Gallery exhibition concept for the chair & Polaroids.
In an effort to help raise awareness for the dire need of registered stem cell donors, I am proposing a unique photography series about people within varying environments with the common element of one ordinary chair. The final result is a collection of portraits on Polaroids.
Reassembled In Houston
The chair is reassembled in Houston, Texas and ready to get back to work!
The Project Is International Now
July 15, 2012
After a 16.5 hour flight from Dubai, the chair and I have landed safely in Houston, Texas. I will begin scheduling people very soon.
After a 16.5 hour flight from Dubai, the chair and I have landed safely in Houston, Texas. I will begin scheduling people very soon.
Noura T., Gdansk, Poland
June 27, 2012
Photographing Noura was a great experience. She was a joy to work with, creative and energetic. At times she was a bit challenging to keep up with. I think she had a gigantic bucket of cappuccinos before the photo session.
Why Not Digital?
June 13, 2012
A common question I get is "Why not digital?". I want to keep the project analog as much as possible. If the project goes digital then everyone will be able to see it in its entirety from their computer. Doing that would be an injustice, you as a viewer would miss out on seeing it in its final form and presentation. I'm not posting every portrait that I shoot, only a few, keeping the majority of the pictures concealed from the digital world.
The purpose of not giving the project a real title and shooting with instant film is to create a curiosity, I want the project to be physically sought after.
A common question I get is "Why not digital?". I want to keep the project analog as much as possible. If the project goes digital then everyone will be able to see it in its entirety from their computer. Doing that would be an injustice, you as a viewer would miss out on seeing it in its final form and presentation. I'm not posting every portrait that I shoot, only a few, keeping the majority of the pictures concealed from the digital world.
The purpose of not giving the project a real title and shooting with instant film is to create a curiosity, I want the project to be physically sought after.
The Chef From Cologne Germany
May 6, 2012
Chef Kevin H., Cologne Germany
Chef Kevin H., Cologne Germany
Chef Kevin from Cologne Germany, he is currently working as an Executive Chef at a five star hotel in the Maldives. We did this photo session about 10:30am on the beach near Abu Dhabi's Theater. The temperature was already climbing past 39℃/102℉ with the humidity level at 100%. Despite the heat he stayed focused and on task.
Rami H., Syria
April 12, 2012
Rami. Very kind and full of personality.
After our photo session we retreated to the indoors in search of a cooler environment. While chatting, Rami was kind enough to offer me a green ripe nut of some sort, something fresh right off the tree. I hesitated for a mili-second, my immediate friends and family know that I'm one of the world's pickiest eaters. BUT, in this region it's considered rude to not accept something that is offered, especially food. The last thing I want to do is insult someone participating in the project. So, I took a giant big boy bite out of this generous offer... it was sooo unexpectedly bitter, I instantly and involuntarily started to gag. The room erupted with retained giggles and laughter. Luckily a giant life saving 1.5 liter bottle of water was within arms reach.
Tragedy averted.
First Portrait Of The Series - Nadine Kanso, Lebanon. Artist & jewelry designer.
April, 12 2012
Photographing Nadine
The day before our scheduled photo session some friends invited me to go jet skiing for the day. The adventurous twenty something that permanently resides within me thought it was a GREAT idea! Lets fast forward through the fun filled day of sun, jet skis and yee haws... and discuss my poor physical condition the morning after. The morning of our first scheduled photo shoot, I awoke in good spirits and quickly realized I was unable to move my legs. The twenty-something that resided within me the day before has abandoned me, I. Am. In. Serious. Pain. My legs felt like I carried the jet ski all day instead of riding it. I have two options, reschedule or tough it out.
I manned up, gathered my photo equipment and painfully loaded myself into the truck. The drive from Abu Dhabi to Dubai wasn't that bad, thanks to cruise control. Upon arrival, I was able to ease my pain- riddled, non-responsive legs out. I was struggling to walk properly and too embarrassed to fess up to my juvenile delinquent actions the day before. At one point I was trembling and sweating so much (from the pain), Nadine asked in a concerned voice "Are you okay?" I responded with a manly head nod and a squeaky little girl whimper, "Mmm... yes."
It was worth it. I would do it again 1000 times over. Nadine was a blessing to photograph with the chair. She has added volumes to the project.
I'm thankful.
Before Digital
November 12, 2011
Before digital cameras we had Polaroid film for our instant photo gratification. Shooting with instant film has reminded me how unforgiving film is but beautiful and tangible at the same time. I spent the day "learning" my new camera rig and the instant film. Here are a few test shots from today.
Before digital cameras we had Polaroid film for our instant photo gratification. Shooting with instant film has reminded me how unforgiving film is but beautiful and tangible at the same time. I spent the day "learning" my new camera rig and the instant film. Here are a few test shots from today.
The Video Explained
November 12, 2011
Shooting the video yesterday with my children (Connor & Lukas) was fun and interesting, I really didn't know what to expect. I approached it unscripted(except for the cards), unrehearsed and with little direction. Initially, I was just going to take shots of Lukas holding the cards and transition the images together to make a "clean" video. But after seeing the final video I felt it needed to stay as is. After I sped it up it needed a soundtrack to slow the pace down, for without music it feels a bit "Benny Hill-ish". With the blessing of singer and songwriter Lindsay Searl Barber I added her beautiful song, "Milk & Cookies".
Shooting the video yesterday with my children (Connor & Lukas) was fun and interesting, I really didn't know what to expect. I approached it unscripted(except for the cards), unrehearsed and with little direction. Initially, I was just going to take shots of Lukas holding the cards and transition the images together to make a "clean" video. But after seeing the final video I felt it needed to stay as is. After I sped it up it needed a soundtrack to slow the pace down, for without music it feels a bit "Benny Hill-ish". With the blessing of singer and songwriter Lindsay Searl Barber I added her beautiful song, "Milk & Cookies".
Connor is signing,"I love you", when he runs behind his brother Lukas.
This was a happy accident.
Lukas was done here, but with the promise of a fruit smoothie we were able to get back on track.
Connor jumping in front of the camera was completely unscripted.
Lukas was asking "How did I do?"
Diana - The Camera Rig
Initially shunned by pros but embraced by the art community, the plastic toy camera known as the "Diana" is infamous for its beautiful, unpredictable faults. This inexpensive low-tech, plastic camera merges with one of the 20th century's greatest inventions; the Polaroid. This juxtaposition merger creates instant photographs with welcomed vignetting, blurring, and light leaks. The Diana with the instant back attached produces images that measure 6.2cm x 4.6 cm, about the same size as a credit card.
A $45 Diana plastic camera that produces terribly fantastic images instantly with a $75 Polaroid back, in conjunction with a $50 flash, $40 wide angle lens, $20 Nikon flash cord and a reclaimed, re-purposed Carolina Herrera gift ribbon as a camera strap = the beginnings of a new photography project.
Found: One Perfect Chair On Yas Island
September 1, 2011
I found the perfect chair for the project at a small popular Swedish furniture store on Yas Island. The chair, PS Saga is a design by Nike Karlsson.
I found the perfect chair for the project at a small popular Swedish furniture store on Yas Island. The chair, PS Saga is a design by Nike Karlsson.
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