Monthly Archives: December 2010

Large Format Portraiture at Maine Media Workshops

Posted on December 26 2010 by Greg Miller

I am pleased to announce that I have been added to the roster at Maine Media Workshops.  I will be teaching my intensive large format portraiture class that always ends up being about so much more…  The class will run the week of June 12-June 18, 2011.  The class is open to all levels.  Shooting large format portraiture out in the world (in the home, on the beach, grocery store parking lots, really anywhere) is a great equalizer.  It is wonderful to have beginners and seasoned shooters practicing side by side.

Here’s the description from the schools website:

Large format is often associated with controlled environments such as the studio or contemplative pictures of nature.  This intensive class is a crash course in exploring the world with a large camera while challenging photographers to push the limits of this format.

Photographers at any level, from students who have never touched large format cameras, to experienced large format shooters are encouraged to register. Shooting large format photography in the world challenges and inspires every level. This course discusses not only the basics of camera operation, camera movements and anything needed to get up and running, but also addresses challenges of photographing people in the world, such as approaching strangers, obtaining release forms, and addressing the fears and boundaries associated with this type of portraiture.

Photographers learn how to use the camera while standing on the street, at the beach, or wherever they find people. Whatever a photographer’s comfort level is with strangers, he or she is encouraged and challenged to take it to the next level. Patience with oneself as well as with your subject is as critical to this class as the technical understanding of the camera.

The Holiday Print

Posted on December 24 2010 by Greg Miller

Waiting for Iron Man, 2010. Photograph by Greg Miller

Two days ago, I sent out my holiday prints, now something of an annual tradition.  I started sending 8×10 contact prints out to close friends, family and clients in 1996.   It was a picture I took of a woman named Valérie, a French Canadian selling Christmas trees on 3rd Avenue & 32nd St.  This year, the image is a couple from my series, “Waiting for…” — pictures of people waiting for drive-in movies to begin.    This year and last, are digital prints.  A respite (I hope) from printing them traditionally, however, inkjet prints are growing on me.

It is an interesting edit of images looking back over them , so I thought this would be a good opportunity to post some of the cards from over the years.

Untitled, 2009. Photograph by Greg Miller

Hillsboro Pike, 2008. Photograph by Greg Miller

Brooklyn, 2007. Photograph by Greg Miller

150th Election District, Greenwich, CT, 2006. Photograph by Greg Miller

Astoria Park, 2004. Photograph by Greg Miller

Goodard Space Center, 2003. Photograph by Greg Miller

2002. Photograph by Greg Miller

Vessey St. & Broadway, 2001. Photograph by Greg Miller.

Fiumefreddo Bruzio, 2000. Photograph by Greg Miller

2nd Ave & 28th St., 1999. Photograph by Greg Miller

Fiumefreddo Bruzio, 1997. Photograph by Greg Miler.

3rd Ave & 32nd St., 1996. Photograph by Greg Miller

Here’s wishing you a fun and relaxing holidays and an abundant 2011.  I have reserved a limited number of this years prints for my loyal darkclothdiaries readers.  If you would like to receive one email me: studio at greg miller dot com. (While supplies last)

All images & text ©2010 Greg Miller

LAST CHANCE: Vanity + Consolation by Jo Ann Walters

Posted on December 19 2010 by Greg Miller

Woman behind Door, Photograph by Jo Ann Walters

Vanity + Consolation, the show of hauntingly beautiful photographs from Jo Ann Walters upcoming book by the same title will be closing at +Kris Graves Projects today.  If you haven’t already seen it, I would highly recommend getting out for it today.  In Vanity + Consolation, Walters pictures, made in her blue collar hometown of Alton Illinois, at first glance have the flavor of warm family snapshots.  However upon closer observation, they go to an intimate space that few would dare go with their own families.  This selection of images documents moments of nearly every age of women while men are largely absent.  In that absence, we are able to see the constant conversation that occurs between women and girls over generations.  Most striking are perhaps the light and humorous images of girls at play, even laughing, juxtaposed against the severe images of mature women.  It’s not clear where innocence is lost, but certainly recovering it, if that is even possible, would begin by looking at the journey in an honest way.  Luckily, Walters’ has done much of the work for us.  For more on Walters and Vanity + Consolation, you can read Amy Stein’s interview conducted with Walters on her blog here.

Closing: Today, December 19 2-5, 111 Front St. Gallery 224

Kids on Street Kissing, Photograph by Jo Ann Walters

Kids with Box, Photograph by Jo Ann Walters

Barbara, Photograph by Jo Ann Walters

Mother and Child in Water, Photograph by Jo Ann Walters

Bent over Backwards, Photograph by Jo Ann Walters

Girl with Curler, Photograph by Jo Ann Walters

Bird Girl, photograph by Jo Ann Walters

Elderly Woman, photograph by Jo Ann Walters.

Karaoke Lady, Photograph by Jo Ann Walters

On different note, after today, +Kris Graves Projects will leave the space in Dumbo Brooklyn for as yet undisclosed newer and brighter possibilities.  For the time being, he will be in private dealing.  So I imagine today’s opening/closing will have a decidedly festive feel.  I am going to attend and I am hoping to see you there.