As some of you already know I’m taking a new job. Since October I’ve worked at the Huntington Museum of Art, but I’ve recently been hired as a Lifetouch photographer. I’m soon traveling to Pennsylvania for training. This is my last weekend at the museum and I decided to spend today’s lunch in the Conservatory.
I’ve seen a lot of photos taken in there; it’s a beautiful place. What stands out to me are the textures. I LOVE textures. Shooting today afforded me the opportunity to use a macro lens attachment for my camera. I wanted to post a few of the photos since I probably won’t be blogging for a bit.
I’m actually kind of sad to leave but I’m looking forward to my new job. If you’re looking for something cool to do around Huntington you should come check out the museum. There’s certainly a lot more to see here than what I’ve posted.
I have this cat named Big Guy. I’ve not really talked about him much, lest I become that cat guy who compares his cats to other people’s cats. And what they play with and what litter they use and what food they eat and all that weird cat person talk…
BUT…this is Big Guy…and it’s obvious where he gets his name.
He apparently has an online fan club…and why not with this face?
That’s a face often seen on Guy. That tongue sticks out of his head as much as it stays in. In fact, EVERY time you scratch the base of his tail the tongue flicks out. Sometimes it hangs there…for long periods of time…and he just chills.
Sometimes it curls ever so slightly at the edge of his mouth just waiting to unfurl.
But that’s not the only unique thing about him. I’ve never seen a cat lay on it’s back so much in my life.
This happens a LOT.
And Guy most certainly likes to lay around.
And droop…
And claim…
He’s quite the lazy, hedonistic cat when he’s not out beating up every feline, small dog and wild animal in the neighborhood. Big Guy is king of all he surveys when he’s outside…and he lives like a king inside. Complete with stomach scratches.
More often than not when you pet him…he’ll roll over.
After the death of Biscuit I wondered how any other cat could measure up. And while Big Guy can’t replace him I simply can’t deny that he’s the perfect pet for me right now. Here’s to the cat that I’ve failed to mention too many times and who, as I type this, is laying at my side curled up against my leg.
There’s a moment…just before the sun dips under the horizon…and lasting through the gloaming…where the light makes everything look magically orange. I think if there are mythical creatures they only come out at this time. And in moments they are gone. You can stand and look and it seems as if time stands still…seed pods float on the breeze, the rustling leaves slow…but if you try to make it last it dissipates in the wind.
Yesterday marked the release of an album I’ve been waiting for a long time. In 2009 the lead singers of Delta Spirit, Dawes and Deer Tick came together for a collaboration project: Middle brother. If you know anything about these bands individually you can suspect the result was beautiful. If not, let’s have an overview of the talent.
Matt Vasquez brings a unique blend of rasp and conviction of soul.
Taylor Goldsmith brings something a little epic and anthemic to the table.
And John McCauley, among other things adds texture to complement and contrast the other two.
The Result? Americana greatness.
Honestly, when I heard about this project I was skeptical. Many such super groups and collaborations fail to pass muster. I’m thinking of the second Traveling Wilburys album off the top of my head. Someone should have taken the mic from Bob Dylan. This is NOT one of those albums. Every member has their chance to shine. This is cigar smoking and whiskey drinking music. It’s full of grit, rasp and feeling. It makes me feel like I’m in the room with three friends who simply enjoy making music together. A room where I might have to wave away smoke with my beer bottle.
The highlight of the album, for me, is Blue Eyes. A Vasquez love song is always appreciated. He’s more of a social and political activist. Blue Eyes is relentless. I’m a die hard Delta Spirit fan though so..you know. A big surprise to me was Theater. I had been waiting for it’s release by Delta Spirit since I saw this video. Imagine my surprise when it was on the Middle Brother album.
I had two concerns when I heard about this project. The first of these is that Taylor Goldsmith would be hidden by Vasquez and McCauly’s textured vocals. This was…in error. Goldsmith adds a much needed third layer to the mix. His tracks break up the album in a good way, and honestly the album would have SERIOUSLY suffered without him. He knocks it out of the ballpark with Blood and Guts. In true Goldsmith style this track it’s slightly bigger than a song. Any song that produces an emotional reaction is a win to me and he does that nearly every time.
My second concern was that McCauley would dominate the vocals. This, perhaps, was a little more justified. He did have more time at the mic and it’s obvious. However I’m not sure it’s a bad thing now. It’s definitely a mood album and McCauley’s vocals add to that mood. I think it was a good decision, he seems to be a prolific song writer. I can’t imagine some of these songs vocalized by anyone else. This McCauley track was released as a Christmas gift/teaser.
In a world where undue focus is given to polished pop music this stands out as a proud reminder of musical roots. I think it’s the perfect response to Monsters of Folk. I felt that album title a serious misnomer. This album, however, did not let me down.
If you want to check it out I recommend iTunes because there’s a bonus track included.
Something happened several weeks ago that burned me for a while. A local model said I “Don’t like the female form.” WHAT?!
I wish I could say it’s a first. I get comments like that from time to time.
At the time I laughed at the absurdity of the statement. It was completely not based in any sort of reality at all. When I realized what it translated to it ticked me off. What it meant is I don’t take trashy bikini and panties photos. Or worse, a naked girl with blood and a knife or whatever weird crap young ironic guys do to get girls naked in front of a camera.
I simply don’t understand the mindset that if a photographer doesn’t want you naked or half naked he’s not worth taking your photo. But it seems to be a prominent one around here. There are guys who get paid to shoot canned, completely unartistic bikini shots and it astounds me. The same girls who would pay for those photos ignore me and I’d most likely not charge a dime. Granted the catch is a smidgen of class. Initially I would ask any model without bias if they would work with me to help build a portfolio. The responses from those who have a portfolio made up largely of naked and half naked photos left something to be desired. I was outright ignored by some after saying I won’t shoot bikinis or nudes.
