Livingston Photography

New Wave Riding Vehicle

2011-11-18T16:54:00.000-08:00

Seen At Bolsa Chica State Beach, CA

2011-11-13T14:11:00.000-08:00

NYC IN TWO DAYS. DAY TWO

2011-11-05T12:14:00.001-07:00

NYC IN TWO DAYS. DAY ONE

2011-11-04T14:58:00.000-07:00

Film Version From Las Vegas

2011-10-26T14:51:00.000-07:00

Sorry Dave. No disrespect on Las Vegas intended. Just making photographs..

New Custom Handle

2011-10-26T14:48:00.001-07:00

The new custom handle to hold the tether wire...love this stuff! American Black Walnut courtesy Fialkoff Cameras.

NYC

2011-10-14T19:55:00.001-07:00

Another image taken with a Genos Rapid the 1950's era Bakelite camera.

Desert Corral Gate

2011-10-13T10:23:00.000-07:00

Another image from the Mojave National Park, CA.

Vacant Color

2011-10-12T18:03:00.001-07:00

Maybe Mex Maybe Not

2011-10-12T16:57:00.001-07:00

Nawiliwili Bay Kaui, HI

2011-10-10T17:06:00.000-07:00

Looking for an Oakland A's photo from Money Ball era and found this panoramic under A's. Need a new system. Color negative 6x17 image. No PS stitching!

Hockey's Back

2011-10-05T22:23:00.000-07:00

"The Russian Rocket" 1994 New York City.

Laughlin,NV

2011-10-03T09:58:00.000-07:00

Cloud Panel 2

2011-09-29T09:06:00.000-07:00

Yet another.

The Eyes Are The Window to The Soul

2011-09-24T13:17:00.000-07:00

One of the first photographs I came across that has inspired me to this day, was a Jesse Alexander image of François Cevert, the Formula One driver who was tragically killed in the US Grand Prix at Watkins Glen, NY. My image of Kasey Kane somehow keeps that image current in my memory.

I purposely didn't post the Cevert image with hopes you might look for it and discover the images of Jesse Alexander for yourselves. Happy viewing!

What Time Is It?

2011-09-23T22:09:00.000-07:00

Sin City-Scape

2011-09-20T22:18:00.001-07:00

The Devil's Race Track

2011-09-19T12:46:00.001-07:00

Feels Like An Abstract Kind of Day

2011-09-17T09:45:00.000-07:00

First in a series of many clouds you may see in future postings.

Dunes Redux

2011-09-16T14:59:00.000-07:00

Two photographs, (negative film not digital), of sand dunes. Everybody shoots them so it's interesting to see what different approach you can come up with.

AZ Pinholes

2011-09-15T21:04:00.000-07:00

A few from the Diablo Trust Pinhole Series. 4x5 Color Negative Pinholes.

More Beach

2011-09-12T17:11:00.000-07:00

Beach/Surf photos just seem to happen

You have to get in to get out sometimes..

2011-09-05T15:57:00.000-07:00

During the week of the last "Big South" swell while every break was packed to capacity and the local news was telling everyone who big it was, it was still possible to find a spot with nobody out except the friend you went with. Sometimes you just have to get in to get out...

Night at The Museum

2011-08-22T20:09:00.001-07:00

Sometimes interesting images come from the unexpected. A photograph from the diorama wing of Natural History Museum of Los Angeles where I was attending a wedding!

Time Lapse June to August

2011-08-21T10:01:00.000-07:00

May/June
1965 F100 after months of restoration to take back to Adirondacks...

Never left. It's staying in Cali..

July/August
In Jimmies shaping bay..peer pressure strikes again.

Once cool, twice not.. First glass job since High School and probably last.

Have garage will produce. Hines template Mini Simmons
August
Flt. out, three diversions for no apparent reason. Joy of travel in the new era.

Summer base camp of east coast photographic operations.

Lake Titus modes of transportation.

