Music | April Grove by Martina Topley Bird
For the past 10 years, my photography has been consumed by digital. In that time, I went thru 6 different camera bodies - Unlike the Hasselblad which I used for over 15 years before I sold it. Now I wish I had it again. I think I went thru 5 computers as well, not to mention the technologies that have died off like various drives(floppy, zip, jazz), monitors and other costly upgrades...
I kept a working darkroom from 1983 to 1999... 16 years! With the various necessities I had to invest in, I also built by hand, darkroom sinks, tables, shelves, drying frames - rigged plumbing... Equipment was much more personal, was a part of me which in essence the final work felt so much more apart of me as well. I've got my high end digital printer, which is now all ready 2 generations old. I use some of the finest papers available. And though I feel I've created amazing photographic prints, I never felt the connection I had when pulling a print out of the developer or fix, or seeing the print that took over night to dry and view if for the first time in optimal light to see the subtle shadow details or creamy highlights. It took not only my hard earned artistic sensibilities, but years of achieving a level of skill - No purchasing a set of actions or filters or a box of packaged goods could suddenly create what I toiled after.
My peers have moved on, have embraced the digital realm and are making good livings. Like early in my digital career, learning and keeping up with the new and ever changing technologies was easy. Now I notice things don't come as easy and simple. I often feel like the old man who can't keep up, just comprehending the things that are even basic is difficult.
I'm finding it harder and harder to find the truth, my center. Photography, my salvation, my passion - I'm finding it hasn't been consoling for me. I am proud of the fact that I have been creating, shooting more in the last few years than I have ever before... I've created some photos that I am very proud of. But with this digital process, I know as well that some of my finest work aren't photographs... They are pixels on a screen. The are in essence, nothing. I've been more keen to photography that is nothing... I still manage to get feedback on them, but if all we have of the images is nothing, is there a point?
I'm not a child of pixels and bytes, zeroes and ones... Maybe that is why I am feeling so displaced...
January 26, 2009
January 21, 2009
Mellifluous
Music | The Songs That We Sing by Charlotte Gainsbourg
A word I heard today...
[muh-lif-loo-uh
s] Show IPA Pronunciation 
–adjective
A word I heard today...
mel⋅lif⋅lu⋅ous
[muh-lif-loo-uhs] Show IPA Pronunciation –adjective
| 1. | sweetly or smoothly flowing; sweet-sounding: a mellifluous voice; mellifluous tones. |
| 2. | flowing with honey; sweetened with or as if with honey. |
January 04, 2009
Sweet Home Bar and Grill
Music | Dinner Music for a Pack of Hun by Kronos Quartet
Paddy Daddy and I (HambahgaStakee) have struck again and posted another review for Portland Hamburgers. Paddy Daddy noticed on their weekly changing specials board a 1 pound cheeseburger with fries and trimmings for around $9. Sounds like a challenge...
Paddy Daddy managed to clean his plate and I ended up leaving some fries and a quarter of the burger, which I ended up bringing home... I couldn't stand the idea of trashing a quarter pound of food...
Updated : Here is the review.
Paddy Daddy and I (HambahgaStakee) have struck again and posted another review for Portland Hamburgers. Paddy Daddy noticed on their weekly changing specials board a 1 pound cheeseburger with fries and trimmings for around $9. Sounds like a challenge...
Paddy Daddy managed to clean his plate and I ended up leaving some fries and a quarter of the burger, which I ended up bringing home... I couldn't stand the idea of trashing a quarter pound of food...
Updated : Here is the review.
January 01, 2009
Following the Crow and Moving Forward
Music | Impressions by John Coltrane
I'm lucky to be able to have some commissions where both subject and I want to move beyond more traditional means of the photographer, subject relationship. Though we did run thru a series of situations where the end result was going to be a beauty shot, we also were led towards a more dark series. I love the idea of capturing just line and form created with only shadows and small amounts of light - No detail... As if out of a dream sequence only the vague ultimate message becomes apparent and leaves with you the responsibility to decipher it if you so choose.
I'm also happy to present these images as this day, the New Year, brings about new work. I'd like to follow this path and see where it takes me. I was fortunate to have received a note from a fellow artist to tell me that she is seeing a progression of work that has grown in the past year. I feel somewhat validated that one of my peers has noticed this as it was a year ago that I decided to go down this road to be more expressive and not be so afraid to create for the sake of creating. Though I feel that I haven't molded a style that is of my own soul, I know I'm moving, slowly as it may be, towards that as one of my ultimate goals... There is still plenty of fear to fight thru, but I've got a year under my belt and I've at least have some knowledge how to sometimes conteract that fear.
