I Was Going

Pukusana, Peru © Susana Raab

to write this self-indulgent rant that detailed the incredible highs and lows that have been my mood in the last two days, but I just couldn’t do it to you – didn’t want to publicly access my vulnerability like that, and really you don’t want me to go there either. Instead, here is Sarita and Benjamin in Pukusana, Peru living la vida rica.

I’ve got an assignment this weekend that involves hiking, shooting, and camping. I’m bringing the dog. Life ain’t so bad, as long as I can keep Teddy Roosevelt from body surfing on the whitewater rapids.

A Photo a Day PhotoFestival

I am honored to be speaking at this years A Photo a Day Photofestival, aka Geekfest, the first week in August in what I am sure will be a lovely, if not balmy, St. Petersburg, Florida. They’ve got a great list of speakers (present company excepted!) including:

Kenny Irby – Visual Journalism Group Leader at the Poynter Institut

Lara Lo Forti – Executive Producer of the Raw File

Susan and Mike Stocker – South Florida Sun-Sentinel photojournalists

Eric Larson – Florida-based editorial and commercial photographer

Bob Croslin – Florida-based editorial and commercial photographer
Robert Browman – Florida-based editorial photographer and MediaStorm multimedia producer
Ted Jackson – Times Picayune photojournalist
Ross Taylor – Hartford Courant photojournalist
Lane DeGregory – St. Petersburg Times reporter
Mike Weimar – Florida-based editorial photographer

At $125/pop what are you waiting for? Avoid the snowbirds, Florida isn’t just a winter destination! You can find out more here. Thanks to Melissa for really bringing us all together.

Take that: NYPHOTO!

Washington, DC is showing it’s scrappy side by getting in on the photofestival accion. Fotoweek DC is still in development, but you can check the website which has a juried show opportunity. I’m hoping that they’ll go beyond the usual suspects by offering us something unexpected as well as the de facto Natty Geo product placement, good stuff, but like ansel adams, we know its there! Then, maybe, the Jackanory himself will be dispatched to report on the goings on. Then we’ll know you like us, you REALLY like us!

Verve Photoblog: the new breed of documentary photographer

Need something to do? Want some inspiration? Or just keep tabs on your photoschool buddies?  Photographer, editor, and soon-to-be Fulbrighter Geoffrey Hiller has a blog dedicated to documentary photography. You can check it out here!

Sweet Rides

While some researchers spend months in front of microscopes examining protozoa and what-not with the aim of easing the suffering of mankind, this intrepid academic trolls a variety of media using search terms like “cheeseburger, fries, super-soda” etc with similar lofty aims, to be sure.  Thus it was, that I stumbled upon this sweet little ride via Fast Food Fever

“”Hamburger enthusiast Harry Sperl of Daytona Beach, Florida took a look at his Harley-Davidson and his collection of burger odds and ends — over 1,000 pieces strong — and wondered how he could merge the two. Well, you’re looking at the answer: the Hamburger Harley.”

Anyone out there got a couch in Daytona, I can borrow? Harry Sperl, I gotta ticket to ride!

Group Shows

Quite liking the latest Group Show from Humble Arts. Check it out here. Kevin Miyazaki, maker of fine booklets, also has nice, but tiny, group shows on his blog.

Vote Against Orphan Works, a PSA

Well, I don’t know about you guys, but I’ve been pretty busy recently and haven’t kept up with the Orphan Works business as much as I should. And wouldn’t you know but this came into my mailbox and it makes it so easy to send a cogent letter to someone so I’m passing this along for you too.

BREAKING NEWS, May 6, 2008 – The House is meeting tomorrow 2:00 p.m. Wednesday,
May 7, 2008, 2141 Rayburn House Office Building markup of H.R. 5889, the “Orphan
Works Act of 2008”

This means that if you oppose the House Bill as it stands, it is extremely important to
make your voice heard before that meeting begins.

At this time, it is understood that the House believes that photographers and other visual
artists including their trade associations are in agreement with the current bills. APA
opposes both the House and Senate bills as written.

Please take a moment to be heard via a prepared letter of your choice, or by including
your own reasoned thoughts in a professional courteous manner.

This link will allow you to be heard.
Scroll down about half way to see “For Photographers”.

It is important to be heard. It is your future.

Martin Trailer
National President

Constance Evans
National CEO

Feeling Challenged?

The National Press Club has put together a humdinger, reserve by May 9 to guarantee a seat:

“CHALLENGES FACED BY PHOTOJOURNALISTS”
Evening Sponsored by the
National Press Club’s
Photography, Events, and History Committees

This event is a special tribute to the memory of famed photojournalist Margaret Bourke-White and is part of the Club’s Centennial Celebration

TUESDAY, MAY 13, 2008
6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
National Press Club
Margaret Bourke-White Room

PANELISTS:

ROBIN ANDERSEN, Professor, Author, Scholar
MAURINE BEASLEY, Professor, Author, Journalism Historian
MAX DESFOR, Pulitzer Prize-Winning Photojournalist
SARAH VOISIN, Staff Photojournalist, The Washington Post, and
Co-Founder, Women Photojournalists of Washington
***
Moderator:
MARLENE JUSTSEN, National Press Club Archivist

Welcome Remarks and Introductions by:
DARLENE SHIELDS, Chair, NPC Photography Committee

TO RESERVE, PLEASE CALL BY MAY 9, 2008:
Pat Nelson: (202) 662-7501
ALL ARE WELCOME – NO CHARGE

More Postcards from Peru

© Susana Raab

Who needs Madonna? These girls have never heard of vogueing, and yet, they have.

A good spot for a calming nerve tonic:

© Susana Raab

This picture in no way conveys how defined this surfer’s abs were, more’s the pity.

© Susana Raab

Why I Love Flannery O’Connor

© Susana Raab: Flannery’s Bedroom, Andalusia, Milledgeville, Georgia

Her thoughts on academia:

“Everywhere I go I’m asked if I think the university stifles writers. My opinion is that they don’t stifle enough of them. There’s many a best-seller that could have been prevented by a good teacher.”

– Flannery O’Connor

with apologies to Liz Kuball and best birthday wishes!