Breathe. Thanks.

Life. It's big. It's bad. And it rocks. But most of all it's busy. Food to make, kids to clothe, errands to run, emails to write, photos to be taken, trash to be taken out, cars to maintain, film to develop, hard drives to clean, exercise to (theoretically) do, blogs to post, articles to read, family to call, spills to clean, floors to wash, heaters to set. You get the point. And yet somehow, amidst all the rush, there's peace. Calm, harmony, joy and sometimes even sleep. The key is to breathe. And then be thankful. I can't list my breaths but I can list what I'm thankful for.

The Biggies:

• My wife. The most beautiful, thoughtful, funny, real, hard working, and inspirational person I know. She is the strong foundation which allows us all to soar. She's also a fantastic (and über healthy) cook, a master fermenter, an awesome mother, and a constant nudge for me to exercise again. She's not afraid to tread her own path, but not for its own sake. (She even let me go on a week-long journey through Memphis and atlanta for the workshop of my life. While being a stay-at-home mom with four kids at home.) She absolutely, in the most non-literal meaning of the word, rocks.
• Zevi. The sweetest little four year old you've ever met. Why. He can crawl on four legs faster than most kids can run. Why. He always wants to do the right thing. Why. He tries to get me to floss everyday ("it's very good for you"), and if I ever can't find something he's the first one to ask (he is ridiculously observant). Why. He's super-inquisitive. And he's gorgeous.
• Chanaleh. The yin to Zevi's yang. She has no clue what's going on. She's in her own tiny beautiful world and once in a while invites us in. She has extra dimensions ("Sometimes I like kombucha, sometimes I don't and sometimes I like it all the times", "nexterday I want pancakes"), and an infectious laugh. The best cleaner-uper and cuddler. Just don't look into her eyes. You'll melt.
• Mendel. He's happy. Born into a rambunctious family he's a mellow mushball. He's obsessed with the Alef Beis, loves his crib, eats pretty much anything, the best kisser, takes care of Zusha and eats paint.
• Zusha. His first food was cheesecake. He's the cutest, fattest, heaviest, mushiest, happiest, most edible baby (time makes us forget how cute the others were). Period.
• G-d. It goes without saying, but all I have, is thanks to Hashem. He gave me this most amazing family that I didn't deserve, and gave me a gift of being able to do something I love and make money and memories. We are healthy, happy, well fed, with a roof over our heads. What else could one want?
• The Rebbe. The world is shrinking. Where once upon a time there were small communties of love and shelter, now we have the world in our pockets.The Rebbe gave us the knowledge and ability to get through the troubles and choices. I really don't know where I'd be without Chassidus and the Rebbe's implementation of that.

The almost as Biggies (also known as venti):

• My in-laws (including uncle). They are the best. They have the most amazing connection with my kids (something that due to many circumstances I never had). They help (a lot) with babysitting, playing, hosting, cleaning, maintaining the cars, cooking, and if we're ever in a tight place they are more than happy to help out. And they are very supportive of my budding photography career. You guys are amazing.
• My family. We're all busy running our own lives, but someone is always there forcing us to get together and have a good time. I wish I could spend more time with you guys, but that's just how it is. I love you.

The also very important (the spices that add all the yumminess). This list is nowhere near exhaustive:

• For all the Genesis peeps I met over the past two weeks. What a remarkable group of people! I'm sure I will treasure your friendships for a very long time.
• For making me never gain weight :).
• For finding an awesome house to rent with a huge backyard.
• For the word "awesome"
• For this ridiculously beautiful part of the world I live in.
• For genuinely nice people. And there are a lot of them.
• For coffee.
• For it still being legal to kill cows and eat them.
• For Hollywood (for making it possible to still produce film)
• For the fact that all my kids love playing with each other and hanging out together.
• For sunsets
• And sunrises
• And for being able to push black and white film to 6400.

           

Film. Why I love it. (And other silly mistakes).

As it turns out I am heading off to an awesome workshop in Memphis for a few days. They're going to tell me that I have to cater my blog to clients and potential clients and not just random readers. In other words cut the techy, geeky stuff and post pictures. And I'm probably going to listen to them (to a degree). In other words I don't think I'm going to be posting as much about gear (as much as I'm obsessed with it) and more about the actual photographs. But until then...

