around the net: volume 10, songs about photography
June 20, 2008 – 2:30 am
There’s been lots of news going on this past week, let’s take a look.
First, I’d like to say thanks for joining the new prophotolife discussion forum. Not even a week old, there’s been a good deal of activity and I’ve learned about many new (to me) photo sites through this thread of reader website favorites. The forum will also be a real help with some of the email questions I receive. There are certain topics, like ” what’s the best LCD monitor to buy?” that I honestly don’t know the answer to without doing some research. By referring those questions to the discussion forum I hope to learn a thing or two with your help.
It really catches my attention when I see an image with beautiful retro photo edges because I’m a big fan of vintage photography. This week there was an eye-catching item on Imaging Insider detailing how a photographer had painstakingly prepped awesome vintage photo borders and is sharing them at no cost for downloading. There are even video tutorials on how to use them. Then I read a bit further and, lo and behold, they were created by our old friend Steve Paxton of paxtonprints.com! You may remember Steve’s inspirational series of portraits of the homeless we featured in volume one of Around the Net.
Speaking of inspirational, I was viewing reader Jason Caine’s photostream recently when I came across some images from the photo series he’s creating of his young niece, Taylor, who is battling leukemia. Taylor writes a blog about her experiences while Uncle Jason documents it photographically when he can. To share such a deeply personal experience with viewers is a testament to their strength, both as individuals and as a family. I’m sure I speak for all of us in wishing Taylor the very best in her battle and admire the way the family is tackling this opponent head-on.
Adversity is all relative. The profession of photography has certainly become more competitive in recent years and technology is getting harder and harder for some established photographers to keep up with. Despite these major changes, the bottom line is that photography is and should be fun. I appreciate that my worst day of being a professional photographer is probably better than the best day of doing a number of other jobs. But what about professional photographers who have tired of keeping up with technology and have “lost the love” for the profession? Our friends at 1001noisycameras.com have some advice for them, in their no-holds-barred, straight driving, witty style. We have to accept that things are only going to keep evolving and then adapt to the changes.
Ever had a song you just can’t get out of your head? It’s been that way for me lately with (of all things) Ringo Starr’s “Photograph”. Yes, Ringo was the lowest rung on the Beatles ladder and has been the butt of jokes for years. Sure, he didn’t drip with talent, necessarily. But let me warn you: when you’re young you might make fun of a song or artist, then when you’re older, hearing them brings a comfort and familiarity that makes it okay to be a little “uncool”. And so it is with Ringo and this song that I can’t get out of my head. The little Amazon widget at left will play a snippet of “Photograph” for you, if you like. Do you have a favorite song related to photography? Put the song and artist in a comment or start a thread on the forum…as any new songs come in I’ll start compiling the “prophotolife photography song favorites” list. I can immediately think of three or four more but haven’t taken the time yet to hit up iTunes – Over 2 million songs and growing.
And now that I have the song “Photograph” planted firmly in your head, hopefully it will leave mine. Have a great weekend, see you on Monday with another video…
- Jim T.
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8 Responses to “around the net: volume 10, songs about photography”
Favorite photography song? Why Kodachrome by Paul Simon. Loved it when it came out and still do.
By Mel on Jun 20, 2008
It’s not necessarily a photography song, but I always liked the album “Supersunnyspeedgraphic” by Ben Folds. he’s a pretty talented photographer himself as well:
http://php.benfolds.com/gallery/?action=slideshow&id=1135041701
By Noah on Jun 20, 2008
Aside from Kodachrome, which Mel already mentioned, there’s “Photograph” by Def Leopard. I can’t think of any other photography related songs.
By Craig Lee on Jun 20, 2008
Ohhh, I just thought of another one and it is more recent. Heck it has been in my head for a few days now. It is “Picture” by Kid Rock and Cheryl Crowe. Probably the only Kid Rock song I like.
By Craig Lee on Jun 20, 2008
New forum? Jim, you’re missing a link to it……
Cheers!
By Rick Duncan on Jun 20, 2008
Come on, guys… Freeze Frame, staring the F3’s motor drive
By Bill Rhodes on Jun 20, 2008
(a moment of silence for the memory of Kodachrome). I looked for Def Leppard’s “Photograph” on Amazon.com and could only find a bluegrass cover version, which was actually pretty cool. Freeze Frame brings back alot of high school memories…and so does Duran Duran’s “Girls on Film”, remember that one?
Noah, those Ben Folds photos are great, thanks for the link (I want the Leica in the mirror).
By Jim Talkington on Jun 20, 2008
The Cars… let the photos be old… let them show what they want…
By Bill Rhodes on Jun 21, 2008