Road out of Adirondack base of operations

My temporary Philadelphia office..Chandelier made it.

On a return flight home from Philadelphia I realized I hadn't posted to my blog in months. With all of the photo sharing options out there I neglected my favorite one...my blog. Above is a photo time lapse of what has transpired between my last post in June and now.

Film Version of Colorado Rock and Sign Post

2011-06-15T15:47:00.000-07:00

Livingston Guitars and Ukuleles is Back

2011-06-12T13:26:00.000-07:00

First up, a Concert Uke, Walnut with Spruce top and Mahogany neck.

Titus Lake, Malone NY

2011-06-03T18:32:00.000-07:00

Evening cruise

Adirondack Work bench

My obligatory feet shot

Ann Arbor MI to Niagara Falls Ont. Canada

2011-05-18T19:18:00.000-07:00

There's always one.

Niagara Falls, Canada

Obviously for Americans

Des Moines to Chicago

2011-05-17T17:33:00.000-07:00

The "ol Muddy" Iowa /Illinois

Chicago Architecture

Sears Tower view from River.

Boulder CO to Des Moines Iowa

2011-05-15T18:46:00.000-07:00

Rain all the way until Iowa, then sun.

Day 3 Las Vegas NM to Denver CO

2011-05-14T17:57:00.000-07:00

Interstate 25 Pueblo, CO

Outside Trinidad CO

LA-NY Day 2 Flagstaff AZ to Las Vegas NM

2011-05-13T20:20:00.000-07:00

Earls Motor Court Winslow AZ

Motel, Winslow AZ

Rt. 40 Tee Pees, Geronimo AZ

Old Rt 66, AZ

Friends Of Mine

2011-04-29T22:19:00.000-07:00

San O Still Lifes

2011-04-28T16:12:00.000-07:00

What took so long?

2011-04-15T21:47:00.000-07:00

Quoting from an article in ICG magazine about the filming of the upcoming documentary, Troubadours, cinematographer Nicola Marsh made this observation. " Modern film stocks are so tight, and when you are spending all this money to shoot film, you really want the audience to know it." huh? "I think we've all been taught as cinematographers that grain is bad, but I think with the advent of digital grain is making a comeback!" What took so long?

The above photograph; Barry Bonds, pre-digital and pre-"Flax seed oil and vitamins."

Palm Springs 98º

2011-03-31T14:48:00.000-07:00

Style Vs. Good

2011-03-28T13:08:00.000-07:00

I recently read an article from a 1960's Surfer Magazine. The presumption was you either had style or were good, you couldn't be both. With the dawning of the new era of competitive surfing one had to perform all of the "moves" or "tricks" to do well or be the "best".

His point was that all of the tricks or moves were the same and to be good you had to use them. There in lies the problem, if you were a stylist you surfed how you felt and didn't necessarily incorporate all of the tricks or moves into your riding style. To be good you had to give up the individualism and perform as the "judges" expected you to surf. You couldn't be a good surfer if you were a stylish surfer.

This started me thinking about photography and how with post-production work on the computers, the individual photographer's style doesn't necessarily matter. The person working the mouse and keyboard can completely create a "good" image from the original in a few clicks and filters.

I use post production programs and am not married to the old days of film and chemicals, but it does give me pause when I look at an image and wonder if that represents the photographers style or what the editor thought made a good image.

Above two un-worked samples of what I hope is stylistic but still good...

DSLR Dolly Test

2011-03-20T11:49:00.000-07:00

DSLR Dolly Test from william Livingston on Vimeo.

Seal Beach March 11, 8:49AM

2011-03-12T20:14:00.000-08:00

Abstract Kind Of Day

2011-03-09T13:33:00.000-08:00

Some days just don't make sense and you don't know if it's you or the Universe!

Pro Football 2011

2011-02-28T15:38:00.000-08:00

When I started shooting professional sports I rationalized that I was older than the subjects so "when I was their age....", well turns out Amber plays professional football for the Los Angeles Temptation. So so much for any rationalizations.