Film: Expensive, annoying, time-consuming, obsolete.

Digital: Quick, easy, cheap, modern.

So why would anyone in their right mind shoot film?

Answer A. They're not in their right mind.

Answer B. This one is a bit long. There are absolute benefits and fringe benefits, but Im going to group them together as they are somewhat intertwined.

So here goes:

• Latitude: Film captures more in the shadows and waaaaaay more in the highlights. Especially some of the new films.
• More latitude means you could be a little freer with your exposures, less worry (though you should still nail your exposures).
• Image quality: Skin tones on film look better. Period. The color looks better and somehow it manages to smooth away blemishes while still being sharp. Magic.
• Digital cameras have one sensor which is optimized for certain qualities. In a film camera you could have a bunch of different sensors (films) for different looks.
• Choice in cameras: In digital you are limited to high end Canon, Nikon and if you're a bit brave Sony (and maybe Leica). In film you have a huuuuge choice of cameras of which almost all of them take spectacular pictures. And they are much much much cheaper.
• Obsoleteness: Your $3000 digital camera (and mine for that matter) will be worth $50 in ten years. Your $500 film camera will be worth $1000 in ten years.
• When a new film comes out you shot got to pop it in. No need to buy a new camera.
• Sensor size: In digital you are limited to 35mm (or medium format if you're absolutely loaded, but then you lose any decent high iso capabilities), in Film you got everything from Minox cameras (spy cameras) to 8"x10". Larger sensor=cooler pictures.
• You got to know (or learn quickly) your stuff. No chimping (looking at your screen and saying "oooh!! ooooh!!) and changing your settings accordingly.
• As a result you are more involved in the shoot/hike/client/gondola ride, instead of playing with your camera.
• Film cameras tend to be much simpler. A shutter speed dial. An aperture ring and thats it. No menus designed by sadists. Simple is good.
• You do more to get the shot. Knowing that each picture costs $$$ makes you take that extra step to make sure all is good, to get a better angle, to catch the light, to wait for an expression etc.
• The cameras look cool.
• If you send your negatives off to a good lab (of which there are but few) your scans come back ready to go. No adjustments needed. Crazy huge time saver.
• Less shots means less time spent sifting through finding the "best".
• Less time in front of a computer makes the world better place.

One important caveat: You must send the film to a reputable lab for developing and scanning. I use Richards Photo Lab in LA which is amazing. It also costs a pretty penny. And it is so worth it. That last shoot I posted, it was all on medium format film shot with my new Contax 645 (more on that later)and 80mm lens. Not one photo had any edits done by me (besides an occasional straightening). None. And do you see those skin tones? I could spend hours in photoshop and not be able to get anything close to that with digital.

Here are some from my first roll with my new camera (obviously they're of my fam, no testing new gear on clients!). Straight scans untouched by me:

       

Awesome yes?

Here are a bunch from the Mamiya developed by Walmart (ouch, not good idea, especially for black and white, notice all those dots on the last few?) and scanned by me. Most of the color I ended up just converting to black and white (though I could have spent more time in photoshop getting them right). Way more time consuming and doesn't look anywhere near the scans by Richard Photo Lab. Lesson learned.

             

And the biggest mistake? Buying Jonathan Canlas' FIND guide (film is not dead guide) almost a year after I first started playing around with film. It would have saved my a lot of money and even more time. Now you know. Don't make the same mistake.

Win a Free Photo Shoot

I'm doing it. Selling out. Buying friends and fans. And I love it. Here's what you gotta do to win a free, all expenses paid photoshoot by the ultra-fantabulous, uber-talented, and quite possibly the biggest bearded photographer within the nearest 100 miles:

1. Go to my facebook page and "like" me. That's "like" not like.
2. "Share" the post about getting a free shoot. That's "share". You don't have to actually share things.
3. Comment on the free shoot post that you "liked" and "shared" and

...be automatically (on your part, not mine. I have to take the time to actually figure out this whole raffle thingie) entered to win one of two free shoots.

Why two? you might ask. Well the first is to get lots of peoples checking out my work and spreading the good name of Zalmy Berkowitz Photography over all 4 corners of the cyber globe. The second is to prove that I'm not just doing this to get fans (which I actually am). And I like shooting. So the more the merrier.

