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OT - Peter Lik: From the Edge on the Weather Channel
Scott Kane, Photographer
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Edwardsville | IL | USA | Posted: 5:27 PM on 03.29.11 |
->> I know it's not sports photography but still some might find it interesting to watch the new series on The Weather Channel about nature/fine art photographer Peter Lik. The series premiers Thursday 31 March 2011.
http://www.weather.com/tv/tvshows/peter-lik |
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Phil Hawkins, Photographer
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Fresno | ca | usa | Posted: 7:14 PM on 03.29.11 |
| ->> Peter does good work. I don't think it's better than about half-dozen people I can point to, but here you see what can happen when one has unlimited financial resources; resources that allow the time and ability to travel unrestricted to shoot. This is a man that has completely mastered the art of self-promotion. It's like fingernails down a chalkboard for me to read "bios" written in the third-person on one's own website; nothing like some massive self-aggrandizing... The navigation on his web site sucks and you can't get away from the huge pop-up ad that promotes his new Weather Channel show... But this is also a good example of what hard work, ignoring the economic bad news, forging ahead and staying focused can lead to. Especially when you have unlimited financial resources. His print and gallery facility in Vegas cost $10 million to build. Then there's galleries in Aspen, NY, etc. etc. that are unlike galleries anywhere in the world. He claims to have sold $150million in art; say what? In any case, the man flat-out knows how to market photography. THIS is what he should be known for... (I think I need a groovy, worn-out cowboy hat. My career might just take off!) |
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Dave Breen, Photographer
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Somerset | PA | USA | Posted: 7:23 PM on 03.29.11 |
->> Hey Phil,
Maybe you can enter the Weather Channel contest, judged by Mr. Lik. |
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Dianna Russell, Photographer
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Springfield | MO | USA | Posted: 11:27 PM on 03.29.11 |
| ->> I have my DVR set for it and am anxious to see it. |
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Tim Snow, Photographer
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Montreal | Qc | Canada | Posted: 10:34 AM on 03.30.11 |
->> The series is called "From The Edge"...
Art Wolfe's was called "Travels To The Edge"...
2 TV shows about nature/landscape photography, you think the Weather network could have named it a bit more originally? |
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Max Waugh, Photographer
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Bothell | WA | USA | Posted: 10:42 AM on 03.30.11 |
| ->> I noticed the same thing, Tim. They're probably hoping this will appeal to more casual, materialistic photo fans who fawn over his stuff in Vegas, as opposed to the more serious photographers who actually know Wolfe's show exists. Crocodile Dundee with a camera sounds like a fun concept, doesn't it? |
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Jack McCoy, Photographer
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Baldwin | NY | USA | Posted: 10:55 AM on 03.30.11 |
| ->> Phil can I see some of your panoramic work? |
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Peter Zuzga, Photographer
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Waukesha | WI | USA | Posted: 11:49 AM on 03.30.11 |
| ->> Phil I couldn’t agree with you more, your comments are spot on. |
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Dennis Wierzbicki, Photographer
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Plainfield | IL | USA | Posted: 12:51 PM on 03.30.11 |
->> @Tim and Max - you hit the nail on the head: http://www.travelstotheedge.com
I don't know Peter Lik's work, but am familiar with that of Art Wolfe, and the first thing that crossed my mind was how very similar the titles of the series were.
I genuinely enjoyed Art's series when it aired a few years back, and will probably DVR Peter's just because I am always open to hearing about other photographers and how they work.
Phil, you are correct, though: often it's not about talent or even the quality of the work - it's about marketing, and I understand that can be a tough pill to swallow. |
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Dianna Russell, Photographer
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Springfield | MO | USA | Posted: 1:00 PM on 03.30.11 |
->> You guys are tough.
I just saw "show about a photographer" and set the DVR. I didn't judge the concept before I saw an episode.
And how I missed Art Wolf's show is beyond me. I have the highest respect for him and his work, and own some of his books. That is truly something I'd love to watch but apparently have missed. I tried to look up the PBS schedule but it doesn't match. |
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Steven Bisig, Photographer
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Seattle | WA | USA | Posted: 1:10 PM on 03.30.11 |
->> I have visited one of the Lik galleries in Oahu, and the images I have viewed are awesome. Most of them captured with large and medium format. I will be watching the show, just need to figure out what channel the Weather Channel is on.
When it comes to present landscape photography, Art Wolfe, Peter Lik and Clark Little are my top three.
Steven b~ |
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Sam Morris, Photographer
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Henderson (Las Vegas) | NV | USA | Posted: 1:21 PM on 03.30.11 |
->> Jack, you can start here: http://philhawkinsphoto.com/#/landscape/yosemite-national-park-etc/yosemite...
I'm not a big fan of landscape photography - just a personal preference, maybe I don't get it - but when I think of landscape photography I like because of its beauty an originality, Phil's long exposure photos of the Yosemite Valley is the first thing that comes to my mind.
I had never heard of Peter Lik until this thread. After looking at his website, I think an apt comparison would be to call him the Thomas Kinkade of photography. It's all in the marketing. |
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Delane B. Rouse, Photographer, Photo Editor
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Washington | DC | US | Posted: 1:27 PM on 03.30.11 |
->> I went to Vegas with my (then fiancee) a few weeks before our wedding in 2008 and visited the Peter Lik gallery there SEVERAL times. I think his work is amazing...
