It’s been a really incredible experience for both my photography and myself. I haven’t seen much of a slow down to the public’s interest in “The Doggie Gaga Project” or my exponentially growing list of “Things to Do.” Amongst the big items, I’ll be heading down to the Los Angeles area in April (9th-14th) to photograph some very exciting new clients. Additionally, to pull together the success of “The Doggie Gaga Project” as well as showcase a beautiful collection of fine art portraits, I’ve put together a fun and interactive way for you to access what I would describe as a mini portable version of my portfolio. Enjoy!
Archive | March, 2010
OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASE//FINE ART DOG PHOTOGRAPHER JESSE FREIDIN
For Immediate Release: March 20, 2010
With Supplies of Polaroid Film Dwindling Worldwide, The Impossible Project Graciously Provided Two Packs to Award-Winning Bay Area Dog Photographer Jesse Freidin. Inspired by Lady Gaga Fashion “The Doggie Gaga Project” is a Viral Hit
SAN FRANCISCO, CA – Inspired by Polaroid’s newest spokesperson, Lady Gaga, award-winning Bay Area dog photographer Jesse Freidin – with the help of The Impossible Project (TIP) – created The Doggie Gaga Project, which has become an overnight media sensation this week. Freidin dressed his canine models in five of Lady Gaga’s most celebrated outfits, and photographed them using two packs of Polaroid film from the last remaining supply in the world. The resulting photos went online the next morning, and within three days, have been tweeted by Perez Hilton, linked online by Entertainment Weekly, MTV, TMZ, and The Sundance Channel, and featured on ABC’s Live! with Regis & Kelly on 3/18/10. To view all the images please visit www.jessefreidin.com or http://www.facebook.com/pages/San-Francisco-CA/Jesse-Freidin-Photographer/97942918610.
Freidin proposed his idea for The Doggie Gaga Project to Netherland-based Impossible Project who has taken on the impossible: to re-invent and re-start production of analog integral film for vintage Polaroid Cameras. They graciously donated two packs of original Polaroid film (20 prints total). Freidin and his small team went to work creating the custom-made, Gaga-inspired canine fashions for a Boston Terrier, a Mexican hairless, a Shiba Inu, and two Pit Bulls. Shooting in his San Francisco studio, Freidin employed a Horseman field camera with a Polaroid back using the increasingly rare T-669. During the photo shoot, no animals were harmed – or even irritated.
More on Jesse Freidin: Jesse Freidin, a traditional film photographer who characteristically photographs dog portraits with a Hasselblad, recently won Beast of the Bay’s 2010 award for “Best Dog Photographer.” With years of experience as a fine-art photographer and professional dog-handler, Freidin has a unique approach to animal photography that captures the deeply emotional tie that people have with their pets. As one of the last surviving traditional photographers in the Bay Area, he creates museum-quality black-and-white photographs with unbeatable richness and tone, that are produced, from start to finish, entirely by hand. His true passion for animals and loyalty to analog photography made it only natural that he would create “The Doggie Gaga Project.”
More on The Impossible Project: Since October 2008, The Impossible Project has been busy re-inventing a new analog integral film for vintage Polaroid cameras at a former Polaroid factory in Enschede (NL). On Monday, March 22, 2010 Impossible will make a major announcement at a press conference in NYC. Please visit http://www.the-impossible-project.com for more information.
In the words of Edwin Land, the Inventor of Instant Photography, “Don’t undertake a project unless it is manifestly important and nearly impossible.”
Lady Gaga was recently named creative director for a specialty line of Polaroid products. Asked if he has met Lady Gaga, Freidin replied, “Not yet, but I’d love to. I hope she enjoys the pictures.”
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For more information, photos, or to set up interviews with Jesse Freidin please contact Green Galactic’s Lynn Hasty at lynn@greengalactic.com or 213-840-1201. To learn more about The Impossible Project please contact Marlene Kelnreiter at 212-219-3254 or marlene@the-impossible-project.com.
TAKING OVER THE INTERNET//FINE ART DOG PHOTOGRAPHER JESSE FREIDIN
This has been the most insane, exhausting, exciting, rewarding, and emotional 4 days of my life.
