Luke Copping - Blog » Required Reading

Required Reading 5.4.2012

Luke — Fri, 04 May 2012 19:28:24 +0000

Required Reading is a weekly listing of all the bits of visual inspiration, cool videos, news, hip links, and miscellaneous information that rattles my head during the week. The stuff that’s worth bookmarking and gets my brain-juices flowing.

Above: Logan Schott on set last week, getting ready for the shoot.

An interesting story from Rodney Smith about how he reacted when someone tried to spring a last-minute contract change on him | The End Starts Here

Moving backwards at its best – a camera that converts visuals into descriptive text | Fstoppers

In a bit of a DIY mood lately, I can’t wait to mix up a few batches of thus homemade chalkboard paint in a couple of different colors | A Beautiful Mess

A really cool video from Mike Monteiro on client relations a developing a stronger sense of empathy for those you are working for/with while still staying true to your process. | Typo

Looking for some new stuff to read/listen to, dig into this list of the 100 or so blogs that Warren Ellis reads every week. | Warren Ellis

Nothing made me laugh this week like Pentagram Sam did | Coilhouse

Required Reading 4.27.2012

Luke — Fri, 27 Apr 2012 14:34:09 +0000

Above: An Instagram snap of Casey Bitzberger taken after a small video and portrait shoot a few nights ago. (I may make a sadly funny cameo in the video)

I am so happy that Nubby Twiglet shared this link on her blog yesterday – these designer curated music mixes have been my constant soundtrack the past 24 hours. | Designers.mx

Six eye-opening filmmaking tips from David Fincher that have made me rethink several elements about my approach to photography this week. | Approaching The Tyrannosaur Paddock

For the past few weeks John Keatley has featured a series of posts about his recent trip to the Philippines for Arts Aftercare to photograph a story about human trafficking and sexual slavery. Take the time to visit his blog and see these images. | Keatley – Arts Aftercare

Tiny, bite size bits of inspiration from the 99% Conference. My favorite is “The three most harmful addictions are heroin, carbohydrates, and a monthly salary.” by Fred Wilson | 25 Quotables

This music video from Crowns & Owls plays with so many of the 80′s film tropes that I love. | Its Nice That

This article about compartmentalizing lunch from the rest of your work is very interesting, especially for anyone like me who has had to teach themselves the hard way the importance of taking a break sometimes. | Don’t Eat Lunch At Your Desk.

A group of German garbage men have converted dumpsters into pinhole cameras to make long exposures of the neighborhoods they work in. | Fstoppers

You and Who is a great concept started in Buffalo NY to help people shop with meaning – For every shirt of theirs you buy they will give one someone in need. Their designs are very very cool. | You and Who

This video evokes those perfectly fuzzy idealized summer tinted childhood memories – it is kind of magical | Coney Island Love Letter

Ken Hermann’s series of images of coal miners in India are beautiful | Photography Served

Required Reading 4.20.2012

Luke — Fri, 20 Apr 2012 04:01:43 +0000

Above: Musician Supreme General on location during a promo shoot for his new album to be released this summer.

My friend Scott Gable has been busy photographing the antique medical oddities of Dr. Touma’s Medical Museum in West Virginia. His Behance gallery of antique instruments and curiosities makes me a little jealous – some of these items are so cool I wish they were decorating the studio space that Scott and I share.

I had a moment of delirious excitement when I saw the VICE had conducted this interview with filmmaker and author Kenneth Anger – the director of amazing short films like Rabbit’s Moon and Lucifer Rising that I became enamored with in my teens and still greatly enjoy watching today.

As I was getting ready to post this edition of required reading I realized that this is the third time in as many months that I have featured the work Of Andrew Shaylor. I keep stumbling across his work and really connecting with his aesthetic without actively seeking it out – one of my favorite feelings is when I fall in love with the project first without realizing who actually photographed it until later to find out it is an artist I am fond of – and this series on the Hells Angels is no exception.

Could the nature of a rainbow be the perfect model of human consciousness? I think Ricardo Manzotti’s ideas could easily be applied to the nations of creativity as part of the natural process of the world which creates a new whole rather than something distinctly separate from it.

Wow! what a cool concept for a music/promo video for Benga’s I will Never Change- a stop motion live waveform of the song created using individually cut vinyl records.

A simple and elegant use of shapes and design to express complex philosophical theories. These are beautiful in their execution and effectiveness.

