Three Years and Counting

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All About the Fun

Maybe things will be settling back to normal pretty soon. I'm very hopeful, at any rate. My friend and roommate, Jeff is back home from about 11 weeks in the hospital. It'd be inappropriate for me to go into details, but the dude is back at home, trying to recover and gain his strength back. So welcome home, Jeff.

Photo work has been sort of sketchy as of late. I've still been shooting and editing, but I've not been posting much of my work on my online profiles or website. Part of that is cuz of Chris St. James' fault. Because of his mentorship, I've got this thing with titles now. Since I haven't been able to sit down title my shots and post them, they have been sitting on my hard drive waiting to receive a name. This goes way back to maybe a year ago when Chris first discovered me and took an interest in my work. He began to encourage me, mentor me, and be a friend. Well, one of the things he'd knock me on the head for was the lack of titles in my work. Since then, I think I've really grown from his help and I've cherished the relationship we've had over the course of, wait...I think its been closer to two years now.

I haven't even kept up with many of the blogs that I normally follow daily. I still track Univers d'Artistes regularly. Unbearable Lightness has done a wonderful job at helping Chris. These are two people that I've cultivated relationships with, but have yet to actually meet. I consider both to be mentors and will be glad when I am totally back on track following my friends' blogs and back to posting my own at my usual rate of twice a week. I haven't even talked to my good friend, Dave Rudin in a while. I'm really out of touch. I don't know what's been going on with Iris Dassault, who's like the model queen of this country. And I need to get back in touch with the happenings across the waters with my friends at Fluffytek.

I need to go on some interesting outings. I haven't done that in a while. I think that was one of the attractors for a good part of my readership which was to hear about my adventures in the wild. Yeah, I need to get out more. The weather is starting to warm up and ice is melting off the mountains which means water falls and full streams again. This is what I do. I gotta get back out there. Whatever I do, I think I'd like to take some models out with me on a road trip or something. And speaking of which, I want to make sure I encourage you to utilize the services of the models I present on this blog and my website. If you're planning to be in Vegas and feel like shooting, feel free to contact these girl's links or even myself and plan something. Brittani from New Jersey is coming to reside in Vegas permanently next month. (Damn, I've still got to send her a disk! Sorry B.) I'm happy about that. I mentioned her in my last post along with several others. I've still yet to shoot with Marley. She's waiting on a tattoo to heal up a little first. But you've also seen some of my mainstays like Faerie and Trixie who I shoot quite often and of course there are several more. I shoot with Lieara this weekend. Lorelei has taken off like a space shuttle. The Brittany II maintains her role as one of the most prolific models in Vegas. And then there is Sarah Jane...come on! Really, do I need to say more. All these different body types and looks. I've got like the Wal-Mart of models, here. And wait til you see my next posts of Melissa!

Gabriella is one of the models I've been shooting with who is very up and coming. This girl can be on the cover of any magazine by tomorrow. She's different than the normal style of model I've been shooting because she's very suitable for glamor work that you might find in Maxxim or even Playboy. I've always been doing the girl next door type to produce my artistic style of nudes, but with Gabriella, I've been exploring the more sensual, sexy, and even erotic style of the art nude. She's hella fun to work with and is an instant boost to anybody's port. I think I'm going to start highlighting models I work with on my posts. I don't promote these girls enough and one of my initial objectives to starting my Las Vegas Art Models Group was to support art models. All of these girls are fabulous with great attitudes. For me, attitude is more important than they way they look. Gabriella is super sexy, but she comes with a willingness to work and gives you what you want and then some. You're sure to walk away from her shoot with more than you bargained for. I like the girl. Gonna work with her some more. You will too, so give this artist of her trade a hollar. Isn't she sweet? Tell her I sent 'cha. We'll both get cheese points!

Still wrapping it up...

“Edward and I both agreed with the view of a Greek friend of ours, Jean Varda, who was fond of saying there were three perfect shapes in the world ... the hull of a boat, a violin and a woman's body.”
- Charis Wilson, wife and muse of Edward Weston

Man, it is sooooo hard not to hand out a card or speak to a woman of interest for my photo artwork. Simply by force of habit alone, I’ve handed out a few cards and have talked to a few ladies about modeling for me. Of course, this goes against what I’ve mentioned about not shooting nudes for a while. BUT, I’m getting better at it, in part because I’ve been busy shooting nudes anyway. These are the ones that I’ve already said I had committed to. I am wrapping them up right now. I’ve had 4 models that I have worked with over the last few days and one of them I am doing some follow up work with on Thursday. After that, I’ve got the business of the commissioned shoot that we are still working which will conclude by the 1st of December.

