First Time Images, ZEF, and 60 to 60
FAVE PHOTO: First Time Images
My photography this year, has me thinking I am an artist. Others have tried to convince me I’ve been an artist through my video production work the past 20+ years. However, for me, my video work has mostly been a skilled job that pays my bills. Being comfortable with the artist label hasn’t come to me until fairly recently with my photography.
I find myself saying and doing things I’ve heard artists I respect say and do over the years. One of those recurring things I hear Is to try new things, experiment with your craft, and push yourself beyond safe and comfortable spaces. The shot above is from Baltimore’s version of Carnival. I can’t believe I’ve never been to this amazing event that is two miles from my house in Druid Hill Park. Now, I want to go to Rio de Janeiro for the real deal!
Below are Images from new experiences this year. The photos include several local musician friends, an extremely rare self-portrait, a first-time visit to the sunflower fields, an attempt at shutter drag, and quite a bit of fire! Musicians included: Aaron Newcome-Beill, Tavair Dominque, Bedlam Brass, Acacia Sears, and Mo.
VIEWING RECOMMENDATION: ZEF - The Story of DIE ANTWOORD on Amazon
MY RATINGS: SCALE OF 1-4
Intensity: 😮😮😮 Comedy: 😂 Drama: 😢😢😢
Writing: 🤔🤔🤔 Originality: 🧐🧐🧐🧐 Cinematography: 😍😍😍😍😍
Let’s start with - I gave this 5 out of 4 for cinematography. This documentary is about a band named Die Antwoord, made up of a couple from South Africa. I’ve never heard of them, listened to their music, or seen any of their music videos prior to watching this film. But WOW, they have created some strong visceral images in their work. The story of their relationship, their incredible growth in popularity, and how all of this impacted their daughter is a wild ride.
For me, a good documentary educates me about something, exposes me to a new philosophy, or pulls me into a personal journey. This film fits into the personal journey category. That alone would have been captivating enough. But the visuals from their music videos as well as the filmmakers choices in capturing the family make it a next-level piece of art to me. If you watch--be warned, it's full of trippy and freaky imagery. And if you do watch, I’d love to hear what you think.
PERSONAL PROJECT: 60 to 60
I’m not turning 60, yet. Actually, I’m turning 55 on December 20th this year. If you didn’t know, when I turned 40, I made up a thing I called 40 to 40 where I did something new each of the 40 days leading up to my 40th birthday. I kept a blog about it. It was fun, but fairly limited in what I could do for the first time in such a short time period. So, in my 49th year, I gave myself a full year to try new things each of the 50 weeks leading up to my 50th bday. I recorded a podcast with two friends to document the journey. Well, starting January 2025, I will begin my attempt to try something new each month of the 60 months leading up to my 60th. My goal is to create 1-minute documentary videos about each month’s activity. So, I’ll have an hour's worth of content by December 2029!
So, here’s where I could use your help! I’ve got a growing list of ideas for this 5-year journey. I’d love your ideas on what I should try for the first time. And, if you’d be up for joining me on one of the quests--I’d love your participation. Check out this page to see potential plans and use it to share your suggestions!
I often get surprised looks when people learn my age for the first time. I’ll happily thank my mom in particular for those youthful looking genes. But, I also contribute my young’ish energy to spending time with friends much younger than me and sucking the blood from them when they’re not looking, oops, I mean joining them in whatever it is the new generations are into. So, don’t be shy in your suggestions and why not try something new today, this week, this month.
If you dig what you’ve read...please subscribe (at the top of the page) and send a link to folks you think might enjoy it. Contact me at michaelivan@loud-communications.com with any questions, comments, or if you’d like to have me produce a video or photo for you. Check out my instagram and website.
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