[ Camera Obscura 5280 ]

New Blog! New Website!

2010-04-20T16:48:00.003-06:00

Friends and colleagues, I am pleased to announce the official launch of a new website showcasing my photojournalism and editorial portfolio, blog and archive.

I’m especially excited about my new blog, ‘On Assignment’, that will feature recent work with select posts featuring a special ‘About The Assignment’ section outlining the small and behind-the-lens details of my assignment work.

My archive is constantly growing and being updated with fresh work that is available for rights-managed purchase and downloading. All you have to do is simply find your desired image, click on ‘Add To Cart’ and you will be prompted with a few licensing questions, then checkout.

A special selection for personal use imagery along with my print collect will be available soon.

The site is designed to be as user friendly as possible and interactive through the utilization of social media tools for easy sharing. So please, share links on your Facebook pages and go ahead and Tweet some of your favorite work. I’d be honored.

Thank you for taking the time to check out my work. Please sit back and take a look around.

Feedback is welcome and encouraged.

Cheers,

Nathan W. Armes

New Blog Coming Soon

2009-10-27T08:35:00.004-06:00

In the next few days I will be leaving this blog.

It has been my posting work horse for almost 3 years but alas I have found another blog with shiner buttons and a more streamlined content management system.

It's nothing personal. It's not you, it's me.

Sure, we can still hang out, maybe even uncomfortably bump into each other at a bar and exchange awkward side hugs and small talk.

*****

You look good you might say.

Thanks, I've been drinking diet sodas, I'd say.

Yeah.

They have so much less sugar and empty calories, I'd say.

Yeah.

Well ... it was good to see you. What? Yeah, I do have a new cell phone number. Do you have a pen?

No.

Oh. Well ... let me give you a card. Damn. I don't have any cards. You can always Google me, I'd sheepishly muster.

You turn to walk away. You don't look back.

*****

This post might be a bit early, given the difficulty I've had with the soft launch of the new site but since I'm doing this solo (and with the help of a few smarter and faster friends) things are chugging along between assignments, emails, cold calls and trying not to lose my mind.

I will again revisit this blog, even after our awkward departure, to post a link to the new site.

Cheers,

Nathan

Official Family Photographer

2009-10-06T23:19:00.015-06:00

Since picking up a camera, I have been the de facto family photographer for all weddings, reunions, gatherings and vacations.

As much as I enjoy capturing these family moments, I have to admit that often negatives, digital files and even a slide or two get left untouched and unprocessed for many weeks, months and, I'm embarrassed to say, sometimes even a year or two before I give family members or friends prints or a burned DVD.

Being the family photographer is a not a job I take lightly, but at times the photos of my family come second to newspaper and magazine assignments, and other paying gigs.

In chatting with other photographers about this phenomenon, it seems that we all seem to forgo fulfilling the duties instilled in being the ‘official family photographer.'

We take our paid assignments very seriously, yet we seem to think that family photographs are not as important as meeting a deadline. As if letting a photo editor down is worse that letting down your mom, brother, uncle or best friend.

Yes, my family understands that things can get busy, and they want me to be able to pay my rent and buy a loaf of bread once in a while. (When things are good, maybe even two loafs!)

continued ....

In August my girlfriend’s sister, Jill, was married in a wonderfully laidback but detailed and planned wedding.

Everyone had a task, from cupcake deliveryman, sweeper of alleyways and bartender to hair and make-up specialist.

A photographer in her own right, Jill hired a close friend and photographer to detail the day. Which, honestly, was a huge relief to me.

Still, after so many years of dragging my camera with me on assignments and around town, the duty invested in being the ‘official family photographer’ has a heavy burden.

This time it only took two months to deliver the photos to the respective family members – it might even be a record.

With this delivery, I received some nice emails and thank you notes.

Sure, thank you notes don’t pay the rent or buy bread, but they remind me of why photography is important to me and why the people photographed are more important than meeting any deadline.

Cheers,

Nathan

fashionista

2009-09-30T10:27:00.004-06:00

This past Friday a fellow photographer and friend, Javier Manzano, gave me a call to tell me about a fashion show he was shooting. I figured to head out and see what I could see.

Fashion shows are visual by nature and if you look between the catwalks and hairspray you can see some really great images take shape.

I've shot a few fashion shows before and I'm not totally comfortable with shooting such events. Maybe it’s the hiking boots I wear but I've never felt totally at home with the fashionista set. They are not a part of my comfort zone.

For this event, I decided to do a small experiment. As a photographer, sometimes when I feel uncomfortable shooting something, I rely way to heavily on my wide-angle lenses – a photographic equivalent of a cozy blanket, a glass of milk and freshly baked chocolate chip cookies.

So, to combat this and to step out of my comfort zone, I used a small piece of gaffers tape to tape the barrel of my 16-35mm to stay put at 28mm.

With the crop factor of the Mark IIn's being roughly 1.3x I essentially was using a 35mm or for the mathematicians in the room, a 36.4mm.

This made me step closer, to try and work on layers and focus on composition. My second lens was a 50mm, so again with the crop factor of the camera being 1.3x, I was essentially using a 65mm - which was not used often except once in this edit anyway.

This was a self generated assignment so I had no deadline, no editors calling to ask where images were and no one but myself to beat up if I took nothing away that night.

I had a few trusted photographers take a look at my take and this is the result. I highly recommend getting a few more eyes on your work – if you have the time – and stepping out of your comfort zone.

Purchasing a 35mm,

Nathan

fashionista - Images by Nathan W. Armes

Henri

2009-09-20T12:39:00.005-06:00

"In a world that is buckling under the weight of profit-making, that is overrun by the destructive sirens of Techno-science and the power-hunger of globalization - that new brand of slavery - beyond all that, Friendship exists, Love exists."

Henri Cartier-Bresson - 1998

Cheers,

Nathan

Colorado Mission of Mercy

2009-09-19T08:37:00.009-06:00

Colorado residents received free dental treatment from hundreds of volunteer dentists, and hygienists from the Colorado Dental Association's third Colorado Mission of Mercy.

The donated dental treatment and education, treated on a first-come first-served basis, went to low-income adults, children and the uninsured.

With lines forming long before sunrise, some arriving the evening before to claim their spot, hundreds of people flooded the treatment center on the first day. The Colorado Mission of Mercy's goal was to treat nearly 2000 individuals at the two day clinic.

Nathan

Sports

2009-09-18T07:46:00.005-06:00

I am not a sports photographer, but I am known to show up at games and try my damnedest.

Sports photographers are a rare breed of folks that understand the games they document. They understand the lingo and the plays. They are always at the right place on the sideline, or baseline, because they read the field, pitch, court or rink. They see formations and try to think one play ahead.

Some think that sports photography is half luck and half having access to massive lenses and gear. This may be half true, but I feel that the really good sports photographers truly understand the game and prepare for their movements behind the camera.

For example, if you have spent any time in the press room at any Broncos, Rockies, Panthers or Avalanche game or spent a few minutes talking to a fellow photographer at a high school match-up you quickly get the notion that you really have no idea what is going on.

Do you know your stats? These guys do.

That kid with the glasses and funny sounding name hunched-over, riding the bench, may just be ready to break a national record for punt returns, rushing yards, most completed passes within the 15-yard line, sacks, RBIs, chip passes, goals, tries, or touchdowns.

They pay attention. They keep their eyes open - not just for a 268-pound lineman charging full speed toward the sideline (and your legs) or a foul ball tipped by Derek Jeter - for any subtle changes in the lineup.

They notice if that kid you really got a great shot of ... is actually on the roster.

Special thanks to Barry, his 300, and the nice man who gave me his rosters for making last night's high school football game possible.

Cheers,

Nathan

Foot Race

2009-09-16T12:43:00.002-06:00

A few from this weekend's Fans On the Field, the 5k and 10k walk/run that raises money to support the National Sports Center for the Disabled. The event takes runners through Denver’s three world-class sporting venues and professional sports franchises – INVESCO Field at Mile High, Coors Field and The Pepsi Center.

Cheers,

Nathan

Tribute

2009-09-11T14:42:00.010-06:00

Firefighters from 48 different departments and five different states took part in the 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb Friday morning at the Qwest building in downtown Denver.

Over 350 firefighters twice fought their way up 55 flights of stairs, with 80 to 130 pounds of gear, to pay tribute to the 343 firefighters who were killed when the World Trade Center collapsed on Sept. 11, 2001.

Nathan

Health Reform Rally

2009-09-03T17:27:00.011-06:00

Denver rallied for health care reform, near downtown, Wednesday evening at Confluence Park .

