Michael J. Cargill Photography

And We All Float On

2011-11-27T21:02:00.000-08:00

A few snaps of this years parade prep. Got there too late to really explore like I wanted to.

Happy Halloween

2011-10-31T11:37:00.000-07:00

In keeping with the spirit of Halloween and the macabre - a trip through Cimetiere du Pere Lachais in Paris. France.

Occupy Wall Street

2011-10-11T09:37:00.000-07:00

I've taken a few trips down to the Financial District to see what all the fuss is about.

Pictures of Things

2011-08-25T09:16:00.000-07:00

Lately I've been posting new shots to my tumblr page Pictures of Things.
I really like the simplicity of it, and the fact the feedback is almost instantaneous. It also seems that almost all of my personal shots have been done on film. I've explained why before, but anyway here are some of the newer shots

Canon Demi

2011-08-25T09:03:00.000-07:00

My former boss on the show Sherri (a fellow photo nut) sent me a present a few weeks ago. It was a Canon Demi half frame camera from the 60s that had been collecting dust on her shelf. (what can I say, I work with super cool people!)
I guess the camera was designed at a time when film was super expensive. So by shooting 2 images on a single film frame, folks were able to save money, and double their photo output. As the world goes digital, film is again rather pricey, so it's cool to dust this puppy off, and use it tome make instant diptychs.
I personally love the look, feel, and 'never know what you're gonna get" feel of this camera. Here are a couple shots that I've gotten from it thus far. More to come soon.
Thanks again boss!

7/4/11

2011-07-05T20:27:00.000-07:00

Coney Island Part 1: Nostalgic

2011-06-21T21:13:00.000-07:00

As a little kid growing up in St. Louis, Missouri, the phrase Coney Island didn't really mean much more to me than a punchline on a Saturday night sitcom, or the place the police found the body on one of those cop shows. I didn't know where or what it was, and not sure I really cared. In the 10 years that I've lived here, nothing ever really prompted me to make the trip. I'm not a fan of beaches (I can't swim, I have a beer belly that does not lend itself being framed by a Speedo, and a brother turns dark as the midnight sky when he gets too much sun) and oh did I mention - it's FAR!

But last summer while scouting a commercial shoot, I finally made the journey, and although I was only there for a brief time, and didn't really have an opportunity to explore of fully check it out - there was something romantic and alluring about the place.

This weekend, when I saw the annual Mermaid Parade was happening, (more about that later) I decided I would fight through my hangover, and make the journey to see what all the fuss was about. I decided to pack my 35mm Canon and Yashica Mat G film cameras, purely on instinct, somehow knowing that digital wouldn't do the place justice.

It turned out to be a good choice.

There is something about Coney Island that feels old, outdated, decrepit, and obsolete. That's what makes it so beautiful. It's a part of New York that has embraced it's urban decay and wears it proudly on its sleeve. Walking around the boardwalk, past the rides, back and forth by the funnel cakes, Italian sausages, and fried shrimp felt a bit like the summers of my childhood at St. Lou's VP Fair. There is an immediate feeling of nostalgia and a longing for youth that washes over you as you look back at the Wonder Wheel. You feel like an extra in Annie Hall, and expect a young Woody Allen and Dianne Keaton to stroll by at any moment. It feels like old New York. (the New York that most of us newbies have no clue about, because we showed up post Guilianni)

I feel like some of that nostalgic feeling showed up in these images. Or at least it does for me.

Coney Island Part 2: Mermaid Parade

2011-06-21T21:11:00.000-07:00

So the reason I actually went to Coney Island was to check out the Mermaid Parade. My friend Yvonne had always told me about it, but I'd never gone.

It's another one of those New York rituals that gives New Yorkers an excuse to act a fool and let there freak flags fly. And let's face it if there's one thing New Yorkers have - it's the ability to act a fool, and wave a freak flag.

...and even MORE things shot on film

2011-06-07T08:55:00.000-07:00

I've been posting more to my tumblr lately because I love the instant feedback and how easily people can share the images with others. I've also been continuing to shoot a lot more on film. Much more expensive, and not as immediate as digital, but the results are aesthetically rather pleasing.
Here's a sampling of some recent images.

The Last Few Weeks

2011-05-03T21:46:00.000-07:00

Continuing to work with film to see what it gives me. Digging the results

The Strokes meet Elvis

2011-04-02T01:09:00.000-07:00

In the middle of their "comeback show" at MSG Julian Casablancas of The Strokes made an April Fools joke that they should have Elvis Costello sing with them on Taken For A Fool since that is who they borrowed from to write it. But half way through the song, the joke wasn't so funny any more when the man himself majically appeared on the stage. (or was I just looking the other way at the moment?)

