A Visual Sketch Book

MY BLOG IS MOVING

2010-08-20T16:34:00.005-04:00

It's been great having a blog on blogger.... but as I streamline my work flow and prepare for the coming year I will be moving to Tumblr. Please follow me at simonbiswas.tumblr.com

THANKS!

This will be the last Visual Sketchbook Post.

Venice Beach

2010-08-19T14:09:00.004-04:00

One of my favorite spots in L.A. Home to the Float Lab where Steph Goralnick & I spent three hours floating in a isolation tank. Total sensory deprivation. It's a tank filled with 800 lbs of Epsom salt disolved in water about a foot & a half deep. Total darkness & sound proof. The effects of gravity do not exist and you are weightless. I floated for what I thought was about an hour in total darkness & silence. It turned out to be three hours.

Phoot Time Lapse Vol. 2: Pool Side

2010-08-11T13:30:00.002-04:00

The second installation in my time lapse series from Phoot Camp. Dan Busta is overheard. Check out his website.

Phoot Time Lapse Vol. 2: Pool Side from Aruninator on Vimeo.

Phoot Time Lapse Vol. 1: Car Ride Home

2010-08-10T08:13:00.000-04:00

I shot this on the Go Pro Hero at Phoot Camp 2010. This is the drive home from our location in Malibu in an old school burgundy Jaguar.

Music by Laura Veirs.

PHOOTCAMP 2010 Time Lapse Vol. 1: Car Ride Home from Aruninator on Vimeo.

New Work from L.A.

2010-08-09T11:50:00.007-04:00

I've been in L.A. since Wednesday at Phoot Camp 2010 and been hanging with 27 other photographers from around the world. Here are two portraits from this trip out to L.A. One of a girl from Venice Beach the other of Ryan Schude.

Photo District News / How Collaboration Can Produce Better Video

2010-08-04T07:00:00.006-04:00

Very exciting news! My work made it into this month's PDN along with my good friend Jesse Flower-Ambroch in an article about collaborating to produce better multimedia. I shot the multimedia piece (which remains Untitled) this past spring for LOOKBetween in Charlottesville, VA. You can see the piece here or below.

Big thanks to Holly Hughes, Amber Terranova and the rest of the PDN crew!

Untitled from Aruninator on Vimeo.

More Summer Madness

2010-07-27T20:53:00.002-04:00

Ipswich through the iPhone.

Suprise... TORNADO!

2010-07-23T21:01:00.002-04:00

So there is a tornado warning this evening for NYC and the surrounding area. Um... can anyone say global warming?

Summer in Full Swing: Ipswich

2010-07-09T12:27:00.009-04:00

I went away this weekend to Ipswich, MA. for a little weekend away. Here is a little recap.

LOOKBetween 1 of 2

2010-06-21T01:14:00.012-04:00

Two weekends ago, I had the privilege of going to Deep Rock, VA for LOOK3's LOOKBetween photo festival. Three days on a farm in Deep Rock, VA hanging out with some of the most influential emerging talent working today to discuss the future of photography. Hundreds of photo people descending on a remote farm in Virginia to congregate, talk, drink and be inspired.

More to come.

LOOKBetween from Aruninator on Vimeo.

The EMS Shanty Tent

2010-06-08T01:26:00.008-04:00

So I am headed off to Virginia this week to attend the LookBetween Festival in Charlottesville, VA. They said I needed a tent. Now I have never bought a tent before. I really wanted to get a crazy awesome Arctic Dome Tent for my summer camping needs. I realized $2500.00 was a bit pricey for my use.

It comes with a bar tender, discoball, and sat phone hook up. After coming to terms with realizing I had no need for what I am calling the end of the world tent I researched cheaper options. That would be the Big Agnes Gore Pass 2... I convinced the girl at EMS, Emma, to setup the tent in the store for me. She did and I was sold. Vertical walls, 2 doors, a shitload of room, and a crazy rain fly porch option.... oh man.

But when I came back to the store to pick it up today I thought... you know $280 is a bit pricey for my camping needs considering I don't go camping. But that four corner ventilation system sounded pretty good. It was a hard decision but I decided to be responsible and buy another tent. One half the price and half the quality. Aptly named the Shanty Tent.

Now all I can think about when I am in my tent is that song by Desmond Dekker - Shanty Town.

I am a little disappointed I live in a Shanty Town of a tent... but I like it anyway because it's my Shanty Town Tent.

Nostalgia for the Open Road.

2010-06-06T15:49:00.004-04:00

I have begun editing through my road trip work again in hopes to put together something more than the gallery show. Many people have told me I should write a book. So I have started. Little by little.

In a about 4 weeks will be my 1 year anniversary from the start of the trip. I have felt like I should do it all over again even though I know I can't and actually don't really want to. But it was just so fucking awesome.

Here is a self portrait from New Mexico or Arizona... can't quite remember where.

Nike - Write the Future.

2010-05-28T13:00:00.001-04:00

This ad is amazing.

Hipstamatic

2010-05-27T20:43:00.022-04:00

Now, I'm am sort of a iPhone purist when it comes to iPhone photos. My choice of weapon is Shake It Photo. I've tried all that other shit... Camera Bag, Chase Jarvis's Best Camera. Whatever, it all sucks (dear Chase this is no reflection on you. I just don't like your iPhone App or how you somehow convinced someone to publish a book of your iPhone App's photos...really? FML, I should just quit now). The simplicity of Shake It Photo combined with it's volatility is a perfect pairing. Much like film, it could crash on you at any time and you have lost that perfect shot (the weird guy on the subway staring down the shirt of the girl next to him) SHIT!!!! THAT WAS THE ONE!!!! Much like: I forgot to wind the film before opening the camera back and/or ooops... I hit the light switch in the dark room while making out with that brooding photo chick with horn rimmed glasses who I have class with...thus exposing everyone's film. There goes my awesome deep dark self portrait of how deep and dark and awesome I am. Fuck.

But I have to say... the Hipstamatic app has sorta got me a believer. I ended up buying the app this week on a whim. And of course being obsessive compulsive I bought all the add-ons. Film, lenses, whatever... just give it to me dammit! I couldn't just have the standard. My favorite feature... RANDOM. You shake your iPhone (shake it photo???) and BAM! you get a random film & lens combination. Awesome! I can express my 2010 digital self in an analog sorta way. Polaroids? Holgas? Hasselblads? The mystical polaroid-transfer you can buy on Spring St. from a weird dude with a beard, land camera, and tray of water... Come on... you know you want to buy an iPad and a hand made image of yourself at the same time... OH THE IRONY!

Leave it all behind and just buy the app instead.

I particularly like that you sorta have to calculate for parallax error... How thoughtful of you Hipstamic.... you covered all your bases. I am a bit late to the party... I know... that's just my steez. Fashionably late to what's no longer cool. Every Williamsburg dwelling photo assistant with an iPhone & 8x10 Linho f tattoo (I hate you) has been Hipstamatic-ing for months now. Fuck that shit. I don't quite think they know how cool it really is... or maybe they do and I'm trying to make myself feel better... Either way. Kudos Hipstamatic. You're one cool app.

Fleet Week

2010-05-26T10:52:00.003-04:00

So I got up early to work on some stuff and was listening to NPR. They were discussing the beginning of Fleet Week. And so I decided I would go down to the water and watch the fly over and the ships come in. I didn't realize everyone else had the same idea. I got to use the new Photoshop CS5's Content Aware Fill... it's like magic.

Open Mic Night

2010-05-25T14:09:00.004-04:00

I went out last night to see Justin Storer and my girlfriend Sarah Mitchell sing at a few open mics. This is what I came home with. I haven't done any work today but at least I got this done. All shot & recorded on my iPhone edited in Final Cut. The app I used is Shake It Photo. Enjoy!

Open Mic from Aruninator on Vimeo.

This Week

2010-05-24T11:46:00.005-04:00

Been working on a series of old people portraits & a new multimedia project. Here is a sneak peak of Katie's family. Visit her awesome blog Gum Alert.

Also... friend/blogger/cat enthusiast Molly Griffin has a story on salon.com about Tina Fey check it out.

