No, we’re not trying to be cute nor clever, but Gregory Crewdsons’ photographs are huge (5 ft. x 7.5 ft) images and for once, there is a reason other than a current trend for the massive size.

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His tableaus, currently on view at the Gagosian Gallery in Beverly Hills, are created with major production crews and equipment, resulting in a single moment that tells it’s own story.Working in the town of Pittsfield, Mass for the location work, Mr. Crewdson has imagined a world of hyper reality, where fog cuts the light to define itself and nary an element is out of focus.
His inhabitants never engage the camera’s eye but instead stare off into their own world, as directed by the photographer. Reminiscent of painter Edward Hopper, Crewdsons’ vastly more complex scenarios, take the detached inhabitants of Hoppers work out of the urban setting into a small town, multi-layered, almost Twin Peak-sian, story.

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The photographs blanket the walls, yet invite the viewer to come up close and detect the detail. There is a visceral feel to the extreme focus, accomplished by multiple exposures composited, that some of the first nighters at the exhibit found oddly disturbing. As if the photographer wasn’t giving the full direction for your gaze. It seems that point, though, lets you look at each minute quadrant, almost like the grid on the focusing screen of a view camera.
Yes, he shoots these massive one scene stories with an 8×10 view camera.
And about 40 crew members.

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I wonder if this young collector knew that the images were topping 6 figures.

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And Gregory has quite a following in the film community. Jack Black showed up to check it all out.

But here is some of the really big news: Continue Reading »

In this 3rd installment of Harry Hows’ series, a secret specialty lens starts it off, then he wraps it all up and gives you the finishing touches on how he puts it all together.
And why.
Plus you get a full recap of every piece of gear he showed you in the previous vids, all laid out in one grouping.

Thanks Harry. You gave a lot of people a huge insight into what you do,and gave wise advice to those considering a career in sports photography.

Cheers to you for that!

By the way, on youtube, you can now watch the videos in a higher res.

Heck, she gave you life, you can at least give her some goodies on this hallmark holiday.
Flowers, candy, gift ceryificates, brunch, a photo book…all good choices.
But take a look at this site called Youngme-Nowme:

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For years, I have had this strange habit of looking at people and imagining what they may have looked like as children, and what they may look like in 30 years. I know, strange, but there you have it.

Now this site comes along and solves half of the puzzle.

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This would be a pretty cool, unique, gift for mom, complete with real thought behind it, some craft (recreating the original setting/props/wardrobe ) and a bit of staying power. Long after the flowers have wilted and the candy eaten, this fond memory of your younger years coupled with your sweet self right now, may just fool her into believing you are still as cute as you were, when you were a child.
Maybe.

Check out the site and see what ideas pop into your head.

Remember: May 11 is the magical day for Mom this year.

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In this segment, Harry How of Getty Images, starts to dig in his bag and show you all of the gear he carries for an assignment and, more importantly, why he carries certain tools. Of course some gigs will call for some variations, but if he has to get to the job, right off the plane, this is the stuff. And remember; there is one more segment where he’ll finish off the full bag.

Now, we recommend you start with Part 1 and hear from the man on how he got here.
Then hit all of the gear.

OK, here we go….

Come back later this week for the final part of this look into a professional sports photographers camera bag.

We met with Harry How, sports photographer to see what kind of gear is in HIS camera bag. Wow.
He held nothing back as we went deep into his rolling bag, to see all of the “right stuff”
And he shared some insight with us that is great advice for those wanting to get into that part of the photographic profession. Now here is a man with a degree in Economics who pursued his love, his passion and has made it a success.
That’s someone worth listening to. No matter what you want to do.
So much so, that we are leading off his 3 part series of “What’s In The Bag-Harry How:Sports Photographer” with his advice (and some gear buying advice at the end).

Come back later this week for the hard core gear checks and see where you want to start your camera bag.

And with the price of gas these days, you could probably skip a couple of long range trips and buy some of these lenses.

This is actually the 50th video we have uploaded to YouTube. Some kind of milestone, but remember: the VIDEO page has a higher quality vid for those with a fast connection. All flash.