CAMBA - Day 10

Again, catching up, I had another day shooting for my pro-bono project for the Brooklyn based non-for-profit, CAMBA.
The project brought me back to Borough Hall to once again photograph Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz. I'd never been in Marty's office before, so I was thrilled to find that it's like an explosion of Brooklyn memorabilia, as you can see in the photo below.
I also photographed CAMBA's Chief Investment Officer, Rang Ngo, on the roof of their Flatbush headquarter.

Elizabeth Genco

To continue catching up - On a cold December afternoon in Prospect Park, I did a promo shoot with "Writer, Entepreneur, Mrs. Purvis, Goddess-In-Residence, Agent of Transformation," Elizabeth Genco.
I just recently read and enjoyed Elizabeth's latest book, Blue. Also check out her work in the anthologies, No Formula: The Stories From the Chemistry Set, and Comic Book Tattoo Tales Inspired by Tori Amos.

Graphic NYC site launches today

I spent the holidays working with my collaborator, writer Christopher Irving readying the website for our project, GRAPHIC NYC, for launch today (see below). We've been working on this project for nearly a year, and now we are ready to share it.

Please pass along to anyone you think might be interested, and check back often, as we'll be updating regularly.

www.nycgraphicnovelists.com










Graphic NYC site launches today

This Tuesday, January 6th, photographer Seth Kushner (The Brooklynites) and comic book journalist/historian Christopher Irving (Comic Book Artist Magazine Associate Editor) join forces to introduce a new brand of comics journalism, with www.NycGraphicNovelists.com.
The site is a preview of the work that Seth and Christopher are doing for Graphic NYC, their photo-essay book that combines Seth’s photos with Christopher’s in-depth interview based essays on New York cartoonists.
“I consider Graphic NYC, the upcoming book project that www.NycGraphicNovelists.com is based off of, to be a kind of ‘New Comics Journalism’, combining New Journalism with comics history, and Seth’s lush photography. I’ve been ready to bring a little something new to comics journalism for a while, and this is it.”
Graphic NYC not only features conceptual photographs of comic book auteurs in their favorite and symbolic environments, but it also paints a narrative picture through essays that employ on-the-spot interviews and a critical view of their most personal work. Like a graphic novel, it employs the marriage of words and images to tell a story; in this case, it is the story of New York’s position in the development and life of comic books.
Previous attempts at chronicling comic book artists have either been too general, showing the artist behind their drawing table and accompanied by a brief biography, or so academic that they turn off potential casual readers. Graphic NYC offers an insider’s view of the comic book industry in New York (both past and present), but is presented in an accessible and general enough manner for that casual reader, yet savvy enough for the long-time comic book fan to appreciate.
The first subjects introduced in the site’s launch are the legendary Howard Chaykin of American Flagg! fame, and emerging star Dash Shaw, of the highly acclaimed graphic novel The Bottomless Belly Button. Following will be photo-essays on Dondi creator Irwin Hasen, Billy Dogma’s Dean Haspiel, Dan Goldman of the upcoming ‘08 graphic novel, Mad Magazine’s Al Jaffee, Battling Boy’s Paul Pope, and other comics luminaries. Updated on a regular basis, along with reviews and commentaries of work by other NYC cartoonists, www.NycGraphicNovelists.com promises to serve as a Who‘s Who of New York‘s favorite cartoonists.
But www.NycGraphicNovelists.com doesn’t give it all away at once, notes Irving. The essays presented are not published in their entirety: that won’t happen until the book version of Graphic NYC hits bookstores.
“It’s only a matter of time,” Irving notes. “Until we find the perfect publisher for what Seth and I consider our dream project. But, for now, we‘re enjoying the total freedom of putting it online for everyone to sink their teeth into.

Lillot

Happy New Year to all! It's a new year and after some much needed time off, I'm back up and running. I was crunched with deadlines before the holidays, so I'm way behind with postings. It will probably take me a week or more to get up to date on here.
I'll start with a shoot I did a while back for Lillot, a jewelry company. Jewelry designer Liliam Higa contacted me to create work for her new site. Her concept was more about creating a mood than showcasing jewelry. She was looking to create photos that would "Smell like David Lynch with French Woman Sexuality/Beauty." I loved her idea and her designs, which she describes as a "blending of tones of her multi-cultural background with visions of an ancient future."
The concept, mixed with a beautiful and evocative location, a lovely model, and Liliam's cool designs, made for successful photographs, I believe. See samples below and check out the Lillot website - I'm very happy with the design and how my work was incorporated.