Bike Nine Square

2010-05-23T13:44:00.008-04:00

Yesterday was one of those days. My maiden voyage on a bike with friends through BK on a beautiful day. From Williamsburg to The Brooklyn Flea Market in Fort Greene & back again.

Only a few casualties. Mine were minor... not realizing one has to unclip so to speak from your bike before stopping... I found myself in a slow motion lateral collapse to the ground... twice. Think a tree falling.

Tree Falling On Shed And Man - Amazing videos are here

Ms. Mitchell on the other hand had a full yard sell while going at a good clip. She got a good six feet of air... right up & over the handle bars. It was described by our friend Charlie as if she had ridden over an IED.

Check out the guys closest to the wall... that pretty much is identical to what happened.

There might be an ER visit tomorrow for some x-rays. But she is tough girl and made it. All in all a good day. My legs feel like Jell-O.

this also happened (featuring jesse & molly)....

Resource TV Covers 10,157.5 Miles...

2010-05-14T18:11:00.008-04:00

The show will be up through NYPH 2010. But here is a quick recap of the opening from Resource Television. Thanks to everyone who made this happen.

Superfine 126 Front St. DUMBO Brooklyn

Heart & Soul of NYC

2010-05-04T09:00:00.001-04:00

Red Cafe - Heart and Soul of New York City by K1X from K1X on Vimeo.

Thanks For Coming Out

2010-05-03T12:08:00.027-04:00

The opening of my show, 10,157.5 miles: An American Road Trip, on Thursday night at Superfine was a great success. Thank you everyone for coming out. Here are some pictures from the evening. If you have more please send em my way and I will post them on the blog.

The show is up through May 16th if you missed the opening it'll be up for a few more weeks.

Photo by Janessa Markgraf

Photo by Janessa Markgraf

Photo by Janessa Markgraf

Photo by Janessa Markgraf

Photo by Janessa Markgraf

Photo by Janessa Markgraf

Photo by Janessa Markgraf

Photo by Janine Menlove
Dave Shelley & Crew

Photo by Janine Menlove
Me & Tanya Rynd (Curator & Owner of Superfine)

Photo by Janine Menlove

Photo by Janine Menlove
Me & the lovely Sarah Mitchell.

Photo by Janine Menlove
Me & Dave Shelley of NYPH.

Here are some awesome press links that I am psyched about as well.

Nick Brandreth came out to the show and posted this: Thrash Bike

Friend, designer & food blogger Adrienne Yancey posted and interview with me on Mint Design Blog

I found this article about my work on Bdile... and I have no idea what it says...

A little love from Holt Photo.

And last but not least if you missed it an image from my show was selected as PDN Photo of the Day on Friday, April 30th.

Tonight! 10,157.5 Miles: An American Road Trip

2010-04-28T19:16:00.020-04:00

It's a big day and there is plenty still to do. But so far here is the word.

Good press circling around the blogosphere about tonight's show (thank you to everyone who helped out). Click the links.

Jonathan Cherry

Manjari Sharma

Gabriella Herman

I was interviewed by friend + designer Adrienne Yancey for Mint Design Blog

Self Portrait, Northern California

This is in California about four weeks into the project. I almost got sprayed by a skunk while sleeping outside. I neglected to bring a tent.

The video piece is from Caldwell, ID at a cowboy dance after a rodeo.

10,157.5 Miles Invite from Aruninator on Vimeo.

Please join me on Tonight April 29th, from 6-8pm for an opening reception @ Superfine in DUMBO.

Superfine
126 Front Street
Brooklyn, NY 11201

(718) 243-9005
superfinebrooklyn@earthlink.net

This weekend

2010-04-26T14:10:00.001-04:00

I have been lack luster about keeping up to date on the blog. But only because there is so much other stuff to get done. I will be back soon. In the meantime enjoy a moment from this weekend's party.

10,157.5miles an American road trip

2010-04-21T17:39:00.004-04:00

Please join me on Thursday April 29th, from 6-8pm for an opening reception @ Superfine in DUMBO.

Superfine
126 Front Street
Brooklyn, NY 11201

(718) 243-9005
superfinebrooklyn@earthlink.net

Ghost Town

2010-04-11T22:27:00.000-04:00

Trapped: Mental Illness in America's Prisons

2010-04-10T17:25:00.008-04:00

An Emmy winning short multimedia piece by Jen Ackerman & Tim Gruber. Both selected candidates for the LookBetween Festival this summer in Charlottesville, VA.

Trapped: Mental Illness in America’s Prisons from Ackerman Gruber Images on Vimeo.

Mean Green Drunks

2010-03-18T08:00:00.000-04:00

Mean Green Drunks from Aruninator on Vimeo.

A short film produced by myself & Jesse Flower-Ambroch.

Happy St. Patrick's Day

Hasseblad & Resource Magazine: Three Stage Tour

2010-03-17T09:00:00.003-04:00

Hasselblad and Resource Magazine are hitting the road together in an unprecedented partnership to bring today’s top photographic companies to photo communities across the US.

The Three Stage events will celebrate the release of Hasselblad’s new H4D line of cameras, featuring the innovative TrueFocus technology, and offer photographers a hands-on and interactive experience with this and other selected equipment, from computer to lights to photo software.

Attendees will be able to test the latest photography gear, discuss with company reps and fellow photographers, and witness and participate to live demonstrations. Each event will include “Three Stages”, 3 separate shooting spaces hosted by highly recognized photographers from each community, each representing a different field of photography (i.e. still life, fashion, portrait). Each event will end with a cocktail party bringing together the industry in each city. In addition to an expose of the industry’s leading companies, Hasselblad will be announcing their Hassy Community winners as well as launching new community sites in each city.

Show your face. This is where it all comes together. Network, meet the big guys and make your mark. Three Stage represents what the industry has to offer in each city. Root for your city! Also, visit www.hassynyc.com and join the Hassy community. You can sign up, join, challenge and shoot. Winners will be announced at each event.

SCHEDULE

New York City- March 25, 2010

Los Angeles- April 8th, 2010

Chicago- April 22nd, 2010

San Francisco- April 29th, 2010

Atlanta- June 2010

D.C.- July 2010

Toronto- September 2010

Miami- October 2010

New York City- October 2010

Website: http://threestagetour.com/

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/ThreeStage

Twitter: http://twitter.com/ThreeStageTour

Canon 5D Mk II Firmware Update 2.0.3

2010-03-16T11:57:00.002-04:00

1920×1080 : 30 fps (changed - actual 29.97 fps)
1920×1080 : 24 fps (added - actual 23.976 fps)
640×480 : 30 fps (changed - actual 29.97 fps)

1920×1080 : 25 fps (added - actual 25.0 fps)
1920×1080 : 24 fps (added - actual 23.976 fps)
640×480 : 25 fps (added - actual 25.0 fps)

Adds a function for manually adjusting the sound recording level (64 levels).
Adds a histogram display (brightness or RGB) for shooting movies in manual exposure.
Adds shutter-priority AE mode (Tv) and aperture-priority AE (Av) mode to the exposure modes for shooting movies.
Changes the audio sampling frequency from 44.1 KHz to 48 KHz.
Fixes a phenomenon where communication between the camera and the attached lens is sometimes interrupted after manual sensor cleaning. (This phenomenon only affects units with Firmware Version 1.2.4.)

Click here to go to the download page

This Week's Events

2010-03-16T09:00:00.001-04:00

A Half-Remembered Season by Eric Ogden

March 18 – May 8, 2010
Hous Projects

31 Howard Street, Floor 2
New York, NY 10013
T: 646.247.1657
F: 212.965.0207
info@housprojects.com

hous projects announces a solo exhibition at the New York gallery of Eric Ogden’s a half-remembered season. A reception to celebrate the artist will be held at the gallery from 6 to 10 pm, Thursday, March 18, 2010. The exhibition will be traveling to the Los Angeles location in the summer of 2010 and dates are to be announced.

SNOWDAY!

2010-03-15T23:39:00.001-04:00

SNOWDAY! from Aruninator on Vimeo.

The Best use of Chatroulette Yet

2010-03-15T11:20:00.001-04:00

Hey, Hot Shot Competition opens TODAY!

