It’s A Tough Job! Really It Is!
It’s a tough job, but everyday I try to do my best, even under the most stressful of circumstances. So who else wants to be in front of my cameras in one of my photo shoots? Send me a note!
Rocky! Rocky! Rocky!
My buddy Rocky Randall when we did a publicity photo shoot for her. This was one of those times when we got her off her Harley so people could see what she looks like when singing in clubs around the town. You could have also seen Rocky in many famous television series instead of now when you find her on a boat in San Diego Harbor. Always doing good!
“War Photographers Pass” – Donald H. Cravens
This is something you certainly won’t see everyday. A War World II “War Photographer’s Pass” issued to Donald H. Cravens. I photographed this yesterday at a showing of the photographs of Don Craven at the Walter N. Marks Center for the Arts at College of the Desert in Palm Desert California.
Don Cravens was in the first cinematography class at USC when World War II began and he enlisted as a combat cinematographer. Don was there at the attempted assassination of French President Charles De Gaulle. He was in the D-Day Invasion of Normandy and on the front lines thereafter with a motion picture camera and a pistol.
After the war as a photographer he was assigned to cover many of the most historical events over years including the Nuremberg War Crime Trials through the Civil Rights Movement. Indeed some of the most often seen photographs of the times were shot by Don Cravens.
Don Cravens went on to cover the assassination of President John F. Kennedy and other tragedies of those years finally moving to Beverly Hills and photographing movie and music stars and personalities of the 1960’s.
He has been awarded two Purple Hearts and in 2007 the French Medal of Liberty – the Legion d’Honneur for his war service.
An exhibit of photographs from a man who witnessed and recorded some of the most profound moments of history. Very happy I went to see it and learn more about the man.
Celebrating Bodybuilder Gunter Schlierkamp
Celebrating Gunter Schlierkamp my photographs of him are among those being featured on Stars of Bodybuilding this week. Check it out! This is one of my photographs from pre-judging at the 2006 Olympia in Las Vegas. Thanks!
All Eyes On Cara…
One magazine publisher said to me “I hate it when Cara is around because I can’t see anything else but her”. Another photographer said “From now on when I dream, I am going to dream of Cara”. Another model said to me once “She doesn’t walk into a room, she sweeps into the room and all eyes just follow her”. My good friend Cara Jo Basso in front of my camera at Muscle Beach/Venice. One of the most very special, creative, beautiful and talented people I have ever known.
Sherry Goggin, A Great Reason To Go To The Arnold!
Are you going to the Arnold Sports Festival in Columbus Ohio starting Thursday? Go see my good friend Sherry Goggin and have her autograph a poster for you from our photo shoot. You will find her at the ANSI booth at the huge Expo! There is a good reason to go!
My Three Point Guide To Taking Great Photographs…
My three point guide to taking great photographs… 1. Have Maria Bertrand stand in front of your camera. 2. Point camera at her. 3. Push button. Ok now, who is next to try this with me?
Nothing Bad About That!
What does lifting in the gym do? It can make you powerful and confident, it can make you looking good and sexy. Nothing bad about that! Jessica Jacobsen is all that and a great trainer. Always looks outstanding for my cameras and always fun. Working out does more than just your body good!
Ready for my cameras? Have some fun ideas? I am kind of like the gym, I can make you look good too! Send me a note and let’s talk about it!
“Pucci Girl” Modernism
“Pucci Girl” what a wonderful way to close out Modernism Week here in Palm Springs. A photograph I shot on the opening night of the Fine Art Fair of this wonderful painting by Sherry Wolf represented by Imago Galleries. To me “Pucci Girl” represents the great fun of Modernism, the look of the 1960’s Go Go women, the colors, the music. By the way, Emilio Pucci was a clothing designer who very much created the iconic look of the time. If any of you want to do a 1960’s sexy edgy photo shoot with me, let me know!
1940 Mercury Eight
A 1940 Mercury Eight convertible at today’s Vintage Travel Trailer Show in Palm Springs for Modernism Week. “The Mercury Eight was the first model of the Ford Motor Company’s Mercury marque and was produced from the 1939 through the 1951 model years.” “By the end of 1940 Mercury could run with the headline “It’s made 150,000 owners change cars!”
Edgy Like I LIke…
Something I might think of photographing for an edgy editorial shoot. A model on her knees perhaps lost in a more pleasurable thought or place. Somewhat erotic while still being fully dressed.
But no! My photograph of the hyper realistic art of Marc Sijan. Life size sculpture indistinguishable from a model I might actually have before the camera. Amazing imagination and talent!
