ANDY LEE PHOTOGRAPHY BLOG

Ms. V

2011-11-17T20:58:00.001-05:00

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

New Blog Format

2011-11-17T20:48:00.001-05:00

I'm reviving the blog (yet again?) and turning it into a Tumblr-esk photo-diary-sharing-thing.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

New Work

2011-07-12T11:57:00.001-04:00

http://andyleephotography.com/newwork/

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Photography Books

2011-04-12T09:16:00.004-04:00

I love the idea that technology is allowing anyone quick, easy, and inexpensive access to make and share images. Flickr, Facebook, Twitpic? Bring it. A picture is worth a thousand words…….sort of. A picture is only worth a thousand words if it says something, if there is a clear and coherent idea behind it. These days we're consuming more images than ever before, so its more important than ever before to understand what we see and how we say it in photographs.

So here are 3 books on photography that I find very insightful in understanding photography. (Will add to the list later on)

"Camera Lucida" by Roland Barthes

A very great read on the medium of photography. Helps if you are familiar with his other essays, particularly "A Barthes Reader."

"On Photography" by Susan Sontag

I consider this book the photography bible, and always going back and re-reading it. MUST READ!

"It's Not How Good You Are, It's How Good You Want to Be" by Paul Arden

A MUCH lighter and fun read by the late, great ad guru. This doesn't talk about photography, just a good motivator.

Print Portfolio vs. iPad Portfolio

2011-03-27T12:46:00.003-04:00

Ever since Apple released the iPad in 2010, I have been debating the pro's & con's with colleagues about using the iPad as a portfolio. Is it good enough to show the quality of your work? Is it cost effective? Is it practical? With so many questions, I decided to wait.

Last week, I was lucky enough to get an iPad2 on launch day. Along with all the cool things one can do on an iPad, I definitely plan on using it as a portfolio…….sort of. Here's some background info:

For years, my portfolio consisted of custom, hand-made 11"x14" books made by an Industrial Designer with prints made on an Epson printer. I had several copies of the same book that were sent out at the same time or could also be edited and tailored to specific clients. I LOVE seeing my work at this size, and I think the quality of Epson prints is outstanding.

One of my 11"x14" Epson portfolios

In 2008, I transitioned to self-publishing books from local lab Pikto and shrank the size to 9"x12" book. My decision was because of:

1) COST - The Epson 11"x14" books are REALLY expensive for Epson paper & ink, then the Pina Zangaro clear sleeve pages, which needed to be replaced regularly as they would get scuffed over time. I estimated these books went well over $1,500+/yr CDN to maintain.

2) TIME - All the Epson prints I printed myself usually needed to be trimmed down a hair to fit properly into the sleeves, and any time the book(s) needed revising, they had to be disassembled (3 screw-post), edited, and reassembled. Very tedious indeed.

My approach instead of constantly updating/maintaining the Epson 11"x14" books, I would only make these self-published portfolios every 6 months. I wanted to treat them as a coffee table artbook. My books averaged ($120-$200/book for 20-60 pages double-sided) They work well and creatives I show them to seem to respond well to them.

iPad2 and my 9"x12" self-publish book portfolio

Enter iPad2. Just scratching the surface, but here's some points:

Pro's:
-I like how it can be interactive and show numerous portfolios/edits/genres of work all in one small package.
-I like the idea that creatives can zoom into a photo they like and see the detail.
-I like how easy and fast it can be to revise/edit and tailor a portfolio to a specific client's needs.
-Costs amortized over time can also be a very good alternative.

Con's:
-They can break, easily stolen.
-At 9.7" screen, this is the smallest portfolio for me yet.
-1024x786 res screen. Nothing beats a great photo printed really, really well.
-Many will argue iPad as a portfolio is just a techie gimmick; creatives being more interested in the device than your work on it.

So far I have resigned that I will be using the iPad as a portfolio for in-person meetings. I will keep using the self-published 9"x12" books for sending off. This ought to curb most of my concerns and it gives me the opportunity to get immediate feedback about it.

