Night Life

I just discovered this guy's stuff today, its sick.


Kurney Ramsey

Aiming too high.

I'm grabbing at something I probably won't be able to reach.

Todd Hido

Thanks Govus.

Fuzzy Logic in the the Crazy Rain

My head is overwhelmed with thoughts. I don't even know how to get it all out but I am going to try. I'm sorry if I jump around, just give me a minute to explain. Today. The rain. Watching people drink coffee and smoke cigarettes. I've never felt this way before, its a life changing feeling. I've realized something very valuable, and here it is.

I met a guy at Bongo Java (a local coffee shop) today, and we talked for a while and spilled our hearts out to each other. I'm 17 years old and I have the whole world to see, I have so many things to experiences to encounter, and nothing is going to stop me. I don't care about anything anymore that tries to stop me. I've realized today that money doesn't mean a thing to me. I mean, it is nice to have it and be able to buy things, but I don't need it. I'm not going to let it stress me out. I don't care if I go into thousands of dollars of debt. If I am happy, that is all that matters. I'll be a starving artist and live off of packs of ramen noodles every day of my life if I have to. I hate how money restricts me from things. I want to see the world and I'm not going to let it stop me. I am going to see it as soon as possible. I wouldn't mind hitch hiking and being homeless. As long as I am happy, I'm going to do it. I'm going to college next year and I am going to do what it takes. If I need to get financial aid and take out loans, I'll do it. I want to pursue my dream without anything getting in my way. Anything. And here is the other thing, I don't care anymore what people think of my artwork, or my photography. I put my heart into everything I do and if no one likes it, then I don't care. I like it, and I value it and that is all that matters. I'm not trying to sound.. whats the word.. conceded. That is not what I am trying to say at all. I love constructive criticism, I think it helps me get stronger and better at what I do, but nothing is going to change the way I do it. I take photos to conserve memories, I do it for myself. Everything I photograph has a personal meaning to me that only I can understand. I love it when people enjoy my work, but you're not going to stop me if you bash it. I have ONE life to live and I am going to make the most of it, I can assure you of that. I'm not going to let anything make me unhappy, there isn't enough time in this life to do that.

I'm going out of the country this summer for the first time in my life. Plane tickets are around $1400, and I will do everything I can to get my hands on that.

I also have some of the best friends in the world and I am so lucky for that. SO lucky.

You're a trooper if you read through all of this, and sorry if it sounded redundant. Its really hard to put to words. But like I said, that conversation I had with this stranger changed my life.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING

(i would not look cute with a bald head - Alexa)



















(Alexa's new obsession)

Alec Soth

I have been slacking lately but thats okay because I'm going to say its because I was waiting for the moment that lately all I have heard about and that being random text messages and iChat messages about Alec Soths new project being released on his site. I was so excited to see his project because right now I am trying to figure out what my first real project will be. However, Alec Soths project "The Last Days of W" is visually so powerful through his portraits and documention of our country as we progress towards something that was only invisioned my many. Soths work embodies everything life these days from broken houses, televisions plaster to the news, young men experiencing a war that no one can prevent, a ruthless and mind altering duty that is rather uncalled for these days. You can see the once distress in peoples faces changing as we end the term of the dreaded "W."

Peter Halupka

I know Peter as Pete and have really become great friends with him over the years of skating and now college. Pete has always been the one I looked up to in photography as I grew up around skating and watching him woo the crowds of kids with his black and whites over the skate forums. Pete is the person that everyone loves to be around no matter who you are, there is just something about the kid that makes everyone want to get to know him. He is an amazing photographer and is trying to move to Chicago to follow his dream and needs everyone's help! Here is a flyer that he made about the selling of his prints, so help him by helping yourselves to this great deal and sure to be investment.
Pete's blog : pete.halupka@gmail.com : Pete's flickr

