These Are Their Stories: LAW & ORDER art show!!!
Posted on 22 July 2010 | 1 response
I love police procedurals like LAW & ORDER: SVU. So when artist Brandon Bird invited me to participate in a LAW & ORDER themed group art show, I said “hellllll YES” faster than Detective Stabler would rescue Detective Benson from the grips of some pasty wild-eyed madman at an abandoned South Street Seaport warehouse! (…Dink dink!)
This is the awesome premise of the exhibition:
“For twenty years, the heroes of ‘Law & Order’ have navigated literally hundreds grotesque tragedies, moral quandries, and improbable crimes. Each piece is an artist’s interpretation of a one-line episode summary from the DirecTV program guide. Like the series that inspired them, they are sometimes straightforward and sometimes offer a twist; sometimes they contain no easy answers, and sometimes they are just plain goofy.”
Those of you that know me well know that I have a soft spot for all things goofy. So here is a sneak peek at one of my pieces (you’ll have to go to the show to see the other one!) based on the episode summary “Detective Benson’s Brother“.
Detective Benson’s Brother
Mixed Media on Canvas
by Love Ablan
2010
Hey… listen… it’s okay to have those weird tingly feelings of attraction to Mariska Hargitay with a moustache. I get it. I love her too. And I promise I won’t judge your porn-stache fetish. (At least, not like Judge Donnelly, as played by Judith Light. She’s the Boss!) =)
Anyway, if you’re in the L.A. area this month, definitely check out this super fun show! I got to preview some of the other art work at Brandon’s studio, and so many pieces blew my mind. (Look for “Goren Takes on a Chess Master” by Carly Monardo, it made my eyes melt from the sheer level of lightning awesomeness.)
These Are Their Stories
Group Art Exhibition
July 24 to July 30, 2010
Gallery Meltdown
7522 W. Sunset Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90046.
• More art previews & info: http://brandonbird.com/stories.html
• Facebook event invite: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=109672689085583&index=1
The show opens this Saturday and runs for one week only! Reception is on Wednesday the 28th from 8:00 to 10:00 pm! (I’ll be in San Diego at Comic Con this weekend, but I will definitely attend on Wed.) Cake, ice cream, and snacks will be served all day opening day and at the special reception.
And if you just love LAW & ORDER as much as I do, check out Brandon’s amazing Valentine’s Cards and Coloring Books:
• http://brandonbird.com/shopping.html
HUGE thanks to Brandon (aka Detective Bird) for curating me into the show, I’m so honored to be amongst the usual suspects! Thanks to Gallery Meltdown for hosting the exhibition! And thanks to that genius Dick Wolf for creating the franchise, and for having the coolest name ever. I wish my last name was Wolf. LOVE WOLF. It has a nice ring to it. Perfect for a suspicious looking lone wolf like myself… right? (…Dink dink!)
p.s. BENSON + STABLER 4EVA! <3
Movie Poster: HOOTERS the Documentary
Posted on 15 July 2010 | No responses
I recently shot and designed this movie poster for HOOTERS the docu-comedy by Anna Margarita Albelo. Anna asked me if I could shoot “Noir! Intrigue! Lesbians! Smoke! Murder!!!” How could I say no to any of the above?? Especially when I love the ol’ Hollywood style of lighting and it meant I’d be working with hot lights instead of strobes. And honestly, how could I say no to shooting with Anna and Guinevere Turner?
Of course, I couldn’t have done it without the marvelous make-up artist Marla Verdugo, and my stalwart assistants Akirophoto and Britt Ringer. And I definitely couldn’t have done it without our lovely filmmaker talents and awesome models, Anna and Guin. Much thanks to everyone for a very fun shoot! And for tolerating my silly impressions of a 1930s gumshoe: “Shaaay, you got spunk, kid! Ya jus’ might make it in this townh…” It was a joy to work with all of you guys.
HOOTERS is screening at OUTFEST this Friday (Director’s Guild of America) and Sunday (REDCAT) in Los Angeles. Check it out if you can, it should be a real H@@T!
