Desert Bloom at Gangplank
May 8, 2010 Music
Most days I wake up in the morning and realize I am living a dream. Seriously. Through circumstance, fortitude and encouragement I am involved in two of the most collaborative project of my life.
You guys know about The Music Matters Project benefiting Sweet Relief Musicians Fund (which is off to an amazing start thanks to everyone), but I’m sure how many people know about Desert Bloom.
Desert Bloom’s mission is to give a platform of expression to those who have talent but for whatever reason have had their creativity suppressed, and to make a real crucible for creative collaboration in the greater Phoenix area.
For the past two years Gangplank has been the center of Arizona’s tech community. It’s no surprise they are involved in Desert Bloom.
The group wants “to give a platform of expression to those who have talent but for whatever reason have had their creativity suppressed, and to make a real crucible for creative collaboration in the Valley,” says event volunteer Nicholas DiBiase. “We want to create profound connection between tech innovators, big thinkers, musicians and artists in a way that’s going to really build up cultural capital here in the Phoenix area.”
Being a non-tech person I was invited into the circle by Josh Strebel, co-founder of Page.ly (a premium WordPress hosting solution) and Gangplank. After an introduction to Derek Neighbors, also co-founder of Gangplank, Brandon Franklin, Nicholas DiBiase and Brandon Mason – Desert Bloom was formed.
I think Brandon Franklin sums the mission of the project up best. “We are surrounded every day by talented people, but most of us don’t realize it. Desert Bloom is about tearing back the curtain that keeps these people hidden from each other’s sight, and letting them meet, talk, and cross-pollinate. When you take creative people, bring them together, and tell them to cut loose and go nuts, things happen that will blow your mind.”
Our first event, Music and Art : Desert Bloom 1, happens May 14 and is a showcase of 7 local live music acts, 9 visual artists, and 2 DJs, all of whom are associated with the Valley’s tech and creative class. The artists are all donating their talents and tickets are available free of charge.
This project demonstrates what can happen when four people with a common interest, pooling shared resources, tapping into both their personal and professional networks getting something done to benefit the creative community.
(For more information please visit www.desertbloomphoenix.com or our Facebook Page)
Now, I ask two things of you – come down and check out our event or look around you and see who you can be collaborate with. I look forward to hearing about it.
Tags: art showcase, co-working, collaboration, desert bloom, desert bloom phoenix, gangplank, music showcase
FUCK YOU ALL
Apr 25, 2010 Photography Discussion
I woke up the other morning and checked my email. Nothing good so I browse some photography sites and come across an article entitled “A New Type of Theft – Can Post Production Settings be Owned?” on Digital Photography School.com. Unbelievable – someone wants to do what? Seriously?
I left a comment on the site and moved on.
Then I check Twitter. One Concert Photographer is freaking out – multiple tweets saying he may have to call out this other photographer for biting his site layout and colors. The tough guy even posted the link to the site he was referring to – thereby calling him out. Seriously, you are a photographer in St. Louis and he is in Europe. I really hope no one confuses the two of you. In my opinion you are being a bitch. Deal with it…I said it.
What are you afraid of? Yes someone’s site is similar yours – big deal. Yeah, Adobe Lightroom has an infinite combination of post production corrections, bells and whistles and someone happens to use settings close to what you have used – deal with it. Pissing and moaning and being a baby isn’t making your photographs any better. (Please note: I do think the people I am referring to are talented photographers and this is not a knock on their images.) Why your insecurity is coming out? I really struggling to understand.
Stealing my property is one thing. If you steal my images – I will be pissed and take legal action. If you use anything I have that is under copyright without permission – I will take action. We’re not talking about that here – right?
We are in an era of people (artists) wanting instant millions and instant notoriety. That’s bullshit. No one owes you anything because you can take great photographs. We owe you nothing. If you think you deserve critical acclaim and fortune out of the gates – I’m here to tell you that you don’t. You are owed nothing.
When we take time and try to elevate others we enhance our path. It’s one thing to collaborate with your brother on concert photography but the magic of collaboration happens when you help a complete stranger. Am I to assume that you were born with amazing talents in lowlight photography with your Nikons? No one helped you? If that’s the case – then I stand corrected. If it’s not the case get down off your fucking high horse.
Shepard Fairey & Glen E. Friedman have been known to work together. They came together and made some amazing things happen. (Check out Shepard’s Illustrations of Glen’s photos – by clicking here.) I’m sure their collaborations started with a mutual respect and a desire to make great art. Whatever the case neither one had to work with the other but they did – and we are better for it.
It’s time every eases up and steps their own photography game up and stops worrying about this garbage. Make great photos and you’ll be noticed. Bottom line. If you keep bitching you’ll also be noticed but for the wrong reasons.
And if anyone thinks I stole the title of this article from Glen E. Friedman, you’re dead wrong – he gave me permission. Peace.
Tags: collaboration, concert photo, Concert Photography, music photo, photo discussion, post production