What you get:

• 2 hours (or more) of you and yours posing (i.e. doing your thing and having a blast) and me shooting.
• Online gallery for you to buy prints.
• Physical proofs (real prints!! 4x6.5 inchers)
• 1 free 8x10 incher.
• Quality time with the aforementioned me.
• Love, Harmony, Peace, and Karma.

Rules, Regulations and tax exemptions:

• You must be over 18 to enter.
• Up to five people per shoot. Unless I really like you.
• Time and place are up to me. Trust me (though if you have any cool ideas please fill me in).
• I live in Southern California. If you don't live in these parts, and don't plan on visiting soon, please don't enter (though feel free to "like" and "share").
• Your free shot is claimable for up to three months from drawing date. Unless you have a darn good reason for requesting an extension (pursuant to California tax code pf853a).
• The actual drawing/raffle/lotto will commence at 9:43 PM Pacific Standard Time in the 2nd of November. Entries will be accepted until then.

To Summarize:

If you wanna chance to win like a free shoot, you gotta like 'like" my page and then, like, "share" this post and then you're like entered! (I'm from the OC so I was like taught to talk like this.)

And that's all folks!

And since no post is complete without pics, here are a bunch of random recent photos to whet your appetite (no eating little kids!!).                     

Long Live Facebook!

Cassy + Chad + Film = Epic

I started my photographic journey around two years ago when I picked up my first SLR and a copy of Understanding Exposure by Bryan Peterson (absolutely required required reading for anyone starting out with photography). After some time I was getting quite decent photos of my kiddos and people starting asking me to take pictures of their families. And so it grew. But I never really got the chance to work with people who were willing to give me a large chunk of time and be willing and able to pose for me (kids are great and all but you are very much limited to their whims). And in order for me to grow as a photographer and actually find my vision this is something I am going to have to do more often. My wife has some awesome friends from her high school days that were kind enough to help me out. Cassy and Chad are really cute people and make a beautiful couple. They grew up and live in Huntington Beach so I figured we'd keep it local and keep it real. Thanks! I have a lot to learn in regards to posing but I think I did a pretty decent job (though of course I see all the mistakes :))

Also, as of late I've been using more and more film and recently picked up a fantastic film camera (another one!!) so I wanted to try it out and see what it could do. This was my first all film shoot (I didn't even bring my digital camera). I did not yet have an external light meter (though I have bought one since) so I used the the built in spot meter and a good deal of guessing. My biggest mistake was loading a slower film at the end of the day (dork). Live and learn.

I was quite nervous as I've never done a shoot like this and I really wanted to make a good impression so I promptly locked my keys into my car, and had Chad drive me around (it's quite scary how easy it is for AAA to open a locked door). Good job Zalmy.

I'll be posting soon what it is I really like about film, but it seems like it's going to be in my bag for quite a while (and might even drive my digital equipment out for a bit).

Enjoy.

Some park somewhere around PCH

This family is AWESOME. Each kid has such a great and distinct personality (and the parents also rock).

Check back soon for some awesome posts/announcements.

Goodbye Steve Jobs

It's odd how I feel today. I'm obviously a big fan of Apple and of Steve but I've never given too much thought about why.

I'm actually sad. I'm not grief stricken or anything, just a bit sad. And even the skies seem to be weeping a bit.

Steve was a modern day Dagny Taggart. A giant among men. A great man. Apple will go on but only if it embodies the vision of it's founder. Of one man. Apple was able to accomplish what it did (fundamentally change every industry it entered), because it didn't let it's success lead it down the rabbit hole of board room decisions, corporate decrees, and stockholders outcries.

One man changed the music industry, the phone industry and to a large degree the computer industry. He led a crusade for simplicity, for beauty, and for above all function.

Of course I don't agree with everything he did, but if he cared about what others thought of him Apple would have been dead 15 years ago and we'd be living in a world of thousands of buttons, dials, wheels, widgets, of clutter and plastic.

So I raise my cup of tea and say goodbye to a man who proved that man can be great, as long as he has a vision and the conviction to follow it.

Goodbye Steve.