afraid of being forgotten in the end of the last post…

ALL

i had several issues when updating comments on my blog reader, but now it works!!!

http://jnss.x10hosting.com/dah_reader/

MARCIN
i like your color photos. I’m asking myself the same questions…wanting to make everything simple…not easy…

ANTON
i looked at Birgit presentation, love it!!!
I’m happy for you, that you achieve to make something ‘finished’, even nothing is never finished…
Congratulations.

PANOS
i like your Dark Child #2, i prefer it to the first serie.

ERICA
I think your 4×5 work can lead to something very interesting, good luck!!!
Just a question, you seem to use a lot medium format, does it bring you something that digital doesn’t have? Just collecting answers to my own questions, to make my decisions about hypothetical projects…thanks!!!

HERVE
you made me laugh a lot
Coluche!!!

CRISTINA
i love your photos. N° 10 is wonderful to me.
thank you.

BOB
I love St Exupéry!!!

peace to all

BOB
i take your comment to mean that it doesn’t make any difference who the president of this country might be…
perhaps i may have completely misread you?

ANDREW S
from the last dah post…
many many powerful images on your site; not certain that the new brazil work is up to the level of the others as a whole yet some powerful shots… i understand that it is a work in progress… someone said a couple of them were “allardesque” and i agree… some are “DAH-esque” too… not that that’s a bad thing! … samba / dancing… where’s the joy? … based on your site you seem like a serious guy, thoughtful… and WAY TALENTED… please keep shooting and sharing, your work is as good as anyones, in fact better than most… Panos said he’d comment, curious to hear his take… Erica’s comments seem on the mark as far as looking closer to home for subject matter…

DAH:
BHO is my man. the hate coming out of the palin rallies is staggeringly depressing. we exist in a troubled world.

PEOPLE:
please vote.

JD

half of the money of this country already been spent..
for camp David renovations ( G.W.Bushe’s palace )..
strippers, ESCORT SERVICES, lots of cocaine and
generally “good- republican- times”…

7:54 am..
morning y’all…
i already feel ready for a beer…
( the japanese market is also about to crash…)

who can really fix all that mess??? coz we all know who did it !!!!

peace
peace???? what the hell is that ??????

Wonder what BOB meant by

“last comment for me on the blog….”

anyone notice that?
but BOB just posted again here so maybe I am misunderstanding?

What’s up BOB? :))

If this is a poll and the question is between the two (no write-ins) I would say I would most like to photograph McCain in January, (bw, MF) because this is a man who already wears many stories on his face and in his eyes, and insh’allah in January 20, 2009 he will not be sworn into office..Not that I personally wish McCain to suffer additional pain or adversity, but as far as photographic fodder goes, I feel that McCain would make for the more emotional portrait, and perhaps for a memorable time piece.

DAH

Lester never received his print from you..can you ask Michael if it was sent to a Singapore address / when / tracking..Les contacted me asking for a little aid in figuring this out.

Also regarding DRR, do you know what the specs are for file sizes..as I have to scan everything I want to make sure I have it right before I start my final scans. Any idea if DRR hosts MM? Not that I will be ready most likely, but just in case..or would you rather the only the stills be shown without the accompanying audio..

BOB

are you stepping away?

ALL

messages (and long winded at that, left to many of you on the last thread..)

Who will I celebrate seeing as the newly-elected president of the U.S. on November 5, 2008? Why, President Barack Obama, of course!

http://www.pbase.com/windchimewalker/image/102669822

in confidence
Patricia

AUDREY – check flights to Washington, DC (Dulles airport) too. There is a bus from NYC – cville and DC is 2 hrs from cville.

DAVID et al …

Either, and their entourage, as long as it was backstage, on the trail, and personal, linking the moments with their greater sociological imagination … or lack thereof as the case may be … but not Quaylin, who will be just a very small footnote in history i suspect.

BOB …

I understand what you are saying Bob, and I am not sure of what you mean by the “people who persist,” perhaps you mean in a very personal way, but aren’t you being just a little intellectually, or philosophically, elitist in your dismissal of those who do in fact end up shaping many individual lives even if in a broader context? I think you and I have both worked for politicians, and seen the D.C. bubble on the inside, yes? I have seen much to dislike, mistrust and dismiss but I have also seen politics translate into meaningful change in individual lives. And I would certainly like to see some leadership shifts from the politics of fear to the politics of hope and I don’t think the impact of this change on the individual milieu and collective milieux can be underestimated. Bob, you know I greatly respect your viewpoint, everyone’s, so this is a discussion, not an attack. And yes, Mills’ work is a good read in these days, and important for humanisitic photographers especially ;-)

CATHY …

And Cathy, I had not seen those, thanks for posting the link again … excellent, a great broader sense of the event, Obama in context, really enjoyed that :)))
I assume you didn’t have press credentials which is increasingly of benefit if you know what I mean.

yamas, tom

Bob leaving? What!? Yeah, what’s up Bob?

I can’t personally imagine photographing either gentleman, nor wanting to. And that is simply because it is extremely unlikely that I would find myself in a situation where we were interacting as equals, in any environment that wasn’t totally controlled and scripted by handlers and Secret Service agents. And I do my best to avoid such situations! It comes down to “I have no business photographing Obama or McCain, because I have no business being with Obama or McCain.”

I think Simon G has a point here (I think everybody probably has a point here, especially Marcin L and Bob Black!), but the conclusion I draw is the opposite of Simon’s… rather than turning the camera on myself, which in a way is having the camera take a picture of the camera… I realized long ago that what I see around me, what I come in contact with, the people I meet, and how I interact with them, is who I am… and to ‘know thyself’ as Simon counsels, is (for me, anyway) to know the world through my own experience of it.

One reason I treasure this forum so much is the ‘reciprocity’ here. People not only speak to each other, they listen to each other. Rather than trying to score points, they try to understand… and sometimes respond to the spirit of what someone is trying to say, rather than getting hung up on the particular way they say it.

A society that is really free would be one in which all relations were characterized by what I call ‘reciprocity.’ Can we sit down and have a real discussion? And, in a way, although my talents as a photographer are woefully inadequate for expressing this, it is the attitude I try to bring to photographing these days… not to seek out photo events for their own sake, but to take pictures almost in passing as I live my life, meet the people I meet, gaze on the natural landscapes that surround me, have the conversations I have… and if my photos show me somewhat distant and aloof form the world, or hesitant to ‘get too close’ to an old woman’s face, so be it… that is an accurate reflection of who I am at this point of my life.

I hope that ideologies of hope, inclusiveness, optimism, and willingness to change and learn will prevail in America on election day, but not because I have high expectations of what any candidate will actually accomplish once in office… I know too much history, my memory is too deep, to believe that much of their agendas will come to pass… reality and the unexpected will intervene, unforeseen crises will arise, pressures will cause them to alter their goals and their expectations, at the very least to compromise, and maybe end up doing the opposite of what they promise.

In a way, a national election campaign is like a country taking a portrait of itself… in the midst of global upheaval, rearrangement, and widespread disillusionment (and I don’t mean just about banks or Wall Street or George Bush or even America), how do we collectively as a people wish to see ourselves? And to be seen for posterity?

Extremely well said Sidney and certainly I am naive to believe there is such a thing as true “access” anymore in this age of scripted reality, that my own caveat for wishing to photograph either and, truth be told in my heart, it would be Obama, could in fact occur in any small way and yet, I still believe it could, in small moments. Not everything can be orchestrated or controlled and a few truths still slip through the curtain now and again.

I greatly appreciate what you say regarding the self portrait and understand a bit better the points of Bob, Marcin L. and Simon. And certainly, portraits of people in America today, a wide diversity of people in America today on the eve of this election, will have as much significance today and in the future as any photos of would-be presidents … perhaps even more as a true mirror of us at this point in time … but for me that does not lessen the importance of the candidates themselves, who they truly are, if that can be captured amidst the handlers.

And I still choose to believe that progress can come, in small steps and without full realization of the ideology to be sure and as you say, but still … I hope, I hope for change, I hope there is still some humanity in Washington, in the candidates … that they can, in fact, sit down and talk, be, like real people.

Have we all lost hope? Are we all feeling trapped and powerless in current history? And just when I am recovering from cynicism. Nuts.

Sydney, my thoughts in the spirit of reciprocity :)))

tom

SIDNEY, TOM H,

“I realized long ago that what I see around me, what I come in contact with, the people I meet, and how I interact with them, is who I am… and to ‘know thyself’ as Simon counsels, is (for me, anyway) to know the world through my own experience of it.”

This is precisely what I believe, and what I mean by the self-portrait: really looking at yourself and being *aware* of the way you think, the way you act and your relationship to others and trying your best to understand yourself better and better. Through this, you will understand human nature, and other humans, better.

I agree with everything you say about history, about the candidates and about reality and the unexpected, and I don’t think this is being cynical. Of course I care about the world and have my own opinions about each candidate, but I don’t for a second believe that faith in a politician or guru of any sort will make the world a better place; on the contrary, it will create antagonism and division (like the lines on maps I’ve talked about before).

I don’t know what the solution is, but I am certain that it will come from thinking things through for myself and acting under my own iniative rather than pinning my hopes on somebody else and making judgments based on what others say, especially politicians and religious figures whose main job is often propaganda anyway. *Real* change, *real* happiness, the finding of *reality*, can only come from *inside*.

FROM BOB FOR THOSE WHO MISSED IT

last comment for me on the blog….

appropriate in light of all the discussion:

“Nous sommes, nous tous, les pèlerins qui se battent le long de différents sentiers vers la même destination.”-saint-exupery

those who dont know french:

“We are, all of us, pilgrims who struggle along different paths toward the same destination”-s-e

до свидания

Posted by: bobblack | October 12, 2008 at 10:00 AM

It’s really none of my business…as BOB said it’s his path to take…

but I hope his leaving has nothing to do with BOB’S experience in NY or anything that was said or not said about Bones? The timing seems too much of a coincidence.

:((

DAH,

As said by someone in response to your question, it would be the candidate I found myself in the company of. Considering my political standing it would be Obama if any candidate. However, I think whatever neighborhood I am in at the time of the announcement of the winner would be a great place to be. And the most interesting place, too.

Lance, you do those cowboys GOOD. Your B&W work is impressive–tells the grit of the story.

Politics, sex and religion–neither one a topic that is offensive…just sometimes the tone of the conversation gets a bit too radical and pointless.

Lee

Bush, Rumsfeld & Cheney behind bars…

or perhaps Palin moose hunting…

The Obama family in the White House .

ERICA…

we definitely sent the print to Lester a long time ago..i signed it and sent it weeks ago….and with the address i believe you gave us…we never heard from him directly…hmmm, curious….anyway, i will check with Mike to see what he knows…

CATHY…

i think if you go back and read Bob’s report of his New York experience, he would not be leaving for anything that happened there…as a matter of fact i cannot find where he says he is leaving…where is this comment?? did i miss something somewhere??? also, i have not read or said anything other than positive things about “Bones”….hmmmmmmm

SIDNEY….

well put amigo…good perspective…

by the way, i have not forgotten you and your slide shows..i think you know i saw each three times..would it be possible to have a phone conversation with you???

cheers, david

DAVID…

Go up about 7 or 8 comments…Patricia re-posted the comment Bob made at the end of Aftermath this morning…

Hopefully someone will be in touch with him off-blog to make sure he’s okay.

