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Feb
24
Despite what you think you know, there’s always room for more. Who said ‘The more I learn the less I know’ – [Socrates, perhaps]. I took a portrait lighting workshop and it was fun as heck studying light. We practiced some ideas in lighting that I’d have never considered. Thanks to Frank V., the instructor for the Lighting Workshop, and the Princeton Digital Photo Workshop.
A few shots in this series were lighting experiments with this hazing effect. We put a strobe behind the models head (on quite high power) and she faced the windows for additional ambient soft fill light. Then, using a slow shutter setting on the camera, the model flipped her hair back and forth and up and down. We think the hazy glow came from the strobe bouncing off the wall (it was very close to the wall), and back into the camera. Quite a romantic effect – without the use of any digital filters. I don’t know that I’d have thought to experiment this way if it wasn’t for the workshop. So this old dog has new trick.
As for the image that is both in black and white and color, I still can’t decide which one I like more – I should probably take a photo editing class next.
Dec
05
I thought about calling this series ‘EXEC_CUTE_TIVE LEVEL’, but then DOG YEARS felt better.
We’ll Make Great Pets, the song by the band Porno For Pyros (Perry Farrell of Jane’s Addiction) was playing in my head the whole time. And continues when I look at these images. Understanding relationships transcend the test of time and institutional struggles. A thought that was also playing in my head after this photo session.
My friend, a Creative Director who offered me the shoot was challenged after the fact (by upper level execs) about decisions that were on the table months ahead. Things that were previously approved, became politically unapproved. And like ‘man’s best friend’ – we stuck it out, and made everything work to the best of our ability. There’s more to ponder about the parallel of pet and owner, and two friends that have worked with each other for over 15 years – that’s 105 in dog years.
On this shoot, we were lucky to have the budget to accommodate a very talented stylist – Dwayne, who did the hair, make-up, pet wrangling and set-up.
Oct
26
After Burn was a project I was asked to participate in the Fall of 2011. The concept was borrowed from a group that once a year would have a back yard fire and invite artists to bring one piece of their own to chuck on the fire and be rid of it – love it. Although the attendance of our Burn was a bit light, the collaborative minds were engaged – initially – with seemingly hidden agendas unraveling. Which begs the question, can artists’ be curators? Or, is it best for that not to happen. The mix at this burn was primarily artists, save for a few with fairly decent community organizing skills.
My interest was to take portraits of the artists’ with their art in the woods – before burning it. That was the only way I would be apart of the project – and believe me, I had plenty of art I could burn at a moments notice. This was a fun challenge, since I very much enjoy night photography, and the subject matter was truly great.
The thought was, that with the photos, the amazingly cool slow motion video that was made, and a potential project made out of the ashes – all this content would be ready made for a gallery – some or all. Believe me, the video footage was by far was the coolest thing you ever did see – and probably never will. The majority of the burners work jobs as well as making art, nobody really has authorship of the project – shame.
I am glad to have this little set of portraits of the folks involved at least. Art collaborations can have the best of intentions.
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- DE LA GARZA
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- GREEN
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- WILKINSON
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- SANTORO
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- BALDWIN
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- PRICE
EDITOR’S NOTE: I changed the text on my glitter painting – too embarrassed to publish the original – it was a really bad idea – glad it burned.
Sep
05
Every now and then I get asked to design something (since that’s what I used to do) – and one of the reasons I shifted into photography was in part due to the less-than-stellar images provided for layouts etc. As the years roll by, I built a fairly large image library I can draw from – either for inspiration or to use.
The creative brief I was given for this assignment was, ‘make it gorgeous’ and ‘it has to be beautiful’ – as well as watching the trailers of the selected films. My first thought was to make a photo based series that related to being attracted to light – moth, flower, light painting. After these were rejected, I’m thinking that my ‘beautiful’ is a bit darker than yours. So back to the drawing board to dig some more holes.
Next round I’m thinking eyes, seeing the light and flowers must be beautiful – right? wrong. The answer was purple fire (originally), which I then made yellow and green, and then deep brown toned – and stuck some heads and a metronome in for good measure (no pun intended). A bit random but I hope it works for its intended audience.
Point of my story, collect random images – they might become beautiful overnight.
Click on the images to see the various layouts at full size.
Aug
12
Jersey Fresh is an annual graffiti jam held in Trenton. Writers from all over NJ, NY, DC and MEX descend to ascend the walls at TerraCycle (a firm that makes pencil cases out of potato chip bags amongst other things). Organized by Leon Rainbow and his crew Vicious Styles, this event gets better every year. After a full day of painting and Hip-Hop, Rappers and DJ’s there was an after party at 219 Hanover – a funky building occupied by artists and musicians. I took a few photos of the folks I know – sorry if you don’t see yourself pictured – I didn’t want to be too much in the way documenting the event.
AMAZING MUSIC BY: Ahmad Shakir, RoebusOne, Black Collar, Dock Ellis, and Honalee.
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- Erik H.
