May 10th. Speaking Engagement

Shoot What You Love and Good Things will Follow.

Another reminder about my up coming speaking engagement sponsored by the Northern California Professional Photographers group.

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I will be speaking May 10th before the NCPP
Northern California Professional Photographers group

at the Marriott Hotel
2355 North Main Street
Walnut Creek, CA in the Sacramento Room lower level.

6:15-7:00 Social Hour
7:00-9:00 Speaking Event

Below is the upcoming announcement by the NCPP. I look forward to seeing everyone there.

Do What You Love and The Money Will Follow

Our speaker for May 2011 is Christian Peacock, a commercial photographer and renowned lecturer on the subject of photography and how it influences our lives as professionals. Christian will explain to us why he takes photographs, and how his love of photography projects onto his clients. His enthusiasm and energy translates into sales.

“This is which we do”. Christian adopted this expression to explain to people why he takes photographs. “It’s something I have to do - It’s in my DNA.” He captures the human spirit using his camera. His lifelong relationship with photography is compelled by his curiosity to observe and participate.

From his very first photograph at the age of five to a very prolific creative burst of energy today, Christian will talk about the influence photography has on everyone. Using examples of his lifework, he will share commonalities we all have with this medium. Showing examples of his commissioned work from worldwide branding campaigns, as well as personal images, he will explain how the images all have some connection to our lives. He uses all forms of image capture ranging from 4”x5” cameras to iPhones and multi-media to video to achieve his vision and tell the story.

Christian will inspire us with his positive message of “Do what you love and the money will follow.” The enthusiasm in which we approach our photographic endeavors will carry over to our clients, resulting in more income.

Don’t miss this engaging speaker on May 10!

Juene Femme de Reve


I was asked to produce a movie using the iPhone for the Orange County Center for Contemporary Art exhibition on "Art of the iPhone." Along with four of my photographic prints, I created a 5:58 long piece using my iPhone. I decide to explore the duality of a woman's sensuality/sexuality. These two internal feelings and emotions than garner for attention in one's psyche.

I would like to thank Rachel Abby for her unselfish spirit and opening up her inner being. Keke Vasquez-Tamali'i for transforming Rachel with wonderful makeup and hair artistry. And Jody Frost for her unflappable support and guidance in keeping me inline as to not sway from the core meaning of the story.

Please enjoy.
Christian

http://vimeo.com/22488731

Do What You Love and The Money Will Follow

I will be speaking May 10th before the NCPP
Northern California Professional Photographers group

at the Marriott Hotel
2355 North Main Street
Walnut Creek, CA in the Sacramento Room lower level.

6:15-7:00 Social Hour
7:00-9:00 Speaking Event

Below is the upcoming announcement by the NCPP. I look forward to seeing everyone there.

Do What You Love and The Money Will Follow

Our speaker for May 2011 is Christian Peacock, a commercial photographer and renowned lecturer on the subject of photography and how it influences our lives as professionals. Christian will explain to us why he takes photographs, and how his love of photography projects onto his clients. His enthusiasm and energy translates into sales.

“This is which we do”. Christian adopted this expression to explain to people why he takes photographs. “It’s something I have to do - It’s in my DNA.” He captures the human spirit using his camera. His lifelong relationship with photography is compelled by his curiosity to observe and participate.

From his very first photograph at the age of five to a very prolific creative burst of energy today, Christian will talk about the influence photography has on everyone. Using examples of his lifework, he will share commonalities we all have with this medium. Showing examples of his commissioned work from worldwide branding campaigns, as well as personal images, he will explain how the images all have some connection to our lives. He uses all forms of image capture ranging from 4”x5” cameras to iPhones and multi-media to video to achieve his vision and tell the story.

Christian will inspire us with his positive message of “Do what you love and the money will follow.” The enthusiasm in which we approach our photographic endeavors will carry over to our clients, resulting in more income.

Don’t miss this engaging speaker on May 10!




Smoking a Cigarette

Here are a few photos shot on my Iphone of Candace smoking a cigarette. This was part of an experimental movie shot on the 4G Iphone. In the world of acting, smoking a cigarette is sometimes called business. It's gives them something to do with their hands.


