Like the modern classic movie “Office Space” we’ve got plenty of photo flair to show our enthusiasm for photography.
Jennifer Aniston’s character in that film didn’t want to add more flair to her uniform, so she took another road.

© 20th Century Fox

We have been collecting/been given, a ton of the stuff, flair, through the years.
Nope, not gonna wear them on suspenders or on a vest at the next photo gathering.
That would be creepy in a massive grouping.
How about a single bit of flair?
Maybe your fave camera company logo, or just a small pin, put onto your lapel.
Sends a message, alright.
Sometimes a clever phrase, an image of your fave camera, an eyeball (very popular), a 3rd eye, an event, or a simply “Say Cheese!”

In the 60’s, message buttons were all the rage, and hippiedom would not have been complete without some anti establishment notification on your clothing.
Elections through the years, have made campaign buttons de rigueur for the proper announcement of your political predilection.
And now every charitable cause has a ribbon, neatly twisted and pinned on a lapel to ensure your neighbor knows that you are good and just.
Check out any award show involving a celebrity, and depending on the current horrific world event that they can put a magnifier onto, you will notice the plethora of appropriate colored ribbons.

A bold statement of support is made without uttering a word.

Ok, when you are carrying around a big DSLR, there is no question that you are “into” photography.

But when you have a discreet point and shoot, or perhaps (never happen) no camera at all, how people to know where you stand?
C’mon, hasn’t someone in your life ever given you a bit of Flair with a photo motif, knowing what your passion was?
Holidays? Birthday? A loved one struggling with a gift idea for you, presents a well made pin, with a bas relief of a camera?
No? They will. At some point.

Well, wear that flair with pride and love. Not 30 pieces because, after all, you don’t work at Chotskie’s, right?
One will do.

Do you ever wear photo flair?
Let us know by commenting on this article.
This crazy little, Monday in Feb., article.

Sure, we’ve been getting a little bookish lately on the giveaway front, so it’s time to get into the old tool box.
Love the books because, at the end of the day, the image is what it’s all about.
You need the gear to get there though. And every tool box has a variety of multi-purpose items that you need to carry around.
Like Duct Tape ( or official gaffers tape which has a better adhesive on it)
Or one of these:

Joby Gorillapod for Digital SLR Cameras w/ Bubble Level

When you need an extra hand, or have to get a speedlight into an unusual location, we call on this unit all the time.

Able to hold weights up to a lightwight DSLR or a small camcorder, the adjustable legs let us secure whatever gear we need, where we need it: railings, tops of doors, tabletops, tops of chairs, you name it.
You can use any tripod to hot shoe accessory in your kit for the flash rig, or purchase the flash shoe separately.

If you are making your YouTube videos featuring, well…YOU, or need to put yourself in the group shot, this is a nice, small (9.8″x2″/ 5.8 oz), bendable tripod that can fit easily in your bag. And it comes with a bubble level so you can make sure that the only thing that the shot is as level as you need it to be.

Here is a review we did on the full up line of Gorillapods earlier this year.

Check out the very cool accessory locking feature on the head. (right hand photo)

From point & shoots, DSLR’s, up to broadcast HD cameras, we dig this line. It lets us get the gear where we need it.

We have one of these to give away, (camera NOT included), so make sure you are subscribed to the weekly NEWSLETTER, where all of the details will be spelled out. It comes out Weds. @ 9:00AM PST. Or at least, that’s when we schedule it to go out.
You now have more time to enter the giveaway, also. We tried to figure out the best way to deal with all of the global time zones, and now, as long as we receive your entry by the Friday following the Weds. delivery of the specific NEWSLETTER, you will be entered into the giveaway and the winner is determined by Random.org.
All of the official rules are right here.
And the NEWSLETTER isn’t just about the giveaway.
Oh, no.
We also do a recap on items from the site and some extra stuff just for subscribers, so sign up today!

Don’t forget to join the Photoinduced Flickr group. We’re growing and have some cool plans for the future for everyone involved.

For a photojournalist, the question is never about can they get the access to the get shot.
That is the job. They’ll be there.
It’s what they do once they get there.
In the 60’s and 70’s Southeast Asia was the horrific theater for war, and photojournalists were on the front lines, providing the most intimate look of war to those around the world.
David Hume Kennerly won a Pulitzer Prize in 1971 for his depiction of the war at that time.
Although that was a huge honor and show of respect for his work, his photographs before that time captured an America during it’s most turbulent domestic period.
The good times, with his photographs of the people like Miles Davis, The Rolling Stones, the finally winning NY Mets in 1969, to one of our worst moments, as he had photographed Sen. Robert F. Kennedy moments before he was gunned down at the Ambassador Hotel in Los Angeles.

