X-Mas List and Links

Link:

Boom has a nice posting on some images by Jacques Oliver where he has created some nice juxtaposed images with fashion and a trailer park. Would have liked to see more hair curlers and menthols, but love them just the same especially the first one.

Ever wonder what and how much the top ten photographs sold for? Well here is a list put together by River66. Remember its not my list so don't ask me to defend the prices paid for them.

Melissa Rodwell has her own fashion blog here. I'm enjoying what she has written so far, lots of insights and background for those interested-like you're not.


List:
Not necessarily what I want, but the Photo person in your life may enjoy.

From Sundance some blown glass ornaments some with a photo theme.

A bit pricey, but Visionair's 55 edition is a fantastic looking pop up book. Durn I've been wanting to create my own pop up book, but mine was to have a miniature golf theme with working windmills-oh well. Check out some of their other edition while you are there.

Urban Outfitters has always carried a line of fun Lomo cameras and stuff. Find it here and at the Lomography shop here.

I'm guessing mostly women will appreciate this camera bag at Acme Made. Wonderful idea with the bowling bag look.

Okay an educational link, Nikon has this video on lighting.

If you are familiar with the item and know exactly what you want, nothing beats good old Ebay for a chance at a good deal.

Take this section on Vintage cameras as an example. It is were I got the camera from the above image.

At a Theater Near You

Good. Bad. That is for the winners to decide.

In a universe where posing as someone you are not is a necessity.

ALT Productions Presents

Coming to a theater near you

Turkey Link Day

Which hopefully none of the following links are turkeys, just a little stuffing:

If It's Hip, It's Here found a great Paper Fashions by Zoe Bradley. They are incredible along with some really good photography, see the entire portfolio here.


This one is right up my alley, Shi Xiaofan is a Chinese photographer with a new series of images titled, “The Stranger In The Glass Box”. Go to his web site and click on the portfolio link, this particular piece is under Project One. Its a great blend and throw back of French Fashion and Chinese Culture.

Check out the work by Kris Kuksi, I'm especially amazed by the intricate detail of his grotesque series.

In Photographic history we learn about "typology". One f the best examples of which are the Bechers, who systematically shot over 200 images of water towers almost all in the same way. Okay so why the photo art lesson? Well I came across this blog post by box vox and and the connection was made. Water towers turned into packaging for advertising products. I think the milk bottle tower could use a fresh coat of paint though. Maybe we don't forget everything as soon as the final test is taken.


Okay this one was in a spanish blog (no I don't know how I found it-just enjoy) so I've made the link to run through Google translator to save you a step. The Compass is a camera among many things, kind of like a swiss army knife camera for spys-must be why I love it and a must for my character "Agent Lee".




And finally a bit of fun. I laughed I cried, I wet myself- Swedish Dance bands form the 70's. These are priceless.

Coming Soon

My Front Porch

So it started early today.
Then got worse.


All of these are really taken from

my porch and with only a 105mm.

To give you perspective, the one below you can easily see my house.

Lee

A sneak peak-Unfinished Teaser

COMING SOON!

God bless volunteers, who needs a KLS supermodel.

PLF Brothers Unite!

Tomorrow all of us of the P.L.F. (Photographers Liberation Front) will be making not only a momentous decision, but one that could potentially haunt us for four years. I speak mostly to our brothers in the journalistic brigade, though all of us could be affected in many ways. The question is, who do we want to photograph for the next 4 years?

Who is most photogenic? Obama or McCain.

Do we want the textured and rugged face of ages past or a smoother face not unlike models we have seen many a time. Which one must we choose. This is critical for our well being because day after day we are the ones who have to focus in on these mugs. Because dammit we do important stuff and we can't get stuck having to photograph the same guy for 4 years of magazine cover after nauseating feel good fluff articles.

Decide quickly my PLF legions for tomorrow we must expose and frame the correct shot .

