please see note at bottom of post.

First posted this in May, 2009, Wyatt Neumann, photographer, has recently become a cause célèbre for his photographs of his children posted online. A loving, devoted,father, this series has become a polarizing discussion of artist rights.
But he’s a good photographer. Have a look at some of his work before the controversy.The Flickr link is working. Forget the madness.

We met this guy over cocktails in the south of France and knew from his incredible energy, he had a definite point of view of the world. A very intense one.
In the night heat of the June coast of the Riviera, you could easily sense that this photographer/director, was just about to burst out of his skin, in a good way. He was going to tell you things you may not have heard. Or wanted to hear. Some random, Hunter Thompson moment was probably not that far off in the future.

© Wyatt Neumann
And now, he’s told us about his intense love of life, and that perspective, through his first time exhibit of photographs called “Elephants and Boa Constrictors”.
Some of you may know the reference to “The Little Prince” from the first page of that classic childrens book by Antoine de Saint-Exupry.

© Wyatt Neumann

Now here is the thing about this show: it consisted of 427 photos printed 3.5″x3.5″ and hung linearly in random order. It was up for one night, only.
We missed it.
But now it lives on Flickr

We watched it in a slide show version from Flickr, which is what we recommend .

Darn it, got ahead of ourselves for a second. Where were we…..?

Oh right. The images.

© Wyatt Neumann

The imagery is of a world that Wyatt has traveled, seen, experienced, and shares with us, not in a Robert Frank way, but in what we imagine a Jack Keroac way would be. It’s a bit more personal, more poetic, and in your face, as the artist himself is.
There is no denying the intensity of the images, or the original. The people in his path across the US, and the constants in his life appear periodically through the random stream of images, which together, get you on a journey, very hand crafted by Mr. Neumann.

© Wyatt Neumann

The vignetting of each image, focuses your eye to the main story, and frames the subjects with a certain respect. Not a raw, harsh, reality yet still authentic and true.
And there are tender moments. The lighting belies those, as they become a respite, and help the viewer move through the series with a balanced life.
© Wyatt Neumann

Wyatt has brought his emotions to the surface here, and there is little between you and the image to buffer it.

Did the small print images get the viewer closer to review the images in person, to make it more intimate ?
Or does the slide show on Flickr give you time to breath in and experience each image on it’s own?
Your call, but it was a great use of our time to watch the random linear tales unfold on the screen.

It’s a rich trip you can take right from your desktop. Enjoy the ride.
And safe travels.

© Wyatt Neumann

Last week we lost a friend, Wyatt Neumann.
While riding his motorcycle he suffered a brain aneurysm, and lost control of his bike. He tragically died on Friday, leaving his wife, and 2 very young children.
He lived life to the fullest, and doted on his children.
This is a guy who set up a gallery sale and auction of photographs, to help out out the victims of Hurricane Sandy. Maybe we can return the generosity he showed.
If you feel you can, please donate to this fund for his family.

New York City has changed the way I carry my gear. And the gear I carry.
When I was in LA, carrying a heavy bag and tossing it into a car on the way to a new destination, was no big deal.
In NYC, the gear is with me for the long haul. All dang day.
The beauty of the streets here also demands that I have a nice, small, discreet camera, ready at all times.
So there is the full frame DSLR, with glass in a backpack, and a smaller street camera stashed in that bag?
No, I want to have that smaller camera ready at hand.
And I don’t want to depend on my smartphone. I like RAW.
Let’s talk about how that happens.
The folks at Miggo came up with a great solution so while using my backpack, my camera is always at hand.
They have designed 3 bags that protect your gear, while keeping it at the ready. The Agua
https://vimeo.com/126576492

Using the smallest version, I keep a Fuji 100T at my side, by my hand. With the backpack on, I add the incredibly light diagonal strap bag to the setup. Did you notice that the flat bottom lets the bag sit upright on a table? Cool, right?

Continue Reading »

FREE CAMERA STRAP OFFER!

Our friends at Think Tank Photo just announced a special “Gear Up For Summer!” special offer. Buy one of their highly acclaimed backpacks and they’ll include a Blue Camera Strap V2.0 and Camera Support Straps V2.0 (a $44.50 value) for free!

Take a load off your neck, shoulders, and back by using Camera Support Straps V2.0 along with the Camera Strap V2.0. These straps keep your camera’s weight off your neck and shoulders and transfer the load onto your backpack’s shoulder straps and waist belt. You’ll hardly notice your camera is there even though it will be ready to go for hassle-free shooting.

Think Tank’s backpacks are renowned for three design principles:
· Capacity — Their backpacks are the most efficient shape for carrying the most amount of gear in the smallest package. They’ve got you covered whether you’re hauling around multiple bodies with a vast array of lenses and support gear (like a laptop and tablet), large telephoto lenses or a lightweight, stripped down kit.
· Portability — Flying with your gear? All of their backpacks are sized for US Domestic and International carry-on on regular sized airliners. They’ve got bags for commuter and regional aircraft, too.
· Quality — Lesser bags use inferior hardware, materials and manufacturing techniques. Professionals choose Think Tank Photo because they know they only use the best YKK zippers and other high quality materials. They know you can’t afford to have a broken bag while on a trek.

And don’t forget that by using my link you receive a Think Tank product free with your order, free shipping, and the best customer service in the industry. Offer valid through May 31, 2014.

Yes, there a few major systems out there that give you access to pay systems without using a physical credit card. I don’t now about you, but for the most part, it’s a lot faster to use the physical card. And most transit systems require you to swipe the magnetic strip to enter.
As much as I use my phone for everything from photos and editing, airline boarding passes,amazon purchases, scanning through B&H for the right piece of used gear, I still carry a full card wallet.

Combining a few of the key cards with the phone in one case is a great idea, but honestly, a lot of the cases I see people use get kinda gross with all of the handling. Plus the amount of bulk is crazy.

STM is the company that makes my favorite iPad case, and have introduced some phone cases as well.
This one, first of all, is in black. And thin.

Fitting a few cards in the front flap, this unit uses a unique way of keeping the cards away from the phone surface: Suction cups.
2 Very small suction cups.

Have a look at how it gives just the right amount of air space between the phone and the cards.

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Domke Camera bags have quite a legacy in the world of photojournalism. Well built, designed for the working pro, with easy access to gear, while protecting the goods.
They’ve now have been updated and re-introduced to a new audience.The line is called Next Generation

Problem>>>>>>Solution

While going to events to shoot video coverage or an interview on the fly, my needs were for a bag to hold a pre-built video camera that was ready to come out quick, and get into action .
What I mean by pre-built is a camera that has a shotgun mic holder attached, or a wireless receiver / transmitter, w/lav mic, ready, batteries charged and in the camera, on board light in the hot shoe, just needing to plug in mic and earbuds, and go.
That’s the first priority.
And of course back-up cables, batteries for the camera/lights, spare power for the phone, folding leather job folder and an iPad, still camera for extra coverage. And maybe strap on a monopod with a ballhead. Or not.

I had to have a bag that was stiff for protection, but not a hard case, for lighter weight.
Incoming – the Journalist Series, and the J-Chron model fit the bill. With expandable zippered side pockets,padded sleeves for the iPad, front pockets, back pockets, solid webbing straps for holding a monopod, and has the room to serve the purpose.

Needed to pack gear like this:

And this: Continue Reading »