• HOOTERS at OUTFEST Info
• Facebook Invite to HOOTERS
• Guinevere Turner
• Anna Margarita Albelo
• Marla Verdugo
• Britt Ringer
• Akirophoto
Original Plumbing Party at REDCAT
Posted on 12 July 2010 | No responses
I took some photos at the Original Plumbing Magazine Party on Saturday. Lots of excellent pieces and performances, including an amazing show by art band Hi Fashion $9.99. If you missed it, you missed a really fun night. You also missed, “two Jens, one sandwich.” Which is something that should not be missed. So I made sure to post it, just for you!
Here’s the full photo set which includes lots of dressing room shenanigans:
FLICKR: Original Plumbing Party at REDCAT!
First peek at COOLER behind the scenes photos
Posted on 21 June 2010 | No responses
Things are comically busy right now, especially as my studio manager and intern are both out of town. I’m still working on the Cooler film and simultaneously juggling a bunch of clients, projects and jumbo bottles of SmartWater. (I need them electrolytes!) I would like to know where people get these so called “laurels” on which they rest upon. I’ll take two, please!
Anyway, working on the movie is great, the people are really rad and from the footage I’ve seen so far, it looks beautiful! So I wanted to share a couple of behind the scenes pics from Day 4 and Day 5:
You can check out the rest of the fun behind the scenes photos here on the COOLER Flicker Set:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/lovebyte/sets/72157624326076092/
I’ll be posting many more images in the next week or two. There’s lots of really cool stuff and more actors to come, so keep checking back. And for more info on the movie, check out Cooler the movie on Facebook!
Anyway, I gotta cut this short, as I’m running off to join the cast and crew on set again. (I secretly hope that cooler is filled with ice cold New Castle by the time I get there, haha.) Huge thanks to Natasha for dog/house-sitting while my work schedule is so wonky!
x
Movie Poster: COOLER
Posted on 16 June 2010 | No responses
I shot and designed this preliminary movie poster for COOLER, a feature film directed by Silas Howard and Ernesto Foronda, which is actually in production right now.
One fine sunny day on Mount Washington, Ernesto handed me a plastic cooler and requested that I take pictures of it, and to give the images mood and emotion. I know it sounds like a hard task with an inanimate object as subject matter. But I discovered that he had filled the cooler with some awesome Filipino snacks and candies! (He knows me so well.) So I was totally delighted to spend some quality time with it …and eat all of its delicious contents.
So I looked at the little blue cooler and thought, “You and me, buddy!” and we embarked on our photo adventure. We pounded the boulevards of Hollywood on rainy nights, hung out at lonely bus stops, went grocery shopping in the wee hours, and even rode the mythical L.A. metro. We traipsed all over Los Angeles. Surprisingly, the cooler could convey a lot of emotion — in one picture, Ernesto said it looked, “So sad!” I think it’s quite photogenic and has some pretty good acting chops. Bonus points for keeping my snacks and beverages fresh too. Thanks lil’ guy! (And thanks to Ernesto for the rad treats! Chiz Curls = WIN. I @#$%ing LOVE chiz!!)
COOLER is in production right as we speak (I have to be on location at some point today!). I’ll be posting some behind the scenes in the next couple of days. There’s some sweet and hilarious pictures to share. It’s a really nice and funny cast & crew. Lots of good energy, lots of love. Good times, for sure.
Check out the official COOLER Twitter and Facebook page to keep up and watch the movie-making magic unfold. They’re still accepting donations for production. So if you’re feeling like a fine patron of the arts and quality cinema today, it would be most appreciated. =)
p.s. Big thanks and much love to model Sara Brinsfield who I randomly bumped into last night while we were shooting on Hollywood Boulevard, and who graciously did an on-camera extra scene! I was coincidentally working on her photos less than 8 hours before we ran into each other. How awesome and lucky is that? Here’s a couple of my pics of Sara from last year’s Grafuck Magazine exhibit at Gallery Nucleus (rad body paint by Food One of course!):
Muffins and buns edition of L.A. Ink Stains!
Posted on 10 June 2010 | 1 response
In his latest L.A. Ink Stains comic, Jim Mahfood illustrated some of our recent wacky adventures where we met Shepard Fairey and his posse, had an awesome photo shoot with a pregnant rockstar/pornstar and sniffed the heck out of some fresh muffins. (The blueberry kind.) Check out the whole epic comic on Jim’s blog!
