(John Holland Memorial -
Convict Lake, CA - 2012)
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Dear Cole,
A few weeks ago I helped spread the ashes of an old friend in the
mountains. He was my teacher in high school, I babysat his
children, he was a wonderful artist, he was my mentor, we did
business together and most importantly...he was my friend.
We remembered him at one of his favorite places; Virginia Lakes,
California. While there I created the above image which I dedicate
to my friend, John Holland.
Cole
P.S. Here is a video I found fascinating and beautiful. It's entitled Murmuration.
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The Story Behind the Image
(Two Kimonos - Tokyo, Japan -
2007)
The Japanese are almost too polite for good photography.
I was visiting my son in
Tokyo when I found this crowded market that I wanted to photograph.
I was going for an "Angel Gabriel" look where I would find a willing
subject to stand still for a 30 second exposure, and as the crowds
bustled past they would create ghostly remnants. Sounds simple enough,
right?
But as I began setting up
my tripod and camera something curious happened. Everyone cleared
away so that the marketplace was almost empty. They were being
polite and moving out of my shot!
Now the challenge was to
get them back into the shot. As long as my camera was there, they
stayed out of the scene. I tried waiting, I tried turning my back
and talking to my son, I tried talking on the phone...nothing seemed
to work.
Finally I walked away,
leaving my equipment in place and hoping people would return. Slowly
people trickled back and I set about to find a willing subject.
And a subject did appear,
walking towards me were two girls in Kimonos. I approached them and
using sign language, asked if I could take their picture. I was
able to communicate that it would be a 30 second exposure and they
smiled and shook their heads in agreement.
I was all set, I had a
subject, people had finally moved back into the market and I was
ready to go! I began the long exposure and counted out loud:
one...two...three...four...five...and with each count the girl's
heads bobbed up and down!
With a bit more sign
language I was able convey that they needed to stand perfectly still
and I created the image above. This image will always remind me of
that wonderful trip and how very different their society is from
ours.
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Restoration Hardware
(Restoration Hardware Web Site)
Restoration Hardware is one of the fastest growing and most
innovative luxury brands in the home furnishings marketplace. They
offer the finest historical designs including updated classics and
reproductions. For example, I recently restored a 1909 farmhouse and
turned to them for period hardware.
Recently they expanded their Wall Decor line to include photography,
including several images from my Grain Silo series.
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Moshe
Safdie No. 1
(Moshe Safdie No. 1 -
Kansas City, MO - 2012)
While travelling through
Kansas City recently, my eye was drawn to the new Kaufman Center for
the Performing Arts. It was designed by Moshe Safdie and the architecture is stunning!
I
had to stop and photograph it, even in the oppressive 106 degree
heat.
View my new images.
(Moshe Safdie No. 2
- Kansas City, MO - 2012)
(Moshe Safdie No. 2
- Kansas City, MO - 2012)
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Tidbits
(LensWork Issue No. 102, Sept/Oct
2012)
* LensWork issue #102 will feature my portfolio "Death Valley: Where
Time Stands Still." You can preview the issue here.
* The June/July issue of "Schwarzweiss" magazine (the LensWork of
Germany) featured my portfolio "The Fountainhead."
* 121 Clicks is featuring
an article I've written entitled "The Secret to Creating a Great
Image." You can read the article here.
* The NEWS de Cordoba featured two of my images;
"Stonehenge" and "Old Wardour Castle." This is the official
publication for the Photographic Association of Cordoba, Spain.
* The Korean style
magazine "G Colon" has featured two of my images in their
special Black and White issue: "Harbinger No. 1" and "Smokestack and
Clouds" which was featured on the front cover.
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Drawing
(Gull and Moon - Anaheim, CA -
1970)
The winner of this months
drawing is Kimberly Chiaris who will receive a copy of "Why
Photographs Work" by George Barr.
The next drawing will be
for the signed print "Gull and Moon." I created this when I was 17
years old.
For those of you new to my
newsletter drawings, to enter simply email me at
Of course if you'd like to
also say hello, I'd love to hear from you!
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About
Cole Thompson Photography
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