Just out for a "scroll"? Check out each of Nick's Picks. There are new ones added all the time!
Creativity and Nick Vedros
Nick Vedros, as explained below, is all about creativity. If I've learned nothing else about my good buddy, it's simply that you never know what he's going to find on the Internet that will just get your wheels of creativity turning. At least once a week I'm adding a new Nick's Pick and hoping you enjoy them as much as I do. The newest pick will always be the first one up under "Today's Pick". What I love most about these is, they're constant reminders of the world outside our door. It's so easy to get sucked in and have a day go completely by where the only thing you thought about was the business.
Landfill Harmonic - Beyond Amazing
As you watch this video, think about the purpose of Nick's Picks...to inspire us and get us to think more creatively. I love this video, because it so reflects such a pure definition of passion for the arts. Just watch it and you'll see what I mean!
JR's TED Prize Wish: Use Art to Change the World
Nick's done it again. His email said, "Check this video out, it's about J.R the French 'Grafitti' Photographer on TED talks, if you haven't seen it already, very inspiring! Make sure you see it to the end. It really evolves."
He wasn't wrong, but I did figure out why I love so much of this stuff. For me it's about feeding my brain with something other than a project I should be working on. It's about thinking about issues outside what I'm going to post today, returning a call to a new partner on the SCU project or working to make a deadline on an article for a magazine. As trite as it sounds, it's food for thought and we all need these little tidbits that focus on different aspects of life rather than the day in day out challenges.
The description of this TED presentation doesn't begin to really cover it, but it's close:
JR, a French street artist, uses his camera to show the world its true face. He makes his audacious TED Prize wish: to use art to turn the world inside out. A funny, moving talk about art and who we are. Learn more at insideoutproject.net.
He wasn't wrong, but I did figure out why I love so much of this stuff. For me it's about feeding my brain with something other than a project I should be working on. It's about thinking about issues outside what I'm going to post today, returning a call to a new partner on the SCU project or working to make a deadline on an article for a magazine. As trite as it sounds, it's food for thought and we all need these little tidbits that focus on different aspects of life rather than the day in day out challenges.
The description of this TED presentation doesn't begin to really cover it, but it's close:
JR, a French street artist, uses his camera to show the world its true face. He makes his audacious TED Prize wish: to use art to turn the world inside out. A funny, moving talk about art and who we are. Learn more at insideoutproject.net.
F*ck You. Pay Me.
Most of Nick's Picks, while they make some point about creativity and get you thinking about a concept or at the very least smiling, here's one that's destined to get you thinking about how you run your business. It's a presentation to a room full of designers at "Creative Mornings" and there are three things you need to get over before watching it... 1) It's two years old...but it doesn't matter, because the concepts are so universal and lasting. 2) It's addressing a room full of designers...don't worry about it. As you watch the presentation you'll literally be tripping over common denominators you share as artists and service providers. 3) The "F-Bomb" is dropped a few times...okay, it's just a word, but there isn't one better for the topic - just pretend you're in a cab in NYC! LOL
Here's the description from the Vimeo page:
"Our speaker at the March 2011 San Francisco, CreativeMornings (creativemornings.com) was Mike Monteiro, Design Director, and co-founder of Mule Design Studio (muledesign.com). This event took place on March 25, 2011 and was sponsored by Happy Cog and Typekit (who also hosted the event at their office in the Mission)."
Here's the description from the Vimeo page:
"Our speaker at the March 2011 San Francisco, CreativeMornings (creativemornings.com) was Mike Monteiro, Design Director, and co-founder of Mule Design Studio (muledesign.com). This event took place on March 25, 2011 and was sponsored by Happy Cog and Typekit (who also hosted the event at their office in the Mission)."
Nick's Picks
It's one of my favorite Vedros images and a classic in the humor section of his gallery.
by Skip Cohen
Nick Vedros, besides being a good buddy for a whole lot of years and giving me enough material to do a book called, "Travels with Nick" some day, is a creative genius. He's one of the best commercial photographers in the industry with a huge passion for humor.
Influenced a lot by the cartoonist, Gary Larson, Nick's images are always unique. Long before digital photography and the ability to manipulate an image, Nick was creating incredible special effects in his studio. In fact, I remember the late Don Blair in his 70's in the back of the room at a Nick Vedros presentation furiously taking notes on Nick's lighting techniques.
But there's something else really unique about Nick and that's why I'm starting this section with his own little cache of gems. Nick spends a lot of time searching the Internet for things that are different. Ideas that make us think. Concepts and presentations that stimulate his creativity and in turn we get the benefit.
Check out his website and you'll see some of the finest work in professional photography. In the mean time, Welcome to Nick's Picks!
Nick Vedros, besides being a good buddy for a whole lot of years and giving me enough material to do a book called, "Travels with Nick" some day, is a creative genius. He's one of the best commercial photographers in the industry with a huge passion for humor.
Influenced a lot by the cartoonist, Gary Larson, Nick's images are always unique. Long before digital photography and the ability to manipulate an image, Nick was creating incredible special effects in his studio. In fact, I remember the late Don Blair in his 70's in the back of the room at a Nick Vedros presentation furiously taking notes on Nick's lighting techniques.
