04.07.06
Posted in Photography at 9:03 am by Michelle
This week (along with everything else), I find myself immersed in the joy and silliness of the Moisture Festival. This bizarrely-named festival is planted right down the hill from me at a converted warehouse in the Hale’s Brewery here in Seattle. It’s 3 weeks (more than 20 shows) full of a fabulous assortment of vaudevillians, European clowns, aerialists, magicians, musicians galore, and several acts I’m just not sure how to categorize. Performers range from old timers who got their starts when I got mine (the birth kind), to some wonderful young talent. In fact, Wednesday night marked the debut of the youngest UMO-let, Kai, age 3! Each show is packed full of acts and runs well over 2 hours, and the finale show this Sunday is usually a marathon of more than 4 hours!
I’m one of three official photographers for the festival (John Cornicello, Mark Gardiner & I also did it last year), and it is ridiculously fun! Stop by for one of the last few shows – including special shows featuring Circus Contraption and burlesque nights – see some of my photos on the wall, and get ready to smile!
And, just to add to the fun, last night I went to some slightly fancier digs, McCaw Hall (the new Opera house), to photograph some of the same performers, plus a few extra special guests. En-Joy Productions, run by Martha Enson & Kevin Joyce (two original UMOs) brought together this amazing group for a Microsoft event, and I was, again, photographing. In addition to local wonders Nanda, Curly Burly and The Valone Sisters, they imported the stunning Mystic Pixies and Ricardo Sosa the contortionist to entertain the gathering. I think I had more fun than the Microsofties!
It’s times like these when I hop up and down, cameras in hand, and think, “I love my job!”
~Michelle
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03.21.06
Posted in Photography at 10:59 am by Michelle
Now it’s their turn. I handed in the manuscript and images to Focal Press, and the big publisher’s machine has kicked into gear. I’ve been assigned a production editor, and soon a copy editor’s going to start sorting through my words. They’ve started working on the layout, which I love so far, and cover designs have been flying back and forth via email.
This week is a conference in Chicago for the Society for Photographic Education, so they’re making postcards to advertise the book. I can’t quite believe it, but it includes the sentance, “The first toy camera guide written by the internationally known “Holga Queen”.”
Here’s the current look of the cover and title, all subject to change, of course!
I’ll report back after the conference!
~Michelle
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03.03.06
Posted in Photography at 2:23 pm by Michelle
Well, I did it. Finished. On Feb 16th, on my way to Florida for a friend’s wedding, I sent off my FedEx box containing the pieces of my book. 148 pages of manuscript in 10 chapters pplus back matter, 4 CDs and a bunch of contact sheets with 176 images, and permissions forms from my 30 contributors. The actual text took up only 1MB – the rest was a slew of 14MB tif files.
It was quite an intense project; in the end it felt a little like doing a thesis for a class I hadn’t actually taken. But it was also tons of fun to interact with so many fabulous artists, put down in pixels what I’ve learned over the years, and create something unique.
I hope this book will open up the world of low-tech photography for many people who love making images but are overwhelmed by the technology of it. Even I, who have a full selection of fancy cameras, recently purchased my first digital SLR, and harassed my contributors to submit digital files, get sick of all the technology. It’s a breath of fresh air to run around with my little Holgas and spring the shutter the life capturing the beauty around me.
Thanks to everyone who supported me during this busy time, and I’m thrilled to be back in the world once again!
~Michelle
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01.28.06
Posted in Photography at 9:27 pm by Michelle
As my book deadline looms near, the tasks are changing; the writing is wrapping up, the image placement is in full swing, and the visions of the finished product are a tempting dream. With my assistant Leandra’s help, we’re collecting the last of the images from 30-odd photographers, while I use my new Nikon D200 to shoot figures of plastic cameras, accessories, negatives, rolls of film and the like. And then there’s the frustration of waiting for a sunny day in Seattle in January to test out infrared film in a Holga.
Writing a book like this is an incredible challenge. For months I’ve been stuffing my eyes and head with images, names, articles, information and ideas. I’ve been buying books, magazines, cameras, and film with abandon, all in the name of The Book. And I’ve been organizing all this with 15 years of experience in my head to try to make it interesting and accessible to a broad range of readers. Quite a job!
But there are moments in the process of giddy excitement at what I’m calling work these days. Like the other day, when I took the couple hundred little thumbnail prints of the images I’ve collected and spread them all out on a table, and started choosing what to put where in the book. What could be more fun than swimming in a sea of fabulous plastic camera images, and having the privilege of putting them into print? Thanks to everyone who’s contributed!
But still lots more to do, so back to work on a Saturday night!
