Showing posts with label Photography. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Photography. Show all posts

Sunday, October 11, 2009

IRVING PENN 1917~2009

An ode to a great photographer who passed away this Thursday. During my foundation studies in art school, I was greatly influenced and inspired by 3 photographers, whose work instantly captivated and inspired me. Horst, for his exquisite use of light and shadow; Man Ray for his most original style and composition and Irving Penn, who was able to masterfully capture his subjects candidly, perhaps even drawing you into their world, their story.

Thank you Irving Penn , for the inspiration.



Background:
Born in New Jersey in 1917, Irving Penn studied design at the Philadelphia Museum School, where he became a student of Alexey Brodovitch. In 1937, the year before he graduated, several of his drawings were published by Harper’s Bazaar. From 1940 to 1941, he worked for the art and advertising director of Saks Fifth Avenue, and the following year he spent in Mexico painting, a medium he subsequently abandoned. Returning to New York, Penn was hired by Vogue magazine, first to create ideas for cover illustrations, then to photograph covers as well as editorial illustrations for the interior of the magazine. Working closely with Alexander Liberman, Penn developed a highly stylized, graphically compelling form of fashion photography which did much to define post-war notions of feminine chic and glamour. In his fashion and portrait photography, Penn favored the use of a neutral backdrop of gray or white seamless paper, or alternatively, the use of constructed architectural sets which created striking effects with oblique, diving diagonals and upward tipped perspectives. Penn also created numerous still life compositions for the magazine: carefully orchestrated assemblages of food or objects characterized by a play of three-dimensional and two-dimensional forms. In 1953 Penn opened his own commercial studio and almost immediately became one of the most influential and successful advertising photographers in the world.
+  another living legend, Nick Knight. 
(These photographs were borrowed from various sites and will not be used for commercial purposes.)

PH •

Sunday, September 27, 2009

VISA GO

2008 ad campaign expounding the benefits of a Visa debit card. Brilliantly photographed by Dan Tobin Smith but I am unsure about the campaigns messaging and its success. Still, worth a look.

Photography : Dan Tobin Smith
Set Design : Rachel Thomas
Art Direction : TBWA Chiat Day
Retouching : Martin Pryor

+  get your 'head'-line analyzed HERE 
PH •

Tuesday, September 22, 2009

BESTE VRIEND



Thomas Boerboom is a designer from the Netherlands. As his site is still under construction, there wasn't much information I could gather about this very 'different' project. Nice photography. He did however blurb a little about his little feathered friend, the budgie.
"I've examined to what extent it is possible for humans and animals to come closer together, and how to realise that. As a result of my research I tried to become best friends with a budgie. In the end this resulted into an instruction guide as well as an instruction dvd in wich I demonstrate step by step how to become best friends with a budgie. The guide consist of three chapters; communication, body language and recreation. By means of observation and imitation I've implemented these three terms to create a band between me and my budgie."
+  more images of birds and other animals, see Charley Harper

• PH

Sunday, September 20, 2009

JAN VERBURG


Photographer Jan Verburg shoots skinny fashion girls with Russian circus freaks a la 1995 MTV Europe VMAs. Well almost. Spread found in Buffalo Magazine.

+  more moody photography with Jeremy Cowart

• PH •

Monday, September 7, 2009

DARK NIGHT

Dark Night of the Soul recently premiered at the Michael Kohn Gallery on Bevery Boulevard here in Los Angeles. (I'm unsure if the show is still on as the site doesn't reflect it at all). I guess it was a pretty good show based on the review in the LA Times. How did I miss this :(

The audio and visual project is a collaboration between Grammy-winning studio whiz Danger Mouse and musical surrealist Sparklehorse, with visuals/photography by director David Lynch . The photographs, which provide a visual narrative for the music, are compiled in a limited edition, hand numbered book accompanied by a blank CD-R, reading 'For Legal Reasons, enclosed CD-R contains no music. Use it as you will.'

Due to an ongoing dispute with EMI, Danger Mouse were unable to release the recorded music for DNOTS without fear of being sued by EMI. Danger Mouse remains hugely proud of the project and hopes that people lucky enough to hear his creation, by whatever means, will be excited by it as he is.

Don't you just love record companies?
I personally liked the album after listening to it for the first time today. Here's a listen:


+ check out the track listing
Revenge (Flaming Lips)
Just War (Gruff Rhys of The Super Furry Animals)
Jaykub (Jason Lytle)
Little Girl (Julian Casablancas of The Strokes)
Angel's Harp (Frank Black of The Pixies)
Pain (Iggy Pop)
Star Eyes (I Can't Catch It) (David Lynch)
Everytime I'm With You (Jason Lytle)
Insane Lullaby (James Mercer of The Shins)
Daddy's Gone (Mark Linkous of Sparklehorse and Nina Persson of The Cardigans)
The Man Who Played God (Suzanne Vega)
Grim Augury (Vic Chesnutt)
Dark Night Of The Soul (David Lynch)
+ remember Lost Highway

KEITH COLACO









































"
I don't have a website of my own. It's purely a hobby I picked up in Dec last year when I bought my cam. I just carry the cam around all the time and shoot what I see."


