Luke Ford says Earl Miller is the "Toughest Photographer" [Archive]

Jace

01-11-2006, 08:29 PM

My wife and I shot for Earl, and he was nothing but nice and caring....we shot together, then my wife shot seperately with him. He was nothing like what is being described here

Ron Vogel was by far the worst. He kept calling me by my real name and my wife "girl"..."hey girl, do this now", "don't do that girl"....etc....SO disrespectful, and when she didn't want to be in the pile driver position for 15 minutes he got upset and bitched about "girl" to his makeup artist

Who's The Toughest Photographer?

Earl Miller. Countless girls have cried on his shoots. He'll push them into painful poses and keep them there. He takes his time on a shoot. Some girls accuse him of torturing them (that's hyperbole, but he pushes them to their limit).

VH1's show Centerfold Babylon featured Earl shooting new girl Monica.

I interviewed producer/research Erik Himmelsbach Oct 2, 2003.

DUC: "How did you choose Monica to profile? What's the latest on her? What's her porn name?"

Erik: "We followed several girls, all of whom were suggested by Earl Miller or Suze Randall. Her porn name is Monica Temptem. Last I heard she was back stripping in Amarillo, as well as doing internet porn and asphyxiation videos. Apparently, the Japanese love to see pretty blond American girls pretend to be killed.

"We followed all the girls with the hope that they would be selected as a Penthouse Pet. None of them were, and Monica seemed the most interesting in a car crash sort of way."

In the show, Monica seemed like a flake.

She's told people she found Earl sadistic and other pornographers have not reported the same problems that Early experienced with her. Monica did a few porn movies, including boy-girl, and seems to still be available for shoots

fusionx

01-11-2006, 08:36 PM

01-11-2006, 09:36 PM

a model says so
luke forde says so
and both are well known to have a very poor grasp on reality

JoesHO

01-11-2006, 10:00 PM

good ole Luke always with the best poop.

Perfection is an art form .

funny thing is they all seem to want to shoot with Earl.

and yet nobody will give poor Luke an interview ??? wonder why that is ?

is Luke sadistic? or Saintly?

Jace

01-11-2006, 10:11 PM

I've never seen him shoot, but after spending several hours with him over a few days at the AVN show, I'd have to call bullshit on this.

I can see him being a perfectionist, and holding some long sessions to get things exactly right, but sadistic? Nah.. can't see it.

he is a perfectionist, yeah...but no more than most photographers.

Some girls are just SUCH primadonnas that when they are told to hold an uncomfortable position for more than they are comfortable with, the photographer suddenly becomes sadistic

gonzo

01-11-2006, 10:33 PM

Hes just mad cuz Earl wouldnt pick him up when he was thumbing a ride in LA.

Jace

01-11-2006, 10:36 PM

Hes just mad cuz Earl wouldnt pick him up when he was thumbing a ride in LA.
haha, yeah...luke is a broke ass bitch

you know, he always he bragging about his alexa ratings and shit, you would think with the #'s boasts that he could fly first class and stay in the presidential suite

gonzo

01-11-2006, 10:39 PM

Jace

01-11-2006, 10:50 PM

I wonder who he bummed a ride with and whos room he crashed in?

I did see Brother South there though.

did you see the creative loafing article on mike?

http://clnlb.us.publicus.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060111/ATLCOVER/601110340/-1/ATL

sarettah

01-12-2006, 12:12 AM

haha, yeah...luke is a broke ass bitch

you know, he always he bragging about his alexa ratings and shit, you would think with the #'s boasts that he could fly first class and stay in the presidential suite

Sheez, back when he sold the original Luke Ford, which got traffic out the ass and should have been able to be sold for a really high price, he let it go for $15k (at least that's the number I heard). :headwall: :headwall:

The man will never become a real Jew doing shit like that........

(I know I know... go on and beat the shit out of me...lololol... I'm from Long Island, I'm allowed to make Jewish jokes :yowsa: )

softball

01-12-2006, 12:42 AM

Things that make you go...hmmmmmmm......

Hell Puppy

01-12-2006, 01:52 AM

I also spent some time with him in Vegas, and I just cant see him being "sadistic" to anyone. Well, maybe a waitress who doesn't have any free range chicken or tuna....but certainly not a model.

Use your head, he's been shooting the hottest women on the planet since the 70's. The hot ones shoot multiple times, and I saw tons of big names begging to shoot with him at AEE. This doesn't sound like a man who is a pain to work with.

Perfectionist? Haven't seen him shoot, but most photographers of his caliber are.

Picky? That's for damned sure. I saw him basically say "not interested" to girls looking to shoot who most of the pro-am photographers on the web would trip over each other to get a shoot with.

My take after hanging with him a bit is he's a great guy, and you really cant argue with the body of work he's produced. His site has one of the most impressive collections of porn stars and centerfolds of any site on the net.

softball

01-12-2006, 01:54 AM

Hell Puppy

01-12-2006, 02:00 AM

I feel the love and the groundswell building.....the spin machine is in full cry....