Hope you all have a healthy, happy and prosperous New Year...
I'm lucky to be able to have some commissions where both subject and I want to move beyond more traditional means of the photographer, subject relationship. Though we did run thru a series of situations where the end result was going to be a beauty shot, we also were led towards a more dark series. I love the idea of capturing just line and form created with only shadows and small amounts of light - No detail... As if out of a dream sequence only the vague ultimate message becomes apparent and leaves with you the responsibility to decipher it if you so choose.
I'm also happy to present these images as this day, the New Year, brings about new work. I'd like to follow this path and see where it takes me. I was fortunate to have received a note from a fellow artist to tell me that she is seeing a progression of work that has grown in the past year. I feel somewhat validated that one of my peers has noticed this as it was a year ago that I decided to go down this road to be more expressive and not be so afraid to create for the sake of creating. Though I feel that I haven't molded a style that is of my own soul, I know I'm moving, slowly as it may be, towards that as one of my ultimate goals... There is still plenty of fear to fight thru, but I've got a year under my belt and I've at least have some knowledge how to sometimes conteract that fear.
Hope you all have a healthy, happy and prosperous New Year...
December 19, 2008
FaceBook and an era of time...
Music | Songs from the 70's by various artists via Pandora
I joined FaceBook a few months ago and did'nt enjoy the experience so much... It did'nt make any sense to me and I just could'nt figure out how the damned interface worked... Frankly, I still don't, but recently, I've gotten found and have been found by quite a few people from my past. In the last month, I must have heard from over 10 people who I haven't seen in close to 3 decades! Earlier today, I used the chat feature to communicate with a fellow student who I've known since the 7th grade. After high school, we haven't spoken until she found me on FaceBook, recently. I got caught up on some really old gossip that brought back some good and bad memories. Later today, I thought of band from back then that I really liked. It was from way back from when I was a freshman or sophmore in high school. My sense of music was pretty eclectic, but I have to say back then, I was really moved by 70's slow jams. In Pandora, I created a station after a band named L.T.D. The following is the last 10 songs that were presented to me and really brought me back to the day...
1. We Both Deserve Each Others Love by L.T.D.
2. A House is Not a Home by Luther Vandross
3. Betcha By Golly Wow by The Stylistics
4. Reasons by Earth Wind and Fire
5. Love Won't Let Me Wait by Major Harris
6. Easy by The Commodores
7. Love Ballad by L.T.D.
8. Feel the Fire by Teddy Pendergrass
9. Voyage to Atlantis by The Isley Brothers
10. Sweet Thing by Chaka Khan & Rufus
I joined FaceBook a few months ago and did'nt enjoy the experience so much... It did'nt make any sense to me and I just could'nt figure out how the damned interface worked... Frankly, I still don't, but recently, I've gotten found and have been found by quite a few people from my past. In the last month, I must have heard from over 10 people who I haven't seen in close to 3 decades! Earlier today, I used the chat feature to communicate with a fellow student who I've known since the 7th grade. After high school, we haven't spoken until she found me on FaceBook, recently. I got caught up on some really old gossip that brought back some good and bad memories. Later today, I thought of band from back then that I really liked. It was from way back from when I was a freshman or sophmore in high school. My sense of music was pretty eclectic, but I have to say back then, I was really moved by 70's slow jams. In Pandora, I created a station after a band named L.T.D. The following is the last 10 songs that were presented to me and really brought me back to the day...
1. We Both Deserve Each Others Love by L.T.D.
2. A House is Not a Home by Luther Vandross
3. Betcha By Golly Wow by The Stylistics
4. Reasons by Earth Wind and Fire
5. Love Won't Let Me Wait by Major Harris
6. Easy by The Commodores
7. Love Ballad by L.T.D.
8. Feel the Fire by Teddy Pendergrass
9. Voyage to Atlantis by The Isley Brothers
10. Sweet Thing by Chaka Khan & Rufus
December 18, 2008
A {Manifesto} for AC? | Accidental Creative
Music | Pita's Room by Harry Gregson-Williams
Wow, words to live by
A {Manifesto} for AC? | Accidental Creative
Wow, words to live by
A {Manifesto} for AC? | Accidental Creative
December 15, 2008
Slumdog Millionaire...
