NY Times: Skype

This week, the NY Times ran a story on how people are using Skype, Facetime and other video chat methods to connect with people.  These devices/programs are a pretty amazing way of connecting or sharing with those you love without having to buy a plane ticket. 

Of course, nothing replaces the real thing, but seeing expressions and hearing laughter is pretty amazing when you're missing someone.  I got into Skype when I began travelling Internationally.  I'm now thinking that I need to video Skype a lot more - it's so easy and cheap!  Check it out if you haven't and read the article: Video Chat Reshapes Domestic Rituals.

LifeTime Fitness: Triathlon Commercial

This fall I worked with (now business partner at Royal Antler) Tony Franklin, my great friend and stellar camera operator, Mark Hawkins, and race director Dave Schutz to concept and shoot this TV short.  It will air Dec. 10th on NBC during the running of the Ironman World Championships.

We had a blast making this and could not have done it without our cute, amiable, and tough model - Mrs Megan Ping.  Thanks for all your efforts, Megan.  Brian Klein from Stone Arch Creative handled the editing for us.  Big thanks for his hard work too. 

Does anyone else miss warm weather?!

"Deep Custom" teaser

DEEP CUSTOM, the teaser from RoyalAntler on Vimeo.

All summer long and into winter, Tony Franklin and myself labored on a film project that was born purely from a desire to create something beautiful and meaningful on our friend Erik Noren.  Erik is the owner of Peacock Groove Custom Cycles and regardless of what you may have or will hear, the man is a bicycle building genius.

Watch the teaser, (maybe even come to our film showing on Dec 12th) and then watch the complete film and you will get a glimpse at what I mean.  He's also got a big heart and was amazing to work with.  Tony and I hope that this little film will show the world that Erik, besides being a nut, is wildly talented and special at what he does. 

Peacock Groove Forever!

Latest film: Devil's Path, New York

Well, the last in a series of 3 films is live today on GearJunkie.  Our trek of the Devil's Path in upstate New York was a great trek in a beautiful area.  Lots of up and down, but worth every step.  We went from Manhattan to the Catskills and back to make this film.  It was quite and adventure and I really enjoyed filming it. 

Garmisch, Germany

I had the good fortune of working in Germany last week and took a few days for myself to see the country.  I immediately hopped a train to the gorgeous town of Garmisch.  I had hoped to climb, but weather in the mountains degraded, and the guides all said "no". 

I hiked up a small moutain to shoot these photos and see what I could see.  I was not disappointed.

NY Times: Indoor Trees

My latest assignment for the NYT was to photograph houseplants -- an odd task.  It ended up being fun.

A link to Michael Tortorello's article:  The Indoor Tree:  A Tall, Green Slip of Summer

Employee Perks - Wall Street Journal

Last week the Wall Street Journal assigned me to shoot at a manufacturing plant in Plymouth, MN.  The company, Turck Inc. is trying to throw it's "low wage" employees a bone.  They are experimenting with work-from-home options, as well as, small increment "paid time off" allowances. 

A number of companies are starting to look for ways to keep employees happy and turnover numbers low.  GO read Rachel Emma Silverman's article if you'd like to know more:

"For Hourly Jobs, White-Collar Perks"

And here is an image that I never realized was published: From the WSJ's Photo of the Day page:

This shopper was waiting in the 11 degree cold around 1:00am on Black Friday last year.  I've never wanted to save money so badly that I'd sit in the cold outside a Target store.  Sorry, family members - it's just not worth it for this guy.