Dorthea Lange

I've been falling in love with old photography lately. I used to only really know about Ansel Adams, Diane Arbus, Sally Mann, etc. But now I've been researching and discovering so much more. I have so much respect for older photograhpers as well because it was probably so much harder for people to develop things during those times. I learned about "Weegee" a couple weeks ago in photography class and instantly fell in love with his work. He had a dark room in the trunk of his car, which is incredible. We watched a short video on him and I loved it. Anyways, I really like these photos by Lange:

"J.R. Butler,President of the Southern Tenant Farmer's Union

Memphis, Tennessee 1938"

"Plantation Overseer and His Field Hands,

near Clarksdale. Mississippi 1936"

"Ditched, Stalled, and Stranded San Joaquin Valley, California 1935"

The Times of our Lives

About a year ago, I think is when I can tell you my life began. At least that is how I feel. I finally realized how real things are. How amazing music is. How beautiful nature is. That's also when I started doing photography more often. I wanted to capture everything. I always remember taking pictures as a child, but it did not mean as much as it does to me now. I love this time of the year. I love all the familiar smells that bring you back to certain points in your life. Even music can do that. I tend to relate albums to times of my life. Lately I've been listening to Radiohead's In Rainbows because it brings back that nice feeling from the summer time.

Anyways, we're working on a website to showcase our work and collab series. So be on the look out for that.



P.S. (thanks Pete.)

Kohlton's exclusive interview.

Hunt Fanelli: hey fag
Hunt Fanelli: hu
Hunt Fanelli: from alexa
Kohlton : hello.??
Hunt Fanelli: this is hunt well hunt's other aim
Hunt Fanelli: haha the internet wont work on my desktop
Hunt Fanelli: kjnuybhgtvcfrdxs
Hunt Fanelli: haha
Hunt Fanelli: im gay
Hunt Fanelli: its true
Kohlton : hahahah
Kohlton : awesome
Hunt Fanelli: eah
Kohlton : what's up mangg?
Hunt Fanelli: mugs
Hunt Fanelli: wigs
Hunt Fanelli: nigs
Hunt Fanelli: stoned
Hunt Fanelli: pigs
Hunt Fanelli: glazed
Hunt Fanelli: dazed
Hunt Fanelli: hazed
Kohlton : hahah
Hunt Fanelli: blazed
Kohlton : t000tally
Kohlton : nice
Hunt Fanelli: faded
Hunt Fanelli: raided
Hunt Fanelli: over
Kohlton : damn
Hunt Fanelli: rated
Kohlton : i got stabbed with a nail last night!
Hunt Fanelli: hated
Hunt Fanelli: what!!!!!!!??????!!!?
Hunt Fanelli: how?
5:30 PM
Hunt Fanelli: was it rusty?
Hunt Fanelli: was it big?
Kohlton : haha, nawnawnaw
Hunt Fanelli: was it in you dick
Kohlton : it wasnt bad
Hunt Fanelli: was it red
Kohlton : yes, in my dick
Kohlton : yep
Kohlton : red and in the dick
Kohlton : haha
Hunt Fanelli: was it dead?
Kohlton : naw, it was in the foot
Kohlton : not too rusty
Hunt Fanelli: was it stoned?
Hunt Fanelli: was it gold?
Hunt Fanelli: was it holy?
Hunt Fanelli: was it nice?
Kohlton : and luckily i got a tetnis shot not too long ao
Kohlton : not nice
Kohlton : no
Hunt Fanelli: was it pleasing?
Kohlton : tootally
Kohlton : i was skating this mini
Kohlton : board shot into this dirt abyss
Kohlton : i went to retrive it
Kohlton : and bang!
Hunt Fanelli: was it deep??
Kohlton : maybe like half an inch!
Hunt Fanelli: were you able to fly
Hunt Fanelli: ?
Hunt Fanelli: i can cry
Kohlton : yep
Kohlton : instand flying powerzzzzz
Hunt Fanelli: die
Hunt Fanelli: my
Hunt Fanelli: hair
Hunt Fanelli: dye
Hunt Fanelli: cry
Hunt Fanelli: colors
Hunt Fanelli: dry
Hunt Fanelli: dog
Hunt Fanelli: peeeeeeee
Hunt Fanelli: accents
Hunt Fanelli: life
Kohlton : you are a goon
Hunt Fanelli: i
Hunt Fanelli: am
Hunt Fanelli: going
Hunt Fanelli: to
Hunt Fanelli: say
Hunt Fanelli: your
Hunt Fanelli: a
Hunt Fanelli: toon
Hunt Fanelli: boon
Hunt Fanelli: coon
Hunt Fanelli: yoon
Hunt Fanelli: hoon
Hunt Fanelli: goon
Hunt Fanelli: foon
Hunt Fanelli: doon
Hunt Fanelli: and this is alexa
Hunt Fanelli: and hunt
Hunt Fanelli: taking turns saying stuff
Hunt Fanelli: thats why its so weird
Hunt Fanelli: and we're posting this on the blog
Hunt Fanelli: BRUH
Hunt Fanelli: SHUH
Kohlton : oooo
Kohlton : link me
Hunt Fanelli: CRUH
Hunt Fanelli: IGHHTTTT
Hunt Fanelli: HERE WE GO
Hunt Fanelli: TO
Hunt Fanelli: SPACE
Hunt Fanelli: ⋯