© Damon Webster

He is also well known as the chronicler of the Gerald Ford presidency, as the personal photographer to the President.

© David Hume Kennerly

On the First Lady’s last day in the White House, Betty Ford, the former Martha Graham dancer, decided to have a few turns on the Cabinet Room table.
So when we speak about access, this man had photographic access to the most powerful man on earth and his entourage.

Dick Cheney, who has been a fairly colorful member of the Ford and Bush Presidencies, may not have been willing to appear in a bumper car for many other shooters.

© David Hume Kennerly

These kind of images, prove more than the simple access of a photojournalist.
His genuine style, and very honest personality, put his subjects at ease and they are portrayed as the very real people they are.

Even when his assignment is to catch the historic moment of 5 living US Presidents posed together, you catch the reality of the moment as these powerful men, kind of break rank a bit, to get real with the camera.

© David Hume Kennerly

For us, there are no more intimate moments, insight, emotional record, than his work on the Obama inauguration.
There is a book filled with his coverage, but here is a sample image of the President and his wife, about to start the inaugural ball circuit. The loving joyous moment fulfilling the “Yes, We Can” long, campaign.

© David Hume Kennerly

And photographers, we always like to look twice at an image: once, to let it wash over you for exactly what is presented; and another time to step outside and see what the photographer may have done to achieve the image.
This is a wide angle lens here, and his proximity to his subjects is pretty darn close. You don’t this kind of photograph from being pushy. You get this from being an artist, and respecting your subjects.

We’ve had the pleasure to meet Mr. Kennerly a number of times, and even do a video interview with him, which will be posted shortly.

To give you another idea of the man, here is how he resigned from the White House staff:

“Dear Mr. President, Effective January 20, 1977, at twelve noon, I hereby resign my position at the White House. It’s been real! David Hume Kennerly”

Who knows what brings someone to such a cavalier attitude: Seeing the horrors of war? Witnessing history as a profession? being close on a daily basis to the most powerful people on earth?
And we’re serious about all of that.
This man has seen an incredible amount and photographed most of it.
His archives now reside at the University of Texas in Austin (how do they keep getting these incredible collections??), although he is continuing to digitize his collection by working with ScanCafe, and having them scanning his negs and transparencies.
He currently has an exhibit at the Frank Pictures Gallery in Santa Monica, and it’s a full house of history.
We usually steer away from descriptors for each image in a gallery setting but the thoughts included underneath the photos, help give a time and place to an era, no matter how recent it may be.

At the gallery, they have created a special edition book, including all of the work that is hanging, and we recommend it.

David Hume Kennerly
If Only O.J. Had Called Me…
A Forty Year Photographic Retrospective, 1966-2010
January 20 – April 3, 2010
The Frank Pictures Gallery
Bergamot Station Gallery A-5
2525 Michigan Avenue
Santa Monica California 90404
Tel. 310-828-0211

Ahh that shiny new HD DSLR is warming up in your hands, and you know you’ll be able to shoot some killer video.
What could be so hard?
You know how to pick up a camera, suss the right exposure ( or go auto), and then let the auto focus do it’s magic and Voila!
Pulitzer prize here you come. Or Flickr.
Not so fast in the old video dept.
That twee little DSLR in your hands has some incredible capabilities, but you’ll have to learn some of the limitations also.

Hmmmm…where shall we start……….

OK, lets go easy for right now, and talk about getting a nice, sharp image. Whenever you want it.
You see, all of these magical cameras really don’t auto focus when you are in the HD movie modes.
It’ll all be on you.
Perhaps not such a daunting request when you have your camera at eye level. And you know you’ll be looking at that big ole LCD screen.
So there you are, focusing at a modified arms length, but keeping steady is easy when you are dealing with a fraction of a second.
Motion is another thing entirely.

In all of our video work, we shoot utilizing a number of devices ranging from a DSLR to a P2 Video camera.

Whenever we look at gear purchases, quite honestly, we are looking for some crossover or versatility.

Our first goal was to find a stabilization system that would work for local or travel assignments, and be able to morph a bit.
Sometimes you can bring in a big rig, sometimes just a simpler system works best.

Our company of choice was Redrock micro for a few reasons: quality and price.
We went with the deluxe shoulder mount and a shoulder brace with some extra bits to create a transformer type system.

This combination allowed us to use a DSLR and a small HD video camera on a shoulder brace unit like this,

yes, we use only 1 grip on this set-up, so the other hand can focus.

and both of those cameras, plus the much larger P2 card HD video camera on the deluxe shoulder mount,

But wait…what if your shot is not at eye level, or at a place where you won’t be looking ? You’ll be needing to use an off camera monitor to see what the shot is and and a follow focus system to make sure your are focused where you want to be.
Sorry, jumped ahead there for a second. We’ll get back to the monitor, later.