Hundreds, if not a thousand people carried signs in support of a single payer system and a public option. The general feeling in the crowd was a need to find a solution to a contentious issue.

Supporters were comfortably spread out over a grassy hill overlooking the confluence of two rivers, the Cherry Creek and the Platte which have joined for generations with a rush of whitewater and a constant churning, as live music played and rally leaders focused on the issues that roil our country.

You could still hear the constant churning of water as the light faded and peopled trickled home.

Still churning,

Nathan

Horse Racing

2009-08-23T19:15:00.012-06:00

A few days before leaving for two weeks, (road trip photos are being weeded through) I was assigned by the Denver Post to photograph a column by Terry Frei about the state of racing in Colorado. Frei was pegging two of the Jockeys, Don Lee Frazier and Russell Vicchrilli, who regularly run at Arapahoe Park to the column.

The racers, who ride for numerous horse owners, are some of the calmest people I've met in a while. Their calmest struck me simply because of the fact that they ride thousands of pounds of living, breathing freight train.

From those that know me, you've heard me say that I don't trust horses, especially spastic, hyped up race horses bred for bolting speed.

What also struck me about these fellows was the welcoming vibe as soon as I walked into the locker room. They joked with each other, read, smoked and waited.

The waits can be long between their assigned races. Sometimes the wait can be just long enough to change racing jackets, some waits can be hours.

These racers will never make a fortune but love what they do.

They see the value in that.

Russell Vicchrilli has ridden his share of winners in thoroughbred and quarter-horse events.

Don Lee Frazier takes a few minutes to put his feet up and relax in the jockeys' locker room prior to a race.

Cheers,

Nathan

Simple Machine

2009-07-26T19:53:00.009-06:00

Technically speaking, a bicycle is a simple machine.

Your lungs and heart work as the engine, your legs function as the straining pistons that work to pump the pedals that spin two wheels.

A simple, yet beautiful machine fueled by calories. We all have some excess calories to burn, go get a bike.

Go ride up a mountain. Have a beer to celebrate!

"Cycle tracks will abound in Utopia." — H.G. Wells

Cheers,

USA Boxing

2009-06-23T10:25:00.008-06:00

A few frames from the 2009 USA Boxing National Championship.

Cheers,

Nathan

Poor Man Mine

2009-06-20T09:53:00.005-06:00

"Lately, a hard-rock miner has been little more than a landlord waiting for prices to change.

Tom Treadwell and Al Mosch have waited long enough. Silver prices are setting records these days, and so every shovelful of muck Treadwell scoops from a blocked shaft of his Poor Man Mine brings him 3 inches closer to glory.

Silver futures went up 27 percent in May, the largest monthly gain since 1983, hitting $15.60 an ounce. Economic uncertainty and the cheapened U.S. dollar have pushed both silver and gold to tantalizing highs, enticing multinationals and grizzled mountain men alike to assay old claims and dream big."

Tom Treadwell works to clear mud, rock and broken timber from a shaft in the Poor Man silver mine, which sits high above Idaho Springs. You conquer Mother Earth a little bit at a time and see what treasures she has for you, said Treadwell.

With silver prices now high again, longtime miner and mine-tour operator (L) Al Mosch has re-opened an old silver shaft he owns above his Phoenix Gold Mine in Idaho Springs, CO.

Read the story [ here ]

Cheers,

Nathan

Where the Wild Things Are No More

2009-06-18T11:56:00.005-06:00

The heads of large cats sit on shelves in the warehouse outside of Denver.

Specialist Doni Sprague, right, explains the cataloging system used to identify and track each piece of contraband to intern Jen Behrendt, a student at Metropolitan State University.

Elephant ivory pieces from Africa, where ivory is heavily traded in violation of international law.

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service specialist Doni Sprague holds Saiga antelope horns. Her job is to sort and document the items before wheeling them through the warehouse doors and into a dusty oblivion.

Look at the bag closer and you will see a pillowcase sized plastic bag filled with the horns of over 500 individual antelopes. This small, innocuous and dusty parcel represents a former herd of mammals.

The surrounding industrial metal shelves house hundreds of these bags representing thousands of mammals, reptiles and birds.

"Domestic and international laws protect roughly 5,000 animals against exploitation and extinction, and the National Wildlife Property Repository is the endpoint for all that is caught and confiscated by federal agencies in this country.

Held for educational purposes, future undercover operations and possible use by the Smithsonian or other museums, the items in this building represent, in the words of one agent, nothing less than "the evil in mankind."

The federal government may give the repository a fancy name, but it is really a mausoleum, a tomb for nearly 1.5 million mammals, insects, reptiles, birds and assorted sea life, testimony to one of the largest illegal, if not creepiest, trades in the world -- third behind drugs and guns -- worth an estimated $20 billion annually."

Read the LA Times story by Thomas Curwen [ here ]

Nathan

Westword Music Showcase

2009-06-14T14:37:00.004-06:00

The Westword Music Showcase featured over 50 Denver bands and acts on over 10 different stages Saturday afternoon. Here are just two of the bands sampled during the all day long showcase.

The band 'Alan Alda' performs at Bar Standard on Broadway near downtown Denver June 13.

The Still City take the stage at a packed Bar Standard Saturday afternoon during the festival. Thousands of music fans roamed the streets of Denver hitting venue after venue in an effort to catch as many bands as possible.

Cheers,

Nathan

It Takes 250 To Tango

2009-05-26T09:36:00.006-06:00

Denver dance club, Tango Colorado, held a "milonga" (or gathering) where about 250 people gathered to dance outdoors in the Cheesman Park Pavilion.

As I've said in earlier posts, I wish that I could dance. And no, the shopping cart does not count.

Shuffling along,

Nathan

Canyonlands National Park - Utah

2009-05-25T20:02:00.017-06:00

There is a calm that envelops us as we venture into a remote desert valley.

It’s a calm rarely felt in today’s society. The calm from knowing that your cell phone gets no signal or when you turn your headlamp off the only light comes from the moon.

You leave the world on the canyon rim. It will still be there when you get back, that shit can wait. Turn the phone off and put on some extra SPF.

Canyonlands National Park is one of Utah’s most visited parks, but at night you would think that you’re the only person on the planet.

When morning comes the breathtaking vistas greet you with pre-dawn light as soft as the sand under your feet.

It’s memorizing, but give the soft light a few hours to become harsher, jagged even and you will soon wish for a shady tree or a cool pool to sooth your burning feet.

You scan the parched valley for a shady spot, but you only find the ripple effect from heat reflecting off that once cool and welcoming morning sand.

Harsh and dry, nature is trying to tell you to go away. Plants are prickly. Bugs bite. The sun scorches. Go home.

We knew the desert did not welcome us but we longed to stay longer.

We all needed one more day to drink in the calm.

You can see more photos from the trip [ here ]

Cheers,

Nathan

Senior Prom

2009-05-16T12:02:00.006-06:00

For these seniors, the secret to a long and healthy life is found on the dance floor.

Volunteer students from Mullen High School - along with parents and faculty - hosted Denver's active senior community when they celebrated the 16th Annual Senior Citizens Prom in the school's gym.

Hal Cole, 85, dances with Mullen High School junior, Kirsten Hess, 17.

Charles Ghilimo, 89, is penned with a corsage as he makes his way into the prom.

Prom King, Glen Beichley, 92, is crowned at the 16th Annual Senior Citizens Prom.

Al Bruno, 86, and his friend, Elsie Rude, 85 share a light moment as they dance the night away.

Learning to dance,

Nathan

Back To Health, Hoof By Hoof

2009-05-16T09:29:00.008-06:00

Farrier Rod Cameron trims the badly overgrown hooves of Topaz, one of 200 mustangs removed from 3-Strikes Ranch in Nebraska, as veterinary technician Katie Luggen soothes the mare Wednesday at Zuma's Rescue Ranch in Douglas County.

Wyomie stands with her colt (hiding behind his mother), Bad Boy Bandit, at Zuma's Rescue Ranch in Douglas County, where six rescued wild mustangs were brought.

You can read the read the story [here]

Cheers,

Nathan

snapshots from mexico

2009-03-25T19:53:00.010-06:00

Finally getting around to posting a few images from my recent trip to Mexico and Mexico City.

The following photos are just snapshots, that barely scratch the surface, of a very diverse and growing country at odds with their past while the populace carries the burden of an unknown future.

For centuries, the Mexican people have struggled, many no longer care, but many more fight hard to tell a story of a Mexico that is more than just a drug war, a gruesome headline shouting of the street violence or gringo hot spot for Spring Break partying.

