Friends of Knoxville, and Other Obama Supporters
Current mood: ashamed

*sigh*... I really wanted to keep my blog photo-related.  I wanted to get away from the politics and social commentary.  I have failed, at least temporarily.  This will only be up a few days, so comment only if you've time, interest, or are bored.

A member of my Friends list posted a bulletin, the nature of which (I assume) was to slam Hillary Clinton on the eve of her concession.  You can read it here; open it in a new window, as you may want to refer to it as you read my response:

http://bulletins.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=bulletin.read&authorID=84267344&messageID=5883231383&MyToken=ab1c05ad-8315-49bd-a905-5c5aa1c43fc0

I wanted to comment; my rebuttal was too long for Commenting, so here it is.  Please don't read it or comment without having read the piece that it responds to, that would make you a moron, and possibly an incendiary one at that.

It's a long way to November.  I hope we can keep it sane, rational, and dignified.  I believe the post that prompted this is none of those, however well-intentioned or factual it may have been.  Given a choice between a predictable evil and an unknown, possibly chaotic quantity, many undecided voters will choose the former.  Let's work together to sway them to vote Dem by keeping ourselves positive and forward-thinking.  Thanks for reading, or not...   J

DEAR JONAH--

You turn a good phrase.

Sometimes, those phrases combine to create a good song or essay.

This was not one of those times.

You begin your piece by referring to an article comparing the shattering of a glass ceiling by a member of a formerly disenfranchised group to another.  That its author was tapping the irony of the fact that it was as much about a white woman as a black man seems irrelevant to you.  While I haven't seen her address last night, I have read the article you've taken umbrage with; this is its keynote paragraph:

"The Democratic Party has decided, wonderfully, bravely, remarkably, to double-down on history this election. And so Hillary's struggle against sexism has played out parallel to Barack Obama's graceful and courageous rise above racism. He, too, has endured taunts and threats and bigotry. He, too, has answered hatred with dignity. He, too, knows how Jackie must have felt."

Where is the offense?  Sorry, I don't get it.

Look, we know you're a supporter of Obama.  We also know how vital it is to present a unified front as we approach November.  To imply that Clinton is pro-nuclear, or that she lost the contest because she played the victim card, is ridiculous and farcical.  There are as many reasons for her losing THE CLOSEST PRIMARY IN AMERICAN HISTORY as there are delegates between her count and the junior senator from Illinois'.  You are being a "sore winner" with this missive—some might say that's analogous to being a "dick."

Hillary Clinton has been described as vibrant, brilliant, and charismatic; not so much lately, but still.  She may have been born to relative privilege, but she has worked most of her life to apply that privilege to a gently-progressive vision for America—and that work has been tempered by real-world experience, in two of the three areas of government.  To gloss over these qualities on your part is elitist.  You are a member of, or at least are aligning yourself with, the young, inexperienced, optimistic elite who has perhaps not yet benefitted from the tempering nature of working with (and against) opposing viewpoints.  This elite stands upon a tower of hope and optimism; the ground below is far harder and rockier than they yet realize.

Millions of young, jaded, disenfranchised people also believe they can compete on American Idol…or that they will someday make a living as a touring songwriter.  They believe they will have careers that place them in the top 10% of income brackets...or that their foreseeably realistic incomes will earn them the same standard of living as their parents and grandparents.  They believe they will be rolling fat H2s with 24-inch rims…or that somehow all the suburban sprawl and commuter-based infrastructure will magically disappear and they will all ride vintage Schwinn 3-speeds to work.  I do not deny that Obama has been marketed as the representative of hitherto unforseen possibilities, and that perhaps there is some truth to this illusion…but still.  He will be one man on a 4-year re-election campaign, limited by the laws of the land and a not-as-easily-coerced-by-a-state-of-emergency-as-they-were-7-years-ago legislative branch.  Millions of young, jaded, disenfranchised people are going to find out that "new" does not equal "magical"—and that their optimism has been co-opted by a campaign that is going to have an obscenely hard time cashing the check it's promise is writing.