LANCE,

Your portraits look very strong. I particularly like 2,3…Should certainly keep at least couple of these for the essay. By the way, I had seen your portraits in color as well on Facebook link…Looked pretty cool to me in colour man although clearly makes sense to stay B&W for the essay… Hope to see your final edit that I have missed. Looking good sir!

BOB,

A break may be needed for someone like you who has spent countless hours here…but break can only be temporary… you have shaped this place line no one else…recall what David said before….it will not do this blog without you so relax, take time and come back to us!!!!! We all love you man!!!!

DAH….do I really have to say who I wish to photograph in Jan….I already told David Mc that until I found out he was republicain I thought he was perfect :):) Obama inspires me like no other candidates… Something special is happening in the US right in the middle of this economic mess…I just hope he goes all the way…Cross fingers…

Eric

LANCE

I hope your sleeping on it will make things clear..for me, just me, outside of your intent, I would say the cinematographic aspect works because at least one aspect of theses men is that they are performers..but is that a side you want to show?

Just got home from work. As usual, didn’t realize a new entry had started, this morning.

Cathy, I second your guess, and hope it is all wrong. If I recall, Bob made a gift, not a submission, of BONES to you david, and it seems he didn’t get much attention about it (just reading from the NY saga here), yet was more than gracious about it.

So, yes, I hope his/your leaving is not due to some kind of disppointment. Let us know, Bob, that it is not. Remember, not that long ago, we said we are family.

David, that has to be the unlikeliest entry you ever wrote. If O. gets by, it will definitely be history, and not just for folks here, but anyone with some kind of skin color in the entire world that’s been told to step back and let the boss first. That is what I will celebrate, and forget about shots, you can’t take pictures with tears in your eyes….

Ron Paul and Nader are still running, no?

Obama,of course. Even though I voted for the gal candidate. Will be with you in Mexico for the election. Will be odd to be out of the US. May not you back if it turns out bad…

…another eerie night…
I somehow feel all alone in here!!!
I know I’m missing something but,
but I don’t know what it is..!

Having photographed them both several times already, I presume you’re referring to once whichever one of them becomes President?

Surely, setting all politics aside, McCain has been photographed over the past decades many thousands of times, and the images of him were he to become President would look very similar to those of him before that, save for the inclusion of the Presidential seal. I can’t see anything exciting about that.

However, images of Obama are still fresh because he’s not been around as long. Moreover, and more importantly, the opportunity to photograph the first African-American President is a most remarkable thing to behold – and one that will be instantly historic, and in years to come, iconic simply because of what it would say about how far this nation has come in it’s short lifespan.

I want to stress – I am speaking here just about opportunities to make images of both. As a photojournalist who purposefully registered as an Independent, and does not vote just for one party or another, I work very hard to avoid skewing my images (or even a perceived skewing) based upon my opinions about elected leaders.

Regards,
John

Hi David, I posted two links with my work, whath do you think about it? does it works?
tnx
baci cristina

http://www.cristinafaramo.com/casadonpuglisi_/
http://www.cristinafaramo.com/casadonpuglisi/

Bob

If you need brake it’s ok, but come back soon. you belong to this place and this place belong to you :)

Lance

You are good in portrait pictures.

David

Post without pictures???
Maybe one pictures from your essay?
Ahhh… Yes I have to be patient….
:)

peace

Both of them.

Hi all,

Here are new images of my parents
http://gallery.me.com/audreybardou#100505&view=mosaic&bgcolor=dkgrey&sel=1
There is not a lot… for some weeks, I see nothing… I have to work more hard…

Have has nice day,
audrey

MARCIN….

i have done many posts without pictures…and i just did not have anything appropriate for this one…however, you do not have to be patient for much longer…i will start posting “family” under “work in progress” very very soon…i am so so busy shooting “family” now, that i do not have time to do everything i am supposed to do….but i know you well understand…when do you go to Thailand???

cheers, david

AUDREY….

i am rushing, but i did take a quick look…yes, yes, you are still doing it!!! please pardon my short note, but i will return to chat more….

BOB…

some say you are gone….?????????????

as Eric says, you are such an integral part of this forum….honestly, i do not believe you are gone….

relax, collect your thoughts, be of good cheer and come back when you are ready….

we cannot live too long without your words…

hugs, david

I would love to photograph McCain falling down a flight of stairs…

I have photographed Obama at a small private fundraiser — the guy looks really good in photographs. He’s tall and thin, with well-tailored suits, clean lines. He is comfortable in his own skin, gestures well, and comes across as both relaxed and confident. At the event I covered, I thought his remarks and demeanor were dull to the point of being dead, but when I saw the images a few hours later, they were crackling with electricity. Obama has that kind of physical mojo.

McCain is an old wax works. I have only seen him on TV, but he looks as if an undertaker has done only a passable job. He’s pasty and bloated and, if you saw him in the town hall debate in Nashville, he’s not very mobile or physically comfortable. The camera really doesn’t like him.

morning y’all..
First tow of the day..
SANTA ANA WINDS are fucking me
up..

DAVID,
Where’s the Magnum election site? not up yet?

Sad to see Bob leave. He usually has a lot to say, but not this time. Some sort of explenation would be appreciated. I totally understand him though..

Hi David,

I think we all understand it well and of course support. We all love hard work and some of us waiting for it!
I’ll be in thailand 6th November for two weeks.
Ohhh… I have shooting and travel fever!!!
I am focus.
I am ready.
Mind clear.
cameras ready, films still in shop but not for long… All colors (no b&w)
I don’t know wher I go, but no problem. Wherever I go I’ll be best photographer on the world! :)
It will be symphony!
… or be nothing :)

I’ll be waiting for your new pictures!

Take your time. Have a fun!
Take care.

hugs

yes, david, come to seattle!!!
you can make a photo of my street family under a bridge where they live and you can join us there for a night of drums and cooking over an open fire. and many many stories; yours and ours.
we’d so very much love to have you.
what do you say???
think about it, dear.

:)))

There must be a moment just after Obama is sworn in and as he is leaving the outdoor podium area when he suddenly ‘gets’ being President. I’d like to be there for that and if it could be arranged with strong sunlight….

I understand a poll was taken in 23 or 24 countries and Obama was the ‘winner’ in all polls. The world, it seems, wants Obama. For Americans though, wow, the race is so close.

I went to hear Obama speak in Detroit on Labour Day. Near an entrance to Hart Plaza an older man said “I’m here to see the black President. Which way to see the black President?” He was being a bit humourous but I could see his real pride – he was positively bouyant as were so many in attendance that day.

Anyway, that is this Canadian’s answer for the poll. Meanwhile our national election is tomorrow. The funny thing is the guy who ‘wins’ will get about 35% of the popular vote. That means 65% will vote against him.

preston, they used to say that Nixon lost the 60 debate because the camera did not like him…. And that makes it quite a photographic subject. No doubt Obama has charisma, but we hardly have any photography that is revealing, showing aside, that sort of things.

David, remember the Mc Curry point I was making, was not to say he does the best photography around since he sells the most, but strictly in relation to the FAM conversation.in short, that Humanist, feel good photography is not just a cold war ideology. It is the “bread and butter” of how many people around the world get to see the world in its daily life demeanour. Thru and as photos, if not photography.

A much vaster subject, but I do find strong ideology(1) in the 9/11 shots/exhibition. And profund humanity, oneness and resilience, heck Family of man-ity, that may not be far from Steichen’s idea.

(1) “on9/11, the world changed”.

Just being a sociologist here, I do not own one Mc Curry book…

But I sure wish Cristina Garcia-Rodero’ s Haitian rituals book was not so damned expensive (172$ on amazon). I finally got to her portfolio on the Magnum site (as you know, I take my time, a….Digestion thing :-))))) ).

I do remember her at the Magnum party. What great, enthralling photography!

BOB
We will miss you.
Take care brother.

PRESTON

Thanks for sharing your expoerience photographing Obama and other politicos. Very interesting, and what you say about politiicians not always being guarded and inaccessible rings true.
I was only speaking for myself, and in reference to what the situation would probably be once one of these guys is elected. I realize that lots of people, you included, do ‘have business photographing Obama or McCain.’ Just not me, personally. So, please, be my eyes and ears, brother! That is what journalism is all about.

BOB B

Hope all is well with you and your family. You will be missed here – can’t imagine the place without you!

Best wishes mate,

Mike R.

HERVE:

Thank you for your comment on the photos of the boys. I am trying to break old habits and start new ones. These kids are part of my family and I have rarely taken photos/snapshots of the fam. Also many times I don’t take out my camera if the light is not good & rarely do I attend rodeo. Breaking out of that mould I photographed my family close to home and in light that i normally would have my camera tucked away in my bag. I had to do this not only to push myself but really wanting to capture a moment for these boys and the comic value of the kidz rodeo which is actually quite serious for them. The light in the image is better when I have it on my screen but as i post on the site it looses color & contrast on most images.

I put together a story & hoped that it made sense. A vegetarian & animal lover I’m the one in the stands cheering for the calf that gets away, wearing a shirt that says “save a horse, ride a cowboy”. Not really my crowd, they accept me anyway. I’m interested in the kids that participate and will go to some the kids rodeos with Brady & Alex next year. there is most definitely a good story within.

http://hillaryatiyeh.com/portfolio.cfm?nK=6102&nS=12&i=69235

Hillary

BOB BLACK~

I first saw your work on a huge screen in Charlottesville.
It was one of my favorites out of the show and I remember the dance of B&W and patterns of grey that washed over the screen and how the images made me feel the roots, the essence of photography.

The mystery of art and science is apparent in this body of work you call “Bones”

Bones…Structure, A framework to contain our bodies, our souls.
Growing as we grow, deteriorating eventually, but becoming one in the vast universe of space and time which is energy and light.

Bones….made up of million little molecules…Matter that is only solid as the way we see it.

In each piece of grain in the bones of your body of work I see the molecules that make up matter. We break down to these tiny little pieces making up the whole…the universe, the Earth, our bodies, our souls, our experiences…. our bones….

Thank you for sharing this incredible art and a piece of yourself.

xoxo
Hillary

DAVID,
I believe that the majority of politicians sincerely wish to make the world a better place. Then they gain power and have to make choices; tough choices. Then they compromise – like, “I’ll vote for your bill even though I don’t agree with it if you’ll vote for my bill which I’m passionate about” – then it all gets messy.

I’m for Obama and I hope he has the chance to do what he says he will do. I hope he doesn’t get overtaken by events. The vast majority of humanity like America and Americans but don’t like America’s government i.e. foreign policy. Obama may be able to build bridges.

I’m talking politics aren’t I? Sorry.

Have you been able to show Mr Nachman your photographs of his daughter’s wedding? Did he smile one more time? Wedding photography is sometimes considered less “worthy” than “serious” photojournalism. I’ve photographed a few weddings in my long-gone youth and, ok, it’s not war photography; it’s much more scary than that!

