Another Surgery plus 2010 Interview of Me by Karl

"My body could stand the crutches but my mind couldn't stand the sideline."

~ Michael Jordan

Wow. This has been an interesting month so far. I wish I could tell you about all the wonderful shoots I've been on, but alas, such is not the case. Knee surgery has been the theme of the month so far. Weeks of trying to prep for it and now just recovering from it. My daughter and son in law decided to take vacation time to come and assist me for the first week. I didn't think I needed it, really. I was wrong. Pain meds haven't been helping and the doc sees no reason to give me anything stronger, so I've just stopped taking anything all together. This isn't the first time I've had to deal with the VA no understanding the problem. I can't say why I don't respond like they think I should to medication. I wish I was more of a typical case for them, but I'm not.

I don't expect the kiddos had that great of a time trying to accommodate me over the last week. I know I was being a bear. I didn't want to stay seated or immobilized and the thought of having to use the word "can't" for routine tasks tasted bitter in my mouth. It wasn't until reading about my procedure online that the truth sort of sunk in to where I understood it. The docs told me I'd be looking at 6 to 8 weeks. In my mind, that adds up to half that time for me. I'm strong. I recover quicker than most. And I can handle it. 6 to 8 weeks is the general "play it safe" recovery time for the average guy. I couldn't have been more wrong. I had so many other people tell me a simple scope of the knee is an in and out 2 to 3 week thing. Even my primary care doc told me I'd be on my feet in 3 weeks top. So why was the othopedic surgeon saying 6 to 8? Well, what he knew that the others didn't was that he was also performing a Microfracture procedure on my knee, whereby you drill small holes into the larger pot-hole that's already at the end of my femur. This is supposed to encourage bone/cartilage growth to fill in the hole naturally. THAT's the part that takes so long. Weight-bearing activities such as "walking", can prohibit the bone growth. So 6 to 8 weeks ON CRUTCHES is what's prescribed.

I simply had no clue and didn't understand that I'd be on crutches this long. SIX to EIGHT weeks! Wow. I simply cannot get that out of my mind. That possibly puts me all the way out to mid-March! I've already had to postpone two projects to the end of March. I don't know if you realize it, but that also means postponing getting paid til the end of March. Which simply means I gotta slow down spending big time. Personal projects have also been postponed. My continued work with Panda is having to be delayed as well. And I have a couple other models whom I thought I'd be working with around the first week of Feb, that I've had to simple cancel til further notice.


The good thing is that I just have to get through this doing the right things. Its believed that I get another 10 to 15 years of "good knee" time, instead of what I've been dealing with over the last decade. Two months for 10 years. Not a bad trade. To my understanding, this 2 months doesn't include rehabilitation time. I won't find that out til next week. I had 10 weeks rehab for my hand last year. I read in one place where full recovery might not be expected for 6 months! So this'll be interesting.

Karl of "Looking About" blog has reposted an interview he did of me a few years ago. After a look back on that time period, I sort of wonder what my answers might be today and if any of them have changed. Not much would be different, I presume. I think I'd answer the same in about 27 of them at least. Its a good reflection because I was definitely in two different places in 2010 vs today. I was coming out of some pretty hard months in oh-10 and even the 3 years before then. In fact, I think it may even be time for another "Interview of Self" like what I did a long time ago in 2008.

1. What is your favorite word? Altruism
2. What is your least favorite word? Normal
3. What turns you on? A naked woman
4. What turns you off? Clothes!....kidding...People who don't take responsibility for themselves and pass the blame.
5. What sound or noise do you love? Bacon sizzling in the morning would be the least crass answer
6. What sound or noise do you hate? Its a tie between a high-pitched nagging voice and an alarm clock
7. What is your favorite curse word? Fuck
8. What profession other than your own would you like to attempt? Probably acting, but I used to dream about playing football
9. What profession would you not like to do? There are plenty but I'm going with Nursing. I've got much respect for them, but its not my gift.
10. If Heaven exists, what would you like to hear God say when you arrive at the Pearly Gates? Come on....Get your butt on in here!
11. What is your idea of perfect happiness? Traveling the world with boundless resources and a model that I photograph everywhere, all the time
12. What is your greatest fear? I honestly can't say I have one. I mean, I certainly don't want to be eaten by an alligator or fall from the empire state building but they are not fears of mine that I think about all the time. 
13. Which historical figure do you most identify with? Galileo Galilei, just because he's the only person I can think of who was also misunderstood.
14. Which living person do you most admire? Other than family....Billy Graham, Chris St. James, and Bill Cosby (How can you stick with just one?)
15. What is the trait you most deplore in yourself? Procrastination
16. What is the trait you most deplore in others? Lack of integrity
17. What is your greatest extravagance? I spent $400 on comic books once, but I've since sold my collection and not bought another since 1994, I think.
18. On what occasion do you lie? When I have to take into account someone else's feelings and the truth is not worth the heartache or when I need to be polite because I need the business.
19. What do you dislike most about your appearance? I'm actually cool with myself. If I had to say any one thing its that I look mean when I am not smiling.
20. When and where were you happiest? Christmas at Mama Carrie's as a kid
21. If you could change one thing about yourself what would it be? I'd be kinder to people and more understanding
22. If you could change one thing about your family, what would it be? Me. That's all I have control over.
23. What do you consider your greatest achievement? Jeremy and Cassie
24. If you died and came back as a person or thing what do you think it would be? As a person: A white female, just so I could experience the opposite of my current self. As far as a thing, I'd want to be a star just for the billions of years galactic experience 
25. What is your most treasured possession? My faith
26. What do you regard as the lowest depth of misery? A disapproval of yourself because of someone else's opinion
27. Who are your heroes in real life? My Mother
28. What is it that you most dislike? A coward
29. How would you like to die? Old age preferably, but if not, then on my feet in a way that makes it count
30. What is your motto? Stay alert, Stay alive! Hooooah!

