Throw me a friggin bone...

So In October of 2007  I started this blog. The biggest reason for doing this was I figured it could drive some traffic to my Pittsburgh Photographer website, www.markbolster.com.

However, it has been fun writing about things that I might not normally discuss and showing images that might not make it on my photography portfolio website.  The hardest part is just keeping up on a daily basis while I'm trying to get work done for my photography business.

My dilemma is this...is there anyone out there in cyberspace that is actually reading this blog?? So far I have had a grand total of 2 comments. Not even from any family members!  If you stumbled upon this site PLEASE leave me a comment. Good, bad, indifferent. I don't care. I'm lonely. I need to feel the love. Do it today knowing you have made me feel better about myself.
Do it often. Let me know what you'd like to see or discuss. I'm doing this because I enjoy talking photography.

If you have any questions about the photography business in Pittsburgh, or just want to talk tech stuff, I'd be happy to give my two centavos.

Speaking of plastic camera photography...

Those crazy hipster kids, Meg and Jack White from the White Stripes have joined up with the LOMOGRAPHY website which is now selling "limited edition" sets of the Meg White Diana camera and Jack White Holga.  The Meg White version comes with a "ring flash", funky spiral red color filter, fancy packaging, and a photo book of Diana images.  All for $180.00.  If this sounds like way too much money for the Chinese camera that sold for about $5.00 in the 60's you're probably right.  But I guess that is the cost of having company with rich rock stars....

The website is currently selling new, "plain jane" Diana's for $50.00.  And no...the optics aren't any better on the more expensive camera.  If you are looking for optical quality, then you simply don't understand the zen of plastic cameras.

I've always been partial to the Diana instead of the Holga.  The Holga almost seems too "sharp" to me.  If you find an original Diana for sale, make sure that it will take 120 film, since many were manufactured to take 620 film which is no longer produced.  For you digital people who vowed never to shoot with film again, there is always the Lens Baby, which unfortunately is getting more expensive and sharper which goes against everything I love about plastic cameras.

New showing of New York Diana camera images

Good to be back writing...I've been extremely busy the last 3 weeks working on the King Pharmaceuticals annual report and traveling pretty heavy.  The shoot went well and the design of the annual by Taylor and Ives, from New York is really clean and I think one of the better books we've done yet.  The shoot was special because I've been working with senior designer, Trevor Paccione, for a number of years on this project, but yet had never had the opportunity to actually meet him in person.  Art direction was done by way of comps and pdf's.  Trevor went to all the sessions, and it was helpful having an extra set of eyes on the set and his suggestions were almost always spot on.  It is great working with an experienced designer who knows the pitfalls of corporate photography and understands the politics and people who are involved.

Having the designer travel and visit the facilities that I shoot in is also positive, in that he learned more about what I'm up against logistically scouting for fresh shooting environments.

Saturday, Feb. 9  The Bellevue Barbershop will be having another creative night party. Featured will be my toned, black and white Diana camera photos of New York City.  The photos are street photography in the purest form.  Subject matter is the streets of Manhattan and  Coney Island.

Aaron Stubna, owner of the shop works hard to promote local artists and promotes Bellevue

as the next upcoming hot neighborhood.  Try to stop by Saturday evening for some vino, food, music, and good conversation in a very unique setting for a photo show.  Be sure to say hello to me!

The images shown are part of the show.  If you can't make it to the show, you can see the images here: Diana Camera

Winter Light, Oxford Center- 2007

No story, just a picture today. The towers remind me of a graph chart that shows what the stock market has been doing as of late....:-(
Been busy shooting and working on the King Pharmaceuticals annual report. I'll have more to write when I get some free time. Stay warm!

Couple of landscapes to start the New Year...

I hope everyone had a fun holiday! I've hit the ground running after the break and have been quite busy. Sales of the book,
Pittsburgh: A Photographic Portrait are still going strong. Annual report season is in swing, and I have estimates out on a couple of really interesting projects that I can't give details on yet.

My gallery show from the book is currently hanging at The Vault coffee shop at in Brighton Heights. Stop by for the best expresso in town and take a look at the photos. I'll be doing a separate article on this blog with some pictures of the Vault in the near future, so stay tuned.

Thanks Bellevue Barbershop!

Aaron Stubna, owner of the Bellevue Barbershop had a nice art gallery show and party last night in his shop. Included in the artists, were prints from my book, Pittsburgh: A Photographic Portrait. Aaron has worked hard helping to promote local artists and bringing business to downtown Bellevue. It was a pleasure to show work in his shop and I wish him luck as he is one of the people the Pittsburgh URA is looking at to rehab the Garden Theatre in the Mexican War Street area. Aaron has great plans for the old theatre and I'm sure he'd work hard at taking on the task. Thanks again Aaron!

Merry Christmas, 2007

I hope everyone has a great holiday season! I'm planning on getting a lot of reading done. I'm currently reading, Boom! by Tom Brokaw. It is a great historical read if you are interested in how the sixties has shaped our present culture and society. I'm looking forward to getting some other books finished and maybe figuring out how to play their new Guitar Hero 3. My kids think I'm a total klutz, and I think they are probably right...I don't get how anyone gets those video games to work for them. Obviously I was born missing that video game gene...Will be attending a high school basketball tournament this week as well, which, I dare say...enjoy even more than Steeler football!

Book sales for Pittsburgh: A Photographic Portrait are going VERY strong. If you can't
find any at your local Borders or Barnes and Noble, I still have print/book packages available directly from me.

The Christmas tree photo was taken near Boise, Idaho a few years ago. The tree is safe from vandals unless it gets hit by a plane :-)

I'll post some new stuff at the start of 2008...Be safe...

Cohibas and cocktails,
Mark