Los Angeles Ink Stains Issue #40: http://foodoneart.blogspot.com/2010/06/blog-post_01.html
Here’s the panels I’m in. I’m gonna save the best part for last, and break it down in reverse…
Now, Akirophoto isn’t just a master photographer. He’s also…. a master baker! (…Get it?) And by that, I mean he bakes some BOMB blueberry muffins! The kind that smell sooooo good, it rewires the way your brain synapses and makes you into a muffin-sniffing zombie. It’s a really long story, but once we detected the delicious aroma emerging from the oven, the term “MUFFIN SNIFFAH” had entered our lexicons where it belongs forever. And those fresh warm muffins entered our happy tummies shortly after that. Yummy!
That’s me, DeZastro and Jim being a couple of muffin sniffahz!
And then a few days post muffin splendor, we went to this crazy secret house party hidden high in the hills. The guests included Shepard Fairey, Taz Arnold, Andy Howell, Josh Levine and Hollywood Kill. I don’t even know how to describe the event, but I can say there really were friggin’ peacocks in the trees! They sound like wild monkeys. I was like, “WHUT. THE. HELL. WAS. THAT?” And I look up, and there’s these huge ass peacocks, just chillin’ in the trees and hanging out on rooftops. Doing whatever it is that peacocks do. Which is very similar to what monkeys do apparently. Who would have thunk? I can’t post any pics from that shindig (yet) but here’s Jim’s rad panel (more on the party in the full Ink Stains #40 comic):
And finally…. we recently photographed famed adult thespian and kick-ass drummer, Jana Jordan, for our upcoming art/photo book collaboration, The Pervert Train (soon to be published by Jim, Akirophoto and me):
She did actually say that, which totally cracked us up. Jim decided to paint a bunny instead. Good call. Here’s a sneak peek at one of my photos of the very lovely and glow-y Jana, 9 months pregnant (with guest star, Bubblegum!). Amazing body paint by Mahfood himself! (I have a hilarious picture of Jana and Mahfood eating hot dogs but will have to save that one for the book.)
We shot this barely a week ago ….and I’m extremely SUPER HAPPY to announce that Jana finally gave birth to a beautiful baby boy at 3AM this morning! Yay!!! I hope to drop by the hospital with DeZastro at some point tonight or tomorrow to finally meet the handsome little fella. Huge CONGRATS to the new mom and pop!!!
Anyway, there seems to be a million things going on at once, so I don’t really get to blog much (yet somehow I find the time to twitter/facebook through my Google phone haha). So I’m really glad that Jim continues to draw and write Ink Stains comics despite his crazy schedule, so that I never forget some of our crazy shenanigans together. (Thank you Jim, you ridiculously talented and awesome Muffin Sniffahhhh!)
Much love to and from the Pervert Train Crew! …Now, where the heck can I find a Sex Pistols onesie???
<3
My Photo Workshops in L.A. this Summer!
Posted on 7 June 2010 | No responses
I’m very excited to announce that I’m teaching three workshops at Blue Rooster Art’s Atwater Studio in L.A. this summer! One is a Pinhole Camera making class, and two are Camera Basics Boot Camps. I run through a little bit about them below, but you can find the full details on each workshop on the Blue Rooster website:
::: http://blueroosterartsupplies.com/class.php
*There’s Special Discounts for those of you that are on my Twitter / Facebook / Mailing List or that read this blog:
-
• FREE Roll of Film for the Pinhole Camera workshop!
• $25 OFF the Camera Basics Boot Camp workshop!
Be sure to EMAIL or PM me for the coupons!
- – - – - – - – - – - – -
Build A Pinhole Camera
Wed, June 23rd, 2010
6-9PM
$50* (FREE Roll of Film for blog readers & Twitter/Facebook friends!)
We’re going to build fully-functioning cameras just out of ordinary household materials: cardboard, a soda can and rubber bands. I’ve custom designed a medium format pinhole camera just for this workshop that’s pretty sweet. It’s easy to build and you can decorate it any way you please. I’ll also be showing a little slideshow of some really cool pictures and DIY cameras to show you the myriad of creative possibilities in the world of pinhole photography.