Good light,

Mike R.

Have you been able to show Mr Nachman

The portrait photographer Platon has a saying: “There is room for only one ego in the room, the subject”

Does this mean we make pictures as equals or not? Does it depend on how we take pictures? Is a perception of equality helpful or unhelpful?

Thinking back I don’t recall thinking of anyone as equal, or more, or less while photographing them, but I’ll think more on that.

Obama photos? There is a photobook called “The Rise of Barack Obama” by Pete Souza. I’ve not seen inside it, but it sounds interesting.

Currently in Brest trying not to get locked out of my hotel again. The glamour of travel!

And yeah, I’d want to be pointing my lens at Obama come the new year.

Akaky for President? Who will be your running mate Akaky IRL?

LANCE ~
Those images have stayed with me as well and touches the part of me that first drew me to photography…takes me to a place where photography was born…Bones Of Time…the greatest title ever for this project! Lucky you to see the prints even at a crazy party…those pixx have power…imagine them large and in one room!
I can’t wait to see them one day…

As I was looking at portfolios yours really stood out to me…Grit is amazing! I have family that is into Rodeo & will pass on the link to your “web Presence”, they will absolutely love it!!! Also my faves are the ones from NYC~strong powerful imagery that truly matches the people you photographed.

Do you have more work posted anywhere else?
I See you’re in Austin…hear there is a great music scene there…

Hillary

neil – i love brest (this is not a misogynist statement).. what you up to?

David B.

Oh, I am sorry I forgot to answer. I check it. I will have some problems with roll films in my city. And price is not as good as in US probably. But thanks for advise. I will try get this roll films in future. I think it’s good idea.
To thailand I will buy ektachromes e100vs and GX. They have more subtle color than velvia.
Fever, fever!

peace

Was I the only one who found David’s comment about his Magnum brother Steve McCurry to be a real put down? Seems to me he could have made his point in a less cutting fashion.

Patricia

and if i photoed obama i’d like to catch the light just as well as david mc..

where is he?

Id like to photograph both for different reasons.

Obama is a going to be a great man.
McCain for the great fall a man can take. This used to be the straight talker unafraid to tell the truth. Now he’s a pathetic liar and a race baiter to boot. A pathetic fall.

I dont think its going to be close. Nationwide polls dont matter but even still Obama has an 8 point lead. In a country so deeply polarized this is as big a lead as you should really expect. But the important thing is the states and Obama is now leading in pretty much all the swing states, and even some red states are going in his ledger. What started as a trickle has recently turned into something more. Watch it to be a flood by November. My prediction is that Obama gets over 330 electorate votes which will be a blowout.

David, take a look at a little set I did last weekend at a lantern festival in my wife’s home town.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jinju/sets/72157607762150085/show/

I could not ask… French people are so rude!
__________

laughing..

Erica, i’m loving your 40 days photos. just gorgeous.

Kerry–whaat? you’re moving to New York? I’m writing you an email right now to find out more. I missed all the fun Saturday!

I think my answer to the poll is obvious by the stupid sh*t eating grin on my face:

http://www.jenniferchasephoto.com/misc/obama.jpg

true story…this photo was taken by the long haired guy from the black eyed peas. then Obama offered to take a picture of me and the peas. could care less about that one.

PATRICIA….

my comment about Steve was not intended to be “cutting” at all…i was asked a straight question and i gave a straight answer…and , also i was writing in haste, with no time to elaborate or put it all into context….again, this is just like our critique and the critique here about critiquing in general…at Magnum, and my whole life since a student at the Univ. of Missouri ( the REAL school of tough tough critique) we talk straight up with each other….when we are with each other and looking at everything from book layouts to exhibits we tell each other straight up what we think…i honestly think the work of Steve is very straightforward , very clean, and he certainly has the most famous picture of all time, the Afghan woman….a picture that is in my personal collection of prints and collected worldwide ….there are , however photographers that i admire more from a purely photographic standpoint..photographers who pique my imagination much more…i am sure there are photographers he admires more than me as well…yet, surely we will still always enjoy each other’s compay socially..

however, what i do admire about Steve is his indefatigable ability to do what he does despite the fact that he works with only one good hand….

he has gone into combat, survived months in Afghanistan under grueling conditions, and always comes up with strong strong pictures under conditions that i would not even go into in the first place…

it is not a put down in my world not to be a “fan” of someone’s work..it has absolutely nothing to do with liking them as a person…but, it obviously seems like that to you…and i can understand your point of view since you are coming from a completely different place in your work and in your nature of criticism…but, please try to understand mine without seeing a critique as an “attack”…

and Patricia please do me one favor…look at Steve’s work..then look at say Alex Webb’s work….both color..both contemporaries …can you not see why i might like Alex over Steve??? but, that does not mean you have to agree with me, but you might see why i would prefer one over the other….or, maybe not..and that would be fine too, because your opinion is just as valid as anyone’s..mine included..

cheers, david

JENNIFER CHASE

i meant to ask you the other day – do you live in DC? nice pic with Obama!

DAVID

I have absolutely no problem with your preferring one photographer’s work over another’s. My god, that’s what it’s all about, isn’t it? My response was not to your preferences, but to how you’d put it. Saying someone is popular with the “masses” rather than the “astute,” is to me a pretty good put down.

As you say, you were rushed and didn’t have time to explain what you meant. I was just surprised because it didn’t sound like you. Thanks for taking the time to make your point more specifically. Now I understand what what you were trying to say.

And yes, I’ll look at Steve’s work next to Alex’s and see what I think.

Patricia

Greetings everyone.

I have recently started a new web site called The37thFrame.org.

The 37th Frame’s purpose is to bring readers the best of the photojournalism on the internet. I decided that since I spend a lot of time surfing the net for great photographic work, I may as well keep a record of what I find and share it with others.

In a short time, the site has received a lot of attention including a mention on the Photo District News blog. Readers are encouraged to email me with link suggestions to share with the rest of our community. Hopefully there will be comments and discussion on the posts.

One of the goals of the site is to highlight work that may be off the radar and not being seen.

I brought up the idea to David about inviting readers of this blog and all of his emerging photographers to participate. David thought it was a great idea.

If anyone is interested in participating, please send me a link to an image, series of images or story that you would like me to highlight.

I would only ask that the link take the reader to an easy to navigate site that first showcases the intended work. Of course then the reader will be able to explore the remainder of your site. I just feel for the best experience that the reader not have to search for what they were interested in seeing.

Some links will appear in the main featured section and others will simply be posted on the home page.

Regardless of how they initially show up on the site, they will all be grouped under a special section on the home page. (The position that is currently called Media Storm in the middle of the page.)

I am also thinking of having the photographer provide the initial comment on the post where they can talk a little about the work. This will help get a dialog started between readers and the readers and photographer.

I hope all this makes sense. This is still a site that is evolving, so nothing is set in stone. Suggestions are welcome.

Please feel free to email questions for me to petemarovich@the37thframe.org.

Please address all submissions to: submissions@the37thframe.org

Thanks to everyone in advance, and most of all to David.

I think Alex Webb’s work seems to be more “spontaneous”, for want of a better word. That’s not to denigrate Steve McCurry’s work (who am I to criticise the work of a master), it’s just different.

Also, I find my tastes change as I chug merrily along life’s path too. For instance, I once couldn’t see the merits of Matin Parr’s colour work. But now a few years later I “get it” better. It’s not the style of work I could do but I can better appreciate it. Horses for courses I suppose.

I think any criticism/critique on paper or web screen can look harsher than in reality. I have to be really careful if I querying a slip up in magazine payments. A casual inquiry can seem like an angry demand because they can’t hear my “tone of voice”. The same way that a text can be totally misconstrued when read without the context in which it was sent.

David: A couple of questions about you current families project…..

You mentioned that you were using both b&w and colour, how would that work in a book publishing situation? I can see it working in a gallery presentation. I’ve discovered a great location here at home to begin a long project on & am shooting both b&w and colour, but unsure if I’m better to stick to one or the other.

The project revolves around a small remote fishing/holiday settlement and I will be able to pursue while doing other jobs-a la “stay another day”. I needed another project to get my teeth into because I won’t get back to Timor until the New Year now.

Also…. What was the reason for using medium format too??? Thanks

Cheers

DAVID

Yep, I get it!

Alex Webb takes me places I don’t expect to go, shows me the world through eyes that look INTO not AT people & places, finds perspectives that I could never have imagined existed. He’s a true original. Steve shows me what I would probably have seen myself if I’d been there. Good photos but only rarely does he make me catch my breath in surprise. Thanks, David, that was a good teaching.

ALL

I discovered another good teaching tool today–“An Inner Silence: The Portraits of Henri Cartier-Bresson” by Agnes Sire and Jean-Luc Nancy. I bought this book because I could see that HCB knew how to find the “innerness” of the persons he photographed. Part of his gift was in letting their surroundings act as keys to their personalities. I was often surprised by where HCB placed his subjects in the frame, and of course his use of ambient light was masterful.

HCB’s lessons are just what I need as I continue to work on my African American Elders project. I’ve been photographing at this Detroit senior center twice a week since mid-June and am becoming ever more intrigued by the individuals themselves rather than the activities in which they engage. I just want to show the dignity, humor, wisdom, suffering and joy I see in each. In time I’ll share some pics but not yet. I feel as though I’m just beginning to understand what this work is all about.

Patricia

ALL.

I had the pleasure of meeting Fazal Sheikh tonight. He gave a lecture and slideshow. If you’re not familiar with him please get to know him! Brilliant, soft spoken, handsome Princeton graduate…Kenyan father,white American mother…he actually reminds me quite a bit of a young Obama!

I tried to encourage him to “join” the photographic community and show his work in Perpignan or the like and he said he does not consider himself a photojournalist. His bio calls him an artist/activist. Perhaps his technique of B/W portraits is not complex enough for many here but the years he has spent in refugee camps combined with the letters he reads written by his subjects and their beautiful portraits earned him my greatest respect.

He publishes his entire books online so you can see them here…

http://www.fazalsheikh.org/

I loved so much of what he said…a couple of tidbits…

How some photojournalists come on the scene already “knowing” what they are going to shoot, knowing the story they want to tell before they even arrive and how different that is from sticking around and letting the people reveal the story they want told.

Here is someone who goes deep. The photos are the icing on the cake but he knows each subjects name and full story and includes it all. He goes for the big picture. His work is like an “old school” multi-media presentation.

DAVID

I sure hope this blog community doesn’t expect “perfection” from any of us. And I also hope we’ll always feel comfortable questioning one another when we feel something just ain’t quite right. As we all know by now, online communication is a tricky business, full of possible misinterpretations and misreadings. Calling for and receiving clarification can save us a lot of grief…

Patricia

ERICA

GREAT LINKS !!!!

thanks very much.

I was just passing, sneaking a peak here and followed your links.
Cat Cam is very cool, if I show my daughter Uma she’s going to want to put one on her pet rabbit for sure! (could be interesting… hmmm…)

maybe David B could fit one on Tor Capa!!!!! (when he starts to crawl) never to early to start!

