Gordon Stillman Photography

Migrating Blog

2009-11-11T10:49:00.000-08:00

It saddens me to say I am leaving the blogger platform. I have migrated my blog to http://www.gordonstillman.com/blog. I am using Wordpress, which is just more powerful and allows for more layout and content customization.

Dig in to my new blog, explore my current fine art documentary projects, and tell me what you think.

Sign-up for GSP's new E-newsletter

2009-10-27T08:58:00.000-07:00

Sign-up for my e-newsletter to keep up to date with the photography of GSP and the world of photography. The newsletter is quarterly (approximately, no more than one email for month), and anyone who signs up for the e-newsletter by the end of November will be entered into a drawing for a complimentary 11x14 limited edition print of their choosing from my fine art galleries on my archive.

(You can sign up in the upper right corner of this blog, on my web site, or click here.

Fine Print:
Only one print will be given away. To be eligible for the print, you must sign up by 11/30/09 and maintain your registration until 01/15/09. The drawing will be random and the print will be mailed to the recipient by 1/15/09.

Fine Art Project

2009-10-09T09:09:00.001-07:00

I have undertaken a new photography project, the name of which I am still debating. Some names I am pondering include: Overgrown, Taking Over, Natural, Progress and Wild. I do not want to say too much about the project yet, but I am undertaking it to explore how the man-made world and nature interact, the resilience of nature and concrete, neglect and care, and how suburbanization affects this interaction.

I created a little gallery on my archive of some of the images, which I have posted below:

Wild-Overgrown-etc - Images by Gordon Stillman

One more logo and other news

2009-10-06T18:16:00.000-07:00

Firstly, I have a lovely new computer with a 24" screen to use for editing photos. Secondly, I have one more logo attempt to share:

Which Logo?

2009-09-02T09:49:00.000-07:00

So I have been thinking I need a real logo, one that fits in with my current typeset, but is more than just plain text... Here are the choices I have come up with:
#1

#2

#3

Which one is best?...

E-Marketing

2009-08-20T07:48:00.000-07:00

I have decided to skip over Agency Access and Adbase and use my own list that I developed over the summer. The list contains about 500 contacts of agencies, publishers and other creative organizations that I would like to work for. I am currently deciding which program is best to send out mass emails. These programs do not provide contact lists, just the tools necessary to send and track a large quantity of emails. As such, they are much, much cheaper, although I still have to spend my time ensuring my lists are accurate. Many of the services also provide neat design features that allow you to create html emails and add forms. The list I am choosing from is below. Many of the services also offer free trials, monthly plans and pay-as-you-go plans.

http://www.mailchimp.com/

http://www.campaignmonitor.com/

http://myemma.com/

http://www.verticalresponse.com/

http://madmimi.com/

Upcoming Travel Images: Northwest, Cities of the Mississippi River and the Midwest

2009-08-17T17:43:00.000-07:00

I am readying images for sale as stock and fine art prints from many locations across the USA. Notable locations include Seattle, Vancouver, Mount Baker, New Orleans, Memphis, St. Louis and Chicago.
The images below are from Washington, home of the largest ferry system in the USA.

Above, the ferry moves through the water around the San Juan Islands.

Above is a view through the ferries windows and out onto the San Juan Islands. The sun had not been out long enough to burn off the morning clouds and mists.

Above is a view from Shaw Island looking out on a ferry passing by at dusk.

Above is a view out of the Yakima ferry from one of the car decks.

Above, a car exits onto Orcas Island from the ferry.

Featured on Photoshelter

2009-07-09T07:57:00.000-07:00

My galleries are featured on the Photoshelter homepage.

Check out the display at:

http://pa.photoshelter.com/tour/photography-website-examples?ftselected=6

Check out my galleries at:

http://www.archive.gordonstillman.com

Smithsonian Photo Contest

2009-07-06T18:59:00.000-07:00

My photograph (below) is now on display at the Smithsonian Castle in Washington D.C. as part of a display for the 6th Annual Smithsonian Photo Contest. It is the winner of the Americana category and will be in the August issue of Smithsonian Magazine.

