Comments on: Photo Tips # 2: NatGeo Editor Speaks https://www.burnmagazine.org/in-the-spotlight/2014/02/photo-tips-2-natgeo-editor-speaks/ burn is an online feature for emerging photographers worldwide. burn is curated by magnum photographer david alan harvey. Sat, 18 Jun 2016 11:47:28 +0000 hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.2.4 By: What I Am Reading and Viewing 2014.04.02 https://www.burnmagazine.org/in-the-spotlight/2014/02/photo-tips-2-natgeo-editor-speaks/#comment-306612 Wed, 02 Apr 2014 12:57:29 +0000 http://www.burnmagazine.org/?p=21558#comment-306612 […] Nat Geo photo editor Susan Welchman on Listening to your Inner Voice […]

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By: Friday Extract – 22 Photography Links | https://www.burnmagazine.org/in-the-spotlight/2014/02/photo-tips-2-natgeo-editor-speaks/#comment-294547 Fri, 07 Mar 2014 17:56:10 +0000 http://www.burnmagazine.org/?p=21558#comment-294547 […] Photo Tips # 2: NatGeo Editor Speaks. Check this out. No way you won’t get something out of this short preview of a longer conversation with Susan Welchman, a Photo Editor at NatGeo […]

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By: Steve Caddy https://www.burnmagazine.org/in-the-spotlight/2014/02/photo-tips-2-natgeo-editor-speaks/#comment-293366 Wed, 05 Mar 2014 04:55:18 +0000 http://www.burnmagazine.org/?p=21558#comment-293366 Thanks Eduardo. I loved the comment. A real eureka moment; it’s why I had to ask.

Paul! That whole Vogue Masters series is excellent. I just found the Korean In Frame ep. with DAH in it :)

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By: eduardo sepulveda https://www.burnmagazine.org/in-the-spotlight/2014/02/photo-tips-2-natgeo-editor-speaks/#comment-293276 Tue, 04 Mar 2014 19:23:25 +0000 http://www.burnmagazine.org/?p=21558#comment-293276 Steve,

It was just that terrific picture of a couple on the beach on road trips what make me rimind and put in those words some of my feelings of what happens in just some few seconds. The moment right after that it was a play between that couple showing/hiding themselves or just laughing, a ballon seller, the wind of Oaxaca and you in a frame.
It was more like when you smile about how you used to see or think things on your own ‘inexperience’… a couple? Ah, how boring … I remember also how strange it was to me DAH voice saying: ‘i don’t want to give you an asingment’ like if it were a terrible punishment.

To see and listen to Susan and people like her are just diamonds!!! Viva Burn!
Thanks!

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By: andrew b. https://www.burnmagazine.org/in-the-spotlight/2014/02/photo-tips-2-natgeo-editor-speaks/#comment-292003 Sat, 01 Mar 2014 17:34:37 +0000 http://www.burnmagazine.org/?p=21558#comment-292003 pAtrIcIO:

Always be yourself.

Unless you can be a pirate. In that case, always be a pirate.

:)

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By: Paul https://www.burnmagazine.org/in-the-spotlight/2014/02/photo-tips-2-natgeo-editor-speaks/#comment-291915 Sat, 01 Mar 2014 07:47:24 +0000 http://www.burnmagazine.org/?p=21558#comment-291915 http://youtu.be/Zg4Wpd6cDwE

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By: Paul https://www.burnmagazine.org/in-the-spotlight/2014/02/photo-tips-2-natgeo-editor-speaks/#comment-291914 Sat, 01 Mar 2014 07:46:43 +0000 http://www.burnmagazine.org/?p=21558#comment-291914 Alex Webb…

http://youtu.be/7iFcfSRw-oc

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By: pAtrIcIO m. https://www.burnmagazine.org/in-the-spotlight/2014/02/photo-tips-2-natgeo-editor-speaks/#comment-290610 Thu, 27 Feb 2014 22:18:34 +0000 http://www.burnmagazine.org/?p=21558#comment-290610 Thanks for the great post and the great comments of burnians.

I’ve rememeber a quote from Oscar Wilde: “Be yourself, everybody else is already taken”

Shine. P.

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By: GaryBraasch https://www.burnmagazine.org/in-the-spotlight/2014/02/photo-tips-2-natgeo-editor-speaks/#comment-290605 Thu, 27 Feb 2014 22:13:31 +0000 http://www.burnmagazine.org/?p=21558#comment-290605 Hi David and Susan: Must say hello to Susan after many years. Thanks for the advice about being one’s own person. When photographers say they want to be [famous lens celebrity], I am sure they mean to be able to have the same experiences, travel, publication (and income…?), not necessarily to make the same photos. But of course in learning from others and emulating mentors it can be hard to find that personal place within, that shore on which when one finally washes up one recognizes home and the source of strength and vision. And I hope it is okay for me to partake of this blog, David — I still consider myself emerging, and it’s clear that you must feel that way also.