S wa

2011-03-31T19:14:00.001-07:00

Travel: San Francisco

2011-03-30T23:29:00.000-07:00

Random crap from a recent trip to San Francisco, CA. Sadly it was cold, and rainy the entire time I was there. These are mainly the film shots, still wading my way through the digital images which I'll post soon

LCD Soundsystem - The final shows

2011-03-30T11:14:00.000-07:00

One of my favorite bands are taking their final bow with 5 sold out nights at Terminal 5, leading up to to their Final show at Madison Square Garden on Saturday.
While I question the logic of a band This good throwing in the towel while at the top of their game, I can't argue with the pure awesomeness of how they're saying goodbye. If last night's 3 hour show was just a warm up, I can't wait to see what to see what they have in store for their last gig.

Random

2011-03-21T22:39:00.000-07:00

More things shot on film

2011-03-13T21:59:00.000-07:00

Working more with the Yashica Mat G and 35mm. Starting to see some improvement.

Chess

Coffee

Ice Cube rocks BB Kings in Times Square

Ghandi in Union Square

Subway

St. Pat's in Hoboken

Grand Central Sunlight

The Dandy

Follow the Leprechaun

The Evacuation

2011-01-30T19:37:00.000-08:00

The fire alarms went off at the studio in Connecticut where we shoot Are We There Yet? The fire department made us evacuate the building while they investigated to make sure everything was safe. So there was nothing left to do except - play in the snow!

Terry Crews starting a snowball battle.

Production Secretary Alysse Rosner

Set Designer Norval Johnson

Property Master Matthew Millstein

Actor Christian Finnegan

Art Director Matteo DeCosmo

2nd AD Patrick Huber, 2nd 2nd AD Nakoma Lithani

Production Supervisor Stan Charnin

Norval and Matteo with Production Accountant Spring Sutter

Star of the show Terry Crews with Writer Owen Smith

Director Alfonso Ribeiro

Pictures with snow in them.

2011-01-16T21:47:00.000-08:00

snowed in

Marley

Blizzard

The Return of Are We There Yet?

2011-01-04T22:47:00.000-08:00

Today is the premiere of the all new season of Are We There Yet? (Wednesdays at 10/9c on TBS)

Since I've already talked about the show here, I'll just say the new season is even funnier, and features more cameos and guest stars than last time around (and did I mention it's even funnier?)

Here are a couple of behind the scenes shots from the first round of episodes.

Series creator/Executive Producer/Writer/Director (yeah, the brother wears a lot of hats) Ali LeRoi with recurring director Alfonso Ribeiro.

Terry Crews ducks and covers before Essence Atkins pops his ass.

Terry and Essence with boxing champ Laila Ali.

Sitcom vet Telma Hopkins.

Keesha Sharp and Christian Finnegan

Coy Stewart

Teela Dunn.

David Rasche

Mr. and Mrs. Chubb Rock

Keesha Sharp

Essence teases Bobb'e J. Thompson.

Michael Strahan.

Judge Sinbad.

Terry Crews gets his Prince on.

Essence gets her Rhianna on.

Coy with Alfonso and DP Bill Berner.

Mr. Wayne Brady.

Wayne and Alfonso blow off some steam with a round of Michael Jackson's Wii game.

Film

2010-12-31T10:47:00.000-08:00

It's been forever since I added anything new to the stream so thought I'd correct that.

I've been shooting a lot with film cameras lately. A Yashica Mat 124, A Cannon 35mm, and a Lomo Diana F.

The more I shoot, the more I realize that my post work is made to look like the shots were done on film, so figured I'd cut out the middle man, and actually give film a shot. It's a lot less precise, and sometimes a bit of a crapshoot as you don't know what you got until you get it back from the lab, but thus far, I've been pretty pleased with the results.

Here are a few of my favorites

As Shot: 365 - Fin

2010-09-06T11:14:00.000-07:00

On Wednesday September 1st I finally completed my year long photo project. The goal was to shoot a picture a day for 365 days that could stand on its own without being photoshopped. And to my surprise - I did it! Some people had asked the reason why I started this crazy endeavor in the first place, and the reason was simple. A few months before I began, someone was looking over my work and commented that while they liked what I was doing, they wished that I focused more on getting the picture right the first time, as opposed to relying on photoshop after the fact. Me being me - a person who has never been fully secure in my abilities as a photographer - this filled me great feelings of doubt. Looking back over everything I'd shot in the 5 years since I bought my first camera, I felt like a hack. That I really had no talent, skill, or understanding of what I was doing, and that if it weren't for photoshop, every one of my pics would have been crap.
So my personal goal in this was to answer the question - am I really someone who can call himself a photographer, albeit a casual one, or was I simply a delusional hack? By forcing myself to shoot and image that I knew couldn't be altered, I hoped to improve my answer this question for myself, and improve my skills at the same time.

Now, a year later, I'm ready to admit that while I'm no Ryan McGinley, Annie Leibowitz, or Ansel Adams - I'm not too shabby if I say so myself. After taking the final shot on the observation deck of 30 Rock, I felt a insanely happy and relieved that I had done it, but also a bit melancholy that the project was over. For the last year it's given me a goal, a purpose, and a direction for my often flailing creative energies. And without this daily task hanging over my head, I kept thinking to myself - well what am I gonna do now? The answer I guess is to keep shooting til something comes to mind. But in the meantime, I hope you dig this last group of my favorite shots from the final month, and I thank everyone who has followed along as I've pursued this goal. Stay tuned for whatever happens next.

