Archive | July, 2011

How To Build a Cyclorama Wall With [Mostly Naked] Ashley

By on July 29, 2011

Looking for a weekend project for your photo studio? Alrighty then.

Thoroughly amused at the approach taken here in this vid by folks at EyeHandy, having mostly naked model Ashley showing us how to make a cyc wall. Funny though, if you can get past the scantily clad builder using power tools (not sure why you’d want to do that…but….), the truth is that the actual info here on how to build a cyc is really well done.

Lot’s of people have asked if we have a cyc in either of our joints and truth is we do not. I’m only shooting in studio 10% of the time, so having that space be transformative (ie. not committed to a cyc) is preferred for us. If you ARE in the studio a lot, then…ahem…perhaps hire Ashley. Says at the end of the video that the cost is $1250. For the materials. Continue Reading →

Photo Of The Day: Eat the Street, NYC

By on July 28, 2011

Eat the Street, NYC. May 2011

Captured this on the streets of NYC during Dasein artist in residency last May.

[BTW, I'll be showing a lot of new work in this manner over the coming weeks and months. Voicing your opinions on this or any image in the future is welcomed. Thanks.] Continue Reading →

Is Photography Over?

By on July 25, 2011

Another post in a continuing discussion (joining this post last week) about the future of photography.

Is photography over? Of course not. But a provocative title none the less (appropriated from SFMOMA) suggesting we think more deeply about what photography was, what it now is, and where it’s going. This video here is part 1 of 3 from a great symposium back in April 2010 sponsored by San Francisco Museum of Modern Art featuring Photographer Philip-Lorca diCorcia, Peter Galassi (MOMA), Vince Aletti (New Yorker), Jennifer Blessing (Guggenheim) and others. Interesting, insightful and evocative IMHO. Continue Reading →

New Era, Start-to-Finish Evolution of a Music Video Project

By on July 22, 2011

Beautiful music vid here performed by Seattle hip hop pals Macklemore (@macklemore) & Ryan Lewis (@ryanlewismusic) and shot by emerging Seattle filmmaker friend Zia Mohajerjasbi (@DrZia)

You think this video emerged fully formed outta these guys’ brains? Hell no. It’s all a process. Usually, this process is not well chronicled. But in the case of this video, we get to see some special insights. Not just the ‘making of’ but the whole process of how this project came together in the new era of filmmaking… Hit ‘continue reading’ below to see…

1) raw video of the first time this song was performed more than 2 years ago (at my studio actually!)
2) video of Macklmore, Ryan, and Zia asking for fan support via Kickstarter
4) and finally a few behind the scenes videos showing how they made it..

Follow the progression… Continue Reading →

Are You The Future of Photography or the Problem With It?

By on July 20, 2011

You are the problem point of view: “When you leave everything to the crowd, where everything is democratized, when everything is determined by the number of clicks, you are by definition undermining the seriousness of the artistic endeavor…There is no evidence that we are on the verge of a great new glittering cultural age, there is evidence that we may well be on the verge of a new dark age in cultural terms … where the creative world is destroyed and where all we have is cacophony and self opinion, where we have a crisis of democratized culture.” – Andrew Keen from forthcoming film PressPausePlay.

Versus

You are the future point of view: “Now, we’re a series of editors. We all recycle, clip and cut, remix and upload. We can make images do anything. All we need is an eye, a brain, a camera, a phone, a laptop, a scanner, a point of view…We’re making more than ever, because our resources are limitless and the possibilities endless … We want to give this work a new status…Things will be different from here on …” -curators of group photography show From Here On. Arles, France

The above two opposing points of view are from this article in The Guardian by photography writer Sean O’Hagan. As far as I’m concerned, this is a non-debate. Let’s get real – it’s all the future. And you are are a part of it. The world… Continue Reading →

A huge thank you

By on July 18, 2011

Thanks for all the well wishes for my birthday. I’m spending today the same way I’ve always spent it relaxing and enjoying time with my friends and family.

Continue Reading →

5 Crucial Tips To Get Your Photo Busine$$ Books in Order

By on July 15, 2011

I learned over time that as photographers, filmmakers and independent artists, we’re also entrepreneurs running our own small businesses. Since I’m not all that business minded I’ve had learn as much as I can while surrounding myself with smart biz-oriented people who can help. Enter stage left Mara, our on-staff accountant. Going forward, I’ve got a goal that she will be able to shed a lot of light on the $$ and business side of things that so many photogs need help with… She’ll be tag-teaming on these business posts with our Executive Producer Kate. Feel free to ask them questions and suggest new topics… In the meantime, take it away here Mara on some crucial bookkeeping tips…
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By now you should have long ago finalized any financial reporting for the prior year and sent your taxes to the IRS. This time of year is usually an accounting calm, but don’t be fooled (or lazy). I‘m consistently reminded of how much easier the year-end process is when you plan ahead and keep good records. Now’s the time to… Continue Reading →

Olympus is Talking Shit About Your Camera Phone

By on July 14, 2011

Image by Mark Matthews @markmimage

Seems that a new guerrilla campaign by Olympus in Australia is talking shit about the “rubbish” photos from your camera phone.

“If you’re camera also sends text messages, that will explain why your photos are rubbish.”

