Got The Picture?

 This is a story about a man and his truck. 

This is a story about a man, his numbers and his truck.

 

 This is the true story of a man, his "numbers," and his truck-
(along with a camera and... a few guns).

And the message he wishes to share with the whole world... and one person in particular:

 
Graffito Artist

I urge U to please learn this set of #s

#186  #22  #3030  #3036  #45 and  #38

I have a birds eye view nd a camera

So... What's New?

New? In the last decade? The one which has probably witnessed more technological innovation in the field of photography than any other period since its inception? How 'bout the fact that most photographers were still using the now antiquated medium called film? It's been a veritable technological sea change: digital capture that surpasses film quality, smart phones with sophisticated cameras, the ever evolving world of multimedia, photo editing software that defies reality...

Then there's the not so insignificant matter of the technology that disperses and promulgates all these images, in some cases instantaneously- of which you know better than I. Not to mention blogs, Facebook and Twitter (allowing us common folk some small voice in all that's happening), and perhaps last and not least, what some are currently referring to as "The Golden Age of Photography Books," brought on by the surge of independent publishing.

And all of that is great and good and wonderful, each of us "free" to pick and use whatever within our means and interests. But despite the glitter of technology, the most significant meaningful trend in the act of photography itself has been how some photographers have chosen to deal with their subject matter, particularly in documentary and photojournalism when dealing with the people that make up their story- not as fodder for mass consumption, but as real live human beings with lives that extend well beyond a picture frame and a deadline. As technology evolves and increasingly speeds us along, some have elected to purposely slow the process down, sometimes long enough to realize that those in front of their cameras also have eyes that see, and voices well worth listening to. These are the photographers who choose to give of themselves as their subjects give to them, those who do long term projects, projects that not only record visually but also investigate causes and seek out solutions. Ideally, the latter would also include empowering indigenous peoples to become media savvy themselves.

This more humane and responsible manner of documentation is not without precedent. Gilles Peress, Simon Norfolk, Susan Meiselas, Jim Goldberg, Sebastio Salgado, James Nachtwey, Ken Light, Mary Ellen Mark, Shelby Lee Adams and Fazal Sheikh all helped pioneer various kinds of multi-faceted, long term documentation well before the digital revolution. And while all the above have continued their work well into this century, other, newer names have committed to expand and further that very legacy:

 Aaron Huey's documentation goes well beyond the extremes of simple romanticism or blatant voyeurism and strives for solutions.

Taryn Simon's multilayered work unveils hidden myths and truths that allow making real life (and even life saving) connections.

Zoe Strauss learned, practiced and exhibited her photography on the streets of her hometown.

Eva Leitolf's deceptively subtle and stunningly beautiful images serve to accentuate the horrors they disguise.

 

Mr. Thomas creates controversial images that can literally shock us into awareness and recognition (or descend us yet further into denial). Pity we don't have more great art that examines its relationship with money, rather than art created solely to make it. 

Matt Black's old school B&W triumphs when it comes to depicting today's troubled economic and environmental landscape.

Brenda Ann Keneally- The strength and passion of her commitment is surpassed only by the quality of her photography and the trust of her subjects.

Hopefully you're already familiar with these names, and their accomplishments- I've surely made some major omissions, so please feel free to include your own additions... I also think Benjamin Chesterton* of Duckrabbit blog should be mentioned for championing this very kind of dedicated photography not only on his blog, but in practice- through his advocacy, workshops and multi-media productions.  * In the interest of full disclosure I do "know" Mr. Chesterton, if only through the interweb. 

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And then there are those who commit themselves to the long term visual documentation of the slow and sorrowful denigration of our very planet; a planet being wantonly stripped and scoured of every last ounce of its resources- 90% of the "big fish" in our oceans have been fished out and our climate would continue to increase in temperature for years even if we immediately shut down every coal plant on earth and stopped driving each and every single car, truck and airplane. And still, we continue to do... Nothing! We're approaching the very tipping point before ecosystems worldwide begin a nonstop cascade to oblivion. Photography may not offer answers, but it can help shine a light on the enroaching threat(s) surrounding us all, threats that will continue to endanger us well beyond the distractions of today and tomorrow's dessert and celebrity photos.

The following photographers are producing the kind of photographic documentation, and evidence, that if not willfully ignored, would make believers of the most ardent deniers. The plethora of highly detailed and comprehensive work created by the first three photographers have expanded into film, the last two photographers are perhaps less known but provide exemplary images of an environment and world community in crisis...

