Last year I did a multi-media video on a Tuareg silversmith named Elhadji Koumama. The video was made for two reasons, I have been involve with Elhadji and his community of artisans and wanted to help tell his story to a wider audience, second I wanted to try my hand at producing multimedia.
I felt if I am going to put the effort into producing a video, it better have a purpose! The results from this project have been fantastic. Canoe magazine from Africa picked up the story and ran a feature and National Geographic just launched a page on its retail store site, with a link to view the movie.
This just helps reconfirm my belief that if one feels strongly about an idea then the commitment of time and resources into a project will eventfully be worth it. For Elhadji and his fellow artisans, it is the support from people from all around the world. For me is the knowledge of knowing that my work matters and can make a difference.
Natalie is getting close to finishing her schooling at the Cinta Aveda Institute. Soon she will be legal for doing hair. Did you know one needs 1600 hours of schooling before you can take the state exam? Her friend Danielle came over yesterday. Natalie colored and cut her hair, plus did the makeup. She asked me to take some photos. Here are a few samples using different cameras.
There will be a special live event featuring art of the iPhone at the downtown Apple store in San Francisco. This exhibition will feature collective works from a worldwide group of artist using the iPhone as a tool for artistic expression.
Come and join me as I discusses my partnership with a group of artist as they explore the creative possibilities using this exciting new media art form.
Photo:Christian Peacock - Image Stylization: Joan Bada
I first became aware of iPhongraphy when Knox Bronson asked me to be a judge for this year’s Oakbook Iphonegraphy exhibition. This was my introduction into the world of dedicated artist and their highly stylized images shot with the iPhone.
Knox is the curator at http://pixelsatanexhibition.com/ I recommend you visit this site to see some very stunning images done with the iPhone.
These submitted images were refreshing and exciting to see. The styles were wide open. The fact that they were produced with an almost ubiquitous piece of equipment is what makes it exciting. There is a feeling that anyone can do this. It’s always in your pocket or handbag, ready at any given moment.
The actual act of snapping the shutter is just momentary, in most cases the real art comes in the great efforts during the post-production aspect of the process. Some call it APPing. An abbreviated term for application, those famous add on’s that has made the iPhone so popular. In the world of Iphonegraphy there are numerous APPs developed to aid the artist in their stylizations of their captured image. Some as simple as lighten a photo or color adjust to very sophisticated as constructing a montage then stressing the image to like something from another genre. It is evident there is great skill and patience in producing the final outcome of the more stunning images. There are some APPs on the market that are gaining notoriety for their ease of use interface. They are like the flavor of the month and soon become oversaturated in usage.
Then there are artist who spends hours working away with their fingertips on a piece of the most modern of technology. Resulting in a personal statement done with the provided resources. I have dabbled in the APPing phase but always seem to lack the time and patience to produce anything truly remarkable. There comes to a point where I wanted try an experiment. What if I photographed a series of photos with my iPhone and have some of the Iphonegraphy artist stylize the images. The photos I would submit would be somewhat different from what most of the work I’ve seen being produced with the iPhone. I was to shoot a session photographing a model. Something pre-visualized and worked through, a set of images that can work as a thematic body of work. The twist being having other people collaborate in the post-production end. Knowing the limitations of camera and lens in the iPhone poses unique challenges in capturing compelling images. Being a photographer my whole life I had to learn to let go of totally controlling every aspect of the technical end. Kind of go with the flow, well almost. With the limited contrast capability of the camera and the tendency for lens flair, I scouted locations that would work best for the iPhone camera. I could also use constant lighting and fill cards if needed. Plus a tripod, always a tripod! That one piece of equipment will make the most dramatic improvement to a photograph.
The actual session is treated the same way as any other photo session I have done through the years. There will be a good edit after the shoot. Then the images are shipped off for the artist to do their magic. After reviewing the results, I have learn quite a bit on what to do the next time I shoot with the iPhone and submit for final stylizations. I can predetermine a certain look and shoot for an effect. I’m excited to delve deeper into this process and my head is swirling with new ideas. I must hurry before the next new generations of APPs hit market.
Check out this link featuring a very cool kinetic sculpture. I love how in real life you can have an almost black & white environment that moves. http://www.artcom.de/kinetik/
Some time ago I shot the cereal packages of Kashi's Good Friends. This blog post from Amateurgoumet.com came across my path reminded me how some projects have a life of their own. Still to this day when people hear that I shot "Good Friends" they will tell me all about their breakfast eating habits. The art work on the package has changed and I was not part of the new photography, but none the less it's still a good ice breaker at cocktail parties. Please read this post about one woman's experience with all those smiling faces.
I first became aware of Jim Marshall's photographs when I was an impressionable young lad growing up in San Francisco. I did not know of his rock & roll exploits or any other of the soon to be made legendary stories. I only knew of his work and his photography was one of the most influential and inspiring body of work that had a lasting impression. His photography captured something deeper and more personal than some of the other work being published at the time. Plus his final prints were so rich and lush. His images of Miles Davis, Ray Charles and Big Mama Thorton showed what it was like to print rich toned dark skin. A gray scale that just runs so deep into the silver of the print. The true definition of "Black Pearl". But not just considering technique, his empathy to capture Johnny Cash's relationship with June Carter was so spot on. His iconic shot of Janis Joplin sitting alone backstage with a bottle of Southern Comfort in her hand. While at the peak of her creative powers she looks slouched and despondent., That one shot packs a more emotional punch, than a hundred Jim Marshall "F" bombs.
One of his most remarkable photographs is of Miles Davis sitting on a stool in the corner in a boxing ring. Shirtless and his arms are outstretched, Miles has totally surrendered himself to Jim. What a accomplishment! If you know the personality of Mile Davis, you would know that this image it truly unique in capturing Miles Davis. Normally taciturn and defensive, Miles trusted Jim so much as to let him into this small moment inside the proverbial boxing match of a photo shoot. Go ahead and search the internet and look for a more accessible photo of Miles Davis! I haven't found one yet. That was the genius of Jim Marshall.
Jim's photography was the total package. Great content backed up by excellent technique.
For twenty-six years Christian has been combining art and commerce for a wide variety of clients. Christian’s primary specialty is capturing the human spirit on camera. From large-scale productions to simple one-on-one sessions, Christian’s talents have been recognized by leaders in many different industry sectors. He is known for his creative problem solving skills – along with a positive, collaborative attitude that inspires and motivates his subjects, team members and clients alike.