The Giant Girl Doll is quite amazing, didn’t watch it all ( as yet), my connection ain’t too fast. But wow… what a concept

I’m gonna check the koudelka talk latter as i’m running off to college now. end of my term break, back to reality…

A BIG THANKS TO EVERYONE
being here this past week or so has provided me with some sort of balance, or perspective… anyway gotta run….. grab that uniform, shit, I still can’t believe what i’m doing…

Sam

hey panos..
can i email you? (it’s not about politics — i promise..). lol.
~alicia

Alicia , go ahead..
Even call me
310425 9298
Please do!

Alicia …
please email me or call..
People that really really know me
well.. They know I’m in a great mood..
Listening to “sonic youth” right now..
That’s all..
;-))))

i have no doubts.. really.. hehe. i’m just playin’ u.. ;)

:)

oops. i scared off panos. lol. see, this is why i email before i call.. or maybe i should think of easier questions.. hehe. (not likely)..

a scourge of modern Times.

PS: Strong mushrooms, Panos, tonight? ;-)

… another thing….
“two faced monkey syndrom”…

S.Freud, talked extensively about that syndrom…

or the opposite of being MONOGAMOUS…???
it is POLYGAMOUS… !!!!
or fear of commitment….!!!!

or being a “LIGHTSTALKER”… BEING A STALKER IS CREEPY
ENOUGH… BUT BEING A “LIGHTSTALKER”….???????

oh i see…
i make no sense… i really do…make NO sense…
but not for all of you…
right?

David,

Are you serious about this blog shutting down? And whats this talk about a magazine?

…… great ,,…. at least someone listens to my prayers….
fuck this blog… FUCK ALL BLOGS…

January 1??????
how about tomorrow????????

…again…!

…. people…..!…

… in greece we ( still ) say:

” you do not appreciated it … UNTIL you lose it…”

and you know what ??????
YOU JUST LOST IT… YOU HAD IT , BUT YOU THREW IT ALL AWAY…
ALL OF YOU ( US )…
nothing but ARROGANT bitches….
still make no sense huhhh!…

someone is trying to help you…
SOMEONE IS GIVING YOU A HOME …a voice…
but you all love shitting all over the place…

ok… but dont start calling and begging when the rain starts to
fall…

“… and its a hard rain , … its A HARD RAIN’S A GONNA FALL

by for now…
…im really hurt tonight..
listen to my song please…
i mean no harm… really

PETE MAROVICH

hey i really dig the new site.. http://www.The37thFrame.org what a great idea.. thank you for setting this up, i will check it often!

also, have you all seen http://www.thedailybeast.com/ it’s Tina Brown’s new project.. there is a lot to keep up with if you so desire!

David B — still here. :)

Eric E — I didn’t tell you I was a republican — I said republican sympathizer — I don’t want to completely alienate myself from this forum! :)))

Actually I don’t think politics has to be such a taboo subject in circles like these. If there’s one thing we can learn from politicians here in the US, it’s that while they passionately argue their ideologies on the floor of the house and senate, they tend to all be friends who play golf, go sailing, and bbq on the weekends.

Here’s the short on being fiscally conservative: I believe that if you keep taxes low, including taxes on (evil) corporations, you enable them to provide jobs, to bring business back to the US, and create a broader base of tax payers that actually increases revenue. It seemed to work for Gulliani in New York, and I always favored him over McCain. While there were prosperous years under Clinton, recessions have a way of coming around in cycles, and there was a short-lived recession at the end of Clinton’s last term, that was staved off by Bush’s tax cuts. But of course, he sunk the country into an unnecessary war and never developed an energy plan, spending more reckless than any president in history, etc, etc.

I bring up fiscal conservatism because we absolutely cannot tax our way out of a recession. They’re trying to do it in Michigan, and it isn’t working:

http://www.thetimesherald.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20081011/OPINION02/810110310/-1/NEWSFRONT2

Michigan is an excellent case study of an economic black hole that the rest of the country could be following. This is one reason I’m not on the Obama bandwagon—he’s campaigning around the magic number of $250k, saying he will not raise taxes on people making less than that; that’s fine, but he says that most small businesses will be protected, because most gross less than that, but that’s simply not true. While there are any number of mom and pop shops with a few employees, $250k is a really modest number for billable hours or sales for true small businesses.

The Small Business Administration has various classifications for what qualifies as a small business, some with as many as 500 employees or billings up to $30 million. When Obama asks “how many out there are making more than $250k?” that has a nice campaign ring to it, but if taxes go up drastically on true small businesses, it ends up being worse for the recession when they have to start compromising employment. And that’s exactly what they do—businesses are handed a number by the government (tax %) and they hand that number right back to the consumer with increased costs of goods or services, or laying off employees. It’s the dirty little crime of living in the land of opportunity—CEOs rarely have to take a hit.

It’s starting to feel, despite Obama’s keen sense of articulation, that too many promises are being made, and someone is going to have to pay for nearly a trillion dollars of new spending. This could be a bad time for that to hit the backbone of the States.

I understand how Obama caries that air of clarity and hope in his polished and well marketed presentation, but it’s completely legitimate to question his experience. When you spend four or eight years in the Senate and actually develop a transparent voting record, associations with folks like William Ayers, Tony Rezko, and Rev. Wright tend to go away. By the way, you dems have Hillary to thank for those names coming up. But when you don’t spend that time developing a political path, you realistically are the riskier candidate, and I’m not going to be distracted by form. It might be glib of me to say so, but Obama has spent fewer days in the senate, prior to campaigning, than is required by McDonald’s employees to be a manager. :)))

In some commercials, Obama speaks of a responsible end to the war, but out on the stump he’s preaching to his crowds as if we’re going to be pulling out on day one. No matter how we got in, we cannot leave that country a mess. Within the last month, Al Qaeda insurgents were tipped off to a raid by Iraqi police, and they killed about 35 men. That doesn’t sound like a country that’s ready to stand on it’s own, and I don’t think Obama should be romancing the base with talk of a pull-out, when our responsibilities might have us there a lot longer than anyone wants.

I think a system of checks and balances with mixed parties better reflects the will of the public, which we won’t have with a single party majority in the house, senate, and presidency. Plus with the deer-in-the-headlights congress with Nancy Pelosi at the helm, who couldn’t see the Freddie and Fannie bus coming despite warnings from both sides, there could be a disastrous handling of the recession. Or with too much power, congress could implode, like it did with Carter.

So yes, even though he wasn’t my first choice, my scorecard does favor McCain on experience, national security, responsibilities in Iraq, and fighting a recession by lowering corporate and capital gains taxes (though that scorecard is a lot closer than you may think.) I rail against McCain too. It gets very confusing for me. McCain’s health care plan sounds like such a mess, I doubt that it would even get signed into law. Plus for someone campaigning on earmark reform, he had the opportunity to vote No on the $700B bailout that ended up being strapped with earmarks, almost as if congress saw fit to negotiate with the taxpayers money, during the time of the worst economic crisis ever. But he didn’t do it. To politically risky, I guess. I also think it’s a shame he can’t articulate his plan very well, to the degree that it seems he has no plan, when in fact it could be very effective.

Just so this is clear to everyone, my highest hope, no matter who is elected, is that prosperity is restored, their policies work, our workforce is replenished, and peace and dignity are brought back to our highest office. I’d much rather be wrong in a meaningless rant, than to tow a party line. And just a really minor note, I don’t think it’s very becoming for a peace-loving forum to suggest that a war veteran being thrown down the stairs is a good photo op, nor do I think Obama’s middle name reflects any of his policies or judgment.

****************************

So back to the question—I’ve already photographed Obama. McCain probably isn’t coming back to Michigan. I’d have to shoot video to capture a good Biden gaffe. So I guess I’d really just like to photography Palin for G. Gordon Liddy’s “Stacked and Packed” calendar.

Photography before politics forever!

http://www.humanfiles.com/journal_galleries/obama_calderplaza.htm

PS Be sure and pay attention to Anderson Cooper’s “Ten Most Wanted: Culprits of the Collapse” on CNN. Good stuff!

i would like to photograph malia and sasha obama playing on the white house lawn…

I agree whit you bob…there are no more words to add…

…I think this changing is an opportunity for all of us to be more aware of ourself.

thanks,
thanks david and all!

cristina

easy now..

seems a little claustrophobic in here at the moment..

i hope the blog continues to develop with new ideas.. alongside new idea’s.

i’m not sure anyone here has ‘expected’ anything from dah or from the blog.. apart from some conversation, some new connections and some inspiration from other posters, as well as dah.. not certain there is disrespect..

some good looking new links.. going to have a wander through them later.. some well said points from bob.. considered.. and i also offer help, as i think do most, with whatever becomes the whatever.

remember to have your chips with pea’s.

Don’t want to hijack the thread, but…

Dear Sidney, Gina. Anton, Panos, Erica, and Jeff D,

Many thanks to you all for your thoughtful comments regarding the beginning of my project in Brazil. Your perspective has been helpful, and I realize that while I shouldn’t present work without considering the implications of its use further in the future, I feel that I needed to put up something fresh that I am proud of. Had to dispel any demons acquired from photographing dental offices and other rather dry subject matter over the summer.

Just the same, Erica, Sidney and Jeff… your words lit a fire and I’m thinking of heading back to Brazil sooner than I had anticipated. The implications, history and metaphors of samba are rich subject matter. Thank you all again. I really appreciate the time you guys put into critiquing the work.

DAH- If you have a few minutes, I’d love to hear your take too… The gallery is called Samba da Bahia and is at the top of the page at http://www.andrew-sullivan.com .

Okay, I’ve just finished reading Bob’s post above….did somebody die?

ANDREW

6, 8 and 14 remind me of the work of Alex Web and that’s a compliment. No 1 is pure Andrew Sullivan and that’s a compliment too. No 13 – good use of depth of field (now called Bokeh thanks to Mike Johnston). Not a weak photograph in there; excellent.

Get back to Bahia, look at DAHs use of small flash, remind me to look at his use of small flash; enjoy!

Mike R.

HERVE….ALL

who said i was leaving the family i helped to foster???

if you took the time to read Panos’ post prior and his comment about the “Rolling Stones”, then you would indeed see why the comment was only to him and intended as a corollary and in jest…

i just said the blog will shut down on Jan 1…i also said “new magazine”…i also in a previous comment said i was really really busy shooting right now on my family project and would not have time to write much…

why did you only choose to read the words “blog shut down”, and not read “new magazine” and “busy shooting” and then have the GALL to call me “thoughtless”?????…unbelievable Herve, particularly coming from you!!!!

would you not imagine i would do a new post with new announcements soonest??? january 1 is 10 weeks away!!!!

it is exactly those kinds of “thoughtless” comments that i want to eliminate from my life…

i want to put my energy into those who most need it and will benefit most…

in this regard there will be NO END at all and i will indeed try to provide a new beginning for many….anyone who is doing serious photography and/or committed writing will only benefit from a new structure…

stay tuned….the best is yet to come….

cheers, david

Is “new magazine” perhaps a new online magazine?

DAVID, ALL.

