Time

I recently performed at a "open mic" night at a local brewery. I don't play out often but when I do I have a lot of fun. There is usually a fair amount of people there that I now, some are playing and some are there for support. There were several photographers playing that night which backs up my theory on creative types having other avenues to express themselves.

 I make mental notes on how people prepare for their 15 minutes of fame. Did they spend a lot of time preparing or do they just wing it when they get up there. Some drink a lot of beers, others indulge in crops from "Bob Marley's  Farmer" and some are just stone cold sober. In the past I have gone "Rock Star" , where I'm out of my mind and can barely stand up by the end of the night. 

My intent when I play is to get something out of it other than violent vomiting the next day. It's an opportunity to make the most out of a short period of time. I do the best I can with the time that I'm given. I take this same approach when making a photograph. Preparation is key to doing anything well but I think you also have to be open minded enough to go with the moment and follow your instinct and not be afraid to explore an idea that comes to you. I believe this is a similar approach that Jazz musicians take. We have a beginning and a end and what happens in the middle is the reason why we do anything.

I like having timelines set for me, it puts a certain amount of pressure on me to not over think things and just start doing. 

Rule Breaking

I'm going to break my rule on talking about other blogs this once. There is a great entry over at Conscientious that takes us to Phillip Toledano's  project Days with My Father. It's very well done and runs through all of your emotions. Check it out.

Blurb

It's been a while since I've posted, I guess like a lot of Blogs I've slowed down this summer. I have been fairly busy working so I can't complain. I recently made a book through Blurb and was fairly impressed with the job for the money I spent. Like anything it takes some getting use to, I took their advice and made a small 7x7 test book and randomly selected different kinds of images to see how they reproduced. All in all I got back a fairly accurate representation of my work. A few images were a little heavier than normal. It would be great if they could give you the option of a heavier stock. 

I wouldn't use this for a portfolio book but great for small side projects.

Foutaises Jean-Pierre Jeunet (eng sub)

Eric Clapton Shows Some Guitar Skills

spinal Tap 11

This is a great documentary from 1984.

Added Links

I added some new links in the photo blog section. These have all been around a while but I would highly recommend reading Heather Mortons Blog on daily basis,lots of good info and perspective from our neighbors to the north.

I also find Thomas Broening's and Timothy Archibald's blogs interesting too.