[AMANDA SINGER]

The Blackland Prairie Show

2011-12-01T20:31:00.001-11:00

I'm having a show! Please join me in Commerce for my first solo exhibition. I will be presenting a collection of photographs from on on going project about farms in Texas. This show will be focused on the Adams Blackland Prairie farm. The Adams raise grass fed beef, organic chickens and are animal welfare approved.

Personal Project: Adams Grass Fed Beef #2

2011-11-14T11:32:00.001-11:00

For more information on Adams Grass Fed Beef: Click Here

Personal Project: Adam's Grass Fed Beef #1

2011-10-31T11:34:00.000-11:00

Kelsey's Maternity Portraits

2011-09-20T05:46:00.001-11:00

Kelsey and Thomas are expecting their first daughter Oliva any day now! These are my first maternity photos so tell me what you think :) I hope you like them! -Amanda

Jenny is a college graduate!

2011-09-05T11:27:00.001-11:00

My dear friend Jenny graduated college this summer. A few weeks before our shoot she was proposed to at her 21st birthday party. Not only was this session ment to give her graduation photos but also to show off her new beautiful engagement ring to the world. Jenny will be continuing her education in Commerce this fall.

Miller Sisters

2011-08-30T09:46:00.000-11:00

It is always a pleasure to photograph one of the Miller girls. Last weekend I got to shoot all of them! I've known the family since I was in high school, but this is the first time I've done a session with all of the sisters together. The Saturday night that I shot these was the last night they all will spend together for 11 months. It was a great privilege to be able to spend this night with them!

Ward Wedding Sneak Peek!

2011-07-05T19:47:00.002-11:00

Sarah Ward's Bridal Photos!

2011-06-27T08:27:00.001-11:00

Sarah and James got married on Saturday June 25th, 2011! I have been dying to post these bridal photos! I am so happy with how they turned out. Now they James has seen Sarah in her beautiful dress I can show them to the world!

The photographs from the wedding should be up in a few weeks. :) Enjoy.

Sadaf & Jay Engaged!

2011-06-17T06:04:00.001-11:00

Shiny Metal in the Studio

2011-02-22T17:02:00.000-11:00

Garden 2011

2011-02-16T20:50:00.000-11:00

Tuesday (Feb 15) the weather in Texas was amazing. I think it might have gotten to 80 degrees. I took full advantage by working in the garden! It was in need of some serious TLC and elbow grease. I found a lot of grass clumps and a thick top crust. I used a hoe to take out the unwanted greenery and till the soil. After I planted carrots and cilantro in rows. Next I planted jalapenos in mounds. It is a little early and I took a risk by planting before the last frost. I guess it was a act of good faith the cold weather is over(I hope.) Pictures to come.

I love head shots!

2011-02-09T16:49:00.001-11:00

Orange Ginger Cookies

2011-02-04T17:21:00.000-11:00

My friend Amy and I were experimenting on a recipe from Heidi Bakes (Mrs. Field's Snicker-doodles.) Amy wanted to find a good base cookie recipe that could be modified into many things. From the original recipe we added butter, orange, and ginger, omitted cinnamon, and changed the oven temperature and cook time. They turned out to be really delicious. The flavors weren't over powering and the cookies stayed soft and moist. If we make this recipe again we might increase the orange and ginger by an 1/8 a teaspoon each and possibly add orange zest for color or garnish. Also we might add either chocolate chips or dried cranberries.

3/4 cup (1.5 sticks) of butter
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/3 cup brown sugar
1 egg
1/2 tsp vanilla
1 1/2 cups flour
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp cream of tartar
1/2 tsp of orange extract, or to taste
3/8 ground ginger, or to taste

1. In a large bowl, cream together the butter and sugars with
an electric mixer on high speed. Add the egg, vanilla,
and orange extract. Beat until smooth.

2. In another bowl, combine the flour, salt, baking soda,
cream of tartar, and ginger.

3. Pour the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients and mix well.

4. Preheat oven to 350 degrees while you let the dough rest for
30 minutes in the refrigerator.

5. Takes the dough and roll it into small individual
balls. Roll this dough in sugar and press it (around 1/4 inch thick)
onto an ungreased cookie sheet or leave in ball shapes. Repeat for the remaining cookies.

7. Bake the cookies for 9 minutes and no more. The cookies
may seem undercooked, but will continue to develop after they are
removed from the oven. When the cookies have cooled they should be
soft and chewy in the middle.

Chicken Mulligatawny Soup

2011-01-17T16:52:00.000-11:00

I chose to make Chicken Mulligatawny soup with my home-made chicken stock. It wasn't a difficult recipe but it was somewhat expensive. The recipe called for a large amount of seasoning; All of which was apparent in the final product. The soup was good the first night but I didn't like it enough to eat the leftovers. I would recommend this soup to those who don't expect yellow soup to be sweet as well as those who enjoy curry, cumin, and tumeric spices. It is a good interesting meal. I give it a 6 on the 1-10 scale of tastiness.

I feel like making soup.

2010-12-28T13:44:00.000-11:00

A few days ago I made chicken stock and today I am making ham stock. Now I've got to decide what kind of soup I want to make. I'm just not sure.

Chicken Mulligataway

Potato Soup with Saffron

Hungarian Mushroom Soup

Beet Soup

Pistou (Pesto) Soup

Acorn Squash Soup

Baked Potato Soup

Plastic into Oil

2010-12-23T19:53:00.001-11:00

This is so amazing.

Oatmeal Cookies

2010-12-23T18:54:00.000-11:00

This is my favorite cookie recipe and I make it when ever there is an opportunity.

Oatmeal Cookies

Ingredients:

1 cup all-purpose flour

1/2 teaspoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1/4 cup shortening (I use extra virgin olive oil)

1/4 cup butter

1/2 cup granulated sugar

1/3 cup packed brown sugar

1/4 teaspoon salt

1 egg

2 tablespoons milk

1/2 teaspoonvanilla

1 cup quick-cooking rolled oats

1/4 cup chopped walnuts or pecans. ( I put at least a 1/2 cup or more)

I also add chocolate chips or raisins to some. They are good with and without. (ghirardelli is the best.)

Stir together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a separate bowl. In mixer bowl beat oil and butter for 30 seconds; add sugars and beat till fluffy. Add egg, milk and vanilla; beat well. Add dry ingredients to beaten mixture, beating till well combined. Stir in oats and nuts. Chill dough 2 hours; form 1 inch balls. Dip tops of balls in additional granulated sugar, if desired (I've never done that.) Place on ungreased cookie sheet. Bake at 375o for 10-12 minutes. Makes 36.

YUM!

Recipe from Better Homes and Gardens "New Cook Book" 1981

ps Merry Christmas!

Classic Hollywood Photographs

2010-12-11T12:06:00.000-11:00

Final Project

2010-11-08T20:11:00.000-11:00

I would like to continue to emulate the old hollywood photographs. I have put an album up on facebook where my friends can tag themselves and volunteer for a shoot. I have pretty much the next two weeks booked. I have 11 shoots booked so far. I did not test shoot because I have already made 10 for last weeks assignment.

