Print on Demand

I found this blog post ranking the print on demand (POD) publishers (via Joerg Colberg) which I thought y'all would find interesting.

So looks like about 100 people were invited to check out the 18 companies that produces books.

People were asked to rate these categories on a scale of 1 to 10: color, detail, binding and cover, spread (gutter), paper, bang for the buck, overall. There was a handout with other information, including notes on each interface, turn-around information, brand mark and cost. All books were the same amount of pages and used the same photos

MagCloud 6
Create Space 4.8
Comix Press 4.7
LuLu 5.7
Apple 7.4
Adorama 7.5
My Publisher 6.7
Blurb 6.7
Pikto 6.3
Shared Ink 7
White House 7
Mpix 7.1
Bay Photo 7.4
A & I 8.2
Embassy 6.3
Fastback 6.9
Paper Chase 7.3
Asuka 7.9

They are listed from inexpensive to expensive. Okay, so I've used MagCloud before. I originally thought of making leave-behind "magazine" of work but I have to admit, it looks like crap. Bear in mind, this was about a year to two years ago I did this so they may have improved but at that time, I wasn't impressed.

Apple I used years ago with their flip books - again, not really impressed but I am curious to see how they are today.

I have seen A & I and Blurb books and they both look great though I have heard stories of Blurb. Obviously your mileage will vary. And just a reminder that Blurb is doing an informal meet-up tonight over in WeHo - more info here.

A&I is here in town so you can always go by and check their books out. The other publisher I recognized is Paper Chase on Sunset Blvd.

I'm not too sold on their grade but at least you get an idea of what is out there.

Dawoud Bey "Class Pictures" (2007)

My project Class Pictures consists of portraits of a wide range of American high school students, along with self authored texts by each of the students that hopefully creates a rich and complex sense of the individual. I think young people have been depicted in a very one dimensional way within our social culture, and I want to challenge that by making pictures of young people that have a real depth to them, that portrays them as the complex people that I believe they are. Through the book and traveling exhibition, hopefully the work will have a real impact. I do want to impact people's thinking through my work, and I want to impact the way that they think about and regard young people in our society

Dawoud Bey was also part of the USA Network "Character Project" (see video below)

ASMP/SD "I Stink at Negotiating" with guest Blake Discher (3/10)

For our San Diego readers, ASMP/SD this Wed (3/10) is having a "I Stink at Negotiating" event over at Atkinson! Studios 9550 Chesapeake Drive, Suite 203 San Diego, CA 92123 from 6:30 to 9 pm.

Do you panic when you have to discuss money with a client? Do you talk too fast, ramble or sound indignant? Do you give in too fast to a lower price or broad licensing terms? Blake Discher will teach you the steps to become a top negotiator. This critical skill can change your business in the most profound way — more and better work! Blake will walk you through real world scenarios, show you how to listen and talk to prospects turning them into loyal clients.

* Learn how to prepare for a negotiation
* Researching the client
* Increasing your clout
* Listening skills
* When is it time to walk away?
* The follow-up is critical.

$25 for ASMP members, $40 for APA/PPA/etc, $50 non-members and $10 for students

Here to register

ASPP "Beating Recession Fatigue" (3/13)

The West Coast chapter of the American Society of Picture Professionals (ASPP) will be having an event titled "Beating Recession Fatigue" @ Burke Triolo Studios in SoPas on March 13th. Here's the nitty gritty :

Despite what you might hear, there are many success stories in this tough economy. Join our panel of optimists for stories of encouragement, positive thinking and tips for revitalizing your professional outlook. Learn how to positively arm yourself against recession fatigue.

In this shamelessly positive session you will learn:

+How to shake of the recession blues and become the best and motivated YOU again.
+What people just like you did to overcome adversity.
+Real, implementable tricks and tips that you can use TODAY to help you to land your dream job.
+How you can do more than survive but thrive.

Our panelists include:

Teresa Buyikian, founder of Little Bird Communications. As a “reformed cynic’ Buyikian learned first hand about the power of networking and how to use this powerful tool effectively.

Beate Chelette is a Photography Business Success Coach and author of the “From Flash to Cash System” and “How to Make Money With Stock.” She understands and communicates the power of reinvention and possibility.

