They gave me a host of topics as options from the time the Rubik’s cube made its way to China to the day Russia ran out of vodka. . . perhaps the most mind-boggling topic was real-life hamsters that get drunk!

All of the briefs were hysterical and ripe for interpretation, but I ended up pursuing:

1) The unpoppable balloon trick: a ruse where carnies use under-inflated balloons and very light darts as a means to take all your money at the county fair.
2) The birth of miniature golf courses in England and America.
3) The Syrian golden hamster which has evolved and adapted its body to ingest alcohol as a means to get through lean times.

My art director, Winslow Taft, and I started straight in on the miniature golf idea.

My caveat to him was that it’d cost a little more to make since I’d have to tap a prop builder given the turnaround time. Without hesitation he said, do it and my heart swooned in forever bromance/client crush’dom.

I gave my good friend and colleague, Mr. John Lavin of Lavin + Stacey, a shout. We chatted for twenty minutes and John just got it since we have a similar sense of humor.

I sent him the sketch above with this direction “you know, like tiny sand traps and model train trees. . . imagine a 400 yard hole or whatever at the Master’s.”

A couple days later, John sent the image above, and I damn near had a seizure over the excitement of seeing it come to life.

The necessary props were procured and a couple days later my wife came into the studio – with our baby on her back – to be my golfer since men’s legs read like hippopotamus thighs on camera.

After wrapping up the golf component, the next phase was tackling the most important part of the project – an interior shot and cover image illustrating drunken Syrian hamsters.

I should note that there are indeed hamster wranglers out there, but they’re super flaky and take five days to respond to you by email or phone. So after being in the dark for a spell, I made an executive decision and headed to Petco.

At 9pm on a Friday night, one’s options for Syrian golden hamsters are rather limited, so my choice was made in two parts:

1) Mrs. Mark C. Taylor (yes, she’s a famous Deconstructivist Philosopher Theologian) didn’t bite me after a minute of handling.
2) When you’ve got Gretchen Hilmers of G-tou doing your retouching and post, making brown hamsters golden is the least of your worries.

Gretchen confesses that her favorite image we’ve done lately has to be the hamsters. Here’s from her:

I really enjoyed putting the elements together, even down to the little party hat..really put my ‘AWWWWW’ factor into overdrive. My favorite ultra dorky photoshop thing was turning them from gray to orange! Is that too nerdy? If I had some glasses I’d adjust them for seriousness.

That’s Mrs. Mark C. Taylor above in Gretchen’s notes image to Winslow in prepping the cover. Below is how the hamster image ran on the interior of the mag along with our county fair balloon image.

Should note that the cover was a bit of a collabo as well since my brother-from-another-bama-mother, Cary Norton, shot those shiny balloons to letter the FUN of the FUN issue.

No lying, this has got to be one of my favorite jobs of 2012. Keep posted for new updates coming down the pipe very soon!

More always,

Clinard

If the name sounds vaguely familiar, it’s because he’s the guy that created Cranium, the board game that has you hum, draw, sculpt and charade your way through.

Now the guy behind Boomboom Brands and an energy drink called Golazo, he’s a clever guy and one of the more exploratory and “willing to go there” portrait subjects I’ve had the good fortune of shooting lately.

The term “golazo” is an expression Spanish-speaking circles use to describe the most amazing goal (think bicycle kick by a unicorn) ever seen/witnessed/made during a soccer match.

The image below is only an approximation of how incredibly passionate Richard is for soccer and it’s culture, and I think his energy drink is aptly named.

This project went so incredibly smooth! It was helped by the fact that I had an amazing crew that day in addition to a super chill and down-to-earth portrait subject.

To give folks an idea of what I mean, thought it be fun to debut a video project my colleague Dylan Priest shot that day. It’s about a minute and a half and shows the crew and Richard hanging out, having fun and taking pictures.

It’s embedded below, so if you don’t see it check it out on Vimeo here.

More always,

Clinard

As with most folks FC’s highlighting, she’s like a jedi in her area of practice – this time in the way of developing a system to better monitor vital signs while one’s in the hospital.

Many areas of the medical center were under construction, so the job was proving to be logistically challenging. However, in an 11th hour move – and after I’d pretty much agreed on something else with my photo editor – I walked down the hall and found this empty post-op room just waiting for us (outtakes below).

A few iPhone pics later, and we were shooting the above.

We even managed to duck into these nifty sleeping quarters that the residents use in an effort to rebound from the many straight hours of life-saving work.