The Final Shot

Jeffery And Cole: Live!

2010-08-22T10:03:00.000-07:00

On Friday night I had the pleasure of seeing the comedy team of Jeffery Self and Cole Escola live at Joe's Pub in New York City. After working with these two for the last few months on their LOGO comedy series Jeffery and Cole Casserole, I've come to expect the unexpected. But still NOTHING can prepare you for the experience of seeing these two live.

It seems as though Jeffery and Cole approach everything they do with a sense of reckless abandon, and a throw it at the wall and see if it sticks attitude. But while it might appear that they are making it up as they go along, their routines are actually rather well thought out and constructed for high comic impact. Joining them on stage this night were writer/actor Michael Creighton, singer/performer Erin Markey, and singer/force of nature Bridgett Everett who's rendition of What's Up was uhm.....let's just say you had to be there. REALLY! I couldn't explain it if I tried. (though I will say it involved a strategically placed bottle of vodka, a pink razor, a pair of leopard print panties, and a revelation that a very surprised young man in the crowd won't be forgetting any time soon!)

If you ever get the chance to see the Jeffery and Cole posse live, don't think about it, just do it. You won't be disappointed.

365 As Shot: The Best of July

2010-08-05T08:28:00.000-07:00

My favorite shots from my 365 project in July.
One Month to Go!!

Behind the scenes with Jeffery and Cole Casserole

2010-07-23T12:28:00.000-07:00

For the better part of the summer, I've spent my days in the company of the insanely talented, insanely funny, but mostly just plain insane writer/actors/pop culture junkies Cole Escola and Jeffery Self. I've spent so much time with these two nut jobs because I'm producing their TV series Jeffery and Cole Casserole (Fridays at Midnight on LOGO.)

Over the years I've worked on big shows, I've worked on small shows, and now I'm working on this! There's no budget, there's no crew, sometimes there’s no script, and on the surface there seems to be no rhyme or reason to the lunacy these two cook up. But at the end of the day it has been the most fun, most fulfilling, and the one show that I am probably the most proud of.

Jeffery and Cole Casserole began as a series of youtube videos written, directed, shot, performed, and edited by Self and Escola. After grabbing those videos from the net, and running them on air last year, LOGO decided to throw a handful of cash (literally!) at the project, and brought in a big time production company (Michele Armour’s Marobru Productions, the kind folks behind Chappelle’s Show, Strangers With Candy, and Upright Citizen’s Brigade) to help take the show to the next level. And even though there’s now money to buy props, rent locations, pay the actors, and buy the occasional banana costume – not much has changed. Jeffery and Cole are still the driving creative force behind this hodge podge of sketch, sitcom, and pop culture deconstruction, and they’re still two of nicest, most humble, and brilliantly creative guys I’ve ever had the pleasure to work with.

In addition to being a showcase for the talents of Jeffery and Cole, the show has also been a playground for some of the coolest names (and coolest people) in New York, theatre, music and cabaret including Erin Markey, Justin Bond, Pandora Boxx, Bridget Everett, Max Steele, Geo Wyeth, Max Vernon, Lisa Lambert, David Alex Andrejko, Christian Coulson, and Rachel Shukert.

Below are some of the photos I’ve snapped of the guys on set (also know as Jeffery’s bedroom) throughout the season. If you haven’t seen it yet, check out the new episode tonight at midnight on LOGO and be sure to catch the rest of season 2 throughout the summer.

4th of July 2010

2010-07-05T21:04:00.000-07:00

Things exploding in the air over New York City.

365: June Favs

2010-06-30T22:14:00.000-07:00

I took picture 302 out of 365 in my year long project. Only 63 left to go!!! And I will admit 2 things
1 - I'm shocked that me being the procrastinating, project abandoning SOB that I am has still not missed a day in over 300 days, and 2 - I'll be kinda glad when it's over! Don't get me wrong, I'll keep shooting, and it'll be a while before I'm able to leave the apartment camera-less, but I'm eager to take what I've learned during this project, and focus the energy elsewhere.

After a break I may try it again, but with less constraint, and a more focused theme. We'll see.

Anyway, these are my favorite shots from June. Doesn't mean they're the best, just that I like em.

2010 Pride March

2010-06-30T09:25:00.000-07:00

Pics from this year's Pride March in New York City. I always enjoy shooting the parade because it's always filled with interesting characters, vibrant colors, and energy. This year was no exception.

World Naked Bike Ride 2010

2010-06-13T22:33:00.000-07:00

New Yorkers assemble in peaceful naked celebration of the bike culture, and in protest of the overabundance of cars on the road, and their effect on the environment. This year's ride made even more poignant by the BP oil spill.

