Boo Ikea

Thank you very much Ikea for ruining my Christmas. As I am not much of a traditional shopper I enjoy giving friends and family limited edition prints for the Holidays; you know...stuff you can't just find in any mall. For the sizes that I print, usually about 12x12, a custom frame would cost roughly $100 to make. A long time ago I found what I thought to be an amazing deal from Ikea. At only $20/piece they fit my photos perfectly and I had no complaints...until now. At such a low rate you generally don't get much diversity and that's the compromise. However today I noticed that there was another model available. I went out on a whim and decided to give it a shot as it was only $5 and significantly nicer.

When I arrived home and set down to begin framing I noticed that once unlatched the backing of the frame was bowed slightly. After a few minutes of prying a knife around the edges I managed to crack frame #1 of 5. With the next I managed to separate the pieces and lay the photo against the matte. When attempting to seal the frame I had a bit of trouble...and by a bit I mean a lot. The frames are seemingly cut about 1/8th of an inch long on both sides. Without shaving down the sides it would be near impossible to make this work without breaking atleast 2 more frames...but hey 20% is good right?

Portrait Photography

Is perhaps my favorite type of photography. As a "photojournalist" I was often placed in scenarios where I had to overcome my social awkwardness in order to make the picture. I would reluctantly approach a person and mutter "I'm with the (insert paper here) and I'd like to photograph you." Regardless of how many times I did it, things never got easier; I always felt as if I was prying myself into someone's life and I hated that...I never wanted to be intrusive.

Photo by: Hessam Samavatian
Although many people take portraits not everyone is able to execute a meaningful image that evokes some sort of emotion or understanding of the subject without any prior knowledge of them. To stare down the barrel of the lens and present your true self comfortably is difficult to say the least.

Photo by: Eric Lafforgue
If you've had the opportunity to visit New York you'd know that it is the melting pot of the universe; it's here that you can find every character known to man from Trekkies to Ford Models. There are so many people here who would photograph beautifully but I always find a way to talk my self out of it.

Words

I never really had an extensive vocabulary. Don't get me wrong, I've always had a handful of zingers that most people think I've probably made up but nothing too consistent. In grade school I always had to use my dictionary/thesaurus combo to help me get through my work and boy did I hate that.

However recently I've came across a copy of the dictionary that I don't mind browsing through...The Photographic Dictionary. Compiled via the aid of fine art photographers around the world, the Photographic Dictionary serves as a visual liaison between you and the ever-so-dreaded syllable monsters.

Picking Up

My camera has been something that I've "forgot" to do for the past two months. I find it to be quite ironic that all day long I'll critique images but never the desire to go out an make something of my own to reflect upon. Well after a nice long hiatus I managed to pull myself from the sofa on one of the coldest winter nights of the year, trek through the snow, and remember how to fire off the shutter. Maybe this was a well needed/deserved break.

Snow

I was born in the blizzard of 1986 which may partially explain my love for a thick white coat on the sidewalk. As a kid I would yearn for half-days which meant that I'd be able to unlock the garage at noon, grab my bent red sled from underneath the clutter, and bolt over to "The Hill" just off of Holme Ave. Now, at a much older age, I still bare the same desire to be out embracing the elements. Except now my sled doesn't cost $20 it's more or less $500. Oh well...too bad Canada is still three weeks away. Anyone have a time machine?


Photo by: Speedtrials

This Time Tomorrow

If you have a minute or five please check out the following video from a good friend of mine Chris Mulhern. This Time Tomorrow is Chris' third independent skate film and is sure to be nothing short of a hit. The video will feature the likes of: Devon Connell, Jimmy McDonald, Dave Caddo, Brendan Granstrand, Will Harmon, Rory Milanes, Steph Morgan, Lucien Clarke, and many other east coast rippers.



When you manage to pick your jaw up off of the floor head on over to Chronicles of Hern to keep up to date with the crews east coast happenings.

My Job

Is to sit around on two computers all day long in search of the perfect photo to pair with editorial content; I sift through thousands of images per day and am often left a bit...what's the word...oh yeah...disappointed. However, Flickr has come to my rescue and given me a glimmer of hope with hidden gems such as the photo below by Salva Lopez.

The photo is simply beautiful. The warm yellow tones which contrast the cold feeling of solidarity, the slightest catch light in the subject's eyes, the one defined tear in the wall which obstructs the otherwise pristine pattern, the handkerchief crawling into the bottom right hand corner of the frame, and the weathered skin of the man just make it for me.

Nothing

Really has to be said about this hat other than the fact that it is simply amazing. Aside from the absurd price point of $130 the hat is an absolute necessity for anyone...no excuses...NONE!!!



To Purchase Visit: http://www.scandinaviangrace.com

Talent

Is something that I am surrounded by frequently. It's bewildering when I take a step back to realize how many people around me are gifted. It doesn't matter whether it be riding around on four wheels, plucking metal strings, smearing paint on a canvas, or even with belting out classics to a crowded smoke-filled karaoke bar...so many people have been blessed.

One such person who always seems to find a way to rekindle my photographic inspiration is Will Govus. I first became acquainted with his work through an online skateboard community known as SkatePerception. At the time Will was sporadically posting images of tree trunks and caution tape signs nailed into the lawn of residences in his hometown of Elijay, GA. At the time I didn't think much of the images but after some time I began to see him amassing a collection that was definitely something else. Now, about a year or so later it seems as though he's established a slight name for himself in the art community with his beautiful night series.

Back in the summer I had the chance to meet up with Will and fellow skate photography nerds Ben Lepley, Kyle Bunker, and Jordan Conway over the fourth of July holiday. Will was such a nice kid; quiet...but nice. Every so often I would peer over my shoulder and catching him staring through the waistlevel of his Yashica. In a society that places so much emphasis on owning the newest piece of technology Will is a breath of fresh air. His work speaks volumes for itself and oh yeah...he just turned 17 not too long ago.

Can't wait to see you in a few weeks buddy!

Friday

Friday was always my favorite day as a kid. I remember waiting eagerly at home for my dad to arrive back from work. As soon as he'd step foot in the house he'd be shelling out a few dollars into my hand for my weekly allowance. I'd take off running over to Casey's to buy a new pack of baseball cards; usually it was a pack of Topps but every now and then I'd splurge for a card that I'd been eying up in the display case. Soon after I'd make my way to one of my friends house where we'd sprawl our collection along the worn carpet and begin make trade proposals.

I guess that same habit subconsciously carried on over in adulthood. As of late I've found myself fumbling across the internet for artists that I enjoy. Every now and then I'd send out an e-mail inviting said artist to peruse my work; if they found an image that was to their liking I'd encourage a trade. After a few failed attempts I started getting some positive feedback and then before I knew it I was getting packages delivered to my work desk every other week.

Just recently I received a package from Alex Goss. I don't know what it is necessarily about his work that grabbed my attention...perhaps it was the fact that after flipping through page after page I began to see his development as an artist or that his subject matter is so different from the everyday visuals that I see living in a city such as New York. Either way, thanks Alex.

The Purpose

I've always been a fan of art, more specifically photography, but over the course of the past few months my participation in the community has faded. In an effort to delve back into industry I've created this blog; whether or not it will be a success is a whole different story.

Cheers,
Keith