December 27th, 2009 | 
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Psst… Can you keep a secret? I’ve got a new blog.
Quite a bit has been happening behind the scenes around here lately, and as part of that growth I’m moving my blog to a new domain with a new focus, and hopefully improved post quality and frequency. We’ll see how it works out.
This blog will be up for a little while longer then it will magically turn into a redirect to the new place which if you promise not to tell anyone about you can check out here.
The new blog is going to be a little more focused on photography, writing, and creativity in general as well as whatever happens to be going on in my life at the time – so pretty much the same thing as this one, but hopefully better.
Anyway, there’s still dust on the floor and bits of scrap wood laying around from the construction so watch your step but feel free to check it out and let me know what you think. Oh, I’m going to try to pull some of my favorite posts from this blog over to that one – not sure if I know how to do that yet – so let me know if there are any that you like and would like to see stick around.
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The trouble with multitasking is that the laundry detergent ends up in the refrigerator and the milk ends up in the linen cupboard.
I’ve talked about Josh Hanagarne and his world’s strongest librarian website here before, but he continues to amaze me with his feats of strength and so I have to talk about him again today. Josh has managed to build a life as a librarian, a strongman, and a blogger all while fighting the constant tics of Tourette’s. In today’s post Josh talks about his Christmas wish. One of his friends asked him this week what he wanted for Christmas if he could have anything just for himself, and Josh’s answer was “I would want one minute of stillness.”
One minute of stillness. Watching his video, knowing a little bit about what he goes through every day, I was once again amazed at how quickly and easily Josh gets to the heart of what we all want. I’m a perfectly healthy normal person, and so often I find myself wishing for the same thing.
We all have tics that can keep us from our minute – kids that need looking after, deadlines that we have to meet, blackberries that buzz, phones that ring, email and newsfeeds that never stop piling up.And we all rush around our lives hurrying and worrying and all we really want is one minute of stillness.
The only way to get your minute of stillness is to sit down and be still. It’s easy to make excuses, to wish for stillness but never take the time to create it. Shut off the phones, log off the computer, hang the ‘do not disturb’ sign on the bedroom door. It’s easier said than done.
One of the things I love about Josh’s blog is his absolute willingness to put himself out there. Win or lose, Succeed or fail, he does it openly, willingly in front of his readers, and we are all stronger because of it. Even at Christmas you don’t always get your wish, but sometimes if you work on it you can make miracles happen. If you have ever wanted a minute of stillness in your life, you need to watch these two videos
Happy holidays, may we all find peace on earth.
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Working with the styling class at FIDM is one of the most fun improvisational challenges I could ask for as a photographer. Students are given a theme at the beginning of the quarter and build an idea for a photo shoot around that theme. Once they have their concept they’re given a limited budget to style their shoot. The quality of their styling depends on each group’s creativity, talent, experience, work ethic, and willingness to push their own boundaries.
Because of the many variables involved in styling each photo session, our team never really knows how the shot will look until everyone gets to the set and we have a chance to begin working with the elements. Sometimes a student group may have a great concept that they were unable to execute well, while other times a minimal effort produces a clean natural image.
The fun part of FIDM shoots is not knowing in advance what our images are going to look like. We generally have only about 20 minutes of onset time for each groups shot. Communication is essential as the team works quickly to finalize an idea from concept to raw capture often making changes as we shoot. By eliminating clear creative direction the session becomes a collaborative effort between the students, the models, the hair and makeup artists, and me.
Some of my favorite shots have come from students who had an ambitious concept that “failed” for one reason or another. In such cases the entire team looks at all of the various elements presented and rework the concept to create strong image that will meet the requirements of the assignment using only what we have available. The free-form improvisation is fun for the whole team as each person is encouraged to participate, explore their own creativity, and contribute to the final image. Students often come away from these sessions with renewed self-confidence in their ability to work under pressure, and create an image as part of a team.