 James Baalog

Chris Jordan

Edward Burtynsky *

Bruce Haley

Daniel Shea

*I criticized Mr. Burtynsky years ago for not being "critical enough" of the criminals responsible for the desecration depicted in his photographs- in a word, I was wrong. There's no way he could continue to have the access he needs and maintains if he was, in fact, so openly critical. It's up to us to have the sense to notice, and the willingness to act... if only to save ourselves.

What EVERYONE In The USA Needs To See!

Available for free viewing 9/15-9/22 only.  Must Watch!

And FYI...

There It Is Baby!

No, not Christmas- a single molecule! Never thought in my lifetime.

Rosie

Last word rhymes with linguist (actually, it is linguist).

Photo Book Extravaganza in San Francisco

Lots happening at the Carte Blanche Gallery in San Francisco this weekend starting this evening with the Indie Photobook Library, The Photo Book Club and more...

Out Of The Furnace- Worst Movie I (N)ever Saw

So I get free passes for a screening of an about to be Hollywood extravaganza called Out Of The Furnace. We wait on line, sign our names, their non disclosure forms, provide ID and personal info, and just before we enter, we're told we have to hand in our cell phones for which they will not be responsible. Confiscation is not in their literature. Mine's a cheap ass dumb phone but my wife balks at first with her iPhone before finally relenting.

•  All non-camera cell phones and pagers must be off or on silent mode during the screening.

• No audio or video recording devices will be allowed into the theater, including but not limited to camera phones and PDAs. If you attempt to use a recording device you will be removed from the theater immediately, forfeit the device and you may be subject to criminal and civil liability.

Then they inspect my bag... "Sorry you can't bring in a camera." I explain it's OK, that it's just a film camera. The female inspector hesitates, and then simply advises me not to take it out during the movie. I, of course, agree but a second guy interrupts, "Sorry, no electronics." I politely explain it's not "electronic," it's a film camera that can only takes stills. A third guy says, "Sorry, no electronics." I explain a little more slowly, with more enunciation and clarity in my voice that this is, in fact, a manual, film camera. "Sorry, no electronics of any kind." Now the kid's pissed! I take the camera out, show them, ask if they see an LCD screen anywhere. "We're just following rules- No Electronics!"

I switch tactics. I agree with all three that everyone should follow their rule, it's a very fine rule, one that should be followed by all, and for good reason; we just happened to get off on the wrong foot here- since clearly... This It Is Not an "Electronic!" "Sir, you cannot..." They continued their inane mantra, and by now the wife has retrieved our cell phones, grabbed me by my sleeve and is guiding me out the Exit door under the watchful eyes of security as I continue on about: still vs video, film vs digital, electronic vs...

The Woodmans

I used to think how great it would have been to be raised in a family familiar with the arts: the meeting of like minds, the inspirational conversation, the fertile and productive exchange and appreciation of abstract ideas and concepts. Truly a family made in heaven! And what could possibly be even better- but a family of actual artists!!!

The Woodmans are a family of artists that may not have driven anyone to suicide, but definitely call to mind- be careful what you wish for! Francesca Woodman is frequently described as one very "needy" person throughout the film, and obviously, I'm in no position to place blame or explain why. But there are a couple of moments in a rather unremarkable film that made my hair stand on end. One has Francesca's mother reminiscing how wonderful it is to still have the legacy of her work, but that, but that... and I'm expecting her to say something to the effect of how she'd happily give up each and every one of those photos just to see her daughter one more time. Instead, she blurts out, "But then I think- hey, I'm an artist too!" Huh? What! Yes, by all means, we still have Y-O-U to celebrate! Wow!!! And then just a couple of minutes later, like a potent one-two combination, we find out that her abstract painter father decided to pick up a camera after her death- as we then see him in the act of taking some pretty creepy (and highly mediocre) photographs of a half naked model holding a photograph "somewhat in the spirit of Francesca." YIPES!!! Ordinarily, I might have dismissed the guy as your average old perv with a camera, but the given history adds yet another layer of certified creepiness.

Fuck art- these guys would have driven me to become one very happy, complacent and self satisfied jock, derivatives trader, furniture salesman... Anything but a goddamn artist.

Obama Sanctions CIA Murderers...

On this day when we recall the atrocity done to us, it's also good to reflect on what can "inspire" others to commit such heinous actions...

It would also behoove us to keep our eyes on the ball, instead of bearing false witness...
"In response, the C.I.A. prepared an analysis that all but pleaded with the White House to accept that the danger from Bin Laden was real."

Wiping It Off Here, Boss!