Oscar Night

2011-02-27T21:21:00.000-08:00

Oscars were a snooze. At least there are photos to edit.

If Only

2011-02-18T21:55:00.000-08:00

What a wonderful world it would be........

Jimmie's Bay

2011-02-09T13:58:00.000-08:00

Flag Over San Onofre

2011-02-06T22:03:00.001-08:00

Super Bowl Sunday

2011-02-06T14:14:00.000-08:00

Not picking either team to win but

Sports Etiquette Faux Pas

2011-01-31T09:15:00.000-08:00

Sorry, I know I should never have put up a Baseball image so close to Super Bowl. Here's an oldie of The Bus..

Found Negative

2011-01-30T15:45:00.000-08:00

Probably one of the most asked about images from my MLB days was the above shot of Yankee great Thurman Munson. Thurman was killed in a private plane crash in 1979. I made two prints for friends and lost the negative. Glad to say it's been found.

SoCal On a Sunny Day

2011-01-30T10:06:00.000-08:00

So Cal on a sunny day, Vermont Ave. at Slauson Ave. and HB Pier.

Clamps,Clamps and More Clamps

2011-01-26T13:52:00.000-08:00

If you're going to build guitars you better have twice as many clamps as you thought you'd need...

T5 Huntington Beach

2011-01-10T14:46:00.000-08:00

Some more testing with the FFL

San O. First Image From 2011

2011-01-06T13:23:00.000-08:00

Pete alone at Oldmans, San Onofre.

Camera Test New Years Day Downtown Los Angeles

2011-01-05T12:02:00.000-08:00

Four test shots from the FFL. Needs a bit of adjustment but not bad for the first roll.

Since The Shop's Dirty..

2011-01-04T21:42:00.000-08:00

Since the shop is already a mess from the camera build.. might as well get back to work finishing the two parlor size acoustics. One mahogany with cedar top and mahogany neck (above), the other still open to ideas. Get your orders in.

The Fialkoff FFL Is Done!

2011-01-04T13:28:00.000-08:00

Here are some images of the finished Fixed Focal Length camera. The front with it's 90mm f6.8 Schneider, the back, dressed in a 6x8cm kit, and the same dressed in a 4x5 inch kit. Images from the camera to follow. Thanks to Maurice Fialkoff for the Walnut and his engineering skills.

RIP Kodachrome.

2010-12-31T13:32:00.001-08:00

The last lab open for processing Kodachrome will no longer accept rolls for processing. End of an era.

Sunshine = Mill time!

2010-12-28T15:31:00.000-08:00

Last steps before finish coats of lacquer.

Rain Delay

2010-12-20T08:47:00.000-08:00

Rain delay so camera sits on mill hopefully not swelling from the moisture in the air. 1.463 thick or we're out of focus.

Progress on Camera

2010-12-15T19:13:00.000-08:00

Progress on my Walnut (a cut off from a rifle stock) camera. I thought it was fitting that the wood be used for the other "shooting" instrument. More to come.

My New Large Fomat Camera

2010-12-14T18:30:00.001-08:00

A new large/medium format film camera being built at Fialkoff Cameras.

MagHurst

2010-12-02T15:05:00.001-08:00

Salome AZ

2010-12-01T17:06:00.000-08:00

Tower5

2010-11-29T13:10:00.001-08:00

5 North

2010-11-08T16:13:00.000-08:00

Pinhole 4x5

2010-11-08T09:17:00.000-08:00

The Strip in 739 Frames

2010-11-05T13:10:00.000-07:00

vegas test from william Livingston on Vimeo.

Phonography

2010-11-01T17:28:00.000-07:00

Some photographs from the upcoming book, Phonography. Photographs taken solely with the iphone and not digitally manipulated.

