Artist: Michael Kenna

Fine Art Photographer Michael Kenna

From New York to Hokkaido, Michael Kenna's work is simply stunning. Black and white work like this is refreshing these days, with less emphasis on photoshop (or even digital imagery) and more emphasis on skill, patience, and the understanding of light. Navigate your way through his recent work for a sampling of what photography looks like.

Find:

Michael Kenna's Website

Design Trends: 2007 Logo concepts

There's an article over at LogoLounge.com on the trends of logo design in 2007 that isn't just interesting, it was one of the most informative articles I've read recently. All those logos are great for inspiration also. Check this out:

"we have seen many more 3-D logos that are designed to be in motion, never still or flat. These designs have completely shaken the earthly bonds of CMYK and exist only in ethereal RGB: The old logo design rules just don't apply to them.

Another development: Today, for many trends there is now a countertrend – and this is not only the case for logo design. The public and its likes and dislikes have become fragmented across the spectrum. Companies who need logos and designer who create logos are forced to respond accordingly. It has become increasingly difficult to simply look in one direction or the other."

Read the article here.

Artist: David Habben

California based illustrator David Habben.

I'm not too sure how to classify Habben's style; at first it looks very innocent, and kind of 'americanime', but looking closer, his work is quite the opposite (of that detestable animation style that keeps ruining otherwise great stories).

Some of his pieces do indeed show us innocence, but there's nothing innocent about his artistic style: other pieces show us the effects of rocking out and the demise of those rocking irresponsibly, like when a flaming lion eats your guitarist's head. Very rock and roll (the piece is entitled 'sacrifice').

Find:

Habben on Coroflot

Habben on Behance (Check out his Wall Street Journal project)

Habben's Website

Artist: Chad Coombs

Fellow Strobist Chad Coombs

I sometimes don't know where to begin; Chad's work spans the ultra-conceptual (eg, breast rooms) to softer, more glamorous techniques like light painting soft fabric and skin with a flashlight. Personally, what really draws me to Chad's work is his baffling conceptual work. Two giant girls making out behind a farm, and poorly stitched Holga panoramas of New York are only a couple examples of what I'm talking about. In fact, Chad, let me know if that's one you can prepare for a print - I am very interested.

Find out more about Chad:

Website

Flickr

MySpace

Oh, and cheers to the Korova reference.

Artist: Akif Hakan Celebi

Miami Photographer Akif Hakan Celebi

Celebi produces some standard fare for fashion and ad photography, but I think his skill and vision are only limited by the market he is working in. His use of a consistent short depth of field in nearly every photo first made me think that he was confining himself to a familiar style. I thought that until I sifted through his whole online portfolio: the short DOF is really working hard in showing off his amazing selection of models. Click on the above pics for larger versions.

"(Celebi) brings 'Expressionism' into photography with the use of unusual color combinations and they are a reflection of his own character and personal view. He approaches fashion photography with an edge , blending fine-art and photo-journalistic aspects with glamour , sensuality and beauty. He is always striving to go beyond established styles and widen the boundries of photographic expression. Aside from working in the USA, he also often travels to Turkey and Japan for photography assignments."

Find Akif Hakan Celebi's Portfolio and Website.

Ditch the Bad Business Card: Go Clean and Get Jobs

In my desk at home, I have seven business cards from local 'semi-pro' photographers that would never get me to visit their portfolio online, or call them up to shoot my event, or my car, not even my cat. The thing is, their portfolios are actually quite good (I checked before I wrote this). Their business cards were just horrible.

I think that these people, trying to supplement their income with their photography, have two problems: 1. they get ahead of themselves when making their own business card (ummm, is that the Dungeons and Dragons font?) 2. they just don't have the budget to go out and pay someone to make up a custom card that's going to drive their message home.

Yesterday, I took the afternoon to draft up a couple really simple business card templates for you to use until you hit the big time (and money). These are to be considered outlines for your own card - change them up, add in a logo, change the colors - do whatever you like with them. Just pay attention to clarity and simplicity. And please stay clear of type faces inspired by, or just lifted from, death metal bands, video games, movies etc.

