Goodbye JPG

Over the years I have noticed a significant decrease in the quality of magazines; not just in reference to actual editorial content but also with photo and design. One of the publications that I have been able to put back on the magazine rack after a quick browse has been JPG Magazine. Predominantly photography oriented, JPG is comprised of user submitted images that are then voted on by the users themselves. Of the highest rated photos, a collection are hand-picked by the staff for publishing. It's a relatively interesting concept that I wish I saw more frequently...along the lines of a for the people and by the people type of thing.
Photo By: Esquareda
I first came across the magazine during a stint as a Retail Guru at Urban Outfitters during my college years. The cover is what caught my eye with a tease for an article about "how to become a skateboard photographer". I thought that the entire publication was going to be a crock but after picking up the magazine for the first time I never really seemed to put it down. I've had many friends featured, read a handful of well written articles, and have received an overwhelming amount of inspirations from it's glossy pages.


JPG...I'll miss you!

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.