He is a journeyman photographer...not Helmut freeking Newton. You guys need to seriously look at the best....Avedon, Karsh...the list goes on. No offense, but this is craft not art and certainly not perfection...jeez.

No spin here.

It just so happens that a lot of us were just in Vegas and Joe had Earl in tow, so he got an opportunity to meet a lot of the Oprano crew who were in town.

Rest assured if I thought he was an asshole, I'd have no hesitation saying so.

softball

01-12-2006, 02:05 AM

I am sure Earl is a nice guy. He takes good piccies and I would not listen to what the talent says.....
Talent is talent. His final product makes money. End of story. But funny, how a snapper is all of a sudden a topic of conversation around here. First the wind up, then the pitch. I am sure Earl...first name only...will make his appearance soon. The limo, the cape, and..........EARL.
Come on. You guys ain't surfers.

softball

01-12-2006, 02:18 AM

OK kids, perfection...???? fuck the porn stars. Here you go. Now the interesting thing is, this guy shoots the hottest shit anywhere and Vogue covers. Well did. He recently passed away. So when I see perfection being bandied around, I get a little miffed. It is a serious concept. Also, you have to admire the business machine behind Helmut, because it is nearly impossible to find his images in any quantity on the net. Go out and buy "White Women" if you want to see perfection....and, BTW, tough.
Now if you think a hair light is art, check this out.This is Helmut, his wife and a naked girl all in one picture...this is very freeking cool...this is what being a perfectionist is all about...
http://www.ocaiw.com/galleria_fotografi/index.php?lang=en&author=newton&id=31

http://www.ocaiw.com/galleria_fotografi/index.php?lang=en&author=newton

Paul Markham

01-12-2006, 02:39 AM

softball

01-12-2006, 02:41 AM

The price of lights?????? You gotta be kidding.

MorganGrayson

01-12-2006, 10:53 AM

Thanks for the link, rhetorical. Bookmark applied; "wish list" begun. :)

TheLegacy

01-12-2006, 10:58 AM

I love Earls work and always will. If he was an as accused a lot of girls would not woprk with him, would not work as well and he would not be the shooter he is.

Only had one encounter with him. He came to Czech and because the price to hire lights here was too high, he was phoning around asking if he could borrow some. Phoned a few shooters. Tight yes, sadistic no.

was going to say the same thing regarding him. I have heard no girl complain about Earl - yet not every photographer gets along with each of their models - so it stands to reason after all this time that he will likley piss off one. I'd chalk it up to a bad day on the set and get over it.

softball

01-12-2006, 11:00 AM

Thanks for the link, rhetorical. Bookmark applied; "wish list" begun. :)

Here is a wish list book if you have a lot of room....
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/3822863947/104-8162864-5058326?v=glance&n=283155

JoesHO

01-12-2006, 11:03 AM

Rhetorical, I need to pick out some new underwear, are you an expert on that subject too?

softball

01-12-2006, 11:41 AM

Rhetorical, I need to pick out some new underwear, are you an expert on that subject too?
What has your underwear got to do with photography? Or are you a photographer with a history in taking pictures? Not sure what you are getting at here, Joe.
Did you check out the links? If you disagree with my opinion of the quality of Newton's work and his perfectionism, then please give me your opinion.
I could provide you with some links to Karsh if you want to see true perfectionism if you like.

Winetalk.com

01-12-2006, 11:43 AM

Those are the pics of perfectionist,
http://www.wyldesites.com/chihuly/

Perfectionists take them, wanna bees talk about them on the boards.

Jace

01-12-2006, 11:44 AM

What has your underwear got to do with photography? Or are you a photographer with a history in taking pictures? Not sure what you are getting at here, Joe.
Did you check out the links? If you disagree with my opinion of the quality of Newton's work and his perfectionism, then please give me your opinion.
I could provide you with some links to Karsh if you want to see true perfectionism if you like.

dude, seriously, stop taking everything so literally

sometimes being a perfectionist is something that is in your own mind and subject to different opinions on what perfection truely is

Jace

01-12-2006, 11:44 AM

Those are the pics of perfectionist,
http://www.wyldesites.com/chihuly/

Perfectionists take them, wanna bees talk about them on the boards.

wow, that is some awesome shit right there

softball

01-12-2006, 11:45 AM

dude, seriously, stop taking everything so literally

sometimes being a perfectionist is something that is in your own mind and subject to different opinions on what perfection truely is
Yeah, you are right. I was too literal. Sorry, Joe. Forget about it.

Jace

01-12-2006, 11:46 AM

Those are the pics of perfectionist,
http://www.wyldesites.com/chihuly/

Perfectionists take them, wanna bees talk about them on the boards.

whatever is in those pics reminds me of the Chandeliers at the Borgata

http://www.chihuly.com/installations/public/Art/BorgataRestPromChandXB.jpg

Jace

01-12-2006, 11:46 AM

hahaha, now that I look at the url of the pic I just posted and the url of that serge posted I want to kick myself

softball

01-12-2006, 11:48 AM

Those are the pics of perfectionist,
http://www.wyldesites.com/chihuly/

Perfectionists take them, wanna bees talk about them on the boards.
You are funny serge. I bow to your knowledge of the photographic arts and copious experience with viniculture. You da man.
Now, could you postmore about some great wines that you have experienced and your reccomendations on cellering and where to begin?

