There is something very special about seeing a full range of an artist work for the first time.
The current exhibit of LaToya Ruby Frazier’s current full body of work, is one that already requires me to see multiple times.

It is thick and rich, with so many stories of the human condition, affected by the outside influences of the industrialized vagaries, it will be time well spent.

When you enter the gallery, you will see family and friend portraits, sometimes integrated with the artist in a self portrait.
Beautifully made, emotional connections, told in black and white. This is just the beginning of the viewers journey.

As you make your way throughout the massive space, you will get a few places to sit and hear some of the background audio describing artist events, like her performance outside of a Levi’s pop-up.
Or have a seat and listen to the stories of some of her subjects.

This is not just a display that you wander through, stopping at an image or two for further examination.

Take your time, and listen to the stories, and read about the subjects.
There is text coupled with photos as well, to give you a fuller understanding of the subjects situation.

From MOMA: :the sequence of original installations that she calls “monuments for workers’ thoughts,” which address the harmful effects of industrialization and deindustrialization, the healthcare inequities facing Black working-class communities in the Rust Belt, the ongoing water crisis in Flint, Michigan, and the impact of the closure of a General Motors plant in Lordstown, Ohio. Monuments of Solidarity celebrates the expressions of creativity, mutual support, and intergenerational collaboration that persist in light of these denials of fundamental labor, human, and civil rights. As a form of Black feminist world-building, these nontraditional “monuments” demand recognition of the crucial role that women and people of color have played and continue to play in histories of labor and the working class.”
“it is incumbent upon me to resist—one photograph at a time, one photo essay at a time, one body of work at a time, one book at a time, one workers’ monument at a time—historical erasure and historical amnesia,” says artist-activist LaToya Ruby Frazier.

All in all, MOMA has brought this activist artist to a space, with proper exposition of her body of work.

You may want to pick up the catalog, in case you can’t make multiple visits, to read all of the texts. Photographs are beautifully reproduced in the volume.

It happens a couple of times a year:

The Magnum Square Print Sale!

Each sale always has a theme and this time it’s exploring the theme Fable, celebrating the symbiosis between visual and written narratives through a collaboration with three writers, who have composed stories and poetry inspired by a selection of images from the sale.⁠                                                                                                                    Each of the 85 images featured are available as signed or estate-stamped, museum-quality 6×6″ prints.

This is your opportunity to pick-up a right sized print, by an acknowledged master of the photographic arts.
These 6″x6″ prints are an affordable way for you to curate your collection with a high end accent image.

USA. British filmmaker Alfred HITCHCOCK, during the filming of “The Birds”. 1962.

How do I know?
I have 3 prints from previous Square Print Sales, framed and hung in strategic places in my 1 bedroom NYC apt: Jacob Aue Sobol, Elliott Erwitt, and Mary Ellen Mark. But those are my tastes.
As everyone knows, the way you hang your art is dependent on the physical flow of your place.
Eye-level, note how people, or yourself, travel through your space, and where the eyes go naturally.
That is where you want to hang these gems.
Because of the size, I did have archival mattes cut, although the frames came from Blick.
Go to the site, and select your faves.

1959. Jack and Miriam in bed in Bronxville, watching Jack’s show.

At $110 USD per, you can’t go wrong.
Trust me, I was just at AIPAD, and the print prices (yes, much larger) were much higher!

USA. New York City. 1992. ©Bruce Gilden

These prints are only available til Sunday, May 5, 11:59 p.m. EDT

Highly recommend you pick up some!

The oldest photography show, AIPAD,  opened today 4/25, in a return to the classic venue of the Park Avenue Armory.
In speaking with the gallerists, everyone is thrilled.
With over 76 photography galleries from around the globe, no matter what your taste of style, it is represented here. And take a memory home to review, consider for purchase, or share.

One thing I always try to do is discover new work that challenges me, as well as revel in seeing some of my classic favorites in person.

