The Year In Non-Review...

Well, I was gonna expound on my personal (photographic) accomplishments this year of: 2 books, 2 zines, and having one of the above accepted for show- but in all honesty, that all pales to not having stepped in a fresh pile of human excrement in San Francisco! Don't know how I managed to pull that off yet again, but yeah, my proudest accomplishment two years running- although I know the clock is ticking...

There are so many problems in this world at the moment (local and global) that one doesn't know where to start; I try to draw attention to them here on an individual basis throughout the year, but, well, yeah...

And as I've often said before, enjoy this 'respite' while it lasts- before climate change hits the entire planet like the runaway global freight train that we are unabatedly making it. Meanwhile, can't end the old year and start the new on such a dour note, so I'll sign off on this one with well wishes towards all and... someone who does know better- much better. And he's got it down pat, to-the-very-syllable. Why we are, where we are- and there's plenty of blame to go round on all sides: politically, economically, socially.

Every American should hear this, better yet, actually listen...

2 Movies I Hate W/O Seeing!

The latest Matrix iteration. God it looks awful! The first edition was an all time Sci-fi masterpiece, the second... meh, the third- pretty damn good. Maybe I'll catch it online and prove myself wrong- be nice, but in this case- doubt it.

The second is the over hyped, over exposed to the Ever Lovin' Absolute Max... Licorice Pizza. Maybe it's great, maybe I'd love it- BUT... I'm so damn sick of hearing all the advertisements 24/7 about: just how good it is, how much the critics love it, how much everyone loves it, that it already has me vomiting on cue- BASTA!

Rockwell Automation Overload!!!

Well it's too late to order one of these smooth operators to coordinate all your basic household needs in time for this Christmas. But while you contemplate ordering one of these little multi-syllabic humdingers for next holiday season- you can certainly make the best use of your remaining time by ordering a can of WD-40 to gently quiet its myriad of hatches...

Gets hardcore at 0:50 (with the opening of the first latch).

Good Run...

 While it lasted!

Planned Obsolescence...

 

 

Just last morning I was listening to a program on NPR discussing planned obsolescence. For instance, Maytag dishwashers are made to last 2 years without servicing (before the spinning mechanism gives out). The same afternoon, I see this video on TIMEX, an (economy) brand name since years gone by. I love vintage analog watches (of a certain styling), they're kinda like film noir- a very retro, minimalist, yet singularly stylized aesthetic. TIMEX were also (rightly or wrongly) known for their reliability- "It takes a beating and keeps on ticking!" 

It also offers insight into another question I've always asked- "Doesn't it cost more or less the same to design something cool looking, as opposed to something... fugly (from a strict design, not material sense)? TIMEX watches were fairly stylish- even if a tad conservative. Look at that recessed crown of yore in today's modern, vintage rerun, the California Marlin- Absolutely- Gorgeous! The Dauphine watch hands, the entire dial with its unique mix of Roman and Arabic numerals and markers; clean and elegant, classic, yet modern- and that green band just sends the entire ensemble to another level... And I'm most definitely a fan of domed acrylic crystals.

But I ain't buying for $200, especially after reading the reviews of their frequent breakdowns (it contains a tiny crap movement in a plastic shrouded casing)- though I'd take my chances for $150 (it looks that good). Fortunately, I lucked out with a '61 Bulova of very similar styling* for $200 in great condition on eBay- and it's an automatic!

*It also has a similar sized 34mm case, as did many a vintage man's watch (and most WWll Dirty Dozen watches)- unlike the MEGA-HUGE Atom Smashers that encase many a modern wrist.

How Bent On Suicide Is Humanity?

As we find ourselves plummeting down the road to environmental, climate induced disaster, we not only continue to excuse what initially caused the problem(s), we insanely devise yet even more ways to exacerbate our demise... like novel, so called 'eco-friendly' approaches that require the cutting down and burning of trees that not only destroy the environment twice over by first eliminating a primary carbon reducer and transforming it into harmful carbon emission, but by also making the local populace sick in the process...

Big Ed!