Saturday in the Park

2010-06-13T11:33:00.000-07:00

Testing out the video on my new camera in Washington Square Park.

As Shot: The Best of May

2010-06-10T09:02:00.000-07:00

Getting down to the final 80 pics in my 365 photo project. These are my favorite shots from last month.

Random

2010-06-08T11:10:00.000-07:00

Spidey

2010-06-07T22:30:00.000-07:00

Are We There Yet?

2010-05-28T07:19:00.000-07:00

This past winter I had the pleasure of working on the new TBS comedy series Are We There Yet?

The show, based on the Ice Cube Nia Long movie, stars Terry Crews (Everybody Hates Chris) Essence Atkins (Half and Half) as well as Christian Finnegan, Telma Hopkins, Charlie Murphy, and the man himself - Ice Cube. These shots were taken on the set in Connecticut in February as we shot the original 10 Episodes.

Writer/Director/ Ali LeRoi with actors Coy Stewart and Ice Cube.

The Booty set, a 'family' themed restaurant.

Keesha Sharp (Gigi) Teela Dunn (Lindsey) between takes.

Playback.

Big Man / Little Man. Terry Crews (Nick) Coy Stewart (Kevin)

Coy's little brother (and the AWTY unofficial mascot) Chase. Seriously, somebody needs to give this dude his own show.

Cube, Charlie Murphy, Christian Finnegan between takes.

Rehearsing with Terri, Ali, Essence Atkins, the amazing Telma Hopkins and script supervisor Karen Wald.

Cube getting a touch up.

All in the family.

Yankees

2010-05-25T23:01:00.000-07:00

A Walk Through Harlem

2010-05-21T00:42:00.000-07:00

Spent the afternoon walking through Harlem, shooting pics for the project, and just seeing what there was to see. I was on a specific mission to snap a pic of "Harlem USA" on anything I could find. And though I found it, some of the other sight were more interesting.

This brother asked me if I would take his picture....then he asked me if he could hold a dollar to buy a beer....then he asked for ANOTHER dollar, cos he wanted to buy a BIG beer! Only in New York.

I know the lord can show up anywhere, but Damn!

These kids were part of the DLE Records crew who asked me to snap a shot of them. They neither asked for a dollar, or a beer.

Midtown

2010-05-20T00:24:00.000-07:00

View from the conference room at Nickelodeon .

Song #2

2010-05-12T01:12:00.000-07:00

Girls and Boys - Prince
He only knew her for a little while
but he had grown accustomed 2 her style
She had the cutest ass he'd ever seen
He did 2, they were meant 2 be
They loved 2 kiss on the steps of Versailles
It looked like rain, mama, birds do fly
I love u baby, I love u so much,
maybe we can stay in touch
Meet me in another world, space and joy,
vous etes tres belle, mama, girls and boys

He gave her all the love that anyone can,
but she was promised 2 another man
He tried so hard not 2 go insane
Birds do fly, looks like rain
I love u baby, I love u so much,
Maybe we can stay in touch
Meet me in another world, space and joy,
vous etes tres belle, mama, girls and boys

Life is precious baby, love is so rare
I can take the breakup if u say that u care
He had 2 run away, his pride was 2 strong
It started raining, baby, the birds were gone
(I love u baby, I love u so much)
Maybe (Maybe we can stay in touch)
Meet me in another world (Meet me in another world, space and joy)
vous etes tres belle (vous etes tres belle, mama)
girls and boys (girls and boys)

(I love u baby, I love u so much)
I want u, babe (Maybe we can stay in touch)
Maybe we can play today (Meet me in another world, space and joy)
vous etes tres belle (vous etes tres belle, mama)
girls and boys (girls and boys)

{Translation in brackets}
Vous etiez de l'autre cote de la salle
{U were on the other end of the room/hall}
Vous dansiez si fort
{U were dancing so hard/strong}
Je sentais votre parfum
{I could smell your perfume}
Votre sourire me dit que nous devrions nous parler
{Your smile told me we should talk}
Sexe et repos
{Sex and rest}
Baby
Je sais que vous aimerez ca
{I know U'll like that}
Vous n'y resisterez pas
{U won't resist it/to it}
Baby
Je vous enlacerai avec mes jambes
{I'll wrap my legs around U}
Baby
Pendant des heures je vais vous etonner
{During hours I'll astound U (?)}
Baby
Faire l'amour Faire l'amour
{Make love make love}
Nous nous rencontrerons
{We'll meet}

I love u baby, I love u so much
Maybe we can stay in touch
Meet me in another world, space and joy,
vous etes tres belle, mama, girls and boys

(I love u baby)
I want u baby (I love u so much)
I want u so much (Maybe we can stay in touch)
Maybe, maybe we can stay in touch (Meet me in another world, space and joy)
Another world, space (vous etes tres belle)
Lips... (mama, girls and boys)
Face...