For now, we’ll assume you are framing and focusing your shoot, looking at the DSLR LCD, or a magnifier attached to it, like a HoodLoupe.

Since all of the HD DSLR’s require manual focus, AND you want a smooth transition for one focus point to another, a Follow Focus system is critical to your shoot.

The relatively small circumference of still camera lenses, as compared to cinema lenses, cause the focus to be a very critical adjustment.
Enter the Gear rings.

These fit around the lens and add gear teeth to connect to the focusing system. They also add a larger circumference to the lens to make the focus a more forgiving length. In other words, you have more of a hand turn to ease into your focus point.

The Follow Focus assembly then attaches very easily to the rod system of the rigs, whether it’s the shoulder brace of full shoulder mount.
It is then a matter of making sure the gears all mesh and the focus wheel is properly placed for your use.
One other item that is used in the DSLR system, is a special mount that raises the camera so the gear from the FF assembly aligns properly with the gear on the lens.
Looks like this:

One thing that we like about the RedRock Micro system is the “3D” feature of the Focus wheel. Instead of being flat, viewed mainly from the side, it has a beveled surface, allowing you to make focus marks visible to the you, the camera operator, from the back or at an angle.

So first you get your focus marks for each subject, then use a dry erase marker or grease pencil on the focus wheel. This way you know where your subject is in focus from one point to another. You can do it all on the fly, and focus as you go, with a lot of practice. That auto focus we’ve all been very used to on still cameras, will not be coming to your aid here.

Yep, it gets pretty involved.

No longer are you just putting you camera up to your eye and shooting.

Using HD video cameras that DO have auto focus, face recognition, and allow you to record good quality audio directly onto the video is a much easier proposition.
No, you don’t get the advantage of the good glass with all of the ranges of your DSLR.
OK, you can but you are adding a bunch of other gear. And that is actually the way it is done professionally.

One of the other things we like about our Redrock system is the ability to attach, or hang, or twist on all of the accoutrements that will make our video shoot a success, using the micromounts.
Things like a digital recorder,mic. receivers, ext. monitor, ext. hard drive, etc..
On the rigs we pictured above you can see a micro mount at one end of the rig near the grip. That is used for our external monitor, a SmallHD, since we love the critical focus on a bigger HD screen. Your LCD is not HD.

And here is a big bonus: on the Redrock microshoulder mount Deluxe Bundle, you can add a tripod plate that will let you work the whole rig on a tripod or easily move it to your shoulder. Excellent for the fast moving project.
Maybe your are doing a well lit interview, then have to move around to capture the subject doing that thing they do.
Like we said, versatility is the key.
Of course you may say ” Hey! What are the downsides? No system is perfect.”
True enough.
So here are things we felt were cons on the system:
* The blue knobs to tighten the hand grips and rod clamps, needed some extreme force to tighten for a full day of work.
* These items are not generally available off the shelf. You may have to wait to get your goods.
* Not a huge fan of bright blue on our rigs but very minor point.

Yes, there are less expensive Follow Focus systems, and waaaay more expensive systems to work with on your stabilization and follow focus.
Some folks like to mix and match within their setups.
Figure it this way, the film business has been around for over 100 years and the tools that have been perfected are varied.
Examine how you will be using the gear to help make your decisions. And then check your wallet.

Are you making an independant dramatic feature? Using an HD DSLR to save dough?
Maybe you are mainly going for photojournalistic media capture. Honestly, that was the originally intended audience for the HD DSLR’s.
Sometimes, renting gear for a weekend, if you can, will help you decide what works best.
Photo and film trade shows are great ways to see what is available, and what may be right for you by actually putting the gear in your hands.
Redrock micro has a great series of videos on their product line up so that is also a good place to look before you leap.
A big point for us was putting the rig on our shoulder, or bracing it against our chest.
The comfort and ease of operation factor was key. And like a well tailored suit, you can usually adjust these rigs pretty specifically to your body.

Overall, we are very happy with Redrock micro and feel completely comfortable recommending it to any one out there. Check the options on their site, to see what could fit you best.
And remember, your mileage may vary. In other words, only you know how best this gear will fit your needs.

Here is a shot of someone trying out the microbrace rig at a trade show:

And at the same show , here is a Canon 5D all geared up and ready to shoot video:

We did say we sometimes shoot with a P2 HD camera so here is that rig. the SmallHD monitor is positioned on the left and on the right is an electronic control for zoom,iris, and yes, focus, although we prefer the geared system.

We hope this has shed some more light on the HD DSLR wave and how you may approach it. Check out this free webinar from Createasphere for some more on good info on the HD DSLR front.