Cool Melissa

If you are not passionately devoted to an idea, you can make very pleasant pictures but they won't make you cry. - Ruth Bernhard

I took a break from photo work, and some other studying that I am doing to go see the movie "Knowing" with Nicholas Cage. All I could say was, "Damn..." after the credits began to roll. It started out fast, by impressing you with a plane crash, but then slowed down a bunch and made you try to figure out where things were going. It has few interesting twists, but in the end, left you wondering with a feeling of "NOW WHAT?" Interestingly enough, there is a question of faith that Cage has to deal with and when he comes to his conclusion, there is a reference to biblical prophesy. The thing is, nothing that transpires in the movie has anything to do with a prophet or how the Bible says events will unfold.


But onto photography...



As I write this blog, I am being interviewed via email by a young girl, or woman, I should say, who is the daughter of one of my models. She's a teenager doing an interview on people and their careers. She chose me since I am a friend of the family and she relates to me because I am an artist like she is. And this girl is good. She's got a talent and a potential, that properly cultivated and supported, could blossom into something great. Hold on... another email question... Okay, I'm back. She's asking some very good questions. At first I was wondering if her mom was helping, but she's come back with some fairly spontaneous remarks that would suggest otherwise. This is her own work. So for now, we are going over what its like to be a photographer and some of my background. Its cool.



I was recently featured by Unbearable Lightness, who's been helping Chris St. James run Univers d'Artistes. In her post, "The New Neasley", she made me sound like I was some high profile photog who went into a mysterious hiatus leaving everyone to guess and speculate what I was in the midst of creating. It was a good article that centered on my initial intent to suspend my nude work and the challenges I had in the attempt. Nine images of Brittani, Melissa, Trixie, Erica, and Gabriella were selected for the feature. This was a March 18th post but you can go directly to the link =>clicking here<=. You may notice that for this feature, Unbearable Lightness uses one of her recent photos as sort of a tribute the the Vegas theme for her image ID. Nice touch, Sweetness.



I mentioned before that you should be expecting images of a recent shoot with Model Melissa. This was our 3rd collaboration. It was right after editing the first work that I had the idea to do her with a wide-angle lens to exaggerate the perspective of her hips and legs (Canon EF-S 10-22mm). She's got the deceptive build for it. To look at her, she appears thin as can be, but when the clothes come off all that hidden shape and curvature comes to life. I was thankful for the fact that she allowed me to play with that idea. Not many models are willing to allow you to capture imagery that intentionally makes their butts look bigger. Melissa is very comfortable with the way she looks and trusted me enough to just let me play, 'cuz that's what I did. I experimented with angles and positions, while trying to get the desired effect with the camera lens. Many models would be very uncool with how close I had to get to get the exaggerations, but that's necessary when you work wide like that. When I get my Canon 5D Mark II, the 16-35mm L-series is definitely on the list. In fact, I don't think I will get that camera without two lenses...one of them being the 16 to 35.



One of the more interesting thing about this shoot is that its the 3rd time we've shot and its all been in her house in the same area. Normally, I'd have been bored silly by now and yearning to get her outside. She's even got the most interesting backyard, and I have yet to explore it. Part of that has been weather, but also, its been due to my business with the indoor work. The third shoot in particular took some patience because of the lighting challenges. I knew from the last shoot that coming during the time of day I was there would allow some interesting lines from the Venetian blinds in the window. This day however was very cloudy. We'd have the light for just a second or two and then it was gone. We'd wait for it to come back, but limitations on time forced us to move on. But when we'd see the lines return, I'd have her jump back on the couch, assume the same position and try to snap quickly. Some of it was trial and error, thinking I could bring it out in Photoshop with contrast corrections and blending options, but I finally got what I wanted. I love me some Melissa. And here is some of our latest work.

