Tuesday, March 3, 2009
Life Lesson #2
OK, so the life lessons haven't been a daily thing. But I expect to do 365, so get ready. My friend Caroline said she liked #1, so here's the next.
Lesson #2: Being in a public restroom doesn't make you invisible.
This one could very well be a life lesson for only half the population, but it's a keeper nonetheless.
Guys, you know what I mean. In real life, there are bodily noises we just don't share. Not intentionally, anyway.
Then, suddenly, we're in a restroom, and everything goes to hell in a handbasket. Throat noises. Other noises. Not in the privacy of a stall. Just anywhere beyond the magic restroom door.
Here's the rule. If you're embarrassed (and rightly so) about a noise you make in public, you should feel no less embarrassed in a restroom.
Let's get right on this one, shall we, fellas?
Lesson #2: Being in a public restroom doesn't make you invisible.
This one could very well be a life lesson for only half the population, but it's a keeper nonetheless.
Guys, you know what I mean. In real life, there are bodily noises we just don't share. Not intentionally, anyway.
Then, suddenly, we're in a restroom, and everything goes to hell in a handbasket. Throat noises. Other noises. Not in the privacy of a stall. Just anywhere beyond the magic restroom door.
Here's the rule. If you're embarrassed (and rightly so) about a noise you make in public, you should feel no less embarrassed in a restroom.
Let's get right on this one, shall we, fellas?
My Campaign for Writers Lives On
I'm always happy when people remember the image campaign I created for the Writers Guild of America back in the day.
I came across a blog that mentions the campaign, so I thought I'd share.
The blog is that of Josef-Konrad Radomski, a Montreal-based freelance writer. His blog is named "Sophisticated Hokum," and as this guy says, the name "stems from the critique a story analyst at Warner Bros. gave to an unproduced play called 'Everybody Comes to Rick's' back in 1940. The analyst described it as an 'excellent melodrama' and 'sophisticated hokum,' and suggested the studio purchase it at once. That play became the basis for 'Casablanca,' one of the best movies ever written."
One of the coolest things about the Guild was that I often had the opportunity to meet exceptionally talented people. Billy Wilder. Neil Simon. Larry Gelbart. Randall Wallace (the screenwriter of "Braveheart," the single best piece of literature I've ever read). I also got to meet Julius Epstein, the co-writer of "Casablanca."
I can only hope that my efforts, in some small way, helped raise awareness of the role of writers in film and television. And I would like to take complete credit for the fantastic way scriptwriting was integrated into this year's Oscar telecast (where typing in script format was shown as the action played out on the screen).
I still think "Somebody Wrote That" has a nice ring to it.
UPDATE
Yay, Interwebs! I heard from the writer who posted that blog, and he wrote something nice, so I'll share it: "Aside from getting more people to notice writers, your WGA campaign was also instrumental in getting me to notice the WGA, learning about its many resources and offerings, and giving me a heads up about the business side to writing that follows the creative process. I especially liked the ad that was written to writers about the 'perfect scene' that reminded you what it is 'to truly be alive.' Very inspirational stuff!"
Here's the ad in question, and it was always my favorite. It's on my bedroom wall, even to this day.
This was the only ad I did that was intended to speak directly to the writers themselves. It was the last ad in the series, and I got a lot of positive feedback about it. I think writers liked the reminder that what they do isn't interchangable or expendable. It was also a reminder of why they write in the first place. The residual payments are great, of course, but ultimately writers want to move people, inspire them and unleash their imaginations.
Yay, writers. Yay, Interwebs. Yay, snappy taglines.
I came across a blog that mentions the campaign, so I thought I'd share.
The blog is that of Josef-Konrad Radomski, a Montreal-based freelance writer. His blog is named "Sophisticated Hokum," and as this guy says, the name "stems from the critique a story analyst at Warner Bros. gave to an unproduced play called 'Everybody Comes to Rick's' back in 1940. The analyst described it as an 'excellent melodrama' and 'sophisticated hokum,' and suggested the studio purchase it at once. That play became the basis for 'Casablanca,' one of the best movies ever written."
