Inspiration
I am an unabashed lover of photo books.
The start of the holiday season is always that learning time of year for us, where we slow down (a little) and catch up on readings. Just in time for Black Friday, here are a few recommendations from our library and our friends at Peachpit Press.
Also, this weekend the folks over at Kelby training are offering some extra help.
On Monday, we will be posting our list of favorite photo books for the year. Be sure to check back with us.
Todd Korol. Great friend for many years. No bigger lover of photography exists.
Seeing his fine cover image this morning made my day. I'll buy the CD simply for his photography, although I have it on excellent authority the music is superb as well.
Since he is Canadian through and through, he'll likely apologize for my blogging this.
Serving on the jury of the World Press Photo is a huge educational gift. To sit in a room with some of the best minds in photojournalism and just absorb what they have to say about the images flashing across the screen -- those very photographs being forever seared into our collective memories -- is to be in the best photography classroom in the world. I've been part of the jury twice now, and it's a life and career changing experience. The World Press judging is an intense conversation which ranges far and wide. It's an incredibly thoughtful process.
This year, we saw many images from Syria and Gaza. Having worked myself in some tough situations earlier in my career, I thought about the support the photographers had to receive on the ground in order to be in position to make and distribute their work.
When World Press asked me to do the Personal Choice selection of the Review, I turned to Rodrigo Abd of the Associated Press for help in explaining the support he received in Syria. You can read about the selection below:
The New Media Consortium is an international group of visionaries who specialize in educational technology, and that takes many, many forms. They asked me to do a presentation on creativity at their 20th annual summer conference.
During my talk, Mary Stall was watching in the crowd and made this sketch of what I said. I found it especially poignant given the topic of my presentation. A really lovely gesture.
I always enjoy my time with these folks. I've learned so much from them and this was a nice chance to share.
It's Havana's birthday. She's a dozen years old today.
I remember when I met her so clearly.
She has had an incredible effect on my life. I see things with a softer edge now that she is in the world.
In Osaka, Japan Alexander Hassenstein, who I met first in Barcelona at the Olympics when he was barely 17, and then again in St Perersburg Russia during the Goodwill Games, asked me what my new daughter was called. ....when I told him Havana his eyes lit up, and he called Germany immediately to speak to Sabine--then carrying their unborn daughter--and he said "I have her name. It must be Havana."
Two old friends, who behave like children, crossing paths all over the world, sharing stories about their Havanas. And an unspoken bond forged through a love of life, people, and images.
More of my images of Havana through the years are on my Website.
A few days ago, I went to get my hair cut.
From inspirational speaker Marco Antonio Torres crafting a lecture on art after looking at a barista delicately putting a milk message on the top of a latte to Professor William Rankin using quantum physics to explain medievalism. Or my sister Elizabeth crafting anything magically with cloth to Laura shaping a coherent message from my disjointed images and thoughts.
This was a new one. My favorite stylist Lisa Hershman used a photograph I took of her hair years ago -- a present actually for her husband -- and had the contours of the interior of her studio built to replicate the lines of that image.
Just wish my hair could look that good.
I visited Clyde Butcher's wonderful gallery again a couple of weeks ago. It wasn't my first trip to that special place, and it certainly won't be my last.
Here is a man that has done it his way.
His life's work is a study in how to harness vision and passion and own it. He photographs places that mean something special to him, and he does it in a big bold way.
As I slowly turned my car back onto the road, I was left thinking that what needs to matter is to do the work I need to do for me. To share my feelings and thoughts. Making images not because I have to, but because I live to.
NPPA launched a new photo feature today called "Photo Journal," which will be curated by my friend Jim Colton. "Photo Journal" is a collection of excellent images and his initial column showcases how the NYT selected pictures from the recent presidential election. Check it out: nppa.org
Joe McNally never fails to make me appreciate his wit, generosity, talent, and most of all his work ethic.