barrelmaker.us » Photography

Curiosity and Rigor

John Cooper — Fri, 26 Aug 2011 19:40:47 +0000

Following a Twitter link to brainpickings.org, Maria Popova introduced me to both Andrew Zuckerman and his Wisdom project. The first video is an interesting, inspirational talk about how he came to do the Wisdom project and some of the things he learn from it. It is fairly long (for this blog) at 27 minutes, but very worth it. And now I’m really excited to see the Wisdom film, the trailer for which is the second video below.

Andrew Zuckerman from 99% on Vimeo.

WISDOM Trailer from Andrew Zuckerman Studio on Vimeo.

“Useful, social, living, layered and curated”

John Cooper — Fri, 22 Oct 2010 21:23:50 +0000

Read this provocative article today by Steve McCallion about logos and social branding. The article cued off of the recent GAP logo debacle, citing it as an example of the myopia of current corporate brand strategists.

This video was embedded in the article as an example of a successful social branding project undertaken by Levi’s. It features an interview with photographer, Tim Barber, who curated the project’s New York show. I was previously unfamiliar with Tim Barber, but this video led me on to his site (online gallery) called Tiny Vices which contains some really good art work and photography (wow, Reza Nader!).

Still frontier, but not very still

John Cooper — Thu, 14 Oct 2010 21:26:56 +0000

Found this preposterously wonderful video today on the Just Stuff I Find blog. Now here is a cool family project! Father son science! Camera in space! Here is a short news article (Time affiliated site).

Homemade Spacecraft from Luke Geissbuhler on Vimeo.

“Billions and billions of stars…”

John Cooper — Wed, 28 Apr 2010 21:13:14 +0000

When my sister and I were little, my Uncle Chick used to make fun of my Mom’s more flighty moments by invoking Carl Sagan and saying the above line in a funny voice. Bevin and I loved this despite only a vague familiarity with Mr. Sagan at the time. We loved the voice my uncle used and the mysterious, provocative line “billions and billions of stars”.

Well today, stopping in for my occasional visit at Just Stuff I Find (see Blogroll on right), I enjoyed this short movie by David Fu, which brought pleasant memories of my youth, my home, and my uncle, and also re-inspired me to enjoy simple things and to live in the present. Ikiru.

RAD lounge blogging

John Cooper — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 18:59:06 +0000

A picture of my new favorite blogger:

RADMAN, a blogger for Lifelounge

I’m not sure if Lifelounge is RAD’s personal blog or what, but there sure are some awesome photos of bygone RAD times. Here’s an example of a post entitled “When spandex karate was rad“. Wow.

11/25/09 — Since I initially posted this I have found out more about Lifelounge Magazine.

Since 1999 lifelounge.com has been serving up inspiring, entertaining and authentic content and ideas from Australia and around the globe. With daily news and up-to-the-minute posts from a team of local and international editors, lifelounge.com is Australia’s number one destination for its culture-hungry and dedicated readership. And just like the magazine, it’s pixel-packed full of the latest music, fashion, art, and design – not to mention a healthy dose of exclusive videos, forums and blogs.

Heart Art

John Cooper — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 21:23:36 +0000

i didn’t know where to put these sites I came across during my lunch today, so here they are…artists in residence.

http://www.anabenaroya.com/ — art of Ana Benaroya.

http://www.behepp.com/ — Photos, findings, and art of Elizabeth Heppenstall.

http://silhouettemasterpiecetheatre.com/ — the silhouette art of Wilhelm Staehle. (Good quips on his twitter page too!)

How to Teach Climbing

John Cooper — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 19:24:02 +0000

Just had to clip this little segment from tvashtarkatena’s latest trip report, Torture Memo #2, The Beatings Continue, on Cascade Climbers. Hilarious. Perhaps you’ll agree.

His reports are worth following for the tale and his rather amazing close-up photography (and photography in general).

I don’t understand the whole ‘torture debate’. “How can we, or why do we torture people” is often asked by the deeply concerned.

Why?

Because it’s fun, that’s why.

And no torture method is more fun, save perhaps putting the victim in coffin with a live insect (one of the more imaginative officially sanctioned methods, at least according to former Justice Department legal counsel), than taking a newbie out into the mountains.

There are two basic ways to learn a language. One is to study the syntax, grammar, pronunciation, slowly, deliberately, piece by piece, until you finally decide to stay only in hotels where English is spoken. The other is to swagger up to the counter, recite your carefully memorized “I’ll need a woman about twice my weight and that bottle of clear liquid with the wolverine penis floating in it”, and let the magic begin.

Having taught climbing both ways, I’ve become a firm believer in immersion. It’s quicker, and a whole lot more sadistic.

Is the recession really over??

John Cooper — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 19:07:57 +0000

Although this shot was taken a couple months ago, I’m not sure. I know my expenses are only going up and this is for “necessities” like a telephone and health care while the salary goes up just slightly. And I know I’m relatively fortunate….

Ahhh...summertime. Relief in the recession?