Seen a bunch of flicks in the past coupla months (some even in an actual movie theater); have meant to "review" each and every one, just haven't got 'round to it. I'm happy to say I'm finally over my Bond fixation, finally gotten over my original childhood movie action hero at my ripe old age- how embarrassing is that!? Saw a rather amusing little fantasy called Lamb (mistakenly advertised as a horror flick) which had one of the coolest closing shots ever; a morality tale called Azor on how a meticulously scrupulous banker at first haltingly, and then enthusiastically, abandons his lifelong, professional tenets for the fruits of success; and most recently- Eadweard! Who knows how accurately it depicts his personal life (as opposed to his professional exploits)- but it does note that he was the last person to kill his wife's lover in cold blood, and get off scot free in a court of US law simply because he was... "justified." It also ingeniously displays a rather magical scene in which Muybridge presents the walking image of an elephant on his Zoopraxiscope. You actually experience the absolute wonder humans must have experienced upon first seeing the complexity of such lifelike movement reproduced in such astonishing detail- in the convenience of one's own home. He was most definitely a man obsessed with the wonder and intricacies of motion and movement, and how to dissect and display all of it in part and in whole.

American Geography- Matt Black

 

 

American Geography is one handsome, well thought out, well put together book. The images are striking, the reproductions superb and the content, American poverty as it exists today, as topical as it gets. The inside covers graphically list a long and seemingly endless list of the towns and places visited. The photographs are a combination of somber, digital, square format photos that focus on the landscape of the dispossessed and those attempting its navigation, interspersed with the occasional X-Pan panoramic scenic. Extra visuals include two page typologies of: crushed cigarette boxes, plastic spoons and forks, wire hangers and "Anything Helps" signs. And to guide ya through the sights, you get a constant thread of anecdotes, that read like verbal snapshots, more observational than definitive. Taken together, the book holds up and then some, considerably more intact than the territory it reveals.

The White Sky

 

Photo: Mimi Plumb

Had a great experience the other day, not only went to an actual in person photo exhibit like in ye olden days- but saw a great exhibit at that! It was Mimi Plumb's The White Sky at The Robert Koch Gallery in San Francisco, and it's the kind of exhibit that makes you fall in love with B&W (film) photography all over again- if not for the very first time in this digital era. And I say the latter since digital B&W is more often than not- one fugly fellow, at least as utilized by most practitioners today; suffice to say, it's complicated. Analog film is where B&W imagery truly shines- and these prints bare testament to that fact... gorgeous, full bodied, dynamic.* A celebration of what B&W film does best by a student of none other than B&W master Henry Wessel. And that technical prowess is only magnified by the aesthetics of Mimi Plumb's contemplative eye.

*And interesting to note- the prints are actually... inkjets!

Say What?

What every kid and would be grown up is chiming for- that's what! And just in time to make the perfect stocking stuffer... That's right, SAY WHAT? the penultimate Photozine of the year this decade! Fresh off the press and into the warm constabularies of your heart's delight- yeah, I made that part up. 

Get 'em while they're hot! Stan's long awaited, much anticipated and inexorably acclaimed, graffiti zine; complete with 55 life altering literary passages that will forever redefine your current journey- at your local Blurb emporium today...

Remember NO Matter What Happens... That You Actually Suck :)

PS:  If anything, I've always dissuaded anyone from actually buying any of my publications, and this ain't no different- but... FWIW, this is the first time that I can honestly say that the cost of this particular Blurb product is actually worth the going price! I mean, I wouldn't pay $50 for a small hard cover with mediocre reproductions, but... $8.40 for a zine w/55 images- this ain't a bad deal at all! Yeah, just sayin'...

Holiday Cheer!

"He slipped and fell," on a World War II anti-tank shell, that uhhh... went straight up his rectum. Damn, this is the kind of thing that makes me wanna take out my Texas Instruments calculator from the seventies and just try and work out the math on just what-were-the-odds...

BOO!

No, not Halloween Boo- Dirt Boo! Miracle Dirt Boo!!! Good for all that ails ya- including Covid 19-20-21!!! And it's 100% Organic- except for the landfill infused lead and arsenic. From the country that gave you Pet Rocks- well err.. actually from its friendly northern neighbor... Canada, where scams are friendly and civil. 