- – - – - – - – - – - – -
Camera Basics BOOT CAMP
Sun, July 11, 2010
Sun, August 15, 2010
12-4PM
$175* ($25 OFF coupon available for blog readers & Twitter/Facebook friends!)
This one is going to be a really rad, intensive workshop. (And don’t worry, there won’t be any yelling or push-ups!) I’ve cut out allll the textbook BS to show how to work a camera in just a short time. With my camera connected to a monitor, you get to witness first hand what all the buttons do at the exact moment an image is taken. If you have a camera and just can’t seem to get a decent picture out of it, or just can’t be bothered with reading a boring manual, then this is the class for you. I will show you visually how it all works together. And there will also be a display setup that you can practice on, so you can see your own results that same day. This workshop is designed to teach you very quickly, in a fun and engaging environment.
- – - – - – - – - – - – -
Both of these workshops are going to be very playful and very hands-on. And it’s a really good time to ask me whatever questions you want about cameras, development and photography.
If you’re in the Los Angeles area and are interested in either of these workshops, you can sign up here! (Be sure to email me about the online discount coupons!)
And check out their other classes too. They’re also offering Comic Making and Illustration (the instructor Kiyoshi Nakazawa is an awesome guy so check his classes out!), Screen Printing, Ukelele for Kids (which I totally want to take myself if I could), Airbrushing, Plush Making and Expressing Yourself Through Painting. All of these should be fun and creative classes.
I will most likely be teaching more workshops at Blue Rooster in the fall, so please let me know if there’s anything specific you’d like to see in the future. =)
The Magician: Tarot Pinhole Camera
Posted on 25 April 2010 | No responses
It’s Worldwide Pinhole Photography Day, yay! In celebration, I made a pinhole camera out of a tarot deck box that perfectly fits 120 film. I really love that The Magician is on the front as there’s always an element of magic and illusion in photography, making pictures appear out of thin air. And the Magician card represents the power of creation, resourcefulness, vision, a mastery of skill and slight of hand.
I found the Rider-Waite tarot box to coincidentally be just about the right height and depth as a 120 film spool. And I used the cardboard from film packaging for the interior chamber which also fit perfectly. Then I used a Pocky box for the camera back flap, but I think I was merely looking for an excuse to eat some delicious Pocky. (My tummy says it was a good call.)
You can see the whole “making of” process in my Tarot Pinhole Camera Flickr set:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/lovebyte/sets/72157623805791497/
Here are the mats, which were all items I already had laying around:
- Cardboard (1 tarot deck box, 1 120 film container box, 1 box of Pocky)
- Leftover black foamcore scraps
- 2 screws
- Black acrylic paint
- Scotch tape
- Black electrical tape
- Coca Cola can
- 1 rubber band
- 1 tarot card to serve as shutter
- 1 sewing needle and an emery nail file to make the pinhole lens
- 1 metal picture hanger as winding knob
- 1 spare 120 spool
- 1 roll of 120 Fujicolor NPH* 400 film (expired: 2005)
*I call this “Neil Patrick Harris” film.
This is my first pinhole camera and it was really easy to make. I didn’t even do any math or measuring, just eyeballed it. The only thing that was time intensive was literally waiting for the paint to dry. It took about 3 coats to make the thin cardboard opaque enough (you can see where the light streaks through by holding it up against a lamp). And then I just used electrical tape to fill in any light leaks in the corners. Though I think the next time I make a pinhole, I might leave a few more leaks here and there just to see what strangeness happens.
Here’s some shots from my first test roll. Voilà! It’s MAGIC!
I estimate it was something like 15-25 seconds of exposure to get a decent outdoor shot. 30 seconds to 1 minute to get a decent indoor shot, in the middle of an overcast afternoon. And there ya have it. Super easy. I’m sure I’ll shoot more with this camera in the future as I’ve grown quite fond of it. Maybe I’ll try some b&w next time.
Anyway, should you be inspired to participate in Worldwide Pinhole Photography Day, check out the official site. And take a look at this neat link, featuring 23 Pinhole Cameras That You Can Build At Home. (I really dig the peanut shell camera — that is SO awesome!) Send me a link if you wind up making one, I’d love to see it!
