An open letter to Mr. Gregory Heisler . . . Reading about and practicing art may allow one to see beyond the specific medium one may be experimenting with now. Cross referencing info, borrowing from the "other", being the grand re-arranger of materials and experiences...these dynamics I cherish. I love reading a technical book that is actually capable of drawing immense respect for the writer's capable storytelling facility. Wholly informed cross-breeding of fodder for creative options is rarely cemented in a single moment of presentation. On viewing this two hour "visit" with you and your work I'm in catharsis! I feel a satisfaction similar to reading "The Creative Process" when I was young. In both there is a keen realization that someone has taken time to express a passionate description of life for an artist committed to bridging the impossible realms of subjective and objective interaction with life itself. I wish to thank you too for a life shared as one among us all. Your innate humility is endearing, instantly recognizable by those who see it as a the third part of the trifecta of our experience of your work. Due to your lecture, your "presence" here in RUclips, transcendently, many may and will come to see the work of imaging with renewed energy having found a distant "mentorship" in your life. For my own ongoing reach to make artistic comments and statements worthy of being "read" by all, I'll save this presentation, revisit your lecture, buy the book, share this lecture with many beyond the arts too. For in truth, when art is great it reaches far beyond the bounds of it's intended audience. You, sir, have my love and gratitude. I wish for you long life and continued activity for many more decades to come. Respectfully, Frederick Park
Excellent talk and definitely worth going to. The print I got from Ilford was superb quality and yes the chairs were every bit as uncomfortable as they look.
Great video (really great)... how is it almost 5 years later I'm just seeing it??? So impressed with the quality of the photos and the detailed information on how they were taken, I've ordered the book from B&N...
I really recommend anyone who is watching this to buy the book. I have it (just got it as a Christmas present) and it's perfect. Heisler does cover some of the stories that are in the book in this lecture, but they are explained much more in depth in the book. And the images, you will appreciate them so much more when you see the prints. So get the book, you won't regret it!
In the book is he explaining his thought process, technical stuff like reasoning behind the composition, lighting, background etc. Or all of the above?
David Liang All of the above, but not every one of those for every portrait. All of the 50 "chapters" contain a "thoughts on technique -part where Heisler discusses the technical aspects of the photograph(s), but what he focuses on depends on the photograph. If the picture has a particularly interesting lighting pattern, he will discuss the lighting, if there is something strange about the depth-of-field he will talk about that, and so on. But because there is so much variety in the portraits that are in the book, as a whole it does cover all of the major technical aspects.
Amazing video. There was a few places where he was talking about photos that I had never seen before that there was not image of what he was talking about. Probably the only bummer about the video. Otherwise, an incredibly, in-depth video.
Great video, except the editing never really gives us a chance to see the pictures! Most we only get to see for 3 or 4 seconds and some we don't even get to see at all!
Hey guys, if you're interested in Greg Heisler and his work AND you want to learn from and work with him, you should take a look the Gulf Photo Plus (www.gulfphotoplus.com). It's a photo festival in Dubai, from 7th to 14th of March 2014. Of course Greg is not the only global player over there - you can take Joe McNally's, David Alan Harvey's and many more photographers classes as well. Sara Lando will be there as well. strobist.blogspot.com/2013/09/my-week-with-heisler-pt-1.html See you in Dubai ;)
Great book and great talk. Just a shame about the bad editing of the video. You don't actually get to see some of the photographs he is discussing, which is extremely frustrating.
"He (Arnold Newman) kind of invented environmental portraiture. Now it's just like a thing we do, but kind of nobody was doing it before." Please don't forget Bill Brandt (1904-'83), whom Newman photographed in 1978.
Mr. Heisler is a baller, but I agree that the video leaves something to be desired. Also, I know this shouldn't bother be, but it really bugs me how the woman in the back is on her cellphone practically the entire time. Show some respect and appreciate the presentation! I definitely don't agree with all of Mr. Heisler's political views (that he clearly inserts into his photos), but damn I definitely admire his craft and his candor.
The video editing is pretty awful. Gregory Heisler is often out of frame and another angle that would show him isn't used. And too often we hear him describing a photo but never get the chance to see it.
I could listen to Gregory talk and breakdown photos for days. What an absolute master of his craft.
An open letter to Mr. Gregory Heisler . . .
Reading about and practicing art may allow one to see beyond the specific medium one may be experimenting with now. Cross referencing info, borrowing from the "other", being the grand re-arranger of materials and experiences...these dynamics I cherish. I love reading a technical book that is actually capable of drawing immense respect for the writer's capable storytelling facility. Wholly informed cross-breeding of fodder for creative options is rarely cemented in a single moment of presentation. On viewing this two hour "visit" with you and your work I'm in catharsis! I feel a satisfaction similar to reading "The Creative Process" when I was young. In both there is a keen realization that someone has taken time to express a passionate description of life for an artist committed to bridging the impossible realms of subjective and objective interaction with life itself.
