New York May NYC Meet-Up

[MrFujicaman]

Just saw the video of Maggie in Madrid, nice video!

Post a link ?

 

[Calzone]

Just saw the video of Maggie in Madrid, nice video!

Bob,

Please post a link.

After the National Library private tour, and 5 course lunch at the Gran Melia which almost required an after lunch emergency room visit for a stent, was an interview, which really was two interviews, one video, one print, a photo shoot, and a video.

Anyways this was a lot of fun for everybody involved.

Cal

 

[Range-rover]

Bob,

Please post a link.

After the National Library private tour, and 5 course lunch at the Gran Melia which almost required an after lunch emergency room visit for a stent, was an interview, which really was two interviews, one video, one print, a photo shoot, and a video.

Anyways this was a lot of fun for everybody involved.

Cal

You have to excuse me but I don't know how to do that.

 

[Calzone]

You have to excuse me but I don't know how to do that.

Bob,

No shame. I kinda figured it out on my own.

All you really need to do is copy the internet location and the link creates itself.

For example at the top of this page on my work computer is a long rectangle with

https://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/newreply.php?do=newreply&p=2807930

When I post this the link will automatically be created.

The important thing is that you have top copy the address fully and accurately, and know that it is case sensitive. Now you can bombard people and spam them with links. LOL.

Cal

 

[Prest_400]

Fashion alert: Cal spotted on @iconaccidental IG story

The outfit looks great, tight, and the Leica "Bonds" really well. My gear radar seems to need an update and think it is the Porky adapted to M? Also on one of her posts, Lyn has a DSLR but can't exactly tell which (Lumix G?).

If tapatalk image posting works, should be here:

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Calzone]

Fashion alert: Cal spotted on @iconaccidental IG story

The outfit looks great, tight, and the Leica "Bonds" really well. My gear radar seems to need an update and think it is the Porky adapted to M? Also on one of her posts, Lyn has a DSLR but can't exactly tell which (Lumix G?).

If tapatalk image posting works, should be here:

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Jorde,

Thanks so much for linking this. My fant-A-C is that Paul Smith see's "Maggies" post and recognizes me as a fellow biker dude who shoots Leicas and decides to send me his clothes to wear all the time.

Clothes of this quality pretty much is like me smugly standing outside on 59th Street and Fifth Avenue at the main entrance to the Plaza Hotel naked. The $300.00 long combed cotton shirt is so light and is soft like silk. The clothes are so well tailored that you don't feel constricted at all, therefore the experience is just like a second skin. Realize that I got this "Evening Suit" fitted within three days to be ready for Spain.

So inside in the Grand Ballroom I see a group of six very tall Asian women that make me fell short. They stand about 6 feet tall in their heels, and I find out later they were former contestants of the Miss Universe pagent that represented China 2011 to 2016.

I was clueless that there would be a fashion show, and our table for dinner was statigically centered on the 35 foot runway that cam out of the stage, but the best part was that somehow my seat was backed right against the runway so effectively I could use the back of my chair as a monopod for my SL with the mammoth autofocus 50 Lux.

I was positioned perfectly to get unobstrucked shots from the center of the runway and was able to capture the models descending two steps onto the runway, and then get the models at the other end doing the turn around with some back lighting that really glammed it up.

Sitting about 25 feet away at another table I saw Iris Apfel. Flanking Maggie and me were two Trustee's of the China Institute. Many in attendance were the UBER wealthy Chinese that have homes in NYC and China.

Maggie-Q the actress/martial artist from the series "Nikita" was an awardee. Loved the clip they showed of her beating the crap out of Bruce Willies from "Live Free or Die Hard." She wore this stunning red gown. Smoking hot.

During the cocktail hour I met Bil Donovan who is the Artist in Residence at Dior. He has done illustrations for Dior for the past 9 years, and he expressed interest in having Maggie model for him so he could draw and paint her.

The collection of Grace Chen was shown. There was a live auction to support scholarships. Christian Louboutin the shoe crafter was also an awardee. He is known for all those shoes you see on the red carpet with the red lacquered soles.