Goes well with your Borax Bath- drives the vaccine nanos right outta your hair! And once you're well again, you can get right back to the important things in life, like--- Stopping The Steal!

Irish Dancers

The foot movement on both of these = Poetry x Lightning. It's my understanding that the female dancer is not doing traditional Irish dance for the simple fact that... she's moving her arms! Clearly verboten back in the day when arm movement would sway innocent, Catholic lads into demonic, primal urges on the Emerald Isle. I suppose the foot movement evolved to such a wonderfully (and insanely) manic level to compensate for the lack of said upper body movement- view true, traditional Irish dance and the female dancer's arms are rod straight, leaden, vestigial appendages. 

PS- I was in awe of Riverdance at first... until it got so over the top Disney/Hollywood.

 

"I Was Shocked"

Captain Robert Salas was a missile launch officer (ya know- your usual UFO WHACKO) who lost control of ten of his land based nuclear ICBM's after a UFO hovering over the missile silo shut them down. Interesting stuff...

 

A Most Efficient Blob!

As I've mentioned before, I really like a 'good' camera bag (every bit as subjective as a 'good' camera)- whether it's the latest thing, or something you've cleverly cobbled together from vintage army surplus and modern inserts.

The Wotancraft Pilot 7L is one of the most efficient and practical bags ever! It really is ingeniously designed- and has absolute zero in the looks department. That's not to say it's ugly, Peak Design with its angular moderne aesthetic is ugly. The Pilot is just a neutral, nearly amorphous blob of pragmatic practicality. Easy to access, enlarge, divide and configure. It offers enough room, protection and durability (Cordura) to serve and last for many a photographer's evolving needs. 

Am I putting my money where my mouth is? Nope, already got a bag that is almost as efficient and at a much lower price point (it even looks slightly better), not to mention- my very favorite camera bag.

Happy Thanksgiving Holidays....

Photo: © Stan Banos

  

Hoping everyone has a great one with those that matter most...

What The!?!!

Thank you for your recent submission concerning...

Unfortunately, due to the high volume of submissions...

This is not to suggest that your work...

We look forward to seeing more... 

 

You know, the usual rejection rap- which is completely what I expected... I entered P-A-N-D-E-M-A-N-I-A! in this photobook competition expecting the proverbial snowball's chance in hell. Now, I had no idea what kind of submissions would be made here- particularly concerning the quality of... presentation. I've seen the quality of design, materials and craftsmanship that go into some of these indie publications: Corinthian leather covers (I prefer velour), hand bound papyrus pages sewn together with frozen Mastodon sinew and a needle made of Narwhal tusk, fold out pages, inserts, secret compartments- versus a generic Blurb production with barely satisfactory reproductions. Yeah, good luck with dat!

And yet, and yet... Somehow it snuck through the cracks! Musta been the added uhhh... narration (ie- captions)- yeah, that's the ticket! Like I've said, Blurb is the dummy for the book that ya really wanna make; and somehow, that aspiration must have got through, since my usual book announcements are uniformly greeted with a resounding crescendo of... crickets!

Well, it's the Big Time from now on- nothing but Pink Champale and the very best of men's wear from Members Only!

P-A-N-D-E-M-A-N-I-A! will now be exhibited with several other photobooks in not one, but two galleries- at the Davis/Orton Gallery from 11/20-12/19 and The Griffin Museum of Photography from 1/06-2/27...

Photo: ©  Stan Banos

ADDENDUM: In the About the Book section at the Davis/Orton Gallery site, it should read: "Although San Francisco evaded a high number of deaths, it manifested most of the other problems prevalent elsewhere– skyrocketing unemployment and an already endemic homeless population that swelled unto streets and sidewalks well beyond downtown."

Armalite Rifles- "I Disapprove Of Them"

 Particularly when carried by teenagers and applauded by adults- for NO GOOD REASON!

This is open license to carry and kill in so called "self defense;" more, much more to come...

Anyone remember when people were applauded for... saving lives? Heady times, indeed.

