Smatterings

Consumed But Not Forgotten.

2012-02-07T23:24:00.000-06:00

I just this evening posted a fairly wordy piece to the Homeless Veterans Page but it truly sums up our encounters and shortcomings in my grand plan. Please take a trip to that site and feel free to express yourself afterwords.

http://theymayhavebeenheroes.com

It's not my intention to neglect or abandon this site but the other one has consumed my life for a while now.

BTW, we could use as many liaisons around the country who would spend some time locating homeless veterans in their towns or communities. We are finding it extremely difficult to locate and schedule shooting sessions out side of our area. If you or someone you know has a fix on 2 or more Homeless Veterans, please give us a heads up

Thank you.

Pardon the interruption

2011-12-07T11:47:00.008-06:00

I suppose there are a couple of loyal bloggers out there that are probably wondering if I had passed away. I won't insult you with the old, "Rumors of my demise..." saw.

The truth is, I have launched, what may well be the most important project of my photographic life. Titled,

"They May Have Been Heroes" The Homeless Veterans Project."

In what could be a year long quest, I, along with a small troop of support friends, will be traveling all across the country, photographing, videotaping and otherwise recording their images and their stories. Rather than be totally redundant, here is our official Mission Statement.

TMHBHis dedicated to raising the Nation’s awareness to the plight of the hundreds ofthousands of homeless Veterans, by photographing, videotaping, and otherwise recording theirstories. Additionally, we are producing a major traveling gallery exhibit in the hopes of inspiring personal involvement and the donation of funds to programs designed for shelter, education,rehabilitation, job training and resocialization, for those too many AmericanPatriots currently doing without thebasic necessities.

Logistically, this, in itself, is a daunting task and with that in mind I have asked my longtime friend Vivian Ogier, to take over that charge. She not only has embraced the task but equally embraced the cause.

We have almost completed the paperwork for our NonProfit Status and fund raising has begun.

We will be blogging along the way and are currently building a website, from which we will be able to accept donations and sponsorships.

That address is http://theymayhavebeenheroes.com

Please stay tuned to our journey and we encourage your support.

Many of you received an eMail from a blast we did several weeks ago, that contained a link to a YouTube video, that was a teaser for the start of the project. In this rather haphazard video, (I never espected to use it for this purpose) that signifies where we took our first few steps.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WPQjy2TErFg

please click on "Show More" below the actual video clip, it explains a lot.

We have done some trial and error shooting and I can share a couple of those images.

I must note, not all of these men are veterans but we shot them as a sampling of the work to follow.

Please support our mission and pass this along to anyone that you think may be interested.

As a Veteran, I salute you...

2011-11-12T11:33:00.000-06:00

Last night started as a very uneventful night. I was particularly drained from a trying week at the studio and neither Kath nor I wanted to fix dinner at home and similarly neither of us had any strong craving for a style of food or restaurant. The only craving I could muster was for the double crunch Shrimp at Applebee's but I was still unmotivated to get off my butt.
As I sat and nurtured my Glenlivet, I remembered that Applebee's was on the list of businesses catering to veterans on this, Veterans Day. They have a promotion that serves, free of charge, an entree from a select menu, to all veterans active or not. Since I've been so deep into my Homeless Veterans Project, it just seemed to be the right choice.

As we got close to the restaurant we could see there was quite a crowd waiting to be seated. Kath moaned her displeasure at the thought of waiting at an Applebee's but we forged on. Once inside I was entranced by the flow of veteran customers and their friends and family. I'd say probably 95% of the tables were veterans. Some wore their branches on tee shirts, others on hats and some with nothing. (I had to wonder how many poachers there may have been, only saying they were Veterans, for the free meal, because the restaurant took everyone at their word). The coupe of the visual for the evening were the few who wore their old uniforms. Some were obviously stretching to the threads maximum tensile and others fit like they were new yesterday. My big regret, and how would I have known, was that I didn't bring a camera and some business cards because there were Tovo portraits available everywhere. By the time it was too late, I decided to make a few frames of important subjects with my iPhone.

For those of you that don't know, a week or so ago, I had as soft launch of a monster project I have taken on, called "They may have been Heroes". It will be a nationwide endeavor to photograph and document as many homeless veterans as I can in an effort to raise the public's awareness and support of the more than estimated 175,000 of their kind. The culmination of that work, as planned, would be a gala gallery opening in Washington DC. Hopefully, by that time, we will have also produced a coffee table book of that journey. It is an exciting prospect as well as it may be a logistical nightmare. I have found early on that my subjects are not prone to timeliness or willingness.

Back to Applebee's, I was so moved by the promotion that I hope to make Applebee's a partner in my process. Whoever orchestrated the event did a superb job right down to the attitude of every employee there. Our waitress, literally offered to give me the shirt off her back.

When she came to the table she asked what branch I was in. I proudly said "Army", I was a Drill Sergeant. She reacted with a "Ooooo, I've heard about how bad you guys were" I Iooked at her confidently and said, I must have done something right, all this guys made it back OK. I definitely took some liberties there, since many of the clientele were from WW II. She was very impressed when I told her of my project, she ran off and brought back several of the pins the wait staff had been wearing and said if I came back at the end of her shift, I could have the Applebee's, Veterans Day Tee Shirt, she was wearing.

I left totally energized and had trouble sleeping with all of the new potentials I had conjured up for my project.

As a Veteran, I salute you Applebee's and I hope we continue saluting each other for the months to come.

Note: beyond all of the above, I'd like to remind everyone, if you ever take advantage of a free or promotional meal, it's proper etiquette to tip your server on what would have been the full amount of the bill, had you not received the discount.

Overlooked but Not Forgotten

2011-10-23T22:11:00.002-05:00

Some months ago you may remember, I ventured up to Chicago to shoot some new portraits. I ran several of those images on this blog and was proud that some of my best work was among them.

Well, I've been harboring one of them until I had the right story to go with the image. I don't know that I'm there yet but then I'm not sure I will ever be.

That was the trip where I was introduced to me new best friend, Francois Robert. The charming Swiss Frenchman, with whom I become instantly intrigued. During one of our first phone conversations, I invited him to bring his wife along and maybe we could do her portrait as well. I'm sure you all have experienced that moment when you instantly have a vision of a person in your mine's eye. I picture Mrs. Robert to be, well, elderly, and most likely wearing a mink stole and a 40's hat, pin and all. When Francois made his entrance I didn't see the Mrs. as I had expected but instead by his side was a very lovely younger woman who I assumed to be his assistant. Oh contraire , it was indeed the Mrs. and certainly nothing like I had envisioned.

Meet, Jane Gittings Robert.

Of course the next thing one might imagine is, Francois, you old dog you, sly old fox that you are, marrying a trophy wife. A pet poodle to show off and keep you warm at night. Wrong again.

So now I'm thinking, she is just hanging on to learn what she can from the master. Wrong again.

During their recent trip back to Switzerland, I began following Jane on her FaceBook page and eMails and boy was my face red. Her work from that trip blew me away. I fancy myself as an above average photographer or more precisely the "Greatest average photographer in the world", but then there is Mrs. Robert who has a photographic eye similar to mine but her results are far superior to those that exit my camera.

Aha, here is where I have the edge. I have done a beautiful portrait of her that is far better than anything she has done of me. (Do you see the obvious trick in that sentence. Of course, she hasn't shot any of me.)

Seriously, I do love this portrait, not only because she looks mavelous but because it shows that my work doesn't have to be dark and gritty and contrasty. The sparkle in her light clear eyes and the silvery skin are something I'm very pleased with.

Live and learn.

Addendum: I should mention, while I don't have first hand experience and thus unable to write
with authority, legend has it, that Jane's design skills, rival if not exceed her photography.

Sometimes, It Just Happens

2011-10-03T16:07:00.004-05:00

So, I'm sitting in the restaurant minding my own business and this stunning woman comes up, smiles and say, "You come here often?. Yeah, I know, I couldn't believe it either. I should have known, the next thing that comes out of her mouth is, "are you a coffee drinker?" Then it dawns on me, she's gonna try and sell me something. She's in one of those multi level marketing companies. Oh, have I seen this before. Turns out she's very nice and I have to tell you, she knew her stuff when it came to selling coffee but before she could get her teeth into me I shot back, "I have you ever modeled?" Good one, Tovo. Well, it seemed only fair to fight fire with fire or in this case, cliche with cliche.

"Not modeled, she said, but I've been involved in pageants."

"Let me give you some coffee samples," she came back. "OK, but you'll have to let me do your portrait," I said. She agreed.

A week or so later she came in, as promised, and we had marvelous sitting.

I try to incorporate hands whenever possible. A lot of people, even professional models and actors just can't pull it off. This woman has it mastered. Not only mastered but she has wonderful hands, very appropriate for her person.

She left, thrilled with the images and promised to bring back more samples.

I must say, I'm more thrilled with the images than I am with the coffee but I'm very glad I was in the right place at the right time for this one.

As I look at the portrait, I'm thinking to myself, Grace Jones. Maybe there is some greater opportunity to come.

Voila'

2011-09-08T23:37:00.002-05:00

In the fashion part of the business, there is a lot of re-interpretation going on. When designers introduce a new line, in a matter of days you can find a hundred different manufacturers who have borrowed, swiped, re-interpreted that same design.

Every student is taught to keep an idea file, the same with stylist, hair and make-up people, models and photographers. We have always called them, "Swipe Files". It's not the malicious, copyright infringing process that is an absolute no-no in our industry, it's just a starting place.

A little over a month ago Kat Hinkle and I were contemplating doing a fashion test and we came across one of those inspiring images that got us energized and set the wheels in motion. We had found several similar images and melded them into one solid idea. Kat went off to find a willing, aspiring model type to be our subject but was having trouble casting the right face for what we were targeting.

I suggested, though she doesn't aspire to be a model, my friend and part time muse, Ashley. You have seen her on this blog before. She has amazing blue eyes and an electric smile and yes, a willingness to be photographed. She's not a ham by any stretch of the imagination but more of a curious sponge always looking to explore a new opportunity.

That being said, we found a date we could all live with and Kat began her lyrical magic with make-up and hair spray. We did a little video of the process and it has been floating around cyberspace for a while now.

The payoff for me was the culmination of months of working with a light source that I had yet come to master, well evening manage, let alone master, but things fell into place and the lighting was perfect.

Actually you're seeing the second version first because, while I do love both versions, the first of the two is my favorite. The comments have been flattering and the comparison have been creative and varied. The latest was, "It looks so very, Sweeny Todd".

Kat pulled out all the stops on this one as she made each individual eyelash by hand. Very admirable and original.

I was recently talking to a client about how digital photography had changed the business in general and how it really changed my life in the business. If it weren't for digital, I told him, I wouldn't be doing this right now. It has given new life and excitement to the art that film would have struggled to engender.

Just look at these three images. All came from the very same lighting, camera and photographer but each has a unique beauty unto it's own. That to me is exciting. To do this with film would have been a major undertaking and frankly, I would not have had the energy or patience to get there.

As I look at these, I realize that we may have wasted Ashley's incredible smile but the mood here was perfect. I did in fact shoot happier versions but they just didn't carry the feel of this more melancholy look..

Johnny Depp and the recent Alice in Wonderland movie and even a little Buster Keaton surfaces from these images.

I have always said being able to work with young fresh people has kept me from becoming the old curmudgeon that I would have been without them. Thanks kids.