2010-03-15T09:00:00.007-04:00

Hey, Hot Shot! 2010 Competition Opens March 15

In 2010, Hey, Hot Shot! is celebrating its 5th Anniversary and offering photographers more opportunities than ever before! Stay tuned to the HHS! blog, Twitter, Facebook and the newsletter for details about what's new in this year's competition. The entry period will open for submissions on March 15th.

And Still We Gather With Infinite Momentum 2, 2009 by Justin James King

Justin James King

Website:www.justinjamesking.com

JFA Sound Presents: Endless Rain

2010-03-14T16:19:00.001-04:00

Endless Rain from JFASound.com on Vimeo.

Check out this little short from my good friend Jesse Flower-Ambroch. Shot on the 7D.

Mark Seliger Looking for a Full Time Assistant

2010-03-11T20:48:00.005-05:00

www.markseliger.com

Attention NYC photo assistants:

Currently, there is an opportunity to work fulltime as a photo assistant for Mark Seliger.

Who we are looking for:

We are looking for a seasoned assistant with a strong work ethic. All candidates must possess the ability to operate effectively and efficiently under high-pressure photo assisting situations.

Time Commitment:

We are looking for a two-year commitment following a two-month training period.

Responsibilities of the Full Time Assistants:

The responsibilities outlined below are split between the full time first and second assistants.

-Photoshoot Preproduction: creating equipment budgets, scouting shoot locations, placing equipment orders, building assistant team, and loading and teching film.

-Managing photo equipment rentals as well as overseeing and approving all photo-related billing/purchases.

-Onset management of crew, delegation of tasks, and working with Mark on-camera.

-Post-production: Low res retouching and compositing images, and overseeing post-production (working as a liaison between Mark and client as well as retouching company and client).

-You will be responsible for the organization and maintenance of Mark’s extensive (to say the least) array of photographic, digital and camera equipment (including shoot computers), as well as our in-house studio and darkrooms.

Compensation:

Compensation is salary based and highly competitive.

If you meet the criteria outline above please email your cover letter and resume to Patrick Randak, Patrick@seligerstudio.com.

7D Banjo Test

2010-03-09T23:53:00.004-05:00

Here is a little quick one off by JFAsound.com with the 7D. 60p clocked to 23.98 in Cinema Tools. It's me practicing the banjo... poorly I might add.

7D Banjo Test from Aruninator on Vimeo.

Sarah Small: The Delirium Constructions

2010-03-09T09:00:00.001-05:00

Sarah Small: The Delirium Constructions

Free reception on Wed, Mar 10 from 6-8pm.

92nd Street Y
200 Hudson Street
New York, NY

Exhibition opens Fri, Mar 5 and runs through Fri, Mar 26, 2010

The Delirium Constructions is an ongoing body of work exploring disassociated characters brought together into the same space. Small brings models into improbable, close interactions to examine the social and graphic contrasts of youth and experience, hysteria and discipline, tragedy and hilarity and sexuality and desexualization. These scenarios are staged, but the emotions that result are born through improvisation, spontaneously captured and authentically experienced. Like an optical illusion, where the viewer shifts between opposing visual perceptions, these images reference emotional illusion, a rocking back and forth between projection and introspection, between darkness and hilarity.

This Week's Events

2010-03-08T09:00:00.001-05:00

The Kenai Fjords, AK by Kris Payne

Dunderdon Workshop,
25 Howard Street
New York, NY

Friday, 12th March, 2010
Opening 6pm - ???

Three 30”x30” color and eight 20”x20” black and white digital-C prints as well as the launch of Dunderdon's new spring clothing line.

After party at:

Black Rabbit
91 Greenpoint Ave
Brooklyn, NY 11222

A little behind the scenes.

2010-03-06T20:38:00.005-05:00

Jesse Flower-Ambroch & I did a little impromptu documentary project all day. Here is Jesse embedded at a Hoboken St. Patty's Day party.

The full piece is coming soon...

Hey Hot Shot! 2009 Second Addition Opening Tonight

2010-03-05T08:00:00.000-05:00

Jen Bekman Gallery
6 Spring Street
(between Elizabeth + Bowery)
New York, NY 10012

Opening from 6pm - 8pm

Gallery and Hey, Hot Shot! founder Jen Bekman says of this showcase:

"As Jen Bekman Projects grows and evolves, Hey, Hot Shot! plays an increasingly important role, affording us the opportunity not only to review work from ambitious photographers all over the world, but also the privilege of working with the best and brightest artists out there. This latest exhibition illustrates the uncompromising talent of the photographers and the diversity of their subjects and approaches, which have come to define Hot Shots past, present and future."

The gallery features fifteen works from five photographers: Marisa Aragona, Leah Tepper Byrne, Alejandro Cartagena, Jessica Eaton and Justin James King.

The exhibition will be on view from March 6 through March 20, 2010.

Landscape Near Mission, BC (2007) | 16" x 20" | Archival Inkjet Print by Jessica Eaton

David Wright - Uganda: A River Blue

2010-03-04T16:31:00.007-05:00

Going on tonight.

Anastasia Photo Gallery
166 Orchard St.
New York, NY 10002
212-677-9725

Opening from 6:30pm - 8:30pm

I worked with David a few summers ago at the Maine Media Workshops. He is an amazing photographer. Check out his images at the opening tonight.

You can see more of his work at: www.davidwrightphoto.com

Adhesive NYC Tonight

2010-03-01T12:26:00.003-05:00

Tonight's Adhesive NYC is at Brooklyn Bowl starting at 6:30pm.

Street Fight!

2010-02-28T04:11:00.002-05:00

I was up late doing work and a fight broke out on the street. Nothing new as occasionally there are drunken scuffle's outside the fast food chicken joint by my place. But this was different... a lot of people were involved and someone was getting hit with a shovel. I called the cops and they showed up just as the perps were trying to make a run for it. Five squad cars total. The police, guns drawn, pulled everyone out of the car arrested them and then hauled someone off in an ambulance. I tried to go down and photograph explaining to the arresting officers I was the one who called it in but they didn't care and shewed me off with nothing more than, "give us a call if anything else happens."

I snapped this from my window. Just another night in Jersey City.

Rob Kendrick & The Tin Type

2010-02-27T16:49:00.007-05:00

In this time of the iPhone, internet, multimedia, digital & HD I am feeling a bit nostalgic. I found myself looking at Rob Kendrick's work. Beautiful tin types.

"It's work and it's satisfying. What you get is unique, not mass-produced. You can't repeat the process. So it's the antithesis of digital."

http://www.robbkendrick.com/

You can watch a video of his process as well. Click Here

There is a NYTimes segment as well. Click Here

Blogging with A Year of Solitude

2010-02-25T15:32:00.004-05:00

Check out my good friend Molly Griffin's blog A Year of Solitude

EAW Meetup Tonight

2010-02-24T08:41:00.017-05:00

Eddie Adams Workshop Alumni Meet Up
Drop Off Service (13th & Ave A)
6:30pm - 9:30pm

EAW 2009 was one of the craziest, longest, & most influential weekends of my life. It blew my world view wide open and showed me there is much more to story telling than I ever thought possible. It took six months to sink in. But it did.

Not Ready To Land

My favorite multimedia piece from Team Fuschia made by Celia Tobin

Resource Magazine Winter Party!

2010-02-19T12:37:00.003-05:00

Tonight @ Tribeca Skyline Studios from 7pm - 11pm
205 Hudson Street 12th Floor

SNOWDAY!

2010-02-12T09:00:00.004-05:00

I got caught in a huge NYU snowball fight in Washington Square Park on my way home from work Wednesday afternoon. Everything was going great until I got a snowball to the back of the head and that is when I put the camera down and retaliated. Needless to say that was a poor choice. But the good news is the Canon 5D Mark II is snow ball resistant... sort of.

Haiti Tent Drive

2010-02-11T14:32:00.003-05:00

Donate your old tent & have an excuse to get a new one. Please drop off your old tent at the Fine Arts Building, Room 223 before Feb 23rd.