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- RAS
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- Dock Ellis
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- DJ AHMAD
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- Andrew + KC
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- Leon Rainbow
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- RoebusOne
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- Peter
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- Demer
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- Jon Gordon – Artist
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- Black Collar
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- Jeff S – filmmaker
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- Diana
Jun
23
24 hours of art, music, and films is one insane idea. Art All Night is Trenton, NJ’s annual community arts festival. This year a reported 18,000+ people passed through the cavernous Roebling Wire Works – filled to the gills with art. To make this event happen there is a dedicated crew of volunteers and sponsors – who are all great.
This Art All Night was the fifth, and probably the best so far. In previous years I’ve pitched in here and there, but prefer to attend as a regular guy to experience it, rather than work it. Although I’d haul out the garbage if asked. Anyway, when I arrived with camera in tow I thought I’d take a few photos of people I know – with their eyes closed – since many of them would be staying up the entire 24 hours.
There’s something serene about a portrait with this intention. I was thinking of the French photographer Philippe Halsman and how he would ask his subjects to jump in the air – the subjects’ expressions he caught were delightful.
I didn’t get too far before I realized I was working and felt it best that I take a break. So the edit is rather skimpy – maybe I’ll do it again properly when I can control the environment somewhat.
Thanks Artworks – you inspired me again.
Jun
13
Lucky me (again) I was asked to photograph lots of models and gals from hair salons for an event called Care Couture, which is a fundraiser for cancer survivors. All the funds raised are given to directly to the folks that may need to purchase a wig after chemotherapy. This year there were over ten hair salons that participated and each salon provided the models. The salons did an amazing job – hair / make-up / concept – everything. I set up a back drop and lights in a side room at the club where the event was held. And weirdness – my light broke again – that happened last year as well, but lucky me (again) I have a fleet of prime lens’ that can basically see in the dark.
This event is created by an amazing crew that volunteer their time and energy – from the PR firm, the club manager, the DJ, lighting guy, photo-guy (me). This year I recruited a video guy, another camera guy and photographer that set up a photo booth – very cool. And there were dancers as well – to set the tone of the themes between the fashion show cat walk part.
The air conditioning was broken that night on a somewhat-more-than-warm-night in mid-June and I was stuffed in the side room with 20+ models, Denise (stellar assistant) and Bridgette (where did you go?) – and no one uttered a peep – no divas – no complaints. Me? I was sweaty as a mouse.
May
01
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- Susan Wheeler
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- Timothy Donnelly
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- Ellen Foos
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- Alicia Ostriker
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- Carlos Hernadez
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- Mark Doty
How best to photograph a poet? The dexterity to play with language intrigues and impresses me to no end, since I’m rather challenged at decoding poems. They puzzle my mind – but I’ll keep trying. So lucky me, I got to work with Susan Wheeler, Alicia Ostriker, Carlos Hernandez, Ellen Foos, Mark Doty and Timothy Donnelly – I hope I captured their image in a way they like. Environmental elements become clues that hopefully help tell the story of the subject. Obvious vs. obtuse. As a photographer I aspire to understand space, as well as color and light.
I’ve heard a good idea is bad idea at the wrong time. This assignment could have been that with the amount of ‘ions in this fire’. Ions, not irons. That was a poetic attempt. A photographer should the edit space as does a poet. Add in editors, publishers and designers – and the space can change. Ionic, not ironic. That was another attempt. Perhaps I haven’t learned enough about id, ego and super ego – and should stick to taking pictures instead of writing.
Apr
16
I spent the weekend with a bunch of strangers that had one thing in common – a passion for photography. Peter’s Valley in Layton, NJ has a weekend retreat for all levels of photographer. The never ending debate about about film vs. digital rearing its ugly face around every dinner table continues. It’s great to see view cameras employed, hear about technical prowess – and participate in conversations about our favorite photographers and learn of ones we didn’t know of.
How many photographers does it take to shoot a barn? Of course everyone sees and works differently no matter the subject. Took me a minute to find my feet in this place and despite the mild isolation I was more interested in the touristic aspects of local natural spectacles. Something about nature providing and being capitalized on.
The one place I visited had a diorama of taxidermy animals – all the things you might see in nature, but stuffed and displayed in one room for your viewing pleasure before you pass through to the natural feature you just paid to see. The staff didn’t seem to mind me work the room. I decided to flip and mirror these images and create a joined stereoscopic image, since the sets are already so fake and lit with overhead flourecsent lights – it’ll never look real no matter what you do – so I decided to the draw the viewer further. Naturally your mind tries to make sense of something that doesn’t.
What happens in the Poconos looks like it stays there.
Apr
04
Trenton New Jersey graffiti writers, Leon Rainbow and Will Kasso invited me to check out their studio space. These guys paint and paint and paint and keep painting. The two work independently and as part of a crew called, Vicious Styles for larger scale commissions.
Leon’s site: http://www.leonrainbow.com/
Will’s site: http://sagecollective.blogspot.com/
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- Leon Rainbow
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- Leon Rainbow
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- Will ‘Kasso’ Condry
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- Will ‘Kasso’ Condry
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- Leon & Will