The Last of an Unintentional Series

2011-09-08T08:28:00.001-05:00

A couple of Post ago, I remembered and shared a story about my dear sweet Nonna. In that dissertation I got sidetracked and mentioned the Alton Giant , Robert Wadlow. As a follow up, I posted an image of Mr. Wadlow that I found during the process of editing through my Aunt's stack of photographs. In the post about my Nonna, I also mentioned she was a towering 4 foot 10, or something like that.

Well, here is the long and short of that tale. Coincidentally I found this snap of the two of us.

I was probably 16 at the time. Soaking wet under a full moon, I may have weighed the same as her.

I can still hear her scolding me, "Jeddy, Jeddy, Jeddy, waddamy gunna dew witchew?" (Now don't think of this in a Tony Soprano voice, think sweet saintly grandma)

Recently we had our cousins, cuginas, over from Italy and she, all five foot two, christened me, Gigante' or as it sounded, GEE gant tay.

Those short Italians are very formidable people, but you gotta love em.

...follow up. A tall story.

2011-09-05T22:23:00.001-05:00

In my last post, I mention Robert Wadlow being the Tallest Human on record, in the world.

While cleaning out some of the thousands of pictures in my Aunts collection, I came across this print.

As you should be able to read, his father was almost 6 feet tall. If this doesn't impress you, the next time you drive through Alton, there is an actual size statue erected in his honor. That should make a believer of you.

The Greatest Person I Have Ever Known

2011-08-30T15:54:00.002-05:00

I'm guessing most of us have someone in their lives that stands out as the most wonderful person ever.

A blog that I came across recently, dearphotograph.com, has probably inspired thousand of folks to rummage through their old photos in search of material that might work for that exercise. Mine was a double whammy. I've been going through my Aunts house, trying to get it ready for a renter, and I have come across boxes and boxes of family photographs and this one really stuck with me.

This is my Nonna, or grandma for you non-Italian readers, and she was the sweetest, most wonderful person I have ever known. Towering at 4 foot 10 inches, tops, she immigrated to this country from Northern Italy with my Nonno, Grandpa, in the story book fashion that included traveling by ship and landing at Ellis Island to be processed into this country. I came across her immigration papers and they listed her as a Contidina, or Peasant Woman. It must have been quite an adventure back then. Heck it would be quite an adventure now.

In this picture, she sits with me on her lap in the old porch swing. I remember that so well. Of course it creaked and that sound to this day, is so reassuring and comforting to me. I think if I could somehow bottle it, we could do away with Valium and Prozac and every other brain mugging drug we currently have. We'd sit there for long periods of time watching the neighborhood kids playing Indian Ball or even Corkball, which I think may be peculiar to the St Louis area. Eventually my dad would buy the lot across the street so we'd have a place to play ball that wasn't in the street. It only helped a little because we always ended up running out of space so we'd stretch the field to include the street anyway.

This image looks, to me, like something out of the "Grapes of Wrath", though they traveled no farther than Alton, Illinois. This house was located on the "Hill", as the Italian section was called. I don't know if every town had a "Hill" section but I do know St Louis has a famous neighborhood of the same name. Ours was certainly a bit different from that one because it was indeed perched on top of one of the many steep hills in Alton. As a little known fact, Alton has the steepest paved street in the country, unless someone built one newer since I was a child and at some 8 feet 9 inches, Altonian "Robert Wadlow", is the worlds Tallest man on record. He lived around our neighborhood and was about the same age as my dad. He died very young from a toe infection.

I wander again.

My Nonna's maiden name was Lovato and if you say it with her first, Anna (ah nah), it flows so softly and rhythmically off your tongue. I keep a small sign with her name printed on it above my computer because I think some day it will make a lovely name for some worthwhile endeavor. Annalovato.

I never knew my Nonno, he died when my dad was just eleven.

Mrs Wright

2011-07-22T16:09:00.003-05:00

When I first moved into my studio, Erin was the Architect in charge of my project. She was one of a handful of Creative types that had some role in the hierarchy of management. One by one they started drifting away to their own little corners of the world. She was the last to move on. For the most part, we stay in touch but Erin and I keep pretty close contact with each other.

Back then she had blonde straight hair and oh, those freckles. Someday I hope to do a book on Freckled Faces and that is precisely how I came to photograph her the first time. A lot of people who have freckles don't appreciate them during the course of their lifetimes but of late I have found more and more of them come around to embracing their uniqueness.

When we shot the first time, I was refining my black and white style and she wore a black top like most of the others from that time. This time she dressed in her favorite evening wear and yes mom it's strapless, so everything is proper. I just think this crop is so much more Erin.

I must be getting the hang of this photography business because we have so many really great images to choose from and I really haven't spent the proper amount of time editing through them all... Wait, maybe it's not me at all but the subject that makes this work. I'm so darned self centered.

Thanks kiddo, you made me look good again.

Oh No...Thank You

2011-07-07T15:29:00.003-05:00

One of the main reason I took the job with Kodak Profession, a few moons ago, was the prospect of dealing with students and educators, and in this man, I hit the Mother-load.

Peter LeGrand has been the principle photo educator at the prestigious Colombia College in Chicago for longer than he cares to admit. He has steered more young people into and away from careers in Photography that I can begin to count. He is himself a photographer and artist of no small acclaim. Teaching workshop in France and around for many a year.

I tease him sometimes because of his age and his stubbornness to retire, when in fact I only hope that at 72, I have just the smallest hope of hope to look as young and healthy as he.

The odd thing about this session was that he was so grateful to have me shoot his image and it was I who was honored to be doing it.

Thank you Peter, my dear friend.

Out...Standing, Out...Rageous...

2011-07-05T11:40:00.003-05:00

This is Marc Hauser. For years now, he has been one of the absolute top names in Portraiture in this country. I've said this before but his life is a book waiting to be written. It's just that I'm not writing it here.

On my recent trip to Chicago I imposed on Marc to sit for me. It almost never happened because a recent accident left him at the mercy of decent transportation that would allow for his crushed leg to be properly maneuvered without distress.

I don't know if his injury or something else prevented him from really letting go but I felt he was holding back. I have seen him perform antics that would embarrass most people, just to get a rise out of his subject. As I browsed his Face Book pages, I saw many a zany, crazed, totally loose Marc Hauser but none of that was available the day we shot.

I'll be the first to admit, this isn't my best work, maybe I was a little intimidated by his superiority.

Personally, I think he should charge people to meet with him. He can be the most off the cuff person you might ever meet. A showman and an eccentric, he still commands the room. On the other hand, if you ever catch him in a quiet moment, he can be as sweet as anyone.

I'm grateful that he gave me an audience and his patience, though I hope someday we can reprise this opportunity on a day when his full personality is in bloom.

What to say...what to say?

2011-06-28T20:43:00.002-05:00

I've been hanging on to this post way too long but I have never just posted an image with no commentary. Alas, I am at a loss for the right words. I'll chalk this up as verbiage to follow as it becomes more clear to me.

My new friend, brother, admirer, photogenic man, Francois Robert.

(click on image for better viewing)

An Apple a Day

2011-06-14T15:44:00.002-05:00

So I'm sitting in the Apple Retail store here in St Louis and sitting next to me is this photograph waiting to happen. As I get older I have no hesitation to speak to total strangers, especially if they have photographic beauty at their behest.

Maybe it was a grasp at some retribution for the inconvenience I had incurred while dealing with the repair of my otherwise dependable Mac Pro. She was dressed in fairly normal seasonal attire but her hair and make-up shouted pin-up girl or at least a retro 40's style. Without so much as a hesitation, I introduced myself and asked if I could properly photograph her. I guess she must have been in a similar state of mind, because she quickly accepted my invitation.

She had been in a pin-up frame of mind for a while and recently changed her style to a 40's look. At any rate, she was indeed an image waiting to be captured.

She showed up at the studio less than a week later and was prepared to make her mark as a would be subject. We shot for several hours and we still had more options to explore. She worked to the camera very well for an amateur model and was willing to accept direction and encouragement with out skipping a beat.

Normally a new model lacks in hair and make-up experience, hers was as good as anyone could have expected, especially her hair.

We'll pick this up again in a couple of weeks after I make my way through some others projects of significant importance.

Near Disaster

2011-06-14T15:43:00.004-05:00

Yesterday, I invited an old friend to sit for a portrait. Rob is his name and he is an extremely talented artist who specializes in surfaces. Faux paint and textural manipulation if you would. Rob has been the go to guy here for years and one of the most pleasant folks you'll ever meet. Rob's link

Come time to start the session and everything feasible went wrong; camera, computer, lights and cords, failing at an amazing rate. I couldn't figure which to address first. To top that off, I had decided to try out a new pair of glasses that I had made at the V.A. My god, everything was key stoning and finding the right space in the progressive lens seemed an impossible task. The trick is to remain calm and act like you have everything under control, not that difficult for the experienced shooter...if you can see.

Luckily Rob found some reason to excuse himself and give me a chance to regroup.

Once we finally got started, things went very well. He has a great facial structure with a strong jaw and chin. If it weren't in my nature to mature most subjects beyond their age, he looks years younger than he is.

Thanks Rob for your patience and willingness to stick around through my disaster.

Zia Gloria

2011-06-04T13:00:00.002-05:00

She has always been special

I've reached that sad, odd, time in my life where I have become the care taker for the people that once took care of me. This is my 87 year old Zia (Aunt, in Italian) Gloria, for whom I've been chosen to be her responsible overseer or more legally, Power of Attorney. She had a stroke almost a year ago and has since diminished in capacity a little everyday. Her spirits are still reasonably good but her mind is forsaking her. It's not an unusual story, many of you will be familiar with it.

Yesterday when I came into to her room, she immediately grabbed my hand with both of hers, rubbed it gently and then held it to her body as if it were her teddy bear. My heart felt the rush of love and it made my responsibility seem so meaningful.

When my grandfather died, way before I was born, and her brothers married and moved out, Zia decided that she would devote her life to caring for my Nonna (Grandmother). Forget all the suitors who would want to be her beau or even her husband. She would care for Nonna until she died.

She was a beauty and will always be remembered for her youthful appearance even late into her life. People come up to me today and say how they remembered how beautiful she always was and always looked years younger than she really was. This is not to say she wasn't intelligent but on the contrary. For years she was the admin, as we call it today, for the head of the Glass Factory in Alton, Illinois. Since there were no women in management back then, her position was about as high a woman could get.

A funny story arises more often than not these days, at least since it was brought to my attention. My mom tells me that shortly after I was born, she over heard Zia talking to Nonna and saying "I'm not standing up for that kid, (Godmother) he's the ugliest baby I have ever seen". Now, every chance I get, I remind her of that, and tell her I'm not sure why I'm being so nice to her now.

We laugh of course because she knows I like to tease her.

This could become a book, but since its just a blog, I'll leave the rest of the story for a later date.

Fini?

2011-06-01T15:58:00.002-05:00

I really didn't plan on making Cicadas a life's work. I took a minute to record video and sound this morning and posted it to You Tube but then I found this professionally made version and I thought I'd share this with you instead.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RYLxxALTfAQ

There will be no more posting on this subject, I promise. BTW, I did taste one over the weekend. While I was firing up the grill to do some Brats, I tossed one in and closed the lid. When it looked sufficiently crispy, I applied a touch of Lawry's seasoned salt, plucked the wings and feet and took a nibble. I can't tell you what it tasted like but it wasn't bad. I was fearing a squirt of some kind but it was more like eating a shrimp shell.