Hi, Charlie!

"Dina Vierna, Model and Muse for Art's Masters"

"You must search for happiness in your life. Don't get discouraged. Look ahead with hope."

- Dina Vierny, art model/ art collector/ art dealer/ owner, Musee Maillol

This is my first post for the new year. I'm still not quite used to writing 2009 on everything I have to date just yet. I don't think I'm going to start blogging about everything I plan on doing this year or how I hope to achieve some specific goal. You'll forget about it after you close out of your browser and so will I before the month is out. Instead I'll just dive right in instead of talking about it.

One interesting thing I'll note is that Chris St. James reposted one of my blog entries...The Mature Woman. He seemed to like the points I made and added to them. In addition to the model Susan, who posed for this project, he also made mention of Unbearable Lightness who is also a model of maturity. Check out UL's blog post. I think she and Chris called it a woman in full bloom. Well I can tell you there ain't nobody on the planet blooming like Unbearable Lightness. She's so hot ... well, never mind. I digress. My point is that its really cool and gratifying to an artist when he or she is recognized for their work. I'm a photographer and I try to produce images that people appreciate. However its also gratifying to be recognized for what I write. It sort of validates one's work to be recognized so. All vanity aside, don't you think this is what every artist seeks? To share one's work and have one's efforts recognized and appreciated? Granted, there are some who create simply for themselves as an outlet or means of expression who have no desire to show anybody. There are exceptions to every rule. But is it not true that recognition is the greatest desire for an artist?

On a totally different matter, I've been tracking the work of Alex, another beautiful model in full bloom, on deviantArt. I've talked about her before on here and since then, I've made it a point to keep tabs on her work. A very unfortunate event has unfolded between her and another photographer over photo rights. I don't know the whole story on the matter, but the results were that she had to take down every photo that he took of her from her profile, which were quite a few and very good, I might add. All this took place over a misunderstanding which were not ironed out in a model release. Instead of being embarrassed about the event or demeaning of the photographer, I admire the way Alex chooses to take the high road on the matter. She treats it as a learning experience and then chooses to share this with everyone who will heed her words. Isn't that extraordinary? I can tell you that I make it a rule that I don't release the shutter with a model in my viewfinder unless I have a signed model release in my possession. There have been about 3 times that I've not abided by that rule and there have been 3 times when not having a release came back to bite me in the ass. Coincidence...? I think maybe so. Make sure everything is spelled out. I am also more than positive that, because Alex chose to take the high road on this issue, deviantArt has seen the light and she's in the clear with them.

And finally, I finish with another model who has now matured. A week or so ago, The Morning Edition on NPR did an segment on Dina Vierny entitled, "Dina Vierny, Model And Muse For Art's Masters" by Susan Stamberg. Dina Vierny is most noted for being an art model for sculptor, Aristide Maillol and painter, Henri Matisse. She started as an art model for Maillol, who was 73 at the time, when she was 15 years old. The article goes on to tell the story of how Vierny became the inspiration for Maillol's for the next 10 years. Later, when she is arrested for helping other artists and intellectuals escape France during the German occupation, it was Maillol who hired a lawyer and got her released. He then helped send her away to live with his friend Matisse to keep her from any further trouble. Well, now Vierny has opened a museum with Maillol's work. As it turns out, this art model had become an art dealer after being so encouraged by Matisse. In 1996, she opened and now runs Musee Maillol. You have to admit...this is a great story. I found it to be inspirational and was grateful for the lesson in history. I used the last line in her article as my above quote for the day.You can also check out another article in the NY Times on her entitled, "A Sculptor's Obsession, A Model's Devotion", written by Vicki Goldberg.

I thought I'd put up a few more images from my work with Erica. Sweet, huh? Enjoy.

On Sally Mann, plus Erica's Intro

...I struggle with enormous discrepancies: between the reality of motherhood and the image of it, between my love for my home and the need to travel, between the varied and seductive paths of the heart. The lessons of impermanance, the occasional despair and the muse, so tenuously moored, all visit their needs upon me and I dig deeply for the spiritual utilities that restore me: my love for the place, for the one man left, for my children and friends and the great green pulse of spring. - Sally Mann

