Iksodas

in chicago..

was a great day.

I have been selected as an ongoing contributing photographer with Carrie Leigh’s NUDE, starting with the Winter 2010 issue.

I have known for some time, my work was going to be in the upcoming issue, what I didn’t know, is that this could be the start of many good things. I am humbled and flattered by such an honor. A big public thank you for those behind this decision!

Along with the pictures, I can also say that I may be a bit unnerved by the interview. In past years I have been asked to submit work numerous times, and along with that, be interviewed . The problem is most publications (and websites are the worst at this) Don’t bother to actually interview a person. They send out an email with a bunch of cut and paste boilerplate questions. Questions I’ve been asked numerous times, and appear in print, already answered.

When I receive one of these cut and paste emails, I make sure of 2 things: That I put as much effort into the process as the other party, and that my statements are consistent with previous publications. Another words: go find where I’ve already answered the question and meet both my goals with all the effort of Ctrl-C and a Ctrl-V.

Not so with Nude, Not in the least. An interesting, and engaging conversation, one that made me examine the finer points of my what and why. A true dialog as to the means that make the ends. I have yet to read the actual article, so beat me to the punch, grab one off the newsstand and, please tell me if I made a fool of myself.

Click here to get yours..

Either way, I can say the staff at Nude, conducted the interview with a professionalism, insight, and enthusiasm that I have only encountered with day job related publications. I am glad to be associated with a team so capable of producing a high end publication.

But I’d rather show you in a few months, possibly in print.

I can tell you, some of my work will be in the next issue of Carrie Leigh’s Nude It should be out soon, so, if you have not already pre-ordered, be sure to look for it on a newsstand soon!

Ok, none of the shots from my recent trip are in the upcoming edition, but, some of my favorites from over the past few years will be in Nude, along with interview. Thank you, Carrie, Gary, and Carla, for such a wonderful honor.

About the most recent shots… There’s a couple of things I’ve learned along the way, and it seems there is also a few lessons I’ve forgotten. It’s time, to use those lessons, and build for the future.

The biggest thing in all this?

That a print, a real print, is a beautiful thing. Pixels are a weak imitation. Bytes, are just more the of the background noise that makes up the internet, a steady stream of new, mixed in with last weeks’ news that is quickly forgotten.

Fortunately for me, I had a wonderful opportunity in Chicago, to see a great collection of real prints, and meet many of the real, and wonderful people that created them. I’m not really big into name dropping, so, all of you, (if any of you read this) know who you are, and It was a pleasure.. Some old friends I’ve not seen in years a few years, and a great opportunity to make some new friends, that I hope to work with and/or see again in the near future.

So, Chicago, what was this about?

A get away, a nonstop (for me) shoot-athon with great models at incredible locations, mixed in with a gallery show, and a trip to a cool restaurant…

First the Restaurants.. Ok. I’ve got to plug these.. MOTO and OTOM.. I find it ironic someone related to me, even distantly, would take two restaurants, place them side by side, and then name one backwards of the other. .imagine that… totally random coincidence, my favorite kind.

The best dining experience of my life, hands down, get reservations in advance, save your pennies, and ready yourself for incredible experience in either restaurant.

So, the rest of the stories, and the photos, I’m going to hold off, that is until I see where they may end up in print. More on that as I know more.

In the Meantime, ever wondered what fixer smells like?

I could not tell you what fixer tastes like, but with a high degree of certainty, I can tell you the contents of this wine bottle does smell like fixer. Iwould not recommend consumption of contents as a Pinot, and I certainly would not trust my film to it either.

Besides, as Linwould tell you, drinking fixer is bad for you.

time off work means I can catch up on film…..

Lela, helping me burn a roll of Neopan on a Weds. night..

Not sure if this is my last shoot of the year or not..

but, if it is. what a way to end on an up note.. Thanks Amanda.

1700 your grain, had us puzzled for a moment, and my only thought was my grain starts at 1600, not 1700. After reading it all the way thru in the dimly lit overhang, the shorthand of farmers dawned on me. All of us, in the matters near and dear to us, often talk in shorthand, abreviated script, and assume those around us know the rest of the story.

