After months of detention in a Beijing prison the Chinese government today released famed Chinese artist Ai Wei Wei on bail. Ai, arguably China's most well known artist, was taken into custody in April amid a crackdown on dissidents and activists across China. This is breaking news for the art world but it's also great news to my ears personally. I've been moved by his work and intelligent dissent for quite some time, and became... read more ›
Jun
22
Jun
21
As a matter of opinion, it's time to get some cojones. Or whatever clever slang you've cooked up for the female equivalent, or whatever will help you understand the following point. Sure there's plenty of good things to honor about the past of our photography industry. A lot of the trails have been intelligently blazed by those before us, a lot of ditches have been dug. But...ahem...generally speaking status quo in photography doesn't know which... read more ›
May
24
Here's a sure-fire way to blow your career in photography: 1. Take lots of photos. 2. Get on twitter. 3. Start a blog. 4. Assist for another photographer. 5. Buy a better camera. 6. Create a "style" that's all your own. 7. Hire an intern. 8. Get an agent. 9. Do behind-the-scenes videos. 10. Get a studio. 11. Franchise your business. 12. Live off your stock library. 13. Sell your prints. 14. Get some gear... read more ›
May
11
If you've ever tuned into an episode of chasejarvisLIVE (or even if you've missed them all) tomorrow, Thursday, May 12 would be a great episode NOT to miss. I have a very special announcement I'd like to share with you LIVE from NYC. I'm personally as excited about this as any project I've ever launched. It involves a worldwide creative collaboration of artists and creatives, including YOU. Yes, literally you. Who: You, Me, & a... read more ›
May
10
Thanks to the hundreds of you who wrote in to take a stab at how the ballet image was made [note that this thumbnail here is a crop, not the final...go to the original post to see that one]. A handful of you nailed it to varying degrees. Here's my breakdown of shot: First, this was not a snapshot. Anything I'd list that would be of interest has been planned, choreographed Second, this image was... read more ›
May
03
I learned to light after years of deconstructing the work of other photographers. And I know from your previous feedback that you guys are fond of these posts, so let’s dig into another one. How did I make this picture? Is it a lucky snapshot? Is it lit? If so, how? The camera Settings? The direction? Post production? Whatever details you think are needed to make this image. Looking forward to you trying to pick... read more ›
Apr
29
Friends. Just wanted to say a huge thanks for tuning into chasejarvisLIVE on Wednesday for our broadcast with We Are Augustines. Those guys showed us the love by opening up their backstory, their creative process, and a truly inspired performance. And you showed the love right back in spades. When I told the band that 30,000 of you tuned into the show on Wednesday--that they were performing to a virtual stadium full of people--they were... read more ›
Apr
07
I've watched this vid a half dozen times since it came out a while back. I never tire of it. If you missed it when it first dropped --OR, hell, even if you've seen it before--please saddle up here for 5 min and enjoy the unique power of photography. When I talk about "Social Art" (like here for example) this is, in part, what I'm getting at. A magnificent and stunning example here... read more ›
Apr
06
As an alternative view to yesterday's popular post, there's nothing wrong with being an amateur. I’m an amateur soccer player, an amateur cook, an amateur skier, designer, racecar driver, and flyfisherman. And I’m happy to be an amateur at all of those things. Actually I LOVE being an amateur at all of those things - it allows me to dabble, make a ton of mistakes, goof around, drop the ball, not care when something else... read more ›
Apr
05
So you want to be a professional? Photographer. Director. Golfer. Belly dancer. Designer. Waiter. Model. If you’re wondering if you’ve got what it takes to go pro, try it. Seriously. Quit what you're doing now and go there. You’ll know soon after you’ve tried to go there whether or not you’re in the right spot. If you don’t have what it takes, it will be obvious - going pro will be too hard, other things... read more ›