Happiness in it's uncut form
Is the feeling that I get, you're warm, warm
Happy's what I get when we do what we do
Happiness, mama, is being with u
Good lord

Meet me somewhere after dawn
Lord (I love u baby)
(I love u so much)
(Maybe we can stay in touch)
(I love u baby)
(I love u so much)
vous etes belle
So like I saw u from across the room, and (maybe we can stay in touch)
Honey, u danced so hard I smelled your perfume, (maybe we can stay in touch)
and the look on your lips said that a,
"We could talk some more, (maybe we can stay in touch)
some more on the dance floor baby" (I love u baby)
Hear the words I'm saying, (I love u so much)
Feel the sex I'm laying (maybe we can stay in touch)
Naughty's what I wanna be with u tonight
Tonight
(Meet me in another world, space and joy)
vous etes tres belle, mama, girls and boys
vous etes tres belle, mama, girls and boys
vous etes tres belle, mama, girls and boys
vous etes tres belle, mama, girls and boys
Girls and boys

Light It UP!

2010-05-09T20:45:00.000-07:00

Performance artist Thomas Skinner performing in Union Square

Leftovers

2010-05-07T09:54:00.000-07:00

I Shoot - A LOT! Not all of the photos end up in the photo project folder, so they just collect dust on my hard drive. I've been trying to go through the unused pics more frequently to find cool stuff. These are a few that didn't make the cut, but that I still find kinda cool.

365: April's Best

2010-05-05T23:05:00.000-07:00

My favorite April photos from my 365 Project

NYU Art display.

My beautiful, wonderful, loving, and awesome parents celebrating their 50th Wedding Anniversary.

The St. Louis Arch.

DUMBO (Down Under Manhattan Bridge Overpass)

The Fountain at Lincoln Center.

Down under 59th Street Bridge (no cutsey local name for this one)

Random Pics

2010-05-04T00:45:00.000-07:00

Published!.....Sorta.

2010-04-15T11:32:00.000-07:00

I did some more shots of I'm From Driftwood's Nathan Manske to coincide with his being selected as one of The Advocate's 'Forty under 40.'

The first photo is the one that will be published in the upcoming print issue - I think. They did some not so great post work on it, and no photo credit - grrr!! So I guess that only makes me a "sorta published" photographer.

THE JAPANDROIDS RULE!!!

2010-04-07T00:12:00.000-07:00

Another great new band that I've babbling on to all of my friends about for the last few months made their way to New York last week. To put it simply, Canada's Japandroids (David Prowse- drums and vocals, and Brian King - guitar and vocals) Rock! The music has a punk rock sensibility to it, that at the end of the day it's all about their energy which is phenomenal. For the last few months, I've been wandering around New York pumping their debut album Post-Nothing through my headphones at full blast, and strangely, it reminded me of hearing Kanye West's "Touch The Sky" for the first time. Not because the music shares any similarities, but because it gave me that same giddy, energetic feeling that caused me to walk a little lighter, a little happier, and a little bouncier while listening to it.
The show was great, and a friend commented upon viewing the first shot here "They look like they are having so much fun!" which they were, and did, and shared with the audience.
Can't wait to hear more from these guys!
(Thanks to Seth at Polyvinyl, and Frank at 230 Publicity!!)

Opening band Midnight Masses

Openers Best Coast

365: The Best of March

2010-04-02T21:00:00.000-07:00

I took my 213th picture today in my quest to shoot a photo a day for 365 days. (Believe me, it's a bit of a shock to me as well). These are my favorite from the last 31 days.

The Bugatti

2010-03-24T00:05:00.000-07:00

I don't know cars. Don't have one. Don't need one. So I don't pay attention.
So I was a little confused when I walked past Selfridges department store in London to find a crowd standing on the corner gawking at a car and snapping pictures with whatever camera they had handy - camera phone, point and shoot, DSLR. People were talking about it, to it, calling friends and family to tell them what they were staring at, and texting emailing photos to share with those not lucky enough to be there. A few even professed that they would stay until the owner emerged, just so they could see who had pulled up in it.

It was a damn hot vehicle, so I joined in, and snapped the pics below. Later after a quick Google search I found out what all the fuss was about.

The Bugatti Veyron is apparently the most expensive friggin' car on the planet with a price tag of about $1.7 Million!!....For a car! It can also go from 0-6 in about 2.6 seconds, and can get up to 253 MPH+

So my question is - What the hell was a $1.7 million car doing parked on the street in one of the city's busiest shopping areas? If you can drop a mil seven on a CAR, shouldn't you be able to afford a parking garage, or a driver? Hell, I would at the very least pay a cousin or a pa just to hang out in the damn thing while I was getting my shop on.

Amsterdam

2010-03-14T15:24:00.000-07:00

As I plan for a trip to London later this week, it dawns on me that I STILL haven't posted any of the photos from my trip to Amsterdam this past fall. So I'm posting a few here now. I'll add to them as I find interesting ones.

An alley near the train terminal, not far from the redlight district - thus the bevy of sex shops.