I have, at times, been guilty of committing many of the sins chronicled in The Curse of the Freelancer - but I have been trying to tackle these issue more and more readily to make myself less susceptible to these panic moments that many freelancers suffer. But Isaac Hindin-Miller does have some great insights on how to work through these feelings and get back on track to making things happen. I think it’s just the shot in the arm that freelancers and small business owners need from time to time.

It is really weird to me to see fellow photographers who seem legitimately perturbed by the commonality and widespread use of camera phone apps like Instagram. I find these apps to be great fun and a medium unto themselves for exploring a more casual and instinctual type of image making than what I normally produce in my professional life. This aggressive rejection is indicative of the fear and reactionary attitudes that I sadly find all too common among photographers. However this article that subtly parallels the rise of Instagram and the decline of Kodak does bring up some interesting points about how the landscape of not just of image making, but the mindsets behind imaging technology has changed over the last few years.

Earlier this week I had the pleasure of seeing Colleen Wainwright speak for a second time. Much like the first time I saw her, I left completely inspired and energized by her stories to go home and create something awesome. You should definitely be following her Communicatrix blog if you are not already.

Required Reading 4.6.2012

Luke — Fri, 06 Apr 2012 16:25:03 +0000

A look at a fascinating new board game that uses conductive jelly to make music, I really like this combination audio and visual elements coming together to create a tactile DIY instrument. | Noisy Jelly

My newest photography blog addiction is a collection of interviews and photo stories of people who the author has met around his home in Brooklyn, NY. | Backyard Bill

Thoughts on adapting to change, dealing with clients, falling too in love with your own ideas, and over-romanticizing your own creativity, and being a professional. | Counterpoint: What the Fuck Makes You Too Good For Advertising

Douglas Sonders has been dropping some welcome philosophical thoughts about photography the past few weeks, like this one about building meaningful relationships with your clients, taking chances on them, and how loyalty will pay you back in the end. | Loyalty – One Of the Biggest Keys to Career Longevity

Masters of Photoshop show you how its (not) done | Masters of Photoshop

Try some of these exercises to get you brain revved up next time you hit a road block or need to sharpen up your mind. | Five Classic Creative Challenges

Another great article on freelancers developing their sense of pricing and understanding how self-worth plays an important role in it. | A List Apart

There is a lot to be said about tenacity. | The Dirty Little Secret of Overnight Success

The big difference between using tools and being an idea-maker. | Using Your Creativity to Its Full Potential

Pretty minimalist t-shirts | Swiss Miss

Required Reading 3.23.2012

Luke — Fri, 23 Mar 2012 17:32:36 +0000

Who would have thought that hacking a Piccolette Contessa-Nettel (1926) on to a Canon 5dMKII would yield such pretty results. For the hardcore retro gear nerds out there.

After a coffee/keyboard incident earlier this week I have decided that one of these is a necessary addition to my office.

Photographic explorations of a singular subculture always fascinate me. I really like Andrew Shaylor’s study on the rockabilly scene that I found on Behance recently.

I nerded out pretty hard when I saw these behind the scenes photos from Metropolis.

Douglas Sonders on the utter importance of keeping busy as a key to success in a creative field.

The Art of Self Confidence is one of the best blog posts I have read in weeks.

Required Reading 3.16.2012

Luke — Fri, 16 Mar 2012 15:16:41 +0000

Always one to be intrigued by what shapes great minds, I found this look at Alan Turing’s high school reading list to be especially intriguing. | Brain Pickings

A look at the five types of work that fill our work and creative lives. After doing the suggested work audit I was honestly surprised by how much reactionary and insecurity work I could let myself get sucked into – I am going to try a few of the suggested techniques over the next few weeks to see if some small changed can have some big benefits for my mourning mindset. | The 99%

A collection of broken collodion wet plate images of patients suffering from “Glass bone disease” | How to be a Retronaut

I am so glad Lenlee Jenckes from Lenlee Represents turned me on to this (soon to be shipping) custom cereal service. My studio is downwind of a cereal factory and the amazing smell of fresh Corn Pops regularly filling the studio has turned me into a rabid cereal junky. The only question is what blend to order first: Puffed quinoa, cocoa nibs, and chia seeds? or the ever tempting cookies and peeps blend? | Cerealize

A brilliant approach to having creative directors give your work their complete and undivided attention | The Toilet Book

Swallow.com has become my favorite online food magazine since its recent launch with its funny and sometimes scathing look at food from an insider’s perspective. Founder Ivy Knight posted earlier this week about her recent experiences eating and traveling in my hometown that included doing shots of Fernet at one of my favorite bars (Vera Pizzeria – which seems to have become the defacto photographers bar of choice in the city) The incredible art collection of the Knox, The explosively good dining scene, and thankfully did not involve a single chicken wing at any of the tourist traps. | Living the American Dream in Buffalo, NY.