More From Las Vegas

2010-10-30T23:10:00.000-07:00

Since the last few postings have been from Las Vegas, here are a few more. Images from the Neon Sign Museum in Las Vegas

Katt

2010-10-30T17:41:00.000-07:00

Lost Wages Nevada

2010-10-30T11:01:00.001-07:00

A Vegas skyline

Rt.40 Moving Pictures

2010-10-17T21:06:00.000-07:00

Never text while driving but photos?.... Rt. 40 at 75.

Tomorrow's Wednesday

2010-10-12T23:02:00.000-07:00

"The Gods do not subtract from one's life the time spent surfing." A few pics from the upcoming book Wednesday Warriors.

Behind Cappy's

2010-10-12T17:17:00.000-07:00

Just decided not every picture needs a story, and every story doesn't need a picture.

Ars Gratia Artis

2010-09-21T15:52:00.000-07:00

If I hear of one more person proclaiming themselves an artist I'm going to throw a camera at something...maybe that would be performance art, making me an "artist!" A local Long Beach City College photo teacher and "artist'' recently caused a stir in the local Vietnamese community, his own by the way, with a photograph he displayed in an exhibition. The resulting furor over the content of his photograph distressed his father so, that he asked his son to remove it.

Here's the "artist" part....the teacher couldn't decide whether to comfort his aged father or "be true to his art as an artist" and leave it up. He left it up. Please, taking down a photograph of a girl in a t-shirt with a red star isn't going to have him booted out of the artist guild that he nominated himself in anyway! Someone please pass me a camera...

The above photos are from my Blue period, hey Picasso had one......

The State of Surfing, And I Don't Mean California

2010-09-12T19:16:00.000-07:00

As I spent some time on a lazy Saturday watching the Hurley Pro on the internet I was shaken from my complacency by some catch words heard in the commentary. I thought I was listening to a Rhythmic Gymnastics competition where everyone was trying to do a set of required tricks. What struck me was that every surfer was trying to do the exact same moves. If you had a better scored wave you just did bigger tricks.

But what really woke me up was the comment, that prior to the spread of surf videos, South Africans had their own (as if this was bad) style, and now thankfully from watching videos, they surf like everyone else in the world. Oh and the Brazilian's too.. What happened to surfing for fun's sake and individuality?

What's next the Olympics and the Compulsory Program on day 1 followed by the Short Program and then Pairs? Can't wait to see the costumes.

Through Sue's Eyes

2010-08-19T12:55:00.000-07:00

Two weeks in the Adirondack and the camera never left the bag.
Not that there isn't anything worth being temporarily turned into 1's and 0's on a flash card but it was just another of " I've seen it done already."

Thankfully at the Lake's annual Breakfast Walk where all the residents get together once a year to see who's still here and who's doing what or whom, that I met a lovely women named Sue. Sue was visiting a camp with her family and was introduced as a photographer. We talked about her photography and looked at the back of her point and shoot at some photos and then she ran off to photograph the Bag Piper that plays on the knoll each Breakfast Walk.

Our meeting got me thinking about some images that might be interesting and I even got in the car left and the lake in search of a picture. But it wasn't until Sue's 75th birthday diner and a photo session on the lake photographing two antique Chris Crafts, with only her point and shoot for both of us, that the preverbal light bulb went off. Looking at the images after dinner I saw beautiful abstracts she had shot on the lake and at her camp that made me see this lake in a new way.

Sometimes it's nice to see the world through someone else's eye's or the back of their point and shoot!

Sent from my iPad

Verdict, Let's go!

2010-07-09T20:31:00.000-07:00

The morning started off on a note of high anticipation... right swell direction, light winds 7 to 10 knots and a Tuesday after a long Holiday weekend, hopefully uncrowded. Pulled into the parking lot to a half dozen empty boat trailers, a good sign. As we unloaded the boat and started to prep we discovered the kelp cutter is missing and a small leak in the zodiac, no sweat we'll bring the pump. On the beach testing the motor we discover another small leak, this time in the gas delivery system, where? Verdict, let's go! Pushing through the surf, the motor fires right up and dies...restart and die. We discover where the leak is and someone has to go over the side back to shore to look for a fix. (Who went is not important but I could have used a bigger board to paddle!)