They are proud to tell you of the Battle of Puebla, the cultural bright spots, and the food.

Cab drivers roar with lighthearted belly laughs when you tell them of too much cerveza the night before or when you mix a word of local dialect or slang with a 'proper' Spanish word.

There is so much I will never understand about this wonderful country because I am not comfortable with the spoken word.

The secret door leading deeper into any culture is opened through language.

Finding the key is not as simple as enrolling in a Spanish class at the local community college but for right now it’s the most logical direction and first baby step.

There will be more trips, more Imodium and of course more snapshots that barely scratch the surface.

Cheers,

Nathan

Maggie's Farm

2009-03-22T13:40:00.004-06:00

Bob Dylan, giving the suits hell since 1962.

I ain't gonna work on Maggie's farm no more.
No, I ain't gonna work on Maggie's farm no more.
Well, I wake in the morning,
Fold my hands and pray for rain.
I got a head full of ideas
That are drivin' me insane.
It's a shame the way she makes me scrub the floor.
I ain't gonna work on Maggie's farm no more.

I ain't gonna work for Maggie's brother no more.
No, I ain't gonna work for Maggie's brother no more.
Well, he hands you a nickel,
He hands you a dime,
He asks you with a grin
If you're havin' a good time,
Then he fines you every time you slam the door.
I ain't gonna work for Maggie's brother no more.

I ain't gonna work for Maggie's pa no more.
No, I ain't gonna work for Maggie's pa no more.
Well, he puts his cigar
Out in your face just for kicks.
His bedroom window
It is made out of bricks.
The National Guard stands around his door.
Ah, I ain't gonna work for Maggie's pa no more.

I ain't gonna work for Maggie's ma no more.
No, I ain't gonna work for Maggie's ma no more.
Well, she talks to all the servants
About man and God and law.
Everybody says
She's the brains behind pa.
She's sixty-eight, but she says she's twenty-four.
I ain't gonna work for Maggie's ma no more.

I ain't gonna work on Maggie's farm no more.
No, I ain't gonna work on Maggie's farm no more.
Well, I try my best
To be just like I am,
But everybody wants you
To be just like them.
They sing while you slave and I just get bored.
I ain't gonna work on Maggie's farm no more.

Bob Dylan - 1965 'Maggie's Farm - Bringing It All Back Home'

ar·ti·facts

2009-03-02T10:20:00.018-07:00

Final Edition. Presses fell silent. Shuttered. February 27, 2009.

Artifacts from an era of booming profits, record readership and huge circulation numbers are all that remain of many newspapers.

Artifacts, be it a copy of a final edition, memories, a yellowed newspaper clipping in the family scrapbook or a now eternally empty rack lining a Colorado street corner are all that remain of the 149 year history of the Rocky Mountain News.

Even as papers fold, many reporters and photographers still fight armed only with a thirst to tell stories that shape their community - be it for a small daily or for a major metro with international scope.

A scoop is a scoop. A great photograph is a great photograph.

Someone garners knowledge from that hard work that leaves those artifacts that we so value.

My thoughts go out to the Rocky staff and those in the community who looked forward to visiting the daily headlines armed only with a curiosity of the world around them and a hot cup of coffee.

***

Below are images taken since the news broke regarding the closure.

Violinists play in the Denver Newspaper Agency building on Thursday, Feb. 26 prior to the awards ceremony for the Society of Professional Journalists. The Rocky won over 35 awards.

The Final Edition, Feb. 27. The back page listed all newsroom staff members as of Final Edition.

The news of the closure scrolls by on a marquee at the Denver Newspaper Agency building Sunday morning. Rental space sits empty below the marquee. Other news of the day noted a rise in unemployment and national economic distress.

The words, 'Rocky Mountain News' and 'Scripps' have been removed from the Denver Newspaper Agency building.

A man reaches for 'The Onion', a free, satirical newspaper early Sunday morning.

Final Editions of the Rocky Mountain News sit unsold, among multiple tabloid magazines.

The words, "Rocky Mountain News', once perched high above Colfax Ave, on the Denver Newspaper Agency building, lay strapped to a flatbed trailer.

Food Stamp Delays

2009-02-25T21:09:00.006-07:00

Cindy White-Gant, a 51-year-old disabled former Wal-Mart employee, has waited for a food-stamp card from Adams County since December. With the help of family members she currently has food, for herself and daughter, but not enough to last the weeks between being issued food stamps.

You can read the story [ here ]

Nathan

a gutter ball and a red face...

2009-02-24T11:38:00.010-07:00

It's been slow in Denver and I've been hunkering down. I'm not off the grid, just taking a break from posting and still nursing myself back to health after a nasty headcold or something just as evil.

With a new blog in the works, over at WordPress, I've been blogged out. Twitter has been easier and less time consuming.

Let's not even mention the huge time suck over at POYi. Live judging? That is a guaranteed productivity killer.

Since my last post (which generated many, many hits - Thanks Rocco and those that linked my post from/to other sites) I've had a number of assignments but nothing really blog worthy - not that this post really is. It's just a funny experience and all in a days work as a freelancer.

Bowling. The word rolls gently. It's almost as fun to say as the pitchers of beer we associated with the sport are to drink.

Bowling is just like any other skill, first you have to learn the rules and then practice. I've never learned the rules, nor practiced. The last time I actually strapped on those slick shoes was with a bunch of Denver Post photographers and a Nikon rep.

To say I impressed the editors with my bowling prowess would be a bright and shining lie.

A few beers, a 2008 Nikon calender, a 7-10 split and a gutter ball is all I really have to show for the effort.

With my only schooling of bowling etiquette and lessons coming from The Big Lebowski, I was hesitant on taking an assignment from the Professional Bowling Association this past Sunday.

Visions of nihilists danced in my head as the ice melted in my White Russian. Hesitance turned into excitement and I jumped at the chance to cover something new and add a new client to my list.

***

This first photo was taken during a TV interview with a pro bowling legend, Pete Weber. I Googled him after I got home Sunday afternoon. I really had no idea.

In the next series of photos you can see Weber upset during play.

Seems that I managed to piss off a bowling hero, a Mickey Mantle of the bowling world.

Before the match kicked off I was asked to shoot all stages of the approach, a study in form, for the league.

I've shot professional golf before and the rule is to never shoot in the back swing. Never. Ever. Don't even touch the shutter.

Well, the same rules apply to professional bowling, apparently.

Weber makes a motion like he is taking a picture toward the judges. At this point a fellow photographer, and friend, puts his camera down. I'm caught holding my camera up, still shooting, when he turns.

He turns toward the area where I am sitting and voices his displeasure, thinking it was the ESPN crew. After the match - he lost in the second round - I spoke with the ESPN folks. They had not heard my shutter and were kind of confused at the whole incident playing out on the live broadcast. Oops.

With a very red face, even after the event, I spoke with the PBA folks about the incident. They did not seem to mind and thought my photos were, "What the doctor ordered."

Lessons learned this weekend:

First, jump at the chance to shoot new events. Secondly and most importantly, is to never, ever piss off Pete Weber.

Cheers,

Nathan

Cellular Obscura

2009-01-30T08:38:00.004-07:00

Photographer and friend, Shawn Rocco, a staff photojournalist at the Raleigh, North Carolina News & Observer, experiments in 'technical minimalism'.

"In the summer of 2007, Raleigh, North Carolina News & Observer staff photographer Shawn Rocco was on assignment juggling lights and other gear when he stepped aside to collect his thoughts, and shot an image with his cell phone camera as a diversion. Surprised by the results, he started shooting other images with the phone just to see what he might get.

The experiment has turned into an ongoing project in technical minimalism that Rocco calls 'Cellular Obscura.' He's been shooting a variety of found images, including street scenes, landscapes, and portraits. Rocco uses the limitations of the camera to his advantage, with surprisingly good results that he posts on his blog and exhibits in local venues."

A link to the PDN article [ here ]
A link to Rocco's Blog: [ here ]

Cheers,

Nathan

New Arrivals. Classics.

2009-01-24T07:11:00.005-07:00

"Some day I shall be President." Abe

Cheers,

Nathan

44

2009-01-22T06:11:00.007-07:00

Over the past few weeks I've been reading the biographies and history surrounding two particular U.S. Presidents, Abraham Lincoln and Andrew Jackson, in an attempt to prepare myself for the seismic nature of January 20.

Standing on the Mall looking toward the Capital, just a speck in the distant, so small one could place a thumbnail over the dome, you begin to think of the future that we will make for ourselves - not the histories of men long past.

