Why Colleen Durkin Makes Everything Better

I recently found someone who is a wonderful photographer in her own right, but also an amazing assistant: Colleen Durkin. I've been lucky enough to have her help me on my last two cover shoots in Los Angeles. I love having her around, she is funny, helpful and on it. Spending hours with her is a joy. As well, she poses quite memorably when testing light.

Idea

I just saw this today on PIG's website, what a fantastic use of double exposure. I hope it was done in camera. It gave me so many ideas, I can't wait to shoot!

The Greatest #3: Rosie Hardy

My friend and fellow photographer, Lisa Wiseman, just sent me the work of Rosie Hardy.

Who is this girl and where did she come from? Her work is fantastic, although I do prefer what's on the link above to what's on her official site. Again, it is such a thrill to know people like her are taking photos.

I've read a bit about people feeling she copies other artists with out giving credit, but I think her work stands on it's own, it has a unique style, and all of us use images that inspire us without giving credit. For example, I have a shoot coming up and this photo gave me the idea to shoot at Pyramid Lake.

While I understand some people feel she is directly reinterpreting/copying the work of others, I feel so much of her work is her own, and very good at that, it isn't truly an issue.

The Latest PDN Magazine

Who-hoo, PDN did a piece on promos under $3,000 and they featured my iBooks!

I've been making promos with iPhoto for 2 years now and it is such a great way to keep your promos current while not spending a lot of money. They are these tiny books, about 2.5 by 3.5 inches that you can order 3 at a time or more and cost about 59 cents to mail to any ad firm, magazine editor or the like.

The article really breaks down the costs per book and the ease of creating layouts within the program; I am a huge fan of them, it's one thing Apple has done incredibly well.

And Paul, in iPhoto's customer service, has the patience of a saint, if the books get damaged in transit or have any other issues, he has always gone out of his way to help. It was wonderful of PDn to include me in this feature, I am thrilled with how it turn out.

The Greatest #2: Amanda Friedman

Amanda Friedman's night landscapes blow me away. They have her signature unexpected colors but it's a very different approach: mysterious, unpredictable, moody, sensual.

I don't know how she finds the places she does, or rather, how she reinvents these places one drives past everyday without looking twice, but it is a testament to her talent that she can truly turn the everyday into something remarkable.