tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10416538833817215772024-02-07T23:58:32.189-05:00StellazineStella Kramerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13106185614529401218noreply@blogger.comBlogger175125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1041653883381721577.post-70865435047257946732012-09-25T14:40:00.003-04:002012-09-25T14:40:27.143-04:00STELLAZINE Has Moved!I have moved Stellazine to my new website/blog at <a href="http://www.stellakramer.com/">www.stellakramer.com</a>. Please go there to read my newest posts, and check out the new site. I''m thrilled with it all.<br />
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And please change your RSS feed to <a href="http://www.stellakramer.com/feed/" style="background-color: white; color: blue; font-family: arial, verdana, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; text-align: left;" target="_blank">http://www.stellakramer.com/feed/</a>.<br />
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Thanks, and join me at the new siteStella Kramerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13106185614529401218noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1041653883381721577.post-26664231307613665462012-08-02T10:00:00.000-04:002012-08-02T11:22:01.881-04:00Committing to a photography project takes passion, dedication, and it always takes money. Self-funded projects are proof of a photographer's dedication to the story they want to tell the world. I want to focus on two extraordinary projects that are pushing forward right now, projects you can help to see the light of day.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEo8NC506u68th629HghodGnuWkU8eq9SnwZVthDS4jPkZb8tuc4BCPwvMNVHlaVi_Vf6ynh2mSuG09l3SxveTvzs0tBuJuMmcCnfRRLeiV_Qw23Q18XgdvsgZ3fZC0Jj5xTHSOQjcKd9n/s1600/Picture+6.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="231" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEo8NC506u68th629HghodGnuWkU8eq9SnwZVthDS4jPkZb8tuc4BCPwvMNVHlaVi_Vf6ynh2mSuG09l3SxveTvzs0tBuJuMmcCnfRRLeiV_Qw23Q18XgdvsgZ3fZC0Jj5xTHSOQjcKd9n/s320/Picture+6.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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<b><a href="http://marissaroth.com/" target="_blank">Marissa Roth</a></b> has been photographing woman in war zones for 28 years. She has brought her work together into "<b><a href="http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/2025461254/one-person-crying-women-and-war" target="_blank">One Person Crying: Women and War</a></b>," and a <b>Kickstarter</b> campaign to help with the expense of producing a traveling exhibition of the work. As <b>Roth</b> says,<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
"The consequences of war for women in countries, cultures and communities that are directly affected by it, have often been overlooked. My main hope for this project is to show that war doesn’t discriminate how it metes out pain or suffering, that women are basically the same everywhere in how they endure war and live with its aftermath into their post-war lives."</blockquote>
From Serbia to Vietnam to Afghanistan and Northern Ireland, <b>Roth</b> has photographed and interviewed women to hear their stories and record them for others to hear. The project is now finishing, and <b>The Museum of Tolerance </b>in Los Angeles will be debuting a major exhibition of this work on <b>August 16th</b>, with 88 black and white photographs. But <b>Roth</b> is looking to take this project further, and bring it to audiences everywhere. That's how important it is.<br />
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You can help make this happen <a href="http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/2025461254/one-person-crying-women-and-war" target="_blank">here</a>:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj16CekymfSdU4LGIGLwys_CXGYY3JsClT9eKygpCBaYTx5gTGrZmUA6zp5GIwSTp4mn4p3tEWoqDAIHQmq1uz04BvwwpyWJuWYtvsRpmEcjstkXuKkWx9kjv8iPKTaDKIMZrDjLqjXUXWj/s1600/Picture+1.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="229" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj16CekymfSdU4LGIGLwys_CXGYY3JsClT9eKygpCBaYTx5gTGrZmUA6zp5GIwSTp4mn4p3tEWoqDAIHQmq1uz04BvwwpyWJuWYtvsRpmEcjstkXuKkWx9kjv8iPKTaDKIMZrDjLqjXUXWj/s320/Picture+1.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.floriophoto.com/" target="_blank">Jason Florio</a> and <b>Helen Jones-Florio</b> are passionate explorers who have made The Gambia, Africa their particular focus. In 2009 they <a href="http://930kmafricanodyssey.tumblr.com/" target="_blank">walked the length of the country</a>. <i>WALKED</i> the length of the country, a total of 930km! This time out they are going on a river journey, a 1000km journey through three countries: <b>Guinea</b>, <b>Senegal</b> and <b>The Gambia</b>, following the <b>Gambia River</b>.<br />
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The <b>Florios</b> want to create a modern-day account of the people, societies, and life along the length of one of Africa’s last, free-flowing, major rivers. There have been rumors that the river is to be dammed, and the Florios want to try and document the people and environment before it happens.<br />
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They plan on traveling by canoe and foot through the homelands of over seven different tribes. The journey will,<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
"begin at the source of the river, where it trickles out of the <b>Fouta Djallon</b> highlands, of <b>Guinea</b>, on into hippo-abundant <b>Niokolo Koba National Park</b>, <b>Senegal</b>, and finally into <b>The Republic of the Gambia</b> - following the same course as the early gold and slave traders had done century’s ago – to the 10km wide mouth of the river, where it opens into the <b>Atlantic Ocean</b>." </blockquote>
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To fund their expedition the <b>Florios</b> are reaching out for sponsors and donations of money and equipment through their <a href="http://rivergambiaexpedition2012.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">website</a>, and where, for just $25 you have a chance to win a print from <b>Jason Florio</b>. </div>
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<blockquote class="tr_bq">
"<b>An Exchange</b> – print draw: Just<b> $25/£16</b> puts your name in the hat and you could pull out one of <b>Jason Florio</b>’s fine art photography prints – <b>Deadline 31st August 2012</b>"</blockquote>
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You can read more from Jason <a href="http://www.outsideonline.com/blog/expedition-watch-the-river-gambia-from-source-to-sea.html?abc=rpBv00w8" target="_blank">here</a>. And follow their journey<a href="http://rivergambiaexpedition2012.wordpress.com/" target="_blank"> here</a> and on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/RiverGambiaExpedition2012" target="_blank">Facebook</a>. <br />
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And please consider donating <a href="http://rivergambiaexpedition2012.wordpress.com/how-to-donate/" target="_blank">here</a><br />
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These photographers are working hard to tell stories not being told anywhere else. And it's important to support these independent endeavors. I have and I hope you will join me. The returns are going to be fantastic!</div>Stella Kramerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13106185614529401218noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1041653883381721577.post-60231879872563191292012-07-26T10:02:00.000-04:002012-07-26T10:02:18.699-04:00Cute Kittens and Bunnies<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWnkss0RvS_t5H6SOAsGE0Vk21xOqk5jtkxQNrzDigwDm5uajKkEavq6SfR3NqQSRjwR2QRpdci-oAIzAIYlVnpvcpoKoXjTxPu_NkCX2SQISgJe2MDj5gXgGPv1QVfvvJ0W7BdIFBSjsH/s1600/Picture+20.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="244" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWnkss0RvS_t5H6SOAsGE0Vk21xOqk5jtkxQNrzDigwDm5uajKkEavq6SfR3NqQSRjwR2QRpdci-oAIzAIYlVnpvcpoKoXjTxPu_NkCX2SQISgJe2MDj5gXgGPv1QVfvvJ0W7BdIFBSjsH/s320/Picture+20.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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Did I get your attention? Good.<br />
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We all face the same problem: How can we get our work seen and acknowledged? I’ve been thinking a lot about what we do to get attention; what we do to make people see us. We’re told all the time that we “need to create buzz,” and there are examples of those successes all around us.<br />
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So what are you doing to create that buzz for your work? Do you find it difficult to publicize yourself and your work, not wanting people to think you’re boasting? After all, we’re told it’s not polite to stand up in the world and say, “Hey, look at this great thing I’m doing (I’ve done).” Maybe you think you don’t deserve the special attention. Well it’s time to silence those voices in your head. You can be the most fantastic photographer in the universe, but if no one knows you’re there, what difference does it make?<br />
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What’s wrong with being proud of your work and wanting to share it, to let people know you feel strongly about it?<br />
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There are so many ways for you to get noticed, to stand out from the crowd these days. It’s wrong to think that in this world with billions of people just being talented is enough.<br />
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But are you trying to be all things to all people--a jack-of-all-trades photographer? Do you think that if you can do many things it makes you more attractive to a potential client? Yes, some people are able to build a career doing just that and if that’s what you really want to do, great. But think for a moment: If a potential client has someone who shoots everything for them, why would they hire you?<br />
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It takes looking deep inside yourself to really get at what you are good at and more importantly, what you really want to do. You have to be brutally honest with yourself to find out whether you have what it takes to be a successful photographer.<br />
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Once you’ve made the commitment to yourself, what’s next? I’m going to cut to the chase here. Getting noticed is not just about throwing your work online and then Tweeting or putting it on FB. It’s about engaging others to take a look. It’s about presenting your work without fear. There are ways to put your work in front of people in the industry, whether it’s at a portfolio review or through establishing a relationship with someone you want to work for. Even more, it’s about getting out of your shell, getting out of your own way, and making opportunities for yourself, instead of waiting to be found and brought out of the wilderness.<br />
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You cannot make everyone want to work with you no matter how good your work is. But you don’t need that. You are not competing with everyone who has a camera. You are competing with yourself, and those people who really move themselves forward: the go-getters, the innovators, and the people who have the creative drive to be successful. And that’s a much smaller group than you think.<br />
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So, do you have the courage to be unique? Are you willing to be true to yourself, and willing to stand behind that decision? Are you ready to take possession of who you are and what you do? Or are you waiting for someone to take you by the hand and give you what you think you want?<br />
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Challenge yourself. Give yourself permission. Stand up and let the world know you’re here.<br />
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<br /></div>Stella Kramerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13106185614529401218noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1041653883381721577.post-73064947962542343562012-07-11T17:44:00.000-04:002012-07-11T17:44:33.484-04:00Come On Girls, Let's Take PIX!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD-4puR2-hUC8zQErijchkjDeT2331idZH0xjPIi3SXpRQukga45GgmqkGPfljPKS3Wz9T5uX2yBHI4kVGwldU_WsrfpjeHc3F146Z9ruyV7t_Mh_prUugy4KarKZVeUHubL_CvP3lFtlx/s1600/Picture+1.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD-4puR2-hUC8zQErijchkjDeT2331idZH0xjPIi3SXpRQukga45GgmqkGPfljPKS3Wz9T5uX2yBHI4kVGwldU_WsrfpjeHc3F146Z9ruyV7t_Mh_prUugy4KarKZVeUHubL_CvP3lFtlx/s320/Picture+1.png" width="305" /></a></div>
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She's young! She's blonde! She's cute! She's the embodiment of women photographers!<br />
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There’s been blowback against <b>Nielsen</b> and <b>PDN</b> on<b> FB</b> and <b>Twitter</b> for their proposed new magazine, <b><i>PIX</i></b>, aimed at women photographers. And more <a href="http://jezebel.com/5924887/finally-lady-photojournalists-get-their-own-photo-ladymag-full-of-lady-stereotypes" target="_blank">here</a> and <a href="http://jasminedefoore.tumblr.com/post/26978960889/story-ideas-for-nielsons-new-women-photographer" target="_blank">here </a>.<br />
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With stories like:<br />
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<b><i>"Smudge-proof makeup tips for long days behind the camera"</i></b><br />
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<b><i>"Seasonal Flats: these flats will keep your feet covered, comfortable and cute while you're on photo shoots,"</i></b><br />
and stories on wedding photography and photographing newborns, you might think you had traveled back in time. It’s easy to think that, but what really gets my blood boiling, is that once again, women are being marginalized.<br />
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Yes, we may be half of the population (and yes, we hold up half the sky), but why do we need to be singled out? And why, once again are we being told that shopping is an integral part of a profession? We've been bombarded by TV shows about weddings, wedding dresses, wedding as competition, by “Bad Girls Clubs,” and fame through Internet sex tapes; by the recent rape “jokes” of a so-called comedian, and by major magazine stories like TIME’s “Are You Mom Enough?” (to single out just a few). It's as if there never was a feminist movement.<br />
<br />
And for every strong woman in the public eye there is a story commenting on her hair, her looks, why she’s a bitch, or how nice her clothes are. All of MSM is responsible, but they are not alone. The <i>“girlization”</i> (I didn’t make that up) of females in our society has been going on for a while now. And as much as I love the craft world, and the attention to décor and design, they focus so much on “cuteness.” Since their primary audience is women, they also take part in making all women seem only focused on shopping and the home. They make women seem non-threatening and they put women in their place.<br />
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<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i><b>"If you love to snap photos, chances are you're pretty creative and artsy about the rest of your world too," writes Pix's Editor-in-Chief. "It's important to you that your business is modern and cool, you've always got an eye out for hip clothing and accessories, and looking professional and shooting well are top priorities." </b></i></blockquote>
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In the past year photographers have been kidnapped, assaulted, and killed. Women photographers have had to defend themselves against claims that they shouldn't shoot what they do. Will <i>“<b>smudge-proof makeup</b></i>” or “<i><b>luminous lenses</b></i>” help in <b>Syria</b>? Ask <a href="http://www.lynseyaddario.com/" target="_blank">Lynsey Addario</a>, or <a href="http://www.stephaniesinclair.com/" target="_blank">Stephanie Sinclair</a>, or <a href="http://www.katebrooks.com/" target="_blank">Kate Brooks</a>, or any number of women what they think. Do you think <a href="http://life.time.com/history/behind-the-picture-bourke-white-and-the-liberation-of-buchenwald/" target="_blank">Margaret Bourke-White</a> was worried about her mascara when she photographed <b>Buchenwald</b>? When did selling clothing and accessories become a cash cow for a photography-focused media company?<br />
<br />
When we look around, all we see are efforts to defame and marginalize women. It’s not just the Taliban who keep women down. Republicans around the country are proposing and passing laws to keep women pregnant; to keep them without access to healthcare or child care or jobs training, or anything that might help propel them forward. Rape is still used as a tool of war. <br />
<br />
This is such a blatant attempt to jump on the selling bandwagon, to appeal to young women who are obsessed with what they wear and with buying the perfect things they use, women who "take pictures" of pretty things. Not woman who are professional photographers, or who aspire to be. <br />
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Is this the best <b>Neilsen</b> can come up with to make more money? Have they run out of contest categories? It makes photography seems like just a flirtation, and not a means of giving voice, and certainly not a real career. In this struggling economy, just making a living as a photographer is hard enough, now you have to worry that your makeup is right?<br />
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Surprised? No. Disgusted? Yes. Think this is going to stop anytime soon? <br />
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<br /></div>Stella Kramerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13106185614529401218noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1041653883381721577.post-82667709341748353192012-06-28T13:56:00.000-04:002012-06-28T14:58:01.774-04:00We Talk Money With Photoville<style>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZKNvA9vRSDvCrXUiRr7eeZSmPn0aX5i9paUYwIaWfwP515Nz6VDBFzTRbc_iXZOYyByaN0knMPasg8A0nV0CaulpIGwZG_9G3PawNV-SdGAJZfTux8slu5zIPB_Vy4nWvjzTdK8xg9ebC/s1600/2012_06_23_Photoville_GraysonDantzicPhoto_202.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZKNvA9vRSDvCrXUiRr7eeZSmPn0aX5i9paUYwIaWfwP515Nz6VDBFzTRbc_iXZOYyByaN0knMPasg8A0nV0CaulpIGwZG_9G3PawNV-SdGAJZfTux8slu5zIPB_Vy4nWvjzTdK8xg9ebC/s320/2012_06_23_Photoville_GraysonDantzicPhoto_202.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">After posting my first review of <a href="http://photovillenyc.org/">Photoville</a>, and questioning
their successful <b>Kickstarter</b> project, I received an email from <b>Laura Roumanos</b>
inviting me to meet and talk. I
took her up on the invitation and went to the <a href="http://unitedphotoindustries.com/">United Photo Industries</a> gallery to meet with <b>Laura</b> and <b>Sam
Barzilay</b>.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">According to them, the <b>Kickstarter</b> pitch came after some of
the partners who had committed money backed off. They were reluctant until convinced to “get the community
involved.” </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">When I asked what would have happened if the <b>Kickstarter</b>
pitch wasn’t successful, <b>Laura</b> said,</span><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i><span style="font-size: small;"> “We had some back-up plans, but we were
very hopeful that the photo and Brooklyn community plus our friends would rally
around the project, and we are so grateful and humbled they did.”</span></i></blockquote>
</div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">The money was for many things, including renting the park,
the containers, power, marketing, manpower, tents, etc. It has cost just shy of $250,000 to
make <b>Photoville</b> a reality.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi1NbJMmx-651JTQ-HAlEJ8Lt_L6LIIBWKXOwzJ9vhbbu34BI4IbDJ-FL0IHOVM3a_cWU4dArRlXSEa2B-296eRwXhmNweY_j238OvTXnEfZsxxEMkfS6H7A8C1DgBkrKEu0IF-t4K-nm1/s1600/2012_06_23_Photoville_GraysonDantzicPhoto_121.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi1NbJMmx-651JTQ-HAlEJ8Lt_L6LIIBWKXOwzJ9vhbbu34BI4IbDJ-FL0IHOVM3a_cWU4dArRlXSEa2B-296eRwXhmNweY_j238OvTXnEfZsxxEMkfS6H7A8C1DgBkrKEu0IF-t4K-nm1/s320/2012_06_23_Photoville_GraysonDantzicPhoto_121.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-tzkIzkoHxG-cYbYkkDLY62FfafwCZnncA2qnEz8l8I60eDuxsqSVx8xSb836NcrYHpUpkS7czr9gQknsIkyiUXPdSYvhbAiF2XEkJhYC87hZa-0OTf2xoj9a2Frr4Eakg-fsrFPuWKx3/s1600/2012_06_23_Photoville_GraysonDantzicPhoto_117.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-tzkIzkoHxG-cYbYkkDLY62FfafwCZnncA2qnEz8l8I60eDuxsqSVx8xSb836NcrYHpUpkS7czr9gQknsIkyiUXPdSYvhbAiF2XEkJhYC87hZa-0OTf2xoj9a2Frr4Eakg-fsrFPuWKx3/s320/2012_06_23_Photoville_GraysonDantzicPhoto_117.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">As far as the cost of the containers, <b>Laura</b> said: </span><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i><span style="font-size: small;">“We worked
with all of our partners to tailor a deal that works for them and us. Every situation was different and we
value each and every contribution both financial and in kind. We would like to
state that no exhibitor was turned away because they didn't have enough money.
