Photography TV show

[adamfogerty]

Apologies if this is a repost, but thought it was worth a mention as it's rare for photography to get any air time on TV.

The Weather Channel in the US is currently running a series called 'From the Edge with Peter Lik'.

I'll admit I hadn't heard of the chap but he seems to know his stuff,

"The Professional Photographers of America and the Australian Institute of Professional Photography have both awarded Lik the honor of Master of Photography. This makes Lik one of the only photographers in the world to be recognized with the honor on two continents. He also has been awarded a fellowship with the British Institute of Professional Photography, the organization's highest level of achievement."

The show follows him around as he (surprise surprise) takes photos at some spectacular locations (he's a landscape photographer).

A couple of criticisms:

• It's very thin on technical details - I think in the two episodes I've seen, a passing mention of "a shutter speed of 1/400th" was as technical as it got (I appreciate that this was probably an effort to make the show appeal to as wide an audience as possible)
• The delivery does grate - think the photographic equivalent of one of Steve Irwin's nature programmes
• It lacks any real substance or purpose. You're meant to feel like you're following him to get 'the perfect shot' but it would be helpful if at the top of the show they set out what kind of photograph he wants to get and why he is shooting it (from himself? For a commissioned job?)

Still, I think the Weather Channel should be commended for airing the show.

Anyways enough talk, here's a link to the shows web site for anyone who might be interested: http://www.weather.com/fromtheedge

Adam

Edited by adamfogerty on Tuesday 7th June 21:35

Edited by adamfogerty on Tuesday 7th June 21:36

[Bacardi]

Peter Lik is a very good snapper and an even better businessman. He does a great job of marketing and if you go to Oz, everywhere has postcard and book racks in the souvenir shops selling his books and cards. I even bought a picture of a wave from his gallery in Noosa as a present to give to the surfer friends I was staying with and usually pop into the gallery if I'm visiting. Does a lot of 6x17 pano stuff. Not sure if he's still using film or whether he has migrated to high end digi backs yet.

Hadn't heard him speak before but have to agree about the 'crikey' delivery. He made me stop watching as soon as he mentioned disappearing glaciers as the planet gets 'waarmer and waaarmer'. No it isn't. But I wouldn't be surprised if he's just playing the game, it won't do his business model any harm.

[LongQ]

Bacardi said:

Hadn't heard him speak before but have to agree about the 'crikey' delivery. He made me stop watching as soon as he mentioned disappearing glaciers as the planet gets 'waarmer and waaarmer'. No it isn't. But I wouldn't be surprised if he's just playing the game, it won't do his business model any harm.

How grand it is to live in an ethics free age!

I suppose it depends on how long he has in mind for his business to succeed and survive. But if the 'renewables only' crowd get their way he may find his market disappearing. I mean - what is the point of a photo if you can't see it 'cos your display lacks any power and your walls are dripping with water and ruining any prints you may have hanging?

Not being able to process your film (if you can find any) or recharge your digital picture taking device might be slightly annoying too.

Maybe that would be his ideal 'enforced retirement' signal.

[Bacardi]

I'm pretty sure he has made enough to retire on already. I don't suppose he travelled to the states in a sailing boat and watching other clips he used a helicopter, rather than sled and huskies to reccy. So if he is of the persuasion, he's another hypocrite.

And to answer my own query, he is using a P1 back on a mamiya.

[LongQ]

Bacardi said:

I'm pretty sure he has made enough to retire on already. I don't suppose he travelled to the states in a sailing boat and watching other clips he used a helicopter, rather than sled and huskies to reccy. So if he is of the persuasion, he's another hypocrite.

And to answer my own query, he is using a P1 back on a mamiya.

But, but ... surely anything is justified, no matter how seemingly self-serving it may be, if it helps to persuade the masses of little people that 'the message' is important.

Isn't it?

I tried watching it twice. The Rolf Harris/David Bellamy parody got to me at 'waarming' the first time and somewhat earlier the second.