In another article we’ll discuss some of the best ways to capture sound for your HD DSLR video projects, the other 50% or your video project.

Questions? Comments? Additions?

Week-end is the final chapter in a trilogy created by Alex Prager, now showing at M+B Gallery in Los Angeles, simultaneously showing at the Yancy Richardson Gallery in NYC

photographer Alex Prager with her photograph Wendy, 2009 behind her.

As in the other photographs in the trilogy, The Big Valley and Polyester, Ms. Prager has created a series of characters with a story to tell.
These may not be told in the single frame, nor are they a portrait of the person’s life, but a snippet of an incident.
You get to add the details, and she has left the canvas painted just enough so you have the elements to create that singular reality.
When you think about what kind of an image to put onto your walls,consider the time you’ll be looking at it.
Not just a decorative piece, these photographs give you a part of a story, you get to add the rest. And even as we looked at the images on the wall, the stories shifted.
How did these people get into these circumstances? What was going to happen next? And the story kept changing. Both the front end and the back
When we ask Alex about the stories she told us they were part with her and part with you.

As a self taught photographer, she has relied on her inner directing talents to bring us these cinematic snippets of stories in the lives of the female inhabitants of her worlds.

Cathy 2009 © Alex Prager

And from her series The Big Valley

Kimberly, 2008 © Alex Prager

These are large prints, mostly 4×5 ft, so you’ll need some space.
Maybe lose the flat screen and let these photographs inhabit your thoughts.

There seems to be a movement in the fine art photography world, that features the illustrative and storytelling skills of the artists.
Cindy Sherman (this link is a fan site) has been at the modern forefront, creating characters and scenarios that are cinematic in nature, and contain back stories.
And forward stories.

With photographers like Julie Blackmon, Holly Andres, and Alex Prager, there is evidence of a movement afoot.
And if there weren’t selling, the galleries wouldn’t be showing them.
Is there a significance to those artists being woman? You tell us.

Each artist has a unique viewpoint, yet has created a cast of characters to inhabit their stories.

All we now is that we love looking at the work and their is a depth to the stories that could live on our walls for a long, long, time.

By the way, one of the other things we dig about the M+B Gallery are the books they offer on a very friendly table when you move through the gallery. So even if you are not making the major print purchase , you have an opportunity to revisit the images in your own sweet time.

ALEX PRAGER
WEEK-END
30 JAN – 6 MAR 2010
M+B
612 North Almont Drive
Los Angeles, California 90069
T 310 550 0050

WEEK-END
14 JAN – 20 FEB, 2010
Yancey Richardson Gallery
535 West 22nd Street 3rd floor
New York NY 10011
T 646-230-9610

It’s been a good time in the photo gallery world with a great range of work being exhibit lately.
Tomorrow we’ll report back in on an exhibit we saw tonight that was 180 degrees from this work.

One of the biggest tech product categories at the recent Consumer Electronics Show was 3-D TV’s.
Every major manufacturer was rolling them out, and each had a slight different take on how you, the viewer, would best like to experience it.
Active shutter glasses that ensure that each eye only sees the right or left image, giving the brain the illusion of dimensionality.
Fine. That is perhaps how it will happen in your home with LCD screens.
Used to be the red/blue anaglyph glasses and now
they are primarily polarized lenses for the theatrical releases.

Still photography has been creating the 3D illusions for over 150 years, though.

Whether going in with a Stereoscope, or as simple as a View-Master, we’ve been there.
OK, not quiet as elaborate as the now, highest grossing movie of ALL time, AVATAR, but 3D none the less.

So our giveaway for you this week, is Phantograms from Nature
.
These are some of the best images we’ve seen giving you that 3D view. You’ll get 2 pairs of glasses, plus in the book, you’ll be given instructions on how to make your own 3D images.

These things will seriously jump out at you.

These days we also shoot stereo images on our digital camera using a splitter on the front of the body, like this one.
Now with this rig, you will need to print the double image photo and have a stereo viewer which can be as simple as a cardboard divider, or as ornate as a wooden and velvet viewer from the turn of the century.
Our source for most of the goods is 3D Stereo.com, the most knowledgeable , well stocked store for all things of this nature.

You may get hooked on this stuff, so be careful.

You may know that we’ve changed the way we pick the winners now, in our weekly giveaway.
First of all, you have until the Friday Eve 11:59 PST, following the Newsletter email on Weds., to get us your entry.
And the winner is chosen by Random.org from the qualified entries. Click here for giveaway details.
We feel this new format, will give all subscribers, no matter what time zone you live in, a greater opportunity to submit an entry.

And we have a special treat in the Newsletter this week, that we hope the subscribers enjoy.
Oh, lest we forget, here is where you can sign up to subscribe to the NEWSLETTER.