"This is the journey we continue today. We remain the most prosperous, powerful nation on Earth. Our workers are no less productive than when this crisis began. Our minds are no less inventive, our goods and services no less needed than they were last week, or last month, or last year. Our capacity remains undiminished. But our time of standing pat, of protecting narrow interests and putting off unpleasant decisions -- that time has surely passed. Starting today, we must pick ourselves up, dust ourselves off, and begin again the work of remaking America."

'44' - Jan 20, 2009

Cheers,

Nathan

Day 2 - Roaming the District

2009-01-19T21:48:00.005-07:00

Jamming On The Mall

2009-01-19T07:35:00.008-07:00

Posting this a bit late, my flight left Denver at 1:15AM Sunday morning and was shooting on the Mall by 11:30AM EST. Sunday was a long day, slept an hour on the plane east, caught up with reading policy (nope, that didn't even put me to sleep) on the flight from Atlanta to DC while listening to the couple beside me in row 36 snore, and snort as they snoozed.

Taking it slower today, drinking some coffee at a home outside the District and plotting my Monday coverage and plan on getting back to home base this evening early enough to map out my game plan for Tuesday, Jan 20 - the big day.

Here are just a few of some of my photos from the Lincoln Memorial concert. The Washington Post is reporting that 400,000 folks showed up. I can believe that.

Heading back into the District to see what I can see. Hopefully I will get a chance to sit down and collect my thoughts and work on a cleaner, tighter edit. Focus is a enjoyable chore, so much going on here.

Cheers,

Nathan

Western Stock Show

2009-01-16T17:38:00.006-07:00

Headed over to the Western Stock Show this afternoon to shoot an assignment. Here are just some things I saw on my way into the show. Not too much, just trying to 'warm-up' before actually getting to work while waiting for the reporter to make his way from downtown Denver.

Only had a few minutes to work the light coming in under the I-70 bridge. Could have stayed there for another hour perfecting the layers - or something close to it.

Cheers,

Nathan

Obama's People

2009-01-15T22:19:00.005-07:00

The New York Times released a new multimedia piece, Obama's People, with photography and commentary by Nadav Kander with added commentary and the back story from New York Times Magazine Director of Photography, Kathy Ryan.

Judging from the audio, the photos of Obama's top 52 advisers, aides and members of his incoming administration, will run in the magazine the Sunday before Inauguration Day - which is January 20 - just in case you have been living under a rock for the last 2 months or your Twitter account has been acting up again.

Very interesting peek inside the portraiture process and a good, close-up look at the folks who will help run this country for the next four years. What struck me, beside the great portraits, was the ages of some of PEOTUS's closest aides and members of his administration. What was I doing when I was 24? I'm not really sure, but I can be certain that I was not slated for the title and hefty sounding job of, 'Special Assistant to the President'.

Cheers,

Nathan

Here Comes Everybody

2009-01-08T12:36:00.003-07:00

Just listened to a fascinating piece on NPR: 'Here Comes Everybody': What's Next On The Web

"When we change the way we communicate, we change society," Clay Shirky writes. "The tools that a society uses to create and maintain itself are as central to human life as a hive is to bee life. Though the hive is not part of any individual bee, it is part of the colony, both shaped by and shaping the lives of its inhabitants."

Everyone should be fascinated by this piece, not just those of us who are communications junkies, dorks, snobs or actually employed in the field.

Still wrapping my head around what is next in regards to the future of communications and how one can best use the technology available through a cell phone, email, twitter, blog, camera, video camera, signal flag and navigational beacon.

After this is posted, I plan on getting up from in front my computer and walking to my local book store and purchasing Clay Shirky's new book 'Here Comes Everybody: The Power of Organizing Without Organizations.'

Nathan

Inside the Presidency

2009-01-05T21:27:00.006-07:00

Received my new Nat Geo in the mail this Saturday, just getting around to flipping through the famously glossy pages. Found an article particularly interesting, featuring work by Time photojournalist Christopher Morris, as our country preps to usher in a new President after an almost 2 year long campaign.

Be sure to check out the slideshow of images not in the print edition and the video explaining how Morris captured a distinct and rarely seen moment. Fascinating.

Mark your calendars, January 20, 2009.

Cheers,

Nathan

Survivor

2009-01-04T12:40:00.010-07:00

People can learn a lot about themselves by learning from the scars of others.

Chris Santistevan, 34, says he’s lucky to be alive, but while spending time with this man you see a strength of will in his eyes, strength one sees in those that have too much to yet accomplish in their lives. You might get the impression that luck had little to do with his survival.

With Santistevan, a prior-service US Marine, it goes without saying that he's tough but also soft-spoken.

He’s a fighter but more importantly thankful for the life he now owns.

While driving drunk, on a lonely stretch of Wyoming blacktop, in a borrowed pick-up truck, Santistevan veered off the road, flipping over and over again.

The truck burst into flames and the avid hunter and outdoorsman was trapped inside the vehicle for almost 20 minutes.

I could not find the words to ask this man if he remembered the accident that caused the deep and wide scars that cover 87 percent of his body.

I do know that he was unconscious for 2 months after the Feb. 12, 2004 crash. He does not recall the countless surgeries, the amputations of his right leg and right arm and the skin grafts.

He will be the first to tell you to not be sorry for him. Soft-spoken, his eyes scream that at you.

Santistevan still hunts, now competing in the National Veterans Wheelchair games, but also speaks to high school students about his accident, telling them how it changed his life.

With his wife, Sheryl, by his side he carries on, never quitting, learning from his scars by teaching others.

This is just a start to the story that I would like to tell. [ Here ] is why I met Mr. Santistevan.

Nathan

Opposing Parties

2008-12-30T10:48:00.005-07:00

Getty Images photographer Chip Somodevilla uses diptychs to summarize his coverage of the 2008 U.S. Presidential Election.

Mr. Somodevilla's work has always impressed me. His political coverage is insightful and his work thoughtful. Thanks for sharing this.

By the way, before watching this video, I never knew that Getty Images has a You Tube feed full of videos and slideshows. Amazing.

Cheers,

Nathan

New York Times....

2008-12-29T12:56:00.003-07:00

2008 - The Year in Pictures....

A link to the stellar work from the staff of The New York Times. I hope they don't send me a nasty letter forcing the screen grab off my site, it's not like they need the publicity or anything.

Still making my way through the images in the The Election piece. Stunning.

Nathan

Christmas Eucharist

2008-12-26T10:44:00.003-07:00

Nathan

Skiing Santa

2008-12-26T10:17:00.007-07:00

Worked Christmas Day with only two assignments. First was a Christmas Day Eucharist, which I will post in a few moments, the second was to head up to Loveland Ski Area and look for skiing feature art.

The photo editor, who called the day before, joked about trying to find Santa. Well, it wouldn't have worked out more perfect if I would have planned it.

The moons lined up, the snow was good and my second Christmas spent in Colorado was wonderful though family was spread out across the country.

Cheers,

Nathan

pulp

2008-12-23T11:28:00.004-07:00

Stumbled across this interesting take on the literal decay of the newspaper industry from photographer Gerik Parmele. His work can be found [ here ]

In his words:

Pulp is an ongoing found objects photo collection
Ever since I entered this industry I've heard rumblings of troubled times for newspapers. The noise is starting to become defining. Newspapers loosing readers. Ad revenues down. Paper costs up. Budgets being cut. People loosing their jobs.

"Pulp" is my visceral reaction to the decline of the printed word.

I've noticed newspapers languishing unread for some time. Neglected they lay on sidewalks, driveways and streets. They decay.

At first they were a nuisance, an eye sore. But as I walked my neighborhood my thoughts would turn to the newspaper industry. And then one day things clicked in my brain and I made an emotional connection with them.

Now I can't help but photograph them.

Nathan

Missed Opportunity

2008-12-23T10:07:00.007-07:00

Not much here but a weather feature. It was cold, but no snow, which ruled out a 'happy kid sledding' or 'women bundled up with scarf covering face' photo.

On Monday, while making my way down the 16th Street Mall in downtown Denver, I spotted this pair sitting in some nice light strumming along to the rhythm of the street and passing trains. I passed them by.

"I'll get them on the way back."

On the way back, the passing trains, busy shoppers and the hum of downtown Denver was still there but these guys had moved with the wind. My sails deflated, I shuffled along in the cold - missing the opportunity to see.

Damn.

The photograph was gone.

But luck was on my side Monday afternoon. After a few minutes walk up the mall, I stumbled across my missed opportunity. In the light. Near the rails. Interesting lines. Busy street corner. Perfect.

