CUSTOM DIGITAL

I’ve wanted to give a shout out to my photographic printer for a long time. This holiday season seems to be the perfect time to do it.

Tyler Boley of Custom Digital in Seattle has earned a reputation as one of the best printers of photographic fine art in the Pacific Northwest. Tyler provides the highest quality drum scanning, ultrachrome, color and black & white ink carbon pigment digital printing. He uses the latest printers with an advanced RIP giving extremely precise control over how the inks go to paper. His prints have an “aliveness” that is truly amazing. Continue reading “”

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CABO

Just returned from a photo shoot/vacation in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico with my wife and a Leica rangefinder. What a great place to relax and escape the cold of winter. Situated on the southern tip of the Baja Peninsula, it’s within easy reach of the Western US and accessible via most major airlines. Sandy beaches, low humidity and sunny skies virtually all year round means this is a dependable Mexican destination. If you are into sport fishing, golf or scuba diving – it’s a best bet tropical location. Continue reading “”

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WERK
CREW

Recently I was asked to contribute a chapter to a limited edition “art-house” book celebrating early Porsche air-cooled culture. It will be independently published without compromises and is to be titled WERK CREW : DEPARTURE.

The author/editor/designer/publisher is one Bob Tilton, a very gifted artist who has spent the last year preparing materials from a bevy of talented writers, photographers, and craftsmen. Bob notes, “They share one thing in common: they are all early Porsche owners and true enthusiasts.” As Thanksgiving approaches, I extend my profound thanks to Bob for devoting so much time and thought to this very personal project. It’s going to be a killer book, and his blog site reflects the care Bob brings to everything he does: Continue reading “”

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THE POETIC ELEMENT IN PHOTOGRAPHY

Photography is much more than aiming a camera and pushing a button. It’s more than thoughtful composition or lighting a subject. Truly being in the moment of any artistic endeavor requires a commitment to yourself and your vision – not simply focusing on some wishfull payoff down the line.

Here are just a few ways to nurture the poetic element in your photography. The first thing I’ve found useful is to slow down and play in the moment. This means loving what you do. If waking up early to get the right light or having to stay up late editing your work becomes a job rather than a passion, then it will be hard to be effective in practicing your craft. You must feel driven to do it, because if you shoot or edit without enthusiasm it will show. The key here is to continue to do what you want, and be open to change. Continue reading “”

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EXCELLENCE MAGAZINE

The November 2010 issue of Excellence is hitting the newsstands and features a fascinating test drive with Porsche factory driver Patrick Long, Jeff Zwart’s stunning win at Pikes Peak (see my July 26th blog entry), and three articles of my photography, two with my text: Mike Gagen’s ’74 look Porsche RSR (above), Tony Samojen’s first production 914-6, and the Targa California. Congratulations to all for a fantastic issue of one of the best newstand sports car magazine’s around. Continue reading “”

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ALBUQUERQUE BALLOON FIESTA

The annual Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta concludes this weekend. The first week in October in New Mexico provides a colorful moving picture show of over 600 hot air balloons sailing silently against the contrasting fall sky. This event is a premier photo opportunity and the largest hot air balloon festival in the world, now in it’s 38th year. Be sure and check out the mass ascension at sunrise. Then yum down some southwest cuisine in nearby Santa Fe… Continue reading “”

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50 YEARS AFTER : JOHN STEINBECK’S GREAT AMERICAN ROAD TRIP

In the early morning hours of September 23rd 1960, John Steinbeck embarked on a hero’s journey with his wife’s French poodle Charley by his side. With the knowledge that he was dying, Steinbeck drove his camper truck onto the Sag Harbor, Long Island ferry and headed out into the great unknown intent on rediscovering America. He traveled to New England, then turned west to Niagara Falls, Chicago and on towards Seattle. He eventually criss-crossed much of the United States, experiencing first hand the protests of desegregation in Louisiana and returning home to New York in time for Christmas. Continue reading “”

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AUCTION OF AUTOMOTIVE PHOTO SHOOT ON-LINE

To help raise money for Roger Grago (see my previous blog entry), I have donated an automotive photo shoot to the winner of an auction being held on the Early 911S Registry website.

