MDP Newsletter | Issue 01

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Denver | Black + White

A few black and white captures from recent photographic wanderings through my beloved Denver...

Delicious Panzano's...

Hungry??  So was I when photographing these culinary works of art!!  See more of Chef Elise Wiggins' impossibly delicious creations at Panzano Restaurant in the gorgeous Hotel Monaco, right in the heart of downtown Denver.

Cheers!!

Architectural Photography Portfolio Presentation

This slideshow offers a glimpse into my authentic, albeit indirect path and approach to my work in architectural photography -- a path which included many years in architectural design and a passion for landscape photography.

Included are photos of many GORGEOUS architectural gems in Colorado and the southwest! Enjoy!

Music: Zero 7, "Salt Water Sound"

Celebrating Autumn's End in the Mountains...

Fall in the mountains carries quite a weight for us crazy photo types.   My eyes often suffer an exhaustion of consumption after a gorgeous day of shooting.  I remember some autumns past, when upon the last leaf's falling I would breath a sad but honest sigh of relief... the pressure to capture dramatic light on fleeting color was gone.

This autumn I have been so busy shooting real jobs (for which I am hugely grateful!) that I have not had as much time for fun landscape outings, but I did manage one trip up to the Maroon Bells, and thought I'd share just a few of my favorites.  Hope you are all having a lovely fall '10!

McClure Pass Panorama

(click image to see larger)

My wide angle lens was recently rendered temporarily out of commission in a job-related tripod incident...

I might have normally pulled out that wide lens for a shot such as the above, encompassing such a vast expanse of scenery.  However, on the heals of my 16-35mm being sent to the shop, Outdoor Photographer's George Lepp inspired me (at this past week's first annual Telluride Photo Festival - I'm already excited for next year's festival!) to take out the 70-200mm and create a panorama from 7 different vertical shots (something I haven't done for a while).  Check out the above image by clicking to see it larger (although this is still a low res version).  What a satisfying experience to make a crisp, high resolution image with an older Canon 5D that would print over 4 feet wide!

The patterns up there were truly gorgeous... what an interesting fall, with some patches still green, and others completely bare already.  Here are some of the details that are in the panorama:

Macro Food Photography

Denver architect Gosia Kung of Kung Architecture, recently commissioned me after seeing some of my macro floral work, for a super fun (and educational) assignment, to create artwork for the walls of a Vietnamese restaurant she is designing.
Every part of this project was fun for me, from shopping the Asian market, to composing and shooting, to getting creative in the kitchen with the "leftovers" (food which did not wilt under the heat of the lights).  These ingredients are so luscious and sensual... I had no idea there was a natural edible color such as the hot pink of a gorgeous Dragon Fruit, nor did I realize you could cook with fresh turmeric (quite tasty).  My cutting boards will never be the same!
Pho-natic is scheduled to open early August at Colfax and Grant, across from the Capitol Building in Denver.  I can't wait to check it out!

Art Dress by Nicole Finger

Nicole Finger, an incredibly talented painter (and lovely person) from Telluride, Colorado, asked me to photograph her this past weekend wearing the fruits of her latest passion, couture painting.

It began last year with an original creation for the Ah Haa Auction: a bold safari themed dress which she modeled during the live auction, adorned with a huge, live snake draped across her shoulders!

This year's spectacular dress (the second in what I certainly hope will be a long line of Nicole's art dresses!) takes a retro and artful turn, its inspiration being Gustav Klimt's "The Kiss."  The fabric is intricately painted with shimmering colors and then hand jeweled.

The piece will be auctioned during the live auction part of this Friday night's annual Ah Haa School "Artopia" fundraiser in Telluride.

Sparkles beautifully in late afternoon Colorado light... and on such a gorgeous artist!

Fireworks... Denver Style!

Denver threw their first official fireworks party this past weekend - sponsored by the Civic Park Conservancy - and it was a HUGE success!  The Colorado Symphony Orchestra performed a classic July 4th concert, the skies cooperated beautifully (nice rainbow over the Capitol appeared right behind us) and an estimated 25,000 people came out for the show.