This Weak ...errr.. Week in Studio

You know not every model can look like Christina Aguilera or even have the same hair color or even be the same sex. So you work with what you have, hot lights and a very good sport.


Would Stephen Webster be proud?

Flying

When I was very young I often dreamed, like many, that I could fly.

I can't remember when I was not a very visual person and I have memories as far back as when I was 3 years old (asking my mother how old I was-She said I was 3, my 4th birthday party, zip lining a practice parachute jump at the military base in Naha, Japan before we moved back to the US and I started kindergarten). That and my very vivid imagination (clearly seeing a huge fiery comet crashing into my back yard when I was 6) and my memorable night terrors (the devil, killer robots, and werewolves made many appearances) as a kid probably had something to do with my going into photography, my sometime surrealistic ideas and the work I create.


Today I got the following e-mail, one of many, including one from Alan Meckler on the same topic:

Dear Customer:

This morning Jupitermedia announced that it has entered into a purchase agreement to sell its Jupiterimages division to Getty Images. While the companies have signed a definitive agreement, the deal will not close until shareholder and government approvals have been obtained. Approvals could take up to several months and ! there is approvals, but that is not expected. There will be no change in your relationship with Jupiterimages as a result of this announcement. Jupiterimages will continue to operate as it always has delivering the highest quality imagery with world-class customer service.

I will continue to communicate updates periodically as we move through this process.

James Alexander
Senior Vice President and General Manager
jupiterimages

Landings can get bumpy.

Link Day

Title says it all:

Especially for LA area photographers, check out this blog We Can Shoot Too.

A new pet store just opened up New York City, Wooster Collective has all the cool mechanical details.

A great new take on the old holiday snapshots using souvenirs is shown at the Daily Mail English news.

Another interesting blog, Your Source for All Things Wicked and Awesome. Does a great job of finding, "A blog about the things that strike me as unique or odd, the things that inspire me and the things that I find beautiful." The link above highlights the ones on photography. Wonderful imagery, but check all the other postings out.

Always leave them laughing or cringing I forget which, you figure it out and, Don't Shoot the Puppy.

Just Completed Project

Slovak and American Video Exhibition

Last month one of my videos was selected for the video festival in Slovakia. The video was projected in the main square of Kosice, (the second largest city in Slovakia) October 1 - 3, 2008. The exhibit then traveled to the city of Banska Bystrica where it will be projected in Europe's largest shopping mall and at the Academy of Art, Oct 7-8; then to Bratislava (the capital of Slovakia) where the work will shown on an large electronic billboard in the center of the city, Oct 10- 12.

Just recently I was informed that the web site for the Slovak and American Video Exhibition is up and running. The direct link to my video "Life" that was chosen is here. If you have a chance check it out. Its interesting to see the Slovak translations that they added to my video (the original video can be seen here on YouTube). If you do click on the Slovak link I would appreciate a "good" rating as well.

The main video page link to see all the videos is at www.nmpoint.com Check out my friend Melaney Schmidt's great video as well.

Thanks

TED Prize

James Nachtwey puts us all to shame.




More information here.

Photoshelter Goes Kaput

Last week Photoshelter, a seemingly up and coming photo stock agency called it quits after only a year in business. You can read the statement here that was sent out to contributors and such.

I had several images with them and had planned to add more. Though in light of what has happened, I've since deleted much of what I had up with them. I'm hardly taking a big hit like Rachel Hulin (whose blog I mentioned in my last post) and others that worked there, but I am disappointed and feeling a bit mislead to say the least. APE (A Photo Editor) and PDN along with many other blogs have written about it and I think the comments made by a lot of people (contributors and otherwise) made on all those postings are enlightening.

Photoshelter is now pushing hard their other service. Can't blame them for wanting to stay alive and continue in business, though I can't say I'm very interested in what they are offering. Maybe I'm just a cynic, but I've been burned and seen similar things happen to others far to many times in the past for me to consider doing business with them again-see my reasoning below where I've copied what I wrote on APE's blog.

