Experimental Portraits

As I work on creating an experimental portrait, I thought I would share a few of my favorite experimental portraits created by various other artists.

Acid Rain by ViaMoi

Virgin by Rossina Bossio Bossa

One Day I Tried toSnort Coke by Andres Castaneda

Pocket-Sized Professional Photography

Photography has come a long way since we discovered how to catch a moment in time. High quality SLR cameras have made the transition from film to digital over the last decade, allowing the every day soccer mom to catch her baby scoring the winning goal with ease. The only thing wrong with present day SLR cameras is the size. I have been waiting for a sleeker alternative with similar quality since I have picked up a camera.

That day has finally come! Over the last few months, companies such as Panasonic, Sony, & Olympus have released pocket sized SLR cameras, adding an entire new line to the camera world. These cameras all have interchangeable lenses and impecable quality. The photography enthusiast can finally get point and shoot and quality of an SLR in the size of a point and shoot. The current market prices look very similar to the regular SLR lines ($500 - 6300).

The only downfall to these cameras are that they are not 'true SLR' cameras. While SLR cameras allow the photographer to look straight through the lens, composing the shot perfectly, these compact SLR's do not.

Although not perfect, these last few months have been a huge step in downsizing SLR cameras. 

Current compact SLR cameras on the market:

Panasonic Lumix LX5

Sony Alpha NEX-5

FujiFilm FinePix X100

Olympus E-P1

Leica M8

Cindy Sherman: The art of the Film Still

As I take these next few weeks to recreate a film still, it is only fitting to include Cindy Sherman in my blog. Cindy Sherman is photographer, film director, and actress that is best known for her collection of untitled film stills.

                  Sherman Film Still #3                                           Sherman Film Still #5

The collection consists of 69 black and white film stills, which were acquired by the Museum of Modern Art in 1995. The first six pictures of the collection were taken in 1977 with one premise in mind: "fan-magazine glimpses into the life (or roles) of an imaginary blonde actress, played by Sherman herself" (Museum of Modern Art). The photographs closely resemble many of the paparazzi publicity shots society drools over today. Sherman based her stills around the celebrity persona that society had created. Sherman finished the collection in 1980 when she ran out of cliches.

                         Sherman Film Still #35                    Sherman Film Still #14

Resources:
MoMa

A History of Celebrities

Celebrities have been a major part of culture for thousands of years, but the celebrity image has drastically changed. Long ago, the biggest celebrities were monarchs or war heroes. A political accomplishment was the easiest way of gain fame.

The earliest celebrities that come the closest to those of today were those of the Greek times. Olympic athletes were given the star treatment. According to Dr. Hans van Wees, a professor at University College London, athletes "were not only widely talked about, but were given the equivalent of red-carpet treatment.
These athletes were given life-long free meals and hymns of praise performed by famous poets in their honor. This type of treatment is very similar to the pampering many celebrities are given today.

Celebrities have been given the "star treatment" since the beginning; however, it has only been recently where society has exploited them. Over the last few decades, society has not only built up celebrities, but torn them down as well. One of the most recent examples is Britney Spears.

A celebrity that had everything, slowly broke under the constant watchful eye of the public. Celebrities have become figures that we all look up to, but at the same time, love to see fail. The way we see celebrities has come a long way since the time of the Romans and Greeks, but their god-like treatment still continues.
Sources:
BBC

The Beer that Sings

Tuned Pale Ale (TPA) is one of the most impressive package designs that I have seen in recent memory.



Each bottle is labeled with music notes. This allow you to drink down to the desired note and play it by blowing into the top of the bottle. Even the box can be used as an instrument. The bottom of the box is labeled with six different squares, each of which produce a different tone when hit.

This musical beer has yet to be produced and distributed. TPA is currently searching for a larger beer distributor to take on the product. Hopefully, this product will be making it's way to shelves soon. This innovative packaging will flood through colleges sometime in the near future.

If you would like anymore information about Tuned Pale Ale or the creator, visit the website above.

Crocs Get Classy

I have been the biggest croc boycotter since the rubber gardening shoes were created. They are extremely useful, but I could never get past their atrocious styling and design. However, the day has come where I may slip my feet into a shoe very similar to crocs. 

Native Shoes has just released a fall line of shoes that are made out of a similar material as crocs. The one difference is that these shoes are shaped like some of the most iconic shoes in recent memory. You can finally rock your chuck taylor's or vans in the rain without worrying that they'l be ruined. Native's Shoe's Fall line consists of four styles and almost any color imaginable.

Native Shoes can be found at most Journeys shoe stores. 

Day One: Intro to Design

What better way to start a blog about design than with a little background information?

Although design started thousands of years ago with early egyptian and roman architecture, Design has only been a profession for about 100 years. Design was given it's birth as an occupation through the German fine arts school, Bauhaus.

Design can be broken up into three categories:

Product Design (computers, cars, packaging, etc.)

Architecture (the oldest type of design.)

Fashion Design (clothing, jewelry, shoes, etc.)

Over the next few months, I'll be keeping reader's informed about the most interesting design news that I come across through my research and every day life.