So we’ll consider a few of those.

Sharon Walters, represented by HackelBury in the UK, exhibited unique pieces, with a singular,  one of a kind style.

By printing only one copy of an image, she uses a knife to cut away what is not needed. Like a sculptor. This piece below is juts one and a small one, that is represented.

Check out her short interview on my IG stories.

And there is Tatiana Parcero, from JDC Galleries

Using a combination of studio life studies and overlays of documents like astrological maps, naturalist drawings, she has created a message about the humanity and nature.

The overlays create a sense of depth that draws you in and has detail that keeps you there.

Casper Faasen, represented by Bildhalle Gallery, shares images of porcelain vases that appear behind slightly crackled fronts, creating a shadow box feeling. The images encased have a minimal bow in them to emphasize the shape. Come to the show to experience a full wall of them

Yes, you can sense a theme of what caught me.

There were the classics and the stalwarts of the galleries have a great, strong presence.

This is one of my favorite images of all time, made by Henri Cartier-Bresson.

Nothing like seeing a large print in person of one of Stephen Wilkes Day to Night Series, Flatiron.

And c’mon who doesn’t love a great Elliott Erwitt dog photo that greets you as you enter the venue:

Do not forget about the artist talks, and of course the book publishers who have their own special section on the right before you entire the main floor

You can relax and have a seat and bite or beverage,

You can “discuss” the work, with others,

and throughout the show, there are comfy benches to get off your feet, stare into the booths, and maybe just review your own photos.

It’s on through Sunday, and like every year a must see, to discover, and maybe add to your collection.

I know the galleries would love that!

I am a sucker for beautiful nature docs. National Geographic has been making these top quality films for years, and their brand stamp means you will get an engaging, brilliantly crafted experience every time, with a message to expand your knowledge of the natural world around us.

A week ago, we were all looking to the sky for the solar eclipse, so let’s reverse it and look at that magic of the ocean and its creatures.

With Nat Geo & Disney+, you have a new series to binge, created by Adam Geiger, James Cameron’s Director of Photography, and on this project he was director/writer/producer/director of photography.

Director and cinematographer, Adam Geiger, on board a dive vessel in Port Phillip Bay. (photo credit: National Geographic/Harriet Spark)

Over the last two-plus years, Geiger has dedicated himself to “Secrets of the Octopus,” spending about a year of that time underwater with eight key octopus species around the world.

Camera Assistant, Woody Spark, and Associate Producer, Harriet Spark, set up a special remote underwater camera system to film Day octopus (Octopus cyanea) on the Great Barrier Reef. (photo credit: National Geographic/Adam Geiger)

When I first saw this trailer below, I was hooked.

And I had questions!

Luckily, those questions were shared with the Adam Geiger, the DP and creator of this series:

Cinematographer, Rory McGuinnes, operating an underwater jib arm to film a colorful coral reef on the Lembeh Strait. (National Geographic for Disney/Adam Geiger)

A Dorado Octopus. (mandatory photo credit: Schmidt Ocean Institute)

Director and cinematographer, Adam Geiger, preparing to descend on a dive to film Day octopus (Octopus cyanea) on the Great Barrier Reef. (photo credit: National Geographic/Harriet Spark)

I hope some of your questions were answered.

I always want to know the BTS!

The “Secrets of the Octopus” premieres April 21st at 8/7c  on National Geographic and all episodes stream April 22nd Disney+.

If you are like me, and have a “few” camera bags, they are all situation dependent. Stealth, Utilitarian, & Travel.

One thing I didn’t have is a bag that I could bring into black tie event without sticking out.
Grams (28) has come to market with a beautifully made leather bag, designed with the photographer in mind.

Well Crafted, this bag sits ergonomically right on my shoulder, and has all the pockets and space needed.

Each detail has been well thought out, and was smooth working. Zippers, interior pockets, closures, and as you can see above, even the shoulder strap looks, and works, great. Continue Reading »