Predictions '09

Thinking lately about the conversations I have had with my friends, colleagues, and students over the past year, it feels as if it may be time to offer some photo predictions for 2009.

• The "photo - blog" will reach some kind of precipice / tipping point. More innovations will be offered (which is true every year), but I see more personal narratives gripping us rather than the same old, same old. Already it appears as if our community is in danger of becoming formulaic, although there are of course still standouts. I find myself skipping over much that sits in my Google Reader, and focusing more and more on the posts / blogs that convey a sense of authorship rather than repetition. Generationally, we are in control of the first attempt on what the possibilities of this online medium hold, and I personally plan on using this first prediction as an incentive to push myself to be as creative as possible with my blog. Of course I challenge all of you to do the same!

• Being an emerging artist / photographer will become more challenging and fulfilling at the same time. As the economy tightens, so will the emerging artist market (this article offers some great insights into the topic, and there is also this terrific article in the January issue of Artforum by Nick Stillman). Maybe it will result in some good photographers being passed over, but also (hopefully) the development of a higher standard, and ultimately better work all around.

• The year of Surf the Channel and it's ultimate demise. This next step in media sharing is too good to be true, just as is the openness of the Internet itself. In the short time since I have abandoned all traditional media, and turned to the web itself for all of these needs (urges), I have found the increase in advertising staggering. I think we will look back on the intellectual, visual, and raw access freedoms that we enjoy currently on the Internet as the pinnacle.

• And finally a non - photo related prediction for the best year ever! It has to keep getting better folks, or what's the point of living? Economically things are looking apocalyptic, but seriously this doom & gloom is as bad as the "terrorists". We should be excited for the future, and need I mention that at least in this country we will have an intellectually curious leader for the first time in 8 years.

Happy New Year!

The Old Man

I feel like I should have trouble admitting this, but I really enjoy watching 60 Minutes. Perhaps it is the old man in me, but every week I look forward to streaming it online. This weeks episode was possibly one of the best I have ever seen. True it was about Barack Obama's ascension to the White House, but it felt, to me, like it was more than that.

Hope and forward thinking were the strongest elements of his campaign, and it is very apparent to me that we need to keep these concepts in mind, especially on a personal level, in the coming year. So, sit back and enjoy this episode. It is full of mushy happy stuff; love, triumph over adversity, and the importance of family. But most of all it reminded me that this really is an exciting time in America, and why I want to be an active participant in making a better world.

Music Videos

I have been quite content today lying around watching music videos. This activity was touched off by going through the 40+ posts that had backed up on my Google Reader account by Brad Tromel. Brad finds some truly compelling material (I strongly recommend checking out this video, and this one).

This was the most interesting video I personally found, it reminds me of my friend Marlo Pascual's work, who by the way is having an opening at the beginning of next year at the Swiss Institute Contemporary Art in NY!

It's A Wonderful Life

Stefan Abrams let me know about a new project he put together entitled, It's A Wonderful Life. There are some really funny images here, and seeing as it is appropriately seasonal I thought I would pass it along:


From the series It's A Wonderful Life
© Stefan Abrams


From the series It's A Wonderful Life
© Stefan Abrams


From the series It's A Wonderful Life
© Stefan Abrams


From the series It's A Wonderful Life
© Stefan Abrams

Music From This Moment

Totally missed these when they came out a few months ago, but I downloaded two really great albums this afternoon:


The Slip by NIN is first off free, but is also the most listenable album by NIN since Pretty Hate Machine as far as I am concerned. There is a lot going on here, songs inspired by breakcore & jungle, techno, maybe even Make - Up or Weird War. Wherever it's roots lie this is an incredible album, especially because I would have never predicted that I would be listening to a NIN album again!


The Notwist probably made one of my favorite albums ever Neon Golden back in 2003. I have been waiting for a new album for what feels like forever, and The Devil, You + Me is more mellow, but does not disappoint. Really good, but I think the side project 13 & God may have some more standout tracks.

Finally this is an oldy, but I have been listening to a lot of Pink Floyd lately as well, and Wish You Were Here is an album pretty much everyone should have on vinyl and digitally.