One of the coolest things about the Guild was that I often had the opportunity to meet exceptionally talented people. Billy Wilder. Neil Simon. Larry Gelbart. Randall Wallace (the screenwriter of "Braveheart," the single best piece of literature I've ever read). I also got to meet Julius Epstein, the co-writer of "Casablanca."
I can only hope that my efforts, in some small way, helped raise awareness of the role of writers in film and television. And I would like to take complete credit for the fantastic way scriptwriting was integrated into this year's Oscar telecast (where typing in script format was shown as the action played out on the screen).
I still think "Somebody Wrote That" has a nice ring to it.
UPDATE
Yay, Interwebs! I heard from the writer who posted that blog, and he wrote something nice, so I'll share it: "Aside from getting more people to notice writers, your WGA campaign was also instrumental in getting me to notice the WGA, learning about its many resources and offerings, and giving me a heads up about the business side to writing that follows the creative process. I especially liked the ad that was written to writers about the 'perfect scene' that reminded you what it is 'to truly be alive.' Very inspirational stuff!"
Here's the ad in question, and it was always my favorite. It's on my bedroom wall, even to this day.
This was the only ad I did that was intended to speak directly to the writers themselves. It was the last ad in the series, and I got a lot of positive feedback about it. I think writers liked the reminder that what they do isn't interchangable or expendable. It was also a reminder of why they write in the first place. The residual payments are great, of course, but ultimately writers want to move people, inspire them and unleash their imaginations.
Yay, writers. Yay, Interwebs. Yay, snappy taglines.
I Put the Love into Operation Love
Here's another shot from my Operation Love Reunited session this past weekend.
I imagine military deployments are toughest on the kids. Actually, I don't have to imagine it. Pretty much my whole childhood was spent having a dad who had to leave for long stretches to kick some butt on an aircraft carrier. The USS Enterprise, in fact.
What a great family! It's a hoot to be able to help them out with some photos before Dad heads to Iraq.
I imagine military deployments are toughest on the kids. Actually, I don't have to imagine it. Pretty much my whole childhood was spent having a dad who had to leave for long stretches to kick some butt on an aircraft carrier. The USS Enterprise, in fact.
What a great family! It's a hoot to be able to help them out with some photos before Dad heads to Iraq.
Sunday, March 1, 2009
The "After" Headshot
Haven't done a headshot in ages. I like how this one turned out, though.
I don't think my subject would mind saying that she's lost about 125 pounds in the last year or so. Astonishing accomplishment, and I was touched to have been asked to take her first headshot after her amazing journey.
I don't think my subject would mind saying that she's lost about 125 pounds in the last year or so. Astonishing accomplishment, and I was touched to have been asked to take her first headshot after her amazing journey.
Operation Love Reunited
Today was my first session as a photographer for Operation Love Reunited, and it was a blast!
This program hooks up photographers and military families to do portraits before, during and after deployments. Photographers agree to provide their services for free, including ordering a shipping an album of images overseas to the soldier.
I started off my participation in the program with a bang! Two-for-one. I did portraits of a family of four (one of whom was a pup), photos to come, as well as a mother and son (that's him, above). The father's already overseas in the case of the mom and son.
It's an honor to be a part of a program that tries to help military deployments a little easier (as if anything can). My father's deployments were tough on our family when I was a kid, so I can kind of empathize with these folks. They all seem so appreciative. It's just such a tiny drop in the bucket compared to the sacrifices they're making. And, of course, some make the ultimate sacrifice. Just so we can hang out and watch movies on DVD and play Scrabble and have blogs.
Saying it's an honor doesn't quite do it justice, actually.
This program hooks up photographers and military families to do portraits before, during and after deployments. Photographers agree to provide their services for free, including ordering a shipping an album of images overseas to the soldier.