I spent about 5 minutes with these guys before the young man on the left, Chris York, snapped a string on his guitar while belting out a blues version of 'Silent Night'.

I asked them why they had moved. The sunlight they both replied. It was warmer. Thank you.

York, a flat broke college student, plays for tips, and his friend, Graham Hughes, a New Zealander who's only lived in the States for 8 months, wanted to share the spirit of the holiday season with music.

With only a few dollars, in an otherwise empty guitar case, the pair played on as the city buzzed along, shuffling by in the cold, missing their opportunity to listen.

Nathan

Mongolian New Year

2008-12-23T09:04:00.004-07:00

The Mongolian School of Colorado and the Mongolian Community Association of Colorado sponsored the Children's New Year Celebration Sunday afternoon in Denver.

The room was filled with Mongolian music, dancing, skits and a visit by Santa.

Santa, a man dressed as a traditional Mongolian Santa Claus, wore blue, representing the sky of Mongolia, instead of red. Blue suit, red suit or otherwise the children's reactions were the same.

Though, I only had an hour to shoot (rushed off to another assignment) it was an experience that will not soon be forgotten. My only regret was not being able to taste the traditional Mongolian food.

Nathan

flow

2008-12-12T22:06:00.002-07:00

Mountain Meltdown

2008-12-09T09:10:00.010-07:00

What happens when they stop building houses and luxury developments in Colorado?

What happens is that Nature works hard to reclaim the undeveloped plots, snatching back the life bulldozed over by diesel powered machines.

Weeds grow between stacks of building material.

Coyotes roam the unpaved streets and the partially frozen Colorado River flows under a bridge to nowhere.

But this is not a heartwarming story of how a land developer had second thoughts about building a golf course on the Colorado River and constructing an elite fishing community. Or how the faceless corporation and mega bank became aware of the wetlands they planned on paving over, suddenly scraping their idea, giving the acreage back to the roaming wildlife and winding Colorado River.

This is not a story at all but more a horrible nightmare of economic disaster - a tale that affects not just the wealthiest residents of Colorado but every American who counted on these jobs building these postcard images in these postcard settings to simply keep paying their bills and putting food on the table.

Google Earth image of the Orvis Shorefox development Aug 25, 2007.

Tightening my belt,

Nathan

Snowy Colorado

2008-12-08T23:39:00.004-07:00

On my way back from an assignment in Granby, Colorado it started snowing...hard.

Hard enough to make one wonder if the pass was going to close.
Hard enough to freeze large chunks of snow to one's wiper blades.

Hard enough to make the roads bad enough to put my Jeep into 4-wheel drive and quickly come to the realization that my tires are not in the best shape. By in the best shape I mean having tread.

While slipping and sliding down a deserted two lane road in the small town of Fraser I came across a sleigh ride company, aptly named, Dashing Thru the Snow. What could be more perfect for a weather feature?

If only the light lasted 15 more minutes.

It was cold though, good light or blue light my hands were frozen. Maybe next time through Fraser I will stop by to say hello, take the owners up on a cup of hot chocolate and hell, maybe even go for a sleigh ride.

Cheers,

Nathan

'I am at war with the obvious'

2008-12-08T10:57:00.002-07:00

William Eggleston speaks:

Trailer for Reiner Holzemer's William Eggleston: Photographer
Directed by Reiner Holzemer
Reiner Holzemer Films, 2008

Thanks to Trent at The Click for digging this up.

Cheers,

Nathan

Darin Schaffer

2008-12-08T08:41:00.003-07:00

Musician Darin Schaffer plays a four string acoustic piccolo bass at Garden of The Gods Sunday evening while shooting a music video to accompany a new art project designed to showcase the spender of beautiful parks along with his music. Marin County California based Schaffer, who can be found through his MySpace page, is touring the country and performed in Colorado Springs Sunday night.

This was what I found after wandering Colorado Springs in search of weather related feature art. My eye was drawn to the rock formations, the light and the guitar.

Nathan

Year After Attack

2008-12-07T23:26:00.013-07:00

This Sunday I was assigned to cover a New Life Church press conference to mark the one year anniversary of a deadly church shooting. You can read the AP story [ here ]

New Life Church security team member, left, Jeanne Assam lightly touches the shoulder of New Life pastor Brady Boyd after a press conference Sunday morning at the Colorado Springs based church. Boyd and Assam addressed the one year anniversary of the shooting that took the lives of two and injured three other church members.

Tightly holding hands, husband and wife, Russ and June Gordon speak to the media about the one-year anniversary of the New Life Church shooting. The Gordon's are good friends with Judy Purcell, one of the church members shot during the attack.

Nathan

Journalists Become Targets in Drug War

2008-12-07T07:27:00.001-07:00

CIUDAD JUAREZ, Mexico – As the photographer pulled his 2000 Ford Explorer into a soccer field, the crackle of his police scanner was broken by a lone accordion riff.

The riff, a fragment of a "narcocorrido" glorifying drug smugglers, was an announcement that the death toll in Mexico's drug war — already above 4,000 this year — had just risen.

Hector Dayer already knew that as he looked out at the seven bodies, bound, beaten and repeatedly shot. What he didn't know was whether yet another colleague was among the victims.

Read the story [ here ]

Awareness Test

2008-12-03T10:24:00.005-07:00

Thought twice about yet again posting another's work this morning but if you squint hard enough you can see the value in such a test for photographers.

As a photojournalist, I took from this simple and funny video, 'Pay attention to the world around you, but don't miss what others may not see...and watch out for cyclists.'

Cheers,

Nathan

After Dark, Finding the Light

2008-12-03T09:20:00.005-07:00

No personal work as of yet on this very chilly morning in Denver, just a link to a NY Times photographer's work. I'm linking this body of work not just because it's good but because of the insight the photographer shares with the reader as part of the Time's on going feature, Lens, which can be found on the pub's Multimedia and Photo page.

What a great way to engage a daily reader and draw them into the photograph and thinking from the photographer on the street and the value put on the project from the editors. Pretty pictures yes. Hard work, you bet ya.

Michelle V. Agins, a staff photographer for The Times, discusses her photography series “Night Shift,” which documents New York’s nocturnal workforce.

Cheers,

Nathan

Mile High Aloha

2008-12-01T14:04:00.002-07:00

It was cold in Denver this morning, as noted by the very light snow on the trunk of this Thunderbird, but the owner of this American classic had the Aloha spirit of a much warmer climate.

Cheers,

Nathan

Holiday Travel

2008-11-25T23:30:00.003-07:00

A family looks for arrivals on large screens at Denver International Airport Monday evening prior to the made dash of holiday travelers. No travel for me this season, staying put in Colorado to work on some upcoming assignments and personal projects.

Hope everyone has a wonderful Thanksgiving.

Cheers,

Nathan

Nashville

2008-11-13T15:56:00.004-07:00

Visited the self described, "Music City USA,' this week after attending the wedding of a good friend in Asheville, North Carolina.

The honky-tonks that line Broadway, through downtown Nashville, were not as full as I would have thought - but I'm sure most of the partying went down after the CMAs. Today the music still flowed down the streets from famous venues full of empty barstools.

Sitting waiting for my flight back to the 'Mile High City' already missing my kin that I don't get to see as often as I'd like. I do foresee a return visit soon, this city is too full of character and history to just pass through. One needs to linger to soak in the past and ghosts of country music's past - Hank, Johnny, Earl...

Nathan

Election Night

2008-11-05T11:55:00.011-07:00

Let us resist the temptation to fall back on the same partisanship and pettiness and immaturity that has poisoned our politics for so long. Let us remember that it was a man from this state who first carried the banner of the Republican Party to the White House - a party founded on the values of self-reliance, individual liberty, and national unity.

Those are values we all share, and while the Democratic Party has won a great victory tonight, we do so with a measure of humility and determination to heal the divides that have held back our progress. As Lincoln said to a nation far more divided than ours: "We are not enemies, but friends… though passion may have strained it must not break our bonds of affection."

"I'm overwhelmed with pride for my county."

Center, Claire Williams, 19, first time voter, student at Colorado College located in downtown Colorado Springs, November 4, 2008.

situations

2008-10-30T16:03:00.008-06:00

There are times, as photojournalists, we are stuck in situations where we have absolutely no control over access or lighting. A late night hostage situation is a good example of having no control over pretty much anything.

When we are given these types of situations we can only do one thing, make something from nothing. Well, here are three examples of trying to make something from nothing. My only visual was a lone traffic cop keeping reporters behind the police line.

Nathan

The Dear Leader

2008-10-27T23:08:00.004-06:00

Found on Dispatches, a short film by VII photojournalist Christopher Morris, titled The Dear Leader.

