Including Those Excluded

Recently, I attended a discussion on Community at SF Camera Work and although admittedly, didn't interact much, as I was dead dog tired with a headache to boot- was nonetheless happy to see that both speakers and attendees alike were a very mixed bag of ages, sexes and colors. So many of the photographic functions I've attended are inexorably such homogeneous affairs. 

Below are two very insightful articles discussing inclusion in photography and journalism from two distinct angles. The topic in both mediums are age old problems that have still yet to be adequately addressed, let alone alleviated, and of course, if you're talking inclusion, one must first discuss how those in question are being... excluded.

Two decades into the 21st century, Western media/photographers continue to portray their point of view without particular regard to the cultures and peoples they are portraying. Sometimes that callous disregard can be blatantly obvious, other times its just simply the narrative we've come to expect. The other article exposes much more subtle (though substantial) nuances in how language, as well as photos, and the interaction and presentation of both can emphasize, minimize or change the context of what we see, read and eventually... believe. The scary subtext to the latter being that this often occurs on a very subconscious level without our realization. This is something I have no doubt noticed along the way, continually strive to notice, and come no where close to noticing to the extent that this most observant person does... The example starting at 5:20 in the video really hit home for me.

Daniel Postaer

Photo: Daniel Postaer

One shining light from the current Pier 24 show is a youngblood photographer from right here in San Francisco by the name of Daniel Postaer. On display were a coupla knockout images that heralded the coming of age of what may well be one very bright star. There were several outstanding images: a "synchronized" cell phone group shot (very reminiscent of a Richard Bram shot), a near apocalyptical shot featuring a woman in bright red heels, and a street corner shot caught mid stride which one can appreciate here for its beautiful light, shadow and dynamic composition- but when seen writ large in person, one can then really notice the centerpiece of said photo, the man who has stopped walking, eyes closed in quiet exasperation, a momentary respite from a life hard fought and unrelenting...

November

This film could have easily been annoying as all hell, particularly the first half when there's seemingly little if any rational, logical story line. But time and time again, just as you're about to pull the plug- it surprises you and makes you: laugh, think, pause and wonder anew. And always, always, always- it carries you through with some of the most beautiful B&W cinematography imaginable... (free on Amazon Prime).

Without Comment...

 AND...

Sorry, Spike...

I wanted BLACKkKLANSMAN to be gangbusters for several reasons: a) I like really well crafted movies, b) I wanted to see Lee back in primo form, c) it's a movie we could desperately use and most definitely need, right now! And although this movie has a lot to say (as do all of Spike's joints) this was far from it; it pains me to say it, but this was such a desperately amateurish production. I left feeling both disappointed and a tad angered that Spike didn't deliver at such a critical moment with something smart, taut and on the money. Instead we were bludgeoned with heavy handed preaching and sermonizing, bludgeoned with caricature acting and deliveries, bludgeoned with a story line that seesawed from boring to ridiculous. And two thirds through the movie I was still praying it was all some elusive set up with a grand master pay off I just could not possibly foresee. Alas...

America Hates, Hates, Hates to talk about race- at least, the White portion does. Granted there's a whole lotta guilt there, a whole lotta stuff to acknowledge, work through, resolve- that's why it's avoided... at-all-cost. The same reason why America scoffs at the very notion, the very mention that every square inch of this land was stolen at the point of a gun. And that's what Lee always strives to bring out effectively- the history, the reality, the consequences of living in a racist society. But in a movie, a non documentary flick that the general populace so needs to see... ya gotta entertain the masses, ya gotta come with the carrot and the stick. And there are, most definitely, ways one can achieve that, be it a suspenseful thriller, or well crafted comedy/satire. This attempts both and fails spectacularly at each, while throwing in a high school production on the history of American racism- and I thought we had been there, done that with Bamboozled. Granted, so very many Americans never got that much needed lesson of our history... I'll listen (and have gladly done so) to Harry Belafonte lecture any day of the week, but cutting to see and hear him speak intermittently during the the course of the movie (unlike say, here) was not only a disservice to the narrative and pace of the movie, but to the eloquence and wisdom Mr. Belafonte most certainly has to disseminate!

