Makers: Strawfoot Handmade (#1)

I've been working on a short video series about local Santa Cruz craftsman Garrett Kautz, and his label Strawfoot Handmade. He's producing a limited set of waxed canvas and leather tote bags for the new retail space GNTLMN. The tote itself is part of the store's launch so I'll keep it secret for now, but here's a glimpse into the Strawfoot workshop.
Some workshops just look right:

In a space which is ideal for making refined handmade goods I appreciated the abstract detail of this well-worn tabletop, a result of a pounding and punching leather:

Tools of the trade. Beautiful for the combination of form and function:

Garrett, taking international orders now!

Strawfoot:

More to come...

Road Tripping....Donuts!

Can I file this under "Moto"? So many donuts, not enough time. This last week I was up and down a good part of the California coast. Seeing as I was in an old Vanagon Westy, Donuts weren't really possible (despite best efforts). Obviously, some other travelers got their rocks off in this scenic overview parking lot off HWY 9:

The Weekend: On the Road

It's time to go places. Get back to you on the return side.

Photographer Fatigue

No matter how dirty and tired I got in Africa, I was so happy to be there. However, you might not be able to tell it from this photo of me in Tanzania. I think anyone who's traveled for months on end can appreciate the fatigue that sets in at times. Upon landing in Tanzania, I was ready to crawl in a hole and not speak to anyone for a few days. But inevitably I was ready to go again. This snapshot was taken about half way through my four months in Africa, in 2008.

Here are some random tunes from Africa. SO SO GOOD! via Awesome Tapes From Africa.

Don't Forget to Have Fun on Your Bicycle

Rob 'Hooptie' Evans dishing out some rodeo style up Eureka Canyon Rd, Santa Cruz Mountians:

Last night capped another fine day of shooting for the GIRO 2013 book. There's going to be a lot of surprises in the next year from Giro. My friend Jim Gentes (US Jr. National Cyclocross Champ of 1975) started the brand so it's been interesting to see it's progression through my lifetime. Though Jim doesn't own Giro anymore, I've been stoked to see all the new ways they're looking at cycling.

A Day With the Artist Chris McNally

I was a fan of Chris' art before I ever new his name. He's one of those artists who has a lot of awesome work out there without being super famous. His art has been scooped up and placed on a lot of different commercial platforms. His clients range from Levi's, PUMA, and UNION MADE, to bike world brands like IBIS. I saw a bunch of his art out in the world before I met him a couple years ago and put the 2 and the 2 together. Now that he's back from NYC and living out West I know him well through riding bikes and other and various Bay Area circles of friends. I was stoked to help with this project for GIRO, where he's a talking about his art and his commute and how those things are intertwined. I was mostly shooting stills but I got a few good shots in the video, too. Check 'em out:



MORE ON MY (((FLICKR))).

Available Everything

Here's another oldy. Available light. Available camera (Nikon FE2). I didn't have a "pro" camera when I shot this but it's what I'd want from any amount of gear I might have now. When I shot this on-set photo of Zadi Diaz, during her short stint as a host for an IMEEM music webby-show, I didn't even consider digital cameras, additional lighting, hi ISO ratings, ect. Just 35mm, Portra 400 VC, available light. Done. Good times. I try to keep it like this even when the bigger guns come out these days.

Dirt Season

Earth's lean must have recently shifted because suddenly it just feels like Mountain Bike Season.

Anthony Mangieri at China Camp State Park.

Let's Go Riding This Weekend!

Olympic Peninsula, Washington State

Hustling

Back in 2006 I had just got a few cycling photo editors to return my emails. I couldn't get an assignment for a feature and I was hustling in all directions shooting parts of the bike world that inspired me. Since a friend was driving to LA for the UCI World Cup races in LA, I caught a free ride South, and conjured just enough pull with a magazine for them to help me with a photo credential. I had never seen an indoor track race before this trip and this was serious racing. The Madison blew me away. The Argentinians were flawless, graceful, and daring all at once. I loved that the racing was defined mostly by nationality instead of corporate sponsorship. I came home with some photos, and also some 16mm film. Psyched, right? Well, the cycling world was kind of conservative at the time and what I thought was great was certainly not accepted. In 2006 there was no Paved, Peloton, or Rouleur, all magazines that have embraced cycling photography in progressive ways. At least now I can shoot in my own style and many of my photos will have a home in print. I'm always trying to show something about the riding, riders, and sense of place, that a simple race photo doesn't convey. It might be intangible to most eyes but it's clear to me.