It Has Been A While

A couple of months ago, I let my painting muse out of the closet. She had been locked in there for at least eight years. I expected her to be pissed off, and come out swinging, but she came out gently.

The Hustler

I just finished watching The Hustler. I recommend it to anyone. it is 134 minutes, and every second matters. it is not fluffed up with un needed action, or sex or violence.  Sure it has the inference of action and sex and violence, but it doesn't wast our time showing us those things. It's a tough movie that takes us through the journey of Fast Eddie one of the greatest pool players around, from looser, and two bit hustler, to a winner, but only after he loses his father figure, and the love of his life Sarah. This movie is a prime example of why I am a much bigger fan of a good story, over one fluffed up with the newest technology. For a little more insight into my feelings about this check out this post.

A little BTS, and DIY on my recent portrait session with Zoey

The above photo as well as the ones from my previous post Were all taken using a lot of gear that I built myself. so I thought It would be nice to share some of that with you. To get all of the details make sure to take the rest of the journey.

I'm a Portrait Photographer?!

I have been looking at the world through a camera for a long time, and I have wanted to take pictures of almost every subject imaginable, except for people. I just never got along with translating people into photos. I have however recently got the bug, and began converting an extra room in the house into a studio. Portraits may just become my new favorite thing. Especially with the encouragement I have been getting lately. An unlikely source of encouragement was from the one hour photo, that I use sometimes use. I sent off the four shots of my daughter Zoey here, to be printed, and when I went to pick them up they couldn't be found, finally they realized that they had set them aside, and they asked me if they were taken by a professional photographer, and that if they were, I would have to get a release for them. I explained that I took them, and they told me how good they were, thanks ;)  Like I said portraits may become my new favorite thing.

Stick On A Box

Since I have recently moved into a home with a studio space, I will be doing a lot of DIY projects for the studio. My first project that I want to share with you is my variation on the stick in a can. This is the perfect and inexpensive light, background, reflector, and everything holder. My stick on a box is essentially the same as a stick in a can, but the stick is removable, and interchangeable, it has a handle, and is easy to store, when disassembled. As far as price I will admit that cans are much cheaper, but with one sheet of 7/16 OSB (wafer-board, oriented strand board) whiich costs about $8, you can make 10, eight inch boxes.

28 hours at Ben Gurion Airport

It appears that every time I fly out of Ben Gurion airport in Tel Aviv, the Chaos escalates. I don't dare do it again, or I might lose a limb. My family and I were scheduled to take the 5:30 A.M. Lufthansa  flight from Tel Aviv to Frankfort, and then Boston.

142 Days in Little Russia

Jackob's ladder at the center of Ganey Aviv

On September first I arrived back in Israel. I had been in America, between Las Vegas and my home town of Riverton, WY. It was a mixed bag of emotions. I was very happy to be in an English speaking country amongst a culture I understand. At the same time I was alone without my family. Well as you may know things did not go according to plan, and so that I did not miss my daughters birthday (it still amazes and scares me that I am responsible for another human being) I came back to try to make another attempt at creating a comfortable life for us. Well it could have gone better, but we will soon be back in America together. My wife, daughter (fear and amazement) and my mother in law. I have to make sure to thank my wifes mother for bringing us to Israel and to thank her and repay her with everything but my first born (she can borrow her from time to time) for leading us out of Israel, and into a new life in America.

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