There are a lot of bikes in Amsterdam

A HELL of a lot of bikes.

My buddy Marquise walking through an alley. Reminds me of the cover of the Oasis album "What's the Story Morning Glory?"

Marquise waiting in line to buy a rail ticket to Berlin.

In line at the Anne Frank House.

In Amsterdam, they take their potty breaks very seriously. Apparently the locals got tired of bar goers tinkling in the middle of the streets, so they set up 'urinors' all over the place. Below is one of the new school urniors (yes, it's what you think. you walk up, stick your business into the little opening and do your business. No curtain, no shade, just right out there in the open.

one of the old school urinors in use. (at least this one provides a bit of privacy)

At a "coffee" shop. Come on, it was friggin' AMSTERDAM! Of COURSE I went to a "coffee" shop. (Marquise soon learned that that brownie was a hell of a lot more potent than he thought!)

more to come later.

Feb Faves

2010-03-13T00:13:00.000-08:00

My favorite pics from month 6 of my 365 project.

The March of the Robots

2010-03-02T21:50:00.000-08:00

There's a men's clothing store in New York's, Flatiron district that always has the coolest window displays. Currently they are featuring one of the coolest - the work of sculptor Gordon Bennett who creates robots out "of found objects which are both old and new. The parts are found in various places including garbage dumps, basements, constructions sites, and garbage sales."

These are pictures of just some of his work. Follow the links to his website to see more. (NOTE: there's an order form at the bottom of his site if anyone wants to buy me one!)

Hooray For Earth

2010-02-28T17:55:00.000-08:00

Walking around on the Lower East Side earlier this week, I found myself wandering into the bar Cakeshop, and being pleasantly surprised to catch a band called Hooray For Earth. For years I've read about those 'you should have seen them when' bands, who rise up from nowhere to become critical darlings and the new "it" band on the scene. Well for me this was a "I saw them when" moment. Hands down the best show I've seen in months, from a band who will no doubt be enjoying their moment in spotlight very very soon. Check out their site, and sample some of their music here

Nostalgia

2010-02-21T22:12:00.000-08:00

nos·tal·gi·a (n -st l j , n -). n. 1. A bittersweet longing for things, persons, or situations of the past.

My Parents

My Grandfather

My Mother

My mother's father with his family down south

My brother

My sister

My parent's oldest friends

My parent's first house

My Grandmother

my parents old backyard

my mother's brother with my father

Don't know who the hell these dudes are, but dug the pic.

Me with Me

Toy Tokyo

2010-02-20T22:21:00.000-08:00

An afternoon at Toy Tokyo in New York's East Village.

Song #1

2010-02-07T21:52:00.000-08:00

Under The Bridge - The Red Hot Chili Peppers Sometimes I feel like I don't have a partner
Sometimes I feel like my only friend
Is the city I live in, the city of angels
Lonely as I am, together we cry

I drive on her streets 'cause she's my companion
I walk through her hills 'cause she knows who I am
She sees my good deeds and she kisses the windy
Well, I never worry, now that is a lie

I don't ever wanna feel like I did that day
But take me to the place I love, take me all the way
I don't ever wanna feel like I did that day
But take me to the place I love, take me all the way, yeah, yeah, yeah

It's hard to believe that there's nobody out there
It's hard to believe that I'm all alone
Atleast I have her love, the city, she loves me
Lonely as I am, together we cry

I don't ever wanna feel like I did that day
But take me to the place I love, take me all the way
I don't ever wanna feel like I did that day
But take me to the place I love, take me all the way, yeah yeah yeah

Oh, no, no, no, yeah yeah
Love me, I say, yeah yeah

One time

Under the bridge downtown
Is where I drew some blood
Under the bridge downtown
I could not get enough

Under the bridge downtown
Forgot about my love
Under the bridge downtown
I gave my life away

Yeah yeah yeah
Oh, no, no, no, yeah yeah
[Incomprehensible]

Where I stay

PURGE!

2010-02-03T19:53:00.000-08:00

Combing the hard drive for forgotten leftovers and random pics.

In The Crowd

2010-02-01T20:43:00.000-08:00

Best of the month

2010-01-31T19:51:00.000-08:00

My favorites, so far, this year.

On to February.

Happy Birthday Kim

2010-01-27T22:00:00.000-08:00

My friend Kim's post surprise party, party.
Happy Birthday Kim!!

The Pixies at Hammerstein

2010-01-11T21:21:00.000-08:00

Shots from the Pixies gig at the Hammerstein Ballroom the night before Thanksgiving. They played their album 'Doolittle' from beginning to end, and were as fucking awesome as one would expect.

Financial District

2010-01-10T20:23:00.000-08:00

A group of shots taken in the fall, and this weekend in downtown New York.

Looking at the Brooklyn Bridge from the Manhattan side.

Church across from the Ground Zero Site.

Guitar Week

2010-01-08T22:29:00.000-08:00

I seem to have encountered a lot of guitars this week.