Back on board with 5 minute epoxy smothering the leak and decision time again, verdict, let's go. The missing kelp cutter... a big deal. We have to stop every five minutes to clean the prop. Who had to lift the motor each time? Not me,The capt'n got the plus of a weight room workout all the way there. Guess who forgot the kelp cutter?

Meanwhile the two galley slaves are pumping air into the deflating hulls...right swell direction, light winds 7 to 10 knots and a Tuesday after a long Holiday weekend, hopefully uncrowded.
The first break we come to is reeling with no one on it. Time to get wet, again.. After an hour a vote is taken, we have enough light to get to the point and surf if we pull up anchor and go now. If we go and breakdown it'll be dark and we'll be six miles from home. Verdict, let's go!

Pulling into the cove the view is one from a movie you've not yet made. Somehow the half dozen trailers equal a dozen boats. I decide to stay on board and sneak a few photos of this very non photo- friendly break. Then one by one the surfers return to their boats and pull up anchor. The clouds part and the waves are perfect. Verdict, let's go!

South Swell

2010-07-05T17:19:00.000-07:00

Summer has finally arrived with the return of the South swells. A couple of smaller ones at the Wedge. Fun times in not so-sunny Southern California.

Blue Hawaii

2010-07-02T21:53:00.000-07:00

In the book Blue Latitudes by Tony Horwitz, the author wonders what it would be like to retrace the voyages of Captain Cook; so he does just that. The author's thought upon arriving in Papeete was, "it's an utter sh**box. The architect who designed this town must have been unemployable anywhere else" and got me thinking about my last visit to Hawaii. Granted it was for work and the adage "location is not necessarily vacation" often holds true, but Hawaii?

A few images of the famous Waikiki Beach from my hotel.What would the good Capt. Think?

Everything Changes... Everything Remains The Same

2010-06-30T17:20:00.000-07:00

While at Malibu the other day I realized just how much surfing had changed. I get so wrapped up in the film vs. digital world that I didn't see that change is everywhere. When surfing became popular in the 60's everyone was riding long boards. Change came but it was an evolution of design so it wasn't apparent as change. Boards got shorter and lighter and fins were added in multiples.

Today in the water you'll find alias, the ancient Hawaiian boards, long boards short boards and reproductions on every era's designs. The "change" is that everyone isn't riding the same current design, but designs of choice selected from over a 100 years dating back to the ancient Hawaiian wooden boards. Surfers are no longer a single entity, but sub-cultures with in the sub-culture of surfing.

I'm not so sure this is a good thing, as short boarders dislike long boarders, long boarders dislike short boarders and everyone dislikes the stand up paddlers! Maybe the digital film thing isn't so bad after all, at least we're still using cameras.

Spaced Out Technology

2010-06-28T17:11:00.000-07:00

While trying to figure out why my email provider is down, I went looking through some old photo files to keep me from trashing my computer in frustration. I came across a few images from the Kennedy Space Center and realized how far technologically we've come in a very short time. Maybe having to wait for the server, even that name doesn't only apply to your waiter anymore, for my email to return isn't a big price to pay.

But if I had to describe my Internet provider, I'd say they used the "rocket" in the middle photo for their satellite launch!

It's All About The Background

2010-06-27T22:03:00.000-07:00

Years ago I overheard Walter Iooss Jr. at a baseball game tell another photographer, "it's all about the background." I've seen Walter many times since and never told him how that resonated with me. I know he loves surfing so here's one from today at Malibu. With all of the cameras pointing west up the beach, I noticed the angle south with the pier in the "background." Thanks again Walter.

Ars Gratia Artis

2010-06-20T17:56:00.000-07:00

Last night while commenting to the artist on her work she exclaimed, " I hope no one takes the Polaroids!" For the uninitiated this was in reference to Polaroid's demise and the scarcity of said film. ( Maybe she hadn't heard that Polaroid was back in business, but that would ruin this posting).

