digging through the archives today i came across this photo of sophia from last summer in yosemite. i couldn’t resist posting it as it brought back some good memories.

on that particular morning, i woke up early to go and take some pictures while my wife kelly stayed with the kids. when i came back they were still asleep so i rekindled the fire and waited. eventually i heard something stirring in the tent. sophia was the first to wake up and i was ready with camera in hand to camera her peaking out of the tent.

if you’re not familiar with peter, he is a surfer, musician and all around interesting guy.

i went over to shawn’s warehouse last week and it was super cool to see what’s been happening. shawn is one inspiring guy. we talked about everything from commerce, conceptual ideas to design, style, surfing, surfboards, typography, wood work and more. the whole time i was on the edge of my seat. above are three of my pics from that day that come close to capturing a bit of who shawn is. (click the image for a larger view)

last week triathlete magazine posted a behind the scenes video of the cover shoot i did with 3x ironman champion and good friend chris lieto.

click here to check it out!
(our part begins at about 3:38)

jeff johnson portrait / hasselblad 503cw / ilford hp5

180 south world premiere / feb 10th 7:30 pm / santa barbara
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if you live anywhere near santa barbara you won’t want to miss this film premiere.  it is the perfect combo of story, stunning cinematography, surfing, climbing, travel, and adventure. to top it off, the movie is made by one of my favorite film makers – chris malloy… and it features some interesting people like yvon chouinard, keith malloy, jeff johnson and others.

click here to check out the trailer

as a side note, below is a iphone snapshot from my office today. the huge picture of the graveyard and ocean was captured by jeff johnson while filming 180 south in the easter islands (click on the image for a larger view). this image, along with others will be featured in a coffee table book to compliment the movie.

i’m honored to be a part of david duchemin’s latest ebook, it’s titled inspired eye 2. if you’re looking for a quick and engaging read about creativity and photography i think you’ll enjoy this 35 page ebook. david has a great way of communicating in both written word and visual form… and here’s the best part the book only costs $5!

click here to learn more!

if you’re in need of a photographic creative boost, check out my most recent article in the latest issue of layers magazine. it’s all about how to create more compelling photographs.
click here to view the article online – enjoy!

on thursday feb 4th from 5-8pm, i will be joining 3 of my esteemed colleagues who have also recently published books (pictured above) for a book signing event at the cota st gallery.  while we all teach at brooks, each of us have a different way of thinking, teaching and taking pictures. this type of diversity is one of brooks celebrated strengths and it will make for a fun evening that you won’t want to miss. at the event, the gallery will have books for sale and all the proceeds go directly to the vern miller scholarship fund.

if you live in the area we would be honored to have you stop by – i hope you can make it!
click here for directions

we just got back from visiting family up in northern california. annika especially liked the swing in grandma and grandpa’s wild and tree-filled backyard.

this week i had opportunity to photograph chris lieto for the cover of the april issue of triathlete magazine. chris is a world class athlete, 3x ironman champion and someone who never gives up. at the ironman world championships in kona hawaii last year chris finished 2nd! he is a force to be reckoned with!

even more, chris is one of my closest friends.  in fact, a number of years ago chris saved my life while we were rock climbing… then later, at another time in life when i had to use a wheel chair for a couple of years and didn’t think i would run, bike, surf again… chris was a brother throughout that time and he played a key role in my recovery and revitalization. needless to say, chris is someone i value, admire and respect very deeply.

the shoot was epic! we had some intense rain but that didn’t stop chris cycling up gibraltar rd (one of lance armstrong’s favorite rides). while chris rode i hung out of the back of a truck snapping pics or sometimes i would jump out and run alongside him to get some shots. the photo above was captured on gibraltar by the photo editor of the magazine nils nilsen,  a top quality photographer and all around cool guy.

we also shot at the beach, up on some rocks, around town and we did some work in the studio (photo below captured by one of my assistants, i’m not sure which… either way thanks a ton mattia, miles and lara!). in sum, we had a ton of fun and i can’t wait to see what photo the editors pick to put on the cover.

in closing, it was unreal to blend many of my passions – friendship, athletics, weather, outdoors and photography. and for me photography has always been about more than the picture. it is about getting more out of life and that is definitely the case anytime i spend time with chris. for more than anyone i know, chris’ words, actions and life remind me of the truth of what he often says, “anyone can accomplish anything if you never give up.”

if you’d like to learn more about chris lieto - click here to view his website or even better click here to watch this recent trek commercial!

it’s been a full couple of weeks and i apologize for the lack of recent activity on the blog. i’ve been shooting a ton, teaching and developing, writing and recording some new digital imaging/photography training. over the next few months my schedule will continue to be a bit full, yet i’ll do my best to keep the posts coming.

as a side note, a few days back a fellow photographer and friend of mine named mattia balsami, took a couple of mug shots of me (example photo to the right and a partial view of the setup below). it was interesting to be on the other side of the camera, mattia did a great job and i learned a ton.  it reminded me that if you want to become a better photographer its not all about looking through the lens… and sometimes it might even mean looking at things from the other side of the lens. so here’s a creative challenge for this week – ask someone to take your portrait as see how it goes. perhaps you’ll learn a thing or two about how to become an even better photographer.

i’m finally back in santa barbara after some great travels and i’m really looking forward to 2010. the last few days there has been some excellent surf. one morning i took out my water housing. above are a couple of shots i took underwater. it’s really interesting and enjoyable to swim around in the ocean with a camera. more photos to follow…

i hope you have a wonderful holiday season and merry christmas! we’re heading off for the next few weeks – first up to northern california and then down to mainland mexico! it’s bound to be a wonderful mix of family, friends, celebration and adventure. i won’t be posting for a while but will be back in action mid-jan. see you then! a big thanks to one of my former students matt chenot for taking the family photos above (matt took the photos for a homework assignment in one of his portrait classes). to see more of his work click here.

happy holidays!

on this cold winter day i am sad, quiet and still.
i just got word that photographer, colleague and friend nick dekker passed away.
he was generous, honest and full of life.
time is relentless.

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below is one of nick’s platino type prints. the photograph was made in
north dakota near his parent’s home. it is titled “forgotten dreams”

i am completely in love with my little sophia grace.
the photo  above was captured with a wood large format camera using discontinued & expired film.
for me, the degradation of the film makes the image more sentimental and thus more valuable.
it reminds me that photography is savoring both the passage of time and the moments in between.

maky curren is such a warm and wonderful person.  her portrait above was captured with an old hasselblad and ilford bw film. i’ve found that when i shoot with a hasselblad it slows me down. there’s something about loading film, having only 12 shots, manually advancing the film and then the profound sound of the shutter. after pressing the shutter release the what you see goes black. complete darkness and quiet.

a few weeks ago tom and maky curren had a wonderful wedding/anniversary celebration. the above image was captured with a point and shoot film camera (the yashica t4 super), loaded with tmax 400 speed film.

a portrait of one of my teaching colleagues harry liles. this one was captured last week with a wood and brass large format camera and t55 polaroid film (yep i still have a few boxes left!).

here’s a photo i took with an old hasselblad of jon swift. he’s an interesting guy, deeper thinker and great musician – click here to learn more.