Garry's Tumblr

Boys will be boys

What happens when a pack of pre-pubescent boys has free access to a digital camera and visual effects? They take self portraits, then add a bunch of cool shit like guns and sharks and lightning. Same thing you or I would've done at age 10.

I guess the results aren't too surprising, but I think there's real vitality and energy in these mashups made recently by my kids. I mean, honestly the things they come up with are completely ridiculous. No adult would ever dream of them. But that's exactly what I like best. They're completely original and unfettered, and sort of primal. They also seem a bit off-limits. These would never be allowed in school or on any other respectable photo blog.

For the record I've got three boys, ages 12, 10, and 7. These photos include them and a few friends. They used an iPad to shoot the photos, then VFX App to add effects.

Bracket your exposures

Here's how I see things shaking out eventually:

Forty year itch

(Above) Variable Piece #101 by Douglas Huebler, made 40 years ago this month and found recently in this old library book. Love the sense of playfulness in this piece, and in Berndt Becher. Who knew he was such a cutup?

Cutting room floor

Ideas for rebranding film in photography's digital age: 

1. Oprah film-of-the-month club

2. 37 mm film offers 6% more surface area for the same price

3. Every cartridge is wired as an orgasmatron

4. Biodegradable cartridges

5. Secretly earmark $500 million film-purchase-to-nowhere into highway bill

6. Golden ticket placed into one lucky cartridge wins tour of Kodak factory

7. Bulk film is absorbent, odor free, and cheaper than standard kitty litter

8. When in doubt, remember sex sells anything