For more information please contact Phyllis Galembo

email: pgalembo@earthlink.net

People Magazine: Julie Powell

2010-02-09T10:44:00.006-05:00

I did a spread for People Magazine this past December. I had the pleasure of photographing the real Julie Powell at her home in Long Island City. Her blog The Julie/Julia Project was the inspiration for the movie Julie & Julia (she was played by Amy Adams). This image didn't run but it's one of my favorites.

I guess I should scan the spread and add it to this post... but I'll do it later. For now enjoy. The behind the scenes photos were taken by my assistant who wanted to remain anonymous.

Follow Julie's blog: What Could Happen? (musings from a "soiled and narcissistic whore."). Her new book is Cleaving

DC is covered in Snow...

2010-02-08T08:55:00.004-05:00

Check out Molly's blog Year of Solitude. She's got her take on SNOWPACOLYPSE from this weekend in DC with videos & pics. You can also follow her on Twitter @griffinmolly

Old Photos

2010-02-02T20:40:00.004-05:00

This one is from The Hackley School, when the library burned down a few summers ago... I spent a lot of my childhood in that building. Just down the street from my house in Tarrytown, NY.

These are images of the Stever's House...located in Phillipsburg Manor, NY. Jamie was my best friend when I was little. Margo is his mother. I spent every day after school at his house. It was my second home. The playground on the bottom left was where I hit my head on a slide and got seven stitches when I was in fourth grade.

Haiti: A Multimedia Story

2010-01-26T15:22:00.010-05:00

This is a distilled portion of the what I saw & heard while I was in Port Au Prince last week. I traveled down three days after the earthquake. The situation on the ground is far too massive to be told by a single camera lens. I hope to show at least some of what is happening there.

WARNING: There are disturbing images.

Haiti: A Multimedia Piece from Aruninator on Vimeo.

Sound Mix by my good friend Jesse Flower-Ambroch

This is Haiti... PLEASE DONATE!!!!

2010-01-22T17:34:00.009-05:00

Doctors drill a woman's leg with a power drill so they can set pins to try and fix a fracture. They do not have the proper equipment or anesthesia.

photo by Megan Mccloskey

This is one of the many atrocities happening right now in Haiti... please donate. Haiti needs your help. There is not enough water, food, medical supplies, shelter... and everything else.

Here are some organizations that are doing amazing work but need your help!

American Red Cross

International Medical Corps

Médecins Sans Frontières

Haiti

2010-01-16T02:01:00.004-05:00

Off to Haiti. Be back in two weeks. Going in with medical supplies, a backpack, and cameras. Hoping to do some good.

Vincent Laforet Short Film Competition Opens Today

2010-01-15T09:00:00.004-05:00

The Story Beyond The Still: The Cabbie from Vincent Laforet on Vimeo.

Vincent Laforet's short film competition open's today.

I think it’s safe to say we’re all adults and that we all know there is more than ONE camera company out there… Most of your know I use Canon cameras for my HD DSLR filmmaking - and my buddy Chase Jarvis uses another camera company’s cameras…

BUT - this post is not about companies - it’s about finding and rewarding new talent - something that Chase and I have both shown an interest in helping to do. So go here and take a few moments to vote and help award a lucky filmmaker $25,000 - only good can come of that! Chase has helped to put together a great film festival of his own - and I want to throw my support his way.

Chase has been a pioneer in the world of photography blogs and has always taken the lead when it comes to sharing with others. I wish him - and both the $25,000 audience choice winner, and the $100,000 grand prize winner - the very best of luck!

In a little over a week it’ll be your turn to enter your short film in the Canon / Vimeo contest - details and rules etc. will be announced shortly

James Macari Opening @ Milk Gallery Tonight

2010-01-14T08:00:00.001-05:00

See his work here: http://www.jamesmacari.com/

RED Scarlet

2010-01-13T09:00:00.001-05:00

Here is a look at the new RED Scarlet from Engadget 2010

7D Film by Reid Carrescia

2010-01-12T09:00:00.001-05:00

The First Snow, Canon 7D from Reid Carrescia on Vimeo.

Cole Rise

2010-01-12T02:03:00.003-05:00

I found this images while stumbling around the internet at 2:00am in the morning. I've seen them before but they really stood out this time. Beautiful...

Check out more work by Cole Rise here: http://www.colerise.com/

One Case Silent Auction

2010-01-11T09:00:00.002-05:00

Here is a little video from the One Case Silent Auction at Milk Gallery last Thursday. It was great event with a big turnout.

One Case Auction from Aruninator on Vimeo.

Check out more photos on Facebook.

The Metropolitan Opera

2010-01-10T16:03:00.005-05:00

Back from the Holidays (This Week's Schedule)

2010-01-06T04:30:00.035-05:00

NYE 2010 from Aruninator on Vimeo.

A little snippet of ringing in the New Year at the Times Square Arts Center to kick off 2010.

It was a crazy holiday considering I don't think I took any vacation... just sorta worked straight on through. Lots to talk about. I am currently in post production on a short film/commercial I have been working on since about the beginning of December. I have been holed up for the past week editing footage with my production team ie. Jesse (www.jfasound.com).

Here are some pics of what I am now calling, "The Lab."

Also, I got a call from a friend earlier this winter asking for some help. Someone close to them was diagnosed with cancer. I said I would do anything I could. This conversation led to my involvement in a great cause... The One Case Silent Auction at Milk this Thursday Dec. 7th from 6pm - 11pm. This is a great cause so please come out... You can also check it out on Facebook. It's put on by my friends at Resource Magazine.

One Case Auction is a silent auction for Breast Cancer helping one freelancer at a time. The proceeds will be donated to a selected freelancer in need of medical funding. There will be an extended online auction on artnet.com

The unfortunate financial bracket that many freelancers fall into leave us hard workers to fend for ourselves with medical bills. One Case hopes to make a difference one person at a time...

Other things going on this week (all on Thursday evening) are:

Versus Opening - Curated by Ruben Natal-San Miguel

And of course Claire Rosen has her new studio launch party in Montclaire, NJ. More info at North 7 Studio

Happy Holidays!!!

2009-12-22T12:44:00.003-05:00

Happy Holidays!!!!

go check out:
jfasound.com

Canon 5D Mk II Firmware Update

2009-12-07T16:24:00.006-05:00

Supposedly... a firmware update from Canon is due out shortly (January 2010) that will update the Canon 5D Mark II so it can do video in 1920×1080 @ 24fps & 720p @ 60fps.

Fantastic! Let's hope the rumors are true and this happens soon.

The Death of Print

2009-12-07T12:18:00.004-05:00

We've all been talking about it... but today it was knocking at my door.

This morning I wrote a few emails to follow up with some folks about meetings at a few different magazines and these were the responses I got (the names have been changed for confidentiality purposes):

"Simon,
I’m actually leaving. I am packing this week and on my way out. (my decision)"

"John Doe is no longer with _____ magazine. For _____ magazine related questions please contact..."

The death of print is upon us. What will be the future? What are you doing to prepare for it? Please comment.

Thanksgiving 2009 Continued

2009-12-03T08:00:00.001-05:00

The car ride home was 7+ hours. It was painfully long... Molly wore a leopard fur hat she found in a box in her basement... she is a freelance writer/journalist in NYC.

Check out her blog:
Watch Me Complain

Thanksgiving 2009

2009-11-30T22:54:00.005-05:00

I spent a few days out of the city for Thanksgiving weekend. Here are a few images from my trip to Amherst, NH.

Picture Black Friday

2009-11-25T12:43:00.001-05:00

This looks great as well

Picture Black Friday

Pre-Thanksgiving

2009-11-25T12:07:00.002-05:00

I just saw this picture and had to post it. No words necessary.

Help Portrait

2009-11-24T15:15:00.008-05:00

I got an email from my friend Gabriela Herman this morning talking about going to a meeting to discuss a movement know as Help Portrait.

The jist is on Dec 12 find someone in need and help them by taking their picture and giving it to them. It sounds great to me. In a time of self absorption and worrying about budgets/clients/the next job this is a chance to reflect and do something altruistic through photography.

