Music | Toxic by Yael Naim
Insightful view on art...
March 31, 2008
March 16, 2008
2 Portraits...
Music | I Had a Dream by Joss Stone
Lighting is everything. It sets the mood, tone and even the tempo at which a viewer will look at a photo. Shadows are where the meaning of life lies. With just the movement of one light source and a few reflectors, these 2 photos originated out of ordinary headshots.
I'd much rather sit in an old small jazz club thats a bit smoky and worn with creaky tables and chairs, where the visitors come because they really want to hear the music. The room is dark, except the spot light on the stage and the sound is truth.
Lighting is everything. It sets the mood, tone and even the tempo at which a viewer will look at a photo. Shadows are where the meaning of life lies. With just the movement of one light source and a few reflectors, these 2 photos originated out of ordinary headshots.
I'd much rather sit in an old small jazz club thats a bit smoky and worn with creaky tables and chairs, where the visitors come because they really want to hear the music. The room is dark, except the spot light on the stage and the sound is truth.
March 15, 2008
rant...
Music | I Just Don't Think I'll Ever Get Over You by Colin Hay
I got a commission to do a head shot for an author who is having a book published in the near future. I was happy to hear he went against his publisher's advice to, "Just have your wife take a picture". It isn't that she would do a bad job, but when a business (A Publisher) takes photography so lightly, I get concerned. Frankly, I would not think so highly of a business that takes photography so lightly, but it seems to be the trend.
I'm thinking we are living in the era of, Good Enough... Lets not take the time to put out the best we can, but just make it Good Enough and put it out there as soon as possible. One would think that within the speed and accuracy of the digital age, we would be able to create some of our greatest work in a relatively shorter amount of time. But in this age, we will never be fast enough.
I got a commission to do a head shot for an author who is having a book published in the near future. I was happy to hear he went against his publisher's advice to, "Just have your wife take a picture". It isn't that she would do a bad job, but when a business (A Publisher) takes photography so lightly, I get concerned. Frankly, I would not think so highly of a business that takes photography so lightly, but it seems to be the trend.
I'm thinking we are living in the era of, Good Enough... Lets not take the time to put out the best we can, but just make it Good Enough and put it out there as soon as possible. One would think that within the speed and accuracy of the digital age, we would be able to create some of our greatest work in a relatively shorter amount of time. But in this age, we will never be fast enough.
March 14, 2008
March 07, 2008
The Show...
Music | Moon Boat by 上々颱風
The turn out for First Thursday for March was absolutely fantastic. By 6 p.m., there was a steady stream of people coming in to see all the great art until closing at 9 p.m. Between talking to friends, art enthusiasts, other artists and new friends, the experience was inspiring. I was offered again to show in April and May. If I can make it, I'll show on both occasions, but May for sure! This experience is addicting... Dare I say, I'm looking forward to my first sale!
The turn out for First Thursday for March was absolutely fantastic. By 6 p.m., there was a steady stream of people coming in to see all the great art until closing at 9 p.m. Between talking to friends, art enthusiasts, other artists and new friends, the experience was inspiring. I was offered again to show in April and May. If I can make it, I'll show on both occasions, but May for sure! This experience is addicting... Dare I say, I'm looking forward to my first sale!
'I fell in love with a female assassin
Music | O Amor Em Paz, by Ryuichi Sakamoto
WOW, what a story!
'I fell in love with a female assassin' - Americas, World - Independent.co.uk
WOW, what a story!
'I fell in love with a female assassin' - Americas, World - Independent.co.uk
March 04, 2008
Group Show...
Music | Aka Tonbo by Aiko Shimada & Elizabeth Falconer
I was asked last minute to be apart of a group exhibition of various artists in the Pearl District at the Albina Community Bank of Portland. I'm not sure how many artists were invited, but I am excited to be in my 3rd group show.
Apprehensive, I stepped off today to hang my photographs. The tension of arranging, hammering that nail to the wall, hanging the frame always stirs up my essence. The anticipation of climbing off the step ladder and walking away to view my work from the perspective of a viewer is frightening. But today, the Photo Gods were with me and although seeing my photographs in a foreign setting was unnerving, together they felt like they belonged. My deep sigh of relief lasted only as long as a woman stepped in front of my images and stared. She didn't move for a good 45 seconds. I stood a good 10 yards away wondering what the hell she was thinking, her head moving up and down from one image to the next, arms folded... This is merely hanging day... I laugh as the thought of the opening is a mere 2 days away.