I don't think I shall ever see, a tree as lovely as a Peonie

2011-05-21T08:42:00.000-05:00

I had the need to secure some documents from my recently debilitated Aunt's house and I was absolutely floored by the bed of peonies growing, without her care. I have long thought peonies were visually the perfect flower, surpassing the rose because of its complexity, but yet, in its simplicity and without the thorns.

Historically, peonies have been a major attraction to ants and the weight of their blooms cause them to fall over, hanging close to the ground. Maybe this is their swan song, in a tribute to my ailing Zia (aunt) but they all stood tall, not wavering in the breeze and and nary an ant could be found.

and Last but Not Least

2011-04-29T11:46:00.001-05:00

Finally, the guilt is being lifted from my shoulders. This is Steve Hoke and he is the last of the portraits I shot on location last summer. Steve is the musical partner of David Eakin, seen in the previous post.

I am ashamed on two counts.

One, it took me sooo long to finish out this project and that's just bad form and unprofessional, but it has happened more than I care to mention. No sooner do I launch into a personal project and the phone begins to ring with real jobs.

Two, it's been such a while, I don't have a great recollection of Steve and his life story. Unforgivable.

Having said that, look at this face and tell me what you see. I have already hinted that he is musician. What else might you discern from this face?

Thank you to all those who have helped in this project, I truly appreciate it and Sallie, I'll give you plenty of notice the next time so we can sit down and have dinner with Sally Mann.

Manson

2011-04-27T16:13:00.001-05:00

Over the last few years, I have created a wish list or maybe a hit list or a bucket list, something to set priorities for Portraits I'd like to do, people I'd like to photograph. At the top of that list is Fidel Castro, because of the historic significance and he is of prime age for my technique. Then would be my friend and mentor, and I assure you those descriptions are a bit of a stretch, Victor Skrebneski. When I say a stretch I mean, yes, I would call Victor a friend though I'm not sure he would call me one, especially since I have become a bit too persistent in asking for him to sit for me. A mentor? Not so much directly but he was and still is a major influence. Then on that list, though I don't remember where he ranks, is Charles Manson. Again, a prime candidate for my style.

Last summer while in Virginia I photographed Dave Eakin and if you were to believe us Portrait photographers when we go on about capturing the true essence of a man, you might think I had my Charles Manson. Well, the fact is, Dave is as nice and sweet a man as you would ever hope to find. Not sweet as in unmanly but considerate and...um, kind.

The story goes, as some of you may remember, I rented a store front that was air conditioned but it turns out the AC didn't work and in Virginia that time of year it was very warm. Dave came in very anxious about this ordeal and as you might know, anxiety builds on anxiety and he began to perspire and his hair absorbed some of it and the more we shot the more unhappy looking he became. So what does a good photographer do? Run with it. I asked Dave to let the uncomfortableness prevail and encouraged him to work the angst. We both loved it. He seem to thrive on acting the part and I just kept pushing.

Now should I get the opportunity to photograph the real Charles Manson, I'll have had a little previous experience in hand.

Better Off Ed

2011-04-21T16:23:00.002-05:00

My friend Eddie has been on this blog before but it was last night that I was able to pry him away from his secure post inside of his house seated in his wheelchair.

Ed's last 10 years have been something I wouldn't wish on anybody. He is or was one of those people that everything he touched, turned to gold. However some years back his wife suffered an injury playing tennis and never ever became functional again. What was a seemingly minor neck strain became a surgical procedure that became another procedure and it only got worse as the days and years progressed. She was in such pain that the hospital had to special order meds because they didn't carry anything strong enough for her need. She eventually passed away a year or two ago and we all let out a sigh of relief. Now Ed, who had been by her side for nearly every moment since that day, could now relax and pull his life back together. Don't think for a second that any of us were glad she passed on but after years and years of searching for and trying anything that might help, it was obvious there was nothing in sight that could stop the downward march. The sigh of relief we all felt for Ed was short lived, as he was diagnosed with a variant of Lou Gehrig disease and his prognosis was almost as grim as his bride's.

A couple of weeks ago several of us from the advertising community got a call to a reunion of sorts and Ed was at the top of the list. I called and warned him that he had a few days to come to grips with leaving the house, because we were going.

I called yesterday and as I expected he was quick with an excuse for not attending. Luckily his housekeeper was as prepared as I and she would not take no for an answer. She had him dressed and ready promptly at 5.

Skip over the boarding of the car and the drive, and picture this man sitting in his wheelchair, beaming with delight at seeing his old friends and comrades as they one by one came over to him and expressed their delight at his presence, chiding him, scolding him and even hugging him for being hesitant to attend the evening's program. They doted over him, getting him first a sweater, then a hat and eventually a blanket and while he doesn't care to be waited on, he loved the way they were paying their homage.

Eventually the crispness of the night began to wear on him and he confessed he was tired and needed to go home, but not till the door of his house closed behind me did that smile on his face even think of relaxing. God love you Eddie.

Ah Spring

2011-04-15T13:40:00.001-05:00

A couple of friends, good friends, and I were having lunch and we talked about going out and shooting the tulips or a recent snowfall and I think we all agreed that after all these years there's just not much to shoot that we haven't tried to shoot before.

Well, on the way out to pick up the morning paper, I couldn't help to be taken by the newly blossoming dogwood in the front yard.

Yes, I have shot just about every possible scenario of the dogwood but the iPhone/Hipstamatic combination brings something quite painterly to the scene.

It's another one of those feel good shots. I love it I hope somehow you're feeling a bit better as well.

Keyword search might be, Spring, Blossoms, Japanese, Wallpaper, Flora, Pillow cases and sheets, Dogwood and what else.

Old Friends New Music

2011-04-13T23:00:00.004-05:00

Classic

Approachable

Not long ago I ran into an old friend and former model, well not so former model, she still works when her family and career will allow. We talked and I mentioned that I got frustrated at times that when an inspiration hits, subjects are not always readily available. Seeing as how we worked well together years ago, she seemed thrilled at the possibility we could collaborate on new projects together. When her time allowed of course.

This time I was excited about a series of images to pitch to a client and she was ideally suited for the challenge. We shot for a couple of hours and in the process, I got sidetracked experimenting with video along with the stills. The videos are definitely a work in progress but the stills turned out beautifully. The videos unfortunately ate up too much time, seeing as I am fairly inept with the process. We had many more ideas that we never even approached, so another day we'll forge ahead with those.

In this image you can see why I'm not a professional fashion stylist. When show time comes, we'll have the right person there to make this sing.

Thanks Melissa.

We are experiencing a major metamerism issues on this post. The color really over saturates on some screen and settles in nicely on others.

I know, I know...

2011-04-01T11:05:00.001-05:00

I know, my blog has slowed over the last month but that's one of the byproducts of being busy. This morning I had a wonderful meeting about some exciting opportunities and on the way back I drew my trusty iPhone and started recording the season. The Hipstamatic didn't exactly fullfil my visions but I certainly like the results of this overly systemed shot.

Easter, Easter Eggs, Japanese, Wallpaper, Upholstery, Lingerie and a few other key word search titles come to mind.

The Man with the Amber Eyes

2011-03-30T22:05:00.002-05:00

I'll have to remember to thank the HR person at Nadoz, the restaurant I frequent here in my building.

This be Floyd, and he is the second Chef from there to grace the walls of this blog. His story is long and fascinating. A veteran of the Military service and cancer survivor, Floyd has a very impressive resume that started by steering away from the food industry. That because his father was a Gourmet Chef and Floyd wanted nothing to do with that.

Unfortunately we had a very short session and I really didn't get to digest all of his history, maybe I'll update this page at a later date when I've have more time to spend with Floyd.

It was good to get back into the mode of shooting character based black and white portraits. I tend to get sidetracked and that's not always a bad thing.

Better Homes and Gardens

2011-03-15T08:51:00.001-05:00

It gets harder and harder to find buyers of Art, particularly those buying for the artist and his style. It seems as though buyers are more home decorators than collectors. Something green for over the sofa or something beachy in the sunroom. I think more and more lesser known artist are delivering those options.

Page One

2011-03-09T23:57:00.002-06:00

Some years ago I did an exhibit of my work that was Italian Design as Art. In that assemblage were some figure studies in color using a Red leather chair as the centerpiece of the image. I have thought for sometime that I'd like to do a reprise of sorts, in Black and White, using a different chair.

Recently I began an exploration of light and style for this new work. I really didn't have any expectation of getting to a formula right off the bat. I did have a basic idea and wanted the figures to have this sheen to emphasize the the highlights that would basically trace the contour of the shapes.

Well, I'm surprised and delighted that I was able to get right into the feel I was hoping for.
Next, I'll need to see if I can keep the continuity for the remainder of the images. Maybe the continuity isn't as important as I originally thought. We'll see.
I'm scouting for additional models of differing genders and body types. Rubenesque and lithe are key to this project.

Perhaps "very old" would work but I wouldn't want to intrude on Joyce Tennesen's style.

I'm open to thoughtful suggestions as to models.

Getting in My Exercize

2011-02-17T17:23:00.001-06:00

Without a lot of verbiage, I shot these today on the way back from lunch. I think from time to time I need to try a make something interesting from relatively nothing. We have an old Masonic Temple that was converted into a Theater and Bowling Alley and as I left the grill within the Bowling Alley, I spent 10 minutes, doing this exercise. Me and my iPhone.

This is how I got there. Got it figured it out.

I shot this into the gold chrome lid of a trash can sitting inside the door. You can see the black iPhone and my hands reflected in the dome of the trash can.

One more thing, I am certainly not the first person to shoot up into a winding stair case. As I think about it, as a freshmen in Photography 101, I shot up into a Forrest Range's observation tower and that was in 1964. I think maybe Charley Sheen recently shot up in a stairway.

Friends beget Friends beget...

2011-02-10T14:36:00.009-06:00

Regular followers of this blog will remember not too long ago I had a post of a friend of the family, Emily, and Emily allowed herself to be my temporary muse in an effort to build a small portfolio for a new project I had begun. Afterwords, Emily's friend expressed her unbiased opinion in favor of our efforts. When Em told me of her positive delight, I suggested we invite her to follow suit. Well, Maggie didn't consider herself material for the cause and she wasn't going to have any of it. I went back to Emily and while discussing my options and she happened to mention that Maggie possessed a full head of curly, very curly, red hair. I'm a sucker for redheads.

Now challenged by her resistance I doubled my effort and enlisted Emily to help. Sufficed to say, we won.

A couple of evenings ago Maggie came over to see if I could indeed do what I had claimed.

Now, I guess you're thinking, if you love red hair so much, why the Black and White image. Well, dangit, because I like it.

I would have never thought to do anything but glorify her amazing hair color but in this case I think it works well. Do not despair because we have many captures of her tresses in full living color.

I guess at this time I must say that we spent a good deal of time shooting with her hair down and fluffing it and shaking it and pretty much abusing it and when it was all said and done, my favorite image turned out to be this one, with her hair up.

Here's another thing. I got so caught up with the whole curly red hair theme, I hadn't even considered she also possess these amazing eyes and a very pleasant smile.

Thanks Maggie and Emily, it was fun.

All right, by popular demand, I'm adding a third image with her locks in full glory.

Rock Goddess

The First Sign of Spring

2011-02-10T14:04:00.001-06:00

Ah yes, it's the one thing that lets you know that Spring is just around the corner.