Free PhotoPlus Expo Passes

2009-10-18T20:42:00.003-04:00

Get your free PDN PhotoPlus Expo passes here. It's at the Jacob Javitz Center from Oct 22 - Oct 24th.

click here

more info here on the expo website

Yes, yes I know

2009-09-20T12:55:00.003-04:00

I am behind... and in the blogosphere still in New Orleans. I will do my best to continue finishing out the trip. But in the mean time check out this image from photo journalist Kari Collins.

A letter from my Parents.

2009-09-16T15:04:00.001-04:00

Simon,

As you drive through the last leg of your trip, Mom and I would like to congratulate you on this extraordinary achievement. We are sure you have collected many great stories, created some yourself, and taken some wonderful and dramatic photographs. We cannot wait to listen to all of your adventures and see the photos.

We know it took a lot of courage and determination to carry out something like this. This is a first in the Biswas, Barnes and Almaral families, so you certainly created some family history and we are very proud.

It had to be a fantastic trip when Joel said he was a "bit jealous"!

Welcome home.

Lots of love,

Mom and Dad

Upstate NY Gets Stickered

2009-08-28T11:59:00.002-04:00

Thanks to Mark McCarty

New Orleans Day 2

2009-08-27T22:00:00.000-04:00

"Please remember to drain any standing water in your backyard, kids toys, etc. Mosquitoes carry diseases like West Nile Virus, Malaria, & Denge Fever. If we all work together we can keep everyone safe. Be a good citizen & do you part to battle mosquitoes."

Are you kidding me?! This was the radio PSA I heard while driving into New Orleans. It's an amazing city but honestly what was wrong with the French? The city is below sea level and more or less the jungle. I wonder who thought it was a good idea to colonize a jungle. It is unbearably hot, everything wants to hurt you, it is the home of alligators, spiders, flying cockroaches (let's get this straight... they are not palmetto bugs), mosquitoes, hurricanes, poisonous snakes, tsunami's, and a slew of other scary things.

This is a banana spider... it lives in New Orleans... this picture made me not sleep at night. Again one more time... WHY WOULD YOU SETTLE THIS PLACE!?

Oh yeah and then these guys... enough said.

New Orleans Saturday Night Movie

2009-08-24T15:48:00.008-04:00

New Orleans Saturday Night from Aruninator on Vimeo.

Discovery Bay, CA Stickers

2009-08-22T04:20:00.002-04:00

Thanks Dom!

New Orleans

2009-08-20T07:15:00.003-04:00

Distance: 152 Miles
Travel Time: 3.5 hours

So... I left Mobile in a hurry. I forgot my pillow... but at least I was away from that terrible motel. I spent a few hours in Biloxi shooting Roger, a shrimp fisherman. I stopped on the side of the road for a soda and some gas and ran into a slew of shrimp fisherman. Biloxi is right on the Gulf of Mexico. The beach just stretches on for miles and gambling is legal as far as I could tell.

Just in the nick of time Erin called me and told me she had a place for me to crash as long as I wanted. It was perfect. I was saved from having to stay with the girl who lets drifters stay with her and the guy who only had floor space.

When you drive into New Orleans you pass over a bridge that is really narrow and scary and then the highway dumps you right in the middle of the city. When you are on the outskirts you can see remnants of Katrina.

I got to Erin's house and her sister answered the door. For a minute I thought it was Erin with long hair. And then I realized my mistake. They look so alike it's crazy. I ended up having own room with a queen sized bed. Erin & Tim got in shortly after I arrived and to my surprise everyone including Tim had red hair.

As we were getting ready to go out I had this nervous breakdown by myself where I just sat on the end of the bed and held my head in my hands and sort of just had a minute of pure panic. Where was I? What was I doing? Why was I there?

Every time I get to a new place there is a moment of relief that I have made it but also the stress of adapting to a new situation and meeting new people and trying to be gracious and have good manners.

It's really exhausting. As a result, when I leave somewhere I end up having butterflies in my stomach. I know I have to do it all over again in a new and strange environment. I pulled it together, got my back pack and camera and just walked out of the door and met everyone on the porch. My heart was still in my throat. I looked like a total tourist with my camera & backpack. I couldn't stop thinking about how dangerous New Orleans was. I just kept thinking my car is going to be stolen along with me getting mugged for my camera.

Last time I was in New Orleans was for work and the kid we worked with told me about how after he moved to the city he was carjacked by two guys with a sawed off shotgun. I basically spent my whole time in New Orleans with the overwhelming sense that something bad was going to happen. I have a lot of gear with me and was really worried.

We went out, bought beers, and then took them on a walk.

New Orleans is one of maybe three places where you can do that in the U.S. (the others are Vegas & Savannah). It's quite a novelty to drink a beer on the street. It also leads to drunken mishaps...

Erin, Tim & Sarah had to go to a friend's for dinner and just dropped my off at ground zero - bourbon street. The wished me good luck and were off. All of the fear quickly dissolved as soon as I looked around and realized where I was. My first thought was I bet this is what Cuba looks like.

I talked to my girlfriend on the phone and she told me to get a hand grenade while I was on Bourbon Street. She told me to look for a little hole in the wall with a guy making them. As soon as I hung up I found him and ordered one. A Hand Grenade for those who don't know (like me before I had one) is a fruity drink with at least half a dozen different types of alcohol and sprite more or less. It is designed to do one thing: get you drunk. And that it did.

Fifteen minutes after I finished my hand grenade I was stumbling around. I didn't plan on being drunk but I found it completely appropriate for the situation. I stumbled my way around taking photos the whole time.

The thing about a hand grenade is the glass it comes in is neon yellow and the drink costs somewhere in the range of $12.00. Everyone around me was in exactly the same state of inebriation. I was is good company.

I found these kids sitting on a roof and ended up talking to them for a while. Thanks to the drink I don't remember about what, or who they were or why... I just found the photos the next day.

This appears to be a transgendered person giving directions to some tourists. I think this pretty much sums up Bourbon Street.

This is the Madame Laveau's House of Voodoo

Voodoo is a big part of the Bayou and the South. It's a result of the African influence during the slave days. And it is really interesting. The farther west you go the deeper you get into the swamp and the more it really takes hold. I ended up buying post cards from here. I was too drunk to really look around.

I walked home as it got dark and made it back to the house. It took a couple of phone calls to Tim to direct me how to get there. I immediately fell asleep with all my clothes on.

I woke up about an hour or two later and everyone was coming home. I some how managed to rally and hang out even after my drunken escapades. I had arrived and it was great.

Roadtrip Mix Vol. #1

2009-08-20T03:26:00.010-04:00

Here is a mix tape of what I have been listening to for the past 30 days. There is another one on the way. Copy & paste the link into your browser. For some reason clicking on the link does not work.

http://www.simonbiswas.com/SAB_Roadtrip_2009_Vol__1.zip

Also, if you want stickers... email me your mailing address and I will send them to you.

Take pictures of what you do with those stickers, email them to me, and I will post them on the blog. email: simon@simonbiswas.com

This one is from Bilanko Studios in Brooklyn.

photo: Lauren Bilanko

Haircut.

2009-08-14T21:49:00.002-04:00

I made it to SF and cut my hair and got cleaned up. Thinking about the return journey.

Jersey City, NJ Sticker

2009-08-14T21:46:00.003-04:00

Thanks Jesse.

Day 10: Mobile, AL -> New Orleans, LA

2009-08-10T16:23:00.008-04:00

I got up as early as I could and got the hell out of Dodge. I wanted to be out of the motel asap and be on the road. So I packed as fast as I could and left. Before I went I checked out downtown and got myself a coffee. I tried stickering a wall and got caught by the Mobile historical society or someone. Whatever they were I was trying to be discreet and they drove by in a pickup and were like, "hey, take that sticker down..." That made me want to sticker something even more. So as I was driving out of town I ended up putting it on a sign on the side of the road.

I drove through Biloxi. Met some shrimp fishermen. Took their photos. Moved on. Made it to New Orleans about 4pm. More on all this later.

Off to Mobile, AL

2009-08-09T00:35:00.009-04:00

So I had to leave. I just felt like the walls were closing in on me in Panama City Beach. Julie & Mike were wonderful hosts and really generous but it was time to go. So after I had my tarot cards read and shot some portraits of them both, Julie packed me a paper bag lunch and I was on my way. It felt great to be on the road again. I was free again. My car is my home and it is the only place I really feel at ease.