You can find the video [ here ] Highly suggested viewing.

Nathan

Obama Prep

2008-10-26T00:25:00.011-06:00

I had an interesting assignment this afternoon. Nope, it was not an Obama rally but the prep before he takes the stage Sunday evening in Ft. Collins at Colorado State University.

Like Obama, these workers still have lots of work to yet complete in Colorado.

Jessica Rogers, a member of IATSE local 229 chapter, the union of professional stagehands, motion picture technicians, and allied crafts works to hang American flags on the campus of Colorado State University Saturday evening.

A podium sits on a stage at Colorado State University while crews work to put the finishing touches on setting up stands and hanging American flags Saturday evening.

The view from the podium looks down a grassy lawn lined by old growth trees that glow yellow and gold. A power saw, an extension cord and a yet unrolled and placed Barack Obama campaign poster sits on his stage as Blackberry armed advance teams scurry to complete last minute updates.

Nathan

The Life of a Photograph

2008-10-23T09:14:00.006-06:00

A few words from the new Sam Abell book, The Life of a Photograph.

As a photographer my intent is to bring the world under my aesthetic control. In its visual chaos the world doesn't ordinarily comply with this. The light, structure and movement of a situation is often at odds with itself and with me. (pg 78)

Making a picture just right takes time even when the thing you're photographing isn't moving. Instead you do the moving closer, not so close, change lenses, commit to a tripod, micro compose some detail, step back, reconsider, recompose, repeat. And when it looks right it also feels right - just so. (pg 158)

Update: With the advice of a friend I looked into this new book at my local book store. Stunned they actually featured the book on their shelves, I studied Abell's work in the store, taking notes and sipping coffee.

As of 2 hours ago I found a killer deal on Amazon and will soon add this wonderful work to my collection.

Nathan

Hempstead

2008-10-15T11:38:00.004-06:00

A video from the American News Project, and something to think about while we watch tonight's debate.

Today a horde of journalists descends on Hempstead, NY, to cover the third and final presidential debate. But ANP left the pack to hear from people outside of the media spotlight, people hit hard by our nation's crises at home and abroad.

video [ here ]

Nathan

Cloudy

2008-09-29T01:07:00.006-06:00

On Sunday afternoon traffic was pretty nasty on my way home from an assignment. So instead of moving in a crawl I quickly took a side street in a round about way home - a route normally not taken.

Rounding through an older neighborhood this building seemed to scream at me, "Stop and gawk at me. Take my picture, don't worry about what the tenets will think."

The seemingly crazy color pattern (there is a pattern if you look closely) and building cloud cover from a storm, that never produced anything other than a great backdrop, was like a post war beacon. Maybe, a relic from an era when folks were not afraid to wear red bell bottoms with a yellow shirt. Moody rings anyone?

As you walked in, would it be reminiscent of the hotel lobby made famous by Fear and Loathing? Would Raoul Duke need his golf shoes?

I waited and wished for a few birds to gather and sit on the overhead line. I left it in the frame because I simply liked the lines it made, its just a simple photo. A building mug.

Cheers,

Nathan

Blessing Of The Animals

2008-09-29T00:58:00.003-06:00

Willow, a rescued 9-year-old labradoodle, receives a kind word or two Sunday from the Rev. Teri Todd during the annual Blessing of the Animals service at Parker United Methodist Church. Willow was accompanied by church member Tony Griffin.

You can read the story [ here ]

Nathan

Service

2008-09-23T09:04:00.003-06:00

Please check out this portfolio from photographer, Platon.

This summer, the photographer Platon took pictures of hundreds of men and women who volunteered to serve in the military and were sent to Iraq or Afghanistan. He followed them on their journey through training and deployment, after demobilization and in hospitals, to compile a portrait of the dedication of the armed services today.

His work is amazing and can be found [ here ]
Audio from the photographer on documenting the military families [ here ]

Cheers,

Nathan

First day of fall

2008-09-23T08:37:00.008-06:00

Monday was the first day of fall but according to the thermometer it was still summer, almost 90 degrees.

Fall in Colorado is spectacular. The leaves of the Aspen tree turn an almost indescribably shade of yellow signaling that it's just a matter of time before the snow starts falling and the ski lifts start turning.

Cheers,

Nathan

Feature Art

2008-09-21T17:27:00.004-06:00

I usually don't get the chance to go on long feature hunts since moving into the freelance world. At my former staff position in North Carolina it was an almost daily endeavor.

Since it was a small enough paper sometimes what I, or my chief found, was slated for A1. It was not a friendly suggestion to find feature between your daily assignments but the whole paper depended on it - nope, we did not run wire service images on the front page. It was an editorial decision.

Friday afternoon, an assignment fell through, so when the call went through to the photo desk editor, breaking the news, I told him I'd keep my eyes open for 'something.'

I flashed back to my staff days and went through the list of target rich feature art environments, broke out my iPhone and did a quick Google search for 'Parks' and found that I was close enough to Cherry Creek State Park.

The park is a beautiful area that is often frequented by fishermen, cyclists, hikers and on Friday, two dudes that just wanted to kick back under a shady tree and strum on the guitar.

It's days like Friday that make all the fuss about downsizing, layoffs, budget cuts and closures fade into the background as white noise.

Tyler Smith, 18, strums on his guitar at Cherry Creek Park with hanging out with friend, Kevin Adamson, 19, Friday afternoon. The two picked a spot under a shady tree, near the reservoir, to play music, read and discuss current events.

Nathan

Reaching Out

2008-09-15T23:15:00.004-06:00

Eager supporters of Barack Obama strain to touch the Democratic presidential nominee's hand as he exits a rodeo rink after giving a speech in Pueblo, Colorado Monday afternoon.

I really did plan on posting more, but it's getting late out here, got an early morning.

Cheers,

Nathan

Fiestas Patrias

2008-09-14T23:44:00.003-06:00

Saul Garcia, with La Familia Mexican Steak House, prepares food for the Mexican Independence Day celebration, Fiestas Patrias, in Civic Center Sun., Sept. 14.

Pedro Rodriguez, 57, holds a large Mexican flag during a performance Sunday afternoon.

Latino music fans gather at a fence to try and sneak a peek at their favorite artists.

Members of Autoridad de La Sierra, a Chicago based band, gather backstage before their performance.

A boy yawns during a lull in music at the Mexican Independence Day celebration, Fiestas Patrias.

Nathan

PhotoShelter Collection, No More.

2008-09-11T11:07:00.003-06:00

Well, a grand experiment is coming to a close over at PhotoShelter. I never generated anything in monetary terms from the Collection but did generate some hits to my website, and that cool little java script running at the right...over there....

I'm sad to see it go. They tested the waters in a intelligent way.

Here is the mass email sent out just a few moments ago:

Dear Friends,

We're contacting you today with some unfortunate news - we will be closing The PhotoShelter Collection, effective October 10, 2008. Going forward, our team will refocus heavily on enhancing our original product, The PhotoShelter Personal Archive, which several thousand photographers use for bulletproof storage and online image sales directly to their own clients. Our financial position remains solid and we look forward to working with the photography community for years to come.

More details about timing and the implications for contributors can be found in a personal statement on our corporate blog, and this FAQ document.

Just one year ago, we started the Collection with a mission to "change the image marketplace for good." Since then, we've amassed a remarkable global community. We've built a unique position in the industry fueled by integrity and a true passion for photography. We've held our commitment to fair treatment of photographers with a 70/30 split of every transaction, opened up your access to information through our School of Stock and symposium events, and gave every photographer - regardless of one's network, location, or level of expertise - a fair shot at selling your work to the industry's top buyers.

However, our approach was insufficient to change buyer behavior on a grand scale and generate revenues quickly enough to satisfy our goals for this product line. While image buyers worldwide appreciated our new approach, the size of our image selection and the incumbent player's entrenched subscription relationships were a persistent challenge. As a result, we saw few strategic options for the Collection that would allow us to stay true to our commitment to a better deal for photographers and our desire to change the industry.

Despite today's decision, we remain committed to using technology to advance both the art and business of photography. Our team's energy and innovative resources will ensure that the Personal Archive remains the best online solution to help independent photographers write their own success stories. If you are not yet a Personal Archive subscriber, we hope you will continue your relationship with the PhotoShelter community through that product.

We want to express our deepest gratitude to our global community of contributors. We've enjoyed a full year of seeing your exceptional images cross our desks, developed warm relationships with many of you through PhotoShelter events, and shared in your excitement when you've achieved sales through our marketplace.

