The Black Dog’s PhotoBlog

James Nachtwey is an award winning photojournalist, known world wide for his astounding war photography. Besides being the founding member of VII Photo Agency, he has worked with TIME and been a member of Magnum Photos. James Nachtwey is a self-taught photographer.

Mr. Nachtwey is breaking his latest news story in a new and innovative way. To quote him about this story: “I’m working on a story that the world needs to know about.”
In an effort to help grant Mr. Nachtwey’s wish after winning the 2007 TEDPrize, TED is asking for blogger’s help in spreading the word about his latest work which will be announced on October 3rd. This should be pretty interesting. I know I for one am looking forward to the big reveal.

So here I am posting a link to his story that will break on October 3rd simultaneously revealed online, spread through numerous media channels, and projected on monuments and public buildings throughout the world.

It’s his wish and as an admirer of his work, I feel honored to help. (If you’d like to help too, here is a link to more information on helping to spread the word: http://www.tedprize.org/nachtwey/bloggers.html )

Check out this video on James Nachtwey’s TED Prize wish:

James Nachtwey’s home page
Shattered 9/11: photographs by James Nachtwey brought to you by TIME
The War Photographer a documentary on James Nachtwey

Can you smell that clean fresh air?

Being a fan of Dorothea Lange, I had to try photographing laundry hanging out to dry. My biggest dilemma in making these photos was deciding how I wanted to show the motion of the clothes blowing in the wind. Did I want to blur the motion or did I want to stop the motion and have the picture in clear focus. Ultimately, I couldn’t make up my mind so I tried a little of both.

For the first picture below I used a slow shutter speed with a tripod mounted camera which gives you the feel of motion with the blurring where the motion occurs. The second picture I used a fast shutter speed which shows you the motion but stopping it in it’s tracks.

Laundry hanging out to dry kind of reminds me of when I use to develop my own film and hanging prints up to dry. It seems like everyone can relate to the clothes line in some way or another. That’s what really fascinates me are how many people love photos of laundry strung out to dry. It seems to bring up a thought, a memory or an emotion. Maybe of their grandmothers or that clean smell of the outdoors or maybe its how nice and crisp the sheets feel to sleep in after drying in the warm breeze of autumn. Maybe it’s just remembering a time that seemed so much more simple.

A thought, a memory, an emotion, isn’t that what pictures, are about?

I’ve started a new page titled ‘Books on Photography’ (look at the right sidebar) which I will be making a list of the books I often recommend to other people. I’ll be adding to this list regularly so keep checking it out. I also included a new page for some of my favorite books about dogs.

The first 6 books I’ve added are currently my favorite photography books. I’ve written a short description on each, maybe 1 or 2 sentences, on my recommendation page so you know a little bit about each.

You know how the beauty of a well-made car makes you smile. When you see those lines and curves so smooth, reflecting the light so beautifully it just makes you feel good inside. The way that chrome shines in the sunlight is so satisfying. When it’s well-made, it brings along a happy feeling.

I really appreciate quality craftsmanship. Besides seeing it in cars, I find it in many things. In this case it’s an old used saddle. Can’t you just see it in the smoothness of the leather and the stitching? This saddle is a beautiful deep rich mahogany color. Soft and supple but still very sturdy and strong. Being an older saddle that continues to possesses such beauty could only be attributed to the quality of its construction.

I love it when someone takes pride in their work. That pride always seems to show through in the finished product. It’s the same to me with photography. When you take pride in your photography you won’t just throw any ole picture out there and call it “good enough.” Instead, when you take pride in your photography, you will only release the best pictures and you will feel good about your work. You will continually strive to improve and grow. Once photography becomes your craft you will strive for beauty in your craftsmanship.

If an apple a day helps keep the doctor away, what does a picture a day do?