I used Times as well as Segoe in these cards so you can all have access to the fonts. If you don't currently have Segoe (comes preloaded with Windows Vista), you'll have to go find it; I think it comes with Windows Live Messenger, a free download if you really need it.

These files are in Photoshop .psd format. If you'd like it in .eps or .ai, leave a comment and i'll email it to you (or post here if there's demand). These are 300dpi, 2"x3.5", ready for print at home, or at the printers. Hope you can use them.

Download:

Business card with no logo (the top example).

Business card with a logo (the bottom).

Artist: Alberto Rugolotto

Italian Photographer Alberto Rugolotto

Once again we come back to chic. The styling in Alberto's commissioned work is top notch: beautiful girls, beautiful clothes, but more importantly, beautiful light. I love heels and beautiful women as much as the next guy but I think if there's a lesson to be learned here its one for the strobists - use more Photoshop and save up and add another light or two.

What really makes these photos pop is the combination of specular highlights, in any surface that will allow for them, and proper balancing of contrast and tone - something some people have a hard time with when considering a personal photographic style. Instead of cranking up the S curve, try adding a few more lights to separate surfaces, like the platform in the second pic up top.

Learn more about lighting on separate planes and specular highlight control.

Find Alberto Rugolotto's Portfolio

Artist(s): Ad Firm - 1861 United

Ad (design) firm 1861, United.

Italian firm 1861 is producing some... nice work. What I mean is that the style is very upscale, subtle but still outrageous at times. All in all though, very Italian. This kind of ad work is along the same lines as this, but with the reigns drawn in a bit, taking the edges off.

1861 is part of United: The Voluntary United Group of Creative Agencies. A very forward-thinking concept for aligning corporate goals. They have this to say:

"the WPP advertising micro-network...harnesses creativity from diverse cultures to develop world class brand communications. Each of our 8 agencies is one of the best in class in its local market, managed by the entrepreneurs who founded the business. Our diverse cultures offer a greater range of divergent thinking and produce surprising creative solutions for our clients"

Sounds very cool.

Find:

1861

United Group

Sigma DP1 Pricing - Finally

Finally, the pricing is out:

£549.99 - camera solo
£599.99 - kit with viewfinder

No word yet as to any NorthAmerican pricing, but most likely a cool grand.

In case you don't know what this is - it's the first point and shoot with a real APS-c size sensor, the same as in most Dslr's. This means a whole wack of advantages, primarily, for me, shorter and usable Depth of Field.

See more:

Pricing
Sample Gallery

Artist: Paco Peregrin

Fashion photography by Paco Peregrin

From time to time an artist pops up who not only works like a mule but makes his hard work obvious in his images - Paco is this kind of mule. He not only shoots but is an art director, stlyist (somewhat) and designer. Check out his portfolio of conceptual fashion work that ranges from simple but vibrant make-up work to complete Photoshop destruction.

Find:

Paco's website

Artist: Frederic Tacer

Frederic Tacer: future master of design

Already completing his postgraduate work in design, young designer Frederic Tacer looks like he's going to be breaking though sooner than later. With several distinguished awards under his belt and a solid start to a portfolio, Tacer is poised for the top shelf.

His work has a classic feel (see the cow above) but still grasps the modern. Case in point: his " le Confort" logo work uses animation to create several variations on a logo in real-time loops.

Check him out here.

Artist(s): Photophrapher Firm - LSD

*Just a warning: the Jarvis video linked below has an RT of 55min. But it is worth a watch.



















One of the key points in Chase Jarvis' Photoshelter talk last year was the importance of a bold and diversified portfolio. He showed how pushing the boundaries in your portfolio is worth the time and money spent on personal projects like ninja photography etc.

LSD photographers are a perfect example of pushing the limits. Not only are they producing photos like the ones above, but their portfolio shows axes embedded in heads, vomit on the chests of the elderly, shark teeth on swimmers and other crazy concepts. The thing is, their execution is impeccable with fresh lighting and not-too-overdone overlay techniques. That's what gets you to the top kiddies (I say from the bottom...).

Check out their portfolio here.

I didn't get a chance to check out anything beyond their portraiture. They have a still life section that I'm anxious to look at too.

