Archive | December, 2009

Some Bye Bye 2009 Lists

By on December 31, 2009

Some off-the-top-of-my-head favorites for the year that was 2009.

5 Worthwhile ‘Best of 2009′ Photo Edit Posts From Well-Known News Sources
Best News Photos (boston.com)
Wall Street Journal
Time Magazine
National Geographic Traveler
Reuters

15 Bands I Listened To A Lot In 2009 (not necessarily from 2009)
The XX(Young Turks)
Grizzly Bear (Warp)
Animal Collective(Domino)
Visqueen(Local 638)
GIVE Seattle (www.giveseattle.org)
[...the rest of the music list and lots more lists after the jump. click the 'continue reading' link below for more good lists...]
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(music continued…)

Kings Of Leon(Sony)
The Cave Singers(Matador)
Cold War Kids(Downtown)
Mad Rad (Out For Stardom)
Head Like A Kite(Mush)
Blue Scholars(Self)
Common Market(Self)
Hey Marseilles (Self)
SantiGold(Downtown)
White Lies(Polydor UK)
Bon Iver (Jagjagwar)

5 Popular Posts From ChaseJarvis.com in 2009
The Best Camera: iPhone App + Book + Community
Shake Your Tree Today
Deconstruct This Photo
What Are You Going To Shoot Today?
Chase Jarvis TECH: Strobed Photo Sequences
$100,000 in 140 Seconds: the Nikon Festival

2 Posts That Made Great Waves From Some Other Photo Friends
Zack Arias “Transform”
Jeremy Cowart “Help-Portrait”

1 Great Photo Exhibition I Wished I’d Seen When I Was in NYC Last Week
Robert Frank Looking In. The Met NYC.


5 Non-Photo Blogs That Always Did Me Right in 2009
PSFK
Daring Fireball
Wooster Collective
Seth Godin
Neatorama

And I could go on forever, but I’ll spare you. You’ve got some stuff to add to these lists, I know you do. Or better yet have other lists to share? Tell us all in the comments. Happy 2009. Bring it on, 2010.

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Green Screens and Greener Pastures

By on December 29, 2009


This is a 2009 sample reel from Stargate Studios. Hollywood all the way. Some of the shots from this video reel are certainly better than others, but that’s not my point.

My point is that this technology is becoming increasingly more available and affordable for still and video production, and is soon to be everywhere. Heck, we even used this technology pretty extensively in The Blakes music video we released last month (thanks to Superfad‘s post-production chops…). That was a legit production my most measures, but certainly not Hollywood. And I’m guessing that this video highlighted some familiar scenes that–before watching it–you wouldn’t have guessed were virtual.

Having just viewed the latest blockbuster movie…[click 'continue reading' link below]
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…that’s all the rage, Avatar in IMAX 3D (loved it btw…didn’t think I could embrace the blue people, but went on to love it, noting it will forever mark a change in cinema…), and read a review that spoke of manufactured worlds as ‘gimmicky’, I can’t help but run to the defense of the integration of imagination and technology.

Are there really people out there that think this is somehow less than amazing, cool, and enabling?

Unlike my earlier post, Purists Beware, this doesn’t have historical precedence from the “masters” pre-dating Star Wars and the mid 1970′s. But is it any less virtuous because of this? Will creative professionals somehow exhibit less “vision” because they’re no longer leaving their studios and back lots, traveling the world, and getting into adventures of their own?

Nonsense. It’s not a substitute for vision. It will create a new world of infinite possibility for the independent and most day-dreamy of creatives–even within the most cost-conscious of productions. And if you want a part of it, it’s either in your court already or just around the corner.

Create. Share. Sustain.

By on December 26, 2009

We used to require permission from others to put our work into the world with any sort of scale. That permission came in the form of getting hired to shoot a news story, a magazine feature, or an advertising campaign. “They” sat up in fancy corner offices and if you were good…no, scratch that, good AND lucky…’they’ would say ‘yes’ and then you’d be permitted to share your work with the world.

Not any more.

It’s the first time in the history of the world that you can share your work with any sort of scale–whether that’s a photograph, a video, a story, or whatever you’re making–without anyone’s permission. What are you waiting for? Spend your own time and your own money. And hit post, publish, share, send, or whatever makes the software push it out into the world.

Create. Share. Sustain.