To bid, simply register at early911sregistry.org and post your name and amount. This auction will end at 9:00am Pacific Time on Tuesday, September 21st. Thanks to all for your support of Roger. Continue reading “”

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TRAVEL PHOTOGRAPHY PHOTO TIPS

In a couple of days I’m presenting an overview of travel photography to students at The Art Institute of Seattle. I’ve included my outline here for those who are interested:

1. Introduction

Choosing a destination – Research
Packing light – Pacing yourself, staying healthy

2. The Essential Ingredients

Culture: People, Crafts, Events, Recreation & Food
Architecture: Icons, Skylines, Attractions & Aerials
Geography: Landscape, Weather, Flora & Fauna

Continue reading “”

MORE IN THE NEWS

OUTDOOR PHOTOGRAPHER MAGAZINE ARTICLE : 50 YEARS AFTER “TRAVELS WITH CHARLEY”

The current September 2010 issue of Outdoor Photographer magazine contains a five page article of my photographs covering my twelve year, 150,000 mile journey following John Steinbeck’s 1960 route from his travelogue Travels with Charley in Search of America. Read the whole story here!

outdoorphotographer.com: travels-with-charley

Continue reading “”

IN THE MAIL AND ON THE NEWS STAND:

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EXCELLENCE MAGAZINE FEATURES :
RICH LAMBERT AND RAY MCEVOY

The October 2010 issue of Excellence magazine features my text and photos on two early 911s: Rich Lambert’s white ’66 (above) and Ray McEvoy’s red real ’73 RS. These are both stunning machines. If you are a hot rod or Porsche fan, you can check them out here: Continue reading “”

STEINBECK EXHIBIT

Just home from two weeks away on a very rewarding trip. I want to thank all the people involved with making my exhibit and film at the National Steinbeck Center in Salinas a success: Colleen Bailey, Deborah Silguero, Paul Van de Carr, Thom and Gail Steinbeck, Susan Shillinglaw, McIntosh & Otis, Tony Straka, James Johnston, Kurt Henze, and last but not least my wife, Andrea Wells. Thanks also to Curtis Autenreith and Chuck Miller for their support. Continue reading “”

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30TH ANNUAL STEINBECK FESTIVAL

“Journeys – Steinbeck Around the World”

Thursday, August 5th – Sunday, August 8th
NATIONAL STEINBECK CENTER, SALINAS CALIFORNIA
“We do not take a trip. A trip takes us.” –John Steinbeck

This coming weekend, set out for the open road.
Your destination: The world – today and at key moments in history, with John Steinbeck as your guide. Eat, drink, and dream of far horizons. Go behind the Iron Curtain in the 1960s and wander through Moscow, Krakow, Budapest. Stand at the Berlin Wall. Visit Rome, Paris, and Mexico. See literary landmarks around the globe. Drive through the Badlands of North Dakota with a poodle just like Steinbeck did 50 years ago. Create your own journey. Continue reading “”

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MORE INSPIRATIONAL QUOTES & PHOTO TIPS

“What one does is what counts, not what one intends to do.” -Picasso

“Success is what you give yourself, fame is what others give you.” -Deanne Delbridge

“In every artist there is poetry. In every human being there is the poetic element. We know, we feel, we believe. As knowers, we are like the scientist, relating through logical determination. As feelers, we are like poets, relating the unrelated through intuition. As believers, we are only accepting our human limitations. The artist must express the summation of his (her) feeling, knowing and believing, through the unity of his (her) work. One cannot photograph art, one can only live it in the unity of his (her) vision, as well as in the breadth of his (her) humanity, vitality and understanding.”
-Ernst Haas

Continue reading “”