Anyway, it started me thinking about when is a photograph, (Polaroid included), painting or any other medium, art and not just the end product of someone's creativity? Maybe it's when someone other than the creator acquires the piece and displays it for others to admire. Or maybe the infamy of the person creating the work automatically makes it so. The above photograph was taken at a house about to be demolished. If the paintings weren't photographed and no one but the painter saw them were they art?

Was she keeping the Polaroids from becoming art by not letting others acquire them? Or is art just art for art's sake? Something to think about next time you think about filling the empty space on the wall behind your couch.

The Good 'Ol Days?

2010-06-11T18:23:00.000-07:00

Are the good 'ol days good because of selective memory or were they really? I had the good (?) fortune to play around with a 1960's era water housing for the Hasseblad; my medium format camera of choice, these babies weigh 2130 gramms (or 4.7 lbs.) by themselves. As noted in previous posts I'm no fan of digital but I am not one to shun modern innovations either. Swimming out with what seemed like a Sparklets Bottle with the Hassy inside and guessing at focus and exposure was enough to have me longing for a waterproof point and shoot digital camera. Then to only get 12 shots and have to swim back to shore convinced me that it is selective memory that makes the good 'ol days seem so wonderful.

Above are Thom and Joe at San Onofre. Thom's riding an old school finless wooden board weighing about 75lbs. Maybe he know's something about the good 'ol days I missed.

Tim Brehm Retires After 38 Years

2010-06-05T14:26:00.000-07:00

Today, along with classmates and students from a span of 38 years, celebrate the retirement of Tim Brehm from John Burroughs HS. I was lucky to be in his classes and to get a head start on my career. Thank you for imparting your knowledge and techniques on us and supporting us as we started into our professional lives. Above is a photograph, (high-contrast litho film assignment), that was part of my High School portfolio that was presented for scholarship to Art School.

Just Another Ferris Wheel Photo

2010-06-04T19:52:00.000-07:00

While outside the Texas State Fair Grounds on a photo shoot last week, I ran to the fence with my trusty IPhone and took what I thought was a pretty cool snap shot. When I showed it around back at the shoot the first comment I heard was, " wow, bet you're the only person ever to take a picture of that Ferris wheel!" Pretty accurate comment, and one that got me thinking. How many photos would we not take if we thought "that photo's already been taken"? Or more likely, how many photos are taken because someone has seen a photograph of the same subject?

I have always been inspired by others work but have always tried to put my own spin on the subject I'm photographing. I never thought about why I didn't like a photo (mostly my own), until now. Is it because the photographer, maybe subconsciously, is trying to recreate the same image as the one they saw in the book or museum rather than use it as an inspiration? I now think that in my case it's that the photograph I shot too closely resembles a work I've already seen.

Bummer...Not!

2010-06-04T19:20:00.000-07:00

Read in the paper while out of town that Ken Griffey Jr. had retired. I couldn't wait to get home and put up this post. I was referring to Mr. G in the May 22 post on Dorthy's passing. I hope he didn't read it, feel bad and call it quits.

Lon. ( )8.( )648( )4 - Lat. ( )14.( )3( )96

2010-05-29T21:00:00.000-07:00

Every once and awhile you just need to go sleep in the dirt and not have to show your State Park pass to go surfing. Pack up the car and go somewhere, anywhere, the Starbucks and the NBA play offs will still be here when you get back. The Latitude and Longitude have been altered to protect those who make the drive.

A Rock Is A Rock

2010-05-27T18:56:00.000-07:00

A rock is a rock, or is it? This was a throw away shot to kill the roll. The more I look at this print the more I see. Currently it's a portrait of WC Fields, tomorrow ?