Seeing Spots

I haven't really been keeping up with this, I just keep forgetting to get on here and post something. I don't have much to say today because nothing has really been going on. I really want to talk about my new photos but I'm going to wait until I get them processed and surprise you guys, if they're even good.

(I'm seeing spots because Hunt is playing with his flash next to me..)

Today while Hunt and I were driving back to the dorms to watch a movie, we passed this car with 3 young boys in the back seat. They looked right at Hunt and smiled. I looked over and waved to them, then for the rest of the way down the road we stayed right next to their car and made faces at them or waved, for about a mile. It was really cute.

I don't know what else to say, sorry for a boring post. I'll be more entertaining next time.

Oh, and I made a myspace. (lame) Add me if you wannaaaa.
www.myspace.com/azsullivant

Dreams and Travels

What if you could make beautiful dreams come true, just think of the potential that the world could reach.

I say this because I recently have been thinking how I could get some money together to travel and still be able to go to Chicago in the fall. I was talking with Alexa about this situation as I presented the question of "If she could do anything in life right now that she wanted to, what would you do?" Her answer was however not directed to this but mine was and after I stated that I would probably just throw a few pairs of pants and shirts and hit the road and just travel both the air and the road until I found a place I loved. This is a dream of mine and I intended to do it one summer soon.

However, the major point of this is to point out that Alexa and I feel that it is rather ridiculous that it is to expensive for a person to see the world that they live in then. How can that person really live their life if they haven't seen it with their own eyes. I feel that when we as a country set out to free ourselves from debt we need to free ourselves and make it so everyone can travel at least once in their lives. There is a photographer that really makes me dream harder and want this dream of mine to happen. Brian Schutmaat's photographs from his travels across Texas and the West are completely compelling and striking. I first saw his photographs on Flickr where I would constantly check it to see if he had posted more images. I have probably favored sixty percent of his photos on Flickr.

Thoughts

I just got home from working the media stuff at church for our youth group, it was kind of boring so I did a lot of thinking. I've had a lot of things on my mind, some of which are bothering me more than others. I'm at a point right now where I don't really know what I want to do in college. I've always wanted to be a graphic designer, probably since I was about 12 or 13. My uncle is one and I really look up to him. But lately, I have been really inspired by photography and I've been doing a lot of that. My art teacher tells me she likes my photography and that I should stick to that. I guess I have a natural eye for things, but its just not really what I want to do, even though I may be better at it. I also haven't really had the chance to do much graphic design. I don't know where this post is going. It just helps to write things sometimes to get them off your mind. I also have something else bothering me quite a bit but I would rather not talk about it on here. I'll spit it out sooner or later. I need to think about it more and see where is goes.

