I ran across a design agency website where they used photos of "things" that describe who they are rather than the typical corporate photo. I thought it was a great idea and just had to give it a go... It was an interesting challenge, to come up with the right combination of items, and then there's Phoebe sneaking into the photo. Could not have been more perfect! So, this is me ... now let's see you!
"For those of you who've seen the hit movie 500 Days of Summer, you’ll remember that cute scene where Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Zooey Deschanel pretend to live in an IKEA store. Photographer Christian Gideon must have been inspired by that scene when he created this funny series. Gideon and his friends hilariously photographed themselves living in IKEA's showrooms, acting as though we're getting a real look into their everyday lives.
Love how the "actors" almost make you believe that living in IKEA is possible!"
OMG this is hysterical! One of those, why didn't I think of that kind of things... Great job guys!
Story Behind Those Stunning Cinematic Gifs
Here at theMET, we're always looking for creative projects that catch our eye. More than anything, we love posting about work that pushes boundaries, showing our audience something that has been changed, flipped or spinned into something magically different. Then, we see it as our job to find out the story behind such projects. What inspired the artist or photographer to start down that path? What do they hope others get out of their work?
A few days ago, when Met member Mark Huckabee put up a post called Astounding Animated Gifs, we knew we had to dig further. We got in touch with Jamie Beck and her partner Kevin Burg to ask them about their "cinemagraph" technique where they combine still photographs and video to create these magnificent mini films. (Did you know that the project is a combination of Kevin's background in motion graphics and Jamie's street photography?)
Before we go into that more, enjoy these lovely cinemagraphs that they sent directly to us.
What's been the response like, so far, on your animated gifs? How has the internet responded?
The online response has been really wonderful. When we first started creating these together we felt it was a new form of photography adapted for a digital age. You never know if people are going to feel the same way you do but with the incredible response it seems people also respond to this form of storytelling.
Which of them is your favorite piece and why?
We love Anna Sees Everything (last one in this post.) We feel that it captures a portrait of her in a moment that is the essence of what she does.
What do you hope others get out of these works?
We hope to transport people to the moment, to take you a step closer to the subject. We want people to feel like they get to linger and look at something, almost in a voyeuristic way. In life, when you catch a moment, it can be gone in an instant or you instinctively look away. Through our images, the moment lasts forever and you can look as long as you like.
Which gif has been the most popular and why do you think that is?
Our series with Coco Rocha was the most popular collection and the single most popular cinemagraph factoring in pageviews and Tumblr notes is Meet Me at the Bar. We think that there's a surprising aspect to it - it masquerades as a still photograph but then a car drives by. There's also a romantic element to the story the image tells... at least we feel that way.
Were you inspired by other gifs or anyone else before you started this more artistic ones?
For us it happened very organically out of a need to show something more than a photo but not quite a video, and to stay true to Jamie's photography. There have been a lot of really interesting things being done with gifs in recent years and since getting our work out there people have sent us links to other artists creating cool stuff within the gif medium. Our hope is that in the future there are many people creating original content in a similar way...in their own personal style.
What do you have next in store for us?
We hope to continually improve our storytelling abilities through our cinemagraphs. We're testing with better cameras, meeting talented people we can work with and hoping to do more editorial collaborations. We're also compiling an intimate look at New York City through this new medium. We're looking to explore other ways to utilize cinemagraphs outside of the web through devices like iPad and through forthcoming display technologies.
Thanks for the interview, Jamie and Kevin. Absolutely in love with your sweet and subtle gifs.
I have followed the "From Me to You" blog for a while now and am blown away by the moving images they create. I am so glad someone finally sat down with them to talk about how they came about. Fantastic work - love, love, love it!
...inches for the summer!
What is it about women and hair? Why does it hold such a prominent position in defining who we are?
I find that when my hair is long it seems like a big deal to cut it. I go back an forth, should I or shouldn't i ... and I cannot figure out why it's such a struggle. It's just hair. It will grow back. And I totally trust my hair guy, so it's not like he's going to give me a pixie by accident...
I have been on the fence for the last couple of months about weather to keep my hair long or short. Last year I did a little test to see how long it would get over the course of the year and six inches later... the long locks were back in business. Lately people have been telling me "oh your hair is getting so long" and I think that was drawing some attention to it for me. That and the fact that I had it up in a ponytail every day for the whole week. That was my breaking point the last time I cut it short and so when I saw that pattern coming back, I decided to hit the salon again! Short and sassy is back baby!
I bothered Bethany all week to sneak in a Luau and with the crap weather of the week, we didn't know if it would be worth it. We went ahead and scheduled it for my last night in Hawaii and completely lucked out!! The weather was PERFECT!
And we even got Garrett in his Hawaiian shirt - he had originally protested, most likely because Mom wanted him to wear it ... everything is better when it's his own idea! Kids crack me up!!
10 :: Brewing... I typically brew tea fresh every morning, but thought maybe I could be a little more efficient with things and brew a batch in advance (picked up the glass bottle at IKEA yesterday). This should last me three or four days. Yeah!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/a06987/4005711481/
Yesterday was my birthday. Thirty eight. It was your average Wednesday... with a little bit of chocolate.
Birthday's are funny... I've never been a big birthday person. I don't plan elaborate parties or feel the need to do something crazy and over the top. Only for the big birthdays do I feel like I need do something 'memorable.' I love planning parties for other people, but don't want to plan my own... or even want people to plan anything big for me. Simply wish me 'happy birthday' or jot me a note (or even better, a card!) ... that's all that I need. Just knowing you remembered is enough. Well.... that and CAKE! Thanks to Barbara for bringing me two of the most delicious little flourless chocolate cakes! Here's hoping for a fabulous new year ahead!
Oh and I had to share the cutest birthday greeting from little Bella Boo.
Welcome to one of Hawaii's most beautiful beaches, Poipu Beach. Located on the southern shore of the island of Kaua'i, where the surf is calm and the sand oh so inviting. Well, unless it's raining. Then it's all about dodging rain drops and storm clouds.
I was most excited to take a photo tour of the island, famous for it's beaches, water falls, taro fields and wild chickens. Sadly, the weather did not cooperate, but after several conversations with the tour guides, we decided to venture out and at least see the island and capture a photo or two when possible. Fortunately, I had my rain gear, but Bethany forgot hers and had to sport the most lovely clear poncho. I think she worked it tho...
I will say this about the tour folks - they were super sweet and our guide tried really hard to make it to each of the locations and was super knowledgable about the island. She was giving photography pointers to one of the ladies with us, which I thought was great.
We drove up the west and north shores, but sadly did not make it to the Hanalei Pier (the one place I really wanted to go) because the bridge to the northern part of the island was very close to flooding. Boo! But I figure the photos would not have been great anyway...
We made it to the hotel, the Koa Kea, and loved it! It's chic and modern, beautifully manicured and the rooms were fabulous! I would highly recommend this hotel to anyone traveling to Kaua'i. It's right on the beach, has a beautiful pool (that I was so sad not to be able to use), close to some cute little shops and has wonderful food at the Red Salt restaurant. The staff was warm and friendly and even granted us a late check out without hesitation.
I ventured out on our second day - a little bit of blue sky and a whole lotta clouds, but no rain till later. Took a few photos along Poipu Beach - it's lovely and goes on for miles.
While my trip was greatly modified from it's original intent, Kaua'i is a lovely island. If you want to get away and just do nothing - check out, sip umbrella drinks, walk along the beach and take in some of the most beautiful scenery, this island is truly for you!