But there's something else really unique about Nick and that's why I'm starting this section with his own little cache of gems. Nick spends a lot of time searching the Internet for things that are different. Ideas that make us think. Concepts and presentations that stimulate his creativity and in turn we get the benefit.
Check out his website and you'll see some of the finest work in professional photography. In the mean time, Welcome to Nick's Picks!
Watching Someone Make Daguerreotypes Is Totally Mesmerizing
It's a new Nick's Picks and this one is a kick to watch. Think about the level of craftsmanship going in to something that literally turns back the clock a hundred years! Check out the full article on Gizmodo. It's just a click away.
This is all about making memories, literally - or as the quote in the article states:
There aren't very many things in this world that last that long. Especially in modern times where things are so disposable. Everything is just used and thrown out. So, in the digital realm, well, it's so easy to take a picture. It's so easy also to forget about it.
Nobody is going to forget their own Daguerreotype!
This is all about making memories, literally - or as the quote in the article states:
There aren't very many things in this world that last that long. Especially in modern times where things are so disposable. Everything is just used and thrown out. So, in the digital realm, well, it's so easy to take a picture. It's so easy also to forget about it.
Nobody is going to forget their own Daguerreotype!
The New Renault Clio Goes for a Test Drive
by Skip Cohen
Right off the bat, I've got a request. Pay attention to the expressions on the driver's faces once the VaVoom button is pushed. This is brilliant advertising and so often, that's what my buddy Nick is all about. I can promise this will make you smile! Even though the video has had over three million views, I'm betting most of you have never seen it!
Right off the bat, I've got a request. Pay attention to the expressions on the driver's faces once the VaVoom button is pushed. This is brilliant advertising and so often, that's what my buddy Nick is all about. I can promise this will make you smile! Even though the video has had over three million views, I'm betting most of you have never seen it!
Bubba's Hover Craft
Whether you're a golfer or not, as I've said before, just trust me! Besides, it's only 90 seconds of your day. We're all into new technology in photography, but what about golf?
Years ago I was at a diving show and a Japanese company was demonstrating their underwater phone and all I could think of was, "What next?" Well, here's your answer when it comes to golf. I agree with Bubba - golfer or not, how could you not want to drive one of these? What they didn't share with us on the video was the anticipated price!
Years ago I was at a diving show and a Japanese company was demonstrating their underwater phone and all I could think of was, "What next?" Well, here's your answer when it comes to golf. I agree with Bubba - golfer or not, how could you not want to drive one of these? What they didn't share with us on the video was the anticipated price!
From TastefullyOffensive.com: People vs. Winter
It's another classic pick from Nick. While it has nothing directly to do with photography, without "imaging", words could not describe what you're about to watch. Winter always wins, but the good news is we're past the halfway mark in March and soon we'll be whining about summer temperatures! For me it's a fitting reminder why we moved to Sarasota!
The Third and the Seventh
by Skip Cohen
What I've always admired about my buddy Nick is the way he looks for things to stimulate creativity and the appreciation he as for anything that pushes you to think or simply moves you. Today's pick is another Vimeo Staff Pick and it's best enjoyed with a cup of coffee and the volume turned up enough to enjoy the combination of the images and the music. Created by Alex Roman it's simply a classic piece representing an incredible amount of work.
What I've always admired about my buddy Nick is the way he looks for things to stimulate creativity and the appreciation he as for anything that pushes you to think or simply moves you. Today's pick is another Vimeo Staff Pick and it's best enjoyed with a cup of coffee and the volume turned up enough to enjoy the combination of the images and the music. Created by Alex Roman it's simply a classic piece representing an incredible amount of work.
The Third & The Seventh from Alex Roman on Vimeo.
(Notes On) Biology
It's another one of Nick's Picks that showed up in my email this morning. It's a classic and while it's unrelated to imaging directly, it's not unrelated to creativity. If you're like me, this will become one of your first stops of the day, just to clear your head and give you a chance to say, "Wow". A big thanks to Ornana Films for taking us some place our minds normally wouldn't go!
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(notes on) biology from ornana films on Vimeo.
World's Most Insane Rope Swing
by Skip Cohen
Just trust me on this. It's another one of Nick's Picks, but between the music and the insanity I LOVE IT! And it's a great way to start the day. In all honesty, there's is a connection here. I'm betting we're all watching this and thinking, who in their right mind would ever do this?
Okay, so now think about your own business and everything you do to keep it going, the assignments you take on, the weddings you've photographed and the promises you've made to clients. All of you fly without a net every single day your in business! And through all of this you've got family and friends depending on you. It's not that much scarier!
Just trust me on this. It's another one of Nick's Picks, but between the music and the insanity I LOVE IT! And it's a great way to start the day. In all honesty, there's is a connection here. I'm betting we're all watching this and thinking, who in their right mind would ever do this?
Okay, so now think about your own business and everything you do to keep it going, the assignments you take on, the weddings you've photographed and the promises you've made to clients. All of you fly without a net every single day your in business! And through all of this you've got family and friends depending on you. It's not that much scarier!
