Focus for Humanity (FFH) is a US based non profit foundation that supports amateur and professional photographers throughout the world to focus their work on telling cultural and humanitarian stories.

Through a series of grants and awards it helps these photographers to perfect their craft by funding not only fully expensed photographic assignments to work with underfunded NGOs, but also grants to help people become full-time photographers or to improve their craft by subsidizing attendance on photographic workshops and providing mentoring schemes with leading humanitarian and travel photographers.

The first of those grants – the Annual Foundation Scholarship – is designed to support a keen photographer or semi-pro wishing to make a life and living in photography. The scholarship includes grants of up to $5,000 for equipment and up to $10,000 for projects, travel and subsistence expenses over the year of tenure, making a total grant of up to $15,000. Applications open on 1st July 2010, but you cam use the intervening period to register, prepare and upload your images and prepare your proposal.

Our Advisory Council – who will also judge the applications – reads like a who’s who of the best in Humanitarian, Cultural and World photography, and we will be announcing some exciting new additions to this illustrious group in the near future. But to David duChemin, Gavin Gough, Matt Brandon, Karl Grobl, Jeffrey Chapman, Edoardo Agresti and Mario Mattei – thank you for your support, advice and faith in our vision.

We are running the whole foundation as a virtual organization, exploiting the best and latest of social media, technology and ideas to allow us to function whilst living 8 time zones apart. What this does give us is geographical reach, if nothing else!

We could not have launched without some amazing support and good fortune – and it would be invidious to name some and not others. You know who you are , so thank you. Our developer walked out on us after a month, so I have put the website together myself. If you think it is brilliant let me know. If not, stay silent! It was a challenging journey and I am grateful to several of you for your help.

OK, so now I want all of you reading this to lend us your support. It is a very simple 3 stage request.

Step 1 – Blog, tweet, Facebook about the launch, the amazing grants on offer, the power and depth of the Advisory Council etc.

Step 2. Encourage your friend to follow us, sign-up on facebook and to register one the website

Step 3 –Pledge . Just $10: the equivalent of two large and over-priced lattes; or $25: the cost of a night at the movies or $60: the price of a tank of gas – unless you live in the UK where this is about the price of a pint of milk! – or some other amount.

We are am aiming to raise $60,000 in the remainder of this year, so that is only a couple of thousand of you forgoing a night at the movies, knowing that in so doing you will be helping humanity.

Please browse the site, spread the word, pledge to your hearts content. And don’t hesitate to get in touch via twitter, facebook or the Focus For Humanity Website if you want to be more involved.

In some ways this new book is a departure for David, although the quality of the writing and the stylish layout remain. The book’s feel is radically different. Gone are the full colour dramatic images, the use of colour backgrounds and text. In their place is a quiet monochromatic look. It is a style that is perfectly suited to the subject matter, which explore the inner mind and the inspiration behind taking great photographs.

David has an incredible knack to make the reader feel a part of the wider family of photgraphers. Whatever their experience level, whatever their individual passions, whatever their frustrations, each reader suddenly understands that it is okay to feel frustrated, that others feel the same way and that whether Magnum award winning reporter or novice, they have all faced the same doubts and constantly seeks the same inspiration for creativity. As such David addresses the “elephant in the room” – the ability to look within oursleves for inspiration and that having doubts, uncertainty or making mistakes is all part of the creative process. For many photographers who think that the answer lies in better gear or more experience, this will help. The answer for some MAY lie in better gear or more experience, but this eBook gets to the heart of the matter: The idea that you have to work at your creativity, seek new sources of inspiration, incubate ideas, make mistakes. Creativity is both art and science, but one thing is for sure – it doesn’t just happen.

Its an easy yet provocative read, and at every stage the ideas are backed up with metpahor, exmaples. quotes and some of David’s compelling images.

In David’s own words:

It’s time we talked about it openly. It’s time we took a look at issues we all wrestle with – from understanding creativity and inspiration, to hearing – finally – that other photographers struggle to find and express their vision, and in that commonality find a little relief. Because if it’s normal to feel this way and to find it hard to uncover our inspiration or feel good about our efforts to express it, then we can stop wondering what’s wrong with ourselves and get on with the task at hand – the difficult, painful, beautiful, eye-opening process of seeing and photographing the world from our perspective.

And currently it is even discounted from its ridiculously low pice of $5 to $4. Just use coupon: INSPIRED20 and purchase it here

Phot by Kelsey Foster

Eric Ryan Anderson is a truly interesting man…..and not just because we share a name!