I really like animation and stop motion in music videos, I have ever since I was a little kid. Videos like Peter Gabriel’s Sledgehammer and Big Time always fascinated me, I still get so excited when I see them today. Gotye’s video for Easy Way Out, directed by Darcy Prendergast gives me that same kind of exuberant fascination.

Forget the iPad, I want to read all my books on this device from now on | How to be a Retronaut

The tools that allow us to be more plugged in and efficient have caused us to become completely disconnected and over-reliant on information to the point of addiction. They are often our number one time killers. | A Survival Guide for Beating Information Addiction.

Sound advice | Do Fewer Things and Do them Better

I really get excited about these Three Panels Open projects that are featured on Warren Ellis’ blog, especially this most recent collaboration by Esquivel, Godlewski, and Cody. We should all aim to live our lives so hard that we wound consensus reality! Check out the rest of the Three Panels Open entries as well for some | Warren Ellis

Taking a look at famous brands through hipster tinged glasses. Pretty funny, till you get to the proposed KFC branding and seriously wonder why they didn’t adopt it years ago | Hipster Branding

My friend Rhea made this delightful video during a Canadian Road trip for Mazda | Anna Logue

Promise Tangeman’s blog is often full of universally relevant creative thinking that keeps me coming back week after week – but this article on identifying your own creative style though the act of creating and evolving and not consciously “finding” or adopting your style and ending up with someone else’s is fascinating – one of my favorite pieces on her blog. | Promise Tangeman

A quick and accessible rundown of the 2012 PDN 30 winners and links to their sites. I think this years group was made of of some astronomically talented photographers and I have been spending a few days on some more in-depth exploration of their bodies of work. | Aphotoeditor.com

I saw that Nubby Twiglet linked to this yesterday and it was too good not to share. As a photographer I love seeing the end uses and layouts my images are used for – so layout and design are pretty important to me. This tumblr catalogs an astonishing collection of very cool magazine layouts that I could spend hours browsing. | Magazinpiration

This is important – this is about submarines, werewolves, and bad Russian accents… things that matter! Red Moon is an incredibly entertaining and delightful short by Sirocco Research Labs.

Required Reading 3.9.2012

Luke — Fri, 09 Mar 2012 17:38:43 +0000

This one is for Aaron Ingrao, the biggest pop tart addict I know. | Pantone Tarts by Emilie de Griottes

A look at how we better ourselves, and how trying to make only good work may ultimately hamper our growth. | Getting Better vs Being Good

I wish these mistakes were not so common that it warranted writing a blog post about it | How to be a freelance failure in seven easy steps.

Richard Wade’s ghostly exploration of people lost in thought in the self contained universe of their cars. | Human Chasis

I am so happy to have found this, Alfred Hitchcock interviewed by Francis Truffaut for 12 hours, this is the stuff that film geek dreams are made of | 12 Hours of Truffaut Interviewing Hitchcock

Creativity is subtraction

This song has been stuck in my head for days | Where SSION’s Love Grows

There is something contextually fascinating about looking at the stationary of the famous and villainous figures and brands | Famous Letterheads 1900-1997

Happiness is not a destination.

Do we confuse window dressing and ornamentation with substance? | More is Usually Just More.

Required Reading 3.2.2012

Luke — Fri, 02 Mar 2012 05:34:32 +0000

Terrifying images of children in animal costumes based on funeral photographs that prey on my natural fear of dolls. | fStoppers.

Has the interpretation of the word Freelancer changed into a negative one? | Freelance = Unemployed Starving Artist?!?

