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Practice Makes Permanence

I went into this travel week with high expectations. With my upcoming group show just around the corner I was hoping for just one more killer image to include. As the week progressed I realized that the most important task at hand was not the perfect image but practicing my craft. I took the focus off the perfect image and focused on practicing what I love to do: macro toy photography.

My daughter’s piano teacher once said to her: “Practice makes permanence.” While this seems pretty obvious for learning the piano, it also works for photography. With practice you get faster at sizing up any outdoor location and lighting situation as a potential backdrop. I have also learned which mini figures work best for me; not every mini figure is created equally. Hopefully with more practice in the coming year those killer images will become more frequent.

As we move into 2015 I could talk about high flying new years resolutions, but honestly I think that simply continuing to practice my craft and push the boundaries of what I have already put into place will be challenge enough.

Did you make any photography new year’s resolutions?

To Thine Own Self Be True

When I first began blogging, it was just myself and my friend Boris. Then we invited one of the most influential toy photographers of all time to join us: Avanaut. We invited Vesa (his given name) to join us because we will be putting on a group show of toy [photography in 2015. It is very hard on my ego to share a blog and a gallery with Avanaut. Vesa is a meticulous photographer who’s attention to detail is both humbling and intimidating.

I have never shied away from a challenge and this one is no different. I like that Avanaut keeps the bar raised high; it keeps me reaching and striving for my own version of an incredible photograph. I will continue to push myself so that in my own eyes, we stand on equal footing.

I know I have come along way since I started on my own journey several years ago as a toy photographer. When I first ran across Avanaut’s work I didn’t even know what toy photography was. I was merely a distant admirer in awe of what he was able to accomplish with forced perspective, Lego and some baking powder. It makes my head spin a little to know that in just a few months I will be sharing wall space in a gallery with one of the people who has been one of my major influences.

Will my work be able to stand up to the inevitable comparison? Probably not, but I am not worried. We are each on our own journey that makes sense for our individual needs; and this is how it should be. Avanaut strives to capture a specific world, to bring a beloved movie to life, to recreate and understand that world in all its complexity. While I am on a journey to discover the world I live in. I want to understand my own humanity and I seem to have found the perfect vehicle in the lowly Lego mini figure.

To thine own self be true, and it must follow, as the night the day, thou canst not then be false to any man.

William Shakespeare

Help! Who Should Be My Travel Buddies?

One of the ways my family copes with the chaos of the holidays is we escape them. Next week we are off on another travel adventure that will undoubtedly include some outdoor toy photography.

I have to start packing my Lego mini figures soon, but I don’t know which ones? Frankly I’m overwhelmed and a bit frazzled going into the holidays (I know, aren’t we all!), and I need some help choosing the subjects of the photos you will be seeing over the upcoming months.

I have more than a few mini figures so you can also think of this as a game of “Does she have…?”  Please keep in mind I will be on sandy beaches, old lava flows of black sharp rocks and at least one volcano, plus the usual tropical vegetation;  the possibilities are endless.

You can also think of this as a way to challenge me photographically. As you may have already noticed I have my favorite mini figs and accessories. By suggesting your favorite mini figure(s) you can help me to break out of my rut and try something new!

Any and all suggestions will be considered and if feasible, included. So what do you say, who should my travel buddies be?

Who are your favorite Lego mini figures to photograph?

Bridging the Gap

On IG the other day I came across a comment that touched a nerve:

I feel like a jerk posting images of awesome things with the shiddyest (sic) camera. I love those high quality shots just as much as any other Lego fan. But at the end of the day, it’s just a bunch of minifigure pictures. I’m not trying to get the most expensive camera award.

Anonymous

This comment comes from a person who identifies themselves as a “Master Builder” and while I don’t agree with their point of view, there is a kernel of truth in his statement. It directly addresses that little voice in the back of my head that holds all my doubts.  

I know I will have to answer this question directly to the patrons of the Bryan Ohno Gallery and to any potential collectors.  What makes this work worthy of purchase? Since the subject is a common household object, can’t anyone do this?

