Too committed?

[Dorothy Blum Cooper]

As some of you may already be aware, the last two years of my life have been quite hectic to say the least. The business (not the art) of my photography has somewhat been placed on hold.
With our recent out-of-state move and settling in a bit more and our lifestyle changed, I'm finally able to get back into the swing of things.

They say you should trust your 'gut' and for the most part I always have. But yesterday, I began to have a slight 'tinge' of 'did I just do the right thing?'

We received a phone call from a very prominent ad agency (I'd rather not use their name as it may bite me on the butt later...I'm sure you all understand ). They said they found my work via my web site and contacted me based on the impact of my portraits and on the work they needed. They wanted to hire me for an editorial shoot for a national magazine. After discussing the wants and needs of the potential job...my husband (who handles all of our business) told me that they wanted me to shoot portrait work...IN COLOR!! Of course...the whole thing came to a screeching halt! The only time I have or do shoot color is for my own, personal family stuff (snapshots) or when I work with slide film...again, for myself. Other than that...my work has been and always will be in black and white film…Period.

My husband was very polite but when they stated that they loved my work...knew it was exactly what they wanted and would give them the 'look' they were after, but in color, my husband said 'the work you say you want is all in black and white...part of the impact is the fact that Dorothy's work is black and white film…you just wouldn't have that same impact in color.’

I felt we did the right thing...I guess it's just the idea of turning down something big because I know that my best work is what I've always done…black & white film. I just wouldn't comfortable seeing my work 'in color'.

Just a vent...but still, can't help but thinking 'oh, darn.'

 

[Ole]

If it's any comfort, I too think you did the right thing.

If they liked your work, they shouldn't have asked for something different from what they saw?

I've turned down jobs myself for similar reasons, and would do it again.

 

[Roger Hicks]

Dear Dorothy,

When I was younger I could never how people could do what you have just done. For the last decade or to, I have been unable to understand how they cannot.

Keep the faith! But also -- commiserations. It hurts turning down money.

Cheers,

Roger

 

[SuzanneR]

It's hard, but stay true to yourself. You'd hate it if you weren't able to do your best work for a big job like that.

You never know.. maybe they'll decide they want b/w after all!

 

[Dave Parker]

To do what we do, you have to maintain your own vision, if you felt it was the right thing to do, then it was.....

Dave

 

[df cardwell]

Some folks can switch between the two mediums. Not everybody can.

In any case, if you aren't shooting color at the present, you're inviting disaster
to take on a job that demands color.

Your choice is just good professionalism.

( but it's up to you to choose, or not, to say to the potential client,
that you're interested in working for them in the future after brushing up on your color work )

 

[jovo]

Some people will say yes to anything, and then attempt to wing it. Integrity in your work and in your dealings with those who would hire you is far more important IMHO. Take satisfaction in having had your work recognized for the excellent qualities it has, and be glad you've not comprimised. In this case, it's a black and white decision!

 

[Bruce Osgood]

Proud to know you Dorthy Blum Cooper.

 

[mark]

I am no professional photographer, but I do get asked to give presentations based on my style of presentation. You did right telling them no. I've turned down a few presentations because my knowledge of the subject matter was not as good as it could be. On the other hand I think you might be cutting some potential business opportunities. Maybe this could be the start of a new avenue.

Could you transmit the same emotion with color film? Have you tried to do it seriously, not just snap shots?

 

[arigram]

It is the same dilemma that I have had.
I have not yet been contacted by any important client, but it has been on my mind ever since I decided I wanted to do photography as a profession.
Many times I wondered if staying with my artistic decision to do BW would be naive in the broad professional world and I would just end up starving and kicking myself for being such a fool.
But then, if I did just what everyone else does, color and in digital and whatever the client asked for, then what would be the difference of any cheap whore with a digicam that calls themselves a photographer? Putting artistic and personnal matters aside, what would be the reason to get a job then, if anyone else can do it? Wouldn't my name and my professional status dissapear in a sea of identical clones?
Practically, would I make any money, or would I just end up working for an one hour shop in cliche weddings and crowded events for spare change?

Would that decision, to sell my artistic vision out, lead me anywhere? Would I have a career and a future or be a beggar clone with really nothing to look for?

Someome who makes the decision to stand aside from the crowd has always a rough beginning. But atleast has some chance for an interesting life and career.

So, in the end, better to be a fool full of dreams and passion than an empty clone.

There always going to be people who don't understand and ask you to change your artistic work to suit their shallow and ignorant fancies. Don't let them destroy you.

 

[blansky]

I gave up color a few years ago and maybe do a couple of things a year in color. People call all the time and want something done in color. If I can't convince them to go B&W I say, sorry.