A new installment in the always impressive Made By Hand Series | The Beekeeper

25 inspiring thoughts on making ideas happen | The 99%

For the tech and workflow efficiency obsessed out there ASMP has launched the new version of their DPBestflow program laying out best practices for video and photography workflows | DPBestflow.org

Douglas Sonders is featuring a behind the scenes look at a cool music video he recently directed and produced for Crash Boom Bang | Adventures of A Commercial Photographer

Amazing images from Bonneville Speed Week

I think that this might become the most democratic way to serve everyone’s musical taste at the studio – this might be my new favorite app | Anthm

iPhoneography just got legit | Nick Laham photographs the New York Yankees with his iPhone

A Kickstarter project that I can really sink my teeth into, My favorite taco truck in the world is looking for funding to expand their empire of delicious | Lloyd Taco Truck on Kickstarter

My nerdy passions know no bounds | Cheesy Typography Humor

Eye opening images from the 70′s oil crisis | How to Be a Retronaut

1000 likes ain’t gonna pay that rent – but more importantly – if you stop doing what you truly love you might die || Stop Writing On the Internet to Make People Love You

One thing Chase Jarvis does really well is distill thoughts down into simple forms, I love his take on becoming a professional | How to Become a Professional Photographer in Five Simple Steps

The always inspiring Nubby Twiglet on Making Lists and Dreaming Big

Required Reading 2.24.2012

Luke — Fri, 24 Feb 2012 05:01:54 +0000

• I don’t think I could ever stop loving Polaroids, and this collection of images only reaffirms that love | A Collection of Helmut Newton’s Test Polaroids

• An interesting article on how those in the often abused roles of interns are starting to fight back | Get Your Own Damn Coffee!

• Promise Tangeman’s thoughts on the downsides of ranking and scoring yourself alongside others In your field, and how you are better served by focusing on who you are | Comparing Yourself To Others

• My favorite freelance switch comic in weeks | Self Discipline

• Adam from the Angriest Critic shared this trailer with me the other day – and I have been mildly obsessed with it ever since. I can’t wait for the full release of this film so that I can see even more of its impressive visual style | Beyond the Black Rainbow

• Taking a look at western consumption through photography | Scott Gable Blog.

• A lifetime infatuation with circus themed imagery has made me an instant fan of this portrait series by UK Photographer Andrew Shaylor | Behance Network

• This new documentary on Wayne White has me so excited to see some importance given to the idea of art actually being fun and exuberant.

• Social media overload can become an enormous detriment to the creative process if it starts to become too much of an addiction – I like this articles take on it as an un-winnable arms war. | Feeling Social Enough yet?

• Light is surreal, meditative, and beautiful – Sunday Paper has been killing it lately with these provocative video pieces. Also worth checking out is their insightful and sympathetic take on zombies in their recent film Rest.

Required Reading 2.10.2012

Luke — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 16:14:47 +0000

I have also added a subscription feature to the blog – now you can stay updated about new posts and what is going on with my creative life via e-mail. To receive updates just add your email address to the box under Subscribe on the sidebar and voilà! you will be getting regular updates from me in no time.

• Attorney and consultant Leslie Burns is raising funds for her new project – The Plain English Legal Handbook for Photographers on Kickstarter. This could be a greatly needed tool to help creatives better understand and communicate the legal needs of their business. | Kickstarter

• I am not normally one to share photo roundups like this, but I do love me some minimalist beauty, I love those lonely wintery images | 25 Examples of Minimalist Photography

• Some strong suggestions for bloggers about some new rules you might want to integrate into your blogging program. | If I Were the Blogging Police

• It seems like animated music videos are surfacing all over the past few weeks, one of my favorites has been this one by M.Ward - The First Time I Ran Away – directed by Joel Trussel.

• Another animated video that has been on my mind this week is Jonsi’s Gathering Stories. created by Crush Creative.

• Leonard Cohen – How to Speak Poetry | The Grumpy Owl

• The top five regrets of the dying is short but sobering look at traits that many embrace during their life and regret as death draws near – perhaps we should strive to learn these lessons earlier. | Five Regrets Of the Dying.

• Nick Cave on withdrawing awards nominations, treating your muse with respect, and refusing to compete with anyone but yourself. | Letters of Note

• For my fellow mobile photography enthusiasts – some tricks for shooting with the iPhone you might not know. | fStoppers

• There is something exceedingly beautiful about this collection of mug shots from the 20′s – I have shared posts and collections like this before, but there is something about this aesthetic that captivates me every time. | Twisted Sifter

Required Reading 2.3.2012

Luke — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 16:18:38 +0000

• Nubby Twiglet was interviewed by photography consultant Amanda Sosa Stone about her design process and helping to build brands for photographers (including me) | I Love Designers on the Scoop with Sosa Stone

• A hand drawn quote from one of my favorite books, The Little Prince. | Brain Pickings

• The most important article I read all week. A lot of you know how I feel about the awful negativity that is pervasive in the photography industry, I am glad to see blogs like that that are taking a stand against it and showing what they love about photography instead. | I love Photography.

