What an amazing project this has been. I've met so many wonderful artists and I am thankful for each and every experience with them. Shooting with pinhole, using black and white film (Tri-X 4x5) is an exercise in re-learning photography. Up Fairfax Ave. Down Fairfax Ave. Times 20? Times 30? More? I hit the lab, ICON, early in the AM, run the "runs" and then return to view and run the "holds." It feels excellent to be going to the lab again. Polaroid is not available – at least in my budget – nor is it practical. I'm asking people to hold still for up to 4 minutes at a time. Four minutes seems like a lifetime when you're doing nothing but waiting, and trying to stand still. As the artist RISK said to me, "I thought I could do it, and once in it, realized how tough this was. It was like a long meditation." I paraphrase, but you get the idea.
Why Pinhole? I'll post my statement here later.
For now, I want to put up some images, low quality and not final images, along with some shots of the shoots and experiences. (Note: I'm holding a 4x5 neg up to the sky, or computer screen and shooting it with my iPhone, then inverting it with the App, CameraFD, so I can see a positive. So, these are very basic, low quality examples. But, all part of the fun of shooting film!)
Daniel Rolnick was my first shoot. A brilliant and energetic artist and curator and great way to get this project started. We (Eva Crawford) shot him at the Flower Pepper Gallery in Pasadena, CA. Thanks!!
Daniel Rolnick
Eva Crawford, a brilliant designer, photographer and graphic artist has been instrumental in helping get this project off the ground. And, in her world of perfect lines and fitted shapes, along with her love of all things mid-century, she makes a pretty good Dorothy, dontcha think? (It's improperly cropped square thanks to Instagram.)
Eva Crawford
Downtown Muse. Aka Melissa Robertson-Banks. What to say? She is one of the most innovative, creative people I've ever met. Full on energy (believe me, you will NOT be able to keep up with her), she attacks downtown LA with her iPhone and has made herself into a photographer. If you don't know Melissa, you don't know downtown. Like Eva, Melissa is an integral part of this project, bringing me together with artists.
Melissa Robertson-Banks aka Downtown Muse
Anya Ivanova. Fantastic cook! Thanks for the wonderful Russian food. What more could Eric and Eva ask for than to put you in a swimming pool, then get a fantastic meal complete with Vodka, Beer and Desert. Yum! Anya is a classical pianist, composer and producer.
Anya Ivanova
From Anya came the recommendation of an amazing Iranian artist, Soroush Payandeh. Soroush has done some of the most amazing sculptures and installations in Iran – Huge. The entire sides of buildings, and lengths of Highways, etc. – and continues to create here in LA with painting (again, huge) and with sculpture. An amazing, peaceful, humble human being, it was a pleasure shooting and playing with his dogs. My favorite image is with his dog sitting in his lap obscuring his face. Don't get me wrong, Soroush has a handsome face, but this image speaks of his story as one who cannot go back to Iran and must work in somewhat obscurity. It's a shame. However, we have his art to fill our lives.
Soroush Payandeh
From Soroush begat Iranian film director, Saeed Khoze. Saeed has worked with the likes of Monica Belucci (my favorite!) and won numerous directorial awards. He and his crew – each and every one of them – were so kind and accommodating, I felt immediately welcomed, as if I were part of their crew family. He and the main character, Christina Sadeh (gorgeous) of his new movie, Zoya, sat for me on two occasions (I had to come back, because I sort of blew the first shoot). They moved lights for me, and let me hang around the set shooting. I can't wait to see the movie and wish all of them the best. Great people!
Saeed Khoze and Christina Sadeh
To be continued…
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