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Grant's Rant
Daily Ink
Stored in: Photography News
Posted On: April 29 2008
By: Brittney Bush
In a blog entry posted today, Grant Alden, Co-Editor and Art Director of No Depression magazine, discusses both mental and physical aspects of the magazine's design process. He speaks mostly about No Depression's current (and final) issue, but also inserts older stories from the magazine's thirteen-year run. Though the entire article is an interesting read, most relevant to Utata are Alden's descriptions of how he works with photographers:
I tend to be a pretty laissez faire art director, by which I mean that I hire from a small pool of photographers whose innate sensibilities I trust, who understand both the music and the magazine, and who appreciate the fact that I don't tell them what to do. My belief has always been that we don't pay enough to micromanage shoots (nor had we funds for me to be physically present at shoots, and on those few occasions when I was around I felt singularly useless). And I don't put type on photos, save for the opening spreads and the minimal type placed on the cover. Good photos don't need words to dress them up, and I've been fortunate to work with some terrific photographers over these last years. And it's more fun for me to take their photos and figure out how to work headlines and text around them, than to play it the other way.
As this is one of Alden's final descriptions of life at No Depression, the piece, though posted on a blog titled Grant's Rants, is mostly a combination memoir and lament. He issues several apologies:for retouching photos badly, for choosing the wrong images to publish, for hiring photographers and then not using their shots. I've never worked at a magazine, and therefore have no idea how No Depression's editing environment compares to most. But reading Alden's essay, one can dream of a sort of art direction utopia, where photographers and magazine staff work in perfect artistic harmony, and can walk away with the sense that once, fleetingly, it almost, almost happened.
Stuff You Want
Stored in: Swag
Posted On: April 24 2008
By: Brittney Bush
Photo © drewdevereaux
I've been working on my photo swag list for a while, and this one's a good one. Thanks to many taxing hours SELFLESSLY combing the internet for goodies, I can now help you outfit yourself in photo-related gear from head to toe. Well, from wrist to neck anyway:
- First up is this awesome photo cuff bracelet from ShanaLogic. Gone are the days when favorite photos must languish in the dark of your wallet - wear your pets / grandkids / portfolio on your wrist! The cuffs actually come in several styles, from manly brown "leather" to ooh shiny! silver glitter.
- I found these this morning, and they are quite possibly the coolest thing I've ever seen: aperture ring bracelets by re:vision. If they weren't rather steep, I'd buy a wristful and wear them like bangles.
- Bright, cheerful, and only $12, this No Star tee will definitely make you "Smile."
- If you prefer your apparel a little edgier, opt for the Ghost Cameras tshirt from Oddica. They won't even ask for your soul. (Probably.)
- Remember when you and six of your giggliest friends squeezed into a photobooth, creating a four-panel strip of boundless joy? Now you can squeeze one of those photos into Fred Flare's photobooth frame necklace and carry happy times with you wherever you go.
- Finally, night comes and you have to put your photo swag back in the jewelry box, or into the laundry hamper. But fear not! You are not doomed to a camera-less night: rest your head on this very cool Rolleiflex pillowcase and dream richly detailed medium format dreams all night long.
1 comments on this Ink
On April 25, 2008, Esther Perez said ...
one of each, please. :)
Inkterview: Beyond the Sparkle
Stored in: Projects
Posted On: April 10 2008
By: Brittney Bush
Photo © beyondthesparkle
On the second anniversary of Utata's Thursday Walks, I present a conversation with Utatan beyondthesparkle, whose Thursday-morning restlessness - and open invitation to join her in indulging it - started Utata off on the Thursday Walking, err, path.
Your words, "I'm going for a walk tomorrow. I really am and no one can stop me," were the impetus for the first Thursday Walk. How has it felt to watch your personal whim grow into what is, basically, Utata's flagship project?
I never ever figured that this project would have stuck as it has. It's beautiful. Heart warming. It's turned this big world into something personal and touching... even if it is just one day a week.