• While I don’t think the the first equine themed costume would fly today (except for some very specific and scary clientele) this look back at exotic dancers of the 1890′s is a fascinating exploration of changing aesthetic ideals and preferences. | How to Be a Retronaut

• Documenting the creation of an outdoor street art museum in the Wynwood district of Miami, FL. Check out this trailer for the docuseries Here Comes The Neighborhood below.

• John Keatley’s series of portraits of master bartender Murray Stenson are some of the best images I have seen online in weeks. Seeing stuff like this is like visual caffeine, it wakes you up and pulls you out of the online static. | Keatley Blog.

• Think of how much more interesting everyday life would be if other cultures treated such mundane objects as works of art | The Art of The japanese Manhole Cover

• Eiko Ishioka recently passed away, she was a monumentally talented and Academy Award winning costume designer who is responsible for unforgettable outfits in the films of Tarsem Singh, Bjork videos, Cirque du Soleil performances. I love the work she created for Singh’s The Fall (one of the most visually intriguing films I have ever seen) | R.I.P. Eiko Ishioka

• David Ogilvy – in his own words – on his writing process and why he feels he is a lousy copywriter. Editing is a key skill for all creatives, you need to be able to cull your own bad ideas from the good | Letters of Note

• For all those photographers who are just starting to move into video, Chase Jarvis has posted a quick guide to audio and mics just for you| Buying Mics and Hacking Audio for Your DSLR Video Setup

• For my fellow camera nerds – a hidden camera look inside the B&H conveyor system by Lense.

• The Affectmedia 2012 Calendar has me in stitches, I wish more companies did fun pieces like this. Oenophile Pinhead was my favorite of the bunch | Photography Served

• Stop aiming for the middle | Prepared to Fail by Seth Godin

• A mega-mix of all the overhead shots in Wes Anderson films cut together.

• Want to get going in the morning? Skip coffee and start listening to film scores while you get ready, by the time you are dressed you will feel like a badass western gunslinger or a spacefaring rogue – after that the rest of the day is easy! I suggest starting off with this one | Elmer Bernstein – Main Titles of the Magnificent Seven.

• An extensive collection of film stills where the subject is breaking the fourth wall | Look at the Camera

• Rooftopping in Toronto – an incredible vantage point from above a city I love. | Thestar.com

• I am in love with this video of a five year old discussing her impressions on the logos and brand marks of different companies by Ladd Design

Required Reading 1.20.2012

Luke — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 16:12:45 +0000

• I have been noticing a lot more imagery by photographers that captures the most mundane and normal things in beautiful ways this year. This study on street lights and evening landscapes is captivating. | Reconfort D’une-Lumiére Dans l’obscurité.

• Fashion Served really is one of my favorite places to see amazing work – another project was grabbed me this week was this one, created by Bara Prasilova for designer Hana Zarubova | Air Force.

• A look at shooting a commercial for one of the most enduring (and scariest) commercial mascots, and a discussion on all why cologne need a hint of flame broiled meat. | Kareem Black Explains Shooting The King.

• I am terribly excited about new a Wes Anderson film | Moonrise Kingdom

• Rediscovering the joy of solitude has been a big blessing to me at time, it is often when i have my best breakthroughs and most important moments of self examination. | Learning to Sit Alone, In a Quiet Empty Room.

• A photo collection that I really enjoyed, so few figures int he public eye have been featured in such a sheer volume of amazing and iconic images – let alone someone I find so personally interesting | Muhammad Ali: 70 Iconic images for 70 Years.

• The amazingly complex art of Minjeong An is almost overwhelming in its scope and can be explored over and over again. | Self Portrait as Informational Diagram

• A solution for crafting simple newsletters and e-mail lists with impressive impact for creatives | TinyLetter

• I could see a certain awesomeness coming from putting something so nightmarish in my space | Dark water – Carpets inspired by Cthulu

Required Reading 1.13.2012

Luke — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 04:31:00 +0000

I had some major clutter to tackle last month, and have still been organizing and re-organizing rooms as new furniture arrives and gets shuffled around, I wish this article had been out then to give me some more method to dealing with the post move mess | How to Tackle Your Clutter

I have really been fascinated by these Chow.com Obsessives videos lately, it is always a joy to see people doing what they love. I highly recommend both the Absinthe and Soda Pop episodes, both of the these obsessives touch on the importance of honesty in crafting or selling something you are passionate about.

