Have Faith Post Sandy

Have Faith is an image I photographed in Soho in 2008 while walking down Broadway in NYC. I felt like sharing this photo on my blog because I think many need a little reminder now that as hard as things may get, eg: the devastation that occurred during Hurricane Sandy, that those things will hopefully get better. For example, maybe politicians will work on helping mother nature recover from human insensitivity (eg: the fossil fuel industry, CO2 creation, tearing down rain forests, cruel animal testing, genetically modified foods, etc) so that our lives are less tumultuous.  I truly believe that everything happens for a reason and that there is a light at the end of the tunnel. I hope this will stop people from thinking that global warming is a "natural occurrence" and make them realize that we need to care for our environment. 

One reason I developed The Museum of Messages is because I feel that it is important to photograph people's visual emotions to remind others that we are not alone. Best of luck to those that were affected by Hurricane Sandy. May you have a speedy recovery!

Yes Future

Recently I was in Bayonne, France and walked by this message that stated, "Yes Futur".  Originally there was no "e" at the end of "futur" so in post production I added that character so it read "future". 

Ahhhh....the future!!! Such a mystery!!! I thought that this was a pretty powerful image because of the bridge, in the background, signifying a connection. 

I have added this photo to The Museum of Messages website. I think the composition turned out nicely.  

May your future be full of peace, joy, prosperity and love. 

Photo Competition - Your Help Is Appreciated

This afternoon I was inspired to enter some of my photos, from my series on "love" in The Museum of Messages, into an international photo competition called One Life.  I'd really like to continue exhibiting these images and sharing them with the general public. In order to do that it would be helpful to be awarded a cash grant and some recognition. 

If you visit http://helenavdevengoechea.see.me/onelife2012 and click on the link "Collect Me" at the top of the page that will help me to become more visible in the competition. Your help is much appreciated. 

Vivian Maier At Steven Kasher Gallery

About a month ago I went to Steven Kasher Gallery in Chelsea, NY to go see an art collector, Mr. John Bennette, talk about Vivian Maier's work. It was an educational experience but there were so many questions I had that couldn't be answered because Vivian passed away in 2009.  

Her photos are beautiful and are taken in a photojournalist style. This style is my favorite because one's true expression is captured.  I have read reviews about Ms. Maier's work and the reviewers rank Vivian up there with Diane Arbus. I wonder how that would have changed her life if she was alive to learn that people truly admire her vision? 

In any case, I thought to let you know that Steven Kasher Gallery will be exhibiting Vivian Maier's photos again. The opening is April 12th from 6-8pm. 

Love In NYC

Hi All! Hope you are having a good week. 

Yesterday I decided to work on the The Museum of Messages.  As a creative I am inspired by expressions that are written all over the city. Since I am a photographer I feel that it is my duty to document these words because they have a very short life span. 

The Museum of Messages has its very own website. Yesterday I posted a few photos about love in NYC. 

Additionally their is a section on my studio website in which you can see some of the photos in a different format. 

I hope you enjoy!

I attended Photo Plus Expo at the Javits Center in NYC last October and met with many creative professionals in portfolio review sessions organized by Palm Spring Photo Festival. In total I visited with 5 reviewers. One of them was Todd Bradway from D.A.P. (Distributed Art Publishers). 

The reason I selected him as a reviewer is because I have been working on a photo project titled The Museum of Messages for many years and I am currently looking for a publisher to print a book and or produce a digital e-book of my project. 

Todd gave me many helpful pointers on certain publishers I should contact as well as how to market my book. He told me that photo books aren't selling in the mass market and to introduce my book to publishers as an Art + Design book. I thought that was a brilliant idea! 

Above is a screen shot of a mock up book that I am creating in iPhoto to present to publishers. 

I am interested, what are your thoughts on the future of book publishing? 

Attention photo thieves! Yesterday I learned that Google came up with a system called Google Image Search . When a photographer drops one of his or her photos in the search cue it will search the whole web to see if others may be using his or her image without permission. 

I think a lot of copyright infringement lawsuits may be brewing.

As an artist I really hope that people learn that all the time and energy artists put into their work should be paid for not stolen.

I am thrilled to say that the owner of Miwa Alex bought Buddha 5, one of the photographs that I shot in Tibet in 2008 which is also part of The Museum of Messages. He is currently displaying the photo at Miwa Alex, in the Flatiron District, at 24 E. 22nd Street between Park Avenue South and Broadway in NYC until November 10, 2011.

Above is the e-zine I created in order to promote the group exhibition. Please note that I only showed a detail in the e-zine of the Buddha that I photographed. 

If you'd like to see the whole thing go to the Flatiron District and check it out. I am interested in hearing your opinion on my work. If you do visit, I hope you enjoy the show. 