We're looking forward to chatting more with you in person and demonstrating some new Personal Archive enhancements at October's PhotoPlus International Conference.

With gratitude,

Allen Murabayashi

CEO

This may not spark discussion on the state of the photo industry, as a whole, but might bring up some interesting discussion as the hours pass.

Update: (Before I even posted this)

Photoshelter Stops Selling Stock

Nathan

College Football

2008-09-10T15:52:00.006-06:00

A few frames from a recent football game. For University of Colorado and Colorado State University fans, this was THE football game of the season.
The Rocky Mountain Showdown, as it's known in Colorado, ended with CU pulling away in the second half with a 38-17 final.

Nathan

DNC 2008

2008-09-06T23:06:00.008-06:00

(Author's note - I originally posted this late last night and early this morning re-read the entry and realized it did not make much sense - barely English.)

Finally getting around to gathering my edit from the DNC together. I was shooting for The Denver Post, juggling a large corporate client and trying to shoot some personal projects during this past week. The week was a serious lesson in scheduling, time management and learning (if ever given the chance again) never string myself out so thin on such a huge event.

That week the average night's sleep was dipping dangerously low....2 hours, maybe three. I lost about 5-10 pounds due to not eating properally, walking and riding my bike (traffic and parking was a total nightmare) and not having as much time as I would have liked to kickback some cold ones with newly found friends.

Honestly, nobody really had time to kickback cold ones or lounge around. Everyone seemed to running at a frantic pace. It was great to see everyone working so hard to cover such a fantastic event. The images that where produced during the DNC are stunning. I'm not only talking about those images made inside the halls and inside INVESCO Field but those made by great photographers of daily citizens.

The citizens that really matter, those that are not surrounded by a bank of stage lights.

Though I'm not particularly happy with the images that I was able to produce, the real gain from this experience are the lessons learned and people met, from the hundreds of people gathering outside Obama's speech to gas mask glad protesters to a delegate from North Carolina who only wanted to make her impact on history.

Nathan

Forrest

2008-08-31T12:06:00.006-06:00

Dogs.

Dogs are wonderful creatures and man's best friend. The can protect you, chase a ball or just lie lazily around the house waiting for you to come home.

My family had one dog growing up, a German Shepherd, that we had to give away because it was just too big for the house. I was too young to miss her when she left.

This Friday I met a man, Chris McGahey, 25, who was forced by the city of Denver to give away his dog, Forrest. Chris, owned what the Denver Division of Animal Control officials defined as a Pitt Bull - a dog banned in Denver through breed specific legislation.

He was forced to give Forrest away or the dog would be euthanasized.

"If it's the last thing I do, I will get that ban dropped," Chris said through sobs.

You can read the story [ here ]

Nathan

Pushing Foward

2008-08-30T08:40:00.006-06:00

"This country of ours has more wealth than any nation, but that’s not what makes us rich. We have the most powerful military on Earth, but that’s not what makes us strong. Our universities and our culture are the envy of the world, but that’s not what keeps the world coming to our shores.

Instead, it is that American spirit – that American promise – that pushes us forward even when the path is uncertain; that binds us together in spite of our differences; that makes us fix our eye not on what is seen, but what is unseen, that better place around the bend."

Nathan

DNC Dress-up

2008-08-24T07:28:00.009-06:00

Mix some free booze, a few cheap plastic Clinton and Bush masks, a Paul Revere impersonator and you get a DNC themed party. Unfortunately, I had a deadline of 10:30 PM, so I'm sure I missed the majority of the real party as the witching hour approached.

(M) Don Quzela talks with other party goers dressed as the Barack Obama featured on the now infamous The New Yorker cover. His partner, (R) Jorge Chavez, is dressed as a the militant Michelle Obama featured on the same cover.

(Top Right) Reid Walker, dressed as historical figure, Paul Revere, sips a drink at the house party.

Nathan

Umbrellas

2008-08-16T10:32:00.003-06:00

To say it's been rainy in Denver would be an understatement. On Thursday it was sunny and dry with a high in the 80s, Friday cold, rainy and in the 50s. Go figure.

Nathan

Bull Riders

2008-08-11T09:54:00.002-06:00

Nathan

Peace Bats

2008-08-11T08:52:00.003-06:00

Yippies take a swing for nonviolence at DNC. You can read the story [ here ]

Nathan

Nuns

2008-07-28T11:51:00.007-06:00

You can read the story [ here ]

Sister Betty Voss, with the Sisters of Charity of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Sister Voss is one of five nuns active in the order.
Sister Betty Voss laughs at a story told by Father Patrick Dolan, pastor at the Most Precious Blood Church, during the 175th anniversary of the Sisters of Charity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, an order of nuns who have worked in the state since 1888.

Nathan

Soccer

2008-07-28T11:23:00.002-06:00

This could have been my best soccer photo ever, good action, player in yellow's hand is hacking at defender's throat and in the next frame, also out of focus, you can see defender's foot planed squarely...well let's just say that this is a PG-13 rated blog.

Waiting for the match to start and watching the grey skies pass. No rain...well some rain but I was editing and transmitting so I stayed dry.

Nathan

Again, the Gay Rodeo

2008-07-24T15:28:00.007-06:00

This afternoon I have re-posted a new version of my Gay Rodeo story - due to some great advice received from photojournalists (and friends) who are smarter, faster and stronger than I.

I've left the original post up because one, I'm still proud of the work on the first edit, but secondly and most importantly to stress the importance of surrounding yourself with people who will give you an honest critique.

The edits are at times very small, a different crop, a re-tone but some are bigger. Remove this, replace with that, can this one.

One essentially said, "Dude, you can see your shadow in this one. That is busch league."

Gay Rodeo

2008-07-23T09:28:00.002-06:00

Earlier this month I found an ad in a local news magazine for the Colorado Gay Rodeo Association and their hosting of the Rocky Mountain Regional Rodeo in Golden, CO. Here is my take on the rodeo.

On a separate note, I just recently discovered that the upgraded version of Soundslides can produce a standard slideshow - without audio - which is great since I dropped my audio recorder while shooting the rodeo. Anyone need a really cool looking paper weight?

shining a light

2008-07-21T13:51:00.003-06:00

It's great to see good friend, Javier Manzano, working hard to shine a light on stories like these. In a three part series, launched today, Rocky Mountain News photographer Manzano and writer Laura Frank tackle the issue head-on.

An excerpt from the article:

"The Americans who built the nation's nuclear weapons are still fighting a cold war.

Tens of thousands of sick nuclear arms workers — or their survivors — from every state in the nation have applied for compensation that Congress established for them in 2000. But most have never seen a dime."

Nathan

Business Assignments...

2008-07-19T10:59:00.004-06:00

...can be fun.

Though it's a depressing story, the downturn in the US economy, it was visual and educational. As the cost of fuel soars so in turn the cost of all materials, including building materials, soar.

My assignment, head up to Boulder - Broomfield, really - to document steel fabricators working in their workshop and put a face on the men who build the skeletons of buildings and serve as the backbone of the construction industry.

You can read the story [ here ]

Nathan

Cycling

2008-07-18T10:04:00.008-06:00

OK, with a show of hands who is watching the 95th anniversary of the Tour de France...anyone? Not even one stage?

Well, that is not really surprising, though consumption of race headlines and video views are up. Many people feel that the sport of cycling has taken a hit from recent doping scandals, like this year's positive test by Italian rider Riccardo Ricco.

Well, I'm a bike dork and holding off ditching my cable TV until the tour is over...with 8 stages yet to race I've got some time before I hand back the cable box to Comcast. Since moving to Colorado I've picked up road riding, minus the spandex, only now realizing how great it is to ride 20, 30, 40, 50 miles onto the horizon.

With that said, and my point really, is that last August I was assigned by The Sunday Times of London to shoot a story regarding Team Slipstream and their current performance enhancing drug testing policy.

The recent expulsion of current Tour de France riders reminded me of the story - so I figured I'd post some photos.

The two lads sent by the team to represent the new face of American cycling are in their early 20's and great riders - hopefully competing in the 96th tour. The assignment was clear enough, portraits, shots of them training and getting tested.

Ian MacGregor

Timmy Duggan

Not the most exciting photo. So many things wrong with it, for example - it's boring.

Nathan

StoryCorps

2008-07-17T19:30:00.003-06:00

StoryCorps came to town today and I photographed a women telling her story. Shooting this assignment made me paused for a moment to think about the story I would want to tell...just for a moment though...I was under a tight deadline and under the twitchy push and pull effect that sugar-free Red Bull provides on breakneck days.

No time to think about the past, present or future.