Plaques in select Aussie cities bearing the above slogan have been pasted to the street and other urban environs, with the url GetARealCamera.com linking to Olympus. Personally, the message bugs me, but it’s pretty damn clever — made me look twice and type in the url. … Continue Reading →

Polaroid Lovers Unite: How The Impossible Project Film is Made

By on July 13, 2011

Y’all are well aware of my relationship and long-time love affair with Polaroid. Well, back when the film went out of manufacturing, a now-friend of mine Dr. Florian Kaps took on a project that some called impossible–the resurrection of the old-style instant films. He bought up the last Polaroid film factory in the Netherlands and has succeeded in bringing back instant film from a near death.

This video–looks to be a TV short or something…dry at the start but picks up steam–is a cool way of seeing how this rather complicate stuff is made. Geeky cool, that is. I plan on taking a tour of the factory this summer.

Named after his doubters, The Impossible Project, now makes all sorts of color and B&W films, available at your local pro camera store or direct from their site here. I shoot a ton of this stuff. Try em all, but def check out the black-bordered B&W UV+ stuff that I reference in this video. It’s cool shiz – there’s a quickly scanned frame of mine after the jump. Continue Reading →

Chase Jarvis TECH: Scott’s personal Olympus Pen E-P2 Camera Kit

By on July 12, 2011

Is it bigger than a breadbox?  No.  It’s my new Olympus Pen E-P2 camera kit, and it’s awesome.

As the guy who manages the inventory of equipment here at Chase Jarvis Inc., it’s fair to say that I know a thing or two about what it takes to pull off a photo shoot.  Every time we roll down the street or fly around the world, I pack and move cases of gear.  No matter how light we’re packing, we tip the scales at at least 100 lbs.

In my free time I have access to any and all of this equipment.  A dream come true for any photographer.  Unless you spend your free time deep in the mountains or on travel adventures where an itinerary is unheard of and solitude is the end goal.  In that case, there’s no place for hundred pound cases.  Hell, an extra 20 pounds in the backpack can have a major impact.

This fact has always put me at a loss, oscillating between DSLR kits that feel bloated and obtrusive, and high end point and shoots like the Canon G series that while impressive for their size, just don’t have the gusto when you’re in the trenches.  What to do, what to do.

Well, like many, I took notice when Panasonic and Olympus came out with offerings in the new and exciting Micro Four Thirds format…. Continue Reading →

Should You Go To Photo School?

By on July 11, 2011

You should go to photo school if you want structured learning. Groundwork from the fundamentals to the bigger concepts. It will move too slowly for many of you, too fast for others. There are lots of great programs, worldwide.

If you don’t do better with structured learning and you are highly motivated and prefer real world experience, don’t go. Instead, teach yourself, take workshops, get mentors, read books, build your support network, work for other people. And most importantly take a helluva lot of photographs. Dig the long ditch that it takes to learn to make a living with photographs.

If this is too simple a post for you, then go to photo school.

Live Photoshoot and Q&A with Sir Mix-A-Lot on chasejarvis LIVE [Wed July 6]

By on July 5, 2011

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If you’re just tuning in now, this LIVE broadcast is TODAY, JULY 6th at 10am Seattle time, 1pm NYC time, 6pm London, and you gotta do the rest of the math from there. Tune into www.chasejarvis.com/live now!
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In case you missed my getting called out by legendary multi-platinum, grammy winning Sir Mix-A-Lot, I responded here, called him to the chasejarvisLIVE mat…and he has obliged, and agreed to come on the show. So it gives me great pleasure to invite you to join us along with a worldwide, LIVE audience on Wednesday July 6 at 10am Seattle time (that’s 1 pm NYC time or GMT -8).

What’s in store, you ask ?

LIVE Q&A: we’re taking your questions live via Twitter @chasejarvis, hashtag #cjLIVE about anything and everything. His big butt loving, his exotic car collection (we’ll take a ride in his Lamborghini), his new Facebook game, and perhaps most importantly how similar the evolution of the music industry has been to the evolution of the photography industry. Challenge, overcome. Invention, reinvention, marketing, message-crafting and beyond. We’ll also do a worldwide debut of his new forthcoming single.

The LIVE photoshoot. I’ll be shooting Sir Mix-A-Lot’s forthcoming album cover LIVE with your participation. You’ll choose his wardrobe LIVE via twitter, and we’ll take your input on the dramatic lighting. You’ll see a pimped out Mix, and of course there will be a scantily-clad Burlesque dancer troop to supply some butts, entertainment and more.

Who: You, Me, & a worldwide gathering of creative people
What: Q&A and LIVE photoshoot with multi-platinum, grammy winning rapper Sir Mix-A-Lot
When: Wednesday, July 6th at 10:00am Seattle time (that’s 1 pm NYC time or GMT -8)
Where: just tune in to www.chasejarvis.com/live. It’s free and anyone can watch.

Looking forward to taking your questions via twitter, getting your input on the LIVE shoot, showing you a few lighting tricks, and having a good time. Continue Reading →

Cameras + Explosives + Rockets = Photo Nerd 4th of July

By on July 4, 2011

Here in the USA today we’re celebrating Independence Day. I’m up at the cabin chilling out, but wanted to invite you to join in, wherever you’re from.

Above is a video of how pure camera nerds party on the 4th.

Here’s what the NYC cops do on the 4th.

And finally, for you DIY types, here’s how to photograph YOUR very own 4th of July fireworks.

Catch you back in the studio tomorrow. Until then, keep it safe & sane. Continue Reading →

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