He is a commercial photographer base in Brookyln, NY whose work has been published in Italian Vanity Fair, Vogue Hommes, Computer Arts, Sherman’s Travel, Pollstar, ENVY, D Magazine, Dallas Observer and National Geographic Traveler. All well and good you say, but for me this is not what makes him interesting.

What makes him interesting is is humility, his passion and his soul. Now I don’t “know” Eric in the off-line, traditional sense. We have never met. But I know his work and I have been reading his journal for a while, Ivegotfriends.com. When you look at his work and read his journal, it is clear that Eric is someone with a vision, a focus and a great sense of humor. Clearly he is a hugely talented photographer –  I love the fact he also uses Polaroids – but when you look at his images and how his style is evolving, this is clearly a man exploring his creative vision, not afraid to take risks, but whose work has a sense of place and of purpose.

I was reminded of him when he did the guest blog spot on Scott Kelby’s blog, yesterday. I wont steal Scott’s thunder – you can see the great post by Eric here – but it was so typical of Eric. Thoughtful, insightful, passionate and thought provoking.

Here is a young guy who  has the balls to follow his dream, giving up a fancy finance career, who studies the great photographers, apprentices himself, works on his brand and then through a mix of talent, hard work, creativity and commercialism makes a success. What DuChemin would call a Visionmonger! I’ve a lot to learn from someone like Eric. His wisdom  seems to come from a sense of inner calm – he knows who and what he is, and he is focused on being the best at what he does. Both inspirational and humbling.

A couple of the “random thoughts” he shared as guest blogger I really loved so I have repeated them below. But go check out his journal, his portfolio and follow him on twitter, @anderson_eric

01. Get out of town. Leave your bubble for a few days. Go meet some people who don’t use email, whose hands are dirty at the end of the day and who wouldn’t know what a ‘re-tweet’ was if their life depended on it. Observe the beauty of simplicity.

04. To the younger crew :: Respect and remember those who came before you. Though we work in a rapidly evolving industry, certain principles will always remain relevant. Observe, listen, and learn from the folks who have shaped commercial photography for years and years. They’re still around for a reason.

05. To the experienced crew :: Remember that everyone was a beginner at some time. Instead of being threatened by the onslaught of young, digital photographers on the scene, engage and embrace them. Teach them that dodging & burning isn’t just a Photoshop tool. Encourage them to experiment and grow and push the industry further. We can all benefit from your openness & teaching. We’re all in this together.

07. To the hobbyist :: Keep shooting. Keep experimenting. Keep pushing those of us who shoot for a living. The minute we aren’t a little bit nervous about you guys showing us up is the minute that our quality and creativity begin to decline.

10. And lastly, some wise words from the Avett Brothers :: Decide what to be, and go be it.

This great series of audio podcasts – also available via iTunes (just search for Depth of Field) – interviews working photographers and give you a beyond the scenes look at what motivates them, what differentiates them and what inspires them.

Matt’s interview style is superb – asking what seem like simple questions that probe and get to the heart of the key differences that characterize each of his guests – never dominating, never imposing, but always getting great insights and connections. To me this is the auditory equivalent of his photos – observed, deliberate, emotional, connected, thought provoking and memorable.

Great stuff, Matt. Thanks

Edoardo Agresti

Some key steps on my own photographic journey can be traced back to a couple of seminal moments – the emotional reaction I felt when I first saw Steve McCurry’s Afghan Girl; An exhibition of Dorothea Lange’s work; The reading of David DuChemin’s “Within the Frame” which helped me focus on the “why” and not the “how”; working with Getty images and daily seeing  the work of great photographers and last but not least,  my wedding!

As my wife is Italian we married in Italy, and we searched and came across a local but up and coming wedding photographer, Edoardo Agresti , whose work was so distinctive, so creative and so compelling, that I have been looking for a way to learn from him or work with him ever since!

Fast forward 5 years, and Edoardo is now one of the most recognised names in wedding photography, and not just in Italy. With international prizes to his name, and clients ranging from the USA to Russia, Edoardo’s vision and passion for his craft has singled him out as one of the truly inspiring modern photographers, with a portfolio that is as rich and dynamic in travel images as it is in wedding images.

Edoardo has bought his love of story telling to his work within the frame. His reportage style allows him to create and personalise stunning wedding images, which are clealry a result of his passion, his vision and his creativity. But for me his real skill is in his travel work. With so many amazing travel photographers working today, Edoardo has found his own voice. Heightened by his non-digital background, nearly all of Edoardo’s work is done “in camera”.  He combines this technical brilliance with an incredible humility, a wonderful sense of humour and a personal drive that is relentless. His ability to retain the purity of his vision, to expand the technicality of his craft, yet constantly seeking ways to learn, to adapt and to connect is what makes him so successful.

