VOTE!

As if our very lives and sanity depend on it...

Heartless AND Disheartening!

Photo: © S. Banos

Oh, the humanity! The depths of evil and depravity that would drive man to such despicable behavior is truly beyond all reckoning. Oh, the humanity...

Anthony Hernandez @ SFMOMA

Photo: Anthony Hernandez

I wasn't even familiar with his name until this century, this American master who has been quietly going about his business on the West Coast for decades. I was also particularly intrigued because he was Hispanic, and there ain't too many photographers of his background and stature- world renowned or otherwise!

As I've noticed with many a master, Anthony Hernandez has been getting more and more minimal in his latter work, which is now in color. And as with Paul Graham, my main interest lies in his earlier work.

Photo: Anthony Hernandez

He got his chops as a street photographer, shooting with the standard 35mm uniform, but took it a step further and started using 5X7. Huh? Yeah, fancy that- a large format street photographer!

And it's those photographs that captivate my imagination most since they are so similar to small format street photography, yet different all the same. How could they not? There is none of the action, none of the immediacy, none of the serendipity or in your face confrontation so common in so much of that genre. There's plenty of visual dynamics to be sure, simplistic compositions they're not, but at a very different rate of speed. And it's not just the large format camera that slows things down. Often, people are not rushing about using the street as a means of transportation in Los Angeles, but as a place of respite... between travel. The photos are more contemplative, and the latter landscapes somewhat parallel the work of Shore and Sternfeld, sans color.

Photo: Anthony Hernandez

Mr. Hernandez is currently enjoying a retrospective at SFMOMA, and there's a book to go with it. I'm dying to see the exhibit, but I'm not crazy about spending $25 to do so- that's both a political and practical decision when you make $15 and change an hour. In 2008, SFMOMA received a $10,000,000 grant from AT&T to have free admission First Tuesdays of the month for... perpetuity. Perpetuity lasted... five years. Approx 60 free days cost... $10,000,000!

SFMOMA currently has some free "Family Days," that still doesn't do much for people working for minimum and slightly higher (like moi) who don't have children- why not have a few goddamn hours a month where you can just... donate what you can?

Photo: Anthony Hernandez

100% Pure Luck

Photo: © S. Banos

Good photographs result from: inspiration, preparation, and infinite toil, sweat and tears. Right? Hell, yeah- no doubt! Well... kinda, pretty much, most of the time- huh? What about the luck thing? Luck? You mean, where you pull yourself up by your bootstraps and make your own? That kinda "luck?" No, l-u-c-k: chance, happenstance, serendipity- pure unadulterated, accidental... l-u-c-k. The stuff that happens as if it seemingly fell outta the sky! What role does that play? 

A lotta people will say you just weren't trying enough, concentrating enough, paying attention and working it like ya should have. And sometimes, that is most definitely the case. Other times... You can work it all ya want, and if the fish ain't biting, they ain't biting!

I was originally drawn to the landscape above because of its wide open space; born and raised in NYC, one learns to crave the great wide open (yes, even parking lots). But instinct said the composition was a tad too minimal without some extra added something, and the initial exposure confirmed exactly that- nice background, but... And then, straight outta the clear blue sky- pure unadulterated l-u-c-k comes sweeping on down in a frantic surge of energy just released from the adjacent high school!

One minute sooner, five minutes later- a parking lot full of nothing, nada, zip... 

STUFF!

Stuff- the last of the lot! And FWIW, my personal fave of the current three books- probably something to do with being a misanthrope at heart. It's majority "people free" and consists of landscapes, cityscapes, the common and not so common detritus of humanity and western civilization. 

What do I think of the quality of the reproductions on Blurb? Well, once you get over the initial shock that the reproductions on page are not going to exhibit anywhere near the quality say... on your calibrated desktop monitor or quality ink jet print, nowhere near the vibrancy of colors, or the rich subtleties and deep tonalities of monochrome, once you get over that initial hump- you come to accept the reality that all things considered, they're not that bad at all (on their premium paper). As previously stated, it makes for a good bare bones dummy of the book ya really want. And that said, I've seen (and own) many a photo book by many a name photographer where the reproductions are certainly no better.