OMFG. I’m in a SPIDER-MAN comic book!!! \(^_^)/
Posted on 14 April 2010 | 1 response
Is your spidey sense tingling yet? (Or are you just happy to see me?) Because the amazing artist and magnificent son of a gun JIM MAHFOOD @#$%ing drew me into a SPIDER-MAN comic!!! Say WHAAAT?! “Web of Spider-Man” #7 hits the stands today, check it out:
There I am in the middle, photographing a fashion show where Mary Jane is doing some runway modeling. I’m surrounded by my fellow photographer friends, Akirophoto, Jeffrey Shagawat, Carmen “Jane Dope” Acosta, and Mat Havaianas! And I’ve got a friggin’ speedlight in my left hand — how do you like that, my fellow Strobists?
That. Is. So. @#$%ing. RAD!!!
Reading comics was such a BIG part of my childhood, and a good portion of my adult life. I have many fond memories of quiet afternoons with a tall glass of ice tea and a taller stack of comics. They’re like my moments of Zen. And I was born in New York City, so I @#$%ing love my friendly neighborhood Spider-Man (he does whatever a spider can…)! I used to even read Peter Porker: The Spectacular Spider-Ham as a kid. You have to truly love comics to appreciate that.
So making a cameo in a SPIDER-MAN comic is such an AWESOME honor for me. Especially because it was drawn by such a great friend and one of my favorite comic artists of all time. Seriously, when Jim showed me this panel, I almost shouted “GET THE @#$% OUT!!!” and passed out on his rug.
Alllll his work in this issue is just brilliant and WICKED. He makes Spider-Man look sooo fresh. It’s a cool issue so drop by your local comic shop today before it’s gone! Here’s a sneak peek of Jim’s sweet original pencils and inks for this Spidey comic on his Flickr:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/foodone/sets/72157623285490329/
And if ya haven’t already, check out his website 40ozcomics.com and blog.
Coincidentally, at 5:00 AM this very morning, I woke up to my girlfriend Jen’s blood curdling scream. Which made me scream. Which made her scream again. There was a lot of screaming. Because there was a big ass meaty spider on the bed! So I think it was a good omen. But if not, then at the very least, I hope we become radioactive.
Anyway… I just wanna say, Jim Mahfood, I @#$%ing LOVE you! I mean it. And I thank you from the bottom of my heart! This totally made my day.
Love always,
Your friendly neighborhood spider-photographer
Meet my intern, Amelia
Posted on 18 March 2010 | No responses
I count my lucky stars that Amelia Louise Sellers knocked on my door one fateful day, asking for an apprenticeship. An aspiring photographer, Amelia has the brains to match her remarkable beauty. She’s part Bond girl, part babysitter next door, part rocket scientist, and she’s always willing to go beyond the call of duty on my photo shoots. She’s oiled up my models, showered with one (true story), chucked buckets and buckets of water, shlepped tons of lighting gear, and endured many hardships and shenanigans on my behalf. I am grateful for her dedication and unflinching loyalty, and delighted by her company. There aren’t a lot of women in this world that can make snort-laughing seem totally charming and sexy. She is one of the rare few.
And though she’s not the first intern to pose in front of my camera, Amelia is the first one to do it naked. On my bed. Very tastefully, I might add.
This particular photo session earned her the title “Skintern” proving that she clearly deserves her spot in the hall of fame of my legendary interns, which includes Hot Pirate Kris and the almost mythical Señor Intern Fantastico. She’s just embarked on a 6 month journey to Italy, so I got a quick interview in before she hopped on a plane.
Be sure to bookmark Amelia’s Flickr photo stream, as she’s definitely one to watch.
- What is it about photography as a medium that appeals to you?
This question is making my brain explode. It is truly so many things. It’s nostalgia, it’s a connection, it’s aesthetic, it’s sentimental, it’s raw, it’s emotional, it’s ephemeral, it’s truth.