Wish I could say different, but the very movie itself exemplifies its own weakness- the most potent portion that actually took it to whole other level was the very end that shows the footage of what happened at Charlottesville, the high definition video of the murder of Heather Hyer and other consequent injuries on the big screen simply takes your breath away. Capture that pure, simple recognition of the evil that is racism on the Hollywood silver screen in a way people can readily assimilate, and you got your blockbuster, and message delivered- minus the preaching. Yeah, you bet it's easier said than done, but I thought it was something Spike finally recognized, understood and was now putting into play. Fortunately, there are other Black filmmakers out there right now who are well on the road to that task...

Cecil!

Quite the cut up, this Cecil- and quite the life's journey! A young wannabe, jack of all trades (in the arts) and master of none as a youth, to head photographer of.... Vogue! That run of success was forcibly concluded due to a rather confusing and unsatisfactorily explained incident of Antisemitism. Forced to repent and reinvent himself, he became a PJ during WWll- from studio dandy to rough and tumble war time location photographer! And then back to the studio post war... Never a dull day for this "Bright, Young Thing," until his dying days...

Richard Bram- New York

 

Photos: Richard Bram

I've considered getting Richard Bram - New York for a while, it has two photos that I absolutely adore, am in complete awe of (each and every time I see them) and, quite frankly, am quite jealous of! For one thing, I know just how rare an animal it is to come upon them, these choreographed ensembles where everyone cooperates in timely, symmetric synch. And should you be so lucky, it's not uncommon that someone always either moves or disappears just as you're pressing the shutter- that is, if someone doesn't walk right in front and block everything. I'm just glad somebody got 'em- and you also get his now properly famous snow cone photo along with several other great shots; and although many of the other pictures included do not rise to that incredible level of excellence, to be honest... not many can. I always found the red hardcover featuring the photo above incredibly handsome, but what finally convinced me to buy- the triptych foldout featuring three photos that simply work absolute magic in tandem!

Of Biblical Proportions...

This one's got a whole lotta truth to it... 

Photos: © Stan Banos

Can't say I've ever been much of a Bible thumper, it is one curious book though- if only for the way so many choose to claim it their own and twist, bend and pervert it to whatever suits their immediate needs, no matter how trivial or grandiose. The South swore it blessed and supported slavery, more recently, Little Beauregard claimed it backed him up 110%! There's just no end to what this book can: denounce, justify, support and condemn...

The Good Book is nevertheless filled with some pretty good stories designed to teach your average Joe a thing or two- if ya don't take it too seriously (eg- talking snakes, Adam and Eve and dinosaurs walking around together 6,000 yrs ago). I'm not much into the fire and damnation stuff, but I am pretty partial to that community organizer, Jesus fellow- a real Lefty Radical long hair if ever there was, and inexplicably usurped by just about every single authoritarian blowhard who ever did live! Go figure...

There is a bone or two that I do have to pick even with Jesus though. For instance, there's Matthew 6:26 where he tells us "don't worry, be happy," just look at the birds who his father so amply provides for. Now, I've done just that on many an occasion, and lemme tell ya- from the lowliest pigeon to the mightiest eagle... those guys are constantly at each other's throats for the smallest tidbits imaginable. Really bad, piss poor example! Gotta come up with something, anything better than that left over loser of a yarn if ya wanna sell utopia. Personally, I'm thinking he musta been distracted from his original script on that one, perhaps a certain someone in the crowd caught his eye, lost concentration and decided to wing it (and not very well)- the guilt of which which led him to...

The all time winner in my book, Matthew 5:28; which pretty much flat out asserts that if one just looks at another woman- automatic... adultery! DANG!!! Double DANG!!! I mean C'mon... if anyone should know- that doesn't exactly provide a whole lotta incentive NOT to do something. I mean (and I certainly don't think I'm the first to say it) if you're gonna burn in hell for just admiring the scenery, ya might as well do the deed and burn with a few fond memories...

Blindspotting

Love, trust, friendship, loyalty, race, honor, betrayal- yeah, some of the real Biggies... And they all get their just due with a helping mix of humor and insight in Blindspotting, as they clash, compete and intersect in the present day City of Oaks, CA...

For The Price Of An SUV...

