I recently emailed an introduction and a link to some of my recent work to the NY Times Lens Blog. I received this rejection email in a very large and bold font - "Thanks much for considering the Lens blog, but we currently don't have space for such projects. Your ability is apparent, though, and I would suggest you continue to send your projects to us -- but if I may make a suggestion: refraining from shots where the subject is looking at the camera will increase your chances of us wanting to do something with your work." I thought it was so funny that I had to post it here. Beware photographers that look into their subjects eyes!
Postscript:
Looks like someone at the Times was listening. Thanks for the shout out
Lens Blog. I have also recently received a personal apology from the the editor who explained to me that it was a clerk answering emails that wrote that email (which is as I figured but nevertheless it is very nice to have been apologized to.)
15 comments:
Richard, I mean come on... photographic portraiture is so two thousand and late!
Avert the eyes!
lmao that is too funny
It is a hoot that they would send to someone of your caliber the kind of note more appropriate to a 3rd-grader with a Brownie.
I can't believe that! I guess that would also be good advice for Irving Penn, Richard Avedon, August Sander, Diane Arbus, Joel Sternfeld etc. etc.
Cracking advice, I expect to see no eye contact on any NYTimes site in the future. :)
qwert!
Unintentionally amusing on their part - I can only imagine the horror with which they regard Richard Avedon!
Dammit Richard - I watched your picture for a while and I caught you sneaking a look at the camera. For me, the comment from the NYTimes guy is not so much rude as arrogant - obviously had nothing to say, but felt obliged to say something anyway. Ah well, what can you do with people like that other than smile?
You should submit that image to them. :)
The suggestion is really quite strange. Especially as the eye contact is really part of the quality of your work.
I have to say though that I have become to be thankful of any kind of answer from people - especially at magazines - if they give one at all. The greater problem is often if you are completly ignored (because people dont know what to say to your work and feel they might say something stupid maybe).
Its actually the experience a lot of editors and art directors make at the beginning: they try to give some feedback and say something but soon find out that it becomes a trouble - as photographer can be hot-blooded.
And then they decide to just say nothing in the fututre or give you the standard "Yes its great . I like your work" when you meet them in person but a lot of times dont mean it.
That's the strangest request for improvement I've ever heard. It's not so much the request that's strange as the phrasing...
But if that's your style, then...duh.
wow. amazing. I'll bet it was written by an intern. thanks for sharing this.
That's too funny! What you should do is send them the photo of you showing the e-mail they gave you that you posted on your blog.
Yes. I understand their point.
I believe they instructed architect Frank Gehry to make his walls straight if he intended to be included in their forthcoming architecture issue.
That's hilarious
Post a Comment