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Author Topic: James Russell  (Read 25481 times)

Mark D Segal

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James Russell
« on: August 10, 2008, 05:27:01 pm »

Michael,

Thanks ever so much for offering us this first-hand insight into James Russel's work on the Phase project. That, combined with studying the fabulous images and interesting commentary on his website, shows  truly remarkable imagination, skill, dedication and organization. I have often asked myself what it takes to get to the top in commercial photography and this answers that question. Wow.

Mark
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Mark D Segal (formerly MarkDS)
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Eric Myrvaagnes

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« Reply #1 on: August 10, 2008, 06:17:19 pm »

Ditto!

A wonderful piece, great writing: very informative and one of the most entertaining pieces on photography that I've read in a long time!

Eric
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Craig Lamson

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James Russell
« Reply #2 on: August 10, 2008, 08:22:35 pm »

Quote
Michael,

Thanks ever so much for offering us this first-hand insight into James Russel's work on the Phase project. That, combined with studying the fabulous images and interesting commentary on his website, shows  truly remarkable imagination, skill, dedication and organization. I have often asked myself what it takes to get to the top in commercial photography and this answers that question. Wow.

Mark
[a href=\"index.php?act=findpost&pid=214309\"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]

Thanks James for a great and insightful read.
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Ray

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James Russell
« Reply #3 on: August 10, 2008, 11:39:01 pm »

I also found this article from James provided a fascinating insight into the hectic life of a professional photographer working in advertising.

In particular, the nature of the advertisement, suggested by Phase, and their selected shot from the many James took, is quite amazing. What we have here is essentially a chic hugging a giant phallus, in the shape of numeral 1.

I'm certainly no prude, but it does make me wonder why a high tech company like Phase should appeal to such basic instincts. Are such advertisements for the benefit of potential buyers of Phase One backs or for the benefit of clients of photographic services who might be impressed if the photographer they hire has a Phase One back on their camera?

Perhaps one can't separate the two.
« Last Edit: August 10, 2008, 11:40:18 pm by Ray »
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Rob C

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James Russell
« Reply #4 on: August 11, 2008, 06:56:14 am »

Quote from: Ray,Aug 11 2008, 03:39 AM
What we have here is essentially a chic hugging a giant phallus, in the shape of numeral 1.




Madre de Dios, Ray, I must be slow: it never occurred to me. On the other hand, you might just be too quick?

My problem with the thing is simple: I can´t get the video link to appear. I get a blank page with the Rutherford Paris address but nothing shows. Very disappointing.

Rob C

jcote

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James Russell
« Reply #5 on: August 11, 2008, 07:42:10 am »

Thank you James for a wonderful article on your shoot. Everything from the text to the video are as well done as the photo. Congrats.
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Mark D Segal

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« Reply #6 on: August 11, 2008, 07:52:47 am »

Quote
What we have here is essentially a chic hugging a giant phallus, in the shape of numeral 1.

[a href=\"index.php?act=findpost&pid=214355\"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]

Maybe this interpretation of the image is more in the mind of the beholder than that of the photographer or the client.  
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Mark D Segal (formerly MarkDS)
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Mike W

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James Russell
« Reply #7 on: August 11, 2008, 08:10:52 am »

Does anyone know the song playing in the video?
I kinda like it.
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James R Russell

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James Russell
« Reply #8 on: August 11, 2008, 08:37:05 am »

Quote
Maybe this interpretation of the image is more in the mind of the beholder than that of the photographer or the client. 
[{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]


I've only blocked one person on a forum in my life and not because I find anything that person writes as that objectionable, other than the words clouds my head with weirdness that I don't have time for.

People can and will see what they want and comment how they see fit.  That's the beauty of a free society, (at least that's what I was told by my 5th grade social studies teacher).

As far as the image selection by Phase it was simple.  The #1 is their new branding and that image showed the #1 most prominently.  

We don't have subliminal message meetings.  Few clients would ever market that way, mainly because viewer rentention is limited to only a few seconds and every advertiser wants to get their main message out in those few seconds.

Another video link is here that will also give an I-phone option.

[a href=\"http://russellrutherford.com/paris_production/]http://russellrutherford.com/paris_production/[/url]

*warning.  There is also a photo of the Eiffel Tower and we all know what was on Gustave Eiffel's mind.

JR

I want to thank everyone who has responed for their kind words.
« Last Edit: August 11, 2008, 08:39:57 am by James R Russell »
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picnic

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James Russell
« Reply #9 on: August 11, 2008, 08:50:33 am »

Quote
I've only blocked one person on a forum in my life and not because I find anything that person writes as that objectionable, other than the words clouds my head with weirdness that I don't have time for.

People can and will see what they want and comment how they see fit.  That's the beauty of a free society, (at least that's what I was told by my 5th grade social studies teacher).

As far as the image selection by Phase it was simple.  The #1 is their new branding and that image showed the #1 most prominently. 

We don't have subliminal message meetings.  Few clients would ever market that way, mainly because viewer rentention is limited to only a few seconds and every advertiser wants to get their main message out in those few seconds.

Another video link is here that will also give an I-phone option.

http://russellrutherford.com/paris_production/

*warning.  There is also a photo of the Eiffel Tower and we all know what was on Gustave Eiffel's mind.

JR

I want to thank everyone who has responed for their kind words.
[a href=\"index.php?act=findpost&pid=214399\"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]

I really enjoyed the article as I generally do with James Russell's writings--besides the insight into a shoot, there were pure laugh out loud moments.  

I also got to watch the video last night--and it rather boggles my mind that someone  sees a #1 as a phallus symbol.  I can't see the connection other than it is vertical LOL.  Goes to show you can pretty  much read into anything what you want.  