Music | Too Long by Yael Naim
It's one thing when you just wanna stay in from the cold and you don't feel like going out, but it is entirely different when the city is covered in ice and you CAN"T go anywhere... And so I sit at home, perusing the internet and sulking... However, thru my clicks and turns from one site to another, I am reminded that I really need to get out and see Slumdog Millionaire! I've also discovered there is am amazing women who I think I could fall in love with!!!
It's one thing when you just wanna stay in from the cold and you don't feel like going out, but it is entirely different when the city is covered in ice and you CAN"T go anywhere... And so I sit at home, perusing the internet and sulking... However, thru my clicks and turns from one site to another, I am reminded that I really need to get out and see Slumdog Millionaire! I've also discovered there is am amazing women who I think I could fall in love with!!!
December 12, 2008
Back and Forth
Music | The Reason Why by Rachael Yamagata
A recent series that consciously started a few months ago... Faded and now re-inspired...
I hate when I read blogs and such that are vague on details. I'm sorry but this is one of those blogs. More on this at a later date...
A recent series that consciously started a few months ago... Faded and now re-inspired...
I hate when I read blogs and such that are vague on details. I'm sorry but this is one of those blogs. More on this at a later date...
December 08, 2008
November 29, 2008
A Day in the Park
Music | Dakar by John Coltrane
My daughter, a point and shoot and a moment in the park.
My daughter, a point and shoot and a moment in the park.
November 25, 2008
Get a Life... Another Rant
Music | Body and Soul by John Coltrane
Maybe it is time I stop hitting the photography forums for awhile and stop reading what other folks have to say... It seems that I need a sharp attitude adjustment because I can feel tension build up around every other thread regarding photography. The latest thing that is bugging me was a question brought up about how this one photographer is shooting everything in film, but scans the image and makes large format prints on a ink jet printer... But because he feels the term ink jet slurs his "art", and he can't figure out a way to describe it himself, he asks the forum what they think an inkjet print should be called... Ask this question on any photo forum and you will get the same answers... Don't call them "Giclee" because it is an overused term or that it is used to deceive, inciting that it is more than just an inkjet print... Another term to use is "Archival Pigment print on Cotton Rag", or whatever the medium the ink or pigment is being printed on. How about "Pigment Print", or "Pigment Ink Print", or maybe this one... "Epson professional photo printer using archival inks".
I understand why so many "photographers" feel the need to "educate" their viewers, but when all is said and done, does the question about content or meaning ever come into question? I'm getting to the point of knowing mediocrity is good enough, if you have enough megapixels or fancy words to describe your work (not that the work itself should ever be held responsible for what the "artist" is trying to say), you suddenly have the credentials of being a real artist...
How about this... shut up all ready and just create for the sake of creating. Spend one hour with your camera and actually go out and take some pictures. When you get home, print your favorite photo and show it to some of your friends and talk about what you did. Show some backbone and be responsible for what you created, with no excuses and stand proudly behind your photo... Do this a few times and maybe you can stop looking for validation on the internet and start living in the real world...
Maybe it is time I stop hitting the photography forums for awhile and stop reading what other folks have to say... It seems that I need a sharp attitude adjustment because I can feel tension build up around every other thread regarding photography. The latest thing that is bugging me was a question brought up about how this one photographer is shooting everything in film, but scans the image and makes large format prints on a ink jet printer... But because he feels the term ink jet slurs his "art", and he can't figure out a way to describe it himself, he asks the forum what they think an inkjet print should be called... Ask this question on any photo forum and you will get the same answers... Don't call them "Giclee" because it is an overused term or that it is used to deceive, inciting that it is more than just an inkjet print... Another term to use is "Archival Pigment print on Cotton Rag", or whatever the medium the ink or pigment is being printed on. How about "Pigment Print", or "Pigment Ink Print", or maybe this one... "Epson professional photo printer using archival inks".
I understand why so many "photographers" feel the need to "educate" their viewers, but when all is said and done, does the question about content or meaning ever come into question? I'm getting to the point of knowing mediocrity is good enough, if you have enough megapixels or fancy words to describe your work (not that the work itself should ever be held responsible for what the "artist" is trying to say), you suddenly have the credentials of being a real artist...
How about this... shut up all ready and just create for the sake of creating. Spend one hour with your camera and actually go out and take some pictures. When you get home, print your favorite photo and show it to some of your friends and talk about what you did. Show some backbone and be responsible for what you created, with no excuses and stand proudly behind your photo... Do this a few times and maybe you can stop looking for validation on the internet and start living in the real world...
November 24, 2008
James...
