The making of a print portfolio

I prefer a custom made print portfolio to showcase my work. Unfortunately printed books are definitely on the endangered species list. I don't think anyone has an interest in looking at books anymore. Everything has been pushed online. Regardless, I've always maintained that keeping a solid book of your prints shows true mastery of your craft. Read more…

Even though I get fewer and fewer requests to see my book and it's spent considerably less time in the wild in 2011 and 2012 than years past, I will always have a book on hand. I can't imagine picking up the phone and telling an art director I don't have a portfolio. It's terribly easy to make images look outstanding on a screen. It is infinitely more challenging and stressful to generate quality prints especially when you are using paper that costs around $4.00 a sheet and about the same in toner. I've always maintained a printed portfolio but in late 2010 I started from scratch, eschewing the typical polypropylene sheet protectors for a true unprotected, double-sided photo rag portfolio.

I commissioned Brewer-Cantelmo in New York to create a 11"x14" portfolio in black leather. I generated prints using an Epson 3880 printer on Hahnemühle Matte Fine Art Rag Duo. Once printed, I hand trimmed, punched and scored each page. The reaction from peers, buyers and directors is always the same. They love the tactile sensation of the photo rag, the smell of quality pulp and toner, the double-sides, how the images accurately represent what they had seen on my website and the overall handcrafted feel.

Total cost: approx $1000 including the Tenba shipper case.

Gear review GORUCK GR2

go·ruck [verb go + verb ruck] noun ruck is short for rucksack (aka backpack), it’s also a verb: to ruck is to move with a rucksack, and implies action, energy, and purpose.

GORUCK introduces military-grade gear tough enough for Special Forces to adventure seekers worldwide. All GORUCK gear is built in the USA and adheres to the highest standards of functionality, durability and style. - via www.goruck.com

I'm an admitted bag freak. Carrying one's gear securely and efficiently is critical. Over the years I've gone thru countless bags and have never been truly satisfied with any of them.
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The main problem with the majority of tactical style backpacks is the abundance of straps, clips and other un-necessary flair. I don't like lumbar straps (which I never use) and other things flapping around, catching and snagging on airport security conveyer belts and anything else. I have been fairly loyal to one bag over the years, the Patagonia Critical Mass. That bag is simple and large however not ideal for hauling anything other than clothes. It has one cavernous compartment so by the time you get to your destination, the contents are a jumbled mess. It's also a messenger style, over the shoulder type bag which is no good for long treks.

In 2010, I stumbled on a startup company called GORUCK. Founded by a former Special Forces gent, Jason McCarthy, who set out to improve on the ballistic, tactical bag.

The company, now located in Montana, sources and assembles the packs in the USA. Tip o' the hat. Handmade with a lifetime guarantee. High 5. They make rucks in a number of sizes from S to XL, the GR2, which I own. I was drawn to the bags because of their pedigree, story and above all, style and construct. The bags are lean and mean. 1000D Ballistic Cordura throughout, YKK Zippers with silent 550 cord zipper pulls. A nice interior pocket for my MacBook Pro. No un-necessary straps or gimmicks. They are designed from the ground up to provide the user easy access to the compartments. A huge draw for me is the ability to lay the bag completely flat and zip it open like a suitcase enabling maximum packing.

Three total compartments: two main compartments open flat, internal pocket layout allows for optimal organization.

In 2012 alone, this has been my only bag on two five day trips, one to the Colorado high country followed by an overseas trip to the UK. This bag is carry on compliant, major bonus. Fully stuffed, it fits easily in the overhead bin as well as under the seat in front of me, on a small American Eagle regional jet no less. On your back, this bag is svelte, it garners no attention, even from hawk eyed airline gate agents eager to slap that gren "gate check" tag on your carry on.

The only missing feature, and one I would definitely love to see in the future, is a handle similar to the beefy one on top, on the side of the bag so I can carry it like a suitcase when it's not on my back. Outside of that this bag is aces and I have found the definitive bag that I will have for a very long time.

Price $395

I also bought the GRTAC ball cap (in above photo and motion picture at the bottom). Perfect for flying because it's 1/2 mesh for breathability, all black and doesn't have a button on top, so when I'm wearing my aviation headset for long periods of time, I won't get a splitting headache.

Gear review Sirui T-005 Tripod

I have searched high and low for an ultra portable tripod that won't break the bank and finally found one in the Sirui T-005. I had never heard of the brand until I stumbled on one in the local camera shop. This tripod fits all the criteria I had been looking for, über compact, lightweight, intuitive and stable enough for a DSLR with lens. Read more…

The details: 5 sections yielding 54.6" in height, folds down to 11.8", Arca-style quick release clamp, weighs 2.2 lbs and sports a load capacity of 8.4 lbs! Construction is very solid, main ingredient is magnesium. Also has three leg positions, 23º, 52º and 80º that can be set independently for use on uneven surfaces. My camera is a Canon 5D MK2 with the Canon 24-70mm 2.8L lens attached. With the battery and card, the camera weighs 3.8 lbs. Before finding the Sirui, I picked up what I thought was the smallest travel tripod available, a Manfrotto MKC3-H01. I was so disappointed, it was returned same day. Fully extended with my rig on top, the Manfrotto legs started splaying out. Granted the load capacity is 3.3 lbs, I was still surprised how badly the legs handled just a few tenths of a pound extra.

The Sirui is very stable. No splaying, no signs of weakness. The legs are twist style which are not my favorite and quite the opposite of the Manfrotto clamp but the locks are very secure (so far) tho do not appear to be weather sealed. This could be an issue if you will be traveling to debris rich environments like beaches.

This thing is very intuitive, no space wasted. The footprint is so small that I can pack it sideways in my backpack. It also comes with a well constructed carrying case. Another nice feature is a hook built into the bottom of the riser to hang a weight or camera bag onto to further stabilize.

Despite the fact it's made in China, the build quality and engineering is excellent. Strongly recommend. Retail $139.00 USD.

Doughnut Vault Chicago

When in Chicago, definitely make the effort to visit the Doughnut Vault at 401 1/2 N. Franklin St. The experience is truly unique and is a perfect example of how to run a tidy business. Less is more. Focus on one thing. Do it well. Generate buzz.

It's a tiny establishment situated in River North at the very bottom of N. Franklin St and small enough to sport a 1/2 in the street address. Located just north of the gigantic Merchandise Mart and the Chicago River. They serve up homemade, high quality ingredient, piping hot, fresh doughnuts Tuesday thru Friday 8:30am (Saturday 9:30am) till they run out and that can happen fast. The best way to determine the daily status of the inventory is to monitor their twitter feed @doughnutvault.

Aside from being first come first serve, it's cash only and be prepared to stand in line, outside, if things are busy. The interior is minuscule. A short, mirror lined hallway, with a crystal chandelier leading up to a lone, gold plated cash register. That hallway can accommodate maybe six people. I have an image gallery of my recent visit here. Read more…