Jeff Curto's Camera Position

In this second part of the Zone System overview, we look at a few more specifics about how the Zone System works and is implemented. Don’t forget to download the PDF handouts! Click any image below for a larger view. The first part of the Zone System overview was in Camera Position #43 Download part … Continue reading Camera Position 45 : Back in the Zone →

This episode of Camera Position is the third entry in an irregular series of suggestions for the serious photographer’s bookshelf. This time, the selection is “On Photography,” an important – and occasionally somewhat difficult – book of photographic criticism and thought from writer Susan Sontag. Click on images above for a larger view Links for … Continue reading Camera Position 44 : Photographer’s Bookshelf #3 →

Creative photography benefits from mastering technical content. This first installment of a discussion of The Zone System of exposure will help you stop worrying about whether the photograph will “work out” so you can concentrate on being creative. In the photographs below, the highlighted side of the ball (left image) was “placed” on Zone VIII … Continue reading Camera Position 43 : There’s Creativity in The Zone →

Another exploration of color in photography and the way it has been used by two of the great masters of color, WIlliam Eggleston and Stephen Shore. Also, I mention Adobe’s fabulously fun and useful online application “Kuler.” Photograph by William Eggleston (above) (click images for larger views) Photograph by Stephen Shore (below) Links for this … Continue reading Camera Position 42 : Color Pioneers →

I’m back! After a month-long hiatus, I’m back with a podcast about color. Using a Christmas present of a book of Pete Turner’s photographs that have been used on jazz album covers as a springboard, we talk about color, color relationships and how color works in the photographic world. Links for this episode: Pete Turner’s … Continue reading Camera Position 41 : Color Me Back! →

Lens choice, tripods, negative and positive space, image sequence and selection of a small group of images… it’s a “holiday leftovers ” group of ideas and thoughts for this episode of Camera Position. Above photographs by Jeff Curto Links for this episode: Images referenced in this episode of Camera Position Ralph Gibson’s Website College of … Continue reading Camera Position 40 : Leftover Hash →

Mission statements don’t have to be about dull, corporate stuff… they can also be about the creative process and act as a compass to point you in the right direction. Your photographic mission statement can be about your audience, your passions and your goals. Example and blank “audience circles” (click for larger images) Links relevent … Continue reading Camera Position 39 : Your Mission & Your Audience →

It’s about time. It’s about time to talk about time in photography and time as it relates to how photographs function. Using photographs by Garry Winogrand and Tokihiro Sato, we examine two different approaches to dealing with time in the photograph. Photographs by Garry Winogrand (left) and Tokihiro Sato (right) Click images for a larger … Continue reading Camera Position 38 : It’s About Time →

Photographers are not creators, they are editors. Unlike the painter, who starts with a blank canvas, we start with the whole world and our job is to remove all the “stuff” that doesn’t make our picture better; to pare down to the essence of the image. Ideally, we do this with the camera’s viewfinder, but … Continue reading Camera Position 37 : Hey! Crop it Out! →

Who is in your critical circle? Who looks at your work to help you define what is good and what “works”? Do you do it yourself? Can you trust yourself to be a good critic of your own work? This episode examines the idea of being your own best friend and your own best enemy. … Continue reading Camera Position 36 : Who’s Lookin’ At You? →