I feel as though I am stepping in between a pack of dogs that are about to pounce on each other…not a good move perhaps. Don’t bite me please!!! :))

Don’t know why I am getting involved here but I just re-read Herve’s comment and I don’t believe that he called YOU thoughtless David…I think he’s referring to some of the behind the scenes drama he’s hearing little bits and pieces of…secretive sound bites if you will from Panos, Bob, etc that he is very aware of and now the words “end of the blog” are being uttered (in several comments this morning, not just yours to Panos) so I believe he is just wondering what is going on…

I’m sure he will speak for himself soon. :))

I can’t help but smile as I follow this blog …

I think this community is indeed a ‘family’ when we swing from love-fest to pouting in the space of a week.

Throw in a carton of warm beer and prawns; some cheap tinsel and a drunken Uncle Mace ready to take on all who did not appreciate his gift of home-bottled Home Brew and this could well be 4pm on any Christmas Day from the first 20 years of my life.

…and of course tomorrow the lovin’ will start all over again…

DAH:
I emailed you last night — no rush to reply, but wanted to be sure the email got through. Keep smiling.

HILLARY /ALL..that’s why I posted the diversions last night, links a page back, to give everyone some laughter / a chance to witness creative genius / and exposure to a rare a timeless bit of photo history, respectively..

(it’s a grammatically complicated sentence from Herve..easy to have misread the first go..)

HERVE..am not trying to keep anyone clueless about anything, am trying to respect everyone here

PETE.

Great site.
I will tune in daily.

ALL

OK, everybody, let’s take three deep breaths…

1……………………….2………………………………3

Yes, there is “behind the scenes” activity going on here, and that is exactly where it needs to stay. No, I don’t know the extent of what’s going on either, and that’s just fine. The only persons who need to know are those involved. We must allow our sisters and brothers to work things out for themselves. That’s what emails and phone calls are for. Somethings are better left private.

As for the blog and where it’s going, we’ll just need to let that unfold in time. It’s David’s blog so I’m sure when he’s got it all worked out in his mind, he’ll share it with us here. I too was a bit taken aback with his short comment about the blog closing down on January 1 and a new magazine being born. This was unexpected and unexplained, so I thank Herve for asking some important questions. And I share Erica’s and Cathy’s read on Herve’s comment that he was NOT calling David thoughtless, but was feeling out of the loop and wondering if others knew what was going on. David is the only one who knows what’s going on and that is fine. As I say, it’s his blog.

But whatever happens, we are family and family we will remain. We can stay connected through emails, phone calls and visits. And who knows? If David closes down this blog, maybe one of us will start another.

Life is change and change is good. Let’s just appreciate what we have now and trust that what is to come will be just as wonderful, if not more so…

peace to all
Patricia

Okay, now that we are all family and getting ready for a digital group hug in order to solidfy our feeling of togetherness, I want everyone here to know this: no, you can’t borrow money from Uncle Akaky. The chances of this happening are minimal to the point of nonexistence, so dont even bother asking. Uncle Akaky is already so pissed off at himself for deleting an entire memory card full of Hispanic Day parade pictures, including that Colombian tango girl showing a little more than she probably wanted to in that scissors kick, that any chance of your getting money out of him for the forseeable future vanished along with the pictures and your best chance of long term survival is to stay away from him for as long as possible.

Akaky!!

The images can most likely be recovered. Don’t do anything with the card….email me at andrew (dot) brinkhorst (at) gmail (dot) com if you need help…

ANDREW B, sent you the email!

Thanks to Cathy and Gina for the kind words about the site.

I was anxious reading previous posts!!!!
Back to calm…

I burnt film and prints today – the setup for a new beginning, hope to start a project soon – to share things here other than words…to be part of the family…

BOB
thank for your peaceful post.

PAT
i think you’re right, and as always, your words are wise…and peaceful…

PANOS
You’re right with your ‘vampire’ post.
But as said David B.
“i’m not sure anyone here has ‘expected’ anything from dah or from the blog.. apart from some conversation, some new connections and some inspiration from other posters, as well as dah.. not certain there is disrespect.. ”
And Patricia:
‘We’re family’.

So of course DAH gives us a lot, but even if he don’t need us, i think he’s free, and the ambience there is of love and respect. No?????

is your trip to Paris always ok???

DAVID BOWEN
how are you?? DECADE is going or you’re focused on doing film BW???
PS’may be try a chemist?’
;-)
(ps: i want an EOS1!!! i sold mine one year ago :-((( – the main problem is noise with that kind of cameras…)

peace love to all

Herve 3, 6, 11, 14 are my faves.

Back to the photography, and still deep in garage sale, but took a departure Sunday to shoot a modern Maid Marian:

http://www.humanfiles.com/slideshows/marian/maid_marian.htm

Who wouldn’t, right?

DAVID

I know you are busy. I have short question but like always, answer only if you will have Time or some big a break.
I know I asked many questions last time about my photography and I took many time of this forum but it will be the last one and very important for me. And your opinion in this case is most important to me.
I prepare few my images and alex webb’s.

http://marcinluczkowski.com/vs.jpg

This is most natural way of shooting for me. I do not think and pretend nothing and nobody.
I like divide frames and condense my images. I like configurations and horizontals and verticals on my pictures.

And my quetion is (please look at pictures above)

DO I COMMIT SUICIDE SHOOTING THIS WAY??

i do not want to be nobody than me self. Shit… I think my most instinctive and natural way of taking pictures will kill me as a artist.
shit shit.
I know it’s look like weak Alex Webb.

So what you think?
Suicide?

jean.

i’m teaching bnw.. pinhole today went okay.. took longer than hoped.. some good results.. and some promise of good results.

decade is starting up again, since i now have the rest of the negatives over from the uk to complete the editing.. it’s all guns blazing from here on in..
i’m aware that much of my work alongside the blog, due to teaching and also due to a lack of proper filing in the past, is backward looking.. the latest snaps i post will be from the furthest back.. not for long though.

baby birth and the love affair into which he is born will be up soon.. for pleasure.. for fun.. for the sheer joy of new life and the pleasure of friendship.. for bob, dah, panos, patricia, DMC, anton, erica, eric, lisa, lee, audrey and more and more and more and more.
oh – and for the love of photography.. for the love of following links about photography.. for the love of seeing photos.. seeing other people in them.. understanding relativity.. understanding.. seeing.. calm eyes around the world.. peace..

one thing herve said struck me – NYC and the aftermath.. those of us who could not make it will no doubt wonder.. with bobs sad goodbye and panos flying off the handle.. who knows whats been brewing.. not me..

the only thing we can really depend upon is change – and as anton says.. it’s going to be good.. believe it.. please.. despite the negativity filtering onto the thread from wherever, lets remember what we’re doing here.. connecting over photography.. sharing links.. contributing positively to each others lives..

never mind chips, tonight i’m having pea’s with everything.

david mc..
thats the life man.. woods.. play.. music.. would be great to see a collection of the many individual shoots you have bubbled away doing over the years.. garage sale is superb.. strong.. emotive stuff.. you have much more than that as well..

marcin..
my thoughts .. a humble opinion, though i know it’s not been asked for – why are you worried? you’re a talented and visually intelligent photographer.. hell any of our work could be selected and placed next to another photographers with similar style.. and compared..
if you do your own thing though, there will be no comparisons.. there will only be you and what you shoot..
learn about other snappers, soak up their work until you’re happy and then try to forget about them..
your work is great.
why belittle it and panic? you’ve got style.

suicide? nah.. show your work.. more .. show everyone..

Yeah, sorry about that. (I didn’t know anyone still used Explorer?!?) It would probably work if you downloaded Firefox, a free download. Good to know though—I wonder what I can do differently?

David M.

I’ve not seen your link also :) I am using Opera

Ha! David

I saw first pictures! Nice works my friend!

http://insight.magnumphotos.com/

http://insight.magnumphotos.com/insight/colorado

I love the last 2 minutes of a football game. No matter the game, the fact that it’s about to end makes it so exciting… There’s always another game soon, but at the moment it seems otherwise.

Football Fan

“you can’t get aids from the ass”
– gary the retard from the howard stern show

MARCIN.

Thanks for letting us know David’s new site it up.
Looks great.

I’m sure yours is too! :)) I will look asap…gotta run for a few minutes.

DMcG
I kinda wondered why I needed shockwave for a .mov last time…forgot to ask you…I finally got it to work by looking somewhere and seeing the link to the .mov file and browsing to that…

cheers,
A.

MARCIN again.

I especially like the rear-view mirror and dinosaur images very much.

No need to worry about Alex Webb…you don’t know what he would have done if he were there. This is what YOU shot.

I also love strong verticals in my shots and did this before I ever knew of Alex. Is it necessary to stop just because he does it too? I hope not.

Yes, we want to be individuals and not copy… just keep shooting and all will be fine :))

MARCIN.

Sorry, you were asking for David’s opinion…I didn’t mean to interfere…I thought you wanted comments from all :((

DAVID MG.
Could not see…let us know when you work it out.

Man, I always get on here with the intent of contributing, but it takes so damn long to read through a post I get worn out!

My sentiments on McCain are spoken well enough by Rafal and others to repeat. I feel sorry for him, he’s lost his soul and I think he’s feeling it. Tragic story, really…I don’t usually gravitate towards tragedy as a photographic subject, so I’ll leave it to others better suited for such an undertaking.

If I were given the opportunity to photograph Obama I would take one photograph, with me, on my iPhone, and then I would shake his hand and say, let’s just sit here for the rest of the time…I’m sure he could use a couple moments where he doesn’t have to fight hundreds of years of racism, decades of the GOP’s stranglehold on the consciousness of middle America, and years of the Rove/Cheney/Rumsfeld “Plan for a New American Century”…where he doesn’t have do be chided for not being a good bowler, or implicated in terrorism because he is a good neighbor, or ridiculed for being a “community organizer”, or accused of extremist black reverse-racism because he goes to church and loves his pastor…Somehow through all the muck he has had to wade through and the mud he has had to wipe off his face, he’s remained unflappable, confident in his mission, and true to his vision of re-invigorating politics from the ground up, re-envisioning a government that is by the people, of the people, and for the people. He has marched through every glad-handing photo-op, every debate, jumped through every hoop that has been hurled his way, and he just keeps getting stronger.

This election is a historical event of epic proportions, and IMO Barack Obama has the potential to become one of the greatest statesmen in American history. My only fear, as expressed by a lifelong Democrat whom I canvassed about a week ago, is that the country is not ready for him. At least this guy wasn’t.

The fact that this election is not already a landslide victory for Obama speaks to the dark side of the American consciousness, and it will say a lot about us as a nation whether or not we have the hope and courage to elect him. Because the winds of change are upon us whether we want them to come or not, and we can either keep dragging our feet and cocoon ourselves in fear and “anger”, or we can go with a man who sees change as an opportunity, a grand opportunity to step boldy into the future and harness the ingenuity and creativity that is bubbling up from everywhere (including right here) to create a culture of respect and constructive action.

Alright, enough of that. Just make sure you vote, people. And volunteer if you can. Time is running out…

Magnum/elections/state of our world

EVERYONE!