That drive has  a purity and focus that ensures that the passion and vision never dim. By underpinning his core business with a whole heap of another initiatives, he ensurse that his brand, his digital footprint and his work will continue to grow. His studio (Studio Crea) now employs 5 other photographers; He is the co-founder and director of a publishing company specializing in travel guides and photographic books for the European market; The co-founder and director of “The Nikon School of Travel Photography”; A photographic mentor; a director and judge of several photographic competitions and now finally,  a blogger!

Whilst Edoardo’s first blog is in Italian, you can subscribe and read it in English by using something like Google Reader (there is a “translate this post’ under the options menu); or of course you can use Google Translate. His first blog carries a wonderful picture of him having his portrait taken by the legendary Steve McCurry – Edoardo’s mentor (shown above).

Better still, try and get on one of his amazing workshops. His vision, passion and humanity are infectious. It will be an experience that helps each of you take a significant step on your own photographic journey.

“Chasing The Look, 10 Ways to Improve the Aesthetics of Your Photographs” is the fourth in his series of eBooks. The first two (available here), were incredibly well received. The fourth, out yesterday, promises to be even more popular.

Building on his theme that photographic vision is an expression of what we see and what we want to create, rather than an obsessive focus on technique ie the ability to explore your own vision and insight through the medium of your photographic craft – this latest book provides the now familiar mixture of insight, humour, philosophy and call to action that hallmark David’s books.

The theme of this book is knowing what choices to make to deliver a certain look. It is about making intentional choices about the use of which photographic gear and which camera settings we select to deliver a particular aesthetic. It’s a response to the question we all ask at some point while looking at the images of people like David, Gavin Gough, Edoardo Agresti or others – “How come my photographs don’t look like that?”

David explains that ”every setting on the camera, while a technical choice, is also an aesthetic decision affecting the look of our image. If you want to make better images, it begins with making decisions about “the look” first, and the settings second.”

As ever with David’s eBooks they are accompanied by stunning photographs, and a sophistication of graphic design and layout that makes these eBooks a visual treat.

It only costs $5. You can read endless books at $24.99 that never get you close to the sort of insights that David provides. What make these eBooks so different are David’s talent as a writer to make the complex simple, the technical amusing and the possibilities endless. Each section is concluded with a series of practical exercises by which you can go an experiment and focus on improving your craft.

Go buy it. You won’t regret it.

Vision Mongers

VisionMongers is the Second of David DuChemin’s books. The first, “Within the Frame” – has quickly become one of the best ever selling photographic book on “Why” to take photographs, and deservedly has raised David’s profile, reputation and following globally hugely.

David’s passion is not the “how to ” photograph something, but the “why to”. He challenges us with questions such as “What is our motivation for perfecting our craft?” and “What motivates us to continue to take great photos”? – is it money, personal satisfaction, reputation? What is is that you have that is unique to you that changes how you look at things through the lens. My experience, my specialties, will be different and therefore my motivation, my angle and my unique opportunities will be different, which will result in a different photographic style.

With VisionMongers, David provides a sketchbook of essential ideas and wisdom for people making the difficult transition to vocational photographer, whether  – in David’s own words -

“that’s full time, part time, or just wanting to get your feet wet with weekend gigs to pay for your habit, and it’s an infusion of fresh ideas for photographers who’ve been doing this a while and need to tweak their business and marketing practices.”

Even if you are never intending to turn pro, this is still the book for you. It is so readable, so packed with ideas, suggestions and insights that reading it inspires you to go out, develop an angle, perfect your craft and celebrate that your style is different from others. It makes you a better photographer – and I am not talking technique here – and it makes you think about your photographic journey and where you want to take that.

Reading the excerpt chapter – available here - you get a sense of how impactful this book will be. It’s not a system, and it’s not a step by step guide to riches, but it is a book that encourages you, helps you and inspires you to “listen to that persistent voice in your head that tells you that you’ve got to follow this dream.”

You can pre-order the book through my store, or you can head over to peachpit press and do the same there. Whatever you choose, go buy the book – it will help you really assess why you take the photos you do, and will help you find that focus (pun intended) to create your own success and reward.

“Drawing the Eye” refers to the way that we look at pictures and how composition can help to utilise that to make a picture truly compelling. The point of this latest eBook is to help the photographer understand what draws the eye.