This last shoot I did with a model who turns out to be a homie of mine. No, we hadn’t met before, but we come from the same area of Texas. We knew some of the same spots and both of our first jobs were at Braum’s Ice Cream! It was interesting to hear her talk about the home and then match up all the coincidences of our lives. Outside of Braum’s, we both miss Pancho’s Mexican Buffet and Whataburger. That’s some stuff we grew up on. Her house was gorgeous. You’re gonna love the pics of this girl. I’m going back over later with the wide-angle as this shoot is in her home and talk about a home! I love it. Sooo many interesting shots there.

Well, Iris Dassault and is going to stop modeling for a while, but for a whole different reason than why I am suspending my nude work. She's not the only one either. After all the great work these ladies do… after all they’ve accomplished, there are still those out there in the world who do not know how to treat a model. Iris has her reasons and you should go over and listen to her tell it. I’m at the very least glad for her contribution and those who do what she does. And you know what…that’s fine. For as much as they have given, shared, and tolerated, we owe them our respect, gratitude, and understanding. Its good to know when to walk away from the game. (...but I can't help wondering who might be next to do the same.)

These images were of interest to me in that they were done in conjunction with a project with another model. I’ve had a long interest in shooting women in their homes while relaxing or going about their affairs as if I were not present. This young anonymous model chose to pose for me since the shoot took place in her home which she shares with roommates. So we did a few images inside while she ate, relaxed in front of the TV, and then stepped outdoors into a tiki bar habitat where I photographer her as we conversed. I’d love to do it again.

And don't you just love the quote up top by Charis. I still say you should buy the DVD, "Eloquent Nude: The Love and Legacy of Edward Weston and Charis Wilson". There is simply no regret in that purchase.

Tunick and Uelsmann

"My creative process begins when I get out with the camera and interact with the world. A camera is truly a license to explore. There are no uninteresting things. There are just uninterested people."

- Jerry Uelsmann

"All eyes can see 'how a country can be free and treat the naked body as art. Not as pornography or as a crime, but with happiness and caring.” - Spencer Tunick

Today, I am going to cover some of my inspirations. I've recently posted about Iris Dassault, Dave Rudin, and Chris St. James, who by the way, just posted a piece on me for Univers d'Artistes that made me all bashful inside. So those guys, notwithstanding, I wanted to also post on some of my original inspirations that had a lot to do with me doing photo work and artistic nudes, in specific.


As far back as I can recollect, I've had a fascination with the female form. It wasn't until my military tour in Germany, however, that I was freed from the mindset which prevented me from separating the idea or concept of the nude with the notion that sex had to be implied. This then brought on a new and more liberating appreciation for the female nude, unencumbered by the notion of lust. Next came the introduction of Spencer Tunick, via his HBO special, "Naked States". He is best known for his installations of using thousands of nudes in a single photographic work. Prior to this, I had no creative outlet for my appreciation of the nude because everything that I saw that depicted the nude form was either in a museum or associated with the adult industry in some fashion. Photographic artistic nudes just did not exist to me before Spencer Tunick, who followed the original HBO special with his next one, "Naked World". I admired his sense of dedication to his artwork at the risk of his own freedom. There was one point where the cops in NY were waiting on him to release the shutter on a nude model. He gave quick instruction to his assistants on what to do while he was away in jail, took the shot, and was immediately hauled off. Good thing he had a good attorney.



That was my outlet. I wanted to see more. Who else could be doing this? The answer to that question brought me to Edward Weston. There is not another photog that I identified with more than Weston, but I have already given him several mentions on this blog. You can do a search on his name in the search box for this blog. This allows me to get to my next inspiration, Jerry Uelsmann. If Spencer was responsible for my interest, Uelsmann was responsible for my commitment to it. I shoot digital now, but I was a film purist up til right at a year ago. I was seeking my place in film and wondering what was the next step. I wanted to see something different and I wanted to do something different, but I thought I had already reached the limits of what could be done in film.

