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Software To Replace Photographers [The Ones That Deserve It]

By on May 17, 2012

photo mark_Petapixel_a1_mini on chase jarvis blog Photographer Mark Meyers just wrote up a nice enough story aimed at driving awareness fear in professional photographers … fear about the future of their career, their well-being, their jobs.  

Depicted in that article this image at left, which was completely generated by the author of the post using an emerging 3d modeling software called Blender. The quote that stands out from the article is this one:

“If you are a photographer that makes a living shooting still-life photos, this should scare you…”

Bullshit. Unless of course…

You take the kind of photo that actually requires no personal vision…or
you’re unwilling to evolve with the industry…or
you’re somehow deluded that photography should be bound to wait for it’s sectors that can’t evolve…or
you’re unable to comprehend the definition of photography expanding into new horizons.

In which case it SHOULD scare you because you should be replaced.

Because whether the camera is 6 megapixels or 60, it’s a point and shoot or a dSLR, or … gasp…the “camera” is a dude sitting at a desktop computer…these tools are JUST TOOLS and cannot create compelling content without a human driver, a storyteller, a visionary at it’s helm. And those photos are the only photos you should be aiming to create…unless of course, you’re ok being replaced by a lower priced pork belly.

This might seem like tough love if you’re hearing this for the first time. Apologies. But, get used to hearing no. If you’re an aspiring amateur or new pro, it’s fair to be disappointed, frustrated, or to find yourself in a position where what’s sitting in your lap is something different than you thought you signed up for. But it’s not smart for any of us to feel entitled — to complain about an evolving creative marketplace or desire to freeze an entire industry in time. Whether we like it or not, all industries march on.

Consider this your prime opportunity to start (or continue) to differentiate yourself, your work, your vision from that of your peers.

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(via petapixel)

60 Second Portrait: Guy Kawasaki

By on May 15, 2012


Here’s another 60 Second Portrait, starring Guy Kawasaki this time. I shot this after our recent episode of chasejarvisLIVE. If you dig it, check out the rest of my 60 Second Portraits here.

Photography 101: The Radical Camera + New York’s Photo League

By on May 14, 2012
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In the Shadow of the Capitol ● 1948 (Marion Palfi/The Jewish Museum/© 1998 Arizona Board of Regents)

Every so often, I discover or am reminded of tectonic shifts in photography that seem to be little-known by the exploding world of photographers. No harm, no foul; but in those cases, I feel feel a social + moral desire (obligation?) to occasionally point to these shifts.

One such case is New York’s Photo League – a collection of some of the most innovative, culturally relevant and influential photographers who took to the streets and showed us life as it had been rarely explored before. Photogs like Lisette Model or Weegee (featured earlier on my blog here), Avedon, Leipzig, Orkin and Weston. These and other photogs are genre-defining photojournalists who created stark and unwavering images that offered unique glimpses into a world that – until their groundbreaking work – was infrequently or even NOT explored by photography. Instead of posed images of families, the NYPL documented rampant social change, the great divide between classes, racial issues, the rise of music, the war, and images of New York City in the 40s (even going so far as being labeled “Communists” by the US government…). In short, we have these artists to thank for the way that photojournalism has evolved today. Spin through the image tabs above to sample their arresting work.

If this group or any of these names are unfamiliar to you, give a read here to get the cliff notes, and more importantly – if you’re able — the exhibition called Radical Camera which features an extensive body of this work is on display at the Columbus Museum of Art from now until September 9, 2012.

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Best Photo Locations: Abandoned Six Flags In New Orleans

By on May 7, 2012
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© Christopher Dame

If you’re primarily an on-location photographer or filmmaker, then you know how much value a great location can add to the shoot. So today I’m introducing another Series (ala the ‘Emerging Talent’ and others…) where I feature supercool locations around the world. Stuff I discover, stuff that other send me, places I’d love to shoot. Of course feel free to chime in, share, link, or otherwise contribute in your own way. Onward…

After being ravaged by Hurricane Katrina in 2005, Six Flags New Orleans has been completely abandoned, left to be pounded by the weather and nature without anyone around to care for it. Rickety rollercoasters develop rust, forgotten carousel horses look upon the empty pathways with sad painted eyes, and concession stands will never again feed a hungry child. While the general public is strictly forbidden to trespass on this post apocalyptic dream scene, a few brave photographers have risked arrest and dangerous conditions to shoot some incredible photographs of this now surreal place. Click through the gallery tabs above to see for yourself. Stunning opportunities abound…

Anybody shot here or know someone who has? I’m curious.

If you’ve got other locations you want to share – fire me off a few photos and some info and I may feature it in the future.