As for the future, already putting something together concerning my Folsom St. Fair photos, or as a fellow photographer referred to them- my "dick pictures." Then perhaps on to my long neglected panoramas, and few other hundred ...

Denial

Denial has gotten generally positive, albeit mixed reviews. Interestingly, and more than a little ironically, the movie is being criticized for very much the same reason that the protagonist had to navigate in real life. Reviewers criticize the film for not having an emotional center, not being dramatic enough; Holocaust Studies Professor Deborah E. Lipstad was warned by her formidable British legal staff that her case would be won not on its human and moral  merits- but by the cold, indisputable facts of the matter.

And the matter is a grave one indeed- what is being disputed is the very existence of The Holocaust, The Final Solution. And if Lipstad's team can't convince the judge on the merits of the facts and logic presented (not as easy as you may think)- the Holocaust itself will be legally cast into a cloud of arguable, disputable doubt. History by decree- how ya like them apples?

Denial, however, is first and foremost a film about trust. Why on earth would you trust anyone you don't know with the most important thing in your entire life- that which you are, in fact, duly credited as being most knowledgeable about to begin with?

The Donald, True And True...

"In the good ol' days..." #13TH pic.twitter.com/2IzF87ODP6

— 13TH (@13THFilm) October 12, 2016

And there's always the "light-hearted" side... 

Not By Bread Alone...

Photo: © S. Banos

I recently went on a bit of a rant concerning all the bells and whistles often incorporated into today's "with it," art photo books. And, well... I just don't wanna leave the wrong impression. For the record, I have nothing against those kinda books, fact is- I like those books much as anyone else! And I certainly have nothing against anything that enhances and sustains the overall experience... Fun is good; Stan likes fun- let a thousand flowers bloom!

If anything, I'm more than a little jealous of those kinda books- who wouldn't want to make a book with some or as many extra added prizes as possible? Fact is, I can't afford to buy many of those books, let alone actually make 'em! And to those that can't- options are limited, alternatives few. I wasn't ranting against those kinda books, just trying to stir up my own kinda fun, in my own way, when bare bones is all ya got to play...

And when I do go about making me one of them books (soon as I win the lotto- soon as I buy a ticket)- I'll make sure to read this first...

Peopl(e)

What better than Indigenous People's Day to announce my second book in this year's holy trilogy of releases! A lot less hoopla than the previous announcement (guess I can always blame that on the corrupting influence of... color). 

Peopl(e) features 40 B&W images taken from the grand archives, focusing on environmental portraiture. Although the photographs in this volume go back as far as the late '70s, the vast majority were taken much more recently, most in this 21st. of centuries.

Enjoy; and again- best way to see is to tune in to free preview (don't forget to embiggen). See ya'll soon for the upcoming (third) release (Hint: No people).

Hear No Evil, Speak No Evil, See No Evil...

It's Out, It's YUGE- And U Gotta Have It!

They said it could never be done, if you'd told me last October that this time, this year, I'd be putting out a book of color photographs... I woulda told ya, "You're as crazy as that lyin' Crooked Hillary!" But there ya go, after forty years of nothin' but the best in Black and White... here it is- 52 color photographs, and the year ain't even over yet! Least that's what they tell me- and I hire nothing but the best people to tell me. And like all my other products- it's absolutely Tremendous. Trust me!

You can get it hard cover, dust cover, soft cover; you can even get the economical ebook thing.* Better yet, get 'em all. Get 'em for your friends, your family, get 'em for Xmas- put it right next to the Bible, I read 'em both, trust me. And the truth is, I don't make a penny on any of 'em. It all goes to the cost of production- that's right, I don't make a single penny on any of this,** cause I'm the king of debt. I got all the money I need- that's why I can't be bought! That's why people love me; that's why when I call- they kiss my ass!