"For me to walk around the block where I live could take 5 minutes. But when I have a camera, it could take five hours." - Jerry Uelsmann

Over one Christmas break, a few years ago. I studied photography day in and day out, particularly darkroom explorations. It was while I was looking through an interesting photo book of digital artwork in the library that my commitment to photography solidified. Paging through the book, I saw interesting photos, but I knew that digital manipulation did not appeal to me. I felt the creative process was somewhat diminished with the addition of computer-based filters and processes. The thought crossed my mind that if there was a way to do this with film, that would be totally magical. As I lifted the book to return it to its proper place on the shelf, the word "darkroom" on the back cover caught my eye. I retrieved the book once more to peruse the book's back cover summary and to my utter amazement, read that all these images were done using ONLY darkroom manipulations through mulit-negative exposures! The creator...Jerry Uelsmann. I couldn't breathe, I tell you. When I began to see what was actually possible IN the darkroom, IN film, IN photography, I knew that my creative outlet could be boundless. I was released to explore again. At that moment, photography became more than a hobby or a past time. It was my thing.

"I just create shapes and forms with human bodies. Its an abstraction, its a performance, its an installation." - Spencer Tunick

Jerry Uelsmann would utilize more than 8 enlargers each set with adifferent masked negative while moving the paper around to each enlarger and only exposing a portion of the paper to that particular negative. Those of you familiar with darkroom prints know how challenging it can be with one negative to obtain a good test exposure and working print before even beginning to create the final print. I found this page with a kind of video clip on how he actually creates a masterpiece with his unique process. Just click on the IN THE DARKROOM tab when you open the page. You can check out books by him via this Amazon Link.


These images are of my original attempt at multi-negative exposures and I only used TWO enlargers, combining the image of Katie taken in a studio against a black background, and landscape images taken while scouting weeks before. Take my word for it when I say creating these images were exasperating...but exhilarating!

Bringing Back Lissa

"This then: to photograph a rock, have it look like a rock, but be more than a rock. "

- Edward Weston

" Why"

Thought I'd bring back Lissa for an encore. Times are getting tougher every day it seems and she was on my mind today. I was supposed to have a visit with her today to give her a disk of out first shoot, but plans had to change. This was one of those "good time" shoots, because we had a really good time doing it. She's such a natural for posing and is very comfortable with herself. Talking with her during the whole shoot made time pass so quickly that I didn't realize that 7 hours had passed. I was in need of rest and hadn't slept the night before. I was shooting Lissa on fumes, but we had such a good time that I completely lost track of the passing hours. Before I knew it, it was time for me to shower and go to work.

I am hoping to get to work with her on location somewhere soon. She's tied up with some other concerns at the moment, so her schedule is sort of hectic. Some of the best models I have shot were like that. You lock them down for a shoot one day, but good luck trying to get them back again for a while. Its been at least 3 weeks, I think since I've worked with Lissa. We've kept in contact, but I sincerely hope its not another 3 weeks before we shoot again. She's fascinating.

I stand corrected on Imagens. I reported a few posts ago that that blog was done. However, before his blog has had a chance to collect dust, he's unretired it and back to posting. Go figure. Well, its good to have him back anyway.

I noted that Iris Dassault and the Women of Avalon have now been censored by the Content Warning Cover Monster. I am not sure as to whether or not Google is being fair about all this. I don't know what criteria they use to say you are offensive and we need to protect the public from you with a one click irritating page in front of your blog. I don't know what I'll do if that occurs to me. I've seen some bloggers jump ship and head over to WordPress just on principle alone. Maybe that's what Google wants. Who knows. At some point, I think we are all going to get it and be faced with that decision. Take it and ignore it...Business as usual, OR object...close down the blog and move elsewhere. Rich and Lin Bang of Fluffytek host their own blog inside their website. Its certainly an idea. My webpage uses a template service, ifp3.com. Its a bit harder for me to do at the moment I think. Ifp3 has been making strides by leaps and bounds over the past 6 months. Lots of new features, capabilities, and services have been added that give you the option of more personized web pages. They are still adding features and growing.

I've also been excited to see Chris St. James at it on a daily basis over there on his home front, Univers d'Artistes. After being gone about 6 months, he's been catching up with a fierceness. Normally, I think he'd post maybe twice a week. Check him out now and see how many posts he has in the last week. The man is a machine. I've even gotten a few of my shots posted by him. Too cool. Thats like a shot of adrenaline for my blog and website every time he does that. Thanks, Chris.