Your piece confuses Clinton's tactics with those of some of her supporters, and jumps all over the place in its simultaneous condemnation and condescension towards her campaign.  However, thoughout my reading of it, one question kept coming to mind: would you deny that some of Obama's supporters have considered nothing BUT race in their campaigning, and that this is part of the empirical evidence of racism's prosperity in the USA?  Actually, you might, but you'd be a fool to deny that ALL politicians fight and manipulate their way to power.  To imply that this is OK for a person like Obama but somehow not OK for a person like Clinton is duplicitous and elitist; neither has been President, and Clinton and the hundreds of others of liberal Ivy Leaguers who have devoted themselves to progressive civil service and leadership can do nothing about the color of their skins or their backgrounds.  That you would slam her as virulently as you have on the eve of her concession speaks little good of you, and by association, many of Obama's more eloquent supporters.  You remind me of the people who cheered when the (first, and pretty-much-since-repudiated) OJ verdict came in.  Whatever this victory represents to you, it ain't the whole story, and your condemnation of the opposition is most likely going to make you look that much more foolish as the story continues to unfold over the next few years.  I will join the celebration of the Democratic Party's new relevance, excitement, and bravery; I will not, however, be standing anywhere near you and your camp.  Y'all are too loud and too proud, and that isn't necessarily a good thing when it comes time to sway undecided voters.  To begin the process of presenting a united front to those voters by reminiscing about the contentiousness of this campaign is oxymoronic--you decide why I chose that particular word to describe your bulletin.  Like the works of many politicians, your good intentions have been outweighed by the lameness of your choice in acting.  Shame on you.

3:04 PM - 13 Comments - 10 Kudos - Add Comment

Pinup Artist and Rocketeer creator Dave Stevens dead at 52
Category: Art and Photography

Many thanks to Mr. Lobo for the sad news; much of this is from his blog:

(Begin Lobo):  Greetings Insomniacs,

Some more sad news. The Creator of the Rocketeer comic book has gone up into the clouds. I interviewed Dave Stevens a few years back...Though a box office flop, he was very proud of the ROCKETEER movie and said Hollywood did about as good a job adapting his work as he thought possible with a first rate cast and production. The only problem was Jurrassic Park opened the same weekend and wiped it off the map.

Here is the info from the AP wire, as sent to me by a friend at the Monterey Herald...

Sadly, I was never even knew it was Stevens who really introduced Betty Page to my generation.  I was probably aware of her as 50s kitsch, but turns out it was Stevens who presented her as somebody to be looked at a bit more closely, and to be appreciated as lasting popular art.  His own pinup work often included "good girl" themes, often in compromised (and compromising!) positions.

I was unfortunately unaware of the Rocketeer until the movie came out, and then I thought it was a throwback to a much older comic. Thinking about it, this speaks high praise to the man’s work, and to the era from which he drew inspiration: the aesthetic of the Rocketeer’s time and place is a lasting one, and Stevens interpreted it well.

Stevens’ was a necessary and vital link in the continuing chain of appreciation for art deco, noir, cigarette skirts, Mauser "broomhandle" pistols, pincurl waves, tight sweaters, and many other things that make life worth looking at. As far as the Rocketeer goes--when I fell into skydiving in ’92 (pun sadly intended), I was definitely doing a little roleplaying up there...when I wasn’t giggling maniacally, that is.  No surprise that I’ve fallen (godammit, pun fairy, get outta my head!!) for pinup photography as I’ve gotten more interested in studio-based work.  Danke schon, Herr Stevens, and Godspeed.

ps--As a tributary gesture, perhaps it would be cool for us to take a few minutes and find examples of Stevens’ art and post them here.  Find something you like, right-click Copy, then come back to your response and right-click Paste.  Thanks!  J.

12:18 AM - 1 Comments - 2 Kudos - Add Comment

Paul Mitchell Academy--WooHoo!!
Current mood: happy

Ain't networking a beautiful thing?  Via a friend of a friend, I met a gal last summer who is an instructor at the Paul Mitchell Academy of cosmetology here in Sacto.  She called me up a while back, looking for a photographer for a class the school offers in styling for photo shoots.  We had our first session this last Saturday, Feb. 16, and it was great!!

Bonnie Parker took some time off from robbing banks and helped me schlep a mini-studio up to the school's conference room.  White paper and 2 lights later, we were ready to rock.  The stylists and their models were some of the most professional people I've dealt with on a location set in a long time--everybody was on time for their sessions, ready to go and knowing what they wanted.  Here are some samples, straight from the camera and unretouched:

More images are in My Albums; all the ones they'll be looking at critically in class next Tuesday at the link below.  I'm supposed to chime in on any post-shoot production problems I might notice as the photographer...but I can't find too many, maybe some wispiness in the hair that wouldn't even show up in a location-based image.  White backgrounds don't lie!!  The point was to have the hair and makeup show up, hence the "clinical" lighting.