Photographed on opening night at the Fine Arts Fair in Palm Springs for Modernism Week.
Photographs I Have Shot In Gyms Around The World
It is so fun to see photographs I have shot hanging in the gym where they put in the work. Tina Chandler Ifbb Pro in Iron City Gym Hardcore. Actually people have sent me photographs I have shot of them hanging in gyms around the world. Very Cool!
The 1st Mr. Natural Olympia
Another look at my good friend John Hansen. John was the first Mr. Natural Olympia and twice Natural Mr. Universe. Writer for Iron Man Magazine and author of “Natural Bodybuilding”. A great guy to really know! From our photo shoot…
“Danger Diabolik”
Marisa Mel in the 1968 French-Italian cult action film “Danger Diabolik”. Running last night at Design 849 for their Mad Mod Moderno party last night including pop-art works by Izayah based on the 60’s “Diabolik” comic books. Absolutely a great time! And YES I love this dress. Who wants to wear one like that in front of my cameras?
It’s A Go Go!
A Go Go Dancer working it! In the front window at Design 849 in Palm Springs for Modernism Week. What a fun place last night!
Legendary Bodybuilder Bill Grant…
My good friend Bill Grant featured on the Stars of Bodybuilding in one of my photographs.
Legendary bodybuilder Bill Grant being inducted into the Muscle Beach Hall Of Fame on July 4, 2006 at world famous Muscle Beach at Venice Beach California.
Too Much Fun For Me!
Too much fun for me! Carrying a camera around I get to photograph the photographers shooting at so many events going on here in Palm Springs during Modernism Week. And in this case a photographer who looks really good in front of a camera too. Sandra Baroni at Gallery 446.
Is That Madonna?
“Is that Madonna?” is the question I keep hearing! I recently did this photo shoot with a truly extraordinary Heidi Cannon Wbff Pro. I must tell you that Heidi was just amazing and it was a wonderful photo shoot!
I liked this photograph from the shoot so very much that I made it my business card. The first time I have changed the photograph on my business card in almost eight years, and Heidi replaced Phil Heath!
So now as I hand them at in my travels, I get asked all the time, including last night at a gallery opening “Is that Madonna?”. I think that’s fun! Very Fun!
Reflections of “Driven” by Eric Nash
A reflection within a reflection within a reflection… At the opening last night of “Driven” “Drawings and Paintings of the Road” by Eric Nash at the Stephen Archdeacon Gallery in Palm Springs. Wonderful works attended by a wonderful group of people. And to quote… “Feral Car Show by Matthew Reader” “Hosted by Billy F Gibbons and WWW. FERALCARS.COM. Also wonderful Tequila from Pura Vida Tequila Company. Thank You to Sara Abbas for being my Tequila tour guide. I like it!
“Mystery Of The Double Cross”
At first it seems like just kind of a cool old movie poster. But it turns out that it is for the only complete series of episodes of silent action films still in existence. The “Mystery Of The Double Cross” was released in 15 weekly chapters beginning on March 18, 1917. It is almost coming up on 100 years ago!
To quote from the Wiki about the plot… “Peter Hale (Leon Bary) is returning to America from overseas via steamship to receive his inheritance. On board, he receives a telegram warning him to beware the Double Cross. He doesn’t know what it means, until he becomes enamored of a mysterious woman occupying cabin no.7. When a submarine is sighted, there is panic on shipboard. Peter and the mysterious woman are thrown together, and in the ensuing action, he sees a double cross symbol on her right arm, just below the shoulder. When the ship arrives in New York, Peter loses track of the woman.”
Photographed the other day at the Palm Springs Modernism Week Fine Art Fair.
Cafe Or Restrooms?
It was great fun to go to the opening night “VIP” party for the Palm Springs Modernism Week Fine Art Fair. Lots to look at, 3500 great looking and interesting people. Complimentary wine and beverages and full bars. But somehow I do not think, no matter how much I might drink, that I might get one confused for the other.
Her Gaze Met Mine…
As soon as her gaze met mine I knew I was destined to be behind the wheel of this 1958 Lincoln Continental and driving off to travel the California coast. At the vintage auto show for Palm Springs Modernism Week yesterday. Anybody else want to jump in my car with my camera in hand?
1950 Pontiac Catalina
A 1950 Pontiac Catalina today at the vintage car show for Palm Springs Modernism Week.
“Attack Of The 50 Ft. Woman”
I want one! A wall size poster from the 1958 cult movie hit “Attack Of The 50 Ft. Woman”.
This was inside one of the pre-fab homes at Palm Springs Modernism Week. And it fills an entire wall. Very Fun!
SecondFocus Blog 