Video I shot & edited for Playboy

#FoxNews, #RebeccaBlack, #MattHoyle, #CharlieGaspirino, #Samanthaisom, #Samiampictures, #Samanthaisompicturesyoutu.be/d0JJmsXIk9Q

We are the makers of dreams

Obliterate the term 'Black Film'

     Often I listen to kcrw/npr for their music or actual news (news beyond the local thief, a botched election, or selective news about the 'world').  Today's NPR program #Morning Edition inspired me to continue the dialog on this subject.  Please listen to, and or read the following, then feel free to leave your commentary following.  http://www.npr.org/blogs/codeswitch/2014/11/14/363793023/director-gina-prince-bythewood-its-time-to-obliterate-the-term-black-film

Fathers featured in Laundry detergent commercial...(it's ABOUT TIME)

FINALLY! I have now seen 3 tv commercials for a Laundry detergent featuring a father (no Mom in the commercial).  Though, the 1st one (from Tide) to me somewhat groundbreaking (about time), they definitely focus on the fact he is a Father rather than just allowing that to be the norm.  they stress the fact HE can do the same things as 'she' (aka Mom).  I'm not sure I like the fact they are calling it 'Dad Mom'.  why not just simply, Dad.  This is still subconsciously stating it's a 'woman's job' but a Man can also do it etc.  The other two commercials, on the other hand seem a bit more well rounded.  Not focusing on the fact he is a man, but instead he just happens to be taking care of his kids (just like the 'mom' commercials of the last oh let's say 55+ years? ....
unfortunately I could only find links to the 'Dad MOm' version and at least oneo f the other versions but not the one I most recently saw while watching World cup 'pre-game' commentary.  If any of you can find that commercial please feel free to reply with a link to this post.
Here are the two link:

http://youtu.be/RDZ0SdlKPXU

http://youtu.be/xCYwAOCLiTA

visual 'tricks'. #ogilvy, #cocacola

If some of you have seen my website, there is a section on 'Cinemagraphs' alongside the conventional photography portfolios.  These are dressed up animated .gifs to combine the moving image with the still.  Ogilvy (for a recent CocaCola campaign) has gone steps further with their optical illusion imagery in use of negative space.  See below (the leaves appear to be moving, yet they are actuallyhttp://designtaxi.com/news/366383/Coca-Cola-Unveils-New-Negative-Space-Ads-Will-Trick-Your-Eyes/ still).

Animal Selfies? #NationalGeographic

to Promote the catalog of National geographics images of animals, they have released a campaign featuring 'animal selfies'.  If you recall a little while back (I think it was last year, there were images trending on the net of monkeys taking self portraits with a photographer's camera.  There is still speculation as to the authenticity of those (monkey) photos but you have to admit they sure were entertaining...

http://designtaxi.com/news/365526/National-Geographic-Ads-Feature-Animals-Taking-Selfies-Of-Themselves/

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2011051/Black-macaque-takes-self-portrait-Monkey-borrows-photographers-camera.html

Artist talk: #AlbertWatson , what a beautiful evening reflecting on work both past present and looking toward the future

#RootStudios NYC (also known as #DriveInStudios) hosted an artist talk sponsored by #PhaseOne and #DigitalTransitions last Wednesday night (May 7th 2014).
Of course Albert's work needs no description, however for those of you maybe needing your memories woken up a bit, here are a couple of examples (text continues below)

BB King

50 Cent 

Alfred Hitchcock

Mick Jagger (& Leopard)

Steve Jobs

As stated above, Albert needs no introduction.  Most if not all of theses images above were shot on traditional film, yet I did state this talk was sponsored by #PhaseOne (#CaptureOne) a high end Digital capture company, and to me the leader in quality for digital capture.

Albert spanned most of his career pre-digital.  As my personal experience as been split (1st half my career in film 2nd half digital), I have witnessed several film photographers gripe about the onslaught of change into digital.  I've also sadly seen several photo labs close, people change careers and so on.  It was a true blessing to listen to Albert discuss his switch into the digital age with the lp of #PhaseOne.  He (Albert) is a true artist, so gave examples of his exploration into other realms of image making from film, to the darkroom (of course) then to paint and inks on antique papers, and other experimental forms of visual expression.  It was truly an inspiration rather than many functions being a showcase of fear in regards to current change in our industry.  This talk was a reminder that after all we are image makers, story tellers, so whatever technological advances may come our way, we should embrace then, experiment with them keeping our work fresh for many years to come.