I’ll be very clear that I never set out to take the art world by storm and make “whimsical, powerful, iconoclastic and often unconventional art which speaks to, challenges, and provokes discussion about cultural, political, and social issues and the role art plays in our evolving global community.” (This is actual language taken from a gallery invite I received.) This is not me and it never has been.

What I do strive to create is art for Lego fans. I want to make art that any fan would be proud to display on their wall and so they can tastefully let their freak flag fly. I want to bridge the gap between the casual fan and those incredibly creative master builders. And if my images touch a deeper emotional truth along the way, then I couldn’t be happier. 

I hope the Lego universe is big enough for all of us to play in. Each in their own way be true. 

Does this fellow Instagram user have a point, is it just a mini figure picture?

To Each His Own Way Be True

Artists have varying ways of working. Some like to pre-visualize their image. Others make elaborate sketches before they begin setting up their scene. And others, like me, simply shoot from the hip.

When I pack my mini figs for an outing I will take 20-40 mini figs with me always keeping in mind my destination and their relationships. I put some thought into variouse scenarios that seem interesting, grab a few accessories and head out into the big wild world. I never know what I am going to come back with. I like to see what my muse will present to me in terms of interesting lighting and macro environments.

This photo is a prime example of a character I have been sitting on for awhile. I love Mrs Puff but her body shape and lack of movement has me stumped. When I was crawling around on some lava rocks recently, this channel presented itself and I put Mrs Puff on one end and my camera on the other. Honestly it is my favorite photo from this latest trip. I feel I can put Mrs Puff aside now, I have done her justice and I will move onto one of the other 300+ characters I have yet to photograph.

Frankly I shoot from the hip, not for instant gratification, but because the unexpected is more interesting to me. I like to think of it as cooking. I have a few different ingredients that I mix together and I never quite know what is going to come out of the oven (read “camera”).

So don’t worry if your photographs aren’t pre-visualized or you don’t have elaborate sketches that you are working from. That method works great for some people, but there are many different ways to achieve your goal. You just have to keep shooting until you find the method that works best for you.

Say It Loud…

It’s not easy being a toy photographer. 

If you happen to take photos of Lego outside I’m sure you’ve had a few awkward moments. You know the ones I’m talking about, the ones where people look at you in that weird “What are you doing?” sort of way. Or how about the time you told your friends (or family) that you photograph toys and there only response was a blank look. 

We have all been there. 

Instead of feeling ashamed of this wonderful hobby, each one of these interactions is an opportunity to engage, educate and  hopefully create a connection with a like minded individual. The trick is finding a way to connect in a way that is both accessible and informative.  

I’ve been rather glib when people ask me what I do, I simply respond that I take pictures of Lego. They immediately give me that blank look indicating a total lack of understanding until I whip out my iPad and show them. Generally their response is enthusiastic and we have a great conversation. 

After reading “Show Your Work!” by Austin Kleon I realize I have to do a better job. I need to be respectful of my audience and myself by providing an answer that better describes what I’m doing, is brief and accessible. I was considering going with “I’m a bookkeep that takes pictures of Lego mini figures in the wild.” This is not entirely accurate but it would certainly start a conversation.

I’m proud of the toy photography community I am a part of. I want the world to know what an amazing art movement this is. So I am going to stop being glib and take more time to help people understand what is going on. 

In the mean time, the next time you’re lying on the ground and getting “that look” from some passerby, know you are in good company. 

• Have you ever been stopped on the street and asked what you are doing?
• Do you feel foolish lying on the ground to get that perfect shot?
• How do you describe your photographic hobby to you family?

The Marketing Beast

I have been reading Show Your Work, the follow-up to Steal Like an Artist. I can’t say I am as enamored with it as I was with his first book. I was really hoping it would be full of interesting tidbits that would spark interesting conversations and future blog posts.

But all it has done is make me feel depressed about how much work it will take to get my work known; especially outside the rather insular (but fun) toy photography community. Here are some samples of what he recommends:

• Show your process, reveal what is going on behind the scenes.
• Share something on social media everyday.
• Build a website to showcase your work.
• Share what inspires you.
• Tell good stories about your work.
• Network every chance you get.
• Teach what you know.
• Listen as much as you speak.
• Make connections and turn those connections into real life friends. 

