What Is Going On?

So what is going on these days?

Spring break hit last week. As my wife and kids headed to the desert I headed to Baltimore/DC to be the visiting artist at MICA, knock on some agency doors with my books and spend lunchtime with Sarah Leen of National Geographic. Every photo editor, every photographer was touched that week by the tragic loss of Tim Hetherington and Chris Hondros. It was on everyones minds and hearts...I was consistently surprised by how widespread their work was known and respected. It really colored the week for everyone living in working in the bubble of photography.

Happy to say that ECHOLILIA has been included in CA, American Photography and PDN Annuals this year. I'm reluctant to really shine a light on this: the project has brought so much positive to my life and art that at some point I stop keeping track...and I'm sure people stop wanting to hear about it. But...there ya go, I couldn't help myself, could I?

Above and below are some snapshots from the week last week. Lovely Mary Priestland of Discovery Creative poses in the light filled lobby, while the charming Sarah Leen reflects flourescent light in the room while Oliver Uberti in the design department poses for a photograph. Extra points if you can see a sly inclusion of Echolilia...

That's all for now.

MICA / Baltimore, MD

Had a wonderful time with the photography department of MICA in Baltimore and found this image in their offices. Art Department meets the Department Of Motor Vehicles meets a private detective's office.

The teachers at MICA I met: Tom Baird, Nate Larson and Margaret Adams describe their students with such admiration and affection, I'm just kind of taken back. Later in the day I hear the students describe the three of them in similar terms. All of these sentiments prove themselves to be true: these kids, these teachers, can solve the issues of contemporary photography. One topic leads to another topic that leads to a side observation that again leads back to the original concern and a new observation. As we post a snapshot of the class to facebook, Larson jokes that the image will be appear with every student tagged in it. Later that afternoon....every kid's name appears on that shot. Larson has sent a message to these kids that he is on their side, he is with them on this journey and together they are going to discover the wonder of this language. He knows it, the teachers know it...and the kids know it too.

Here are some snaps of our lecture and class from 4/19/11. Enjoy.

Black & White Rainbow

Q: So what exactly is a "Psychotherapy Photograph"?

A: Um...have you ever gone to see a shrink?

Q: Never.

A: Oh...well, you go to this person, a doctor, and talk. He doesn't really tell you anything, but he asks you questions, poses scenarios to you, and eventually you start getting answers to some of the things on your mind. Sometimes you role play, sometimes you take the stance of other people in your life...it kind of works.

Q: So what does this have to do with photography?

A: Well, I'm trying to like...emulate that experience with photographs and words. Little passages, like little Zen Koans...you know....stuff that makes you think. Like "The Gateless Gate", stuff like that. "When the student is ready, the teacher appears"...you know, that type of thing.

Q: So are you the teacher or the student?

A: Neither. I'm the reporter. I just report the facts.

See Psychotherapy Photographs HERE.

American Express / Crispin Porter

It was January, we were on the coast. Weather had been below freezing at noon on our scouting days, and our shoot was scheduled for sunrise. When I woke up at the hotel on the day of the shoot and stepped out into the darkness, I felt balmy warm winds. I knew the Gods Of Advertising Photography were smiling upon us that day...

We just got word this ad is out and we can share it. 2011 started out with a shot of adrenaline, testosterone and coffee, putting together this image involving a mountain of carrots and a bountiful farm in the middle of winter....how are we going to find that? Actually...producer Mark Hoffman found it in his own backyard. Talent Shazi Visram and the creative team of Crispin Porter in Boulder flew in to SF, drove down to Half Moon Bay for sunrise, a day in the studio after that...magical retouching by Sugar Digital...and together...it came together.

And the mountain of carrots? Some ideas ya gotta embrace...some you need to let go of. But the mountain yielded the best crew shot ever...

Snow Angel & Mother Nature

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Q: Beautiful, huh?

A: Wow, it is.

Q: I wish it would stay just like that. Like I'd love to come back every year and have it right there, perfectly formed like that. How long will it last?

A: Oh, not long. It'll morph into something kinda like that, but rougher. Then it'll melt, get muddy, you'll see the rocky part underneath. When the sun comes out, it'll be gone. m

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Kitchen Table

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Q: So, what are you trying to say here?

A: Well, nothing. It's just a chance to hear myself give words to the stuff. Sometimes it doesn't seem real until you start to say it, give words to it, and start to look at it all.

Q: Right. That's a start. Then what?

A: Well...I hope...the answers will then bubble to the surface.

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Backhoe Parks In Front Of The House

Sunday at sundown a backhoe parked in front of our home.

Wilson got on the thing, Eli went in and got some cameras.

One for me, one for him, then let's try this old film camera too, maybe Wilson wants to make some pictures.

You guys got it?

Any other ideas?

No. I think we are good.

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Commercial Enough? Weird Enough?

Babes In The Woods Redux, Workbook Ad #3

Are we done yet?

Not Commercial Enough

Spoiled Baker, Option 1

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A friend of mine suggested that the Babes In The Woods series was not commercial enough for a Workbook ad...or that it type cast me so specifically as a baby photographer. Seeing that these ads are thousands upon thousands upon thousands...oh, you know...I figured I'd try to look at some options. Keep in mind: Workbook is not about self expression...it is about getting ad jobs. If anyone is reading, please weigh in with your opinion.

Spacey Babies, Option 2

Workbook Spread / Forthcoming

Babes In The Woods / Workbook Spread 2011

Just finished up this Workbook spread for the upcoming Tidepool section of WB.

We looked at a variety of layouts and images and in the end landed here. I kinda had a baby obsession / baby series started that never fully got off the ground, under the working title "Babes In The Woods". These images from that series I still enjoy. See my Workbook online site HERE.