Something from Nothing
We have all been there. Whether as a writer, editor, graphic artist or photographer, we have all come across those boring little assignments that seem more of a waste of time than anything else. Making something interesting out of boring, for me, has always been a challenge that I love to face.
Recently I was hired by Anne Feltus of Houston to photograph a simple assignment for one of her clients, Key Energy Service. The client had recently consolidated the purchase of all work gloves to one supplier resulting in a very large cost savings. I was given the task of shooting a photo to illustrate the article, the underlying trick was that the shot had to be pulled off in a conference room.
The question came down to how to make six pairs of gloves, one white board and the subject into an interesting photo?
The answer came by enlisting four co-workers to fill the gloves. By using the co-workers hands to frame the subjects face, a blue gel on the boring white board and a great expression: a boring photo of a man and six pair of gloves becomes an interesting photo.
It is often tough to take the time to go the extra mile, but being creative continues to feed the muses that live in all great communicators.
Ed this idea of creating something out of nothing reminds me of why I do what I do and a story I fell into quite but accident, or was it.. Took off on a Sunday afternoon excursion and finished the day with a story, a passion for writing, and a photo shoot all wrapped up in one.. If you care to take a look it can be found here: http://theiconicimage.blogspot.com/2009/06/my-sunday-with-owengene-blackwood.html
I edited the photos into a video and then I took the photos into book form and presented it to Mr Blackwood. But the moral of the story is that there is a story everywhere and it takes a hungry creative mind to uncover them.
mwz