This past week, I took my LOTR extended version DVDs over to Felix's house. We did a LOTR Marathon which is just over 12 hours of hobbit-watching. (Faerie, I'll be giving you a call to do the same thing with you and the girls later. We'll need lots of pizza!). Anyway, between movies, Felix mentioned a Sally Mann DVD after discussing my Edward Weston Eloquent Nude DVD which I had loaned him previously. I just watched the Sally Mann DVD yesterday and it was really good. I've followed her and her photography for some time now, but I had not known that there was a HBO documentary done on her until Felix told me about it, entitled "What Remains: The Life and Work of Sally Mann". We went right over to the library and rented the it. It was splendid. It began, of course, with the telling of how she came to do her controversial Immediate Family body of work, which dealt with the nude images of her children. She discusses the aftermath of this published work and its affect on her family. It culminates into her latest body of work (pun intended), which was just as controversial, in which she photographs human bodies in various states of decomposition. This was made achievable from her visit to a body farm at the University of Tennessee Forensic Anthropology Facility which studies how bodies decompose by placing donated corpses out in the open outdoors and various other methods of exposure. This is her attempt to explore death and the process of decay. It begins with her dealings with the death of a family pet, but is really pushed to a new direction when an escaped prisoner kills himself during a shootout with authorities on the property of her farm. I'm wondering if she's trying to come to terms with her father's death as well as watching the muscular decay of her husband who suffers from Muscular Dystrophy.

She also discusses events in her life and how her family deals with her photography. I can recall a discussion on the point in a photo class where someone objecting to her "forcing" her kids to pose nude, maintained that these would be troubled kids who would grow up into scarred adults. Well, those photos were taken 16 years ago and those kids have grown up well adjusted and strong contributors to society. They discuss the point themselves. You should hear their commentary on the matter. Jesse, one of Sally's, daughters is a prolific model to this day with her own web site at JessieMann.com. I can say that, as a photographer myself, I love the fact that she has done what she's felt she's needed to do for the sake of her art. I respect the fact that she's been able to follow her love with close family ties. She's been married to the same man of close to 40 years. Her children love, adore, and defend her (as if she really needs defending). At one point in the DVD, I adore where she discusses how she and her husband spend hours at a time most every day simply looking out of the window of their spacious country farmhouse. Now that I think about it, if you've read my blogs over this past year, you've heard me repeat the fact that I love photographers who spend a lot of time photographing their spouses. Well, I've never seen a female photographer who photographed her husband until Sally Mann. Her latest series of work is just that. Three beautiful kids, a husband who loves her and supports her, a beautiful home, and a career doing ONLY what she loves to do... How can you not envy this woman? Get the DVD. If you can't find it at your local library, get it on Amazon. There are many articles on Sally Mann. Here is one I found interesting from the arts and culture section of the Smithsonian.com.

Segue...speaking of another interesting woman, let me also introduce you to model, Rebecca Lawrence. For whatever reason, I am just now discovering this wonderful girl as I came across her Model Mayhem profile just the other night. That lead me to her OMP site and most notably, her blog. I like models who blog! Hello, Iris! You can also check out her goings-on by visiting her Twitter profile. Rebecca maintains a large body of work on her profiles. Granted, she's beautiful...that goes without saying, but let me cover what I else I like about her. First, her large portfolio shows her dedication to her craft and her openness to a myriad of concepts. That says much about her versatility. I am certain she's been able to lend a collaborative hand at developing these concepts, thus helping to make a good project better. Next, I like the fact that she makes use of several different outlets to keep her fan base informed and they are ALL maintained! The girl is doing what it takes to make it as a professional model. Oh, and speaking as a former art model, I also love the fact that she's a figure model for drawing and painting, which is damn hard work, for those of you who have never experienced it. Overall, you just get a good feeling about the kind of person she is by reading what she writes and viewing work she does. I like the girl and I am sure you will too when you check her out.

With the first full year of blogging under my belt, I'd like to think that I've done a fairly decent job. I've been largely consistent at posting. I've posted at least 3 images of models with virtually every post, and I've also tried various forms of additional stimulating content. I think 2009 will be an adventure into unknown territory, but my photography and this blog with sustain. Its my endeavor to continue to deliver. I love my photo work and I love blogging. As challenging as it may be at times, its still a fun thing to do.

I want to finish this post with one of the last models I photographed this year. Folks this is Erica. For a first time project, we shot several images that consisted of portraiture and of shots that emphasized her self-proclaimed best asset, her backside. This was a fun project, albeit challenging at times. I am hopeful that we'll be able to continue to do more work in the coming year. For now, as 2008 comes to a close, I would just like to say that I have been honored that you have taken the time from your busy schedules to follow what I've written. My subscribers have doubled and new viewers are popping up ever day. Return readers are visiting even more often, now. If you have suggestions, please let me know. I am always open to your contributions. I'll be back with new models as well as new images of models you've already met. I should also be introducing my first series of maternity work fairly soon. Its going to be fun, ya'll!

Come on back! Ya' hear!

Thanks for being so wonderful,

Terrell