Some tears, some resolutions, some news.

That's "tearsheets..." With 2010 comes resolve to post more often and, perhaps, even get people to read. So some coming attractions: interviews with some of my favorite photographers, interviews with some of my favorite subjects, some lists, some links, and a lot less about "me," because if you're reading this, you probably already know...

That said, there are a few things floating around my desktop that I wanted to get up, so here they are:

Tearsheets from a new Cigar Aficionado story I shot about

an exclusive duck hunting lodge in Louisiana.

A ticket stub from the NYC premiere of Prisoners, a new short film directed by Lawrence Kim, Cinematography by me.

And a few holiday-esque photos from my Alaska sojourn...

It snowed in NYC.

It dumped snow in NYC last night, bringing with it that rare and unmistakable silence. Just a few seconds of the flakes on their reluctant downward paths.

Alaska Interrupted...

Traveling around New England this week put a halt to the Alaska back-log. Just got this scan of a recent Deli Magazine cover, check it out.

Updates coming to the "Music & Celebrity" section on the site later this week. More Alaska to follow.

Alaska Day 2

After three hours at the airport with Amex and Avis trying to simply return my rental and upgrade to a 4wd, I finally got back on the road to commence the 5 hour journey from Anchorage to Homer. Unfortunately the daylight is quite limited right now, so I only had a few chances to make images. The above is an inlet just outside Anchorage (click to enlarge.) Totally stunning landscapes at every turn of the road that follows the water for miles...





This is a shot of Alaska 1, The Sterling Highway, outside Anchorage heading south to Homer.




Same highway, further south. When you enlarge the image, you can see the cloud dumping snow in the higher elevations as it passes over the mountain.

Tomorrow, back to photographing people... That's the plan anyway.

Alaska Day 1

Landed in Anchorage from the Southeast just before sunset, not much time to shoot anything to post but tomorrow for sure...

Prisoners premiere Tomorrow!

Prisoners sold out in a day, BUT you can still come...

The screening starts at 6pm on Saturday, but the Stand-By line will begin forming around 5:15, I am told they will release tickets before the show, so if you don't mind standing up for a few minutes, come on down because your ticket will gain you access to the after-party at 10:00 sponsored by Stella and Bulldog Gin.

This is the page for the festival:

Big Apple Film Festival

The line forms at the theatre at 54 Varick St. (Corner of Canal St.) at 5:15, our program of shorts begins just after 6.

If you'd like to just meet up with us after the screening, we'll be at Toad Hall, a bar around the corner (57 Grand St, bet West Broadway & Wooster,) probably from 8:30-10:00, then we'll be back at the theatre for the after-party, Come hang!

Sex Workers and Coal Miners, what a weekend...

I received an email from Union Docs last week, an awesome venue in Brooklyn that constantly screens a vast array of documentary-based film work. Their program for the weekend? Saturday was films about sex workers and Sunday was a great film exposing the mountain-top removal practices in the world's 2nd most diverse ecosystem: Appalachia. (Who knew, right?)

As it just so happens, my 2 most recent personal projects are on the legal brothels of Nevada and coal miners in SW Kentucky. Union Docs invited me to hang two 1-day shows for the programs and to participate in the panel discussion. It was really informative, I had no idea that America gets over 51% of it's energy from coal. Check out this film, you'll think twice before leaving your lights on when you realize it's literally endangering the lives of thousands of families: Burning the Future.

The above image is from my last trip to Nevada, exclusively at the world famous Mustang Ranch outside Reno. There is a group of new work from the Mustang Ranch in the "New Work" portfolio on my photo site.

The coal miner photos will be up on the site next month, so check back, but here's a preview...

Below are a few shots of my work up at Union Docs and the panel discussion with myself, the director of the film: David Novack and Judy Harper of Green Edge NYC.

Long Overdue Music Video - Thoughts?

In lieu of a more timely posting...

Check out this nearly finished music video for the NYC band Gold Streets and email me via my website with ideas for the final missing element. (Website link on right side of page.)

My NYC Festival Premiere...

Prisoners

A man is hired to do an unusual but seemingly straightforward job. Then things start to go wrong ...

an award winning film directed by Lawrence Kim has been selected to appear at

The Big Apple Film Festival

Saturday, November 7th, 2009 at 6 pm

Please join us for the premiere screening of the film,

this is the first narrative film I have DP'd and the entire program promises some great work.

There is a party following the screening sponsored by Stella,

hold on to your ticket stub for admittance.

BUY TICKETS HERE (Do it soon as this will sell out):

https://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/85040

*Make sure you purchase a ticket for "Program 21."

Free Airfare through October 8th!

Almost forgot the shameless self promo...

Jet Blue's "All You Can Jet" pass means free airfare for any clients booking work near a Jet Blue city in the US or Central/South America. Contact via my website for details.

Why do I only post in Nevada?

In a twist of meta-irony not lost on me, I was approached by security while shooting this sunset shot on the top floor of a Vegas parking garage. "You can't be taking pictures of that from up here... Since 9/11, we're a lot more careful."

Apparently the fake New York is just as much of a "target" as the real New York. My retort about being from New York and how I am able to take pictures there freely was not met with the anticipated chuckle, but in stead a blank stare. At least he didn't ask me for my memory card, I guess.

It was my intention to keep this as a travel blog, but due to the pace of travel lately and the fact that almost everything I'm shooting is for publication and thus cannot be published here, it's been challenging. That aside, I'm stepping it up and starting to post on the regular: behind the scenes, motion picture work, interviews with subjects and other photogs / filmmakers, other cool stuff, so check back often...

That's the sound.

I headed north through the desert from Vegas on day 6 towards Reno. After stopping to take some landscapes of a desert lake, I was surprised to look up from my ipod to see the pictured gentleman in my mirror, with some lights and fanfare... Unfortunately it wasn't a parade behind me but an apparently very brief "reduced speed zone." After procuring my documented punishment for exceeding the speed limit, I hesitantly utilized cruise control for the remainder of the day.

About 20 minutes (and $57) later, I caught up with the officers at the only rest stop for over 100 miles. After assuring me that they weren't following me, I asked if I could shoot a quick photo to post on the blog, and here it is, again far delayed. Officer Cavanaugh and his partner offered helpful insights into other things to see in Nevada besides their cruiser in my rear-view.

Day 2... Delayed.

Admittedly I've slacked significantly in this travel blog idea, but I will do my best to catch up to speed... Days 2-5 were mainly spent doing legwork on the photo projects from Vegas where I was lucky enough to stay with Rich and Leslie. Rich played a gig (or several) on new years, but Leslie took me out to the most hipster of new years parties in one of Vegas' only high rise buildings where we got to see fireworks over the, err, skyline.

In addition to getting to hang with Rich and Leslie, my friend Lori happened into town from San Francisco and kicked it with us for new years. Good times.

(Photos by Leslie)