Family Farm Portraits

2010-11-02T18:28:00.000-11:00

Old Hollywood

2010-11-02T17:42:00.000-11:00

New and Improved Light painting.

2010-10-20T14:54:00.001-11:00

I am sick. Thank you San Francisco. ;-)Three images stitched together. one of the window, one of me and one of the bed.

Painting with Light Assignment

2010-10-11T10:02:00.000-11:00

Product, Portrait, Landscape

Light Painting in Class

2010-10-11T09:59:00.000-11:00

Visions of Light

2010-10-11T09:17:00.000-11:00

The Visions of Light video was interesting. Most of the movies the featured I have never seen. The way directors of photography used light is really incredible. I would love to watch a few silent films to see how they composed their shots before sound inhibited the camera.

Mexican Art at the DMA

2010-10-11T09:05:00.000-11:00

México 200
Tierra y Gente: Modern Mexican Works on Paper

This show's focus is on Mexican art in the 20th century specifically on paper. During the 20th century Mexican artists' work focused on "political and military strife, social and economic egalitarianism and the formation of new national identities in the years following the 1910 revolution." The human and natural elements are somewhat fused in this body of work. Making the statement that the Mexican people of the time found their identity in Mexico itself and vice versa.

This show will run at the DMA through January 9, 2011.

Sketching with kids

2010-10-11T08:50:00.001-11:00

This Saturday, October 16 the DMA is hosting an event for children. Kids will be taken around the museum and told about the art. They will be given sketch pads so they can "draw something inspired by the art." This event gives kids exposure to art history and lets them interact with the art. The even sounds like a great learning opportunity for youngsters that are interested in art.
Learn more about this event and many others.

James Magee

2010-10-11T08:43:00.000-11:00

Multi-media sculpture artists visits the Nasher Sculpture Center. The show is free this Saturday from 10am to 5pm along with a free lecture from two art experts. James Magee's work is fresh and interesting. I haven't seen much like it.

‘Revelation: The Art of James Magee’

Tuesday, Oct 12 11:00a to 5:00p

at Nasher Sculpture Center, Dallas, TX

Price: Regular admission: $10 for adults, $7 for seniors and military personnel with ID, $5 for students

Age Suitability: None Specified

Art21 videos

2010-10-04T07:28:00.000-11:00

Systems & Contemporary Art

Julie Mehretu's work is so interesting to me. I really like the colors and shapes and the way she deals with line. I would love to see her enormous paintings in person. She was my favorite of the four on this video. The other three artists didn't intrigue me personally but I see how their work is important.

Compassion

William Kentridge is amazing. He must be a super genius. I can't imagine being able to do all those wonderfully put together pieces without thinking through every step beforehand. the other two are interesting as well but again they didn't personally interest me.

"Room" by Donoghue

2010-09-29T08:45:00.000-11:00

Room is a story about a 5 year old boy, Jack (narrator) and his Ma. He has lived in Room his whole life with his Ma. They are captives but he doesn't know it. Everything in Room has a proper name and is capitalized. For example, the toothpaste is Toothpaste and Ma's bad tooth is Bad Tooth. They are named like people because he isn't aware of any other humans but him and Ma and the half human that visits them once in a while. Outside their room is Outer Space and tv and books are all fictional. The author makes a comment on parenting and how much children are told by their parents as they get older vs when they are young. She also closely studied the language of her 5 year old and used them in the Jacks words. This book reminds me a little bit of the play that the TAMUC theater program put on last year. That child had grown up in a small room ignorant of the outside world. He became a serial killer. I hope that isn't how this book ends.

Healthy Cupcakes!

2010-09-29T08:21:00.000-11:00

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=130191177

Cupcakes are for the most part unhealthy. They contain butter, sugar, flower and oil along with various flavorings. There is very little nutritional value in deserts in general (obviously). What if there was a way not to feel so bad about enjoying treats like cupcakes. The author of this NPR article has either cooked up or found recipes that sub in ingredients that taste great and add significant nutrition to cake. Recipes like Orange Cardamon Cupcakes (cardamon is the most expensive spice on the rack) as well as pumpkin, banana, chocolate esspresso, and a traditonal red velvate. The article also mentioned how cupcakes are becoming a culinary art, like wedding cakes or gourmet cooking. "They can be decorated for any occasion, wearing flowers for weddings, offering hearts to Valentines or four-leaf clovers on Saint Patrick's Day. The list of flavors is endless."

Miniature Attack

2010-09-27T17:03:00.000-11:00

Paper

2010-09-20T16:42:00.000-11:00

Glass

2010-09-20T16:34:00.000-11:00

Light Modulations

2010-09-20T15:30:00.000-11:00

Egg

2010-09-20T15:22:00.000-11:00

Notorious and Notable.

2010-09-20T14:31:00.000-11:00

This exhibition of old world fashion depicts famous and scandalous outfits of days gone by. Many of the outrageous outfits were worn by old hollywood, stripers, business women and new york royalty. Most outfits featured are of evening wear but some outrageous day wear made the cut.

“Notorious and Notable: 20th Century Women of Style” runs through Jan. 3 at the Museum of the City of New York, Fifth Avenue at 103rd Street; (212) 534-1672; mcny.org.

MOMO

2010-09-20T14:17:00.001-11:00

In 2006 "Momo" put a funnel on his bike attached to 15 gallons of orange paint and rode around Manhattan in a preconceived pattern. It is the single largest and smallest graffti tag. It cannot be seen all at once and is about 8 miles long. Some parts can still be seen while others have been worn away. The artist didn't publicize his creation except with a few friends. Reporters asked residents what they thought it meant, some thought it was a mark for construction while some homeless men thought it designated where they could sleep, because sleeping in the park is illegal.

Sara VanDerBeek solo photography show

2010-09-20T13:58:00.000-11:00

Sara VanDerBeek, daughter of the late Stan VanDerBeek who was an active artist in the 1950s has her first solo show in SoHo. Ms. VanDerBeek, her brother and another artist ran a gallery in SoHo for about six years in the early 2000's. She has been featured at the MoMA and of course hew own gallery. Her work is about memories and is called "To Think of Time." She said this about her work, “I hope my work is as much about the positive and inspirational aspects of change as it is about loss or melancholy."

Kitchen's at the MoMA.

2010-09-20T10:35:00.000-11:00

This really interesting. The Museum of Modern Art has a new exhibition up about Kitchens. On display are videos, photographs, paintings, posters, appliances, and even kitchen models. It is a true multimedia show that "uses something from every department." It makes statements ranging from how the kitchen functions in America now and throughout history to women's role in the home and everything in-between. It seems like a very comprehensive show and would be vary interesting to see.

"Counter Space: Design and the Modern Kitchen"

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/09/20/arts/design/20kitchen.html?_r=1&ref=design

Nazi Confiscated Art Returned to Owners.

