PLEASE PLEASE ME

Fifty years ago the single “Please Please Me” was released in the U.K. The Beatles B-side was originally “Ask Me Why” but later switched to “From Me To You” on the U.S. release. Composed by John Lennon, with help from producer George Martin, PPM went on to become the group’s first #1 hit. Their first 7″ record, “Love Me Do / P.S. I Love You” (with Andy White on drums), failed to top the charts due to lack of promotion as The Beatles were still playing in Hamburg, Germany. Continue reading “”

CREATIVES, HOW MUCH ARE YOU WORTH?

Photo tips for the day.

Here are some links for those just coming out of photography/art/film school, or anyone else trying to determine their “day” rate in today’s competitive environment. Success is what you give yourself, so your long range view of business and art will be vital to getting you to where you want to be.

Practice your craft relentlessly. Find your own voice. Be the absolute best you can be. Know your capabilities and embrace them. Filter criticism. Find those clients who will compensate you appropriately for the work you are driven to create. And always remember: If you don’t think you are worth it, nobody else will. Continue reading “”

NEIL YOUNG – PSYCHEDELIC PILL

The recently released album Psychedelic Pill by Neil Young is now available on vinyl. This 3-LP package is sumptuously packaged and all analogue.

The result is one the best sounding Neil Young records ever. When the songs are this good, and LPs are done this right, it’s cause for celebration… even with this pricey edition. Continue reading “”

MAKING IT AS A TRAVEL PHOTOGRAPHER

Here’s an excerpt from our interview that appears in the latest Shutterbug Magazine. Thanks to Maria Piscopo and Shutterbug for including us in their latest “Business Trends” section.

“Never before has it been as easy for someone to produce a usable travel photograph. And never before have as many travel images been posted to the Internet. Unfortunately, many of these posted images are deemed of ‘good enough’ quality, are free to download, and are not credited to authorship. Continue reading “”

KIDS AND THE WEB

Something that’s come out of Japan lately is a bevy of very sophisticated yet inexpensive compact pocket cameras that are fully automatic and offer the creative performance of a pro digital SLR in the convenient size of a point-and-shoot. Great for kids!

Above is a pic from a recent travel made with a Canon Powershot ELPH 110. Much higher quality than any smart phone, and best of all.. No Instagram! Continue reading “”

DAVID DOUGLAS DUNCAN LEICA MP (M3D-2) GOES FOR 1.2 MILLION

There’s only one David Douglas Duncan, and only four M3D-2 cameras were made by Leica. This record auction price is believed to be highest ever paid for a production model camera (shades of Steve McQueen’s Porsche 911S sold in August last year).

Three Leica MP cameras owned by Magnum photographer Paul Fusco also sold for €858,000. The first Leica owned by Robert Capa was sold for €78,000 at the same Vienna auction. Thanks to my sister Sharon for the link. Continue reading “”

NEW EXHIBIT UP AT GEM SALON

Several of my prints will be on exhibit starting next week at Carillon Point’s GEM Salon in Kirkland, WA.

This show will be a mix of wildlife, nature and travel photography, as well as my latest automotive fine art.

Please stop by the salon in the next four months to see this exhibit. Some of the best stylists in the Pacific Northwest are there to assist you.

GEM Salon

Continue reading “”

GIVING THANKS – R GRUPPE STYLE

When it comes to pilgrims (in the John Wayne sense), they don’t come much more down to earth than the passionate members of that early Porsche 911 hot rod club named R Gruppe.

The club’s foundations trace back to 1998 when Freeman Thomas of So Cal (modified Tangerine 1969 911E) called Cris Huergas of Nor Cal (modified Light Ivory 1969 911S). Huergas’ 911 had just been published in Excellence Magazine (#76 April ’98), and Thomas was inspired to contact him. Continue reading “”

NEW CANON WALK AROUND LENS ANNOUNCED

Canon recently announced a 24-70 f4 EF-L IS lens available next month. Will this replace my sharp but distortion prone 24-105 f4 EF-L IS lens? I’m not a big fan of the 24-70 f2.8 L lens, even in its improved version II, because of its larger overall size, larger filter size, and lack of image stabilization. Continue reading “”