[...and Don' Forget...While I have pushed boundaries on shooting at special locations in my career, I am not advocating that YOU break the law and shoot here or at any 'off-limits' location. What I can say is that creativity and collaboration with others can often get you through some hurdles that are not overtly "open" locations... And most people who wrangle "closed" locations are interested in...um... money and other possible perks that letting you shoot at a particular place might afford them... Getting access to special locations is something I've done regularly with good results - it's an art not a science. Generally speaking, all commercial photoshoots should be permitted and paid for and trespassing is illegal. If you go Rambo on this, or any location I'll point out in this future series of posts, you may get a high five from somebody, but you're doing so under your own free will. You may or may not get some incredible shots. ]

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MCA (Adam Yauch) of the Beastie Boys Dead at 47 — RIP

By on May 4, 2012

The Beastie Boys wrangled punk rock and hip hop together like no-one before or since – they were a huge inspiration to me starting way back 1986 – the first concert where I can remember my ears ringing. It was also the first time I started to understand the concept of a remix, of genre collision, of the endless possibilities of invention and reinvention in art. MCA passed on today after a long battle with cancer. Big sorrow in my heart – gone but not forgotten. RIP.

He’d have wanted us all to play Sabotage at volume 11. Video is one of the all time greats. Let’s do this.

—
Details everywhere – first link I saw was here.

adam youch mca beastie boys photo

Man vs. Wild: Pieter Hugo’s Incredible Photos of Hyena’s with Men

By on May 2, 2012
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Sometimes, however, what starts with a cool cellphone picture sent from a friend becomes an amazing, thought-provoking piece of photojournalism that probes the relationships between humans at the wild, humans and animals, and humans and each other. And I’m rarely stopped dead in my tracks when a photo crosses my field of view – but I was with these photos, with this body of work.

Pieter Hugo’s The Hyena and Other Men is a series of incredible photos, taken over two trips in as many years at the edges of a shantytown in Nigeria. Hugo worked with Nigerian reported Adetokunbo Abiola to not only find the men to photograph, but to get to know them and earn their trust.

The arresting images–which show men (and, occasionally, children) with hyenas, monkeys, and other wild animals which have been tamed for entertainment purposes–are an exploration of one tiny population’s life…a life that’s pretty different from yours or mine. Horrible or wonderful? That’s for you to decide. Scroll through some of the image tabs above this photo… Completely remarkable.

Here’s an excerpt from Hugo’s explanation of the project:

Seldom did anyone express strong concern for the well-being of the creatures. Europeans invariably only ask about the welfare of the animals but this question misses the point. Instead, perhaps, we could ask why these performers need to catch wild animals to make a living. Or why they are economically marginalised. Or why Nigeria, the world’s sixth largest exporter of oil, is in such a state of disarray.

Head over to Hugo’s site to see the rest and read his description of the artistic process. It’s a good read.

Hat-tip to my buddy Jon Coe for bringing this evocative project to my attention.

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Daily Awesome: Digital Camera Made of Cardboard

By on April 30, 2012

Image via The Fancy

IKEA may seem like nothing more than a necessary evil for those who don’t wanna drop a full paycheck on a single piece of furniture (and hey, their pre-fab systems and some in-store displays are actually quite innovative…), but this here is some next level shiz: an eco-friendly, cardboard-bodied digital camera.

Shoots/stores up to 40 images, uses AA batteries (which, if you can find them hiding in the remote control, are a lot more convenient than clunky camera batteries which require special chargers), and it even features a super-handy swing-out USB plug for downloading your pure photo gold.

Not available in stores yet, but anticipated soon. And… not saying this will replace your iphone/droid, but I guarantee it’ll be a conversation-starter at parties or on location for your next commercial gig…
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via engadget.

Astronaut Soichi Noguchi Tweets Amazing Photographs From Space

By on April 27, 2012
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All images via Soichi Noguchi and NASA, from Twitter

While those of us here on Earth are Tweeting our brunch pictures and the occasional trite shot of a vacation sunset, astronaut Soichi Noguchi (follow him at @Astro_Soichi) has been Tweeting amazing photos of his extraterrestrial spacewalk adventures, northern lights from outside the atmosphere, and other ephemera back from freaking SPACE to us mere mortals on terra firma since way back in January. Seriously amazing to see photos from space in near realtime…Scroll thru the image tabs above the photo for just a taste of the kind of thing you can get if you follow Noguchi on Twitter (seeing how today is #FF and all…)

(And rethink that next sunset shot ;)

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Check out the rest of em here.

