The Escape
Not a whole lot to say about this one, just wanted to share it.
Flak!
I had a photograph featured on Andy Adams’ Flak Photo yesterday! In case you don’t know about Flak, Andy is a tireless promoter of new contemporary photography, particularly from those who might otherwise go unseen by a larger audience. Each day Flak Photo features a new photograph on its home page and yesterday was my first day in that position.
I’d been following the site for quite a while and had sent Mr. Adams over a number of images in the past, but it wasn’t until we met over prints at Review LA that I was able to grab his attention. Being that he was one of my reviewers, his attention was undivided and his critique was insightful and really informed. He also turns out to be a really nice and easy going guy.
Here’s a screen grab from Flak yesterday, but I recommend you check out the site personally if you don’t already visit every day like I do.
Also, if you for some reason missed this photograph’s recent appearance right here on my own blog, it is just below here, in the post immediately preceding this.
California On My Mind
I thought I’d share a few images from my recent trip to LA. I was out for Review LA, to visit with a few ad agencies and also catch up with some old friends. I dropped by Photo LA as well, browsing the latest offerings from a number of local and international galleries. Lapis Press and Schaden had a really cool booth with a bunch of unique photo books and an impressive project called the La Brea Matrix spurred by an iconic Stephen Shore image. The Rose Gallery was showing a number of beautiful and very large Elger Esser prints as well as signed copy of William Eggleston’s Guide that I would have loved to take home. Also on display was one of my favorite images by Hiroshi Watanabe and a couple very cool amorphous flock of birds prints by Richard Barnes.
Regarding Review LA: this being my first portfolio review I could only guess what the experience would be like, but I have to say it scarcely could have been better. It goes without saying that if you’re not open to hearing criticism (especially at this early stage) then a portfolio review isn’t a worthwhile way to spend your time. However, I was ready and excited to hear from others how I might improve, refine and develop some of my latest work, a fair amount of which hasn’t even graced this very blog. As a result, I found it was eye-opening and inspiring to look more objectively at my own work.
Amidst all this introspective evaluation and shoe gazing, the most enjoyable part of the weekend was getting the chance to meet and spend a little time hanging out with some of the other photographers in the hotel lobby, where everyone was killing time between reviews chatting and checking out each other’s work. In particular, I got the chance to hang out a bit with Liz Kuball during the public showing at Photo LA. She was at Review LA showing her beautiful California Vernacular project. I had seen an image or two of hers floating around places like 20×200, so it was cool to see so much more of the collection in person. I also got to meet and talk with Susan Worsham who’s Some Fox Trails in Virginia is lovely and quietly unsettling in a wonderful way, as well as Sarah Windels and Andrew Ti. All in all there was a lot of work to see and some cool new people to keep up with.
On the Job pt. 2
As the snow starts to fall at a shoot on the north fork of Long Island.
Dallas Divide
From a trip over the Dallas Divide during a mild snowstorm. I’ve crossed over this pass a number of times and this grove of Aspen trees are always intriguing and somewhat foreboding.
HighFlyers
Mr Ryan McGinley has shot a photo feature for the NY times Magazine of 2010 Winter Olympians and a pitch perfect short film called The Lightness of Being an Olympian, which you shouldn’t miss. I like the inclusion of Rodarte, but the stills are something of an odd mix. On the one hand you have McGinley’s very colorful and more esoteric imagery coupled with a few fairly straightforward fashion portraits. It’s beautifully shot and contrary to what you might expect, there is no nudity. Either way, I can’t wait until tomorrow to see it in print!
What do you do with 12 plastic pails?
I had the need for a single red plastic sand bucket as a prop a while back and found that it was a bit difficult to find in the winter in NY. So a quick search of the ol’ interweb brought me 12 plastic pails just in time for the shoot. Well, what do you do with 12 plastic pails once they’ve served their purpose as a prop (aside from recycle them or try to pawn them off on your friends’ children)? Make something bright and vacuous!
Manhattan Ave
Here are a couple of images from a recent walk down Manhattan Ave in Greenpoint. I love this street and will often take a walk to visit the bank or post office rather than make the trip into the real Manhattan. There’s always a lot of activity, as anyone familiar with the area will know well, and it still manages to retain a bit of it’s polish roots which gives it a certain charm.
Review LA
It’s a new year and time to get back on the proverbial blogging horse. So for my first post here in 2010 I’ve got some cool news – I’m heading back to California tomorrow for a fun filled photo week. This weekend I’ll be visiting Photo LA, the annual contemporary photography fair in Santa Monica and showing some new work at Review LA, the portfolio review portion of the event. All the work leading up is done and everything is ready and packed up to go. The edit, the prints, the special promo/leave-behinds are all in their place. Now I’ve just got to have an open mind and receptive ear for the critiques.
If your in LA and interested in seeing all the work being reviewed, there is a showing open to the public Friday Jan 15th from 5-8pm. Come down and say hi.