Ok, I confess, I really like this last one. But the rest of the list makes m feel exhausted before I have even begun. If you want to pursue the details you can buy the book and see if I missed anything relevant. Marketing is a lot of work and honestly this is where most artists fail. You have to spend about 10 hours of marketing your work for every hour you spend making it. Personally I would rather be out photographing, editing and printing my work than writing blog posts and working the social media channels. But the world we live in now requires this of me. 

I tell my photographer friends (who are much better than I am) that they are nobody because they don’t have an internet presence. Is this true? Of course not! 

Or maybe it is.

How much time do you spend marketing your artistic creations?

I Need a Plan

I’m running as fast as I can and it’s not fast enough. I am trying to be a full time artist on a part time basis. This is a fools errand and I think I may end up making myself crazy.

My husband and I talk about the tradeoff between keeping the photography fun and taking it to the next level. Certainly keeping it at the level it is now, where it is a fun and relaxing hobby, is appealing. But the artist in me wants to kick it up a notch. Unfortunately, those projects take a lot of time and energy.

It would be wonderful to have a patron system alive and well in the arts world. But like all the other arts, (i.e. music and literature) the internet has changed the way we sell our work. There is no mythical “other” to support the arts, be it big business or a rich patron. Each artist is tasked with creating work then marketing and selling it. We are asked to tweet, blog, make connections, maintain a web site, amass a mailing list, etc… all while creating ground breaking works of art or literature.

To achieve great things, two things are needed; a plan, and not quite enough time.

Leonard Bernstein

Well, I definitely don’t have enough time, maybe I need a plan instead?

Do you find that you don’t have enough time to realize all your creative ambitions?
How do you prioritize?

Few and Far Between

Twelve significant photographs in any one year is a good crop.

Ansel Adams

The godfather of the zone system, Ansel Adams, knew what he was talking about. Great photos, significant photos, are few and far between.

This is still true in this day and age when every one has a digital camera and the feedback loop is so short anyone can take a good photo. A good photo is not a significant photo. In fact, during any given year you might only take a handful of truly memorable images. Sure your odds will go up if you take thousands of photos in a year. But for most of us who aren’t full time photographers, that probably isn’t going to happen.

If I was going to be truly honest with myself about my underwater photographs…their might be 20 significant images in 20 years of work. It was never easy shooting nearly blind underwater with a slow shutter speed, on film no less. Capturing a useable image, much less a significant image, was its own victory. 

I have taken over 5500 Lego mini figure photos this year and I would be hard pressed to come up with eight images I would include in my portfolio. That ratio is slightly better than my underwater ratio of usable images to images shot, but still not that impressive. Luckily, when I look at those eight images they make me feel all “warm and fuzzy inside” (my sons phrase) and I know that it is all worth it.

So try not to get discouraged by the sheer number of images that need to be taken to get a significant image. Remember you are in good company: you, me and Ansel. 

What is your favorite image of the year? 

Another Kind of Diary

Painting is just another way of keeping a diary

Pablo Picasso

This also applies to me and my photography.

I love to look back at my photos and think about where I took them and who was with me at the time. Each photo is an instant flash back to (mostly) wonderful memories. This past week on G+ I have been sharing the few Lego photos I took while in Iceland last year. Looking at them today takes me immediately back there and I experience the exhilaration over again.

For me photography has always been a form of documentation; be it my emotions, my family or an unusually viewpoint of a particular place. It may not seem like one, but my photography is a visual journal of my day to day life.

I have always travelled with my Lego mini figures and my photographs represent the places I have been. Since this is on a micro scale a specific place may be difficult to identify. As the colors and textures of places differ, it is interesting to see those differences in the final shots. This can be especially obvious when viewed as a group.

I am curious how you view your photography.

What role does it play in your life?
Is it a book in the making?
Is it a documentation of your everyday life?
Is it reaction to world events around you?