Update time for Apple lecture on Feb 7th.

Please note the time for the Apple lecture.
It is 6:30 - 7:30

Come and hear Christian discuss how photography has influenced and shaped his life and everyone else’s who has ever taken a photograph. From baby’s first steps, chance snap shots on vacation to memories of loved ones Christian will show samples of his images that will resonate with fellow photographers.



Presenting at the San Francisco Apple Store

Apple has asked me to present my life in photography. On February 7th. 6:30-7:30 I will be giving a multi-media presentation on living the life of a photographer. From age five up to present time. Everything on how it effects how I view life to how it defines the different aspect on everyday living.

Top photo; Elhadji Mohamed, and how he taught me a valuable lesson on accepting what I must do.
Bottom photo; Clockface Musée d'Osay, how a vacation grab shot can open new visions.

Time & date
February 7th. 6:30-7:30 pm
San Francisco Downtown Apple Store
One Stockton Street
San Francisco, CA. 94108

Latest iPhoneography shoot




Shot and APPed with my new 4G iPhone. It's a little different working this device as to my 4x5 camera. But the way one lights and relate with the subject stays basically the same.

Reminds me of a funny comment I hear once in while, "Nice shot! What did you shoot it with?"
I reply "Nikon" They respond "Thought so. That why it's so good."

Work That Make a Difference

Last year I did a multi-media video on a Tuareg silversmith named Elhadji Koumama. The video was made for two reasons, I have been involve with Elhadji and his community of artisans and wanted to help tell his story to a wider audience, second I wanted to try my hand at producing multimedia.


I felt if I am going to put the effort into producing a video, it better have a purpose! The results from this project have been fantastic. Canoe magazine from Africa picked up the story and ran a feature and National Geographic just launched a page on its retail store site, with a link to view the movie.


This just helps reconfirm my belief that if one feels strongly about an idea then the commitment of time and resources into a project will eventfully be worth it. For Elhadji and his fellow artisans, it is the support from people from all around the world. For me is the knowledge of knowing that my work matters and can make a difference.




Link to Canoe Africa
http://www.canoeafrica.com/




Father/daughter project





Natalie is getting close to finishing her schooling at the Cinta Aveda Institute. Soon she will be legal for doing hair. Did you know one needs 1600 hours of schooling before you can take the state exam? Her friend Danielle came over yesterday. Natalie colored and cut her hair, plus did the makeup. She asked me to take some photos. Here are a few samples using different cameras.

My photos to be exhibited at San Francisco Apple store

Monday September 27th. 6:00-8:00

Apple Store Downtown San Francisco, CA

One Stockton Street,


There will be a special live event featuring art of the iPhone at the downtown Apple store in San Francisco. This exhibition will feature collective works from a worldwide group of artist using the iPhone as a tool for artistic expression.


Come and join me as I discusses my partnership with a group of artist as they explore the creative possibilities using this exciting new media art form.







Iphonegraphy and the Stylized Image


Photo:Christian Peacock - Image Stylization: Joan Bada

I first became aware of iPhongraphy when Knox Bronson asked me to be a judge for this year’s Oakbook Iphonegraphy exhibition. This was my introduction into the world of dedicated artist and their highly stylized images shot with the iPhone.

Knox is the curator at http://pixelsatanexhibition.com/ I recommend you visit this site to see some very stunning images done with the iPhone.

These submitted images were refreshing and exciting to see. The styles were wide open. The fact that they were produced with an almost ubiquitous piece of equipment is what makes it exciting. There is a feeling that anyone can do this. It’s always in your pocket or handbag, ready at any given moment.

The actual act of snapping the shutter is just momentary, in most cases the real art comes in the great efforts during the post-production aspect of the process. Some call it APPing. An abbreviated term for application, those famous add on’s that has made the iPhone so popular. In the world of Iphonegraphy there are numerous APPs developed to aid the artist in their stylizations of their captured image. Some as simple as lighten a photo or color adjust to very sophisticated as constructing a montage then stressing the image to like something from another genre. It is evident there is great skill and patience in producing the final outcome of the more stunning images. There are some APPs on the market that are gaining notoriety for their ease of use interface. They are like the flavor of the month and soon become oversaturated in usage.

