Vogue Netherlands - Basquiat Inspired Beauty Shoot

Imagery based on the famous artist Jean-Michel Basquiat, shot by Erwin Olaf, make up done by Topolino.

 I had to familiarize myself with his original work and look at his style and use of color so I could "get it"

The portrait is dead on!! I love it. Some of the other make up jobs could have employed more of his elements and compositions from his paintings. Still, this is great, and the kind of work that will set your portfolio apart from other photogs who might have similar concepts in it. Hell I might shoot myself as Basquiat.

Why does it seem like the European versions of fashion magazines seem to feature more people of color? Which is strange, considering the constant debate over the inclusion of people of color.

Read more about it at Huffington Post

Artist Mixer 2014 - Studio10Two5

I attended the first ArtistsMixer of the year at Jasen Hudson's new location, Studio10Two5.

It always feels great to get out and meet other creatives, absorb some of the energy and get our minds off of this really cold weather we've been having.

 

Saw many familiar faces and usual suspects. Rhym, and photographers Aaron, Joseph Balestra, Samuel Eli, and the rarely seen Ronald Gray.

I had a chance to see Kris Johnson's new video project. I became a fan when  saw his work at the Dreaming Building.

I talked with the beautiful and talented Robin Lynette, whom I have wanted to shoot and work with. One of these days I'll get her to work her magic on my model, and argue to get her in front of my camera.

I managed to drag my road dog, Kharma, with me.

 So much talent in one place it was incredible!

Super Heroes and their Part Time Jobs

I love it when creative people do what they want to do and just let their imagination run wild.

"If super heroes had part-time jobs, what would they do? They might each go into something they are uniquely suited for.
Artist Chow Hon Lam (Flying Mouse 365) took that idea and ran with it in his series of illustrations called Part Time Job."

And the funniest one...


Thanks to neatorama

Insanely Creative - Facial Optical Illustions with Make Up

Thanks to my facebook friend Robin, who is a dope make up artist herself, for posting this.

"Moscow-based photographer Alexander Khokhlov and makeup artist Valeriya Kutsan have teamed up to create an amazing series of portraits, using the natural lines of models’ faces to create illusionary forms.

The series is cleverly called “2D or Not 2D” and is designed to make the faces look like 2D images when viewed in real life."

 

 

I was blown away by these!

See more of them here at deadstate.com

Soup Factory Open House

The studio had its open house a couple days ago. It was really nice to make large prints (11x14 for me) and to be able to hang my work up, something I have never done before.

Unfortunately, the event fell on a day when everyone I knew was busy, away on a trip, or otherwise engaged. Even my own mother was in the hospital! She wanted me to show up and be seen, so I still attended. I saw her afterwards and showed her the photos in my phone.

 The essentials.

 

I got a chance to talk to a few people in "real life" and meet some new faces, like studio mates Nate Middleton and Aaron Stallworth Jr. plus the talented Andrea Harper. Watching Nate retouch in real time was valuable and informative; using some techniques I knew, and some I didn't. Who knew Photoshop's smart sharpen was actually that smart?

Stylist MelSlim Edmond

The most fun was the "unofficial" photographer talk session afterward, where I found out that while our experience and skill levels are different, we are all the same, with the same problems, insecurities, victories and defeats.

We talked gear, lighting, models, business, set backs, guys with cameras, TF, all kinds of stuff.

Times like these are when I am glad that I joined the studio and have a chance to talk with like minded minds, instead of sitting home.

Black Star Film Festival 2013

Over the course of 3 days, I went to the Black Star Film Festival in my home town and was able to see shorts and feature length films made by some of the most talented African American and creative minds of people of color.

I missed it last year when I went to Atlanta, and my girl Andrea designed the logo and signage (go Drea, go!) I was excited to see and participate in discussion panels and just see some works that is different than what I see on tv.

I did some unofficial event photography in order to test out the Canon 60D.

I networked a little with some of the stars and writers.

Stacey Sargeant, (left) write/director of the documentary Though I'm Not Perfect.
Above was the cast/writers of the short Color Me In

See the short here

COLOR ME IN (short film)


The talented director Rashid Zakat

One of the first things I noticed was how much easier it was to capture low light exposures inside when I had more iso settings to choose from. After an hour or so, the new button placement was second nature to me. I loved it.

 I love the natural sistas!

 Marques Green, director of The Bluest Note

The best full length feature I saw was Things Never Said. Dope. Great acting, interesting story, and a little more depth to characters than we normally get in movies. I wish films like this were in national release like Eat Pray Love, and all 12 romantic dramatic comedies that come out every year. I am now a fan of Omari Hardwick. 

More on the important advice he gave to an audience member later.