What do you think?

Seems to me they were a bit ill prepared or short sited. I mean to pull the plug after only several months in business doesn’t seem like a very well thought out plan was in place. I could be completely wrong, but I really have to wonder about doing business with them in the future. I mean I see these agencies as a partnership (Am I alone in this?). We all know how it works, the photographer provides the imagery/content to sell and the agency provides the backbone and clients. Usually a good fair deal. Though now if I had just gotten the rug pulled out from under me from such a partner I’m not so sure I would be partnering up with them again all to soon.

However, like you said they had the guts to do this. Though I still can’t shake the thought and wonder how the guts feel of those who spent the time and effort into investing with them with their imagery? I suppose one could say we should have seen it coming, but it still feels like the curtain go peeled back all of a sudden. Well time to click your heels together.

Anthropology sucks, unless my instrutor is reading this

I like my coffee at f5.6 at 1/250 .

Wonderful short video take with role reversals for toy collectors here

I always enjoy insight into an artists thoughts and process. Here is Audrey Kawasaki's live journal blog where she shares some background and updates to her pieces. Love her work and there are link to her regular web site as well.

For the taxidermist in all of us.

Rachel Hulin formally of Photoshelter, "Shoot the Blog" (damn them) and a great blog she had there has created her own blog site here. Currently simply titled, A Photography Blog. I think she is looking for name suggestions-I don't think she liked mine, "Shove it Photoshelter!".

Another blog that I think is worth checking out is one by the British Journal of Photography. Titled 1854, a nod to when they first started in print. Lots of great stories, links, and a great way to get a peak and another point of view from someone outside the U.S.

Asian in a Box

Pretty much finished this shoot for now, though I never completely walk away from ideas and I may add or tweak them later. Now lets see if I can get these images up on Flickr so you can see them all.

Link This

Some forgotten films to add to the list that just don't get shown enough.

Little Big Man (1970)
On the Waterfront (1954) (love the glove scene between Brando and Eva Marie Saint)
Harvey (1950)

New topic, Guilty Pleasures:

Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle (2004)
Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story (2004)
Starship Troopers (1997)
Stargate (1994)
Tremors (1990)
Big Trouble in Little China (1986)
Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1978)
Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1956)

Oh yeah the links:

A wonderfully updated and trendy Twin Lens Reflex on 35mm from Japan, blackbird, fly.

Rain Photography, my favorite is the waist deep umbrella shot about 6 down. Not the most colorful, but interesting.

From Kanibal, something for the tired photographer to rest their heads on.

Oh this is good, a blog on Modern Mechanics old classic articles. Some are interesting, others hilarious, and still some you have to wonder what the heck were they thinking. The link is to the photography section, but check out some of the many other articles. One of my favorites titled Exploring the Moon by Rocket Ship (Aug, 1931) has this fantastic image of a female surveyor/photographer with a tripod and in regular hiking clothes. The heading under the image read. "...which gives a scientifically accurate view of the moon's surface.

Check it out.

p.s. Independence Day was on one of the Fox cable channels tonight (sigh).

What I'm currently working on

Independence Day (rinse and repeat)

Now I know it is past and not July 4th, but do others know this? What I mean is that it seems that the entire year on satellite/cable they have been repeating the movie Independence Day over and over and over again. Now I'm not a movie snob for the most part and I don't hate this movie, but is it really the only option for movie and tbs ilk channels? Heck I saw this film when it first came out at the Chinese Theater in Hollywood. A good example of a summer action movie I suppose, but damn it seems like everyday I look at the t.v. guide and there it is-nooooo. It's like Jason from the Halloween series, it won't stay down. Do I really need to see it this often 12 years after its release and it has already been on t.v. a gazillion times? It was on two channels last night and it will be again this weekend. Are there really no other movies made in the last 12 years? They don't even have to be great just good movies. Anything that could be shown in I.D.'s place. Heck you don't, and I'm actaully encouraging this , even have to have Will Smith (see I Robot, I Am Legend, Shark Tale, Men in Black and Bad Boys II, Wild Wild West....etc.) in it.