December Favs

2010-01-02T00:36:00.000-08:00

My favorite shots from the last month.

2009-12-16T23:45:00.001-08:00

The Arctic Monkeys

2009-12-14T20:17:00.000-08:00

One of my favorite new bands of the last couple of years - England's Arctic Monkeys - dropped into New York to play a few nights at Terminal 5. The venue sucks (horrible friggin site lines. I ended up watching most of the show standing on an ottoman in the balcony) but the band was great. Hopefully I can see them again at a better venue soon. In the meantime check out their website, to hear some tunes and watch a few videos.

A shot of the drummer through a window near the backstage

365: November's Best

2009-12-01T22:54:00.000-08:00

Continuing on with my self imposed challenge to shoot 365 Phots in 365 days, that stand on their own without the help of Photoshop or editing. These are my favorites from the month of November, presented as shot.

The previous photo was shot on Thanksgiving after having dinner with friends in their new apartment in Park Slope. After stuffing my face with food, and wine, this was the image that I stepped out to as I exited the subay, which pretty much put the evening in perspective for me.

Parade

2009-11-26T09:40:00.000-08:00

Two years ago my parents came to the east coast to spend Thanksgiving with my sister and I. As they’d never been in New York at holiday time, my mother thought it would be a fun family outing to attend the annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, and asked if I would take her. Being the dutiful son I am I responded – no.

It’s not that I don’t love my mother, and wouldn’t do anything for her, it’s that I know my mother, and I know New York, and knowing my mother and New York I knew that while she thought it might be fun in theory, in actuality – she would have hated it! If you’ve ever attended a big NY event – The Macy’s Parade, The Halloween Parade, The Pride Parade, New Years Eve in Times Square – you know one thing – IT’S CROWDED AS HELL!!! You can’t see what you came to see, you can’t move, you get pushed, jostled, shoved, and you sure as hell can’t find/use a bathroom. Needless to say, we ended up watching the parade that year like sane people – at home, on the couch, sipping coffee.

The next day we went Christmas shopping in midtown. My mother of course wanted to see the windows at Macy’s…..after battling the crowd for about 5 minutes she proclaimed “OK I’m ready to go now, it’s way too crowded”

This year, I decided to beat the crowds (and get a head start) by shooting the parade balloons before the parade even began, late at night, at the starting point on the upper west side. So these photos are for my mother to enjoy from the comfort of her computer.

Sunday in New York

2009-11-10T21:56:00.000-08:00

An unusually warm November afternoon in New York.

Yankeeees, Win!

2009-11-09T21:01:00.000-08:00

A bit behind on this one, but pics of the Yankees clinching their 27th series as eager New Yorkers watch from Times Square.

Old Friend, New Pics

2009-11-09T20:24:00.000-08:00

I got to spend some time this weekend with an old friend I haven't seen in a while.

Jonathan Etes is a Chicago based photographer (check out some his work here and here) who unlike me doesn't have a hang up about being on the other side of the camera.

These pics were shot around the city on an unusually warm November day in New York.

With New York legend Louis Mendes

Posing with Louis' 1940's era Speed Graphic camera.

365 - October's Best

2009-11-01T19:15:00.000-08:00

I've been keeping up with my 365 day photo challenge, and below are my favorite shots from October. As Though I've settled into a routine, and have somehow found a way to keep shooting new and interesting things on a daily basis, the second month was a little more challenging than the first. And I've encountered and even bigger issue - how the hell to store the crapload of pics I shoot every week! I think we're gonna need a bigger hard drive.

Leftovers

2009-10-31T10:59:00.000-07:00

As I've been working on my 365 project (shooting at least a photo a day that can stand on it's own without the benefit of Photoshop) I've found myself overwhelmed with leftover shots that I don't pick as "the one." So I've gone back through shots from September and October to find leftover pics that were worth a second look. Unlike the 365 project, there are no photoshop constraints on these.

Klondike

2009-10-12T22:19:00.000-07:00

I've been kind of neglecting the ol blog lately, so decided to post some older stuff.
Earlier this year I had the pleasure of producing a commercial for Klondike with the hilarious Michael Ian Black. I pulled double duty as the set photographer, and these are just a few of the pics from the set.

My 365 Day Photo Challenge

2009-10-02T23:01:00.000-07:00

Recently someone told me that i do good work as a photographer, but that I tend to rely on Photoshop a bit more than i should when editing the images. His advice was to trust my eye and instincts and rely on my skills as a photographer, as opposed to a computer program to create my images. So I decided to take a year long photo challenge to shoot at least one pic a day that can stand on its own without the aid of Photoshop or any further editing. I've been posting the results daily on my flickr and facebook pages. After a month of shooting, these photos are in my opinion the best of the bunch.

Night and Day

2009-09-09T21:10:00.000-07:00

Just an expiriment to take the same photo, in the same location, of the same thing both during the day, and night.....Sorta reaffirms why I prefer night photography.

Sherri!

