Behind Bars in Aisle Five, Currently On Display at the L. Nowlin Gallery

was recently excited to discover that one of my submissions to the first group show at Austin’s L. Nowlin Gallery was accepted. It is the image above and is on display at the gallery as part of the show “The Portrait” through August 14th, 2010. It is from a roll I shot with my Leica as part of my “Day in the Life” series. This is an ongoing time-capsule project where I shoot one roll across one day, of our boys and often focus on the more mundane aspects of childhood; for instance, shopping at the local grocery store. My hope is that many years down the road these more candid images will provide our family with an intimate look at our lives in years past. In case you are wondering, the cans in the foreground are one of the things our four dogs look forward to the most at meal time.

Wedding Portrait at Nature's Point shot on Fuji Instant Film

ow often do you get to do something you have always wanted? Thanks to Eric Hegwer I was invited to bring my 4×5 to a gorgeous event this past weekend at Nature’s Point along with all my regular gear. The spectacular venue was awash in perfect weather and even better light. Eric and I had discussed the shot before had and I came prepared with my 15′ telescoping ladder and some wood clamps. A few minutes after scouting the ceremony site I clamped my tripod to the ladder, pre-focused and marked the spot.  Before the ceremony the whole rig was hidden behind a tree and half-way into it I carried the camera/ladder into the middle of the aisle to shoot a few sheets. This first image comes from a quick session we did after the wedding shot on the luscious Fuji Fp100c45 and the negative retained using advice I received from the incomparable William Littman.

My Bell and Howell Super 8 Film projector

outh By South West is taking over Austin.  Here’s one in honor of the film portion of the festival. My good friend – the very talented photographer and printer- David Johndrow will be speaking at the Alamo  Drafthouse  on a panel before a screening of the new documentary about the prophetic Bill Hicks whom he knew since childhood. David also has a show of his magnificent photographs through April, 10 at the L. Nowlin gallery. His masterful silver, platinum palladium and gum-oil prints are not to be missed.

Taking a break

odie and I spent a few particularly patient hours together making some pictures with the 4×5 Sinar. Here he is taking a break between set-ups.
I also came want to share this wonderful quote I found in a book of Eduard Steichen’s prints from the French sculptor Paul-Albert Batholmé,
“I am irritated by most of the photographs in which the authors have intervened to create works that are no longer photographs and are not drawings. They suggest to me only imperfect imitations of etchings or of reproductions of paintings . . . . I do not mean to say that one cannot produce fine works with photography, but one should stick to composition, to selections, to the variety of lightings, to his own preferences in arrangement, and I assure you, that if he lets it go at that, then gradually the machine and the light will give him results entirely personal. Think, compose, prepare your subject in all possible ways, use feeling, then open the objective [lens] and put your hands in your pockets, or else have someone put handcuffs on you.” October, 1908

Bodie tips his hat.

Jasper pauses to ponder

ometimes there are days when cameras leap off the shelf into your hands and beg to be taken out for a walk. On this Sunday Jasper and I took such a walk. Here is what we did…

Stopping to sit and examine some grass.