No, it's not a Robin.

And it's certainly not the Ground Hog.

It is that infamous call from Florida and Arizona...Pitchers and Catchers Report.

Yes, when Major League Baseball declares that spring training is to begin, my mind relaxes from it's winter's clinch
and I start the anticipation of warmer weather to come. Life is Good.

I Think You Can See Clearly Now

2011-02-02T12:06:00.005-06:00

OK, the response to the previous post was very entertaining. The vast majority of the comments were positive and complimentary. There were however, a few purist that chastised me for the extreme softness of the image and their inability to imagine what my friend might look like otherwise. I did, if you remember explain why I took the direction that I took.

So, in an effort to make everyone happy, here is the "Bets" in her more natural form. Sure, someone is gonna say, you still added a blur to this image. Aha, wrong. I used a tool that controls tonal contrast and it's amazing.

Enough of the tech talk. Please enjoy.

BTW, if any of you aficionados' of blogspot know this answer, please let me know. That last post has shifted colors considerably since I first posted it and I've noticed this before. Cause and fix?

Place your Bets

2011-01-31T08:09:00.002-06:00

I know not where to begin. Nearly 30 years ago, I somehow came across this beauty but I don't remember the circumstance. Then Betsy Bircher, she was a very tall, strikingly beautiful woman with a voice of an instrument that promised stardom. I won't try to elaborate on her career path but as fate would have it, Bets never really liked performing. I guess it was kinda like a young basketball player I was close to, that panicked at the thought of playing in front of arenas of sport fans. Maybe not.

Betsy and I recently had a reunion that was long over due. At 53, she is as striking as ever and her pipes are clear and true and used mainly these days to wow Christian listeners wherever she sings.

We talked a lot of late and I think she is in a mode to be likened to a Dianna Krawll, soothing sweet jazz tones accompanied by her fingers dancing on the keys of her piano. She feels the call but hesitates to revert to the late night hours and of being out of sync with her family which includes 2 young men and a husband and parents tip toeing toward the autumn of their life.

This image was an interesting miss hit. We were shooting very quickly and the focus didn't quite ring true but the expression of happiness and the heartwarming smile convinced me to try to make something worthwhile from what I had. I love it and like Molly in the previous post, it lifts my spirits and warms my heart.

Oh So Molly

2011-01-11T14:50:00.001-06:00

My buddy here in my studio building is an accountant and his name is Steve. One day recently I walked in and interpreted him, as I have a want to do, and for the first time, noticed an 8X10 framed portrait of this cute little 18 year old girl hanging on his wall. It was Steve's daughter, Molly. Steve had talked about her on occasion but I didn't realize she was so cute. Well, I jumped on the opportunity to appeal to his fatherly pride and asked if she would want to come in someday and bemuse me for a while.(that's not dirty, is it?) I had motive in that she would fit nicely into a project that I have been working on and I just love shooting beautiful faces.

Molly was a joy, part ham, part actress, she had no problem settling in to the groove of posing. We shot many many frames that day but this one got to the father in me. When I sent Steve a copy by eMail, I reminded him that as a parent nothing makes us happier than seeing our children laugh. Sure the toddler giggle is all but gone but the delight and joy in their expression is priceless.

This picture makes me happy. It makes me smile. I feel lighter just looking at it.

Thanks Molly.

Emily

2010-12-27T16:28:00.006-06:00

I have been photographing Emily for some time now and we both had some time available because of the Christmas/New Years holiday. This time I initiated the session. Usually I'm harassed into it by her mother who insist the I photograph her children on a regular basis. Usually I'm able to act disinterested until she promises enumerable rewards for doing it. I'll eventually concede if she promises to feed us dinner. She (Em's mother) is an amazing cook who is driven by the details of the meal. We used to alternate dining invitations until it became a contest and we finally decided to surrender to her superiority.

So, where was I? Oh yeah, I asked Emily to help me with a project I've been preparing to market and she readily agreed. The results took on a direction that I hadn't originally intended but it was quite gratifying nonetheless. Here, I was able to drive a 60's looking pose even further by contriving an old color slide look.

Just to give you a range, here is a shot from the same session with Emily as her more mature self.

90 Minus 5

2010-12-16T08:57:00.003-06:00

The Tribute to my dad's passing has been removed in an effort to keep a lighter feeling to the blog

Sometimes I get too sentimental and depressing. Thank you for your kind comments.

Just Josh'in

2010-12-03T16:05:00.002-06:00

Many years ago when I started my Portrait quest, I quickly settled into a comfortable niche for style but in a rare moment of lucidity, I had the foresight to see that maybe I shouldn't get pigeon holed into being a one style pony. I decide to try to cultivate an alternate style just in case some art director or client had his fancy caught by the Old Masters look but needed something more contemporary. So, off in a hard and unfocused area I ventured. This willing subject is Josh Sanseri, at the time, was a rising star from my old Alma Mater. Now, he is probably the best shooter that I have seen in a while, at shooting environmental or location portraits while keeping an incredible lighting balance between the existing and added light.

Last I heard from Josh, he was well on his way to being a huge success in Los Angeles, CA.

http://www.sanseri.com/

The tone is a synthetic Ambrotype. While it takes me away from my purist black and white mode, it just feels right for this.

The Big Push

2010-11-15T14:12:00.004-06:00

There have been times, I have read somewhere, that people were killed by being crushed in a crowd and wondered just how that could have happened. This image I shot in a dimly lit subway moving toward the street, heading toward the Jon Stewart Rally to Restore Sanity. Somehow, the sanity seems a bit lost here. It was a long subway ride from the suburbs where every platform was overflowing with prospective riders and at every stop 4, 5 or 6 more people would force themselves into every opening of the train. It got to the point where holding onto the handrails was barely necessary. We were so tightly packed we had become self supporting.

I can now understand the possibility of being trampled in a crowd. Had there been any sense of urgency or panic, many here could have been severely trod upon.

This was shot into one of those convex mirrors and tightly cropped. The old expression, head for the light at the tunnel, is so very well illustrated here.

For those who might be interested, the enthusiasm at the Rally was monumental. The Rally itself was a bit of a disappointment. Unless you got there at five in the morning, it was virtually impossible to see or hear anything. Am I sorry I went? Absolutely not.

clicking on the image helps

What Will They Think of Next

2010-11-04T22:28:00.000-05:00

Last week or maybe it was 2 weeks ago, I posted an iPhone shot that I really liked. A couple of days later, someone, it turns out to be a friend of mine, suggested I look into a phone App that he had seen. I didn't rush out to get it but while riding back from Virginia, I had some time to kill, so I downloaded it just for grins. I haven't totally explored its possibilities but the first few times I tried it, it made me happy. Nothing sensational will ever come of it but the odd, old film, feel, stirs something creative in me. I need to figure out a way to extract it from my iPhone, full size. The way it is now, it's a very small file. Maybe that's the best it will ever be. We'll see. Thanks Mike.

Why Wait

2010-10-26T15:04:00.003-05:00

I just looked at my "to do" list and none of it seemed like any fun, so what the heck, more Ashley. I think I may have captured the warmth and playfulness of this St Louis University student. If I could only make a living doing this. Maybe someday when I grow up.

Change Up

2010-10-26T14:36:00.001-05:00

Well, last week I made some time to do some lighting test and my friend Ashley, whose eyes you have seen in the past, agreed to be my subject. Yea, spared you the self portraits. I think I'll post more later but this one really caught my fancy. I don't know exactly what it is that stops me in my tracks but I love this image.

Youth, great skin, amazing eyes and a willingness to be patient with my dallying with lights. Thanks, Ashley.

Just in the NIK of Time

2010-10-24T19:51:00.000-05:00

I'm about to do something I said I would never do. I've avoided ads and commercial comment, until now, but looking at the last post, I think it only fair that I say out loud or in this case in bold letters how important a tool can be. Without this software I more than likely would have lost interest in a boat load of images I have captured. There is hardly an image that I have developed (mentally and digitally) that I haven't used a least one of the Suite of software produce by NIK. In my mind it is the second most significant software product a photographer can use short of Photoshop.

I was introduced to the young man who is the brains behind NIK software maybe 10 to 12 years ago when I was still working for Kodak. Amazingly he still remembers that day and has been very courteous whenever we talk, though I'm sure he knows 10 thousand more important and influential people than I.

There are 5 variation that I used and they have just rolled out the new HDR software that is so very impressive.

As usual I have gotten away from the point.

When I look back at the iPhone image, recently posted, I just marvel how that was not much of an image until I kicked it in the head with the NIK software. Sure, the composition was pretty darn nice but the other properties were nothing of which to speak.

I'm a bit of a hypocrite when it comes to sharing my little secrets or techniques. I say I love teaching young people the trade but there a few things that I feel a bit possessive about. For the longest time I used a very proprietary system for converting images to Black and White. I didn't share it with many people because it was unique to me. Then one day I began to enlighten others and surprisingly as hard as most tried, few were successful at getting the results that I got. I think there is an intuitiveness about it that others didn't have and I couldn't iliterate.

Then along comes NIK and its suite of software tools and at the very least I would tell anyone listening, if you're sharpening your images in Photoshop, stop now.

Download the free trial version of NIK Sharpening Pro. I'll give you back your investment if you don't love it.

http://www.niksoftware.com/site/

May your love of the trade, blossom beyond your greatest expectations.

Thanks Michael.

Everybody's Doing It... plus one more

2010-10-12T15:44:00.004-05:00

plus one....

Ever since Apple came out with the iPhone, maybe even before, photographers have taken to using it for some niche art opportunities. I, for one, have not taken to it as yet. It is not for the shaky of hand. The shutter release is in a very inconvenient location and add the relatively low resolution and less than stellar lens and I'm pretty much out of luck. Undaunted by my ineptitudes, I keep trying. Today I found, that if I dink around long enough on the computer I can eventually produce something of interest. This is the recently renovated Continental Building in the Grand Arts Center, just down from my studio. As I look at it, I see maybe, an Orson Wells vintage property or maybe Superman or even Buck Rogers or as a friend suggested, maybe even early Gotham, Batman. Whatever I'm seeing, I like it. I had this friend who's motto was, "If you shoot enough, you'll eventually come up with something." Got it.

Let me add this quote from Elliot Erwitt.

"To me, photography is an art of observation. It's about finding something interesting in an ordinary place... I've found it has little to do with the things you see and everything to do with the way you see them."

Since the original post, I've come around to the western view of the Continental Building and added a different perspective, both in angle and style. Somebody stop me.

Whatizit #5

2010-09-20T16:34:00.001-05:00

So, I'm wondering if anyone else has seen one of these? I found it permanently affixed to the street on my way to the City Diner here in the neighborhood. It appears to be made out of the striping paint for the roads. Thick and rubbery. I tried to peel it up but it ain't moving. Is it a one of a kind or part of some protest or political Logo. Got any ideas? If so please to comment.

For Lunch

2010-09-14T16:08:00.002-05:00

This image makes me sorta happy. Simple yet graphic, it's the kind of thing I want to be able to do when the opportunity arises.

For years I've been looking for the perfect everyday camera. One that I can keep with me all the time. Something compact but close to DSLR quality.

I recently bought a G11, which on paper, seems to fit that bill. Frankly, while it's not everything I'd hoped for, I'm getting a little more warm and fuzzy with it.