Come to think of it, my friend Garrett, the Nikonian, has been out of touch lately. I met him when he signed up for my first photo workshop and he's taken off ever since. This big guy is really cooking in terms of managing his day job with his insatiable desire to shoot. I can't hate on him, that he's packing a D3 and has every lens you can think of, but damn, who wouldn't. Garrett has been a good find for me when I got here to Vegas. He's put me in contact with some great people and basically, you can thank him that I'm even talking to you right now. I mentioned before that he was responsible for the computer for which I now continue to entertain, explain, and otherwise regale you with photo adventures. He took my fried computer tower to his best bud, and WALLA... I'm sporting a new tower AND a flat screen. I know, he's still chomping at the bit waiting for Nikon to release the newer version, the D3x sometime soon. I've given some strong consideration to switching to the Nikon system. Garrett is all about Nikon and I get kidded by him and several of the others at our Saturday gatherings at B&C Camera for shooting Canon, but now I have to really consider the new Canon 5d Mk II, thats due to hit the shelves in November. We'll see how it stacks up.

Welcome to TNAP, Lissa

"Lissa in Portraiture"

I really love what I am doing in photo right now. I'm still behind on my editing. I'm getting the crap beat out of me working the night shift. I'm short of cash on hand. And I'm still transitioning from the lifestyle of one residence into that of a new one. I can't tell a Thursday from a Tuesday and right now, I should be in bed. But what am I doing instead... trying to entertain and share with you on my blog. Why, *coming back full circle*, because I really love what I am doing in photo right now.

One of the reasons I like this is because right now, I don't have any expectations. I have dreams, desires, passions, and loves. I crave some new equipment. But I don't really have expectations. This is not income driven. I am not under someone else's deadline. I'm not prepping for contests trying to beat submission deadlines. I have the option to shoot what I like. Though its not always easy, I get to shoot a model most any time I need. I love that women are comfortable enough with me to pose for me. I know part of the reason for this is because when they look through my portfolio, they can see themselves in it. Its not full of all the high fashion glamour. I mainly use the girl you might see driving past your car on the interstate on her way to work at the local Five and Dime. They can identity with what I do, is what I think.

I've got great mentors, like Dave Rudin, Iris Dassault, and Chris St. James; all of whom have had integral involvements in launching my site and blog. I might add again, that its good to have Chris back. He's got to make another trip to the hospital, and has given me permission to post on Univers d' Artistes! I don't know what I'll do with all that power. All I can think of is Uncle Ben telling Peter Parker, "With great power comes great responsibility!". Anyway, since then, I've made several other connections via the web, my Las Vegas Art Models Group, The Las Vegas Photographic Society, and more. I've held figure drawing venues in the World Market Center that were perused by people of influence who eventually commissioned work from some of the attending artists and established deeper connections for more paid work and sales. This, all in just my first year.

So photographically speaking, I really have nothing to complain about. Well, maybe except wanting to do it more and have the time to do it. I just need to be patient with it and learn to better work with what I have. My personal life has left me unable to think at times. Even then, I've had my good friends Felix and Summer to think for me. I kid you not: I've been so exhausted lately, I've made some blunders. Felix and Summer have been there to smack me with a good one across the cheeks to wake me back up. Jeff has been a blessing to allow me into his home when things got too dicey at my own, even though money has been tight as hell. So what adjustments has he had to make to living with a new roommate, well twice just this past week, he's come home to discover naked chicks lounging around the house. Not bad, huh.

Speaking of which, this is Lissa, one of the naked chicks lounging around on Jeff's furniture. I think she's a pretty remarkable woman. I contacted her because she's a member of the Group and we don't have many group members model who actually model. I've been going through deleting out members who are inactive or never do anything or make any contributions. Lissa had a pic posted and I asked her about doing some actual modeling. She's done a little bit before, but nothing on a regular basis. We interviewed last week and I shot her in Jeff's place. That was the longest shoot I'd done in quite some time. It was the way she looked into the lens that had me releasing the shutter so many times. I was doing this without ANY sleep from the night before. Maybe it shows in my work, but I think I got some really good shots. As soon as I get half way done with her edits, I'm getting her back out here for some more. She's a lovely muse.

Oh and my website doubled in traffic for the month of August! Yeah, I'm lovin' it.

