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Archive
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property of Humanfiles.
Skelletones Series IV
August 29, 2007
Sorry, I've been dragging my feet a bit with this series. I think I've got just about everything I need for this project, but I've had such a riot shooting that I'll probably still hang out and work the next couple of weekends. After that it's on to editing and preparing a presentation that I hope finds some legs in the photography community. I hope you've been enjoying these. Check out part IV {here.}
Skelletones Series III
August 20, 2007
Honestly I don't feel like it was an extremely productive weekend of shooting, but I did get a few shots I like. I was testing some different types of lighting, and while I'm happy with a handful, I think I'll stick to what I know best next weekend. Have a look {here.}
Series II: From the Pit
August 13, 2007
Another weekend, another series of hardcore energy. For this set I was able to attach my remote strobe to a light fixture and freeze action that would otherwise go unnoticed. Flailing arms and bodies flying are usually not a good mix for a professional camera, but I tried to sit on the action as best I could, and the results are {here.}
Skelletones Series I
August 5, 2007
I had a fun week shooting this first {series} of free shows in August at Skelletones. I'm not sure I've nailed a complete story here yet, but I do like the motivation going into keeping the club open as a legitimate all-ages destination for new music. Part of me wishes I could have a beer there, recalling Reptile House days, while the other part wishes more were content to come out and experience young raw energy, regardless.
I hope in the coming week the natives are on board with me starting a portraiture series. I really want to document the looks and attitudes of the locals, so if you kids see me roaming around and have something in mind, let me know. Until then, feel free to send comments on this first {series} to david@humanfiles.com. See ya.
Cultural Study on the Avenue
August 1, 2007
I'm starting a photo essay of the culture and music surrounding Skelletones and the Avenue. This study has a very broad foundation, but I hope as things progress I find the story within the story. Skelletones is a great venue for a show—the colorful culture surrounding the area should provide an appropriate backdrop, as less conservative kids find ways to suppress boredom in a conservative and economically challenged State. Luckily for everyone (myself included) all shows for the month of August are free.
I did some testing at the club the other night and got a short series of {Burn the Sky.} I do plan on shooting the bands, but my area of concentration will be on the locals, and hopefully evolve into something much bigger. The end result will be a slideshow set to sound and music, submitted to a website being established for emerging photographers.
My interest in this project will depend heavily on what I shoot this first week, and I would like to find an additional essay to cover—but in the mean time, see you on the Avenue.
Portraits of Kristin
July 4, 2007
Last week I had the good fortune of spending a few hours with my friend Kristin to shoot some portraits. Our resources for backgrounds or environment were limited, so we took a very minimal approach and utilized natural light and nondescript settings. I think we ended up with a really honest {series.}
Summertime Americana
July 4, 2007
Ah, summertime. These series' seem appropriate to post on the 4th of July. Last week my friends Brandan and Nicole had their belated backyard wedding reception, but the fun story turned out to be the intense game of ball-tag among the little people, which would have continued but for the discovery of a toad.
{Persistence}
The kids couldn't ignore the neighbor's pond, so as the day wound down they had to see if they could pull anything up from under the thin layer of algae covering the surface. This little guy was way more patient than this series indicates, and his persistence paid off.
After nightfall when the kids have all gone and there's no one left but men who have been drinking all day, out come the fireworks. I stayed sober enough to test long exposures on the pyrotechnics, and I like what I got. I can't wait to play with this more, and maybe splash a little strobe or flashlight in there.
Impressions of Look3, Book Burning
and Brooklyn
June 17, 2007
"Three days of peace, love, and (war) photography"
I just got back from a nice East Coast sweep which started off with Look3 - The Festival of the Photograph in Charlottesville, VA. The history of the festival dates back to the days when Michael "Nick" Nichols, photographer and the festival's founder, would have high end slide presentations set to music at his home in the Virginia countryside. The work was presented outside in a festive atmosphere and would include series from many reputable National Geographic photographers but was also open for submission, giving emerging photographers a chance to show their work.