Masters Of The Street

Street photography is all the rage these days, has been for quite some years now, which is pretty damn amazing in and of itself! It's exploded in the digital era, and has never been abandoned by its analog champions. And despite the changes and improvements in technology, despite the plethora of current practitioners (some of whom are quite good indeed)- there doesn't seem to be any patently new ways of seeing or approaching the genre, no new masters so to speak. Its major grammar was written decades ago, and sure, several players have tweaked, modified and refined the vocabulary to incredible degrees- as does follow any other art form. Guess you could say there's no new way of making bread either... and to this day, most of it just passes too, while a scant few loaves are just so-damn-good!

It's not for naught that The Masters are forever remembered and acclaimed for first establishing the very grammar that so many acolytes would hone and practice for decades to come: Frank, for his sense of spontaneity, immediacy and snapshot aesthetic- all roads here lead to him; Friedlander, for creating meaningful compositions from balancing seemingly chaotic and competing elements within the viewfinder (and to a lesser extent, Klein who also did the latter, if only with people); Winogrand, who danced so deftly, stealing the indecisive moments that so fleetingly revealed so much of everyday, human interaction; and Meyerowitz, who dared the element and reality of... color!

I suppose one could also throw down Cohen, for excluding as much as he included, adding that sense of mystery; Erwitt for his continued attention to humor, and Gilden for making it all so up close, in your face and personal. 

I haven't added links- most of you are familiar with the names... and those who ain't- I'll allow you the pleasure and delight of searching and discovering them for yourselves!

2 Books On Xmas Wishlist...

 

 

One is The People's Pictures by Lee Friedlander, the other is American Geography by Matt Black- both look very, very appealing; Friedlander's- the usual well corralled compositions of semi random chaos; Black's- both informative and visually complelling. Though take note- I don't know if once ordered, either or both will have to sit on a boat at sea for a couple of months, only to once again sit in its shipping container in your local port once off loaded... Easter, maybe?

Celebration Of Ignorance

I have my problems with ol' Carl when it comes to aliens (rumor is that that the government had him tow their line for not exposing his overstatement of ed cred), but that ain't in any way decrying his true accomplishments. Anyway, The good stuff starts at 2:34- from 25 years ago...

Yup!

Burn!

"Presidents are not kings, and plaintiff is not President."

 

You Adapt...

 

Sometimes you can't for the life of ya understand why people don't change, why they knowingly elect to keep repeating self destructive habits and tendencies. You simply write them off as true low life fuck ups and losers- it's what they are. When the truth is often far different- it's what you were spared from...   

This man/child just lays it on the line- BOOM! This is who why I am... And considering the circumstances, who would be arrogant enough to proclaim that they could do better (though for sure- there are those ignorant enough to do just that)

This series is a human treasure; I've posted on it before, had my questions, my doubts (as one should) and am now back to watching again. They ain't easy, each one an emotional gut wrench- just a question of how big the blow. Some will leave you temporarily shattered, all real life lessons in this thing called... life.

Yeah, I Coulda Told Ya That...

 As a matter of fact-  I did (see Preface). Anyone relatively sane could...

How Insane R Republicans?

 Oh... about this insane- really, really insane. Or... Lonely?

Truth To Power

Trump dry humps the American flag to display his patriotism. This guy actually proves it somewhat differently...

Zine Time!

 

Photos: ©  Stan Banos

Was wondering if I could do anything with the small essay I did on The Commitment March of 8/28/2020- if only for presentation's sake. Not enough for a book, so... how about- a zine!? Hhmmm... If only Blurb provided such a service (if only for convenience's sake), since I was already familiar with their software. Why, yes- yes, they do!

And like their books, we're not talking premium reproductions here, as I've always said, Blurb is like the dummy for the book/publication you'd really like to have. But for... six bucks (20p incl 14 photos; pdf- $5)- can't complain all that much.

Oh, and FWIW- also got the notion to send a copy to the National Museum of African American History and Culture in DC. They've got quite an efficient online procedure for "Object Donations;" be honored if accepted, will just have to wait and see...

 

 

PS- Yes, I know- I really do need to clean the base on my monitor. What was it that Quentin Crisp used to say? Ah yes, "There is no need to do any housework at all. After the first four years the dirt doesn't get any worse."