As a self-respecting comics/gaming nerd, how could I not love this? | The Freelancer

Aphotoeditor.com featured a nice writeup this week on the end of the year posts written by me and Leslie burns on our respective blogs.

A little irony from Chase Jarvis might be just what you need to actually get off your butt and make that dream project happen today. | The Next Time You Have A Great Idea

I think I fell a little bit in love this week. Punk Rock and Swiss design collide to make something absolutely amazing. I want to cover the world in these while listening to Black Flag. | Swissted

I can never like Star Wars the way many people do (You don’t go through life named Luke without learning to hate the trilogy just a bit), but I keep getting sucked in by these photos featuring Clone Troopers subbing in for some of the worlds most famous photographs. | 365 Days of Clones

There is no reason why this advice cannot apply to photographers and other creatives. It may be design specific, but the advice is quite universal. I especially like the words of wisdom from Stefan Bucher | 17 Designers Dish Their Best Advice

Is what you do bought or sold? an intriguing question from Seth Godin. | Sold Or Bought

I just love Vogue Italia’s parody of the home shopping channels and their delightfully sureal interpretation of the whole genre.

Required Reading 1.6.2012

Luke — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 03:01:32 +0000

• During my search for custom rubber stamps for a marketing project I came across this very hip company on Etsy called The Inkorporated who makes the must interesting return label stamp I have ever seen – totally letterpress chic.

• A older video, but one that came roaring back into my awareness this week when I was doing some research. There is something about this mixture of stutter stop fashion imagery and fluid organic motion that is really arresting | Phénomène by Christopher Warnow

• I’m not sure I’ll be able to get rid of all of these in my business, but I have been on a mission to be a leaner and meaner creative, and some of these, like getting rid of a filing cabinet, have been good first steps | 10 Things I no Longer Need for Freelance Success

• Looking back at some of the best from an entire year of one of my favorite fashion/photography blogs. Standouts for me included Libertine and High Heels Tomatoes | A Ben Trovato Year

• I read a lot of top ten lists and end of the year round-ups over the new year weekend - one of the best was by Leslie Burns, whose real world and BS free take on marketing in 2012. This year is all about being real, living the YOU in your work, and making real connections with people | 10 Things to do for Your Biz in 2012 (The Gloves Come Off)

• Forget every other dance video you saw this year, this one by YAK FILMS totally blew me away. Featuring the NextLevel Squad and some serious Flexing, this is one of the best shot dance videos I have ever seen.

• Whether you love or hate him, Chase Jarvis has a talent, much like Seth Godin, for distilling those ideas you just can’t find the words for into a simple statement that changes the way you think about something | Find Your Thing and Do That Thing…

• Nubby Twiglet shared this recently and I wanted to pass it on to you. 2012 is all about showing some gratitude and building some real connections with clients and collaborators | Everybody Should Like Everybody

• As both a super duper camera nerd and a chronic insomniac, I naturally want to put these all throughout my house | Vintage Camera Night Lights

• ISO50 shares their top 15 music videos of 2011. The M83 video for Midnight City by Fleur & Manu is still my favorite of the year | ISO50′s Top 15 Music Videos of 2011

• And speaking of music – I have not been able to stop listening to White Ring for weeks, if you like it down tempo and dark check them out | White Ring on Myspace.

• This saturday I’ll be heading to the Queen City Roller Girls season kickoff bout to see my friends from the Nickel City Knockouts take on the Devil Dollies. If you enjoy fun, get out and come to a bout this season | QCRG

• A collection of vintage British wrestling posters.

• I have been in so many tech and design firm offices that seem like they designed their workspaces specifically to meet the points in this article | 9 Quirky Things Every “Cool” Workplace is Required To Have.

• Despite being one of my favorite film makers, Terry Gilliam often gives the most insightful, if slightly skewed interviews. Pigheadedness really might be one of the most important qualities for a young artist to have | Terry Gilliam: On Ideas, Unlearning, And Avoiding Debt

• I think one of the final statements of this post sums it up nicely “The fact that this piece of writing exists relaxes me” | Writing your personal mission statement with Gala Darling

• I have really loved this series by Vice that looks into the fashion events of countries not normally associated with fashion | Cambodia Fashion Week Part One

Required Reading 12.18.2011

Luke — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 04:05:23 +0000

I was convinced to finally see Castaway on The Moon after being told many times that it was one of the best films to come out in the past few years, luckily it was recently added to Netflix Instant Watch, and I must say… It did not disappoint – from premise to execution I found it utterly fascinating.