Here are the images that will be displayed for the month of March...
I was asked last minute to be apart of a group exhibition of various artists in the Pearl District at the Albina Community Bank of Portland. I'm not sure how many artists were invited, but I am excited to be in my 3rd group show.
Apprehensive, I stepped off today to hang my photographs. The tension of arranging, hammering that nail to the wall, hanging the frame always stirs up my essence. The anticipation of climbing off the step ladder and walking away to view my work from the perspective of a viewer is frightening. But today, the Photo Gods were with me and although seeing my photographs in a foreign setting was unnerving, together they felt like they belonged. My deep sigh of relief lasted only as long as a woman stepped in front of my images and stared. She didn't move for a good 45 seconds. I stood a good 10 yards away wondering what the hell she was thinking, her head moving up and down from one image to the next, arms folded... This is merely hanging day... I laugh as the thought of the opening is a mere 2 days away.
Here are the images that will be displayed for the month of March...
February 29, 2008
McMenamin's St. Johns Pub
Music | Haitian Flight Song by Charles Mingus
Patty Daddy writes another Cheeseburger review, while Hambahga Stakee shoot the photos...
Patty Daddy writes another Cheeseburger review, while Hambahga Stakee shoot the photos...
February 25, 2008
Helvetica
Music |
Helvetica, not the font, but the movie. It does tell the story of how the font has become the most popular in the world and how perfect it is - told thru the eyes of designers and artists and those who created it.
I have to mention though that there is a use for Zapf Dingbats, as told by David Carson... priceless!
Helvetica, not the font, but the movie. It does tell the story of how the font has become the most popular in the world and how perfect it is - told thru the eyes of designers and artists and those who created it.
I have to mention though that there is a use for Zapf Dingbats, as told by David Carson... priceless!
February 24, 2008
Sunday in the Park
Music | Let's Stay Together by Al Green
Memories are made by the time we spend together...
The weather in February is rarely anything to brag about, but the last few days have been spring like. On this Sunday morning, a time I'm not usually with my daughter, we made breakfast together, watched a few cartoons and rode our bikes to a faraway park. The extra effort to reach our destination only made it sweeter. Today, I realized this is what Sundays are always supposed to be like...
Dara and her bike
Iconic D
My kid
Memories are made by the time we spend together...
The weather in February is rarely anything to brag about, but the last few days have been spring like. On this Sunday morning, a time I'm not usually with my daughter, we made breakfast together, watched a few cartoons and rode our bikes to a faraway park. The extra effort to reach our destination only made it sweeter. Today, I realized this is what Sundays are always supposed to be like...
Dara and her bike
Iconic D
My kid
February 17, 2008
Best Sandwiches in America
Music | A concert at the Lincoln Center by Wynton Marsalis
The Best Sandwiches in America - Esquire
I've been to a few of these places, but it sure does want to make me travel... The Maple BBQ Pulled Pork especially calls out!
The Best Sandwiches in America - Esquire
I've been to a few of these places, but it sure does want to make me travel... The Maple BBQ Pulled Pork especially calls out!
February 16, 2008
Asta and Rocko
Music | Lean on Me by Bill Withers
Asta has been around for almost 11 years. He is still the same puppy he was when we took him in when he was around 6 months old. Asta has a new friend, Rocko, who is a very wise looking 8 year old. New friends and best buddies...
Asta has been around for almost 11 years. He is still the same puppy he was when we took him in when he was around 6 months old. Asta has a new friend, Rocko, who is a very wise looking 8 year old. New friends and best buddies...
February 13, 2008
Jake's Grill
Music | Love Song by Sara Bareillis
In continuing the reviews for Portland Hamburgers, I went to Jake's Grill, which I usually do once a week. Their Happy Hour includes this delicious 1/2 pound cheeseburger with fries, crisp lettuce, onions, tomatoes with amazing pickles, all for a $1.95. Usually 2 black and tans rounds off this amazing meal and I roll home quite satiated! The wait staff is top notch, with Waldo here showing off her great smile! Gino behind the bar pours some great drinks!