I didn't really know what the plan was. All I knew was New Orleans was the next stop. My options there were to stay with a guy named Mario who didn't really have any room because he was having two German girls stay with him and I would have to split the floor with him. Or stay with a girl named Bella who was willing to put me up as long as I was okay with the living situation. Specifically, she lived with her boyfriend who was an ex train car rider/jumper & hitchhiker who sat around the apt all day drinking whiskey and playing guitar, three room mates, three dogs, and sometimes they took in homeless kids off the streets. My choices were pretty slim and I was actually leaning towards Bella cause if nothing else it would yield some pretty interesting photographs. I wasn't really optimistic about what was going to happen.

Instead of driving all the way out to New Orleans I decided to stop in Mobile for the night. I drove through Pensacola and by accident entered the air base there.

When I finally made it to Mobile I went and had dinner at The Brick Pit. Supposedly Alabama's best BBQ. I got it out of the book Jesse got me for my trip. A tiny little place on the outside of town. It had graffiti all over the inside. Everyone had signed their names on the wall. I ended up signing my on the door and putting up a sticker on the bathroom door. I had a delicious pulled pork sandwich that had been slow cooked for 100+ hours.

After I finished I wanted to photograph the girl at the counter in the back of the restaurant. She said fine but when I was setting up her boss came out and told me she was too shy to tell me that she was uncomfortable with the whole thing. He told me they had some problems with a photographer before. I told him that was fine and at that very moment the "pit boss" was walking by and I saw him and I asked if I could shoot him. The manager took some convincing but finally he said alright and I ended up doing portraits of the pit boss. These ended up being a million times more interesting.

I talked to the pit boss for a while and he told me he had been working there for fourteen years and all he did was barbecue. He learned from his father. He had been barbecuing his whole life. He told me, "that is what I do." He was totally into having his picture taken which made the whole experience that much better.

I ended up going home... home being the Budget Motel... $45.00/night. It was terrifying. I had a hole in the shower ceiling and was convinced that someone was definitely murdered in my room.

My success with the portrait at dinner was quickly extinguished. Again I felt very alone... there were strange people living in the motel and coming and going all night. I didn't sleep well.

I wouldn't realize till later the next morning... but it would also be the last time I would see my beloved pillow.

Day 9: Panama City Beach

2009-08-08T08:15:00.001-04:00

I woke up in the morning and was anxious to get on the road. It took me seven days to get to Panama City Beach and I wanted to move on. Julie & Mike were great to me but it was time to go. The heat was oppressive and I had been to PCB before and I wanted to see a new location.

Julie gets ready every morning over a cup of coffee. That was one of the best things about morning's at Julie's. She always had a giant pot of coffee going and two or three different kinds of coffee mate. I love coffee mate. So I sat with her while she did her makeup and planned my getaway.

I made sure to photograph the whole place as a record of where I was staying. And I almost forgot about the amazing massage chair that Julie & Mike have. It's like the one you see at The Sharper Image. It vibrates and massages and reclines. I spent a good amount of time in that chair.

My room with the leopard print sheets/pillow.

But before I left Julie wanted to read my Tarot cards. I was into this idea. So after she was ready we went over to her Tarot table and for about an hour she read my cards.

Now I don't know if I believe in Tarot... but some of the things she said were too accurate and too personal for her to know. It was spooky. And there were 73 cards in the deck and I pulled ten at a time over and over again and the same cards kept showing up. Julie's explanation was the universe never lies... I would hear that again in Santa Fe, NM.

Currently

2009-08-07T18:58:00.004-04:00

I am working on updating my previous locations & the blog. But it's been a tough two days. I have been stuck in Santa Fe, NM because I decided to drive my little 2000 Honda Civic HX with 90,000 miles on it at an average speed of 70 mph for 14 hours through four states in 95 + weather. The result of that combination = failed clutches on the ac compressor (I think that is the right term)... what does that mean to me & the project? A financial hit of $635.00 to my budget and 3 agonizing days spent stuck in a hotel room. I tried shooting but just couldn't get out my funk.

I caught up on Monk, NCIS, In Plain Sight, and about every other USA Network tv show their might be... little secret I love the Gilmore Girls. Rory & Laura Li are hot. Thank God it's Shark Week... that made me feel better. I don't think I have consumed this much television in one go in a long time. There is a reason I don't owe one.

I had the same pizza for lunch and dinner, and then lunch again the following day. I tried catching up on my blog & mailing stickers (which is a full time job in itself) but the internet was down for the majority of the time I have been here. Thanks Econo Lodge....

Oh and I got stood up by a guy in his 70's I befriended and talked about shooting a portrait. There were even a couple of times where I just scream, "Fuck!" at the top of my lungs in my room.

But it's Friday night... morale is up. The car is back from the dead, the internet has magically returned, and I am heading out of Santa Fe first thing tomorrow morning. But not before I have dinner with the Santa Fe Workshops.

Day 8: Panama City Beach Continued

2009-08-06T21:04:00.006-04:00

The following morning Mike, Julie & I took a ride around in the jeep and scoped out some more of Panama City Beach. We passed the new Hilton mansion which is the most ridiculous thing I have seen in a long time. From the the air it is supposed to look like a dove with it's wings spread. Way to be humble.

The stickers also came in and we had an inaugural stickering if you will.

I managed to be at the beach for three days and not ever get in the water. But it looked good.

After we finished our tour I decided to do a little work and went back to Pineapple Willy's (the only place with wireless internet more or less) and spent the day working.

It was a down day and I didn't shoot much or get much done. But considering what happened on the day before I let myself off the hook.

Reality Check

2009-08-04T13:39:00.005-04:00

I can't quite explain to you how surreal it was to sit in the back yard of a mobile home in 100 + degree weather with bugs just screaming at you. To top that off I am being hit on by Michelle who mistook my want to take her photograph as some sort of sexual advance. That got real weird real quick. I just sat there in a haze of smoke combined with the sharp sting of tequila roasting... just thinking how the hell did I get here? And why on Earth would I possibly think driving across the US was a good idea. All I could think to do was record it all on my little portable voice recorder and just keep shooting.

Day 7: Panama City Beach, Florida

2009-08-04T12:03:00.002-04:00

Panama City Beach was not how I remembered it. When I drove in the previous evening it was teeming with people. The main drag down the beach was bumper to bumper traffic. People were walking up and down, on mopeds, and the best part... there were a few pickup trucks with chairs in the beds and kids sitting on them just cruising the strip.

The next morning when I woke up I was by the beach with my good friend Julie. If you want to shoot your MTV music video, or your Hollywood movie you go through her. I met her in the spring on an advertising job we shot there. I told her I would be back... and I was.

Julie lives with two dogs and a guy named Mike. They live in a mobile home in a subdivision away from the beach. I had my own room with a bed that had tiger striped sheets and mood lighting from a plexi table setup at the foot of the bed.

A letter from one of Mike's friends over in the Middle East I read while eating breakfast. He wrote about how they threw soccer balls to kids in the street from the convoys and what a mob scene it was as a result because children just appeared from the woodwork and swarmed the soldiers. They are not allowed to do that anymore as a safety precaution.

Julie made breakfast and then Bobby came over. A friend of Mike's who had just got out of prison for stealing an ATM machine (or attempting to steal said machine)... I can't remember which. He and Mike were going to get a gun appraised so they could sell it and he brought an ounce of marijuana with him also to sell.

It was a shock to wake up first thing and have this whole transaction unfold in front of me over breakfast. Julie confessed that he is not a bad person or a dangerous person he just make stupid decisions.

After the two went out back to do odd jobs around the house. Julie & I went for a drive around Panama City Beach and she took me to her friend's house on the bay.

One side was the ocean and the other side was all marsh and they would have alligators come up. The dogs had to be locked in so as not become gator food. We discussed how sometimes her household gets a little too redneck for her and she was happy to have my company for a change.