I had lunch today on a little plaza not for from the studio. It was a gorgeous day and I had my new camera along.

The search continues but this ain't bad.

*Still don't know why the quality in the original blog image seems to pale in comparison to the "click on" version.

Encore

2010-09-08T10:37:00.002-05:00

This is, as promised, an encore for Phillip and maybe not his last. I think the two of us could do a show, a "Character Study, Man and Camera."

I found myself a bit sidetracked, not hard to do these days, and in need of some stimuli, so I imposed on the the collection of unprinted captures from Phillip's session. What photographer could resist presenting this quality of character.

Clipped from his previous post:

Phillip Welch, Lexington, Virginia. Artist, Craftsman and nice guy. Phillip is one of those locals that allowed me to interrupt his life long enough to pose for my series. Without much fanfare, we dropped into his studio and basically didn't leave until he agreed to subject himself to my lens. Keep in mind none of these folks, save James (our friend), know me from Adam. If it weren't for the introduction from our friends, my chances of getting any shooting done would have been severely hampered.

Phillips forte is the art of creating fine furniture pieces from wood unlike anything you might find at Crate N Barrel or Ethan Allen or even Sotheby's for that matter.

The image itself is not how most folks who know Phil would picture him. I'll run more later. As a matter of fact, the shoot ran so smoothly and quickly because, as it turns out, he is a natural. He sat down and went through poses almost faster than my light would recycle. He was a Master of using his hands in the poses and feared no capture that might someday come back to haunt him. Mugging it up, he looked more like an experienced actor than a small town artist. In fact, I asked him if he would like that I submit images to various agencies, because he has a very commercial face and an ability to follow direction that is usually only found in very experienced model/actors.

Finally the Rooster has Landed

2010-08-25T17:12:00.007-05:00

Clicking on the image helps

I have been saving this image as the finale to the Virginia series but since I have stalled and faltered of late, I thought it best if I moved him up.

This is Rooster Ruley. Legend amongst legends in the hills of West Central Virginia. A world class Bluegrass Banjo player, Rooster is the genuine article.

Rooster's image is how I pictured all of my subjects to be on that trip but I guess I let my imagination run a little too wild.

When you look at this face, I'm bettin' you're forming an opinion as to what Rooster is really like. Well, you're right. If I've done my job here, you're probably thinking, undisciplined, loose living, carefree and living life to it's fullest, I'd say you're right on the money.

The night I met Rooster was the big music fest on top of the mountain. There were murmurs within the crowd that Rooster might show up. He did and as you might expect, he's the kind of guy that doesn't really take a liking to pushy, crowed places. I'd say he's standoffish and easily spooked. My challenge was to not scare him away before I could get him to commit to a sitting. I'm not sure what came over me but when we were introduced, I did my my best, sincere, look 'em right in the eye posture and said, Rooster it's nice to finally meet you and I drove 900 miles to take your picture. I'm pretty sure it caught him off guard. I had him somewhere between flattered and terrified. Surprisingly enough he agreed, only asking, are you a professional photographer? I looked him even straighter in the eye and said, Why yes I am. He quickly shared his brand new phone number with me (which I proceeded to lose that night) and told me to give him a call.

Two days later, after searching everywhere for his number and calling anyone who might know him, I got him on the phone and reprised my, I drove 900 miles to take your picture, line. Being a little more sober this time, he said, if you really drove that far to take my picture, you're a damn fool. I couldn't help but smile and hope the hook was set. We agreed on a time and I crossed my fingers, hoping he'd stick to his word. He did.

I wouldn't say ole Rooster was thrilled about the session. He was obviously on guard and tentative. He came with a young woman who had some questions about what we were up to and where this pictures might show up. Rooster told me later that she was his wife and she too was a photographer. Had I known, I would have invited her to stay. I did try to reach her to see if she was still in the area but she didn't answer or return my call.

We no sooner got into a rhythm shooting and Rooster decided he'd about had enough. He didn't like that I would try to pose him in ways that weren't natural to him. I tried to explain that I understood but since I shoot for impact, I wanted to get his banjo closer to his face and that it was important to the composition of the shot and it would look very natural in the finished product. He wasn't buying it.

If you remember from the earlier post, it was hot and humid that week and he was pretty much done. I'd like to have had a little more time before we wrapped but then Karsh only got one shot at Churchill. (OMG, did I just draw a comparison with Karsh, who am I kidding?).

There are several more keeper images that I have yet to develop, digitally speaking. Maybe later in the year, I'll post those too.

Toss Him a Line

2010-07-28T20:16:00.001-05:00

Excuse me sir but I think I can make you a star. There must be a million lines that have been used to ask a woman to pose for a photographer. Well now, how does an older male photographer approach another middle age man about sitting for his camera. That was kind of the case with Roy. Roy Fauber was attending the music fest on the mountain our first night in Virginia and I was looking for subjects to use while there. I think there was a quick introduction from my friends and I just got right to the point. He took the invitation quite in stride and performed beyond my expectations when the shoot day arrived.

A kind and gentle man with a pleasant since of humor, you can see the real Roy relaxed and comfortable with himself in this shot.

Another banker by trade, he spent a hundred years working for the Fed. It seemed like everyone I met in Virginia was either a musician or a banker. I only wish he had been my banker when I was younger.

Maybe I should have started with..."Pardon me Roy..."

Nah, I did just fine.

A Creative Masterpiece

2010-07-22T12:46:00.008-05:00

This post could maybe become a novel or at least a long short story. I'll try to contain myself.

Jack Thorwegan has been the mastermind behind multiple Ad Agencies and Ad Campaigns. I've known Jack for probably 35 years. He came into St Louis after running the hottest Ad Shop in Chicago, if not the country. Hot Buttered Graphics. While here he birthed probably 5 or 6 more significant agencies before finally taking an offer too good to refuse and now has become a consummate wine tester. Well, now let me not paint him as some kind of lush. He legitimately enjoys trying as many varieties as possible.

Stand fast Jerry, don't drift off into another Galaxy. Stick to the pertinent.

We have only of late, rekindled our past relationship and I managed to persuade him to sit for me. I must admit, it was a little intimidating photographing someone obviously superior to me in this field all the while trying to seem confident and in control. What I didn't expect was that he ended up art directing the shoot for me. He gave me every conceivable pose I could ever imagine. I would look back to the monitor to see what direction I might give and when I turned back, he was already doing something far more interesting than what I was about to suggest. This from a self professed creature not liking the other side of the camera.

I think we both came away with a little more insight than we expected.

Thank you Mr. Thorwegan, save a glass for me.

Sallie, Dear Sallie

2010-07-15T11:56:00.002-05:00

This lovely lady is my Sallie. My Sallie that saved the day by renting me her storefront to use while doing my thing in Virginia. A joy to be around and appreciative of my sense of humor- I think- she busted her kiester to make sure everything went well. Save the defective Air Conditioner that was beyond help. I shot this in the heat of the moment, literally. We were all pretty, shall we say, moist from the heat and she had the courage to sit for a second until the next person was ready. I took her image into a different direction because it wouldn't be fair to turn her into the worn faced subject I'm used to. I'm pretty sure she deserves better. Beside, the next time I do this, I have high expectation that she'll deliver some key folks for the shoot.

Thank you "My Sallie"

Peace, Love and Longevity

2010-07-10T17:27:00.002-05:00

Today, my good friend John Frangoulis, married the love of his life, Christine Sanford-Frangoulis. John is a fine photographer himself but somehow he has become the president of the Jerry Tovo fan club. Not only is he the President, but its only member. Some time back he hinted around about taking an engagement foto of this couple. While he and Christine had been dating, I had no clue that they were the couple. I tried playing him off because he knows I don't do more than one person in a portrait except for rare occasions. Later that week they were more subtle hints about weddings and engagements and rings and I'm still oblivious as to what he's going on about. Well finally, during a moment of complete repose, it strikes me, he's been talking about he and Christine. Talk about living in a fog.

Of course, I was delighted to do their engagement picture for them, though I must admit a bit of apprehension because I really like the focus of shooting just one person to a session.

So today was their day and a delightful day it was. They were married at the incredible St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox church in the Central West End of the city. I have never been inside but I immediately knew I wanted to get in later to photograph it. It's stunningly beautiful. The ceremony was so very intriguing in that has a great deal of similarity to the Catholic church in which I was raised but they seem to have held much more to tradition, something I found very enticing. I have felt for some time that churches have sold out tradition to keep the young (spoiled and easily bored) people coming. That is a conversation unto itself.

As so many times in the past, I have rambled astray from my original intent.

The loving couple will reside in the house John bought in Ottowa Illinois as an escape from the rigors of city life in Chicago.

We all wish the best for them and bid them, Peace, Love, Laughter and Longevity.

With Little Fanfare

2010-07-09T15:01:00.004-05:00

Unfortunately when you do some hit and run portraits as we did in Virginia, you don't always get to spend a lot of time with your subjects. As I mentioned in a previous post, I'm conflicted about knowing the person better before I shoot and not knowing them at all. If I don't know a person very well, I don't find myself trying to force the image to fit their mold. On the other hand it has proven that at least having a lengthy conversation with the victim, I mean, subject, I can break the ice and really draw the person out, based on what I have discovered.

This is Peter. Peter O'Shaugnessy, to be more precise. An artist himself, he works with his hands and steel and fire. His craft, Blacksmith.

I haven't known him very long but I can say, I've never seen him with his shoes on. I asked him if he would mind releasing his hair from the ponytail he usually wears. From past experience, I have found, not only does the hair come down but the inhibitions along with it. A much more relaxed poser was he.

Thanks Peter for trusting me with your face.

So This is Finny

2010-07-07T13:58:00.002-05:00

Elmer (Feenie) Foster is another one of those guys you just hafta call "One of the nicest men you'd ever wanna know".

They pronounce Feenie like a fish fin. Finny. At least that's how I heard it.

When we went to meet Feenie, he was sittin in a lawn chair out back of his house, armed with a .22 rifle and waiting for a ground hog to shoot. Now I hope I'm not spillin the beans to the sheriff. I just assume shootin ground hogs in your backyard is perfectly acceptable in Natural Bridge Station, Virginia.

When I asked him if he'd pose for my camera, he didn't even blink an eye. What time and where? Although he didn't necessarily follow my instructions, I'm pretty sure he shaved and got a hair cut. Actually, he had this very cute little rooster tail cowlick when he walked in. I tried the old spit on the fingers mousse on it but it didn't seem to help.

I didn't see it at first but now that I look at this image, he strikes me as Arnold Palmer's Father.

You can look at this and just about figure there's some serious BS about to come outta that mouth.

One of a Kind

2010-07-01T15:25:00.001-05:00

I hope you're happy you old curmudgeon.

This man, Virgil Mantle, has been my friend for, as he puts it, decades. He was perhaps my best client and supporter. Although there was a time when I thought I may have killed him. Normally the most patient man on the face of the earth, I drove him into an anxiety attack and I thought sure he was going to go into heart failure and die. It was all because of a silly little incident where I may have spent a wee bit too much time chatting it up with a model friend of mine. Certainly, I hadn't completely ignored him or his job, except for maybe the better part of an hour. I think maybe he needed a dose of prunes or something, because it was certainly not like him to react like that. One thing for sure, I never ever took him for granted again.

In this image, he was the first to volunteer to allow me practice time with my new desire to become a portraitist.

