Desoto 66

Trolling for Strangers to Befriend

ALEC SOTH has created a photographic career out of finding chemistry with strangers. On his frequent road trips through America, he’s drawn to loners and dreamers he spots from his car; sometimes he will do several pass-bys before striking up a conversation. Often that will lead to a portrait session with his large-format 8-by-10 view camera.

Source: New York Times, Art & Design, By HILARIE M. SHEETS, Published: July 31, 2009

Full Story at: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/08/02/arts/design/02shee.html?emc=tnt&tntemail1=y

It’s Not Just About Birds

The Jean Luc Mylayne exhibition at the Parrish Art Museum represents something classically American, not just in its subject matter — the landscape of the Southwest — but in its embrace of an idea that is both unpretentious and extremely ambitious: that through hard work and perseverance, one can capture the truth of nature. What is especially interesting is that the artist is French.

Source: New York Time, Art Reviews, By BENJAMIN GENOCCHIO, Published: July 31, 2009

Full Story at: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/08/02/nyregion/02artsli.html?_r=1&emc=tnt&tntemail1=y

Willing but Weak

There was this haunted house on the outskirts of the town which was avoided by all the townfolk - the ghost which `lived' there was feared by all. However, an enterprising journalist decided to get the scoop of the day by photographing the fearsome phantom.
When he entered the house, armed with only his camera, the ghost descended upon him, clanking chains et al.
He told the ghost "I mean no harm - I just want your photograph". The ghost was quite happy at this chance to make the headlines - he posed for a number of ghostly shots.
The happy journalist rushed back to his dark room, and began developing the photos. Unfortunately, they turned out to be black and underexposed.
So what's the moral of the story? The spirit was willing but the flash was weak.
--- The Unknown --

The MAN burns is 36 Days!

or 3,163,533 seconds until the Man burns! Not that I'm counting.

More Burning Info at: www.burningman.com

The Dying Newsroom

In 2008, the San Jose Mercury News, like many of its beleaguered competitors in the newspaper industry, has lost more than a quarter of its newsroom staff since the dotcom champagne bubble burst. "This place feels like a morgue," writes San Jose Mercury News designer Martin Gee of his 47-photo Flickr collection documenting the loss.
Source: San Jose Mercury News, Photo Essay by Martin Gee, Produced by Laura McClure, Gary Moskowitz, and Mark Murrmann, April 30, 2008
Full story: http:/http://www.motherjones.com/photoessays/2008/04/dying-newsroom/

Last Suppers

What they ate before they were executed.
Since 1976, 879 people have been executed in the United States, 82 percent in the South, 399 in Texas and Virginia alone. Prisoners are generally allowed to choose a last meal.
See for yourself.
Source: Mother Jones Photo Essay by Celia A. Shapiro, Text by Clara Jeffery and Emilie Raguso , January 2004
For story: http://http://www.motherjones.com/photoessays/2004/01/last-suppers

Proof.... They do EXIST!