Giving Photographs Back to the Light

Some interesting inspiration brought to you by Canadian photographer Amy Friend. A whimsical Daré alla Lucé series. Worth a look.

One Talk, Two Talk, Red Talk, Blue Talk

One artist talking, two artist talking, three, then four.
Plus a crazy panoramic, could you ask for anything more?
(Don't answer that.)

Yes I know Lindsey's went portraiture style, for some odd reason Cristhian had gone rogue to the video camera so I rotated the iPhone randomly there. Anyways, good show folks, I heard several good comments. Hope your weekend is going well!

Worth a Look, Worth Collecting

Starting to collect any type of artwork is often based solely on the individual being in the right place at the right time. But once interested, the savvy collectors will then begin to go out of their way to learn more about the work they enjoy and wish to share with others. As the artist creator it still comes down to creating work you are (very) passionate about. And optimistically a collector will find you (not overnight typically but you never know) and follow your progress. Here is a thoughtful article worth looking over to see what could become a part of your future.

Yes.

Today I read a story about an anthropologist who proposed a game to the kids in an African tribe. He put a basket full of fruit near a tree and told the kids that who ever got there first won the sweet fruits. When he told them to run they all took each others hands and ran together, then sat together enjoying their treats. When he asked them why they had run like that as one could have had all the fruits for himself they said: "Ubuntu, how can one of us be happy if all the other ones are sad?"

Ubuntu in the Xhosa culture means: "I am because we are."

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PHOTOGRAPH CREDIT:
"...Jean-Pierre Hallet explained that this image, his one and only of this traditional game, was taken during the 60’s. 'I sort of fell in love with the Osani circle; it drew me in, and reminded me of my fundamental connection to the earth, to the natural changes that occur in life, to a desire for community and a deep respect for traditions that carry such sensibility and wisdom.' Decades passed. When in L.A. I would visit Jean-Pierre’s shop which carried African art and artifacts. I would buy a few beads, and we’d talk. And then one day I acted on impulse: after 25 years of friendship I called Jean-Pierre to acquire the Osani exclusive rights, with the hope of making this wonderful image more accessible. My call came on the very day he was diagnosed with terminal leukemia. It is with great sadness I must report that Jean-Pierre Hallet passed away only 90 days later (January 2004). He was truly larger than life in every respect – a remarkable man...."

True?

Fotoshop, by Adobé

You may have seen it before, but when someone assembles a new modern take on acknowledging Photoshop's clear affect on the fashion industry, it's always an interesting view to remind others how often it really happens. Which is a lot. And think first what you would consider to be "a lot" and then double that several times over and you start to get closer to how often it happens. It is not solely human retouching either, often environmental 'fixes' happen more than one would believe.

Ironically some actually believed 'Fotoshop by Adobé' to be a real makeup product when he first published this video (yes, clearly he used more than just photoshop for it), and they even contacted him about ordering it.

But it might also alert you how easy it is becoming to 'tweak/refine' video work now as well. How long before it's art imitating life imitating art? Perhaps we've been there all along, and what's been sacrificed in the process? A lot.

In Case You Were Wondering...

As with any art and design medium, opinions are subjective, though we always prefer 'objective' and sometimes the dialogue can get more serious than the "You Are Not a Photographer" comic commentary. There can be additional levels of discussion with catchy titles to get your attention.
Thoughts?

Even Professionals Make Mistakes eh?

So what happens when you use your competitor's product to make a commercial for your own product? A lot of social media commentary.

(and in case the link above doesn't work, copy/paste this one:
http://www.digitaltrends.com/photography/nikon-blunder-camera-maker-uses-canon-dlsr-footage-for-d800-promo-video/

I love my Nikon, but that was...silly.

A New Kind of Beauty

I have posted before regarding Phil Toledano's Days With My Father series, which has recently been moved to its own very specific site that includes a great narrative describing Toledano's process and familial relationships.

Another effort shown here I had recently discussed again with a friend in Atlanta was in regards to his Beauty series ("Tiana" shown here to the left).

It is obviously a topic that has been addressed by many photographers of many levels, many times. What intrigues me in regards to his interpretation is how he leaves much of the decision process up to the viewer, to determine what is natural; what is manipulated (by physical choices of the subject photographed); and what is manipulated by thoughtful studio arrangement with lighting, color, digital control. Which is a challenge viewers deal with daily thanks to social media (a la the infamous 'facebook duck face' movement. Google it, I am not linking that one).

It directly boils down to beauty in the eye of the beholder. As trite as that statement is, when viewing these images do you find beauty in the entirety of the image? Or do you find yourself searching for elements of beauty within the image because that is how they're presented to you dear viewer?

Moving the Merchandise

Super-Amazing-Power-Valentine-Baked-Goods-Go! Good job folks, I hear over $80 in a few hours? Nice work!