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Celebrate the Earth: 10 Stunning Photos Of Nature + Humans

By on April 23, 2012
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A view of the southern lights between Antarctica and Australia captured by Dutch astronaut Andre Kuipers on board the International Space Station on March 3, 2012. (ESA/NASA via AFP/Getty Images)

Earth Day was yesterday. And it wasn’t just about wearing tie-dyed shirts made of hemp and talking about recycling. It was and always will ALSO be about ruminating on how much cool, beautiful, amazing shiznit there is on this planet. The kind of stuff that makes you want to stop and take a picture because it’s so freaking gorgeous. Using the image tabs abvoe, scroll through 9 stunning photos of the Earth…some illustrating good and beauty. Others illustrating the horror.

And please consider this: as a community of photographers, let’s strive to continue to photograph the Earth in her grandeur throughout the year and beyond April 22nd. Have some epic Earth photos to share? Feel free to post a link below. Many thank yous, #MuchRespect.

Boston.com’s The Big Picture recently rounded up some of the most incredible shots on Earth, of Earth, and about Earth. I just plucked some of my favorites from their gallery–but you really should look at the whole thing, and think about how awesome the planet is. No Birkenstocks required, I promise.

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Settle in for Some Industry Knowledge with Adrian Grenier [rewatch of April 10th chasejarvisLIVE]

By on April 20, 2012

For your weekend viewing pleasure, check out the repost of Entourage star + filmmaker Adrian Grenier on chasejarvisLIVE. It’s chock full of entertainment industry goodness and is sure to introduce you to something new that you’ll dig.

I’m also stoked to announce that we’ve just booked avant garde cellist Zoë Keating for chasejarvisLIVE on wednesday May 2nd. She’s a one-woman orchestra, she’s amazing, she’s not to be missed. Mark your calendars!

The “BEFORE” Shots: Eerie Rescue Photos 100 Years After The Titanic Went Down

By on April 18, 2012
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The RMS Titanic, courtesy of the Library of Congress

The RMS Titanic, courtesy of the Library of Congress

While we USA folks were struggling to get our taxes handled a couple days ago on April 15th, we shouldn’t have been fussing or celebrating, we should have been thinking of the lives lost aboard the RMS Titanic–which sunk 100 years ago on that day. Since this week marks that horrific — albeit fascinating — event that has held our culture’s attention for a century, you should brush up on the visuals…not the new national geographic images, not the sumbarine images captured by James Cameron. Try the final images of the ship floating. Or the images of passenger’s being rescued. They’re stunning, beautiful and eerie wrapped in one. Scroll thru the tabs above this image to see the “before” shots of the “unsinkable” ship.

Many of the most moving photos are from the National Archives of both the UK and the US. As you’ll see by scrolling thru the images, lucky for us, someone on the Carpathia — the first ship that came to assist the survivors — had a camera onboard.

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(all images courtesy of the Library of Congress, and the archives above)

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Emerging Talent: IGNACIO TORRES + His “Stellar” Project

By on April 17, 2012
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Young NYC based photographer Ignacio Torres gave me cause for pause with his fascinating photographs that look like they come straight from the mind of Carl Sagan (“we are all made of star stuff”). Torres used three dimensional gifs to make these photographs even more dynamic. Click through the gallery image tabs above for more examples of Torres’ work. Here’s what he has to say about his “Stellar” project:

This project began from the theory that humans are made of cosmic matter as a result of a stars death. I created imagery that showcased this cosmic birth through the use of dust and reflective confetti to create galaxies. The models organic bodily expressions as they are frozen in time between the particles suggest their celestial creation…space and time are heightened by the use of three-dimensional animated gifs. Their movement serves as a visual metaphor to the spatial link we share with stars as well as their separateness through time.

——
Torres’ snagged his BFA from North Texas in 2010. His website is here.

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From Skulls to Spam Cans — These Cameras Are SuperCool & SuperWeird

By on April 9, 2012
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Turtleshell camera by Taiyo Onorato and Nico Krebs via Flavorwire
My homies over at Flavorwire ran a really cool gallery of cameras made out of unusual stuff–like trees, shells, and–like you see in the photo above, a turtle shell (no turtles were harmed in the making…only natural causes of death…)… Which got me thinking: cameras have been along so long, people have had the chance to do some really weird stuff with them.

Though a lot of manufacturers might have you think differently, the body of your camera can actually–realistically–be made out of almost anything–who didn’t make a pinhole camera out of shoebox in their high school photography class? But some crafty photogs and designers take it to a whole new level. Some are hacked together out of other camera parts. Some are made of totally unrelated material. And one comes with shoes, dresses, and accessories sold separately. Flip through to see some of the cool/weird stuff via the image tabs above the photo here…
Lemme know below–anybody out there ever made a crazy camera?

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