Then there are artist who spends hours working away with their fingertips on a piece of the most modern of technology. Resulting in a personal statement done with the provided resources. I have dabbled in the APPing phase but always seem to lack the time and patience to produce anything truly remarkable. There comes to a point where I wanted try an experiment. What if I photographed a series of photos with my iPhone and have some of the Iphonegraphy artist stylize the images. The photos I would submit would be somewhat different from what most of the work I’ve seen being produced with the iPhone. I was to shoot a session photographing a model. Something pre-visualized and worked through, a set of images that can work as a thematic body of work. The twist being having other people collaborate in the post-production end. Knowing the limitations of camera and lens in the iPhone poses unique challenges in capturing compelling images. Being a photographer my whole life I had to learn to let go of totally controlling every aspect of the technical end. Kind of go with the flow, well almost. With the limited contrast capability of the camera and the tendency for lens flair, I scouted locations that would work best for the iPhone camera. I could also use constant lighting and fill cards if needed. Plus a tripod, always a tripod! That one piece of equipment will make the most dramatic improvement to a photograph.

The actual session is treated the same way as any other photo session I have done through the years. There will be a good edit after the shoot. Then the images are shipped off for the artist to do their magic. After reviewing the results, I have learn quite a bit on what to do the next time I shoot with the iPhone and submit for final stylizations. I can predetermine a certain look and shoot for an effect. I’m excited to delve deeper into this process and my head is swirling with new ideas. I must hurry before the next new generations of APPs hit market.

To view more samples of the Sarah project visit. this page.
http://pixelsatanexhibition.com/people/nudes/the-sarah-remix-project-3/





Christian Peacock August 26, 2010

Kashi Good Friends effect on People


Some time ago I shot the cereal packages of Kashi's Good Friends. This blog post from Amateurgoumet.com came across my path reminded me how some projects have a life of their own. Still to this day when people hear that I shot "Good Friends" they will tell me all about their breakfast eating habits. The art work on the package has changed and I was not part of the new photography, but none the less it's still a good ice breaker at cocktail parties. Please read this post about one woman's experience with all those smiling faces.

"My Cereal Killing Spree"
http://www.amateurgourmet.com/2004/07/my_cereal_killi.html

Remembering Jim Marshall's Photography


http://www.marshallphoto.com/

I first became aware of Jim Marshall's photographs when I was an impressionable young lad growing up in San Francisco. I did not know of his rock & roll exploits or any other of the soon to be made legendary stories. I only knew of his work and his photography was one of the most influential and inspiring body of work that had a lasting impression. His photography captured something deeper and more personal than some of the other work being published at the time. Plus his final prints were so rich and lush. His images of Miles Davis, Ray Charles and Big Mama Thorton showed what it was like to print rich toned dark skin. A gray scale that just runs so deep into the silver of the print. The true definition of "Black Pearl". But not just considering technique, his empathy to capture Johnny Cash's relationship with June Carter was so spot on. His iconic shot of Janis Joplin sitting alone backstage with a bottle of Southern Comfort in her hand. While at the peak of her creative powers she looks slouched and despondent., That one shot packs a more emotional punch, than a hundred Jim Marshall "F" bombs.

One of his most remarkable photographs is of Miles Davis sitting on a stool in the corner in a boxing ring. Shirtless and his arms are outstretched, Miles has totally surrendered himself to Jim. What a accomplishment! If you know the personality of Mile Davis, you would know that this image it truly unique in capturing Miles Davis. Normally taciturn and defensive, Miles trusted Jim so much as to let him into this small moment inside the proverbial boxing match of a photo shoot. Go ahead and search the internet and look for a more accessible photo of Miles Davis! I haven't found one yet. That was the genius of Jim Marshall.


Jim's photography was the total package. Great content backed up by excellent technique.