by Matt on February 29, 2012
Hey readers, Shelley’s a tad busy today so I thought I would take some work off her plate and take care of todays TGIW. Let’s get going because I’ve got what I hope is an interesting read for ya’s.
This week marks the launch of the new Cindy Sherman exhibit at MoMA, and in keeping with all things Sherman, fine art auction house Sotheby’s has an 8x10in print from the conceptual artist playing the lead in their upcoming Contemporary Art auction. What really caught my eye about the sale was when I saw the the press release‘s house estimates. I took a screen cap of the cover and increased the figures for dramatic effect, here’s a look.
Estimated selling price at $150/200K, but wait, NYC’s Levin Art Group director Todd Levin thinks the image is likely to see the $600/800K range with buyers premium! These higher figures aren’t a huge surprise considering Sherman’s work accumulated a whopping $13.7M at auction last year alone, but when you consider the print size, this one’s a bit of a game changer.
Last years $4.3M print from Andreas Gursky was a beast at 11.6 feet wide, and even Sherman’s own Untitled #96, which sold at Christies earlier in the year for $3.9M, was a “life-sized” 4 feet wide. Even if the bids on this dwarf print don’t explode past Levin’s estimates in a 1%’ers cock fight, at it’s size this image could end up one of the most expensive photographs sold.
This brings us to my question (finally I know). Is fine art photography now playing in the minor league’s, working it’s way up to the majors where painting has been for so many years? Perhaps it’s just that the auction house writers are putting in longer hours on their catalogue notes. Either way it’ll be interesting to see where the hammer falls on lot 78.
**Update – If you click the link on ‘lot 78′ you can see the final sale notes.**
Untitled Images © Cindy Sherman | Rhein II © Andreas Gursky
by Matt on February 28, 2012
Last Friday Ryan asked me if I wanted to assist him over the weekend, nothing crazy, I would probably just be holding a reflector or moving a stand. We would head up North and check out his cousin’s annual pond hockey game to get some portraits. Bringing along a battery pack strobe, we would make a winter version of his portraits from last summer’s Caribana Fest.
I declined his offer.
Mr. Hughes was not deterred though, as he showed up to work yesterday with some selects from his family outing, which I now present to you.
Unfortunately for him, it was Ryan’s first experience with bringing a battery pack out into the cold and he learned that the low temperature really does kill the battery – at a ridiculous rate – therefore the remainder of his photogasm is lit by good ol’ Mister Sun.
I had plans. I really wish I could have gone. Looked like fun.
All Images © Ryan Enn Hughes
by Matt on February 27, 2012
Back in August things around the studio were pretty quiet, having sent 5 of our guys off to work on locations ’round the world. Derek Shapton was one of those picture makers and to kick start your Monday here’s Mr Shapton himself.
Sometimes a job comes along that pushes all the right buttons. I like travel, and available light, shooting loose and limber and lots. I like trying new things and meeting new people. I like unexpected situations and improvising and playing and just seeing what happens. If I can get paid at the same time, all the better.
Derek’s mission from DDB Vancouver? Create a gallery of images for Canada Tourism documenting a group of friends traveling across this beautiful country of ours, maintaining a ‘snap-shot’ look throughout. Now let’s end the words and look at this cluster of images.
The collection of images are now viewable in the Australian section of Canada Tourism’s website, and you can get a much more detailed version of the trip over on Planet Shapton (Derek’s highly informative, and regularly updated blog).
All Images © Derek Shapton
by Matt on February 24, 2012
It’s a touch late, but we’re still riding out February so why dont we take a look at Vicky Lam‘s recent cover for the Valentines Day issue of Globe Style. Come on, what says Cupid’s day more than lobster?
Photographer: Vicky Lam
Client: Globe Style
Art Direction: Kate LaRue
Photo Editor: Clare Jordan
Food styling: Linsey Bell/Judy Inc.
From Vicky:
Big thanks to Globe Style for the great opportunity! Special thanks to assistants Alex Lukey and Alex Beetham. And of course, to ‘Louis’ our lobster. His understudies were very tasty!
Here’s a look at two shots that didn’t make the cut.
Vicky wasn’t lying when she said Louis’ friends were tasty.
All Images © Vicky Lam
by Matt on February 23, 2012
The Future.
It promised us jackets that could dry themselves when wet, shoelaces that automaticly laced up your Nikes, and hover-boards that fared poorly when ridden over water. Well, The Future is a liar because none of these things have come to pass.