We'll have to wait a few days to see if I make it in the Portland Hamburgers blog...
update: Portland Hamburgers
In continuing the reviews for Portland Hamburgers, I went to Jake's Grill, which I usually do once a week. Their Happy Hour includes this delicious 1/2 pound cheeseburger with fries, crisp lettuce, onions, tomatoes with amazing pickles, all for a $1.95. Usually 2 black and tans rounds off this amazing meal and I roll home quite satiated! The wait staff is top notch, with Waldo here showing off her great smile! Gino behind the bar pours some great drinks!
We'll have to wait a few days to see if I make it in the Portland Hamburgers blog...
update: Portland Hamburgers
February 11, 2008
Polaroid
Music | Blindfold by Morcheeba
The world passes you by if you wait long enough...
Sad News...
and a Memorial...
I'm really sad that I never got my project off the ground using Polaroid. One can only hope that another company will purchase the rights to manufacture this great film.
The world passes you by if you wait long enough...
Sad News...
and a Memorial...
I'm really sad that I never got my project off the ground using Polaroid. One can only hope that another company will purchase the rights to manufacture this great film.
February 04, 2008
Creativity
Music | Afro Blue by John Coltrane
Leslie Burns-Dell’Acqua suggests 10 things to do to get your creative motion moving.
* Go to an art museum. Exposing yourself to other art made by other people can inspire your little grey cells.
* Watch a movie. No, a slasher film won’t cut it but it doesn’t have to be some obtuse art film either. For example, the new boxed-set for Blade Runner has long sections talking about lighting and even if you only watch the movie, you’ll get visually inspired. Or how about anything by David Lean…
* Draw. Even if you draw like a 5-year old on a Tilt-a-Whirl it’s great for the creative synapses. You could play a game like “Add aline” where one person doodles something then the next person adds onto that then another person adds on to that (or the first personagain), etc.
* Write. Journaling is great for the creative brain. Anyone read The Artist’s Way? Even if you don’t go for her techniques, the idea of writing–hand writing–makes your brain fire differently and that caneasily contribute to fresh creative thinking.
* Shoot something new every day for a month. This can be done with acell phone camera or whatever you want. Just shoot. Don’t think.Don’t put up all sorts of rules about how or where to shoot, just shoot. You may just capture something that you’ll want to explore further in your “real” work.
* Read a novel. This is surprisingly helpful. I can almost always tell who reads a lot and who doesn’t just by looking at a body ofwork. If you have a reading disorder (and many creatives are dyslexic) then listen to audio books. Non-fiction is good too but usually people sacrifice reading for pleasure (novels) and need to re-find that creative medium.
* Learn a new instrument. Many photographers are also musicians of some sort and while playing your chosen instrument is also good, learning a new one challenges your brain a bit more and that helps create new connections.
* Take a class. Not a photo class (though, again, that is also good) but something different like cooking or poetry or dancing. Like the last suggestion, this creates new neural connections and that keep your brain “fresher” (thus making zombies everywhere rejoice).
* Get exercise. This one is especially true if you have ADD/ADHD.Exercise helps improve blood flow to your brain and rhythmic exercise (jogging, swimming laps, even cycling) works much like meditation to help focus your thoughts.
* Get some nookie. I know, it sounds cheesy to mention sex but having sex can inspire your creative brain. Think about Picasso–that man was notorious for it and he made great work. There really is a connection there, and it works for women artists too.
I'm on it!
Leslie Burns-Dell’Acqua suggests 10 things to do to get your creative motion moving.
* Go to an art museum. Exposing yourself to other art made by other people can inspire your little grey cells.
* Watch a movie. No, a slasher film won’t cut it but it doesn’t have to be some obtuse art film either. For example, the new boxed-set for Blade Runner has long sections talking about lighting and even if you only watch the movie, you’ll get visually inspired. Or how about anything by David Lean…
* Draw. Even if you draw like a 5-year old on a Tilt-a-Whirl it’s great for the creative synapses. You could play a game like “Add aline” where one person doodles something then the next person adds onto that then another person adds on to that (or the first personagain), etc.