~Michelle
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01.11.06
Posted in Photography at 12:54 pm by Michelle
Now that I look back on my posts, I realize I haven’t properly addressed the biggest thing going on in my photo world these days – my book!
I’m writing the first comprehensive look at plastic cameras – where they came from, who has been and is working with them, and how to get the most from your Holga. I was approached almost two years ago by Focal Press to write it, and am in the last stages of putting together the manuscript and the many, many photos I’m including. It’s a huge project, and tons of fun to delve into my passion with abandon, plus pull lots of others into the fray with me. I’ve spent hours interviewing folks, days surfing the web, and even have been found hanging out in libraries.
The list of photographers I’m including is thrilling, including Nancy Burson, Nancy Rexroth, Mark Sink, Mary Ann Lynch, David Burnett, and many more exciting discoveries!
I’ve gotten my hands on every book and article I’ve been able to find featuring work done with a plastic camera, which should make my workshops even more fun!
Look out for info about book parties in Seattle in October and New York during Photo Plus in early November (if all goes as planned).
OK, back to work!
~Michelle
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01.02.06
Posted in Photography at 1:33 pm by Michelle
A few months ago, some Burning Man friends, Dan McComb & Lara Feltin, started Biznik,
business networking group from the huge number of self-employed folks within the burner community. It’s grown to over 100 members, with business being thrown back and forth between members amid fun and social lunches and happy hours. I appreciate being part of the this group for the business it gives me, the people I’m able to find to work with, learning about what people do, and meeting great folks. Dan recently interviewed me, and posted this article to the Biznik Blog: Biznik Blog ยป Michelle Bates: Toying with Creativity.
~Michelle
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12.22.05
Posted in Photography at 11:54 am by Michelle
Last week I journeyed to cold, cold Denver to consult with Reverse Technology and Diana camera buff Mark Sink. We’ve known each other for years through this strange thing that is the toy camera community, and I knew I’d get lots of insights into my book by spending some time with him.
Indeed, it was a great visit. Granted, my area of specialty is a small niche, so to spend a few days in his gallery (www.gallerysink.com) surrounded by mounds of books and articles by the greats of the Holga and Diana was pure kid-in-a-candy-store joy!
I also was introduced to the wonders of iChat and instant messaging, which makes swapping images and links gleefully instantaneous, whether sitting at computers 10 feet apart, or halfway across the country!
I’m so glad to have so many wonderful people supporting me on this project (Mark & Mary Anne Lynch, especially), and I can’t wait to see what it ends up looking like!
~Michelle
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12.06.05
Posted in Photography at 10:35 pm by Michelle
The new issue of Silvershotz: The International Journal of Fine Art Photography is out, with a full feature about me, including 13 of my images and an article.
This is a really lovely magazine out of Australia, available at Barnes & Noble and selected outlets in the US (call ahead for Volume 3, Edition 4)). http://www.silvershotz.com/magazine/
I’m in some fabulous complany, with the wonderful Jill Enfield on the cover, and Seattle’s John Martinotti right after me.
Pick up an issue if you can.
~Michelle
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Posted in NW Arts, Photography at 10:20 pm by Michelle
At the beginning of this year, even though I don’t actually live on the island anymore, I finally pulled the photographers of Vashon Island out of the woodwork to create a new group. My goals included a community darkroom, which hasn’t quite materialized yet, but we’ve accomplished lots of other fun events!
Back in May, we held a photo review, with more advanced photographers reviewing the work of the less experienced to give advice, critique, and feedback. It was a wonderful event, with 6 reviewers and 12 reviewees swapping chairs around the room for an afternoon.
In June, we put together a juried group exhibition at the Blue Heron Gallery “Uncommon Views of Vashon”, and now we have another group show as part of the Vashon Holiday Arts Studio Tour. This show includes 14 photographers, and is located in a gorgeous spot; the house designed by architect Ibsen Nelsen, with a fabulous view and stunning interior space. The show is open this coming weekend, Dec 10 & 11, from 10-4, at #17 on the tour: vashonislandartstudiotour.com/holiday2005/map/ Come by and say hi!
See photos of the show here!
~Michelle
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11.20.05
Posted in Photography at 1:14 pm by Michelle
Two of my images have recently been published in “Creative Vision: Digital & Traditional Methods for Inspiring Innovative Photography”, by Jeremy Webb, published by AVA Publishing.
It’s a big, gorgeously produced book, with lots of great images and thoughts. I seem to be the “Break the Rules” and “Junk shop and toy cameras” poster child, which I love! Also, my image is on the featured spread link on the AVA site! Creative Vision
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