My new book "The Constant Eye"

[phc]

I don't really know which forum to put such a blatant piece of self-promotion in, so it's going here!

My new book The Constant Eye, Vol.1 is now available on the Blurb site.



Have a look at the site theconstanteye.com whre you can see the pics and leave comments. I'd very much like to hear what people on the APUG think of the pictures.

Cheers, Paul.

 

[ken472]

I like your photos. Do you feel you were influenced either directly or indirectly by Henri Cartier-Bresson? I noticed that you mentioned that your shots were uncropped and you used only a standard 50mm lens. Many years(35 or more) ago I only used a Leica IIIf with a 35mm lens for my black and white photos and later discovered as I learned more that I was unknowingly imitating Bresson.

 

[Chazzy]

I enjoyed your comments almost as much as the photos.

 

[phc]

Cartier-Bresson? I think I probably was – in fact, lets be honest – of course I was! But I don't think it's true anymore. In fact I tend to be influenced by the last interesting picture I've seen, whether it's in a magazine, a gallery, on flickr, wherever. I find an extraordinary variety of things other than photography influence me too - painting, sculpture, television.

What I hope I do is skim the cream off all of these sources and use it subconsciously. I do try to make sure I only look at good pictures so that they are the ones that leave a mark. It's very easy to be lured by some crappy fashionable technique.

Recently on flickr I've been looking at self-portraits that people are making with digital cameras - the best of them are wonderfully relaxed and frank.

The stuff about Bresson always using a 50mm and never cropping is tosh, by the way. I do it because it's a restriction I deliberately impose on myself that helps me concentrate, that's all. I do discuss this in the introduction to Vol.1, which you can read on The Constant Eye website by following the link in the top left.

Cheers, Paul.

 

[Kvistgaard]

Absolutely lovely photographs, and like Chazzy, I enjoyed the words as well. Your thoughts about the journalistic-ness of your photography are very inspiring. I hope the book will sell well!

 

[ken472]

phc-- I try to do my photos the same way you do but i don't always succeed. I only made my comments for a freindly discussion. I really do like your work.

 

[phc]

Of course Ken! And I appreciate you taking the time to make your comments.

And thanks indeed for all the kind words.

Cheers, Paul.

 

[jmal]

Paul, you have some really outstanding photos. I also like your approach to the act of photography. While I will crop to make something "better," I try to minimize it for a number of reasons. You have articulated a reason for doing so that I have not heard before, but find intriguing. I think I will try to buy the book in the next few weeks. How is the print quality? I've been thinking about using Blurb, but have yet to give it a shot.

 

[phc]

Thank you jmal. People often think I'm just being contrary with my no-crop rule, but it's really tied closely to using one lens. If you have the discipline to stick to one lens, then what's the point in cropping? You're changing the constant perspective you gain by sticking to that lens.

I've come to realise about Blurb that they haven't changed their exchange rates to reflect the recent upheavals. I originally priced the book in GBP, which has fallen considerably in value over the last few months, but this has not been reflected in the USD price - which should be about $70. I'm trying to sort this out but Blurb say it'll take a month...

So, to be honest, don't buy now - wait until March if you're buying in USD.

Cheers, Paul.

 

[jmal]

Thanks for the tip. As for the lenses, I have only recently purchased a wide and a short tele, but I have only shot 3-4 rolls on them collectively. I feel most comfortable with my 50. I guess I'm saying that I feel much the same as you with regard to equipment. Anyway, I like the idea of no cropping for a constant view as opposed to an attempt at "purity."