*Or just look at the free preview (don't forget to embiggen)- Foreword here.
** True.

My instructor at Trump University helped me write the above (if I could only tell ya half of what I learned there). Anyway, after a big row with Steidel over distribution rights (what a loser!), decided to switch publishers and go the independent route. Of course, going indie requires the acquisition of various designers, consultants, etc- and truth be told, that Tim Gunn guy really fell short on the cover and lay out, and Kanye's editing was, well...

So Blurb it was! Naturally, I had to forego utilizing the planned rare earth materials, and the paper stock would not be hand soaked and laminated in the sacred oils of traditional, indigenous tribes. Absent are the recently unearthed maps encrypted within the very images themselves, and the pages no longer fold out into various origami designs. No tickets, no menus, no ancient scrolls or other secret hidden extras so popular in today's most esteemed indie art photo books- just a bunch of pictures I took in the first half of 2016. Enjoy...

PS- In all seriousness, I've always viewed Blurb as the dummy for the book you really want to make. But it also provides... an easy opportunity for the public to view it online. Why is the printed version so ridiculously expensive? Because I picked their best quality paper; I first chose the cheapest variety, and the photographs looked like they were run through a desaturation filter- it really took all the joy out of looking at 'em in the first place! Best bet, get the cheapo online ebook, or better still- just view the damn preview online for absolute spankin' free...

PPS- Soon Come:  And to all those left clamoring- "What's all this color crap!?" Nay, even the ravages of Shingles can't prevent this oft rejected, seldom dejected and overwhelmingly under emerging photographer from presenting the first two volumes of Greatest Black and White Hits from the 40 year archives- well before The Golden Era of Trump. Stay tuned...

More Plastic Than Fish In The Ocean

"... in just 34 years, plastic trash in the ocean will outweigh all the fish in the sea."

And that's to say nothing of all the other tons of crap and debris dumped in our oceans- not to mention the tons of radioactive water still leaking into the water each and every day from Fukushima...

11 Ways To Lose At Street Photography

Well, what did you expect after last year's 10 Ways To Lose At Street Photography? Now, to be clear- the winners at the Lens Culture Street Photography Awards are all deservedly grand- truly le creme de la creme! Seriously, great stuff there- and sorry, no, I do not have an inflated sense of my own self worth. I am not Trump, I do not think myself the be all and end all... "Trust me!" And many have been the times I've written just how utterly embarrassed I am to even be seen camera in hand while in the presence of truly great photography! 

On the other hand... to say that not one of these is even worthy of one of a hundred "Honorable Mentions," dang- yeah, I do have a problem with that. Not one!? One!?!?

Again, I applaud the winners- but all these fuckers ain't exactly rejects...

Photo: © S. Banos

Photo: © S. Banos

Photo: © S. Banos

Photo: © S. Banos

Photo: © S. Banos

Photo: © S. Banos

Photo: © S. Banos

Photo: © S. Banos

 

Photo: © S. Banos

Now, the above ten were grouped together under the general theme of "Taking or Posing for Photos," and I guess it didn't help that one of the winning portfolios was on... people taking photos. And you can jump up and down that that was indeed the better group of photos- and I still won't argue with ya! But even if you chuck all these out baby, bath water and all- c'mon, ya honestly gonna tell me that even this last one (submitted separately as a single) isn't worth an Honorable? Goddamn, really, shit, c'mon...

Photo: © S. Banos

Trent Davis Bailey- The North Fork

Photo: Trent Davis Bailey

Trent Davis Bailey sure knows his light, his photographs revel and rejoice in its very existence and beauty. Whether it's light that penetrates and reveals every wondrous natural detail, or the subdued and nuanced light of partial shadows and reflections. His prints of The North Fork are sensual, luscious presentations.  (currently at The Robert Koch Gallery)

"Eight Rhymes With Great!"