Internet Hibernation

Last week was very busy, and the last full week of classes for me, hence the lack of posts. However it was followed by a couple of very relaxing days away from the computer. So, I think it is time for my winter Internet Hibernation, i.e. checking email occasionally, as well as keeping browsing to a minimum. It is a beautiful, slightly warm day here, which is signaling to me that it is also time to do some shooting. So, I may be a bit dormant for the next few weeks, but I am sure a few posts will trickle out...

There are a couple of things I wanted to point out now though:

• Amy Stein has a great show up in Philly right now at the Print Center, so all you natives better check it out!

• Help keep the dream alive, by watching Obama's weekly Internet Video Addresses (here's this weeks).



• Ben Alper of The Exposure Project put up a bunch of new work on his revamped website.


"Online Obituary" . 2008 . From the series The Family Dig
© Ben Alper

• The beautiful Cara Philips is a Hot Shot! If you like her work, just wait until you see her new stuff...


From the series Ultraviolet Beauties
© Cara Phillips

• And, as I am sure as most of you know by now there is an incredible group show assembled by Jorg Colberg up at Michael Mazzeo right now.

Hope everyone is doing great!

THANK YOU!

A big heart to everyone that has purchased one of my prints from 20x200! I am absolutely flattered by the amount of people who are interested in my work, posted about the editions on their blog, and sent me warm emails and kind words. Thanks to Jen B. and crew for including me in this fantastic project. I find 20x200 a wonderful project in many ways, it is a fantastic opportunity for an emerging artist, such as myself, to get exposure. It is also a great venue for putting high quality, affordable, art out into the world, and ultimately puts a bit of democracy back into the democratic medium. Below is a photograph of my proofs for both the prints, just a little taste for all of you who will have one in your hand soon enough! Thanks again.

20x200 Today! *Update*

As mentioned last week, I am going to have (2) editions on 20x200 released today at 2PM EST! I have to let Jen Bekman and crew announce what images are going to be released, so no sneak peak, but one is from my series Westward, and one from Paradise. I will make sure to post which images are up later today, even though by that time you can check it out for yourself over at 20x200!

*Here are the editions*


"Idaho Springs, Colorado" . 2004 . From the series Westward
© Justin James Reed


"Norristown, Pennsylvania" . 2007 . From the series Paradise
© Justin James Reed

WWWSD?

"Knuckles, South Boston" . 2007 . From the series The Lament of Orpheus
© Will Steacy

I knew Will was about as tough as they come photography - wise after his post about contemplating dropping a brick on a bike thief (he opted for a spoon). I mean one need only look at his work, and see how aggressive of a photographer he is to get the idea. However, Will's recent post about being confronted while taking a photograph on the streets of Philly is above and beyond:

"The other night in Philly I was setting up to take this shot when the porno theater guy comes running out at me saying, "No pictures, no pictures, the boss doesn't want any pictures." So I turn to him and say, "Fuck the bosses! Every boss I have ever had sucks and you know what guy, your boss sucks too, he don't pay you enough for all your hard work, fuck him." He didn't seem too concerned about his pay and said that he's going to call the boss. I told him, "Fine, call your boss. Your boss can't do shit because I am in public domain, on the streets, and I have the freedom to take any picture I want, so if you want to call your boss, go ahead, and while your at it, call the police too!" He turned and slowly walked back to his ticket stub booth. The boss didn't come, nor did the police, but two creepy guys did and they bought tickets with quick movements and looked around after they got their ticket to see if anyone was watching them. I was."...keep reading here.

Not only does he offer some great advice for young photographer's, but I think they are inspiring words to anyone who feels intimidated setting up their camera in a conspicuous place. Personally, when I am shooting, I am constantly nervous, but then again I am trespassing most of the time. However, now instead of being nervous I think I will say to myself What Would Will Steacy Do?

Found Photograph From This Moment

"Riverton, WY"
© Tim Carpenter

Tim was kind enough to share his work with me a little while back, thanks!