In 10 days, Saturday September 24, 2011, my Photo and Design Exhibition will end at Miwa Alex, 24 E. 22nd Street between Park Avenue South and Broadway.

It started July 18, 2011 and has had a positive response. See designs and photography created in the studio. Also see photos from The Museum of Messages.

It is a lovely time of year to walk around the city. If you are in the Flatiron District, don't forget to go check the show out.

Opinions are welcome. Have a nice day!

Technological Waste in Ghana - Photo Opening at Yossi Milo Gallery Tonight 9/8/11 6-8 pm

 Pieter Hugo

Permanent Error

September 8–October 29, 2011

Artist’s Reception & Book Signing- http://bit.ly/pJ4KoW

Thursday, September 8, 6:00–8:00 pm

Yossi Milo Gallery is pleased to announce an exhibition of color photographs by Pieter Hugo, entitled Permanent Error. The exhibition will open on Thursday, September 8, and close on Saturday, October 29, with an opening reception for the artist and book signing on Thursday, September 8, from 6:00 to 8:00 pm. This is the artist’s third solo exhibition at the gallery.

Pieter Hugo’s new series, Permanent Error, depicts Agbogbloshie, a massive dump site for technological waste on the outskirts of Ghana’s capital city, and the locals who burn down the components to extract bits of copper, brass, aluminum and zinc for resale. Tons of outdated and broken computers, computer games, mobile phones and other e-waste are shipped to the area as “donations” from the West, under the guise of providing technology to developing countries. Rather than helping to bridge the digital divide, the equipment is transformed into noxious trash threatening the health of the area’s inhabitants and contaminating the water and soil.

Gray plumes of smoke rise from smoldering piles of disassembled monitors, motherboards and wiring, providing an apocalyptic backdrop for Hugo’s portraits of the workers. The subjects, many of whom are young men sent by their families from impoverished outlying villages, are photographed full-figure and directly engaged with Hugo’s medium-format camera. With each portrait, Hugo draws the viewer into the conditions imposed on this slum community and their effects on individuals. Collectively, the photographs expose consequences of the West’s consumption of ever-new technology and its disposal of outmoded products in poor countries ill-equipped to recycle them.

Pieter Hugo’s work was recently on view at the Victoria & Albert Museum in London; the Institute of Modern Art in Brisbane, Australia; and the Kiasma Museum of Contemporary Art in Helsinki, Finland. A mid-career retrospective exhibition curated by Wim van Sinderen will open in February 2012 at The Hague Museum of Photography, The Netherlands, and will travel through 2014. Mr. Hugo received the 2008 Discovery Award at the Rencontres d'Arles Festival and the 2008 KLM Paul Hauf Award. His work is held in the permanent collections of the J. Paul Getty Museum, Los Angeles; Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York; San Francisco Museum of Modern Art; Musée de l'Elysée, Lausanne; Huis Marseille, Amsterdam; and the Victoria & Albert Museum, London, among others. The artist’s previous books, The Hyena & Other Men (2007) and Nollywood (2009) were published by Prestel, which released Permanent Error in March 2011. Pieter Hugo was born in South Africa in 1976 and currently lives and works near Cape Town.

The second annual Chelsea Art Walk will take place in New York City at over 125 galleries and art institutions on Thursday, July 28, 2011 from 5 to 8 p.m.

In addition to extended hours at all of the locations, there will be special events such as talks by artists, curators, and gallery owners, live performances, book sales, book signings and receptions. Check it out at http://artwalkchelsea.com/

Pricing Advice From Wonderful Machine

One of the biggest challenges for photographers is to quote a job. Most folks think that all photographers do is show up and press the shutter on the camera; however, there are so many more steps involved. Depending on the clients objective other creative professionals may need to be hired in order to execute the shoot successfully. For example, photo assistants, digital techs, hair stylists and make-up artists. This all adds up.

Jess Dudley, a producer at Wonderful Machine, explains the pricing process of a photo shoot in the blog post above on thephotoeditor.com.  It is extremely informative!!!

Have a nice day!

Photo + Design Exhibition Opening - 07/20/11

On Wednesday July 20, 2011 from 7-9 pm there will be an exhibition opening of some of my photos and designs at Miwa Alex, a venue on 22nd Street between Park Avenue South and Broadway in NYC.

In the show I have incorporated some of my studio photos and designs as well as some imagery from The Museum of Messages . While walking through the gallery and looking at the art on the walls you can also enjoy some delicious rosé or sauvignon blanc from Parlay.

I look forward to seeing you at the opening.

HARVEY STEIN: CONEY ISLAND 40 YEARS OPENING

I am happy to tell you about Harvey Stein's photo exhibition hosted by Alan Klotz Gallery that will occur in Chelsea, NYC July 7-August 19, 2011. The opening is on July 7th from 6- 8 pm.

