FINALLY, an aritcle in a national paper

For those of us who take pictures, especially in the nation's capital. Or those of us who take classes around the city to take pictures, this article has been a long time coming. The abuse of power, and clear misunderstanding of the law by many a law enforcement officer, either government or private security (you too TSA) of what is legal and illegal to photograph has been an issue for years, but more so post 9/11. Annys Shin's article in today's Washington Post does a good job of illustrating what many of us (or our students/colleagues) have been through in recent years. Point of fact - anything that can be viewed from public property can be photographed from public property. The only exception is photographing someone through a window without their consent (qualifies as "reasonable expectation of privacy). This includes any and all government building (federal or local). No officer has the right to stop you, or require you delete any images. The problem is, most of them don't know any better, and getting into an argument about it only escalates the issue.

You can read the article here.

Summer workshops

Hey all-

Alison and I will be teaching a handful of one day workshops at our new studio in Brentwood. And they are crazy cheap ($25-40). Prices never to be repeated.

This Saturday we are teaching the second of our "Photoshop Fundamentals" where we will delve deeper in the in the inner workings of Photoshop, dealing withe Layers, compositing, selections, and the like.

July 10 we start the first of our "Alternative Photo Process" workshops with Polaroid Transfers. We will show you how to do the old Polaroid process with new Fuji instand print film.

July 17th we are teaching the cyanotype process. First developed in the 1840's, cyanotypes in the 21st century are now an easy, versatile way to create photo images or even use sunlight to "draw" on a variety of materials and surfaces.

July 24th we will be teaching Pinhole photography. Learn to make your own simple camera from inexpensive materials and explore the creative potentials and beautiful effects of this low-tech approach to photography.

On July 31st we will explore the world of image transfers. Learn how to transfer a wide range of photo and printed images onto a variety of objects.

All these workshops are on the above listed Saturdays from 1-5pm. Really, a fun day can be had for not much money. They will all be held at the Brentwood Arts Exchange 3901 Rhode Island Avenue, Brentwood, MD. You can call them at 301-277-2863 to sign up.

A couple of items

First and foremost, come out to our studio this Saturday from noon to 5pm for the annual spring open house. We will be doing demos on the image transfer process and have samples from a bunch of the classes we will be teaching this spring and summer at the Art League School, The Washington Glass School and The Brentwood Arts Exchange. Come see image transfers, pinhole images and cyanotypes. And for those who have not yet seen it, come see our fancy new studio at the Gateway Arts Center at 3901 Rhode Island Avenue in Brentwood Maryland.

While you're there check all the other artists on the second floor of our building, as well as the Washington Glass School, Red Dirt Studios, Flux Studios, DC Glassworks, The Prince George's County African American History Museum and others.

On a second note, the picture you see above is my friend Jeff Kavanaugh with a couple of guys you may recognize. Well, at least one of them. Jeff is the longtime assistant to Heinz Kluetemeier, a world renowned sports photographer for Sports Illustrated. Heinz is also one of the pioneers of putting remote operated cameras in the pools during swimming competitions. The 2008 Beijing Olympics were no exception. Well, Heinz had recently had shoulder surgery was not able to jump in and out of the pool and help set up the gear for the races, so this became Jeff's task. Jeff was also operating the camera from a laptop during the race itself.
Some of you may remember the disputed race between Michael Phelps and Milorad Cavic where Phelps won by the narrowest of margins causing an immediate complaint by Caivic's coach. As Jeff recalls:

"...this photo basically stopped a mess of arguments. Immediately after the race, when Phelps was announced the winner by .01 seconds, Cavic and his coach filed a protest of the results, saying there is no way Phelps won......that the results were faulty or rigged (considering Omega is the official timing system, and also sponsors Phelps.....). The IOC (International Olympic Committee) immediately held a meeting with both teams and officials. We showed the photo to the Photo manager on the pool deck, and he told us to come with him and bring the computer. When Cavic and his coach saw our photograph, they dropped their protest. Was pretty cool."

