I have been accidentally caught in the Dream Cruise several times over the years while actually trying to get somewhere and being totally unaware of which weekend in August it was. This marks the first time I actually went there — on purpose.
I was only there for about an hour and a half and have posted the highlights of my photography @ flickr. It was a real exhibition of sorts, and I can honestly say that this was the first time people have gravitated to my giant lenses instead of recoiling in horror, haha. For some reason there seems to be a disturbing trend of people riding mini-bikes or dangling puppets from their windows whilst cruising...wtf. One guy was on a mini-bike AND on a cell phone, calling someone and telling them, "Guess what? You'll never believe it, I'm IN the Dream Cruise." Not sure if he mentioned that he was on a miki-bike...
Anyway, it turned out to be pretty fun, especially seeing everyone have such a good time. To check out the photos, go here.
In case you haven't been tracking it, Polaroid stopped producing their analog instant film in June of 2008. Not only did this mark the end of an era technically, but also culturally. There is nothing else like watching a polaroid develop, and digital technology—though instant—just isn't the same.
Lucky for us, a group called The Impossible Project has gathered a team of integral film technology experts from around the globe to in effect, save polaroids. However, it's not exactly what you'd expect. They aren't trying to recreate the same product and get the old factories running again. In their words:
The IMPOSSIBLE mission is NOT to re-build Polaroid Integral film but to develop new product with new characteristics, consisting of new optimized components, produced with a streamlined modern setup. An innovative and fresh analog material, sold under a new brand name that perfectly matches the global re-positioning of Integral Film.
Their current plan is to be in production by 2010. For more info or to help support their project, check out www.the-impossible-project.com.
Some architectural photography of mine is currently featured in an Hour Detroit / Detroit Home contest for "Best Overall Home." It's the Carlson Residence that I shot a few months ago.
Well, I was selected to be a juror and it looks like I will still be serving well into next week... ! I am trying to get caught up on all my work and such this weekend.
So far it has been a very interesting but draining experience. It's almost like being kidnapped from your normal life, and your new life revolves around a few lawyers, a judge and a bunch of witnesses. At least our courthouse is in Greektown, which makes for good eats.
My husband, Dave, is an illustrator and just completed this drawing of a zombie Karl Marx for an upcoming SSM and Wolfbait poster. I took a turn at the typography to give it a 60's vibe. I thought it turned out sweet, kind of melty and zombie-ish.
This past Thursday I was covering an event that featured Elvis impersonator, Fred Wolfe, and I must say it brought back a lot of memories. Let's just say I've spent my fair share of time viewing a few Elvis impersonators (El Vez, Eastside Elvis, Sherman Arnold, Snaggletooth Elvis, Black Elvis, etc.) In my days at CCS I spent a good part of a year documenting a legendary Elvis impersonator who is now deceased: Elvis Shelton. Cliff Shelton played weekly at a place called Barney's in Wyandotte, Michigan, though hailing from Monroe. I was tackling the series for a social documentary photo course and faithfully made the drive every weekend throughout the fall and winter to photograph him. I have a permanent visual memory of that winter: walking past the frozen Barney's sign reading, "Tonight: Elvis Shelton," and realizing that it was a permenant sign. I don't think I was even an Elvis fan at the time, but the experience lead me to really appreciate these people, and in turn, Elvis himself.
At first, I just took the photos without talking to him, which wasn't that unusual because every week's performance was a spectacle and a lot of people were taking photos. After a few weeks, it was impossible not to talk with him. I remember him slamming boilermakers before the show, and he may have been the first person I ever saw do a jäger bomb. By this time, he had already had four heart attacks, so he was always talking about how he had to take it easy. (!) After about a month or so he began introducing me as his personal photographer at the top of he show.
Probably one of the best things about Elvis Shelton was that he took the impersonation all the way. He started each gig entering the room from back stage while accompanied by his own version of the Memphis Mafia, complete with a sidekick version of Charlie Hodge who handed him his guitar as he began the show. He also gave out the obligatory autographed scarves to ladies during the show and did a good amout of karate moves. (I still have my scarf, which is tied to my mike-stand a la Steven Tyler.)
Sadly, he died of his fifth heart attack at home–about a year after I finished the series–in January of 2001. There was a wake for him at "Charlie's Too" in Garden City, and although I had designed and printed obituary cards for him (complete with lyrics to "If I Can Dream" on the back), I ultimately didn't go because it was on my birthday. Also I had no idea where Charlie's Too was.