So We had a great time.

Know that this photographer asks to take our picture. Then he asks us to speak into the DSLR to recoud our names and the spelling of our last names. This is because these photogs are shooting for Getty Images. This is not the first time at events I have been photographed, so I know that I have a file at Getty Images.

The best news I got at work when I opened my e-mail. I got one of the 12 slots for the Professional Development Workshop. The stipend is only $250.00, but the big deal is getting the face-time with a curator who will guide and advise me over the course of two Saturdays and also privately as "Doctor's Hours."

I will be binding a book of 12x18 images printed on 17x22 sheets as my primary project, but I also seek advice on how to deal with my archive of film negatives that I created with a total disregard for printing.

Later this month I should hear about the year long studio residency in Dumbo, and in June I should know if I'll be one of the 80 photographers that will comprise "The Fence" and will have my series of 5 images and text presented in 8 cities. Oh I forgot the L.A. billboard public art display. That I should know about soon also.

My friend Cris I saw on Saturday, out on Lawn-Guy-Land. Evidently Cris has been solicited by a fine art gallery to somehow display/sell his work as fine art that is not a built guitar. So Cris wants to do something that merges my street style and his guitars on the street. This is a real deal fine art gallery in Tribeca.

I can feel my life changing...

Cal

 

[Calzone]

Congrats and I am happy not to live in your world.

Peter,

Thank you, and I know what you mean.

I much more enjoy just relaxing, not being busy, and the quality of life of not being busy.

Mixed blessings I suppose, and I never thought that this would be my life. Know that deep down I'm really kind of a loner who drifts and moves around.

I'm not really clear on how I stand. On one hand all this is very new to me, and I really do love a simple/pure life that is really rather humble. These experiences are way over the top and are absolutely crazy though.

My old friend Dave I saw Saturday. In two years he will be retiring, he figures. He intends on buying a house in Ashville S.C., one with an outbuilding so he can set up his guitar gear and just play without disturbing his wife. I could be happy doing that.

My sister worked for TWA, and as her brother I had flight benefits. I did enough traveling that everything bad that can happen to you in a plane/airport has happen to me, except a plane crash or a hijacking. Pretty much after a while all this jet setting travel gets boring and becomes a routine.

Pretty much I do these things to please and support my woman, but I'd rather just walk the streets of NYC and meet ordinary people that I find interesting. 200 languages are spoken in NYC, why do I need to travel in plane when I can just walk.

Cal

 

[Out to Lunch]

I had just deleted my post...a little bit too late, so as not to offend you. I enjoy your enthusiasm and, at the same time I am put off by this constant need for confirmation. Like yourself, I am about to retire and, unlike yourself, I am looking forward to a life without external pressures. Greetings, Peter

 

[Calzone]

I had just deleted my post...a little bit too late, so as not to offend you. I enjoy your enthusiasm and, at the same time I am put off by this constant need for confirmation. Like yourself, I am about to retire and, unlike yourself, I am looking forward to a life without external pressures. Greetings, Peter

Peter,

I did not get a chance to read the post that was deleted.

Anyways I really don't get offended by someone writing a post that differs from my POV. I really appreciate thoughtful responses.

I would not say you touched a sore point, but you have made me wonder, and I find myself provoked pondering. On one hand these elite experiences are new and fresh, but deep down they are not who I am.

Please feel free to express yourself. I don't think you are a mean person by thinking different that me or expressing any differences. I enjoy thinking, wondering, and daydreaming...

Also kinda funny how I learned in working in the theater of the idea of a "Safe Place." Here at the NYC Meet-Up I try to make it such, but sometimes some posters are intimidated, and ask, "I only shoot a SLR can I come to your Meet-Up."

I can tell you this. I'm in a weird space that remains unsettled. My gal I think is a bit unrealistic about retirement. For me too it is a change in life, where I will not work anymore.

