Brett: Website

Boreal Collective:  Website

JB

©2011 Theron Humphrey

©2011 Theron Humphrey

Between Alan & Mo getting ready to document our generation with “Geography of Youth“, and now Theron Humpfrey, my graduate school peer’s project
“This Wild Idea” is pretty apparent (to me at least) that I have some phenominally talented, hard-working friends.
Nothing like being the slacker in the group, huh!
Just remember how much I made y’all laugh when you hit the big time!

I hope that you will take a hot second to stop by http://thiswildidea.com/ and check out what Theron is up too, and trying to accomplish with this project.

YOU CAN HELP THERON BY CONTRIBUTING HERE

Alan and Morrigan continued on to embark on the documentary project “Project Tandem“, an 11,000 mile bicycle trip around the United States to document and explore everyday American’s views on the environment.

Founding the photographic and multimedia collective RESTLESS COLLECTIVE, Alan and Morrigan are currently finishing up the details for their next exciting project, The Geography of Youth. Check out this short video for info on this fantastic upcoming documentary:

The Geography of Youth- An Introduction from Restless Collective on Vimeo.

I had the opportunity to interview these talented photographic peers.  I hope that these questions and answers help illuminate their project, who they are as documentarians, and help convince you to support their project, via their page on Kickstarter.  Every little bit helps!

Interview:

What are your artistic influences, photographically or otherwise?

We have definitely been influenced by several great documentary photographers, such as Eugene Richards and Lewis Hine.  We believe that still photographs have the power to affect change, and we have a huge amount of respect for those who dedicate their lives to the art of documentary photography. We are also influenced by writers who posses the ability to make you feel present in a situation- people like Nicole Krauss, Mary Oliver, and JM Coetzee.

How did your experiences with Project Tandem affect the planning of this project?

Neither of us were cyclists before Project Tandem so we were learning on the fly. As a result, there are a number of things that we wanted to do differently with The Geography of Youth.  During Project Tandem we kept a blog, but the real meat of the project was always intended to be a gallery show. With The Geography of Youth, we want to have the project be immediate and current, so the primary communication of our work will be through daily digital “postcards” sent back from the road. We hope that this method will keep fans feeling involved in the project, and allow for some dialogue as we go. As far as the actual cycling goes, we wanted lighter and less gear and proper tents and clothes to deal with various weather conditions.

What is it about traveling by bicycle that has captured your attention?

Bicycle travel allows us to fully immerse ourselves within every community that we travel through. Traveling at 10 mph is a great way to observe everything around you and to connect with people. On the road, we’re often approached by people who are curious about us and who eventually lead us to subjects or otherwise help us to understand the area we’re traveling through. That’s something that rarely happens when you’re traveling by car.

Describe your photographic process – Do you research possible stories before, or do you wait to find them as you experience them?

We are research fiends and do a ton if it before embarking on any project. Most of the research for The Geography of Youth has revolved around safe and passable travel routes dependent on climate, politics, policies, and customs. We also do pretty intense budget research and planning. As for the stories of twenty-somethings we’ll be finding on the road, we don’t generally seek out specific stories. We much prefer to let the stories come to us. It seems somehow more truthful that way.

What are the goals for Geography of Youth? Is there a final output that you are planning on?

The goal of Geography of Youth is to paint a global picture what it means to be twenty-something in today’s world and share those stories through photographs, writing, and multimedia in digital postcards that will be available on our website.

Seeing as this is a much longer project than Project Tandem, how are you planning to deal with being away from home for so long?

We are planning to return to the states maybe twice in the 3.5 years. Alan’s brother is getting married, and we will of course return for that. Through the use of Skype we will stay in contact with friends and family which definitely helps to prevent homesickness.  This kind of travel goes by so quickly though- there are so many incredible places to explore and people to meet. We feel very fortunate to have this opportunity and to know that home will be waiting there when we get back.

What’s the one piece of equipment, non photographic, that you found to be invaluable during Project Tandem, that you’ll be bringing along with you again?

A: My Moleskin notebook. I keep a very detailed journal while traveling. So much goes on while we are on the road that it’s hard to remember without writing it all down. I find my journal invaluable after the trip. In the last couple months I have also been teaching myself how to draw so that I can add sketches to my journal on this trip.   M: A pillowcase. Sounds crazy, but it’s such a useful thing. We don’t carry pillows, but having just the case means you can make a pillow from your clothes. That little bit of comfort makes all the difference.

What areas of the world are you most excited to visit?

A: New Zealand and Southeast Asia.

M: Seriously, everywhere. How can you choose? Though I’ve heard amazing stories from Malawi, so I’m pretty excited to travel there.

So, do you’ll think I’ll be able to fit in your bicycle panniers?

We have pretty small panniers, but grab a bike!

Please consider supporting their project.  They are raising funds via Kickstarter, and have 9 days left to raise their funds.  You can help their project by visiting this LINK.

More information on Alan Winlow can be found HERE.

More information on Morrigan McCarthy can be found HERE.

Restless Collective can be followed HERE.

Then, out of the blue, it happened.  I stumbled upon a link to a video that fascinated me.  Still does.  I’m going to share it with y’all, don’t worry.  First, how about a little background.  I’ve been re-reading David duChemin’s “VisionMongers” book lately.  Taking notes actually.  In a fancy new moleskine notebook and everything.  The combination of that material and this video have provided with quite a few thought provoking moments.