In fact we actually turned down a few shows that came with major financial
contributions because we did not feel comfortable about the quality of the work
and did not want to compromise what we were trying to achieve.”</span></i></blockquote>
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<span style="font-size: small;">The aim of <b>Photoville</b> was to make it <i>“accessible, free and
fun.”</i> As for next year, it’s hard
to say whether the same space will be available.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">So there you have it, some transparency so that you know
what is the what. See you at <b>Photoville</b>
again this weekend. They'll be more great panels and work worth seeing.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"> And stay tune
for more posts.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY78HfOIUl_YPIclDXV0XbOQlVLVXw9h9dfFWPj4wX9wTQP4VyGLX02JxFLNYpaFWq2rb1GfSrt-9vcVLPw9s8zPepZRaVbYUAiqsCqgwWhLWQqr6bNV46tdnCinu4IlvQsxp1nrfx3pE6/s1600/2012_06_23_Photoville_GraysonDantzicPhoto_160.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY78HfOIUl_YPIclDXV0XbOQlVLVXw9h9dfFWPj4wX9wTQP4VyGLX02JxFLNYpaFWq2rb1GfSrt-9vcVLPw9s8zPepZRaVbYUAiqsCqgwWhLWQqr6bNV46tdnCinu4IlvQsxp1nrfx3pE6/s320/2012_06_23_Photoville_GraysonDantzicPhoto_160.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"> All photographs courtesy of <a href="http://www.graysondantzic.com/">Grayson Dantzic</a></span></div>Stella Kramerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13106185614529401218noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1041653883381721577.post-28594486492257122022012-06-25T17:12:00.001-04:002012-06-25T17:36:06.646-04:00All Roads lead to PHOTOVILLE<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7hdhWj7z3ysLtDoSE9QtOM2NdmFVCJ0Z97cQo-rbe3yTPmg4FaHqJcOvDMpToFtIKXEOsglOaGE2wxnNfSWbDG8IATIViOtLUFFtisfihdI9ZmlQ4IWjPxOUx0QXkTgeTBhKXke1LjTn_/s1600/IMG_4971.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7hdhWj7z3ysLtDoSE9QtOM2NdmFVCJ0Z97cQo-rbe3yTPmg4FaHqJcOvDMpToFtIKXEOsglOaGE2wxnNfSWbDG8IATIViOtLUFFtisfihdI9ZmlQ4IWjPxOUx0QXkTgeTBhKXke1LjTn_/s320/IMG_4971.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times;">I spent a much too hot
Saturday at <a href="http://www.photovillenyc.org/">Photoville</a> with <a href="http://acurator.com/">Julie Grahame</a>, as curious as to what it would be as
to seeing particular people and talks.
It was a very long walk from DUMBO to <b>Pier 3,</b> and that could have been
explained more clearly on the website.
When we got closer, we got to see the photography on the fence, and I
was pleased that the work was varied and looked as good as it did. I would have liked to see the photos
larger, but I always want that.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times;">When we finally got to the
site it was time for<b> </b><a href="http://www.jenniferschwartzgallery.com/">Jennifer Schwartz</a> talk about her “<b>Crusade for Collecting</b>,”
and find out more about her ideas about presenting photography. I should say here that I supported her
Kickstarter project to raise money, and I consider Jennifer a friend.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxBtb1_B_8EISOqMDbJE5nJaJEcJNmR-e9gkNOVXOxMDYKHxvwbCUB7fzY2HXbImNDosBQQnJtM-04kZPo16h868hsdtun20JsHcjaZjrqQRCA-E-T602gCHZz2YMrDZONluUAU6qXBo_K/s1600/photoville.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxBtb1_B_8EISOqMDbJE5nJaJEcJNmR-e9gkNOVXOxMDYKHxvwbCUB7fzY2HXbImNDosBQQnJtM-04kZPo16h868hsdtun20JsHcjaZjrqQRCA-E-T602gCHZz2YMrDZONluUAU6qXBo_K/s320/photoville.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times;">As a gallery owner in <b>Atlanta</b>
who represents 16 photographers, <b>Jennifer</b> is full of exciting and clever ideas
on how to expand not only the reach of the photographers, but how to expand the
market for collecting photography.
To that end, her planned dinners with photographers and collectors, the ”Crusade" which will travel to 10 cities starting in March, and her
partnerships with museums and schools shows <b>Jennifer</b> to be a passionate
supporter of photography. I love
her ideas, her energy and her humor.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times;"><b>Photoville</b> is set up with large
metal containers full of photography, some food trucks and a covered tent for
the speakers. On a day when the
heat must have been in the 90’s, there was no respite. But I did see some wonderful work, and
the presentation of it was well done for the most part.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times;">Since I plan on going back
next weekend to hear more speakers, I didn’t want to look at everything. But I did look at “<b>Cruel &
Unusual</b>,” a fantastic exhibit of photography done in prisons </span><span style="color: #262424; font-family: Times;">curated by <b>Hester
Keijser</b> and <a href="http://prisonphotography.wordpress.com/">Pete Brook</a>, and presented by <a href="http://www.noorderlicht.com/">Noorderlicht</a> (which needs your support)</span><span style="font-family: Times;">. Not
only was there incredible variety to the work, but also much of it was new to
me. The panel moderated by <b>Pete
Brook</b>, and featuring <a href="http://loriwaselchukphotos.com/">Lori Waselchuk</a>, <a href="http://deborahluster.com/">Deborah Luster</a> and <a href="http://payusova.com/">Yana Payusova</a> was
enlightening. That it was a panel
of women photographers was even better.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times;"><b>Yana Payusova</b> combined her
portraits of young prisoners in <b>Russia</b> with the colors and iconography of
Russian to bring the prison culture and religion closer to the
predominant culture of the country.
As a painter first, <b>Payusova</b> felt her photos needed more context to
speak.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times;"><b>Lori Waselchuk</b> spoke of "<a href="http://www.gracebeforedying.org/">Grace before Dying</a>," her
incredible project featuring the hospice program of <b>Angola Penitentiary </b>in
<b>Louisiana</b>. Begun in 2007, this
award-winning project continues to travel the country starting conversations
about our prison system. By
collaborating to make quilts with the men in the hospice program who make
funeral shrouds for prisoners, <b>Waselchuk</b> has added an easily accessible and
unexpected aspect to the project and the larger issue of who we imprison and
how we feel about them.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times;"><b>Deborah Luster</b> comes to this
kind of photography from a very personal place—a contract killer murdered her mother when she was young. Photography became a way for
her to work through her feelings.
While hired to shoot a story about poverty in <b>Louisiana</b> she went up and knocked on
the door of a prison and was allowed in to shoot the inmates.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times;">Seeing that there were
several dress-up holidays in the woman’s prison, <b>Luster</b> began shooting small
photographs she gave away to her subjects. Overall, <b>Luster</b> has given away about 25,000 images, taken in both men and women’s prisons. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times;">This made <b>Luster</b> realize, “the power of the
personal photo in peoples’ lives.”</span><span style="font-family: Times;"> Some people had been in prison so long they had no idea what they looked
like. Others sent the photos to
family members. <b>Luster </b>told the
story of one woman with 19 children who had been in prison for many years and
had no contact with her family.
After sending the photos to them, three of the children came to visit.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times;">I am looking forward to next
weekend and the talks offered, and will look at the balance of the exhibits
then. I do have questions about
<b>Photoville</b>, especially what was the money raised on Kickstarter going to be
used for? None of the speakers I
asked were paid to come, none had their airfare paid, and many came from the
west coast. So what is the money
for? If <b>Photoville</b> was happening
before the Kickstarter campaign began, I’d like some transparency to know where
the more than $30,000 is to be used.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times;">And really, if you plan on
hosting this again next year, why not in April or May, when the weather won’t
be so oppressive?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7tBuK0fAbWzkuV9oX5suSlTg2HLyWrtLio5Ng1LxYBEi9-KgrA7wu4IfejtLknQx8THRKUeQAA6TfMan5_ggOdWZz0cOa1J1jjPzgtvNqvmFKffpJkkKY95fi7mTLw5gQS9ZfxzzqCO73/s1600/IMG_4978.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7tBuK0fAbWzkuV9oX5suSlTg2HLyWrtLio5Ng1LxYBEi9-KgrA7wu4IfejtLknQx8THRKUeQAA6TfMan5_ggOdWZz0cOa1J1jjPzgtvNqvmFKffpJkkKY95fi7mTLw5gQS9ZfxzzqCO73/s320/IMG_4978.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times;">Fence photos courtesy of <a href="http://www.sarigoodfriend.com/">Sari Goodfriend</a>. Panel photo courtesy of Julie Grahame. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>Stella Kramerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13106185614529401218noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1041653883381721577.post-55905085110635269662012-06-14T16:06:00.000-04:002012-06-25T17:38:23.676-04:00FlashForward Festival in Boston<style>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3PszkZ_vEfK_vqzeATjC7k6rt4BWpNSecddSS8GqNSipYwknwWZVmkHjyMTf4YVgxqR_5izoRhTCyCfOPWmdckwXUfX16zmzKlAb4NjklfH6YuS1ceEci-bIp9rmtf6Sk25yvHNtxIT3z/s1600/DSC01993.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3PszkZ_vEfK_vqzeATjC7k6rt4BWpNSecddSS8GqNSipYwknwWZVmkHjyMTf4YVgxqR_5izoRhTCyCfOPWmdckwXUfX16zmzKlAb4NjklfH6YuS1ceEci-bIp9rmtf6Sk25yvHNtxIT3z/s320/DSC01993.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">I’ve been to photo festivals all over the place in the past
few years, and they all have different value. Some are mostly portfolio reviews, some add exhibits and
talks to their roster, and some, like the one in New York seem to have no value
at all. So what makes a
successful festival, and more importantly, should you go?</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Having just returned from Boston and the <a href="http://www.flashforwardfestival.com/">FlashForward festival</a>, I think I can answer that.
Just four hours away by train, the <b>FlashForward</b> festival offers great
value to photographers. Not only
is there interesting work exhibited (juried selections geared towards emerging
photographers in the US, Canada and the UK), but a fantastic line-up of
speakers and panels.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">I should say here that I was invited to be an emcee for the
festival, and was taken wonderful care of by both the <b>Magenta Foundation</b> who
produces the festival, and the fantastic hotel that hosts the festival (the
<b>Fairmont Battery Wharf)</b>.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">I may have been the emcee for various speakers, but I was
also excited to hear from <b>John Knight</b> of the iPad photojournalism magazine,
<a href="http://oncemagazine.com/">ONCE</a>, <b>Tina Ahrens</b>, the founder of crowdfunding site <a href="http://emphas.is/">Emphas.is</a>, <b>Alan Taylor</b> who
produces <b>The Atlantic</b> photography blog, <a href="http://www.theatlantic.com/infocus/">In Focus</a>, <b>Alan Murabayashi </b>of
<a href="http://www.photoshelter.com/">PhotoShelter</a>, and <b>Maurus Fraser</b> of <a href="http://www.winkreative.com/">Winkreative</a>, just to name a few. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">These festivals are a chance to see and be seen. <b>FlashForward</b> offers a stunning line-up
where you not only learn about possible venues for your work, but you get to
ask questions, meet and begin relationships with important photo world people. And that’s what it’s about—cultivating
relationships to get information and a chance to make a personal connection
with someone who might further your career.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">So the question remains: Why weren’t there more
photographers from <b>New York</b> at this festival? If you weren’t going to <b>LOOK3</b>, why didn’t you go to
<b>Boston</b>? If your own city doesn’t
have anything worthwhile to attend, why not hop the train and hear some
fantastic speakers, see interesting work, and hang out with other
photographers?</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">It’s important to put a lot of effort into growing and
sustaining a career, and smart photographers will take any opportunity they can
to learn, to pick up tips, to meet others and to ask questions of those in the
know. <b>FlashForward</b> was a great
opportunity to do all those things.
For those of us who love photography it was a wonderful four days.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">I will be blogging more about the talks and panels I
attended at <b>FlashForward</b>, and since they were streamed, as soon as I know
they’ve been archived on the <b>Magenta Foundation</b> site, I’ll post about that.</span></div>
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<br /></div>Stella Kramerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13106185614529401218noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1041653883381721577.post-41885211990843219662012-05-28T14:10:00.000-04:002012-06-25T17:44:20.242-04:00Making the Hard Choices<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj48bAnSX5O9PaMm2lFLbpCx7wupOc599NsMf2yyUL483xySTJyyciU96_v3oTrQAY11rElfrBy2WO4Vj6CaTsIF7RwSvE6ELRFMUkhDXXZRIu_R1i9HxzaPRR-8DYTd2lqh3xtVEBRKBMl/s1600/Picture+17.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj48bAnSX5O9PaMm2lFLbpCx7wupOc599NsMf2yyUL483xySTJyyciU96_v3oTrQAY11rElfrBy2WO4Vj6CaTsIF7RwSvE6ELRFMUkhDXXZRIu_R1i9HxzaPRR-8DYTd2lqh3xtVEBRKBMl/s320/Picture+17.png" width="265" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">We’ve all had to make choices in life, make compromises,
especially when it comes to work.
When I was a freelance photo editor I worked for a couple of
publications I didn’t really respect early in my career. But it was a paycheck and I was
grateful for that.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">The biggest difference between the freelance work I did and
the freelance work of a photographer is that my work had an expiration
date. When the magazine was
published, I was done and on to the next issue. It’s different for a photographer in that the work lives on
and can be used (and sold) again and again. And that’s where you really make your money—being able to
resell your photos.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">The issues brought up by duckrabbitblog in relation to
the work of <b>Ron Haviv</b> have been discussed and written about quite well, first <a href="http://duckrabbit.info/blog/2012/05/vii-photo-agency-ron-haviv-and-the-worlds-two-largest-arms-producers/%29">here</a>, and <a href="http://jmcolberg.com/weblog/2012/05/quality_journalism_photography_and_integrity/">here</a>, then <a href="http://www.bagnewsnotes.com/2012/05/war-enabling-duckrabbit-vs-haviv-vii-in-a-larger-context/">here</a>. It's also been discussed both on Facebook and Twitter. </span></span>But the larger issue to me is this: Should photographers set
parameters for who can use their work and where it can appear?</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Not being a photographer I don’t l know the feasibility or
reality of what you can and can’t do.
When buying stocks people frequently let their broker know they don’t
want particular stocks in their portfolio (alcohol, or tobacco, or military,
etc.). During the time I worked
for magazines, photographers were often giving instructions about what could
and could not be done to their images.
Sometimes it was no cropping, sometimes no text could be on the images,
and sometimes there were other limitations.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">So I wondered when looking at <b>Ron Haviv</b>’s
work in question (above and below)</span></span><span style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">, did he make those same limits known to whoever sells his
stock? </span></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">In his response, <b>Ron</b> says: <i>”</i></span><span style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><i>I
draw a strict line between my photojournalism and commercial campaigns and
feature examples of both on my website, where they are clearly labeled for what
they are. I support humanitarian intervention, detente and defense as
I’ve seen what can happen when those things don’t exist. I am
comfortable with where I set the boundaries. I also appreciate and respect
that there are many different views about where those boundaries lie.”</i></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">So my question to you is this: Have you decided not just what jobs to take, but whom you
will resell your work to?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Taken at face value, it’s hard to criticize or take issue
with <b>Ron</b>. He’s about as respected
a photojournalist as you will find.
