international group of photographers, writers, artists, filmmakers, videographers and designers

This is the second of aamora’s series of columns titled “Crystal on You” featuring the advice of our resident celebrity expert, Crystal Lamont:

“Dear Crystal,
Your critique of Michael Van der Tol’s “Stuff in my Basement” photo essay changed my life. I had never before realized how important it is to be discriminating about crap. So many nuances, so many levels, so many choices! There’s a whole world of crap out there! Now I see crap everywhere. Here’s some of it. What do you think?
Yours truly,
Alexis Gerard”

Dear Mr Gerard,

I commend you on your willingness to learn about crap, especially from an expert such as I. Here, I hope, is further help for your levels and nuances and choices.

Sincerely,
Crystal Lamont

11-29-09 (Pink Balloon, 4-53PM)

Crystal sez:
The party’s over and nothing says it like a solitary pink balloon befriending some cold street furniture. (Boy, have I been there. In fact, I think I was hanging onto this very pole the other night whilst waiting for the No. 5 to Mimico). But do you really want to shoot apres-soiree pictures? Why not a shot of the life of the party? Just so long as he or she is well dressed and accessorized, I think that would make a more interesting and entertaining photo.

****

11-30-09 (Rock, Half Moon Bay Ca)

Crystal sez:  Rock on, Mr G. Now the question is: rock on what? I mean, grey concrete?! You know, you say you’ve learned a lot about crap but this photo is desperate to prove you wrong. The rock in itself is not bad but you might have done well to place it on something like chartreuse velour or gold lame. Rocks are pretty dull photo material, so you have to jazz ‘em up some. Unless, of course, they are the rocks one wears on one’s fingers and earlobes. “Square-cut or pear-shaped, those rocks won’t lose their shape… diamonds are a girl’s best friend!”  Those stones make great photos (and gifts).

****

12-1-09 (Christmas tree, Rockaway Beach Ca)

Crystal sez:
Here’s a photo that speaks volumes. I’m not sure what it’s saying but it’s volumes. Or maybe it’s forests. Yes, this shot speaks forests. Or the lack of them. Now, I’m no environmentalist (well, I’m into my own environment: from the plastic Elvis in my boudoir to the pink flamingo on my balcony, I like my surroundings completely inorganic) but since I’m singing songs today, here’s one for this shot: “Took all the trees/put ‘em in a tree museum/and they charged the people a dollar and a half just to see em…Paved paradise, put up a parking lot.” (Mr G, my favourite performer’s Tony Bennett and I don’t think he ever recorded this particular tune so I don’t know why I’m quoting it here – For Heaven Sakes, I wasn’t even ALIVE in the 60s when purportedly some backwater Canadian type wrote it!) So…I’m going to give you one kudo for capturing an “issue”, but you have to ask yourself: Do I really want to take boring issue-oriented photos? Or do I want to shoot exciting frivolous escapist shots? I’ve always been for the latter but this photo may be changing my mind.

Crystal Lamont, photographiste, actress, filmmaker, commentator and celebrity, is a distinguished member of aamora. She is a reknowned expert on all things aesthetic.

Alexis Gerard is a member of aamora.com. Alexis has been a passionate photographer since his twenties. He worked at Apple in the pioneering days of the Macintosh launch, then founded imaging think-tank Future Image in 1991. He founded and now chairs the 6Sight® Future of Imaging executive conference. He co-authored the book “Going Visual”, speaks widely on imaging technology, and is a member of the International Advisory Council of the George Eastman House. As a result of his business activities he had the opportunity to begin shooting digital in the early nineties and does so exclusively now. He prefers small cameras he can have with him at all times. Check out Alexis’ other posts on aamora and see his other work by clicking here.

Following Crystal Lamont’s first appearance on aamora, we received a flood of letters (well, ok, e-mails) from photographers around the world hoping to have Crystal say a few words about their work.  Crystal has graciously agreed to provide this service from time to time on aamora, and welcomes submissions for her adjudication.  Here is the first of what we think will be an interesting series of columns titled “Crystal on You”:

Dear Crystal,

I was inspired by your thoughtful and honest critique of Marie Wilson’s work on Aamora. I am working on a new project called “Stuff in My Basement” and would love to get your professional opinion. I’ve included a few of my favorites from that portfolio. With “Stuff in My Basement” I am trying to draw the asymptote between “Why we collect stuff” and the premise that we will actually need this “Stuff” sometime in the future.

I’m on Pins & Needles awaiting your reply,
Michael Van der Tol

First of all, let me heap loads of kudos on your person for having the vision to tackle such a project as “Stuff in My Basement”. Now, while I applaud your basic “everyman” approach to shooting the crap you’ve accumulated, I regret that your stuff is not as interesting as, for example, mine. It isn’t your fault that the things you save are as boring as Nancy Reagan’s shoes, but these photos are your opportunity to learn from the error of your deficient pack rat ways.

Before you continue shooting for your portfolio, get some better stuff. You’ll find plenty of good merchandise at dollar stores and bargain basements. But you may need to develop your materialistic eye before you go purchasing any more fake dwarf Xmas trees.

And why are you trying to draw the asymptote when you can just shoot it? If you’re like me, you can’t draw a straight line let alone a tote of any sort. Next photo from you, I expect to see that asymptote right there in the midst of your stuff. I’m sure it’s a much more interesting object than those doors.

On an up note, I do like that dash of delarobia blue in the sink shot. Perhaps you could find more of that fabric and put up some curtains? Just a thought. Best of luck to you, Mr Tol. Now get off those pins and needles and put them into some fab fabric to make those photogenic curtains!

Inimitably yours,
Crystal
………..
Crystal Lamont, photographiste, actress, filmmaker, commentator and celebrity, is a distinguished member of aamora. She is a reknowned expert on all things aesthetic.  Michael Van der Tol, a founding member of aamora, was born in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. in 1959 and currently lives in Stittsville, Ontario, Canada. He is primarily self-taught in photography and has been sharing what he sees for the last 10 years. His photographic work focuses on rural and urban landscapes. You can see more of Michael’s work here and enjoy his blog here.
………..

Crystal Lamont, an aamora member and our celebrity expert on the Diana camera and all things tasteful,  offers her critique of one of another aamora member’s (Marie Wilson)  Diana+  shots.

Here are Crystal’s reviews of three of Marie Wilson’s photographs made with the Diana+ camera:

1. Photo: Little India triple exposure by Marie Wilson

Crystal sez:

I can’t say it enough: wind. And I don’t mean the kind that blows (as this shot does). No, I mean, wind as in turn that little dial at the top of your Diana after every click of your shutter. This photo is a good example of someone who doesn’t know how to wind or who just can’t be bothered. She probably goes around without nail polish on her toenails as well. And not only has she failed to wind, but she has failed to wind several times! And that’s why when you look at the shot it makes you feel as if you’ve had one too many martinis. And since I usually have had one too many martinis, this shot makes me see eightuple.

********  CONTINUED —>>   Read more