I know that sounds super cheesy but it’s true. I think photography is special because it’s a way to capture art that already exists. It’s raw and quick. That appeals to me. I’m also a very nostalgic and sentimental person by nature. I always want to remember a moment, a face, a feeling, etc. Photographs are the closest thing to achieving that. When I was little, I wished we could to take pictures with our brains and print them out of our mouths or something. As I got older, I realized that memories are pictures we take with our brains, but we forget. I’ve also always been obsessed with my mother’s photo albums. Now that I own them, they are some of my most prized possessions. And even though the photos aren’t my memories, they are documents of her life and I think that is invaluable. Photos serve as mementos that I wouldn’t otherwise be able to have. It’s also a very emotionally connected medium; if it’s making me feel something, I want to take a picture of it.
- What do you love to take pictures of the most?
People. Friends, strangers, old people, children, whatever. People as subjects rule. People always have stories to tell.
Less specifically, I like to photograph whatever is happening around me. Slice of life stuff. Living in an urban environment is very inspiring.
- What do you aspire to do with photography?
I aspire to be a better photographer! I aspire to take more photos. Lots and lots more photos, and to hopefully show them to the world. If I could make money from photography, that would be great. If not, oh well. I can’t see myself ever going down a commercial road, which I think closes me off to a lot of financial opportunity, but who knows.
- What are some of your favorite cameras?
1. Nikon D70: it’s my everyday camera. I also inherited it from one of my favorite photographers so I think it has lots of good karma in it.
2. Holga 120CFN: the camera with no frills is the perfect camera for me. And even though it’s so simple to use, I’ve managed to produce many happy accidents.
3. Yashica T4: the perfect point and shoot. Very crisp. The “mode” button is broken on mine, and I can’t get the date off, so all my photos say they were taken in ‘87
- Well I can attest that ‘87 was a pretty awesome year, so it must be a good omen. Who are some of your favorite photographers?
There are the obvious masters that I admire like Edward Weston, Irving Penn, Robert Frank, and Diane Arbus. I recently discovered Nan Goldin’s work and it absolutely floored me. There’s also a local L.A. photographer named Cali DeWitt that I really look up to in a strange way. A friend turned me on to his blog a few years ago and I check up on it every couple weeks. I feel like a voyeur because all of his photos are really personal day to day stuff. He’s just constantly documenting his life and it inspires me to do the same. Oh, and Love Ablan, duh.
- Bahhh, you flatter me! How does it feel, having modeled for me for these photos? Was it weird in general, or did you find it easier working with a female photographer? From my perspective, I personally don’t believe that photographing women (or men) in any state of undress is objectifying, unless it’s done with that specific intent in mind. On the contrary, I consider it a kind of act of worship and reverence.
Working with you has always been fun, so modeling for you was no different. There’s a lot of trust there and I think that makes all the difference. And, sure, there are definitely ways to photograph women that are objectifying but I also think that in the end, it’s all subjective. Luckily, I was working with a photographer who has great taste, so that thought never crossed my mind. It was a great experience to open up. Sort of, freeing in a way. Being on the other side of the camera also gave me a greater perspective as a photographer. It was a win win all around.
- Definitely a win for me! Our photo shoot started out so innocently. The next thing I knew, we were listening to Marvin Gaye and you were smoking cloves and drinking champagne in my bed, wearing my shirt. And we got some fantastic pictures out of it! I think you’re a natural both behind and in front of a camera. Any plans to model again?
Aw, thanks Love! No, no plans, but who knows? Maybe. I’m open.
- So you’re leaving for Italy for 6 months! What are your plans in Europe?
I’m gonna boss around some kids, teach them English, drink lots of wine, eat lots of pasta, work on my tan, let my hair grow long, and geek out on some ridiculous art.
- Sounds glorious! Though you will be greatly missed here in L.A. Do you promise to write me letters with excessive use of the words “ciao” and “bellisimo“?
Yes, of course. We’ll see if you can decipher my broken Italian.
- And now, the last question. Name one person (historical or fictional) that you would like to serve you breakfast-in-bed on a Sunday morning.
My mom.
- Thank you for taking the time to do this interview and for letting me photograph you. I hope you have wonderful, cathartic adventures in Italy. And I hope we get a chance to hang out in Spain in the fall and burn pianos on the beach, or something crazy like that. I can’t wait to see all of your travel photos. Ciao bella!
Ciao Ciao, Amore!