Unbearable Lightness = Insight and Wisdom

If you haven't had the chance to read or check out the work of Unbearable Lightness, then let me introduce you. Unbearable Lightness is one of the Women of Avalon, who was brought on by Iris Dassault as a co-contributor to her blog (Women of Avalon). Over the last few months, I have come to enjoy checking in on them and seeing what they have to say. I am a daily (and sometimes several times a day) visitor to this blog. You'll find Iris and Unbearable Lightness working side by side quite often and they work with some of the same photographers. I've often used Iris as a reference to my models on what a model should be, know, and do. Unbearable Lightness, on the other hand, I keep for myself. It was her zeal which attracted me to her style of writing, but lately its been her incredible insight and wisdom that keep me sustained until I get the next dose of her experience. Case in point, this is a small exerpt from her latest posting "The School of Being Wrong":

"At some point in my academic career, I learned to apologize. Then I learned to forgive. Beyond that, I learned to forget. We are human. We will be and do wrong." -UL

That one particular statement really got me. Maybe because I have had to face this issue, or maybe because I have known others whom I wish could benefit from her prose. Regardless, the fact remains that this is an impactful statement, that no one with the ability to read should ignore. Of course I encourage you to read the rest of her post on the matter. Her's is the years of living and experiencing life which she freely shares with those willing to listen. Thats her gift to her readers, so I invite you to join me in becoming an avid reader of Unbearable Lightness.

Okay, there's this priest, a rabbi, and a baptist minister, stop me if you've heard this one...

Kidding. One a lighter note, I've commented on my last post regarding in interesting clip on Imogen Cunningham. This is not the one where she comments on Edward Weston that I mentioned but rather a clip on her account of the nude form. This mini-video is from a 1988 film "A Portrait of Imogen" by Meg Partridge.
If you don't see below video -->click here<--

Lastly, in a recent post, I asked readers to leave comments on the images of models on my website. This is the main source of feedback they receive for their efforts, but I've had a few viewers on my site that expressed difficulties in leaving comments. If you visit my site at http://www.tlneasley.com/, you can click on any one of seven galleries currently available. When you select an image for viewing, there should be a green rectangular button to VIEW and ADD COMMENTS located in the bottom left corner. If you do not see this button, just maximize the page. Its there, trust me. I wish I could make it more visible, but that's just the way my site is designed. So maximize the page, and add your comments. Please feel free to leave your name and a web page if you have one such as your own site, or a myspace page. The model might just want to contact you and say thanks!

Thanks.

Candy Poses is Tuesday

I've come across a myriad of interesting people as I patrol the web. I've gathered a plethora of valuable tid-bits and information and post those on my blog that I think might be helpful, entertaining, or just necessary to be aware of. So here are a few other links I'll add to the already growing list of nuggets for you, and we'll start with model, Candy Poses, who runs Feminism Without Clothes. I can't recall at the moment who's link I found her on while making my web patrols, but I found myself hanging out on her site, scrolling through her blog reads, and playing in her link fields. The girl's definitely got some opinions and even though you may not agree with them, she still makes a good argument for her opinion and I think that's what I like most. That makes for a good read and I leave her site feeling like I didn't just waste my time. Oh, and one last thing on Candy, she along with 4 other models has launched a cool YouTube Channel called Five Naked Models. Each model takes a different day to do a vlog about whatever they want to talk about. Candy is Tuesday, but here's the line up:

Monday - Isobel Wren

Tuesday - Candy Poses (Five Naked Models page)

Wednesday - Fedora el Morro

Thursday - Samantha Grace

Friday - London Andrews

Check out Candy's First Video below or -->CLICK HERE<--

I am pretty damn sure, I will want to work with her [Candy] in the future. She has a no non-sense, in your face kind of style on one side, then you'll see some of the most warming and endearing images made by man on the other. She can easily bounce between provocative/explicit and innocent/vulnerable. Not every model can do that well. One model I've worked with before is like that. You may remember Trisha, who is still the most viewed model on my website after almost a year. I've recently posted new images of her on my website in more provocative postures as well, and might be exploring that side a bit more with other models who feel comfy enough to be depicted as such. I was previously highly reluctant to do so, but I chose to do it with her permission. She'd suggested it before, but I was still somewhat hesitant. I might post more on that later. Back to Candy, aside from her images, she's another model with something to say. Much like Iris Dassault, who isn't just another pretty face, you enjoy listening to what she's got to say. You are always wondering what she's got on her mind. You want to know her opinion as to a particular issue. So check out Feminism Without Clothes.