I Guess That's Why They Call It "Old Mans"

2010-05-26T15:03:00.000-07:00

To clarify for the 99% of my friends who don't live and surf in Southern California, walking up and seeing this scene is akin to pulling into a Drive -In Theater, almost an impossibility in itself, and all of the cars are from the 1960's! This particular break is called "Old Mans" but it was still a surreal thing to see without a trace of anyone or anything of 2010 around.

The Camera I've Been Waiting For.

2010-05-23T22:13:00.000-07:00

Sometimes you see a picture in your mind of how a photograph will look before you take the photo. Alas, it never seems to work out once you've seen the processed film. Last year I was lent a camera that does just that and for once I know just what I'll get even before I process the film. Some samples; Mohave National Reserve, The Sydney Opera House, Cima Road CA, Bell Rock Sedona Az.

Dorothy 'Dottie' Kamenshek dies at 84; inspired character in 'A League of Their Own'

2010-05-22T14:39:00.000-07:00

During my sports photography "period" I had the honor and pleasure of photographing five women from the GPBL, the Girls Professional Baseball League. Dorothy, above, and the other women were a breath of fresh air when compared to some of the MLB players who asked questions like, "are we done yet", while walking into the studio. Rest in peace Dottie, the Baseball world could use a few more like you.

Frank Gerhy's The Lou Ruvo Brain Institute

2010-05-21T22:28:00.000-07:00

As I wrapped my Las Vegas shoot today, I decided to check out the new Frank Gehry building The Lou Ruvo Brain Institute. Turns out today was the architectural grand opening and it was closed to the public. I noticed photographers with their DSLR's and press credentials circling the building so what else could I do? I whipped out my I Phone and joined in.

Just Because

2010-05-13T20:22:00.000-07:00

Sometimes you shoot a job for money..sometimes you shoot a job for the portfolio, and sometimes when all the planets align, you shoot it because they let you. A magic day at Church shooting for the Gibbs Surfboards website. http://www.gibbssurfboards.com/

Sometimes You Can Go Home Again

2010-05-13T20:15:00.000-07:00

Sometimes you can go home again and it's as you remembered, maybe a little better. Back in High School Lynn sat for my first portrait assignment. Yesterday, both of us back visiting a friend in our hometown, she agreed to be photographed again. She is still the same vibrant model I remember photographing all of those years ago.

Sometimes Bigger is Better

2010-05-13T20:08:00.000-07:00

I was told at an early age that in art and photography if you can't do it good, do it big. I've tied to live by that but have come to realize that sometimes big can be good and small pieces are sometimes just small pieces. ... Three samples of pinhole photography from my exhibition at The Long Beach Museum of Art. 4'x5' Lightjet prints from 4x5" color negatives.
www.lbma.org/pdfs/PinholePhotographyRELEASE.pdf

The American Wilderness

2010-05-13T16:37:00.001-07:00

On a recent trip to Death Valley, I had visions in my mind of all the great photographs by Weston, Adams and Sexton, and Bam! back to reality. First thing you see when you arrive? The new and improved Badwater Basin walkway! ... Nothing left to do but get out the Hula Girls!

Fauxtography

2010-05-13T16:11:00.001-07:00

At lunch the other day with two photographers the subject of my "new" film camera came up. I recently picked up a Nikon F3 and 5 prime lenses to use for my Black and White work. The first comment I got was, "I like Alien skin for my Black and White work"....

Alien skin isn't some new Black and White film, it's a filter in PS used to turn a digital image into Black and White and I use that term "turn into" very loosely. Now I'm not hiding my head in the sand to avoid technology, I own and use Alien skin to play with my images that I shoot digitally. But to intentionally shoot digital thinking you'll end up with a Black and White image is akin to putting a fiberglass Porsche kit on a 1968 VW, all the while believing you're driving a 1956 Speedster!

The above digital image is a faux Black and White shot for a model test where digital images were the most convenient and cost effective for a test shoot. Oh yeah, you can also 'make" Polaroids in Alien skin too! Don't get me started...Example #2.