Back From the Dead

I haven't even considered this blog for 6 months. I don't know why but I decided to check in and see how she was doing - to my surprise, it turns out people are still popping by.

I'm considering bringing this baby back to life; I really enjoyed seeking out and posting the creatives I've covered here and it's a nice break from my day to day of banging my head against the wall (Started my MA in Philosophy and relocated to Montreal).

If you're into it at all, maybe leave a comment for a little motivation. In the meantime, I've posted one of my own recent shots from my new neighbourhood here in Montreal.

Artist: Theo Jansen

So apparently I needed a longer break than I thought. Posting everyday was really turning out to be quite the task. But I'm back now and hopefully at a more relaxed pace.

First up is Kinetic artist Theo Jansen.

Theo builds monsters. Big, plastic monsters that walk on beaches powered only by the wind. Clearly the thinking here is blurring the lines between art and engineering with a big messy brush - just the kind of forward thinking that is already changing the landscape of our everyday. This will be especially evident if Theo sees his vision through: "putting herds of these animals out on the beaches to live their own lives."



You can also find a Ted talk with Theo here.

and his website here.

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.