To me it's like someone asking me if I want a cigarette. The answer is NO. I don't smoke.

Michael

 

[bart Nadeau]

Also, if you had accepted the assignment - and it was successful - you would then become associated with that new version of your work and be pulled in that direction for future assignments - away from where you want to be.
Easy for me to say, but sure think you did the right thing.
bart

 

[Daniel_OB]

Dorothy, you made good decesion. Do not bend your sail agains the wind.


www.Leica-R.com

 

[Roger Hicks]

Dear Aristotelis,

It's not just a matter of principle.

I know what I can do well. Suppose someone asks me to do something I don't do, or in which I don't have as much experience as I would like. I then have to guess whether I can do it, based on what I already know and have done, or whether I'll do a job *I'm* not happy with -- because if I'm not happy, there's an excuse for them not to be happy.

Which is one reason that one of the last commissions I turned down (a while back -- I've not sought photographic commissions in years) was 3 weeks' architecture in Saudi Arabia... Still wondering about that one, too.

Cheers,

R.

 

[jimgalli]

Like asking a good podiatrist to perform brain surgery. Thanks but no thanks. Been there done that. What surprises me is how some of these folks get to be "art director" and have no understanding of the most basic of concepts about impact.

 

[removed account4]

hi dorothy --

sometimes the hard choices make us rethink who we are, what we do and where we want to go.

it is a tough choice to let a potential client walk, but it is equally hard to do something you are not comfortable with.




good luck!

john

 

[Roger Hicks]

What surprises me is how some of these folks get to be "art director" and have no understanding of the most basic of concepts about impact.

I've been trying to figure out for close on three decades exactly what art directors DO understand.

Cheers,

R

 

[wfe]

My vote for whatever it is worth is that you absolutly did the right thing Dorothy.

Regards,
Bill

 

[Jim Chinn]

Like asking a good podiatrist to perform brain surgery. Thanks but no thanks. Been there done that. What surprises me is how some of these folks get to be "art director" and have no understanding of the most basic of concepts about impact.

I hope the podiatrist gave you a good discount considering what was the final result!

I also agree that you did the right thing Dorothy. to completly change gears in your style would not allow you to produce your best work.

 

[Nancy]

It might have been tempting at the time, but chances are you'd have regretted doing it later.
I'd also bet there's a good chance they'll come looking for you when they have a job to be done in black and white.

 

[Robert Hall]

Color, it's just to great a price to pay.

Been there as well, and not done that [as well].

Really, my greatest fear is that the customer, not being familiar with the comparison of black and white to color, would look at the work and wonder why they didn't get what they expected. Then where do you go? Do a reshoot (at your expense?) and hope they liked that?

No. You did the right thing.

 

[Stephanie Brim]

Dorothy, I agree with your decision. The only color I do anymore is also very limited...in fact, I'm shooting color for the first time again in a serious manner on the trip my boyfriend and I are taking to Colorado. I say that you should do what you're comfortable with...and do what you want to do.

 

[Aggie]

I don't disregard color. I disregard when someone thinks I should do what I do not do. If you don't shoot color fine. I would wholeheartedly support you on that. If you shot color and they wanted black and white, I would feel the same way. It is your photography. You are the one to decide what is and what isn't what you do. I find both mediums when done well, to be very pleasing to me. I personally shoot mostly B&W. Yet there are times when color is what really captures the scene and I would either pass or get out the color film. Here in the summer color is just not easy to work with since I take off hiking into the back country, and trying to keep it cool can be a PIA. Winter is great here for color. Yet the somber moods of the lighting just scream out B&W.

Be true to what you do. It will all work out for the best.

 

[rbarker]

While I, too, think you did the "right thing", Dorothy, based on my impression (mostly gained here) of your artistic vision, I'd point out (mostly for the sake of discussion) that there is also a different perspective.

If one approaches photography as a "craft" - rather than as an "art" - the idea of applying one's vision or style to something different is far less of a stretch. Within that extended context, a sensitive portraitist might easily be asked to apply the same sort of style to a commercial product, for example. Similarly, one who does graceful, almost poetic nudes might apply the same skills and style to a high-fashion spread. Vision and style need not be subject-matter limited if it is seen as a more general philosophy or attitude toward all things. A good craftsperson can examine the requirements and objectives of a task, and apply his or her skills in a manner appropriate to the task. One wouldn't expect to hear from a skilled woodworker, for example, "No, sorry. I only make rectangular boxes, not square ones."

 

[MurrayMinchin]

I can just hear the ad-guy saying, "Yeah baby, just love that string quartet stuff of yours...but we're looking for some punch. Say, I know this marching band...".

Murray