Got Brain Mug Now Available.

Get your Got Brain Zombie Mug now. This will make a great gift for your favorite zombie fan, or anyone who isn't quite right until they have their coffee in the morning. I want to thank my  Model MaDawna. If you think she is cute in the picture you should see her under all of that make-up.

You can get your mug over at http://www.zazzle.com/gotbrainmug-168088616787683933

My Card

So I was working at my day job today, the one that puts food on the table while my photography career develops. A young lady who knows me comes and asks me, "why are you here in the mall cleaning the floor, if your business card says you're a photographer?". That made me think about a few things.

2011 Calendar Now Available

Its that time of year again, its time to start looking for a new calendar, to replace that worn and tattered one on your wall, the one with all of the past year's appointments and dates pencilled in it. Well I just want to let you know that The Tainted Elephant 2010 calendar is now available. So get that all important piece of time keeping stationary, and pick up twelve of my images at the same time.  Check out the slide show below, it marks the first collaboration, between composer David Rosen, and myself. Enjoy. If you order before sunday, Zazzle is offering free shiping on orders over $50, just use promo code FREESHIPFORU


You can get your calendar here.
http://www.zazzle.com/the_tainted_elephant_calendar-158091790339224178


Make sure to visit me at www.taintedelephant.com, and for more David go to www.bydavidrosen.com

The One Percent

A few month back I wrote about The 99%, The work that we do that we just don't like. This post is about one of my One Percent. This Image has become my signature image. You may have seen it on my blog and website. So how did it become one of my One Percent. (make sure to take The Rest Of The Journey to see more pics)

Its Time for the Long Trip

I'm leaving For Israel today, back to my family, and my home for the time being. I will be at the Airport by around 7AM, and will be on the Ground in Israel, by 3:30 the next afternoon, if everything goes according to schedule.

Here I Go Again

Yesterday, I left Riverton for the 3rd time in my life. I love Riverton, but it is a bit small, and Life, Love, and just a gut feeling, are taking me back to Israel for an indefinate amount of time. My trip back to the US, and Riverton have given me a sence of determinatoin to live for my art, after my family of course. I dont know where exactly my inspiration came from but I got a burst of enthusiasm for a project that will be the most sugnifigant thing that I have ever done in the art and photography world. A few years ago I created a web site called The Tainted Elephant. it was fun, but not verry focused. Well I have been working on a reincarnation of that site, because I am ready to make my art available for purchase. in the next week, the new site will be fully up and running and available for the world. I have many people to thank for my sudden burst of courage, that allowed me to make this happen. most important is my Wife who encourages me at all times and is always behind me no matter what. another big emcouragement, came form my friend Tim who sugested the site long before I was ready to even think about it. He also is hosting it for me, if you need computers hosting or have any other communication needs he is your man, check him out. my last thanks goes to a photographer that I have grown to respect Kirk Tuck, we dont know each other, but I read his blog and lateley, almost like he wants to encourage me he has been posting the most ispirational posts that appear to be directed right at me. Thanks Kirk.

Tough Enough to Wear Pink

Last night was rodeo night, it has become a tradition to wear pink to the rodeo, to promote breast cancer awareness, but last night was the official Tough Enough to Wear Pink night at the 2 day Rodeo here in Riverton. So I don't get the details wrong, please visit the official web site to find out what you can do for the prevention, treatment, and cure of breast cancer.

The Right Place At the Right Time

I went to a movie last night. After the movie I took a short walk down town. I love down town Riverton, it has some really charming, old buildings. I decided it would be cool to take some pictures of them at night. So I walked home and got my Gear and headed out the door, but before I got to far it was raining.

In My Own Back Yard

When you are inspired you don't always have to travel far for a good image. I took all of these images, either in the kitchen, backyard, or within 5 minute walk of the back door. I haven't done any of my typical post processing on them, and I am quite proud of them. So get inspired and take a Photographic Journey into your back yard. To see more join me for the rest of the Journey.

A Day at the Park Can Turn into Pure Terror

I casually took this shot last week while helping my friend Beky, with the filming of an Andrew W. K. video for "I want to kill". There were several child zombies on hand for the shooting. We had lots of fun, ate pizza, ice cream and cake, It was a typical day at the park, except for the obvious. So if it was that easy to make cute children having fun scary, with just a little makeup and blood, it was a walk in the park making a photo from that day extra creepy. To see the before take the rest of the journey.