Here is a small list off the top of my head:

Serenity (2005)
Kung Fu Hustle (2004)
Touching the Void (2003)
25th Hour (2002)
Equilibrium (2002)
Shaolin Soccer (2002)
Band of Brothers (2001) (mini)
Unbreakable (2000)
Iron Giant, The (1999)
Payback (1999)
Bowfinger (1999)
eXistenZ (1999)
Red Violin, The (1998)
From the Earth to the Moon" (1998) (mini)
Dark City (1998)
Rounders (1998)
Great Expectations (1998)
Grosse Pointe Blank (1997)
Princess Mononoke (1997)

Now some do get some air play, but not like I.D. Hey how about even some older movies that deserve more play time:

Get Shorty (1995)
Crumb (1994) (documentary)
Postino, Il (1994)
The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert (1994)
Trois couleurs: Bleu (1993)
Sneakers (1992)
Singles (1992) (Takes Me Back to Seattle)
The Fisher King (1991)
The Commitments (1991)
Rosencrantz & Guildenstern Are Dead (1990)
Jacob's Ladder (1990)
The Grifters (1990)
Crimes and Misdemeanors (1989)
Say Anything... (1989)
Do the Right Thing (1989)
Drugstore Cowboy (1989)
The Big Picture (1989)
The Unbearable Lightness of Being (1988)
Cinema Paradiso (1988)
Evil Dead II (1987)
Swimming to Cambodia (1987)
Explorers (1985)
Breaking Away (1979)

You can easily find details and more movie options at IMDB (Internet Movie DataBase). The bottom line of what I'm saying is, "Mix it up a little Mr. Movie Programmer, there are plenty of other good movies out there... ass."

Facebook

Since I've added this blog to a Facebook application, I thought "sheit" I better write something. At least add a few interesting links dammit!

Okay what color is that? Word List

Mmmm I should promote some friends. How about Steph at her blog and her Stephanie Fowler Photography site. Also check out Ivy at Ivy Reynolds Photography. Ivy won this years PDN's Top Knots Wedding Photography Contest, if you follow the link the bride in the image you see on the cover is Steph. One of the few weddings I actually snuck into... errr was invited too. I still dream of Steph's ding dong (yes the hostess kind) wedding cake mmmmm. So we all know each and I can recommend both since I've hired them both twice in the past to work for me at two different companies. Both wonderful people and photographers.

Some fun, Worst Album Covers Ever

Last and most strange, absurdly humorous and certainly NSFW (not safe for work) The Erotic Falcon

All Me, All Day, All the Time

If you are anywhere near Ft. Collins, CO you may consider stopping by The Center for Fine Art Photography. I managed to bribe.. errrr, be accepted into the current "Edgy" exhibition now showing. You can also see it on line through the link above on their name. Not surprisingly, you can find my submission way down almost at the bottom.

If you are in school you may come have come across an issue of PDNedu. Again I managed to extort..errrrrr, get a runner up status in the still life category. You can view all the winners (and me again in the back) again through the link in their name above.

So you should be asking yourself, damn if he can win why can't I. And you are right. So check out my last two journals for contests still open and go for it. Oh and just for giggles here are some new ones:

AN-NE Marketing Awards

Exposure, Artists Wanted

PIX 14th Digital imaging Award

Go!

American Idol and more contests

Okay I watch it, though more so at the beginning for all the usual disillusioned horrible singers fun. However, lately I've been both annoyed and thrilled by the continued presence of Jason of the Dreadlocks. I mean sure its fun to yell at the tv while he is getting judge feedback, "Run Forrest Run!". Or simply mumble like my fiance, "grrrrrr die!!!". Though in reality when Simon said to Jason for his critique, "Pack your bags". What he really should have said was, "Pack your bong".