Thanks to both of you and congratulations on all you’ve accomplished and shown the world.

Gary

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By: Steve Caddy https://www.burnmagazine.org/in-the-spotlight/2014/02/photo-tips-2-natgeo-editor-speaks/#comment-289381 Tue, 25 Feb 2014 22:37:23 +0000 http://www.burnmagazine.org/?p=21558#comment-289381 Yeah, that helps too Paul, and it echos Salgado’s advice to photograph ‘from inside the circle’.

DAH, your advice about the list, feeling something for the project and staying put is backed up by David Hurn’s advice in On Being a Photographer too.

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By: Paul https://www.burnmagazine.org/in-the-spotlight/2014/02/photo-tips-2-natgeo-editor-speaks/#comment-288997 Tue, 25 Feb 2014 13:56:43 +0000 http://www.burnmagazine.org/?p=21558#comment-288997 Steve Caddy…
Maybe this quote will help with your first post and questions…

“I make a life there…Then I photograph that life.” David Alan Harvey on working on essays in foreign countries and reviewing the legendary Epson digital rangefinder. Way back in 2005

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By: JVS https://www.burnmagazine.org/in-the-spotlight/2014/02/photo-tips-2-natgeo-editor-speaks/#comment-288811 Tue, 25 Feb 2014 07:55:23 +0000 http://www.burnmagazine.org/?p=21558#comment-288811 David

It would be great if you can run a workshop in Hong Kong one day !

cheers, jonathan

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By: Steve Caddy https://www.burnmagazine.org/in-the-spotlight/2014/02/photo-tips-2-natgeo-editor-speaks/#comment-288804 Tue, 25 Feb 2014 07:32:32 +0000 http://www.burnmagazine.org/?p=21558#comment-288804 In reply to david alan harvey.

Perfect David. I get it, but look forward to the rest of the interview. Maybe a workshop some day… (how do you fancy Australia?)

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By: Ross Nolly https://www.burnmagazine.org/in-the-spotlight/2014/02/photo-tips-2-natgeo-editor-speaks/#comment-288719 Tue, 25 Feb 2014 04:16:14 +0000 http://www.burnmagazine.org/?p=21558#comment-288719 David; I’m probably going to be the only (sorta) naysayer here…..

I’m having a bit of a problem with the statements “Everything in his life comes second” and “If that isn’t your situation; forget it”….. Surely it’s possible to have a balanced life (and I’m not saying that your life isn’t) and be a good/great photographer too?

I just look at my situation over the last few years. My parents have both had major illnesses; my mother’s (82) health is picking up; but father (87) has early stages of Alzheimer’s which also puts a lot of strain on mum. I have had to put a lot of my own work (over the last few years); both commercial and personal, on hold to help them through a tough patch. Someone has to do it and in situations like this it is “all hands to the pump”.

The above statements are at odds with my own views in that there is no way I could throw my folks to the wolves; just so I can go take some photos…. Surely it is possible to be a good father (in my case stepfather)/mother, son/daughter and a photographer producing innovative, strong personal projects?

I think I’d rather been known as a decent stepdad (and hopefully a decent sort of photographer going hand in hand with that) than a photographer that was so driven that I couldn’t or wouldn’t think of anything other than photography?

In my case I have still continued to shoot my personal work; albeit on a more limited scale; but am pretty happy the way that work is developing.

Has helping my folks affected my career? Yes; both commercially (articles etc.) and personal essays. Could I have not done my bit with my folks? A resounding no; I couldn’t look at myself in the mirror if I hadn’t.

Some might say I’m a “weak” person (photographically) by not using my folk’s predicament as an essay/project. But if that’s the case; so be it. I’m not; and never want to be an “ambulance chaser” type photographer (e.g. shooting drugs, the homeless etc etc)

But by the same token I am shooting what is directly around me and what is happening around me (Sam’s essays are a continued inspiration). And; this year I have managed to work a way of getting my commercial work and personal essays back on track.

This isn’t a criticism of you or the editor; just curious to develop the idea more….. :-)

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By: david alan harvey https://www.burnmagazine.org/in-the-spotlight/2014/02/photo-tips-2-natgeo-editor-speaks/#comment-288649 Tue, 25 Feb 2014 02:06:51 +0000 http://www.burnmagazine.org/?p=21558#comment-288649 DQ

i just got the prototype to test last week…so i will test it for a month in Dubai, and then hopefully in stores it will be by May…

AJ ADAM

you are going to be especially lucky, because my whole Burn team will be in Dubai….good that you are wired for this…my classes are hard….i push people sometimes even too hard…but i know that tough love works….don’t worry, you will have fun…yet you will also suffer ….everybody does…why? because i make you look at yourself deep and i try to squeeze out of you what Susan speaks of in this video clip….most photographers of course want “the answer” to be having the right camera, meeting the right editor, going to the right place..everybody way overvalues “contacts” for one and equipment for two…when those i mentor realize it is just THEM alone and developing an eye and a heart, they often panic…that answer is too hard to deal with for many….the process for creativity is oftentimes sooooo different from what they are used to in their daily business and personal lives , that it throws them…

keep an open mind and be prepared for not much sleep!!!

