I had just read about this documentary on Julius Shulman in The Stranger and am so glad i caught it before its run is over at NWFF. If anyone reads this today and it interests them, GO SEE IT TONIGHT (last night of its run)
Overall, I feel is the perfect film for me to see right now. Aside from it involving so many things i enjoy (Mid Century-Modern Architecture, Film, Photography, Cinemetegraphy, Furnature) It gives such a candid look at someone who truly found there passion and lived life knowing it. Julius was just as funny and on his mark in his 90's as in his 20s any 30's.
I will be in LA next weekend and a shoot I already had been planning involves a wonderful model but most importantly a 1950's modern home nestled in the LA Hills. I cannot deny this film completely added a new dimension of how im looking at the shoot visually. Thanks for that Julius.
I am still fascinated with shooting abandoned things of all types. This series from Brian Ulrich is top notch. I felt it was fitting for this month of "Necessary Shopping". These were a couple of my favorites. check the article HERE for more
I love top10 Lists! and I love Sound on the Sound. Abbey's introduction made me blush =) haha Im proud to live in a city full of so much talent. Check out the link for my annual top ten live music photos of the year from others.
Article HERE
Flickr came in handy for this list of my favorite live shots in 2009. I had a blast re-visiting my favs and picking out 10 for the list. Props to everyone! Drop them all a line or add them on Flickr
Thanks to Patrick For the badass 70-200 polaroid mugshot!
Stumbled across this series by French Designer/Photographer Duo HELMO. The Animal/Human portraits lit with various gel's and superimposed on each other are so impressive yet so simple. I really love these!
One of my favorite parts of this time of the year is thinking back on my favorite music memories. I'm going to do my year end wrap up of my Top 10 Albums as well as Live Music Photos by other photographers on my friends Sound on the Sound Blog. I figured I would post my own personal top ten live music shots on my own blog:
1. Girl Talk's set wrapping up the long weekend of amazing music and sunshine at Sasquatch Festival still is fresh in my mind. This photo is one of my favorite live music shots ive ever taken and such a good memory of 09. Plus it was one of the first times I shot any film at a concert
2. Its David Byrne..In a tutu.. Enough Said.. This man is a genius in all respects. It was really cool getting to shoot him live and an honor having his web people contact me about using the photos on his official website
3. My buddy's in MADRAD have been doing their thing for as long as i've known them. Its exciting seeing them getting a lot of attention this year.. Buffalo getting on top of this stage at Sasquatch was yet another reason why their live show is worth seeing.
4. Ahmir Thompson aka ?uestlove is my favorite member of The Roots. Dude can drum! He can DJ, write, photograph. A real inspiration for any creative person. This was the first time I got to shoot a Roots show after seeing over 6 strictly as a fan. I love how this shot of Ahmir came out
5. Spencer Moody's epic showing at Sasquatch Festival.. If you didn't hear about his rant/wild performance definitely google it haha
6. I have had the pleasure of meeting/shooting The Avett Brothers at KEXP this year but their recent show at the Paramount Theater was really memorable. The larger stage suited their energy and sound. They have some of the most loyal fans ive ever heard or seen at a show.
7. The Mighty Mos Def, up close and personal. Although I haven't been as into his musical projects as of late.. Hes a true performer and ill always love those first albums that really got me into hiphop.
8. The Flight of the Concords know how to perform music and be funny..simultaniously. I didn't expect to get to shoot this show, so it was a really pleasant surprise and a fun memory.
9. These Arms are Snakes headlined the John Spalding Benefit show at the ChaCha early on in 2009 (RIP John) The night was super fun and way more crazy than most shows have gone down in the chacha basement. I love that you cant see singer Steve's face in this shot
10. Damien Jurado's music can be hit or miss with me depending on my mood. Its defintily great when you need it and Its amazing to experience live. I think this photo really captured the mood of Damiens tunes. I also have had the pleasure of getting to know him better as a person and still owe him for this publicity stunt at our mutual friend/photographer Jenny Jimenez photo show
I was fortunate enough to be assigned shooting portraits of this years Stranger Genius Awards winners. These people are chosen as some of the best of the year in their field and are all creating inspiring, passionate work. The Stranger gives the winners financial assistance as well as exposing them to a larger audience for their achievements.