Remember that line from Cool Hand Luke? The Democratic Party pissed in the faces of their own constituency during their own convention as the latter proceeded to wipe, forget and forgive. Fortunately, this Stan chose to write about it- and if you haven't already, treat yourself and catch his blog TYWKIWDBI... 

Hell In Syria

Some of the latest victims of The Butcher of Syria caught in a truly mind boggling sequence by Tracey Shelton.

The Robot Chronicle

Photo: S. Banos

I dunno... perhaps it's time to hang up the camera. I mean, after you photograph a dancing robot, what else is there possibly left?

Compliance- Reality vs Disbelief

People walked out during screenings of this movie because "nobody could be that stupid." Apparently, they either knew nothing of the the facts, or were not as finely attuned (as they themselves thought) to what human nature is capable, or incapable of... I myself thought there were several times where the film probably took "artistic license" simply to advance the original premise of the escalating (and increasingly unbelievable) storyline.

Compliance was made on a shoestring budget, and at times it shows; and perhaps in part, because it did, in fact, choose to so closely adhere to the actual facts of the case, is not likely to go down in the annals of iconic film making. The facts that inspired it however are both compelling and undeniable, and what they reveal about us as Americans, and as human beings, are less than complimentary. For that insight alone, Compliance is well worth the look.

The Strange Story...

... of the man behind Strange Fruit.

Billy Holiday

Southern trees bear a strange fruit,
Blood on the leaves and blood at the root,
Black body swinging in the Southern breeze,
Strange fruit hanging from the poplar trees.
Pastoral scene of the gallant South,
The bulging eyes and the twisted mouth,
Scent of magnolia sweet and fresh,
And the sudden smell of burning flesh!
Here is a fruit for the crows to pluck,
For the rain to gather, for the wind to suck,
For the sun to rot, for a tree to drop,
Here is a strange and bitter crop.       -Abel Meeropol

The DNC At A Glance

I had the Democratic National Convention on in the background last night as I developed a roll of film, occasionally catching a glimpse, a glimpse of an America that looked considerably more like the America I see everyday. And despite my differences with your average Democrat, and they are considerable, I took away the feeling that they are, at the very least, a relatively sane lot. And that alone is a marked difference from the people of last week's convention, the people that honestly believe this earth is 6,000 years old, and the cynical Republican elite all too ready to support their insanity- no matter the cost.

Joel Sternfeld's Firsts...

Joel Sternfeld

Joel Sternfeld's First Pictures are pretty much just that- a sundry compilation/let's make a few bucks off the ol' archives' not so greatest hits. It has quite a few photos, a lot really, and it certainly passes my "must have at least twenty outright winners to even consider buying" test (I've incl a few faves)- but this one gets left at the store shelf nonetheless. A great many of these are from the seventies and are quite the "snapshot" in approach- not "Eggleston snapshots," actual snapshots, period. Flash on camera, say cheese! In some he literally seemed to have asked his subjects to hold up what they bought that day at the mall- no doubt, many will find them interesting, if only for the nostalgia.

Joel Sternfeld

The book is divided into different sections, including: the aforementioned mall series, a "street" series that resembles anything going on in street photography to this day, and one of teens/young adults partying and socializing. Some will definitely like this miscellaneous conglomeration through various times and styles more than others. Curiously, in Shore's American Surfaces, one is able to see how he was straining to achieve what was to follow in his breakthrough Uncommon Places. First Pictures, however, doesn't go there- absent is the more subtle, yet intricate use of color that Sternfeld's more formal, large format compositions would ultimately incorporate in American Prospects.

Joel Sternfeld

Happy Labor Day!

The Age Old Refrain!

Wells Fargo- Where Hypocrisy Rules!

Funny as hell, I mean uhhh... justice well served- if it wasn't so goddamn sick and HYPOCRITICAL...  WF screws elderly man over a dime (literally), while their own banksters rape, pillage and plunder at will...

Sun, Fun And...

The End of Summer...

RNC A-Go-Go

A Separate (Winning?) Reality

Remember when Bush era, White House operatives said, "We create our own reality." That little premise seems to have survived W and become part of the overall Republican platform- and we all know how well things work out when we replace reality with... fantasy- we get everything we always wanted, and more, much, much more... Like two (unnecessary) wars, a bubble economy (thanks to getting rid of those pesky reality based regulations), record breaking heat waves, droughts and storms...

"We're not going to let our campaign be dictated by fact-checkers," Romney pollster Neil Newhouse said at a panel organized by ABC News.

And doing it without shame whatsoever, in a country ruled by ignorance, fear and threat- it may just be the winning ticket...