Another photog link, I've come across is Michael Johnston's The Online Photographer. He's got nothing to do with art nudes that I know of, but he's for sure all about photography. Granted he pissed me off recently with regards to his April Fool's Day prank regarding the new Canon 4D gag, but I got over it and continue to reference his site regularly. Somebody on Model Mayhem thought it was a true story and posted a bulletin on it, thinking a replacement for the Canon 5D is about to be released with some really high-speed features. Like a nut, I jumped over to see the link, and took it hook, line and sinker. Then the next morning I checked it out again and read his comments..."Gotcha!" Bastard or not, he's still worth the read. No, he's not a bastard...that was just for one day...

I thought I'd leave you with some more of Lydia. I'll get to see her again next week for my Artistic Nude Photo Workshop next week, as she's the model I've hired for the day. Should be fun.

2008 - Lets Do it Again!

I hope everyone got to enjoy the holidays and spend time with love ones. Its 2008 and I am looking forward to the new year. No, I don't do resolutions. My aim is to just keep moving forward. I don't think you need to wait til January 1st to make up your mind or set goals to do something meaningful in your life. Its should be an ongoing process. I want to get better at my photography and present better content on my blog, but like I said, these are ongoing processes that build upon the previous year.

It wasn't easy staying away from all of you. I had to resist the urge to get back to writing despite saying I'd continue after the holidays. I made a list of things I wanted to write about, but I think I will ease into them, instead of blasting you with it all at once. So I will first start out my blog entry of the year with congrats to my bud, Dave Rudin, author of Figures of Grace for being selected by The 2007 Fluffytek Photographic Nude Blog Awards, as the Best Overall Nude Blog of 2007. For that he received a "Golden Fluffies" award. There are many many Nude Art blogs on the web right now and I can tell you that the competition was stiff. Dave taking tops is no small feat.

And also, if you are going to have a blog for nude art, that means somebody's gotta get naked. Congratulations goes to Iris Dassault for best Nude Model Blogger for 2007. I am pretty sure this was probably not as close of a decision as the Nude Art Blogs. It was more than likely a landslide. There are lots of pretty models from which you can choose to make fine art, but Iris takes her talents to another level as a writer with invaluable and relevant content both useful and entertaining to the art photography lovers. Models and Photogs alike can benefit from her expertise which she offers freely to her readers. Now she has added to her repertoire of writing talents, contributors Unbearable Lightness and Tarachin. I don't know about the rest of you but I can't wait to see what the new year brings from the minds of those three.

I am not sure as to the eligibilities or the award selection process, but I know two other bloggers of note that were not mentioned, whom I believe have done the most for the promotion of art nudes, photographers, and models have to be Chris St. James and Michael Barnes. (I know that was a run-on sentence, but I am not being graded here!) Chris St. James handles Univers d' Artistes, which is content laden like a chocolate chip cookie...just chock full of goodness. Michael Barnes is the chief architect behind Art Nudes Blog. You CANNOT call yourself a nude art lover and NOT know Michael Barnes and his blog, despite the efforts of the jackass who's complaint resulted in a content warning advisory on his site. Both of these gentlemen are the Don Kings of Nude Art ... (but in a good way!) So if you don't know, you better ask somebody.

Now everyone join me in extending congratulations to these individuals for their accomplishments and contributions by visiting their sites and becoming regular supporters, subscribers, and readers of their work. They have put an awful lot of time, energy and dedication to serve us and we owe them no less. [Applaud] ... [Applaud] ... [Applaud]

I want to wish you all a Merry Christmas

I am starting to get back to an adequate measure of sanity where I can concentrate on my photo work again. Over the last few weeks, I have been able to do a wedding and a wedding reception (of a different couple). I have about 800 photos to go through and edit with about 300 left. I am also happy that I have had a chance to line up a few model prospects. I've done a few interviews that have gone well, but doing anything right now is crazy, so I am delaying shoots til January.

This is the Christmas season and I really hope everyone will be safe and respectful to everyone else. There is no Christmas without Christ, so I wish that those who disagree with that theology would let it go and just accept Christmas the way it is and leave it alone. Its just one day out of 365. I talked to a friend from Malaysia today who has no history of Christmas, but she's not out protesting against calling Christmas, Christmas. Just be respectful of what has been established and enjoy the day off doing something else.