No, seriously, what are you waiting for?…[click the 'continue reading' link below]
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Why is this important? Because I think that making stuff over and over is the key creativity. And especially the key to creativity to the next era of media. And especially for creatives. Don’t be fooled. It’s painfully simple. The road may be a long one, but it’s certainly not complicated:

Create. Make something. A photograph, a video, a poem, a piece of software.

Share. Send your thing out into the world. Post it to your Facebook, your blog. Tweet it. (And still share it with your mom).

Sustain. Start out by waiting tables. Or keep your day job. Or sell your spouse’s socks on ebay. Or do something out of the genre of what you want to do until you can afford not to do it. Or do all of these so that you can keep creating and sharing without requiring “permission” from anyone.*

And repeat. Create. Share. Sustain. Repeat.

And soon enough, if you so desire, and if you listen to yourself and your network–your creating and your sharing will become your sustenance. Whether it’s via Kevin Kelly’s 1000 true fans, or whether it’s some new adaptation of your vision, you will have the ability to sustain yourself in connection with a sea of like minded people.

Never mind the man in the corner office.

[If you give a rip, the first time I formulated this create-share-sustain into any sort of a cohesive thought was here:
Video: Consequences of Creativity and the ADCD. I've preached it a billion times since then, but written the words here on the blog, curiously, until now.]
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Chase Jarvis FRAMES: 21,112 Party Pictures

By on December 17, 2009

Typically, the end of each year marks a time for celebration.

In that spirit, each autumn our studio has an anniversary party where we celebrate with our clients, business friends and co-collaborators. It’s an eclectic mix of about 600 people, from graffiti artists, restaurateurs, musicians, ad execs, city officials and the whole spectrum in between. Everyone lets their hair down and unwinds with the mission of having a darn good time.

This year’s event was no exception, however something rather exceptional DID happen.

For a bit of childish fun, we set up a photo booth using state-of-the-art camera and lighting equipment and captured 21,112 photographs in under 5 hours. That’s more than 1.5 images every second–the camera shot almost continuously for the duration of the party. That’s gotta be some sort of bizarre record or something… The resulting “movie” of those photographs tells a pretty funny tale. Please indulge me here in a little bit of goofing… If you’re not hip to some intermittent debauchery, some tomfoolery, and the occasional PG-13 flasher, don’t watch this. If you’re lighthearted and have been there before, watch and enjoy. And stick with it. Just when you think it’s on repeat, somebody ups the ante… [click 'continue reading' link below]

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Huge thanks to everyone for celebrating with and and especially to the bands that played our party:

The Presidents of the United States of America
Head Like A Kite
Hey Marseilles

Links above take you to their iTunes pages. Already looking forward to next year’s shindig. Also thanks to Cantinetta, Pyramid Beer, 42 Below Vodka, Molly Moon’s Ice Cream, Jones Soda, Small Lot Co-op Wines, Mark Naficy, Stuart Hallerman at Avast! and everyone else who helped pull off the evening.

For those techie types, this kind of firepower is only made possible with the Nikon D3, Broncolor Scoro A4s lighting, and SanDisk Extreme Pro 32G card. Check out my gear page if you’re interested. Huge thanks to those folks as well.

Have a great weekend.

[And if you're interested in embedding this video, feel free. You can get the Youtube window to format vertically by changing the height to 740 and width to 480 (or anything on that proportion.)]

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Head Like a Kite: “Director’s Cut”

By on December 14, 2009

Introducing “Director’s Cut” my latest music video and the latest track from the electronic duo Head Like a Kite (this time featuring MC Tilson).

If you’re a photo/video lover, a music aficionado, a do-gooder or any combo therein please pass this along. We created this pro-bono and it’s my hope it’ll inspire you and your friends to pull out $7 for 30 exclusive tracks from Seattle’s hottest bands as a part of our GiveSeattle.org project. Included in this uber-affordable compilation are exclusive tracks from Fleet Foxes, Ben Gibbard (Death Cab for Cutie), and many more. And a reminder that 100% of sales–every cent of that 7 bucks–goes directly to Art Corps and Seattle area food banks.

If you’re a photo/video nut like me and you want to know more about how we made this little video inside a video, complete with behind the scenes photos, hit the ‘continue reading link’ below.

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1. Concept/Treatment. Ever felt like you’re staring in the movie that is your own life? The drama, the celebration, those stranger than fiction moments. Life can be a mysterious state where you’re sometimes not sure if you’re awake or dreaming. The lyrics to this song are a stream of consciousness about precisely this. I wanted some visuals to match. Some elements to match reality, some that don’t make sense, and some that toggled Tilson (the guest MC and “star” of the vid) both IN and OUT of that state.