Eric Romer, Marketing Manager at Headblade, Inc.. Romer is an amazing example of using a non-comformist approach to landing the job you want. His story of effectively using Facebook, the internet, Twitter and a blog site landed him his ideal position.

Sheridan Stancliff, Producer and Studio Manager at Lew Robertson Productions and stock photographer has dealt with long-term job searches personally. Find out about balance, diversity and using “extracurricular activities” to tackle the job market – and maintain your positive outlook.

Tickets are as following (if you prepay by March 10th) : ASPP members $20, APA/ASMP/SAA/PACA $25, Students w/ID $10 and non-members $30. Price goes up by $5 bucks at the door.

Registration and coffee are at 9 am to 9:30, followed by the panel discussion from 9:30 - 10:30, then breakout sessions from 10:30-11:30 followed by Q&A and raffles from 11:30 to Noon.

RSVP to: ellen@NEATProduction.com

Saturday March 13, 2010

Burke Triolo Studios
538 Mission Street
South Pasadina , CA 91030

LINK

Monday Briefs

+ Just so y'know, Samy's HDSLR competition deadline has been extended to March 31st and the winner will receive a Canon 5DMKII. Other prizes to be announced. Don't remember what the contest is all about ? Click here.

+ Speaking of Samy's if you ever got a hankering for go hiking through Yosemite National Park and take photos, well, Samy's got a workshop for you ! The Yosemite National Park Photo Workshop with Dan Warsinger & Jennifer Wu on May 14th – 16th, 2010. I think I'll stick around LA...I'm more of a city boy than a country boy, y'know ?

+ You probably figured this if you signed up for the Lith Printing with Francesca di Leo class over at Translight Photo Center but they moved that class over to start on March 14th instead of yesterday. If you didn't know, and interested Lith printing, well, they have a 4 week class that runs 11 am to 3 pm and is on every Sunday starting next Sunday (3/14). Curious to find out more ? Yup, click here

+ Oh, another in case you didn't know - there's a camera club up in the Valley called "f/stop Camera Club" and they meet every month at the Balboa Sports Center in Encino. Goes on from 7 pm to 9:30 pm and there's monthly themes. Check their site for all the details !

+ Luis, our camera tech guy tells me that I need to advertise the fact that he does sensor cleanings for $40 and takes about 2 hours. Yeah, he can do it faster - and he may but depending on how his day goes, he tells me 2 hours is a good time frame. I usually have him clean my gear because frankly I'm worried about messing up my own sensor so I rather have someone who cleans cameras day in and day out. Anyways, you can call him up at 323-936-8488

+ I was curious why there wasn't any prices listed on Nobuyoshi Araki show this weekend, then my friend sent me this link.


(Click to enlarge)

Interesting....so the gallery exhibited work from a private collector ...so also explains why Araki wasn't present. Looks like this was just to advertise the gallery itself. Nevertheless, the place was packed around 8-ish.

+ Damien, who used to be Calumet's rental manager is now one of Broncolor's California reps - congrats, man !

ADDITION

+ Also Blurb is doing an informal gathering on Tuesday night 6-9 pm at Bar Lubitsch 7702 Santa Monica Blvd West Hollywood, CA 90046. So if you have questions or wanna check out the quality of a Blurb book, head over there. You can RSVP here.

Glamour Photography Auction (3/26-3/27)

If you got a few hundred or thousand dollars lying around, check out the Epstein and Schwimer Glamour Photography Auction over in Calabasas on March 26th & 27th. They've posted their collection online and you can get a chance to look through what is offered, I noticed a few were estimated just under $400 (one of my favorites - Alice White) while others $3,000. I suppose looking through their images online is my version of window shopping.

Oh, hey, looking at the promo photo, I noticed at the bottom : Photo by Eric Schwabel, a local photographer I met at the The Distillery, sort of like an artist colony over in Venice last year.