An Incredible Palindrome "Lost Generation" and an AARP Contest
by Skip Cohen
A palindrome according to Wikipedia is "a word, phrase, number or other sequence of units that may be read the same way in either direction." This video reads the exact opposite both backwards and forwards. Just trust me on this and take the time to watch this. It'll be one of the best two minutes of your day! It was Nick's pick this morning and it blew me away. A 20 year old submitted this in a contest by AARP called "U @ 50". It's brilliant!
A palindrome according to Wikipedia is "a word, phrase, number or other sequence of units that may be read the same way in either direction." This video reads the exact opposite both backwards and forwards. Just trust me on this and take the time to watch this. It'll be one of the best two minutes of your day! It was Nick's pick this morning and it blew me away. A 20 year old submitted this in a contest by AARP called "U @ 50". It's brilliant!
An Advertising Lesson From Dodge Dart: "How to Change Cars Forever"
Yes, you probably think I'm nuts for showing a commercial for the new Dodge Dart. It's another one of Nick's Picks from a few months back. Nick is a constant student of advertising and pays attention to everything produced with a message. It's what helps him stay cutting edge.
Nick sent me the link to the new Dodge Dart commercial last year and I've watched it a few times. His message only said, "Love this Commercial - Great writing."
Think about the way Dodge gets the message across and the way you present your own message. You don't have to have a multi-million dollar budget to get through the noise. All you need to do is be different and hit people with an attitude that stops them long enough to recognize your brand.
Branding success in this industry isn't just about being a great photographer, it's about having a message that resonates in the heads of your target audience and creates top-of-mind awareness. Get through all the noise out there and you've got a good chance at not only surviving but thriving.
Nick sent me the link to the new Dodge Dart commercial last year and I've watched it a few times. His message only said, "Love this Commercial - Great writing."
Think about the way Dodge gets the message across and the way you present your own message. You don't have to have a multi-million dollar budget to get through the noise. All you need to do is be different and hit people with an attitude that stops them long enough to recognize your brand.
Branding success in this industry isn't just about being a great photographer, it's about having a message that resonates in the heads of your target audience and creates top-of-mind awareness. Get through all the noise out there and you've got a good chance at not only surviving but thriving.
View From the ISS at Night from Knate Myers on Vimeo
A few months after Nick Vedros sent me the link to that amazing Dodge commercial he sent me the link to the video I'm sharing with you here. It's an amazing body of work of images from the International Space Station by Knate Myers. Nick's email to me said it all:
"Some of the most amazing footage ever. Don't miss this."
As Knate Myers wrote on Vimeo:
"Every frame in this video is a photograph taken from the International Space Station. All credit goes to the crews on board the ISS. I removed noise and edited some shots in photoshop. Compiled and arranged in Sony Vegas."
Music by John Murphy - Sunshine (Adagio In D Minor)
itunes.apple.com/us/album/sunshine-music-from-motion/id297702863
Image Courtesy of the Image Science & Analysis Laboratory,
NASA Johnson Space Center, The Gateway to Astronaut Photography of Earth
eol.jsc.nasa.gov
But there's something more that makes this even more special for me personally. From 1987 to 1999 I was president of Hasselblad USA. Hasselblad flew on every space mission for close to 40 years. During my time with the company we would get copies of many of the rolls of film from NASA. I even remember a camera problem on one mission and Chuck Gutierrez being patched into the space shuttle helping the astronaut on the mission complete the repair. He was on the phone in New Jersey connected through NASA and speaking to an astronaut on the shuttle!
Throughout our offices at the time we had dozens of stunning gallery prints of images from space. Watching this video brought all those memories back, but even better was a reminder of what we all really do in this industry. This is about imaging, creativity, art and reality...as I said a few weeks ago in another post, if this doesn't make you proud to be a photographer then something's wrong!
"Some of the most amazing footage ever. Don't miss this."
As Knate Myers wrote on Vimeo:
"Every frame in this video is a photograph taken from the International Space Station. All credit goes to the crews on board the ISS. I removed noise and edited some shots in photoshop. Compiled and arranged in Sony Vegas."
Music by John Murphy - Sunshine (Adagio In D Minor)
itunes.apple.com/us/album/sunshine-music-from-motion/id297702863
Image Courtesy of the Image Science & Analysis Laboratory,
NASA Johnson Space Center, The Gateway to Astronaut Photography of Earth
eol.jsc.nasa.gov
But there's something more that makes this even more special for me personally. From 1987 to 1999 I was president of Hasselblad USA. Hasselblad flew on every space mission for close to 40 years. During my time with the company we would get copies of many of the rolls of film from NASA. I even remember a camera problem on one mission and Chuck Gutierrez being patched into the space shuttle helping the astronaut on the mission complete the repair. He was on the phone in New Jersey connected through NASA and speaking to an astronaut on the shuttle!
Throughout our offices at the time we had dozens of stunning gallery prints of images from space. Watching this video brought all those memories back, but even better was a reminder of what we all really do in this industry. This is about imaging, creativity, art and reality...as I said a few weeks ago in another post, if this doesn't make you proud to be a photographer then something's wrong!
View from the ISS at Night from Knate Myers on Vimeo.
