Thursday, January 29, 2009

Close Up: Photographers at Work program on the Ovation Network

I had two of these recorded for a week or two and finally got a chance to watch them the other night while recovering from the stomach bug that's going around. Both were excellent, I would highly recommend taking the time to check it out. Each episode focuses on small group of established photographers, prompting them to discuss the impact of their work and its process. The interviews range from fine art, architectural, portrait, or documentary photography covering a nice spectrum. 


The show was produced for the Ovation Network by Maysles Films. I at first thought it rather arrogant that Albert Maysles was the first to be interviewed considering his film company was the producer. After watching it, I was very wrong. I found his interview to be one of the most intriguing of the show and was challenged to see street photography in a new way. He is a ridiculously likable personality who's smile and honest nature are infectious. For those wary of taking pictures of people, take notes from how this guy interacts with his subjects. Rounding out Maysles in the first episode are Gregory Crewdson, Timothy Greenfield-Sanders, Andrew Moore, and Sylvia Plachy

One can only hope that more are in the works.
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Friday, January 23, 2009

An Issue of copyright


I came across and interesting blog post this morning surrounding the now iconic image of President Barack Obama that you have likely seen on the cover of Time Magazine, created by Shepard Fairey. I'll condense the issue as much as I can.

To the top left is the original image shot by Reuter's photographer Jim Young. Below left is the image Fairey created. Fairey stated finding the image using a Google search. Young has stated after learning about the photo's use, "I’m honored, but I’m glad it didn’t come out until after the campaign." 

The issue that everyone is talking about is one of copyright. In fact as far as I can tell, no other source is aware of or asserting that they know whom exactly owns the rights to Young's image. I for one see no wrong doing. Certainly, I'm in favor of copyright protection as a working fine art and commercial photographer. Yet, if we condemn Fairey for using the basis material are we not stifling the spirit of creativity and damaging the ability of art to be an organic form. I think "protection" can be taken too far. 

Let me pose an alternative example, I have a friend who is a mixed media artist who uses torn paper to create portraits. He also made a caricature of Obama taking newspaper articles that featured the now President and tearing them into small pieces then fashioning the random fragments into something resembling Barack. If we take copyright protection to the extreme, he would not have been allowed to create it at all even thought the end product resembles in no way the original material. In the end, it's all about scale. I would love for Seth's work to get the amount of attention that Fairey's has. Unfortunately, Fairey has become the target of much criticism exactly because his work became famous and provides a platform for much finger pointing. 

Yes, Fairey made a profit from his work. Great! Successful modern artists should be lifted up, not put down. In the modern lexicon, we would call these people haters. Indeed if we take copyright as far as some would suggest, I would not be able to include images with this post nor would anyone else.

I'm not suggesting anarchy or a lack of protections for artists of any sort but lament that we must necessarily insert lawyers and lobbyists into another segment of our lives. At least, it's nice to see the dialogue moving. Much like the political process, it takes people adding their two cents from all sides to produce the best results.

Read a dissenting opinion at MYARTSPACE>BLOG.

I guess I'm a believer that things work themselves out. Interestingly enough while on the campaign trail, Young took pictures that had Fairey's poster in them. He did so at that time not knowing that Fairey had used a shot of his as the basis for the poster. He profited off the images. 


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Monday, January 19, 2009

Elephant - the new design from ONeal Urban launched today!

I'm launching my latest design today for ONeal Urban. Elephant joins Monkey in my ever expanding cast of characters designed specifically for kids.  Sphere: Related Content

You wish your marketing efforts were this easy!

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Wednesday, January 14, 2009

Dinner for little man

Image copyright 2009 Byron O'Neal

I noticed what was left over from fixing little man's dinner on the counter last night and snapped a few shots with the I-Phone. It's liberating to have to relinquish control and focus on composition and seeing. 

Flickr has a group I joined of I-Phone shooters that is worth checking out.
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Tuesday, January 13, 2009

Spire

Copyright 2009 Byron O'Neal

This image comes off as very sci-fi to me and reminds me of the days when I had nothing better to do than read a bunch of comic books. 
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Saturday, January 10, 2009

Paint on Concrete

Image copyright 2009 Byron O'Neal

While hitting one of my favorite spots the other day, I noticed the multitude of interesting abstracts on the ground created from paint splatter on concrete. 

Nikon D200
f/7
24-85 mm lens
40mm focal length
1/400 second
ISO 400
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Thursday, January 8, 2009

Koi

Image copyright 2009 Byron O'Neal

As I have often found when going out to try and shoot something specific, I don't get what I was after but become pleasantly surprised by what I end up finding. This was the case on an afternoon trip to Selby Gardens over the Christmas Break hoping to get some great orchid macro stuff. I was drawn to their koi pond and dynamic images possible by setting a longer shutter speed. I must have taken 300 or more shots, most quickly lost to aggressive chimping. I love the end results of the few keepers. 

Nikon D200
f/13
1/4 second
24-85 mm lens
80 mm focal length
ISO 400
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Wednesday, January 7, 2009

Join my email newsletter and get FREE stuff



I'm launching my new email newsletter and want you to join up! Why would I do that you ask? Subscribers will be the first to learn about limited edition products, receive exclusive discount opportunities, and see what cool new stuff I'm working on to boot. Still not enough? Ok, as an extra incentive I'm giving away FREE stuff. 

The twenty fifth person to sign up gets an already framed, gallery wrap print on stretched canvas.
The fiftieth person to sign up scores an archival print.
The seventy-fifth person gets a free shirt of their choosing from the ONeal Urban store.    

If that isn't enough, you're just greedy. I'll be sending out the newsletter about once a month, so I won't bug you too often. Expect a welcome letter from me as soon as you sign up, and we'll talk to you again at the end of January.

Thanks,
B
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Tuesday, January 6, 2009

The Writers Project - Image #4

Image copyright 2009 Byron O'Neal

Nikon D200
f/9
1/500 second
105mm
ISO 400

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Monday, January 5, 2009

Words of Hope - a signed poster from Seth Balliett

My boy Seth Balliett just released a poster edition of his new torn paper work "Words of Hope," now available on his website. 

18"x24"
$29.00
FREE SHIPPING

A limited edition on stretched canvas is also available.
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Thursday, January 1, 2009

Writers Project - Image #3

Image copyright 2009 Byron O'Neal

Happy New Year Everyone!

Nikon D200
f/7
1/320 second
105mm
ISO 400
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