He’s been around the globe, in dangerous situations, and he’s brought
back illuminating work that has helped to give us better understanding of the
world. But that’s why I think it’s
important to go deeper.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">I know we all need to make money, and everyone is trying to
figure out how to sustain his or her livelihood when everything seems to be
imploding around us. But shouldn’t
we take control of what we are doing and what we have, setting rules for what
we will and will not do?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">And isn’t there a disconnect when we espouse certain
beliefs, but then turn around and move the goalposts when money comes into the
picture? I am not claiming to be
perfect, and I am not expecting people to have a greater set of standards than
I have. And I empathize with those
who come up against the moral dilemmas again and again. But shouldn’t clarity and transparency
be a part of the dialogue? We
expect it with the media outlets, we are made more aware of it recently due to the
<b>Occupy</b> movement, so at what point do we pose those uncomfortable questions to
ourselves? </span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>Stella Kramerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13106185614529401218noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1041653883381721577.post-43816119531778487392012-05-17T22:43:00.000-04:002012-06-14T16:11:27.664-04:00The Reefing of the USS Radford<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMccHtpMuyCdS0Fy4ZDgMPCxReXOx-LU-FbKa0R7Z8rtRlCOpUpHUKIrxUmRZ-8LF3ovsrdeI4ZtYvYGLPhAynjQxTrBfThR-1XFWgxIs0zJ0Ln8eelFgSvjj8-B8XqCKcJQ7nc97iLzTV/s1600/110810_USS_RADFORD_1724.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMccHtpMuyCdS0Fy4ZDgMPCxReXOx-LU-FbKa0R7Z8rtRlCOpUpHUKIrxUmRZ-8LF3ovsrdeI4ZtYvYGLPhAynjQxTrBfThR-1XFWgxIs0zJ0Ln8eelFgSvjj8-B8XqCKcJQ7nc97iLzTV/s400/110810_USS_RADFORD_1724.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
With his third solo show, “<b>The Reefing of USS Radford</b>,” opening tomorrow night at <a href="http://www.frontroom.org/">The Front Room Gallery</a>, <b>Stephen Mallon</b> once again brings us photographs of something we don’t usually see. This time it’s a decommissioned Navy ship being dismantled and sunk for use as an underwater eco system for underwater life.
As part of his ongoing series “<b>American Reclamation</b>” <b>Mallon</b> gives us a look at the incredible breadth of these former battleships, and what it takes to rip apart a ship 563 feet long.
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw83bWb-iiOTtst_RZ1moJXfZ_0UD6xfkLecjeL2DEI5RpaHNh5l8lTByj_reexvwQrTrwYx6aOnfQeTRS7TKVR5iF8nlMCNJaZvXdewFoTkqHrT9EeTQPOk5AyC_i_8JX4s1Uma0JVPpw/s1600/110614USS_radford0933.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw83bWb-iiOTtst_RZ1moJXfZ_0UD6xfkLecjeL2DEI5RpaHNh5l8lTByj_reexvwQrTrwYx6aOnfQeTRS7TKVR5iF8nlMCNJaZvXdewFoTkqHrT9EeTQPOk5AyC_i_8JX4s1Uma0JVPpw/s400/110614USS_radford0933.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
What I love about <b>Mallon</b>'s work is it's grandeur. It's little child in the big world sense of wonderment. You just know that he has as much fun shooting as I have looking at the photographs.
So go tomorrow night and see these wonderful photographs of water and steel.
You can almost hear the splash as the ship goes down.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5B6cNbmIINnzy-cITxU6IBIaTB11BsmSzezPUUrn-nDKYBQJzlIoImxavDmpPZSt7v0z2VmeMngZMc7jK9K1dMdM983YPObDfQVQopFq9PHL8imivbYGjJQZZEWxH0MpXKtHiDaFGzbvJ/s1600/110810_USS_RADFORD_1761.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5B6cNbmIINnzy-cITxU6IBIaTB11BsmSzezPUUrn-nDKYBQJzlIoImxavDmpPZSt7v0z2VmeMngZMc7jK9K1dMdM983YPObDfQVQopFq9PHL8imivbYGjJQZZEWxH0MpXKtHiDaFGzbvJ/s400/110810_USS_RADFORD_1761.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Stella Kramerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13106185614529401218noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1041653883381721577.post-67011715176085779572012-04-16T10:45:00.010-04:002012-04-16T11:35:38.102-04:00Tim Hetherington at Yossi Milo<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifjIe8F3zAUGfU9-0wslmWVSAR2xpOXAVBLCHwWtKA2Qp9NdejxiqiUiogyre7pKZkcBrMaz42-ErCvb_yxXcqKO3xzo2anOSGIcIyTTMEdN4x1uOHlOMZpYkrudbuv2VW888YruNWgGpu/s1600/%252871%2529+Untitled+Liberia%252C+2003.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifjIe8F3zAUGfU9-0wslmWVSAR2xpOXAVBLCHwWtKA2Qp9NdejxiqiUiogyre7pKZkcBrMaz42-ErCvb_yxXcqKO3xzo2anOSGIcIyTTMEdN4x1uOHlOMZpYkrudbuv2VW888YruNWgGpu/s400/%252871%2529+Untitled+Liberia%252C+2003.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5732015944386715986" /></a><br />Tim Hetherington<br />Untitled, Liberia, 2003 Digital C-print<br />(c) Tim Hetherington, Courtesy Yossi Milo Gallery, New York<br /><br />It is almost exactly a year since <span style="font-weight:bold;">Tim Hetherington</span> and <span style="font-weight:bold;">Chris Hondros</span> were killed in <span style="font-weight:bold;">Misrata, Libya</span>. The passage of time is always somewhat of a surprise, even as we are powerless to affect it. The first exhibit of Tim’s work at <a href="http://www.yossimilo.com/">Yossi Milo</a> has just opened, and it was definitely the place to be last week.<br /><br />The show is divided into work from <span style="font-weight:bold;">Liberia</span> (in the front room) and <span style="font-weight:bold;">Afghanistan</span> in the back. The work is large, the prints sharp, and the overwhelming sense is of a photographer just reaching his stride. <span style="font-style:italic;">“When someone dies, they die midsentence,”</span> said his mother, Judith. That is so evident when you look at Tim's work, and I don't mean just his photos, but his films as well. Both <span style="font-weight:bold;">Restrepo</span> and <span style="font-weight:bold;">Sleeping Soldiers</span> bring war and the men who fight it to us in a way that is so personal, so without pretense, that we are brought closer to the humanity we might have forgotten.<br /><br />The <span style="font-weight:bold;">Liberia</span> work as shown doesn’t have the cohesion that the <span style="font-weight:bold;">Afghanistan</span> work has. There are some marvelous images, but it seems more unfocused. This is more due to the image choices, then the work itself. The selection of images are only linked by location, and so as wonderful as they are, their impact is lessened. We don't know why Tim was there, or what he covered. For those who don't know about the country and <span style="font-weight:bold;">Tim'</span>s experience there it is hard to see a thread running through this part of the exhibit..<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnvvbAIHVKC44v0WFipb4jyDHgbkAMxOG6qYTLIjl1qYPHt-EFgeP1C4yPKTYRlNTEWV1LapMVW2U8cCBMaCNuNu2srKGDm0pQY_nsk-tt81jEl05-kM82-YbV5rz4y2wRieJY0HfkaIdf/s1600/%2528119%2529+Untitled%252C+Liberia%252C+2005_no+border.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnvvbAIHVKC44v0WFipb4jyDHgbkAMxOG6qYTLIjl1qYPHt-EFgeP1C4yPKTYRlNTEWV1LapMVW2U8cCBMaCNuNu2srKGDm0pQY_nsk-tt81jEl05-kM82-YbV5rz4y2wRieJY0HfkaIdf/s400/%2528119%2529+Untitled%252C+Liberia%252C+2005_no+border.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5732013057372836002" /></a><br />Tim Hetherington<br />Untitled, Liberia, 2005 Digital C-print<br />(c) Tim Hetherington, Courtesy Yossi Milo Gallery, New York<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTF3QYTL7lrgHTpuimUDYxT_-JqLCYBj9xKGG_o7sCkAAwlRmCFO8MxJ7A03GGhugDrDjioHAKgsoExbVHF1ErFe7XHSR14ZxzO0MYizCNSJdOGjL6roAGtdRa8UYnhjmUFYqJj436gVxB/s1600/%252889%2529+Untitled%252C+Liberia+2004.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 399px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTF3QYTL7lrgHTpuimUDYxT_-JqLCYBj9xKGG_o7sCkAAwlRmCFO8MxJ7A03GGhugDrDjioHAKgsoExbVHF1ErFe7XHSR14ZxzO0MYizCNSJdOGjL6roAGtdRa8UYnhjmUFYqJj436gVxB/s400/%252889%2529+Untitled%252C+Liberia+2004.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5732013576139505554" /></a><br />Tim Hetherington<br />Untitled, Liberia, 2004 Digital C-print<br />(c) Tim Hetherington, Courtesy Yossi Milo Gallery, New York<br /><br />But it is obvious that in <span style="font-weight:bold;">Afghanistan</span> <span style="font-weight:bold;">Tim</span> found himself. His desire to get to the core of the men and the war is so evident, and the photos so alive, you can imagine <span style="font-weight:bold;">Tim</span> there taking the photos. There is such a tenderness in those photos, not just because they capture these young men at their most vulnerable, but because you can feel <span style="font-weight:bold;">Tim</span>’s heart. That’s how strongly the experience is imprinted.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6PmEcQG35FCrNTbQlkjwL4EK9p5PtOHDe22xGDW9HBWY8TLq5rpYx1UJP36ajKDvD_2i2CWPHX9Kn1n7NtS4z__DqXWUnMzTRp3H-sqM8xDvGKPY7Wsk41niCNeaiGc8lp_ZqJI4-EYPU/s1600/%2528127%2529+Untitled%252C+Korengal+Valley%252C++Kunar+Province%252C+Afghanistan%252C+2008.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 266px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6PmEcQG35FCrNTbQlkjwL4EK9p5PtOHDe22xGDW9HBWY8TLq5rpYx1UJP36ajKDvD_2i2CWPHX9Kn1n7NtS4z__DqXWUnMzTRp3H-sqM8xDvGKPY7Wsk41niCNeaiGc8lp_ZqJI4-EYPU/s400/%2528127%2529+Untitled%252C+Korengal+Valley%252C++Kunar+Province%252C+Afghanistan%252C+2008.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5732014830547951394" /></a><br />Tim Hetherington<br />Untitled, Korengal Valley, Kunar Province, Afghanistan, 2008 Digital C-print (c) Tim Hetherington, Courtesy Yossi Milo Gallery, New York<br /><br />Walking into the back room where the <span style="font-weight:bold;">Afghanistan</span> photos are I am stopped by the shocking intimacy of the <span style="font-weight:bold;">Restrepo</span> work, especially the sleeping soldiers. As I look at the photo of the men fooling around I can still see <span style="font-weight:bold;">Tim</span>—imagine him there. That’s how strongly the experience is imprinted.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcweQnP1rg-AcGMouBLOvpe8QDElUpCGaj6FXqYl9hB2jyRDGkWRVH4xmMQ1Qm25Fa0DXk3Ec2QzHhwq80eMRT6XNgaj7g9iNFCAbIv3xfiAoHKMjEK73khWp9jtMGGJWDhrc-DXGp4H9k/s1600/%2528220%2529+Alcantara%252C+Korengal+Valley%252C++Kunar+Province%252C+Afghanistan%252C+2008.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcweQnP1rg-AcGMouBLOvpe8QDElUpCGaj6FXqYl9hB2jyRDGkWRVH4xmMQ1Qm25Fa0DXk3Ec2QzHhwq80eMRT6XNgaj7g9iNFCAbIv3xfiAoHKMjEK73khWp9jtMGGJWDhrc-DXGp4H9k/s400/%2528220%2529+Alcantara%252C+Korengal+Valley%252C++Kunar+Province%252C+Afghanistan%252C+2008.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5732016632396823986" /></a><br />Tim Hetherington<br />Alcantara, Korengal Valley, Kunar Province, Afghanistan, 2008 Digital C-print (c) Tim Hetherington, Courtesy Yossi Milo Gallery, New York<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghGmq2tvbnbKghwLQi4AGW0RsSZ864MvsExkHkI8a12_l-Bx-HSIFX8x6hTLkHW0MPzqDTNCEaivuSNV1kv-OpDqG6OhPCJ78eFK88-A4vdI0xsjDXlflaEvv5aAL1azL4sFLzd_yUYsee/s1600/%2528228%2529+Kelso%252C+Korengal+Valley%252C++Kunar+Province%252C+Afghanistan%252C+2008.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghGmq2tvbnbKghwLQi4AGW0RsSZ864MvsExkHkI8a12_l-Bx-HSIFX8x6hTLkHW0MPzqDTNCEaivuSNV1kv-OpDqG6OhPCJ78eFK88-A4vdI0xsjDXlflaEvv5aAL1azL4sFLzd_yUYsee/s400/%2528228%2529+Kelso%252C+Korengal+Valley%252C++Kunar+Province%252C+Afghanistan%252C+2008.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5732016809020728722" /></a><br />Tim Hetherington<br />Kelso, Korengal Valley, Kunar Province, Afghanistan, 2008 Digital C-print (c) Tim Hetherington, Courtesy Yossi Milo Gallery, New York<br /><br />Hung as though we are looking at men in childhood bunk beds, the impact of the work is heightened. I am once again struck by how young they all seem, and by how close they are to each other. There is a physical intimacy between the soldiers that you don't usually see in photos. But that is part of <span style="font-weight:bold;">Tim</span>'s gift: his ability to become one with his subjects, and so they let him into their world. <span style="font-weight:bold;">Tim</span> held the door opened and allowed us to enter a world we are not a part of. That was one of <span style="font-weight:bold;">Tim</span>'s gifts.<br /><br />Like all artists, Tim Hetherington's work outlives him. For that I am grateful, but the loss is even more keen because of the unique way in which he viewed the world, and because of his fierce desire to peel back the obvious to show us the base from which the actions and emotions sprang.<br /><br />I miss <span style="font-weight:bold;">Tim Hetherington</span> for who he was and for the promise of what was still to come.Stella Kramerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13106185614529401218noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1041653883381721577.post-44442168040670147632012-04-10T09:08:00.001-04:002012-04-10T09:08:00.029-04:00Between Despair and Determination Is…..?It isn’t easy building and maintaining a creative career these days. The competition is fierce, the online noise deafening, and the energy it takes superhuman for many of us. When it all becomes too much to deal with, what do you do?<br /><br />In navigating the choppy waters of livelihood, it’s important to grab whatever you can to work on. Taken piece by piece you can sometimes avoid the paralysis that comes with feeling overwhelmed. For me, that means sitting down and making a master list of what has to get done. I admit it, I <span style="font-style:italic;">LOVE</span> lists. Or rather I love crossing things off lists. Gives me a great feeling of satisfaction.<br /><br />Once I have the master list, I always see that there are different parts to it. It may be that there are immediate and long-range things, or it may be that there are business-related things and personal things. But once it’s down on paper (and yes, I still use paper and pen), the ball of confusion starts to break up, and I get the desire to do something.<br /><br />The next thing I do is prioritize. I once read you should not have a list of more than three things to do each day, or you will get overwhelmed. I found that what works for me is making lists for each day of the week, so I don’t dread what I have to do, and each day I can move forward.<br /><br />But sometimes an added problem is sitting in front of my computer for too long. It tires me out, muddles my thinking and doesn’t allow me to focus (there are FB posts! And email! And Twitter! And things to read! What to do, what to do?). If I could, I would attach an ejector button to my chair to force me out of the house. I find comfort in nature, and even in New York I am lucky to see trees outside my window. There are two little parks near me where the tulips are in bloom, the cherry blossoms full, and I try to just be in the moment.<br /><br />When you work alone, it can make you crazy and longing for human interaction (I adore my cat, but she refuses to engage in conversation when I want it). That’s when it’s great that most people drink coffee, and I can make a date to meet with someone. Getting a different perspective on things is very helpful. Additionally, going to a gallery or museum, seeing a movie, even reading a book (the old fashioned way) can push me away from lethargy.<br /><br />I’m writing this because this has been a problem for me recently. And maybe writing about it will shake me free.Stella Kramerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13106185614529401218noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1041653883381721577.post-39465313693266123222012-04-02T13:56:00.011-04:002012-04-03T08:44:02.132-04:00This is AIPAD 2012<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqtmdNPYxCg8yuFsGcZZS-QNY1K9x4mbxxXKK3dei8mQXWl_TAVqtOsnf83aWFI9HZDcm0wsYnMVGd7i1-Vnz9cfQ6d7Lnuy3WUdF7gAc-Cyvn05it93S_ydYyi6py7JEcUkNd9E3iQu-b/s1600/_DSF6538-2.jpeg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqtmdNPYxCg8yuFsGcZZS-QNY1K9x4mbxxXKK3dei8mQXWl_TAVqtOsnf83aWFI9HZDcm0wsYnMVGd7i1-Vnz9cfQ6d7Lnuy3WUdF7gAc-Cyvn05it93S_ydYyi6py7JEcUkNd9E3iQu-b/s400/_DSF6538-2.jpeg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5726866763070171810" border="0" /></a><br />Everyone’s been to <span style="font-weight: bold;">AIPAD</span> now, so time for the reviews to come in. I went twice, and felt overwhelmed at some point each time, but did come out with some thoughts I wanted to share.<br /><br />There was a lot more contemporary work this year, and while I appreciated seeing such wonderful work (and it was mostly wonderful), when I think back, it can’t have the gravitas of the vintage work that I love seeing. I pretty much hated the contemporary work last year. This year there were a number of standouts.