(Ann Sheridan by George Hurrell)

(Alice White gallery by Elmer Fryer)

(Clark Gable and Vivian Leigh by Clarence Sinclair Bull)

The Epstein and Schwimer collected works include some of the most important names in photography, such as George Hurrell, Clarence Sinclair Bull, Ruth Harriet Louise, James Manatt, Laszlo Willinger, Otto Dyar, Eugene Richee, Ernest Bachrach, Elmer Fryer, Ray Jones, Hal Phyfe, Nickolas Muray, as well as Richard Avedon, Cecil Beaton, Bruno Bernard, Marcus Leatherdale, Robert Mapplethorpe, Helmut Newton, Man Ray, Herb Ritts, Cindy Sherman, Jock Sturges, and Howard Zieff. Moreover, the collection contains an incomparable assemblage of Len Prince and Mel Roberts work as well as fine art by Andy Warhol, Richard Duardo, Keith Haring, Robert Indiana, Roy Lichtenstein, Beatrice Wood and numerous others.

March 26, 2010 -March 27, 2010

Profiles in History
26901 Agoura Rd, #150
Calabasas, CA 91301

PIX CLICKS "Araki : A Perspective" @ Prism (3/6/10)

March 7 to May 9, 2010

Prism
8746 W. Sunset Boulevard
West Hollywood, CA 90069

Gallery Hours
Tuesday-Thursday 10am-6pm
Friday-Saturday 11am-7pm
Sunday 12pm-6pm

Andreas Gursky (left)

To see more images, check out Reserve Result's gallery from Thursday night's opening @ Gagosian. Also check out Smashbox Yello's take on the opening.

Inspiration

I'm sure like many of y'all, you keep bookmarks on many websites you check back over and over. Sure I have my folders for sites to research about what's going on here in LA and the photo world but I have another folder label "Inspiration" with about 40 or so links. Sometimes in my daily rummage through the web, I stumbled upon a site that may be inspiring and I just add it to my growing list.

Today I decide to randomly toss out a few. Some you may recognized, others may be new to you. Some have photography, others cover design. Anytime I feel like I need to shake my head, I just click through my list. So if you have some time, take a trip down the rabbit hole !

Art Sponge
I Heart Photography
Poppytalk
Svarta
Brokin nglish
Quotes on Design
Today and Tomorrow
Teenagster
Touch Puppet
New Bodies
72 DPI

What's in your inspiration folder ?

Jeff Sheng "Don't Ask, Don't Tell"

I first discovered Jeff Sheng's project via the LA Times in a story that posted back in November of 2009. For the past year he has been working on his series "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" - portraits of service men and women with their identity masked by shadow and lighting.

“Ultimately for me, these photographs underscore the silence permeating the unsung heroism of gay and lesbian military personal,” said Sheng. “The photos are about the men and women who continue to fight and serve despite the heartbreaking invisibility they suffer.”

Just a few weeks back, Jeff released "Don't Ask Don't Tell" Vol. 1 on his own website DADT.com. He is currently working on Vol. 2.

LINK
Interview with Photographer Jeff Sheng

Sneak Peak at Andreas Gurksy Opening Tonight

A documentary on Gursky will run in a smaller room and repeat on a loop. It is about a hour long.


(My camera does this piece no justice but it does give an idea of the size ^^)

Besides the opening for Andreas Gursky, this is also the premiere of their new space. I recall coming here years ago and feeling a bit claustrophobic. With the addition of the new room, it definitely opens up the space.

If you're coming to this, I suggest coming early. With everyone in town for the Oscars this weekend, I'm sure this is to be a packed event.

Thursday March 4, 2010 6-8 pm

Gagosian Gallery
456 North Camden Drive
Beverly Hills, CA 90210

Put Away Your Phone !

This week's Heather Mortion's new segment "The Whole Nine Yards" is on cellphones and tweeting, Facebooking, and so forth.

Here's a bit from the latest post :

If I have any rants I am sure it would be the same as a lot of photographers… for an assistant to keep the iphone/blackberry in the pocket. No texting, facebooking twittering while we are on set. As well, I have had [assistants] twitter photos of the stuff I was hired to shoot, which I think is really bad form. Even if it’s not a big secret ad shoot, it’s still my shoot, and they don’t need to be stealing thunder.