Well, almost 2 years later, they were able to arrange a meeting of the two to autograph the photo together. They signed about 100 copies that will be sold by the International swimming Hall of Fame for fund raising. Considering the heated debate on the race itself, I think it is pretty cool that they got together to do this. On a side note, Heinz made sure that Jeff got some credit from SI when it was published. An unusual and nice gesture by one of the greats.

a whole mess of stuff....

So first the bad news.

This week saw the passing of Jim Marshall. "Who is Jim Marshall?" you ask. Well, you may not have known it, but you have been looking at his images for years. He is often credited as being the grandfather of the Rock and Roll photography, both concert photos and backstage intimate stuff. His had a take no bullshit approach that served him well, while offending others. He wanted all access or no access. Don't waste his time with restrictions, he would rather walk. You can read the WaPo obit here. Also, Joe McNally gives his own obit to Jim here.

In more positive news, the grand opening of our building went fantastic. The press conference and ribbon cutting were standing room only. Many thanks to all who came out. There will be a closing ceremony for the show in the M-NCPPC gallery on April 10th from 4-8pm.

Also, there has been a lot of buzz lately on the upcoming Photoshop CS5. With it's new Content Aware Fill. Check it out here. You will never believe any photo you look at ever again. Not that you should believe them now.

Lots of new classes coming up in the future. We will continue to teach at the Art League School and at the Washington Glass School. Now Parks and Planning has tapped us to teach for Alternative process and photoshop workshops at their new gallery at the Gateway Arts Center building. These will be CRAZY cheap. I will reveal details as they are firmed up.

talk to you soon.
pete

a whole mess of stuff....

So first the bad news.

This week saw the passing of Jim Marshall. "Who is Jim Marshall?" you ask. Well, you may not have known it, but you have been looking at his images for years. He is often credited as being the grandfather of the Rock and Roll photography, both concert photos and backstage intimate stuff. His was a take no bullshit approach that served him well, while offending others. He wanted all access or no access. Don't waste his time with restrictions, he would rather walk. You can read the WaPo obit here. Also, Joe McNally gives his own obit to Jim here.

In more positive news, the grand opening of our building went fantastic. The press conference and ribbon cutting were standing room only. Many thanks to all who came out. There will be a closing ceremony for the show in the M-NCPPC gallery on April 10th from 4-8pm.

Also, there has been a lot of buzz lately on the upcoming Photoshop CS5. With it's new Content Aware Fill. Check it out here. You will never believe any photo you look at ever again. Not that you should believe them now.

Lots of new classes coming up in the future. We will continue to teach at the Art League School and at the Washington Glass School. Now Parks and Planning has tapped us to teach for Alternative process and photoshop workshops at their new gallery at the Gateway Arts Center building. These will be CRAZY cheap. I will reveal details as they are firmed up.

talk to you soon.
pete

Studio Grand Opening Friday March 19th 3-8pm

Hey all-

The fancy new building we moved into last November is having an official unveiling. Ribbon cutting, and politicos and artists, Oh My!

It is Friday March 19th 3pm-8pm at the Gateway Arts Center at 3901 Rhode Island Ave. Brentwood, MD 20722.

This coincides with the opening of the new space for the Prince George County African American History Museum and Cultural Center and the M-NCPPC Brentwood Art Exchange. Both will have the openings of their first exhibits in the new spaces. Alison and I both have pieces on display.

In addition, from 4:30pm - 8pm the Artists in the building will hold open studios, and have an opening of the 39th Street Gallery on the second floor with an exhibit featuring work from artists in the building.

There will be food, good art, and a good time. Plus, I'll be walking around all night blinding people with my flash. What more could you ask for?

hopefully we'll see you there.

Photo Emulsion transfer this weekend!

Want to learn Photo Emulsion transfer onto glass? Now is your chance. Just call the Washington Glass School (202-744-8222) or email them at washglassschool@aol.com to sign up. It is this Sunday from 1pm - 4pm, and costs $150 plus a $20 lab fee. A bargain.

But sign up fast. Seriously.