SPDWest: October 2011 Archives

SPD West: Unsung Heroes 4 "I Love Talking to Photographers About..."

"I love talking to photographers about other photographers they're into."

That's Heidi Volpe talking above, once again in an interview with the irreplaceable Rob Haggart of APhotoEditor, and Heidi is our final presenter to introduce to you here for tonight's Unsung Heroes 4 at Smashbox Studios in West Hollywood. Hedi's been the art director and photo editor for magazines when they are at some of their most award-winning, including The Los Angeles Times Magazine, Outside, Men's Health, GQ... the list goes on and on. Her rolodex is huge, and she's chosen just one artist to present tonight as her Unsung Hero. So you need to come with us after the jump for information on when to come and to save some money on your ticket!
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SPD West: Unsung Heroes 4 "That's Why I'm So Happy."

Jeff Divine is a photographer, photo editor, and author who's been documenting the art of the surf world since before it was his career; in this interview he says he's been "shooting since '66..." and "I laid it down in the mid '70s. I was like, "All I'm going to be, because I'm good at it, is a surf photographer. That's it. I'm Jeff Divine, surf photographer. I'm not a portrait, bikini model photographer guy." I'm not going to strive to be something that I'm not. That's why I'm so happy." He's been photo editor at Surfer Magazine (and is still a contributor), and is now photo editor for The Surfer's Journal, as well as the author of "Surfing Photographs from the 70s" and "Surfing Photographs from the 80s."

His work for The Surfer's Journal might include an 18-page photo-essay on an outrigger canoe race in Bora Bora, or a 12-page story on artist and surfer Julian Schnabel--as well as his own photography. Join us at Smashbox Thursday night to hear a little about his own amazing career and even more from his pick as one of the West Coast's Unsung Heroes... all info after the jump.
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SPD West: Unsung Heroes 4 "The Journey Is a Medium In Itself."

Rebeca Mendez is a designer and artist who works in film, video, photography and installations, focusing on her travels to the unfamiliar and extreme where she explores the way cultures express themselves through the style of nature they produce, be it Iceland, Patagonia, Svalbard archipelago in the high arctic, or the Sahara. Just one of her recent projects (and subject of her TEDx talk), "Circumpolar," would be an impressive effort for any artist; for Rebeca, it's just one of many art and design projects she works on simultaneously (see her artwork for the "Alphabet, Reconsidered" project). Join us Thursday night at Smashbox West Hollywood to meet this electrifying artist and her pick for one of the West Coast's Unsung Heroes. All info after the jump...
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SPD West: Unsung Heroes 4 "Making Art About Art"

Some people theorize that West Coast design is renegade, different and challenging, breaking with tradition, because the West Coast itself has a tendency to shift and shake, a constant reminder that nothing's permanent. We're don't know if that's true, but we do know we've got a tremendous lineup at Smashbox West Hollywood tomorrow night to talk about it, especially our keynote presentation: a discussion between West Coast heroes Lawrence Azerrad and John Van Hamersveld, talking assignments, typography, design, illustration and the power of art to communicate a bigger, permanent message, an emotional connection for the audience, reader or user. Now that we know is true.

We've got a little tease for you of what to expect from Lawrence after the jump, as well as a chance to snag some of the remaining tickets. You don't want to miss the cocktails, the networking, or the inspriation you'll get from us Thursday night.... … MORE

SPD West: Unsung Heroes 4 "It's an art form to actually be able to do this."

That's the most important thing. That's truly the art form of what this is. The art form of being a commercial photographer is basically solving the problem creatively, putting your stamp on it somehow that people do know it's you, and then having the client be happy at the end of day. That's the art form. People forget that; that it's an art form to actually be able to do this.

That's from one of our amazing presenters Thursday night at Smashbox West Hollywood, photographer and director Frank W Ockenfels 3. Read the full interview with Frank by A Photo Editor's Rob Haggart here, and get all the information (and your tickets!) to Unsung Heroes 4 after the jump so you'll be there to see who Frank's Unsung Hero is... … MORE