Many thanks to Shelley, FC and my buddy Patrick Wheaton for lending a hand.

More always,

Clinard

The article’s a pretty good read and reminded me of a visit my wife and I took to the Balagan’s basement theater some years back to see their production of Steve Martin’s Picasso at the Lapin Agile.

I’m not too big a fan of large theater productions. For some reason, it’s harder for me to suspend my disbelief because 1) I’m usually sixty feet away from the stage, and I’m looking at all the other people in front of me. And 2) those plays feel like a kid’s movie in three dimensions — all sparkly and with pretty, iridescent colors happening just so in that perfectly contained proscenium stage.

What I like about “fringe” theater is that there’s usually a closer proximity between performer and audience member. The stage isn’t separate from the audience member’s immediate personal space at times and there’s something rather uncomfortable and more compelling about that. It’s living art or rather a disruption in what I call the “virgule” between art and life.

It was quite a treat to photograph these young performers and to experience their transformation as they acted out certain scenes from their play Spring Awakening.

Since the whole Mike Daisey debacle, I’ve been thinking a lot about art and life. The subject used to consume me and — in my younger days — was quite a large theme in the non-objective artwork and performative pieces I created (that’s me below at the University of Iowa during my graduate studies in Intermedia workshopping a piece called Confrontation).

I didn’t really get swept up in Mike Daisey fever since I always had this sinking suspicion that he was a satirist. Anyone that attends a theater production featuring a monologist being dramatically top-lit would have to admit that they’re entering into an implicit contract with the performer that dictates one hold on for a second while making any judgments as to the soundness of his assertions.

I won’t argue the ethics of what Daisey did. Rather, I’ll note that the debate that’s come out of all this is pretty thought provoking. What is journalistic integrity: its limits and gray areas? Is what he did “wrong?” If anything, the fallout has spurred a renewal in what we hold to be beautfiful, valuable and worth preserving.

It’s like burning the thatch off a lawn so that the grass comes back fuller and greener next time around.

Many thanks to editor Leah Baltus and art director Dan Paulus for this assignment. It got me thinking in more ways than one.

More always,

Clinard

It’s been a while since we spent that lovely Saturday with Leroy (Leroy Bell – the X-Factor contestant who I shot some months back)… I wonder if you might be interested in doing another cover shoot? The story is about pot… more specifically driving high… more specifically how high is too high to drive?

There was nothing more to say other than I’m in, so I got started straight away on concepting this project for Jane Sherman of Seattle Weekly.

She was quick to point out that the magazine wasn’t interested in doing something too clinical but more irreverent like someone hitting a bong behind the wheel.

Think the usual expectation might be to see a 20-something in this particular role, but I wanted to turn this one a bit more on its ear.

Like for example, a grandmother character that used marijuana for her glaucoma, and — while enroute to the grocery store to pick up a few ingredients for her weekly dinner with the grandchildren — she crossed the center line and got pulled over by the police. My art director was receptive to the idea but said she would have to be one of the most over-the-top Grandmas in existence.

So when I wrote back to confirm my buddy Adam Schmitt’s 101 year-old grandmother, Evelyn, agreed to be our model, Jane’s mind was put at ease when I shared the images above and below.

I’d never met Evelyn in person, but I was well-versed with her “dramatic range.” On Adam’s Facebook page, I’ve seen her hitting bottles of whiskey and brandishing firearms for the camera, so I knew the potentially taboo topic of driving under the influence of marijuana would be a fun theme for us to explore.

Adam’s sister, Jennifer — who just so happened to be in town from Boston — was a great help with Evelyn’s wardrobe, additional propping and the general production side of things as we shot the project south of Seattle in Steilacoom.

Smoke was added with the aid of a fog machine and dry ice contained in the glass pipe. My sister-in-law’s Chevy Malibu proved to be the perfect stunt car.

Super big thanks to the talented Gretchen Hilmers of G-tou for additional effects and post. Peep it below to get a sense of how it ran on the cover of the magazine.

Additional thanks to my art director, Jane Sherman, Adam Schmitt (who was also my cop), his sister Jennifer, Gregg the assistant, and especially, Evelyn, who took time out of her schedule to make this rad project the best it could be.

SIDENOTE: While in her home, I learned Evelyn was quite the canner as evidenced by the shelves of goods kept in the garage. As thanks, I arranged a portrait sitting showcasing one of her favorite hobbies that’s helped to keep her 101 years young.

Props to Ian of Gigantic Squid for lending the touch to the one above.