The Eyes of the Child...

When the work load is heavy, it is easy to forget that the simple joys of photography are often about capturing unexpected, imaginative, or poignant moments. And nothing often says that clearer when you get a child, put a camera in their hands, and simply say the word "go." This year's National Geographic IPC 2012 continued to echo that sentiment and children from all over the world took action and created some fantastic results. I only want to know what sort of underwater camera she used.

Updated Links

Here is the link list with Lindsey's and Caitlyn's blogs updated. Visit each other, talk it up! Tell us your thoughts, I know you're all full of them. Thoughts I mean.

Lindsey's Blog

Caitlyn's Blog

Cristhian's Blog

Kimberly's Blog

Happy online hunting and finding and commenting!

The Fence

Sometimes it really is all about the details. Like a fence perhaps.

Everyone Has Advice, How About from 35 Working Photographers?

When you're younger and working through your undergrad years, often the time is not taken to listen to your teachers, advisors, professors, internship bosses, etc. But nonetheless I offer up this little gem of advice from those out there currently working in the field.

This post full of witty and sage advice is actually a slight update from the original provided on Magnum's original site, yet this one offers more "visuals" to remind you whom you are hearing advice from. Things to consider!

Spring 2012 Studio Blog Sites

Thank you all for—thus far of classes I've required blogs of—submitting your addresses in a timely manner. Please remember to take time to visit each other's sites and offer comments:

Kimberly Hahn

Caitlyn Weathers 

Lindsey Adkins 

Cristhian Molina 

Some of you have posted already (good!) and some are looking...well...a little blank. Week one ends today, be proactive and give us your thoughts. See you next week and I hope the Artist Statements are going well!

Holidays Are Over! Back to work! Muuhahaa.

But not without a bit of initial inspiration. Perhaps you should make a book this year. Why not? Only thing holding you back is you right? Producing books now is much cheaper than it ever has been. There are multiple places to make and sell your work even!

Have safe travels back to school and great 2012 Spring semester. And I look forward to seeing your blog posts!

I'm a Little Concerned

To paraphrase the immortal words of Mr. Tim Gunn of Project Runway fame—based on much of what was shown at individual meetings on Thursday, to say the word 'little' would be a slight understatement. It had been over a full month since our last individual meetings.

As many of you like to say you "get motivated once the pressure is on," well I would consider this a thoughtful wake up call.

Realize you'll have had sixteen weeks to have generated a considerable amount of results for both of your projects. That's a solid chunk of time. The grading breakdown for this class it is as such:
Project One = 35% of total grade
Project Two = 35% of total grade
Demo/Presentation = 10% of total grade
Blog Work = 10% of total grade

So as you can see failing to produce quality results in any of the categories will affect your grade considerably and it would be very easy to get a below C grade grade for this course. Be involved! I and your colleagues in studio want you to be. When you show work to each other, offer observations, don't sit there like a bump on a log. I don't care if it's 8am, that's actually not that early comparatively you know? You're here to make it work but if you don't have anything to show, I and your colleagues have nothing to work with.

You're all perfectly capable—of that I have no doubts—but several have shown rather 'less than apparent' commitment or passion with any number of absences, excuses, etc. Time's up, you're in the advanced level studio, start showing us advanced efforts. A few of you are putting good efforts in, some of you...I'm a little concerned.

"Make it work." —Tim Gunn

What About the East?

Often times we seem to discuss more North American and European photography but it's not to be said that the east does not offer it's fair share of photographers, even the more contemporary-based artists. Muge is a fairly young photographer who is based in Chengdu, China and studied at the Sichuan Normal University. But most of his work is freelance currently. Please note his site typically doesn't download fast but it can be worth it for exploratory reasons.

But he does touch on some similar subject matters that I know a few of you are working with in your projects and upcoming capstone ideation. His 'Home' series is a nice reflection of when you go back to your birth-home environment, observing what is still the same, and what is definitely not the same anymore and how jarring that can be to you and the people still there. Thoughtful indeed!

New Thursday Times

As discussed last Thursday, the meetings times have been rearranged for the remainder of the semester. Here was the final list created in class. As usual, if anything comes up that is going to prevent you from making your time please at least let me know if you'll be absent or not via e-mail so I'm not concerned as to where you are.

8-8:20 Ferran
8:20-8:40 Kenyatta
8:40-9 Kristen
9-9:20 Andrea
9:20-9:40 Kimberly
9:40-10 Dontez
10-10:20 Hayley
10:20-10:40 Tristan

Since we've not had Thursdays in (what seems like) forever I should see lots of things this coming Thursday yes? Absolutely! See you then!
David

Right in Your Own Backyard

Since performance/happenings projects seem to be a relatively hot topic in our studio, here is news of one happening currently in the Atlanta area. Perhaps you've run into it? Might be worth a look to see how it is going.