Moving-phone outage

2009-06-15T06:30:00.000-07:00

I have been busy moving to a new place. I am finally settling in, but my 804-355-1197 phone number will not work again until June 22nd. Until then please call me on my cell: 845-702-7049 or email: gordon@gordonstillman.com

Postcard Mailers and Marketing

2009-05-10T07:27:00.000-07:00

I just printed my first batch of postcard mailers:

I am sending the cards out to a list of people that work for restaurants, magazines and creative agencies:

I will be sending the cards out through the mail next week with specials and notes tailored to each individual and report back on the results. I hope the cards make an impression, or at least get one second of attention before being thrown in the trash.

More mailers and email promotions will follow these cards, but I cannot yet divulge their looks or content. And once I start seeing the results from my own promotion I will compare the time, money, and success rates to the average results of Adbase and Agency Access to see if either of those services are worthwhile for me.

More new images

2009-04-17T06:46:00.000-07:00

Mostly food and drink images:

Recent Images - Images by Gordon Stillman

Agency Access, Adbase or other? Part 2

2009-04-14T07:57:00.000-07:00

I am going to begin by recapping the supposed benefits of Adbase or AgencyAcess for email promotions:
1) Up to date list of art buyers (promise up to 95% accuracy)

2) Only list emails of those who are willing/want to receive email (i.e. presumably the people that do not want to receive email promos will not have their email on the list, therefore they do not get "spammed")

3) HTML Email Templates

Cons:
1) Larger Email Lists tend to make emails spam

2) Effectiveness? I know Adbase, AgencyAccess and others provide statistics on who opens my emails and clicks onto my Web site, but if only 20-30 out of 200, 300 or 1000 open up the email is that worth it? Maybe it is if they all then book me for an assignment...

3) Expense? Is it worth it, or should I just focus on my current contacts and other means of promotion.

hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm
I have also found the Media Phone Book, which is not very large or complete, but nevertheless a good, growing and free resource--and hopefully someone's name and contact info is up there because they put it up there.

Agency Access, Adbase, something else or none of the above?

2009-04-10T11:07:00.001-07:00

I am about to begin a print, email and viral ad campaign for Gordon Stillman Photography. I have decided to campaign on a national level (USA) for magazines, book publishers, ad agencies, restaurants and other companies that are interested in purchasing food photography or hiring food photographers. I have gathered many names from companies I want to work with, particularly in Virginia and Washington DC, but I have been less successful gathering names for magazines, companies and other agencies outside of Virginia/DC. I am also questioning my ability to efficiently find the right email addresses, keep track of any employment changes and generally assess the success of a print, web and email campaign.

So after I realized I could spend weeks and months just trying to get an accurate list together, I became a little frustrated and decided to check out Agency Access and Adbase. Both firms do essentially the same thing. You, as a photographer, purchase their service, which includes: 1) a very large list of contacts for creative art buyers, including email, phone and mail contact, 2) ability to print out mailing labels, and 3) ability to send mass emails and track who reads them and clicks on links to your web site.

My first impression was: sweet! They provide almost all the contact information I need and all the tools to send out my promotions. On top of that, they can track who is actually interested in my email promotions by tracking who clicks through to my Web site. While the sales people from the respective companies were showing this to me I was still thinking: this is awesome, I don't have to worry about keeping up my own list and I get email data I could not get if I sent emails through my own list (without additional services).

These good feelings were dampened quickly by the price of the service and whether the price was actually worth it. So I started a google search: "adbase access agency." My results included blog entries from photo editors and others who did not like getting "spammed" by photographers (up to 300 emails a day!). One particular post from "A Photo Editor's blog" dampened my expectations. The post itself was not that interesting, but the comments really bothered me. The comment section was a back and forth between different phtoographers, art directors and other art buyers. To sum it up shortly, many photographer's were wondering how they were supposed to advertise themselves to people that actually buy photographs and art buyers who felt they couldnt possibly find a photographer in the spam noise.