Artist: Ronald Kurniawan

Graphic and conceptual imagery from Ronald Kurniawan:

Although Ronald's work looks to be heavily inspired by the graphic work of old - namely, the days of pop-propaganda - the only word that comes to mind after sifting through a few pieces is 'bizarre'.

The creativity and diversity of Ronald makes flipping through his portfolio a pleasure. I suggest you go do so now:

Ronald Kurniawan's portfolio

Artist: Peter Baker

Peter Baker photographs everything that I want to photograph. I've always been stuck in a small city that was just too new to make itself interesting. Peter has a nack for the aesthetics of the mundane. Check out his wide angle, night-creeping reportage of suburban bliss.

You might want to keep an eye on this one - I have a feeling he's making a break for it.

Find Peter Baker's:

Blog
Flickr
Website

Davidson, Disrepair, and the NYC Subway

In the troubled New York of the early 1980's, Bruce Davidson made a series of images that showed the frailty of a big city in disrepair. In time, these images would show New York to be an American touchstone of resilience.

Since coming across this piece from the New York Times last year, I've gone back and watched it over and over. The portraits are some of the most genuine I have ever seen. It's not because of the spontaneity of the captures either; Davidson would often ask to take the photo and then have to talk the subject back into being comfortable in front of the camera.

Although these images are remarkable, I feel like the emotion of the city just bleeds through from the structural and social disrepair these people were living in. Everything is just so filthy and hot and sweaty - but the people are passionate and real. On the one hand, my reaction can be written off to watching too many movies romanticizing NYC ("that's not a knife"). On the other hand, New York has come a long way since then, and if these photos show us at all what the everyday was like, then maybe the city deserves the awe and wonder these images inspire in us.

Check out the video from the New York Times displaying Davidson's work (narrated).


Also, since it is Sunday and you hopefully have some free time on your hands, go check this out:

Magnum - Davidson's Portfolio

Magnum - If you don't know what Magnum is (*shame on you)

Artist: Jillian Tamaki

Excellent conceptual illustration. Surreal and sometimes dark.

Some pieces in Jillian's portfolio have some obvious claims on realism, while others hark back to Rockwell Americana - except there's nothing particularly American about them.

A fellow Canadian who has managed to move somewhere all the creatives I find out about seem to love - Brooklyn. Keep an eye out.

Find: Jillian Tamaki's Website and Portfolio

Project Splithead: 3d Experimental Portraiture

"Experimental project that trys to bring a
3-dimensional angle to the classic portrait
to intensify the expression of the image."

Find:
The Rainbow Monkey's Project Splithead

Artist: David Lachapelle

*I should reference this for mentioning both the shark and Greenberg.




















David Lachapelle: unstoppable force? Maybe...

Here is a short biography from his website:

• 1995 Named “Best New Photographer of the Year” by both French Photo and American Photo magazines
• 1996 “Photographer of the Year Award” at the VH-1 Fashion Awards 1996 “Applied Photography of the Year Award” from The International Center of Photography
• 1997 Art Directors Club Award for Best Book Design for LaChapelle Land
• 1998 Best “Cutting Edge Essay” and “Style Photography” at Life magazine’s Alfred Eisenstadt Awards for Magazine Photography (the Eisies)
• 1999 Honored in the “Cover of the Year” category at the Eisies
• 1999 Placed second on CNN’s list of “20 to Watch in 2000”

Obviously quite impressive. But his work is just so vivid and daunting in its scale that it's left we wondering: when is this guy going to jump the shark already? If you take a look at the 'exhibition' section of his website, you'll most likely conclude, as I have, that it won't be for quite some time. Lachapelle's creativity and diversity will be what saves him from committing a Jill Greenberg (IMO).

Find:

David Lachapelle's Website

Tidbit: Bad Like an M&M

Advertising Agency : Clemenger BBDO, Melbourne, Australia
Executive Creative Director : James McGrath
Creative Directors: Emma Hill, Cameron Hoelter
Art Directors: Gus Johnston, Russel Fox
Copywriters: Paul Reardon, Ant White
Agency Producer: Robin Bowles
Account Managers: Ricci Meldrum, Sarah Galbraith

Via: I Believe

Artist: Michael Young

Bangkok resident Michael Young excels in his interactive design - flash layered photo, video and illustration. Some of this portfolio has a distinctly urban feel, while some other pieces are scattered, almost messy. In the end, the balance between vector and bitmap feels similar to a balance between digital and analog. I suppose it just feels comfortable.