Does he hype his work a LOT? Yep. But what good are great pictures if the public doesn't know about them? Most of us could be much worse photographers if we were better at marketing. |
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Phil Hawkins, Photographer
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Michael Fischer, Photographer
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Spencer | Ia | USA | Posted: 4:08 PM on 03.30.11 |
->> Delane,
I've said the same thing any number of ways on these pages in the past - it's about marketing. More than one really good photographer has gone hungry;broke; or worse because of poor (or no) business skills.
Lik's work is good. But his presentation and marketing is what sets him apart. GREAT marketing skills.I've seen more than one average photographer with good business skills kick butt.
When I've written about not worrying about the GWCs etc, this is what I'm talking about. Not everyone can be Lik but everyone can find niches of profitability and promote - promote - promote. If you worry about the bottom feeders when are you going to have time to think about doing something unique and different? That's the real opportunity cost of sitting there stewing about bottom feeders.
Find a niche and own it is the best way to make money in business.
M |
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Dianna Russell, Photographer
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Springfield | MO | USA | Posted: 5:23 PM on 03.30.11 |
| ->> Phil, I've always liked your work and your workshop is high on my list to attend in the future. I had not seen the panoramas. |
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Mike Zarrilli, Photographer
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Atlanta | GA | USA | Posted: 10:11 PM on 03.30.11 |
| ->> I'm interested to see any and all feedback after the show premiere tomorrow night. I work at The Weather Channel (non-photo role, not directly related to the show) and was thinking about what this crowd would say about it -- the good, the bad and the ugly!!! -- while watching the first episode in the offices last week. I'll be sure to pass some of the comments along to the show team, especially the funny ones.... |
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Alan Look, Photographer
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Bloomington/Normal | IL | United States | Posted: 10:24 PM on 03.30.11 |
| ->> I watched one episode a couple weeks ago, don't remember who the star was. I cringed every time they put all that expensive gear in harms way. I had to quit watching. |
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Jack McCoy, Photographer
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Baldwin | NY | USA | Posted: 10:49 AM on 03.31.11 |
->> I got it Phil...I was being a bit sarcastic to you since I thought you were a bit harsh on him (not that I have any connection to Peter Lik). Anyway your work is great too and I have seen it before.
--Jack |
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Joe Lorenzini, Photographer
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Flower Mound (DFW) | TX | USA | Posted: 11:48 AM on 03.31.11 |
->> Interesting to see Peter Lik referenced here as I was just reading about him on Trey Ratcliff's site. There's some confusion as Peter's Facebook site is displaying an image of Trey's and I can only think Peter may have someone else doing his social media who messed up. I can't imagine he'd do something so stupid on purpose.
You can read about it here:
http://www.stuckincustoms.com/
People are going after him on the his Facebook page but the image is still up there...
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10150157517237996&set=pu.1645548979...
Joe |
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Dennis Wierzbicki, Photographer
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Plainfield | IL | USA | Posted: 12:44 PM on 03.31.11 |
->> Apparently Peter Lik has taken the shot off his Facebook page, as Joe's link no longer works, but the fact that it was there, and was seemingly presented as Lik's shot instead of the rightful owner, Trey Ratcliff, doesn't really pass the smell test, does it?
I mean, even if you had an agency doing your promotion, as Joe theorizes, and you are as talented as Lik seems to be, why in the world would the agency post someone else's image in your gallery, and if you were Lik, wouldn't you post some sort of explanation/apology along with the retraction of the image?
I notice the screen capture on Trey's site indicates Lik had 69 images in his Facebook gallery but now he is only displaying 35, whatever that means. |
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Mitch Stringer, Photographer
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Baltimore | MD | USA | Posted: 10:02 PM on 04.04.11 |
| ->> Art Wolfe is terrific. Just had to say that. I have both seasons DVDs and it's well worth the cost. Now on to Peter Lik. My wife and I sat down to watch his show. I actually scheduled myself to watch it. Ten minutes in I had to force myself to watch any more. It was like a car crash you can't turn away from. Each scene being swung back and forth to the next and back again. He may be a great photographer, but I heard really no technique and no real substance to the show. There were just fast edits from one location to the other. No technical info, no verbal, basic info about the shot in the way Wolfe does on his show. Self promotion is a beautiful thing and well worth understanding and doing. However, once you have the audience at your doorstep, you have to deliver. For my TV watching "currency" Lik is not worth the time on the Weather Channel show. |
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Joe Lorenzini, Photographer
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Flower Mound (DFW) | TX | USA | Posted: 11:45 AM on 04.05.11 |
->> Peter's "social media team" apologized although they do state they gave proper credit (they didn't), that Mr. Lik knew nothing about it and that their error was from a usage misunderstanding.
Not entirely sure they are as sincere as they say they are...
http://stuckincustoms.smugmug.com/photos/1236051183_WUei7-O.jpg |
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David A. Cantor, Photographer, Photo Editor
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Toledo | OH | USA | Posted: 2:25 PM on 04.05.11 |
->> "He is often described as the most important landscape photographer alive—"
The guy from Dos Equis called - he wants his ad copy back! |
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