kodak autographic 4x5

~ This Kodak Model H camera is a recent find on my travels ~

Found in Portobello Market, London - December MMX
A new/old Camera to add to my growing collection !

exhibit b | photography series

~ Rouge 58 presents Exhibit B by Kareem Black ~
Inspired by Guy Bourdin
Debuting during New York Fashion Week

I am happy to be profiling an exhibition by a photographer that I not only have great respect for, but who is also a long time friend. I have known Kareem since 2006 and have had the pleasure of working with him on a few projects, but very few people know where our history actually began ~ which was surprisingly in the classroom. I was lucky enough to be under the tutelage of both Kareem Black and Matt Salacuse in early 2007 at School of Visual Arts (SVA) for photography and lighting ~ and thus a friendship was born. I also owe Kareem a great deal for having faith in my talents as an ambitious recent graduate ~ and for actually giving me my first editing job while I was still working for Spike Lee. So it always brings a smile to my face to see the mammoth strides that he has taken, and continues to take as an all-around stellar photographer and dope individual. My hats off to Kareem and all the individuals that made this exhibit possible ~ the images really do say it all. PS - I want all of the shoes featured.

Please take the time to preview a selection of images from his recent exhibition 'Exhibit B', that is currently showing at Rouge 58, and visit the exhibition before it closes on October, 6th.

Click below to view more.

eros and the curiosa | mix

This Selection of Cuts is an Exaltation of Love,
A Lament for the Sadness often Born of Love,
And a Recognition of the Space that Exists Between.

eros & the curiosa refers to intimate love and eroticism .

Design by Natasha Cooper © 2010

+ download +

identity and the logo

logo as symbol. logo as identity. logo as self.

A logo should at once be instantly recognizable, bold, true to its subject, and convey the essence of a brand, company, or indeed, person that it intends to represent. The language of the logo is one that has always fascinated me owing to the fact that beyond the face value of apparent simplicity, exists a complex set of pronounced and latent messages for the viewer to discern and make a judgement. As is true for the many forms of design, the logo speaks in every voice making it the supreme lingua franca - a symbol of the public self that traverses the barrier of words in a timeless fashion. I have always believed in the concept of "person as brand", and though it takes much time and work to build, it ultimately begins with the entity and the image.

The Logotype Variations & Renderings that follow were designed for a young author and entrepreneur. I have been creating a number of logos & identities of late, but I choose to share these in particular because they comprise some of my favorite logos I have created recently. Additionally, I wanted to offer a window into my creative process. As is true for everything in life, I belive that the process is as meaningful and interesting as the final product. No two designers will create in the same way - and I have always been more intrigued by "how" things are made, moreso than "what" is made.

The processes utilized by any one creative are always uniquely personal and supremely intimate.

please continue below to view the logo variations,
sketches, & design processes.

aïe magazine | issue zero

the essence & the founding principle of aïe are the attempts to make science accessible,
and find the vortex to allow aesthetics to take over.

I was contacted by the lovely Elle Azhdari, Art Director of AÏE Magazine (Paris), in regards to the recent launch of her new and laudable quarterly magazine that is dedicated to exposing the talents of an emerging generation of artists, photographers and designers, while also breathing new life into existing brands, styles and creative channels. It is indeed a feat to release a print publication in this current climate, what with the steady decline and expected demise of print media - but I fully support and herald those that choose to keep the Art of Print alive.

There is nothing quite like high grade printed material. A well constructed, thoughtfully art directed publication with attention to what some might consider "the minutia" (such as paper stock/weight) can add volumes to the subject matter within its pages, and indeed, be immortalized in a way that online magazines simply cannot. And AÏE promises all of the above, along with exclusive interviews, collaborations, and features surrounding topics as far-ranging as Science, Art, Fashion, and Music in an effort to adopt a bold and hypothetical approach to editorial content curation.

The first issue features the likes of fashion and science industry legends including; world renowned Zurich Gallery owner Bruno Bischofsberger; shoe designer Pierre Hardy; luxury jewellery designer Belmacz; the Oscar winner French collective H5; New York based artist José Parlà; the legendary 'It Boy' and artist Mark Gonzales; and the new music sensation We Have Band from London among other influential and cultural figures.

below are a few highlighted tear sheets & features from the new issue.

please continue below to view the tear sheets for issue 0
& to find out more about the publication.

helen furber | icica

For Shoe Lovers & Design Nerds Everywhere.



A Form of Excellence.
Product Design & Development.
Helen Furber creates ' The Icica'.

Every now and again, and by that I mean very infrequently, I come across something that really blows my mind. It is hard to do that in this day and age. Funny how the overabundance of information and just 'things' being created out there in general has lead to a complete clutter of the unnecessary to filter through - which has consequently become fifty percent of my job. However, every now and again I find something so worthy of being created, so thoughtfully crafted, so genius in it's concept, and so methodically executed and documented for the world to see that I am rendered somewhat speechless.

This is true for my discovery of Helen Furber, a BA Honor student that has been studying at London College of Fashion ~ and 'ICICA' is her final project ~ A concept wedge that is focused on sustainable, technology-focused design, and was sponsored by Y-3 Adidas, Studio Van der Graaf & Naturally Organic Leather.

Please click below to view more of Furber's Design Processes,
Editorial Shots, & Her Concept Video . . .

the reminiscence | portraits

The Reminiscence.
Past Work.
New Appreciation.

Over the past year or so I have been building The Vanguarde Craft & Creative with my partner - from nuts to bolts business planning, to securing substantial investments, developing a number of brands and properties that are scheduled to launch at the end of 2010 and throughout 2011 & 2012, and building a team of talented business and art pioneers. There is much in the pipeline, but all will remain hush hush as was intended because there is nothing worse than premature talk with no follow up. Sadly, it has taken time away from my role as photographer, so I am about to start re-establishing that part of myself and documenting... well - everything.

I have recently been going through my archives and compiling the photography component of my portfolio which I will release shortly. The majority of this work has never been seen - and as there is much more to come, I felt it best to organize and put it out before the next influx begins.

Here is a taste of what is to come . . .

All of the work shown here was shot on Film { Medium Format } over the past three years
From Early 2007 to The Present and ranges from Exhibition Work, to Commissions &
Personal Work.

Please click below to see all images . . .