* Write. Journaling is great for the creative brain. Anyone read The Artist’s Way? Even if you don’t go for her techniques, the idea of writing–hand writing–makes your brain fire differently and that caneasily contribute to fresh creative thinking.
* Shoot something new every day for a month. This can be done with acell phone camera or whatever you want. Just shoot. Don’t think.Don’t put up all sorts of rules about how or where to shoot, just shoot. You may just capture something that you’ll want to explore further in your “real” work.
* Read a novel. This is surprisingly helpful. I can almost always tell who reads a lot and who doesn’t just by looking at a body ofwork. If you have a reading disorder (and many creatives are dyslexic) then listen to audio books. Non-fiction is good too but usually people sacrifice reading for pleasure (novels) and need to re-find that creative medium.
* Learn a new instrument. Many photographers are also musicians of some sort and while playing your chosen instrument is also good, learning a new one challenges your brain a bit more and that helps create new connections.
* Take a class. Not a photo class (though, again, that is also good) but something different like cooking or poetry or dancing. Like the last suggestion, this creates new neural connections and that keep your brain “fresher” (thus making zombies everywhere rejoice).
* Get exercise. This one is especially true if you have ADD/ADHD.Exercise helps improve blood flow to your brain and rhythmic exercise (jogging, swimming laps, even cycling) works much like meditation to help focus your thoughts.
* Get some nookie. I know, it sounds cheesy to mention sex but having sex can inspire your creative brain. Think about Picasso–that man was notorious for it and he made great work. There really is a connection there, and it works for women artists too.
I'm on it!
January 31, 2008
My Bad Ass Daughter!
Music | Alabama by John Coltrane Quartet
OK, I know I'm on a youtube run here, but I wanted to share what my kid can do to a 40 foot vertical wall. Scroll to about a minute 30 to see some advanced moves and me getting carried away a bit...
OK, I know I'm on a youtube run here, but I wanted to share what my kid can do to a 40 foot vertical wall. Scroll to about a minute 30 to see some advanced moves and me getting carried away a bit...
January 30, 2008
Linnton Family Café
Music | Madam Butterfly by Malcolm McLaren
UPDATED: Go Here to view the review.
My buddy PattyDaddy and I have been exploring burgers around the Portland area to write critiques for the Portland Hamburgers blog. PattyDaddy has been on the blog once before, here.
Today, he suggested driving out to a little town on hwy 30 named Linnton. The name of the restaurant is the Linnton Family Café. We were treated a pretty decent burger at a very affordable price. Hopefully, the review will be on the blog shortly...
UPDATED: Go Here to view the review.
My buddy PattyDaddy and I have been exploring burgers around the Portland area to write critiques for the Portland Hamburgers blog. PattyDaddy has been on the blog once before, here.
Today, he suggested driving out to a little town on hwy 30 named Linnton. The name of the restaurant is the Linnton Family Café. We were treated a pretty decent burger at a very affordable price. Hopefully, the review will be on the blog shortly...
January 28, 2008
Trinket* and Ollie
Music | Polvere di gesso by Gianmaria Testa
I have friends who took in 2 foster dogs just before Christmas. They are so freakin cute, I had to photograph them! Trinket, who is now Pinkie has the red collar and Ollie are full of personality. In my short evening hanging out with them, they revved themselves up into a frenzy, wrestling, biting, smacking each other silly, then settling down into an almost nap mode...
How freaking cute can dogs be???
I have friends who took in 2 foster dogs just before Christmas. They are so freakin cute, I had to photograph them! Trinket, who is now Pinkie has the red collar and Ollie are full of personality. In my short evening hanging out with them, they revved themselves up into a frenzy, wrestling, biting, smacking each other silly, then settling down into an almost nap mode...
How freaking cute can dogs be???
January 27, 2008
Blurred Image
Music | 97 by The Pretenders
In keeping with my desire to shoot personal content at least once a week for 2008, I've put up a picture blog called Blurred Image.
For those that were keeping up with Transparent Truth, you know it no longer exists. This is my solo attempt to go it alone.
Hope to see you there and thanks for your support...
In keeping with my desire to shoot personal content at least once a week for 2008, I've put up a picture blog called Blurred Image.
For those that were keeping up with Transparent Truth, you know it no longer exists. This is my solo attempt to go it alone.
Hope to see you there and thanks for your support...
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