If you don't already know Harvey Stein I'd like to introduce you to his work.  Mr. Stein is one of the nicest and most talented portrait photographers in NYC. I took a book publishing class with him at the International Center of Photography in 2007 and learned a great deal about promoting my photography via a publication. I have created some mock up books for my photo project titled The Museum of Messages, but I have yet to publish anything

I plan on going to Mr. Stein's photo opening tomorrow night. I hope to see you there.

Have a nice day!

Don't Quit Your Day Job - Photo Opening at

HASTED KRAEUTLER is pleased to announce DON'T QUIT YOUR DAY JOB, photographs by gallery owners. The exhibition is a lighthearted indulgence in the fantasy of "what might have been" for these lovers of photography had they not decided to pursue their day jobs. DON'T QUIT YOUR DAY JOB is equally a celebration of the gallery owners' careers and contributions to contemporary art and photography, highlighting the origins in creating photography and art that led them to own galleries in the first place. While no one story is true of all the participants in this exhibition, many of them have practiced photography before and during their current careers as gallerists, while others moved from creating to representing photography, commercially, many years ago (and hardly ever looked back). In all cases, however, HASTED KRAEUTLER is honored to host the work of its colleagues in the business.

The artists are DEBORAH BELL, KIM BOURUS, BRIAN CLAMP, DAVID FAHEY, ZACH FEUER, MICHAEL FOLEY, JEFFREY FRAENKEL, JESSICA FREDERICKS, SARAH HASTED, STEVEN KASHER, ALAN KLOTZ, JOSEPH KRAEUTLER, PETER MACGILL, LAURENCE MILLER, ROBERT MANN, JANET RUSSEK, JACK SHAINMAN, ROSE SHOSHANA, RICK WESTER and SASHA WOLF.

While some of the photographs are on loan for exhibition only, most are for sale. The proceeds will be donated to Lotus House Women's Shelter, a quiet enclave in the heart of one of Miami's poorest neighborhoods.

For more information, please contact HASTED KRAEUTLER at 212-627-0006 or info@hastedkraeutler.com.

The exhibition will be on view from July 7 to August 19, 2011. Please join us for a reception for the artists on Thursday, July 7, 5 - 8 p.m.

Foto Care: In the Spotlight with Helena V. de Vengoechea

Two weeks ago Elizabeth Stacy, a digital image specialist at Fotocare, contacted me and asked me if I'd like to be interviewed for their blog. I was happy that they asked me, said "yes" and spent a good portion of a day answering their questions.

If you'd like to read their blog post about my photo and design services in NYC you may at http://bit.ly/lxuW1K.

If you know of any companies that are looking to visually promote their products with professional digital design and photography services feel free to forward the studio's website to them for review.

Stay Cool!!

Start Thinking In Motion

Recently I have been thinking that I really need to learn more about video production. Now with our world becoming more of a digital landscape I do believe that this education would be wise to invest in.

I don't think print design and still photography will die 100% but in order to survive in today's workplace one must continue learning. If you are interested in educating yourself in motion you may learn a tidbit at http://bit.ly/mwB1lU.

MailChimp.com

Above is an e-zine that I designed to tell you what Helena V. Studio has been up to this month. I have been using another service provider for quite some time but recently decided to try out another.

If you are looking to share your vision with others via an email newsletter, at an affordable price, I'd like to suggest using http://mailchimp.com/ .

Their customer service is very good, they are fun and professional.

The only thing is, you'll need to have your very own list of contacts. For example,  AdBase is an email service provider that offers a database of creative professionals emails + phone numbers. Mailchimp.com doesn't offer this service.

If you are looking to share your vision with lots of business professionals I highly recommend AdBase. They are very helpful and professional but more on the pricey side because they have more services to offer.

Best of Luck! -Helena V. 

Luck

Last week I was asked to photograph six pieces of jewelry for a designer Tirza Fine Design based in Brooklyn, NYC. I set up my studio with black plexi on stands, to place the jewelry on, my lights, reflectors, camera and laptop and shot different variations. It was a two day job.

After the photo shoot I chose to design a poster for my portfolio. I added the green line element on the top and the bottom of the page, which leads the eye into the ring, then with Arial Narrow, my font of choice, I typed, kerned and placed the "lauren collection : ring by tirza fine design" on the left side of the page and lastly added "luck is believing you're lucky- by tennessee williams" on the right side of the page.

If you'd like to see it at a larger size visit http://www.helenavstudio.com/.

Thoughts?

Where in the War Room Is Hillary Clinton?

This is an eye opener, see above! 

I found online that the famous white house war room photo of the Osama Bin Laden raid was edited in Photoshop.

Big No, No! Hello copyright infringement!!!

More information at http://bit.ly/j2ZB9v.