Over the next while I will be test-driving the numerous iPad apps out there specifically for photography portfolio presentation….stay tuned.

Breaking Creative Rut

2011-03-21T11:17:00.002-04:00

This is a really poignant blog post of 18 different creative professionals and how they go about being "creative" when in a rut.

http://lukecopping.com/blog/index.php/18-creative-thinkers-break-your-artistic-stall/

Website Update

2011-03-06T11:16:00.003-05:00

Website updated! I've added a series thumbnail view below the larger image view, so shots in series are grouped together and you don't feel like you are endlessly clicking away.

(Let me know what you think!)

http://www.andyleephotography.com

Blogging About Blogs

2011-02-25T13:24:00.001-05:00

The fine folks at Profoto USA were kind enough to profile my work!

RT @profotousa: Andy Lee: Fashion Photographer and More http://bit.ly/dHjGrQ

Photoshop Workflow

2011-02-24T09:19:00.001-05:00

I get asked a lot about how I go about with my post-processing. For me being efficient in Photoshop is everything. I tend to work and think fast while retouching because there's usually a lot to do with little precious time.

Here's a screen shot of my palette screen. It gives me quick glance access to all the vital and most used tools/info. The actual image I work on is spanned fullscreen on a cinema display, colour calibrated of course.

Don't call it a comeback

2011-02-21T10:39:00.001-05:00

Ok, ok I know I've neglected making posts here and my website has not seen an update as of late. It's all in the works and there will be lots to come *very* soon!!!

Let's get 'er going with a behind the scenes snap from a recent shoot for Toyota.

2010-07-23T10:03:00.000-04:00

New Beauty

2010-07-01T12:06:00.002-04:00

2010-05-25T15:47:00.000-04:00

Number Two

2010-04-06T17:22:00.000-04:00

How to Hatch a Ferrero Rocher from Andy Lee on Vimeo.

90 Seconds

2010-03-25T10:53:00.000-04:00

A 90 second hair study

90 Seconds from Andy Lee on Vimeo.

Some More Portraits

2010-02-25T12:24:00.003-05:00

Some more portraits of Stephan Moccio. These were taken at the beginning of the month, and the first time I shot a commercial job with my new Leica M9. Its fab! Absolutely LOVING it. Its important to like the camera you use... :)

Applied Arts Magazine - The Glass Factory Promo

2010-01-21T09:27:00.004-05:00

Thanks to the great people at Flash Reproductions who printed my last mailer promo. It has won another award in the latest issue of Applied Arts.

Thaw

2010-01-18T12:17:00.002-05:00

Feeling a little lethargic lately, so I wanted to take some images to reflect that.

Website

2010-01-11T10:33:00.002-05:00

http://www.andyleephotography.com

UMM Mag Winter fashion editorial

2010-01-05T13:13:00.001-05:00

Been a while!

2009-12-18T14:42:00.002-05:00

Wow, how does the time fly!?!

I'll try to keep posting interesting photos at a regular pace......

Here's the Royal Conservatory of Music, Koerner Hall - what a gorgeous and amazing space! These are part of a series for musician Stephan Moccio.

Do you shoot still-life?

2009-10-22T23:39:00.001-04:00

I get asked that every now and then......

2009-10-08T23:18:00.000-04:00

Baristas

2009-10-05T21:27:00.001-04:00

Jeanne Lottie's Pink Bedroom Party 09

2009-09-27T10:16:00.004-04:00

The Jeanne Lottie Pink Bedroom Party is this Thurs. Oct 1st.

Help support a great cause and have an awesome evening! (they give out awesome gift bags at the end)

http://www.pinkbedroomparty.com/

I shot the ad poster for it this year.

Beauty Work

2009-09-26T01:04:00.003-04:00

These are on my website already......but I REALLY like them.

My First Post..... (be nice)

2009-09-26T00:47:00.005-04:00

I'm starting a blog to share photos that may or may not appear in my portfolio/website.

Here's some biz portraits.

ANDY LEE PHOTOGRAPHY **BLOG**