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Tim Dundon, the Compost Wizard

Sometimes still photography doesn't seem like enough to tell the whole story. I'm shooting footage at 24p with a real garden gnome, and this story is unfolding as part of a feature documentary film I'm directing about people living consciously in a society that often makes something simple, seem radical...

Best of 2009

My Photographs Made Top 10 Most Popular Web Galleries on Los Angeles Times Best of 2009

Sometimes, you have to know when to ditch the camera.
While my architect friend, David Thompson of Assembledge, was getting the fireplace prepared for the living room shot, his arm actually caught fire, apparently from gas vapors. Fortunately enough, while chasing after my friend, he was able to quickly enough douse himself in the nearby infinity pool, and get rushed over to Cedars Sinai Hospital. Thankfully, he's completely healed, and we didn't burn his beautifully designed home down.
Usually, in what I do, it's not necessary to risk lives for a great photograph. I remember almost kicking over the camera, and rushing over to tackle my friend & stop the fire. He was so traumatized that he wasn't listening to my yells, "Get down, get down!"
This is what is so intimidating to me about "hard news" stories, or war photography. Your job is to keep shooting, no matter what. Check out this epic documentary sometime, "War Photographer", about James Nachtwey.
Moreover, I'm happy to not have a picture of my friend engulfed in flames. This image, embedded only in my mind, haunts me to this day, and I've had several restless nights seeing it, again and again.
There's always a thin line between capturing the moment, and being present, in the moment. As photographers, we can't always be looking through the window, watching life.
Sometimes, we have to crash through it.

http://www.latimes.com/features/home/la-hm-sunsethouse-pictures,3,3778651.photogallery?index=la-hm-sunsethousea

Richard Gere at The Bedford Post Inn

This is another outtake from my portrait session with the legendary actor, Richard Gere.
He loves photography and art & was encouraging me to push things. It's impressive that he is so grounded, and in touch with being in the moment.
In this collaborative environment, I feel that I was able to capture the essence of this great man & find many moments that day, which otherwise, may have eluded me. Between the formal sessions that ended up in Vogue, Esquire, etc..., there was this Renaissance painting quality of light streaming in through a window, while we were taking a break. It was serendipitous that I still had a camera on me, and he allowed me to spontaneously create something a little different.
Being intuitive to my surroundings and observing the fleeting moments is one thing, but capturing them by creating something memorable is the real reward. Being aware is only half the challenge. Producing something tangible, out of nothing, requires tenacity.
Once a dilapidated and abandoned farmhouse, this property is now a very special place, because of creative vision. I'm grateful to have captured some of the essence of its allure.

Chef Brian Lewis & Richard Gere at The Bedford Post Inn

It was a thrill to photograph these very talented gentleman and catch them both in an unguarded moment. Both passionate & sincere about their love of food, they regularly meet to discuss incredible ideas.
Congratulations to Chef Brian Lewis for his Best New Restaurant Award in Esquire.
http://www.esquire.com/features/food-drink/best-new-restaurants-2009/bedford-post-inn

Alexis Wolfer of The Beauty Bean at Wonderland, NYC

Mirrors can be intimidating, and the camera allows us to look at our reflections each time we make a photograph. As we look closer at life, we find that beauty is abundant. As a photographer, it's about finding that beauty and bringing it to light. Often, not everyone will see what is hidden beneath the surface, and as imagemakers, we are destined to uncover our vision, and release it to the world.

The Big Hair Girls' Big Debut...

This was shot in my studio in Tribeca one day, in between our publicity shots for this new band, The Big Hair Girls.
We had a lot of fun, getting a variety of funky looks, but this was an unrehearsed moment that I captured in between takes. It turns out that it won an Honorable Mention in the 2009 International Photo Awards.