2010-09-20T10:08:00.000-11:00

The Art Newspaper reports that a 17th century baroque painting has been returned to its owners descendants after being stolen in the 1930's by the Nazi Party. The owners were Jakob and Rosa Oppenheimer, Jewish art dealers. The Nazis destroyed their business and auctioned off all the paintings. The Museum Wiesbaden acquired this specific painting in 1937.

Artists Respond to Oil Spll

2010-09-20T09:55:00.000-11:00

The Art Newspaper reports that artists from New Orleans and around the country are creating images that reflect their feelings on the BP oil spill. Many of these paintings use actual oil from the spill. There have been several art shows around the country that have generated more than 20,000 dollars in aid for residents of New Orleans. Most of the money is supporting mental care of New Orleans residents.

GIF Help and final giff file.

2010-09-20T09:05:00.000-11:00

If you are in need of help with making a gif these helped me.

Making the Giff:

http://creativetechs.com/tipsblog/build-animated-gifs-in-photoshop/

Posting it on Blogger:

http://britishspeak.blogspot.com/2008/12/putting-animated-gif-in-your-blogger.html

Photography project Influences

2010-09-15T09:52:00.000-11:00

Josef Sudek

http://photography-now.net/josef_sudek/

His artistic photos of glass and other objects show a great understanding of light.

Kate Breakey

http://www.artnet.com/Galleries/Artwork_Detail.asp?G=&gid=239&which=&aid=3005&wid=423916699&source=inventory&rta=http://www.artnet.com/net/galleries/gallery_list.aspx?gip=99

Justine Reyes

http://www.artnet.com/artwork/426078433/424670535/still-life-with-lunchbox-and-egg-shells.html

Edmund Teske

http://www.artnet.com/artwork/426057281/423969340/untitled.html

Paul Cary Goldberg

http://www.artnet.com/artwork/426024985/118441/spring-blossoms-pcg126.html

Glasspirations

2010-09-10T17:11:00.000-11:00

Eggspirations

2010-09-10T13:59:00.000-11:00

Egg photos that inspire:
They get better towards the end.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/la_bella/3998679858/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/kagedfish/2726038974/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/excomedia/4493912905/
http://www.boston.com/community/photos/raw/2008/08/photographer_of_the_weeknancy.html
http://media.photobucket.com/image/famous%20egg%20photography/MeetaA/Food/Egg03.jpg
http://cdn.dailypainters.com/1258574160/images/scale/scaleimg/475/495/N/0/_2F_images_2F_origs_2F_570_2F_still_life_with_egg.jpg
http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_eD3-Ij1ZWxE/SKi_dfN2PXI/AAAAAAAAAeE/i08SjEjZacI/s400/egg+2008.jpg
http://www.bradney.com/facebook/eggs.jpg
http://img3.visualizeus.com/thumbs/09/04/04/bowl,egg,eggs,speckled,still,life-35c7ed7c9dcd1af621b5a16dd0f18ea0_m.jpg
http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://img3.visualizeus.com/thumbs/09/04/04/bowl,egg,eggs,speckled,still,life-35c7ed7c9dcd1af621b5a16dd0f18ea0_m.jpg&imgrefurl=http://vi.sualize.us/popular/egg/%3Fpage%3D4&usg=__wys0pFVHgsI9vRxAuDaX62gLnx8=&h=184&w=215&sz=14&hl=en&start=125&zoom=0&um=1&itbs=1&tbnid=xMVIO-WmSG4gNM:&tbnh=91&tbnw=106&prev=/images%3Fq%3Degg%2Bstill%2Blife%26start%3D120%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den%26sa%3DN%26rlz%3D1T4SUNA_enUS285US286%26ndsp%3D20%26tbs%3Disch:1
http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://img3.visualizeus.com/thumbs/09/04/04/bowl,egg,eggs,speckled,still,life-35c7ed7c9dcd1af621b5a16dd0f18ea0_m.jpg&imgrefurl=http://vi.sualize.us/popular/egg/%3Fpage%3D4&usg=__wys0pFVHgsI9vRxAuDaX62gLnx8=&h=184&w=215&sz=14&hl=en&start=125&zoom=0&um=1&itbs=1&tbnid=xMVIO-WmSG4gNM:&tbnh=91&tbnw=106&prev=/images%3Fq%3Degg%2Bstill%2Blife%26start%3D120%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den%26sa%3DN%26rlz%3D1T4SUNA_enUS285US286%26ndsp%3D20%26tbs%3Disch:1
http://vi.sualize.us/view/7ea8bb13e94a2d181d8609299f5b7874/

Photo Behind Glass

2010-09-09T08:16:00.000-11:00

Photographing a pot lots of ways.

2010-09-09T07:56:00.000-11:00

Summer photos Blog 1.2

2010-09-02T18:15:00.000-11:00

Meredith
Park Sisters

Juntunen Wedding

Photo 209 Blog 1

2010-09-02T17:53:00.000-11:00

Assignment:Please make a list of your personal goals as they relate to school, starting with five years out. “So, in five years I want to be doing…” In other words, what do you want to do with your photo/art degree? You might, for example, want to be running your own company; shooting weddings, portraits and special events. You might want to be in grad school on your way to a career in art. You might decide that you’d like assisting in Dallas or another big city, or perhaps you'd like to teach. All of this is possible, but you’ve got to plan for your success. Once you’ve written your five year goal, tell me how you plan on getting there by writing your three, two and one year goals. Please be as detailed as possible. The truth is, you get what you want in life, so want great things. This is your first blog assignment and it is due the next class. Also, please add images that you shot this summer to your blog. We'll review them next class.

In five years I have no idea where I'll be. There are some things that I want to do, though I don't know when or how. Goals as I know them so far:

Learn how to grow excellent tasting high yielding vegetables that are high in nutrients.

Teach people working to end hunger or people that are hungry how to grow said ^ veggies.

Utilize photography while doing the previous two things and relating it to other horticulture projects.

I'd like to make money by assisting photographers, shooting weddings and commercial portraits, and possibly working in the horticulture field.

I'd like to have a husband but if I don't, no big deal.

I want the pictures I shoot related to horticulture to become my primary source of income. Hopefully they will appear in advertising or in books/ websites. Maybe I'll have a show or two in a big city.

How do I get there? I've been wondering that before Vaughn asked. Hopefully his relationships with Bob Monday and Chris Evens will be beneficial in getting me on the right track. I have a garden now and am taking horticulture classes to learn as much as I can about plants. I am assisting two photographers when they need me, which isn't very often. I would like to assist more. I'm not really sure how to get more weddings booked. I rely on word of mouth for the most part.

Handmade Gift Guide!

2009-12-06T19:47:00.000-11:00

http://www.etsy.com/gift-guides/

All gifts are handpicked by Etsy staff. They have several categories you can look in to find a perfect gift. A few categories are color, shop local, editors pick, and geolocator. Etsy is a website for crafty entrepreneurs. Everything is handmade and really awesome. My friend Liv knits and sells her hats, scarfs and cute random things. I think you can even sell prints on the site.