Well, the most emotionally charged, personal connection filled, holiday is almost here.
St. Valentine’s Day.
The pressure to express your love for another is never greater than on this day.
But what is the right way to do that?

These classic candy hearts, with their messages of love, have recently been updated to include “Text Me” and Tweet Me”, as well as “Love Me”, “Kiss Me” and who couldn’t resist saying yes to “Marry Me” printed in nearly illegible letters on a sugary candy?

Ok, there are many ways to profess your love on this day.

Now, we are not a crafty site, nor pretend to be, so, let’s see if we can get to some other gifts ways to use your photo knowledge or prowess to make Valentine’s Day a little more special.
We’ll give you some of the crafty type links at the end.

Have you and your loved one ever been in a photo booth? You know, you get into a cramped space, close a curtain and get 4 chances to make faces and have a special photographic bonding moment with someone.
If so, make a copy of your favorite image of you and your loved one, and tip it into a copy of this book.

We have been saving our photobooth pictures for many years and this book,American Photobooth encapsulates that common photo experience in our lives. Your addition of a personal photo, adds to its collection and personalizes the gift.

Elliott Erwitt is a master of the photographic art, and this,Personal Exposures, is one of our fave volumes of his work. Yes, the cover says a lot about love but it’s a rich experience inside. Not overly see-and-say as a V-day gift.

This French photographer’s book Robert Doisneau 1912-1994 (Icons) is a perfect small collection, put out by Taschen, of some of his classic Parisien street scenes. And Paris always says love, right?

For a less conventional look at couples, Ellen Von Unwerth: Couples may take care of your needs.

One of our go to gifting books, is this collection of photographs Woman: A Celebration assembled by Peter Fetterman. You may find some copies on Amazon or you can contact Mr. Fetterman, as we believe he has bought up most of the remaining stock.

You can always go through your files, make a print and find a perfect frame.
As digital as we have all become, the physical print will always give a sense of permanence to a loving relationship.

We would not recommend emailing a photo, nor blind copying a ton of recipients to make it easier on yourself. Tacky and insincere.

Remember: no matter how many times you are told, “please, don’t do anything” you should translate that into “ ok, let’s see what you do.”

It may indeed be a Hallmark manufactured holiday, created with the chocolatiers and florists to make this day a major sales day for them, but get over it.

If we have one day in the year, designated to say “ I Love You” do what you can to make sure that other person feels the love.
Not such a hard thing to do.

And adding chocolates and flowers never hurt either.

Here are some of those links for craft projects using your photos. Time to kick it into gear, if you want to make the date.
And trust us, you do.

HP, Shutterfly, and Kodak. Your online your iPhoto or Picassa stores lets you create right from your online library in a very simple way.
Of course you can combine it all and have your photo printed on roses, from this company.

Or, maybe you prefer the style from this company (below) where you can combine photos AND words:

Yes, Think Big, indeed.

You can go the other way, and have a photo printed onto edible chocolate:

perhaps a photo cookie like this:

Heck yes, with new edible ink technology you can print your photo on just about any foodstuff.
And what says love more than “Here’s a photo. I Love You. Eat it.”

OK, our tongue is firmly in our check with the last things we mentioned. Although, we are taking bets as to how many folks give one of these a try.
(we are leaning toward the chocolate lollipop deal )

So enjoy the day, honestly, and spread a little love around.

Yes, the beauty of an articulated LCD screen is being able to keep your eyes where you want them, and let the camera stretch to get the shot you want.

Every time we shoot and event, there is always an opportunity for an over-the-crowd shot to the stage or main subject, like a wedding.

Of course you’ll use the long lens to isolate the subject, but an overhead shot will give a sense of place and the size of the crowd that was there.

Usually, we click the lens to a nice wide angle, raise it up above our heads, like the D700 and 24-70mm above, and fire off a few shots. Check the results and adjust. Repeat as needed, until the framing is right.

With an articulated screen, you shoot once and get the framing you need. Perfect!

OK, that is just one of the cool features of the D5000.

You also get 12.3 megapixels, an EXPEED processor, HD movie capacity (24 FPS, at 720P) Mono sound, and a CMOS sensor.
Sounds a lot like the D90, right?
Well, many of the same features can be found in both.
With 4 Live Mode functions, you can track that moving subject while you have your monitor in a “creative” angle.
The ISO of 200-3200, gets you pretty much in the range of whatever you will probably shoot, with an option to kick it up a notch to 6400.

