Handsome Ransom

Today I found out that Irving Penn, one of the greatest photographers of this century, possibly of all time, passed away. Such a sad moment, and the end of an era of classic photographers.

I was fortunate to meet Mr. Penn once. I still remember sitting across the table from him almost 9 years ago, when I interviewed to be his intern. I remember the first question he asked me, “So, tell me about yourself.” I was stunned. Mr. Penn was speaking to me. 30-45 seconds must have past before I could muster a single word. It was as if I was frozen. My brain wanted to answer the question, but my mouth refused. I finally blurted out that I was from Utah. That’s it. As you can probably imagine, things just got worse from there.

At one point he looked through my “portfolio,” which consisted of a plastic folder with clear sleeves that I had purchased at my university bookstore for $1.50. It was filled with prints of projects I had worked on in school–a still life of a silver candlestick (thoroughly retouched), a series of conceptual illustrations of figures of speech using plastic toys. I can only imagine what he must have been thinking as he glanced through the body of work, which in retrospect, was quite possibly my worst work of all time. It’s almost laughable now that I even approached The Master and showed him anything I had done, yet, I was touched by his sincerity and kindness–and just how nice of a person he was. He asked me questions about a few of the pictures, and seemed genuinely interested in who I was. The entire interview couldn’t have lasted more than 6 or 7 minutes, but in my mind hours passed.

I left pretty sure that I wasn’t going to get the internship (which I didn’t), but somehow I felt blessed that I was given even 5 minutes alone with Mr. Irving Penn, if only to bask in his light. The experience solidified my decision to dedicate my life to photography, and I look back on it as a singular moment of my life.

I’m sure by now everyone has heard about the latest Conde Nast be-headings.  Gourmet was one of my favorites, not only because of the beautiful imagery, but because it made food and cooking cool.  It’s mind-boggling to me that such a thing of beauty could be contributing in any way to Conde Nast’s demise.

Is this one of those moments where we lose something wonderful, but gain something better from it?  What will rise from the ashes?  All of those creative people who just lost their jobs are going to do something…

This weekend I’m participating in the New York Stake Arts Festival, at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, located at 125 Columbus Ave (65th St.). I’ve got four pieces hanging in the visual arts exhibit, and I am also teaching a course at 1:00pm on Saturday called “Mundane to Magnificent.” The class will give people a basic understanding of how to use their cameras to take great pictures. I’ve taught the course on a couple of other occasions, but am tweaking it a little bit to adapt to a different audience.

So, after reading an article in this month’s PDN about selling prints online, I decided to give it a shot. I started an Etsy store about 2 years ago, but never really did anything with it. I’m a huge fan of Jen Beckman’s 20×200, and thought why don’t I do the same thing, except without limited editions (for now). So, without further adieu, I give you…..my Etsy store.

Check back every week, I continue to add more prints. Of course, if anyone has any special requests (image, size, etc.), let me know. It’s only been a few hours since I opened up shop, but already I’m being feature on “Pouncing Friday, Etsy undiscovered”. Off to a great start!

Tomorrow night I will be presenting my work at the NY PhotoGroup Salon.  I went to one presentation there about a year and a half ago, and it was really fun.  Hopefully people will be saying something similar after tomorrow night.  I never imagined seeing my name along side the likes of Jay Maisel…no pressure.

Here are the details:

Wednesday March 18th, 2009 at 6:30 pm
SoHo Photo Gallery
15 White Street
New York, NY 10013
(The gallery is 3 blocks south of Canal Street between Avenue of the Americas and West Broadway, across from the Tribeca Grand Hotel.
By subway: A, C, or E train to Canal Street; #1 train to Franklin Street.)
There is a $10 cover charge to pay the rent.

Presenting the work of:
Steve Cohen
Rames
James Ransom
Emmanuel Faure
Jay Maisel

Almost in time for Chinese New Year (yesterday), I’ve finished my still life story on things I’ve found in Chinatown.  I don’t have an official name for the project yet.  My plan is to choose 12 different neighborhoods in Manhattan and do a conceptual still life story on one each month.  At the end I’ll have a book, or at least a lot of cool images…  Anyway, you can check out “Chinatown” on page one of the still life section on my site.  Here’s a little taste.

As a photographer I obviously have a vested interest in the publishing world, so naturally every day I read about all the layoffs and I cringe a little.  But I have to admit, through it all I hear a familiar ring.

About four or five years ago it seemed like the photography world was in complete uproar.   The Digital Revolution was in full swing, decimating the photography profession.  Or so we all thought.  It seemed those people unable to adapt their businesses were swept away completely.  I remember attending an ASMP meeting on the “state of the industry.”  It ended up being one long massive rant about how “digital” had ruined everyone’s lives.  By the end of it I was so tired of all the whining that I felt like standing up and shouting for everyone to keep it together and have some hope!  I wasn’t really one of them, because I had never shot a commercial job with film (and I still haven’t).  I didn’t need to adapt because I didn’t know any other way.

The world didn’t end back in 2004.  Photographers changed over to digital.  The cameras improved.  People started using their darkrooms to store all of their hard drives.  And everyone was still making money.  Yes, it took some getting used to, but now we’re to a point where everyone automatically assumes you are going to shoot the job digital.

I think the publishing world is going through the same thing.  They’re discovering that people get most of their information from the internet, rather than print.  And for the most part, it’s free.  I don’t have a crystal ball, but here’s what I think will happen: Newspapers are going to be the first to go.  At least their print versions.  Magazines will be next, although they won’t completely disappear.  I predict there will be innovations on the web that will make it easier to read media online.  They’ll still print a few issues a year, but probably only for their subscribers.  Subscriptions will gradually become electronic and people will read magazines with some sort of gadget.  Exquisite content will create opportunities for e-publishers to charge electronic subscription fees.  There will be a lot of free stuff out there, but the good stuff will cost money.  Pricing models for advertisers and content providers will adapt, not go away.

If you look back through the ages, you can see a pattern.  Change has come.  We’ve either got to get on the train, or be left in the station.

I’ve joined up with Slate Gray Media!  You can check it out at www.slategraymedia.com.  The group officially launched yesterday, and our first marketing campaign goes out later today.  Keep an eye out!  Below is our mission statement:

SLATE GRAY MEDIA is a socially responsible coöperative formed, owned and operated by image makers: Frank Ishman, Alana Goldstein, Raymond Adams, James Ransom, Heather East and Ken Schneiderman. Born in 2008 and based in Brooklyn’s historic Navy Yards, our coöperative represents still photographers, directors, filmmakers and media content providers in New York, Los Angeles and Atlanta. It is our mission to incubate, generate and deliver creative imagery for a global array of discerning clients in a friendly, fair and professional manner. We encourage and support each other’s creativity, inventively market ourselves and share resources in a spirit of cooperation and collaboration. Through our radically individual perspectives and styles, we are shining a unique light on the modern visual zeitgeist.

I’ve always been a fan of James Nachtwey, so I’m excited to see what he’s doing next.  Also interesting is how he is announcing it.  Check it out (here).

So, I was bouncing around town in the rain with the family on Saturday, and we happened upon the Museum of Arts and Design.  They were having a grand opening, and admission was free.  It had been a while since I’d been to any museum, so we went in.  I was blown away by the “Second Lives” exhibit (here).  Even the kids –ages 2 and 4– paid attention for 5 minutes.  My favorite was the image of the Mona Lisa created from spools of thread…totally worth your time.