Recently, one of our groups presented a simple concept to have their model photographed against a handmade backdrop. Due to a lack of experience and communication, they arrived at the studio with a backdrop that was far too small. While disappointed that their concept was probably not going to work out as envisioned, they did learn the importance of communicating with everyone on the creative team. The students and I looked at their backdrop while the model was in makeup. We talked about options such as only using the small backdrop for close-up shots, and even the possibility of not using it all. I liked what they had done with their idea, and didn’t want to lose the backdrop. After some discussion we decided to put the backdrop in front of the model. We agreed that we would make some test shots with the new concept to see how it worked.
It did.
In this case, teamwork allowed us to take an unworkable set of circumstances and redevelop them to create an image that was even stronger than the original concept. Collaboration, teamwork, creativity, and the ability to think on the fly are valuable skills in any field. It’s always a thrill to participate in a project as it moves from concept to completion, and improvisational photo sessions help strengthen our creative skills as we think of new ways to express our ideas through photography.
I went to school to study photography. The more photographers that I met the more I began to feel that photography was not important. Or at least that my photography was not important. I left school about six months prior to graduation, deeply in debt, and trying to hide a growing depression.
I moved to Los Angeles with my girlfriend at the time and began to fumble my way through a photography career in spite of having lost faith in the value of my contribution to the craft. That isn’t to say that I felt that I wasn’t good at what I did. Technically, I was very proficient; I just didn’t believe that I had anything unique to offer.
I did the usual things, from assisting to shooting every project that came across my desk – never charging enough, and never having the faith ask for more. I moved my focus to photographing pets – primarily dogs – and for a while made a good living at it. But I wasn’t really happy, and it didn’t really think that what I was doing was important or that I could move very far beyond the level I was at. I had so many self-limiting factors that prevented me from growing, or really excelling at my craft.
My depression deepened.
After a while the girlfriend and I split up. I stopped being a photographer. I started a small business and spent my days walking dogs on the streets of downtown Los Angeles. Working with dogs was great. It gave me the freedom to hide in plain sight. People valued my work, and I felt their lives were better because of me. Then it just turned into a job. I hate having jobs. So I sold it. I walked away without a backup plan.
I picked up my camera. I had never really put it down; even while I was a businessperson I still took pictures for a few clients. My rules at the time were simple; I would only take pictures for you if I liked you, and if you paid.
“So are you going to be a photographer again?” People asked.
I told them, “no, I’m not a photographer, I just take pictures sometimes.”
I started to enjoy making images – started getting ideas. I started to think that maybe photography can matter. Certainly some photographs matter on a grand scale – those that record history, raise awareness, or demonstrate the beauty of our world. Some photographs can inspire people to take action, to bear witness, or to live their lives more fully than they might have otherwise. But I also thought that maybe my photography could matter too.
Photography is important. It gives me the freedom to live my life without boundaries. Through photography I can help other people discover who they are, and who they can be. The size of our images and the exposure they have is less important than the content they contain. I have seen people transformed by the power of a single image when they say quietly, “I’ve never seen myself that way before.”
Someone once said that every photograph is a portrait of the photographer. I think it’s something more. A photograph is collaboration – a duet between photographer and subject. Both are changed by the act of making a photograph, and both can be strengthened or marginalized based on the experience. Each voice is unique and they are all part of the choir of our human experience.
Photography is a duty and a responsibility. I am a photographer again. Images matter and so do I; maybe I’ve just never seen myself that way before.
It doesn’t rain often in Los Angeles. When it does even the dirty streets of Skid Row shimmer and shine. The air is clean for a few hours, and the green things turn green while the mountains turn white with snow. December rain in L.A. Merry Christmas to all the Saints of Los Angeles.
Did you hear the one about the Librarian with Tourette’s? How about the one about the librarian who could bend nails? Or the one about the librarian with a funny smart unique point of view who can make you think about the way you perceive things and that maybe you too can be a better person in spite of yourself.
Josh Hanagarne is the World’s Strongest Librarian. He is funny and smart and his struggles with Tourette’s have helped him become a living metaphor for succeeding in spite of oneself. I often berate myself for being my own worst stumbling block but can you image hitting yourself in the face so hard that it hurts? Then doing it again? And the whole time is happening you are talking about helping people with “real” disabilities.