However; to make up for these undelivered goods, The Future has come up with an all new, innovative way to view the British Journal of Photography and it brought Ryan Enn Hughes along for the ride.
Writing about this new viewing method does no justice so I proudly present to you our first video blog!
You can check out the digital Journal over on iTunes. To date, I have only found one patent keeping my dreams of 2015 alive.
by Shelley on February 22, 2012
Yes, it’s true, sex sells, but can an advertisement be too sexy? Readers, I’m sure some of you out there can’t fathom this “too sexy” notion, but apparently the British Authorities are all over it. Recently, they banned a hot and steamy ad for Ryanair, a discount airline that was promoting their Red Hot Fares with a Red Hot Mama dressed in Lingerie.
After numerous complaints, and an online petition filed by one of their employees, Ryanair was forced to take down their ads.
Did the advertising work despite the removal? Yes, of course. I don’t think I would have even heard of this airline without the controversy. Am I offended by this ad? That’s a tough one. So tough in fact, I’d love to hear your thoughts.
Reader, do you think this ad is banned to the bone?
TGIW
xo
by Matt on February 21, 2012
Who’s this surly band of greasers comin’ down the alley?
Well unless you’re a soc, fear not dear reader, these boys are friendlies.
Rollin’ with Matt Barnes, these poor boys from Young Theatre Players were in need of some promo images for their upcoming production of The Outsiders and Mr Barnes was happy to oblige. Here’s a look at the shoot as presented by the fine gent’s at Spot Cinema.
After their time in the studio the air was thick with machismo. Matt could tell Dallas was gettin’ antsy for a rumble so he geared the gang up with some tools and the grease hit the street. The fresh air seemed to cool some heads and allowed Matt the chance capture some great pictures of the posse.
For a closer look at the grease an’ all its glory go hit up Matt’s Blog.
All Images © Matt Barnes
Video © Spot Cinema
by Matt on February 17, 2012
A righteous rejuvenation of the Tom Feiler portfolio persuasion occurred over on WestsideStudio.com yesterday as Mr Feiler debuted his new kid-centric gallery! Here’s some selects for you to digest.
Click away to see more from Mr Feiler, and hey! Don’t forget to smile, it’s Friday don’t yaano?!
All Images © Tom Feiler
by Matt on February 16, 2012
Nikki’s shots from earlier got your motor running did they? Well hold tight ladies and gents, because Mr Barnes is rounding out our Thursday by dropping off a hot load of sexy to get ya’ll excited for upcoming long weekend.
Some of you may be familiar with the above image, as it’s from a recent post by Matt about his 1st assistant Spenser and how wickedly awesome he is. What you might not be familiar with is why the image occurred in the first place. As the post, titled appropriately The Assistant will show you, one of Spencer’s fortes is helping Master durring pre-light. This particular shot was for one of Matt’s Harlequin cover’s as seen below.
Go hit up the Blog of Barnes for more info on both, The Man Meat and The Ass.
by Matt on February 16, 2012
Happy Thursday!
This week we’re featuring our friend Oliver Brooks from CP+B. Nikki O had the opportunity to photograph Oliver and we were lucky to have a warm winters day. Having never met before, I think they hit it off wonderfully! A few Bob Dylan references later and we were done!
Oliver © Nikki Ormerod
Bukowski
Reading Bukowski is like eating a cheese sandwich, it’s simple, straight and to the point. There’s no bullshit about a cheese sandwich, and I really like cheese sandwiches.
Childhood
I grew up in a small town so my childhood was pretty nice and quiet. I usually did stuff off on my own, which was a good thing, because now I can easily entertain myself. Being able to investigate forests or build little forts in trees made me very happy. I guess my independence came out of that ability to just go off and explore on my own. Oh ya, and by small town, I mean like, one thousand people lived there and half were very old.
Leopard Skin Pill-Box Hats
They are neat.
Nature
I love Hinterland Who’s Who, but more importantly, I love the theme song from Hinterland Who’s Who.
But really, I mean, how could one not be inspired by their surroundings when they simply are wonderful.
And by wonderful, I am talking about the open fields and little creatures found in the country. You also cannot forget about the noises you hear at night when you are trying to sleep, those in themselves are inspiring to the imagination.
Joy Division
I tried writing this like a bunch of times now and I keep erasing it, so I thought I would just write down exactly what I just wrote down. I don’t know why I am inspired by Joy Division, but I just am and always have been.