We stopped off and had a drink at Pineapple Willy's for old times sake and did a little tour of the area in Mike's red jeep with no doors. I've never been in a jeep with no doors. It's really fun and makes it really easy to take pictures.

Afterward, we drove home and setup shop poolside.

Michelle, Julie's friend who came over, is a pre-op transgendered person. She has brain cancer and has had many surgeries. Julie told me when they examined her the cancer was so advanced her brain looked like an orange and the outer layer was the cancer and you had to peel back the rind to get to her brain.

The rest of the day was spent eating lunch, taking pictures, and sitting by the pool. It was so unbearably hot I cannot even explain.

The deafening roar of tropical insects was maddening. The heat was so thick it's tangible. I felt as if I was being swallowed up. Why one would live in such a crazy place I don't know. The cockroaches alone are reason enough not to live in the South. They are on average three inches long and everywhere... some fly. Nasty little fuckers. By this point in the trip I had killed one with a brick at Zola's house and dodged a few in the bathroom at Julie's. Since then I have encountered plenty more.

I had definitely arrived in the South and for the first time felt far from home.

Drive to Savannah, GA

2009-08-03T20:58:00.001-04:00

Drive to Savannah from Aruninator on Vimeo.

Zola's House

2009-08-03T17:59:00.003-04:00

The dilemma of be held accountable.

2009-08-03T11:33:00.008-04:00

The hardest part about this whole trip is telling the truth. To tell the truth without passing judgment. My worldview is getting bigger everyday and the deeper I get into this project the more I am asking myself what do I share with others? Do I present just the facts, do I put a spin on everything, do I edit the content so people won't be upset with me? What are the real world consequences of my actions? Personal & professional lives are separate and should not affect each other but they do. I worry that if I write the truth I will offend the people I am talking about. I have never been good at telling the truth. I weave my own interpretation of the story & fabricate details...but I guess so does everyone else. Everyone has a point a view. My experience is convoluted because I play an active role in this project. I am not watching from the outside as a voyeur documenting but rather I am a participant on the inside taking notes. People have graciously invited me into their lives and I wonder how much of those lives do I choose to share and how much do I decide to leave out and why. Is it for their benefit or mine? When is the truth too much? And when is it necessary?

My good friend Ashley Halsey sent me this today... www.orbasquara.com

Day 6: Savannah, GA to Panama City Beach, FL

2009-07-27T15:54:00.010-04:00

Distance Traveled: 1265 miles

I left about 1:30 pm from Savannah. I spent most of the morning packing and backing up files. I also used some of the time to photograph Zola. I tried to get everything done simultaneously so they would all finish at the same time and I would be able to make a clean break. It didn't really work out that way... but everything got done in the end. From Savannah I decided to take back roads and get off I-95. The route I chose was basically a diagnol line across the southeast corner of Georgia.

I stopped off at a gas station to get a road atlas book because my GPS only takes you the fastest most efficient way possible. Not necessarily the most scenic or interesting. When I went to pay for it. The guy behind me in line wearing camos & combat boots with coke bottle glasses and a cigar just says, "what boy...you lost?" (think Deliverance). I quickly got back into the car and was off.

I took a route out of Savannah that took me through Fort Stewart Military Base. It was really cool. I passed convoys of trucks and soldiers. I stopped off at a shooting range and tried to photograph the private who was standing guard in full attired. He ended up calling his superior officer who said no.

He told me, "Sorry... some of the NCO's are hardasses..."

My response, "Don't worry about it... it's the Army."

I passed other places like the gas chambers and the sniper shooting range. America is always at war somewhere. The offficer who I talked to earlier must have been about 21.

I passed through towns like Valdosta, FL & Waycross, GA. It was nothing but beautiful farm land and old towns that time seemed to forget.

I worked my way through the back roads until dark and then got on I-10 in Florida and made my way down to the beach.

As the sun was setting I stopped on a bridge and put on my safety vest and ran out.

This little place had a room for rent.

I finally made it to PCB about 10:30 to a very warm welcome.

Day 5: Savannah, GA

2009-07-25T09:44:00.018-04:00

Distance traveled: 900 miles

I spent my morning at Zola's planning what to do and how to go about doing it.

Adrienne told me to go to Tybee Island and a place called Lulu's Chocolate Bar. Besides those two recommendations I was sort of just up to my own devices. So after some planning and coffee with Zola I headed out. I ended up parking in the historic district and walking around. All the books I had said go to River Street & Factor's Walk. So I did. I got pizza at a place called Vinnie Van Go Go's. I had a lot of friends who attended Savannah College of Art & Design so I also made sure to check that out.

Savannah is full of old houses and Spanish moss. The historic district is mostly cobble stone streets. There were 24 squares in Savannah in the 1900's but now there are only 22. The Forest Gump bench scene was filmed in Chippewa Square.

The view from River Street

A guy I met at the Market District.

I had a drink called a Spodee-o-dee... this was an incredible moment in my life. For years Outkast had a track with the lyrics, "Spodee-o-dee dopalicious angel..." from their album Aquemini and I had no idea what they were talking about... now I do.

Found in the song "Drink'n wine spodee-o-dee" by R&B artist Stick McGhee, and later coverd by Jerry Lee Lewis. A wine spodiodie (also spelled Spodiodi) is a shot that has a layer of Port Wine on the bottom, then a layer of (cheap) bourbon, finished on the top by another layer of Port. It can also be made simpler by just combining port and bourbon in a glass. Some people also call jungle juice Spodi. The film rolling Kansas has actor Rip Torn carrying a skin of Wine Spodiodie, defined in that film as fox urine and flat beer.

-Urban Dictionary

After I had my fill of downtown and the Historic District I headed out to Tybee Island.

I ended up getting a call from a couchsurfer named Lance and we met up at the beach. I went swimming for a bit... we shot some photos. He is a SCAD student finish up his degree in interactive design.

Lance & I at the beach

We headed back to town for dinner & drinks where we met another girl from couchsurfing named Felicia @ LuLu's hung out for a while then called it a night.

Day 4: Raleigh, NC -> Savannah, GA

2009-07-23T23:53:00.008-04:00

I left Raleigh early in the morning and headed down I-95 to South of the Border, SC. I skipped Cafe Risque because I was not quite ready to do nude breakfast at 10:30 am. But I did pass it and I am sure it is just as good as it looks.... its a gray building with no windows.

I got to South of the Border and it was amazing. It's basically a long forgotten tourist trap from the 60's or 70's. When I got there it was full of fireworks, sombreros, jungle animals, and a ton of trashy stores. I hung out for a bit shot some photos... contemplated buying some things that blow up...thought better of it and headed out.

I saw some interesting sites on the road to Charleston.

This was a truck carrying a tank.

My next stop was Charleston, SC. I made it about 3pm. Had lunch at Hyman's Seafood. I ordered a cat fish po-boy and it was incredible.

On the way out from Charleston I headed to a plantation to see what it was like. It was eerie to say the least.

That is the actual plantation house with the fields in front of it.

This is a photo of a slave house. It might be 8 feet x 10 feet and a whole family had to live in here. The heat & bugs were unrelenting...

From there I headed on to Savannah, GA. I got in early in the evening.

I was staying with a woman I met from couchsurfing.com Her name was Zola and she was a painter. Her painting studio was in the house. I was a bit nervous about just rolling up to stay with a stranger but it turned out to be wonderful.

Day 3: More Images

2009-07-23T23:29:00.003-04:00

Raleigh, NC City Hall

A fallen tree

After the storm

Adrienne

Ryan & Fiona

The Storm

Day 3: Raleigh

2009-07-22T15:24:00.012-04:00

I woke up about 3 am with Fiona (the cat) sleeping on my chest. I had fight her off but it was difficult. We finally came to an agreement about sharing the couch.

When I woke up I went to get coffee with Helena, from welldonetour.com. After months of speaking to each other via email or phone we finally got to meet in person. We spent about an hour discussing our separate trips.

She was leaving for Indiana (a ten hour drive from Raleigh) that morning after coffee.

She and I & Ryan met and he informed me a certain local legend in Raleigh, NC was standing outside. Everyone spoke of an amazing beautiful girl with tattoos and a sweet southern accent who was perfectly sculpted. Adrienne and Ryan talked about her non-stop the night before. And there she was standing outside with her dog. Her name.... Christmas Joy.