Yeah right Keith lol.
Keith and I were classmates at Lasalle College of Art in Singapore. Even then, he exhibited great style in his work and a keen sense of composition. In our final year, a bunch of us had already found employment even before graduating, Keith included. Trying to balance a part-time career and complete our final project eventually took it's toll. We almost didn't graduate.

Keith currently spins music at well-known venues in Singapore, where he's based. If you're interested in checking out more of his work, feel free to connect with him on Facebook, http://www.new.facebook.com/keithcolaco

Nicely done KFC.



























+ for some rocker photography, see Dean Karr

Monday, August 31, 2009

MOSSY COVERS

Yet another compare and contrast post. This time featuring the different styling and photography adopted for different Vogue magazine covers, to suit the different international markets and their definition of what's hot in their respective countries. Who better a chameleon than Missy Kate Moss. (i-D and TAR covers were thrown in the mix, for fun)

+ For more comparisons, check out The Simpsons spoof

Sunday, August 30, 2009

BAKED

As the fires rage on in the foothills of La Canada here in Los Angeles, we retreat once again into our A/C cooled environments of our homes, chalking up huge summer rated electric bills. I just can't help but feel, baked, when the sun goes down every day this past week. Here's my ode to Wayne White.



Funny how out of all the heat and destruction we are given a spectacular gift every evening. (Yeah right it's the pollution!)

+ See clever typography by Jung Von Matt used for these Ikea ads. Don't worry, it's not Verdana!

Monday, August 24, 2009

SEPTEMBER ISSUE


It's here.
Also check out this short making of and interview with Charlize Theron about the shoot.

Tuesday, August 18, 2009

DROPULAR

IF YOU WANT TO BE THRILLED VISUALLY



NOT HAVE TO FOLLOW WORDS TO BE ENCHANTED



GET THEE TO DROPULAR FAST



RANDOM ACTS OF INSPIRATION FROM FOLK LIKE YOU



JOIN IN LOG IN + SHARE SOME HERE
(thanks James Kim for the contrib)

Tuesday, August 11, 2009

LUXGSM

Here's another hot air balloon treat (and no I didn't shoot these stunning pix). According to photographer Pierre Cester,
"LUXGSM World Balloon Trophy is a competition that takes place over several days. The Saturday evening always ends with a big festival around the Lake of Echternach. The highlight of the evening is a great fireworks display over a selection of balloons participating in the competition." I think it's the color and composition that inspire me.
The event is held in Luxembourg. Seen here are the Schroeder Fire Balloons plus more pix by photographers Planecatcher and Ray Binder. Nicely done guys. (The original pictures may be found on airliners.net)

Tuesday, May 19, 2009

I WANT TO BE A PHOTOGRAPHER LIKE : Nick Knight






Exquisite. Minimalist but functional site. http://www.nickknight.com Friend of Peter Saville (See previous post, "AS RECOMMENDED BY EB : SHOWstudio The erotic House...")

Thursday, May 14, 2009

AS RECOMMENDED BY SINEAD HARTE : Dean Karr




A good friend of mine Sinead Harte recommended her friend Dean Karr. A photographer and Director, he has a pretty stunning array of work which include Velvet Revolver's She Builds Quick Machines. Rock Photographer!

http://deankarr.com/


Wednesday, May 13, 2009

AS RECOMMENDED BY EB : SHOWstudio The erotic House of Peter Saville



Yet another contribution from Mr Vallone. Design Visionary, Peter Saville and Master Lenser, Nick Knight collaborate with a fashion 'dream' team for the upcoming Sex issue of Wallpaper. Film of the shoot and interviews with the team make this a true treat to WATCH + DISCOVER more.
http://www.showstudio.com/project/softfurnishings/#30696
http://www.showstudio.com/project/softfurnishings/blog

AS RECOMMENDED BY EB : Karen Walker Eyewear site



Thanks to Mr EB Vallone for his brilliant contribution. Great styling for this eyewear site. Fang it up!
http://www.karenwalkereyewear.com/

Jeremy Cowart, well composed






Jeremy Cowart conveys a woody warmness in his textured environments of washed out compositions. He frames portraits of a human experience with exquisite use of shadow and light. The moody settings seem to wrap themselves around you, as he throws focus on the subject with vignettes and silhouettes. I chanced upon his work through a connection on LINKEDIN, I think. Truly a master at his craft. In his blog, he even showcases his debut as Live Action director. Like a hand in glove.

http://blog.jeremycowart.com/

+

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