While Vice can sometimes be hit and miss, I often find some really compelling photo essays and interviews about unique projects in their pages. This series of portraits that focuses on the children of Russia’s mega rich by Anna Skladmann.

A short statement about negative and snarky attitude dominating the landscape of creative industry forums and tweets, I find the closing quote perfectly sums up this often prevailing attitude of viewing everyone and everything as competition ““Rudeness is the weak person’s imitation of strength”

The nerd in me can’t not post this - retro video game ads. Some of the greatest/worst things ever.

I am in love with this slate cheese board… mainly because I have the ulterior motive of wanting to use it for shooting some fun little projects with my iPhone over the coming weeks for Erin’s 29andhungry project, which is where the above images of the blueberries comes from.

No doubt about it - this is just about the coolest watch I have ever seen.

Aphotoeditor.com’s interview with Ed McCulloch on creating a directors reel from scratch.

Seth Godin boiled down to a few simple lessons.

Another cool workday mix from the 99% – Stay Hungry Stay Foolish.

An essential article for anyone who, like me, is an unrepentant (or struggling) organizational nerd – The art of the to-do list.

How to make a kickass portfolio – Via Chase Jarvis Live.

Required Reading 12.11.2011

Luke — Mon, 12 Dec 2011 00:37:31 +0000

• Real men swear is my recent guilty pleasure – and cutting the lawn certainly is a gentleman’s pursuit.

• The idea of a continuous feedback loop is a fascinating idea, especially for photographers whose impression is left as much left by the experience as it is by the product.

• Jamming 25 of Saul Bass’ amazing title sequences to ether into one retrospective video is almost too much cool film geekery to handle.

• ISO50′s list of the most refreshing albums of 2011.

• My old college buddy Douglas Sonders’ guide photography gadget gift guide for 2011. I definitely added few things to my wish list today - Especially that ONA waxed canvas camera bag.

• Jessica Hische on where inspiration turns into imitation - once again stressing the importance of editing.

• Glad to see more pros embracing the iPhone as a creative tool and not as the death knell of the photography industry as so many others have.

• The PlugBug seems to me like it may be the most amazing invention of this century – I need to get one of these for when I travel. Too many gadgets and not enough plugs.

• A bit melancholy for how happy they normally make me, but I love these images of Muppets confronting their origins.

• Sugru has proven to be infinitely useful in my photographer’s toolkit, that is why I am actually excited to be re-ordering it.

• I think I found my new favorite food blog - What Katie Ate.

Required Reading 11.25.2011

Luke — Fri, 25 Nov 2011 16:25:37 +0000

Just a small collection of projects that inspired me this week – to get you through the holiday weekend.

• Richard Mosse’s series of images taken with a special infrared film and documenting his travels in the Eastern Congo are surreal, shocking, and strangely beautiful. Something about this simple shift in color totally re-contextualizes the way we perceive these images.

• David Emmite’s faux documentation on the life of homeless robots is, much like Wall-E, oddly touching.

• From Etsy’s Handmade Portraits series: The Sword Maker.

• And, just to add a little levity, The 12 Most Baffling Genres of Stock Photography. Via Cracked.com – Always good for a laugh.

Required Reading 11.11.2011

Luke — Fri, 11 Nov 2011 16:13:16 +0000

• I finally found some holiday cards that I can get behind – Check out Inky Bench for a high dose of adorable monsters to haunt your holiday season.

• I am not usually one to get excited about a calendar, but this one created by Campari – and featuring Milla Jovovich as the avatar of every manner of world ending scenario is striking.

• Another campaign that made me laugh hard all this week was one created for The Drake General Store in Toronto. There is something about the expression of the woman trying to trade horse meat for candy that requires me to watch these on a constant loop.

• An interesting video that looks at the relationship between time, pressure, and depth of creativity.

• The Grand Ole Bestiary is like the Island of Doctor Moreau meets Victorian style and charm.

• Staying Motivate! - Via Nubby Twiglet.

• If there was one video that made me smile this week it is definitely this one of Bert and Ernie recording voiceovers for Tom Tom GPS.