PPS-  That International Orange colored mushroom type object is the type of rivet used on The Golden Gate Bridge.

Lens Couture

Was looking at the winners of the Lens Culture street photography competition recently. Some beautiful results (trying to stay positive), truth is I also kind of find them a bit... vacuous, at least the two major themes currently in vogue- major shade and reflections.

The first has been going on for a few years- the Alex Webb Effect, super saturated colors alongside deep shadows. They do, in fact, make for a dramatic combination, except like with any trend, they can get awfully repetitive and formulaic. Personally, I thought we had reached that point quite some years ago- guess we were just getting started.

That style can at least render some impressive results at times, the second I have less tolerance for- reflections, and while those too can render the occasional winner, for the most part, they never rise to the levels of surrealism they aspire to- and are more likely to come off as the slightly more imaginative cousin of a special effects filter... they’re pretty. Reality mirrored as pretty props set on decorative doilies for popular consumption. They always strike me as something to do when ya can’t come up with something more meaningful, something that reveals something revelatory of the human element in the urban environment, be it through humor, wit or emotion...

Just the ramblings of an old man...

A Coupla Predictions....

Not only will Rittenhouse get away with murder, he'll be appointed to a Cabinet position in Trump's Cabinet during his second Presidency- Secretary of Defense? And if you think I'm kidding about Trump's second Presidency- tell me who the Dems are gonna run to defeat him!

The Picture Not Taken

There’s a sudden flurry of action from the corner of my eye, so quick, in fact, that I’m thinking something of a violent nature. I’m apparently unscathed, so I start to look about for the cause... nothing! No sign of anything!?! Midday hallucination? I repeat the process, this time I avert my attention downwards- and right smack in the middle of Market St. (San Francisco’s main drag), there’s this hawk, falcon, large bird of prey standing atop a pigeon whose wings have now gone suddenly dead still. In fact, neither of them  are moving a muscle. No cars in sight, the only sound and movement from passing female tourists freaking out from what they’ve just witnessed.

And the bird of prey just stands, still as still can possibly be, meal beneath its feet, as if to say- “It’s what I do- what of it?” And I can see the picture clearly, dramatic close up of bird(s) in foreground, shocked, gasping tourists pointing from the back. And just as quickly, I repocket said camera, knowing full well that Mr. Hawk is not gonna allow his wide angle, Hollywood  close up, no way, no how. And upon that realization, the predator lifts directly skyward, prey securely grasped, tourist shrieks echoing anew...

TDS!

Surprisingly enough, this marks my 11th Blurb book- and even more surprisingly, I actually have some good news concerning one of those books, which I will divulge in the near future. And that's not something I get to say every day. But on to the news at hand... 

Trump Derangement Syndrome is my latest (and therefore greatest), a conglomeration of all photos Trumpian amassed within the last five years. Admittedly, it's a thoroughly one sided affair, and visually, that was not premeditated- it is simply the result of the demographic in which I reside. Photographically, I would have preferred to have documented more than the one photo included depicting the pro-Trump side- politically, I have not been shy in stating where I stand concerning the man rat fucking bastard. I believe he is the biggest domestic threat to whatever good this country has achieved, and stands to achieve, now and in our immediate future. He elevates ignorance to a virtue (while exploiting the very people who revel in it), and extols and disseminates prejudice and bigotry to divide and set ourselves against each other- to better allow him to yet again ignore, reject and ultimately pervert and overturn our law and system of government.

Yes, I have TDS, completely, undeniably- we avoid it at our peril. His cronies have already been legally positioned to overturn election results in key states- no matter what the results! "Just say it's corrupt- and we'll do the rest!" What further admonition of his own sheer audacity to embrace and propagate corruption and illegality do we need hear!?

But I digress... and fortunately, the book, unlike my verbal rants and analyses, does have it's share of visual levity and entertainment within its images- something I rather rapidly lose when discussing its very subject...

