Chris Orwig - Visual Poetry: A Creative Guide for Making Engaging Digital Photographs

A Creative Guide for Making Engaging Digital Photographs

Chris Orwig

VISUAL POETRY:

A CREATIVE GUIDE FOR MAKING ENGAGING DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHS

Chris Orwig

NEW RIDERS
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Berkeley, CA 94710
510/524-2178
510/524-2221 (fax)

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New Riders is an imprint of Peachpit, a division of Pearson Education

Copyright 2010 by Chris Orwig

All photographs Chris Orwig unless otherwise indicated

Editor : Susan Rimerman
Copy Editor: Peggy Nauts
Production Editors: Tracey Croom, Becky Winter
Cover and Interior Design: Mimi Heft
Composition: Kim Scott, Bumpy Design; Danielle Foster
Indexer: Karin Arrigoni

Notice of Rights

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the prior written permission of the publisher. For information on getting permission for reprints and excerpts, contact: .

Notice of Liability

The information in this book is distributed on an As Is basis, without warranty. While every precaution has been taken in the preparation of the book, neither the author nor Peachpit shall have any liability to any person or entity with respect to any loss or damage caused or alleged to be caused directly or indirectly by the instructions contained in this book or by the computer software and hardware products described in it.

Trademarks

Many of the designations used by manufacturers and sellers to distinguish their products are claimed as trademarks. Where those designations appear in this book, and Peachpit was aware of a trademark claim, the designations appear as requested by the owner of the trademark. All other product names and services identified throughout this book are used in editorial fashion only and for the benefit of such companies with no intention of infringement of the trademark. No such use, or the use of any trade name, is intended to convey endorsement or other affiliation with this book.

ISBN-13: 978-0-321-63682-9

ISBN-10: 0-321-63682-1

9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

Printed and bound in the United States of America

For my three girlsAnnika my sweet pea, Sophia my sunshine, and Kelly my first love.

First and foremost Susan Rimermanmy editor, coach, and keel. You have added clarity and deepened my voice, enlivened my vision, and unearthed my strength to go faster and further; kept me on course and quickened my resolve to press on. Your contributions have been immense.

The production and design team of Tracey Croom, Mimi Heft, Kim Scott, Danielle Foster, Peggy Nauts, Becky Winter, and Karin Arrigoni. Thank you for your tireless resolve in making this project come alive.

Nancy Ruenzel, the publisher who planted the seed for this book years ago.

I am grateful beyond words to the guest speakers who have graciously contributed to the cause. Their wisdom and photographs have broadened and deepened this project in remarkable waysthank you!

David Litschell and Scott Miles from the Brooks Institute where I teachthank you for your vision and effort that make our school one of the worlds best. I am incredibly proud to be a part of such an amazing team.

Lynda Weinmanthank you for taking a risk on me. Your belief in me has opened so many doors. You are is a constant source of brightness in my life.

Bruce Heavin, as a mentor, colleague, and good friend, your words of wisdom and encouragement have helped me soar to new heights. Martyn Hoffmann, you are a brother in the truest sense of the word. More than anyone I know, you have taught me how to live intensely and without regret.

Momyour creativity, curiosity, energy, and enthusiasm have been a wellspring of nourishment and life. Thank you for passing on a passionate and artistic way of living.

Dadthis all started by seeing your black and white prints in the attic which made me want to make some myself. Thank you for giving me my first SLR camera and letting me borrow yours before I had my own!

Carol Burke, your love of books, travel, and family, and your indefatigable spirit have taught me so much.

Kelly, you are my soul mate, lover, and best friend. Through thick and thin you have helped me become who I was intended to be.

The Creator of Light, who strengthens my resolve, imbues my life with purpose, renews my vision, and continually teaches me how to see.

Photography is savoring life at 1/100th of a second.
Marc Riboud

I am a teacher and photographer who thrives on learning, listening, and taking pictures. And I think William Yeats said it best: Education is not about filling a pail, it is about lighting a fire. Over the years Ive watched hundreds of students pass through the photography school where I teach. Its thrilling to witness and to be a small part of many students life trajectory.

Some of them reach graduation and walk across the stage, excitedly shake the presidents hand, and place their diplomas in a pail. They blankly look around for direction and arent sure what to do next. Others graduate, celebrate, and everywhere they go is set ablaze. Their stamina, drive, vision, and passion are contagious, and they reach previously unattainable heights.

Theres nothing more gratifying than getting those e-mails that say, Chris, I got the job assisting for Annie Leibovitz! Chris, remember how I told you my dream was to get a cover of Surfing Magazine? Well, just be sure to read this months issue! Chris, I just opened my own studio in New York! And theres so much to learn and glean from students. They are so free and unfettered by convention and the restraints of rules. They are wide-eyed and grateful. A day doesnt go by that I dont learn something from them. Thats the truth all teachers know: By teaching, you learn.

One of the things Ive paid close attention to, is why some students soar while others fade away? There are many facets to the answer, yet Ive noticed a few commonalities. For starters, the best and brightest students dont say if only. You wont catch them saying, If only I was in New York... or If only I had this lens... or If only I had more experience... The best students make the most of what they have. They realize that education is as much (if not more) about them than it is about their teacher, their school, their age, or their camera. They approach their education with a contagious passion.

This book is written for this type of student. It is written for those who are interested in going against the grain and who believe that putting in effort pays off. It is written for those who are willing to grow and change. And most of all, it is written for those who are enamored with photography, and who want to learn how to create the most compelling and engaging photographs of their lives.

How can we set out to accomplish this task? While the answer is multifaceted, there are a few practical parts. One part: how to create better photographs. Another part: how to become more creative people. The what and the who are intertwined. And thus, this book isnt an ordinary photo book. It is a book about becoming. Becoming authentic, alive, vibrant, unfettered, and renewed. It is written for those interested in discovering what it means to grow and change. Whether you are an amateur or a pro, photographer or physician, architect or acupuncturist, filmmaker or financial consultant, this book is written for you.