This was a super fun project! I look forward to posting more new work and updates in the coming days.

More always,

Clinard

I had an in-depth conversation with them a couple months back about the steps I took to transition from assistant to photographer, so it’s super humbling to have one’s experience recounted for others to read and learn from.

There’s a lot of information there, but for those making their own march up or the seasoned pro who’s reminiscing, here’s what assisting represents to me:

It is a window of time to practice the business-side of photography on a micro level. In the beginning, you’re going to write horribly verbose email and stammer like crazy on the phone. For six months, no one is going to write you back, or they’re going to say “call me in six months.” You may get discouraged, but if you push through it, you’re going to find that your emails become razor sharp: tactful, witty and to-the-point. After some time, you’re going to make calls and find you’re in and out of it in a minute or two like it was a bank heist — resolve and clarity in your message.

Assisting is also the perfect stomping ground to learn the subtle art of negotiation and relationship building. You might agree to anything in the way of rate in the beginning. With enough time, you’re going to have three or four questions that act as a baseline to determine your value to them and their value to you. Day rates, travel days, and kit rental fees — even referring a colleague — become white poker chips since your actual economy is building and cementing new relationships.

Do that enough times, and you’re ready to make the leap. If you’ve got a killer voice and style to the work, then you’re doubly ready.

Super big thanks to David and Amber at Photo District News for the opportunity. Big shout to Kenny for pointing me toward their tweet.

More always,

Clinard

Here’s a quick tally:

1) two cover/feature projects — one of which involved the 101 year-old Grandma seen above
2) two lookbooks for local clothiers
3) a conceptual still-life project for an inflight magazine
4) making notecards float
5) having fun with the American flag
6) a project that involved a rented 737
7) constructed tableaux scenarios regarding the War of 1812

Look forward to posting more about that stuff soon, but — in the meantime — here are a few updates of note.

My website now showcase more of my conceptual/humorous work. New imagery, improved categories/galleries and a tearsheets section. Check it out here.

In addition, my work can be seen on At-Edge, both on their website and in their Microview Sourcebooks.

You’ll also find more of my work over on FoundFolios.

In other news, Amanda Sosa-Stone did a short Q&A session with me recounting my 2011. It was truly a banner year considering it was my first year shooting since leaving assisting in late 2010.

Keep your eyes peeled for more mention of me in that regard out on the national photo blogosphere sometime later this week.

More soon,

Clinard

This assignment was shot at Roy Street Coffee, a pretty cool cafe on Capitol Hill offering a wide range of coffees and teas along with baked goods from The Essential Baking Company.

Probably one of the more fun groups I’ve had the pleasure of working with lately, these folks have their hands in all manner of the company’s social media and partner relation channels. The above outtake shows Mr. Arthur Rubinfeld, chief architect of the Roy Street concept, in the right foreground stirring it up with his colleagues.

What’s interesting about the Roy Street location — besides the fact you can grab a beer or vino if you’re not looking to get caffeinated — is its respect for the environment whereby reclaimed wood and repurposed objects are used throughout the cafe as architectural elements and adornments.

On my scout day, I absolutely fell in love with the wall above.

Nine portrait subjects meant establishing a lighting approach that was rather broad in scope. Better stated, I wanted to “pitch” light into a general area and not so much on any one, individual person.

Knew I’d get something amazingly candid by sitting this group of talented gals/guys down and leaving them be. Got about ten minutes in before they realized we were working again.

Really love the scenario above since nothing brings together a group of folks faster than smartphones and good java!

Thanks so much to Fast Company and the team at Starbucks for an amazing shoot!

Destroy 2012,

Clinard

Things came together rather quickly on this one. Think I was contacted that Wednesday, the 21st of December and was told our shoot date was the 28th.

Oh yeah, there was that little thing called Christmas on the 25th. Problem? Not at all, I love pressure.

Must confess that I’m really lucky to have a large network of friends and colleagues who just so happen to be among the country’s top photographers. Joe Pugliese and right-hand, Kerensa, came through with thoughts on gear rental and general logistics. They had some assisting names as did my buddy, Misha Gravenor. Gregg “ever-in-flight” Segal had some of the best jedi air travel knowledge, simply texting “just talk to Ken at CarlsonWagonlit.”

Pre-production was all but done, so I was able to shoot my estimate over that Thursday, get it approved, secure gear, hire assistants, and book travel by that Friday the 23rd. By the time I left, this is how my project folder looked.

Little diary in pictures below.

