"he said what?!?"

[danchez]

“Technology has made photography so accessible,” said 30-year-old Austin commercial photographer Randal Ford . “You know, you can go get a camera for a thousand bucks and all of a sudden, you're a great photographer.”

Austin photographer lands L.L.Bean job

[Photogdude]

taken in context I see what he's saying

[XtremePhoto]

I would have to think he is using sarcasm there...but maybe not. HE definitely doesn't have a 1K camera...He works with Medium Format digital and that ain't cheap. Not to mention he has to have a pretty healthy budget to have as much help, assisstants and equipment as he has in his videos.

He is exactly the opposite of someone that purchases a good camera for a thousand bucks and thinks that makes them a photographer. It is clear that his work has thought, execution , talent and alot of money involved...your average individual with a camera couldn't even come close to his work. His work is inspiring.

-G-

[Nikonfan]

Originally Posted by XtremePhoto

I would have to think he is using sarcasm there...but maybe not. HE definitely doesn't have a 1K camera...He works with Medium Format digital and that ain't cheap. Not to mention he has to have a pretty healthy budget to have as much help, assisstants and equipment as he has in his videos.

He is exactly the opposite of someone that purchases a good camera for a thousand bucks and thinks that makes them a photographer. It is clear that his work has thought, execution , talent and alot of money involved...your average individual with a camera couldn't even come close to his work. His work is inspiring.

-G-

His work is very inspiring. I spoke with him about a year ago and he is very humble and down to earth.

[danchez]

I looked through his works, I didn't like how fake everything looked. I guess just a personal thing.

[markfh]

When you consider the average person can't tell the difference between a photo from a 5k camera and a 500.00 camera he's right in saying some people "think" they're a great photographer because their contempories say so. I have a nephew like that.

[Nikonfan]

Originally Posted by danchez

I looked through his works, I didn't like how fake everything looked. I guess just a personal thing.

I can understand that. It's like impressionism in painting. You either like it or you don't. What I love about his work is the way the photos seem to have a story behind them. You stop and try to figure out what's going on in each of them. Like the ship captain in what looks like a lawyers office. It's almost like maybe the lawyer is taking a moment to day dream and she's dreaming about this mysterious captain. Maybe she's thinking about a book she was reading?

Here is a link to the portfolio for those that are interested. I'm actually surprised he hasn't been mentioned on this forum before. I think his work is some of the best there is.

Randal Ford PORTFOLIO/HERO PORTFOLIO/3/

[danchez]

I have to admit, the images that I saw that had a story, I liked the story, still not sold on the images. One in particular was the young fisherman selling his fish to the older fisherman. The one image that I really didn't like was his portrait of Troy Aikman. The eyes look terrible, the image looks like it has been over sharpened. UGH. I think that was the last image I saw.

[XtremePhoto]

Originally Posted by danchez

I have to admit, the images that I saw that had a story, I liked the story, still not sold on the images. One in particular was the young fisherman selling his fish to the older fisherman. The one image that I really didn't like was his portrait of Troy Aikman. The eyes look terrible, the image looks like it has been over sharpened. UGH. I think that was the last image I saw.

IMO a Ring Light always makes the eyes look bad. I have yet to see an image with a ring light that I like. And I agree with you, he looks like he is dying in that photo, doesn't do anything for him at all. (I looked again, and he may not have used a Ring Light, but his eye and the general portrait aren't very flattering to Troy.)

-G-

[Kalrog]

What is this? A real conversation about photography as ART instead of just gear and stuff? This guy has done his job. He is an artist... we are talking about like/dislike/emotions/stories. No longer about the $1k camera comment. Score for him (and us).