The Stickers CD cover

Just finished editing environmental portraits of, The Stickers, for their upcoming CD cover. The guys were great to work, talented musicians, and just plain fun to be around. I look forward to hearing their new music which is in the process of being mastered in Memphis right now. Thanks Rachel Geary, for your hard work and styling!

Rest In Peace Harry Burns

Harry was an awesome instructor that taught me at the Art Institute of Pittsburgh where I studied photography from 1976-1978.  I recently learned of Harry's passing and am sad about loosing a truly great educator.  From Harry's classes I learned a great deal about color theory, composition and color psychology.  Lessons that I still draw from on a daily basis in my career.

My favorite class was every Friday when we brought our assignments in, hung them up on a board, and then class critique would start.  It was brutal.  Sometimes not very nice.  Sometimes a huge lift to the ego.  But it was always honest and fair, and Harry kept it that way.  He knew we would be leaving soon and the real world would be a lot tougher on us than academia.  His "hippy" demeanor and soft spoken words seemed a little dated at the time, but his words were always thought out and mentoring in his own way.  Later in his career he took up travel with a gusto, and traveled all over the world photographing his trips with passion and interest for the world of man.  Harry also was one of the few instructors that I had who really cared about his students after they left school and on numerous occasions he would call me to ask advice, refer an assistant, or to just say "nice job" on something I had been working on.  Photo students have a lost a true friend and educator.

I've posted a foggy picture again today, because that is how I'm feeling...Shooting later today at Federated Investors, so I guess I'd better get "un-fogged" quickly...

Foggy Photo

Rosh Sillars Lecture, Wednesday Night

Pittsburgh ASMP chapter is sponsoring a lecture on March 25th at 6PM with internet social networking expert, Rosh Sillars.  The lecture is open to the public and I have a feeling it should be very interesting.  As of late, I have been spending a large amount of time blogging, Facebooking, networking on LinkedIn and web browsing in general as an attempt to increase my photo assignments and re-connect with former clients, art directors, designers and long lost art school buddies.  It has been fun, exhausting, and interesting all at the same time.  I do have a fear that I may spend too much time doing this, but when you can't get clients to pick up their phone when you call, you have to shift to "Plan B".  I heard last week on a radio news show that for the first time in history, more people are logging on to the internet to check their social sites than are users logging on to check their email.  I'm looking forward to seeing what he has to say and meeting up with fellow Pittsburgh photographers.  Hope to see you there!

Bad News for Photographers

This information has been brewing on the pro photo forums for the past couple of days, and

it is VERY disturbing.  Ad agency giant, OMNICOM, now thinks that photographers should happily take all the risk for not getting paid by THEIR clients, like GM and who knows who else?

There aren't any photographers that I know of who can produce an auto shoot without an advance for at LEAST the expenses which can run into hundreds of thousand dollars depending on the complexity of the shoot.  This practice almost assures photographers working under these conditions will have a strong possibility of financial ruin.  It has become very apparent that much of corporate America does not believe in fiscal responsibility (see AIG...)  I urge all photographers to start demanding cash advances on ALL jobs and not just larger ones.  We simply can no longer afford to work as we have in the past.  Here is ASMP Executive Director, Gene Mopsiks view on this mess: ASMP STATEMENT

Joseph's Lane, 7:23

Go Green for Our Furry Friends...

Here is a great place to get rid of all your outdated electronic gadgets and at the same time help out the Western Pennsylvania Humane Society.  I rate this idea "4 Paws Up"!  (be sure to click on poster to see it large enough to read)

McKees Rocks Bridge

This image of the McKees Rocks Bridge was licensed for set decoration on the television series, The Guardian, starring Simon Baker.  The image hung on the wall in Dabney Coleman's office.  The original image was shot on Fujichrome Velvia, but I scanned and processed the image as a sepia toned image and did select diffusion on it as well for a more dreamy look.

Closed For the Season

A little landscape photography shot this winter at Moraine State Park.  The image is called,

"Closed For the Season" which was taken from the sign attached to the restroom.  With the temps in the 70's today, summer cannot come quick enough for me!

Some Pittsburgh Beauty Photography

I think I'll start posting more pictures and writing less.  The former is what I'm better at anyway!

I worked with Pittsburgh makeup artist Patty Bell and hair stylist Sandee Scott to create these images.  They both worked incredibly hard and I love the creative energy that surrounds us when we all work together.  Enjoy the day!

Panoramic photo of Pittsburgh

This was shot on a foggy morning for my book, Pittsburgh: A Photographic Portrait. It didn't make it, but one that was warmer and showed the sun did. It was an amazing sight to see!

Becoming More Social on the Internet

It seems like lately anytime I start writing for my blog, it begins something like this:  "sorry I haven't written anything or added to the blog....".  Unfortunately, this entry isn't a whole lot different.  One of the reasons for my lack of white noise here has been that I have put some recent energy into my LinkedIn and Facebook pages.  They are both quite different from each other.  LinkedIn is far more professional and has been a nice tool to help me keep track of old clients, future clients and fellow professionals.   Facebook is more for friends and family and old college chums that like to re-live the good old days.  Both have their place and I've really enjoyed the instant feedback that you get on those types of forums v. the Blog where sometimes I think I'm just talking to myself!  I will keep posting on occasion here when I think I've got something interesting to talk about or show.  I hope if you are a regular reader here, that you'll stop by on my LinkedIn page or Facebook page, check out my profile, and make me a "friend" or "connection".  I'd love to hear from you! 

Since I've been trying hard to eat a little healthier lately and shed some pounds, I was inspired by this panoramic photo I shot some time ago...Enjoy the day!

Mark