A promotional photo I took for the band Opus Dai is now being seen worldwide! …And by “worldwide,” I mean Japan (heh heh). The following is a promotional poster for the band’s Japan tour with my photo on the far right:
A pre-poster-ized version of the picture:
Yesterday I shot some portraits guerrilla-style of Opus Dai, out near Pasadena. The guys are headed out on a tour of the Southwest today, and I wish them good health and good luck!
This setup was the band’s concept. I thought it was appropriate that they envision at least one shot as they know themselves, their style, and their music better than anyone.
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I am very, very excited about Barack Obama’s victory on Tuesday. Charles Ogletree said Tuesday on the Daily Show that “two skinny guys from Illinois have made a difference: Abe Lincoln and Barack Obama.” Obama has a tall order to fill, but I’ve never felt more confident about any other American leader. It will be tough, but he’ll be great.
Last weekend Matt and I trekked up to the Roxy in L.A. to attend Opus Dai’s concert and watch our friend Tim, who is the lead vocalist.
Yay, July!
Sigur Rós has just released the music video for the single “Gobbledigook”, from their latest album. The video is basically a frantic, naked, handheld romp through the woods. Literally.
It’s inspired by photographer Ryan McGinley’s project “I Know Where the Summer Goes,” which I find fascinating and beautiful because despite being shot in recent years, both hearken to the nudist colonies and washed out film days of the 70s. So awesomely vintage.
I already liked Sigur Rós’s music, but while watching this video, for the first time I saw what I could never see in dozens of classic nude statues and paintings that inevitably hang in every museum and gallery. What all those artists, sculptors, and photographers had strove to capture but I never understood when I saw their work: the beauty of the naked human form. Amazingly, it wasn’t until I saw the subjects in this video (and McGinley’s project) relaxing, acting naturally, and moving comfortably despite their nudity that I began to also notice the beautiful ways that people could move. The smooth skin stretched over lithe muscle, the natural shapes and curves. This isn’t glamorous posing and dramatically-lit nude portraiture—it’s playful, celebratory dancing.
It’s AWESOME!!
Catchy music, too.
PS, if you hadn’t noticed (duh), both links contain artistic nudity. Click at your own discretion.
Today I shot some promo pictures for the ridiculously talented singer/songwriter Stacy Clark. I’ve done photography for her before, and she’s TONS of fun, one of my favorite subjects! She has an EP out and is working on a new album and her sound is AWESOME I definitely recommend checking her out!
We started at Stacy’s place in Newport Beach, where she introduced me to Ollie, her new doggie!
Stacy’s lil’ adoptee, Ollie! Lookit his widdle mohawk!
Mmm, happy light!