Let’s do the same. I watch the few pictures from the new Magnum insight, and I feel like it’s a damned good idea since we are all connected, most surely so, to our daily lives, and the events of the world, and can “report” on it as well, any which way fits us. It’s a perfect subject to take on as a collective, a DAH collective. Even if in not in the USA. Pictures mus be taken anew, in October.

By the end, 3 weeks from now, it will all connect, and well, it seems that may be the only chance we have to do something that involves us together before blog’s end. If Blog ends.

So we shoot OCTOBER and our world today, seen in our vicinity. Anything goes, but each photo does have a caption/text that tells us something about the shot. We take a site that allows us free membership and unlimited download, like Pbase, etc…, give ourselves the password, sign in as we wish and just post.

What do you say?

HERVE – I’m loving your idea , The themes that run through this thread are themes that run through lives , people have been reading this blog , loooking at good pictures for long enough to know not to put up less that what they consider their best – so why the hell not?
I’m In!

Marina
With ALL due respect, I feel that one individual CAN solve problems, or at least move the conversation toward some resolution of problems. One individual can also create problems and you have to look no further than dick cheney to see that. Agreed that people don’t want to know they’re being manipulated — however if a person who is fighting for good rather than evil is manipulating them, so much the better.

Peace.

E.

PETE

I’ve just visited your new web site

http://www.the37thframe.org/

and am very impressed. It is a visionary concept and a very well designed site. Look forward to checking in often. Good for you to see the need for such a resource and to make it happen!

And it’s very cool of you to have a special section for DAH’s emerging photographers and students. It will be great to see that page fill up with the work of people we know here on this blog.

Patricia

PATRICIA,

Thanks. I am getting a great response. My page view count is through the roof for this just being a few days old.

I am getting many great suggestions for links.

I am looking forward to linking to the work of the photographers on this blog. David was very generous to let me promote it on here, and is very supportive of the idea.

We both agree that more people seeing the work can only be a good thing.

I should post the link again though so everyone does not have to search for it a few pages back.

http://www.the37thframe.org

PLATON’S take on Obama / McCain

http://www.newyorker.com/reporting/2008/10/13/081013fa_fact_lemann

ALL..
Please go to the
Link : “WORK IN PROGRESS”..
David wants you to see something
really cool and NOSTALGIC..
DAH new work..
Don’t miss it..
Just posted..

AGAIN.. Go click on
WORK IN PROGRESS

PEACE

Mr.FOOTBALL FAN..
Welcome..

Yes.. GARY THE RETARD is my
favorite too..
I love him even more than
WENDY…

Retards in general are an OASIS
in our cruel world..
Viva BABABOUI..
;-)

Just got home, Panos, went to down a few beers at a friend’s house tonight, anyway I thought you were going to call me back around 1PM?

So, we have Glenn and you, with me interested to do an OCTOBER 2008 gallery, so far. Let’s see if a 4th one barges in, maybe we can create a pull by starting it.

Come on all, financial meltdown, election hopes, blog living its last weeks, and we just looking around us and shoot and make it a collective work.

MARCIN…

i hope you know i never mind answering your questions…i am a little sleepy tonight, so i will not take long…

this work is a departure for you, but definitely not suicide!!! i really like very much the last two…boy in mirror and the dinosaur picture…perhaps they are a bit derivative of Alex, but all photographs are derivative in one way or another, and you should always feel free to explore in any direction your mood strikes….you do not want to be “handcuffed” for any reason..besides, when you “play” with one style or another, it always eventually takes you somewhere you did not expect…i do recall some of your earlier black & white not being so far away from this look anyway….

please forgive my memory loss, but did you stop Hometown for sure or are you just waiting for a new inspiration on that subject???

you know what i am going to say i am sure…my challenge with you is to get you to finish something one way or the other…this seems to be your biggest enemy…finishing….

please note that some photographers can work on something forever and others have a very short attention span (i.e. Martin Parr)…all you have to do is recognize your weaknesses and then just turn these weaknesses into strengths, as does Martin…

are you really sure you want to give up on Hometown??? to give yourself a little boost, why not try it using the shooting style i have just seen and combining it with your older Hometown style…just a thought…

ok, falling asleep….hope we chat tomorrow…

cheers, david

Ha, ha, ha

Yes I have committed suicide putting my pictures and Alex together!!

Best answer!!!

Ok, I am rush now. I will write more later. Thank you!
:)

HOW CAN YOU VOTE FOR THE
MOTHERFUCKING REPUBLICANS,,…??????

Come you masters of war
You that build the big guns
You that build the death planes
You that build all the bombs
You that hide behind walls
You that hide behind desks
I just want you to know
I can see through your masks

You that never done nothin’
But build to destroy
You play with my world
Like it’s your little toy
You put a gun in my hand
And you hide from my eyes
And you turn and run farther
When the fast bullets fly

Like Judas of old
You lie and deceive
A world war can be won
You want me to believe
But I see through your eyes
And I see through your brain
Like I see through the water
That runs down my drain

You fasten all the triggers
For the others to fire
Then you set back and watch
While the death count gets higher
Then you hide in your mansion
While the young people’s blood
Flows out of their bodies
And is buried in the mud

You’ve thrown the worst fear
That can ever be hurled
Fear to bring children
Into the world
For threatening my baby
Unborn and unnamed
You ain’t worth the blood
That runs in your veins

How much do I know
To talk out of turn
You might say that I’m young
You might say I’m unlearned
But there’s one thing I know
Though I’m younger than you
Even Jesus would never
Forgive what you do

Let me ask you one question
Is your money that good
Will it buy you forgiveness
Do you think that it could
I think you will find
When your death takes its toll
All the money you made
Will never buy back your soul

And I hope that you die
And your death’ll come soon
I will follow your casket
In the pale afternoon
And I’ll watch while you’re lowered
Down to your deathbed
And I’ll stand o’er your grave
‘Til I’m sure that you’re dead

I WILL FOLLOW YOUR CASKET
TILL IM SURE THAT YOURE DEAD

HOW CAN YOU VOTE FOR
THE MASTERS OF WAR… MOTHERFUCKING REPUBLICANS???

?http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q2kk-v7NLr4

wow, Rafal…
can the rest of the world see things as clear as you do ?????
NOT REALLY…im afraid…
but lets hope im wrong….!

this one for the owner of HALLIBURTON

“…I think you will find
When your death takes its toll
All the money you made
Will never buy back your soul…”

As revealed by the 2004 Taguba Report, a criminal investigation by the US Army Criminal Investigation Command had already been underway since 2003 where multiple recruits from the 320th MP Battalion had been charged under the Uniform Code of Military Justice with prisoner abuse. In 2004 articles of the abuse, including pictures showing military personnel abusing prisoners, came to public attention, when a 60 Minutes II news report (April 28) and an article by Seymour M. Hersh in The New Yorker magazine (posted online on April 30 and published days later in the May 10 issue) reported the story.[4] Janis Karpinski, the commander of Abu Ghraib, demoted for her lack of oversight regarding the abuse,

estimated later that 90% of detainees in the prison were innocent.[5]

INNOCENT
INNOCENT
INNOCENT
INNOCENT
INNOCENT
INNOCENT

Quotes from a prisoner
They said we will make you wish to die and it will not happen […] They stripped me naked. One of them told me he would rape me. He drew a picture of a woman to my back and made me stand in shameful position holding my buttocks.
—Ameen Saeed Al-Sheik, detainee No. 151362, [18]
‘Do you pray to Allah?’ one asked. I said yes. They said, ‘[Expletive] you. And [expletive] him.’ One of them said, ‘You are not getting out of here health[y], you are getting out of here handicapped. And he said to me, ‘Are you married?’ I said, ‘Yes.’ They said, ‘If your wife saw you like this, she will be disappointed.’ One of them said, ‘But if I saw her now she would not be disappointed now because I would rape her.’ ” […] “They ordered me to thank Jesus that I’m alive.” […] “I said to him, ‘I believe in Allah.’

So he said, ‘But I believe in torture and I will torture you.’

—Ameen Saeed Al-Sheik, [18]

since you are all photographers…
click here to see those “amazing” photos..

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abu_Ghraib_torture_and_prisoner_abuse

ABUSE
ABUSE
ABUSE
ABUSE
ABUSE…

ALL… PLEASE GO REPUBLICANS….!!!!!!!!!!!!

OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM:

“…I believe in torture and I will torture you…”

DAVID –

nice Works in Progress…. great American Family!!

USA people.

the rest of the world wants obama
http://digitaljournalist.org/issue0810/images/callie/25.jpg
berlin – 200 000 animals (© callie shell)

Here are some links to recent work

http://www.ryansharif.com/fashion/models/kirsten.html

http://www.ryansharif.com/fashion/models/shayna_I.html

http://www.ryansharif.com/fashion/models/shayna_II.html

http://www.ryansharif.com/fashion/models/mercedes_II.html

DAH

Just wanted to let you know, it may be my machine and/or Internet Explorer, but when I look at the Colorado essay on the Magnumphotos Insight page, the photo essay lays over the top of your bio…you can read one line of the bio at the top, and the very end of it at the bottom…might be a layout problem that only shows up in IE, not sure….

Very nice work with that family, I like the inclusion of the extra images on your “work in progress” page here…

best regards,
Andrew

Andrew,
Yes .. Get rid of Internet Explorer
ASAP..( or anything else signed by
Microsoft..)
THE SOONER THE BETTER..
It’s contagious..
(remember: dispose microsoft products
properly)
VERY TOXIC…
;-)

I guess I should hide my McCain/Palin button when I wander through this neck of the woods.

AKAKY..
;-)))))

Souls like yours: invaluable …

Republican or Democrat
Or atheist or Christian or Muslim ..!
Who cares..

THERE IS ONLY ONE AKAKY
OUT THERE..
And we can’t live without him..
( yeah.. Throw that button away.. btw…!)
;-)))))

Akaky..
You know I’m kissing your ass..
Just in case McC wins..
(.. I don’t wanna get crucified you know!!!?)
.. I know you know “people” out there…)
;-)))

Do you still love me too, Panos? If not, I’ll try to be more witty in my writings.

MARCIN

I feel your pain about the people choosing Webb’s images, but, 2 things to consider in your favor..first, no one said, “These are obviously shot by 2 different people!”, meaning that there is enough congruity between them to show that yours aren’t just ‘low level’ Webbs..and secondly, for example, if I were the one asking this question by comparing my work side by side to avedon or penn or arbus, I wouldn’t be thinking that the stronger work would be mine at this stage..is it fair to yourself to feel that your work is in trouble because the ones chosen as the ‘best’ were by Alex? ..Alex clearly has a lot of skill at seeing this way, and I understand that this is also a natural and real way for you to see as well, but perhaps it is a question of you developing more fully.