I particularly like how you don't know what you're supposed to do from frame to frame. One piece will spin, another will bob, and another will do nothing at all.

Find:

Michael Young's Portfolio
Michael Young's Current Work

Technique: Easiest Way to Neutral Colors

*This tutorial was created by Markus Hartel - find the link below.


For those of who (for some reason that is positively beyond me) are still shooting jpeg and avoiding the ease of raw: a tutorial on what looks to be the easiest way toward natural colors. To be honest, it makes me a little sick that I hadn't figured this out years ago.

Essentially the process is as follows: 1. Duplicate the image layer. 2. Run filter>blur>average filter. 3. Create a curves adjustment layer. 4. Using the neutral color picker, click anywhere on the averaged image. 5. discard the middle, averaged layer. 6. Voila.
I found this a huge help so pay the man his due and pop over to his site and check it out.

Find:

Neutral Color Step 1
Neutral Color Step 2

Markus' website

Artist: Steven Lyon

Steven Lyon Photography

Shooting in Paris since 2001, Steven has nabbed the covers of several magazines and worked with the likes of Vogue Russia, 125, Wig etc.

He has a gallery of nudes and beauty work but I think his ad shots are the most valuable.

And the cover on your left is just so hilariously 'pop-trendwhore-photo' but I can't take my eyes away!

Find:

Steven Lyon's Website

Ghetto Bullet Time

Everyone wants to be like Neo.

Some of you may have come across this already but I went back to check it out once more to see exactly how viable it is to the average Jo (READ poor): I think that there are plenty of cameras out there that you can utilize with this rig that would only cost about $50 or each if you're willing to spend the time on the bay to find them. The rest of the rig looks easy-peasy.


Large Pro - Ghetto Matrix Example from fi5e on Vimeo.

I would put up my house if I could get my eyes on another example of this - maybe done by someone like Chase Jarvis or something.... Although I doubt he needs to worry about such trivial things like a budget.

Learn how to produce this effect on a shoestring (sort of) here.

Artist: Yehrin Tong

Illustration, Typography, Editorial work by Yehrin Tong.

I strongly recommend you guys check this out and let me know what you think. His illustration is clearly inspired but his execution looks a little phone'd in - unless it's a trick my mind is playing on me; the mixture of photo-realism with patterns and vector work kind of throws me off sometimes.

For myself, the real treat is his typographic work. Having been published in GQ etc, his work with type just bleeds creativity.

Find:

Yehrin Tong's website

Jel is still looking for gigs!!

Although this video is a little dated, his skill is not - check out the non-sequenced playing of a 2000Xl controller. Gotta give Jel due respect for two things: one, playing with no errors and having better dexterity than most; two, for laying down some of the freshest groove I've heard all year.



Check out his other videos here: Jel's blog

Generation "Why" ... or Y

The following is a look at this article: Generation "Why", by Patt Cottingham.

Discovering this new terminology for a new class or 'generation' of people was an interesting experience. I don't usually find new information from a branding concern. However, the characteristics of this new "generation WHY" are particularly relevant to some of my everyday concerns, namely ethics, aesthetics and cultural identity.

This new generation - although I'm unsure as to how I feel about calling it a generation - is considered to be a "socially diverse and environmentally aware" group. They "like style, amusement, a real voice and a bit of attitude." Typically under 30 years old, generation "Why"-ers concern themselves with self-fulfillment while at the same time, accept that task as part of their everyday lives; they don't feel the need to consult "the self-help bookshelves" for direction on how to live the good life. They sort it out themselves. They are IT savvy and are willing to move to flourishing markets around the globe.

I find this new distinction to be an important concern as we try and think about the coming years. Are these people going to be genuinely politically concerned or are we going to see the remnants of 'hip', 'hipster', and 'cool' play a major role in how these youthful, intelligent individuals identify with new trends in politics, technology and ethics? In other words, is it stylish enough to be environmentally aware as it is to be technologically proficient? It seems like environmental, political and ethical concerns lack the obvious utility of being skilled in matters of IT, or even personal style and aesthetics.

