Introducing - A Photo Student

Copyright James Pomerantz

Photographer James Pomerantz decided to go back to school and is beginning a two year MFA program at SVA in NY. In looking at his work, I'm not sure he needs one, necessarily, but James has started a new blog to discuss his experience and it will be interesting to see where the program takes his work. If you're like me and can't afford a program or already have a masters degree in something else, it looks like you'll enjoy his allowing us to be flies on the wall as he relates his experiences and even posts some of the program's readings and assignments. Or maybe you'd like to compare your own MFA experience to his. I know I'll be curiously following this one. He just posted a recap of his first two weeks. Go check it out. (Added to the blogroll)

Quote of the Week - Ansel Adams

"A true photograph need not be explained, nor can it be contained in words."

Chris Jordan at Kopeikin Gallery

Don't miss Chris Jordan's show over at Kopeikin Gallery. Chris makes super interesting, impeccably photoshopped work about US and global consumption. Make sure to check out his site to see what I mean. His new book, which shares the same title as this exhibition can be purchased here. Make sure to check out his site to see what I mean.

Win a Special Portfolio from Bruce Haley!

Big Sur-based photographer and Robert Capa Gold Medal winner Bruce Haley is currently hosting a contest, "Where's Waldo" style, in which you have to find 11 hidden people and one dog in his The Post-Apocalyptic World series. Go read the rules and get cracking - after a good amount of looking I'm up to just 6 people and zero dogs and there are only 3 portfolios remaining. They're going fast!

Andrew Bush - Vector Portraits @ M+B Gallery

Well, aren't we lucky? Andrew Bush's Vector Portraits are on view at M+B Gallery through Oct. 15th. I'm a huge fan of these and even have my own car window mount tripod, but that's a story for another day. Can't wait to check this one out. Be sure to look at other series by Andrew on his site. He's no one trick pony.

Irving Penn - "Small Trades" at the Getty

Just a reminder that Irving Penn: Small Trades is now on view at the Getty through January 10th (what a long, long exhibition...). There are a number of courses, lectures and events regarding the show coming up with the first being tomorrow. Reservations are required.

Working Class: Irving Penn's Small Trades Series in Context

In order to come to terms with his success as a fashion photographer, Penn needed to photograph other kinds of subjects as well. Colin Westerbeck, director of the California Museum of Photography at UC Riverside, explains how these 1950s studies of working-class people in their work clothes were a seminal project for the photographer in the context of his full career.

Tuesday, September 15, 2009, 7:00 p.m.

Getty Center, Harold M. Williams Auditorium

Reservations required.

Getting Screwed

Back from vacation...

Melissa Rodwell, who runs the excellent Fashion Photography Blog calls out Flaunt Magazine for screwing her royally on a recent shoot here.

"I started this blog to talk openly and honestly about issues that are important to working in this field. And not all of them are pleasant. Politics are ugly. But they’re there."

Vacaciones

On vacation this week so no posts until next week. See you again soon.

Quote of the Week - Edward Winkleman

Opinion #1: No single idea defines an artist of any significance.

Opinion #2: Any vein worth mining as an artist will most likely take time.

Opinion #3: All interests and tastes come back around again.

Opinion #4: The surest way to miss your place at a crowded table is to keep circling it looking for the best place to sit down.

- Edward Winkleman via A Quick Word of Encouragement for Your Ongoing Project

LACMA curates for WIP

Copyright Carolyn Drake

Sarah Bay Williams who is the Ralph M. Parsons Fellow in the photography department at LACMA curated a presentation of photos by California born Carolyn Drake for Women in Photography. Go check it out.

Found via Superluminal

Introducing Superluminal

Another blog added to the blogroll - Superluminal is run by Nicole Lloyd, whose work I previously featured and Cara Nieto (both art buyers) and deals with photography/art/culture in Los Angeles. Go take a look!

Rule # 362

#362. Focus

Mistakes don’t make it art.

Via 1001 Rules for My Unborn Son via Here in Van Nuys

UPDATE: I disagree with #199 - Limit your time in California

Ours is a lovely state.

Los Angeles - 1920-90

Great set of images, complete with captions, over on American Suburb X's Facebook of Los Angeles, many of which appeared in the LAT.


Construction of the 10!


Who else remembers the People Mover?!

Congrats to locals - Arbor @ Michael Mazzeo

Congrats to local photographers Aline Smithson, who runs the excellent Lenscratch blog and Amanda Friedman, whose work I've featured before alongside an interview on how she got gallery representation, for their inclusion in an online show put on by Michael Mazzeo gallery with the theme, Arbor. Go check out the show here (prints are available for sale too).


Copyright Aline Smithson


Copyright Amanda Friedman

Local Legend - John Humble

John Humble is a bit of a legend for me for his night work in Los Angeles, though this is by no means the extent of his talent. John's photos reside in the collections of the Corcoran Gallery of Art, the National Museum of American Art, the Smithsonian Institute, the Library of Congress, LACMA, the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, and the J. Paul Getty Museum.

Living in Madrid in 2007, I sadly missed his exhibition "A Place in the Sun" at the Getty in 2007. You can buy the accompanying book here. Works are available for purchase at Jan Kesner Gallery, which sadly no longer exhibits.


The Los Angeles River, Burbank Boulevard Bridge, Reseda, 2001
Copyright John Humble


The Los Angeles River at the Glendale Narrows, Atwater Village, 2001
Copyright John Humble


10425 Venice Boulevard,Los Angeles, 1997
Copyright John Humble


I-105 at I-405,Los Angeles, 1994
Copyright John Humble

I-405 at I-105, Overpass,Los Angeles, 2005
Copyright John Humble

I-405 at I-105, La Cienega Boulevard,Los Angeles, 2005
Copyright John Humble

I-5 at I-91, Elevated View,Los Angeles, 2005

Copyright John Humble