2009-08-23T20:02:00.000-07:00

So to all my friends who haven't seen much of me in the last few months, here is the reason why - I've been working on the new sitcom "Sherri" starring the hysterically funny Sherri Shepherd from The View, 30 Rock, Everybody Loves Raymond, and Less Than Perfect, as well as sitcom vet Malcom Jamal Warner of The Cosby Show fame.

It's a multi camera sitcom shooting in the Pennsylvania Hotel on what used to be The Maury Povich and Sally Jesse Raphael sets. A lot has changed since Maury and Sally roamed the halls of the Penn. We've knocked down the walls between the two studios and made one big one to accomodate the amazing work of our designer Ellen Waggett.

It's been pretty cool to watch the place transform as our extremely talented art department builds stunning sets on a weekly basis (none more amazing than the full subway station seen below.)

This final shot was taken last week on a rare location shoot that had Sherri running down the streets of New York screaming her ass off.

Be sure to catch the show when it premeires in October, and if you're in the New York area, and want to come to a live taping drop an email to sherriaudience@theblacklist.nyc.com

I'm From Driftwood

2009-08-23T19:06:00.000-07:00

After seeing the film Milk, Nathan Manske - a Brooklynite by way of Driftwood, Texas was inspired to launch the website I'm From Driftwood

But more than a vanity site, for Nathan IFD is a message to "...the gay teens struggling to come out and deal with their sexuality, who to this day still attempt suicide 4 times more than straight kids, it says “you are not alone.” Other people have dealt with similar situations, families, communities and churches, and have overcome and are now living happy lives. It can happen for you, too. It gets soooo much better, I promise. Hang in there, kiddo."

Since the site's launch, Nathan has amassed more than 170 short stories from people as close as Scranton, and as far away as Indonesia, with more rolling in every day. He's also expanded the scope of IFD to include video stories with filmmaker Marquise Lee (but more about him later)

These photos were taken this spring in Hells Kitchen as publicity shots for Nathan's site, and his other endeavors.

UPDATE: One of my shots of Nathan ran alongside a profile on IFD on the Advocate.com. You can see the pic, and the article here http://www.advocate.com/exclusive_detail_ektid107372.asp?page=3 .
The busy Mr. Manske was also given a well deserved shout out here as well http://www.gaycities.com/outthere/1460/out-on-the-town-nathan-manskes-brooklyn/

R.I.P MJJ

2009-08-23T18:32:00.000-07:00

When Michael Joseph Jackson passed away, I like a lot of people , was over taken with a surprising feeling of shock, and sadness. It’s not like I knew Michael, but i did know about his music his life his accomplishments and his downfalls. Michael was a larger than life entertainer, and quintessential icon for most of his life, and remained so to the day he died.

These were four of the most striking images I snapped in the weeks following his passing. The first was taken at 3AM on a Friday night when a DJ selling CD’s from a street booth qeued up a medley of Jackson songs and passersby broke into an impromptu dance party/ sing along.

Image two was taken a few days later under similar circumstances when Rock With You blaring from a nearby stereo caused the woman in the pic to break out in dance the middle of the street.

The third shot was taken from the window of a costume shop that had a display of Michael and Bubbles in their window.

The final shot is a graffitti mural that’s been poping up around the city throughout the summer.

Rest in Peace Michael

The Beautiful and Talented Antoitnette Broderick

2009-08-23T18:22:00.000-07:00

Over the years Antoinette Broderick has been many things – actress, dancer, writer, director, lead person for the Obama Administration ( you go girl!) but for the last 15 years she’s been a dear trusted and beloved friend. These photos were taken this winter at a small artists space in Brooklyn as publicity shots for her next incarnation…whatever that may be!

I Carry A Camera

2009-08-23T18:16:00.000-07:00

I tend to take my camera with me whenever I leave the house. Not with any particular purpose in mind, but it's become like an appendage. So luckily I'm ready whenever something catches my eye, which is often. Unluckily however it tends to give my work a very random and unfocused feel. Which I guess has BECOME my focus.
Anyway, here are a few random shots from the last month.

One of my Favorite Bands

2009-08-19T21:30:00.001-07:00

I Love Radiohead. Dunno why. Just do. These pics came from their performance at last years All Points West.

The Wedding Photographer

2009-08-15T17:39:00.000-07:00

My friends Chris and Maggie got married this spring, and their lack of better judgement led them to ask me to photographer the goings ons for them. I wish them better luck on their future decisions as a couple, but in the meantime, here are a few images from the wedding

Maggie and Chris' wedding isn't the only one where my camera made an appearance. Two other good friends, and particualarly awesome people Kim and Shane were married a few years back in Martha's vineyard. That's when I was lucky enough to shoot what is by far one of my favorite images.

My First Post

2009-08-15T16:56:00.000-07:00

This is a photo taken down on Laclede's Landing in St. Louis. I was attempting to do a tilt shift effect in Photoshop (where the pics end up looking like little models) but failed miserably and ended up with this image. But I kinda like it.