I wanted to travel pretty light for this project, so besides my computer/camera rigs, I only took a soft-bag of niche chimeras. Prefer my modifiers to be completely water-logged and smelling of must after any flight. Kind of helps with my whole self-mythologization project.

If it’s not the magliner, then it’s the Smart Carte. Protip: bungee cord is must have. . . (I heard “protip” more times then I could count down at Google – became a bit of an inside joke with me and my guys assisting)

I chose the Chevy Tahoe 4×4 with an interior capacity of “school bus.” Opting for the environmentally-friendly edition, peep how many miles I got to the gallon.

Rental House humor discovered while charging back-up batteries.

Was doing some “night-before-shoot” sketching for my Photo Editor, Kate Osba. **Sidenote: if you haven’t checked out my 10 minute interview on her “This is the What” blog, check it out right here** // **DOUBLE SIDENOTE: CONGRATS ON HER UPCOMING “THIS IS THE WHAT” MAGAZINE, TOO. . . peep the Kickstarter page, son!**

One of the first things I noticed about the Googleplex is 1) the perks and 2) the personalization of each and every employee work area. This dude had a feelings box. . . stellar.

Google goes out of it’s way to accomodate each person. If you’re PC, they’ll get you on a PC platform. You like Mac, then they’ll get you a Mac. You’re a pirate, be a pirate.

Do you wanna have your strategy meeting over a few bowling frames? Cool, go for it. Chat up the ladies about the next revolution in web standards and SEO while you’re at it.

Organic cupcakes anyone? Here, help yourself at our most awesome, all-you-can eat FREE buffet — one of 18 around the campus! Don’t know how our gal managed to eat four more after this frame was taken.

How about some juice to wash it all down with? Grab your sippy cup because it’s bring your kid (or dog) to work day. . . like everyday. Love the cheeks on that kid. . .

By the time I was finished, I was photo drunk. Tons of stuff to see, all of it photo-worthy. Even managed to snap this pic of Google’s ‘Self Driving Car’ as I was heading to the airport.

If you wanna get a tour of the campus, there’s a pretty great YouTube video here. Thanks again to the Fortune photo department! This issue is OUT NOW on newsstands!

Destroy 2012,

Clinard

It then came as a great surprise to get an email back in September from their AD, Winslow Taft, asking if I’d photo-illustrate an upcoming feature. After reading his abstract regarding science attempting to solve 10 of the world’s most annoying problems, it really wasn’t hard to say yes.

WRONG WEATHER FORECASTS
WHINY KIDS
WOMEN WHO DATE JERKS
SPAM
OVERHEARD CELL PHONE CONVOS
SONGS STUCK IN YOUR HEAD
NAME AMNESIA
LONG WORK MEETINGS
CEREAL DUST
BEER GOGGLES

His list above had some immediate contenders for me, so I got started straight away on my typical doodle-sent-to-creative exercise that helps to gauge which ideas he liked most.

Our collaboration was effortless, and I really loved how this thing came into being as a barrage of emails sent over one weekend. Perhaps one of my favorite Winslow lines from our convos:

maybe something with powerpoint slides – slide 4 of 1000. . . maybe rip van winkle is passing a plate of donuts with dust and spiderwebs on it?

I wanted a very distilled look to the images that would put the concept front and center. Because these images were photo illustrations — their payoff being completed in post — we opted to photograph all the scenarios in a controlled, studio environment.

In the end, we decided to pursue cereal dust, overheard cell phone conversations, songs stuck in one’s head a.k.a. earworms, long work meetings and spam email.

Sounds weird, but I just saw the spam image so clealy in my mind’s eye before it was ever completed. Because of this, the direction for the shoot had already formed as this modern-day everyman in a quasi-purgatory space going about his daily tasks.

All of the images were preconceived, so it was just a matter of marrying plates containing subject matter — the cans of spam above for example — with the everyman character in another image to create the final, finished photograph.

If you have seven minutes and are still in the dark as to what I’m getting at, there’s a pretty good video tutorial on the compositing process within Photoshop over on Layers Magazine here.

Thanks to Ian Goode for coming out of his squid tank to lend that stellar face of his, not to mention his rad photoshop skills.

Must also extend a big thanks to Mr. Donald Markwick for his amazing beard and Ms. Alexandra Rose Dennis for her multiple personalities (chuckle).

Couldn’t be more pleased with how these turned out, I hope to tackle something like this again soon. Either way, keep your eyes peeled for more exciting updates coming up!

More always,

Clinard