2. Mood. Head Like A Kite are all about a party. They’re all sorts of crazy talented, but they don’t take themselves too seriously. It’s refreshing. And it was important to them the the video reflected that. Hence the “cartoon-y” feel to the video.

3. Constraints. Given a. that we’re making this video as a part of our holiday project to raise awareness for our fundraiser; and b)that we’ve set some “loose” parameters on ourselves and other vid makers for the project that we want them to be simple enough to be shot in one take or thereabouts.

4. Mechanisms. The mechanisms we used to create all three of above are pretty simple: First, we filmed a path in an around our studio WITHOUT the lead character except for the very beginning and the very end (so he could pop in and out of his life), but WITH the band popping up in various places, timed with the chorus.

“I close my eyes so I can watch the dreams suspend night. All of this time the movie reels spin in my mind”

That was shot in 3 takes.

Second, we sewed those 3 takes together into one movie. We made it black and white and we projected it a screen, at life-size proportions.

Third, we put MC Tilson in front of that screen and filmed him “inside” the projected video while he delivered the lyrics and moved throughout the lifesized world we created according to a series of choreographed moves that had him moving in and out of doorways, up stairs and around corners. We made it just real enough to make it believable but seem to the trained eye that somethings just not quite right (ala the awake/dream state.

Hope you dig. Here’s some photos to show you our setup.

Please visit www.giveseattle.org and download our #1 selling album in Seattle right now for just $7. Help those less fortunate and get some great new tunes.

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Chase Jarvis TECH: Underwater Camera

By on December 11, 2009

I’m going to the bottom of a pool and I’m taking my Nikon D3 with me.

If you’re curious about taking your dSLR underwater, I assure you it’s safer and easier than you might think. In this vid, I lightheartedly kick off a new series of pictures (a fun and growing project) AND I show you the gear we use to get it done.

Bloody Marys optional. Watch the vid, details after the jump… [click the 'continue reading' link below]
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Some hurdles and how to jump em:

1. Can’t get my camera wet: GET A HOUSING
I have an underwater housing for my Nikon D3/D3s/D3x made by AquaTech. It rocks. They’re a tad pricey, but worth it if you’re doing any underwater work on a regular basis. Here’a B&H; link to my AquaTech rig – different lens covers are optional. And Remember if you can’t afford to buy, but want to play around consider renting them from local camera shops like Glazers.

2. Don’t have a pool. CRASH YOUR NEIGHBORS
I don’t have a pool either, but I have some friends that do. Erin and Norman were gracious hosts – all I had to do was ask (and bring the BBQ fixins). Obviously, most lakes and oceans are free for you to swim in as well…

3. Don’t have scuba gear. JUST SNORKEL OR RENT GEAR.
I don’t own scuba gear, but I rented the whole tank setup for around $50 bucks.

4. don’t have a subject: FIND ONE.
Surfer buddies are good. Belly floppers are good too. Canine friends would be interesting. Big fish in a pinch.

4. Don’t know how to make a bloody mary. FOLLOW THIS RECIPE.
Get yourself some 42 Below vodka. Good stuff. Some tasty tomato juice or organic bloody mary mix, in a pinch, some Mr.T’s. Dash of tobasco. And for those who think the drink is complete, think again. Here’s the secret ingredients that my grandma taught me (I swear): tablespoon or two of dill pickle juice. Celery salt and pepper. Generous squeezing of lemon and/or lime. Pickled asparagus spear. And put some chunky salt on the rim if you can swing it, ala margarita style. Olives are gross and should be left out (and banished from the earth).

Hope this helps you enjoy some underwater shooting. Happy Friday – have a great weekend. Special thanks to Head Like a Kite for the music behind this track. Check them here on iTunes.
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Chase Jarvis RAW: Nikon Festival BTS

By on December 9, 2009

Meet the stars of my Nikon Festival video: Joshua Roman (cellist), Saba Mohajerjasbi (Sabzi playing the Beat Gorilla), and Ellie Sandstrom (choregrapher/performer), and check out how we made my 140-second film in just a day and a half.

Reminder: there’s still 6 days for YOU to enter your 140 second film into the Nikon Festival and let yours truly–along with Rainn Wilson (from ‘The Office’) and Justine Ezarik (iJustine) decide if your vid should capture the $100,000 cash prize. I’d love to see your entry when submission period ends and my judging begins at midnight on December 15th.

