By Christina Fong

A week ago, iconic photographer Lillian Bassman passed away at the age of 94 in New York City, leaving behind a legacy of fashion photography dipped in black and white elegance only she could capture.

She was best known for pushing the boundaries of reality by employing such techniques as bleaching, dodging and burning when printing her images. In a 1997 interview with The New York Times, Bassman said she wanted to “take the hardness out of the photography,” thereby making it less literal. She told B&W magazine in 1994 that she was interested in “creating a new kind of vision aside from what the camera saw.”

The soft edges, dramatic contrasts, and poses she had her models adopt gave her photos an almost painted effect—an effect that could be traced to her artistic background. After some years as a painter and graphic designer, she was eventually offered an assisting position at Harper’s Bazaar alongside legendary art director Alexey Brodovitch. They later worked together as co-art directors when Junior Bazaar debuted in 1945 before Bassman decided to pursue fashion photography full time. She had a successful career, covering both fashion shows in Paris and American’s nascent style, and capturing otherworldly black and white images. For an industry that appeared supremely feminine, men dominated fashion photography in the 40s and 50s. Yet Bassman joined the ranks of such stars as Richard Avedon, Robert Frank and Irving Penn.

By the early 70s, Bassman lost interest in fashion and famously destroyed most of her negatives. She carelessly stuffed a little over a 100 negatives in trash bags and stored them in her carriage house. It wasn’t until 1991 that fashion historian Martin Harrison found them and urged Bassman to give them another look. She decided to revisit her work, experimenting with her bleaching and dodging techniques once again. Decades after her days as an art director and fashion photographer, she created new and different prints from her old negatives. Her reinterpretations once again drew the attention of the fashion world. She shot again for magazines, bringing her old world elegance and techniques to modern fashion.

Bassman was a rare bird of the 40s that proved her worth (as well as other women’s worth) behind the camera. Her photography revealed the intrigue and elegance of woman in a way only another woman could do, and in doing so produced a collection of photographs that has and continues to be admired for its bold contrasts and haute artistry.

By Sam Chapin

Skip’s Summer School 2011 from RETV from Resource Magazine on Vimeo.

To say that Skip Cohen has done it all is a vast understatement. He has worked for upwards of ten different photography companies, many of which serving as president. So when Mr. Cohen invited us out to Las Vegas for his photography conference, how could we say no?

It was the second year that he had offered his seminar, playfully titled “Skip’s Summer School,” and it was nothing short of an inspiration for us at Resource. It took place over three days at the beginning of August, a time when we were busy compiling our fall issue, but when we arrived, we were ready to learn.

If nobody’s ever told you, Las Vegas is really hot in the summer. When we landed, it was 110 degrees; a temperature none of us were ready for. We sweated our way to the hotel, walked through a giant casino (conveniently located between check-in and the elevator to our rooms), and got ready for our first day of summer school.

The seminar focused on three major facets: essential techniques and aesthetics of photography, marketing, and hands-on workshops that taught participants how to get the most out of their equipment, as well as their subjects.

To close the first night, Jerry Ghionis, a well-known wedding photographer, gave some advice on how to best capture a moment. He offered some technical suggestions about shooting quickly, but talked mostly of problem solving in high-pressure situations. He stated that unless you have mastered your technique, you will see some great photos slip through your fingers.

After three and a half days of inspirational speakers and workshops, Scott Bourne closed the conference by discussing the importance of marketing. Mr. Bourne is an established wildlife photographer, not to mention a social media and marketing wiz. In his talk, he focused mainly on social media, saying that you shouldn’t use platforms like Twitter and Facebook to sell yourself, but rather use them to connect with people. His philosophy seems to be paying off as he has over 100,000 Twitters followers.

The seminar was incredibly inspirational for us all. It reinforced our decision to expand our content to better reflect the diversity inherent in the photo world. We will see you all next year!