Website :-D

2009-12-06T18:54:00.000-11:00

Woot! <-link

The senior, about me and contact me pages are up and running :-) Full site up in a couple weeks.

ICE! featuring something special this year at the Gaylord Texan

2009-12-06T17:51:00.000-11:00

The "ICE!" at Gaylord Texan event center is featuring How the Grinch Stole Christmas by Dr. Seuss this year. It has two million pounds of carved ice and 1.5 million twinkle lights. It was creative by 40 artists from china.

It is open Thursday, November 12 - January 3.

Sundays -Thursdays 10 am- 9 p.m.

Fridays & Saturdays 10 am- 1o p.m.

Monday - Thursday is three dollars cheeper for Adults and two dollars cheeper for seniors 55+ and kids 4-12. Friday -Saturday it is $23 for Adults, $20 for seniors and $12 for children. Kinds under 3 years old are free.

Haagen-Dazs and Coca-Cola are the sponsors for the event.

Chapter eight of "Advise to Young Artists in a Postmodern Era"

2009-12-06T16:50:00.002-11:00

This chapter is about jobs an artist can get. Teaching, art therapy, museums, galleries, and part time jobs outside of art. The only ones of interest to me were possibly teaching high school or having a part time job outside of photography. I wouldn't want to do any of the others. The problem with teaching high school is you need a teaching certificate, something I wouldn't want to have to get. So really my only real option would be to get a job outside of art. It wouldn't be too bad to explore other interests while also making art. There are so many things I want to do that choice seems appropriate to me.

Chapter of "Advise to Young Artists in a Postmodern Era"

2009-12-06T16:50:00.001-11:00

chapter Seven of "Advise to Young Artists in a Postmodern Era"

2009-12-06T16:43:00.001-11:00

This chapter is about getting work in galleries and on websites. It said not to randomly go to galleries with slides and expect to be accepted, this almost never happens. Instead go to openings and events the gallery puts on, make friends with artists already being represented and have someone introduce you to the dealer. They are more likely to take someone seriously if they are mentioned by a respected member of the art world or are familiar with your face. There are different types of galleries and museums. They all seem to have pros and cons. It did say to never pay for your own show and to be aware about the percentage the venue is taking from your sale. The chapter also mentioned art critics being bought. It seems to be accepted to do such a thing. The artist must make that decision and heavily weigh the pros and cons. The section about websites seems really out dated and I didn't pay much attention to it. It said sales arn't made though websites often, but as a photographer it is for client viewing of photographs as well as an introduction of my work to people who haven't seen it.

Naughty Espresso Stands... LOL

2009-12-04T10:19:00.001-11:00

In Bellevue, Washington a coffee stand under new management is creating controversy. Baristas are serving coffee in their underwear or bikinis. The stand is a drive though and they have a full length sliding glass door. Residents say that the shop should follow adult entertainment laws. They are also upset they the shop doesn't have a business license on file with the city. I wouldn't want it in my city but I think it is hilarious. What if the girls spill the coffee... ouch.

In the competitive Seattle coffee market more and more are starting to show some skin to get customers in. Most feature theme days and racy lingerie. As long as their breasts and buttocks are covered they aren't breaching any laws.

Starbucks and Project (RED)

2009-12-04T09:58:00.000-11:00

"An unprecedented event that will unite individuals, communities, nations and cultures through the universal language of music as a celebration of Starbucks one year anniversary in partnership with (RED)^TM."

On December 7th at 1:30pm Starbucks is Hosting a simultaneous live performace of artists around the world singign "All You Need Is Love." " Inspired by the vision of the Playing for Change Band, this project spans languages, cultures and time zones through the universal language of music, with musicians contributing in individual ways that are customary and unique to their homeland to create a one of a kind rendition of the song." It will be streaming live from www.StarbucksLoveProject.com after everyone with a video camera can submit their version to the site. Starbucks is using facebook to "create the largest globally-reaching campaign on Facebook to date."

Groupon Expansion.

2009-12-04T09:32:00.000-11:00

Article

Kevin Efrusy, a partner at Accel Partners, said in a statement that "Groupon has effectively invented social commerce."

Groupon is a Chicago based company. They send out one local deal per-day though email to members. If enough people buy the product/service then then the deal goes though. If a certain number isn't reached, the deal falls though and no one pays. It is a great way for local businesses to get noticed and to generate a cliental.

They have grown from 10 employees to 120 and are hopping to add another 50 cities by 2010.

2009-12-03T18:04:00.000-11:00

I had an awesome thanksgiving holiday. This is one of the three dinners I went to. Enjoy.

2009-12-02T18:22:00.000-11:00

A couple crashed the White House's State Dinner. They are asked to come to congress to testify on how they managed to break through layers and layers of secret service. They respectfyully declined saying they told the Secret Service how they got in and testifying to congress would be of no further use. Congress might make them appear or else.

Sundance Film Festival

2009-12-02T11:23:00.000-11:00

113 films

Salt Lake City Utah

Hollywood stars

in films

watching films

Indie "stars"

in films

"Indie" people

watching films

A three film screening on opening night

screenings at various cities across the US

chapter Six of "Advise to Young Artists in a Postmodern Era"

2009-11-17T18:19:00.000-11:00

The color chapter was very technical. I didn't really understand the majority of it. I did get that CMYK is a better way to mix colors. A few of my favorite lines/ lines that I understood are the following:

-(1) art teachers and even books were in general more than 100 years behind in their knowledge of color theory;(2) only a few concepts of theory offered much help to young artists in their approach to color; (3) few artists in history have used color according to theory; and (4)the most important effect of the color course, was that it removed an artificial monster of their creation and and allowed them to relax in their work without being intimidated by their perceived lack of knowledge about color.

-color does not exist outside of the brain. in the exterior world there are only different wavelengths of light waves, and humans have the equip to artificially distinguish btw long and short wavelengths.

-value refers to how dark or light an area is, regardless of its hue.

-two different colors of the same value will visually lock together to produce on solid surface.

-color always establishes a connection with bold illusion and the reality of the external world- that world outside the painting.

-modern artists first use light color, a tint. then go on to add black shades. and eventually make tones by using both white and black. They do this in an effort to harmonize the image.

-postmodern artists use color as a sign.

-color may be used in many ways other than the simplistic harmonies.

-become aware of the possibilities

-pretty has been a swearword to artists of every period.

Favorite web layouts

2009-11-16T11:26:00.000-11:00

The first one I liked because of the large scrolling photos. I like the simple layout with clear information. The second photo, I like because for each genre the photographer shoots, he has a photo hyperlink. The third photo I don't like, he has to much going on. It is like he couldn't decide what to put in what category so he didn't make categories. The fourth is facebook. I like the profile page, the idea of tabs for different things as well as links. The last is of a blog. He has lots of links that all work together to form this network of photographers and cool things.