Reading this blog post brought me back to questioning what is the best way to promote myself?
I will weigh the pros and cons of paying for email promotions in my next blog post.
Any recommendations?

First Fridays, Richmond

2009-04-06T07:55:00.000-07:00

On the first friday of every month in Richmond, VA, art galleries host new openings on a section of Broad Street dubbed The Art District (on Broad between Belvedere and 1st Street). The event has grown dramatically to include street vendors, performers, shops, restaurants and clubs. At times it seems like there are almost too many people out for this event; maybe they should close down Broad Street for every First Fridays.

I like the diversity of artists and galleries. There are non-profit galleries dedicated to new artists and commercial galleries showing the work of established artists. Some galleries go beyond pleasing the eyes and include performing artists--dancers, musicians and other improvisational art. For example, Art 6 hosted improvisational dancing and music (as well as a juried high school exhibition)--other galleries have regular bands and dancing.

Here is a photograph of Art 6:

First Fridays is sponsored by the Modlin Center at the University of Richmond, and run by Curated Culture, a non-profit organization dedicated: "to increas[ing] appreciation and awareness of arts and culture through the development of economic opportunities for artists and arts facilities."

First Fridays Web site: http://www.firstfridaysrichmond.com/ Also check out various other 1st's, 2nd's, 3rd's and 4th's of the months for gallery openings and activities in different parts of Richmond. (1st Fridays discussed above)(2nd Saturdays on Broad St.)(3rd Thursdays at the VMFA)(4th Fridays at Art Works and Plant Zero)(there are others too!)

SNOW!

2009-03-13T06:44:00.000-07:00

Now that it is snowing again, I thought I would post a photo of the aftermath of Richmond's largest snow storm in quite some time, the city got between 8-11 inches of snow overnight and school was cancelled for three days in a row.

The image below was taken on a Mamiya 645 AFD with fuji film.

Smithsonian Photo Contest Finalists - Vote for my photograph

2009-03-03T17:23:00.000-08:00

"Flying swings at the Virginia State Fair" is a finalist in the 6th Annual Smithsonian Magazine Photo Contest. If you like this image, please vote for it (as often as you can--they let you vote once a day!) at http://www.smithsonianmag.com/photocontest/6th-annual/6th-americana-9.html .

Thanks--I appreciate your support.

New Photographs

2009-02-27T09:36:00.000-08:00

February was a slow month, which means I was able to take plenty of photographs. I am including my recent images gallery here. Soon to come are new environmental images and new promotion cards. Also check out The VASADP (that is: Virginia Sustainable Agriculture Documentary Project) to see more photographs.

Please Vote!

2009-02-19T17:06:00.001-08:00

I have entered a photograph in PDN's Faces Contest. If you like my photograph, please vote for it here: http://www.facesphotocontest.com/bin/Rate?PAGER_offset=40&%23=&search=#
At least I think that link will show you where the image is currently, I will try to keep it updated. The photograph looks like this:

Beginning documentary project: VA farming

2009-02-03T14:24:00.000-08:00

I am in the beginning stages of documenting sustainable farming in Virginia. I hope to share what I document with as many people as possible. To learn more please visit:

http://vasustainableagriculture.wordpress.com/

Also, if you know anyone that is interested in any capacity, please tell them to contact me:

gordon@gordonstillman.com
cell: 845.702.7049

Thank you

Food Photography

2009-01-19T08:16:00.002-08:00

I recently photographed food for Melissa and Savory Choice in Richmond, VA. I will just post one photo, but you can view more food photography by visiting www.archive.gordonstillman and clicking on the appropriate galleries.

