hether

NEW BLOG!

2009-08-25T00:01:00.001-04:00

Hello everyone! If you don't know yet, you are a square.
This is my new blog www.heathercurielweddings.com/blog
it is really cool

I'm gonna cry, cry, cry...

2009-03-30T00:00:00.002-04:00

I feel like a combination of these three. I want to lay in bed and cry cry cry.

Diane Arbus, Sally Mann, Audrey Kawasaki, respectively.

Let's all hire flickr photographers!

2009-03-12T23:16:00.002-04:00

I am always looking at photography and I can't remember a time when I have been so disappointed with what I have been seeing... until today.

I have been working on the business side of my photography (ie. www.heathercurielweddings.com) and looking at a lot of "photographer" websites. Most of them have decent sites, contact info, cool things, but in the end lots of bad photography. I will admit to being a photography snob, but damn isn't that what all photographers should be. I feel like people are so uber obsessed with promoting their work and making money that most people are not so concerned with making each photo absolutely beautiful.
Maybe that's why Steichen, Man Ray, Diane Arbus, Julia Margaret Cameron all have absolutely stunning work-- they didn't have to focus on all the business bs that photographer's today have to think about. They simply made absolutely stunning photos and actively went out to find really beautiful people to photograph.
Today I decided to search around on flickr and there it is, really beautiful photography. Why in the world aren't these people posting ads on craigslist all the time? Answer: because they are too busy making amazing pictures for arts sake. It all makes sense.

So I have decided to dedicate myself to making photos for the purpose of making really beautiful images.
The following links correspond to the following photographs.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/sgoralnick/2835486674/in/set-72157600297057532/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/lauraburlton/2841127273/

HeatherCurielWeddings Site!

2009-03-11T21:49:00.002-04:00

My wedding website is complete!
Beautiful photography for your wedding.
www.heathercurielweddings.com

HAPPY FRIDAY

2009-02-20T01:22:00.002-05:00

I only know three people that can shake their money maker this good

BOOMBOX from Ely Kim on Vimeo.

From this entry on thefader.com Fader Magazine
"Ely Kim, a graduate student in Yale's graphic design program, created "BOOMBOX" as his entry for Michael Bierut's 100 Days Workshop. The 9 minute 36 second video is Kim's document of himself on 100 days in 100 locations doing 100 dances to 100 songs..."

FREE Wedding Portraits

2009-02-16T11:43:00.002-05:00

Dear Hott Beautiful Babe Brides,

To complete my website the first ten brides to respond will get free AMAZING portraits from me! During the next two weeks only.
heathercuriel@gmail.com

xoxo
Heather

White Sands

2009-01-24T15:56:00.002-05:00

Lady lady lomeli

2009-01-23T16:59:00.002-05:00

Photos from a shoot I did in November

Raser, chacon

2009-01-18T00:23:00.001-05:00

good artists copy, great artists steal...
its that simple.

oily bodies + hottness

2009-01-15T18:14:00.009-05:00

Happy 2009! Just checked out the website of some of my favorite photographers Anoush and Aimee and they are still keepin it real. I like their work for a few reasons
1)It is simple and consistent. They aren't overly ambitious and execute their shoots every time.
2) They love Guy Bourdin and anyone who loves him automatically makes me love them.
3) They make videos of their shoots and post them online. Kind of like a behind the scenes meets music video. And I love music videos. Well done.

I like this kind of work because it shows that there are plenty of assignments to go around if you have the passion for your photography. You don't have to be Avedon, you have to love what you do. I am also guessing that they are fun to be around, people loooove this. Hooray for being great and loving photography. ♥
this first video made me fall in love with them.

Newton, sexi

2008-12-22T02:02:00.003-05:00

I love love love Helmut Newton and despise his setups at the same time. Master of black and white and female body. His era is like Guy Bourdin's but Helmut was much more successful. After looking at photo after photo of his work I created this image of what a terrible person this man must be. A huge penthouse in New York with a large great dane sitting at the entrance. Inside the penthouse Newton sits smoking a cigar and looks at his sexi little 28 year old girlfriend.
I was actually very wrong.
Helmut was been married to the same woman for over 30 years and lived between two homes in MonteCarlo and Los Angeles. Late into his life he did a series of self portraits. Of his fat old self.
Man, I love me some Helmut.