Required Reading 11.4.2011

Luke — Fri, 04 Nov 2011 16:52:09 +0000

• Photoshelter is featuring a five week long business bootcamp – curating some of their best content down into a series of e-mail dispatches to help you improve your business.

• If committees told the truth – from Seth Godin. I adore the last line “Great work is never reasonable, safe, or boring”

• Definitely NSFW – Agent Provocateur’s newest ad is a style drenched homage to the Scream movies with lingerie and black metal to spare!

• I am fascinated by the work of Joel Grimes, Fstoppers has a great behind the scenes look at his work

• A wonderful video – 29 ways to stay more creative.

• Another amazingly choreographed music video by Genki Sudo, the way the guys move in this video is incredible.

• One of my favorite people, Rhea Anna, shares some simple and important wisdom.

• The trailer for I Believe I Can Fly (Flight of the Frenchies) is full of so much wonderful imagery, and I am really into the passion these guys have for their sport.

• A fascinating look at a day in the life of Rick Genest – AKA Zombie Boy.

• The second short from Made By Hand documents the creative process and story of Joel Bukiewicz, an hand crafted knife maker, and his company, Cut Brooklyn.

• Work at a Different Speed – A music mix from the 99%

• An interesting manifesto on minimalist photography and going amateur - The Lesser Photographer.

Required Reading 10.28.2011

Luke — Fri, 28 Oct 2011 15:41:31 +0000

• An intensely thought-provoking piece from consultant Leslie Burns about the difference between love and passion for one’s work, and the illusion of self-risk that stops us from sharing our true passions we trick ourselves into believing.

• It has been a great few weeks of music video discovery for me. This video for Clay Bodies by Zola Jesus may be one of the best of a great bunch I have watched recently.

• Scott Gable (Who I share a studio with) rocks in every way. He rocks so hard that he was able to get me, Aaron Ingrao, And Adam Rosina to serve as some of the models for his latest series Things People do on the Toilet - I’m the crazy eyed fella eating the sub.

• Another of my favorite music discoveries as of late is M83′s video for Midnight City , just spooky and weird enough a video to have discovered right before Halloween. I have been listening to this album on spotify non-stop.

• A few months back I did an interview with Design Times, a South African design journal, about my award-winning project – Pigment. I just found out that the interview had been published a while back, and I totally missed it. You can check out their electronic edition of the issue here.

• Tips for setting an effective backdrop to an efficient creative work day.

• After last weeks feature of a painting of Agent Dale Cooper a reader sent me a link to this gallery of Twin Peaks inspired art - Including this piece, which I feel a sudden urge to track down and display prominently in my home.

• I watched a wonderful documentary this week that fed right into the weird obsession with pinball I had when I was younger. Special When Lit: A Pinball Documentary is a fascinating look into the past and present of pinball. I still remember playing an Adams Family pinball machine for hours when I was a kid at a local restaurant that my much older brother and cousins would go to after their sunday morning hockey league. This documentary is available on Netflix Instant Watch right now.

• Sixty second thought experiments in animated form, by the Open University. Ponder some of these in the early AM to keep yourself sharp!

• What may be my favorite Halloween ad campaign of the year so far – from Vodacom.

• Something about Michael Winslow has always brought a smile to my face, undoubtedly he is an incredibly talented artist who has continued to push the limits of what he does with his voice and body. But his take on Led Zeppelin is something truly remarkable to withhold. Also see his equally fascinating piece on the history of the typewriter, which I shared previously.

• 500 photographers is always an amazing source for discovering new photographic talent, it seems I fall in love with the work of someone new every few days this week it is the mysterious and entrancing imagery of Stefan Milev.

• Nubby Twiglet and Bianca Alexis – 1 Dress. 2 Styles.

• The Last Shadow Puppets video for The Age of The Understatement, directed by Romain Gavras, immediately grabbed my attention, probably because I am Canadian, and there is a Zamboni in it. Also… tanks… and very good music.

The Last Shadow Puppets, The Age Of The Understatement from ROMAIN-GAVRAS on Vimeo.

• With all the talk about Lytro being a game changing piece of technology, it is great to see someone like Chase Jarvis deliver a reminder about what is really important to focus on.

• How do our natures as content consumers and content creators balance out? Vincent Laforet is right, we need to do better. - Via APhotoEditor.com

• The evolution of one of my favorite brands – I love you Old No. 7.