Archive for December, 2010

Came across these random mid-century interior images in a Flickr stream today. The more I look at these images, the more I want to flash back to the past and interview the designers. Their thought process would be invaluable.

I checked in on Tim Navis recently after way too long away and as usual, I was not disappointed. He’s posted a lot of new work much of which I see as a distinct evolution from his already stellar earlier output. A lot of it is taking on a very illustrated quality which I really enjoy. Also loving the new B&W stuff; that tennis court shot is incredible. I’m pretty sure he’s using a 5D MK2 these days, not quite certain though.

On a side note, I’ve been trying to get Tim to do a process post here. Maybe a little urging will do the trick.

More at Navis Photography and Flickr

A small peek into my personal life, I will always look for the original Black/Red Poltronova Saratoga 2-seater on ebay and craigslist when I get a chance but I never have the money. The 3 piece is a pipe dream and i’d definitely settle for the single seat one too, my obsession with original glossy lacquered furniture will never die.

I came across this video on Reddit tonight and was pretty much blown away by the concept, but not necessarily the execution. Then I read the comments where someone had linked to the above video and I was absolutely mesmerized. Visually the whole thing is very reminiscent of Michel Gondry’s video for Star Guitar. Now if the whole thing would just sync up the same.

The video was made using a simple mirror filter and an HD video camera, shot from a train. I use a lot of mirroring effects for live visuals, but never on material shot from a moving vehicle. Something about it feels so fluid; almost CGI. I wonder if this effect will become the video equivalent of tilt-shift, popping up everywhere all of the sudden.

Oh and if you haven’t had your videos-shot-from-a-train fill yet, here’s one shot using a high speed camera from a high speed train, in slow motion.

And here are a couple more from Tokyo, this time shot from a car. The vertical movement of the car (shocks) really accentuate the effect: One | Two

Just a quick note on a new feature we’ve added to the site. You may have noticed that little heart icon and number at the bottom right of each post. It’s pretty self-explanatory, if you enjoy a post just click the heart button and it will bump the number up. We tested on most of the major browsers, but let us know if you have any issues or suggestions.

A friend recently turned me on to Adreas Gursky’s photography. His work is absolutely breathtaking; the sort of vaguely distant quality of the images is really striking. Gursky has been working for many years but only started using computers to manipulate his photographs the ’90s. Apparently his prints range all the way up to 6 feet tall; I can’t even imagine how impressive the detail must be at that scale. You can find some more of his work at the Matthew Marks Gallery site or via Google Images. Truly inspiring.

Also, I really need to go to wherever that pool is. It looks like some sort of utopian society where they somehow put Barton Springs in the middle of Amstelpark.

Via Simon Smith

UPDATE: Thanks to WZT in the comments for sharing the location of the pool in the last photo. Check it out on Google Maps.

Fellow Academy of Art graduate student Johnny Selman has taken on a rather daunting project: design a poster a day for one year, using content based on a headline from the BBC news website. His project is meant to raise awareness of global current events using the immediately more accessible visual language of posters. Ideally the poster for the day intrigues you to read a story you might have otherwise ignored. He doesn’t make it very easy on himself either, as he only allows the use of 10 flat colors and no photography, all within the one day time limit per poster.

If you live in San Francisco, you can come check out the project in person tonight (12/16). Johnny will be celebrating his 100th day out on Valencia Street (between 17th and 22nd) with the first 100 posters displayed in storefront windows.

RED is finally bringing a prosumer class camera to bear and it looks like the release is imminent. While certainly not cheap at nearly $5,000 for the “lens and brain kit”, it certainly makes for a compelling alternative to the Canon 5D MK2. The aesthetics on the RED cameras (founded by Oakley’s Jim Jannard) are a little to reminiscent of those MP3 goggles Dog The Bounty Hunter wears but there’s no denying the quality of the output.

All the of RED stuff might as well be vaporware to me, I know it must exist somewhere but I’ve never seen it in person or even heard of anyone owning or using one of their cameras. Here’s a video of someone actually holding (apparently not using though) a Scarlet. I really like the screen configuration. Does anyone around here own or use a RED? Does it live up to the hype? Do you get free MP3 goggles with it?

Via Engadget

I’m soo happy to hear these honest sounds from the new Dntel EPs, lets bury Postal Service in the backyard and pretend we never worked with Ben Gibbard. One listen all the way thru both EPs had me feeling like he really loved what the outcome was on these songs.

Have you asked yourself how the next Toro Y Moi album might sound like? well here’s a taste, a lot more funk and relying on his given talents, no smoke and mirrors just beautiful key work.

The intro to Painted Palms’ All Of Us is being played on loop, just those first few notes, I LOVE IT!

I don’t know much about Australian born Reuben Ingall but I do enjoy his loose structure and processing, a nice change of pace for both manipulated string work, not too avant garde and not too trendy.

The third prize winner in the Holiday Giveaway has been chosen! Congrats to Jeff Ratto, you’ve won an ISO50 shirt and a Tycho MP3 collection.

There are still two more chances to win and a bunch more prizes (including ISO50 designed skis or snowboards), check out the original post to enter.