Back...

2008-11-25T14:30:00.003-05:00

I am back from a short hiatus.
Beautiful plants.

...

2008-11-03T12:36:00.002-05:00

photos by me

Japan, many thing

2008-11-02T23:36:00.006-05:00

I can't do any homework anymore. Photography related or not, i only have 5 weeks of school left and all I can think about are cute kids in Japan and drinking tea with 99 year old women. And filling out my application for the JET programme (lots of presumptuous spelling).
And I'm currently reading all the Japanese secrets for living to 200 years old.

photo courtesy of an old sweet navy website

Novatos

2008-10-20T15:58:00.003-04:00

Anthropomorphisize

2008-10-15T01:26:00.006-04:00

This is the second post I have that includes photographer Nick Brandt but his photos blow my mind every time I see them. In an interview with Lens Work magazine he talks about how he feels that there is very little respect for animals in photography. His photos have been criticized for being too anthropomorphic, but Brandt describes his work as true to the character of the animals he photographs. Animals are typically photographed in action in a pure documentary style, but there is little exploration into their actual souls.
Agreed.
It amazes me at how narrow minded some photographers are about various fields of photography, rejecting Brandt's work and calling it too fine art. what? His photos have some the most honest animal expressions I have ever seen. It also reminds me a little of Jill Greenberg's monkey portraits. These are shot in studio, and reveal a different element of animals. She uses Hollywood trained animals, but in a way there is a sort of satirical look in their eyes. Different from Brandt, but lovely all the same.

Lesson: keep an open mind to the borders between "fine art" and "photojournalism". better yet, don't label just look...
And a photo of my cute puppy.

photos © Nick Brandt

photos © Jill Greenberg

photo © Heather C

Faith in your own photography

2008-10-07T14:18:00.004-04:00

Just found this article in PDN about having faith in yourself as a photographer. Piper Carter was a photographer's assistant for seven years and then finally realized that she was never going to be a photographer if she kept on assisting. This is very similar to the understanding I found in NYC this summer. As tempting and alluring a full time job as a photographer's assistant is, I made the decision to come back and work on my own photography. Work. And work.
I figured I can always go back and try to get work, but NOT assisting. As difficult as it might be, a young photographer has to try try try...

Untitled 1-3

2008-10-05T21:48:00.003-04:00

sometimes photos don't need an explanation

© HetherC

Roversi and the element of balance

2008-10-04T22:56:00.004-04:00

Paolo Roversiphotography is the ultimate in fashion photography for me. Even though he worked straight through the peak of glamour fashion in the 80's, he has kept his photos ethereal and airy. His style is vastly different from Meisel, Bourdin, and Helmut... but I love Roversi the most. <3
I was lucky enough to see one of his shows at the Pace MacGill Gallery in NYC this summer, and he changed my life. In a collection of ten photographs Roversi really took my mind to the next level. The photos put me at rest, in a very strange way. He really seems to care about the women he photographs and cares about the energy of the photo. In these ways, I connect to his work the most.
I have had long talks with friends about what I want to get out of a career of photography, after analyzing Roversi I can say that I want to have a collection of work as beautiful as his. With an emphasis on the beauty of women and the mastery of light.
His works bring a spirit of lightness and aren't caught up with technical elements. Roversi's focus is in making his women look beautiful in spirit. As much as I love Bourdin and Helmut, I can't connect with their work. Their perception of women don't match up with mine, we don't believe women stand for the same thing. Photographer's own personalities clearly are displayed through their photographs and it's evident by looking at large bodies of their collections.
Roversi reminds me of Sally Mann, Julia Margaret Cameron.

Roversi, these are my favorite things about you:
You are smart.
You love women and respect them.
You paint women with light and make their bodies look like angels.
You use film and mostly polaroids, without even hesitation.

Roversi, I love you.

photos by Paolo Roversi

Mario

2008-09-02T15:33:00.003-04:00

Labor day is different for everyone. Some kids get to swim their little hearts out in central Texas swimming holes, and some people go to work. Here in Austin there is a Home Depot with men ready to work. They stand in the parking lot from 6am-6pm everyday waiting to get work for the day. Installing tile, rugs, painting, whatever needs to get done around the house. Even on labor day these guys were out at Home Depot...waiting.
Here's to our subject Mario for working on Labor Day and helping us.