Zombie Day and My Batting Average

I have read about many photographers shooting massive amounts in a day just to produce a minute amount of finished product. In an extreme instance, one successful stock photographer along with his assistant shoots 8,000 images in one day in order to get 50 sellable images. thats an average of .00625 if I did the math correct. So I shouldn't be afraid to press the shutter a few more times, just in case it might not turn out. I don't know my "average" but I'm pretty sure its better than .00625. I was a little lazy today and in a hurry to share my work w/ the parents of the Zombies I was photographing, so I uploaded every single shot I took to my photobucket account, without any post processing, or even sorting. So if anyone wants to see a visual representation of my batting average (open to interpretation) its right here. so have at it. I'm not worried about it take a look at my'failures right next to my successes.
http://s846.photobucket.com/albums/ab28/taintedelephant/Zombie%20Day%20In%20the%20Park/

Trudging on to a new begining

Once upon a time I used to think that a dream come true was something for those with the luxury of a dream. But that was simply because I didn't know what my dreams were. Now I have a faint Idea of what my dreams are, but I don't understand them.

Are they just trying to sell us seminars?

I follow several blogs of many respected photographers. I respect them, and I think that their work rocks. but it seams that a lot of what they do is to invite you to seminars. I think that they even complicate their lighting or whatever part of photography that they are famous for just to draw you in and make your jaw drop. so they are better than me and they do share knowledge, but they make my head spin w/ how complicated they make a simple task. just my opinion.

The Beginning of a New Beginning

On December 12 2008, I arrived in Israel with my family. My wife had lived between Israel and America her entire life, My daughter and I have never been out of America before. this adventure was intended to do several things like, bring my family closer to my mother in law (without her help, support and love we never could have had this adventure), bring me out of my shell, let me see another part of this world, and to inspire me.

Just felt like sharing

I was going to write about walking for an hour to photograph a mosque and then being disappointed, followed by something inspirational like if life gives you lemons juggle. But I am not. I'll just post some (4) pictures.

A snail in a Brier patch

You Never Know What You Are Going To Get Into

When I was about 13 I joined the Middle School Cross Country Team. Why? Because I bought a pair of skis the previous summer. I was a smart kid but maybe I had some crazy ideas. I used the cross country skis every chance I got that winter. the following rear I responded to a school announcement for the cross country team. I showed up and said I am here to join the ski team. I got some looks and then was able to play it off like I was joking around, after I found out what cross country was really all about.

Does Technology Raise the Bar?

Jerry Uelsmann untitled 1982

I really don't know. It should, but I am not sure if it does. or maybe yes. If it is abused it just floods us w/ average mediocre images, because everyone who thinks they want to be a photographer (I believe that everybody can if they intend to try) is trying to, but with a half ass approach, because the camera will do all of the work, or they can fix it in post (Photoshop). Well Technology will never raise the bar if we use it as a crutch.

The 99 Percent

I think every artist has the same problem. We believe that 99% of our work is complete crap. I mean we can see every flaw in it and and don't see a way to make it better. so we get upset that we wasted so much time on this horrible thing. that leaves us one percent the percent that we gave just as much love as the other 99 then we liked what we did and gave it that much more. Its that one piece in 100 that makes all of that "wasted Time" worth while. Then someone comes along and crushes your euphoria w/ a polite and honest criticism, or worse yet by saying that they like one of our other 99% better. Well don't despair its your art and you like it, and someone will appreciate it the way you do. ...and that other 99%, its not as bad as you think.

DIY Beauty Dish From Outer Space

A few months ago we took our dog to be fixed. He wasn't broken but we had him fixed any way. He came home w/ an e-collar. I kept looking at this thing wondering how I could use it as a light modifier. Well I couldn't but I realized that I could use thick plastic sheeting to make a giant e-collar, and wrap it around a round spider light. The results were a beauty dish with a really interesting look.

The Missing Charger

I lost my camera charger a couple of weeks ago. It wasn't a big deal because I wasn't using my camera a great deal, and I had a fully charged battery. but now it was getting critical. I am going on a short trip since I have a few days off of work and the battery is coming to an end. so I turned the house upside down cleaned some corners that were in desperate need of had a few fits of rage and generally got depressed. So after all of that looking, I found it hidden in my camera bag under one of the adjustable pads. I cant believe that I packed my bag in such a strange way, and that even after fully unpacking the bag I didn't find it hiding there.