David Hackney Emulation

2009-11-16T11:25:00.000-11:00

chapter Five of "Advise to Young Artists in a Postmodern Era"

2009-11-16T06:28:00.001-11:00

This chapter is about the artists image and the artist process being more important than the final work. Some of my favorite lines are:

-Einstein was eccentric; therefore, einstein was a genius. (false, this is a reversed cause and effect.)

-"Puffers" waste their creative energy cultivating their image, a stereotype of the cliché "eccentric creative genius." Stereotype and romance sells better than philosophy. They try hard to dress creatively, act creatively, but have little creative energy left for making art.

-"spend more time perfecting their lifestyle than making art."

-artists might well choose to dress in a certain manner to identify themselves as members of a particular group... to stand out as different from the others.

-young artists tend to expend their energies on the behavior rather than on the obsessive work. they try to emulate the effect and ignore the cause that generates it.

-Family problems does not make you a good artist, in fact it was three times less prevalent in the successful students at Chicago art institute.

-in 1843 artists could court success by "calculatedly maintaining an appearance of poverty." Degas and Manet watched Whistler during a lunch meeting, the eventually got up saying "Sir. you dress and act as if you had no talent." In their opinion Whistler was trying to attract notice with bohemian actions because he could not do so with his paintings.

-Roger Gilmoree insists that the cliche of the starving outsider is gone: the postmodern paradigm is a "thoughtful, well-read, concerned artists who is often in the lead on such issues as the environment, ecology, health, housing, politics, and Third World needs. Most painters are moral.. intellectual individuals.

-Few people have doen their best work when hungry or uncomfortable. "only after their basic needs are satisfied do they manifest curiosity and exploratory activity." When children's needs are most satisfied, they play most vigorously. most artists have some means of support-a friend, a patron, a subsidy from their family or their own commercial success.

-Intensity is the first ingredient necessary to the artist. The focussed intensity that generates good artists also generate bizarre behavior at times.

- I simply wish to caution against the needless waste of time and energy. I also want to caution against focusing on the wrong priorities.

-the best artists have learned efficient work processes and methods that they use in their search for a direction.

Michelangelo and Picasso couldn't not have accomplished sheer quantity of work had they not practiced efficient and steady work habits.

-When your work reaches the stage where you can think of no substantial changes to make, put the work aside and work on something else.

-art like anything else requires self confidence; it requires risk, even to the point of arrogance, but the arrogance need not be demonstrated only in the work, not necessarily in the personality.

-The most important single thing a young artist can learn, or develop is self-discipline.

-steady work is far more productive than superhuman spurts. (tortoise and the hare)

-"Write every day for an hour or two. Genius or no genius." That advise would have made me use ten years of my life tat I spend stupidly waiting or genius."

-The most difficult of all, I believe , is the discipline of restraint.

-"no one ever went broke underestimating the taste of the American public."

-Do not tell them the point of the joke, let them figure it out.

-the viewers right to make their own discoveries must be respected. fail to respect your viewers' potential, and you will do work they cannon respect.

-There will thus be something more than mere communication from artist to audience. There will be collaboration between audience and artist."

-few will attempt to explain their work, 1 they don't want to explain their joke, 2 the best visual works cannot be adequately paraphrase verbally and 3 they do not want to give the false impression that they have explained the work when they know they cannot do so.

-the better an artwork is, the more history and tradition it has behind it.

-Because the important things in a work of art tend to be generated by the unconscious, the artists themselves do not fully understand their work.

-Artists have traditionally examined the relationship between reality, illusion. and how the mind experiences these phenomena-- the influence of human visual perception.

-the play is important, anything done well is play.

-They will sit there and mess their pants to avoid having to stop their play. but they don't give a damn about doing it right.

-if you play you will love your work; if you love your work, the self-discipline is not needed to keep your working, but to stop working.

-When we try to hard at something we choke.

-when it is most important, most people perform at the level of their worst practice session. the answer here is to practice more. Disciplined practice steadily raises the level of the worst performance.

-the best artists of most times, most styles, most schools tend to prioritize the idea of art as an on going process, over the idea of art as a product.

- W. Edwards Deming advises universities to stress process, not outcomes, in all disciplines. "if the processes improve, outcomes will correspondingly improve.

-practice tends to teach them to focus more on process than on product.

-which painting is your best? Picasso answered "the next one."

Chapter Four of "Advise to Young Artists in a Postmodern Era"

2009-11-15T12:19:00.000-11:00

This chapter like the others starts out on topic then veers away. He doesn't sum up his chapters very well, but the information is great. He is more of an artiest than a writer for sure.

Some of the most important lines or lines that I liked the most are the following:

-"The history of art begins with tradition. Traditions give us something upon which we can operate: something... we can criticize and change."

-future directions will grow out of the most recent direction.

-we cannon thoroughly understand any tradition if we do not understand what went before it.

-Artists will discuss the issues as they perceive them through their own experiences.

-It takes a while for experiences to make it into work.

-sometimes it is good to do nothing but art, some concepts can only be learned by total immersion.

-techniques and concepts that are taught in art departments, may only be taught because they have always been taught.

-you cannot step in the same river twice

-it takes a min of at least 10 yrs. for artists to reach a consistent professional level.

-create a lot.

-lean concept, before technique.

-work beyond ability.

-teachers teach some variation of what they were taught.

-you can't learn art like you learn academically.

-problem finding.

-try everything that comes to your head.

-teachers should tell where we are strong, where we need improvement and what we need to do to continue getting better. never say your done.

-experiment

-art consists of questions not answers.

-unearned flattery can easily ruin a young artist.

-peruse abilities.

- consistency in concept and an elaborate bag of tricks makes an artist's work distinctive.

Trever Hoehne Can I intern with you? Pretty please??

2009-11-13T19:45:00.000-11:00

Website

I love using natural light, and that is what this photographer does with his portraits. I think he may use some reflectors as well. His work is full of energy and personality. This is someone I'd like to learn from.

2009-11-10T16:24:00.000-11:00

Review

Website

Yogurtville just moved into my neighborhood recently. It is a self serve frozen yogurt shop. You put on however much/many types of yogurt and toppings as you like. They weigh it at .35 cents per ounce. It is a healthy tasty way to get a sugar fix. They have three locations so far, in Allen, Plano and Carrolton. Everyone at any age seems to enjoy spending time there. After sporting events and club meetings everyone goes to Yougurtville. When I meat up with clients it is one of the two I take them to.

180 energy drinks. I love them.

2009-11-10T16:13:00.000-11:00

Review

Website

This drink was given out at one of the booths at the beginning of school. It immediately woke me up when I had only had 3 hours of sleep. I was only able to drink half of it, because the other half i accidently spilled. So it didn't keep me up longer than 5 hours. After which I took a nap.

It tasted great, worked well and is really good for me. As the "General Facts," say, it is all natural fruit juice, no preservatives or fake colors. The caffeine is from the Guarana plant and is supposedly better for you than coffee.