David has divided the book into 3 parts – illustrated throughout of course with his stunning images, including some from his recent Lumen Dei Trip. Part one focuses on the the subtitle – visual mass. He explains what it is and why it matters and why factors such as the human figure, comparative size of objects, comparative brightness of objects, comparative focus etc create more visual mass in a picture.

In the second part he then develops this into how visual mass and composition work together, especially focusing on balance and the Point of View and how visual mass affects both of these.

In part three he completes the “journey” and gives some great insight into what he does in Lightroom to help refine all of this further. Of course in true David style there is a fourth part to the book – creative exercises related to each of the chapters to encourage and make you get out there and experiment.

Whether you are a seasoned pro or a keen amateur, I think this eBook will help to challenge, encourage, stimulate and push your ideas around composition and use of visual mass. Whilst I now realize that I already knew most of what had been written, I only knew them as a series of disjointed facts. David’s great skill is in joining up the dots.  He provides the context that makes those linkages logical and that make you go “A-ha! now why did no-one explain that to me so clearly before!”

Lastly the eBook is available here at David’s incredible introductory price of$5….this sort of content is what people pay hundreds of dollars to hear on a one day workshop, so $5 is a steal.

There are a host of different on-demand digital publishing houses out there and all offer very similar services. There is however a vast difference in quality, price per book, distribution and shipping costs.

After some extensive research I chose Blurb.com to publish my first book. I chose Blurb for three main reasons:

1. The quality of the paper and colour reproduction of the photogrpahs is by far the the best. For photographers that true colour representation really matters. I would argue that is probably the one and only comment you need to know and the other on-demand digital publishers are therefore second best. However there is “nowt as queer as folk” as we say in England, so the rest of this post may be of use to others with different priorities.

2. My second reason was their software. It is by far and away the most, intuitive, flexible and sophisticated. There is the additional option now of designing your book using your own package rather than their software and then uploading a pdf. For those of us happy with Adobe InDesign, they even provide templates. Matt Brandon’s amazing book Catchlight went straight to the top of Blurb’s bestsellers – it will really encourage you to get out there and get publishing!

3. My third reason was flexibility over the book size. Ony blurb offers you the really large book size with a choice of dustjacket or photo-imprint hardcover and the ability to use my own “Publishing House” logo to make it look like my company – rather than Blurb that published the book. I have to say that the finished article is amazing in terms of production quality.

There are only 2 real downsides with Blurb.com at the moment:

1. Their distribution costs are a little expensive. If you are trying to make money out of your books, then opting for a slightly smaller size or less pages really helps to keep the cost down, but in this case I wanted a great gift for those on the trip and so the size of the book, the number of pages, the type of paper (I selected premium paper) was more important than the overall cost.

2.Secondly they don’t currently offer an ISBN option – whereas Lulu.com does. This means that if you publish your book through Lulu.com (using their logos and distribution service etc) then they will get it placed in Barnes&Noble.com, Amazon.com etc – all the big online retailers. At the moment you can still sell your book and make money from it on Blurb.com, but it does not have an ISBN, so anyone looking to order through Amazon or their local bookstore won’t be able to find it.

Anyway, I am thrilled with my book and it has been a great way to check out the service blurb.com offers for the books that I really want to spend some time on in the future. It is not meant to be a portfolio of great photos, but a momento of a recent trip down the Nile from Luxor to Aswan where the focus was on time with the family rather than behind the lens, so really it is a mixture of snaps and the odd decent photo. You’re welcome to have a look (or even buy a copy if you really want to). You can check it out here. I’ve now started putting together my first proper photo book of images taken around Islaamic Cairo….

The light was better that day, the subject more willing, the little child with the doeful eye was just standing on the corner waiting for a photographer to pass by, right? Well David duChemin’s latest Withinthe Frame video podcast (which you can get here), is the most re-assuring and helpful 5 minutes of video I have watched in a long while.

David takes one of his images from his recent trip to India and critiques it. He uses about 20 other images of the same subject to show the shooting process that he went through. You see the subject in different poses, different compositions, different depths of field etc and as David starts to hone in on the image that he is after he shows you how his final images is created. What was really great about this video podcast was the realization that pro photographers also shoot hundreds of images to maybe just get the one that they really like. The only remaining difference is they have hundreds of good images to selct the great one from out of that mass, whilst I still search for one ood one out of hundreds!

But watch the video – it will inspire you to get out there and keep trying different angles and really working your craft.