Last month, Ryan McGinley gave the commencement speech at Parsons in New York. Ryan McGinley (NSFW), if you're not familiar, is one of the youngest photographers to ever be exhibited at the Whitney Museum, was named Photographer of the Year in 2003 by American Photo Magazine, is the former photo editor of Vice Magazine and has been featured in public collections at the Guggenheim Museum. Although oftentimes controversial, McGinley's work is undoubtedly candid and genuine, and that's a big part of what puts him in such demand. During his commencement speech, he offered some advice for young photographers...
-Most people like having their picture taken; most people like being paid attention to.
-People like being told to do things they normally wouldn't do. All you need to do is ask.
-"Say yes to almost everything."
-"Don't be afraid to fail, and don't be afraid to work hard."
-"Take photos of everything. If you are working hard—really hard—opportunity will come. And when it does, you better be ready for it with your camera in hand."
Even though some of these points may appear simple or obvious, it's sometimes a good idea to remind ourselves of the basic truths. If you could give advice to your younger self, what would it be?
I hate to be...that guy (although apparently it's becoming kind of my thing :/ ) but...ugh...This guy.
Apparently he's edgy enough to do porn as art but he gives the most generic, listicle-worthy, advice possible?
Also, grungy photos of vaginas and dicks is so 2005 art school.
(Sorry. I've been seeing his stuff on VICE for a while and I can't help but believe it's controversial for the sake of being controversial. There are more relevant photographers who give useful, original advice.)
He's like a younger, less rapey, Terry Richardson.
#notimpressed
And what's annoying is that, Like Richardson, he's an astounding photographer when he actually tries to be. This is a photo he took for an ad campaign. I'll never understand the allure of post-modern "raw" photography.
**Slow Clap** Couldn't have said it better myself.
Haha, I agree, though I was in art school in 2004 and I didn't see stuff quite like that. To me, it's uninteresting because it looks like he's trying to do something to be shocking... but not quite shocking. Sort of like shocking to a high school student.
I love Ryan McGinley's work. There's always a romantic story of freedom and wasted youth in his photography. As an art director in advertising I look at so many books from photographers. His stuff has a very strong narrative of its own, stands out from what other photographers are doing fro sure.
Thank you for the comment! I couldn't agree more.
All I think before I watched... That flash pointed up...
Depending on the size of the room, it could be for bouncing the light off the ceiling. A common technique for event photography
Yes but this room is seemingly 20ft + ceilings with maybe a hundred or a little less people. Just seems a waste of the little flashes power to point up.
Actually i don't like Ryan McGinley's work.