p.1 #1 · How to Articulate the Importance of Photography
Sorry for the long post, but the backstory is completely necessary.
As a photography intern for a food blog that will remain unnamed, I realize I am pretty low on the totem pole of power. Regardless of this, what I've found in my time here so far is that there is more quantity than quality when it comes to the photography. Without getting into too much detail, the site is heavily slideshow-oriented, each with at least 10 images, and about 5-6 of these slideshows going up each day. You can do the math- if your goal is to make that many photographs in a day, they're not going to be good. In fact, they're going to be somewhere between mediocre and bad.
Now, I would have less trouble accepting this low standard of imagery if the subject matter was food (not that any imagery SHOULD be bad). Cooking and eating is such a visual experience that sub-par images are far more detrimental than the average person realizes. What's especially depressing is that the readership is relatively large and the writing is solid. The fact that it's married to such uninspiring photography is such a fundamental flaw that I'm not sure exactly how to phrase it. And herein lies my issue.
I want to tell this to the editors and potentially the founder of the site, but I'm not sure how to do it in a concise, considerate way without losing it. Frankly the situation angers me because there is so much potential for growth, but it's being suppressed by a devotion to publishing at an unreasonably high rate of speed. "Give them so many pictures they won't have time to care if they're bad", seems to be the sentiment. So my fellow photographers, how would you approach this? I don't want to come off condescending, but their in house photographer is just a writer with a camera, and the rest of them know little to nothing about the importance of good imagery.
p.1 #2 · How to Articulate the Importance of Photography
Taking 50 to 60 high quality images per day is not beyond the capacity of most competent photographers, even if each one has to be individually set up.
I suggest you focus on image quality. Show them what you can do and maybe they'll appreciate that it will make a difference. Keep on message. Don't tell them - show them. Don't get distracted by trying to explain why somebody else isn't doing something right. Do it right yourself.
Of course, having better photos might not affect the success of the blog. In this case, maybe it really doesn't matter to them, and you might consider working somewhere else.
p.1 #3 · How to Articulate the Importance of Photography
Not that I'm an expert, but I beg to differ. 50-60 propped, styled and cooked food items (depending on the item) is impossible by the standards of any self-respecting magazine or higher end website for that matter.
Thanks for the input. I do plan on demonstrating as much as I can before I open my mouth, but part of the issue is their aesthetic standard (or lack thereof) is suffocating at best. The other day, for example, when I tried to style the ingredients for a recipe piece in a more aesthetically pleasing way than in a row on a white sheet of paper, they told me to reshoot it.
I guess the more pertinent question is how much does quality photography impact the success of a blog? The others that I browse have superior imagery, and have a wider readership. But then again correlation =/= causation...
p.1 #5 · How to Articulate the Importance of Photography
A really good way to advocate for good photography for an online business (like a blog that depends on advertising and hence eyeballs) is to emphasize competitiveness.
Lots of blogs have lots of photos. Few have lots of good photos. Those that do have a competitive edge.
You are on the right track when you play up the good writing, which is itself a competitive edge.
p.1 #6 · How to Articulate the Importance of Photography
I really don't see that it's any of your concern, especially since you are an intern there. You don't have to "articulate" anything to anybody - it's not your call. There are plenty of lousy websites that will remain lousy, but their website could actually be making money despite it not be pleasing to your eyes. I find it rather odd that the pictures on your website are just rudimentary snapshots and yet you complain about the contributor's "low standard of imagery". And even if your photography was top shelf it still is not your job to fix THEIR website.
p.1 #7 · How to Articulate the Importance of Photography
borderlight wrote:
I really don't see that it's any of your concern, especially since you are an intern there. You don't have to "articulate" anything to anybody - it's not your call. There are plenty of lousy websites that will remain lousy, but their website could actually be making money despite it not be pleasing to your eyes. I find it rather odd that the pictures on your website are just rudimentary snapshots and yet you complain about the contributor's "low standard of imagery". And even if your photography was top shelf it still is not your job to fix THEIR website....Show more →
p.1 #8 · How to Articulate the Importance of Photography
jcolwell- Yes, the photographer is also responsible for propping and styling. The cooking depends on the piece- more often than not there isn't much cooking at all. It could be anything from sandwiches bought down the street for a review or ingredients for a recipe. I agree that a team would be best in this situation, but I doubt that the budget would allow for a dedicated prop and/or food stylist. This is why I'm doing all that I can to study food and prop styling on my own time.