Anyways, here are some of my new photos. I have a lot more that I need to edit and I'll show those off later. Also, check out Hunt's new photos too, they're really good! The quality on here is not that good either so it would be better if you just clicked on the links to our Flickr(s) on the right and check them out there.

Morning Rides

A few weeks back I called Peter on a Thursday afternoon around 4:30 pm, I had just left class and I was getting ready to go home to see my girlfriend. When I called Peter I was seeing if he'd like to hangout and grab some food while I journeyed back to Birmingham, Alabama. I ended up staying the night and haning out with him just riding around and discussing different points of our lives and how things have changed us, relationships, basically life in a nutshell. This was the time when we all decided to live together in Chicago. We then woke up the following morning around 7:00 am to go ride bikes and take advantage of the lovely lighting of the morning. We then rode back to his house and drove over to Chik-fil-A and grabbed some needed breakfast and then headed to Walgreens to get some film developed and shortly afterward I departed home. Peter is a great friend, who is always willing to sit and listen to anything you have to say and I thank him sincerely for those moments.

1620 is are Sing Alongs

So last night there was the big pre-halloween party at the infamous 1620 household and I have to say that was one of the better parties I have been to this year. Everyone made sure to come out Aaron, Joey, Tyler and Ape of course, Jean Michael, Patrick, Richard, Emily and Kyle and the list continues. The dancing/sing/swaying/whatever you want to call it was ridiculous, there were points where I thought I was going to fall through the floor it was bowing so much. In the end it was alot of fun and I am sorry if you missed it but feel better because I am bringing to you with some pictures off my phone.

Necessary

My brother took over my computer last night and had some fun on ichat with Hunt..

Kolhton and Seth

I just found out that two internet buddies of mine will also be attending Columbia College Chicago in the next fall semester. Kolhton and Seth are great photographers, especially for there age and I can't really say they are young but they are definitely talented. I met them through a skateboarding forum. I really got to know Kolhton probably a little more than a year ago and we exchange thoughts on each others photos. This was the point where he was in love with his 35mm and he was still shooting only black and white. He then finally got into the square format where at the young age of 16 learned the zone system which is really quite impressive. Then Seth is one of Kolhton's buddies who I better know through flickr and I have watched his photostream for awhile now and I really believe that both of these guys are headed somewhere.




























photos by Seth

I now look at Seth and Kolhton's work and I am completely amazed on how much they have changed over the last year. They're style and compositions are really mature and well constructed for their age and their abilities just amaze me. Pete has talked to me multiple times about how much he enjoy's Kolton's work and I have to agree with Pete. Kolhton and Seth, you all really have something going for you and I believe that you all will excell greatly at Columbia.

photos by Kolhton

Aaron Fowler

I met Aaron the first time I ever saw Watkins, when I toured the place about 3 years ago, he just happened to be touring at the same time and it's kinda funny that we are friends now. I remember last fall semester I came to visit my buddy, Peter Halupka and I was so puzzled because I had seen his roommate somewhere before but I just could not put my finger on it. Then after this crazy fiasco which in envolved a certain pink object that led to much humour that weekend, I figured it out and realized that Aaron was the kid from Kentucy that was on my tour. Well I posted a couple images from Aaron's new work and it's really quite amazing and lovely. I suggest that everyone be watching for his work and that you check out his blog.