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7tdQQoplLry-Ub3GZO1oQfueHcUqUBhOZEh1mC8FRoXmBftvu3PQJEjQWmsq7X00svnxc7NUJmpDP4Rt58NqwUdzePdyMREaNA2DsId_IDcwKIVhcukQNyHR3K5Wrx2XING8fxaXHwYsj/s1600/_DSF6542-2.jpeg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7tdQQoplLry-Ub3GZO1oQfueHcUqUBhOZEh1mC8FRoXmBftvu3PQJEjQWmsq7X00svnxc7NUJmpDP4Rt58NqwUdzePdyMREaNA2DsId_IDcwKIVhcukQNyHR3K5Wrx2XING8fxaXHwYsj/s400/_DSF6542-2.jpeg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5726869973332591202" border="0" /></a><br />Entering the exhibition, you stare directly at large format C-prints of <a href="http://www.timhetherington.com/">Tim Hetherington</a>’s “<span style="font-weight: bold;">Sleeping Soldiers</span>,” and 2 other prints of his soldier projects. To the right is an exceptional print of a man in a small Liberian boat, drifting past a rusted hunk of large ship. So amazing seeing it as a large print. <span style="font-weight: bold;">Hetherington</span>’s images all had an almost Rembrandt color palette that was very strong and emotional.<br /><a href="http://www.yossimilo.com/">Yossi Milo</a> represents his estate and will be opening a show on April 12. I’m really looking forward to it.<br /><br />To the left when you enter is a wall full of <a href="http://www.accrashepp.com/">Accra Shepp</a>’s “<span style="font-weight: bold;">Occupy Wall Street</span>" portraits. There were 36 of them in a grid. And they were perfectly juxtaposed with <span style="font-weight: bold;">Ernest Wither</span>’s photo of the Memphis sanitation workers “<span style="font-weight: bold;">I AM A Man</span>” march in 1968. <a href="http://www.stevenkasher.com/html/home.asp">Steven Kasher</a> made a very strong statement there.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixG4SD__nTDVg4a3fJkDm-_0CxQ_vSAE0Wufujt51PEEqbmbancrRUExTY1MuNbRloF95ycWllTUgR51EDC6RQaPyb_QymjEOBM4sjTINHWMYRXbENp9MJyOo-2YESvjPOzNw6fj-ugc8e/s1600/DSC01957.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixG4SD__nTDVg4a3fJkDm-_0CxQ_vSAE0Wufujt51PEEqbmbancrRUExTY1MuNbRloF95ycWllTUgR51EDC6RQaPyb_QymjEOBM4sjTINHWMYRXbENp9MJyOo-2YESvjPOzNw6fj-ugc8e/s400/DSC01957.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5726870210085023458" border="0" /></a><br />Playing the “What would I buy if I had the money?” game, here are my choices:<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Tim Hetherington</span>—the Liberia image or one of the sleeping soldiers.<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Ernest Withers</span><br />Anything by <span style="font-weight: bold;">Bill Eppridge</span> at the <a href="http://www.monroegallery.com/">Monroe Gallery</a>, maybe the anguished <span style="font-weight: bold;">Medgar Evers</span> family after his murder.<br />One of <a href="http://katherinewolkoff.com/">Katherine Wolkoff</a>’s bird silhouettes "<span style="font-weight: bold;">Found</span>"(I loved everything at <a href="http://sashawolf.com/">Sasha Wolf</a>’s booth)<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWF-1lEXWwWN2u2f7ghIPvPJrbJkW5VPGOvqGq-C1tVjtI6bUHUIQD5aA6rCMARK7Jqy0R_chwrCRwGr2zpLcxZj9T_wkvly0fJEgzhG9lvFbAYn0hDEM6hkK91GMwQXAMzy6iEzZjaDCK/s1600/_DSF6545-2.jpeg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWF-1lEXWwWN2u2f7ghIPvPJrbJkW5VPGOvqGq-C1tVjtI6bUHUIQD5aA6rCMARK7Jqy0R_chwrCRwGr2zpLcxZj9T_wkvly0fJEgzhG9lvFbAYn0hDEM6hkK91GMwQXAMzy6iEzZjaDCK/s400/_DSF6545-2.jpeg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5726870419204332002" border="0" /></a><br />One of <span style="font-weight: bold;">Michael Wolf</span>’s voyeuristic Japan subway photos.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtviH9_B7A4Qj9m3soDfjngYxqO4K6x_eRsrwUT6g1aJvx2UJlH3rcaSMUK9tzDfgF6tK49zP-lf3GTAcvg_uZ-y2IQ2fIwIZXyVOgcX8e4J7y50wD-bwrtFMVbEOUEmR-KxTv05KbcNsC/s1600/_DSF6548-2.jpeg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtviH9_B7A4Qj9m3soDfjngYxqO4K6x_eRsrwUT6g1aJvx2UJlH3rcaSMUK9tzDfgF6tK49zP-lf3GTAcvg_uZ-y2IQ2fIwIZXyVOgcX8e4J7y50wD-bwrtFMVbEOUEmR-KxTv05KbcNsC/s400/_DSF6548-2.jpeg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5726870646469902866" border="0" /></a><br />I also loved <span style="font-weight: bold;">Emily Roysdon</span>'s “<a href="http://emilyroysdon.com/index.php?/projects/untitled-david-wojnarowicz-project/">David Wojnarowicz Project</a>" at <span style="font-weight: bold;">Higher Learning</span>. It was fresh, clever and well executed. The small B&W images really spoke to me.<br /><br />I was pleasantly surprised to see work by so many photographers I knew, including <span style="font-weight: bold;">Nina Berman</span>, <span style="font-weight: bold;">Laurie Lambrecht</span>, <span style="font-weight: bold;">Sandi Fifield</span>, <span style="font-weight:bold;">Martine Fougeron</span>, and <span style="font-weight: bold;">Justine Reyes</span>. <a href="http://www.johncyrphotography.com/">John Cyr</a>’s developing tray project was there as well, and looked really good on the walls.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFyLH5jxINHFBpacwdYMT8yW55Yn2KsRlpSFdyKH9BmMAYzNKNNhQkWFhiQ3DbnGtHI63zgxtK54eZ9fTWxUZKILP922FA4nNwv1floPbDDdXk6iq6Rv_b-F1AIfo-3YdFKYaS3YOqL59C/s1600/DSC01961.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 324px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFyLH5jxINHFBpacwdYMT8yW55Yn2KsRlpSFdyKH9BmMAYzNKNNhQkWFhiQ3DbnGtHI63zgxtK54eZ9fTWxUZKILP922FA4nNwv1floPbDDdXk6iq6Rv_b-F1AIfo-3YdFKYaS3YOqL59C/s400/DSC01961.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5726871137436587922" border="0" /></a><br />Now in the end I don’t know how successful this year’s <span style="font-weight: bold;">AIPAD</span> was for the galleries, but I saw many people, and enjoyed myself. It seemed fresher than last year, but I'm a real sucker for the vintage work, and that seemed to take a back seat. I'm on the fence about that. <span style="font-weight: bold;">AIPAD</span> is exhausting, and when it’s over, I find I need a break from photography.<br /><br />If money was no object, what would <span style="font-weight: bold;">YOU</span> buy?<br /><br />Photos by Jason Florio.Stella Kramerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13106185614529401218noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1041653883381721577.post-87051967109219262632012-03-12T14:29:00.008-04:002012-03-16T19:22:34.231-04:00Cindy Sherman Doesn't Thrill Me<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheL0ul0lFM62HTxdxAcgtwGS9tMNN3uSPJQkfBROgbRQx9EqTQF_UGLyrfXC2h6hOiY8VCrYy8AYhdLUHviRoNHbMulcSBR5jklWdZU23Tn9byTc8lPi1WXYU4wg34odn0aNlkrDh7OuvM/s1600/moma_sherman2012_untitled425.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 316px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheL0ul0lFM62HTxdxAcgtwGS9tMNN3uSPJQkfBROgbRQx9EqTQF_UGLyrfXC2h6hOiY8VCrYy8AYhdLUHviRoNHbMulcSBR5jklWdZU23Tn9byTc8lPi1WXYU4wg34odn0aNlkrDh7OuvM/s400/moma_sherman2012_untitled425.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5719080054538660210" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(36, 36, 36); line-height: 19px; font-family:'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:78%;">Cindy Sherman. Untitled #425. 2004. Chromogenic color print, 70 3/4″ x 7′ 5 3/4″ (179.7 x 228 cm). Courtesy the artist and Metro Pictures, New York © 2012 Cindy Sherman</span></span><br /><br />Clowns? Really? You’ve got to be kidding.<br /><br />I’ll say it right here, right now: I don’t like <span style="font-weight:bold;">Cindy Sherman</span>’s work.<br /><br />Wait, let me say that more clearly: I don’t like <span style="font-style:italic;">MOST</span> of<span style="font-weight:bold;"> Cindy Sherman</span>’s work. And I definitely don’t see her as some kind of brilliant artist. Maybe she was once, when she was just starting out.<br /><br />The Museum of Modern Art in New York just opened a retrospective of <span style="font-weight:bold;">Cindy Sherman</span> that will run until June 11. It’s a chance to see her beginning and development into one of the most successful photographers alive. Not only is her work eminently collectible, she is now holds the record as the photographer whose work has sold for the most money.<br /><br />I walked through the exhibit twice in order to really get a feeling for the work and to clarify my feelings about it all. Here goes...<br /><br />The show is hung chronologically, which allows you to see how revolutionary <span style="font-weight:bold;">Sherman</span>’s work was when it first showed in the mid to late 1970s. That was a time of all sorts of new art, including punk music. In that way she fits in perfectly with the energy of the times. Her explorations of identity (in black & white) really resonate and seem so fresh and smart even now.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2ppCuKcgXcv2pTgFtRl866dvQs4OL-9Ne5EQ57MaiiVqqs8JzHVzNXff_-Yxw6J_NpJzl7RifpKv8l9zfp1SgUAPiZTLoI-fZGR9iHPKPSGb0J9i1FPEsCZBYXaZrR8YXgDkVrHhwOjSH/s1600/moma_sherman2012_untitledfilmstill6.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 275px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2ppCuKcgXcv2pTgFtRl866dvQs4OL-9Ne5EQ57MaiiVqqs8JzHVzNXff_-Yxw6J_NpJzl7RifpKv8l9zfp1SgUAPiZTLoI-fZGR9iHPKPSGb0J9i1FPEsCZBYXaZrR8YXgDkVrHhwOjSH/s400/moma_sherman2012_untitledfilmstill6.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5719080660831521826" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:78%;">Cindy Sherman. Untitled Film Still #6. 1977. Gelatin silver print, 9 7/16 x 6 1/2_ (24 x 16.5 cm). The Museum of Modern Art, New York. Acquired through the generosity of Jo Carole and Ronald S. Lauder in memory of Eugene M. Schwartz © 2012 Cindy Sherman</span><br /><br /><div>Identity is the subject of so much art, including every college students’ work. So even though I have seen it repeated over and over, there are few photographers I feel really nail something deep. <span style="font-weight:bold;">Cindy Sherman</span>’s work from 1975-1981, which includes her “<span style="font-weight:bold;">Untitled Film Stills<span style="font-style:italic;"></span></span>,” does exactly that: it throws all the stereotypical views of women in our society right back into our faces. And she was one of the only photographers doing it in those days.<br /><br />From damsels in distress to secretaries to sexpots, it’s all there and I was honestly blown away. I didn’t think I would like anything I saw. I was wrong.<br /><br />It was early in the 1980s when <span style="font-weight:bold;">Sherman</span> began her move to color film. And it was also when she began to create the personas we have all come to know. First she photographed herself in costume against projected landscapes. Then she was commissioned to “re-create” images from men’s “erotic” magazines. This is where she began to lose me. The images are nothing like what they are “supposed” to be, and I find them mundane. Yet as a former photo editor I can see the allure in having this new photographer explore the topic. For me it falls very flat, as if <span style="font-weight:bold;">Sherman</span> couldn’t really stretch herself to turn the idea on its head.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLsuK3Rygdc4nPsgFUkyCcuPz2UGgZ5TD5Bl6TdQL-7HFJotjzPXfur5l2RxQXVBjvLCyWZfaY02djfIUMxWWxYdw1yZCT0dm8FgXzInJ4mnNCU86WfUE3NCXL6LqE-QKJppPM_3sFP6uE/s1600/moma_sherman2012_untitled96.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLsuK3Rygdc4nPsgFUkyCcuPz2UGgZ5TD5Bl6TdQL-7HFJotjzPXfur5l2RxQXVBjvLCyWZfaY02djfIUMxWWxYdw1yZCT0dm8FgXzInJ4mnNCU86WfUE3NCXL6LqE-QKJppPM_3sFP6uE/s400/moma_sherman2012_untitled96.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5719080981602766306" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(36, 36, 36); line-height: 19px; font-family:'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:78%;">Cindy Sherman. Untitled #96. 1981. Chromogenic color print, 24 x 47 15/16″ (61 x 121.9 cm). The Museum of Modern Art, New York. Gift of Carl D. Lobell © 2012 Cindy Sherman</span></span><br /><br /></div><div>In the mid-1980s into the early 1990s <span style="font-weight:bold;">Sherman</span> turned her attentions and productions to fairy tales, the Masters, sex and deconstruction. Who cares? This is when she really began to alter her own appearance to create vaguely recognizable people in large format. I mean what can I say about a room full of large color portraits of people who might be seen in a <span style="font-weight:bold;">Rembrandt</span> painting? For me it is crass and looks really cheap.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMC8ERc4YsoKH9UCmDu4VpaE_FlFfnmgAd4iK8Ygsxj089KOAhn6lphHOkpMJ06dlivXOBxuwInqCGWvlGM9hrGG0h4noqa-1450k6SWshEdvVOPGsRfzmcwWVAd0APmPE5syqX9Frvdxj/s1600/moma_sherman2012_untitled213.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 321px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMC8ERc4YsoKH9UCmDu4VpaE_FlFfnmgAd4iK8Ygsxj089KOAhn6lphHOkpMJ06dlivXOBxuwInqCGWvlGM9hrGG0h4noqa-1450k6SWshEdvVOPGsRfzmcwWVAd0APmPE5syqX9Frvdxj/s400/moma_sherman2012_untitled213.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5719083490647224738" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(36, 36, 36); line-height: 19px; font-family:'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:78%;">Cindy Sherman. Untitled #213. 1989. Chromogenic color print, 41 1/2 x 33″ (105.4 x 83.8 cm). Courtesy the artist and Metro Pictures, New York © 2012 Cindy Sherman</span></span><br /><br /></div><div>I do find it interesting that the museum alludes to her work with sex toys, yet barely shows any of them.<br /><br />It was also during this time that <span style="font-weight:bold;">Sherman</span> created a series of ‘fashion” photos, and as stated by the museum, <span style="font-style:italic;">“challenge(d) the industry’s conventions of beauty and grace.”</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Sherman</span> photographs herself as a burn victim, as what looks like a crazy woman all the time wearing very expensive designer clothing. But I ask you, isn’t there another level to turning conventions on their head than too skinny models at one end of the spectrum and <span style="font-weight:bold;">Sherman</span>’s overly ugly women? It seems to me as if she is taking each chance to do something new, and just shoe horning her work into it. Why is this so different than shooting a fashion spread in a slum area? Both characterizations hover on the surface without diving deeper into why it matters at all.<br /><br />And how is a stereotype turned on its head by making herself, and consequently the women she looks to portray, as ugly as she can. I’m not talking about standardized beauty, but it seems she goes out of her way to make herself uglier and uglier for some purpose that eludes me.<br /><br />So <span style="font-weight:bold;">Sherman</span> moves on into the 2000s and that is where the clowns first appear. Holy hell. Am I supposed to take this seriously? It makes me think of<span style="font-weight:bold;"> Jeff Koons</span> and his porno sculptures with his then wife, Ilona Staller. Or <span style="font-weight:bold;">Damien Hirst</span> and his suspended dead cow. Is the point just to show that you can make people fall for anything and spend big bucks in the process? Wow, banality rules. What a surprise.<br /><br />If it wasn’t bad enough that I felt I was seeing an artist becoming more and more irrelevant as her work progressed and she became more successful, I can’t understand why the photographs are so very large. The bigger they get, the more irrelevant they seem to me. It’s as if you print large just because you can (and of course you can charge more at that size), not because it’s warranted.<br /><br />And so her most recent work, gigantic portraits of rich women not only do nothing for me, they hardly “presage(d) the financial collapse,” as the museum states. I just see more ugly women in photographs that are printed way too large. The colors are so saturated that they render them garish.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZZxfVnF9XTyyzI2LtXQbEHo1keQ8gvlGylXtqpMjBwg8NN2bMU94hU8toaWJEt0-R1ve6svqjg3PBdhy3D7_lIzpJXB-Lgr31h-gx4KfT2SAjAzbl8cHNKB5DO8pOVCvkDulpzEZpaPnz/s1600/moma_sherman2012_untitled466.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 264px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZZxfVnF9XTyyzI2LtXQbEHo1keQ8gvlGylXtqpMjBwg8NN2bMU94hU8toaWJEt0-R1ve6svqjg3PBdhy3D7_lIzpJXB-Lgr31h-gx4KfT2SAjAzbl8cHNKB5DO8pOVCvkDulpzEZpaPnz/s400/moma_sherman2012_untitled466.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5719082539244777698" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:78%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(36, 36, 36); line-height: 19px; font-family:'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif;">Cindy Sherman. Untitled #466. 