Monito I think you're right and that may just be the right angle to approach them with...I find our writing to be especially personable and light, though able to switch into a more somber tone when appropriate. Well put together images to match would bring us into much higher readership numbers.
Borderlight what you're saying is exactly what I'm afraid of- I don't have the credibility to give advice. This is why I'm posing the question here, where you all might provide some insight. I have to say that a food blog in particular is the sort of website that relies heavily on its imagery. Food is such a visual experience that I find it hard to believe that a website with thoughtful photography will pull fewer visitors than one with lousy photography. I do wish I had actual statistics to back this up, but I'm not sure exactly how to find them. And agreed, it's not my job to fix their website, but I genuinely want to see it do well. I think being able to convey my excitement for their development and growth could help my case a great deal.
And for the record, the site on my profile is outdated by a few years- I've since gotten an actual website and have been practicing my food photography for a bit now. (www.katzcaptures.com in case you're interested) ...Is there a way to change the website on your profile?
p.1 #9 · How to Articulate the Importance of Photography
Dave: Go to the very top of this page and click on My Profile. You can enter the newer website there.
I understand your exuberance to be and be part of the best, but you should reserve your thoughts for when you set up your own (pro) website. Learning isn't a straight path to perfection, a misnomer btw. It's a lot of trial and error and being able to work with all types of people without turning them off or making them feel less than. There is usually a reason for what the editors are doing. Don't think they don't know, and you do. You are fortunate that you have the opportunity to be an intern in the photography field without the worry of being fired or downsized. Use that opportunity wisely. Don't make waves even if you think your input might be helpful and beneficial to the editors. This is as important a lesson as doing creative photography.
p.1 #10 · How to Articulate the Importance of Photography
I don't know how I was daft enough to not try to click edit profile. But thanks.
I suppose I'm taking my position a bit for granted. So far I've gotten a lot of insight into the community of food and a better feel for the discourse that involves food. Maybe this serves an example of the type of work I'd prefer not to be doing. I fear that the impact of good photography is something they're genuinely not aware of, though maybe this is a naive idea. Forgive my stubbornness, but do you think it would be appropriate to frame it as brainstorming/ bouncing ideas off the cofounder, rather than a more critical, "I know better" approach?
p.1 #11 · How to Articulate the Importance of Photography
...or should I just keep my mouth shut
Roger that. Imagine this: You hire a babysitter to watch your kids. When you arrive home the babysitter begins to school you on how to be a better parent. How long do you think that relationship will work?
To the co-founder you are just another student going through the university/intern mill. You are paying them to teach you, not visa-versa. Absorb, and as you say, shut-up. The experience you are getting where you are is much more beneficial to you than your 2 cents is to him. It might direct you away from food prep and into something more suitable to your personality.
BTW: I got a chance to talk with a pro photographer of food many years ago.... 8X10 view camera and all. He really wanted to sell me his business. Of course, thanks, but no thanks. Believe me it is a tough business but rewarding if you are good at it. Very detail oriented. I would scream if I had to do that all day.
p.1 #12 · How to Articulate the Importance of Photography
I'd like to think that I would at least listen to what they had to say, and take it for what it's worth, though apparently I'm in the minority. In any event, shut up I shall.
p.1 #13 · How to Articulate the Importance of Photography
davekatz wrote:
I'd like to think that I would at least listen to what they had to say, and take it for what it's worth, though apparently I'm in the minority. In any event, shut up I shall.