I’m looking forward to what this next week brings.
I hope it brings new faces, new fans, new clients, new accomplishments, and new publicity. And a few hours of actual sleep wouldn’t hurt, either.
Thank goodness I’ve hired my good friend Lynn Hasty at Green Galactic to take care of all my PR. She’s amazing.
In case you’ve been in a bubble, here is a small sampling of some of the places I’ve shown up in the past few days:
ABC’s Regis and Kelly Show (at minute 14)
And my favorite interview I did this morning with an old friend of mine who is a writer with Kittysneezes.com.
My interview with Canada’s Much Music (sort of like America’s MTV) should be airing tomorrow.
Become a fan on Facebook, Twitter, or join my Newsletter to be the first to know when more exciting things develop.
Oh, and thanks. Thanks a lot to everyone pulling for me, coaching me, supporting me, loving the work, and generally sending my vibes of success. I truly appreciate it. And now I’m going to sleep.
DENIRO, A VERY VERY LOVED DOG//FINE ART DOG PHOTOGRAPHER JESSE FREIDIN
I recently had a session with Deniro. His mom and I used to work together over at Wag Hotel, and when she asked if we could put together a special session to celebrate Deniro’s noble senior years, I knew our project would be a lot of fun. We rolled around together on the kitchen floor, relaxed in the warm shade on the front stoop, and played in the garden. And then a very odd thing happened; while we were taking a break (photo session breaks are always good, for dogs AND humans), Deniro suddenly got up, semi-frozen marrow bone in mouth, and sauntered back out to the garden with an air of determination. Slightly perplexed, yet knowing something amazing was going to be happening, we all dashed after him to catch him slinging dirt in all directions. The weirdest thing was- in a yard full of grass, flowers, and some (fertilized) soil, Deniro decided he needed to dig in one of the very small flower pots. So, he dug until he had almost emptied the shallow pot, dropped his slobbery marrow bone in, and walked away. Quite proud of himself, with dirt covering his entire face.
I really didn’t know what to say. It was one of the weirdest things I’ve ever seen a dog do, yet exemplified Deniro’s wacky, playful character so well. In the end, the images came out great and I know that Deniro’s mom is going to love her photographs for years to come. Every day she will walk by them and smile, even long after Deniro has moved on. And knowing that makes me a very happy man. I think it makes all of us happy.
A VISIT FROM THE TOY CAMERA EXPERT//FINE ART DOG PHOTOGRAPHER JESSE FREIDIN
Today’s guest blogger is a good friend of mine, Christine Zona (www.czona.com). She has been getting more and more attention for her daring and beautiful work with toy cameras, and I consider her an expert in the field. Not only did she sign a contract with Urban Outfitters after winning their Urban Nomad competition, her toy camera photographs have won juried spots in international contests, and are currently on display at Cafe Royal in San Francisco. Her work celebrates the beauty of imperfection, and really captures that perfect balance of spontaneity and incredibly strong composition. Here’s what she has to say…
When Jesse asked me to guest write on his blog about toy cameras I was so stoked. There is nothing I love more than photographing with my army of plastic cameras! Yes, an army, I own over 30 and I am always looking to expand my collection. Toy cameras, like the Holga, represent the basics of photography. For those of you who don’t know, a plastic camera only has a few ‘technical’ options:
2 shutter speeds: 1/125 or bulb
2 apertures: sunny (F11), and cloudy (F8)
4 focusing ranges: one person, three people, many people, and landscape
(very, very technical, hope you are still following along)
These limited options whittle you down to the core of photography: capturing images. It’s not about megapixels, HD video, expensive lenses, fancy digital backs. It’s about you and your subject. So many people think that because they own the best digital camera kit they are guaranteed to take amazing photographs. It’s just not true. People make photographs, not cameras. And that’s what toy cameras are all about. Their mechanical simplicity tear down the walls of our digital world, and force people to live more in the moment. While most digital photographers are pushing buttons, jumbling lenses, and staring at every picture they just took, toy camera users are taking in their environment and capturing pictures that someone gazing down at their screen may have missed. It’s so freeing, and that is why I am so drawn to them.