You might too want to look to others’ use the division lines and strong verticals for widening your perspective on the ‘device’..for example, Koudelka, he does it differently, but equally powerful and more creatively to my eyes..

http://www.magnumphotos.com/Archive/C.aspx?VP=Mod_ViewBox.ViewBoxZoom_VPage&VBID=2K1HZOBB00FFA&IT=ImageZoom01&PN=24&STM=T&DTTM=Image&SP=Album&IID=2S5RYDPSPSP&SAKL=T&SGBT=T&DT=Image

http://www.magnumphotos.com/Archive/C.aspx?VP=Mod_ViewBox.ViewBoxZoom_VPage&VBID=2K1HZOBB0SFHA&IT=ImageZoom01&PN=17&STM=T&DTTM=Image&SP=Album&IID=2S5RYDWZHAJ3&SAKL=T&SGBT=T&DT=Image

http://www.magnumphotos.com/Archive/C.aspx?VP=Mod_ViewBox.ViewBoxZoom_VPage&VBID=2K1HZOBB0SFHA&IT=ImageZoom01&PN=30&STM=T&DTTM=Image&SP=Album&IID=2S5RYDYXIXIX&SAKL=T&SGBT=T&DT=Image

http://www.magnumphotos.com/Archive/C.aspx?VP=Mod_ViewBox.ViewBoxZoom_VPage&VBID=2K1HZOBB0SFHA&IT=ImageZoom01&PN=46&STM=T&DTTM=Image&SP=Album&IID=2S5RYDI8GXT8&SAKL=T&SGBT=T&DT=Image

andrew b

Google pages is great, I’ve used it before.

I can also create a wiki server that can be updated by anyone with the same easy…

I find the Google pages to be easier for everyone to use too…

Create??

david,

sorry i have not been on this. i have been at the eddie adams workshops.

i would be MOST interested in photographing the reactions of the crowds. i think in the end the people are the ones who are greatly effected by the outcome. it would be very cool to photograph both sides. one side in color and the other in black and white. pair images together to show differences between both sides.

this does need to be documented though. and documented well. there is allot at steak this year and allot to be changed.

m

Erica

Thank you.
Like always, wise words, good eye.
:)

we need to do this MAGAZINE
David McG…
You know what I mean!!!
;-)

ALL.. Please do not
Miss Ryan karim sharifs
Work.. Few posts above…
RYAN POST AGAIN..
People need to see your work..
It’s different than the ordinary..
It’s like BOBBLACK
or DALI or LA CHAPPELLE..
But it’s not..
RYAN COME OUT..
Show us what you can do..
I know you are only 22..
But you kick ass..
We are not elite over here..
WE NEED YOU HERE. biarchhh!

Panos, Glenn, David B and I, so we are 4.

Ok, one problem, giving the password to everyone, then some idiot or disenchanted member makes up a new one and undoes or inundate the site witrh filth and vendetta. Anonymously as usual.

Up to you, if someone wants to do that on google, just let us know. I am familiar with Pbase, I have the account to accomodate our project, only I will ask people to e-mail me the pix and caption/text, which I will add AS IS on the gallery on that site. best to avoid big size, 100 or 200K, and 800×640 is plenty, but Pbase allows pix to be viewed in homogenous average sizes, so much leeway.

Again, free subjects, but it must have some kind of meaning why you think it fits as an October 2008 photo. And the caption/text must indicate that. Even “the Smith family, october 17th” is fine. I suppose it may all make seense when the project is over, loosely around the 6th of November (one month after little Tor Capa was born, see my PS)

FlickR is fine too, but remember, 200 is top download before paid subscription.

As I just said, if someone knows a better way and want to handle it, no problem.

PS: David B, the new born as a first pix is dynamite. Tor Capa has secured the prime spot!

HERVE.

Good idea. Sounds fun. Great opportunity for us to do a group project.

You’re a GENIUS :))))

Don’t know what I will be able to come up with time-wise for shooting…driving to San Diego next week.
Count me in. I will certainly “give it a shot” :)) haha
What is the time frame again? Till the election? Till the blog ends?

Or we could start a flickr group too!

Thanks, Bob and all who took time to look at my little LOVEFEST gallery.

I fared badly, for 3 years, with crowd dancing shots, even my blurred Santa did not make the cut.

Panos, we finally talked last night, 1AM (he greeted me with “you’re crazy”, this is fuckling insight!). Thanks for the advice on shooting what and how, this next asian trip. Though, your ideas will make us starve, for sure…. Bitch! :-)))

http://docs.google.com/EmbedSlideshow?docid=dcgckrjf_39h76mm7fdsize=l

Ignore the first image…. I’m using it to give an example.

-={ ( .)_(. ) }=-

so many hot hot hot
Lady bloggers here…
And I spent the whole night..
Talking… In bed… with HERVE…!!???
Damn I need a shrink…?
;-))))

… That’s “my” bob…
Now you talking..

ALL…
( about Ryan Karim Sharif..)

Two years ago as broke .. I mess..
I didn’t even have a camera..
Ryan , 22 years old with two
little babies.. Gathered his last savings
and bought me a D200 and 50mm ..
He forced me to go to
Venice and shoot…
He gave me a laptop and all the software..
He built me a website and introduced
me to DAVID ALAN HARVEY..

Ryan , I owe you everything..
My Venice .. My inspiration..
Ryan litterally took me out of
SKIDROW.. He took me out of the gutter..
Until I got the M8.. Half of my Venice
Work was shot with that D200..

That’s our RYAN..
PLEASE , ALL , show him love..

BOB.. Thank you for having a minute
to honor that great guy.. That hides behind
all my work..

Peace

Karim, the collaboration? that’s for the October project, yes?

At this minute, we have time to think over who is going to do what, on what (site). Karim, if you have it cornered and an easy proposition for everyone, you’re it. Just confirm, and the baby is yours. If it doesn’ t work out, we can transfer the shots to another site…..

in the meantime, people, shoot! Even one image for 3 weeks is plenty, and let’s be reasonable, no essay within the OCTOBER essay, be sensible with the quantity of shots you download. Diversity is paramount.

Again, Collective work the idea…. WITH A CAPTION.

Today it’s a great day for our blog..
So much looooove today..

PANOS

And Ryan CAN meet me in person because I’m planning a January train trip to LA where I’ll visit my sister & bro-in-law (in Burbank) for a few days before chugging on down to San Diego to stay with friends for a couple weeks. And you, my dear, are on my short list of folks to see ;~)))

love
Patricia

odd seems to be working…
here is another url you can use:

http://docs.google.com/Presentation?id=dcgckrjf_39h76mm7fd

PATRICIA.

San Diego in January?
When? Where?
I should be there too.
Great. Let’s meet :))

PANOS.
You in on this too?

CATHY

I misread your post…

I’ll be in SAN DIEGO from January 26-February 9. Will you be there then????

Patricia

Cathy, Patricia
.. Ryan, Anna B..,
LA LAKERS..
We can’t wait.. Count me in…

herve–

i’ll join in on the october project! :)
but… are our photos supposed to tie in with the election somehow?
if not, i’ll be happy to share some october photos of my street family.
that’s basically all i am shooting right now.

good idea though – a group project! thanks. :))

katia

okay – above just posted.. will check google thing.

Okay, I made this announcement back in the halcyon days when I was a Democrat in name only, but I am still running, only this time for the GOP nomination. People uninterested in this sort of political nonsense can go here:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/akaky/sets/72157608048921384/

for pictures of really hot babes in skimpy outfits. Thank you again for your continued support of my campaign.

After long and mostly pointless consultations with my friends, family, and political advisors, all of whom thought that the following was a monumentally silly idea not worthy of my time and effort, but not as silly as their constantly asking me for money, which I think is pretty silly but they don’t seem to have a problem with, I have decided to announce my candidacy for the Democratic Party’s nomination for the Presidency of this our Great Republic. It seems to be the thing to do these days, sort of like owning a Pet Rock or a lime-green leisure suit was in the 1970’s, and for once in my life I want to be on the forefront of a movement instead firmly imbedded in that movement’s rear, which is what usually happens to me. I was probably the last person in the United States to actually buy a combination AM/FM radio and eight track deck; no one bothered to tell me that this technology was about to go the way of the wax cylinder, the trebuchet, and the stereopticon, and I got stuck with a machine that I couldn’t get Jethro Tull eight tracks for anymore. The AM/FM radio worked fine, though, but I could’ve gotten one of those for a lot less than it cost me to get the eight-track deck as well. So I want to skip repeating that experience, if at all possible. But I do want to say that of all the Democratic candidates, I am the one with the least experience in government, although this does not seem to be a handicap this year, and that my lack of experience is due, for the most part, to the fact that I have not been running for President for most of my adult life, unlike some candidates I could mention.

My family, friends, and political advisors, and I should point out that there is a considerable overlap between these three groups, all point out that even the least prepared of this year’s candidates all have political war chests amounting, in some cases, in the tens of millions of dollars, whereas I, on the other hand, have some $15.63 left over from last week’s pay check, a sum that would more or less limit my political advertising to spray painting my name on buildings, cars, and unsuspecting passersby as they wander down Main Street looking for the crack dealers. If I practice the most stringent of economies in my campaign spending, I am sure I will be able to afford a magic marker as well. How then, everyone insists on telling me, can I even hope to compete against this year’s crop of Democratic candidates?

There is even, for those who want to hold this against me, the reality that I have been a Democrat In Name Only for some time now, a person who disagrees with nearly everything the Democratic Party now stands for, and who would be a registered Republican if only I were not too lazy to fill out the party registration form. Why would I, in the face of these insurmountable odds, even bother wasting my time in running for President? Here, however, is the beauty of my candidacy: I am not running for the nomination of my nominal party in 2008; this would be, just as every one tells me, a waste of my valuable time and scant funds. No, I am running for the Democratic nomination in 2060.

There are clear advantages to my making this run at this, and that, time. First, at the moment I am the only candidate in the field, all of the other candidates being either in utero or in elementary school at the moment, which means that the big Democratic money men will have to come to me if they want to hang on to whatever it is the big Democratic money men want out of a Democratic President. The teachers’ unions, for example, will have to deal with me and no one else; all of the other candidates in the race hate their teachers with near pathological ferocity, despise having to sit in class all day long, and want to go to the playground now before it gets late and their mothers call them into the house. This attitude, and I am certain that most of the other candidates share it at this point, does not bode well for a group dependent on keeping the kids in a stuffy classroom against their will, and I am already calling for a special prosecutor to investigate charges, which I hope are untrue, that the National Education Association has already tried to influence my future opponents with a semester’s worth of small boxes of Cap’n Crunch cereal and pint-sized cartons of chocolate milk, with a guaranteed B+ in arithmetic thrown in to sweeten the deal.

Second, with inflation the $15.63 that I have to make the run today will be worth several billion dollars in 2060, which ought to be more than enough to make this run easily and defeat all the other candidates, who, I should point out, are only a few years removed from soiling themselves on a regular basis, dribbling spittle all over themselves in public, and in general behaving in a manner that would denigrate the office of the Presidency, not that I want to start using attack ads and spreading negative information about any of my honorable opponents, at least not now; it might damage their self-esteem and their ability to play well with others.

