Currently

Wednesday, January 30, 2013

photo

Seems like things have been going very slow at the moment. I cannot stress how broke and miserable I am currently. I'm beginning to get used to this and that's a major problem. However, I've been editing much of the work I've gathered over the past few years along with posting pictures on the blog. I'm also looking into getting better jobs, contests, and opportunities to further my career as an artist. It's annoying to have things feel this slow, but I guess that's what I have to deal with at the moment.

Lately I've been wanting to purchase new gear to help further new ideas for upcoming projects. I'm looking at a certain camera that may help me look through the frame differently. I've also been getting into portraiture lately seeing as though my methods have been slightly tainted long enough. I need to lean on a different direction just so that working on certain projects will feel fresh and not stale.

Anyone know of any good photo jobs in Connecticut that I can swoop on? It would help me. I don't wanna work at my crappy portrait studio job anymore. It's just so lame.

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I'm Never Awake Because I Never Sleep

Tuesday, January 29, 2013

Daly_City_Bart

Daly City Bart / Daly City, Ca / Spring '13

For a good amount of years I've ridden this train back and forth to the city. It was my usual routine allowing me peace of mind, a moment to process anything I thought of. I miss this train very much.

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Dust Mag's "Dust #4" submissions open!

Friday, January 25, 2013



So, my friends in San Francisco are currently creating a 4th installment of their zine Dust. The submissions end on the fourth of February so get those images in.

If you don't know about Dust Mag it's a zine that was created by a collective of photographers who all went to or are currently attending the Academy of Art University. They were a group of friends who believed in the aspects of black and white film, it's character, philosophy, and what it stands for in the photography world. Since digital has become a big staple of both professional and amateur photography Dust Mag goes back to its traditional elements and features photographers continuing to praise a process that may soon be forgotten.

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Streets of Chrome

Thursday, January 24, 2013


Just yesterday I added a photo to this contest. If you didn't notice at first glance Comadre's song "Untitled" is the soundtrack to the video making it exciting to hear my boys from the Bay Area being represented.

You can check out the competition right here

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Wide Awake

Elena

Elena / Hartford, CT / January '13

One of the first images taken this year that was developed. It was freezing cold that day, but a great turn out. I'm currently mentoring Kasey Vidaud to get her motivated to photograph again. Not a bad start of the year.

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I'm Sorry I'm Leaving

Wednesday, January 23, 2013

I'm Sorry I'm Leaving

Powell St / San Francisco, Ca / Spring 2012

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Overdoses / I Was Caught Redhanded

Overdose & Caught

Mission District / San Francisco, Ca / Spring 2012

One of the things I seem to be interested in photographing: Overdoses and people caught by the cops.

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Artist Spotlight: May Xiong

Monday, January 21, 2013



I've been really inspired by her work for quite awhile now. May Xiong is a graduate of Academy of Art University who is currently residing in Sanger, Ca. Her works bring forth much atmosphere and beauty with a touch of silence and flow. Each picture, I feel, represents a song she's inspired by in the moment she captures it. It's so melodically sound. Expect a project with her and I on a split zine coming soon. Below are more of her works.





She's also good with drawing as well. I can see how she uses both photography and drawing to enhance the textures of her work. It's incredible. I'm looking forward to her future works ahead.




Check out her work!

Photography

Illustration




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Early Loma Prieta

loma-prieta-2006

Loma Prieta / Oakland, Ca / Summer of '06

Top: Sean Leary
Bottom: David Fung

Years ago (as I started getting into photography) my friend Mike Adame had me tag along to watch him play a show. Loma Prieta was the headliner that night and from what I remembered it was Davey's birthday. To celebrate it, They Call Me Greyhound (Mike's old band), did a cover of one of Davey's old bands "Get Get Go." These pictures are pre-show captures I took. It was an amazing night for sure and I was happy to experience it.


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The Morning Before I Smoke

Saturday, January 19, 2013

Braden

Braden Sherbon / Fresno, Ca / 2007

He was one of my roommates for awhile... well.. he lived in my backyard for a couple months in a tent. Anyway, he's a painter and well known friend from the scene. I never got close to him, but he was always an interesting subject to photograph and I'm not sure why. He's always had a sensual look I couldn't define. Last I remembered he was all about getting high with friends. That's all I know up until now.

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Let Me Show You How to Get Down

Erin Steen

Erin Steen / Fresno, Ca / February 2012

Last year I did a set with Erin Steen for a portraiture class I was taking back in Cali. Erin is a pretty versatile subject, but most of the pictures taken of her are that of pin-up girl more than anything. The set we did, however, made her more punk rock, edgy, and just straight up cool. She's pretty amazing.

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Daido Moriyama Print Show

Thursday, January 17, 2013



I've always had a fascination with Daido Moriyama. His approaches to photography, theory, and his conceptual exhibitions always amazed me. On this vid Daido talks about his print exhibition where the audience not only views the images mounted on the wall, but are given a card to write the number of the photograph, make a copy and layout a book of their own. It's almost as if they are the editors of their own work.

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I Barely Knew You

Wednesday, January 16, 2013

I Barely Knew You

Richard Black / Guitar Center, Fresno, Ca / 2007

Years back I used to be an "Accessories Associate" at Guitar Center Fresno before I got laid off. Much of my time was spent hanging out with some of the dudes in the store while working. This particular individual, Richard, was one guy I barely knew, but never forgot. I've lost contact with him years ago only remembering that he moved to L.A. to pursue a music career. Don't know much from there, but I hope things are good with him. Hope to see you someday my friend.

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A Smartphone Film Scanner?