The LCD screen also uses a cool design function, where the lens aperture is illustrated and changes as the exposure is adjusted
Using the DX series of lenses, you’ll be saving money on some great glass in this series.
This unit also takes the relatively inexpensive ML-L3 Wireless Remote Control. About $17.00 on Amazon.
As for video, it’s perfect for short clips of up to 5 min. that you can playback directly to your HDTV.
Another one of our favorite features is the quiet operation of the shutter.
The last few events we were at, the best shots just happened to be when the crowd was silent, except for our mirrors, KER-FLANKING with every shot.
We’re trying to find a solution before buying a blimp. This could be it.

19 Scene choices to make sure you get the best shot of what comes before your lens, plus Face Recognition function to insure sharp focus and exposure for the folks you don’t want to miss. The scene selector is accessed by the control knob on top and the LCD Menu functions.

Overall:
Small size, 12.3 megapixels and variable angle monitor, and HD video make this a perfect entry to mid level DSLR.
Many of the features of the larger units, without needing a PHd. to understand how to use it all.
You will be using this camera, the Nikon D5000, for a very long time before you’ve exhausted the capabilities, and need an upgrade.

Some of the other prizes in the Let’s Do Lunch! Photo contest are:
• An HP Pavilion dm3 series notebook
• An HP Photosmart Premium TouchSmart Web AiO printer
• A ColorMunki color calibration device
• A ThinkTank Airport International camera bag
• Adobe Photoshop Lightroom software
• NAPP Photoshop Teaching DVD’s
• Blurb 11×13 Custom Hardcover
• One year subscription to En Foco’s Nueva Luz Photographic Journal
• The winning photograph will be the cover of the “Let’s Do Lunch” book to be produced by Blurb.com and sold on the Blurb website, with 20% of the sale price of the books donated to local food banks

Before we go, here is a video look at the D5000:

And the Fair has left the city…..Short and sweet.

PhotoLA has left the city til next year. A good time had by all, and some new discoveries made.

Like how you can spend $400,000 on a photography book.

21st Editions, long renown for making the highest quality short run, limited edition photography books ( we regularly dream of owning one of their editions with tipped in platinum prints) out did themselves in a new, not sure if you would call it a book, collection perhaps.
We were blown away by the actual, separate plates in this collection, and it truly be best described by their own words:

The Journal Plate Set

The first series of books published by 21ST Editions, beginning with our inception in 1998, was our internationally recognized Journal of Contemporary Photography. The six volumes of the Journal were illustrated with hand-pulled photogravure and color planograph images from many of the world’s most highly respected contemporary photographers. These images combined with potent criticism and prose from internationally acclaimed writers and poets to form the most robust, sophisticated, and unique forum for new dialogues on the arts and letters of the photographic idiom.

© The Journal of Contemporary Photography: Volume 1, Keith Carter

The Journal Plate Set is a one-of-a-kind, 20 volume set of 74 half inch thick books, each custom bound in elegant black Japanese silk. The set contains 64 photogravure books, each holding one of the plates originally used to print the images in the Journal. These nickel plated copper photogravure plates, each finished to a mirror polish, are bound into the right hand page of each book, with an original signed photogravure from that particular plate bound into the left hand page. These stunning books are supplemented with an additional 10 signed planograph books, the striking color images that also graced the pages of the Journal. Each artist’s name is embossed onto fine leather labels on each of the 20 portfolio boxes, on each of the books themselves, and is embossed into the inner liner of each custom portfolio box.

In addition to the 20 volumes of plates and signed images, this unique set includes Deluxe Editions of all six volumes of The Journal of Contemporary Photography, each custom bound in beautiful matching Japanese silk, Moroccan goatskin accents, and striking vellum spines. This one-of-a-kind, oversized (15 × 13.5 inch) set of Deluxe Volumes I–VI includes 74 bound original prints and the signatures of 72 internationally known fine art photographers.

This set took 2 years to create, it has a combined weight of over 350 pounds, and it represents one of the finest, most unique publications ever created by 21ST Editions. As an artwork in and of itself, The Journal Plate Set simultaneously represents the finest attributes of photography, literature, the book arts, and even sculpture. There has never been and will never be another set like it.

$400,000

If you do have the opportunity to see this set in person, do not hesitate. Put the white gloves on and see the incredible beauty of the nickel plated plates, along side the perfectly printed photogravures. When people speak of limited editions, you will be holding the plate used to make the gravure, yet the nickel plating has rendered it useless. It’s supreme beauty remains. So the photogravure and the stricken plate side by side, multiplied by the over 10 years of the Journal’s production, add up to, you guessed, a $400,000. book set.
we do regret not camping out at their booth and looking at each image.

By the way, here is the Garry Winogrand photograph we mentioned seeing, in an earlier post.
Apparently the cognoscenti were well aware of this image, and we were the uninformed, but no matter. This should be hanging on our walls.

Diane Arbus, Love-In, Central Park, New York City, 1969, by Garry Winogrand,
© The Estate of Garry Winogrand, courtesy Fraenkel Gallery, San Francisco.