(Stylists and models: all your images are here:

http://www.photoreflect.com/PhotoSearchResults.aspx?l=sacramento%20ca&s=dos%20rios

Your password is 021608 and the name of the stylist [all in one line, not case sensitive].  Let me know if you have a problem getting in, or would like to order an 8x10 for your book at the rate we worked out for the school)

Shout-outs to Libby Welton and the rest of the staff at Paul Mitchell for making us feel welcome and appreciated; Bonnie Parker for tagging along and being excited about it; the models for not acting shy, even though many were (way to cover, girls--I barely noticed!); and the stylists, who did such a great job of both creating and living up to the privilege of the experience.  I am grateful to have worked with them.

Big fun to work with excited folks who are just getting going in their latest endeavor!  Reminds me of where I was 4 or 5 years ago, taking classes and working cooperatively with classmates.  Everybody seemed stoked to be there, keeping the energy high for each other.  I'm really excited to continue working with the school on their classes, and the individual students' own portfolios.  Very cool to meet people who understand what quality professional photography can do for their image, at any point in their career.

Don't you love the first meeting with people you may be working with soon?  The stylists left me feeling like we would be seeing quite a bit of each other in the near future: portfolio work, diva parties, Open Call participants, etc.  The whole day felt like a good fit, and I'm glad to finally find an entre into a scene that can offer me some modelling work with either a professional or a party flair--yeah, things are looking good on the ol' fun meter...!!

2:34 PM - 2 Comments - 4 Kudos - Add Comment

Pinup Girls--What’s Next?
Current mood: accomplished

Just got big prints from the lab for some of the girls' orders--wow.  Just that.  Wow.  What a difference a little Photoshop time and a decent lab can make, especially in the larger sizes.  I don't want to deliver them, they look so good!!

(Kids, I am coming to realize we are image sluts.  We see SO many damn pictures a day on various screens, both commercial and personal, that I think we're losing appreciation for the well-printed-and-presented photograph.   I'll blog on this later this month, but right now, I've got writing to do as I look over my shoulder at these awesome prints from Bay Photo--they make me look good.)

Ladies, if you ordered prints, your MySpace images are ready in My Albums, under your names.  It was fun, I'm still not tired of lookin' at y'all, and I want to know what's next.  Bar shots?  Park picnic?  Petting zoo?  Beach day?  If you have an idea for a pinup set or theme, whether you're a model or fan, run it by me in the Blog Comments.  Meanwhile, I'm working on something at a plush little lounge in Central Sacto, a cocktail theme.  Email if you're interested...

Big thanks to Shonda of Ignition for helping with sets and being our stylist.  Big thanks to Bonnie Parker (yes, it's her real name!) for helping on the set and being my second set of eyes.  Biggest thanks to everyone who participated in these pinup shoots--I hope y'all had as much fun as I did.  Stay tuned for the next Open Call, and other photo events and opportunities.  'Til next we meet, "Have a good time--all the time."   Keep it at 11!!

11:47 AM - 0 Comments - 0 Kudos - Add Comment

First Open Call--Success!!
Current mood: working

Moochas grassy-ass and mercy boh-khu to the ladies that made the first Open Call such a rockin' good time!  I'll get some of the images up on my page as soon as I can figure out how to upload this VERY cool slideshow file...

To the chicks making their picks: by now you should have your Photoreflect.com pages and passwords.  The basic print prices are on that page; "mounted" means that the photos are pressed onto a board for protection and ease in framing.  If you want multiple copies of a single image, knock $10 off the cost of each copy.  Why?  Because I only have to retouch once, and I think there should be a discount for repeats.

I have some very cool pinstriped frames by Kelli the Kandystriper and Jon Boy, if you're interested.  Add $50 for a 5x7 pinstriped frame, $60 for an 8x10.   I have them in 5x7 ($85 w/print) and 8x10 ($105 w/print), and they look a little sumpin' like this:

I've got some other frames and products available at special prices for the gals who participated in this Open Call; drop me an email and let me know what I can do for you.  Got trade?  I am always looking for work-for-trade situations, so don't be shy about suggesting something.  Paragary's has fed me VERY well, several times...