However, I was able to deliever the photos when I finished my project and I'll never forget his reaction. He was sitting at the end of the bar at Barney's when I handed him the prints. He took one look at each of the photos and would look at me as though stunned, then shout a few expletives in disbelief and otherwise just outrageously overreact. Initially, I wasn't sure if his reaction was positive or negative... Now I look back and realize that I must have seemed so young to him at the time that he was trying to make me feel like my photos were blowing his mind.
I really need to dig up some of those old photos and scan them in, put them up here. From what I can tell, there is no info about him on the web. RIP Elvis Shelton.
I know this site is supposed to mainly focus on photography, but I still design websites here and there and www.letsrockcf.org is one of them. A while ago I told Emily, the founder of the Let's Rock CF Foundation, that I would do a site pro bono. However, my generosity turned to panic once I found out I had to design a Wordpress template (!) which I knew nothing about. Let's just say that it was a total learning experience since I had no idea how different Wordpress was from Blogger. Also her original version of Wordpress was pretty out of date, causing a ton of problems. Once I got it current things went a lot smoother.
Anyway, after many trials and tribulations, I am done with part one of the redesign. I finally got through the Wordpress ordeal and published the new opening page and blog design for the site. Part two will come down the road and will include a shopping page with merchandise, a page for online donations, and a page dedicated to the annual Just Let Me Breathe Benefit Concert, which is generally held at the Royal Oak Music Theater during the coldest week of winter.
On another note, I have also designed a site for my mom, who has re-entered the realtor world after working 15 years in new construction sales. Her site is listwithtrish.com. Some of my architectural photos are in use there, and I must take credit for the "area info" section. I compiled all of the links I could imagine worthwhile to the average person of Macomb/Oakland county, trying not to be obnoxiously cluttered. If you know of anything I missed, let me know. (FYI I know I didn't include the Lions, though...)
And no, I'm not talking about our national team. I've joined a coed house team at Ultimate Soccer which was incidentally named Team USA and is made up of germans, serbians, and then some americans, of course. (I seem to be the only person that thinks our team name is hilarious.) When I first arrived and noticed that most of them were european, all I could think of was how much bigger soccer is over there and that they would all probably be really amazing. Well, so far our whole team is pretty amazing and we've been slaughtering everyone we play. It's just been crazy. Part of the time I go from feeling somewhat pathetic (like getting hit square in the face by the ball) to feeling like maybe I'm doing pretty good.
To give a little perspective, I played soccer from when I was 5 years old to a varsity soccer team in high school. At our first game one of the guys were complaining about having not played in eight weeks... That's when it really hit me that it has been over a decade since I've last played. (!!!) So with that in mind, I think I'm actually doing great!
I've been meaning to get some new photography up here, but the past two weeks have been a whirlwind. I just got back from visiting my sister in Toronto, I've wrapped up a few projects, started some new ones; started a new semester of teaching etc. It's just that time of year I guess. Summer's over.
I should have the Bastone series posted soon under the Projects section. In the meantime, I've added a few of the barley, hops and beer photos to the main page slideshow.
I also wanted to mention that my friend, Emily Schaller, is featured in this month's edition of Forbes magazine. They wrote an article on Cystic Fibrosis featuring her, though seeming to neglect to mention all the work she's done to raise money and awareness for CF. (See the City to City Ride 08 and the annual Just Let Me Breathe Benefit Concert.) She was rumored to be getting the cover, but was bumped off by Condie Rice. Anyway, check out the article here. If you ever need a little inspiration, consider that aside from running about 25 miles a week, Emily has run a half marathon and bicycled 280 mile trips – and all with CF!
Incidentally, I've also been working hard on getting her some new photography and a new site. (The photo above was taken at the Hamtramck Labor Day Festival.) I'll post it when it's live.
Photo: Jason Lee/Reuters Aside from what you may or may not feel about China, their opening ceremonies last night were stunning. If you missed it, check it out online.
Well, this isn't exactly photography news, but a Traverse City native (who now lives in Ann Arbor) competed on one of my favorite shows last night: Japan's Ninja Warrior. His name is Levi "SkyNative" Meeuwenberg and he's a freerunner, which basically means he'd probably make a great ninja in real life, scaling builidings, doing acrobatics, etc. (Somewhat kidding.) Anyway, the best news is that he did insanely well and was the lone contestant to make it to the third stage! Congrats to Levi!
