moving!

As of January 1, 2011, I'll be moving my blog to www.shutterclank.com. As you probably already know, working on this blog has inspired me to create a zine. I wanted to make something tangible. Something that can be held, passed along to friends. Something physical.

With the help of two very close friends of mine, that idea has turned into reality. My partners and I have created an awesome website Shutterclank! . I'm very excited to be working with Chris and Kate, as well as all of the other contributing photographers.

Soon at Shutterclank! you'll be able to purchase prints, as well as the zine and some other limited edition items. We'll also be blogging on a regular basis. So you'll definitely have to check that out. I hope you'll stop by to check us out.

-Jake

Preview of Issue # 1, Spring 2011

Shutterclank! Issue #1 Coming Spring 2011 from Shutterclank on Vimeo.

August 1st, 1990

On the night of my 11th birthday, I went to the grocery store with my brother. I begged him to buy me my first copy of Thrasher. It was the back to school issue. That's all it took, I was hooked. I stared at that magazine every night, scheming on ways to get a nice set-up. I saved up enough cash to throw down on a vision deck, and persuaded my parents to hook up the wheels and trucks.

A few years have passed since then, but I can honestly say skateboarding changed my life. It gave me something to identify with. I was a puny kid and not much of a "team player". None of that mattered in skateboarding. Through skateboarding I was introduced into a whole sub-culture that would have a profound effect on my life. 

It might be hard to remember when skate culture wasn't in the mainstream like it is now. It's pretty crazy that people are making literally billions of dollars off of this sport and culture. Nevertheless, I'm sure there is a puny 11-year-old kid out there pouring over his cherished thrasher magazine.

Here are some photos of my homie Chucky. I shot these on Veteran's day. Chucky rips.

Frayed edges and crooked eyes

I've been putting in long hours in the darkroom this past week; so I wasn't able to update the blog until today. Things are coming a long pretty well with getting the zine together. If things go as plan, the time spent in the darkroom this week will be good practice for the onslaught of prints I'll have to make.

Here's a print I made this week. It's one print made from 4 different negatives. I like the ransom-note-esque feel.

standard life and fidelity

It doesn't get much more blatant than that. Reminds me of "They Live". No wonder everyone is on anti-depressants or recovering from alcohol addiction.

stand developing with rodinal

I've been experimenting with stand developing. Generally rodinal does not react well with pushed film. I pushed some tri-x to 1600 and souped it in Rodinal 1:!00. Here are a few shots that I recently printed. The contrast is a bit sharp in my self portrait; however, I'm also using grade 3 fiber based unibrom paper. The contrast could more easily be adjusted with VC paper.

Having said that, I really like the way Julie's photograph turned out.

This is one of the things I love about traditional printing and developing - there is so much room for experimentation.

Flowers before the Fall.

Grimey but still flying.

Nothing much to say. I hope these photos can speak for me.

higher learning

These are some photos I shoot a few weeks ago in Oakland. In the first photo, you can see the remnants of Pittsburgh Children's Hospital. Truly a great institution, where great advances in medicine and science have been made. One in particular was the cure for polio. This old hospital is being torn down, the new one is located in a nearby neighborhood, Lawrenceville.

The bottom three shots are photos of South Oakland. Home to most of the University of Pittsburgh's student body. I've had some great times on those streets. Gene's place, used to be called Dennys. On thanksgiving you could get dollar shots of Wild Turkey.

gotta keep this train on the tracks

For the past month my good friend, Chris Schuster, and I have been busy behind the scenes. Don't want to spoil the surprise, but when this is all said and done, I know we'll be bringing you some of the best film photography that we could track down. I'm really excited about this project, and with Chris on board I know things are going to go well.

In the meantime I'll keep this train on the tracks. Heading back into the darkroom tonight...

blood in the water

Last week I mentioned taking steps towards a more physical format for Shutterclank!. Well those steps have turned into leaps. While the finished product is still a few months away, I can tell you that there is blood in the water... soon enough we might have full fledged feeding frenzy on our hands.

moving forward...

So I've got some plans, changes to come. If all goes well shutterclank! will become more tangible. Physical.

feedback....

by the beat of my heart

Music has been a constant inspiration in my life. Music has defined entire periods of my life. Playing music has taken me from the east coast to the west coast and back again. Through music I've met some of my closest friends; experienced some of the happiest moments of my life; and learned to relate to the world around me.

Photography allows me to capture those feelings and preserve them forever.

Stay True

I shot these photos back in May. Johnny Cupcakes came to town, so I figured I'd go snap a few shots of him and his crew. Johnny runs a brand that is build upon a D.I.Y. ethic and a positive outlook, and I totally respect that. I grew up in the punk rock scene here in Pittsburgh, and those same ethics never left me.

Johnny's visit brought all kinds of people out of the woodwork. I met some young kids trying to get a t-shirt line started, and another Photographer named, Joann Bartone. Joann hooked me up with a ton of film, and really encouraged me to keep shooting.

Sometimes its hard to stay positive, so this post is dedicated to those people.

the blessed virgin

Bikefest!

Today marks the first day of the 6th annual Pittsburgh bikefest. The positive impact that organizations like BikePgh have have had on this city, cannot be under estimated. If you're in Pittsburgh, come out and celebrate all things bike related. If you're not in Pittsburgh, get out and ride that thang.

stay connected...

I'm excited to announce that I've teamed up with the crew over at Onlyinpgh.com. I've got a weekly contribution. So make sure to check that site regularly. My photo will be posted every Wednesday morning; and of course, I'll still be posting a few times a week here at Shutterclank.

Writing on the wall

The faded painted advertisements, found on the brick walls all over Pittsburgh, really interest me. I like the way they age and deteriorate. This one calls back to the days when Pittsburgh still manufactured steel.

door without a knob, cat without a face

Shoot Film, Meet People.

This guy's name is Al. He liked my Minolta. We talked about our shared love for film. I know he's got one hell of a story. Maybe someday I'll hear it.

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