For more deets visit www.nikonfestival.com, the festival’s Facebook page. To stay tuned in, you can also follow the festival on Twitter via @nikonfestival.
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What Are You Going To Shoot Today?

By on December 4, 2009

Get out from behind the computer and shoot something you’ve been dying to shoot today. It’s easier that you’ve lead yourself to believe, it costs less than you think, and is more fun than you remember.

In fact, tell us all in the comments below what you’re going to shoot today or tomorrow or this weekend. Don’t be worried that someone’s gonna copy you, because it won’t happen. If you’re doing it right nobody CAN copy you.

I’ll tell you right now, in 10 minutes I’m going to begin shooting a music video and some stills today for Head Like A Kite.

But what are you going to do? Who’s got the huevos to tell us all? (Trust me this is for you, not somebody else. Just engaging your brain and writing the words is half the battle.)

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Introducing GIVESEATTLE.ORG

By on December 3, 2009

The holidays are a time for cheer, but they’re also a time for giving. As such I’ve joined forces with some friends here in Seattle to help bring you GIVESEATTLE.ORG.

GIVESEATTLE.ORG is simple: we’ve compiled more than 30 amazing tracks from some of Seattle’s best bands/musicians and wrapped it into one compilation that is downloadable for just $7. And 100% of the money goes directly to support Arts Corps and Seattle Area Food Banks. (Yes you read that correctly 100% goes to those in need).

Please download this amazing compilation NOW at www.giveseattle.org. And also important: Please tell your friends. This music is not to be missed.

To promote this unique form of holiday giving online, a handful of us are making music videos. We’re aiming to…[click 'continue reading' link below]
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…make these in one take, or close to it, with zero budget. These creative restraints are resulting in some really simple, beautiful concepts. This is the first one, featuring the band Fences, directed by Brad Curran over at CityArts. (Separately, you may recall us featuring Fences as part of our SFEAD project too…beautiful stuff).

We’ll release one video each week or so throughout the holidays. I’ll be posting them all here. I hope you enjoy.

The list of partners who have come together to create this is too long to mention here, but please check them out here on the GiveSeattle.orgpage. Happy holidays and please give your $7 in exchange for some great new music.
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Stop Worrying About Your Business Cards

By on December 2, 2009

In case you’re still more worried about your business cards and your website than your photography, Leila Courey, Art Buyer at Leo Burnett will set you straight:

I don’t mind if photographers want to bling out their promos for extra attention as long as the quality of the work goes along with it. What I don’t dig, is photographers spending what looks like a ton of money on business cards, expensive promos or portfolios meanwhile they really need to spend more time crafting their work.

When an artist is more established, or has been off the radar for a while, I can understand wanting to brand/re brand themselves to let it be known that they’re still available for assignment but even still, this won’t sway me. It’s all about the work.

Now that we’re clear on that, get out from behind the computer and go shoot something. [click the 'continue reading' link below]
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[Via the awesome Heather Morton Art Buyer. Collage above was a rebranding study by Michael Clinard.

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Anarchy and The Value Of A Photograph

By on December 1, 2009

Fabien Breuvart pulled off what I would call a lovely stunt great piece of performance art last week in Paris. He and a half dozen accomplices scrounged up several giant garbage bags full of anonymous vintage photos and–in a fit of anarchy–dumped these thousands of photos into a huge pile in front of the VIP entrance of the posh Paris Photo 2009 gala underway at the Louvre.

Inside the event, some of the worlds most valued photographs were aiming to fetch $60,000, but thanks to Breuvart, the international art crowd seemed more attuned to pile of vintage photography amidst cries of “free photos!” out front…seemingly a choice to stay outside to collect, even cherish, free and unusual images that had “no value”, rather than sip champagne and salivate over art whose value was chosen by others.

Is it tomfoolery or a breath of fresh air to see culturally-literate adults scavenging for pictures on their hands and knees as if they were kids and the pinata had just exploded at a birthday party. Is this a story about a stunt, about the power of photography, the maligned “value” of what the art market assigns to be worth our attention?

Video of the anarchists in action after the jump…[click the 'continue reading' link below]
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(Note: the vid is in French, but that doesn’t keep you from understanding the “event” perfectly. You clearly get the sense that it’s there’s a disconnect present between value and no value, whos who and anonymity, the posh and the streets.)

[via the lovely blog Lens Culture.]

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