I started off my participation in the program with a bang! Two-for-one. I did portraits of a family of four (one of whom was a pup), photos to come, as well as a mother and son (that's him, above). The father's already overseas in the case of the mom and son.
It's an honor to be a part of a program that tries to help military deployments a little easier (as if anything can). My father's deployments were tough on our family when I was a kid, so I can kind of empathize with these folks. They all seem so appreciative. It's just such a tiny drop in the bucket compared to the sacrifices they're making. And, of course, some make the ultimate sacrifice. Just so we can hang out and watch movies on DVD and play Scrabble and have blogs.
Saying it's an honor doesn't quite do it justice, actually.
Friday, February 27, 2009
I May Just Have to Move
If you knew how rare a name Roeben is, then you'd know why I might just have to move here.
Thursday, February 26, 2009
Today's $2 Portrait
Meet Robert. I met him on Fremont Street in downtown Las Vegas. Robert used to live in New Orleans, but was displaced after Katrina. Find out more about the $2 Portrait Project.
Sunday, February 22, 2009
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
Life Lesson #1
I think I'm going to post one life lesson, per day, for a year.
Here's the first.
Life Lesson #1: Don't take things personally.
Today, I was walking behind this woman at work, heading toward the restrooms. I nodded to her, and she to me, then she went into the women's restroom. She stopped for a moment, and held the door open, as if holding it for me.
I'm not sure why she did that, but I think it's important I not read too much into it. She probably just had a momentary lapse, maybe having other things on her mind, and was just being well-mannered, in her way. I'm pretty sure she didn't think I was a woman.
Either way, it's best not to take things personally. We never know what people have on their minds. That middle finger on the freeway. The seemingly rude comment from a stranger, or even a friend.
As I hear often, it's not always about us.
Here's the first.
Life Lesson #1: Don't take things personally.
Today, I was walking behind this woman at work, heading toward the restrooms. I nodded to her, and she to me, then she went into the women's restroom. She stopped for a moment, and held the door open, as if holding it for me.
I'm not sure why she did that, but I think it's important I not read too much into it. She probably just had a momentary lapse, maybe having other things on her mind, and was just being well-mannered, in her way. I'm pretty sure she didn't think I was a woman.
Either way, it's best not to take things personally. We never know what people have on their minds. That middle finger on the freeway. The seemingly rude comment from a stranger, or even a friend.
As I hear often, it's not always about us.
Thursday, February 12, 2009
The Giant Cube
Had myself a paying photography job yesterday. Part of the job involved taking a photo of a giant cube of a building. Not bad. You know, for a building.
I think I'll stick to kids.
I think I'll stick to kids.
Friday, February 6, 2009
Ahem!
Hey, if you're bored, you could click on this link and vote for your favorite photo. Especially #15.
http://www.adidap.com/2009/02/01/adidap-flickr-round-2009-02-01/
http://www.adidap.com/2009/02/01/adidap-flickr-round-2009-02-01/
Thursday, February 5, 2009
Sunday, February 1, 2009
Somebody Wroted That
Actually, I wroted it. This is a PSA we just finished for Kids to Kids. My words. The awesome folks at Channel 8 handled the easy part (doing the taping, doing the editing, doing the graphics and doing the voiceover).
Today's Faces
Today I had a shoot with two very charming young ladies.
I'm starting to see a pattern with these shoots:
First, there's about a 10-minute window of cooperation.
Second, after the 10 minutes, parents seem to instinctively begin bribing their kids to cooperate with cookies. It's always cookies.
Third, I'm as clueless about shooting kids as I was the first time I did it.
I'm starting to see a pattern with these shoots:
First, there's about a 10-minute window of cooperation.
Second, after the 10 minutes, parents seem to instinctively begin bribing their kids to cooperate with cookies. It's always cookies.
Third, I'm as clueless about shooting kids as I was the first time I did it.
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