Music | Step One, Two, Three by Roscoe Mitchell and the Note Factory
Earlier today, I was telling a peer that I didn't think I was going to like my 4x5 shots, judging by what I shot with the digital. My intention was to shoot with the 4x5, so out it came first. After the 1st session, I pulled out the digital and saw that my subject was stiff and awkward looking. I thought that since the digital shots immediately followed the film, my film was going to look similar. To my surprise however, of the 4 sheets I photographed, they all looked pretty good! This is the selection I chose...
Earlier today, I was telling a peer that I didn't think I was going to like my 4x5 shots, judging by what I shot with the digital. My intention was to shoot with the 4x5, so out it came first. After the 1st session, I pulled out the digital and saw that my subject was stiff and awkward looking. I thought that since the digital shots immediately followed the film, my film was going to look similar. To my surprise however, of the 4 sheets I photographed, they all looked pretty good! This is the selection I chose...
On a lighter note...
Music | Flashback by Fred Anderson
I'm waiting for film to dry in the bathroom that I shot yesterday. I've resigned to the fact that I will more than likely shoot some digital photos as well as my intended film on these sessions. It isn't so much I want to have a back up, but I know that the feel of the photographs will be different. I don't get opportunities enough to not take advantage of both formats when I'm out there...
James as "Merlin"
James on a movie set somewhere in a NYC alley
Film forthcoming...
I'm waiting for film to dry in the bathroom that I shot yesterday. I've resigned to the fact that I will more than likely shoot some digital photos as well as my intended film on these sessions. It isn't so much I want to have a back up, but I know that the feel of the photographs will be different. I don't get opportunities enough to not take advantage of both formats when I'm out there...
James as "Merlin"
James on a movie set somewhere in a NYC alley
Film forthcoming...
Lost / Rant
Music | In Your Own Sweet Way by Kenny Garret
In my quest to find my truth, I've always been keen to the banter between 2 camps, like PC vs the Mac, analog vs digital, specifically, film vs digital. Tides have turned dramatically and the world is moving forward and digital capture has overwhelmingly taken the number one choice for most "photographers" and the general public as well. There is no turning back and I know that film will become more scarce and more difficult to pursue as the years move forward.
What gets me going with this conflict is that technology has taken over aesthetics. Go to any photography forum and there is all the talk about more resolution, more megapixels, more dynamic range, blah blah blah... Who the fuck cares that you can make a 40 inch x 60 inch print at 300 dpi when 99% of your photographs will be 4x6? I've read about guys wanting more from their $20k digital back and would be willing to spend the money to have it. Meanwhile when you go to their websites, they have close up photos of their pet cat at 300% view.
Even the film guys, the so called traditionalist are talking about how they need to get more resolutions out of scanners so they too can print bigger. Never mind that the point of shooting film has some characteristics that are lost in the translation of a scan...
So onward they go, chasing the carrot of being able to print bigger and better and faster... Meanwhile, they have created nothing... Years go by, ideas come and go, then a lifetime goes by and they have only outdated equipment to show for it all...
Where are the discussions of moving forward and creating, aesthetics, romanticism instead of classicism, megapixels and resolution... Lets start using words like form, shape, line, poetic, beauty... in our daily artistic lives. The world would be so much more an interesting place...
In my quest to find my truth, I've always been keen to the banter between 2 camps, like PC vs the Mac, analog vs digital, specifically, film vs digital. Tides have turned dramatically and the world is moving forward and digital capture has overwhelmingly taken the number one choice for most "photographers" and the general public as well. There is no turning back and I know that film will become more scarce and more difficult to pursue as the years move forward.
What gets me going with this conflict is that technology has taken over aesthetics. Go to any photography forum and there is all the talk about more resolution, more megapixels, more dynamic range, blah blah blah... Who the fuck cares that you can make a 40 inch x 60 inch print at 300 dpi when 99% of your photographs will be 4x6? I've read about guys wanting more from their $20k digital back and would be willing to spend the money to have it. Meanwhile when you go to their websites, they have close up photos of their pet cat at 300% view.
Even the film guys, the so called traditionalist are talking about how they need to get more resolutions out of scanners so they too can print bigger. Never mind that the point of shooting film has some characteristics that are lost in the translation of a scan...
So onward they go, chasing the carrot of being able to print bigger and better and faster... Meanwhile, they have created nothing... Years go by, ideas come and go, then a lifetime goes by and they have only outdated equipment to show for it all...
Where are the discussions of moving forward and creating, aesthetics, romanticism instead of classicism, megapixels and resolution... Lets start using words like form, shape, line, poetic, beauty... in our daily artistic lives. The world would be so much more an interesting place...