2008. Chromogenic color print, 8′ 6″ x 70″ (259.1 x 177.8 cm). The Museum of Modern Art, New York. Acquired through the generosity of Robert B. Menschel in honor of Jerry I. Speyer. © 2012 Cindy Sherman </span><br /></span>I couldn’t help thinking as I wandered through this exhibit about people who adore <span style="font-weight:bold;">Madonna</span>, thinking she somehow empowers women by changing her persona thus challenging stereotypes. That’s what this exhibit wants you to believe about <span style="font-weight:bold;">Sherman</span> as well. I don’t buy it. While <span style="font-weight:bold;">Madonna</span> always wants to be beautiful,<span style="font-weight:bold;"> Sherman</span> strives for ugliness. Yet both performers (yes, I said performers) choose an easily identifiable way of portraying women.<br /><br />I’m interested in women who look for the middle ground between what is offered to women by our male-dominated society, that being either being beautiful or being dismissed as ugly. I’m looking for women who turn convention on its head. Why can’t we set our own ideas of what women are, and why aren’t our artists leading the way?<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Sherman</span> reminds me of a band that releases one brilliant album with a dozen or so songs and then falls into endless mediocrity, doing basically the same thing over and over again because they can make a lot of money at it.<br /><br />Stop!<br /><br />You must be rich enough by now.<br /><br /></div>Stella Kramerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13106185614529401218noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1041653883381721577.post-10560934691785004632011-12-14T11:35:00.014-05:002011-12-14T12:50:42.148-05:00PhotoNOLA 2011 Wrap UpNow that I’ve settled back in at home I want to write about <a href="http://photonola.org/">PhotoNOLA</a>, one of the best photo festivals out there. It’s only a 3 hour flight from New York, so consider attending next year. You won’t be sorry.<br /><br />I was there for the first time in 2008, and this year was so much better for me. I felt much more engaged, and by now, many of the other reviewers, and some of the photographers are friends, so I had a wonderfully social time.<br /><br />I arrived Thursday for the fundraising gala, a party with fantastic food, music and great bargains on prints during the auction. It was my chance to hang out and meet new people while wishing I could own a lot of what was being sold.<br /><br />On Friday I was able to go to the <a href="http://www.auduboninstitute.org/visit/insectarium">Insectarium</a>, something I wasn’t able to do last time. I love insects, so it was a blast—I even got to eat some, which is something I wanted to do. The rest of the day was spent hanging out and eating, exactly what you expect to do in <span style="font-weight:bold;">New Orleans</span>.<br /><br />Saturday and Sunday were all-day portfolio reviews. I saw some fascinating work and had a chance to meet other professionals I hadn’t met before. I know there is a lot of debate as to the value of portfolio reviews. I think they can be wonderful: a chance for photographers to get fresh eyes on their work, a chance to get face-to-face sit downs with high quality professionals, and a chance to meet and talk with other photographers. Yes, it will cost money. But aren’t you and your career worth it?<br /><br />There are those who feel that reviews are a “pay for play” type situation, and you shouldn’t have to pay people to show them your work. I think it’s important to understand where that money goes. It goes to the organization that puts on the event (and putting together <span style="font-weight:bold;">PhotoNOLA</span> isn’t easy, and it isn’t cheap), and it goes to bringing the professionals to <span style="font-weight:bold;">New Orleans</span>. The reviewers are not paid, but their airfare and hotel are comped. I think that’s a pretty good deal all the way around.<br /><br />Now if a photographer isn’t ready to be reviewed (their work is not far enough along), or they are not prepared with good work that is well presented, and don’t have both the ability to talk about their work and to hear what the reviewer says to then, then yes, maybe the reviews are not a good idea. But since most photographers work alone, in a sort of creative vacuum (especially if they are not in big cities), there is so much to be gained that I can’t support the review process enough.<br /><br />Some of the work I saw that really stood out:<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Patty Carroll</span>’s study on domesticity:"<a href="http://www.pattycarroll.com/women.html">Anonymous Women</a>." <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkLF4VMYHIFRl-OdlbgWdoE0ubICs0LprsL5qdGgfCnzLZ6WaDsiNZ2o3j04SAYvURKMesz7TtEczjTKh5lZvjVW5lVcQuOdgR_B90Taw_1JycfOpq1aeLF72R0u8LKDish_98qLnv6kZ9/s1600/Picture+3.png"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 332px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkLF4VMYHIFRl-OdlbgWdoE0ubICs0LprsL5qdGgfCnzLZ6WaDsiNZ2o3j04SAYvURKMesz7TtEczjTKh5lZvjVW5lVcQuOdgR_B90Taw_1JycfOpq1aeLF72R0u8LKDish_98qLnv6kZ9/s400/Picture+3.png" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5686036578741537426" /></a><br /><a href="http://christopherchadbourne.com/">Christopher Chadbourne</a>’s "State Fair" <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGeDhv4x7ObvfYNwbs8x2Gj1fK4ds8y7DIP8u30yv0D5tDdxycWTaHzzzAFFhoU7FKtu3794zjuE_yR9V9DcCif8p7XB-CfHMbHdA_WNRKHtjVvn3sJinbAeNdnBC0u3MGivLSpRITZL7m/s1600/Picture+4.png"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 277px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGeDhv4x7ObvfYNwbs8x2Gj1fK4ds8y7DIP8u30yv0D5tDdxycWTaHzzzAFFhoU7FKtu3794zjuE_yR9V9DcCif8p7XB-CfHMbHdA_WNRKHtjVvn3sJinbAeNdnBC0u3MGivLSpRITZL7m/s400/Picture+4.png" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5686037036732265762" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.askew-view.com/project_viewer.php?page=dumpsites/dumpsites">Stephen Chalmers</a>’s landscapes of serial killer murder sites<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0pkBNajH7m5lY2ASBxNJ4_rSXfBUJMczwK_72uoOFDayUq-MK539I34-A4ZDO9BA4_BsnaLehJ7YjTdrrOXMBXALGWFWJMpQxH18UJY21h7uIwOEUC0O22fkngqm8L0BK3JlFFJYPnrfv/s1600/Picture+5.png"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 303px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0pkBNajH7m5lY2ASBxNJ4_rSXfBUJMczwK_72uoOFDayUq-MK539I34-A4ZDO9BA4_BsnaLehJ7YjTdrrOXMBXALGWFWJMpQxH18UJY21h7uIwOEUC0O22fkngqm8L0BK3JlFFJYPnrfv/s400/Picture+5.png" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5686037637810497522" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.lemephotography.com/portfolios/44791-small-town-2009">Alex Leme</a>’s small town America project <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKYI0pBoCjBTfEMy5yedNMGcU7gpqxI473oh_RrlYHD2u-xzR6vEmAOqyIoXmxb9IbDzdvh3zEZQ3K1DLu5eb4M_kBB0jmdFcexjzB8U-jjqqdkOY5JnNIpLIrdPwd3dcKl8A9cQlAZZgs/s1600/Picture+6.png"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 321px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKYI0pBoCjBTfEMy5yedNMGcU7gpqxI473oh_RrlYHD2u-xzR6vEmAOqyIoXmxb9IbDzdvh3zEZQ3K1DLu5eb4M_kBB0jmdFcexjzB8U-jjqqdkOY5JnNIpLIrdPwd3dcKl8A9cQlAZZgs/s400/Picture+6.png" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5686039350760689394" /></a> <br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Robert Llewellyn</span>’s gorgeous "<a href="http://www.robertllewellyn.com/#/PORTFOLIOS/SEEING%20FLOWERS/1/">Seeing Flowers</a>"<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1WlBd3Ph6f7-2Rp6bYh5_sfNMAJNvnUvXKtusIFTtD3vJ05Guxw0FD-cnz0UrtL57mHSf7dkoZuzrznvYB2WrLmmVClsoDZ3SRy7A89y-QsShfvFucQsVh2u07jy7jFhmyZklYkIHJPRj/s1600/Picture+1.png"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 292px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1WlBd3Ph6f7-2Rp6bYh5_sfNMAJNvnUvXKtusIFTtD3vJ05Guxw0FD-cnz0UrtL57mHSf7dkoZuzrznvYB2WrLmmVClsoDZ3SRy7A89y-QsShfvFucQsVh2u07jy7jFhmyZklYkIHJPRj/s400/Picture+1.png" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5686038439716813986" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.calliphotography.com/">Calli McCaw</a>’s boys jumping off the Coney Island pier <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGuw1YSha5PoijQCTxr4PnKwB2zAavloLICaCm5_jpGq-8z0qjO5jWbXW0QWC3Ns9uWxiYOutVMcn24QSrY_wfhIZt8rP94jkdALfwPmSS-8cJpOArSnNrye3Dqs_ugUWgqCHWlfR36XM8/s1600/Picture+2.png"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 266px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGuw1YSha5PoijQCTxr4PnKwB2zAavloLICaCm5_jpGq-8z0qjO5jWbXW0QWC3Ns9uWxiYOutVMcn24QSrY_wfhIZt8rP94jkdALfwPmSS-8cJpOArSnNrye3Dqs_ugUWgqCHWlfR36XM8/s400/Picture+2.png" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5686038748494363474" /></a> <br /><br />Sunday evening I was honored to be asked to moderate a panel called: “<span style="font-weight:bold;">Picturing War</span>,” which focused on the work of <a href="http://sebastianotomada.com/">Sebastiano Tomada Piccolomini</a>, <a href="http://www.ashleygilbertson.com/">Ashley Gilbertson</a> and <a href="http://jungeunleestudio.com/">Jungeun Lee</a>—three photographers showing alternate ways of depicting conflict. It was quite an emotional and engaging panel for all of us—panelists and audience. For my part, it was an unexpected and intensely emotional experience.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Ashley</span> showed his work and featured the “<a href="http://www.bedroomsofthefallen.com/">Bedrooms of the Fallen</a>,” a deep and moving portrait of the rooms of soldiers in the US and Europe who were killed in Iraq and Afghanistan. By projecting the work on a large screen you couldn’t help but feel as if you were in the rooms, and that made it all the more poignant. And <span style="font-weight:bold;">Ashley</span>’s fierce passion for his work and to the soldiers who struggle with returning to civilian life with PTSD, or who commit suicide brought us all to tears. You had to ask yourself: What am I doing to help these people?<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Jungeun Lee</span>’s "<a href="http://jungeunleestudio.com/project.html">Silenced Suffering</a>" about the Korean women who were kidnapped and forced to be sex slaves to the Japanese soldiers during WWII was extraordinary in its detail and execution. <span style="font-weight:bold;">Jungeun</span> had grown up in Korea never hearing about this—only when 200 of the estimated 200,000 women who suffered began to testify in public did she learn about it. Her anger was so intense, it took her a year to begin to figure out how to express it visually. <span style="font-weight:bold;">Jungeun</span>’s attention to detail, and talk about what she chose to focus on and how she came to it was incredible. I am in awe of her creative process and wish I could have seen the complete installation (I saw a portion of it on display in a gallery in town). <br /><br />For the closing dinner we were invited to the studio of <a href="http://www.agallery.com/aspx/inventory.aspx?search=&photographer=Josephine+Sacabo&Sort=">Josephine Sacabo</a>, a gifted fine art photographer who specializes in the photogravure process. It was such a treat to see an artist studio while in town and it was the perfect end to the festival. I found myself sitting at a table across from <span style="font-weight:bold;">Jessica Lange</span>—not what I had expected.<br /><br />So I have to thank everyone who put this wonderful festival together: especially the great <a href="http://jennifershaw.net/">Jennifer Shaw</a>, whose book, "<span style="font-weight:bold;">Hurricane Story</span>" is one of my favorites. I had such a great time meeting and talking with, among others, <a href="http://fractionmagazine.com/">David Bram</a>, <a href="http://clampart.com/index.html">Brian Clamp</a>, <a href="http://www.jenniferschwartzgallery.com/">Jennifer Schwartz</a>, <a href="http://andyadamsphoto.com/">Andy Adams</a>, <a href="http://www.billschwab.com/">Bill Schwab</a>, <span style="font-weight:bold;">Holly Hughes</span>, <a href="http://hcponline.org/">Bevin Bering Dubrowski</a>, <a href="http://www.detroitccp.org">Kyohei Abe</a>, <span style="font-weight:bold;">Roy Flukinger</span>, <a href="http://www.charlesguice.com/">Charles Guice</a>, <span style="font-weight:bold;">Neil Harris</span>, <a href="http://gardenandgun.com/">Maggie Kennedy</a>, <a href="http://www.fotosynthesis.org">Alexandra Le Faou</a>, <a href="http://www.npr.org/blogs/pictureshow/">Claire O’Neill</a>, <a href="http://www.gordonwatkinson.com/">Gordon Watkinson</a>, <a href="http://pcnw.org/">Ann Pallesen</a>, <a href="http://mvswanson.com/">Mary Virginia Swanson</a>, <a href="http://sashawolf.com/">Sasha Wolf</a> and <a href="http://www.eyecaramba.com/">Gordon Stettinius</a>. I wish I could have spent time with everyone.<br /><br />So mark this on your calendar for next year, and I hope to see you there!<br /><br />all photographs copyrighted by the individual photographersStella Kramerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13106185614529401218noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1041653883381721577.post-54735009162927983542011-12-01T12:03:00.004-05:002011-12-01T12:09:36.706-05:00"This Wild Idea"<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSuzJb-rdd2eO0St6ENbDBP1m57_DJvqRZCd4Vrcu2Zax0yJVgABI1eK-KYh9Id80SY5uwZUPP7Za-PLHIwOH1nKbnv9Fu4GFAAbfwtF1Yz7Q7XT40zHvMPkpEBzcTHmF-lDv97Uk2BmJK/s1600/Picture+2.png"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 234px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSuzJb-rdd2eO0St6ENbDBP1m57_DJvqRZCd4Vrcu2Zax0yJVgABI1eK-KYh9Id80SY5uwZUPP7Za-PLHIwOH1nKbnv9Fu4GFAAbfwtF1Yz7Q7XT40zHvMPkpEBzcTHmF-lDv97Uk2BmJK/s400/Picture+2.png" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5681207855181454994" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Day 123</span>: <span style="font-weight:bold;">9475 miles driven; 7930 photos taken; 30 cups of coffee; 25 places camped; 70 folks met</span>. <br /><br />That’s the most current tally for “<a href="http://thiswildidea.com/">This Wild Idea</a>,” photographer <span style="font-weight:bold;">Theron Humphrey</span>’s one year road trip around America to find, photograph and record the stories of the people he meets. <br /><br /><blockquote><span style="font-style:italic;">“The idea is simple, the goal is straightforward, but I need your help! I’m going meet 1 new person a day, everyday, for 365 days. The goal is to makes images that age well and increase in value over time; images that will become part of your family story, which we can pass on to the next generation.”</span></blockquote><br /><br />It’s long been my belief that Americans feel no one listens to them (just check out the Occupy movement for more proof of that) and they want to feel connected to others. That is exactly what “<span style="font-weight:bold;">This Wild Idea</span>” is about. It’s a fantastic example of what you can do by just stepping right outside your door.<br /><br />As <span style="font-weight:bold;">Theron</span> says, <br /><blockquote><span style="font-style:italic;">“One day I woke up and realized how amazing it would be to hear my moms voice before she had me, or to hear my great-grandparents voices. To see them living their everyday. And I’ve always admired folks who’ve traveled the country and photographed the world, a lot have done it. And done it better than me. But something that was missing for me were folks’ names, I wanted to know that the photographers loved their subjects, that they shook peoples hands and told ‘em that they matter. So This Wild Idea is me getting out there and doing it, living my dream.” </span></blockquote><br /><br />And you can become a part of <span style="font-weight:bold;">This Wild Idea</span> is you like. <br /><blockquote><span style="font-style:italic;">“The cool part of the project that it’s alive now,” says <span style="font-weight:bold;">Theron</span>. ”It’s free to access and look at and remember. Anyone across America can “Change my Route” and become part of the project. That’s pretty powerful. Instead of folks just being voyeurs to a photo project after the fact, we wanted to use social media to connect folks now.”</span></blockquote><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1G9JLDy467jH3QnDiQgu58f4E2lo_iEVHcOzOuXkFBpHk30sHu3VRvrBZ-7brRoIx9ruK16quBb_eeXKWp5OxvxlxmjdikIyHiNK_1fDADwkyKMjpy1tas1GT_oVAYRaAMM6Ba7D_4z05/s1600/Picture+1.png"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 230px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1G9JLDy467jH3QnDiQgu58f4E2lo_iEVHcOzOuXkFBpHk30sHu3VRvrBZ-7brRoIx9ruK16quBb_eeXKWp5OxvxlxmjdikIyHiNK_1fDADwkyKMjpy1tas1GT_oVAYRaAMM6Ba7D_4z05/s400/Picture+1.png" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5681207968636075618" /></a><br />All photos Theron HumphreyStella Kramerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13106185614529401218noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1041653883381721577.post-43448441990338007352011-11-23T13:04:00.006-05:002011-11-23T13:21:06.945-05:00Pepper Spray Meme Going Too Far?