The Pilsner Urquell International Photography Awards has extended their deadline . There is a discount on the entry fee for students and non-professionals.

Here is a free one from Professional Photographer Magazine due by May 31st.

Livebooks has one that ends this month I believe it is free to students.

This one ends May 12th at Photographer's Forum Magazine. With a small fee of $4.95 per entry.

So who do you think will get voted out tonight. One of the 3 singers left or the box of rocks?

Photography Contests

Contests can be frustrating, rewarding and of course very subjective. However, I do think they can help you with your photography? Not only in getting publicity, but also in forcing a photographer to look critically at their own work-edit.

But I also think they can be hard to find sometimes and the deadlines can be a real beaatch to keep track of and not miss. Unfortunately we missed a bunch in March and the many contests that had deadlines at the end and beginning of the year. However, there are more going on through the year and its never to late to start.

So, lets begin a list of all the "good" contests and their deadlines. If you know more let me know and I'll add them as we go.

Oh, good luck. :)

• APRIL 2008

The Pilsner Urquell International Photography Awards - Deadline 4/30/08

• MAY 2008

The 24th Annual PDN/Nikon Self-Promotion Awards-Deadline 5/23/08

• JUNE 2008

Center for Fine Art Photography: All Things Horses - Deadline 6/18/08

• JULY 2008

Aperture Foundation: Portfolio Prize Competition - Deadline 7/11/08
Center for Fine Art Photography: 2008 Int'l Exhibit of Fine Art Photography - Deadline 7/15/08

• AUGUST 2008

Center for Fine Art Photography: Our Environment - the good, bad and ugly - Deadline 8/18/08

World In Focus (Seems travel oriented & the site is updating in late April so more info should be coming) - Deadline 8/21/08

• KINDA ON GOING:

JPG Magazine: Constantly having contests for images to get into their magazine. Its free, check it out.

Shots Magazine: Call for Entries for each issue.

National Photo Awards: Kinda funky site, but they seem to have a monthly photo contest.

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Notes: Personally, if possible, I like to take a look at past winners to get a feel for what type of photography each contest is looking for in submissions. Sometimes it helps me decide what image to submit or to even bother submitting. Though you never know, maybe its better to just submit whatever you want. Also read the rules and terms carefully. Some contests require more from you in image rights then you may want to give. Most are run by fellow artists and try to be fair though.

... and yet more

Just when you thought I forgot about you.

More interesting finds:

Fun and silly stuff first this time. I kind of like this item from ifnbooks. The Accordion Photo Album Kit seems like a great alternative to standard photo gift or card.

Okay this is really strange, Kittywigs, and that isn't a typo. The blue and pink ones are especially divine. I'm betting you just might know somebody who would actually buy one-at least for a gag gift.

The Top 10 Worse Logos created by the list universe is fantastic. Some people have no visual imagination, thankfully for those of us that do we can laugh at the results.

Okay here is an actual Photo link. First go to The State of the Art Blog to read about their response to an interesting (interesting as in wrong) article in Newsweek. It basically says that digital imaging has killed photography. As they point out much of the article statements are absurd, but its interesting to read State of the Art's response and the comments left by others. Plus there are links to the original article.

Magnum has this great on line documentary titled The Self Assigned Photographer about photographer Dennis Stock. Wonderfully presented and well worth the time viewing all of it.

I'll wrap this up with two very good blogs I like to look over. One is avisualsociety by photography agent in new york that can be very insightful. The other is A Photo Editor, whom is Rob Haggart the former Director of Photography at Men’s Journal. this blog started out as being anonymous, but just recently Haggart quit his job and came out so to speak. Lots of very good postings on the business and how photographers are chosen and other internal process'. Also a lot of good industry people comment on the posts with their thoughts as well.

Instead of one of my images how about a link to a video I recently completed, Life