This year the festival evolved to occupy the historic district of charming Charlottesville, and bustled for 3 days in celebration of the still image. Throughout the town were large format prints of Nick Nichols' nature work from Africa, hanging from the trees. On hand were the masters, presenting and discussing their work at the Paramount Theater. Sally Mann presented a body of work ranging from an intimate look at family, to death and decomposition. Interestingly she works in some of the oldest and most traditional photography techniques. William Albert Allard presented 5 decades of work observing traditional American themes and creating some of National Geographic's most iconic images. (If you look at my galleries you can also find Bill busting a move on the dance floor.) To round out masters, Eugene Richards presented his decades of photojournalism, finding beautiful images in the often ugly side of American culture.
Also on hand, presenting and giving workshops were David Alan Harvey, Maggie Steber, Alex Webb, Rebecca Norris Webb, and Ashley Gilbertson, the 2005 winner of the Robert Capa Gold Medal for war photography.
In the "open submission" tradition, the festival created "Yourspace" where submitted slides were run continuously, and images from anyone could be printed and posted in the impromptu gallery space. One night of the festival was dedicated to emerging photographers, with bodies of work projected and run throughout the night in a gutted warehouse. Technical difficulties caused by a passing thunderstorm limited the presentation to one screen, but after running through the work once, a party broke out and the DJ spun well into the night, with the slideshows running continuously.
The festival concluded with the Works at the Charlottesville Pavilion, a projected show of work of established photographers from around the world, with heavy representation from National Geographic.
But for a few technical glitches, it would appear that the festival was a huge success. I know, however, some of the problems were in the timing of the slideshows to the music. Apple was a sponsor and technically in charge, and we all know them as a company that gets it right, easily and elegantly—but they really need to develop and promote more professional slideshow software that meets the needs of photographers, so they are assured the timing of a presentation is as intended. I'd suggest adapting the use of FotoMagico Pro, a piece of software that allows images to be specifically timed to music, then exported as a stand-alone player that can run on any Intel Mac. But enough about that—I feel building on the success of this first still image festival will create a national gem for years to come, and I look forward to being a part of it.
My trip didn't end there. I bounced around a bit, made my way down to the Outer Banks of North Carolina, and played in the Virginia countryside. While at a swimming hole with some friends, I found a recent high school graduate carrying on the tradition of book burning, a sort of rural rite of passage, moving on from the past. I got a nice short series out of the deal.
There's really only one way to wind down a trip dedicated to photography, and that's to drive into Brooklyn, find Powerhouse Arena and attend David Harvey's opening "Living Proof"—a three year study of hip hop culture. Anything David Harvey is emerging, inventive, and downright New York fun—and the rooftop after-party was no exception. Not all in this series are from the opening and the party, but it is all one night in Brooklyn.
Special thanks has to go out to Michelle Smith for helping make this trip possible, and to both Michelle and Bryan for their hospitality—and to all the friends I made along the way—Carlton Ward, Andie, Mark Bennington, Eric Zamora, Marie, Francesca, Richard Jaimeyfield, Olivia, Chris Farber, Brooke (thanks for the tee!), Erin, Hillary, Michael Brown, and anyone else I may have missed—thank you! I hope to see you all at the festival next year. And thanks Dave Harvey, for your hard work, hospitality, and inspiration—and Nick Nichols for letting me camp on your side of the mountain.
One more note—if you want to learn more about the best of the best of the best, google the names of photographers listed above from the festival.
Venison stew in the woods
Grass in the lake
Memorial Weekend Camping
May 29, 2007
Take the main road to the dirt road, then guess which two-track is best to make your way back to the lake. I'd advise 4-wheel drive as you pass scarred trees, deep ruts and exposed roots—it's best to drive about 3 mph. Eventually you come upon the lake—a bowl nestled among banks and trees and full of blugill. Find one of three campsites—really just a firepit under canopy of trees. From the difficulty of the trip, you'd be hard pressed to find more than one or two groups of campers back there on any given weekend—and most of the time you have the lake to yourself. When you reach your destination, put up a tent and pop open a beer—get the fire going and enjoy the woods for the rest of the weekend. This is a little gem in Michigan, so as you might expect, I'm going to keep it to myself.
Besides fishing (the lack of traffic keeps the lake plentiful) one thing we like to do is throw a big pot of {venison stew} on the fire. I love eating well in the woods—fish tacos, bacon and eggs with tortillas, potatos and peppers—it's work that's most rewarding.