I admit, about 7 years ago, I was THAT assistant until I got lectured by the photographer. Before that it was easier - I had pager (you people remember those don'tha ?) You can't do much except read a phone number ! Funny, I remember my first assisting business card : my home phone and my pager number.

Anyone got stories from set ? Either as an assistant or photographer, stylists, MUA, producer, location manager, just comment below (you can be anonymous ^^)

Victor Friedman "Captured & Constructed" (3/13)

Exhibiting for the first time in Los Angeles, FaraciArt presents Captured & Constructed a unique view into the 40+ year career of critically-acclaimed New York photographer, Victor Friedman. Through three varied collections Friedman invites the viewer to participate in an experience:

New York Street Scenes captures the tenacity found on the streets of Brooklyn, Greenwich Village and Long Island. In a recent review, critic Virginia Smith suggests “Friedman fits in the tradition of Walker Evans, now dubbed the ‘dean of American documentary,’ and he shares a kind of perception with the New York photographer Helen Levitt.” Friedman creates portals into another time and place, documenting the American life in 1960 through 1980’s New York.

Landscapes & Seascapes presents the vivid, nostalgic and sometimes haunting imagery of the Northeast coastline; a lone sailboat, a classic car preserved on a rural farm, a tree in the mist.

In Adulation of Cubism Friedman transcends the lens and in a unique form of artistic expression combining the human form, still-life elements, sculpture, and photography to construct images in the style of the Cubist masters.

Victor Friedman will provide signing of his recently published book Flag at the Artist Reception on March 13th.

This event is anticipated to reach capacity, advance RSVP is required rsvp@faraciart.com

March 8, 2010 - April 4, 2010

Opening reception March 13th 7:00 PM - 11:00 PM

Jeanie Madsen Gallery
1431 Ocean Boulevard
Santa Monica, CA 90401

Street Names of Los Angeles - A History

As a transplant I am curious by the history and landscape of this city so I was happy to discover this morning over on the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles' YouTube channel they are currently posting up a series called "Street Names of Los Angeles - A History". Only pt 1 and 2 are up currently. I believe they are posted weekly.

Thursday is the Day

Besides the WPPI 2010 opening in Las Vegas, there's a host of events for tomorrow - Thursday March 4th

+ Andreas Gursky @ Gagosian Beverly Hills 6-8 pm
+ Iris Nights: Marla Rutherford and Jessica Mendoza @ Annenberg Space for Photography in Century City 6:30-8 pm
+ Aperture: Zwelethu Mthethwa @ UCLA Hammer Museum in Westwood 7 pm
+ Traveling On A High Frequency: The Photography of Jay Blakesberg @ Mr Music Head Gallery on Sunset Blvd 7-10 pm

By the way, next Thursday (March 11th) at Annenberg Space for Photography, Sports Illustrated director of photography Steve Fine will be speaking of how the magazine covers the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics. This is part of their IRIS Nights and tickets become available today (Wed 3/3) at noon by clicking here

Steve Fine will discuss Olympic coverage by Sports Illustrated . No one covers the Olympics like SI: they will have 8 full time photographers at the Games, 4 in the mountains and 4 in the city, delivering action, reaction, and a sense of place like no other magazine or newspaper in the world. Fine will explain the state-of-the-art transmit system which allows Sports Illustrated to feed the si.com and time.com websites on a daily, fast-close deadline. He will also speak about how the magazine's editors and shooters work to bring a fresh perspective to the Olympic games and sport news.

As always you can check the Calendar for more info as well as see what else is going on.

"Memories of WWII : The Archives of the AP" (February 21 – April 18, 2010)

(Paul Bersebach OC Register)
If you happen to be down in San Clemente, CA in the next few months, head over to the Casa Romantica Cultural Center and Gardens for their exhibition "Memories of WWII : From the Archives of the Associated Press", a traveling collection of 126 black & white images.

Their opening day is March 6, 2010 from 11 am - 2 pm with a veterans tribute, performance by the Marine Corps Band as well as WWII aircraft fly over ! There's a host of other events held through out March so check here for all the details.

Feb 21 - April 18, 2010

Casa Romantica : Cultural Center and Gardens
415 Avenida Granada
San Clemente, CA 92672