Review: Angier, R. (2007). Train your gaze. Introduction & Chapter One: About Looking

Angier, R. (2007). Train your gaze. 1st ed. Lausanne: AVA.

Nothing in the book itself regarding the author.  I found the following at the School of the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, where Angier appears to teach.

Roswell Angier (photography, Studio at Tufts) was educated at Harvard University and University of California, Berkeley. Angier has worked for commercial magazines and on numerous documentary projects. Books include A Kind of Life: Conversations in the Combat Zone (Addison House, NH, 1976), and Train Your Gaze: A Practical and Theoretical Introduction to Portrait Photography (AVA Books, 2007). His work is in the collections of the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, and the Fogg Museum, Cambridge, MA. Angier's exhibitions include solo shows at Howard Yezerski Gallery, Boston, and Gitterman Gallery, New York. Current interests are landscape and narrative. He is currently working on Revere Beach Boulevard, a project about the sea wall.

Angier is currently represented by the Gitterman Gallery in New York City. A substantial amount of his work can be seen on the gallery's web site, www.gittermangallery.com.

P&P: Getting Started

For the first time since enrolling with OCA, I have spoken with a tutor.  On two previous courses communication was entirely by email. I was expecting the same for People and Place so was a bit surprised when I was asked for a skype call.  It turned out to be a simple meet-and-greet, a chance to to see and hear who we will be working with over the course of the next 12-18 months.  It was actually a welcome change.

DPP Reflection

DPP has been a productive course.  Among the changes and improvements in my practice are some of the following.

Greater awareness of workflow. Much of what I did in DPP I learned how to do in TAOP.  The difference was in making assumptions explicit and working through justifications for how the work is accomplished.   

Greater confidence.  Feelings of adequacy vary from project to project, or even day to day, but having now completed 10 assignments and 50 exercises across two courses, I feel I have more confidence in the ability to produce good, if not brilliant, photographs. 

More experience.  On DPP I began using Photoshop, as well as Illustrator and In Design. I’ve also explored Silver Efex Pro.  I have put a bit of time into printing and now have a working relationship with three area printers.   

Lighter wallet.  The course required a substantial financial investment.  I spent nearly £700 on software and training, £200 on prints and shipping, and £100 on books. 

What a job: Shooting a Magazine Cover

Amusing cover on the latest Bloomberg Businessweek Middle East, including a collection of behind-the-scenes snaps.  I'm sure every photography student can appreciate getting paid to do this!

Assignment 5: Personal Project: Being a Tree in Dubai

Feedback is in and it's all good. My reflection is posted right (as a jpg). The original submission can be found after the break.

DPP is done.