© Sylvester Zawadzki 2010
It’s that time again for more Student Letters and FeedBack from my recent Fashion Photography workshop.
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Four months ago, I left everything I had in my country, Spain, to come to NYC to become a photographer…
01
Nov 10
Summer 10′ Student Letters of Recommendation
26
Oct 10
IPhone, early Summer, reflections.
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Just a small and randomly selected set of images from my Iphone.
Olga, before the laughter.
© C. Stephen Hurst. 2010
Pepper, with a Smile.
© C. Stephen Hurst. 2010
26
Oct 10
Hurst (It’s about time) ‘News’ Update.
© C. Stephen Hurst. 2010
Ok, point taken. So I tend to be rather cryptic when it comes to the ‘News’ part of my NewsRandom. Why? In a nutshell, I am in a constant battle between the desire to be a private, incognito individual versus the professional need to be in sync with the 21st century and become a ‘Social Market-er‘ Thus, posts, far and few between, bend more towards the Random as opposed to the Hurst news.
26
Oct 10
Cats, Tobacco, Lipstick and Burgers: IPhone
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© C. Stephen Hurst. 2010
Cat Sitting: Oscar the ‘Kraken’. A fury of menace and destruction.
© C. Stephen Hurst. 2010
Location Scouting: Down South in Tobacco Country.
© C. Stephen Hurst. 2010
A model from the D&D shoot.
22
Oct 10
Behind the Scenes: Tamara Pogosian
A few Portraits before the models were styled. Pre styling shots are incredibly important for me to understand the energy models radiate and how best to capture it.
© C. Stephen Hurst. 2010
© C. Stephen Hurst. 2010
28
Apr 10
Raw and unfettered
© C. Stephen Hurst. 2010
My homage to the raw and unfettered Florence Thompson’s of the world. aka Women of Strength, and Charity, and Seduction, and Labor.
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28
Apr 10
Quote of the Day
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From the visual poet Dorthea Lange:
‘A camera is a tool for learning how to see without a camera.’
See excerpt of the new Biography after the link.
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14
Apr 10
Poetry: Deer Hunting Jackets
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Deer Hunting Jackets.
(Inversion)
Jackets Hunting Deer.
(Letter to the affected)
Dear Jackets,
(confession)
The Hunting is what I fear.
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From the series of Poems entitled Observations of myself and other Strange creatures.
© C. Stephen Hurst. HurstArts. 2010
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12
Apr 10
Spring 2010 Student Letters of Recommendation
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Today’s post brings us more student Letters of recommendation from my most recent workshop at the International Center of Photography in midtown Manhattan.
You can see additional letters/feedback Here, and, There; and more, Here, and, There.
The next workshop: a two weekend Studio Fashion workshop will be held in Feb 2011 in conjunction with ICP at Splashlight Studios. (Here is the direct link.)
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March 31st 2010
Stephen,
I want to let you know how much I appreciated your recent Fashion workshop. The constant stream of invaluable information mixed with hands-on studio work and insider practical tips was a superb learning environment. Spending 4 days being mentored by you and receiving the benefit of your insight was a great learning experience. The gifted models and make-up artists you selected only served to enhance that learning.
There were many aspects of the workshop that were invaluable, from model direction, to set design and lighting advice. I found the storyboard assignment (and the in depth critique) to be a real opportunity to give substance to creative juices and to think through the practicalities of how to make an idea reality.
And on top of all this, I had a lot of fun.
Fun, learning and working with gifted people who share a passion in photography – what more could you ask?
I can honestly say that this was an invaluable experience that I would recommend to any photographer. The workshop may have been directed at Fashion photography, but I see how the lessons are equally applicable to other disciplines.
Thanks again,
John McGurk
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Dear Stephen,
Thank you for exceeding my expectations.
I enrolled in your course in fashion photography for several reasons, none of which was to become a fashion photographer. Instead I wanted to be able to integrate a sense of fashion into my wedding and portrait work, especially when photographing young brides and high school seniors. I also wanted to be able to help aspiring professional models develop portfolios that meet contemporary agency standards.
In each case, my goals were achieved. The lighting and posing techniques you shared have already been put to good use. And the information you provided about model portfolios, including content, image specifications and industry expectations gives me the ability to pursue this market with confidence.
As a fellow instructor, I must comment on your teaching style. Your professional demeanor and communication skills created a positive learning environment where everyone had equal opportunities to try lighting and posing methods. Your critique of images was direct yet cognizant of artists’ sensitivities.
Thank you again for an excellent learning experience. I look forward to attending your classes and workshops in the future as I continue my education.
Kindest Regards,
Wilson Black
07
Apr 10
The ‘Other’ Stephen Hurst. My Google Doppelganger.
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Looking at my Google Analytics recently I’ve noticed a random and quite peculiar trend as of late. People, literally hundreds of people, from the auspicious towns of Lafayette, New Iberia, and Beaux Bridge Louisiana were flocking to my site. Now, outside of minor acts of debauchery in the purgatory playground we call New Orleans and a photo shoot in the Lower 9th Ward I have very little connection, if any, to the great state of Louisiana. How and why this spike of internet traffic occured peaked my interest until I finally found the answer. Google (keyword “Stephen Hurst”) searches. Note both the S and the H must be in capitals for some reason or you get a different result; “stephen hurst” (Yes, I know the last sentence is random and digressive but nonetheless, true). Back on track, “Stephen Hurst”, my google search doppelganger, or shall I say my evil, twisted, and deranged twin (albeit presumed innocent until proven guilty) resides, and for a while, thrived within the Lafayette county school system.
THIS IS NOT ME! and it appears to be a tragically perverse situation…… But alas, I do wonder what type of reaction my website elicits when good ole’ folks come looking for that ‘other’ Stephen Hurst, the one posted on BadBadteacher.com, and yet the first thing they see on my site is a woman covered in blood, confronting the camera, and with text above her head proclaiming that ’Beauty Kills’.
21
Jan 10
Poetry: Catatonic Observations
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It’s been quite a while since I’ve embarked on this NewsRandom Don’t Call it a Blog Journey and I must confess that I haven’t been entirely true and loving to my creative efforts within the worlds of painting and poetry. As red headed stepchildren they have all but fallen from the register. If I were a man of resolutions I would say that this year HurstArts and NewsRandom will have a more balanced display of my voices in Print and Paint. First off, and from the collection of Poems entitled Observations of Myself and other Strange Creatures
Catatonic Male Melody number 9.
14
Jan 10
Ways to Help the HAitian People
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Fashion is Fantasy and today (and in the days, weeks, and months to come) we must concentrate on the unfolding tragedy of Haiti and her people. To date countries with vastly different political ideologies (China, Brazil, Spain, Cuba, France, and the United States) have spearheaded the effort to help those breathlessly in need.
For Ways to Help the Haitian People, not as a representative of any religion, race, or Nation/State, but rather as a representative of the Human race, please see a list below.
But first, I pull an essay from the NYTIMES by photographer Maggie Steber who has covered Haiti and it’s woes for the past 20 years.
