moving

Im moving on.
Tumblr has reached a stability that I find acceptable and will be moving future ramblings to the more streamlined platform.

-title unknown-

happening now

So this is happening now. To see the fruits of the labor checkout the tumblr.

sigh, Cy.

untitled, Cy Twombly

This week Cy Twombly passed. He was a great inspiration to my art and eventually to my photography. I know it might seem strange that someone who was known for such a raw and minimal approach to abstraction and mark-making might have an influence on one'e photography which can be highly technical and process oriented. But I assure it you it does.

After a few years studying art, and many years making it, I grew to have a greater appreciation for the lack of deliberation or contemplation in the creation of pieces. Pieces that ultimately became something to draw one in. To appreciate the subtlety of a moment in time. The energy of a line.

"Mr. Twombly’s scattered, skittering thatches of chalk lines seemed like extensions of his own nervous system. Accruing randomly, like isolated thoughts or asides, they refused to imply any grand scheme or overreaching rhythm, which contributed to their psychological intimacy." -Roberta Smith

So this week I raise a glass to you Cy.

smashbox

Dad, 2010

Last night was the Smashbox Studios Assistant Show. One of my images showed with about 60 others at their Culver City location. There was wine, beer, food, music, and a photo booth. I found it only fitting to include an image of my Dad in something after having my mom in an online gallery for mother's day. Both images were made on Christmas morning 2010. It was the first x-mas snow for my hometown in something like 60 years. Hopefully this December one of my images will be hanging in Smashbox's annual FACE-OFF photo competition. Also I want to thank the friends who made it out for (cough) free drinks (cough) I mean support.

mom

Mom, 2010

LENSCRATCH put together a gallery of moms for mother's day. I made sure to include mine.

disappear

Out in limited release at film festivals this week is a documentary following Alec Soth on a project shooting those who choose to live on their own and escape the world. 

I just gotta say those that choose to do so in the middle of the desert blow my mind and from those I've met are near insane.

Im mainly jealous that he is still shooting almost exclusively with 8x10 film.

man bags

It might be known that Im a gear geek. Im always looking for the best gear for the job and attempting to be as minimal and multi-purpose with each bit as possible. But when it comes to camera bags this is quite difficult. I get laughed at when people see how many camera bags, backpacks, and shoulder bags I have. But, they all have a specific use. For backpacking recently to tote my Canon 5dmkii I've been going a very minimal route.

Inside my Moutainsmith Crosscountry II internal frame backpack I drop my 5dmkii body in a lens wrap and my 24-70mm f2.8 in the canon lens case that came with my 70-200mm f2.8 and Im on my way. This setup isn't ideal it is clunky and time consuming to whip out the camera. Lowepro just released what might be able to replace a few of my backs and seems great for day hiking or an overnight backpacking trip.

The PhotoSport AW series is styled like most daypacks/outdoor backpacks with hydration pocket but these pack a compartment for a body/lens. Now if I can just get Lowepro to send over the larger black model I should be good to go. This post wasn't sponsored by Lowepro or Canon (though either can sponsor me anytime they please). Im just a fan and enjoy the potential of these new bags.

tears

If you find yourself in the valley this month or any shop along the blvd that shares the name of the magazine pick up a copy of the May/June edition of Ventura Blvd and check out the two stories I shot.  One being the home and garden feature story about an Encino family's home and the other a home office makeover. I managed to squeeze both shoots into one day it was alot of stress but felt I was able to do the stories justice. This was the premiere issue of the magazine. Yes, it was a surprise to me that someone was starting a new magazine. Long live print! It is very gratifying to see your work in print especially 13 images in one issue. (too bad one wasn't the cover)
If you don't find yourself kicking around so-cal in the coming weeks you can also check out the full stories here and here

'

Yes, the blog has been a bit lonely lately. However, I've been a little busy with life and work. If you're really looking for meaningless nonsense check out the twitter feed and tumblr.

agrostology

Recently things have been slow so I started tightening up the site a bit more and finally got an edit done on the new gallery "Agrostology". If you haven't been on the site in recently I encourage you to stay for a bit and look around there are some other new images here and there in the other galleries. So stop reading this, click the image above and share your comments here on the blog.

spirit

Spirit, Pasadena, CA 2011

few more

mom, 2010

dad, 2010

I dragged my parents out into the snow on x-mas morning. I just shot them being themselves. Was the first time in my lifetime that we had snow on x-mas that was more that a dusting that quickly disappeared.

the first

The Biltmore House, 2010

Well it is now the 2nd but don't linger on the details. This year I urge you to keep checking in and see the new work as it comes in. I will be pushing myself to shoot as much as I can and get a new book together. Later this week my archive of negatives will be delivered and I will be scanning any lost gems that might be floating around in them. I took a peek through them before I boxed them up to send to the west coast and got some flashbacks of Penland School of Crafts and Kansas City.

Just before leaving NC I visited the Biltmore House. People taking photos intrigued me most as photography inside is prohibited. Their were some great moments to capture inside but didn't wanna get the boot.

lenscratch

Untitled, Joshua Tree National Park, 2010

I submitted a photo to LENSCRATCH as the creator/editor Aline Smithson was requesting that photographers all over the world submit their favorite image that they created in 2010. The above image was my submission. I suggest you click through to see the many other great images that were submitted.

These are a few of my favs

Lisa Boughter, Untitled, from the series Periphery, Haverford, PA

Anne Berry, Nola (gorilla), Wuppertal, Germany

Eric William Carroll, Speed of Dark #148, Peterborough, NH

scanning

Bakersville, NC 2006

Kansas City, MO 2007

Kansas City, MO 2007

The blog has been neglected to some degree in the past three months. This can majorly be attributed to the fact that I have been quite busy assisting/teching. I have had to postpone a camping trip three times. Im anxious to break-in some of my new backpacking gear and get some images to add to my portfolio with some of the trips I have planned but I can't pass up the opportunity to make money. So the trips must wait.
I recently aquired a film scanner and managed to pull out some old negs and get back to shooting/scanning film. It is good to be able to have a lab in the neighborhood that I can walk to and pull out out the Mamiya and run some film through it. 
This year has been kind to me and I have been able to accomplish many of my goals. I fly back to the east coast soon with film in my pocket, hopefully good things will come of it.

tumblr

I've had this going for about a month now. Just a pictorial diary of my day to day shenanigans.

random

Wanna read some random nonsense?

finally

Well it took a lot of work and time for me as I have been super busy the past four months, with trips to Vegas, San Francisco, Sacramento, Ojai, San Diego, and a few other weird spots here in socal.

My new site is up and ready with some new work with even more to come! Check it out and share your thoughts here on the blog.

Thanks to Josh at Cargo Collective and Craig at WeAreGiants for the help.

- faini

two years

This day two years ago I walked away from a full-time staff photographer position at a daily newspaper and began heading west. Everything I owned fit in my car and for the most part still does. Last year was quite tough and things seem to be progressing each day. This year started off well and has gone quite smoothly.  I have a few more goals I hope to attain by the end of this year and look forward to the potential that next year offers.

Thanks to everyone who has helped me out.

- faini

My last photo for the paper

A few shots from my trip west.

Out and about.

New images coming for you soon. Get ready.
-faini
via BlackBerry

"one bum per customer"

Spent a lot of time downtown LA this week. Various bars, navigating around film crews, rooftop of a private social club, pondering how to break into and out of a locked parking garage, hypothetical situations. Had an interesting encounter with the gentleman above as he is pictured showing the world "peace and fuck you." I need to get downtown with camera in hand a bit more. The metro is also another resource I need to taken advantage of more.