GallagherPhoto//blog » inspiration

Page One…. the movie

Robert Gallagher — Sun, 25 Mar 2012 19:53:16 +0000

Sobering. That’s the first word that comes to mind, having just watched the documentary that takes you behind The New York Times. Maybe its because i love newspapers, always have. I love the pace, i love the passion, but most of all i love the topicality of it all. Whatever your working on, its the very thing people are talking about….. and i was there, to capture the very essence of it all. I’ve been working in newspapers and magazines for over twenty years now, and i look back to the frantic days at The Independent on Sunday and The Guardian with great pride. So i relate very strongly with the story of Page One, and if you love newspapers, you will too. Having said that, the argument of where things go from here, is a truly fascinating debate. To roughly quote one scene “its not whether newspapers should exist, its can they.” Truly a changing time. But i tell you, there’s no better way to for an ambitious twenty year old to start a career than racing across London, picture editor screaming in your ear, while you describe what you think is ‘the picture’ (remember this is well before digital and auto focus), editing barely dry negatives, and slapping five or six still wet 11×14 exhibition quality black and white prints onto the newsroom wall, while the picture editor, sports editor and editor in chief discuss which image not just tells the story, but does so with a visual poetry. Then seeing all that work come together on page one next day! More about Page One here, or watch it on netflix instant.
Showjumping World Championships, photographed for The Independent on Sunday, 1991.

How To Become A Pro Photographer in 5 Simple Steps

Robert Gallagher — Fri, 02 Mar 2012 18:27:42 +0000

here’s a fun, honest post on how to make it, from over on Chase jarvis’ blog:

“1. Declare yourself a photographer. That’s what you ARE in life. You’re not a student, not a finance-guy-slash-part-time-photographer, not a part time anything. You’re a photographer.

2. Be in business. Make it real. Get a business bank account. Otherwise it’s just a hobby.

3. Read every book you can find at the library or online about the business of photography. Understand the rules. Because if you fail at the business part, if you can’t SUSTAIN this business, you’re not a pro. You’re unemployed, or back to part-time this or that. Action is the only thing that matters.

4. Take photographs everyday and share them, pimp them, promote them like mad. Find YOUR voice through shooting. Aim to be different, not better than everybody else. Be brutal in your edit. Put forward only your best work around the the things you actually want to get paid to shoot. Action wins.

5. Repeat.”

via Chase Jarvis blog

…. and it’s probably not done like this!

It takes time

Robert Gallagher — Tue, 28 Feb 2012 18:36:29 +0000

“It takes time to find your voice as a photographer so persevere to find what it is that drives you to do this work. Never force the work, but strive to be your best self and the beauty that is within you will be revealed.”

via thisisthewhat.com

SunsetSurf

Robert Gallagher — Fri, 09 Dec 2011 04:27:01 +0000

An homage to my own local surf spot. The grey skies, cold, grey water. I immediately feel like i’m bobbing up and down, eyes fixed on the horizon, trying to get a head- start on the next decent set. What a great way to spend a couple of hours amongst dolphins, seals and pelicans taking a nose dive just feet from where you sit.

‘NewYorkopolis’ an iphone journey thru the big apple

Robert Gallagher — Mon, 20 Sep 2010 17:42:52 +0000

a little bit o’ Old Blighty

Robert Gallagher — Wed, 01 Sep 2010 02:10:30 +0000

‘LosAngopolis’ part 26

Robert Gallagher — Mon, 17 May 2010 02:38:35 +0000

‘LosAngopolis’ part 26; an iPhone journey thru the city of angels

‘LosAngopolis’ part 25

Robert Gallagher — Sat, 15 May 2010 23:59:44 +0000

‘LosAngopolis’ part 25; an iPhone journey thru the city of angels

Simon Sinek ‘Start With Why’

Robert Gallagher — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 19:14:32 +0000

Yesterday was a good day. It all started out with a photo shoot with Simon Sinek, a cool, young, new- thinking entrepreneur ( my favorite kind). The shoot all worked out organically. Nice! Then simon invited me to his guest speaking event last night. Now I’ve been reading his book, but the seminar? Words fail me. I think there’s a lot of ‘new thinkers’ out there, and it can be easy to be cynical, but Simon has really hit on something. What was so impactful to me (other than his great story telling ablility) was the simple fact that people/ clients/ whatever don’t come to you for WHAT you do, but WHY you do it. Think about that. You probably think you know the ‘why’, but in reality it’s probably just the ‘what’ and ‘how’ you do what you do that your familiar with. Do yourself a favor, and learn how do grasp the ‘why’. Now i know that probably sounds too simple and straightforward on it’s own, but believe me, you’ve never thought of things with this much clarity before. If you only get inspired by one person a month, consider Simon Sinek next time!