Vincent and Christina's Wedding

2009-01-14T14:04:00.000-08:00

Last weekend I photographed Vincent and Christina's wedding. I want to thank them for giving me the opportunity to photograph their wedding, and show some of my favorite photographs:

Holiday Road Trip

2009-01-06T09:46:00.001-08:00

For the Holidays I left Richmond and road-tripped to Nashville TN and back with my girlfriend. We stopped in Asheville, the Smokies and Knoxville on the way there and Radford and Charlottesville on the way back. I am going to begin with Asheville and move my way through each city or place in chronological order.

Asheville is probably most famous for the Biltmore Estate, "the largest home in America." To visit the estate costs $50 a person and takes all day (at least it does if you want to feel that it was $50 well spent), so we skipped the main attraction and visited the rest of the city. The city is built on a hill and is surrounded by mountains. It has a vibrant downtown full of coffee, good food, art, clothing boutiques and interesting architecture. The city is dominated by the BB&T bulding but has other older and more interesting buildings from the time the Biltmore was constructed up to a building designed by I.M. Pei.

Downtown Asheville is a very walkable place and there are also many musicians playing on the street, it seems that after 5 oclock they come out and populate many street corners--so you can go shopping, eating, walking and find different music throughout the city.

From Asheville we ventured to the Smokies to do a little hiking. We decided to hike up Mt. Sterling because it promised great views on the Eastern side of the Smokies (near I-40, the road to Nashville). We camped there and hiked in the morning. The best part about camping:

We woke up early, but not that early, and began our hike to the summit at 5842 feet--pretty high for the east coast. On top of Mt. Sterling is an old observation tower that we climbed to get a complete panoramic view of the Smokies.

After hiking back we made our way to Knoxville. Knoxville has Gay St., but Gay St. is very different from Broadway in Nashville and Beale in Memphis--namely it is not famous for music. But there were lots of architecture firms renovating old building into lofts and new commercial space.

We just had a cup of coffee in Knoxville and then hit the road again and reached Nashville and then we ate in and hit Broadway--the music capitol of the Music City. The bars and Honky Tonks span almost two blocks, from the Sommet Center--home to the Predators (NHL)--to the River.

We visited several of the venues, including Robert's Country World:

While I am showing photographs of Broadway, here are a few more from New Year's Eve:

And here is one of me singing with Elvis (photo by Neah Monteiro)

While on Broadway we drank:

But we did also visit the Flying Saucer, a Beer Garden with lots on tap:

Music City needs a few good record stores, and according to Rolling Stones, Nashville has one of the best Indie record stores in the country in Grimey's:

In addition to Music City, Nashville is also known as the Athens of the South. I was never told why when I was in the city, but it earned this nickname because it had numerous colleges, universities and the first public school system in the South. The State Capitol is modeled after a temple in Athens, below is a photograph of the Senate Chamber.

We were in Nashville while tensions between Israel and Hamas were escalating. Supporters of Israel gathered in front of the Capitol to show their support. (In Richmond, Palestinian supporters were in front of City Hall).

In 1897 Nashville held the World's Fair to renew interest in the City after the Civil War. All that is now left is Centenial Park and a full size replica of the Parthenon, where a couple is having a portrait session.

And then I have two parting shots for you (I do not have any photographs from my trip back through Radford and Charlottesville--not for this blog at least).

They still have these lying around

and a jump off:

Facebook

2008-12-16T10:13:00.000-08:00

Just in case a blog, a Web site and a photo-archive website is not enough, I have also created a Facebook page. This facebook page is another way to stay up to date with what I am doing.

Facebook Page URL:

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Richmond-VA/Gordon-Stillman-Photography/54641740394

Video of my work at the Crittenden Studio Show '08

2008-12-12T06:09:00.000-08:00

Here is a video, shot and edited by Zach Keifer, that features my work at the Crittenden Studio Holiday Show. The artwork will be hanging until March, so if you have not had a chance to get down to Crittenden Studio yet, you still have a little bit of time. The address is 201 West 7th St. in Richmond Virginia.

