McKnight Fellowships for Photographers

The Timeless Genius of Kodak’s George Eastman

Over at the Atlantic, Alexis Madrigal has an exceptionally good post with an exceptionally good title: “The Triumph of Kodakery.” Inspired by the sad news that Eastman Kodak may be on the verge of bankruptcy, he points out that the dream the company was built on–making photography so effortless that it’s everywhere, and enjoyed by everybody–is hardly in trouble. It’s just that its purest expression today is the camera phone, not a Kodak camera that takes Kodak film that’s processed by a Kodak lab.
read the rest here..... By Harry McCracken

MIniaturization

Cameras are next?

Something Completely Different: Street Art

In addition to the usual graffiti and murals on the outsides of buildings there is street art that is created directly on city streets.  The Nicollet Mall in Minneapolis features its version of this art form with brass impressionistic shapes that contain words or quotes embedded in the sidewalks.

Eduardo Relero is a street artist known world-wide for creating realistic 3-D artwork.  His surreal images invite viewers to be part of the scenes he creates.  As the images below illustrate, the images are remarkably realistic and allow viewers to photograph each other as they "interact" with the fantasy scenes he paints. 

You can see more of this artist's work at: Street Art and on Facebook at: Relero.

Water Proof Your Camera

There is a new revolutionary product out called Liquipel that can waterproof electronic devices.  It coats both the inside and outside of any electronic device with a nano-coating of a water repellant material.  If the device accidentally comes into contact with water, or even if submerged (see video below) the device will not be ruined and continue to work.

The video below shows how the product waterproofs an I-phone, but it probably will be offered on other electronic devices such as cameras in the near future.

New Studio Space for Rent

NEW BUSINESS IN DOWNTOWN LAKEVILLE, MINNESOTA

Inside The Frame Studios Now Open

Inside The Frame Studios is a studio rental facility for Photographers, Film Makers, Musicians or Artists.  It is available to rent to Professionals and Amateurs alike.  The studio is located in Downtown Lakeville, MN.   It is 1 ½ blocks behind the new Ace Hardware Store in the McGuire Mechanical Building.  The entrance faces 208th Street.

^{Becky McGuire is one of the owners of Miracole’s Candy Shoppe that is located next door to the studio.  There are three studios, a conference room & secure storage lockers available for rent.}

^{Studio 33A is 13 feet wide and 16 feet long with 11 foot ceiling.  It has a variety of fabric backgrounds and continuous studio lights.  This studio is well suited for Amatuer as well as Professional shooters.}

^{Studio 33B is 13 feet wide and 16 feet long with 11 foot ceiling.  It has a pull down paper backdrop system and professional lights that sync to your SLR camera.  This studio is well suited for Professional Photographers as well Advanced Amatuers.}

^{Studio 11 is 10 feet wide and 11 feet long with a window for natural light.  It comes equiped with a product table, reflector and light.  It is best suited for Product Photophers and Natural Light Photographers.} 

^{Each studio space rents for $40.00 per hour plus tax or $300.00 for a 10 hour day. The rate includes the use of studio equipment, lights and props.  There are twelve secure storage lockers that are for rent for $40.00 per month.  The storage locker area is heated.}

^{There is a Grand Opening Open House scheduled for Saturday, January 21st from 10:00AM to 5PM. Please RSVP to insidetheframestudios@hotmail.com, or call 612-490-0359.
 
If you would like more information, or to schedule an interview with Becky McGuire, Please call 612-490-0359, or email insidetheframestudios@hotmail.com.}

Florida Camera Council Conference

Its not cold now, but it will be!  And probably will be in March.  So you may want to consider a weekend or longer in lovely and warm Naples, Florida.  

The Florida Camera Council is offering a great line-up of speakers at its annual conference and promises one more thing in addition: The weather will be warmer than in Minnesota.    The Florida council said that because many of our members winter in Florida they would like to extend member privileges to all of us.

Below is the information about this event.

The Florida Camera Club Council

Announces its annual conference

March 23-25, 2012

Hilton Hotel

Naples, Florida

A partial list of world class speakers and presenters:

George Lepp Canon Explorer of Light and Editor of Outdoor Photographer

Arthur Morris Canon Explorer of Light, Master Photographer and Author

Connie Bransilver National Geographic Contributor and Conservation Photographer

Bill Fortney Nikon Master Photographer, Author of several photographic books

Go to: www.f3c.org to see the complete lineup of speakers and events.

Three days of education, camaraderie, photo ops, entertainment, outings (join our speakers in the everglades for hands-on opportunities to learn from the experts).

Trade Show will be open all three days of the conference!

For more information call:

Eric Hansen, President

Florida Camera Club Council

1-800-891-3258

NOTE: the weather in Naples is currently in the 70's.  

To see the yearly forecasts go to : Weather

Ice Dive 2012

Each year on New Years Day the ALARC fitness club puts on an event at Lake Minnetonka called the Ice Dive.  Participants put on swim suits and/or costumes, jump into the lake, swim a short distance and then quickly get out.  The event can be extremely cold making it a real challenge to participate.  This year's event was warmer than most recent ones temperature wise, but there was a biting wind chill that made it nasty to stand around on the dock waiting in line to jump-in.  Below are some images taken by Forrest Pearson and myself, members of the Crosstown Camera Club.

(Click on each image to enlarge the view)