Diane
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Lisa Nikodym

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James Russell
« Reply #10 on: August 11, 2008, 11:04:45 am »

Like Rob C, I can't view the video either - IE looks like it's trying to load something, but it sits there "loading" a blank page forever until I kill it.   The existence of  the "iPhone format" link makes me wonder whether possibly the people who can view it OK are using Macs and those of us who can't are using Windows PCs...

Anyway, I'd love to be able to see it.  The text article was extremely informative - it makes me feel better about keeping photography a serious hobby, that I can do when I feel like it, rather than a full-time profession!  Thanks very much for a very enlightening article, James.

Lisa
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James R Russell

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James Russell
« Reply #11 on: August 11, 2008, 11:16:09 am »

Quote
Like Rob C, I can't view the video either - IE looks like it's trying to load something, but it sits there "loading" a blank page forever until I kill it.   The existence of  the "iPhone format" link makes me wonder whether possibly the people who can view it OK are using Macs and those of us who can't are using Windows PCs...

Anyway, I'd love to be able to see it.  The text article was extremely informative - it makes me feel better about keeping photography a serious hobby, that I can do when I feel like it, rather than a full-time profession!  Thanks very much for a very enlightening article, James.

Lisa
[a href=\"index.php?act=findpost&pid=214416\"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]


Lisa,

Windows or Mac, you just need to update your Quicktime player.  It's free and you must make sure your browser recognizes it.

IE is kind of goofy in the way it recognizes plug ins.  Try Firefox, it's free also.

I think the large movie is mp4 and the small Iphone is h264, but either way, a QT update will let you view it.

JR
« Last Edit: August 11, 2008, 11:17:00 am by James R Russell »
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Rob C

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James Russell
« Reply #12 on: August 11, 2008, 11:21:43 am »

Quote
Like Rob C, I can't view the video either - IE looks like it's trying to load something, but it sits there "loading" a blank page forever until I kill it.   The existence of  the "iPhone format" link makes me wonder whether possibly the people who can view it OK are using Macs and those of us who can't are using Windows PCs...

Lisa
[a href=\"index.php?act=findpost&pid=214416\"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]




Lisa

I, too, have Windows and even James´s other link fails to go beyond a display of the negtive side of the E Tower.

If this is because of Macs, then it´s a shame: nobody that I know personally in Spain uses other than PC - there are specialist wholesalers that I know that do handle Macs but never have I seen one in public.

I have no trouble getting into the general website - which I often do, it is very nice to wander around there - so doubly sad to be denied the video.

Rob C
« Last Edit: August 12, 2008, 12:31:06 pm by Rob C »
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picnic

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James Russell
« Reply #13 on: August 11, 2008, 11:28:30 am »

Quote
Lisa

I, too, have Windows and even James´s other link fails to go beyond a display of the negtive side of the E Tower.

If this is because of Macs, then it´s a shame: nobody that I know personally in Spain uses other than PC - there are specialist wholesalers that I know that do handle Macs but never have I seen one in public.

I have no trouble getting into the general website - which I ofen do, it is very nice to wander around there - so doubly sad to be denied the video.

Rob C
[a href=\"index.php?act=findpost&pid=214422\"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]

I viewed it on a PC last night--can't remember if I was on main with XP Pro or laptop with Vista, but the first time I tried it I couldn't connect.  I tried later and it went through without issue.   Don't know what the difference was...hmm, now that I think of it, believe I was on XP Pro machine.  I do have the latest Quicktime player because it updated when I updated iTunes.  Meant to say also that I was using IE and not Firefox.


Another addendum.  Just thought I would try the links this morning on my laptop (Vista).  I was able to connect with both the new link James gave and went back and tried the one in the article.  Both worked fine.  Actually the original opened the fastest--went right to the Quicktime logo thingie to play and played immediately.  The second URL James gave took a few seconds to open and then to dl, but worked in fairly quick time.

Diane


Diane
« Last Edit: August 11, 2008, 11:35:00 am by picnic »
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wolfnowl

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« Reply #14 on: August 11, 2008, 11:43:22 am »

James:  Thanks for sharing this vignette of your life... I forward the article to my son, who works in rigging/lighting in the movie industry as I figured he could definitely relate...

Glad to hear you avoided the Paris buses!

Mike.
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If your mind is attuned t

Mark D Segal

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« Reply #15 on: August 11, 2008, 11:58:46 am »

It downloaded and played fine on my WINXP PC with the latest Quick-Time player. Excellent video - including the music. I hope those having trouble with it eventually get to see it.

By the way James, I sympathetically read of your delayed baggage issue in the Phase article. I've had the same experience and I gather it's quite routine from CDG - not helped by all the restrictions the security authorities have been enforcing re carry-ons. I think traveling photographers are getting a rough ride these days, and not from air turbulence.
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Mark D Segal (formerly MarkDS)
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James R Russell

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« Reply #16 on: August 11, 2008, 03:57:13 pm »

BTW:

In all my list of credits I have a big omission on my part . . .

I want to thank Michael for Publishing it.

Thanks Michael.

James
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ndevlin

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James Russell
« Reply #17 on: August 11, 2008, 04:25:04 pm »

I particularly like the video, it really captured the feel of the shoot.

...but what's the music James? We all want to download it to our I-pods :-)

- N.
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« Reply #18 on: August 11, 2008, 04:27:33 pm »

Brilliant.

Quentin
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Pete Ferling

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James Russell
« Reply #19 on: August 11, 2008, 05:12:00 pm »

James, I loved the story and enjoyed the humorous manner in which you wrote it.  Very funny.
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