For some reason, I think it is positively adorable how much Denver loves their City + County Building; the colored lights on the facade are part of their annual winter Holiday Show.  They made for a creative and original complement to the spectacular fireworks!

Already can't wait to see what they do next year!  

Denver Rocks!!

Lake Front Residence, IL

Recently travelled to Chicago and photographed a house for my mom, a hugely talented interior designer who just finished up work on this recently completed beautiful lakefront home.  Classic details and incredible light made it a joy to experience (and photograph!).
I could live in the kitchen alone...  Enjoy!

Mountainfilm 2010 | Part 2: A Few Favorite Films

After posting my musings on the question, "What is Mountainfilm?" I wanted to add a few thoughts about some of my favorite films from this past festival.  I need to say that there were several films that I did not get a chance to see that sounded incredible.  But of the ones that I saw, here were my favorites (in no particular order):

"I Am"

Tom and his production team watch their premiere at the Palm

Director Tom Shadyac’s deeply personal journey begins with the question, “What’s wrong with the world?” and comes full circle to discover that the question “What’s right with the world?” can yield the same answer with very different perspective.  


His search - as it plays out through interviews with some of the greatest minds of today - is empowering and accessible, profoundly thoughtful and deeply moving.  Basic premises of accepted human urges toward aggression and consumption are questioned and a paradigm shift in our thinking is gracefully and convincingly proposed.

I don’t know if it was the fact that I viewed the premiere of “I Am” at the culmination of a day full of emotional and powerful films, or if it was the content of this film exclusively, but when the end credits began to roll, I was flooded with a rush of endorphins and burst into tears of pure love - for the film and for the potential in all of us.  I am grateful beyond words for Tom’s personal commitment to this movie and to making the world a better place through his own life changes as well as the connection and love that I witnessed in his conversations with others throughout the festival.

I cannot wait for this movie to get larger distribution - I very much look forward to experiencing it again!

"Bag It"

Dr. Theo Colburn, Jeb Berrier and Suzan Beraza talk plastics

Another must see begins as an investigation of the history and consequence of the single-use, disposable plastic bag.  Perhaps that sounds less than gripping, but what a masterpiece this soulful documentary turns out to be!

After work had begun on the film, it was discovered that Jeb (the “average guy” in the film) was expecting his first child.  The intimacy that is conveyed once the investigation now includes the deeply personal question of how to safely bring a newborn baby into the world - how intimate and invasive the situation is with endocrine disruptors in our plastics and every part of our lives - is truly powerful.  Some of the biggest names in the field are interviewed (although I believe the film-makers are still “on hold” with the plastics industry).  The result is an engaging and intimate story combined with a very convincing global message that will leave you seriously examining your own relationship to plastic on every level.


"Eastern Rises"

Discussing the challenges of filming in Kamchatka

Pure Joy.  


A classic Mountainfilm adventure story journeys to the edges of our planet - in this case the spectacular (albeit mosquito infested) beauty of a most remote and pristine wilderness on the Kamchatka Peninsula of Russia.  
We already know that the team of Felt Soul Media are truly gifted film-makers.  Ben’s ability to make the experience of a film absolutely gorgeous has been apparent from his very first works.  What is less expected here is his use of wit and dry humor in this film.  Gorgeous shooting, music, art direction, character development, narration and editing are all perfectly timed and brilliant.  I watched the passion of these characters and though I have never landed a fish on a fly-rod, I could not get enough of their passion and love of the sport (which I almost want to call art).  I can’t wait to add this film to my growing Felt Soul Media collection!

"Gasland"

Josh Fox talks about his film and dangers of hydraulic fracturing

Wow.  I wrote in my program the words “ABSOLUTELY INFURIATING” in bold red ink.  I had moments during the screening when I thought I would throw something at the screen.  Which is to say I would highly recommend it!  Josh is a fabulous film maker and this story needs to be heard.
This film is currently running on HBO’s documentary series, and is one that will grab you and make you ANGRY.  Anyone who thinks natural gas is a “natural” or acceptable alternative as a source of energy needs to see this film.  It definitely opened my eyes to a world of questions!

Please visit the Mountainfilm website to learn more.  


They also have a post including links to  most of the festival movie sites from the 2010 lineup here.