
Now, to work on a video DVD using these images that will require my sitting down with several folks and get their thoughts recorded for a voice-over.
lynnb
Veteran
What an interesting project, Dave, and what a good experience. Congratulations on a job (almost) completed! Good luck with the book printing and sales - I hope you at least manage to come out ahead financially. Sounds like you're already well ahead from a personal satisfaction viewpoint. I'll look forward to seeing the fruits of your labours if you decide to share some of them with us.
kind regards,
kind regards,
dave lackey
Veteran
Thank you, Lynn...
dave lackey
Veteran
Part 2
Part 2
Life is strange.
Last night whilst changing some fonts, My Publisher crashed on me twice! It seems that their software saves all files on my computer, not on their server and bogs it down to the point that it has crashed twice, losing the entire book! !@#$@@#%$ My Publisher! Their tech people had no idea how to retrieve it either. Useless geeks.
Sooooo...went to Adorama and with 8 hours, I had reconstructed the entire book ready for the final checks and obligatory names and spelling confirmations.
Adorama's application is 100 times better. Faster, easier and more secure with the files now safely on THEIR server. There is about a $20 extra charge using them for printing the books but, hey, I am not going to make any money anyway.
I already have a feeling that I am getting a better product even before it is printed.
Part 2
Life is strange.
Last night whilst changing some fonts, My Publisher crashed on me twice! It seems that their software saves all files on my computer, not on their server and bogs it down to the point that it has crashed twice, losing the entire book!
!@#$@@#%$ My Publisher! Their tech people had no idea how to retrieve it either. Useless geeks.Sooooo...went to Adorama and with 8 hours, I had reconstructed the entire book ready for the final checks and obligatory names and spelling confirmations.
Adorama's application is 100 times better. Faster, easier and more secure with the files now safely on THEIR server. There is about a $20 extra charge using them for printing the books but, hey, I am not going to make any money anyway.
I already have a feeling that I am getting a better product even before it is printed.