C'mon Vogue - Portraits Of NY Ballroom Scene

Excellent portraits taken by photographer Timothy Greenfield-Sanders for PaperMag.com.

These inspire me on how to use lighting and simple backgrounds to showcase the styling and personality of the subject. I would have been worried about the distracting cracks and stains on the walls. I probably would have drove myself crazy trying to retouch them out, but the model's non traditional poses and creative, avant-garde fashions really stand out and grab your attention first.

Original article at PaperMag.com

Philadelphia Burger Brawl 2013

Despite my re dedication to working out, I had to attend this years Burger Brawl. It gets me out of the house into the warm weather (staying inside becomes a habit in the winter) and it gives me a chance to test out the hamburgers from some of philly's best restaurants, all in one place.

I was so astonished at the size of the burgers last year, someone must have heard me because this year, there were smaller servings. I brought containers so I could carry home what I couldn't finish, and I didn't need them. Well, its better for my waistline anyway.

I met Philadelphia Daily News style blogger Reuben "Big Rube" Harley, and had great conversation with "my favorite Rapper's photographer" from Fresh Flickz.net about how we would negotiate usage rights with celebrities we'd shot. He had some good ideas for dealing with our imaginary scenarios with Bradley Cooper or Rhianna, like making sure you get rights to joint ownership of the photos, no matter the cost.

Always a pleasure building with business minded people.

One of my favorite places to eat and party, Silk City, won the Jim Beam raffle and owner Mark Bee received a custom guitar. 

 

Check out Big Rube in the Daily News and his blog streetgazing.com

Rage Is Back - The Book and Soundtrack

Mixtape dj and producer J.Period released a soundtrack to go with the novel The Rage Is Back, written by Adam Mansbach. Featuring exclusive new tracks from Common and Talib Kweli produced by J.PERIOD, freestyles from Black Thought (Read more at: Okayplayer.com ), The Kid Daytona, Blu, Homeboy Sandman, Shad and more! With audio book narration by: GZA & Danny Hoch.
 
I was immediately drawn to the cover, which reminded me of one my college design projects on the graffiti artist Dondi. 

 Listen to the mix of old and new rap from the soundtrack on soundcloud

They Die By Dawn - Black Cowboy Movie

I came across this poster for the upcoming western They Die By Dawn, featuring an all Black cast including actors Micheal K. Williams, Isaiah Washington, Bookem Woodbine, Clifton Powell (who is in every Black movie!)and r&b singer Erykah Badu, and many others.

 Micheal K. Williams interviews

Official Trailer


The title track by Jeymes Samuel AKA The Bullitts (ft. Yasiin Bey, Jay Electronica & Lucy Liu)
https://soundcloud.com/thebullitts/theydiebydawn

Read more at okayplayer.com

Inspiration - Grace Jones Shoot

Fashionista.com featured a Grace Jones inspired shoot from Galore magazine.

"Shot by Elias Tahan and styled by Kyle Edward, the shoot features model Jodie Smith ie Grace Jones incarnate in looks inspired by some of the singer’s most iconic outfits and poses."

 

See more at Fashionista.com