Sycamore, Ohio. I’ve tried before to shoot the square white grain elevator at the other side of the intersection, but never before wandered around the sem-abandoned offices.

This is one of the areas longest running and most fun costume parties..

and for 10 bucks at the door. . open bar. .not a bad deal at all!

hope to see you there

I love it.. I really do..

but sometimes.. It’s hard. to sit on a bunch of digitals, waiting for the time I can look at some film prints.

The contacts are made, a couple of finished prints are drying on the racks as I type.

Heres one I didnt get on film, or get right. not sure which.. but been sitting on this for about 3-4 weeks, waiting for the day I can see if the film print exists, and if so, is it better?

Brooke Lynne, from her recent travels thru the area..

We can see the big white houses, yeah, and the docks
And we can jump in the lake, don’t know if the water or sky is clearer
But I know that I love the rain the most when it stops

No more grey today, we gonna celebrate
You know Miss Sunshine, she starts to paint a perfect picture of this parade
And I know that I love the rain the most when it stops

The dark waves, they start singing together
I can’t believe this change in the weather
I start to hum a child’s rhyme
And all these boats, they start rocking in time
And I love the rain the most when it stops

The summer is coming to an end
We ain’t gonna let that slow us down one bit
Til that sunset will start to fade
They’re gonna drag us screaming from these old banks

I think you’ve had a little too much too drink
Let me help with that
Don’t forget to tie the boat up
Not that way, no it’s a bowline, like that….

Paraphrased from Joe Purdy, and about how the last weekend went (If you care to listen below it’s embedded).. Last Races of the year, and as soon as we set foot on the island, it started raining, and didnt stop for almost 36 hours straight.

Once again fall bay afirms my love of the sport, and know, those memories will have to tide me thru the winter. It’s the only sport I know where you go out.. Race hard, challenge the other crews, trash talk a bit, and then. .when it’s over.. Go on and party with them. That’s pretty typical, and this time, we pretty muched lived together for three days with our main competition.. Damn it. wanted to beat him, and his boat load of rockstars just once this year.. Almost did.. but, I got greedy, and cut too close to an island with tall trees blocking the wind, watching them sail just outside the windshadow, and past us.. Ah well, always next year… right?

right.. Except. a new outboard motor is in store for me.. The old one.. decided to get cantankerous on the 20+ mile ride home.. the wind died (shortly after you called David), the motor ran fine, for 5 miles or so, then dead.. Overheat (water pump again)? bad gas? bad fuel line (again)? cracked power pack (again)? don’t know for sure, but I’m tired of it. Johnson/Evinrude, you suck, and I will never buy one of your hodge podge motors again. you need both metric AND U.S. Wrenches for the thing. Use to be a darn good brand, quality gutted in the name of increased profits. I truly hope the shareholders enjoyed the increased profit margin of THAT motor, because, they get zero from the next motor I buy. Let the free market reward their inferior products, and search for short term profits accordingly.

Sidenote, I am not the only one that use to go with only Johnson, or even Mercury, but are now looking at Suzuki, Yamaha, or Tohatsu/Nissan outboards. Spotting a trend here?

Basically the same thing that happened four seasons ago, and I’ve had enough. Time to go buy new. That bundle of trouble strapped to the back of the boat turned a 4 hour slightly chilly (but fun) last cruise of the year into a hypothermic 10 hour hell. As the sun went down, we were left with the reallization.. No wind, it’s warmer, but we dont move. Enough wind to go anywhere, and it just tore thru all the layers of sweaters, coats and foul weather gear. It’s amazing how cold 35 degrees F feels when you’re 5 miles from shore..

That last 20 miles of the year.. I’m sure St Lawrence was spitting at almost the whole way..Listen to that too if you like, below.

So, all that’s left is to pull the boat, store the old gal for winter, and spend some of the dark months in my studio, and my darkroom…