I have recently took on a studio space in downtown Akron and am opening it up as a rental space for photography and media creation. Basic info: smallish studio space 1100 square feet 24×40 foot open space for shooting. Cement floors, decent ceiling height, plenty of power for strobes and hot lights. And a dressing room too. The premise for opening Studio Akron is to have a place for local professional photographers and the serious diy designers out there. Photographers know that most of the time shoots take place on location and many designers shoot it them selves in an unused corner or empty office. With Studio Akron I hope to make things a little better for local images makers by offering a space where projects can be photographed in a professional manner (proper lights, enough space) at a price point that won’t break the budget. The studio will be as neutral as possible wile having some personality. Thus when you show up with your client it won’t feel like your party at my house. We will keep it clean and professional. I’ll be having a first open house during the November 7th art walk. And a proper opening and art show featuring some really talented local artists in December. Come visit us. We are at 30 North High just up the street from Rubber City Clothing and WE Gallery (3/4 block North from the Akron Art Museum) in the historic district.
Filed under: Akron
Totally psyched about one of my recent assignments. Photographing a dairy in abstract panoramic black and white. Some of you know that I have a body of work from a while ago that was of this nature. Then I was using a film camera and now of course digital. Having the opportunity to think panoramically was great. Being in the dairy was just too cool. Who knew there was stainless steel piping in such quantity! Anyway totally fun project with great people. Looking forward to the end results that will be a series of 40″ wide prints for display. 
Filed under: Uncategorized
Yesterday was a beautiful here in Akron. Windows open, fresh air and gorgeous light. Mirabelle’s leg and tail shadow play. Color photo of a black dog on a white floor. 
I had the opportunity earlier this year to work with the good people over at the Summa and Triad on the Summa Magazine. Location portraiture in hospitals is always a challenge. The locations are frequently at opposite ends of the given facility and the available time of most doctors is minimal at best. Doctors are there for the patients first after all! Flexibility while being focused is mandatory. This can be accomplished by having a well thought out location kit. A kit that will be able to move easily through crowded halls and elevators yet with enough gear to handle what ever lighting situation arrises. Another key is the ability to think fast and roll with things. Locations change. Subjects schedules change. The hour between shots becomes 10 minutes. This particular shoot went very smooth by being prepared to adapt if necessary. Good communication between the client, agency and myself. And keeping the production of the portrait appropriate for the location and the subject.
Filed under: Photography
Irving Penn dead at 92. One of the all time great photographers. I have spent many hours looking at his portraits as have millions of others. His portraits in the corner and his group shots like the one above moved me the most. A nice write up on PDN.
Filed under: Akron
I have just leased a new studio space in downtown Akron. This time in the freshly coined Historic District. Specifically at 30 North High. In the 1100 sq. ft. space I will be setting up my studio. Additionally I’ll be making it available as a rental studio for other area photographers and filmmakers. It is really great to be back in downtown. Over the past 21 years I have never been far from downtown working at area clubs, the museum and galleries. Living in the 90’s on “the block on South Main”. Mixing sound for Dink at the Daily Double, renting studio space at canal place, on Water Street and Orleans Ave. I have always believed in downtown and am proud to be an official part of it now. The new studio is on the art-walk route and I am planning on participating by showing my work and the work of other artists. The building I’m in has a large public corridor that will make a good studio in the spirit of the old AAA Akron Millworks.
Filed under: photography shows
Thanks to everyone who came out to the opening last night. The show runs through November 7 th.
This friday is the opening of the Photo 2009 show (curated by yours truly). I have put together a great group of photographers this year that includes: Arnie Tunstall, Brian Babb, John Powers, Laura Bidwell, Amy Koons, Janice Kreitz, Daiv Whaley and Tanner Young. Also in the show and a new akronite is Melissa Stallard. I’ll be introducing images from my series Looking at the west. Check it out on Friday October 2nd 5-8 pm.
Filed under: Uncategorized
This is too cool. I want to try this when I’m out in Utah. It is amazing what can be done with current crop of digital cameras.
Had a great weekend going to museums in Chicago. The first stop was to the Museum of Contemporary Art to check out a great show by Olafur Eliasson. This is a great show by a great artist. Very mind blowing use of materials and concepts. Highly recommend checking him out. Next up was The Art Institute of Chicago. It was great to see so many classic pieces of art. Too many after a while. The Institute is best taken in on many visits. Can’t wait to get back and enjoy the collection some more. The new building was very nice and open with great lighting. The photo gallery was nice but I think what we have in Akron and Cleveland is better. For a large institution like this the photo galleries felt small. I did get to see one of my favorite Alec Soth images”Lenny” and a discovered a tryptic by Stephane Couturier called Monuments. I have to find out more about his work.