I'd be happy where I can enjoy going on long bicycle rides to maintain my health and weight. I would love to set up my darkroom (currently in public storage). Like my friend Dave I wish I could do my "woodshedding" on my guitars without disturbing others, with my goal to be a solo player. Call me antisocial, but none of this involves anything fancy or interacting with other people. This is who I really am.

I would say though my sharing is just that. Understand that these are remarkable/unbelievable experiences, and not really bragging. They are incredible experiences that is a world apart. I don't need any confirmation. Pretty much I'm more like you than you think.

Cal

 

[Calzone]

Let's make the date for Sunday May 20th to avoid Memorial Day weekend, and before its too late.

Saturday the 12th and Saturday the 19th I have The Artist Development Initiative Workshop.

Tomorrow is the book release party.

Just to let you guys know, I have been in these lime-lite spaces before, where life is a bit frantic and busy, but too many times life does not even marginally change. I have no great expectations because I have played this game many times before. Fact is making it big is a very long shot, and I define making it big as life really changes.

All the odd stuff I post here is really just fluff, and I expect nothing. Perhaps I might get surprised, but I have been here many times before. Oh-well.

Cal

 

[Calzone]

I just got an e-mail from Irene, an actor that is also now a producer. I donated some financial support for her project that she is crowd funding.

So the point here is someone I have known a long time, who I met over two decades ago in a Gotham Writing workshop, who has been around for decades involved in the arts and remains underground.

She has been in "Law And Order" episodes and in one she played a judge. I have also seen her do a solo performance on stage.

Cal

 

[Calzone]

Proud to have been a part of this book project.

Got some cool panoramic shots from the 13th floor on 26th Street of Hudson Yards. The files are a little low contrast due to shooting against dirty windows.

Christian and Karla showed up, and it was good to see them. Hudson Studios is a cool space.

I'm kinda excited about the Artist Development Workshop that will take place over the next two Saturdays. I'm also anxious to hear about my Studio Residency application, and also about my "Fence" application that will soon come thereafter.

Let's see how lucky I am...

Cal

 

[Calzone]

Saturday was the En Foco Meet-Up in the Bronx from 1-3. My book pages were used as a sample to stimulate and inspire the other 9 artists as we discussed our work and proposals. This meeting was held in the Longwood Gallery in Hostos Comunity College, and also were present was an archivist, and the Director of En Foco, Bill. Gina was the main facilitator, and the meeting was recorded.

Had to fill out a W-9 for the $250.00 stipend. It was a very impressive group with mostly young people. In fact perhaps Bill and I were the two oldest there. 8 out of the ten use the Internet and Social Media. Many of the artists were ahead of me in that they have exhibition histories. One woman had her own separate work space (wet lab for tintypes), and all the rest of us pretty much lacked studio work space. This one woman who was like me that was off-line previously was very active in that space and basically she is taking a breather to be able to concentrate on her work.

We were asked about the lack of studio space, and it was suggested that this is a problem that En Foco would like to address. I mentioned even a shared work space would be helpful even just to have meetings. I also mentioned a darkroom...

Anyways I was among a group of "working artists" and there was this interesting dynamic of a safe place, understanding, and respect that made me feel rooted in a community. Bill even stated that objective. I feel that I have an anchor of support, and I made an interesting friend trying to make it too the 4-5 train. I really left with a feeling that a collective had been formed.

Ended up talking with an interesting artist who is a D.J., IT day-job, and fellow bicycle bum who like me has created an historical archive that spans a decade. Eventually his wife a sculptress came along and we talked even more.

I put it out there about our May Meet-Up on the 20th. We might have some fresh blood join our group.

So we will be working on the dreaded "Artist Statement" and firm up our proposals at our next meeting this coming Saturday. I'm kinda inspired to assemble some book pages, and also I have a new idea of how to create a packet of the 5 images I submitted for the Photoville "Fence" along with the 200 word text that I supplied that hopefully will be one of the 80 packets selected for this year's "Fence."

Cal

 

[dshfoto]

Sunday May 20th @ Rochard, 1504 Lexington Avenue (97th)-- copy that!