Packaging photos is a weird thing; I hate the idea of people paying for more than they want, and I want to live in a kustom world, so I hates me some packages!  Let me know what you need; I'll find a way to make it happen.  My bottom line is getting people what they need within their means, while at the same time maintaining my ability to believe I'm making a living.  Feedback and suggestions are always welcome, positive or otherwise.  Seriously.  Thanks, y'all--more bloggage about the proofing process soon.

11:34 AM - 5 Comments - 6 Kudos - Add Comment

Photo Effects for Pinups
Current mood: working

OK, here's the problem: I am a compulsive micro-manager about certain things, and training my eye to find new looks is one of those things.  Now that I'm finding photographic niches I really enjoy, I've decided to catalog different looks that are appropriate for certain niches.  If you're so inclined, go to My Albums and take a look at the Photo Effects for Pinups album. The names for each look mean more to me than they might to you, and they aren't always descriptive of the look; they are codes for certain techniques I stole from a wise old man at the top of a Himalayan mountain.

See, here's the thing: most people see a photo and go, "Nice photo," or "Wow, what kind of camera do you own?"  Fewer and fewer people are appreciating the time, consideration, tools, and experience that go into creating a "nice photo."  On the flip side, there are SO many options and looks available to photographers today that it's dizzying.  I spend so much time trying out different looks that having an opinion becomes really difficult.  Sure, I can finish a photo "my way" and it'll look great to most folks, but it's the extra 10% that makes it or breaks it for some clients.  This is a way to balance my experience as a photographer with a client's preconceptions about they want their stuff to look like.

So feel free to leave comments about what you like and don't like; some of the differences are subtle, some are extreme, and some of these looks only apply to closeups with very little background.  I'll leave the album up for clients to refer to when they proof their orders, but I will very likely be updating the looks and adding new photos.   As I expand my other portfolios, I will add albums of relevant effects.  They're your memories; you should have them looking the way you like.

Thanks for stopping by.  See you in the real world.

**Note to old MySpace friends: as I announced, this is now my photography page. I will be setting up a personal page soon, and will invite you to add.  My personal blogs will be on the new one.  Thanks for your patience!

6:27 PM - 4 Comments - 6 Kudos - Add Comment

Open Call--Directions, Directives, Etc.
Current mood: working
Category: Art and Photography

Thanks for all the great feedback!!  Spent last night at the Space, cleaning, setting up, and brainstorming.  Lots to do by Friday, but I think this is gonna be a goodtime.  Again, please forward my site to anybody you think might be interested in participating.  I've still got some later slots available, and this is promising to be a good mix of people.

People are asking for directions, and with good cause; this is not a street on most people's daily drive!  It looks sketchy as hell, which is part of the charm of having one of the last old-school, cheap-ass industrial work spaces left in Sacto.  The cool thing is, there are people around 24 hours a day; no break-ins, car or room, in 7 years.  It's proven safe, but you gotta pay attention to the directions.  Here we go:

Our complex is on 5th St., south of Broadway.  If you can't get to Broadway, Mapquest it.  5th St. is on the WEST end of Broadway.  You will turn SOUTH onto 5th St., away from downtown.

Then, you will turn WEST again (right if you came from Broadway) after the sign for the Sacramento Farmer's Market.  It looks like this:

Again, turn AFTER this sign.  You will most likely see a bunch of Produce Express trucks on your left, like this:

You will continue on into the lot, looking for a ramp leading to a glass-front cafe/greasyspoon.  Almost there!

We are in Space 15; it's the white door to the left of the cafe.  Come up the stairs, through the kitchen, and into the living room.  Say Hi!  Get comfy, and we'll get you started:

Ladies--Shonda, of Ignition, HONEY, will be on hand to do your hair and/or makeup.  Either is $30, or you can have her do both for the outstanding deal of $50.  If you've never had help with your styling by a pro, you don't know how much of a difference it can make to your image.  Shonda is a rockabilly gal with a hula twist, and knows at least as much about this look as I do.  She always rocks it, and I've got the pictures to prove it!

Questions?  I am yours to command, or at least ask.  Let me know what you need to know, and I'll let you know what you need to know--you know?  Drop me an email--thanks, and I'll see you there!  J.