I ran outside knowing Ryan's love for this woman and asked if I could take her picture. He watched on with Helena... shocked. My interaction with Christmas was brief. But I was able to photograph her and her dog and when I asked for her information her response was:

"Do you have facebook? I'm the only Christmas in Raleigh."

Helena left and Ryan & I went off to a place called Father & Sons. It was one of the coolest vintage stores I have ever been to. It had three floors and full of things from old family snapshots, to flasks, to microscopes, lps, tapes, lamps, EVERYTHING. I was so overwhelmed and hungry I didn't get anything.

Napoleon met us there and Ryan left to go to a meeting and Napoleon & I went to Lilly's Pizza where we got to talking about life and how you have to at some point take the plunge and do what you want to when you can. I thought this was a very poignant moment in the first week of the trip.

We shot some photos and then I headed home to work on the images and take a nap. About 5pm I was woken up by a clap of thunder and I looked out the window and it was a full on tropical storm. Hurricane like if you will. My first inclination was to watch it... later I found out I should have gotten in a closet.

We went out to dinner and surveyed the damage of the storm. There were lot's of trees down everywhere and on Adrienne's block a traffic light had been smashed.

Photo Courtesy of Josh

After dinner at Sushi Blues we walked home and got chocolate with Josh. I had a tequila chocolate with Patron Anejo Gold and salt & lime. It was pretty incredible. The lighting was still rumbling in the distance. We got drinks with the whole gang who were planning a trip to the beach.

Then we went home and crashed out.

Day 2: IPA night

2009-07-18T23:14:00.016-04:00

My lovely sleeping arrangements w/ Fiona.

In the morning with Adrienne.

Coffee with Ryan & Adrienne

My power lunch with Adrienne & Ryan... just like in Jersey City (Molly & Jesse).

We made dinner... that's my Mozz & Tomato Caprese salad. I got to use Adrienne's mortar & pestle (which was incredible) to make the basil sauce. The rest of the dinner pics, menu, & recipe will be posted on Adrienne's blog at some point... adrienneats.blogspot.com

So later in the even we all went over to Critter's place which I thought was going to be somewhere in town. It happened to be down the hall from Adrienne's. How convienent. We drank IPA and Critter schooled me about beer and a website called Beer Advocate... You can rate & trade beers, talk on forums, and really just delve into the world of beer. Critter has a fridge just full of incredible beer. I have never seen anything like it and an apartment full of curiosities.

IPA night devolved into a raucous little photo shoot had a great little photo shoot. Here are the results:

Adrienne & Critter

Tim

Justin & Baby Jesus

Critter

Adrienne & Justin & the mannequin

Critter's cousin's husband...holding a sign that says: "Prepare to meet thy God."

Ryan, Adrienne, & Josh (Adrienne's boyfriend)... he also works at Red Hat and makes cool stuff.

Check out his site: Royal Remarkable TM

This terrifying thing almost came with me across the country as my car companion/bobble head but I just couldn't bring myself to take it from Critter. He was great and offered for me to have it. I think it's better in the aparment full of crazy things.

And finally everyone's hot girlfriend.

Day 2: Raleigh, NC

2009-07-16T12:45:00.030-04:00

My first day in Raleigh was great. We did breakfast at The Morning Times. Where Helena Price planned her whole road trip from.

I spent most of the day planning and preparing my trip at Adrienne's apartment. I haven't had much time to think through the routes or look at the books I bought so I spent the day chilling out and researching. I got some good recommendations by Adrienne & Ryan Cook (her roommate).

Ryan is starting a letterpress shop in Raleigh, NC you can check out his stuff at:

SomethingPlanned.com (his traditional graphic design)
SomethingPressed.com (his letterpress work....under construction

He hopes to have the shop up & running in a month. Check back soon.

I also started compiling a list of music from people in Raleigh. I plan to get music everywhere I go.

Music Recomendations from Raleigh, NC
Bon Iver
The Rosebuds (local Raleigh Band... I met Ivan who makes up 50% of the group)
Palace Brothers
Bonnie Prince Billy
Fever Ray
Ben Nichols
Born Ruffians
Deyarmond Edison
Megafaun
Dr. Dog
Horsefeathers
Rogue Wave

I designed a sticker for the road trip (w/ the help from Adrienne & Ryan). It is printing and shipping out to Panama City Beach, FL. They will be picked up when I get there. If you want one comment on the blog or get in touch with your mailing address and I will send it your way.

I think they will look good in such places as stop signs, bathrooms, and anywhere else you want. I urge you to use them creatively and with guerrilla style.

The rest of my day was spent going to whole foods and getting supplies for my trip and dinner. We made a few great dishes that will be posted on AdriennEats

After dinner we went to Critter's place down the hall. He also works at RedHat...you can see his work at: www.crittervision.com

He does weekly beer tasting...it was IPA night. (I recommend Racer 5.) His apartment is incredible and filled with great stuff. We did a little photo shoot too. Had a discussion with Critter's cousin's husband about New York City and why New Yorkers feel the need to come South... it was really interesting to hear the other side. I came to the South because it seemed like the natural progression of the trip.

There was a guy named Tim Kiernan Great dude who I geeked out with about the 5D Mark II & the Red One. He does a lot a of film & video. He test drove my camera and loved the 1080 capabilities. Check out his blog 521Studies . He also DJ's and gave me a ton of great music.

I started mapping my way to Savannah, GA. I am going from Raleigh, NC out to Risque Cafe (a topless diner). Breakfast & Boobs or Breastfest (says Ryan). Then to South of the Border, an old amusement park/attraction, that is now dilapidated. Down the coast to Charleston for lunch, then to Savannah. I am staying with a woman named Zola who I met through couchsurfing.com

More soon... including a girl named Christmas Joy, IPA night images, & my Raleigh digs.

Day 1: Jersey City, NJ - Raleigh, NC

2009-07-16T01:33:00.011-04:00

Mileage: 508 miles
Drive Time: 9 hours
Number of Stops: 2
Tanks of Gas: 1.5

Day one of the trip is over and it was a great start! Nine hours of driving... It was tough, but I made it. Getting out of Jersey City was a lot more difficult than planned. Thanks to the wonderful people at city hall my sidewalk was being redone at the exact moment I needed to load up my car. It made for the some very precarious trips up and down the stairs passing jackhammers and cement mixers. Molly & I had the final bagel at Wonder Bagel and then I hit the road.

The first four hours was the hardest. But after that is was pretty much smooth sailing.

The South is full of God Radio, Waffle Houses & Pick Up Trucks.

I learned a few things today about long haul road trips. Here are the rules that were created as a result.

Rules of the Road:
1. Fill up on Gas when you can.
2. Have water
3. Have food
4. Have a digital recorder out
5. Have a camera on hand

Places of note that I passed on my way through the South:

Phillip Morris USA Headquarters
w/ a Marlboro Cigarette Box 50 feet high: they are truly Merchants of Death (see The Insider w/ Russell Crowe)... I didn't have my camera handy.

NSA Headquaters
They have there own exit off the highway that says, "NSA Entrance: Employees Only"

I burned my arm pretty good. I did not calculate what nine hours of sun on my driving arm would do. But now I know.

Along the way I passed Lynchburg, VA. I can only image the etymology of the town name.

I met Adrienne (girl in the red) and her friends from Red Hat we all went out to dinner at The Raleigh Times. I had some pit NC BBQ pork. And it was delicious. Nothing like Southern BBQ After we all had drinks @ Foundation. I had a Bourbon & Ginger Ale with home made ginger ale. Other drinks of note The Basil Smash & The Cucumber on the vine.

I met a guy from Raleigh one of Adrienne's friends who just finished at Red Hat. His name is Napoleon Wright II (all the way left in the group photo). He is starting a collective called BecauseUs. The mission is:

Becauseus is a design collective dedicated to the betterment of humankind.

Founded by Napoleon Wright II, we specialize in film production, experimental design, sound design, motion graphics, brand identity and photography.

Becauseus was formed by a common trait.
We are passionate about what we do.