I wish to thank you too for a life shared as one among us all. Your innate humility is endearing, instantly recognizable by those who see it as a the third part of the trifecta of our experience of your work.
Due to your lecture, your "presence" here in RUclips, transcendently, many may and will come to see the work of imaging with renewed energy having found a distant "mentorship" in your life. For my own ongoing reach to make artistic comments and statements worthy of being "read" by all, I'll save this presentation, revisit your lecture, buy the book, share this lecture with many beyond the arts too. For in truth, when art is great it reaches far beyond the bounds of it's intended audience. You, sir, have my love and gratitude. I wish for you long life and continued activity for many more decades to come.
Respectfully,
Frederick Park
Excellent talk and definitely worth going to. The print I got from Ilford was superb quality and yes the chairs were every bit as uncomfortable as they look.
I saw his talk here in Austin earlier this year. Great speaker, great content.
Wow. He is inspirational. I could listen to him talk and look at his photographs all day.
A simply wonderful discussion by Gregory Heisler of the stories behind the images in his book 50 Portraits.
I was at this live. It really was a great experience. The photos were amazing and Greg is an entertaining guy.
LITERALLY JUST BOUGHT THE BOOK TODAY. THEN THIS CAME UP ON MY FEED 😱
Great video (really great)... how is it almost 5 years later I'm just seeing it??? So impressed with the quality of the photos and the detailed information on how they were taken, I've ordered the book from B&N...
I really recommend anyone who is watching this to buy the book. I have it (just got it as a Christmas present) and it's perfect. Heisler does cover some of the stories that are in the book in this lecture, but they are explained much more in depth in the book. And the images, you will appreciate them so much more when you see the prints. So get the book, you won't regret it!
In the book is he explaining his thought process, technical stuff like reasoning behind the composition, lighting, background etc. Or all of the above?
David Liang All of the above, but not every one of those for every portrait. All of the 50 "chapters" contain a "thoughts on technique -part where Heisler discusses the technical aspects of the photograph(s), but what he focuses on depends on the photograph. If the picture has a particularly interesting lighting pattern, he will discuss the lighting, if there is something strange about the depth-of-field he will talk about that, and so on. But because there is so much variety in the portraits that are in the book, as a whole it does cover all of the major technical aspects.
Joonas Puuppo Thanks so much for the info, I think you've just convinced me to get this book.
I also got the book for Christmas!
I have the book. It is an extraordinary piece of wisdom. The prints are fantastic, rich in tones variation and detail.
Amazing video. There was a few places where he was talking about photos that I had never seen before that there was not image of what he was talking about. Probably the only bummer about the video. Otherwise, an incredibly, in-depth video.
Great video, buy the book, it is worth it
Great video, except the editing never really gives us a chance to see the pictures! Most we only get to see for 3 or 4 seconds and some we don't even get to see at all!
Hey guys, if you're interested in Greg Heisler and his work AND you want to learn from and work with him, you should take a look the Gulf Photo Plus (www.gulfphotoplus.com). It's a photo festival in Dubai, from 7th to 14th of March 2014. Of course Greg is not the only global player over there - you can take Joe McNally's, David Alan Harvey's and many more photographers classes as well.
Sara Lando will be there as well.
strobist.blogspot.com/2013/09/my-week-with-heisler-pt-1.html
See you in Dubai ;)
Great book and great talk. Just a shame about the bad editing of the video. You don't actually get to see some of the photographs he is discussing, which is extremely frustrating.
"He (Arnold Newman) kind of invented environmental portraiture. Now it's just like a thing we do, but kind of nobody was doing it before."
Please don't forget Bill Brandt (1904-'83), whom Newman photographed in 1978.
Inspiring! So much to learn in this 2hours. Thankyou Gregory.
Photos shown too shortly. Video cameras' points of view suck.
+blutformel +1000000
Excellent thanks!
1:46:41 - hi5 to the YAAAWN
Mr. Heisler is a baller, but I agree that the video leaves something to be desired. Also, I know this shouldn't bother be, but it really bugs me how the woman in the back is on her cellphone practically the entire time. Show some respect and appreciate the presentation! I definitely don't agree with all of Mr. Heisler's political views (that he clearly inserts into his photos), but damn I definitely admire his craft and his candor.
whomever shot this talk should have spent a couple of seconds longer on the photos he is discussing...
+relinquis +1
Too bad we did't actually get to see the actual 50 Portraits longer. After all, that IS the story here. Not what Greg looks like.
Mike Collins Well we needed a reason to buy the book, didn't we? Haha
The video editing is pretty awful. Gregory Heisler is often out of frame and another angle that would show him isn't used. And too often we hear him describing a photo but never get the chance to see it.
The F***ing audience man, they are zombies or what? Their probably thinking in their heads 'ooohhh welll I coulda done THAT! fwarf fwarf fwarf'
Bad Video editing
Got half way Horrible Video