I am REALLY missing my young'uns right now. Other than military deployments, I haven't been this far away from them during this time of year, at least not as I can recall. They are almost all grown up. My son is no longer a teenager and my daughter is just getting out on her own. I wish I was there so much, if for no other reason than to beat her ass for screwing up in her first semester in college. But I still love her. Both of my kids are Godsends and I am sooo thankful that they have turned out so well and have grown into promising semi-adults. I've always said that as long as my Mama loves me and my kids are proud of me, I'm good to go. One of our Christmas traditions is to go see two movies back to back. One year we did the 1st installment of the Lord of the Rings trilogy, which was 3 hours. We saw another 3 hour show right afterwards which kind of kicked our butts. A few years after all 3 LOTRs were out, we got the extended versions of each and had LOTR marathons. That was almost 12 hours of DVDing. I did it with my son first since my daughter was unavailable. She got upset that we didn't wait on her, so I did it again the next weekend with her. She couldn't hang.

Anyway, enough on Memory Lane. I just want to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and bid you all a safe New Year's. Unless, something comes up that I really need to share, I am going to take a break from posting and catch you all at the first of they year. I am going to catch up on some of my Rankin/Bass Christmas cartoons. Don't act like you don't remember. We all know Rankin/Bass Christmas Specials..."Rudolph", Santa Claus is Comin' to Town". Who doesn't remember the Burgermeister Meisterburger? I know there's not a soul in existence that doesn't recall Mr. Freeze Miser or Mr. Heat Miser in "The Year without Santa Claus". So, I thank you all for becoming subscribers or regular readers of my blog. Also a special thanks to those of you who have helped me develop this blog, so special thanks to Chris St. James, (BTW, Chris your daughter is gorgeous!), Iris Dassault, and Dave Rudin, along with all those bloggers who put me on their list of blogs of interest and drive traffic to me. I really look forward to this new year for more opportunities to get better and develop my art into something you all can appreciate even more. I thank you all your support, encouragement, and kindness.

Merry Christmas,

Terrell

Three Things

Now this is an omission on my part. Somehow, I've not added the accomplished photographer Dave Levingston to my list of photogs and blogists (is that a word?). You have heard me speak on the incomparable Dave Rudin before, several times I might add, so it would stand to reason that I would also add in someone whom he lauds, Dave Levingston. I mentioned in post sometime in September that I got to have breakfast with Dave R and how he frequently referenced his friend Dave L. I have Dave Levingston in my AOL favorites folder and I visit his blog, Exposed for the Shadows, quite often. I just didn't realize that it wasn't on my own blog til just yesterday while revisiting Univers d'Artistes blog, who properly recognized this photo icon, while I missed it. When I started this blog I was constantly referencing Dave R, Dave L, Michael Barnes and Iris Dassault. So with this paragraph, let me give the man, nay, THE LEGEND, his proper dues and advise you now that he has been included on my blog list.

ALSO, let me extend a special appreciation to Peter J. Crowley for giving me some contact information on how I might obtain the DVD I was seeking aid to obtain, "Eloquent Nude: The Love and Legacy of Edward Weston and Charis Wilson". I have already made it know about my reasons for wanting this DVD so if need be check out the post with the same title done just a few weeks ago at most. If you have not heard of Peter J. Crowley, then this is also a good opportunity to reference his blog and website. I invite you to stop by pay him a visit and and send him a comment to two about how much you enjoyed his art. His contact info is readily available. Please note, he is and already has been on my blog list. His was one of the sites I added originally when I started this only a few months ago.

ALSO 2, you have read some of my posts about select photo books, specifically Kodak Galley mini books. I have been checking out some others as well, and I am about to start doing more of these and offering them for purchase in addition to my prints. "Elizabeth in Series" is a black and white studio session I did a few months back before I came to Vegas, you have already seen some of the work posted on this blog and on my website. In fact I just added several of them to a new gallery on my site TLNeasley.com. I initially had about 20 primary images that I used to affect some darkroom manipulations which I made prints for. However, I shot approximately 15 rolls of this young woman and have spent the better part of a month editing about 100 of those images. This will be the first set I start making full size books of. I will subsequently begin work on a Trisha series. So stay tuned...

