Artphotolink.com

About a month ago Conscientious posted about the lack of participation by German photographers in the world wide web of art (which could be, unfortunately, turned into the acronym wwwart). There is a new site out of Germany that aims to resolve that, artphotolink. If it gets off the ground it could be a valuable global resource. The invitation to sign up for listing does not seem to have been met with overwhelming activity. If my European hit count takes off I'll know they are making inroads.

Uncovered

Red 2002 Thomas Allen

Tim Briner posted last week on his plans and linked to a friend he was hoping to visit in Michigan. Well I'm a sucker for links, so clicked on it to find that his friend, Tom, is Thomas Allen whose book Uncovered was recently published (and purchased, much to the chagrin of my friend Sonja, as the bookstore we were in only had 1 copy. Age trumps beauty every now and again.). The further good news is Mr. Allen has a blog, The Art and Farm Report. The bad news is his post with the You Tube videos of the presentation he and Chip Kidd gave at the Aperture Foundation a few weeks ago tell you they have expired when you try and run them. The worse news is that if you go directly to You Tube to view them they run, whet your appetite, but the sound can only have been recorded by someone with a dixie cup and a string standing in another room. The book is absolutely wonderful, I would have really enjoyed hearing his talk.

David Burnett

David Burnett

At the end of last week I had one of those extraordinary internet moments when I was reading a post by David Burnett to the blog he and his wife, Iris, co-author concerning being here in Milwaukee for Thanksgiving. I found We're Just Sayin through a photography link, fell in love with the philosophical, political, photographical family newsletter and kept going back and then subscribing. When the post came up that they were in town for the holiday I had a jarring mixed reaction something between having a fictional character walk out of a book and into the room and chagrin that they hadn't called to let me know they'd be in town. I realized the irrationality of the the reaction immediately but it is remarkable to examine the experience. I'm glad Milwaukee gave them a kiss for Thanksgiving. If I had known they were coming I would have taken them to Leon's.

If you have a bit of time there is a video of a presentation David gave to the WorldPress Master class in Amsterdam earlier this fall. It is a fascinating look through some of the iconic images of American history since the '70s and a funny and generous account of their making (so, you don't think you can shoot news and sports with a 4 x 5? Au contraire!). The WorldPress site says it will only be up until November 25th but it ran for me today.

Dreams of Flying

Jan von Holleben

i heart photograph's post today helped me remember I had bookmarked Jan von Holleben's Dreams of Flying series a while ago (so many links so little time). When I look through these I can't help but think the kids are having a marvelous time setting them up and making them work. Remember when taking pictures was fun?

Human Tetris

This made me laugh out loud for the first time in weeks. I hope it does the same for you.

via John Nack

Quiet

from the An American Family series Gillian Laub

William Eggleston

This is the first Thanksgiving ever that my husband Dan and I will spend alone. The older generation is gone and the younger generation now has commitments of their own. We're making a small turkey, dressing, mashed potatoes, pumpkin pie, etc., but it will be very odd to sit down to a table for two.

Happy Thanksgiving...

The Git's Mix

For your listening pleasure Jon Gitelson has made us all a lovely blix (blog+mix), including liner notes and color commentary!

Gifting

I placed a pre-publication order for a shimmer of possibility, Paul Graham's new book(s) back in September. 5B4's review makes me very glad I did.

I decided that I would make it a birthday present to myself in December. I come by this honestly and genetically. My father used to buy things for himself for Christmas, wrap them, and then act surprised when he opened them. It wasn't until I was well into my teens that I caught on.

Spreading the good news

For the very few (1 or 2?) of those that read this but don't subscribe to Conscientious I want to pass the news of a new blog, The Year in Pictures, from James Danziger. I couldn't be more pleased and if this video is any indication of what's in store with his Friday video offerings, as an homage to our loss of Alec's Friday poems, you would do well to add this to your subscription feed.

p.s. I was chagrined last week to no sooner hit "publish" on my post Thursday concerning A Photo Editor, than start reading my blog list and see that Joerg had posted on the same thing. My intention is to always identify the source when I point something out. I have entirely too much respect for Conscientious to grab and go.

A Photo Editor

by Yukesmooks

A Photo Editor (the blog by the anonymous photo editor) posted yesterday the 2,000,000,000th photo has been uploaded (see above) to Flickr. Random, but telling nonetheless.

While you're there take a look at Photo Rank. This is something she/he (anonymity after all) started recently as a place to put up work to be seen and/or critiqued. If you're looking for this kind of opportunity you have a better chance of being seen, as in noticed, here than on flickr.

artkrush

I am, on occasion, reminded that even though I think if I am aware of something, EVERYONE else must know about it too. If you have not seen artkrush, or better yet subscribed to the twice monthly newsletter email then take a look.

Today's issue has thorough coverage of Paris Photo with articles and links that will keep you busy for a good while (I hope to post on some of my favorites). There is also a link to Grammar Police with an article looking at art blogs in response to the round table in Art in America.

artkrush is published by the people that bring us Flavorpill. I receive the Chicago version each week mainly to make myself miserable (so much to do, so little time. Damn Amtrak!) but you would obviously sign up for the city nearest you. It is also a great resource if you're making a trip, however.

Manifest destiny

From This Moment has posted this video of Wal-Mart expansion since 1966. It would appear that central Nevada is the only real clear space. I've been there, it is not nice, mostly military testing grounds.

In Memoriam

Suzy, 1982 - 2007

"There is no secret so close as that between a rider and his horse."

Bargains

Wasps, 2004 Lori Nix

Modern Art Obsession has a post on an auction being held by Daniel Cooney with just 5 days left to bid. If I hadn't given Photo Eye most of my money for the last month this Lori Nix at a starting bid of $500 would be a sore temptation.

Bargain

from the folio Wakarimasen, Brooks Jensen

Exposure Compsensation had a post today with thoughts and links on editing and portfolio reviews. Worthwhile information that helps to bring structure to the process, thus adding "bones" to a subjective endeavor. One of the links was to the folios of Brooks Jensen, cited as an excellent way to present a portfolio. Here I found Wakarimasen. I am completely taken with the series.

I am adding this to my Christmas list. At $145 the math comes to $9.06 per print. To my mind this is a phenomenal bargain.

Smileycam

Bathtime Justin Quinnell

I'm still deciding if I'm appalled or delighted. Justin's site is here, you can order your own Smileycam pinhole camera for just $23 here.

Just a little illness

Midnight Cowboy, manipulated

The spoken word. Script. Text. Manipulated. A remarkable web site, Cinematic Particles, has created an applet that creates drawings from film subtitles. Particles are created and directed by the letters and their frequency in the the script. Allowed to run uninterrupted the same drawings are created. The applet allows the viewer to intercede, however. Speed of text and pauses allow for individual control and vary the drawing. Amazing. Is this like photo sensitive paper, but for words?

World Wide Web

Conscientious went on a rant last week. I fully appreciate his frustrations. What part of a web site's main purpose serving as a communication tool do people not understand? Although, I'm an old grump who refuses to shop in stores that chain things to the rack so I'm pleased to have my experience confirmed. He updated with a link from a comment that is an excellent tutorial for anyone considering creating or redesigning a web site. My personal pet peeve is a site with thumbnails that when clicked require scrolling to view the image...every time, image after image. When I think about it though, I would subscribe to The Blog of Obstructive Watermarks.

Metaphor