Sister

2008-09-01T15:49:00.001-04:00

Pretty pretty princess...

Heather, Esmeralda

2008-08-08T14:31:00.004-04:00

When photographers reach a certain level of status, they can publish a collection of works on the same person: Paolo Roversi, Guinevere; ManRay, Miller; Philippe Halsman, Dali; etc.
I'm sure at some point people will be saving up their dollars to buy a rediculously overpriced photo book with a collection of photos of my sister. And sometimes people will be able to find a used copy of it for less than fifty at some cute little bookstore in SoHo.
Look at it now on my blog while it's free. <3

Jacqui

2008-07-29T23:57:00.002-04:00

Portrait of my friend Jacqui.

Let's Bee Lovies...

2008-07-21T00:33:00.006-04:00

I could write a tremendously long book about the internal struggle I face between choosing a career in wedding photography or fashion portraiture, or I can just show pictures of my wedding photography.
Truth: I love weddings, beautiful women that love to be photographed, beautiful things, and people that love the photos I take of them.

Larissa and Jason married this Saturday at Hunter Mountain Resort in Hunter, NY. Just outside of Albany and super beautiful.
I photographed as a second shooter for a wonderful NYC based photographer Michael Simon.
Mom, you would have looooooved this place. It is like Ruidoso on steroids.
This is why I love wedding photography...

For Veronica Hansen

2008-07-17T12:13:00.003-04:00

Since I haven't been posting "new" photography anyway, take this. It sums up many thing about being a lady photographer. Veronica Hansen is one of my fabulous lady photographer friends making it in the big city. If you think being an artist is hard, try being a lady artist...

poster by the Guerrilla Girls

Daguerro deux

2008-07-16T23:00:00.001-04:00

I went out and quickly came back only to photoshop again...
so many thing.

Daguerreian experiment

2008-07-16T16:06:00.001-04:00

If I had access to huge vats of mercury, hot plates, and wood boxes I would probably be making daguerrotypes all day...
Photo of my mom. I'm a lucky gal.

Handtinting

2008-07-15T22:32:00.000-04:00

My love for handtinting. After a great photoshop lesson with David Strohl I tinted the second photo based on the first photo. The first is of my grandma (1955?) and the second is of my sister.
it's coming along...

Psychedelia 01.

2008-07-15T02:12:00.000-04:00

Inspiration: psychedelic garden dreams, kristyna, beach, virgin mary, lisa frank(?)
...and growing up i really hated lisa frank.

Nick Brandt

2008-07-09T18:19:00.000-04:00

Another example of really powerful photos from Africa. I have never seen photos with animals showing this much emotion.
I think deep down inside I want to be this type of photographer.
More from Nick here.

Jürgen Schadeberg

2008-07-07T23:24:00.000-04:00

Jürgen Schadeberg's photos are filled with life. Real substance to back up an image. Being in New York I've realized how important it is to have experiences that you can then implement into your work. Work can't be forced. It has to develop on its own from substance. After looking at ad after ad in Vogue, Nylon, blah blah blah it becomes apparent that real work comes from real experience. Forced work might be technically interesting and beautiful, but forced work will always be forced work. Jürgen falls along the ranks of Lauren Greenfield. Photographers who embed themselves in the lives of people they are interested in, and then photograph them. Creating beautiful and powerful stories about real people. These stories open up chapters of the world most people could never even think of. Even if the photos are not as technically advanced as advertising campaigns, the work is more important because it is real. This is the hard place that many photojournalists face during their careers. How to balance the love of honest photojournalism with the financial compensation of advertising. It's important for an artist to stay true to themselves...This is where art becomes powerful.
Jürgen Schadeberg's work influenced the Janet Jackson music video by Mark Romanek. Romanek is also a badass.

City kids, Clouds

2008-07-03T14:46:00.000-04:00

Governor's Island is a magical place in NYC. If you haven't been there you should go. It is very un-New York.
My friends Veronica and David on bikes. And a very preliminary photo of a clouds/face project I am starting very soon.