looking forward to meeting you…

cheers, david

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By: david alan harvey https://www.burnmagazine.org/in-the-spotlight/2014/02/photo-tips-2-natgeo-editor-speaks/#comment-288643 Tue, 25 Feb 2014 01:55:03 +0000 http://www.burnmagazine.org/?p=21558#comment-288643 STEVE CADDY

a very good question…i could answer it now but when i post the whole of Susan’s interview , she answers that very question perfectly…i will say this..i do not think anyone i photograph feels that i have “taken”from them…i do not ruin their day…i try my very best to make their day….when i suggested to eduardo that he “take the picture” i did not mean at all for him to “steal the picture”….nor to be a paparazzi.nor abuse anyone…quite the contrary…i always “ask” permission to photograph..either by eye contact or body language or by simply asking directly…oftentimes i will shoot first, and ask later if it is a situation that will be ruined if i ask…if i have made a nice picture and show it to them, i have never seen anyone frown over a good picture of themselves…it is diplomacy it is common sense it is a dance….

cheers, david

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By: Steve Caddy https://www.burnmagazine.org/in-the-spotlight/2014/02/photo-tips-2-natgeo-editor-speaks/#comment-288519 Mon, 24 Feb 2014 22:08:07 +0000 http://www.burnmagazine.org/?p=21558#comment-288519 DAH, a final question if I may!

On Road Trips / Promises, eduardo said:

…I can tell that one of my first experiences in your workshop was when you said to me: Eduardo, you see that couple? Take the picture! …i felt that as a very violent and unexpected freakish thing to do at that occasion- specially in a place of quiet, conservative, kind, respectful, modest people and with all a history of any levels of abuse like Oaxaca – like kind of one of the worst possible karma to your pics was disrupting a couple of teenagers, like the last thing you’d like to do was to screw up that moment in life of anyone and for no -at least apparent- reason at all…

Now i think i can say that at that instant i wasn’t understanding at all what photography is really about. It’s not taking, but giving. It is the same verb of confusion in Spanish for photos, to take: ‘tomar’. But it is not robbing someone in particular something, it is much more a recognition of what clay we all are made of…

I feel like I’m close to understanding this, but am lacking the final ah-ha. What is the flip from taking to giving? I get that it gives to the world, but if it invades then … how does it not feel to the couple like they’ve been ‘taken’ advantage of … somehow?

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By: dq https://www.burnmagazine.org/in-the-spotlight/2014/02/photo-tips-2-natgeo-editor-speaks/#comment-288349 Mon, 24 Feb 2014 16:56:24 +0000 http://www.burnmagazine.org/?p=21558#comment-288349 HEY DAVID ALAN HARVEY !!!

since you seem to be tuned in here, thought I’d ask: you were at FILSON a few months ago. any info about the Harvey Camera Bag?

looking now for a bag for a fuji x kit — a few tempting items out there but nothing perfect. whaddaya say?

gratefully
dq

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By: david alan harvey https://www.burnmagazine.org/in-the-spotlight/2014/02/photo-tips-2-natgeo-editor-speaks/#comment-288343 Mon, 24 Feb 2014 16:39:54 +0000 http://www.burnmagazine.org/?p=21558#comment-288343 MARCIN

I usually am in Europe several times per year….perhaps Italy in May or June is all i have in my mind now…i hate to move from home for most of the summer…oh yes, maybe Arles in July for a few days…

oh yes, maybe Germany in late March or early April on my way back from Dubai….

will let you know…my plans always change a bi…

cheers, david

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By: david alan harvey https://www.burnmagazine.org/in-the-spotlight/2014/02/photo-tips-2-natgeo-editor-speaks/#comment-288336 Mon, 24 Feb 2014 16:32:03 +0000 http://www.burnmagazine.org/?p=21558#comment-288336 STEVE CADDY

hard to describe how i pin down those feelings…it is a combo of a bit of obvious homework/research and gut level reaction and/or emotional attachment….first off, i don’t just take on any random assignment…i work on things i feel at least something about in the first place…my magazine work is 90% stories which were my idea and proposal….i can professionally DO a random assignment if i must, but it will never soar the way something close to me may be…i can always get to a level of what i call professional mediocrity to pay the bills…but this is not the full on dah ….

near and dear to heart is what works for anyone….like Sam Harris in his family essay….the same Sam Harris might not look like Sam Harris on another kind of project…so your books and exhibitions must be YOU….nobody does a book on assignment, or at least not a good book…never saw that animal….

work on what moves you and do whatever it takes to do THAT…for sure all that matters in the long run

cheers david

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