<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgbAKSDCITPWvc-E3ia70RAyCggdDhkiA3ncyLJPEwM_ZE-w50XGGm-u37PGSak8uWN7r7WR6wiJGqjlcGXstsbHZTruVnh9EtUuoVExNOh0erSMnif2OZsx_6UVYS6rAdc5zGL3j4WZm5/s1600/tumblr_luzsf0oqwi1r6m1z5o1_500.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 306px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgbAKSDCITPWvc-E3ia70RAyCggdDhkiA3ncyLJPEwM_ZE-w50XGGm-u37PGSak8uWN7r7WR6wiJGqjlcGXstsbHZTruVnh9EtUuoVExNOh0erSMnif2OZsx_6UVYS6rAdc5zGL3j4WZm5/s400/tumblr_luzsf0oqwi1r6m1z5o1_500.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5678255553027899746" /></a><br /><br />I’d like to think there is nothing more to add to the “<a href="http://peppersprayingcop.tumblr.com/">Pepper Spray Cop</a>” meme that’s floating all over the web. It was funny at first, as people rushed to show off their Photoshop skills by inserting <span style="font-weight:bold;">Officer Pike</span> into everything from a painting by Seraut to groups of Muppets. But then things turned serious, as he started appearing in iconic 20th century photographs.<br /><br />When does something become unfunny? Is it when every aspect has been exhausted, or when it starts to interfere with our feelings about historical events and their importance?<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJihD2in1j9DwpCIT7WWI8Nva8E6F3_OvChTaTkGleGxG7m4D8G-sfLMnrwxRHJgPfKh6T6ToTrDn0Nl4hEAw1wg81h3IPqlf5bPAe1979wBignnH4hyphenhyphenzpia4Ttd1kA1edgqTUBBqxlgBy/s1600/tumblr_luzrw0znv71r6m1z5o1_500.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 318px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJihD2in1j9DwpCIT7WWI8Nva8E6F3_OvChTaTkGleGxG7m4D8G-sfLMnrwxRHJgPfKh6T6ToTrDn0Nl4hEAw1wg81h3IPqlf5bPAe1979wBignnH4hyphenhyphenzpia4Ttd1kA1edgqTUBBqxlgBy/s400/tumblr_luzrw0znv71r6m1z5o1_500.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5678255064228516642" /></a><br /><br />Is putting him into the infamous <span style="font-weight:bold;">Kent State</span> photo, or <span style="font-weight:bold;">Nick Ut</span>’s photo of a screaming girl running from a napalm attack, or <span style="font-weight:bold;">Robert Capa</span>’s falling soldier going too far? Does it remove the meaning of these images and the events they portray in order to belabor a joke?<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsQjG8JCyTR7ATM1WRgVAvfirC4XkZRwaYhKj2XP7RmQXC89MAOH4QkFiyvzdSG0rUNeLgddU767OxHX_ZvPmT_9LShXX5fM5B53SOnYzaSqzIeMmNwlCw8YZH2j-NGyQ90nfRaIpz-8UH/s1600/tumblr_lv2gmdN4mN1qanj38o1_500.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 263px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsQjG8JCyTR7ATM1WRgVAvfirC4XkZRwaYhKj2XP7RmQXC89MAOH4QkFiyvzdSG0rUNeLgddU767OxHX_ZvPmT_9LShXX5fM5B53SOnYzaSqzIeMmNwlCw8YZH2j-NGyQ90nfRaIpz-8UH/s400/tumblr_lv2gmdN4mN1qanj38o1_500.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5678257824404168386" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Pete Brook</span> of <a href="http://prisonphotography.wordpress.com/">Prison Photography</a> tweeted: <blockquote>“What does the pepper spray cop meme actually mean? Well, some of the mash-ups can be funny ... but some of them are distasteful. And by distasteful I mean they use a commonly recognised image to grab attention but then belittle the horror of the original event.”</blockquote><br /><br />Some think that this is a way to reach a younger audience who might be interested in then figuring out what the context of the photo is. I’m not so sure. I think there’s a point where you have to realize not everything is fodder for comedy. It belittles the people in the photos and the people who took the photos at great risk when they are so indiscriminately used for something that has already passed its sell date.<br /><br />And even the website creator says:<br /><br /><blockquote>“Lastly, I don’t want to post the one of the naked girl in Vietnam screaming in the road or the guy getting shot in the head so stop sending them. I literally have FIVE THOUSAND submissions of those two pictures. Arbitrary? Sure. Tough luck! Don’t like it? OCCUPY MY ASS. Figuratively.”</blockquote><br /><br />Enough already. I am waiting for the basket of kittens, though.<br /><br />(top to bottom original photos: Bill Hudson, John Filo, Robert Capa)Stella Kramerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13106185614529401218noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1041653883381721577.post-10333551272198489342011-11-07T11:06:00.004-05:002011-11-07T11:19:50.616-05:00FAMBUL TOK, A Film About the Power of Forgiveness<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjniLS96J0jjgEI0CFLbtn3mOihikiKNgfxAKu4uuY6BsoNnZv_ho6Z5ujQBrMWXIgKA5s_VCLMl39wybBfIdN30xBQZ1NhD99DwDafXpeJbB4bMUER8e5FN9xqygLf4Eom8-eWhdI4KdCB/s1600/FambulTok6_websize.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjniLS96J0jjgEI0CFLbtn3mOihikiKNgfxAKu4uuY6BsoNnZv_ho6Z5ujQBrMWXIgKA5s_VCLMl39wybBfIdN30xBQZ1NhD99DwDafXpeJbB4bMUER8e5FN9xqygLf4Eom8-eWhdI4KdCB/s400/FambulTok6_websize.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5672288947070209250" /></a><br />I have been thinking a lot lately about forgiveness: of oneself, of those who have wronged us, and of all the little things we cannot let go of. Then yesterday I saw <span style="font-weight:bold;">“Fambul Tok,</span>” <a href="http://saraterry.com/">Sara Terry</a>’s documentary about reconciliation and forgiveness in <span style="font-weight:bold;">Sierra Leone</span>, and I was humbled.<br /><br />If you don’t remember,<span style="font-weight:bold;"> Sierra Leone</span> was at war from 1991-2002. Rebel groups trying to overthrow the government committed atrocities including hacking the limbs of people, kidnapping children and forcing them to kill, mass rape, and other things too horrible to mention here. You may remember that <span style="font-weight:bold;">"blood diamonds"</span> were used to fund the war. The world captured and is prosecuting Charles Taylor for his role, but the government of <span style="font-weight:bold;">Sierra Leone</span> gave blanket amnesty to all but a handful of men who led the carnage.<br /><br />“<span style="font-weight:bold;">Fambul Tok,</span>” or “family talk” involves bringing accuser and accused face to face before the community in order to heal. One admits their crime and asks forgiveness of the person wronged. If the person forgives, the community becomes whole again. For a war that broke communities apart, it is an incredible example of grace.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Sara Terry</span> has been shining a light on what happens <span style="font-style:italic;">AFTER</span> war for many years now with her work from <span style="font-weight:bold;">Bosnia</span> and her <a href="http://www.theaftermathproject.org/">Aftermath Project</a>. This is her first film. Along with cinematographer <span style="font-weight:bold;">Henry Jacobson</span>, they visited <span style="font-weight:bold;">Sierra Leone</span> at least a half dozen times in the company of <span style="font-weight:bold;">John Caulker</span>, the founder of "<span style="font-weight:bold;">Fambul Tok</span>," to let these African people tell their own story. It is at once overwhelming and beautiful.<br /><br />None of us will ever experience anything even close to what the people of <span style="font-weight:bold;">Sierra Leone</span> have suffered. But the amazing ability of these incredible people to forgive brought me to tears over and over again. They have a strength I can only hope for. <br /><br />I can’t let go of this film, and I can’t recommend it highly enough.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">The final showing is tomorrow, Tuesday Nov. 8 at 11:30, at the IFC Center in the West Village.</span> Don’t miss this documentary. It’s extraordinary.<br /><br />You can purchase a DVD and a book of the story <a href="http://www.fambultok.com/store">here</a>. To find out more, go <a href="http://www.fambultok.com/">here</a> I recommend you do both, and then invite your friends to watch with you. This is what grace looks like.Stella Kramerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13106185614529401218noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1041653883381721577.post-32572152570552082472011-11-03T18:57:00.004-04:002011-11-03T19:13:13.594-04:00Crusade for Collecting<span style="font-weight:bold;">Jennifer Schwartz</span>, Atlanta<a href="http://www.jenniferschwartzgallery.com/"> gallery</a> owner and all around wonderful photo person, is trying to raise money to bring art directly to people around the country. <br /><br /><blockquote>"I decided to take this show on the road. I am going to go on a ten-week, ten-city tour in a little over a year where I do pop-up shows featuring the work of incredible emerging photographers from across the country that are part of The Ten," she says.</blockquote> <span style="font-weight:bold;">The Ten</span> is her highly curated monthly online exhibit of 10 exclusive photographic images promoting collecting. It's a unique idea and one that <span style="font-weight:bold;">Jennifer</span> believes in passionately.<br /><br />So take a look at her clever video and consider contributing to make this happen. Be a crusader for collecting photography. Contribute <a href="http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/657323826/crusade-for-collecting?ref=live">here</a><br /><br /><iframe frameborder="0" height="410px" src="http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/657323826/crusade-for-collecting/widget/video.html" width="480px"></iframe>Stella Kramerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13106185614529401218noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1041653883381721577.post-29270111387004315262011-11-01T13:33:00.014-04:002011-11-01T14:31:28.805-04:00Another Week Full of EventsThere's lots to see and do this week, so let's get right to it!<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Tonight, Tuesday November 1:</span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpxlBLh9pCb4VoYFIZ-yDBd1umk1owdiKGVLtGAnjANi9d5IEztq-gtH8PjakLEWZF6JLC62XkDudljsC-wmmE1sHb3NqSv65hD24-GfNkC4hpEVf5yo94WD7P1FEbRpXHn0r-lmOYFIuT/s1600/event_sternbach_thumb.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 220px; height: 148px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpxlBLh9pCb4VoYFIZ-yDBd1umk1owdiKGVLtGAnjANi9d5IEztq-gtH8PjakLEWZF6JLC62XkDudljsC-wmmE1sHb3NqSv65hD24-GfNkC4hpEVf5yo94WD7P1FEbRpXHn0r-lmOYFIuT/s400/event_sternbach_thumb.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5670082219981255522" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.jonisternbach.com/">Joni Sternbach</a> will be talking about <span style="font-weight:bold;">Surfland</span><br /><a href="http://www.capworkshops.org/">Center for Alternative Photography</a><br />36 E. 30th St.<br />7:00-8:30pm<br />To register for this free lecture email <span style="font-weight:bold;">info@capworkshops.org</span> or call 917-288-0343<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRP06yIxY1XQdIjb_wxZqB9m6TKjpE7v7cUXBVUX7G9PpQWGWO_1vGjctNSPmCwTHXi9jNBYbK7-ukw_3ciP2zD1k76jlbQ5qft2wCx6XO-FRV_6saS8RRvBTJFBVvnpjZDthiFNKlnggv/s1600/orbegoso_lavirgendelnorte_253.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 253px; height: 329px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRP06yIxY1XQdIjb_wxZqB9m6TKjpE7v7cUXBVUX7G9PpQWGWO_1vGjctNSPmCwTHXi9jNBYbK7-ukw_3ciP2zD1k76jlbQ5qft2wCx6XO-FRV_6saS8RRvBTJFBVvnpjZDthiFNKlnggv/s400/orbegoso_lavirgendelnorte_253.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5670084074669710642" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">EN FOCO</span> presents an evening of Art + Cocktails<br />The home of Sidney Baumgarten & Terry Paladini Baumgarten<br />Battery Park City<br />6:00-10:00pm<br />Food is courtesy of John's of 12th Street.<br />Tickets start at $75<br />You can find out more, and buy tickets <a href="http://www.enfoco.org/index.php/special_events/Art_and_Cocktails_110111">here</a><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Wednesday November 2:</span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9NFaiKLRc6mgpi_6yDzPeC4vbSy-HWM1zHrVcRXQ1anlBsu2cEHFNw2utex2HSaeNkxHL3fkHIKbvZhfoE-toSepO6VuQEgsHxjML_YDAhyphenhyphensp3F1uer0B_WEjTAeuxB-krXbTfta28Gii/s1600/Picture+5.png"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 299px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9NFaiKLRc6mgpi_6yDzPeC4vbSy-HWM1zHrVcRXQ1anlBsu2cEHFNw2utex2HSaeNkxHL3fkHIKbvZhfoE-toSepO6VuQEgsHxjML_YDAhyphenhyphensp3F1uer0B_WEjTAeuxB-krXbTfta28Gii/s400/Picture+5.png" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5670087505178463970" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.manjarisharma.com/">Manjari Sharma</a> introduces the newest works of <span style="font-weight:bold;">Darshan</span><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">SVA Lecture Series</span><br />136 W. 21st Rm. 418F<br />7:00pm<br />Free and open to the public<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihzZoFPo8CX9pon6yVg__1oJOZwtnT9J8a7kiZt-gFFwxqLv1kKHFJsjgUrNscBGDyRN2CcH6Xw9M6Ja9ajE6bFSJbNk9ydIGv7EBIyd3FAZ1b0rWr7hBPqC0fRgmTglLc88eJX_EthfEX/s1600/Picture+6.png"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 294px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihzZoFPo8CX9pon6yVg__1oJOZwtnT9J8a7kiZt-gFFwxqLv1kKHFJsjgUrNscBGDyRN2CcH6Xw9M6Ja9ajE6bFSJbNk9ydIGv7EBIyd3FAZ1b0rWr7hBPqC0fRgmTglLc88eJX_EthfEX/s400/Picture+6.png" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5670088314046582930" /></a><br /><a href="http://carenalpertfineart.com/">Caren Alpert</a>'s "<span style="font-weight:bold;">terra cibus</span>" Magnified food photos (top: fortune cookie; bottom: sprinkles)<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">James Beard Foundation</span><br />167 W. 12th St.<br />6:30-8:30pm<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">RSVP:caren@carenalpertfineart.com</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTrqpZcMH6AqNv14V4z7qHgICHSEdNoqUR03c-VZuEvkcgT4RosVFFVfnqCcWA06RLY-Lc07eJbth6gIR-Qb16H8Y7Kl_DmKK0T9SAZYjWQLD5n2-fCZRYTD3WhDwPUwCcNW3T0jsjUo3N/s1600/Kasher.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 270px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTrqpZcMH6AqNv14V4z7qHgICHSEdNoqUR03c-VZuEvkcgT4RosVFFVfnqCcWA06RLY-Lc07eJbth6gIR-Qb16H8Y7Kl_DmKK0T9SAZYjWQLD5n2-fCZRYTD3WhDwPUwCcNW3T0jsjUo3N/s400/Kasher.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5670095320292689090" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Gilles Larainne</span>: <span style="font-weight:bold;">IDOLS & House of Louda</span><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Steven Kasher</span><br />521 W. 23rd<br />6:00-8:00pm<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Thursday November 3</span>:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN5y23cbJ2k3NiiY-kbTbJbPkVGJQURmxH0aUJJBsc3ctqaXcl4GU-aOpEYEpEGIGF9KpcWQsirdEqEYKjkghXrOihd4xLKfdf682Ku9Pb1HsYesAS8ECmY66dVrYw1ADppEdDv1qVCz_i/s1600/Picture+14.png"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN5y23cbJ2k3NiiY-kbTbJbPkVGJQURmxH0aUJJBsc3ctqaXcl4GU-aOpEYEpEGIGF9KpcWQsirdEqEYKjkghXrOihd4xLKfdf682Ku9Pb1HsYesAS8ECmY66dVrYw1ADppEdDv1qVCz_i/s400/Picture+14.png" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5670090855744128610" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.loriwaselchukphotos.com/">Lori Waselchuk</a>'s amazing "<span style="font-weight:bold;">Grace Before Dying</span>" traveling exhibit will be showing at<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Umbrage Gallery</span><br />111Front St. #208<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Dumbo</span><br />6:00pm<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Terri Gold</span> <span style="font-weight:bold;">"Into the Mists of Time in Guizhou, China"</span><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Keyes Art Consulting</span><br />551 W. 21st 4th fl.<br />6:00=8:00pm<br /><br /><a href="http://www.karenknorr.com/">Karen Knorr</a>: <span style="font-weight:bold;">"India Song"</span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir9WcOVhxGJIO9Es8nZu4qXxkv5uGyv8htjpaSerEQhgr-lvZ80pXJC6fwDLMd4ziFyNTuffHgA6rlATsLdHfck4E9RUedFffeiUka4fvvGp-96bCm14a8ffF64Wsfy9E4y0-8sC2k8QVA/s1600/AAm_Khas_Junha_Mahal_Dungarpur_copy231.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 375px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir9WcOVhxGJIO9Es8nZu4qXxkv5uGyv8htjpaSerEQhgr-lvZ80pXJC6fwDLMd4ziFyNTuffHgA6rlATsLdHfck4E9RUedFffeiUka4fvvGp-96bCm14a8ffF64Wsfy9E4y0-8sC2k8QVA/s400/AAm_Khas_Junha_Mahal_Dungarpur_copy231.