Now there have been a few people who have quietly pointed out that his eyes are closed. Very observant. But this image, "Mr. Cute and Happy" as we call it, portrays him as he is, a very gentle man and a man who is comfortable enough with himself to let me display him in this moment of calm. His silvery hair and beard are always perfectly coiffed without looking obsessively cared for. He turned 71 or was it 72, and we'll be doing our annual vegetarian lunch soon. Now don't get the wrong idea. We'll have steak or ribs or some fanciful hunk of meat but we will also have a couple of very dry Martinis with lots of vegetables, usually called olives.

I'm a bit embarrassed that I had to be reminded that after all these years, that I had neglected to include him in my blog. Never let it be said that I'm the curmudgeon here. To you Mr. Mantle, you deserve your moment. And I for one will not take part in the life's end celebration that you desire.

We Interupt Regular Programming to Bring You This Message

2010-06-27T11:46:00.002-05:00

At last, the spot where vegetables go to die, has born fruit.

For three years now, I've sweat and dug and tilled and fertilized and almost prayed for my little cottage garden to produce anything. Each year we had a few scrawny tomatoes and a Zuke or two but this Bush Bean harvest has to be the most significant yield yet. Maybe the soil has homogenized and things are finding comfort and nutrients or whatever.

Praise the lord and pass the string beans.

Hope fully more to come.

Amen

Alright, Enough Already

2010-06-24T22:07:00.004-05:00

This is James. James Pannabecker, Esquire. Author, Lawyer, Banker, Concert Pianist, Farmer, long distance runner, Photographer's Assistant and my Friend.

I've known James for a long time but not very well, until recently. James and his equally talented wife, Karen, were our host on the recent photo safari to Virginia. There's a trip I'll not soon forget. They invited us to visit them on their farm just south of Lexington. If you haven't driven Route 64 east into West Virginia and then into Virginia, you should. You should do it at least once in your lifetime. The National Forests are totally amazing and the drive takes place mostly on a ridge with hundreds of small towns sprinkled below. I commented to my wife that I knew how the Grinch felt looking down on Whoville. It would make a superb motorcycle trip and you must stop along the way to visit some of those burbs.

I digress.

James was an open book and he practically tripped over himself to help me on my journey as best he could. Photography, at least on a Commercial Professional level, was something that he had not experienced and he was all ears and open minded not to mention secretly thrilled at the prospect of the experience. I think at first he took it a bit lightly until he recognized my focus and determination was for real. Once we got on the same plane, his involvement shifted into high gear. I now realize, this story could become very lengthy and a chapter or two in a book, so I'll cut to the chase.

Once we had determined I would take a two day rental on a storefront in Lexington, James and Karen launched into a frenzied mental and physical search for Virginians who might best suit my need as subjects. They made call after call and quizzed others as to who might be best suited for the cause. At one point James and I worked out a system, with a simple unnoticed nod, as to who to ask and who not to ask to sit. We went in and out of local shops and offices until we had more than enough subjects to fill my time there.

An interesting aside came the day I called the number on the building with the storefront for rent. A very nice lady answered the call and I explained my dilemma...would she be amenable to renting her space for just a few days, I asked. Cautiously she deflected answering the question until she consulted her husband. I left my contact info and went on looking for a backup space just in case she deferred to accept my proposal. After I had ended the call, I thought, I should have directed her to my blog as a reference to what it is that I do. It had seemingly only been a few minutes when she returned my call. "Jerry," she said with a certain amount of glee, "I went on-line to check you out and I found your site. I love it," she said. She then said something about did I know that Sally lived there. The cell connection was not the best and I didn't quite grasp her point. The conversation went on through the crackling of the phone and the subject of Sally came up again. I'm sorry, Sally? Sally who? Sally Mann she replied. You mean THE Sally Mann, I responded? At this point, maybe everyone is not familiar with The Family of Mann, it was one of the most successful photo tomes of it's time. A bit of a documentary piece about Sally's family as they grew up. It was a bit controversial then and it reared its head through the decades over and over whenever someone would bring it up again.

Again, I digress.

It became quickly evident that James was more than willing to be my test subject, you know, someone to set up on, to test the lighting so as not to be embarrassed when the time came to shoot for real. Now, James is not a hulking mass of a man, nor is he old enough to wear his life on his face. A phrase which became the the buzz words when approaching prospects. I was concerned, how I would be able to apply my technique to someone not in the mold of my usual subjects. "James," I said, "you're not going to be able to shave for the next several days." I think if he could have sprouted a beard on the spot, he would have. I'm thinking maybe we could combine your farmer look with your concert pianist look. Hence the the Tux shirt and Bow Tie and bib overalls (which got cropped from the shot).
I mulled that proposition over for a while because I try to avoid corny or costumed folks in front of my lens. I think if I would have said I want you to pose naked with your goats walking on your chest, he would have done it. You gotta love a guy like that.

When the time came to begin the James Portrait, the theme quickly emerged. He is a gentle man, an intelligent man and has a likeness to Bruce Willis and in some of the outtakes, he displays a slight essence of Kevin Costner. Karen was thrilled and she assures me that James was equally delighted.

This is a very long written piece for me, I think I'll have James edit it for me. We'll see what comes of it then.

And Voila, the king James version has arrived. My friends have long been eager to assist me in my grammatical quest for putting the correct words in the correct order so as to somehow make my copy seem as competent as my imagery. It's not that I'm a moron, it's just that in my haste to embellish a thousand words to equal the picture, I sometimes skip over the little idiosyncrasies a good writer would never miss.

Click on the edit pages to see a readable version.

Oh, Alright Already

2010-06-23T16:24:00.000-05:00

I've been trying to get some of the work I did in Virginia ready to print but yet I'm being torn to be, of all things, business like. Pay the bills, file the taxes, unpack everything from the trip, and family too. Can you believe my mom has the audacity to expect me to pay some attention to her too. She's seen me for 65 plus years and I haven't changed that much in the last 3 weeks. Well, truth be told, guilt has something to do with it. I have neglected her a bit of late.

Phillips forte is the art of creating fine furniture pieces from wood unlike anything you might find at Crate N Barrel or Ethan Allen or even Sotheby's for that matter.

This image went right to my heart. It portrays so many possible emotions, it could be the modern version of Rodan's, the Thinker. This may be one of my favorite portraits from the past 4 years.

Thank you Phil, you rock dude.

Getting Warmer

2010-06-18T10:55:00.001-05:00

I don't wanna say just how hot it was in Virginia but these guys might. Melt down!

I'm eking closer to a final edit of the last week. Unfortunately there are other matters at hand.

Till then.

Fodder Me Home

2010-06-17T11:05:00.001-05:00

Well, the foto gods did more than their share. It'll take me a while to edit through everything but there should be some blog worthy material for some time. Till then.

Fodder

2010-06-09T07:39:00.000-05:00

I will be traveling to Virginia this week and hope to bring back much blog fodder. Pray to the foto god for me. Till then.

Eye Bank

2010-05-26T11:14:00.006-05:00

I changed the image from the original post. This is a big improvement. Attention image thief's, be reminded that all the images on this blog are copyrighted, Jerry Tovo. Eye will track you down.

If you go way back on the blog you'll find an eye (mine), that I shot to check focus on a little point and shoot camera. It was nicely sharp and quite detailed. Of late I have decided that since my portraits are so weighted toward the subjects eyes, that I should really look closely at how our eyes are really structured.

With that in mind I have begun to stock eye shots so that I can compare, as necessary, the true make up of the human eye and how it relates to my portraits

This is the first of those. I'm sure I'll refine the lighting as I go but this is a good start. Right away, I've learned that I don't like it when you force the eye to stop down by exposing it to too much light prior to capture. The pupils get out of proportion to the rest of the eye and it becomes unnatural.

Clicking on it makes it sweller

The Grrrreat State of Illinois

2010-05-17T16:03:00.001-05:00

About a year ago a woman sold a cornflake on eBay, that supposedly looked like the State of Illinois, for around $1,500. Well, all I have to say is I found one before her and mine is most definitely better than hers. Actually, if you have ever sifted through a box of Frosted Flakes, most of them do look like this. Should you happen to see the guy that bought hers, give him my blog address and we can negotiate. Oh, wait, I forgot I accidentally stepped on it and it's now a powdered form of the State of Illinois.

Young Ryan and Parallel Universes

2010-05-04T15:38:00.003-05:00

A couple of years ago I had a very significant comment posted on my blog. Frankly, I don't remember what it said other than it started a very interesting relationship. This is that poster, Ryan Walters. Over time we have come to realized that we share so many similarities that we have kidded about one mind living in parallel universes, separated by maybe, 40 years. This image came from a lighting test for a shoot Ryan was doing in the studio. One shot and nothing more, not bad under circumstances. Of course there has been significant Photoshop work done to get to this look. It's a bit of a homage to Ryan who certainly has this formula down pat. As of today, we are slowly merging out respective talents into one studio. Hopefully soon, he'll be steering the ship while I lounge on the deck, so to speak.

OMG

2010-04-30T11:54:00.005-05:00

From the Archives...another hundred years ago, 1983 to be exact, I began doing a trendy calendar called "The Saint Louis Crackerjack Calendar." At the time, I often referred to it as my Junior Achievement project. The original idea was conceived before the famous "Chippendale Calendars" but after a few enterprising college students had done it as the men of ______ University. My intention was to do a local women calendar but I got very little support. The men version or as they became called, "Beefcake", ran for four consecutive years and while I really never made any money on it, I did learn a bunch about getting free help with marketing and the stories that came from it could have filled a couple of volumes. This week I had occasion to dig out the leftover calendars and copy a few images for another use. I have had several suggestions to do a reunion version but no one has stepped up to take the reins on that project. It was a huge undertaking and while I'll never regret it, I don't have the steam to go it alone again. BTW this dashing man is Steve Ruzicka and I haven't heard from or about him since.

Just for Impact

2010-04-27T23:38:00.002-05:00

In today's world of cameras and computers you can really add impact that might have eluded you in the film world.

For example, this image of my friend Ed, (see below) depicts him maybe as a strong, rugged warrior or a weathered salty, sailor, where age and sun have taken their toll. In real life he's a sweet, kind, intelligent man.

As much as I loved the old film days, the control one has now is nearly without limits.

click on image for closer view

Not so fast, Eddie

2010-04-21T12:05:00.004-05:00

This is one of my best friends and his name is Ed. It's not the first time Ed has appeared on this blog, however it was never under these circumstances and I must say this image nails how he feels these days. Without going into detail, I will tell you his last 10 years have been extremely exhausting and when I look at this image and think of all his trials and tribulations, I just wanna give him the biggest, most secure hug, one man should ever give another. In his prime Ed was a world class designer and most everything he touched turned to gold. We, his friends, are confident that, the good lord willing, he will bounce back to his previous form.

I'm sorta responsible for the beard in that, after a brief illness, this scruffy brush forced it's way out of his normally clean shaven face. I suggested that he keep it, at least until he could be properly photographed. Not one to pose for any such attention, I think the premise of the beard shot got his juices flowing. Now he's considering letting it grow into a full monte of a beard, if you would.