Or why I love Elizabeth Warren...

“You should resign. You should give back the money you took while this scam was going on and you should be criminally investigated.”

Nope, No Questions- Not a One...

                   Well... except for- how does any sane, rational person ignore those 176 blatant warning signs ?

                     

Inexcusable

Photo: © S. Banos

I love this portrait. And it came out fairly well despite two major errors, one more technical which can be filed under the "new camera, new technology excuse," the other under... "I should have known better." 

I'd often forget to focus whenever I tried using a rangefinder, and since the GR doesn't even look or feel like a "real" camera, I sometimes start shooting away and... neglect to reset exposure settings! I could set it to Program, but this doesn't happen that often, and I don't like relinquishing complete control. Shot @ ISO 800 and 1/400 f3.5- I coulda, shoulda had a technically better quality shot at ISO 400, a lower shutter speed and higher aperture. But... I just plain forgot to adjust settings- without that separate shutter speed dial out in plain sight acting as reminder, I'm gonna continue to commit that oversight from time to time...

My second error is inexcusable; I sold this picture short, and I sold my subject short- even as I was in the act of taking it. For some reason (not the greatest light, composition, whatever...), I got it to mind that ultimately, it was just somehow doomed to end up an "almost." Chimping confirmed it... close, but no cigar.

When I opened it at home on the monitor however, I finally got to see her face, really see it, and goddamn, had I ever sold her short! Fortunately (for some blessed reason), she sure didn't do me likewise. She gave everything she had- gave it all up to a complete stranger, and despite my dumb ass attitude and absent minded self sabotage, GR was still competent enough to salvage the day... I didn't capture that serene like display of dignity and humility, defiance and vulnerability- she willed it.

Bottomline: If ya fail, ya fail. But never, ever, sell yourself, your photo, and especially your subject, short- you owe all of them that much.

IMAGINE...

Imagine:  If Congress (as asked) had actually donated a coupla million bucks to build a coupla schools and hospitals, a coupla roads and bridges in Afghanistan after we helped kick out the Rushkies with our Stingers back in the eighties... 

Result:  The Afghans would have told the Taliban to go fuck themselves.

------------------------------------------

Imagine:  If we had heeded Bin Laden's warning to get our troops out of Saudi Arabia...

Result:  The WTC would still be standing (PS- we got them out anyway- after the fact).

-------------------------------------------

Imagine:  If we had prevented a numbskull idiot of a President from invading a country who he himself would later admit had absolutely nothing to do with 9/11...

Result: We'd be a coupla trillions of dollars richer:- able to provide free universal health care, free tuition for higher education, raise the minimum wage, improve and build low and moderate income housing, upgrade our crumbling infrastructure (oh, and hundreds of thousands of completely innocent Iraqi men, women and children would still be alive)... 
Did I mention- there would be no... ISIS?

He would have started another war somewhere else (honestly, what was I thinking)!

Ownin' It!

Photo: © S. Banos

Went through the entire Labor Day weekend without one goddang photo to show for it. And there I was going for coffee on work a day Tuesday- when I spotted her from across the street, ran halfway back down the block, crossed and then positioned myself so we would cross paths. And I must say, my opinion has gone through various levels of consideration since first stopping dead in my tracks (however briefly) upon first viewing...

The United States may be the second highest in obesity rates (I believe Mexico has the highest percentage), but we're still #1 when it comes to sheer mass, size and volume. And our attitude concerning it is completely schizophrenic. On one side we proclaim and emphasize the plethora of life threatening dangers it presents to our health, both long and short term. On the other side... we are actively encouraged to love and be proud of our bodies- no matter how damn big they get! Whatever the TV, radio show or self help book- it seems they all take turns promoting both sides, in equal manner. And no one wants to be seen as bad mouthing either side, since you're made to seem as if you're willingly championing the very shortening of people's lives- or... you're just a plain out and out hater!