Magical Subway

2008-07-03T01:27:00.000-04:00

The subways here are magical. As I was walking around today I realized that I haven't really seen too much of Manhattan cause I spend all my time on the subway staring at people's faces and crafting up what their lives must be like. But today I ran out of my monthly subway pass and walked about 65 blocks in Manhattan...that's a lot. On my way back home from the grocery I actually found a seat in an actually empty car and this is what I found.
The weird part is only a few people even looked up. Everyone else ignored them like they were homeless people asking for money. Come on, now...

(not my video but I will have one up tomorrow)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sd8fNhvk4EY

my little muses

2008-06-25T13:38:00.000-04:00

Being here in new york makes me ask why i like photography. Everyone goes into it for different reasons. In fashion photography I think there are plenty of people (and by people I mean men) who do it just cause they like photographing hott babes all day. And i guess thats okay.
One of the best things I will learn this summer is a better understanding of my purpose for photography. And I don't even know what it is but I understand it better now than before.
I took these six years ago on and around the day of my sister's first holy communion. Her hands in every single picture are the most beautifully posed hands i have seen in a long time... and I guarantee that if I didn't have a sister, I wouldn't be a photographer. They are THE most honest photographs I have, and this is the type of photography I like. Honest photography. There is something about the first picture and he close up picture of my mom that really touches me in the same way Steichen's photographs of his sister touch me. Sally Mann has the same essence in her photographs and Dan Winters has it in his personal work. They are just honest portraits of their little muses.

These are honest portraits of my little muses.

Poison plants

2008-06-24T11:54:00.000-04:00

I don't really understand the notion of "beauty" photography. This is the type of photography that goes into Estee Lauder type makeup campaigns, MAC, Neautrogena...whatever. And then there is always the ever popular model mayhem (mm) beauty photography, which is something unto itself.
But how can an industry really try to create this one notion of beauty for everyone, when everyone clearly does not have the same ingrained notion of beauty? When we are born, nature tells our mind what is beautiful and what is too crazy: the blue in the sea, the red in poison plants. We create our own notion of beauty as our minds grow. Thus explaining why most people think their moms are really beautiful.
But how can their be one standard? That doesn't even make sense, and honestly its not that beautiful.

Coney Island

2008-06-22T03:04:00.000-04:00

I finally took pictures today... and I might finally be enjoying the city.
Also, I learned there is a beach at coney island.

Peter Yang, honestly amazing

2008-06-07T17:47:00.001-04:00

photo by peter yang.

Screw PDN's 30 Under 30 (or 36ish).
Peter Yang is shooting covers and inside spreads like nobody's business. And his covers are far beyond any Nylon magazine Terry Richardson knockoff covers. They are in another galaxy.
His photography is smart, a simple word that has become all to obscure in the world of editorial/fashion/commercial photography. And perhaps it is because he is just that-- smart.

Instead of wasting his 20s assisting bullshit photographers that claim to do blow with Mert and Marcus and sleeping with hott models, Peter interned at Newseek, attended the Eddie Adams workshop, and was staffed at the Austin American Statesman newspaper for four years.
Frankly, Peter is amazing.

I just had lunch with him... not something I dreamed I would be doing a year ago. But when I talked to him, it was surpisingly simple and honest. The secret he shared with me is that I need to master my technical skills and shoot--everyday. He told me that what set him apart from all the other billion photographer's he has run into over the years is that he shoots as much as he can. Even if it's "only" personal work, photography is still photography. It's the time when you pick up the camera and shoot people that you think are beautiful. I get the impression that his newspaper photography background is what makes him a genius. You learn to shoot quick, be slick, but honest.

Be an honest photographer. This is a completely different perspective on photography than I found a few days ago speaking with another NY photographer. Photographer M. Idolizing this other photographer seems to have been a mistake. His work is sexy and quick, but honestly, it's not that smart. The difference between these two men NY photographers is large, but the secret to Peter's success is largely in his honesty. He tries to make the best pictures he can but realizes that in the beginning he blatantly knocked off Dan Winters. But not in a deceiving way, in a serious homage on a quest for technical mastery. Ironically when I asked Photographer M if he had ever copied anything his answer was "Never, I don't have to."
Seriously?

So this is my analysis of what makes a powerful photographer: honesty.
It takes honesty to make honest photography... and that will never change.