Now, before you start telling me, I already know the disadvantages of this run, the first being that in 2060 I will be 102 years old. This is very true, I would be the oldest person ever to seek the nomination, and frankly, there is no guarantee that I will even live to 102, but if my country needs me, and it clearly does, I will do my best to hang on. Further, I will venture a guess and say that by the time I make this run, the country will be so sick of baby boom presidents that I may not get the nomination. This is always a possibility. Dealing with baby boom burnout is a major problem, even for those of us stuck at the ass end of this annoying demographic cohort, and I can only say that, if I win, I intend to save some money on the care of my fellow baby boomers by sending them all to Canada with free bus passes to get their meds and then not letting them back across the border. I think we’ll just turn off the lights and say that we’ve moved the United States to the South Pacific or to the Bahamas or some other place with great weather all year round. The Canadians will object to our dumping millions of seniors on their side of the 49th parallel, especially millions of baby boom seniors, of course, but objecting to Americans on a regular basis is at the very heart of Canadian nationalism, and far be it for me, or any American, for that matter, to place restrictions on any Canadian patriot’s ability to fly the Maple Leaf flag proudly. Oh Canada, we stand on guard for thee, as any loyal Canadian will tell you, and while they’re standing on guard for Canada they can keep an eye on the old folks from home. Better yet, they can keep the old folks from coming home; we’re tired of paying for this generation of egomaniacs. I also intend to save money on foreign travel; there won’t be any, not unless they’ve perfected the transporter beam by 2060. A centenarian President needs his sleep, after all, so I won’t be going anywhere. If foreign leaders feel the need to come here, then fine, let them come over the Rio Grande along with everyone else and we’ll put them up at the Holiday Inn. I’d offer to let them stay the night in the Lincoln Bedroom, but I’m pretty sure the Clintons will still be barricaded in there and resisting any and all attempts to remove them by the time I get to the White House.

I think rather than Obama or McCain, it would be more interesting to be in a position to shoot a portrait session with Osama Bin Laden during this financial crisis.

PLEASE don’t think that I am defending him, or agree with terrorism, but from a straight photojournalism point of view it would be fascinating. Surely to him, the financial meltdown must be a justification. Also there’s the resurgence of the Taliban in Afghanistan and the failure of the US to actually find him. I’d say he’d be feeling pretty chipper at the moment.

Again, I’m not defending terrorism (I’m getting ready to deflect flak….), I just think it would be interesting….

Cheers

2008 generic is not the idea, is what I mean. Not so easy, when you think about it.

Cmon Ross..
If anyone suggests that you
defending terrorism must be
extra stupid..
Great point..
I hear you…

ross..

the question is why the u.s. never really tried to find bin laden.. agreed – a portrait shoot with any ‘leader’ would always be interesting.. dalai lama to bush to whoever.. would be a fascinating moment..

gerry adams was seen as a terrorist leader in the u.k. once upon a time.. the BBC was not even allowed to broadcast his voice.. instead using an actors..

..

David;
“the question is why the u.s. never really tried to find bin laden” I was just trying to keep the politics out and look at it as a purely photojournalistic exercise, that’s all…

Cheers

David B, wow, blog has gone 4 pages longer in 24 hours, and without David!!! here:

http://www.pbase.com/uc/lovefest&view=slideshow

Numbers? keep the numbers down, I like that.

Best, IMO, is no bulk download (we have 3 weeks for crissakes), be tough on selecting a shot reflective of the time window mood. It’s ok if we fail, but let’s try. As the gallery takes shape, we will be inspired to think how and what to add.

And we owe each other to keep a good balance between us all, one that keeps everything whole, even if disparate. Let’s be spare, it will add up anyway.

Again, look at the Magnum project itself. Except ours will not be under anyone’s name. We’re going to out-collective Magnum! :-)))

BUT, BUT, BUT…

If we’re being encourage to share a photo(s) that is October ’08 & no other time, why can’t that be about the US election????

Why can’t two young women–one black & one white–working together not be all about love???

Patricia who doesn’t want to give up ;=)

patricia

i wonder if using a news event would open the doors for lots of news events rather than more personal perspectives..
perhaps the two could be blended?

Ross, why??
Because we need to have an
Invisible enemy monster to keep us
scared!

panos / ross..

would be more believable if our invisible monster was not on kidney dialysis, no?
okay.. i want to put this subject on the floor and move away from it..
it does get me riled.

May I claim second spot after Tor Capa for our project, who is maybe by now, no stranger to breast feeding….

http://www.pbase.com/image/104600253

David B, #16, some kind of uneven mirror-like surface on one of the trucks/floats.

hey herve..
okay.. i will try to find a snap thats works.. and of course clear it with beate.

ALL >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> ALL

i am close to having tor capas birth together to show.. however, i’m not going to paste a link up here..
it is a very private show, which in all honesty was shot for the little man himself in years to come..
this is not an artistic difficulty i have which leads me to not show – it’s a family respect thing, knowing this blog has some reach.. and the photographs are intimate, both of my son and of my lover in their most private embrace.

those of you who’s email i do not have and who want to see it please email me at
david@bophoto.co.uk
and i’ll email back the link when it’s completed..
if you pass the credit and police checks.
ho, ho and, might i venture, ho.

HERVE and ALL.

So this project ends November 1st?
Orcan we go at least till November 5th…day after the election. I think there could be some good stuff on election day and post election…Okay?

Michael R…

Yep.. We need to meet…
Where are u nowadays???

just skimming – back from the track adn a nice afternoon with Lee and her family…

herve, count me in on the October thing…Ryan, is this the google thing I threw out earlier (google sites?)

Way easy to make a collaboration page…if it’s done count me in and get me an ID or tell me where to go and look/post/contribute…

ok, flying to dinner…

ERICA look for an email later…want to chat a bit…

The light is finally lovely and soft now, after being brutal and harsh all afternoon at the track….

ciao!
A.

PANOS,

I’m in North of England U.K. – a long way from L.A. – another world from L.A. (just think dull, rain, strange accent) rather like East Coast without the buzz).

However U.S. is calling and my wife and I may visit soon. I would not visit U.S. without visiting you!

If ever you visit U.K. let me know and I’ll chauffeur you around. Anywhere you want to go is o.k. by me.

Don’t ever leave this blog / mag!

Best,

Mike R.

http://photobusinessforum.blogspot.com/2008/10/digital-railroad-likely-being.html

”Digital Railroad Likely Being Liquidated

In a move that was more of a “when will it happen?” than a “will it happen?”, Digital Railroad announced today a slew of seismic changes that illustrates that the wheels of the train that went round and round are slipping off their axles.”

DAVID B

I appreciate your suggestion that we keep our October project more internationally oriented, with less news & more personal photos. I’m in for that. No Obama stuff from me, instead I’m thinking about a few of the photos I took today of the Detroit elders gardening with their sunflowers in bloom & planting garlic on this rather chilly October day.

Patricia

Michael;

What part of Northern England? I live in New Zealand but my partner comes from Manchester (Ashton under Lyne) and I have a good friend who once lived in Burnley ( but moved to Castle Douglas, Scotland). Just out of interest, because it’s a small, small world!!!

Cheers

PATRICIA.

YES!!! I should be in North San Diego county at that time.
Wonderful…Where in San Diego will you be?

I can come up to LA too if we organize a gathering there.
I’ll be about 1.5 hours from LA and 45 min from San Diego.

marcin

for balance.. i did notice the magnum photos copyright.. and no bother.. yours are still good.. just keep on.. and try not to post direct comparisons online

it’s all too easy to trip ourselves up, and in doing so prevent others from tripping us up..
beware :o)

ALL….

i am so so busy shooting…but i have not forgotten about any of you….not about Bones, not about calling Sydney, not about David B new baby, not about making sure Digi Railroad will be there for you soonest etc etc…now , if you think i have forgotten about anything that i should be remembering, please just remind me….of course, i do forget things, so a gentle reminder is most welcomed…

i do not want to close down this version of our online relationship with any “loose ends” whatsoever…and our “family ties” will only be stronger with what i have in mind…

surely, i would not have developed all that we have here on the forum to “throw out the baby with the bathwater”..no way…our “baby” will just mature …that is all….we will take all that has been learned and have it manifest itself in the best possible way…

we may just prune the tree a bit in order for the tree to grow to its full height…

ok now, i must spend time this evening with my son Bryan and his girlfriend Michelle and my friend Diego who is visiting from Italy who is field producing for me (some of you met him in New York or in the Tuscany workshop)…

so my silence now should not be misinterpreted….my pet peeve is being misinterpreted or misunderstood..i am sure it is the same for all of you as well…

be of good cheer….and hug the person next to you right now (unless you are on the train…in that case just smile)…

fondly, david

yeah right…
Like I’m gonna hug that nasty
drug dealer sitting right next to me…!
I’d rather open the door and push him
out on the freeway…!!!
;-)

David:

Thank you mr. pop :)))
Everyone is back to the stable :))

Damn it, my girl just left for a show, I’m all alooone – can’t hug no one but my beer!
Oh well, better than nothing…. Yeah, I’ll smile to the girls accross my balcony.
Thanks for that David, I needed it!

I just took my first break from work since that great great workshop/party at David’s… Damn I neeeeeeeedd a break!!!

Will write soonest, I’ve got people to thank/say hello to (and as soon as I read the whole blog backwards ;))

All the best to ALL!
t.

Just in from watching the debate in a local pub..every time ‘joe the plumber’ was invoked, the drinkers had to drink..they drank a lot..

DAH

knowing how busy you are I was going to wait … but as you’ve just asked for a gentle reminder…

if now is not a good time, please say and i’ll repost next week or after Mexico?

you had a brief look at my ‘Slow Motion Travelogue’ and said you’d take another look… sorry if i’m bugging you (or am I being too english about this…)

http://albums.phanfare.com/4955643/2793345#imageID=48457204

(you can pause the slideshow or just view as singles).

you mentioned that there was a page with 6-8 images of which some deserve to be more prominent – curious which? and why?

anything you think doesn’t work?

and I should mention that this is only about a third of the edited material and more excerpts than a summery of the project.

As i’m keen to hear your opinion of the work as an overall project, perhaps it would be benificial to show you everything?

I could post a gallery with a full edit?

It’s taken me ages to get it down to such a tight edit – maybe too tight?

Lastly, in the summer break (Dec/Jan) I’m going to start shooting a new project, in my local area. I have the basic idea but I could really use some help from you on focusing it’s direction, which is one of my issues with myself FOCUS. Would there be a chance to discuss this with you in an e-mail?

As always a massive thanks,

Sam

panos–

why do you think yr brain is weird co’s you
want to see some of my new work?? so funny.. :)))
i will write about my new work very soon.

what’s yr email address anyway?
it might be good to toss some ideas around with you. ;)

David B.

“going to thailand – and you have undeveloped film in the fridge? that seems odd my friend..”

I said it many time before, I and my wife are working as a artists (my wife is painter I work as a sculptor). There is huge ups and downs. We bought ticked to thailand at the end of march. My wife sold many paintings to germany, I had “normal 8h 5/7” job. Good time. I developed films a year back! I was thought It will be good year, and it was for many reason, but since june everything was hard down. Now many people own me a lot of money and I still wait to buy films to thailand. That how life of artist looks.

I don’t explaine myself, I think if I said A I have to say B.

Everything what I do now as a photographer is try make my photography more independence from my Ups and Downs.
I am quite near.