The End of Any Semblence of Reality

I just finished watching a sneak peek demo from the creators of Photoshop for their upcoming CS5 version where they introduced a new tool called "content-aware fill." This tool shortcuts the slow process of deleting information from a photo, be it a tree awkwardly positioned, a person who doesn't look right, or a piece of garbage on the ground. By just clicking on the offending item and then the "content-aware fill" tool they disappear completely.

Why it's just like what they used to do in the old Soviet Union when people were erased from the images of their own history!

Now we all know you've been able to do similar things with Photoshop since it came out, but you at least had to have some level of skill to really work it. This new tool makes it possible for anyone and everyone to remake the world in their own perfect image.

As for me, I don't know how anyone is going to be able to trust any photograph at all anymore. I know I won't be able to tell that this has been done to a photograph. So what's going to stop our history from being completely rewritten, with photos to prove it!

Maybe I'm kidding myself to think there has every really been reality to begin with. But when I saw this demo, all I could think about was what was going to be taken out of the world, and how we'll all be the poorer for it.

Tell me know what you think.

ROAD TRIP! Hasselblad and Resource Magazine go on Tour

Hasselblad and Resource Magazine are joining forces and taking their show on the road in a series of events called "Three Stage".
Thursday, March 25 they'll be in New York and the first stop on their road trip is Milk Studios at 450 W. 15th St..

In their own words:
"The Three Stage" events will celebrate the release of Hasselblad’s new H4D line of cameras, featuring the innovative TrueFocus technology, and offer photographers a hands-on and interactive experience with this and other selected equipment, from computer to lights to photo software.

Attendees will be able to test the latest photography gear, discuss with company reps and fellow photographers, and witness and participate to live demonstrations. Each event will include “Three Stages”, 3 separate shooting spaces hosted by highly recognized photographers from each community, each representing a different field of photography (i.e. still life, fashion, portrait)."

There will also be cocktail parties in each city, and a chance to hang out and network. I'll be there as a media sponsor, so find me and say hello.

Hasselblad will also be announcing their Hassy Community winners at each event. More info here

You can also check Twitter and Facebook.

Other cities on the tour are:

Los Angeles- April 8th, 2010

Chicago- April 22nd, 2010

San Francisco- April 29th, 2010

Atlanta- June 2010

D.C.- July 2010

Toronto- September 2010

Miami- October 2010

New York City- October 2010

So sign up and join your fellow photo people for shoots, talk, cocktails and the chance to get your itchy little fingers on some very cool new equipment..

I'm a California Girl

I want to thank everyone who came to my talk at the SF Apple Store last night. It was a great crowd and really great questions. Everyone was so friendly that I had a wonderful time. Special thanks to APA/SF and Michael Winokur. Also thanks to Frank Salvato of Apple for making me feel at home.

The sun is shining, the birds are singing, and I'm off for a hike. Just a regular day in sunny California.

California here I come!

I'm in California to speak at the Apple Store in San Francisco on Tuesday, March 16 at 7pm. Details here. Come one, come all, and be sure and stop by and say hello if you're in the neighborhood.
I'll also be available for consultations in the Bay Area until March 22. If you're interested, email me for an appointment.

The Cove Wins An Oscar!

Congratulations to Louie Psihoyos on winning the Oscar for The Cove! If you still haven't seen it, rent it right now. This is an incredible example of storytelling, and a photographer evolving from still to moving image.
And let me add this Fuck the Academy for cueing the music and not letting Louie speak. What a travesty!