Q*Ball music video

Since I so completely loved the process of directing Maya Azucena's video a while back, (still being edited) I've decided to further pursue directing and have teamed up with my good buddy, Carlos Molina, to co-direct a music video for our mutual friend, Q*Ball. We chose his song, John Hughes, because we felt it's sound (and title) inspired interesting visuals. Our concept was to film Q*Ball in a lonely high school in the present day, while he reminiscences about his own glory days, nearly 20 years earlier, which would be shot like an 80's teen movie. The photos below should help illustrate the concept.

Thanks to our great cast - Sal Pavia as Young Q*Ball, Kara Criscitiello as his long-lost high school sweetheart. Their friends - Michael Vinereanu, Jennifer Freshenco, Zach Kalatsky, Caroline Hochberg and Andrew DiMarco.










We have one more day of shooting, then editing, before we post the video.

Click the link to view a slideshow of more stills and behind-the scenes images.

US Airways Magazine

I was commissioned by US Airways Magazine to photo four Brooklynites for a travel story they're doing titled Profile: Brooklyn.


Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz, photographed in front of Junior's Restaurant.


Joshua L. Muss, of Muss Development, photographed on the Brighton Beach Boardwalk, in front of his development, Oceana.


Cecilia Clarke, Executive Director of Sadie Nash Leadership Project, photographed on the Brooklyn Promenade.


Lynn Nottage, playwright, photographed at the BRIC Lab.

Check out the issue, if you happen to be on a flight during the month of February.

Things To Ruin

I spent Black Friday photographing the cast of Things to Ruin, lyricist and composer Joe Iconis’s theatrical rock show currently playing at The Zipper Factory.
The concept was to photograph all of the cast members individually and then create a composite piece, inspired by some of the great ads HBO has done for Sopranos and Six Feet Under.
After many hours in front of my Mac, my eyes almost bleeding, I came up with the image below.

Christopher Irving

My co-author/writer on Graphic NYC, Christopher Irving came up from Virgina last week to join me for an important meeting. While he was in town, I took his portrait to use as the author photo of his upcoming book, From Four Color to Silver Screen: The First Movie Superheroes, being released by Hermes Press in April.

CAMBA - Day 9

Juggling projects had me back on CAMBA yesterday, with a marathon of four interesting shoots, this time of CAMBA employees.


Ernestine Washington went from living in a homeless shelter many years ago to working at The Atlantic House Men's Shelter in East New York


Luz Rivera came to CAMBA unable to speak English with two babies to raise in the US, and now her and both of her grown children successfully work there.


Susanna Golster was a refugee from Russia and didn't speak English and now works on CAMBA's payroll team. In her spare time, she works on Latch Hook pieces.


Angeles Delgado works as a program director for the HIV program, and loves to dance in her spare time.

Perfect Project

Catching up on recent projects - a few weeks back I did a promo shoot for Perfect Project - a collaboration between nyc-based producer Dot Bustelo and vocalist/songwriter Cica.
Their sound is described as "beautiful ambience that's perfect for chilling or even trancing out to. Cica, whose sirenesque vocals are both captivating and hypnotic and producer/programmer Dot Bustelo who adds the chill factor with her entrancing beats. Fans of Portishead, Everything But the Girl and Dido will definitely enjoy this." - nyc party promoter Ruben Raves, www.sidetracks.com.

The concept for the photos was to translate the feel of their music visually. We decided to do the shoot at a Cielo, a club in the meatpacking district with the right type of vibe.






Thanks to Eric Connolly for the great behind-the-scenes photos!

CAMBA - Days 7 & 8

I've been back to Flatbush on two different occasions recently, to photograph some more interesting subjects for my CAMBA project.
First we have restaurateur Jim Mamary, photographed in front of his Ditmas Park eatery, Pomme de Terre.
Next, we have Richard Ram, of Ram's Roti, photographed in his shop on Church Ave.
Finally, artist Eder Muniz in his living room.
It is my hope that when all of these pictures are collected the viewer will gte a real sense of the people of Flatbush, Brooklyn.

