Friday, September 9, 2011

911 Photography Then & Now

It's hard to believe it has been 10 years since the 911 attacks. There is an article by the La Times that is showcasing photography of 911 in a "Then & Now" format. It's interesting to see the contrast between the before and after shots.

Then
[caption id="attachment_851" align="aligncenter" width="590" caption="© Suzanne Plunkett / Associated Press / La Times 9-11-01"][/caption]
Now
[caption id="attachment_850" align="aligncenter" width="590" caption="© Mark Lennihan / Associated Press / La Times 8-4-11"][/caption]
Here is a link to the original article.

9/11: Revisiting World Trade Center attack site, then and now - latimes.com.


Related blog post by Spencer Gordon. A personal 911 photography project.

Tuesday, September 6, 2011

911 Photography Project - An Artistic Tribute

[caption id="attachment_799" align="aligncenter" width="590" caption="2010 View from Brooklyn"][/caption]The 10th anniversary of 911 is upon us and since 2006 I have be working on a photography art project each year specifically on September 11th. The project involves photographing the tip of Manhattan from both New Jersey City and  Brooklyn Heights.  This project deals with the use of a unique large format Speed Graphic camera from the 1940's that shoots 4 x 5 film.  Old school style. Yes the kind of camera you have to put a dark cloth over your head where the image is upside down and backwards in the back of the camera when you see it on a grainy piece of glass. The purpose of the project is one pay tribute to New York City and it's scarred skyline as well as document the transformation of a great city as it's skyline takes on a new shape.

This Sunday from the upper east side I will ride a mountain bike to two locations.  Packed in the bike's side saddle the antique 4 x 5 camera and I will venture to my first location at the Brooklyn Promenade.  I will arrive at the first location by 7:45am to set up this unique piece of photographic equipment.  At precisely 8:46am is when I expose the first shot.  Why 8:46am? That's when the first plane hit the North Tower. After that shot is complete I then re-pack and ride to New Jersey City.

It has been over the last 5 years that I've been doing this project.  It's interesting to see the progression of the city's skyline.  One year there was the waterfall installations another year a modern silver twisting building was completed a different year a warehouse has been torn down.

The project will complete when the Freedom Tower is finished.  Upon it's completion I plan to exhibit the complete body of work.
[caption id="attachment_800" align="aligncenter" width="590" caption="2010 View from New Jersey City"][/caption]

Friday, September 2, 2011

Let There Be Light - Illuminating Photography

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="590" caption="©2011 Dennis-Calvert "][/caption]
Most people when they think of photography a single flash is as high tech as they may get. Dennis Calvert takes photography to a whole new level with his various lighting elements and layering techniques. His work resembles imagery as if it comes from another world.

For me from day one photography has always sparked my curiosity. From the first polaroid that developed in front of my eyes to latest digital technology. Photography is like a puzzle and there are so many tools a visual artist can use to create the imagery that one desires.

With LYTRO "light field" technology about to launch it's latest digital break through. I can appreciate Dennis's use of pure light in a simplistic yet highly creative application.