Do what you can

“Do what you can, with what you have, where you are.” Theodore Roosevelt (American 26th US President (1901-09), 1858-1919) this post might just be full of quotes so I'll follow up w/ a paraquote from the semi fictional Minnesota Fats. "If you know how to shoot pool, you can do it with a broom stick". (I have a broom stick in my lighting gear and my wife isn't to happy about it right now)

my realistic wish list

I could make an extravagant wish list including anything and everything any one could want. well that's a little boring to me. so this is my realistic wish list, its the things that aren't impossible for me to get in the near future. basically everything I have is in my camera bag so aside from a couple of diy gadgets that I made I have a lot of needs wishes to address.

Whats wrong with post processing?

I am a member of a popular photo contest web sight, that I love, inspi.re. One of the rules in many of the groups is no post processing. I understand this rule to some degree, some of us don't have the necessary software, and this levels the playing field. ... but almost every camera comes w/ some kind of software, so we should have no excuse. And I also understand totaly rules that exclude composting (I think thats what its called when you combine elements from multiple photos) and digital art.

Its about subtle

I just read this and I totally agree. there is something about the subtle imperfections. This is one reason that I am not obsessed with getting the most optically perfect lenses etc. So check out this post on Kirk Tuck's blog. He is an artist and a good businessman.

Create a Flat-Fold Light Tent Using Coroplast

Light tents (also called light boxes) are a great way to shoot a product. They eliminate harsh reflections and create appealing highlights. This is my take on the light tent. for the Rest of the Journey head to DIYPhotography.net

Know the rules but be prepared to break them

I used to be a Photographic rebel. What do you mean there are rules for composition? It's my art." I thought that If I followed these rules my art would blend in w/ every one else's. This was pretty much my excuse for not knowing or understanding them. These rules are more like guidelines for producing images which are pleasing to the viewer's eyes, and are good to know. but there are no composition police out there (maybe vigilantes). So feel free to center your over exposed horizon diagonally across the frame w/ your subject moving or looking out of the frame. just ask your self does it make sense, why am I doing it.

So what are the rules and why do we follow them. Well there is really not a list. If you do a search on the web you are directed to sites w/ many rules five, ten, and six whatever. So you really need to try to understand as many as you can then pick and choose.

Photoshop

I love Photoshop. I aquired a darkroom setup centered around a cadette 810 (I think) enlarger about 11 years ago. I lugged that thing around for about 9 years after setting it up about twice (in the first year I owned it). then I practaly gave it away. So whats this got to do withwhy I love Photoshop.  Well now Photoshop is my digital darkroom, its easier to setup, doesnt smell and takes a different skill set to use, so I use it all of the time.

First Place Entry

This is my first place entry on inspi.re I realy dont understand why it did so well, there were so many great entries in the selfportrait competition.

What is in your camera bag?

I want to know whats in your camera bag, and why. Especially that stuff that doesn't seem to belong.

In my bag I have my Canon Rebel w/ 18-55 mm kit lens, the 35-80 mm kit lens from my film Rebel, a 2x teleconverter, lens hood, a macro filter set +1 +2 +4, a polarizing filter, 80a and r2 filters (don't know why I keep the last 2 they are left over from when I shot film) the camera manual, "Kodak pocket guide to 35mm photography" (its about 75% relevant to digital) 1/2 1 and 8 gig CF cards,remote shutter release, lens pen, micro fiber lens cloth, red and black fine tip markers, pencil and 2 notebooks. I also carry a medium quality Nikon tripod (couldn't tell you the model) that my wife got me for our anniversary, but it doesn't fit in my Tamrac day bag.

My Links

So there I was about 3 weeks ago bored w/ nothing to do, at least nothing I wanted to do, so I do a search for macro studio. Two realy good bloggs show up. diyphotography.net and strobist. Well they sparked my interest, and I've been dreaming about building lighting equipment, and using off camera flash. Another site I visit alot is inspi.re. I love this site, and wish I could participate more. on Inspi.re you can join comunities based on your photographic interests, and participate in contests, one of them even has a prize of 100 euros. and of course I'm on facebook. I have a new profile and as of right know I have no friends:(

since I'm no good at the html thing, and out of practice and to lazy, and just think a list of links is cooler here they are. eah I know my gramer sucks, but my english is better than George Bush's and not as good as the Queen's

http://www.diyphotography.net/
http://www.strobist.blogspot.com/
http://inspi.re/?a=4afd60dad8228
http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/profile.php?ref=profile&id=100000807157086

one last one you can email me @
taintedelephant@gmail.com

The Begining

So after more than 13 years of wanting to be a more serious Photographer I've made the decision to put more effort into my art. What does that mean? I Dont know. But when I find out I will let you know. Very often People ask me what I do, whats my profession, ect?... I usualy say that I dont know. from now on I am an artist. take the steps with me lets go on photographic journeys together.