And speaking of flying objects, gotta admit- this is pretty freaking cool! And they kept it simple and supposedly affordable by keeping the car part outta the equation. And at (another supposed) 5 min to learn to fly in a simulator- I could see a whole lotta drunken accidents falling from the sky... More here.

Trump (Golf) Baby- USA edition

They actually ended a Bring Trump Baby to the USA drive early on Go Fund Me because they received... too much money!!! The plan is to fly it next to his golf course in New Jersey- BRILLIANT! Just wish MACY'S would have the balloons to fly it in their annual Thanksgiving Day Parade extravaganza...

“If I win, I may never see my property—I may never see these places again. But because I’m going to be working for you, I’m not going to have time to go golfing, believe me. Believe me. Believe me, folks.” 

-Donald J, The Ever Lying Trump

This Land

Photos: Bruce Gilden

I went to A LOTTA photo galleries in New York between the mid seventies and late nineties, saw a lot of photography, good and bad. From the original Witkin, to the once fabled Light Gallery, on to SoHo, then Chelsea. A LOTTA good shows!

But I've never quite seen anything quite as all encompassingly GOOD! as the show at Pier 24 in San Francisco right now! Kinda like the Golden State Warriors- a collection of some of the best work by some of the best contemporary players that effectively gels into one solid All Star theme... To be honest, there have been quite a few exemplary shows at Pier 24, but they were mostly "greatest hits" conglomerations from the tried and true photo brand names already seen countless times in countless venues. Tremendous for the uninitiated, a quick, tumultuous dive into the best and greatest names in the history of photography- not so much if you're thirsting for something current or new.

This Land is a pretty damn good representation of America in the here and now from sea to shining sea, by many a current working master  (eg- Gilden, Goldberg, Misrach, Soth...)- and is by no means limited to landscape, as we very much get to see and experience the people and faces that inhabit this land, in all its vast greatness, and shame. Of course, you can probably think of other photographers making very valuable contributions to just this theme that were, in fact, excluded, names like: Matt Eich, Dave Jordano, Zoe Strauss and most inexplicably... Matt Black, to name but a few.

All told however, it is an exemplary exhibit- dare I say The best photography exhibit I've ever witnessed!? And... After you've seen and pondered all this great photography in room after room of this cavernous space, you then have the great privilege of sitting down to watch Jim Nares' video Street- a thoroughly mesmerizing one hour long video of Manhattan street corners shot riding by in super slow-mo. Watching it slowly reveals anew the poetry and magic that has been inspiring street photographers for decades...

And did I mention this entire Extravaganza is absolutely 100% free? Reservations required, up till March 2019; make-your-plans...

Made Me Laugh...

I enjoy a dark sense of humor. Even before my post pubescent life came crashing down all about me, I was always attuned to the absurd, which of course, only grows ever darker and yet more absurd with the very passage of life itself. I still remember my instant delight upon first hearing "dead baby" jokes; purposely crude, but inexplicably hilarious (at least at the time), as if simultaneously realizing they somehow granted license to laugh at whatever inequities life would throw one's way. 

Photo: © Stan Banos

Like music, humor is marvelously varied and intensely personal; it can be incredibly complex and nuanced, or the most simple of juvenile releases! I can be highly critical as to humor and language aimed at certain groups of people- but it can be "all good," if the conversation is all inclusive. It's one precariously narrow road to traverse- and does take a certain amount of comic genius and sensitivity to navigate (safely and) successfully- but if you can't laugh at you and yours, don't laugh at others... simple enough.

Along similar waters, was never a big fan of your typical "dirty" joke, which also suffers from a hopelessly predictable rhythm/plot line- along with the most thoroughly misguided attempts at infusing childishly sophomoric "wit" into tired, second hand humor. After which, everyone is obliged to laugh- or risk being exposed for not having the intellectual prowess of your average twelve yr old... "nudge nudge, wink wink." And that said, "dirty" jokes are light years ahead of racist so called "jokes."

So, when I saw the writing on the wall, I didn't expect much, let alone humor; but being San Francisco (what good there's left), I made the effort to get closer, look down and actually read... and got sucker punched into... Absurdity! 

I have no idea if this is a guy I'd wanna share the proverbial few beers with, but this I do know- he was genuinely funny, at least once in his life.

Only A Matter Of Time...