Anyways, this article really sparked something up there for me and I'm sure I'll have more to say as I get a little more research (from some other source than a branding site) under my belt.

The whole thing seems suspiciously similar to Dr. Florida's "Creative Class" which I found to be equally stimulating, but much better thought out and fulfilling, ie., I can see the "creative class" actually being a new distinction in society. The "generation WHY" looks a little too much like a construct of the marketing, branding and corporate concerns of the global market. If it's the real deal, then we'll most likely see more on the issue. If it's not, then I'm sure the term will still be dropped at every board meeting for the next five years until the next thing comes along. I suspect the latter is more likely.

To read up on the issue a little more, and for some really interesting statistics on the global status of this new generation, read the article here.

Artist: Adrien Donot

Photoillustration, photography and web work by Adrien Donot.

Very high end stuff here - client list of Nike, Pantene et al - executed perfectly. Overall very stylish and well thought out, but pay close attention to the technical perfection, eg., how there isn't a hint of digital artifacting anywhere around the disintigration of that dress.

*I've really got to go though - came down with a hell of a cold this morning. 'Been self medicating all day....

Find:

Adrien Donot's website.

Gaffer Tape: Everything you need to know.

Perhaps a little overboard with the detail, but gaffer tape really deserves the attention - if you're a nutjob who has a nickname like Gaffer Robinson Jr. (hobo name?)

Anyhow, it really does go a long way for some of the more crafty types kickin' around the net these days. Number one that comes to mind is anyone who reads the Strobist and actually tries to save money on gear.

Here's a little more on Canford's gaffer supplies:

"Never, in the history of the Canford catalogue, has one single product raised such
passions! Users have strong preferences about the Gaffer tape they want – and theydon’t all agree with each other!"

Passionate stuff for passionate people, I'm sure.

If you're particularly interested, you can check out the full PDF here: Canford's Guide to Gaffer Tape.

Sunday entertainment

I think I'll be taking Sundays off for the most part. It is often one of the busiest days for me, prepping for the upcoming week. Here is some eye and ear candy for you though.



Again, this is a little dated at this point but I still can't get over how well this is put together. I cant tell if this is made on Dell's dime considering Dell is the most boring company in the world. But how else did they ever get a Devo song and such a wicked, current video into their ad? Probably someone from the mailroom or something.

Check this version too:

Living Spaces... Warp your walls

While this is a little dated I went back to the website again to read up on their philosophy.

Warp your wallpaper to envelop objects on the wall so your experience within and between rooms is fluid, making walls and objects bleed into each other. Interesting.

You can barely notice the change.

Via: Surrealien

Artist: Maurizio Carlo Luigi Vitale

I'm cutting down the copy to accompany most of these artists. That way I can be a little more efficient with this whole project - I'll still stop and comment from time to time however. In the mean time enjoy the larger thumbs I'm posting so you can have a better idea of what the artist is all about.

Maurizio Carlo Luigi Vitale. Quite the mouthful. His photos are much easier to get the hang of than remembering his names.

They look more like experiments than compositions .

I dig this kind of work. It reminds me that not everyone is trying to understand light just so they can make a "i'm an amateur photographer trying to supplement my income" buck. Not that there's anything wrong with that.

Find: Maurizio's Website

Camera lens Tank killer

My god...

A 200-500 f2.8 (constant) lens for Canon, Nikon and Sigma. Apparently
the first lens ever to feature f2.8 @ 500mm.

I couldn't tell if it's intended for wildlife shooters, sports, or taking out
the everyday Sherman. Looks military grade and if I know Sigma at all
it will feel that way too. (but if I know Sigma it will have front focusing
issues as well...)

$22k - learn more

ATTN: Intrepid Photography contest.

Contest closes: June 30, 2008

Just came across this. I think that most of you who could
be reading this stand a better chance than most.

The folks over at Intrepid Travel have opened their annual
photo contest. Submit your snaps and win some (actually
pretty) good stuff.

Top prize? A trip worth AU $3000 (and a book).

Check it out here.