The tragedy still unfolding in Japan is absolutely heartbreaking in every way imaginable. Please consider supporting one of the many organizations currently bringing aid and medical support – these include Doctors Without Borders, Network for Good, and the American Red Cross.
Laughingsquid.com just posted this Kodak documentary from 1958 on how film is made. Very timely as I’ve been shooting more film. I tested out the new/old camera on a weekend shoot and am going to drop off a bunch of rolls of film to be processed in the next few days. Now I just need to get that black and white darkroom set up in the garage…
Oh Valentine’s day. What a strange holiday. I approve of what it symbolizes, but dislike the commercialization and pressure on certain members of a couple to ante up some kind of gesture representing their devotion.
It can be hard to be single, and happily so, in a world which emphasizes partnering up. As grateful as I am for my current relationship, I would never trade away the independence and self knowledge I gained from years of being on my own.
My partner and I don’t celebrate Valentine’s day, so these are absolutely not in any way Valentine’s day flowers. I just happened to walk past Prairie Collective on Divisadaro street and noticed that Studio Choo had put out a fresh batch of little bouquets. In my opinion, there’s never just one day to buy someone flowers – and don’t forget to get yourself something romantic once in a while.
We are back in Mesa, Arizona for a family emergency. Times like these, I’m reminded how important it is to tell the people in your life just how much you appreciate and love them. As often as possible. Take a moment to call, text, or write a letter to someone you care about, because you never know what life will bring.
“Everyone deserves a chance to fly”
This was my very first tattoo. It’s a quote from the musical, “Wicked”. Its sung at a very pivotal point in the musical where the “wicked” witch defies all odds and flies, even when there are people trying to stop her. This quote reminds me that even though people may try to bring me down, I know I can defy their expectations and just be myself. If I don’t at least try, they win.
Arrows
My best friend Mo stuck and poked me right before I moved for the Bay. Not only did it symbolize our friendship but it also symbolizes that no matter where I end up, that compass will always keep me from getting lost.
Crane Tattoo
My grandfather was the first family member to pass away. I remember it was so hard for me to cope with his death that getting this tattoo in his memory was the only thing that helped ease my pain. I remembered my grandfather used to play with these Japanese playing cards. When he played, I remember as a child how that was the only time I really saw him smile and really enjoy himself. I took an image from one of these cards and did my own drawing interpretation of it.
Triangle
When I started to identify as “Queer”, not just as a “Lesbian”, is when I got this tattoo. I couldn’t have been more proud of how much I opened my heart and my mind to infinite possibilities of sex, gender, identity, and love.
Live in San Francisco and have some ink you’d like to show off, or are a tattoo artist who just finished a really cool piece? Contact me about a shoot. I’m always looking for people with creative and interesting tats to work with.
Imagine you’re at a swap meet. Or a garage sale. Or an estate auction.
You see a box of negatives for sale. They are of the city, people, places, beaches. Do you purchase the box out of curiosity, or do you move onto something a little less dusty?
Faced with this situation, John Maloof chose to purchase these many boxes of negatives and when sorting through them, discovered a nearly unbelievable treasure. Once he realized the scope of the work, he began to research the photographer behind the images. Vivian Maier was a nanny in the suburbs of Chicago who for years she would leave her home to photograph in the streets of the city. She left behind over 100,000 negatives, most of them medium format, along with thousands of prints and boxes of undeveloped rolls of film. To print and process her work, she had converted her bathroom into a darkroom – participating in a long tradition of diy darkroom artistry. Her work is, simply put, stunning.
Had her work not been found by someone who could appreciate it, it’s quite easy to imagine those boxes heading straight for the dump. And we would have been denied the work of a true master of the medium. Sadly, Ms. Maier died shortly before her work was found and began to get the international attention she very much deserves. I find her story deeply moving, her work inspiring, and hope you do as well.
John Maloof’s blog on her work is here.
Kickstarter, where you can support a documentary on Vivian Maier’s work and pre-order a copy of the DVD as well as a forthcoming book of her photography.
A flickr discussion on the topic, with his initial request for help in what to do with these materials.
Nytimes lensblog coverage of this story.
An exhibition of her work is currently up at the Chicago Cultural Center. I’m trying to think of ways to get there and see it in person!
Seems like just yesterday she was this…
These days it’s more like this…
Ever year I try to make it to the Dickens Christmas Fair at least once. What can I say? I’m a sucker for top hats. Dickens fair is a blast, drawing huge numbers of people with far better sewing abilities than I possess. The eye candy is through the roof, and the lighting is regrettably bad. In between cups of mulled wine, I managed to get a few shots worth sharing.
The irony of re-creating London in San Francisco isn’t lost on many people. It was foggy, rainy, and gross the day we went. Perfect!
The windows of the Dark Garden Corset’s booth are always a big hit. These kids were trying to decide if the models were real.
More below the cut –
Of all the many blessings of this past year for which I am deeply thankful for; my Uncle David’s home-made apple pie is currently at the top of the list.
I mean, just look at it….
We gleefully demolished the remainders of this dessert yesterday, while hanging out on the couch, watching movies, and cuddling with the cats. Hope you all had a wonderful holiday, surrounded by people you love.
What are you thankful for this year?