Alcoholism

2009-11-04T08:30:00.000-11:00

The intent of this shoot, was to to show the negative effects of a exccessive drinking at a party or with the opposite sex. The blonde is supposed to be feeling ashamed or full of regret that she spent the night with that guy. I'm not sure if my goal was reached. What do you think?

2009-11-03T19:46:00.000-11:00

Multiple Me (Nina not me.)

2009-10-26T17:40:00.000-11:00

Chapter Three of "Advise to Young Artists in a Postmodern Era"

2009-10-25T17:46:00.000-11:00

Artists and Teachers

Parts of this chapter that really reached out at me:

There are two fallacies art students may believe. One, that teachers can do everything for them, and if they fail its the teacher's fault. Two, that teachers can do nothing for them, that art should come from intuition and talent alone. If they feel like the teachers can offer them nothing, they should logically go home. Sometimes they think they already know where they are headed, and only come to class to show their instructors how much they know. I am actively trying not to be this type of student, I know I have a lot to learn, but sometimes I feel like I'm not learning anything valuable. Better students tend to view their instructors as helpful critics. Art cannot be taught.

Good grades in general education classes sometimes lead to unsuccessful artists, in contrast good grades in studio art classes, tend to lead to success in the art world.

Teachers can help students be aware of the opinions, discussions and new techniques of the art world. Students should become aware of as many of ideas and theories as possible while in school. They don't need to become experts on these ideas or believe all of them. They must be able to entertain an idea.

The book says, stay with a teacher until you are aware of every valuable idea he or she knows. Even the best seek out mentors to guide them, when they are offered advise they act on it.

If you are really great at one style, but a professor doesn't know how to critique you, work in their style so you can learn from them. After you will be able to apply those principles to your style.

If a teacher is boring, ask questions and look interested, this may encourage them to be excited if you are excited.

The example given about CAL arts versus Black Mountain suggests that rigid discipline is necessary in art. If an artist is pushed and pushed in a narrow path eventually he will explode on the one he feels most strongly about. In contrast, the student who isn't guided or pushed will jump from one direction to another without any strong path.

There are no rules in art, any devise taught to beginners should be, "stretched, probed, questioned, and violated by students as the become more advanced.

"I think you have the intensity and passion of spirt to go far: but learn, learn, learn from everything and everybody and every circumstance of your life - LEARN TO DISCRIMINATE" (Powys 1969)

Teachers should teach the latest information, and leave it up to students to decide what they accept. When they are aware of all the elements they are more likely to make a worthwhile creation. If they don't teach current art they limit their student's awareness and access to expressive elements and visual forms that are in current discussion. Just like scientists no longer discuss gravity or wether or not the world is round, neither should artists make arguments that have already been resolved. If artists do not know the topics of disscussion then they can't inter the discussion (galleries, museums, exhibits.)

China's Laws can be outrageous.

2009-10-25T16:58:00.000-11:00

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/26/world/asia/26salute.html?pagewanted=1&_r=1&hp

The article I read reported on China's crazy "edicts," laws. The government is either unwise or untrained in what they should be doing. The dumb edicts are so common that it has become a favorite pastime for Chinese internet users to "skewer" or point out the obvious failures of each new edict. In April, the government of Hubei Province ordered civil servants and employees of state owned companies to buy a total of 23,000 packs of the province's brand of cigarettes every year. Last year in Guizhou Province "compelled" stat workers to take a field trip to the ruins of an ancient village, to boost the numbers of tourists visiting that area. In May some official ordered all the dogs in the town of Heihe to be killed. The media reported that an official became severally angry when a dog bit him, but he refused to confirm that.

Coffee Cafes? No, Chocolate cafes!

2009-10-22T17:04:00.000-11:00

link
Chocolate drinks hot or cold, pastries, and candies, are just a few variations of the chocolate confections that are being sold in Korean chocolate cafes. Though, not as popular as Starbucks, chocolate cafes are becoming increasingly popular in Korea and around the world. The article I found, when searching "Hot Chocolate News," is about all the different cafes featuring chocolate drinks. The writer starts out by saying how many choc-o-holics are disappointed at coffee shops because the chocolate drinks are subpar. I have found this to be true in many coffee shops. There are a few chocolate shops in my home town, but I don't know of any near commerce.

2009-10-19T08:56:00.000-11:00

New Instant Film Camera??

2009-10-13T17:05:00.000-11:00

Link to website

Fuji has a new instant camera. A new FILM instant camera. They are calling it the little brother of Polaroid. It prints credit card sized photos that develop in your hand like the old Polaroid. It has a wide angle lens and four adjustable settings. It all also had an indoor and outdoor setting as well as a built in flash. They are manufacturing new film and cameras. So Poliroid lovers can smile a little bigger because their old friend has been reincarnated.

Chapter Two of "Advise to Young Artists in a Postmodern Era"

2009-10-12T10:22:00.001-11:00

This chapter was about Reading. It claimed that artists should be reading constantly, and reading above their understanding. So, even if they don't completely get what they are reading, the ideas will be circling in the readers head until the answers are found. It also claimed that, a little knowledge is dangerous, but a plethora of knowledge will allow the brain to unconsciously work better and be free when making art, it will have many ideas to pull from instead of limited knowledge, that can create few variations. I agree with these claims, though I myself haven't read many photography or art books before this one. I will take the book's advice, and ask my teachers what their favorite art books are, and read them.

My favorite point this chapter made, is when it commented on, working with your unconscious mind. Some artists work better when they are so tired that their inhibitions are down and art flows freely from them, some more liberal artists find alcohol to do this for them. I have found this to be true in my work, as well as my friend's work. For example, after not sleeping one night, and then shooting two different portrait sessions, my work was more creative and generally better, than when I'm wide awake and rested. This is the opposite of what I've always been told. "get a good nights rest so you can work hard tomorrow," for an artist this statement may not be completely true.

I'm beginning to really enjoy this book.

2009-10-12T10:09:00.000-11:00

SNL Skit on President

2009-10-06T16:53:00.000-11:00

http://www.newsday.com/entertainment/tv-zone-1.811968/did-snl-obama-bash-get-it-right-1.1505027

Saturday Night Live finally did a skit, somewhat bashing President Obama. The experts say that, while they got a few things right, for that most part they were incorrect and unfair. It had "President Obama" critiquing President Obama. In one section the PO double showed a checklist of promises that are left undone after almost a year in office. A few things not checked off, was the closing of Guantanamo Bay, ending of the war in Iraq, and the health care bill. Since it is a comedy show they don't really need to be fair, just funny and they achieved that in my opinion.

Aaron Siskind Emulation

2009-10-06T16:08:00.000-11:00

Happy Meal Turns 30

2009-10-06T14:18:00.000-11:00

The happy meal turned thirty earlier this week.