The toy camera underground cult is now taking over the world of photography with stores, blogs, competitions, magazines, and books. The vignettes and dreamy-like quality have everyone in a craze. Everywhere I look I see something related to it. Besides the rising prices, I think it’s great!! It is supporting film, and bringing more business to local processing labs. As a result, this form of photography is getting more respect and is starting to be seen as a professional way to photograph. One company that supports professional photographers that use the Holga as their medium of creative expression is Holga Inspire. It is a great organization and they strive to “reinvigorate classic photography and inspire creative originality.” I suggest everyone check them out. You can even find me on the resource page.
Here are a few more of my favorite toy camera resources:
Michelle Bates ‘Plastic Cameras: Toying with Creativity’
Below is a collection of photographs from a few of my favorite toy cameras. To view my full portfolio, feel free to visit my website, www.czona.com
THE DOGGIE GAGA PROJECT//FINE ART DOG PHOTOGRAPHER JESSE FREIDIN
Last night the studio was covered in multi-colored Polaroid carnage and dog treats. And I was in heaven.
My amazing crew of Doggie Gaga cohorts began making some last minute adjustments to our costumes while I set up the camera. Since this entire project has been, from start to finish, a total celebration of fearless and original creativity, I decided to keep my studio set-up incredibly simple. Simple lighting, simple background, and simple propping. After much tossing and turning the night before, I realized that I wanted the costumes and photographic process to stand out, and nothing else. Multi-head strobe kits and color gels and wind machines had no place here. I wanted the character of the film and the texture of the fabrics to speak for themselves. So I placed the dogs on a couple of dirty apple boxes and waited to see what happened…
All images are untouched Polaroid T-669 instant prints, shot with a Horseman field camera and Polaroid back. It doesn’t get more analog and amazing than that. To be honest, it’s the most difficult way to photograph dogs, but produces such warm, textured images. It’s a true salute to my favorite photographic company on the planet, and the people who are taking risks to keep it alive.
Want to vote for your favorite? Want to see more? Want to learn more about the crew? Visit the official Doggie Gaga Project Facebook page. We’ll be posting videos and more photos soon.
BOY’S BEST FRIEND//FINE ART DOG PHOTOGRAPHER JESSE FREIDIN
Watching a child interact with their family dog is such a special thing. It’s like they have their own secret language. They communicate on a very intimate level that adults and their companions seem to miss- they roll around together, they look forward to snack time together, they share toys and love the same parks and smile in the sunshine together.
Gracie (the English Pointer) and Drew (the very very smart 7 year old) share this kind of chemistry, and I really had such a wonderful time hanging out with them. Their parents won my photography session at last year’s French American School silent auction. Gracie is working through her senior years, and our photography session was a very special way to honor that. The images we created together are intimate, warm, playful, silly, and truly celebrate the irreplaceable companionship Gracie has formed with her family.
Thanks for an amazing session, guys.
Here are some of my favorites:
A NEW FRIEND FOR PANCAKE // FINE ART DOG PHOTOGRAPHER JESSE FREIDIN
Pancake made a new friend today. They’re just about the same age, too. Inexhaustible energy supply, easily entertained, not very good at making full sentences, sporadic dancey-feet, enthralled by the dirty, soggy dog toys hiding under my desk. All in all, they were a perfect match. And chased each other around the studio for a good 30 minutes.
I MISS SUMMER // FINE ART DOG PHOTOGRAPHER JESSE FREIDIN
I miss summer. I miss blue skies and happy hot dogs and swimming holes and hikes and perfect Polaroid/Holga weather. Don’t you?
To encourage a little mind-slipping this dreary afternoon, here are some of my favorite images from last summer’s expedition (read: vacation) to The Other Place, in Boonville. It was my first real vacation as an adult, and I honestly did not want to leave. It was magic. It was beautiful. It was warm and breezy and I had my camera up to my face the entire time.
Oh, and the dogs loved it, too.
SEAL OF APPROVAL//FINE ART DOG PHOTOGRAPHER JESSE FREIDIN
I got the seal of approval.
Now, you can get the sticker! Want one? Just email me- I’ll be sending them out to all friends and clients in the next month, but you can be the first in line! It will look like this:
