El Mirage, California. If you have seen a car commercial in the last twenty years then you have most likely seen El Mirage Dry Lake near Los Angeles. It’s close, within striking distance for those Uber hip art directors who … Read More
Lyme: Skin Deep, The Battle Over Morgellons
I haven’t posted about Lyme Disease much but not because it isn’t very much a part of my life. Sadly, it is. But, I prefer to look on the bright side. I’m doing just fine. It took four years for … Read More
Creative: The Fuji File Magazine
The first issue of “The Fuji File” is here. This isn’t the OFFICIAL copy just yet but the test copy is in the bag. I’ve created upwards of 220+ publications with Blurb, dating back to 2007, but I still make … Read More
Creative: First Blurb Layflat Sample
Fellow Passengers, Blurb now has layflat. You asked for it. Here it is. Now go forth and prosper, or better yet, do a test book and see how this new format fits your visual, tangible world. That’s what I did. … Read More
Creative: ESSAY, Issue Three Sneak Peek
Okay, I’m finding my stride. This feels really good now. Ideas, thoughts, test books, prints, experimentations, transgressions, etc. Issue Three, sneak peek. “Notes from California,” which will be an ongoing theme here at Shifter/ESSAY. Single shots, single servings. Journal notes. … Read More
Creative: The Theatre
Hey folks, testing a new form of delivery here. Let me know what you think. Like it? Hate it? Confused? Jealous of my tech mastery? Hadn’t seen Eric in a while. The last time was Vegas on bikes. Heat, wind, … Read More
Dispatches: Eric Labastida
1998 Eric in his element. Tijuana, Mexico.Original on Kodachrome I met Eric Labastida in 1996 while covering the Republican convention in downtown San Diego. We were both TRI-X shooting, Leica wielding documentary “kids” who were Hell bent on anything Magnum. … Read More
Creative: “ESSAY” the New Series
OKAY PEOPLE. I WROTE THIS POST WEEKS AGO. THIS SERIES IS GOING LIVE BUT SO MANY THINGS HAVE CHANGED. I’M GOING TO POST THIS POST ANYWAY THEN FILL YOU IN ON THE DETAILS AS I MOVE ALONG. AM AS EXCITED … Read More
Creative: Photography Advice, Educating and Building Trust
“What to do when nobody cares or respects what you are doing?” Hope this post illuminates the kind of photo advice I’m talking about. Not f/stops and lens choices but real world situations. Let me know if this is relevant … Read More
Creative: The Leica File 20
Okay, I’m back. It’s back. The Leica File. You asked for it. I’m making good on my promise. The truth. Haven’t used the Leica in ages. Haven’t used ANYTHING in ages, except for the x100T, but that’s just for work … Read More
Dispatches: Catherine Leutenegger
Every once in a while I find a photographer or a body of work that resonates with me in a very specific way. In the case of Catherine Leutenegger’s “Kodak City” I found a body of work that haunted from … Read More
Dispatches: Nick Hannes
Lesson learned. If you try to do an audio interview from the 20th floor of a high rise hotel in a downtown area you might pick up a local radio station through your audio recorder. That station might in fact … Read More
Dispatches: David Burnett
I’m trying to figure how to explain David Burnett because he doesn’t really fit anywhere, and that my friends, is a compliment. Let me start here. Iranian Revolution. Vietnam. Bob Marley, The Olympics. Politics. Oh, and when everyone went digital … Read More
PRINT: Silver Prints from the Americas
My return to the darkroom has been profound. There is no other way to describe it. The dark cuts through the bullshit of photography, the mind games one plays, and reduces your entire photographic life down to a few, measly … Read More
Dispatches: Maggie Steber
Yes I live in Santa Fe, and yes, I’m about to get woo woo on you. There are certain people who emit a special energy and Maggie Steber is one of these people, but let me go back and explain … Read More
Print: “A Season with the Titans” by Paul Gero
Paul Gero is one of my oldest friends in photography, and I don’t think I’ve ever met anyone who loves photography more than Paul. Photography is in his blood and has been since the early, early days when he had … Read More
Dispatches: Norman Mauskopf
I met Norman Mauskopf years ago and I’m glad I did. It’s been a one-sided relationship as I’ve relentlessly picked his brain in regard to doing long-term projects, publishing and darkroom printing. It’s because of him I even have a … Read More
Dispatches: Justin Thor Simenson
I discovered Justin Thor Simenson a few years ago after seeing something called “Gig Magazine.” I featured this publication on my blog, and shortly thereafter we agreed to meet in New Mexico. Finally, after much delay we finally met and … Read More