The Mcdonald's happy meal had it's 30th anniversary this week. It has transformed over the years, while still managing to remain an icon. Mcdonalds wasn't the first to aim their food at kids, but they did so most successfully. They have always had popular TV/Movies featured on each bag as well as a toy that went along with it. In recent years, their cheep caloric food has been blamed for child obesity, a valid yet unhappy point. To combat lowering ratings, they added apple slices, low fat milk, and nutritional information on the side of the bag, to the happy meal. It has been a favorite from the 1970 and continues to be in the middle of popular culture. I only wish they'd bring back the happy meal boxes.

Chapter One of "Advise to Young Artists in a Postmodern Era"

2009-10-05T09:53:00.000-11:00

The book is about art, but also about learning in other things besides art. The first chapter is titled "Talent, Intelligence, and Art." It comments on misperceptions of what it takes to be an artist and also a student. "Learning to do a thing well requires an immense, even a painful, amount of effort, whether that thing is athletics, academics, or art." It says that art is more about hard work, love and obsession rather than "genius or natural talent." An artist must learn about art and be taught. Anti-conformists are people that are under the impression that they have to be naturally talented and that outside influence is somehow cheating. On the other hand, nonconformists take information and outside influences and filter out what they deem unnecessary or irrelevant, and keep things that they like. There also has to be the process of trial, error and correct. An artist rarely gets it prefect on the first try, great art comes out of many attempts and failures.

Postmodernists do not believe in genius. "They believe that art is a collective product of the society in which the artist exists." The artist is just the tool. Classicists believe that art could be taught. "Competencies such as Composition, control of pictorial space, sensitivity to proportion, value control with a knowledge of color, as well as the craft to fabricate material work." In contrast, romantics, believed that art could only be produced by a genius. Those who have a high IQ still don't have any right to the term genius. It has to be achieved though action and accomplishment, and not simply potential. "Labour is the only price of solid fame, and that whatever their force of genius may be, there is no easy method of becoming a good artist."

"The most successful students:

go to class consistently, take good notes, reorganize and rewrite their notes, and study and share their notes with a group." So I'm trying to search though all the information, in every class, and find things that I can apply to my life, and to becoming the person and photographer I want to be.

Marry Poppins at Fair Park & the Texas Fair

2009-10-04T18:28:00.000-11:00

Marry Poppins Broadway Musical at Fair Park

I went to the show today with my family. With the tickets to the performance, were free admittance to the fair. That was a really good deal. The tickets were pricey, but for the broadway cast to preform I wouldn't expect less. The show it self was fun, energetic but not, "practically perfect." The singing was very good, but the dancing was awesome. At one point Burt tapped his feet up the wall and on to the celling, so he was tapping upside down! Of course the major crowd pleaser occurs when Mary takes her journey to the skies, said to be the longest wire journey. Luckily the new DART Green Line was up and running, because parking was 50 dollars a car. So transportation was easy.

Before the show we went to into the fairgrounds. It was a rainy day so most of the things weren't in full swing, but the stuff that was open was great. The petting zoo was really neat, They have a baby giraffe, zebra and even an emu. Another one of my favorites was the building that had all the food tastings, and information about Texas farmers. The free quesadillas from Broaden were amazing.

It was a great day at the fair :-)

Ingrid Michaelson Tour

2009-10-04T18:04:00.000-11:00

Ingrid Michaelson Tour Review

Ingrid's tour got great reviews from every city she went to. The review above is from her show in Georgia, but it sounds much like the one I would give of her House of Blues show Tuesday. She rocked the house, and so did her opening act Greg Holden. Her and Greg are on tour from August till November of this year. He started up the show with some acoustic strings, and an awesome british sense of humor. He played a surprisingly great 7 song set full of both sad and comical songs. Let me first say that Ingrid Michaelson's CD's play almost non stop in my car, but her live performance was absolutely stunning. She changed up the songs slightly so they had a bit more soul and I could understand every word she said. She had this amazing wit and charm throughout the whole night, that captivated the hearts of the whole crowd. All in all an amazing show, and well worth an exrta four hours of driving this week.

Alphabet Series

2009-10-04T17:36:00.000-11:00

Portraits of Kari

2009-09-22T18:57:00.000-11:00

Portraits of Brooke

2009-09-22T18:46:00.000-11:00

Portraits of Lisa

2009-09-22T10:12:00.000-11:00

Self Portraits- I sleep constantly

2009-09-21T10:20:00.000-11:00

Life is tiresome, take a nap.

Camp Millionaire for Kids

2009-09-21T10:07:00.000-11:00

Camp Millionaire

A group of children participated in "Camp Millionaire in Allentown, Pa. The Kids were taught how to earn, spend, and save wisely. The did so by exercises and competitive games. Each camper is given $200 at the beginning at the end the one with the money is the winner. Naomi Schachter is president of "Financially Free," which runs the camp. They want to teach kids how to have more money incoming than outgoing so that they kids will eventually gain wealth to do good for themselves and others. They learn about uses of money including, living expenses, savings, education, play, donations and financial freedom. The children are taught about passive and earned income as well. They discussed their views of the rich and poor. The concluded that poor people are " sad, unemployed and hungry" while rich are "healthy, financially free and sometimes not so nice." Its good that the kids are starting to lean about money early. So many people are uneducated on how to spend and save effectively and go into debt.

The Universal Mind of Bill Evans Comments

2009-09-21T09:09:00.000-11:00

NOTES ON BILL EVENS

Arguments:

All people are in possession of a Universal Mind. - music speaks to all people

Professional opinion on music not always higher than a normal person's. - they are to technically involved.

Style eventually comes of itself. Mater fundamentals in theory and practice and musical muscles with brain and muscles, subconscious mind players, frees conscience to be creative while playing.

Teaching:

Jazz is seldom presented to public. Only form of art, that america has given to the world in the century. More of a revival of 17th century music. The music was written instead of recording. The music was interpreted.

Jazz more of a process of spontaneity rather than a style. Playing music in the moment is playing Jazz.

Art of music is the art of speaking with the spontaneous quality. The art of spontaneous creative music, that hasn't been heard of since the 17th century.

In classical music you take a month to make a moment of music. In jazz in you make music in one moment. No time to reflect. At the moment you are in the music.

Instead of approximating advanced pieces, build on elementary fundamental ideas.

Three elements rhythm, harmony, and melody. The jazz player changes each part. Great freedom musician.

The piece is only free as it has reference to original poem. He is playing against strict awareness against the original poem.

Take care of the music, if i really do that, someone will open the door.

What do you focus on? Change the world through my art or focus on other things. you can't accept every program.

Can art be taught? Technique, methods, process, history, theory. You tend to teach style- problem. Some students didn't want to be imitators, if you are going to teach, must teach principles aside from style. The jazz player must teach himself ultimately. Must select and discard different principle and styles.

You as in an individual must accept or reject materials. you have to give them the materials. or they can find an avenue.

