End of Summer

So this Labor Day Weekend is a symbolic end of summer holiday. The year is flying by as they tend to do. But as we head into the autumn, I feel invigorated and energized. The next month holds a lot of potential and realization for me. Much of the month I will be traveling, marketing my photos to various editorial and commercial clients. I have a new portfolio together and will be sharing it with as many art directors and creative directors I can get it in front of. Its finally a tight portfolio with a strong representation of me, who I am as a photographer what I want to shoot, how I see things. I feel good. It hasn’t happened overnight, but nothing worthwhile does. I’m at the beginning point of a very exciting project. Shooting has begun and the results thus far are pleasing. Not sure how long the project will take until completion, maybe six months maybe a year. Who knows? All I know is that it is going well and I’m pleased with the direction.

A lot of the work I’ve been doing is reaching a wider audience. Recent editorial assignments have been very good and have hit the mark. I’m working my butt off, but that’s the way it should be. Doors are opening that were once closed, photos are happening that were once only in the head. I’m on a creative wave after periods of ups and downs, gone are the wanes of the past. So I’m just riding it, going where it leads me. I want to share some recent work from my project, but I cannot. It simply isn’t time. The work will be released when it is completed. Until then I’ve refrained from discussing it, other than in vague terms.

Time to go out and enjoy this long weekend and get ready for a busy autumn. Enjoy your holiday and I’ll see you out there.

Just Blowin in the Wind

Brian Finke’s Flight Attendants

So I haven’t written about any photobooks in a while. But Brian Finke’s Flight Attendants is breaking my silence. It is my favorite photo book of 2008. The photos are not only beautiful, but have an uplifiting feeling and is a subject that doesn’t take itself so seriously. Its fun and refreshing to see photos made simply for the joy of photography. There’s no political motive here, just documenting the world of flight attendants.

Also, one of my favorite photos ever is in this book. It is my current favorite period and I know will always be one of my favorites. Here it is below

The other thing that is so good about this book is the 6×6 format. I’ve completely fallen in love with this ratio now. I’ve seen it before and liked it but Brian uses it so well that now I’m on ebay ordering a Hasselblad. Below are some more images from Brian’s book, which I strongly reccomend you purchase ASAP.

Copyright Brian Finke

Tweetsie Railroad

Some recent photos from a trip to Tweetsie. There are quite a few small family themeparks here in the mountains, from Dollywood to Ghost Town. Tweetsie is the best and where I went as a kid.

Copyright Scott Lessing Hubener

Emi’s Polaroid Book

Well, here it is. All summer my daughter, Emi, has been making Polaroid photos which she wanted to publish as a book and it is finally here. Emi is a five year old and used my Polaroid Land Camera to take all of the photos. It’s a real treat and testament illustrating the joy, accessibility and creativity of photography.  Emi took all of the photos in the book and I couldn’t be more proud of her. I was often amazed by her skill which seemed well beyond her years. Her choice of subject and compositions showed such aplomb.

The book is available from Blurb in softback and hardback editions. Emi is so excited for all of her friends and family to finally see the photos she has been working so hard on.

Copyright Emi Hubener

The Drapes

Sometimes while on assignment, I find the opportunity to make a few personal photos; ones I know won’t be used but I find interesting.  Here are a few from a shoot I did for Womensong, a musical ensemble for the benefit of women’s needs.  The drapes leading backstage interested me a lot. The musical director also kept peeking her head from behind the curtain, which I just couldn’t resist. I mean, come on, everyone loves peeking shots.

Copyright Scott Lessing Hubener

Jonathan Williams Show

The Black Mountain College Museum in downtown Asheville has on display photos by Jonathan Williams. The show is free and open to the public. If you aren’t familiar with Williams, he is definitely worth checking out. He passed away earlier this year and will be missed.

Jonathan was best known as a poet, but throughout his life, he photographed friends, colleagues and acquaintances, many of whom are some of the 20th Century’s most important artists and poets.

Copyright Jonathan Williams

Craggy Gardens

A little something from up on Craggy Gardens last week.  Nothing much better than summertime.

Copyright Scott Lessing Hubener

20×10 Print Sale (Finally)

After much, much, much searching I found a way to add the button for Yahoo checkout for the sale.  Did I mention I had to look long and hard to figure this out? The 8×10 prints are $20 and shipping and handling is $5. There are 10 prints being offered so I can upgrade my software. The print is Furniture Store Window and is below.

Choosing a subject

One of the things I find difficult when starting a new project is choosing a subject to document. There are several themes and subjects that are interesting but for whatever reason aren’t viable (whether they’ve been done before or are difficult to complete).

For awhile now I’ve been thinking of a serious project that I can stick with and complete which is also unique. One of the constraints is the need to photograph something regional so I can work on in it continuously and with a small budget.  However, I don’t want to feel this is a limitation but rather an opportunity to look at the subjects of interest that always surround us, no matter the location.  A lot of photographers realize it is the choice of subject matter as much as anything that determines where the project goes and lays the base for the value of the work.

So after much contemplation I’ve chosen a project that has me very excited with the possibilities and I’ve begun scouting and contacting potential subjects about their willingness to work with me. So far its been all positive.  As Yoda says, “Do or do not. There is no try. “