Winetalk.com

01-12-2006, 12:00 PM

Jace, the pics were taken by MikeW at Chihuly exhibit in South Florida, the pic you posted is one of his works.

Jace

01-12-2006, 12:07 PM

Jace, the pics were taken by MikeW at Chihuly exhibit in South Florida, the pic you posted is one of his works.

yeah, i was able to put 2 and 2 together ;)

softball

01-12-2006, 12:13 PM

Jace, the pics were taken by MikeW at Chihuly exhibit in South Florida, the pic you posted is one of his works.

Serge, you got any good recommendations on some nice black velvet art? A man of your taste would surely have good sources for the good stuff. I like your eye dude.
Oh and BTW, is it true you have a collection of original Red Skelton's?

softball

01-12-2006, 12:22 PM

On that congratulatory note, I will take my leave. Serge I will miss your "wit" and "wisdom". But I have to get ready to travel. I am sure you will all miss me. Joe I am sorry you have an underwear challenge, but hey just wear them until they rip. Always remember chicks dig that ya big stud.
Good luck with the "new oprano". It is looking good. I will, of course, keep an eye out to see if it becomes useful. And like that great American hero, General whatshisname, I shall return. No need to beg or plead.

To paraphrase Mr. Dan Hicks....

"How can you miss me when I won't go away?"

Winetalk.com

01-12-2006, 12:25 PM

Next!

JoesHO

01-12-2006, 03:11 PM

How many times can one say good bye?

softball

01-12-2006, 03:13 PM

How many times can one say good bye?

Well, there are fifty ways to leave your lover...do the math. LOL.

JoesHO

01-12-2006, 03:14 PM

Well, there are fifty ways to leave your lover...do the math. LOL.

ahh Love is in the air ........ :whistling

I bet it was the thought of LittleC fisting you that did it huh?

softball

01-12-2006, 03:22 PM

ahh Love is in the air ........ :whistling

I bet it was the thought of LittleC fisting you that did it huh?

I have no idea who little c is so i guess that is a non starter.

JoesHO

01-12-2006, 03:29 PM

I have no idea who little c is so i guess that is a non starter.

what time does your plane leave? and will you be providing us with pictures of the travel ?

softball

01-12-2006, 03:31 PM

what time does your plane leave? and will you be providing us with pictures of the travel ?

haven't thought that far ahead. I just might regale you with piccies of B.A., Brazil and carnival. It all depends on internet access.
My plane leaves next week on a 22 hour journey.

boldy

01-13-2006, 04:12 AM

Earl is a legend .. nuff said ... :)

Jace

01-13-2006, 04:58 AM

Earl is a legend .. nuff said ... :)

well, there are some serial killers that are legends...so, let's not simplify things too much

but out of the 100+ photographers that my wife and I have worked with throughout the years, Earl is one of the 4-5 that have stood out as being professional and fun on the set

Inabon

01-13-2006, 06:56 AM

Earl is a legend .. nuff said ... :)

all i have to say is that some photographers are as good as their photoshop touch up guy.

photoshop can do amazing things.

Jace

01-13-2006, 07:27 AM

all i have to say is that some photographers are as good as their photoshop touch up guy.

photoshop can do amazing things.

*cough cough* matrix *cough cough*

actually, I had the chance to see some of earl's slides when we first met him....he is a solid photographer for sure....

i would personally say that there are very few photographers that I have shot with or worked with that can take something straight from the camera and publish it, if needed

Jon Rutkowski, Stephen Hicks and Earl Miller are the only three that come to mind right off that I know personally

JoesHO

01-13-2006, 11:56 AM

all i have to say is that some photographers are as good as their photoshop touch up guy.

photoshop can do amazing things.

Very true for these new people in the game, and with the advent of digital.
However to be someone as published as Earl is / was before the days of photoshop that took real skill with a camera.

But some of these photographers now days NEED there photoshop guy,

I am glad we finally have a good one in house and on our staff, cause we have some sites like www.momrider.com that really need a good photoshop expert.

and lord knows our old one sucked donkey balls and was an obvious rookie.
Man we are glad to have Nickpappa now !!!!!!

gonzo

01-13-2006, 12:09 PM

Nick Papa sure did show some mega tallent when he cleaned up that Earl Miller tour!

COnverts a hell of a lot better now!

NickPapageorgio

01-13-2006, 12:50 PM

The secret is to photoshop out only what you NEED to photoshop out. Don't get carried away. Also, noise is your friend. :) Maybe I'll post a tut about how to get that "non-photoshopped" look in cases where the pic starts to get that "plasticky" look. You can bring it back from that point without starting all over. Not hard really.

I will say, that as far as color correction, lighting, skin tones etc. Earl is pretty easy to work with in that department and the pics I edit are usually pretty damn close to perfect. The guys who take the mega doses of Viagra are the only things that really twist my noodle cause they ruin a usually perfect day.