1:51 AM - 6 Comments - 8 Kudos - Add Comment

What Is OPEN CALL?
Current mood: catalyzed

Hey, thanks for asking!  An open call is where an agency or a photographer puts out word that they are looking for a particular group to come by on a particular date and see if they have common interests and potentiality.  I don't know very many photographers who get to shoot what they want as often as they want to, so I'm changing that for myself, 2 or 3 times every couple of months.

OPEN CALL is like a photographic dinner party, where the guests are served what I'm dishing up.  This month, I'm working on:

PINUP PORTRAITS and BUSINESS CARD headshots, for guys and gals alike.  This is a chance to play naughty for Valentine's.  I'll have several setups for the gals to get cozy on; guys, the business headshot lighting will be good for that "Hey baby, dig my my Tom Cruise-like grin, I did this for YOU" picture as well.  Cheesey, but your girlie wants at least one of you like that, trust me.

Why? Because I enjoy it, and my portfolio's feeling a little flat.  Because you need a fresh face for your business persona, or a once-in-a-lifetime Valentine's gift for your sweetie (and your grandkids to go, "Damn, gran-gran was HOT!").  Because it's a great way to spend a couple of hours bonding with 2 or 3 of your friends, helping each other look your best while enjoying a glass of wine.  Because there's no obligation to buy nothin', and product is available at some pretty good prices (starting at a lowly $10!).  Here's the skinny, Ginny:

YOU'VE gotta:

Come to Space 15 (2630 5th St., Sacramento, in the boo-scary Sacramento Farmer's Market grocery wholesaler's yard, above the Market Club Diner) on Friday, January 18, between 5 and 11 in the PM.  First come, first served, but if you email me, I'll reserve a spot to get clear for you.  There will be another date, I'm just not sure when (maybe 2 weeks after this one)--especially if demand outstrips available time.

Apport yourself in (or bring along) your sexy-sassy-cutesy-classy outfit and accoutrements; serious props to the cutest Cupid/Devil poses!  Being ready for your closeup is a plus, but you can change here, and the FABULOUS Shonda H. will be on hand to help with your styling needs; see her IGNITION, HONEY! profile for some of her stylie hair accessories and jewelry options, she'll have stuff on hand to sell as well.

Bring along something for your inhibition-loosening pleasure (that's booze-ahol, if I'm not being clear).  We'll have a little something on hand, but hey, the more the merrier, right?

Understand that this will be a high-energy fashion kinda shoot.  No kids. No entourage (if you show up, it's to get shot. 1 significant other tolerated).  Have respect for one another's privacy.  Be ready to tell me what you want to do, or have me tell you what to do (the point is to look good, in either a professional or pinup kinda way).  Be patient, and understand that if you're not ready when it's your turn, you get passed until you are.  Remember there's a tip jar for my helpers/stylists/DJ/etc. (buck or two, no big thing).

Come for fun, stay to play, and leave to arrive somewhere else before Friday's all used up, and you lookin' so FINE, what a shame!!

I'VE GOTTA:

Have you sign a model's release.  Don't worry: I only get to use your image for my own promotional work, and I might be able to let you option out of that.

Respect your comfort and privacy.  I will work as efficiently as possible, while never losing sight of the fun factor.   The bathroom will be clean, but there may not be hot water.  I'll have curtains closing off the shooting room, but having a friend on hand can be even more fun.  I will never exploit you or your image.  This is for you and your legacy, and for me and my ability to sell private sessions in the future for way more than the price of FREE.

Answer any questions you may have, so let me know if this post isn't clear about the evening.  Seriously: I'm begging for comments here, even if there's no way you're gonna make it.  This is a first, but I'm committed to at least 6 Open Call subjects this year, so I need to start compiling an FAQ list for myself.  If you KNOW you want to come out, EMAIL me and I'll make sure you get hooked up.  Sorry, no nudes at this session, male or female; it's a totally different kind of lighting...

Thanks for reading, and any feedback.  If you're in the Sacto area, please do a slightly-peckish-if-not-quite-starving artist a favor: take 10 seconds, think of anyone and everyone who might enjoy this litle shindig, and let them know to come check this blog out.  I think it's gonna be a lot of fun, without any of the sales pressure a commisioned session lays on either of us.  Good times--cheers!  J.

7:08 AM - 20 Comments - 20 Kudos - Add Comment