Artistic genius says find your own avenue, teacher says show them different avenue. Essence of teaching get students excited so they can explore in one their own. If you give them to much, their motivation is taken away.

if you don't learn how to learn, then there isn't a backing or an exploration of new things.

A good musician develops his one tunes. Improvises and makes new things.

Why is what he does more art, than what the Beach boys do? Increasing sophistication, more to it, it isn't simple harmonics.

Comments:

Art has many parts. It can be simple, but still detailed. Good art has quality layers that keep you interested.

He learned basics then built on that. Once you know the rules of art you are allowed to break them.

Once he added notes into music an whole new world opened up.

Framework is the basis of a pice of art. Then you improvise to make it better, different and creative.

Polaroid Film

2009-09-21T08:53:00.000-11:00

Polaroid users want their film back.

The article features 12 photographs made from Polaroid film. With each photo is a short background of each photographer's use of Polaroid film. The theme they all convey is that they remember the days when it was readily availible and cheep. Many of them tell why the love the film and how they used it. They are all excited about "The impossible Project." It has been taken on by a group of European entrepreneurs who have bought the Dutch factory where the unique film was made. Photographers eagerly wait for the day when the Netherlands based company picks up where others left off. Until then the ration the film they have left and hope for the best.

Cancer Research

2009-09-15T19:35:00.000-11:00

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/16/health/policy/16cancer.html?ref=health

Dr. Richard Pazdur is the director of the Food and Drug Administration’s cancer drug office. He is in charge of a committee that approves or rejects new cancer drugs. Many people are upset with him. They feel that he isn’t passing drugs that could benefit their loved ones. They feel like there he is hindering progress. While others believe the industry isn’t producing many good drugs. In reality he has, over the past 10 years, helped relax the standards for medications and made it easier for dying patients to get experimental drugs. Dr. Pazdur made it so companies could prove the product worked in other ways besides the test of time. He wants to make sure a product will help the patients before he approves it, while still getting it to them in a timely manner. He seem to be wise in his decisions, which I believe is nessisary when dealing with life and death matters. The people that are unhappy mostly are the ones that have lost loved ones and activits whose passion for the cause may blind them from seeing the larger picture. Cancer articles interest me because my dad has cancer, and I want to know what is happening in that world.

Annie Leibovitz

2009-09-10T06:40:00.000-11:00

http://www.nydailynews.com/real_estate/2009/09/09/2009-09-09_annie_leibovitz_still_in_talks_to_try_to_keep_photography_portfolio_new_york_hou.html

Annie Leibovitz took out a loan of 24 million dollars and seems unable to pay it back. She used her four New York residences and her entire portfolio (worth over 80 million) as collateral for the loan. She may loose the copyright to every photo she has ever taken or will take.

I can't imagine being told that my photos are no longer mine and even if i create new ones, they still wont be mine. She must feel so trapped. Then again she did get her self 24 million dollars in debt. Get a loan, and still not be able to pay 24 million dollars back. She seems to have become just as bad with her money as the celebrities she photographs. It's funny how the spotlight effects people.

Portrait Photographer 4/4 Irving Penn

2009-09-08T06:11:00.001-11:00

Irving Penn began as a painter. After his drawings were published in Harper's Bazaar he went on to work for Sack's Fifth Avenue's art and advertising director. Soon after he abandoned painting. He began photographing for Vogue and ended up setting the standard for post-war fashion photos. He used mostly neutral backdrops like grey or seamless white paper. He also used constructed city sets. He tended to work in studios. Even in his work overseas he used a travel light kit and backdrop.

The first photograph of the man is really awesome. I thought it was really cool they he got so close and kind of trapped him to illustrate how this guy was feeling. He seems like an important person that is really tired and stressed. The lighting shows all his worry lines and has him rubbing his head like it hearts. The second photo is of the woman in the formal black gown. When I have seen studio portraiture normally the backdrop fills the frame. Its interesting that he includes the room beyond the backdrop, especially because of the formality of the dress and the pose. The third photograph is of a group of people. It reminds me of the Disney photo's of Annie Lebowitz . Instead of doing lots of different photos of the clothes he puts all the models in one shot, similarly to Annie putting all the celebrities into one photo.

Portrait Photographer 3/4 fazal Sheikh

2009-09-07T14:12:00.000-11:00

Fazal Sheikh is a documentary photographer who does formal portraits of refugees. His subjects have dignity in spite of their awful situations. They tend to look straight into the camera, bearing all their wrinkles and weathered skin. He uses natural light for the most part. So it goes to show that fancy lights aren't necessarily needed for an amazing portrait.

The first photograph is my favorite out of the three. It has emotion and depth. She seems a million years old. The contrast from the single light source makes the photograph. The second photo of the young baby is a stark contrast to the previous one. The blanket seems to be covering a very rough surface and the brick background is not what we normally see in baby portraits. It's shirt is too big which is a good indicator of his unfortunate situation. The third photo has a ton of emotion. She seems cold though the photo is very bright. She is hunched over with her eye's closed which makes me think this was an informal candid portrait. The paint on her face makes me think she is tribal maybe from his series in the middle east.

Portrait Photographer 2/4 Richard Avedon

2009-09-07T11:21:00.000-11:00

Richard Avedon is famous for his fashion photos but also for his portraits. Fashion and Portraiture overlap in my mind. Both have people as the main subjects, though in fashion the model must show off the clothes in particular. He started his career in a department store portrait studio and then went on to photographing for Harper's Bazaar and Vogue. He also did portraits of Celebrities, Insane people, and people of Western America.

The previous three photos show the clothes as well as portray the person. In the first photo he uses the contrast of her dress and the background as well as depth of field to make the subject stand out. She is interesting because one she is young and is smoking, she seems to be in a playground type area and also because of her expression. The second photo reminds me of a senior portrait, an amazing senior portrait. The background really tells a story, like he is a musician traveling by boat to find a gig and a break. The third photo of Marilyn Monroe must have been taken when he was photographing celebrities. She doesn't appear like she does in so many other photographs. She seems to be a bit more raw and imperfect in contrast to other photographs of her. I think that reflects most of his celebrity work, he shot them in such a way that made them real and wrinkling instead of glamourous.

Portrait Photographer 1/4 Roth and Ramberg

2009-09-07T05:33:00.000-11:00

Dale Roth and Michele Ramberg are partners based out of Canada. They work on corporate, editorial and advertising accounts. These particular two portraits are some of my favorites from their work. Both of them show the environments of the subjects extremely well. In the first one the subjects are small and do not fill the frame. It seems the photographer wanted to show the barbershop and why it was different from other barbershops. The second photo is interesting because it breaks a couple of portrait rules. For one the subject is in the dead center of the frame. Secondly you are never supposed to show the bottom part of a shoe in a portrait. They make it work in this photograph, which goes to show that rules in art are meant to be broken. The photos have raw truth about these people's lives but also there is some humor. Their photographs have a playfulness in them, even the serious ones. I really like environmental portraits because it not only shows the person but a little bit about who they are, how they live and sometimes where they work.