Notable speakers: Jules Bianchi Brown, Joy Bianchi Brown, Clay Blackmore, Scott Bourne, Bambi Cantrell, Skip Cohen, Tony Corbell, Bob Davis, Jerry Ghionis, Doug Gordon, Kevin Kubota, Vincent LaForet, Bobbi Lane, Tamara Lackey, Matthew Jordan Smith and Roberto Valenzuela.

Skip’s Summer School: www.mei500.com

ATTENTION RETV fans out there! Take notice of our new series called “RETV Moments”. Ever wonder what happens with all the footage we don’t put in the final edits? Wonder what happens with all those clips we don’t want you to see? Well, get ready for the grease on the monkey, RETV Moments share with you all the behind the scenes goodness, the foul language and foul play you don’t want to share with the kids. Here are some of the first few…but stay tuned for more to come. We’ve only begun to stir the pot.

ReTV – What if the guy from House did this? from RETV from Resource Magazine on Vimeo.

RETV Moment – Scheimpflug/Broncolor Halloween Party 2010 from RETV from Resource Magazine on Vimeo.

RETV Moment – Final Sale from RETV from Resource Magazine on Vimeo.

RETV Moment-Get your hand out of my lap! from RETV from Resource Magazine on Vimeo.

RETV Moment with host Charlie Fish from RETV from Resource Magazine on Vimeo.

RETV Moment with Peter Berberian of Print is not Dead. from RETV from Resource Magazine on Vimeo.

By Kathryn Turner

Photographers, how would you like the chance to be an official photographer for one of Belgium’s biggest summertime music festivals? Well thanks to English photographer Ryan Dinham, and creative invite firm Talenthouse, you could witness performances by Avicii, David Guetta, Fatboy Slim, and Skrillex as the official festival photographer of  Tomorrowland!

This is a once in a lifetime opportunity for photographers to work in an exciting environment, build their portfolio, and see amazing artists up close and personal. One lucky person, as chosen by Tomorrowland, will win an all-expense-paid trip to the festival in Belgium, have his or her submitted work promoted through all of the festival’s social media outlets, and the honor of the title “official 2012 Tomorrowland photographer!” However, if you aren’t the chosen-one, don’t fret. An additional 3 people will be selected as runners-up; their photos will also be exhibited on Tomorrowland’s social sites and they will receive exclusive 2012 merchandise. Finally, the one person with the highest number of votes, via Tomorrowland’s “People’s Choice” poll, will receive VIP tickets to Tomorrowland, promotion of their submitted work, and exclusive merchandise.

You’re probably wondering, “what do I need to do to be considered for this once in a lifetime opportunity?” All you have to do is submit 3 photos based on the festival’s fairtyale theme and trailer (shown below). The deadline to submit your photos is March 19, voting will begin March 20 and go through the 26th, and winners will be announced April 6. Don’t miss out on your chance to have your own happily ever after. Submit your photos now!

For more information and the 2012 line-up,  and tickets, go to Tomorrowland’s website, www.tomorrowland.be

Some Tomorrowland 2011 Images

By Kathryn Turner

Douglas Koke is a jack of all trades. He has worked as a musician, a writer, a freelance designer, a web contractor, a Senior Designer and a Creative Director. His latest time-lapse video, “Signal to Noise,” not only shows off his talents as a visual media expert, but is just really cool to watch.

Set in the remote plains of San Agustin, New Mexico, the Very Large Array (VLA) is the focus of Koke’s video. Here, the 27 radio antennas are combined in a mix of still images and HD video, and give us a new perspective on something that is already extraordinary. In order to shoot this feat, Koke used a variety of gear: two Canon 600D (T3i) DSLRs, a GoPro HD Hero, three different Canon lenses (EF-S 10-22mm, a 24-105mm and a 70-200mm 2.8), a Kessler Crane pocket dolly and elektraDrive basic controller, and a Sigma 30mm 1.4 lens. Koke also used a number of different software to finish his video: Adobe After Effects and Red Giant’s Magic Bullet suite.

Signal to Noise is a great addition to Koke’s already impressive portfolio, and all the effort that went into this project is extremely visible. If you have not already, check out the following video and see why it really is out of this world.

