a recent discovery via flyp got me thinking about media legacies – original tv was little more then filmed radio. original web, in regards to publications, was little more then the same magazine content boxed up online with none of the feel or design of the original. now, digital media is mutating once again with little reference to it’s printed forebearer but a change that can be made up for (in my mind) with a true rich experience. photography + design now accentuate visual media with previously impossible flourishes such as infograhics, hybrid footage clips + live links that make the entire affair come to life.

am i a tablet owner or ipad fan – no. have some stock – nope. + i sure as hell didn’t ditch the paperback on my latest international flight. all i’m looking at is the future. how does visual media fit into the continuum that it essentially started back when the first cameras fired + the first tv’s began to roll.

do i like the schnazz of aperture 3 that rolled out yesterday – yeah. but is that real multi media? do slides mixed with a voiceover constitute the latest in the melding of media – not so sure about that. i’m into the idea but i’ve always been wary of multi media disciples running slideshows with audio or something to that effect. + it”s been happening far longer then the recent aperture edition.

those in the industry (or outside of it for that matter) actually pushing new media are doing fantastical things that by definition aren’t within the bounds of a mass market product. the more one thinks about this the more the more clear it seems that rules, the rules that have governed visual media for so long in particular, are warping more then ever. + actually need to be broken to make a difference. think about what stands out for you. + then try to picture what the future holds? will ad’s + editors really be a voice in an earpiece while we’re half a world away shooting hybrid still + footage projects?

(btw, don’t miss this inspiring piece on dan winters from flyp.)

the G11 is here… + the same price i paid for my G9 nearly two years ago. a huge fan of the 9 as it is one solid little multi platform machine. you have your raw images, quick auto jpgs if you need them, a slew of video settings including a sweet little 1024 + don’t forget the time lapse setting. that later just really does it for me when i want a quick mix of stuff. and with the raw at 12.1 it gives you room to work with in post.

with the G10 last year, however, the rez was bumped up to 14.7 but canon dropped the time lapse. though i haven’t handled one other then once or twice that’s really the only difference. i could care less about the bump up as it’s not worth the trade off in my book.

with the 11 out now, canon continues to knock out a solid g line of cameras that consumers + pros alike are working with, albeit for different reasons. the noise performance might be the most striking feature on the 11 though i’m sure the fold lcd will get a ton of attention (nice flash sync speed of 1/2000th this time around as well). but oddly enough canon has backtracked on the rez with an interesting offering of only 10 megapixels this time around. i’m sure we’ll hear more about this later.

if you don’t have a p+s, or something that you can easily carry nearly anywhere i can’t recommend it enough - “the best camera is the one that’s with you”. just had a blast documenting time in nyc, boston, cape cod + an island the last few weeks with more to come soon.

canon

dpreview

to follow up on my last post regarding ethics in photography, it’s no doubt a can of worms. the photographers i spoke with about it are conflicted on each side. regardless of the specific issues the argument boils down to “i’d never touch that kind of dirty money” or “i’d take every red cent and do something with it”.

i firmly believe that no matter the work there’s always someone who will take it. with that in mind by passing on such an offer you’re serving it up to someone who may or may not have your scruples. they may not be as ethically aware as you are and the money would go entirely in their own pocket. if it’s an issue i felt strongly enough about i would personally take the job, bid it up even, and then dump all of the funds into a cause that more accurately reflects my beliefs.

photographer and photoshop guru dave marx put it best when he wrote me, “vote with your wallet because money trumps morals when it comes to [insert cause here]“. in my book that’s right on the money.

and speaking of dave, he’s the brains behind the blog computers for photographers i’ve mentioned before. great place for all the latest tech news pertaining to computers within our realm including the latest on CS4. dave has details covering his take on four big changes the newest version will provide photography – three dimensional imagery, 360 degree stitching (more on this soon), seam carving and motion. but perhaps the best part of the update is his take on the future of where our field is going – what is a photograph? how will motion play into things?

and with these dimensions rapidly expanding in every direction canon has upped the ante again with today’s announcement of the 5D MkII. It’s all over dpreview and wired but in a nutshell they’ve kept the beloved size of the 5D and packed that body with a kick ass 21mp CMOS sensor, an expanded ISO range and full 30fps HD movie capibility. due out in november, there’s no looking back now.

for more on the new 5D canon has a press release out here. slient mode, varible RAW sizes, live view … sounds like kit from knight rider reborn. and aside from all the attention swirling around that the new G10 squeeked out as well. not as big of a jump as the 5D from what i’ve seen but both substanial additions to the market. talking with my tech guy gary today at calumet and he’s got me on the list for a new one so we’ll see soon enough.

it comes from everywhere and anywhere. the beauty (usually) is not knowing when it’s going to hit. having been on the road for the past two weeks i’ve really noticed it. maybe it’s stepping outside any schedule you have, or simply being in a new place or a combination of the two.

whatever it is, make it happen and replicate the catalyst it as often as possible.

having beers in pdx a 10 days ago with a friend from w+k he pulled out his pre iphone smarttool – it was refreshing to take in the blurbs, sketches and conceptuals all penciled out in the pocket moleskine notebook – love those things. since then i’ve been lucky to catch a few other inspirations and am excited about the ideas they have brought about.

one of the best was a chance encounter with mark van s. a talented brooklyn photographer himself he has recently become known as the brains behind digital photobooth. he’s put together an amazing idea and one of only a few i’ve seen that truly capitalize on the best parts of digital photography. for anyone that’s familiar with japanese purikura and the ‘photo booth’ craze that’s been there for years, this takes it to a whole new level. it’s a portable photo system that can be transported anywhere, doesn’t have a hard booth and not only spits out a perfectly lit print in less than 10 seconds but also projects a version onto as many screens as you’d like. i’ve always wondered about ways to shoot individual portraits for large events and this is phenomenal.

and people not only get it, they absolutely love it – they relax, have fun and don’t stop. mark even told me he’s turned down celebrity offers to purchase one of his units (there are seven right now). the inspiring thing was not only the ingenuity that he’s put into this work he obvious loves but from the very subjects themselves. the scope and variety of portrait ideas that people come up with is astounding. here’s my first of many attempts:

so whether it’s the farmer’s market, the latest stuff the dj’s spinning or the next place you’re heading keep the mind open and a camera ready. you can bet i’ll be doing that today at jfk.

Ever since I came back from Japan the first time with 30+ rolls of Fuji film and went through each image on screen with friends watching (or sleeping) I have really had it bad for slideshows. I’m not talking about the slick productions with matching tunes and wine or the current video laced clips but the old school E6 in a loud projector. It’s always kind of held a fascination for me similar to records (which I collect).

Here’s everyone’s chance to relive that style of show. I haven’t personally been to one of these yet but I’m looking forward to when I can make it. Slideluck Potshow is a non-profit potluck series for members of the arts and media built around an open community exhibiting images and sharing food. More on their website but the next show’s coming up in Portland.

Sounds like a great gig and it’s open to all willing to take risks regardless of experience. Everyone is treated equal with no more than 5 minutes for a show and ranges from those who have never publicly shown work to the likes of Chris Buck, Alec Soth & Martin Schoeller among others.

So grab a sixpack of brown bottles and settle in for a real show.