As usual, I'm not imploring anyone to actually buy it (and I don't make a dime on any purchase), but if you do like the images, you may want to consider getting the PDF for $5.00- the downside is that you don't get the actual physicality of the book itself (which is always kinda nice), but... the cool thing is that- the images onscreen are actually much better than the printed version, and at a much better price!

Serious...

Photo: © Stan Banos

Gotta admit, I'm good and tired; working on a coupla things: editing, putting together another book, and yes, writing up some stuff for the ol' blog. Oh yeah, and just plain... working, as for a living. Like I said- good and tired. So here's a quick laugh in the interim...

Round about a year ago...

 

Photo: © Stan Banos

I started getting crazy stats for my blog- in the mid hundreds, daily! Bonkers for my site in these days when vlogs and FB (still) rule. I've long ago stopped caring about stats, but it was curious; never knew why and will probably never know- though I have no doubt it was more some temporary computational anomaly, rather than actual real live readers. Finally, the other shoe fell last week, and we're back around a hundred. And I certainly can't vouch for how many of those are real- but to those of you who are... Thank You!

The Words of the Prophet...

Must hear video... Here!

Present/Future Imperfect

 

Photo: © Stan Banos

Once, you could actually make the assertion that Dems and Repubs were essentially the same- that was until Trump unleashed Republicans to realize their full Fascist, wet dream potential. And now there's no turning back; the only people more delusional than Trump supporters are those that think that nonexistent "Moderate Republicans" will somehow seize the day from the rabid MAGA throngs!  

 

Remember when common wisdom espoused that Repubs would never win another national election? Their backers were too old, too White, too few- well, not only have they awakened and recruited some hard core, White Boy Crazies into their fold... the Repubs are taking the House in '22 (as history informs us) and the Dems have No One to run in '24- they still haven't figured out a working antidote for the orange, con man, buffoon! And even if they do, the fix is in, now that the MAGA universe has been fully positioned to "legally" turn election results in key states- no matter what the results. The Dems have allowed it, and at this point, the only semblance of hope is that their most current of routinely toothless 'investigations' will finally nail Trump's career long, criminal ass, instead of dissipating into nothingness... as-have-every-other.

Five Portraits 2021

Photos: © Stan Banos

 

 

 

One... Two

Well, had been contemplating this for some years now, just didn't have the necessary motivation- until a coupla weeks ago. Although I've been perfectly satisfied with the X-T1's image quality, I had long noticed that every once in a while, my X-T1 would not focus properly- even in direct sunlight! It never cost me a shot I really liked- again, until a coupla weeks ago. It's one thing if I screw up a shot (that's bad enough)- but I can't tolerate the camera doing it, particularly since I don't tax them to the max with Boost mode, video, continuous focus, blah, blah, blah... I just want it to work as advertised, as promised, when I press the shutter for that one shot. And if it can't do that...

Fujifilm X-T2

At first, I thought it might've missed focus because, well- I did drop it once (even though it came out completely unscathed, save for the tiniest of scratches on the LCD film shield. But then I noticed that my other X-T1 behaved similarly- intolerable! So I finally pulled the trigger and got me a Mint Cond X-T2 for $600. And let me tell ya, you coulda put this body in a brand new box and I never would have noticed that it wasn't Brand New.

I trust that all the five year old reviews are correct about it's improved AF (even though I'm not even gonna use all it's fancy focusing options), since I have yet to put it through its paces, and might not have real occasion to do so until next year. But the camera does feel a slight step up in build quality, not quite a Nikkormat to an F solid step up, but definitely a good half step up. Love the oversized dials, and it does feel a tad sturdier, heftier, better made, but hell- I just want it to focus where I point it! If it works out, I’d probably be smart to pick up another some time soon at these prices, since it’s already more camera than I’ll ever need and I definitely don’t aspire to something as bloated in size or cost as the latest X-T3 or 4 models.

I can also now finally let go of the Q fantasy... 

Millenium Farce!

I walked past this week and noticed the site eerily... quiet. Today, I saw the video below. Now let me guess- this option had nothing whatsoever to do with being the cheaper, quick fix!

Well, Uhh... Yeah

 Never quite thought of it like that, but uhh... yeah.

Photo: © Stan Banos