As promised, we have made a our list of prime gallery sites that we feel you should visit online:

MR Gallery
Frank Pictures Gallery
Halsted Gallery
Hous Projects
Scott Nichols Gallery
photo-Eye Gallery
Smith Andersen
and of course,
Stephen Cohen Gallery

The gallery owners have assured us hat what we saw in the booth, is online, so we hope you can take a look and see some good work.

Overall, a much smaller show, but we still enjoy the experience and wouldn’t miss it.
No real breakout new stars that we saw, like Loretta Lux, of a few years back.
Dealers seem to be concentrating on the true collectors now and leaning towards the classic 50, 60, and 70s work.
Seems to be the sweet spot.
Vintage booksellers were not realy present, and the older classics were staying put in collectors homes.
The market has been pummeled like the rest of the economy, but we saw enough red dots signifying sales, to know there is life in the fine art gallery world.
Just more galleries are sitting out this round.

Norman Rockwell has long been considered the quintessential illustrator of American mythology through the first part of the last century.
His depiction of everyday characters and commonplace situations, delivered an insight into a mid reality, becoming more than a caricature , yet not quite a documentary style photograph.
The use of a slightly more intense color palette, than reality, gave the viewer a way to relate to his compositions, yet stay one layer detached, since, after all, they were drawings.
That grip on the known reality was a genius talent, and the tools he used to achieve it are very well known to you.
He would regularly photograph his friends and neighbors, using props, wardrobe and sometimes backgrounds to piece together his stories.
Many times he would only use a white background so he could easily isolate the subjects.

Author Ron Schick has put together the most comprehensive volume on this peek behind the curtain of the workings of famed artist, Norman Rockwell: Behind the Camera
, showing off many of the most well known paintings and illustrations, coupled with the photographs used as parts of the final work.

We cannot put this book down.

Along with some great essays and explorations on the career and interwoven American history to the work, Mr. Schick has put the original photos of the real life players into the mix.
Rockwell can be seen as a director also, as he undoubtedly posed his models in specific ways, to react to unseen situations, and deliver facial expressions and body language that he would later transform into paint and paper.
Here is another sample:
© Norman Rockwell
becomes….
© Norman Rockwell

His work for the Saturday Evening Post is perhaps his most iconic, as he used the white background of the magazines cover to set only the most essential elements, to tell his tale.

There is only one minor complaint on the book, and that has to do with our sometimes, overly linear brain. Going though and seeing the photo and the final painting side by side is very cool and revealing.
There are some sections, that didn’t have an obvious direct correlation, and we kept hunting for those to make the match.
We did appreciate the single portraits because there was sense of the era inherent in them. Even if posed, the intent was to illustrate the current times, and the photographs gave a very stark, direct, portrait of the times, before the paint was applied

Here are some great samples of the work, from the Norman Rockwell Museum, where the paintings, illustrations and photos are on display side by side.

Since we couldn’t put this one down, we though one of you may like a copy.
Details on how to get one from us, will be in the weekly NEWSLETTER, for subscribers only.
The NEWSLETTER comes out on Weds. at 9:00 AM PST.

And when we say Ferrari, we mean Adobe Photoshop CS4.
It is the industry standard that has such an incredible tool box, there is really no reason to use other software. Of course, there are some bits that you’ll want to plug-in to enhance the experience and the options. onOne and NIK have some of our favorites.
Sometimes though, you want to leave the major machine in the garage and take out the sedan because it just gets the job at hand done.
The beauty of Photoshop Elements 8,( the sedan in this analogy) is that the learnings and most used tools of CS4 have been simplified and incorporated into this relatively easy to use version of the best photo editing/post production software tools.
If you are ready to move up from Picassa or iPhoto, get ready to have a whole new experience with your digital photo files.

Even when you do the simplest of importing (Bridge is a big part the import process searching your entire computer for files) you will notice the ease of operation.
Taking some of the most used or requested functions for the majority of photo enthusiasts, Adobe has created a package to ensure that your imagination can be served with an easy to understand tool set.
Even if your goal is to fix or “adjust” the shot, perhaps getting the group a little closer, or giving your friend a light whiter smile.

with tools like the “magic wand” and ” smart brushes” you can be assured that this programs wants to do everything to help you succeed.

Here are some other enhancements you can do with the tools included in your Photoshop Elements 8 tool box:

And if you want to make the grey sky, blue there’s a tool for that.

Need to change the color for flower that wasn’t as rich as you wanted section?

The smart tool that grabs the exact outline of the section in question, with being exact in your mouse marks is a pretty remarkable thing.
Just a couple of loose mouse or pen strokes and you’re good to make your corrections.
OK, sure, if you want to put one persons head one to another body, that tool is here too.

