Inside Analog Photo Radio interview

[Riccis]

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I did an interview for the Inside Analog Photo Radio show a couple of weeks ago. We covered a lot of topics about my transition to film, using Leicas, shooting philosophy, etc...

 

The podcast is now in iTunes, so feel free to check it out if you have about an hour to spare... (http://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewPodcast?id=291806626)

 

Enjoy!

[Rolo]

I did an interview for the Inside Analog Photo Radio

Enjoy!

 

Hi Riccis,

Just finished listening to this after 4 attempts - it's a long interview. I did enjoy it.

 

Was great to hear your voice telling the story of your love for Leica M's and film M's especially. Good opportunity for you to spread your message.

 

The reasons for selecting your kit were clear, how you manage to attract business for your style was left unsaid (IMO) and I wanted to hear more of that. No feel given for what markets are prepared to pay extra and how much extra for the film approach. You mentioned that the cost was built in for the processing, but presumably that's taken from the charge and is a reduction in net income.

 

Also, thought it was strange that you can't find the market for this in Florida. Is that because you're focussing on the music/movie business for clients and that's elsewhere ? Seems to me that traveling so far afield would make it very hard work.

 

Well worth the listen. The interview was upbeat and interesting.

 

Finally, I do respect you for deciding how and where you want to work and sticking with it. I was shooting weddings on film M's until last year and I fully understand the difficulties that come from that.

 

I wish you well with your business.

 

Rolo

 

ps - Riccis, the other comment that threw me a little was your readiness to change your lens set to bring in the 21mm Summilux. We've used this lens at a wedding on M8's and, although a great, great performer, it was wider than we really would want on a regular basis. Left thinking that the 24mm 'Lux would be a much better choice for the M8 and even more suited to the FF film M's.

[Riccis]

Rolo:

 

Thanks for the feedback and I'm glad to hear you enjoyed it!

 

Yes, it was a lenghty interview and there were definitely some topics that were not covered but I'll try to answer your questions below...

 

 

The reasons for selecting your kit were clear, how you manage to attract business for your style was left unsaid (IMO) and I wanted to hear more of that. No feel given for what markets are prepared to pay extra and how much extra for the film approach. You mentioned that the cost was built in for the processing, but presumably that's taken from the charge and is a reduction in net income.

 

 

One of the most important things that I did not say is the fact that, by not spending as much time as I used to post-processing my digital work to look like film, I can now employ that time in other ways that suits my business better. An example of this is more time networking with top wedding coordinators and photo editors all over the country. In 2007 I did not have too much time to get send my work to have it published in magazines (had only 1 publication) but last year I got published 5 times and those publications already netted me some very nice jobs (the most recent booking about a week ago the bride called me stating that she saw my feature, loved it and faxed me a contract, the deal was done over the half time period of the Cardinals-Eagles game)... Free advertising by having your work published all over the place is key since potential clients get to see your name over and over.

 

My price has not changed just because I went to film. The only difference that instead of paying myself for the processing I now pay a lab. Those costs have always been built into my pricing as I never thought that digital is free as a lot of folks mistakenly assume... Post-processing time is still considered a cost of doing business and one should be crazy to not charge for this accordingly.

 

 

Also, thought it was strange that you can't find the market for this in Florida. Is that because you're focussing on the music/movie business for clients and that's elsewhere ? Seems to me that traveling so far afield would make it very hard work.

 

 

Sorry for the misunderstanding. What I meant to say is that a lot of the local brides in South Florida are usually very traditional in nature (i.e. want posed images that are very traditional and not at all my style). There is nothing wrong with this, and while a lot of local photographers do very well, I don't accept those jobs since neither the client or myself will ever be happy with the outcome. About 95% of my clients are not local and either fly me to wherever they are getting married (thoughout the US and the world) or they are already planning a cool event in places like South Beach or West Palm Beach.

 

You are correct, traveling is very taxing and a lot of work, this is why my destination work starts at a higher rate than my weddings commissioneed locally.

 

 

Well worth the listen. The interview was upbeat and interesting.

 

Finally, I do respect you for deciding how and where you want to work and sticking with it. I was shooting weddings on film M's until last year and I fully understand the difficulties that come from that.

 

I wish you well with your business.

 

Rolo

 

Once again, thanks for your kind words and feedback. For the time being, I'll definitely stick with film, even though some of my peers tease me about it (Jeff Ascough wanted to send me in for counseling ) but I also plan to get an M8.2 just for fun.

 

One of my main goals when approached to do this interview was to hopefully inspire my peers to follow their own path (regardless of whether it is on film, digital, Ms, SLRs or 4x5). I feel that while there are a lot of talented photographers out there, it seems like the field is becoming more and more a commodity rather than an art.

 

Cheers,

[bybrett]

Riccis

 

It's great to see fellow professionals sharing their business ideals and creative decisions freely.

 

I'm a little apprehensive about listening to this... I hung up my M7's for the last two weddings of 2008 to shoot M8. I'll let you know if I am persuaded to stay with film... however, I've got used to having more room in the fridge now! Next wedding 21st Feb...

 

Cheers

[MPJMP]

Very cool!