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5670091605637169618" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Danziger Gallery</span><br />527 W. 23rd<br />6:00-8:00pm<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHT3jdmhkfTLF3hnIjq8uS424eR5c94NcpBwd7tBMWFGwT0b73Wlv8cafwGaxxf-I5Ep9W5WWaBajVmvwXzeVDea5yzk7egVQsVvi9_LE5uU7b_xpO8Y0ADkPYbl07EfxPor0ieLELZDq3/s1600/Picture+11.png"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 227px; height: 344px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHT3jdmhkfTLF3hnIjq8uS424eR5c94NcpBwd7tBMWFGwT0b73Wlv8cafwGaxxf-I5Ep9W5WWaBajVmvwXzeVDea5yzk7egVQsVvi9_LE5uU7b_xpO8Y0ADkPYbl07EfxPor0ieLELZDq3/s400/Picture+11.png" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5670093182913772658" /></a><br /><a href="http://marcyankus.com/site/">Mark Yankus</a> <span style="font-weight:bold;">"Call It Sleep"</span><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Clamp Art</span><br />531 W. 25th ground floor<br />6:00-8:00pm<br /><br /><a href="http://www.maxphotos.es/maxphotos.html">Max De Esteban</a> <span style="font-weight:bold;">"Proposition One"</span><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Klompching</span><br />111Front St. #206<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">DUMBO</span><br />6:00pm<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQO1WqST90b9-7LD2mzr7tekvoAUpJOQw2aGOqRv63zFJvUKe178HyMbRx4QsMvzUcRaOoqaG-1P8hLfzpVuyqfW0-tcTNHe9lcUrWXryCJtJhCxtrUSYyP6QhqIV2phkWIfA6BY4DJhSP/s1600/large-sj-109.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 286px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQO1WqST90b9-7LD2mzr7tekvoAUpJOQw2aGOqRv63zFJvUKe178HyMbRx4QsMvzUcRaOoqaG-1P8hLfzpVuyqfW0-tcTNHe9lcUrWXryCJtJhCxtrUSYyP6QhqIV2phkWIfA6BY4DJhSP/s400/large-sj-109.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5670094401486081698" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.simenjohan.com/">Simen Johan</a> <span style="font-weight:bold;">"Until the Kingdom Comes"</span><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Yossi Milo</span><br />525 W. 25th St.<br />6:00-8:00pmStella Kramerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13106185614529401218noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1041653883381721577.post-71391979464583385812011-10-26T22:53:00.009-04:002011-10-26T23:24:04.907-04:00This Week In PhotolandSo we've come to the crazy week; the photo week extravaganza. I thought I'd run down some of the cool events planned. <br /><br />We all know <span style="font-weight:bold;">PhotoPlus Expo</span> has begun, so let me take this time to tell you I'll be moderating a panel on <span style="font-weight:bold;">Friday, October 28</span> from <span style="font-weight:bold;">1:30-3:30pm</span>: <br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">The New World of Online Magazines + Curator Websites</span>. <br />Joining me will be <span style="font-weight:bold;">Julie Grahame</span> of <a href="http://acurator.com/">acurator.com</a>,<span style="font-weight:bold;"> Michael Itkoff</span> of <a href="http://www.daylightmagazine.org/">Daylight Magazine</a>, and photographers <a href="http://www.manjarisharma.com/">Manjari Sharma </a>and <a href="http://www.sophiawallace.com/">Sophia Wallace</a>. It's going to be full of great information, so don't miss it!<br /><br />Here are some other wonderful events this week, so get up and get out!<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Thursday October 27</span>:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUaAWkHcZXqAm_aOK_H3uYDtbraWKZmJktd4_ay9MJQvjAO_A8-UnLCORp4H83ozDhX8MzsHWUNOeq2aJbcm8dnExA6m6xB2WR6XYEcW2NZIVs1_dllk6Yey_bZ9HssOZTZnF6bXrHvc7L/s1600/SonyVIP-Invite.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 371px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUaAWkHcZXqAm_aOK_H3uYDtbraWKZmJktd4_ay9MJQvjAO_A8-UnLCORp4H83ozDhX8MzsHWUNOeq2aJbcm8dnExA6m6xB2WR6XYEcW2NZIVs1_dllk6Yey_bZ9HssOZTZnF6bXrHvc7L/s400/SonyVIP-Invite.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5668004888644521618" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Sony Worldwide Photography Awards</span><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Chelsea Museum</span><br />556 W. 22nd<br />6:30-7:30<br />PARTY TO FOLLOW!<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">RSVP: VIP.RSVP4photo@bonniercorp.com</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Laura Pressley</span> & <span style="font-weight:bold;">CENTER</span> of Santa Fe are holding a get together at<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">The New Yorker Hotel</span><br />481 8th Avenue & 34th Street <br />6-8pm<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Friday October 28</span>:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicrr219I_SD3mSPb8MB73gCNEC67MZpTbYjUGn4l-3u-P91Bz5NVOLnIUR8MxfwVQ0oNexj48EIsGOdLMjBY8z-1f26xVljQx848n4QSye-YBgpM0YVZLCnlUQDeigxJdPMGvQkWUP96Tf/s1600/Picture+2.png"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 399px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicrr219I_SD3mSPb8MB73gCNEC67MZpTbYjUGn4l-3u-P91Bz5NVOLnIUR8MxfwVQ0oNexj48EIsGOdLMjBY8z-1f26xVljQx848n4QSye-YBgpM0YVZLCnlUQDeigxJdPMGvQkWUP96Tf/s400/Picture+2.png" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5668005536655178338" /></a><br />Photographer <a href="http://www.tajforer.com/">Taj Forer</a> has a book launch and signing for "<span style="font-weight:bold;">Stone By Stone</span>"<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Bubble Lounge</span><br />228 W. Broadway #1<br />6-8pm<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqBF9oORSg31n_8UqzDefrLcF-MexgQdq71U0jQ5FLEN2oDaO6vT0HsNHLGz9v54LIPB6PoaZ7mPXNhX3FYCwTKCX3WqJWNJxxgprY2NY7wsq02wDzsI-vT2zHXPkUkBiXnZtXdyNm_0LV/s1600/Picture+4.png"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 236px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqBF9oORSg31n_8UqzDefrLcF-MexgQdq71U0jQ5FLEN2oDaO6vT0HsNHLGz9v54LIPB6PoaZ7mPXNhX3FYCwTKCX3WqJWNJxxgprY2NY7wsq02wDzsI-vT2zHXPkUkBiXnZtXdyNm_0LV/s400/Picture+4.png" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5668006059582759618" /></a><br />and then stay for the launch of <span style="font-weight:bold;">Daylight Magazine</span> #9, "<span style="font-weight:bold;">Cosmos</span>" also at <span style="font-weight:bold;">Bubble Lounge</span> from 8-10pm.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">The Unseen Eye<br />A Life in Photographs and Other Digressions....a performance by W. M. Hunt</span><br /><a href="http://www.aperture.org/">Aperture</a><br />547 W. 27th 4th fl.<br />Doors open at 6:30pm<br />Performance begins at 7pm<br />RSVP: RSVP@aperture.org<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU_l7BnSgpBSfM259Sk5Y6hOHaU_Lvjg0cjKLRXJkiofg1OPagF0tm03Gjjw4da7xmEZJt7hURNClUqccT9msqZ9AGGymWNj1zi_WefuwHIpfrrSeDwYwo81CAu3pxI9qDAAX6FeaUGyBv/s1600/795-1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU_l7BnSgpBSfM259Sk5Y6hOHaU_Lvjg0cjKLRXJkiofg1OPagF0tm03Gjjw4da7xmEZJt7hURNClUqccT9msqZ9AGGymWNj1zi_WefuwHIpfrrSeDwYwo81CAu3pxI9qDAAX6FeaUGyBv/s400/795-1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5668007058440840258" /></a>Stella Kramerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13106185614529401218noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1041653883381721577.post-61698755990374957952011-10-20T16:24:00.011-04:002011-10-20T17:04:27.326-04:00It's All Happening This WeekendThere’s so much going on this weekend and next week that I’m sure I’ll miss something. Before we head into <span style="font-weight:bold;">PhotoPlus Expo</span> week I wanted to give a rundown of what’s in store this weekend in New York. So get out and circulate!<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Tonight: Thursday, October 20</span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRmMVB3ltuGmwc6B-LAd_iFk4oqONHelhaoAwPmmOH4k-JR_in0NegfJGuEpnEwiQNb2ml_ofyB0wUY2pr8uLQIqqg-jLsLAhue684FmbWuJEZ9GNMehGjVyOI76g3oYGyvmQqB30ZAqmH/s1600/Picture+9.png"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 339px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRmMVB3ltuGmwc6B-LAd_iFk4oqONHelhaoAwPmmOH4k-JR_in0NegfJGuEpnEwiQNb2ml_ofyB0wUY2pr8uLQIqqg-jLsLAhue684FmbWuJEZ9GNMehGjVyOI76g3oYGyvmQqB30ZAqmH/s400/Picture+9.png" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5665676656545181666" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Brian Ulrich</span>'s book party is at Aperture 547 W. 27th, 4th floor 7pm-9pm<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw4iWEbfxNIKSSLFMznVSVhDIJFElK76XTEOKweyOPulfTYhxFr2X-NGV4O8UBWA-UqhXtTEk-HoYXIkYNiRScqCg_gkBdUBIfvT1Js9gfSGDbWfkRDmpsgSn1wGDMoeJaFMkwibIJg1v5/s1600/image.img.png"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 354px; height: 234px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw4iWEbfxNIKSSLFMznVSVhDIJFElK76XTEOKweyOPulfTYhxFr2X-NGV4O8UBWA-UqhXtTEk-HoYXIkYNiRScqCg_gkBdUBIfvT1Js9gfSGDbWfkRDmpsgSn1wGDMoeJaFMkwibIJg1v5/s400/image.img.png" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5665674329623840002" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.nyu.edu/about/news-publications/news/2011/09/30/revolution-photographs-from-libya-2011-by-bryan-denton-05.html">Bryan Denton</a>'s show of his<span style="font-weight:bold;"> Libya</span> photographs (quite timely) opens at <br />721 Broadway at Waverly Pl. (the Gulf + Western gallery) <br />main floor, rear of lobby 6pm-8pm<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Friday, October 21:</span><br />Book launch and signing of <span style="font-weight:bold;">STONE BY STONE</span>, photographs of <a href="http://www.tajforer.com">Taj Forer</a><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">The Bubble Lounge</span><br />228 W. Broadway #1<br />6pm-8pm<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Saturday, October 22:</span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7JCbmqBZOuVGUbEbZidIh7Pdg5nk5WqXmVl4Xj3l-DWqIWeHAgT3VuP9vrPPpJK9bBu9YfDjAghESx1tTxms7QqHoZZfu3UsEhTFYvsPgZY9trZHNMvTosk9yCTjjeFZzu2bIrtjq3Xqf/s1600/tumblr_lsvw7qamJr1qk4udb.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 317px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7JCbmqBZOuVGUbEbZidIh7Pdg5nk5WqXmVl4Xj3l-DWqIWeHAgT3VuP9vrPPpJK9bBu9YfDjAghESx1tTxms7QqHoZZfu3UsEhTFYvsPgZY9trZHNMvTosk9yCTjjeFZzu2bIrtjq3Xqf/s400/tumblr_lsvw7qamJr1qk4udb.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5665677836861173314" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Visions:Tim Hetherington</span><br /><a href="http://blog.bronxdoc.org/visit">Bronx Documentary Center</a><br />614 Courtlandt Avenue<br />Bronx, New York <br />6pm-10pm<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitVxqlXHdkoAfQZslb15Aihrnmamrbhyphenhyphen9mhsIsHILpK5PZKCwLzdhId3QvlMu9luCmSkYAD6b3XjDXevk8v1QcywNJ4r6aJMYeeXIxa5TwRkDaVZzR4qsB-CSwHE3w6yPz6iwJXQ4EEZ51/s1600/vjus_MishadeRidderDUNE00.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitVxqlXHdkoAfQZslb15Aihrnmamrbhyphenhyphen9mhsIsHILpK5PZKCwLzdhId3QvlMu9luCmSkYAD6b3XjDXevk8v1QcywNJ4r6aJMYeeXIxa5TwRkDaVZzR4qsB-CSwHE3w6yPz6iwJXQ4EEZ51/s400/vjus_MishadeRidderDUNE00.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5665681188675043394" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Misha de Ridder</span> book launch and artist talk at <br />Printed Matter<br />195 10th Ave.<br />6pm<br /><a href="https://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=259794810723416">RSVP</a>Stella Kramerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13106185614529401218noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1041653883381721577.post-68785102219348233952011-10-17T10:54:00.000-04:002011-10-17T11:19:02.115-04:00Michael Kirchoff: "An Enduring Grace"<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXCUyKVa2rdRqky3q0eIs2iPBAs27QZrymd-UoDmUjQbS0X2cTlwd0pKN3WUrh1Ifz606vCEVfzIZ3TZ0fhyphenhyphenghtH5LEJK8CW5VEM7Y8zQXHAQPC7KUjxSnpfxLw6yvo-W_07ybuvBRHeHd/s1600/RoadToRedSquare.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 315px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXCUyKVa2rdRqky3q0eIs2iPBAs27QZrymd-UoDmUjQbS0X2cTlwd0pKN3WUrh1Ifz606vCEVfzIZ3TZ0fhyphenhyphenghtH5LEJK8CW5VEM7Y8zQXHAQPC7KUjxSnpfxLw6yvo-W_07ybuvBRHeHd/s400/RoadToRedSquare.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5664440040868679394" /></a><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">“I remember watching black and white television in my room and seeing news reporters broadcasting from the center of Red Square in Moscow. That image of St. Basil’s Cathedral behind the reporter reminded me more of Disneyland rather than the evil empire of which he spoke. It was difficult to understand the contradiction between the harsh ideas Americans had of Russia and the whimsical nature of what I was seeing on television.”</span><br /><br />So begins <a href="http://www.michaelkirchoff.com/">Michael Kirchoff</a>’s statement about “<span style="font-weight:bold;">An Enduring Grace</span>” his show at <span style="font-weight:bold;">Baange & Burne</span> in Chelsea. (547 W. 27th St. #319)<br /><br />The work is dark and beautiful. Through the use of Polaroid Type 665 <span style="font-weight:bold;">Kirchoff</span> allows the process to add a surreal and almost fractured sense to the images. <span style="font-weight:bold;">Kirchoff</span> shoots almost from a child’s-eye level that allows him to explore the dichotomy between the reality of Russia, and the politically created reality from his childhood. His photographs are silky and lush, seeming to hover between dream and substance.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOMgR_7L20LEZ2UqOa4Dwrd0ak4YEnCmhDmOjcoFz4ewErgSchpu7NI-QPqS2PDwWlvSMpevCnRFS6bIFKfhgOHaQP1br2fwtqn7wFmzg7VQwa9fvsoa9OsDM1x0a1tW6B7Ap6RdLuakoH/s1600/WoodenFort.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOMgR_7L20LEZ2UqOa4Dwrd0ak4YEnCmhDmOjcoFz4ewErgSchpu7NI-QPqS2PDwWlvSMpevCnRFS6bIFKfhgOHaQP1br2fwtqn7wFmzg7VQwa9fvsoa9OsDM1x0a1tW6B7Ap6RdLuakoH/s400/WoodenFort.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5664480442011675554" /></a><br />We see Russia in a fresh way through <span style="font-weight:bold;">Kirchoff</span>’s photographs; as empty landscapes and steadfast architecture that defies time. The boldness and strength of these buildings, churches and monuments allows them to exist in the landscape devoid of people. They are spread out through the country, and do not need people to give them life. Unlike monuments and famous structures in the U.S., these buildings exist whether people visit them or not.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzbSqdE1aUm2TV5zYH9sj7-KGQHfXYNnp4lFNVdmDGGR-3CWkqFIxMaIXylXX7PJeU0_h43Lh8E3buCWW0_15UoxhrkYCBRiIACeVrLNj_bw2VJHK5ylyI-v6QFHBWiaaw-OtJfjXfJjP5/s1600/TheBlackTulip.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 316px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzbSqdE1aUm2TV5zYH9sj7-KGQHfXYNnp4lFNVdmDGGR-3CWkqFIxMaIXylXX7PJeU0_h43Lh8E3buCWW0_15UoxhrkYCBRiIACeVrLNj_bw2VJHK5ylyI-v6QFHBWiaaw-OtJfjXfJjP5/s400/TheBlackTulip.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5664480141009333650" /></a><br />I was amazed to see the “<span style="font-weight:bold;">Black Tulip</span>” monument to those who died in the Russian debacle in Afghanistan in the 1980s. How unusual for that country to mark the deaths of their soldiers in that long war. But this monument is in the middle of nowhere, commemorating only those in the region who died. As moving as it is, “their Vietnam,” there are no people leaving mementos or tracing the names of the dead. For Russia has always had a reputation as a place of untold melancholy and fatalism. While Americans fetishize grief and remembrance, Russians seem to take it in and move on.<br /><br />Unfortunately this show will only be up until tomorrow, <span style="font-weight:bold;">Tuesday, Oct. 18</span>. I urge you to go and see these photographs. <span style="font-weight:bold;">Baange & Burne</span> is a floating gallery, getting its initial funding through Kickstarter. Very cool. <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3DFNfueXwZNwBieTOhFQL9Glg0EBnuM_cvcQs0sxRrNRrdR92F-rWMfn5hoU20emI7GNCE6G08ZGVcofDyW3bvpaPC_fREbXCFmMcL7jnOglRCtDZJDTdEP5LQTk11XEELyirnneOJSdt/s1600/CathedralAndWindmill.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 317px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3DFNfueXwZNwBieTOhFQL9Glg0EBnuM_cvcQs0sxRrNRrdR92F-rWMfn5hoU20emI7GNCE6G08ZGVcofDyW3bvpaPC_fREbXCFmMcL7jnOglRCtDZJDTdEP5LQTk11XEELyirnneOJSdt/s400/CathedralAndWindmill.