What do you remember about that first walk? Where did you go? What did you see?
I remember the first walk clearly. Sunny. Warm. And I was feeling a bit alone. Even though I had my beautiful daughter keeping me company, and another daughter on the way....I had hoped for peers... photograhers... to share in my passion for finding the sparkle in the daily humdrum. I was new to the area I was living in and everything seemed boring around me. A fellow Utatan told me... stop focusing on the boring... focus on perspective. And that's what motivated me. Perspective is so very important. And then the thought of going for a collaborative walk with my Utatan family came to mind. Capturing the world in all it's beautiful bits and pieces and bringing it back together to make something complete... whole... magnificent... united.
I walked along a four lane road. Traffic. Noise. Bumpy sidewalk. Pushing a stroller. Very pregnant.
But more than that... it was the start to rediscovering my surroundings. Seeing what I had previously not seen. Finding myself all over again.
I ended up at a pond. And stood there dazzled by the reflections the water held. I realized that that pond would reflect something new each day. Something different. The water wouldn't be exactly the same. The sky is ever changing.
I try to look at life like that now. To look for the new, the change, the difference. To find comfort in what you know and learn and cherish the opportunities for change and growth.
Are there any other Thursday Walks you've taken that particularly stick out in your mind? What is your favorite of all of your Thursday Walk photos?
I couldn't say any particular Thursday Walk stands out... they are all special... because of what everyone brings to it collectively. The same goes for a particular photo. Each photo is gorgeous in it's own right as it represents a fragment of someone's life being captured. A moment when someone stopped time and gave it to every other Utatan to share. And as a project... well, all together, it's simply magical..
Why do you think the Thursday Walk series has been so popular?
I think the Thursday Walk series has been so popular simply for the fact that it does make the world a wee bit smaller. It does make one feel that they have company. That they are part of something bigger than their own existence. That what they bring to the project matters - because it does.
Will you walk this week? Where will you go?
I am going to participate this week. You bet. I haven't been able to participate in the past as much as I'd like, but I always think of it even if my camera isn't in hand.
Where will I go? I never decide that ahead of time. Half the fun is letting the moment lead you... letting your camera find your path... and just soaking up the beauty as you go.
9 comments on this Ink
On April 10, 2008, Greg Fallis said ...
This is wonderful. Thanks to Brittney for doing the interview and to Beyond the Sparkle for giving it. The Thursday Walks really are one of the things that makes Utata a multinational tribe.
On April 10, 2008, Patrick Lentz said ...
What a treat! Thanks Brittney for letting us know the origins of the Thursday Walk and thanks to our fellow Utatan BeyondtheSparkle for giving birth to this now 2 year old walking toddler! :o)
On April 10, 2008, Phillip Chee said ...
Indeed, Rain has made Thursdays something of a memory minder: bring the camera to work. I have done that every Thursday for the last two years.
On April 10, 2008, Rain ~ Beyond the Sparkle said ...
It was an honor to be interviewed... thank you!
On April 10, 2008, Rain ~ Beyond the Sparkle said ...
OOps... Inkterviewed :)
On April 11, 2008, Meera Sethi said ...
Aw! Thanks for a great Ink, and thanks for the inspiration, Beyond the Sparkle!
I walked today! I didn't have time to upload, but I walked and I will share. Happy anniversary, folks!
On April 11, 2008, axel stevens said ...
I am inspired by what I have seen looking at "the thursday walks" and yesterday - april 10th - I had my first walk.It felt good !
On April 11, 2008, axel stevens said ...
I am inspired by what I've seen, looking at "The thursday walks".Yesterday - april 10th - I had my first walk.It felt good !
On April 12, 2008, Pam Ullman said ...
This is such a great example of what I love about Utata. I'll be thinking of Beyond the Sparkle, in particular, on my next Thursday Walk.