God forbid a woman could be attractive with *gasp!* CLOTHES ON! So I guess it all depends on what you’re looking for. What your goals in life are. If you like naked ironic photos with a medium fish in a tiny bowl photographer as a status symbol online I’m not your kind of photographer. If you want to be in a bikini calender (and we all know those will be treated respectfully) then I guess I’m not your kind of photographer. If your long term goal is to be able to get naked for money I’m not your kind of photographer.
It bugged the CRAP out of me initially because I knew I was a good photographer and I was being completely ignored. I’ve come to terms with that now. I realize I’m in a place I don’t mind being.
This blog has been a long time coming. I have, in fact, met a few girls who take bikini photos who aren’t like the others. I even shot with one and she did and amazing job with clothes on. I will go out on a limb and say there is a place for things like that. There is a place in the artistic and commercial world for bikini photos and underwear photos. There’s even a place for nudity in art. There is even a place for sexuality and I’ve incorporated that into my work. But there’s a not so fine line between art and gratuitous flesh. I think it becomes gratuitous when the overwhelmingly obvious goal is sexual attraction for public consumption as opposed to a healthy respect for the natural form.
About a year ago I had a Borders coupon burning a hole in my pocket. Naturally I felt the need to spend money to save money; the age old trap of capitalism. Those of you who know me understand that I consume music. I download hundreds of podcasts just to spend hours on the hunt for new quality music. That being the case this coupon didn’t mean a book, this meant music. As always I made a beeline for the blues section. I had planned to get some John Lee Hooker, Gary Davis or Taj if they had something I didn’t. Instead I saw something new: Reverend Peyton’s Big Damn Band. What a name.
I immediately looked it up on my phone and found this Youtube video and watched it in the store.
This CD was obviously going home with me. Within a few months I had 3 albums and kept the Reverend in heavy rotation on my iPod. Fast forward about a year. I’m standing at the V Club in a crowd including skinny jean hipsters and punk rockers shouting a gospel song. Surreal indeed. That’s when I realized this band I had discovered by accident was much much more than I had anticipated. It was a lightning rod. It attracts very diverse individuals.
I had come at the band from the country blues angle. Country blues takes up a large chunk of real estate on my iPod. I listen to a LOT of Taj Mahal, Reverend Gary Davis, Lead Belly, Big Bill Broonzy, Son House, John Lee Hooker, Alvin Youngblood Heart, Guy Davis, Levon Helm and various artists who blend American roots music in a meaningful way. Reverend Peyton’s Big Damn Band appeals to that in me.
But there’s so much more to the music that it draws from a diverse fan base. And that’s why I think it’s a lightning rod. As much as this music is blues it’s also rockabilly. It’s also punk. It’s also country. It’s also rock and roll. I was actually caught off guard by this because I simply don’t think in those terms anymore. Quality music is quality music. It suddenly dawned on me that this was an evolutionary step when the crowd screamed Mama’s Fried Potatoes in unison.
The energy on stage was like how I’d imagine a Howlin’ Wolf show would be in his prime. When he crawled on the stage, danced, licked his harp provocatively, howled and swung the mic from his crotch. That much energy packed on a small stage in a crowded bar. It was electric. The Reverend kicked cymbals off the drums and played slide with a harp while his wife Breezy set her washboard on fire. If the blues is to survive in a meaningful form it will be this one. While people like Guy Davis are performing fresh renditions of previous blues forms, it needs to change to appeal to an audience. Reverend Peyton’s Big Damn Band does this. It also brings blues into the 21st century with songs that talk about Wal Mart killing mom and pop shops and PVCs in catfish. The Wolf said, “any time you thinking evil you got the blues.”
I had said all this before but it became tangible last night. Like a physical realization of an idea I’ve felt. All it took was a room full of people with diverse backgrounds and musical tastes excitedly shouting along with their fists in the air to blues with teeth. My appreciation is great. I’ve been to too many blues concerts full of old white hippies sitting still in seats as the blues masters come out and perform for a crowd that taps their foot at best. This is a much needed shot in the arm of the genre but it also transcends it; infusing a variety of styles into something new with the soul of Lead Belly and the heart of Johnny Cash.
If you’d like to see the whole photo set from this show check out my Flickr.
It’s a new year and Dames for Dogs is making another calender. Last year several ladies in the Huntington area participated. It was the first time I had done pin ups and I have mixed opinions about the ones I shot. The important thing it I’ve learned. Here are a few that I really like.
Working with Dames for Dogs prompted me to do a pin up shoot on my own and I’m encouraged by the results.
But I’d like some more practice…so I’m offering 5 free dames for dogs sessions… But there’s a catch. You have to be a Huntington area local, be able to provide your own outfit and provide a shooting location. You have to do a full photo shoot including at least one good shot with your dog (preferably a rescue) for Dames for Dogs merchandise. You also have to pay the $15 fee to become a dame. This benefits me because it expands my portfolio, and if you’re a local aspiring model the same would go for you since a dog only must be present in a few of the photos. You also have the chance to be in Dames for Dogs merchandise including the 2012 calender. It also benefits the organization with new dames and financial support. Since photos without a dog will be included in my portfolio all ideas have to be approved by me. All photos for the dame calender must be child friendly and you don’t have to be an aspiring model to shoot.
For more information on Dames for Dogs see http://damesfordogs.bbnow.org/
To contact me about shooting email justindbrock@gmail.com or message me at facebook.com/brockphotography
This is a standing offer for locals until I have 5 shoots.