The Artist's Wife

Whew...the Pro vs. Amateur debate sure drew some interest. I like that. Its good to exchange ideas. Univers d'Artistes has postings and relative commentary regarding the matter. My post just before this one was featured on this site as a different perspective to that of Marcus J Ranum. Iris Dassault, the professional model I am constantly harping about, also added some timely and poignant insight to the mix which was added at the conclusion of my addition. The saga continued the next day with a post from Gunther Vandenven and more commentary from Iris. Its definitely work the look, so check it out. The only element we missed was the voice of a true amateur model to provide that unique perspective. I might have to see if I can solicit some and then I will let the issue rest.

Another interesting point regards a few articles I came across that discuss figure modeling or life drawing models. I'd like to share some of them with you by way of the following links. The first one is most interesting to me, which is a New York Times article by Carol Kino written just this past week on the 2nd of October. I relate well to this particular article because I sincerely adore the photographer who spends much of his time photographing his wife. One of my initial inspirations was from a friend Malcolm Glass and his wife as I recall one image of his wife done in a spontaneous moment of unique opportunity for which they were able to take advantage of. This article is touching because, although it is referencing the exhibition of the late artist Harry Callahan, it is done from the perspective of his wife of 63 years, Eleanor, who is now 91 years old. The article is titled "The Artist’s Wife: A Constant Muse Who Never Said No", again, by Carol Kino of the NY Times.

Other article of interest that may be appealing to you includes this one which I thought was funny. "My 11-year-old is drawing nudes? What do I do?" Its an advice column done by a reader who writes in to Dr. Gail Saltz for help with her son who is allowed to draw the female form by his artist dad. The mom is hoping Dr. Saltz will take her side on this. See who's side she ends up supporting on this. I'd love to hear your comments as well. Do you agree with the Dr's. advice? Now enjoy these recent abstracts.

More on the Amateur ...plus Imagens

First, let me give proper dues to Imagens for featuring me on their blog today. This is one classy site that gives tribute to photographers and thier work. You can see some of the sites and blogs of better know photogs and chances are you will find a link to Imagens. So check them out and you will see why that is.

Ironically enough, I was breezing through one of the sites I check most every day. Univers d'Artistes did an interview with Marcus J Ranum that talked about the use of models vs non-models the VERY DAY AFTER I do my tribute "To the Amateur". (Go ahead, click the link and check it out. I'll wait.....) Model vs. Non-models...Professional model vs. Amateur model = Same thing. In one sense we have opposing views, but then in another I agree on most of his points. I at the very least understand where he is coming from. There are definitely pros and cons in either case. He points out the fact that is just easier to use pros in that he can be choosy and that, for whatever reason, he hates asking non-models to pose for him.

Well, I can agree with several points he brings out. I know that there are specific shoots that could really be complemented by the aid of a professional model. When I have an idea and need a specific personality, body shape, or style, I could easily go to OneModelplace.com or ModelMayhem.com and basically shop. A photog or aspiring model can for sure learn a thing to two from Iris Dassault, who's blog I still direct my models to visit. You just can't beat the expertise of a pro. Her value is to beneficial to ignore. I am also a fan of Abigail Stewart.

On the other hand, I mention why I like amateurs when I can use them in the post just before this one. In addition to that, I think experiences have much to do with this. Marcus mentions hating to ask an amateur to model. Why that is, one can only speculate. Personally, I find it easy for me to do and I have gotten great results, so I continue it. In addition, I can identify with the amateur, because I have been there myself and have developed a special affinity for those that do this (both pro and non-pro). I have dropped trow and stood before a class of artists for 30 minutes at a time as well as posed for photo peers. Thats not the easiest of work, mentally or physically. So I guess I have developed a high respect for figure models and even moreso for that person who can decide to do this on a whim as a first time experience or for the sole purpose of helping out an aspiring photog. Again, thanks Imagens!

Another great post by Iris Dassault

I'm not even going to elaborate on this. The post speaks for itself. I've commented before on her ability to effectively relay thoughts and this is a strong one that sounds as if it carries passion that was motivated by something or someone.

So just read Iris Dassault's blog posting on 31 Aug for "An Obvious Indiscretion".

And of course, this is her blog link: Iris Dassault Blog.

Again, I fully recommend anyone who has or might consider modeling for me to frequently research Iris' site, her blog, as well as her work.

Terrell