Everything Seemed Unreal Until I Looked Left and Saw This

These past few days, I have been going straight home from school to study for that dumb ACT. I've probably spent about 15 hours this week on the computer taking practice tests. I've almost felt like I've been detached from the world except for this little thing called the internet. When I drive to school every morning, it is usually dark, being that I leave at 6:30 am. I was running late today for no reason, I just couldn't get myself out of bed. While driving on the interstate, there is a bridge that I always cross over and if you look to your left, you can see the whole city, its amazing. This morning, I looked left and saw this incredible sunrise. Immediately, I got this really weird, natural high feeling. I felt like I haven't ever seen anything like that in my life. I realized that these past few days that I've been so detached from reality because of this dumb macbook of mine. Seeing that sunrise really made me think for the rest of the ride to school. I thought about how I can improve everything I do, and stop being so damn lazy. I know it sounds a little dumb, but it made me realize to value every day. Sunrises happen every single morning, to start off a brand new beautiful day. Anyways, after school today, I went out on a "photo mission", I got over my little silly fear of asking people if I could take their photo. I went around the downtown area and if I saw something that caught my eye, I pulled my car over, got out and took a picture. I went around during lunch at school as well and took photos of the people that looked really content to me. Needless to say, hopefully you'll be seeing some new work from me soon.

Decisions

Lately I have really been thinking about what I am going to do with my life and the situations I am currently in and how I am going to go about dealing with them. I am currently in attendance at Watkins College of Art and Design and I am finding myself unchallenged and surrounded by a bunch of people that really don't know what is going on. I say this about only some people not the majority because there are definitely just as many that have their heads straight about their studies and take them seriously. Then however, in some of my classes there are just a lot of people who get upset because we have a lot of work in their major and I just sit back and ask myself, why are you here?
















I have made the decision that in the fall I will be transferring and studying in Chicago, Illinois at Columbia College. This school was my original choice but I became blinded by somethings and I do not fully regret my decision because it has aloud me to hold onto somethings I was not ready to let go and I realized that I might never be able to fully let them go but at some point I will have to move on because if I am meant to hold on to it then I will be around again to grasp it. I will be moving up there with a handful of friends and I will finally be completely submerged and overwhelmed in my field of photography.

More on Friends,

I've met a lot of photographers, and only a few stand out to me as "good". I'm very picky when it comes to photography because it is such a precise art. Hunt showed off some of Aaron Fowler's stuff and he talked about Pete's blog. But he has yet to show off his own stuff so I'm taking the liberty to do that because I find it very inspiring.

This next one is the first photograph of his that I saw, and it blew my mind.

Old Friends

Photography today is showcased like never before, do to the mass amounts of opportunities that the internet provides. The internet, in my opinion is a wonderful thing for the art world and the generations of today. I say this because the internet has allowed me to become a bit more dedicated to my work and it tends to push me harder. I see peoples new photos on Flickr and blogs and I just get so excited and I go out and just shoot all I can just so I can put more photos up for others to see and in my old friend, Peter Halupka's blog, he discusses his feelings with the way that the photo world has traveled over time and how he feels about it. I really suggest reading what he has to say about the role that the internet plays today.

Peter Halupka's blog.

.:.

Taken by Aaron Fowler

Introduction

I am currently 18 and studying photography in Nashville, Tn. I am originally from Birmingham, Alabama where my parents and younger brother reside. I started photography when I was a young child but I really got into it when I started skateboarding, which has been the gateway to many things in my life. I am a confused being just like many and in the end I know I will sort and figure things out but until then, I will be shooting, studying and whatever else life has in store for me.

- Hunt Fanelli



I am 17 years young. I don't really know where I'm going artistically. I was 6 when I received my first camera, a small point and shoot fisher price camera and it changed my life. I waste too much time. I have two brothers and a dog. I love when spring starts, the light and natural beauty is unreal. I care too much about people and things. I don't eat red meat. My friends are a huge part of my life and also a great part of my inspiration. I make a lot of mistakes. I enjoy poetry. I want to be a graphic designer because I don't think I can go anywhere with my photography. I look up to my father a lot but I feel like I'm following in my uncle's footsteps. Kurt Vonnegut taught me extraordinary life lessons. I don't like digital photography. You will get to know me better as this blog continues.

-Alexa Sullivant