I remember as recently as the early seventies, looking at photos of old time circus freaks and wondering how on earth anyone could ever possibly reach that size. And now, on any given day, on any given block in any small town, large city or patch of rural glen in the US of A, you will see obesity the size of which makes those old time record holders of yore look like rank amateur wannabes. It really has been one incredible, whirlwind transformation of sheer size and audacity!

Nevertheless, upon looking at this photo- I can't help but look at her with a certain sense of jealous wonder and admiration. She's well beyond working it, she already owns it- like yesterday! Girl don't give a fuck. In her mind, she's curvaceous, proud and goddamn beautiful as could possibly be... and she don't give a fuck! Like the Republicans under W stated, "We create our own reality." And giving credit where credit is due, from the very tips of her pink finger nails to the bright blue crease of her bikini bottom- she is front, right and center of hers!

Wish I had half the confidence and security. Me, I make sure to wear a shirt if I go to the beach (should I ever go to one).

Colorized

Photo: © S. Banos

So there I was very purposely sitting in this outta the way, dive of a bar minding my own, when this gorgeous woman approaches, sits down besides me, gently leans over and whispers, "So how's all that color coming along?" "Excuse me," I replied. "You're shooting color for the first time in forty years- do you think a thing like that stays a secret around here?"

OK, OK... no woman, no bar, and no one ever asked. Caught a few film noirs recently and... well, ya know. But since ya asked, just thought I'd update- photographically, this year has also been an outlier, but in a good way!  And it's all due to a little GR with a littler 28mm(e) lens that renders all these life like colors and details; who knew? But most of my initial positive impressions have indeed remained. 

Shooting in non SLR mode wouldn't be anything grand in and of itself, except that that has allowed me to get shots that I would have never gotten otherwise. Being smaller, quieter and less ostentatious, the GR has often allowed me to get closer to the subject, as well as allowed a different perspective. Even though it covers less area, I find that the 28mm "opens up" the perspective a bit, allows a viewpoint that is both WA and more "normal" at the same time- it doesn't always scream Extreme Wide Angle as the 20mm does. Do I miss some shots with it? Sure- just like I'd miss some without it. And color with a 20mm can be a little too much, more so than with B&W.

Photo: © S. Banos

So, is this the end of B&W, the end of analog, the end of...  Not really, I still take out the old analogs when needed- but yeah, the everyday go-to position has gone to the GR. You really can't beat the ease (shooting and post), portability- and frankly, after 40 yrs, the whole color thing is kinda cool. And... I already got enough B&W files to last me well past my lifetime.

"Can you see yourself completely digital in the future, color and B&W," she asked. Maybe, in five or so years when they finally make a decent EVF for daylight viewing. But no hurries, I'm pretty happy the way things are (hope the next gen GR has a tilting LCD)- "Wanna 'nother drink?"

It's All In B&W

Not many times I've said, "Look at those gorgeous B&W files!" Truth be told, I haven't seen a helluva lot in print form- how they should be judged in all fairness (or any image in any medium for that matter). But even these by Tomasz Tomaszewski stuck out in all their "miniature" jpg glory- and I guess the fact that they are beautifully composed sure doesn't hurt none. I could look at that picture with the pig every day for the rest of my life, and never cease to wonder in amazement...

Photo: © S. Banos

Anyway... nowhere, anywhere near that strata, this is my first digital B&W conversion that I can look upon with some measure of pride. Fact is, I would have left it well enough alone in color, save for the fact that the guy walking on the far left had a bright, day-glo green colored T-shirt that diverted all eyes from the foreground subject- not good. So I was forced to convert, and... not bad, not bad at all.*

Again, not planning on making a habit of it- this has been the one and only B&W conversion out of close to 100 color keepers thus far this year, but it's just plain interesting to note that sometimes (sometimes), a photo just won't be denied. 

*Blogger muddles contrast.