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5664480673462988770" /></a>Stella Kramerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13106185614529401218noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1041653883381721577.post-48355778936627886752011-10-06T18:00:00.004-04:002011-10-06T18:06:52.385-04:00Dear Photographer: Your Marketing Isn't Working for MeWhen I received the third promo card from a photographer in what seemed like three weeks, I decided to write about it. I find so many things wrong in this approach I just have to break it down. I don't want to name the photographer or show the work because I don't fell the need to subject this photographer to derision. Besides, I think what I have to say is valid for all. So here goes:<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Dear Photographer</span>,<br /><br />Why are you sending these promos to me? I do not hire photographers, so why waste money and material on me? If you want me to look at your work, why not email me and let me know why you want to show me what you’re up to? At least then you are giving me the option to look or not to look. I like having that choice.<br /><br />The next problem I have with your promo is that it’s sent in an envelope. So instead of saving money with a postcard, you spend more for the stamp and then leave the waste with me. I don’t think I’m alone in wanting to deal with less waste. In fact, I try my best to not get additional packaging if I can help it. By using the envelope you’re telling me you don’t care about the environment. That doesn’t go over well with me.<br /><br />And the card itself doesn’t make sense. The images are printed on what seems to be photographic paper. There is no note or personalization at all. So why are you sending it? Has something changed since you sent me the last one (about a week ago)? There’s no way for me to know. And since you can't be bothered to write something specific to me (even just "hello"), your marketing is terribly impersonal. When you are trying to make a personal impact that is not the way to go.<br /><br />In addition, you have your name, phone number, and URL on the front of the card, but not your email address. If I wanted to drop you a line I would have to search it out on your website. Why make it that difficult for me? In this day and age I want less steps, less clicks, not more.<br /><br />Now let’s talk about the images themselves. There is always more than one image on the card, and yet it is hard to distinguish them. At first I thought it was a multiple exposure image. It was only after looking at the next one that I realized you were using more than one image. Well, the format doesn’t work. The images don’t jump out at me. In fact they don’t make me give the card a second look at all. If your aim is to capture my attention, it’s not working.<br /><br />Now I don’t know how you came to this marketing plan, whether it was your idea or someone else told you this was the way to go, but I don’t think it’s either the best use of your resources, or the most productive. Your marketing should have a goal behind it. Exactly who do you want to reach, and why? Have you culled a smart, focused mailing list, or just emailed everyone you’ve ever met?<br /><br />Your first impression when you do a marketing push is the most important, so you need to think very hard about how many cards you send, when you send them, and how you can make them most effective. Are you using the right paper? Is all the important information there? Am I spending my money most efficiently? And finally, are these great images I want to show which will separate me from the masses?<br /><br />If you don’t ask yourself these important questions, you are just throwing yourself out into the world without focus. That will not get you closer to what you want. The more research you do, the more you question your own motives, the better chance you will have of reaching the people and places you really want to reach. Anything less than that is a waste of your own time.Stella Kramerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13106185614529401218noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1041653883381721577.post-26345309047438399522011-09-29T13:03:00.001-04:002011-09-29T13:06:26.464-04:00Why Am I Using Facebook?The new changes to <span style="font-weight:bold;">FB</span> (and the ones to come) have once again made me wonder whether I want to or need to have a presence there. I put up a page in order to promote my business and connect with other photographers. At first I friended nearly everyone. But as time has passed I find myself unwilling to friend people I do not know—even if they are supposed “friends of friends.” <br /><br />I also tried to keep my postings and my attention to my Friends postings to be solely about photography. I am not interested in sharing everything in my life, and my closest friends are not even on <span style="font-weight:bold;">FB</span>. But as time wore on I couldn’t resist posting about and commenting on politics—something I feel very strongly about.<br /><br />Then came the cute photos of animals—always hard to resist. Then the personal news from people I really like—how could I not “Like” them? And now I find myself wondering what the point to all of it is.<br /><br />When I posted to the <span style="font-weight:bold;">Flak Photo Network</span>: <span style="font-style:italic;">“Is anyone else thinking of leaving <span style="font-weight:bold;">FB?</span> I'm wondering what the point is with all the things I dislike and the feeling I'm getting further away from people instead of closer. What's the alternative? Thoughts?”</span> I was interested in and appreciated the responses and reasoning from people I knew. That is one of the few things I really like about <span style="font-weight:bold;">FB</span>—talking with people not in New York in real time.<br /><br />But I am so tired of the changes with no options, and the fact that I worry about the privacy issue (yes, I am old fashioned). I don’t want to be told I have no choice over how I participate, and how my information is used. And now that <span style="font-weight:bold;">FB</span> has formed a PAC to fight privacy rulings, I am even more concerned. <br /><br />Now I’m not saying my privacy hasn’t already been curtailed in this day and age. But I like choosing where I participate online, whether it’s what I’ll buy or do or visit. I don’t want this one company making the decisions for me. And now to hear that they track me even <span style="font-style:italic;">AFTER</span> I’ve left the site is just chilling. I know each person needs to make the best decision according to their own needs. And I know I need to do that myself. But I am overwhelmed by it all, and confess I don’t understand both how to use it in the best way, and how to make the changes I want to make. I need a tutorial on <span style="font-weight:bold;">FB</span> and everything else (Twitter, blog, etc.)<br /><br />I would love to know what you think. I can use all the practical information I can get. What do I need to do (or not do) to navigate FB to my best advantage, and in a way that doesn’t drive me crazy?<br /><br />How do you feel about being a part of something that you created (well the 750 million who joined), but have no say in shaping? How do you feel about the <span style="font-weight:bold;">FB</span> PAC committee and its political lobbying? Does anyone else look back nostalgically at a time when you actually had to meet up with and talk to people to find out who they were and what they were doing?<br /><br />Let me know.Stella Kramerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13106185614529401218noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1041653883381721577.post-12353483888941061102011-09-07T09:49:00.007-04:002011-09-07T10:27:58.682-04:00My September 11, 2001<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGJvBXcXbbYLDo_DGUuoEae8XZwVS-mubN2_vlCiFQJUn-96yTGPD7ZBydu4LrCIQCDgC94TEgN5fwwiUNFxvc2Beg6VtEF9KAeyzUkhQR5CemkCiu96um-gnFXo4CG_yKaxoqkCKmoOQB/s1600/Screen+shot+2011-09-06+at+11.22.11+AM.png"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGJvBXcXbbYLDo_DGUuoEae8XZwVS-mubN2_vlCiFQJUn-96yTGPD7ZBydu4LrCIQCDgC94TEgN5fwwiUNFxvc2Beg6VtEF9KAeyzUkhQR5CemkCiu96um-gnFXo4CG_yKaxoqkCKmoOQB/s400/Screen+shot+2011-09-06+at+11.22.11+AM.png" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5649623876818983394" /></a><br /><br />It took me five years before I could go a day without thinking of the Towers and crying. And as the tenth anniversary of the attacks approach I find myself right back there. And I’m crying again. How can it be this many years?<br /><br />For a long time I didn’t want to think of anything else—I didn’t want to move on, because I thought if I did, if everyone did, we would all forget. And since the attacks were so personal to me as a native New Yorker, I thought moving on was sacrilegious.<br /><br />I used to always tell people that I hated New Yorkers, but if anything was to happen, I didn’t want to be with any other people. <span style="font-weight:bold;">September 11th</span> and the days and weeks after proved me oh so right. My city was splendid. And it might have been the only time (the only time ever) I wasn’t hated for being a New Yorker by the rest of America.<br /><br />People came from all over to find ways to help. They were drawn by a sense of patriotism I had never seen before. I volunteered, serving meals to first responders and met people from all over the country. They elevated me because I had been here when “<span style="font-weight:bold;">IT<span style="font-style:italic;"></span></span>” happened. I didn’t have to throw up my protective armor as a New Yorker. I could love the city I had grown up wanting to escape. I could be proud of New York and of being a New Yorker. That was an unusual feeling.<br /><br />I was on my way to work at The New York Times that morning, and couldn’t believe the scar torn through the first building, flames blazing. By the time I arrived at the newsroom, the second building had been hit. There was a sense of disbelief. I just couldn’t wrap my head around what was happening. Then came the news of the strike at the Pentagon, and the plane crashing in Pennsylvania.<br /><br />Everyone remembers how blue the sky was.<br /><br />The newsroom was like an emergency room—a lot happening in a fast-paced place, yet an air of calm determination and professionalism. That was until the Towers came down. We watched it on television, and I felt dead inside. It was an audible sound inside of me. People were streaming into the Times with photos they had taken: tourists, people working or living in the area, and the New York Times photographers. They came in slowly, covered with the dirt and dust of the fallen buildings--almost unrecognizable. I was one of the photos editors who began editing film as it came in, grabbing it from the lab and looking through hundreds and then thousands of images.<br /><br />Moments stick out: Photographers <span style="font-weight:bold;">Jim Estrin</span> and <span style="font-weight:bold;">Ruth Fremson</span> coming in coughing and covered in debris; working so hard, almost without looking up, as the company brought in catered food for everyone. They did that for days.<br /><br />I remember how quiet the newsroom was. The air felt heavy. I think I left to go home around midnight, walking out into a deserted Times Square. The only cab I saw picked me up, but had to drop me at 23rd Street-not where I lived, below that. The city had been closed down, so I walked in the dark, in the silence, with the smell of death thick in the air.<br /><br />I stayed up for hours, sobbing as I watched cable news play the story over and over. I thought of the people in those buildings. I recalled my memories of the Towers: the Fourth of July in the 1970’s, before Battery Park City was built, when the city let us sit by the edge of the water and watch fireworks over the Hudson, while lasers bounced off the façade of the Twin Towers.<br /><br />I remembered when I lived a block and a half behind the Towers and spent so many nights walking the deserted concourses, seeing how far up in the building I could get. My bank was in there. I worked in Tribeca then, and could almost walk to work underground through those concourses. I thought of how much I loved standing on the top and looking out on the world with the wind howling and me screaming. I knew it so well. How could the buildings be gone?<br /><br />The next workweek was a blur as each day led into the next. I worked long hours, looked at thousands of photographs, ate catered food, went home late, and stayed up for hours crying. I was part of the living dead: exhausted, overwhelmed and overwrought. I felt like I would fall apart at any moment. It was the daily phone call from my best friend in California that kept me together. I closed my windows to block the stench of death that hung over lower Manhattan. And I looked out the window at my southern city view, and couldn’t remember if I used to be able to see the Towers. That drove me crazy. I just couldn’t remember.<br /><br />I do, however, remember the missing posters that sprang up around the city, and the people coming to the Times with those posters, asking if we could help. I remember taking a Xeroxed photo of <span style="font-weight:bold;">Tonyell McDay</span> from her parents when they came to the newsroom. And living across from Beth Israel hospital I saw so many of the posters. It was a haunted city where eyes stared back at you everywhere you went.<br /><br />I am one of a small group of people who carry dozens and dozens of names in my memory. For nearly five months I gathered the photos for the “<span style="font-weight:bold;">Portraits of Grief</span>,” published in the New York Times. I spent my days cropping faces out from the wonderful moments in their lives to represent the horror of their deaths.<br /><br />At first getting photographs for each profile was just a matter of professional pride, mixed with numbness and exhaustion from the attacks. But it quickly became critical to me to see that there was a photograph to run with each profile. I wanted "Portraits of Grief" to become personal for the readers. I wanted them to be able to look into the eyes of each person who died so that they were not reduced to an incomprehensible statistic--a number too great to be felt in the heart.<br /><br />I worked on the "<a href="http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/us/sept-11-reckoning/portraits-of-grief.html">Portraits of Grief</a>" every day until I honestly couldn't do it anymore. It broke my heart.<br /><br />In the years since, politicians and opportunists have made their money and gained their power. War and torture and ‘extraordinary rendition’ and profiteering and no more privacy have twisted their roots deep into this country. As people jump in front of the camera, talk too much in the press, repeat images over and over, and tell us “what this mean,” I will think back to the actual day, <span style="font-weight:bold;">September 11, 2001</span>, and poke the scar so I can feel it again.<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Tonyell McDay, Maria Abad, Eldelmiro Abad, Tariq Amanullah, Samantha and Lisa Egan, Dave Fontana, Susan Getzendanner, Jonathan Ielpi, Manny Del Valle, Ward Haynes, Terry Hatton, Rudy Bacchus, Moira Smith, Sean Booker, Beth Quigley, John & Joseph Vigiano, Godwin Ajala, Ricknauth Jaggernauth, Timothy Stackpole, Pat Brown, Christian Regenhard</span>…....just a few of the 2, 749 people murdered in New York. <br /><br />And most of those who died have never been identified. <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMZtVUJP3W0CA7yw5XktBdzHC6l4V2nY3nKSmgF62gbuKecAO33Tb9X2YGRmAL-qicNBrS0ISzsJFXfv3GajkNKME7oSQDU9bAW1ogNkehvTNb98Sgt9X2OKT-u_J0x5CMYHxmpP8z8lFb/s1600/Screen+shot+2011-09-02+at+2.25.26+PM.png"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMZtVUJP3W0CA7yw5XktBdzHC6l4V2nY3nKSmgF62gbuKecAO33Tb9X2YGRmAL-qicNBrS0ISzsJFXfv3GajkNKME7oSQDU9bAW1ogNkehvTNb98Sgt9X2OKT-u_J0x5CMYHxmpP8z8lFb/s400/Screen+shot+2011-09-02+at+2.25.26+PM.png" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5649624034477163218" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif6UaTl5aLww3yESwGCOATGSfa7cZnE9BaH8AF2r9jlXXATBRrXlRV6bbbbhsjrMeSyQZpRg_8DikEk-gTSRS1xzgme7vYkkynLYswN7_qJ3rj4i0CRzlPO6bM2t3umVTpLt8y86HGC5tM/s1600/Screen+shot+2011-09-02+at+2.26.16+PM.png"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 265px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif6UaTl5aLww3yESwGCOATGSfa7cZnE9BaH8AF2r9jlXXATBRrXlRV6bbbbhsjrMeSyQZpRg_8DikEk-gTSRS1xzgme7vYkkynLYswN7_qJ3rj4i0CRzlPO6bM2t3umVTpLt8y86HGC5tM/s400/Screen+shot+2011-09-02+at+2.26.16+PM.png" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5649624224529746930" /></a><br /><br />Photographs by <a href="http://www.floriophoto.com/">Jason Florio</a>. Taken then, and at the same time this week.Stella Kramerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13106185614529401218noreply@blogger.com9