Piracy: Photos vs. Music

Photographers care about copyright. I took a picture with my camera, I edited it, it's my work. You can't use my image without my permission. Oh, and did I mention that I'm downloading The Hangover?

Photographers are hypocrites. There is so much emphasis on not stealing photographs, but why doesn't this same attitude apply to music or movies? Music artists stand divided on the issue and film makers seem, for the most part, totally against piracy. If sharing movies and music is ok, then what's wrong with using a picture someone took?

I'm not sure where I stand on the issue. But it definitely makes me rethink why piracy is tolerated. I'm going to sign off now. I'm tired. Something to think about though.

Mr. James Bright

Mr. James Bright
Originally uploaded by confused by ▲

I came across this portrait. I think it's awesome. Fantastic tones. Striking composition. I love the backdrop. Can't say much more without sounding crazy. Check it.

Korean BBQ 1

Korean BBQ 1
Originally uploaded by bongopix

Our local Korean restaurant, "Buam Galbi," agreed to let me photograph their establishment. I learned something from the experience: I like food photography! I used my shoot through umbrella for the first time, too. I half didn't know what I was doing but everything came together quite well in the end. Please check out my new "Restaurant & Food" section at www.bongopix.com for the rest of the photos.

I love music photography, but food photography... I dunno, I might have two competing passions. Or maybe they'll compliment each other in the end?

My Favourite BW Photographer (For now!)

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Originally uploaded by Emmanuel Smague

Travel photography is great but I have a tough time doing it. I'm really respectful towards people. So respectful, that I often let photo opportunities slip by me just so that I don't disturb people minding their own business. I never want to be that a-hole photographer, you know? But I guess all photographers are selfish and greedy in one way or another. Nice guys finish last. I just never seem to learn.

Anyways, this guy, Emmanuel Smague is unreal. Since I discovered his photostream I haven't seen another photographer who produces better black and white travel photos. He has a book published, and he deserves it! I've been processing a lot of my photos from the Philippines recently and have been trying to mimic his style of BW. I'm noticing that I didn't get as close to the locals as Emmanuel does. That's the key that I can't seem to grasp.

Anyways, check out his stream. This is going to sound really corny, but I half cry and laugh every time I look at some of his photos. Quality stuff.

blanket of bokeh

izabel no sonho 1
Originally uploaded by TommyOshima

Looking at this one is like wearing geeky 3-D glasses. Insane, eh?

U2 - No Line On The Horizon

I've always been driven towards music related photography. My interest in album covers is probably why. U2's newest album has an AWESOME cover. It literally grabbed my attention. No words, people, just pure empty. Bold without being bold.

Not a fan of minimalism? Well, I suggest you get into it. I have a major roadblock in my mind. What are some other minimalist album covers? I'll probably post a few more later on when I think of them.

The half white and half black motif is really great. I like the low contrast thing too. I've always been obsessed with cranking the contrast on my photos. Something like this reminds me that there's a lot of good about the shades inbetween black and white.

Silverstein by Adam Elmakias

Silverstein
Originally uploaded by : adam elmakias

I'll start this bloggy thing off by commenting a bit about a band photographer that I discovered very recently, Adam Elmakias. His flickr photostream is Rolling Stone material in my opinion. Just some incredible stuff. Check it out.

I have yet to shoot band promo shots and I hope that I can achieve at least half of what this guy gets! The shot attached to this article really stands out. I love the tones. It's just feels crisp. The off camera lighting is superb. I'd buy this band's CD based on this image.

Photo blog

Hi everyone. It's bongopix. I'll keep a blog going to compliment the website that I just recently bought. It should be up in a few days once the domain name registration process is complete. I'm not sure how often this will be updated but it'll be a place to relieve my photographic piece of mind.