Monday, January 14, 2013



Just today I got news from PetaPixel.com as well as Japan Camera Hunter regarding Lomography (the company) releasing a device that allows you to scan 35mm images onto your smartphone. While this concept is interesting film photographers such as myself wonder if it's an investment worth making. Stated from Japan Camera Hunter this device is suppose to create sufficient quality scans to print and share. There's also some features on the app that allow you to edit the photos as well. hmmmm...

Below is a sample pic of the scan:



To me, I think this will be a great market for photographers who are just learning the realm of film. It's an interesting take on a traditional process combined with modern technology allowing users the ability to share analog photos with finesse. I don't know if this is something I could purchase, but I could keep an open mind for something like this. Either way this is a great thing for film users regardless. What's your take?

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Afternoon Moments

A Cold Afternoon from a Place I Knew

Juju B. / Metal Mansion / Fresno, Ca / '07

Years back when I was shooting a little bit of slides. Such a long time ago, but it was the thing to do as a photographer. Inspired by a documentary I watched.

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Weeks From a Cold Winter

Thursday, January 10, 2013

Weeks From a Cold Winter



Lowell, Massachusetts (Dec '12)

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Why Should You Carry a Creative Journal?

Monday, January 7, 2013

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Most of you that have been following my blog have noticed this book in a couple of entries I had posted up. The book is my creative journal and it's been a thing I've been keeping around since starting school at Academy of Art University. Any idea regarding photography that crossed my mind would be written down, structured, or noted for future references. Most of the time the thoughts I write down don't make any sense, but they seem to leave a mark in my head on certain days when there's nothing to think about. So what are the benefits to keeping something like this around? I can give you a couple of reasons.


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1. It's a great tool to start projects

I can't stress enough the amount of pages I've written down when creating Moments in the Same Place and Streets. If it wasn't for a creative journal I wouldn't be able to structure what the zine would look like, what it would be for, or how I would release it. Because of those zines I had a great response towards the community of photographers that had purchased it, sold a good portion of them, and can say that I had release a project of my work for the public to promote.


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2. Write now think later

Most photographers (and artists in general) carry ideas in their head everyday. Those ideas come and go and it would be a shame to forget it. Because of how our minds work we tend to be distracted by many things, forgetting those ideas ever popped in our head. It's good to always write down your ideas, because you never know when that idea can be handy in the future.


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3. Shows a record of your thought process

Sometimes your mind scrambles in ways you can't even imagine. Some of the things I write can be so random. I would read it later and realize how much I need to improve on how I think these ideas through. It's pretty embarrassing at first (for me at least), but reading over some of those ideas help trigger something in my mind allowing ideas to spark. It's one big modus operandi and that is something that should be considered when you're a creative.


So, there you have it. I could only come up with three, but they are three important reasons why you should have a creative journal. No matter what having this tool can only benefit you in the long run. This is my second creative journal heading towards a third. Take note on the things you think about. You never know when it can work for future projects!


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So What Have I Been Doing Lately?

Screen shot 2013-01-07 at 3.42.58 PM

I've been working on editing photos I shot last year. They been actually sitting in the back burner of my hard drive, simmering, as I decide the fate of their existence. Turns out these images happen to sequence into something I have been working on for almost three years. I realize that this process is going to take a lot of time.

Looking at these images, prepping them, and trying to sequence them becomes apparent that most of what I shoot really fails. So, realizing this humbles me to know that I am being critical with what I am doing. Ever since the 365 project photography seems so different. Now that I have slowed down and have focused on just editing my work images have a different outlook.

"Moments in the Same Place" and "Streets" could have been better if I had given it more time. But that's what happens when you work on a 365 project. You're editing and shooting so much that it can get a bit overwhelming.

So, here it is folks. The edits start now. 2012 was a great year for pictures and I'm sure 2013 will deliver more. But for the time being I will continue to work on editing these works and publishing them. Stay tuned everyone!

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Phillip-Lorca diCorcia: A Thousand Polaroids

Friday, January 4, 2013



This video is about an exhibition done by Phillip in 2008 who displayed a thousand Polaroids taken in a span of 20 years at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art. As I work on a couple of projects involving more film this year I thought it'd be appropriate to show this video as inspiration. I was introduced to this photographer by my buddy Sean during the days we used to go out in the streets of SF and capture a couple of frames throughout the day. He's an amazing photographer surpassing many others for his creativity, lighting skills, and content.

Check out his work at the Collective Shift

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Straight Edge - Four Years

Thursday, January 3, 2013



It's been about four years since I made the commitment to straight edge. It's something that has definitely given me a positive outlook on life and lead me to greater things. But don't get me wrong. I don't downplay people that drink and smoke. I'm not one to judge. When it becomes a habit, however, then there's a problem. My commitments to this way of living was inspired by a girl who I used to date (she was an oxycotin user) and a former roommate (he lost everything and became an alcoholic). The two of them were an important asset in my life to remind me that this is what I used to be and this is what I would've become. I'm now clean, ridding myself from those distractions and reminding myself of the more important things... like living life.

Thank you straight edge, again, for helping me become a better person. This isn't just a lifestyle.... it's a way of life.

Check out the documentary of straight edge.


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Vlog #59 - Happy New Year Everyone!

Wednesday, January 2, 2013



Plans for this year include:

- Publishing Zines
- Online Zine
- Polaroid Work
- Pocket Pictures: One roll of film and a P&S camera each month different theme
- Reviews of Zines/Books/Photographers/Bands/Artists/etc
- ARTPHOTOZINECOLLECTIVE (subreddit)


This is going to be a busy year for sure!

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