Signal To Noise from Douglas Koke on Vimeo.

By Christina Fong

Stay in school. That’s the firm stance of born and raised Chicago-based food photographer Michael Maes, who believes there’s no education like higher education when it comes to learning the ins and outs of photography.

“The kind of in-depth peer and professional review afforded by higher education is priceless – when combined with interning and assisting,” said Maes.

Ask him where he thinks a budding young photographer should go to learn and grow, and you’ll get an even more assured response: Chicago. The city is constantly drawing in and producing great photographers, and the appeal is understandable. “It combines national-level expertise with affordable cost of living,” he said. His love of the city is evident and his love of photography even more so. He studied film and photography from both Columbia College Chicago and Minneapolis College of Art, earning a B.FA. in 1999.

Since then, he’s developed his skills as a food and product photographer. Why food? It’s the challenge he sees as “still life that isn’t actually still.” He said, “Food has a finite optimum life. Capturing the best image requires strong attention to detail, a healthy cooperation with your team, and continual problem solving to accommodate food aging, lighting variations, etc.”

Much like many other photographers, the road to his current professional career was not without its challenges. He remembers one of his worst shoots was when he was assisting another photographer. Maes said, “The assignment to shoot an interior for a new development that wasn’t as developed as they had promised, and I ended up spending half a day laying flooring.” Still, he admits he never thought about leaving the industry even on his worst day.

As a professional photographer, Maes likes to have a rental studio he can trust with equally reliable equipment. His go-to rental house is ProGear in the Near West Side of Chicago, where he was one of their first customers. For Maes, customer service is key and at ProGear, he really feels like he’s taken care of. Being provided with the most up-to-date equipment is undoubtedly just as beneficial. His favorite piece of equipment is the P65+, the Phase One media format digital back.

While equipment has been advancing and multiplying in abundance over the years, it’s not the only thing photographers have to keep their eyes on these days. “Photographers today no longer compete with photographers in their own town, but with shooters around the world. That makes it more challenging than ever, but also more exciting than ever,” said Maes. In addition to photography, videography has been an in demand and expanding industry. All these different forms of multimedia allow for more creative art forms and comprehensive storytelling, which have caught people’s attention. So despite the growing number of amateur and professional photographers with us today, Maes proclaims, “Competition is good!”

See more of Michael’s work at: http://www.maesstudio.com/

This article is sponsored by Pro Gear Rentals in Chicago

Sigma Corporation CEO, Kazuto Yamaki, made an announcemt to loyal customers this week via a personal letter. Starting next month, Sigma’s 46-megapixel SD1 DSLR will be renamed the SD1 Merrill in honor of Richard “Dick” Merrill, the late co-creator of the Foveon X3 Direct Image Sensor technology. The Foveon X3 sensor is the highest resolution DSLR sensor on the market and, unlike color array sensors,  the Foveon X3 sensor captures red, green and blue within every pixel, giving life to images that have a greater dynamic range, rich gradations and color that gives each image an almost three dimensional appearance.

No major technical changes were announced to Sigma’s stunning DSLR  but it will be sold at a lower price. The new price reflects major developments and new efficiencies in the manufacturing process. High manufacturing cost on the initial release of the SD1 kept some potential buyers of the initial release at bay. Sigma now feels that this lower price point will make the SD1 more accessible for photographers to experience the incredible and unique quality achieved with the Foveon X3 sensor.

The SD1 Merrill will be sold for approximately $3,300 MSRP in the United States.

Foveon X3 co-creator Richard “Dick” Merrill

In another announcement this week, Sigma will be releasing 2 updated models of  the DP1 and DP2. The new models will also bare the Merrill name and, in an unprecedented advancement in their compact digital camera series, both models will incorporate the 46MP Foveon X3 sensor. Imagine carrying around a compact camera with a 46MP sensor and a F2.8 lens? The possibilities are endless!