No time for a deep think on days like today...maybe after finishing an edit and a pint.

What is the story that you would want to tell?

Nathan

Wednesday Walk

2008-07-10T12:10:00.005-06:00

Colfax Avenue looking West.

White dog.

Cheesman Park Memorial Pavilion.

Cheap whiskey will kill you.

Nathan

Photojournalism 2.0?

2008-07-08T11:42:00.002-06:00

[ Here ] is a link to an interesting article published in the Wall Street Journal this morning. Thought it would be a good read. I definitely took something from it.

Nathan

Reaching Out

2008-07-06T09:28:00.010-06:00

A member of Cherry Hills Community Church in Highlands Ranch, helps set up a replica of an African village. The free exhibit will present the stories of children dealing with the effects of AIDS. The exhibit features an audio tour and photography, and it will be open to the public today through July 15. Story can be found [ here ]

Nathan

Not Off The Grid...

2008-06-27T00:37:00.003-06:00

...just on vacation. Here are few shots from San Fran. More as I get the time to post. Currently, I'm in the Sierra Nevada mountain range with spotty cell phone and internet service.

Creepy wax museum near Fisherman's Wharf. Not sure what to make of the wax figure of W 43.

Nathan

Baghdad Blog

2008-06-21T00:07:00.004-06:00

"Moises Saman, a photographer with The New York Times, visited Basra, Mosul and the Sadr City district of Baghdad in May, visually recording the security and social situation in each of Iraq’s three largest cities."

Here is a link to the NY Times Baghdad Bureau posts where his photos can be found.

Nathan

Street Photographer

2008-06-20T17:08:00.003-06:00

A mentor once told me to never speak poorly of another photographer. Words to live by. Every photographer has his or her own way of approaching subjects. Bruce Gilden has his way of doing things and doesn't really care if you like it or not.

Bruce Gilden's curiosity about strong characters and individual peculiarities has been present from the beginning of his career. Gilden has also worked in New Orleans, Haiti, and Japan. He is a member of the Magnum photography agency. He likes to work close, and he gets closer the older he gets.

Here is the original article on the WNYC website.

Nathan

Air Guitar Hero

2008-06-19T09:07:00.012-06:00

Randy 'Big Rig' Layman, 27, three-time regional air guitar champ and real musician in his own right, rocks his air guitar.

His identical twin, who also performs with 'Big Rig', was out of town. I was totally bummed about that fact. That would have been totally surreal.

'Big Rig' is a funny dude and really great to work with. I was assigned to make a portrait of this air guitar champ and it was his idea actually, to find a really shady alley in downtown Denver to shoot. He knew of just the place and directed me there.

He literally jumped off this dumpster (see photos below) like 15 times as I tried to get a good shot of him leaping and rocking out to Judas Priest, Metallica or whatever air guitar heros keep in their repertoire.

I ended up not using the dumpster jump photos. As you can see the color balance was off, light was no good and I exposed them at ISO 1250. Opps, I was shooting in very low light the night before and forgot to change the speed and light balance. The image at top, my final edit, and the one used with the story was also at 1250 but the grain looked OK. I try to shoot at very low ISO's, higher than 400 and I'm bummed. A little grain, sometimes, adds a bit of a edge to an image but for this shoot it was a total mistake.

The finally image used was also shot while 'Big Rig' was stationary, standing on yet another dumpster. The light was better there and in a bit more of a controlled background - though still busy as hell. We gathered a small audience as we worked. One guy, speaking in Spanish, was telling his buddy that we looked pretty crazy.

Crazy like Ozzy buddy!

The edges of this dumpster was slipper and god knows what was inside. I was worried that he would break something - or worse - by falling into this sticky, stinky ass dumpster or pulling something as he hurled himself through the air - as every rock star should.

Hey, rides on a crazy train are meant to be reckless.

Read the article [ here ] and please note the one comment. It's from his mom, classic. Also, 'Big Rig' leaves all of us want-to-be rockers with some air guitar tips.

Nathan

Small Soldier

2008-06-17T22:11:00.006-06:00

An outtake from an assignment this afternoon for The Los Angeles Times.

The soldier, running along a ridge line, looks so small and powerless against the huge sky above him and the long path that lay ahead.

Nathan

Football Feature

2008-06-17T07:48:00.003-06:00

A few feature shots from Saturday's high school All-State Day at the University of Northern Colorado. The game started late in the afternoon and made for some pretty good light.

Nathan

Gonzo

2008-06-16T22:01:00.002-06:00

Gonzo: The Life and Work of Dr. Hunter S. Thompson

Nathan

Old Car

2008-06-16T15:10:00.009-06:00

I try not to get poetic about objects, especially cars, but while on a Sunday evening walk I saw this 1978 BMW 320i parked along a downtown Denver street. It stopped me in my tracks as I flashed back to childhood.

This is the same type of car in which I learned how to drive, with no power steering, on the busy roads of Northern Virginia all the while my dad calmly directed my lane changes, noted my speed and kept a sharp eye out for pedestrians.

It was just a coincidence that I saw this vehicle on Father's Day, but to see such a car that brought back so many fond memories of growing up was of odd timing.

This thing, this simple object made of metal, steel and rubber, that drove me to little league practice and games, friend's houses, and finally as my first car while in high school, was purchased by my dad when we lived in California. I remember the day he drove it onto the driveway, the way it sounded, the way he looked behind the wheel.

It wasn't shiny or new but we had the coolest car in the neighborhood. German engineering at it's finest, to say the least.

It had no cassette deck, only two doors and as it aged, it would choke and sputter smoke but only for the first few miles.

Gas was cheap then and for a high school student with a car the possibilities for adventure was limitless. Should we take that cruise into downtown Washington, D.C.? Sure, why shouldn't a 16 year-old with a new drivers license - still warm from the fresh laminate - venture into one of most insane places to drive?

The car was sold soon after my 17th birthday. To say I was sad to see it go, at the time, would be a lie. You moved on quickly when your world was small. There was no room for nostalgia as a teenager.

Now, wedged between a new high tech hybrid and a shiny SUV, on a quite downtown Denver street someone else is enjoying the coolest car in the neighborhood.

Nathan

A Horse's Best Friend

2008-06-15T12:11:00.005-06:00

At age 60, Dr. Wayne McIlwraith's New Zealand accent has softened, but his passion for horses and equine research is as pronounced as ever.

He is the director of Colorado State University's Equine Orthopaedic Research Center, the most prominent and largest of the handful of such facilities in the country.

You can read the story [ here ]

Nathan

I heart big oil?

2008-06-15T09:52:00.005-06:00

A photo from a recent protest calling for big oil reforms.

Also, of note. I finally figured this larger photo format thing. Thanks for all your help folks and Google.

Cheers,

Nathan

Golf

2008-06-13T14:49:00.003-06:00

I've finally figured out how to post larger photos on Blogger. For such a simple procedure it took a few mind numbing days of looking at code, emailing random photographers and yelling at my computer.

It took the simple suggestion from a friend and multimedia photo editor at the Post that led me to my answer.

"Why don't you just Google it?'

"Uh, yeah..."

Well, here it is - larger photos from a piece I shot regarding the Colorado golf industry. I got to chase light around in a golf cart in the cool Colorado spring air. Not a bad gig.

Nathan

Elephantidae

2008-06-13T08:21:00.006-06:00

From a feature hunt at the Denver Zoo.

Nathan

Digging This Trend

2008-06-11T15:09:00.005-06:00

Community gardens are a growing trend these days. I've got the seed sales receipts, the weak pun and a link to a story [here] to prove it.

A few hours after this assignment was shot my girlfriend and I made a trip to Home Depot and spent $65 on two types of tomato plants, a green pepper plant, a red pepper plant, some strawberries, and a few flowering plants to border our grandly planned garden.

Since moving from Capital Hill to another section of downtown Denver, my yard space has doubled due largely to the simple fact that I had no yard at my Capital Hill loft. Well, I take that back, my loft's backyard was a concrete patch covered in a few homeless grills, a random picnic table and a neighbor's cat (still don't know to whom it belonged) that was leashed to a stick jabbed into what patch of dirt was left.

Come to think of it...the leashed cat was more random than the picnic table.

So, back to the garden. I've never had a green thumb but somehow I've managed to raise a few potted house plants and some orchids all within the confines of an apartment. I'm betting that I can move that success outdoors to the tune of fresh tomatoes and strawberries.

The gardeners that I met this weekend inspired me to get outside and grow something.

As I write this the plants are sitting, not yet planted, withering in the Colorado sun. At least the cat will not bother them.

Nathan