My friend Nick can draw

Nick is an art director, and he can draw. And his stuff is funny, in a really quiet, simple way. There are a bunch more where these came from on his blog, Black Sharpie.

Fast Company shoot in Davis, CA

Some shots from a recent job in Davis, CA, for Fast Company. This guy Andy was super cool, and he has a pretty amazing job, developing new lighting technology. As a photographer and kind of a science nerd, it was really interesting to see the scientific side of light -- from research and testing to development and manufacturing. It was also nice to hear how much attention they are getting, people are becoming genuinely interested in efficiency.

Retouching by Joel at XYZ Graphics. Thanks Joel!!!

Feeling good, feeling right

Things have been slow enough for long enough that I am kind of used to it. The slowdown created a lot of stress for me, but I have finally come to peace with the way things are.

What I'm really looking forward to is when things pick up again. I am optimistic that things are going to be even better than before.

Now if I could only figure out how to pay my credit card bill this month....

Troy Hurtubise is awesome

Troy Hurtubise is awesome. He is a classic case of unwavering dedication and commitment to craft. And he shows us that if you do something, anything, long enough, you will eventually be the best at it. Here's to you TH!

Happy Earth Day Grandma Tina

My Grandmother passed away this weekend. She was a traveler, poet, and all around eccentric that said what she thought, and smoked 3 packs a day wherever she damn well pleased. Now that she is gone, I'm realizing even more that she had a profound effect on me. She helped me realize that it was ok to be a little different, and that there is no mold into which we have to fit. So thank you Grandma Tina, I owe you one.

Here is one of her poems, which seems very fitting for today (Earth Day):

THE PARTY

Mother Earth does not come
empty handed
to mankind's party
she brings the food
and says "eat hearty."

She gives us flowers
to stir our senses
but if she leaves
then our pretenses
of pride and wealth
are shattered
and the invitation
no longer matters.

For she's the party giver
after all
and we're the guests
at her commanding call.

- Tina Satterthwaite

It worked!

So I went to China last year because I was pissed at myself for not having any personal work to send in to the spring contests.

I just heard back that some portraits that I shot in China were selected for "Tribute", a web gallery hosted by American Photography. It's nice when things actually work the way you imagine.

1 pack, 2 heads, white wall

Role Reversal

Last week, I emailed a very senior designer at a very well respected, established design firm in New York with a link to some new work, and something crazy happened:

I got an email back from him, saying thanks for sending the work, wondering if you need any design help? I just got laid off.

This is from a guy with tons of experience, and top notch skills. That's a first for me -- when I try to hit someone up for work, and they turn around and hit me up instead.

Interesting times, indeed.

Vision / Reinvention

Saw this Stephen Shore vid on APE, most of what he says here is pretty straightforward -- really his work comes down to the study of composition, of which Shore is a master.

I did find his comments about longevity interesting -- there are two types of photographers that endure: those that have a singular powerful steamrolling vision, and those that consistently reinvent themselves.

I'm too early in my career to know which group I fall into, but the second one sounds more my speed. As Shore says, reinvention brings a whole new set of questions, and that's what keeps it interesting.

10,000 Hours with Bill Frisell

Had the pleasure of seeing Bill Frisell play last night. I've always liked his music since my brother in law gave me a CD years ago -- it is intensely visual and dimensional. Frisell also did an amazing collaboration with Gerhard Richter a while back, where he composed 8 original songs to accompany Richter's show at the time. The book, Richter 858, included a CD. It has changed the way I see Richter's paintings, as well as the way I hear Frisell's music.

Malcolm Gladwell says that it takes 10,000 hours of practice to be truly skilled at something. Frisell clearly passed this mark a long time ago -- and watching him play makes me look forward to a time in my career when photography takes on more and more layers and becomes even more second nature.

It's also exciting to think about ways that sound affects images and vice versa -- Richter and Frisell had the right idea. I'm hoping to explore this space a bit more with my work.

To Do List

Feeling a little overwhelmed right now, I need to:

Type and send out 40 unique promos
Make prints for those promos
Get back to Dana on new job for GoLite
Figure out what I am going to tell her
Shoot video for Jill at Mod Livin'
Get my AtEdge page updated (this takes FOREVER)
Finish email promo template from Brian
Make list for email promo
Send out email promo with new Freemason Pics
Edit images from shoot for Danish mag Samvirke
Retouch images for 3 day Ogilvy + Mather shoot
Print books from Freemason images
Get that book to the right people
Update print portfolio (uggghhh)
Pay my crew from last SF job
Get my teeth cleaned
Fix the leaky faucet in the bathroom
Finish EA video for site
Design office / studio
Get a new laptop, update software

I wish I had some help with this stuff, but not sure how to make it happen. I can't afford to hire anyone right now, but can't get it all done myself as quickly as I'd like. Baby steps.....

My Vintage Car Collection

I'm currently working with an architect to design a studio / office space, and I've been researching other photographers' spaces to get some ideas. Came across this Architectural Digest feature on Timothy White's studio in Manhattan. Of course he also uses it to store his vintage car collection.

I'm pretty sure that I'll have ample space for my vintage car collection, considering I don't have one. It is interesting however, to think about having a shooting space for portraits or still lifes, and how that could change my work, and when I do it. It's exciting to think about being able to shoot late into the night without interruption.