I admit I’m a huge fan of Annie Leibovitz work, especially her advertising work for Louis Vuitton. Even though she may be the easiest photographer to like and not so ‘underground’, ‘hip’ or ‘up and coming’, but I think she tells a great story with a photograph and I appreciate that.
Recently she shot the Spring 2010 ad campaign for Vuitton that depicts herself, for the first time in an ad piece, along with Mikhail Baryshnikov. I’ve always loved her sets that show a ‘behind the scenes’ look, showing her lighting equipment, props and backdrop, but I’m not sure how I feel about herself in the photo. Maybe it’s her pose or something? I don’t know. Thoughts?
Developed by the global design company, and well respected, Pentegram, What Type Are You? is a fun video that asks personality questions that later reveals to you what type (or font) you are. I have to admit I feel like I am really bad at these things because I tend to answer the questions thinking that the answer would turn into something I want!
According to Radiohead’s blog, Dead Air Space, Ed (guitarist) states that the band is in the studio and working on a new album. He states that they are continuing work that they started last Summer. There isn’t an expected release date but it is enough for me to know that they showed up to work and that things are going good.
From the Radiohead blog…
The vibe in the camp is fantastic at present, and we head off into the studio in January to continue on from the work we started last Summer .. I am so genuinely excited about what we’re doing, but for obvious reasons I can’t divulge anything more.. anyway we all love surprises don’t we? 10 years ago we were all collectively (that’s the band) in the land of Kid A .. and although hugely proud of that record, it wasn’t a fun place to be .. What’s reassuring now, is that we are most definitely a different band, which should therefore mean that the music is different too and that is the aim of the game….keep it moving.
One cannot have enough blogs these days. So to separate my personal blog with my photography I’ve created a new blog that I will attempt to give a behind-the-scenes, if you will, look at my photo shoots. I know of other photographers who have done this and I love being able to see what’s behind the curtain.
The new photography blog is located here: http://kansascityphotography.blogspot.com. Real original, right? Well I think it’s relevant to where I’m shooting at and I’m trying to make a name for myself here in Kansas City so I felt it was appropriate.
Anyhow I hope to include lighting information, location information and other interesting tid bits from the shoot. Enjoy!
So I’ve been reading a crap ton of blogs lately and I thought I’d share them. Usually I read/look at them just for photographic inspiration, fashion trends and other things that are cool.
A Continuous Lean – pretty much so the staple for men’s fashion and related inspiration.
All Plaid Out – Somewhat similar to ACL but feels a little less commercial.
Secret Forts – Lots of stuff here to look at. I like how minimal it still feels with the amount of content.
Speaking of Art Garfunkel visiting the Kansas City Symphony, Kings of Convenience released a new album. Perfected production of recorded acoustic and vocal Kings of Convenience release their follow up to Riot on Empty Street, which sold over 400,000 in Europe, with the beautiful and hushed Declaration of Dependance.
I don’t think I’ve heard matched harmonies like Erlend Øye and Eirik Glambek Bøe since Simon and Garfunkel. If you are unfamiliar with the Kings they are like an indie Bossa nova band. Sounds boring? No its not, its beautiful music. While Riot on Empty Street had I’d Rather Dance With You (click to watch the video, its quite comical in a Napoleon Dynamite way), a perfectly fine song for a house dance party, Declaration of Dependance loses the drums and is a bit quieter, yes it’s possible. Go out and buy the album, its the best in its genre this year.
I was pushed in to the deep end when it comes to fashion. Before I started work as a fashion photographer for Standard Style I didn’t really care much about fashion. I cared about my look but not really about “fashion”. But lately I’ve found that its OK to enjoy what you wear. From my perspective Ryan Adams puts it best in this little make shift video. I’m not 30 nor was I ever a rock star, but it does give you the idea coming from a rocker or coming from someone that realized that its OK to grow up and be sober that its OK to wash your hair.
Here’s an amazing quote from the video…
… I think the punkest thing I could be besides being sober and dealing, is actually enjoying myself, and just accepting that there’s just some stuff I like. And some of that stuff is shallow. And I don’t care… – Ryan Adams
So there you have it. What I’ve been loving lately is the latest trend in men’s fashion – Americana. Going back to the roots of mid-century America. Where its all about being a man. Throw away, or better yet, burn your Ed Hardy and True Religions and replace them with classic woven dress shirts, raw fitted denim and match them with a pair of work boots or dress shoes. Here’s a little glimpse for this from A Continuos Lean (an amazing men’s fashion blog, might I add)…
There really isn’t an official name for the style of music that is currently emerging out of bands like Neon Indian or recently reviewed Washed Out. It’s basically music that is synth-based, 80′s sentiment, psychedelic in nature and produced out of a basement studio.
One stand out is Deadbeat Summer that is super catchy with oohs and ahhs, synths lines and a laid back beat. As with most of these new dream-pop albums there is always a coming-of-age theme to them – wether or not the lyrics speak that, its the general feel I get from the album. Songs like 6669 has the back and forth kick snare beat that keeps the head moving side to side, Mind, Drips opens up with a space ship taking off that reminds me of some old Nintendo game and has a nice back beat groove. The album is short, only about 30 mins, but there is so many good songs that the album is sure not to disappoint any 80′s sentimental geek.
Thom Yorke, of Radiohead, announced on Radiohead’s blog, DEAD AIR SPACE, that he has formed a band to play his solo stuff from The Eraserand ‘new stuff’. They already have a few shows lined up in LA.
The band consists of Thom, obviously, Nigel Godrich (Radiohead’s producer), Joey Waronker (REM), Mauro Refosco (of David Bryne from Talking Heads) and Flea! Yes thats Flea from Red Hot Chili Peppers.
Speaking of 
There really isn’t an official name for the style of music that is currently emerging out of bands like 
Thom Yorke, of Radiohead, announced on Radiohead’s blog, 