 

[Calzone]

Sunday May 20th @ Rochard, 1504 Lexington Avenue (97th)-- copy that!

Steve,

See you there.

This month I think I will show off the Uniroller I secured for no money. I think I paid $29.00 because the reversing function jammed it up. Pretty much I disabled the reversing switch.

This is perfect for my JOBO 3013 that can process five 4x5's using only 330ml of developer. It is said that this continuous agitation requires a shorter development time and likely improved consistency. I like that it requires very little developer.

Perfect for a cheap ******* like me who is also a lazy slacker.

I also made some new prints: a few are from Mad-Rid. Perhaps I'll have some pages assembled for that proposed "Workbook."

I will also be promoting Bob as a model. I have two head shots of him and a portrait of "Mean Joe" the tough biker dude.

Tomorrow I hope to find out about the Studio Residency in Dumbo I applied for. Kind of remote on one hand because generally the support painters and sculptors and not photographers, but my hope is that this might be my strong point in perhaps being the first one. Only 17 studios are available, and they get about 1.2K applications every year.

This could change my life where I'm not so invisible anymore.

Cal

 

[Calzone]

Stanley Kubrick was a photographer for "Look" magazine between October 1946 til August 1950.

120 of his photographs are currently on display at the Museum of the City of New York till October 28 in a show called, "Through A Different Lens."

Perhaps we can do a fly-by before the May 20th Meet-Up before 1:00 PM. I'll check the hours. The museum is around 104th Street of Fifth Avenue not far away.

Cal

 

[Range-rover]

Steve,

See you there.

This month I think I will show off the Uniroller I secured for no money. I think I paid $29.00 because the reversing function jammed it up. Pretty much I disabled the reversing switch.

This is perfect for my JOBO 3013 that can process five 4x5's using only 330ml of developer. It is said that this continuous agitation requires a shorter development time and likely improved consistency. I like that it requires very little developer.

Perfect for a cheap ******* like me who is also a lazy slacker.

I also made some new prints: a few are from Mad-Rid. Perhaps I'll have some pages assembled for that proposed "Workbook."

I will also be promoting Bob as a model. I have two head shots of him and a portrait of "Mean Joe" the tough biker dude.

Tomorrow I hope to find out about the Studio Residency in Dumbo I applied for. Kind of remote on one hand because generally the support painters and sculptors and not photographers, but my hope is that this might be my strong point in perhaps being the first one. Only 17 studios are available, and they get about 1.2K applications every year.

This could change my life where I'm not so invisible anymore.

Cal

Yes my new career (I really need one!).

 

[Calzone]

Yes my new career (I really need one!).

Bob,

You are not alone. I hope I can become a true "Lazy Slacker."

My boring day-job is just that, and it is wasting my time.

Cal

 

[Range-rover]

Bob,

You are not alone. I hope I can become a true "Lazy Slacker."

My boring day-job is just that, and it is wasting my time.

Cal

Be happy you have a good job!

 

[Calzone]

Be happy you have a good job!

Bob,

Good was during the Cold War working for Grumman.

I currently work with some very ill people and others that are socially inept that are crazy anxious. Pretty much I experience isolation and couldn't be more alone. Also I can describe some relationships at work as hostile.

It takes a lot of patience to cope. What helps is I say to myself, "I'm glad I'm not like them." Pretty much there has to be something deeply wrong with a person not to get along with me.

I am happy, but I'm sick of work. It is a sick and toxic place. Funny how ironic it is that I work at a hospital. My former boss use to have these paranoid rage attacks. Mucho display of antisocial behavior and mental illness. Working in a hospital is not at all like on the TV shows.

Also I see the legacy of slavery persisting in the culture. Post-Doc's that have a PhD get trained and work experience for 3-4 years. They don't get paid enough to afford housing in NYC so they are given housing in a manner that is modeled after "Share Cropping." Meanwhile these Post-Docs are exploited as a source of free labor and are expected to work a lot of hours.

Twenty years of coping has been draining and at this point I feel depleted. Good thing my self esteem lays elsewhere.

Cal