Recent Images

2008-12-11T08:28:00.000-08:00

I am just re-pasting my recent images gallery from my photo-archive because I have just updated it. (www.archive.gordonstillman.com)

For the full effect make the slide show full screen by clicking in the lower right of the show.

PS fell free to "grab the code" and put this slideshow on your Web site (facebook, myspace or any other page). There is a little icon in the lower right that allows you to copy the code.

2008-12-11T06:32:00.000-08:00

NYC to Poughkeepsie addendum

2008-11-28T12:57:00.000-08:00

Here is a video of me leaving NYC and then getting into Poughkeepsie.

Trip to New York City

2008-11-27T21:17:00.000-08:00

I flew in to New York City on the Tuesday morning before Thanksgiving on my way up to Poughkeepsie, where my family lives. New York was wet and cloudy--a major disappointment for my walking plans. I planned on visiting B and H to check out some tele lenses I was interested in and then finding some tea shops. To learn about my tea adventure in NYC and see some tea photos, visit my tea blog at http://richmondtea.blogspot.com/ (yea, I like tea).

After I had lunch at Franchia I walked up to Grand Central to catch the 250 train to Poughkeepsie. At this point the clouds were giving way to some sun. The photographs below simply depict my walk from Franchia to Grand Central and my city departure.

This is a view downtown as the sun was appearing behind the clouds. (I already forget which avenue it was)

Pedestrians. The photo makes it look like they or I was in a big hurry (or maybe I was just going really fast).

A lone pedestrian walkin on a street with the sun peering in from behind buildings.

So I never miss an opportunity to photograph pigeons, they are just such gorgeous birds.

Entrance to the subway at 33rd and Park.

NYC trip cont'd

2008-11-27T21:14:00.001-08:00

This is an entrance to a major DHL branch. DHL is stopping most of its USA service soon, so it will be interesting to see if this front is still here in a years time.

Here is a view up Park Ave. with the Metlife building and Grand Central in the background.

Here we are right in front of Grand Central Station with a view of the Chrysler building to the right--and wreaths already hung for the Holidays.

Now we have moved inside of Grand Central to the main room where there is always a rush. At this point my train was due to leave in 5 minutes, so I was also hustling.

Another view of Grand Central, from the floor ( I did get some strange looks when I was taking this photo).

NYC trip cont'd

2008-11-27T21:11:00.001-08:00

More Grand Central.

Now this is me following a backpacker to gate 34 for the 250 to Poughkeepsie.

This photograph depicts a train that pulled out of the station the same time as mine. This was taken while I was still below ground.

A stop at 125th Station, the last stop until Croton-Harmon.

And finally all the clouds disappear as I wave goodbye to the City.

Holiday Art Show

2008-11-17T17:57:00.000-08:00

My work will be featured in this show, stop by!

Website 3.0

2008-11-06T19:35:00.001-08:00

I have posted my new portfolio website. New photographs and flash based interactive site, check it out here:

www.gordonstillman.com

I welcome any feedback on the website.

My new photography archive and e-commerce website

2008-11-05T09:23:00.000-08:00

I have a new website for viewing images from my portfolio or a recent photo-shoot. You can order prints or download many of the images I have photographed. The new site is

http://pa.photoshelter.com/c/gordonstillman

Here is an example of a gallery that you can view on the website:

Birthday Party at the Willard Hotel and Restaurant

2008-11-04T15:00:00.001-08:00

These photographs are from a birthday party that I photographed at the Willard Hotel in Washington D.C.

Serving the main course.

Let the singing begin.

Birthday at the Willard hotel and restaurant

2008-11-04T14:53:00.000-08:00

B'Day continued

Little goodbye chocolates.

A round of Champagne

The same round of champagne.

This is one of my favorite photographs from the evening.