The DP1 Merrill will come equipped with a 19mm F2.8 lens, while the DP2 Merrill has a 30mm F2.8 lens. Both models will feature Sigma’s FLD glass, a technology adopted back in February 2010, and a “Super Multi Layer Coating” to decrease glare. You can also expect both 3″ LCD monitor models to include:

• RAW and JPEG recording formats
• Sigma Photo Pro processing software
• 640 x 480 sized VGA movie mode
• More advanced user interface

New York Fashion Week will officially kick-off tomorrow and we have your invite to what is sure to be an awesome showcase at WIX Lounge! Thursday February 9, from 6-7pm , designer Alisha Trimble and photographer Nicole Marie Polec’s work will be on display, followed by a reception until 9pm.

The two go all the way back to middle school, where they shared a locker at their school in Romeo, MI. They parted ways after high school, only to be thrown back together again, years later and miles away from Michigan, in New York. Nicole was commissioned to shoot for the same issue of SWOON Magazine that Alisha’s work was featured in, and the two got reunited at the magazine’s release party. Since then, they have collaborated on many shoots, events, and projects.

Wix Lounge, 10 W18th Street, second floor.

By Christina Fong

“Copyright” has become a dark word that we speak of in hushed tones these days but luckily for our visual generation that we have stock photography available. Sites such as iStockphoto and GettyImages have been making it easier for artists and photographers to license their work for public use and distribution.

To stay ahead of (or at least up to date with) the times, VMRealease recently brought the tedious process of filling out model and property releases into the 21st century and onto your iPhone and iPad. Leading stock agencies have been eyeing the efficiency of this app and one by one, are joining VMRelease onto your mobile device.

Image Source, one of the leading independent stock photography producers, is the most recent stock agency to now accept model and property releases using the VMRelease app. Specializing in health & beauty, lifestyle, and business images, Image Source is welcoming the opportunity to up the speed and efficiency of release submissions for their global photography community.

Some VMRealease Screen Shots

By Nathan Lee Bush

Courtesy of Through the Looking Glass

And now, the moment we’ve all been waiting for. After three and a half years, the D800 has landed. It seems the rumored specs were largely true, and the class-leading 36MP (more than twice its big brother, the D4) sensor was not a pipe dream! This catapults it into the realm of medium format cameras in terms of resolution, and adding to this appeal, Nikon has announced a variation, the D800E, with the anti-aliasing feature removed from the low pass filter. The D800 inherits most of the technology from the flagship D4, including the EXPEED 3 processor, 3.2″ rear LCD and updated 51 point AF system, with a few of the niche sports/events features left out – like the 11 fps continuous shooting(4fps), ethernet connectivity and QXD memory standard – a fine compromise for most users.

The ergonomics have been considerably tweaked. It’s lighter than its predecessor, has a curvy new chassis, the slanted shutter button of the D4, and a few tweaked buttons, notably the addition of a direct access bracketing control on the top left dial. The D800 also incorporates an SD card slot next to the CF card slot, acknowledging the popularity of the format and the increasing speeds available.

The video is also class-leading (for the moment), and Nikon is marketing it as “Full Cinematic Experience” Technology with the uncompressed HDMI out option of the D4, and audio monitoring capabilities. It also shoots 60fps at 720p, which seems to be the new standard on DSLRs, outside of the Sony family, which has 1080p 60fps video standard on even their mid-range mirrorless cameras and SLT cameras.

There are already videos up showcasing the cameras cinematic chops, and they are pretty impressive. Note the lack of discernible rolling shutter effect and impressive low light performance in this video (but some unfortunate moire at 0:45):

Joy Ride from Sandro on Vimeo.

Unless Canon pulls out some pretty next level functionality with its 5D Mark III update, it looks like Nikon has finally evened the playing field with Canon DSLRs in this area.

Adorama Pro is taking orders now at Adorama.com/Pro

Or by contacting one of the representatives:

Jeff:  jsnyder at adorama.com
Anne: annec at adorama.com
Julio: juliof at adorama.com
Ray: rayg at adorama.com

The D800 will be available next month, with the D800E making its way onto the market in April.