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This week I’m inspired by the work of Italian photographer Letizia Battaglia

“I’ve lived with the camera. It’s as though it’s in my heart and in my head.”–Letizia Battaglia Letizia Battaglia, a Sicilian born photographer began her career in the early 70s and is best known for her work documenting the Sicilian Mafia. Battaglia worked as the photography director Palermo’s anti Mafia newspaper, L’Ora. Over a span of 15 years, Battaglia, or one of her assistants photographed every major Mafia crime scene. Battaglia was a target numerous times, she was threatened repeatedly, her cameras were smashed. Yet she survived and worked – and her photos changed the history of that time and place.

Great photography is 20% talent and 80% Beyoncé

Above: Image, Gina Milicia Beyoncé Giselle Knowles-Carter is a musical genius who recently blew the music industry away with her Coachella performance. So what does Beyoncé’s musical genius have to do with photography? Before I explain this, I want to share my favorite quote on greatness. “Greatness is a lot of small things done well. Day after day, workout after workout, obedience after obedience, day after day.”–Ray Lewis Beyoncé is the epitome of this quote on steroids. Her dedication to her craft is unrivaled. She works her guts out, and each performance takes her to a new level. The best story I heard about Beyoncé’s preparation was in an interview she did for The Times of India. Beyoncé shared her training protocol from her early days, explaining, “My father, who was also my manager, made me run a mile while singing so I would be able to perform on stage...

Creativity is a sign of intelligence.

“The true sign of intelligence is not knowledge but imagination” —Albert Einstein Above: Image, Gina Milicia

Love the work of Martin Schoeller

Martin Schoeller got his break as a photographer assisting Annie Leibovitz from 1993 to 1996. He then went on to hone his craft by photographing people he met on the streets. These portraits attracted worldwide recognition. Scholler’s work has been exhibited around the world and featured in publications like GQ, Esquire, National Geographic and The New Yorker. The thing I love about Schoeller’s style is that it’s so up close and personal. Oh and he’s shooting totally old school on medium format film with continuous lights. Schoeller uses 2 kino flo strip banks in front of his model and directs the lights towards their nose. This is how he creates the district catchlights in the eyes. He places the camera  between the two lights and there is only a very thin gap. The other factor that gives his work its unique look is the use of film rather than digital....

How to confidently direct a large group of people

Above: Image, Gina Milicia For many inexperienced photographers the thought of having to photograph a large group of people is intimidating. It’s nerve wracking enough approaching a stranger, let alone 10 or more. I can remember my first group portrait shoot. I was so nervous I could hear my voice shaking as I spoke. I felt hot and beads of perspiration were running down my back. I wanted to get it over and done quickly because I felt like everyone was judging my skill level based on speed. I dared not look at my camera settings because I thought this would make me look incompetent. I basically mumbled something from behind the camera that I thought sounded like “Okay everyone look this way and smile” but in reality it sounded like “OKmmmmmmunayllllmmmmhhhmmm” I then took two frames, smiled, said thanks or “thuuuuuuaaaaaa.” Oh my God my mouth was so dry,...

Love this quote by Elliot Erwitt!

“To me, photography is an art of observation. It’s about finding something interesting in an ordinary place…. I’ve found it has little to do with the things you see and everything to do with the way you see them.” —Elliott Erwitt

A master at work

Irving Penn (16 June 1917 – 7 October 2009) was an American photographer best known for his portrait and fashion photography. Penn shot fashion photography for Vogue magazine and was one of the first photographers to shoot portraits against a plain grey or white background. This 8mm film footage, shot by Lisa Fonssagrives shows behind the scenes of Penn on location in a portable studio in Morocco.

Beautiful lies fill your pockets, the truth fills your soul.

Above: Image, Gina Milicia, Chennai, India “They say the camera never lies. It lies every day.” —Cesar Romero My camera is a compulsive liar. It bends the truth every time it takes a photo. It does this because the truth makes my camera feel uncomfortable. My camera does not act alone; we work as a team. I give the directions. I too am a compulsive liar. “You can’t handle the truth.” The reason my camera and I conspire to tell lies is that the truth can be painful. I’ve experienced this painful truth first hand on many occasions. My driver’s license photo was taken by an honest photographer, my passport photo and all my high school photos speak the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth. My photos are shot by a liar, liar pants on fire. I know how to bend the truth, embellish the facts, or tell...

Love this quote from Dennis Stock

“Photography occurs more readily when the photographer relinquishes self-consciousness for a state of humility and childlike wonderment. Then, there is a greater freshness and purity in what you capture on film.” —Dennis Stock Above: Image, Dennis Stock, James Dean Check out more of Dennis’ incredible work here. 

Words of wisdom from one of the greatest photographers of the 20th century

Above: Image, Henri Cartier Bresson FRANCE. Paris, Avenue du Maine, 1932 “Portraits are the only thing in which photography surpasses painting” —Henri Cartier Bresson Henri Cartier Bresson was one of the most influential artists of the 20th century. I love his environmental portraits of artists. One of his favourite techniques to capture an unguarded moment was to ask his sitter a question and shoot just before they answered. Here are a few of my favourite images: Above: Paris, 1961. The French poet, André BRETON, at his favourite café, The Promenade of Venus. Breton meets with his young followers. The newspaper salesman passes by and Breton buys the “Paris Soir”. Above: US writer Arthur MILLER, 1961 Above: Paris, St Germain des Pres, 1947. Simone de BEAUVOIR, French writer In this interview Cartier Bresson shares some great insights.
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How to direct and pose like a pro

About Gina

About Gina

Gina Milicia is one of the most widely known and respected photographers in Australia. She is the master of capturing that ‘magical moment’... READ MORE

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