His blog will help you be a better person, and you should go read it right now.
I wasn’t too sure how I felt about turning 40. On one hand, I’m a reasonably healthy, smart, quick thinking (sometimes) fella. On the other hand I tend to squander my health on beer and hamburgers and my smarts on finding the best, cheapest, or closest beer and/or hamburger joints. Part of me feels like I could be doing more, but part of me just wants a nice cold one and a bacon cheeseburger. So I was conflicted.
I decided that what I really needed was a nice reasonable adventure, and since I like bikes, and have a couple of them I decided I’d go for a nice long ride. I talked to Andrea who was immediately up for it, then logged onto mapmyride.com and planned out a nice route. Malibu to Ventura and back, a hundred miles give or take a few, and plenty of places to find food along the way.
I know people train for things like this, plan out their calories for the day, have contingency plans and all that. Our plan was to drive to Malibu, get on our bikes and ride until we hit the sand in Ventura. Sometimes planning is overated anyway.
I fueled up the night before with a nice plate of pasta and meat sauce and a couple of cold beers. "Carbo-loading" we used to call it - but the truth is that I just like pasta and beer.
We started the day with a quick stop at Jack in the Box. Andrea feuled up with a cheeseburger and hashbrowns while I went for the sourdough breakfast jack. Mmmmmm Hammmmmm.
Why do adventures always have to start while its still dark outside?
Sunrise, time to hit the road.
Andrea leads down the PCH just North of Pepperdine.
Who knows, next year I may even buy proper cycling attire.
No, Chip, we are not stopping for a snack!
Happy bike riders, about 20 miles into the day.
Pacific Coast Highway.
As we approached Oxnard by Port Hueneme we turned inland for a few miles of farm country.
You want summa dis?
If its ten a.m. it must be time for beer. We found this great little taco place along the way and got a couple of fresh, piping hot Al Pastor tacos and some nice cold beer.
I can't tell you all the reasons I like riding bikes with Andrea, but this is one of them.
Time to get back on the road. Thanks Taqueria Caporales!
Apparently there is more to Oxnard than farmland.
On the Beach in Ventura. We were a little shy of the 50 mile point here, so we kept riding up the sidewalk that runs along the beach until...
Halfway there! along with our beer and tacos we had been drinking plenty of Gatorade, and munching on gels, cliff's Shot Blocks, and pretzels and banana chips. I was a little surprised at how good we felt here and stoked about the rest of the ride.
While we were taking this pic a lady said "Are you guys riding your bikes to all the In-N-Out burgers in California or something?" Andrea and I looked at each other and said "Not today, but that's a pretty great idea!"
Ride to eat: Eat to ride
My friend Mong once said "Dude, most people plan their meals around the trip, but I think you actually plan your trips around where you want to eat." Mong is very perceptive.
Andrea got her drink to go...
Back by Port Hueneme again we stopped for a break at the missle park. Riding through Oxnard at midday was hot and we were glad to be back down by the ocean.
Probably a good description of people who go for long bike rides with minimal preparation.
Missile park sights
Bananas and pretzels: the secret ingredient!
I was just cresting a hill on the PCH just north of Malibu when I felt the back tire get mushy. Bummer man, “We’re gonna have to stop” I said to Andrea, “I’ve got a flat.”
“OK” she said in her usual cheery tone and as we rolled to a stop she was already on the phone making business calls. I checked the computer – 81 miles – took a long drink of Gatorade, and yanked the offending wheel off the frame. When you are riding beside the ocean with a great friend on a gorgeous fall day even a flat tire can’t bring you down.
Back on the road just a few miles out.
OK, the odometer shows 95.5 miles. The car is just down the road, but Malibu Seafod has got some tasty fish and chips and I haven't eaten there in years. Do we stop and enjoy the afternoon or "finish strong"?
Did I mention that I really like the fish and chips?
a couple of detours back in Oxnard chopped some distance and left us at 98.7 miles so we rode around Malibu for a few minutes just to put the ticker over a hundred. Next time I'll take andrea up on the offer of some sunscreen.