Jeffry Mitchell for Visual Arts. Jeffry was super fun to shoot and such a cool talented guy. Its fun shooting other artists who are excited about watching you work/set up lighting and hear about your ideas. Getting to meet people like him is what I enjoy most about editorial shooting Cody Rivers Show for Theater His parter in the show was unavailable for the shoot so we improvised haha We got some strange looks from the surrounding people walking around Pioneer Square but it was fun to walk around trying crazy "theatrics" for the shoot Pacific Northwest Ballet for Arts Organization. This shot was particularly challenging. Sometimes with editorial portraits, you go in with a clear idea of the shot you want to achieve and have to improvise when it just cannot happen that way.
They refused to let me light the dancers so i was forced to use a really long exposure in order to let the small hot lamp they were using to practice be noticed and show enough of Mckaw Hall as the background. Im pretty happy with how the revised shot came out Stacey Levinefor Writing. Stacey was a little under the weather and nervous about shooting but we got coffee at her favorite cafe where she often writes and made use of the nice sunny fall afternoon. I loved this nearby bench in capital hill and she informed me it was constructed of pieces from an old demolished theater that used to be in Seattle.
Last nights Awards Celebration was a ton of fun. The Moore is one of the best classic Seattle Venus and the Cupcakes, Tom Douglas food were a perfect way to start the night.
Go check out the paper this week and check out the excellent articles on each Genius.
My recent CityArts shoot with The Vardis in North Bend, WA was very inspiring. Ive always loved creative couples but they were definitely one of the most amazing I have had the pleasure of meeting. Recently relocating from NYC, both are classical master musicians who have been very well respected. Lenore and Manny (whose now 93 years old) are also both fine art painters. Specializing in oil painting. Even in their older age after years of achievements both are still deeply in love and pushing each other to create more art and show their passion in gallery's, publications, and online.
I thought id share a few creative couples work I really enjoy of different mediums.
First off..Photography:
I have been a huge fan of these two for years. They make it all look so effortless and beautiful. From lifestyle shots and Polaroids to commercial ad's and celebrities portraits. Jeremy & Claire Weiss out of LA
Industrial Design:
Creating gorgeous products that not only look amazing, but are both functional and many are eco-friendly. Mike and Maaike out of San Francisco
Film Set Design:
These two have been creating the scenes and visual images we remember from such amazing visual films as Pulp Fiction, Rushmore, Royal Tennanbaums and most recently, Inglorious Bastards. Dave & Sandy Wasco
and last but not least.. I too am lucky enough to be in an amazing creative couple relationship. My Katie does both industrial design as well as her recent Jewelry Endeavor's
Ive been seriously laggin on the bloggin. Apologies.. Life gets busy and such. anyways.
I had the pleasure of shooting with one of my favorite Portland Photographers during a recent visit. Missy aka BoxofCobras has such a lovely simple way of viewing and documenting life on film. I envy her shots that look so effortless and make me want to visit or see many of these places
Here is some of her work. check her out!
This past January's Clise Mansion Photoshoot was something I planned and organized to bring fellow friends/photographers together with a bunch of models/makeup artists/clothing stylists and each capture our own take on the property. Patrick Wright made a behind the scenes video documenting the day. Month's after thinking the footage was lost. he found it.. and thus here is the video! You can see all the shot's HERE
Really thinking Fashion Editorial/Portraits are what I want to strive for as my primary photo focus as of late. Really excited about some fun collaborations in the coming week's. For now, more lovely Female Photo Inspiration..
Federico Era
Marc Bordons
Neil Krug
Shannon (Blurred Vision on Flickr)
Isabelle (Doomed On Flickr)
http://www.flickr.com/photos/maplesyruponly/
Deadgirls.tumblr
Polo Ianez
