Just had to say it. 

Preview of video I'm working on from last night's fundraiser.  The young gals of Kukatonon Children's African Dance Troupe jammin to the drums with the fabulous Hakim Muhammad at Mercy Corp.  Fabulous! 

So I was doing some video content on my iPhone on my new Video rig for my D300 (yes, this is designed to confuse and provide introspection on the life of an artist) when one of my Siamese (crossed with a Pitbull) decided to chew on my toes.  You really can't script this stuff, especially where cats are concerned and I suppose it makes an otherwise mundane subject more interesting.  

Exhibit opens tonight and my piece will be on display! 

Official flyer for anyone who happens to be in New York, And check out the other award winners. 

http://www.nyc4pa.com/#!galleries/vstc1="seasons"/photostackergallery1=15

Having fun doing small wedding for friends of mine.  Equipment ranging from zoom to portrait lenses, SB 800 fill flash, Lensbaby and iPhone.   Post processing in Nik Color Efex Pro.  Actually wound up packing light!  

Started a new job this week and have a small wedding to shoot for a friend today.  I prefer these since I don't have the gear or time to do the big stuff and it keeps me from getting lazy when it comes to flash.  Life has gotten crazy again.  It was my birthday yesterday so an iPhone 5 is on the horizon in the next week! So looking forward to upgrading from my now ancient 3g that actually has been such a loyal and dependable partner.  Taking a deep breath before and thinking zen thoughts before the impending nuptials.  

After the events of the last week I've seen this go viral.  We definitely need more of this!  Please share.  Amazing how many people are picking up on this right now.  

I've been inspired lately to view content on the rich media front that would include poetry, narrative, pictures, video, audio.... This is a great example of where this is trending and was so very well done.  Very moving piece of work. 

In Verse: Women of Troy from InVerse on Vimeo.

Last night was a real eye-opener for me after seeing Daniel Milnor's presentation on photographic book publishing.  Even though he represents Blurb, he dissects the "print on demand" concept by reminding us of the art of storytelling.   Though he considers himself more of a photojournalist, his images were more compelling than some of the flat editorials I've seen hanging on gallery walls.  

I have plateaued recently (also called "hitting the wall")on the whole photography business even though I've had a successful year gaining national recognition - but where do I go from here?  How do I create a story that shows both substance and style?  My first attempt at this was Cambodia Awakening which I think was a good start.  Paragliding and Pomegranates was simply a family vacation parading as teenage rebellion against what is considered art.  There is an over proliferation of some astounding good photography out there, and while it looks great on a wall or coffee table, it doesn't entirely address the human need for myth so thoroughly portrayed by Joseph Campbell in the "Hero with a Thousand Faces."  Daniel's presentation takes us back to the roots and offers us deeper insight; he is basically showing us new avenues to view and present our work, and to also find compelling way to present our stories in an increasingly over-saturated market.  

In the digital age, and with globalization at our fingertips, we are becoming increasingly desensitized and even the best special effects go flat without good characterizations and storyline.  Much of the youth has become the hit and run generation of video games and texting and his overview of YouTube was quite an eye opener.   The Rich Media arena is the elephant in the room that has just boarded the train that has left the station - though no one really knows to where, but that's what makes it so compelling for some of us.   

He showed us the sky is truly the limit.  

Daniel's work can be seen at http://www.smogranch.com

I'm grateful to have made it to the presentation - and grateful to NewSpace  http://newspacephoto.org for bringing him in.  

I was just accepted as one of the participating artists in the Portland Open Studio Tour.  I'm very excited to have my studio and work open to the public.  The tour will be the weekends of October 12th and 19th.  What fun!

http://www.portlandopenstudios.com/tour-information/

I'll be showing metallic prints from my Cambodia Awakening series starting April 1at Pro Photo's Supply Gallery in the Pearl. There will be a framed, signed copy of my award-winning image from Black & White Magazine.  http://www.prophotosupply.com/p-gallery-photolab.htm.  The address is 1815 NW Northrup at the lab (not in the main store).  For those who missed the last exhibit, this is your chance to see the impact metallic prints have on these images.  20% of the proceeds from this exhibit will be donated to Golden Leaf Education Foundation to help build schools in Cambodia.  

One of the great treasures of Portland is surely Powell's books.  This last Friday afternoon I decided to browse the photography section, as I am prone to do, when I noticed an ancient typewriter sitting on one of the shelves.  Upon inspecting the label that was defacing it, I found, much to my astonishment, it was Isak Dinesen's typewriter, on loan by a local patron.  The Isak Dinesen, iconic writer of Out of Africa and Babette's Feast, simply one of the great storytellers of the twentieth century.   And my favorite author ever....  so I felt entitled somehow to touch it - despite the warning signs stuck haphazardly to this precious relic.  Looking over my shoulder I typed lightly on those same keys that had spun such a theater of prose.  Now satisfied that I was somehow touched by an angel, I tore myself away, resuming my mission of discovery.  To further acknowledge my quest for inspiration and much to my delight, I spied Joyce Tenneson's Life in Photography.  Again, another iconic woman, a trailblazer during her day, one of the best photographers ever.

And it was only $8.00.  Something so priceless for only $8.00.  

When I left I felt more like a thief than a patron, but unlike the thief I am truly richer for the experience.  

This piece has been juried in by Stu Levy for the Portland Photographers Forum's Group Show and will be showing at the beautiful First Presbyterian Church in downtown Portland March 31 through May 19.  Opening reception will be First Thursday April 4th 5:30 to 7:30.  

http://www.firstpresportland.org

On the Waterfront - Portland, Oregon 

Yvettte is from Liberia and has done modeling in L.A.  We were fooling around over at the University of Portland near the bluff.  Infrared and a gorgeous day in Portland. 

I will be showing a matted and framed version of this image at Mel's Frame shop from March 4 -30.  We will have a reception to celebrate National Women's Day on March 8th from 5-8:00 p.m.  1007 SW Morrison - Downtown Portland.  

Perfecting my black and white wizarding while reviving some photos from the 2011 Cambodia trip. I do wonder what those eyes have seen......

Cambodian Elders

Pleased to announce my image was selected out of 800 international photographers as one of the exclusive Juror's Selection for the "Seasons"  May exhibit at the New York Center for Photographic Art in SOHO.  This competition was juried by the very talented Douglas Beasley, an internationally recognized photographer whose work I greatly admire.  Nice to score another one, especially at a New York venue in SOHO! 

A few weeks back - having fun experimenting with hand held year curtain sync.

http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.403179183108064.96921.366107410148575&type=1

More studio work of traditional dresses to add to my collection which includes Cambodian and African.  I have over the years bonded with the individuals from diverse backgrounds and their offspring, and it's so much fun to work on this collection.  I was getting a sense of vintage with these outfits, and thought just plain studio lighting didn't do them justice so worked with Photoshop and my Nik Software filters to create the look I was going for.  It's always fun experimenting with the process.  All I could think of was Frieda Kahlo when they showed up all dressed up in their finery.