November 11, 2008
The Basics...
Music | With You by Natalie Walker
My God Daughter is taking a photography class this year in High School. I was relieved to hear that they are still shooting film and will be processing and printing themselves. Since finding this info out, we chatted a bit and I decided to lend her my one and only 35mm film camera. With it the basic 50 mm lens and a few rolls of film to get her jump started. I gave her some advice, some of which I need to step back and consider myself. I love the cycles we go thru... I've been shooting for more than 20 years and I find I need to listen to myself about going back and learning basics. As I wrote to her in a letter, I kept thinking I need to follow my own advice!
My God Daughter is taking a photography class this year in High School. I was relieved to hear that they are still shooting film and will be processing and printing themselves. Since finding this info out, we chatted a bit and I decided to lend her my one and only 35mm film camera. With it the basic 50 mm lens and a few rolls of film to get her jump started. I gave her some advice, some of which I need to step back and consider myself. I love the cycles we go thru... I've been shooting for more than 20 years and I find I need to listen to myself about going back and learning basics. As I wrote to her in a letter, I kept thinking I need to follow my own advice!
November 04, 2008
Baby it's Cold Outside!
Music | Reactive Switching Strategies by DJ Spooky
Though we've been talking about doing some nudes outside, Seré and I kept waiting for the weather and our time to coincide, but it never came to be... Though I knew conditions were not optimum for doing some photography outside, it was in fact chilly, a little rainy and very overcast. I decided to try and just go for it. Seré wasn't quite as up to the challenge as I was, but she was a trouper. Our first location was a bust as heavy construction was going on right at the base of where we wanted to go. As I started getting car sick, trying to sleep as we drove thru the gorge up and down winding roads, I almost decided to call it quits. Just where we decided to pull a U turn, it turns out it was an entrance to a very secluded public park. Just as we got out of the car, light rain drops started falling again as we quickly made a plan of attack to make the most of the moment. In all, we found 4 different views in just about 45 minutes and a 1/2 mile of walking and being out in the wet and cold. As much as we both complained, we felt fantastic getting back to the warmth of the heated car and cups of hot chocolate that awaited us.
Though there are the obvious challenges of trying to find locations to shoot nudes, I'm hoping I get the opportunity to do it again very soon.
Though we've been talking about doing some nudes outside, Seré and I kept waiting for the weather and our time to coincide, but it never came to be... Though I knew conditions were not optimum for doing some photography outside, it was in fact chilly, a little rainy and very overcast. I decided to try and just go for it. Seré wasn't quite as up to the challenge as I was, but she was a trouper. Our first location was a bust as heavy construction was going on right at the base of where we wanted to go. As I started getting car sick, trying to sleep as we drove thru the gorge up and down winding roads, I almost decided to call it quits. Just where we decided to pull a U turn, it turns out it was an entrance to a very secluded public park. Just as we got out of the car, light rain drops started falling again as we quickly made a plan of attack to make the most of the moment. In all, we found 4 different views in just about 45 minutes and a 1/2 mile of walking and being out in the wet and cold. As much as we both complained, we felt fantastic getting back to the warmth of the heated car and cups of hot chocolate that awaited us.
Though there are the obvious challenges of trying to find locations to shoot nudes, I'm hoping I get the opportunity to do it again very soon.
November 03, 2008
October 24, 2008
Clarity
Music | Dawn by The Cinematic Orchestra
With the banter in my brain going from Large Format 4x5 and my 35mm digital SLR, I'm finding it surprising that these last 2 shoots came so easy for me with the resulting photographs very close to what I envisioned in my head. I've been working on shooting solo with Cain for over a year. As elusive as she has been, times where I just decided to give up and move on, somewhere in the back of my head I knew that whenever we got together, we'd come up with strong images in our eventual collaboration. I wouldn't call this shoot a commission, as I wanted to just as strongly want to photograph her as she wanted to be photographed by me. In any case, we got some very strong images in this loosely put together shoot...
With the banter in my brain going from Large Format 4x5 and my 35mm digital SLR, I'm finding it surprising that these last 2 shoots came so easy for me with the resulting photographs very close to what I envisioned in my head. I've been working on shooting solo with Cain for over a year. As elusive as she has been, times where I just decided to give up and move on, somewhere in the back of my head I knew that whenever we got together, we'd come up with strong images in our eventual collaboration. I wouldn't call this shoot a commission, as I wanted to just as strongly want to photograph her as she wanted to be photographed by me. In any case, we got some very strong images in this loosely put together shoot...
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