God love you Eddie and thanks for patronizing my need to capture your essence.

clicking on the image will give you a slightly better quality view

Oh, the indebtedness

2010-04-20T11:33:00.000-05:00

As I prepare to renew my mini exhibit for the month, I find myself choosing this image, an image that should have been up front in the very beginning of the blog. Here, I give you my best resource, supporter, fan, editor and friend, Laurie Shoulter-Karall. This woman adopted me, in an artistic sense, probably 15 years ago and hasn't for a second allowed me to waller or hesitate or despair or procrastinate-well not for very long. Maybe patron saint is the best description for this fan spectacular. Now mind you, I'm not the only one to be taken under her wing but there is a special connection that we share.

I must tell you what an honor it was to have her sit for me. She has very stubbornly disallowed anyone to capture her image until this setting. Not only to capture her likeness but exposing her early onset Arthritis was a huge hurdle to overcome.

We have shared many an artistic moment and I'll be forever indebted to her.

I must be dreaming

2010-04-19T13:57:00.005-05:00

I must have been dreaming but I went out this weekend to shoot schtuff and I think I may have be kidnapped and taken aboard a space ship of some kind. I don't remember much but this morning I found this image on the last frame of a memory card. Still that doesn't explain the tiny autographed photo of Sonja Henie pinned to my T-Shirt?

OK, it's a silly little story but I had nothing else to say about this shot that I spotted a couple of months ago. I finally found the right time to shoot it and this is the results.

Hmmm...

2010-04-13T12:20:00.002-05:00

I generally don't post serious images of myself but in absence of a muse, I became the subject of a light test.

10,327 frames later I found this technique that intrigues me. Aside from the subject, I see some strong possibilities for this light.

I hate to ask for opinions because some folks will take it as fishing for a compliment but if you have strong feelings one way or another, please feel free to comment.

I was just thinking

2010-04-09T00:33:00.000-05:00

Sometimes I should pretend to be more pretentious.

Before Life in the Fab Lane there was...

2010-04-07T12:31:00.038-05:00

Almost a hundred years ago we had a job for an exclusive line of shoes and the hook was, various models wearing the shoes, all jumping on a trampoline. Mind you, they were all wearing high heels, some extremely high. We covered the nylon surface of the trampoline with canvas so the heels didn't puncture and catch. That worked well except when the canvas became clumped together and it made for an unstable landing, so to speak.

One of the models was a young 15 year old beauty who had already captured the eye of the high profile fashion designer, Karl Lagerfeld in NYC. If you don't know, Karl was a force to be reckoned with, one of the elite designer of the time and is still very engaged in that field. Big Money there. Well, this young model, then know as Kimora Perkins, wasn't the most athletic of the lot. Her tall spindly frame didn't necessarily feel at home with her long arms and legs. Picture a six foot 2 inch 15 year old not totally grown into herself.

I ramble...
The story goes on with an Art Director brought in from California specifically to direct this shoot. Nice enough man and surely talented but with a strange sense of humor. When Kimora was jumping he tried his best to get me to encourage her to go higher and higher. Totally unnecessary for our goals but a sadist nonetheless. I turned to him and said in no uncertain terms that this particular model was earmarked for fame and I wasn't going to take a chance on her falling from that height and risk a career ending injury. He persisted, but then so did I.

I found these shots mixed in amongst the thousands of other poorly filed images from my archive. Not the best from my memory but graphic as to what we were doing. I'll look harder for better examples and post them later.

Oh, the model moved to New York and flourished, married Russel Simmons, all the while building an empire in fashion design labeled, "Phat Fashion" and extended to Baby Phat and KLS. Her name, Kimora Lee Perkins Simmons. You may know her from, Kimora: Life in the Fab Lane An regular series on Cable TV that documents her daily life.

This is the last time I'll tell this story. I've told it many a times but as the people who hear it are getting younger and younger and they have little clue as to what I'm going on about.         Kimora, way to go girl.

Kimora has remarried recently and those details are available on her website.

Winter's Melancholia

2010-04-06T14:43:00.003-05:00

It was in the waning moments of winter when I snapped this shot of the girls swing and it struck me as such a lonely, quiet place. Absent the laughing and giggling. Absent the big eyed delight of their daddies swinging them higher and higher. It was so melancholy at the time yet now with the return of spring, my heart lightens and the joy of laughter is upon me again.

When is a failure not a failure?

2010-03-25T16:06:00.003-05:00

I've been cogitating on replacing my images in the mini show that I have upstairs from the studio. Thinking back over the portraits I had shot in the past year or so, it occurred to me that I dearly loved the one of the General from India and I'd hoped to pair it with an image of his wife. As it turns out, her shot wasn't as sharp as his and I spent a lot of time and technology making it usable. I loved the results but unfortunately the two didn't match side by side. Her final was very much like a 35mm film image and his, much more like large format, film or digital. So I'm headed off in a yet different direction but well please with the save. *If you click on the image, the quality improves somewhat.

That's Rich, Volume 2

2010-03-19T17:06:00.001-05:00

Several months back I posted an image of my friend Rich. It was peculiar to my favorite style of black and white portraits. During that same session, I made a point of switching things up somewhat. It has occurred to me that I might become labeled for that style and while I'm not afraid of that happening, I do realized that I should not be complacent in being able to produce images of a different light. So, I've been trying to work on a versatility in my portraits that may have some value in other arenas. I find this shot, with white background and stressed color, particular to my taste. It's fairly easy to do variables from this state and could serve the commercial customer well. It's not unique to me as I have seen variations abound. My friend, Ryan Walters, is particularly talented when it comes to a similar style. Maybe he can help push me to be more consistent. I tend to wander when exploring avenues uncommon to my norm.

I Wuz Gonna

2010-03-16T16:44:00.001-05:00

In an effort to ease back into the blog, I was going to do this post and liken it to the digital scheme, whereby the cobbles would correlate to pixels. However; my writing skills or lack thereof, could not seem to cobble together the correct or at least, sensible paragraph to do so. So, I'll throw the images out there and let my friends in blog, comment on how it should or might have been written.

Let's hear it for the next contributor to the blog.

Rumor Has It

2010-03-15T10:24:00.001-05:00

We have information, from unreliable sources, that this blog is about to resume it's normal pace. Whether that is a good thing, remains to be seen.

So, so significant a loss.

2010-01-18T16:31:00.018-06:00

My fingers know not where to begin touching the keys, I don't know how to begin, for today I must tell you that a friend and an historic figure in the world of Art and Photography, has passed away.

From the Obituary section of Sundays Saint Louis Post Dispatch.

"Salinas, Marcel Charles the painter and one of the leading lithographerof the 20th century died peacefully in St Louis, MO at the age of 96.
Born in Alexandria, Egypt of French parents; he started painting as a child.
Captivated by the masters, he went to Paris to study at the Ecole des
Beaux Arts and was a student of Andre Lhote. Mastering the techniques
of lithography, he acted as both teacher and collaborator with numerous
artists working at the various ateliers in Paris. Pablo Picasso
selected him to create his series of 29 lithographs of the: Portraits
Imaginaires. He also worked with Salvador Dali, Victor Vasserely and
Erte. After delving into the art of photography, Henri Cartier Bresson
referred to Marcel as, My Guru. Residing in many fine collections, this
prolific artist created several thousand works of art including:
paintings, drawings and lithographs."

You may remember my postings on a couple of different occasions
regarding Marcel. He was truly my most prized Portrait and it was
such an honor and experience to have been in the right place at the

right time to meet and know this legend. He was not an especially
cheery man, at least not during the time that I came to know him.
But you could tell that he bore the enormous frustration that came
with failing hearing and sight. Here was a man, a mind, that was
full of the past and had little or nothing go forward with over the
next few years. After our session we talked at length about his
background and the fond memories of those that had steered him
and in turn those he had mentored (Henri Cartier Bresson among
them, holy crap). He was still edgy about the politic of his birthplace,
Egypt. What the obituary failed to mention was that before he began
making his mark in the Art community, he was a lawyer and that
part of his mind was still ripe with angst over the history of his
homeland.

The last time I saw him, I took him a promotional piece that I

had created. It was his portrait that truly graced that small tome.

I had the audacity to autograph it and inscribe a brief thanks for

allowing me the privilege of photographing his being. He hadbeenmoved to a place, a home if you would, that would allow for someone

to be around when he needed help. His room was lacking for

anything of family or even any style or amenity that might say,

here lives Marcel Salinas. They shades drawn because the bright

light hurt his eyes. When I handed him the book, he stared hard

so that he could see what images it contained and then he took

his hand, rubbed and caressed it, look me in the eye and said, it

is now the only book I have. I'll put it right here where I can see

it best.

If I were to quit photography today, I would be satisfied

that I had done something, something significant in my career,

something thousands of others cannot say.

Rest in peace my friend.

Shooting Stars

2010-01-18T15:41:00.004-06:00

If you have lived in Saint Louis within the past 30 (at least) years, you probably have said at one time or another, "Did you read Berger's column this morning" or "Did you see who was was in Berger's column today?" Jerry Berger is truly an Icon here. For years he not only rubbed elbows with the significata but was the ultimate bestower of glory on the lot of wannabe recognized, citizens of this burb. He used his own literal dictionary when writing his column and his style was unique among his kind. Plagued by the dreaded "C" malady, his writing days had been curtailed and only recently has he begun making a comeback on his own website/blog, Bergersbeat.com. It's a bare bones site that already has thousands of hits every week and the folks around this town have begun to embrace his work once again. I must confess, more than once, has he shown his light on my reputation and I'm greatful. Here's to continued good health my friend.

Santa_Not Santa

2009-12-10T11:10:00.003-06:00

As a few might noticed, there has been little activity here on the blog for a couple of months. Well, here's something.

I have been generating a mini gallery here in my building, taking advantage of a spot with excellent lighting and considerable foot traffic. I try to change the show monthly but for the same reason as the inactive blog, the last exhibit did hang a bit longer than I wanted. This months viewing is from a couple of older captures, however, they are significant to the season.

This one, titled, "Not Santa" is a good friend and artist, Larry Stark. When I first shot this, it struck me as near cousin to the Karsh portrait of Ernest Hemingway. Not to flatter myself but the tones and skin rendering somehow reminded me of that famous image.

Here, titled "Santa", is Warren Moellenhoff. Warren is a rather official Santa in that he has worked for a very exclusive client base. Not only does he look the part, Warren truly lives the part and does it year round. He is always in character so as not to disappoint in the case of a chance happening with one of his small admirers. That is not to say he dresses this way 365 days a year but he maintains the same demeanor throughout.

Gone

2009-10-14T16:30:00.006-05:00

One of my all time favorite shooters, passed away this week, Irving Penn. Sadly there are fewer and fewer of my industry hero's left in this world. He may have been the most emulated photographer ever. If you look at the YouTube link below, you can see the style dozens of photographers have taken as there own. His work will always be held in reverence, may his soul rest in peace.

Irving, say hey to my dad when you get there.

Irving Penn Photography

Coming soon...I hope

2009-10-07T16:03:00.006-05:00

I feel, and it's been suggested several times, that my Portraits are very serious and highly regarded and sometimes the rest of the blog, diminishes their importance. So it is my best intention to separate the the Portraits and the Commercial, sometimes whimsical, portion of the blog, into two separate blogs. Please stay tuned and please visit both blogs.

That's Rich

2009-10-07T15:45:00.004-05:00

So, I have this client and yes, his name is Rich. Well anyway, he stopped by to go over a project he has been working on and I couldn't help but see an opportunity to collect another portrait. An outstanding designer and architect, he just looked the part today. Luckily he did have some time for this highly impromptu session. I would normally not shoot the subjects watch as it tends to distract from the face and the eyes but this was one cool watch. He said it was an Italian Diver's watch and that only added to the intrigue. Anything, well, almost anything, Italian, has a great appeal to me. Especially Italian design. I'm not much of a watch guy but this one I would most definitely wear.