One of the most versatile tools is photomerge. We use it all the time for panoramics, but now you can also make some memorable vacation photos.
The image above shows multiple images merged to create a properly lit final single image. All you have to remember to do is shoot multiple images, exposure for each of the main subjects.

You know that sometimes, the dramatic architectural structures look even more spectacular at night, all lit up?
When you took the shot of your compadres in front of it, though, it called for a flash. Problem was, they were lit well, but the building wasn’t.
Problem solved: take one shot for the buddies, flash on; one for the structure, flash off, and easily merge the 2 into one well balanced photo, in Elements.
The shot above shows how precise your strokes don’t need to be to achieve the photo you want.

There are projects you can explore, fixes you can make, and generally increase your digital photographic fun and knowledge with Photoshop Elements 8. There are video tutorials, a massive Help section that even connects you immediately to the online Adobe Web Help center database, plus, as you go, there are explanations on the side of the mag you are working on to truly walk you through the process in many cases.

With this model you can cruise in automatic, or shift into manual, with assistance from some pretty cool features.

And when you’re ready for the Ferrari, you’ll know the curves in the road, and the lay of the land.
Our feeling on Adobe imaging software products is this:
These people work in imaging. every day, all day. they don’t sell Zunes, nor iPods, or even printers.
The flagship in the Photoshop family, currently CS4, paves the way to make the starter software better and muuuuuch easier.
There are tools in Photoshop Elements 8 that can be achieved in CS4…in TWENTY STEPS! But that knowledge is reformulated to this Elements package to 2 steps.

They keep making a more enhanced product, but no one is left behind because with updates, upgrades and support, you can still do what you need to do.

For us, the Adobe family of products is as strong a recco for purchase as we can make. And it may cost about $83. for MAC and less for PC on Amazon for Photoshop Elements 8.
Not ready to buy?
Take a 30 day test drive.
Who knows? Once you take for a spin, the word Photoshop won’t sound so overwhelming.
And then, when you’re ready, that shiny new Ferrari will be waiting.

Whether it’s a county fair, state fair, or in this case a photo fair, one of our favorite parts is that the community comes out.
Not out of the woodwork, but comes out to share in a common interest.
At the county fair there may be funnel cakes, the worlds biggest squash, fried twinkies, and the locals will all come out to partake.
At the PhotoLA Art Fair, no blue ribbon food, but a great gathering of world class dealers and the photo community.
That last part always has always been the extra fun for us.
After looking at many, many, many photos, we needed a little break, and wandered into the food area.
Now in one fell swoop, we met Kim and Gina Weston, Ed Martin, and Winston Swift Boyer.

Now we’ve written about the Weston’s before, and you should take a look at their site for the most current work.
Ed Martin has been a cinematographer and photographer for most of his 84 years, and his most current work, uses a scanner as camera.

© Ed Martin

And then Winston Swift Boyer, who’s site has a full range mix of portfolios for you to peruse.
Here is just one image from his panoramic series (our particular fave)

© Winston Swift Boyer

Later in the evening, the Center (formerly the Sante fe Center for Photography), held a photographers fling, essentially a photographers mixer. There we met up with a ton of the artists who braved the reviewers gauntlet for the past 2 days, and heard from the pros, critics, writers and gallery owners, as to where they felt their work was at or going.
And when we say brave, we mean it.
Imagine taking a portfolio of your work, that you spent years shooting, months making a presentation suitable for review, then spending dough to have it critiqued by those you respect.
Whew. “That’s nice” is not what you are looking to hear, nor is “Why do you even do this?”
Hopefully these folks heard a constructive range that helps them in their photographic journey forward.

So, along with the established folks coming to see & visit, and the new breed, figuring the next steps, were also the mainstays who had a vested interest in the event.

Like Pulitzer prize winning photographer David Hume Kennerly, showing work at the Frank Pictures Gallery Booth,

and Jeff Dunas photographer and creator of the Palm Springs Photo Festival seen here with Amy Kawadler, teacher and Canon marketing Exec.
Jeff is also currently exhibiting a retrospective of 30 years of his work at the Duncan Miller Gallery.

Yep, the community loves to come out to the fair.

No fried twinkies, or prize winning pigs, but plenty of chewing the fat.

We did promise to bring you some of the highlighted exhibitors links, and we will.
Shortly.
There should some links you can check out in this post, to keep you busy for now though, hopefully.
Another 8 coming your way.
Plus we saw something at the fair that we’ve never seen before: A $500,000 photography book!
We’ll even have some images from the tome. And if that’s too rich for your blood, there was also a $400,000. photo book at the same place.
Now, if we all pool our money together…………