Treason- The constitution of the United States, art. 3, s. 3, defines treason against the United States to consist only in levying war (q.v.) against them, or in adhering to their enemies, giving them aid or comfort.  (emphasis mine)

I'm sure some people would say this is going Waaaaaaaaay too far! But when our own intelligence agencies right here in the US of A have categorically stated that Russia has launched repeated cyber attacks against the US (with NO sign of stopping), and Trump repeatedly goes out of his ever lovin' way to single handedly provide Putin with aid, comfort and succor... What the hell is anyone in their right mind supposed to think!?!?!?!

Photo: © Stan Banos

Personally, I'm going on out and getting rip roaring drunk when Mr. Mueller wraps up and shows his cards! I don't think I've ever endured such all out anxious anticipation- probably since the first Ali-Frazier Fight of the Century. But the stakes are considerably higher here, and oh, how I'd love to be a fly on the proverbial wall!

PS-  And a Good Time will be had, cause when I awake- it's gonna be one helluva nasty hangover called... Pence.

REMEMBER?

Remember when Republicans used to scream, "Better DEAD than RED!"

Remember when Repubs accused Dems of being... "FLIP-FLOPPERS!"

Remember when Repubs pilloried: Radicals with deferments, Radicals who demeaned POW's, Radicals who mocked Gold Star Families?

Remember when US Presidents (who spoke English) didn't need entire cadres of translators to interpret and then reinterpret what they meant vs. what they said?

I do.

Old Dog/New Trick

Photo: Jeff Mermelstein

Jeff Mermelstein is a famous, name street/art photographer/professor. And as of late, he has undergone a rather drastic metamorphosis. For one thing, this rather traditional sixty yr old has traded in his Leica for a smart phone- in an era when many a 25 yr old photo enthusiast is opting to buy said camera to practice what he spent time perfecting some... 25 yrs ago. It's also interesting to note that many established artists that change styles as they mature also tend to minimalize their art to those most basic, essential parts that best expedite the delivery of the goods. Perhaps acknowledgement of certain days remaining causes them to streamline a delivery system that maximizes the message sans the wasted time and effort.

Well, Mr. Mermelstein certainly has cut to the chase in his most recent photo project. Technical expertise: minimal. Composition: minimalist. Lighting: supplied by subject matter. The guy's literally using his cell phone to take pictures of... other cell phones, more specifically- actual, on screen text  messages. 

Now, some will scream: Unlawful invasion of privacy! But every so called "street photographer" well knows that pretty much anything within public view is fair game- and very much, perfectly legal. But these are private messages between private individuals! True- but again, done in public view, in a public setting (identifying info deleted). N'est-ce pas? Hey, I can hear it either way to be perfectly honest. And perhaps this will, in fact, all be settled on down the road by two very angry litigants standing before someone with a much higher pay scale. I know I'd instinctively react with a few choice words if I caught Ol' Jeff peering down my shoulder up close and personal! I'm surprised no one as of yet, has responded with something considerably... more forceful. Also, strange how the critics at large out there are still not crowing one way or the other about something so timely, unique and potentially subversive; surprisingly little has been made of it (see latter half of post). Perhaps this is something so divisive, enough people (like myself) don't quite know where to stand!

So.... is it art? Most definitely! Inarguably a new way of seeing- an insanely simple, direct and revelatory way of documenting what is going on in the very hearts and minds of early 21st Century earthlings, of whom a good third now occupy every public space and cranny faces buried deep in their miniature communication mirrors. And... it's all so inherently controversial; tres magnifique- art at it's grandest!

Ahhhh... but is it good photography, ask the photo purists. No, most definitely not. But it's certainly one damn good use of photography!

PetaPixel's Celebration of Misogyny...

The following is my emailed response to a post (and ensuing commentary) on Petapixel concerning... "Diversity!" 
I hope the present situation does not stand...   Full Disclosure: I have been banned on PetaPixel.

Well done! A post on "Diversity" featuring what seems an all male commentary who go out of their way to prove just how marvelously close minded and/or misogynist they truly are- and not one of them (or y-o-u) can even see, let alone respond to, that most blatant of irony!!!

And it seems the one woman who commented earlier has had her comments deleted- Exceptionally well done!!!