And the "Greenie" goes to...

2009-10-02T11:46:00.007-05:00

Todays "Greenie" Award goes to Tony Gaddis and James Schwartz, for a great video they did on the website for The Saint Louis Fashion Week. http://www.saintlouisfashionweek.com/FW_Oct2009/ Great little video clip. Very well done. I came across it while looking for the section on the website that featured Jeigh Singleton, a friend of mine, who is being given the Fashion Week Award for "Fashion Achievement". You might remember Jeigh from an earlier post. February 20th, to be more precise.
So congrats to Jeigh and our local guys for a job well done. I'm jealous of course.

This just in...

2009-09-30T15:38:00.012-05:00

I've been told that people, concerned of my whereabouts, have filed a missing persons report. I thank those many concerned but I'm here and fine. Just took a little sabbatical from the old blog. Hope to return soon with a fresh vitality and sense of purpose. BTW I've been blessed with a new follower from Malaysia. Kamarul Shahrin and his blog, THE PHOTOGRAPHY OF KAMARUL SHAHRIN. Welcome Kamarul. Please check it out, I find it most fascinating.

Warholish

2009-08-24T11:15:00.005-05:00

I recently had this simple little project with a very technical resolution. I have a client that needed to be able to show variations in color or various subjects. I launched into this tie exercise and it went swimmingly. One can change colors in Photoshop but I have never be able to do it up to my expectations. I do have another new (for me) software that is nothing short of amazing. The control is far superior and much simpler. As I pieced together the variations to send to the client, I began to appreciate the very nice graphic it created. Warholish if you would, only better. That's an unusual amount of Bravado for me. I do intend to do a master version to be printed and framed for mi casa.

So, it's come to this?

2009-08-20T14:51:00.011-05:00

I may have mentioned in the past, we have gone through some great extremes to have a vegetable garden in our back yard. It has jokingly become known as the vegetable cemetery and the place that seeds go to die. Well, this year my wife, Kath, decided to grow carrots. We watched as they went through periods of trial and tribulation.
Slowly emerging from my beautifully prepared soil, then seemingly going dormant. Then again, shooting up just as quickly as they had languished before. Anticipating their maturity, we'd occasionally pull one and they would be the tiniest of sprouts. We waited and yet we still had gherkin sized orange tubers. So we kicked our patience into gear and waited some more. (Is that an oxymoron?) The green tops flourished but the fruit of those tops were stagnant. Finally someone told us, when the foliage starts to whither, then and only then would the carrot be ready for harvest. OK, so the time seemed at hand and I began pulling. This is the first of those plucks. Holy schmoly, mutant veggies. The rest have even more bizarre shapes and clusters...ooops, sorry, a client just called and I need to move on...to be continued...OK, back to the veggies at hand. See below.

And to think I used to laugh at Ripley's "Believe it or not" or "Our own Oddities"

Post Note: Speaking of believe it or not. The ad below from Google appeared in the edit window of my blog.

Homegrown Vegetables

Grow healthy vegetables without a garden. No digging, weeding, hoeing

www.earthbox.comFini

The Weaver

2009-08-18T11:54:00.003-05:00

I've tussled with this image for a while now. It is one of the few portraits that I've done on a plain background. I know it seems ludicrous but it just has never caught my fancy because that. I started with the modeled or Rembrandt background and without it, it seems wrong. People have commented that those backgrounds are so un-cool these days but somehow I think marriage of the new technologies and the old style feel somehow works for me. When you look at it, there is so little BG showing that you might wonder what is the fuss. Heck, I don't know, it's just a small splinter but it's annoying all the same..

New Clues for Watizit #4

2009-08-12T17:54:00.003-05:00

I have attached new images to the original post. Helpful? Hopefully.
Do we have the answer? See below.

Silly Curiosity

2009-08-12T08:38:00.001-05:00

Could someone please describe to me what milk taste like?

Sposa

2009-08-12T08:16:00.007-05:00

It just occurred to me that I have shared with you my grandchildren, dog, Father and Father-in-law but not the most important person in my life. She inherited a certain stubbornness and cynicism but she loves to laugh and has so wonderful a smile. Here, she just seems completely happy and comfortable. It's one of my favorite images of her. I just recently unearthed it while sorting through some of my thousands of slides. Yes, film, remember that? Her given name is Mary Kathryn but is known by all as, "Kath". To me, she is my partner and the love of my life.

Watizit #4 (really, what is it?)

2009-08-01T11:24:00.005-05:00

I have no clue as to what this is. It has been growing and growing in our garden for over a month now. The base plant has many stems and it's over six foot tall. These buds however, are maybe three inches across or one inch each. Please let me know what you think they are. Thanks.

Blossoms show little progress from original.
Stem Structure and hint of leaf
Now, WATIZIT?

Anonymous seems emphatic, that it's an Elderberry. Do we all agree?

Florence

2009-07-29T10:13:00.007-05:00

This sweet woman is my wife's aunt and my favorite Aunt-in-law. She is a soft spoken, gentle person and is instantly easy to like. When I first began her session, I looked at her and I felt immediately at ease and comfortable. She has that pleasant and confident demeanor that one would expect from the most admired of teachers. I wanted to learn Spanish or Literature or anything from her.

For someone who had dreaded the deadly photo session, she seemed very much at ease with herself. I did let myself drift into this sepia mode because it just seemed to fit. The portrait itself is so simple and without any nonsense. Some might think it lacks the drama of some of my previous entries but I really love it because of what it really is, appropriate.

Watizit #3

2009-07-21T10:22:00.003-05:00

This weekend's play shot. Know what it is? It's not that tough.

Admiration joins Marketing

2009-07-20T14:35:00.016-05:00

Several years back, I decided I wanted to create an award called the "Greenie." Green as in jealous. For, I think, there is no greater compliment than one photographer being covetous of another's work. "I wish I had shot that". Over the years there have been hundreds of times I caught myself saying that very thing. So, the "Greenie" was to be an award that I would send to the shooter whose shot I envied. Now, it wasn't as one sided a thought as you might first think. I would truly award photographers the "Greenie" but at the same time I would be garnering precious free publicity. It's the reason many people or companies sponsor charity events. How many times in how many venues would the Jerry Tovo "Greenie" award be mentioned. Blah blah blah. Having gone a rambling, I now get to the point. A week or two ago the New York Times ran a feature about Lillian Bassman. I have attached that link for your convenience. Here is a woman whose work I truly admire. I wish I would have shot any one of the images included in the piece. http://www.nytimes.com/slideshow/2009/07/17/arts/20090717-BASS_index.html

Please do not stop at this link. Take some time and explore Lillian Bassman. (see link: Femininity Salvaged within the Gallery page) What a terrific story.

Finally

2009-07-13T16:08:00.004-05:00

I shouldn't let myself stray so far from my work of choice. I know it, yet it gets away from me from time to time. Stick with what you're good at. I love doing all the light hearted stuff on my blog but it's not as fulfilling as my Black and White work. Thanks to Lonnie Smith, I'm proud to post new portrait images.
Lonnie is a chef at one of my two restaurants here in the studio. Well, one of the two restaurants in the building which I call mine. A formidable man who has a work ethic that most people would wish to have. He has two other thriving businesses in addition to his culinary career. There are several more keeper shots from this session and I may choose to share them at a later date. I'm just glad he gave me his time to jump start my negligence to a craft I love.

8 Buck Rogers

2009-07-07T14:44:00.005-05:00

Some months back I ran an image of young boy adrift in a sea of globes. That was from the City Museum of Saint Louis, the same facility let's you wander through the bowels of the building in what might best be described as from the era of Buck Rogers or Flash Gordan. This was shot with hardly any light. The weird thing is, when you are actually down there, you lose your orientation and they have done all they can to exacerbate that lost feeling, with hallways that just end and stairs to nowhere. Very freaky and frankly I found myself a bit panicked after a while.

Blown Assignment

2009-06-24T15:19:00.011-05:00

Not the bubbles again. Well, yeah! I'm milking this baby. Actually I'm fascinated. Aside from the bubble caught bursting, I wasn't technically content with the previous effort. This got much easier with a second pair of hands and a masterful puffer. Trying to blow the bubbles, focus and capture them from a remote release was much more difficult than I anticipated. There turns out to be so many options that this could become a book. A book that some fried mind might find as entertaining as I.
I started with the white BG and changed to the black but then I became enamored with the spit between the two. Start rotating them and it becomes an exercise in proper orientation.

Then I tried stacking them. Don't think that didn't take a while.

The distortions became equally fascinating.

Simplicity

The FamilyI couldn't resist the concept of greyscale or black and white. Little Jewels.Totally Saturated, equal time, ya know.Enough for now, I have work to do. Check back later.

The Good Doctor

2009-06-22T08:46:00.008-05:00

For almost 5 years, the good Doctor, Hayden Hucke (Huck ee), was our neighbor and friend. An incredibly intelligent lady who had a pension for rescuing animals. Birds, cats and dogs and who knows what else. I'll never forget Rudy, a monster Newfoundland, a black St Bernard if you would. We had a six foot high fence in one portion of our yard and one spring I was busily cleaning up the remnants of winter, not paying much attention and when I stood up I caught a glance out of the corner of my eye of something very dark. There I was standing nose to nose with Rudy, who offered a friendly lick to my forehead, but I don't know that I have ever been so startled in my life. My lord, what a bear he was. Alas, I wander. Even though she was less than mobile due to the severely arthritic conditions that plagued her, Hayden was quite an accomplished emergency room physician at one of the top hospitals in the country. We stayed in touch for a while after we moved but we haven't seen her of late. We really should take a moment to check in.

Follow Up

2009-06-16T11:27:00.004-05:00

Earlier in the Spring I did a post of the granddaughters playing with the new super Bubble Blower. At that time I commented that I'd like to try the shot again in a controlled environment, so that I could slow the bubbles down, at least enough to get a good whack at improving the quality. This is only one of many images and I'll probably post more at a later date. I wanted to get this one up on the site so I could see just how it displayed in this venue. Catching one in mid burst was kinda fun.

Call the Chamber

2009-06-12T15:16:00.005-05:00

For many years my wife and I would take a late winter vacation somewhere warmer. It got to the point where it was no longer laughable. It seemed like without fail when we reached our destination they would have unseasonably bad weather. We joked that we we should contact the chamber of commerce of well known sunny destinations and threaten to come there if they didn't send us money. This is an image I shot on a trip to the east coast of Florida a couple of years ago. I call it a faux HDR image. I took the only exposure I had, ran it through Bridge one time creating an under exposure and the next time creating an overexposure. I then ran the 3 exposures through the HDR software and "Viola" it didn't turn out half bad.

Emma Update

2009-06-10T14:05:00.008-05:00

I've been getting many request to update my little Emma's status. Here, in all her glory, stands my little Emma at 10 months and in estrus at that. She is still full of piss and vinegar and makes me very happy. This is a rare moment when she didn't have one of her many tennis balls in her mouth. I have seen her at times, sound asleep with the darn ball in her mouth. Our older dog, Sophie, is doing the best she can to keep up but with the warmer weather, she's not prone to stay up with her for long. (Above from a post 9 months ago and below, of course, today)