Stereoscopic Magic

Al Green, “Simply Beautiful” Willie Mitchell, the...

Tue, 05 Jan 2010 13:13:29 -0800

Al Green, “Simply Beautiful”

Willie Mitchell, the producer behind Al Green’s best work, died today.

So as a small honor, I’m posting one of their best collaborations, from the album I’m Still in Love With You. One of the sexiest songs ever, but still so romantic.

The best thing about pictures like these is that because...

Mon, 04 Jan 2010 15:32:42 -0800

The best thing about pictures like these is that because there’s context (the photo) but no narrative (the photographer, location, date), you can make up your own story. Everything about these scream Harlem Renaissance to me — I hope these folks spent a lot of time hanging out in smoky jazz bars and throwing rent parties.

How charming are these pictures that the Sartorialist dug up in...

Mon, 04 Jan 2010 15:30:30 -0800

How charming are these pictures that the Sartorialist dug up in the flea market this weekend? I’m constantly digging through old photographs in flea markets and antique stores, so I love that he does it too. Maybe I should share some of the ones I find.

Rogovin keeps his print size at 8 x 10 inches. He could make a...

Thu, 31 Dec 2009 13:58:00 -0800

Rogovin keeps his print size at 8 x 10 inches. He could make a lot more money if he made the oversize prints that collectors love. But he doesn’t do that, because to him this is about respect for his subjects and faithful documentation of who they are and the worlds they live in. This solidarity mindset is such a throwback that it seems radical.

But that’s something to think about for 2010, isn’t it? Longevity. Compassion. Less concern for money, more concern for human dignity.

What’s old is new again.

That’s an inspriring thought for 2010, isn’t it?...

Thu, 31 Dec 2009 13:51:43 -0800

That’s an inspriring thought for 2010, isn’t it? It’s never too late to do something you’ve always wanted to do.

Rogovin didn’t pick up a camera until late mid-life, and he waited to start writing poetry to run alongside his photographs until he was in his 90s. Fittingly, he’s old-school. He stands directly in front of his subjects. He lets them express themselves before the camera without any tricks. And while, yes, his photography focuses on working-class people, it’s not because he romanticizes them. It’s because those are the people he knows.

Running out the door to go party in LA but I thought it would...

Thu, 31 Dec 2009 13:46:00 -0800

Running out the door to go party in LA but I thought it would be sweet to leave you with some photos from Milton Rogovin. Mr. Rogovin just turned 100 years old. He is considered to be one of the finest social documentary photographers working today.

Tumblr resolutions for 2010

Thu, 31 Dec 2009 12:07:15 -0800

1) Don’t reblog anything that doesn’t credit a photographer (unless I can figure out the photographer myself). People don’t seem to realize why this is important because most of them have never created anything themselves. Until the world can unlearn the Great Delusion of the 2000s (Information, Creativity, Imagination and Intellectual Property Should All Be Free!), I’m going to be the change I seek.

2) “Like” other people’s posts excessively and generously.

3) Add and edit followers more closely.

4) Encourage more people over the age of 25 to start their own Tumblrs.

5) Devise a way to meet some of my favorite bloggers on here. (C’mon….you know there’s a Tumblr-er you want to meet too!)

britticisms: “Maps” by Yeah Yeah Yeahs Wait. They don’t love...

Thu, 31 Dec 2009 10:39:01 -0800

britticisms:

“Maps” by Yeah Yeah Yeahs

Wait. They don’t love you like I love you.

So yeah, this is my Song of the Decade.

I love this song so, so much too. (Not Song of the Decade love. But at least Song of that Year love.)

In my haste to show the photos from Greater Atlanta I forgot to...

Wed, 30 Dec 2009 16:11:17 -0800

In my haste to show the photos from Greater Atlanta I forgot to post my favorite portrait from that book. Not saying I, or anyone, would want to meet this guy. But Mark caught him in the exact, feral moment proving why not. And that’s what a portrait is supposed to be — capturing something fleeting and essential about that person that tells you everything about them.

britticisms: Candy Darling on her Deathbed, 1974 by Peter...

Wed, 30 Dec 2009 10:40:59 -0800

britticisms:

Candy Darling on her Deathbed, 1974 by Peter Hujar

Look magazine also published Stanley Kubrick’s early...

Tue, 29 Dec 2009 11:52:08 -0800

Look magazine also published Stanley Kubrick’s early photography. He called this shot, “Young Lovers.”

Great pictures from Look magazine up at the New York Times. I...

Tue, 29 Dec 2009 11:50:09 -0800

Great pictures from Look magazine up at the New York Times. I love this one of choreographer Katherine Dunham with her dance troupe.

The Best Photobook of the Year?

Mon, 28 Dec 2009 16:06:08 -0800

There seems to be some consensus (as much consensus as you’ll ever get out of photo bloggers) that Mark Steinmetz’s spooky B&W tome, Greater Atlanta, is, if not the photobook of the year, then at least one of the greatest photobooks of the year. I loaded a bunch of shots below so that you can judge for yourself.

Personally, I prefer Steinmetz’s earlier photobooks (South East, South Central) that deal with the same theme of the shifting South. But that’s a personal preference. There’s no denying his talent.

All photos, copyright Mark Steinmetz From the photobook Greater...

Mon, 28 Dec 2009 15:59:00 -0800

All photos, copyright Mark Steinmetz

From the photobook Greater Atlanta

dominickbrady: Doesn’t matter what I’m doing. This song is...

Sun, 27 Dec 2009 08:49:38 -0800

dominickbrady:

Doesn’t matter what I’m doing. This song is ALWAYS right on time.

laeticia:

bill withers | “use me”
from lean on me: the best of bill withers (1971)

Defeating Terrorism

Sat, 26 Dec 2009 23:18:53 -0800

9/11, Richard Reid, and now this.

Forget the Department of Homeland Security, the war in Afghanistan, all your tax dollars. We have to depend on the bravery of our fellow air passengers if we don’t want to be blown up. Anyone else feel insecure?

Merry Christmas everyone! Copyright Kasey Neuenschwander

Thu, 24 Dec 2009 18:15:00 -0800

Merry Christmas everyone!

Also from The Year In Pictures blog, this is a shot of two...

Thu, 24 Dec 2009 10:03:00 -0800

Also from The Year In Pictures blog, this is a shot of two brothers reunited for Christmas in 1963. They had been separated for years by the Berlin Wall.

nevver: The Year in Pictures Photos of Christmastime,...

Thu, 24 Dec 2009 10:02:41 -0800

nevver:

The Year in Pictures

Photos of Christmastime, courtesy of Magnum.

I always feel like a kid again on Christmas Eve — full of...

Thu, 24 Dec 2009 09:45:46 -0800

I always feel like a kid again on Christmas Eve — full of so much excitement and expectation! Waiting for the wave to hit, just like these folks on the beach, even if I know exactly what I’m getting in the way of presents.