I don't know what she said to offend your official board of "ethics," but I'm betting she finally mouthed off after repeatedly getting pummeled by the usual torrent of misogynists who inhabit your bit of bandwidth.  The comments I previously read by her (before deletion) were logical, well mannered and on topic...

Thank you, for leading by example and exhibiting just how hostile an all male environment can become for women....

Addendum: More comments have appeared overnight, a couple fortunately sane...

Flaneur Fasciitis

 

Photo: © Stan Banos

I've always loved to walk, always been my primary mode of transportation- which is why I can only live in real cities... ie- cities you can get around in- without a car! And if you tend to photograph on the street, as do I (even though I am not considered an official street photographer, someone once said I was more a... flaneur- which kinda sounds like a French perv in a flannel shirt), your feet are tres important!

In my younger days I would easily walk from The Battery to 59St in NYC on a warm summer day, take a shower and be out ready to party. True, that was a while ago, but I can still out walk the average person my age, and younger. Recently however, the soles of my feet have begun to hurt, even upon waking- not fun. Thought it was temporary at first, but it's going on a year now, and I'm not quite ready to become sedentary by any means! Tried various gels/inserts, and while they do supply some relief- the pain is still very much there!

Truth is, everything starts to unravel with age (even my rear has gotten noticeably thinner in its natural padding last coupla years on my bike); but after the mandatory research, discovered I've got plantar fasciitis- the good news is there are actually some good, simple exercises (stretches really) that one can do to help alleviate the actual pain. I've just begun doing them (video: here) and I'm happy to say I do, in fact, feel some immediate relief. Hopefully, it's not just in my head (things have really thinned out up there)- we're gonna find out... 

Addendum: And this vid says to stretch... in the opposite direction!!!

TRUMP BABY!!!

 PS- Notice the toll bone spurs have taken on his right foot...

Why can't we have one of these in every US city from sea to shining sea? I would gladly contribute!

Apologies...

Photo: © Stan Banos

For reasons unknown, recently, I have not been notified of many of the Comments sent this way! As a result, quite a few just languished about on a separate page. I don't know why that is now occurring, and realistically... probably never will. So, apologies all around for the apparent disrespect; I know just how freakin' frustrating it can be to try and actively engage, only to be ignored- and seemingly pooped on. I'm just gonna have to check said page from now on, on a regular basis. FWIW, over twenty comments that go back a year have now been published...

Happy 4th of July!!!

Photo: © Stan Banos

Always used to imagine what it must have been like to live during The Fall of Rome, when I got older, that changed to the rise of The Third Reich. My god- those surely musta been some truly trambunctious times! And, of course, the truth is neither happened overnight- it was a gradual, step by step process whereupon people came to accept the incremental changes and... adjusted, begrudgingly or otherwise. Oh sure, some people complained (some people always complain)- but they were laughed at, marginalized or conveniently drowned out, until only the very loudest voice was heard- and obeyed.

I no longer fantasize about those times, I now get to witness the process on a daily, real time basis: the wearing down of civility, the bending, breaking and disregard of the most basic of simple facts and truths, the demonization of those most powerless...

Republicans used to be rabidly Anti-Communist- "Better Dead than Red!" That refrain echoed in my ear growing up- now they enthusiastically embrace he who enthusiastically embraces a former KGB Chief, a 5xDeferment who openly ridiculed our most famous POW! He openly encouraged violence at campaign rallies, mocked people with disabilities, called Neo-Nazis "Good People," and described the press as, "The enemy of the people!" And how I wish that was the worst, and end of it. But it is a gradual, step-by-step process of willful distortion and manipulation- with intermittent, fully-automatic bursts of complete Bat Shit CRAZY... Can anyone ever forget The Bowling Green Massacre, can anyone possibly forgive Hillary for her insidious Child Sex Ring/Pizza Parlor!? This is the absolute insanity a once reasonably rational nation has allowed itself to become... 

"... Voice or no voice, the people can always be brought to the bidding of the leaders. That is easy. All you have to do is tell them that they are being attacked, and denounce the peacemakers for a lack of patriotism and exposing the country to danger. It works the same in any country."        -Hermann Goering

Photo: © Stan Banos

Oh- and BTW... Yes, U Can Still Help!!!