I have the weekend divided into two series: {venison stew} and {scenes from the woods.} I hope your weekend was as good as mine.
An Evening in GR
May 24, 2007
I spent last Saturday with Jen Pider, bouncing around from one scene to the next shooting for Revue Magazine. We started off covering the roller derby at the Deltaplex, moved on to Studio 71 South for a gallery event, caught a show at The Breakroom, and wound down the evening at the Sazerac Lounge. This {series} is in no particular order—just a collection of some of my favorites from the evening.
The Hold Steady
May 23, 2007
A week ago The Hold Steady played a show at the Intersection. I've had a bit of a software issue which has delayed processing, but I'm back on track now—here's a {collection} from that show.
Hi, how are you? Fine.
May 11, 2007
{Daniel Johnston} played a rare show at the Intersection Wednesday night. After major logistical delays that set them back to arriving shortly before show time, Daniel and his brother, Dick, were gracious enough to let me hang with them backstage. Adoring fans packed the venue, and I worked out a nice {series.}
Up to the El Platform
Chicago Walkaround
May 10, 2007
On Monday I hopped to Chicago to take care of some business and tried getting used to my new tourist status. Late afternoon is a good time to find pools of light that have bounced off several building before making their way to the street. This is what I {shot.}
An Afternoon at Flat River
May 2, 2007
Today seemed the perfect day to tour our public wetlands. It's that sweet part of Spring with lots of budding and blooming, yet not so overgrown that you can't freely move along a creek or river. This {series} is from the Flat River and a couple of it's tributaries, which I'm sure I wouldn't have mentioned had I found any morel mushrooms.
Hip Hop at Billy's Part II
April 29, 2007
I processed a second set from Wednesday's show.
Go {here.}
Super Happy Funtime Series
April 26, 2007
Here's that Super Happy Funtime Burlesque series I promised.
Click {here.}
Mike G Productions
Hip Hop at Billy's
April 26, 2007
Last night Mike G and members of La Famiglia improvised at Billy's. Check out the series {here.}
Super Happy Funtime Burlesque
Super Happy Fun Weekend
April 24, 2007
I ventured out for the weekend and found Johnny Unicorn playing the Thursday night open mic at Rocky's, hosted by Karisa Wilson. Come out and show your support, just as one enthusiastic fan did pictured below.
On Friday, Mexicains Sans Frontieres hosted The Darker Side of Belly Dance featuring Sarah Mayne. MSF is the hot spot for art performance and underground jazz. Check out their myspace page for upcoming shows and art related events.
I needed to get in the woods Saturday night and drop the canoe in a lake. A beautiful black snake crossed my path. (See below.)
And of course, pictured above from Sunday night is the Super Happy Funtime Burlesque. I had a great time shooting the show, which was a high-energy mix vaudevillian theatrics and traditional burlesque. I'll post a series from this in the near future. In the mean time, check out their myspace page for upcoming shows.
While I have no intention of turning this journal into an arts and entertainment review, it is about what I'm shooting, and I am having a good time covering the scene. There are plenty of fun things to do in Grand Rapids—you just have to seek them out. If you like what you see and have an event you need covered, please be in touch.
Black Snake
Hello. This is the new humanfiles.
April 16, 2007
After nine years in Chicago, I've decided to hide out in West Michigan for a while and continue documenting everything I see. I've gained an unstoppable taste for photography and travel after three years of design and location shooting with National Geographic. Great years—but in an effort to shake up my life, I'm taking the starving artist's route to persuing good light and color—and finally it's completely rewarding and exciting!
Stop by and look for ongoing journal updates—I plan on posting current projects as often as I can. Watch for online slideshows. Take a tour of the Travel Galleries—while I'm continuing to refine my approach, these are the foundation on which I'm working. And definately be in touch if you think I'd be a good match for your design or photo project. While this site is mostly about the pursuit of strong images, many of my years in Chicago were spent honing my design chops in the catalog industry.
I'm currently working out of the Grand Rapids area, but I look forward to traveling extensively. Be in touch—thanks for stopping by.
Afternoon in Chicago
The Ghani Series
I Like