Often, I get asked “What type of camera do you shoot with” – as if that is solely responsible for the success (or failure) of my images.  I usually politely reply, giving the make and model of my camera.  The person usually nods, knowningly, as if to say “Ah, yes – thats why your images are so much better/worse than mine/this or that photographer’s.  Now, don’t get me wrong, I’m known to be a closeted gear head at times.  I read the reviews, research equipment all the time (research mostly involves adding things to my B&H or Amazon “wishlist”).  ”Professional” photographers, and peers of mine, all go back and forth with the advantages, disadvantages and such with various camera systems.  I have even been known, on occasion, to needle my close friend Alan for being a “traitor” and switching from a Nikon to a Canon system.  That is not to say that the camera makes the (wo)man so to speak.  Alan and I shot (gloriously and joyously, I might add) a complete project with cameras that are less sophisticated than almost any other, and cost only about $20.  There has been a myth, predicated by manufacturs of camera gear, that new, and more expensive is better, and therefore will make you a better photographer.  Bull#@$%.  Yes, photography is placed uniquely at a crossroads of “art” and “technology” – but its a symbiotic relationship, not one soley dependent on what model of camera you have.

Which, as it turns out, brings me (finally) to the video I was referring to before my longwinded rambling.  This proves, without a shadow of a doubt, that its not the technology, but how you USE it, that matters.  These guys produced a complete fashion shoot, with a CELL PHONE.  Yes, thats right, a CELL PHONE.  An iPhone 3GS to be exact.  Now, while the iPhone’s camera is pretty snazzy, it certainly not up to par with the latest and greatest medium format digital backs being used for fashion shoots these days.  Yet, as you will see, theses images ROCK.  Things to take note of: while the camera itself is just a cell phone, notice that the same amount of detail is paid to the model (stunning), her hair and makeup, and most importantly the lighting.  Yes, once again, in photography, it all comes back to the light.  The results are just stunning.  Now before you go and discount this with thoughts about “the retouching” – let me just say – they are upfront from the begining that the images get retouched.  By an absolutly phenominal retoucher as well.  That being said, they show you the “raw” images straight out of the camera too, and honestly, there isn’t a lot of dramatic retouching done.  Contrast and tone, sure, maybe the removal of some background objects, but certainly nothing crazily major.

Anyway, check out the video, cause I’ve been rambling for too long (but check down below for one last thought)

So what did you think?  Pretty amazing right? Made me sit up in my chair and take notice, for sure.  [insert 5th cup of tea here]  Thoughts are welcome down below, just leave me a comment.   Check out their full post and images HERE. Kudos for the Olympus dig, too guys.

One last thing – remember that whole “who would want to learn anything from me” comment back at the begining of this post?  Well, I am actually kinda interested to see if that statement is right or not.  So here’s the deal.  Leave a comment below and ask me anything (photography or lightroom/PS post related at least) and I’ll see about coming up with a tutorial for it.  Anything.  If I don’t know the answer right away, and that would be embarrassing after 4+ years of graduate MFA seeking schooling, I’ll look up the answer and STILL do a tutorial for it.  Bring it on.  :)  I’m not trying to generate any blog traffic, or get 5000 facebook friends, I just wanna give back and have a little fun.

So now that we’re all here, let’s do this.

J

I have entered two photo contests today:

1) PDN’s “Faces” Contest – A fantastic contest based soley on portraits. Luckily for me, they allow animals/pets too. Wheeew!

2) FotoWeek DC’s “fotobama” Contest dealing with the election of 2008.

There are “viewer’s choice” awards/categories for both contests – and I would be honored if you would stop by the pages (I’ll put the links up) and give me your vote. I mean, I’m gonna win both contests anyway, but your vote couldn’t hurt . Just kidding. Seriously though, go vote for me. Now.

Here’s The Links:

PDN’s Contest : CLICK HERE FOR PDN!
**Edit – When a photo recieves votes – it moves toward the first set of pages, you
have to hunt around for my name. Enjoy the photos!

FotoWeek DC Contest : CLICK HERE FOR OBAMA BY BARDUHN

Thanks for reading the blog, and thanks for voting, if you choose to do so!

J

For anyone that doesn’t know about Project Tandem – its an amazing, life changing, cross-country bicyling event taking place by two faboulous phtographers – Morrigan McCarthy and Alan Winslow- who are riding around photographing and interviewing people all across the USA on their thoughts, feelings, and attempts to help our environment.  For more information — check out their website HERE, and their blog HERE. 

Much love to two of the best friends a guy can have!
Good Luck Alan & Mo!  Check out their sites and help them out!

John

PS –>

Project Tandem was present of the first @home washing of the smelly german shepard.  it was interesting. 

Photo copyright Alan Winslow (photoshop by yours truely) :

 

I will be interning for Lauren Greenfield during the months of December, January & Febuary.  So I’ll be heading out to LA in the near future after the Fall quarter at SCAD finishes up.  Its a really awesome opportunity, and I can’t wait to see what the futures holds! 

I’ll be updating the blog as often as I can with my adventures on the west coast!

John

In 2007, he was the recipient of the TED grant – more complete info is available @

Here is his acceptance speach, and his ideas for a project he hopes that we all can contribute to the viewing and dissemination of.

In 2 days, his story is reveled and will be shown all over the world, through TED and its partners, and online.

I think we should all check it out.

John