Graphic Novelists - Day 40

I ventured out on a freezing cold Sunday morning to photograph cartoonist George O'Connor. George is the author of the children's books Kapow, Sally and the Something, Under Bigfoot, and the graphic novel Journey into Mohawk Country.
The photo below plays off of George's beautiful looking upcoming project, The Olympians - a twelve book series from First Second retelling the Greek Myths.
Thanks to Arta for her help!

Graphic Novelists - Update

A lot of people have been asking me what's going on with the Graphic Novelist project, so here's the official update-
On the photography front, I've photographed 41 subjects, and have 9 more to go, to bring it to an even 50. At the same time, my co-author, Christopher Irving is conducting interviews. With the help of designer, Rich Fowlks, we have put together sample layouts of several of the profiles,(see below) which is being used by our agent to pitch the project to publishers. I think the layout helps to give a fairly clear picture of how we hope the final book will eventually look. Also, for the pitch, we've titled the project, GRAPHIC NYC: CREATING COMICS IN GOTHAM. That's just the current working title, and not necessarily the actual one. More updates soon.

Michael Crowley - 08

I recently posted my author photos and press shots of artist Dan Goldman for his upcoming book, 08: A GRAPHIC DIARY OF THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL. I also recently photographed his co-author, The New Republic's Michael Crowley. The concept for the press shots was to show Michael reporting while out in the world, as any modern day journalist would. We decided to do the shoot at Building On Bond, in Boerum Hill, Brooklyn, one of Michael's favorite cafés.
The book, a nonfiction comics memoir of the 2008 election, will be published by Crown Books in January 2009.

Graphic Novelists - Day 39

After a brief hiatus while working on other projects, I got back on the Graphic Novelists track earlier today when I had the pleasure of meeting legendary creator, Joe Kubert. I met Joe out in Dover, NJ at the Joe Kubert School of Cartoon and Graphic Art, the school he founded with his wife, Muriel 32 years ago.
Joe Kubert has been working in comics since 1939, when he was only 13 years old! Some of his must-read book currently in print include; Tarzan: The Joe Kubert Years Volume 1, Sgt. Rock: The Prophecy, Jew Gangster: A Father's Admonition, Tor - Volume 1, and Fax From Sarajevo.

I decided to photograph Joe in front of his school, amid the fall foliage.

CULTURE BANDIT SOUL

A few weeks back I was asked by my frequent subjects, singer/songwriter Maya Azucena and Spokenword Artist Vanessa Hidary (aka The Hebrew Mamita)to photograph them to promote their upcoming show, Culture Bandit Soul.

CULTURE BANDIT SOUL features excerpts from Hidary's critically acclaimed solo show "Culture Bandit," along with new and familiar poems (as seen on HBO’s “Def Poetry Jam”) that are interlaced with songs from Azucena's critically acclaimed CD, "Junkyard Jewel," backed by a beautiful quartet of strings, guitar and percussion. The night will be a journey into cultural observations, relationships and life fused with humor and Hip-Hop, leaving you with the desire to celebrate your own life’s journey.

Happy Holloween!

A while back I went to a horror convention in NJ and took the portraits below of TV horror movie hosts Elvira and Zacherley. Halloween gives me the perfect excuse to post these.

Dan Goldman - 08

I'm back after a week of lying on the couch coughing and feverish. Before being struck down by virus, I photographed artist Dan Goldman for an author photo and press shots for his upcoming book, 08: A GRAPHIC DIARY OF THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL with The New Republic's Michael Crowley. It's a nonfiction comics memoir of the 2008 election to be published by Crown Books in January 2009.
The concept for the photos was to portray Dan in the style of a 1960's reporter, but reporting with an iphone. I took a cue from the recent Mad Men ads and decided to use Grand Central Station as the location.

Portraits

While working on Maya Azucena's music video again last week, I got to photograph two interesting subjects who will be appearing in the video.

Soul singer Big Brooklyn Red.


Poet and designer Caitlin Meissner.