Halloween 2008

2008-11-03T06:49:00.000-08:00

There is one street in Richmond, in the Fan, that really dresses up for Halloween. The residents put on shows and cook up ghoulish food for trick or treaters. The cops even close off the street because so many people show up to see all the decorations, shows and pick up some candy. The street is Hanover, and some photographs from the night follow

Some Hanover residents give out candy to trick'r'treaters with a large skull behind them.

There were quite a few cops walking around Hanover St. as well as directing traffic through the section of Hanover that was not blocked off. The above photograph also gives a good idea of how many people were out on the streets.

Above is the Blood Curdling Kitchen, with the menu on the left and the chef in the shadows. In addition to chocolate and more normal treats, the kitchen also served up Rat-touli and spaghetti and eyeballs.

This disco-man ran out of candy but still stayed out and danced for the crowds that walked by.

The above image is not from Hanover St., but here a witch waits in the door for trick or treaters, but this witch did not get many trick or treaters because they all went to Hanover St.

Indian Festival 2008

2008-10-21T20:23:00.000-07:00

This post will be short and just about the photographs:

2008 Festival of India, Greater Richmond Convention Center, Richmond, VA

Women sift through a collection of kurtis at the 2008 Festival of India.

Serving food at the Festival of India

Preparing Dosa "pancakes" at the Festival of India

A Thousand Ships at Waterfire. Providence, RI Oct. 4th, 2008

2008-10-06T20:31:00.000-07:00

A Thousand Ships at Waterfire was a public ritual of remembrance to commemorate the bicentennial of the abolition of the Trans-Atlantic slave trade.

The event was organized by The Museum On Site and Barnaby Evans--the artist behind Waterfire--in Providence, Rhode Island on October 4th, 2008.

The following photographs show the progression of events:

Downtown Providence before the events began. In the water are stacks of wood on floating braziers that were lit at dusk.

After the lighting of the fires at Waterfire. Downtown Providence is in the background.

1000 bottles were poured in the river at Waterfire, each one representing a slaveship voyage that left from the state of Rhode Island

...More libations

2008-10-06T20:17:00.000-07:00

Second part: A Thousand Ships and Waterfire:

People listen as one of the actors reads letters from people involved in the slave trade during A Thousand Ships at Waterfire, Providence, RI Oct. 4th, 2008.

Torch bearers light a triangle of chains that represent the route of Rhode Island's Trans-Atlantic slave trade; Providence, West Africa and the Caribbean. A Thousand Ships at Waterfire, Providence, RI Oct. 4th, 2008.

The public bring luminaries and place them inside the triangle of chains in memory of the victims of the slave trade. Providence, RI Oct. 4th, 2008.

A man pauses for a moment of silence before placing a luminary at A Thousand Ships, Providence, RI Oct. 4th 2008.

Virginia State Fair

2008-10-02T09:56:00.000-07:00

The following photographs were taken during the two hours I visited the Virginia State Fair, Monday, September 29, 2008. I personally went to see all the flashing lights and the speedway for the first time--the fair is held at the Richmond International Raceway complex in Henrico County. The other draws to the fair that were visible at night: fried soda, pickles and chocolate, the chance to win stuffed animals and other prizes, and ofcourse the rides. (During the day the expo buildings would also draw a crowd, but not so much at night). The following photographs capture some of the foods and rides at the fair (sorry, no stuffed animals).

Virginia State Fair

2008-10-02T09:54:00.001-07:00

More State Fair photographs:

Novice Fishing

2008-10-02T09:15:00.000-07:00

Here we have some novice fisherman testing

the waters of the James near the 9th St Bridge
A view of downtown Richmond Virginia from

Old Manchester. The view is across the James River,

Saturday, September 27 2008.

Waiting for catfish...

Another view of downtown Richmond with the

9th Street bridge and James River in the foreground

Total fish caught: one catfish

2008-10-02T09:10:00.000-07:00

My first foray into blogging:

I will begin with photographs I snapped while on a fishing expedition in Richmond, VA.