Over the years I’ve had two major printers. One was Par Excellence in Shreveport Louisiana, the other was Ken Leiberman in New York. There is no doubt Ken was and still is a great printer. If you’re going to have a show at MOMA, or a San Francisco gallery, he may be your choice. Par Excellence is unfortunately out of business. My partner and best friend JoAnne Kalish is a master printer “and one hell of a great photographer,” she produces some impeccable “Giclee” prints to die for. As great as they are they just are not a photographic process per se. Without telling JoAnne, I made 60-20×30’s, and 12-16×20’s. They are awesome and if you would like to come by our Learning Center to look at them, make an appointment and I will gladly show them to you. The key is – the blacks are black, the white are white, and the skin tone is dead on, it does not get any better then that. Info on this photo is, Shutter Speed-1/10 second, Lens-100 mm macro, ISO speed-50 and it was taken on the new Manfrotto carbon fiber tripod 190cxpro3.
Dynalite at Gleason’s
“Thanks Joe for the shoot yesterday. Good thing I left when I did, a cop was 1 car away from mine giving out parking tickets.” Peter Poremba
Peter Poremba
www.dynalite.com
www.rimeliteusa.com
A Great Workshop Gleason’s Four
On Sunday March 25, I had one of the largest hands on workshops we’ve ever had. It was sponsored by Adorama and supported by Gealson’s gym. I have a big tank you for Monica Sipnic and Bruce Silverglade; the owner of Gleason’s. While I am thanking everyone, thank you Peter Poremba-CEO of Dynalite, JoAnne Kalish-president of DimaggioKalish-Learning center, Larry Malang, and of course all of the students who contributed to making it an overall great day!
Adorama Pixs Books
I just received a shipment of two new books from Adorama pics. There are very few things that amaze me and knock me on my ass. The quality of the books, the paper, and the binding are magnificent. That’s a strange adjective to use, but over all they just blow me away. When you realize the price is minuscule, that adds to the overall experience. Their web page is so easy to navigate even I can do it. Anyone who has been to my lectures/workshops knows I am not the most technically savvy person. Let me be perfectly clear, I do not work for or own Adorama, I am just another customer. By the way their customer service is impeccable, and shipping is extremely quick. It seems like everybody is an expert at everything; I am not. I love what I do, and now having the ability to create books that not only I enjoy, I also have them as great teaching tools.
The environmental portrait of Willie Nelson was done at 200mm, 1.8 lens at a 2/50o of a sec at 1.8 iso 500 on a gitzo monopod.
Bert Sugar aka Bert The Great
Good friends try to keep their requests for assistance down to a minimum. Every time I’ve asked Bert Sugar for a favor, he’s always come across. There is an old italian word for bert. He’s a real “Mench” You can tell how good my Italian is. Bert joined me and Dylan yesterday as Gleasons Gym to interview Oscar De La Hoya. Bert being the profesional that he is, made a few executive decisions. We managed to get through the day unscathed and with all of the information we needed for our film “In This Corner”. Oh my God, that’s the name of the blog! What a coincidence! As day was winding into early evening, Bert wanted to go for a cocktail. Anyone who knows Bert, has to get used to three things; his fedora, his cigar, and his double Chivas Regal neat. I’m pretty sure that’s scotch whiskey! So we left Gleason’s and strolled over to a lovely little wine bar, 7 Old Fulton. It was way to early for dinner, and way to late for lunch. It was perfect timing for us to kick back and exchange war stories. Bert just returned from Miami, where he helped our mutual friend Angelo Dundee re-open the 5th Street Gym, after having been closed for 17 years. Boxing is coming back to Miami in a big way.The principles at the restaurant were of Italian heritage from Triest. The decor was beautiful, the food spectacular, and a genuine warm place to go with some friends for a cocktail and dinner. I affectionally call Bert the “Bertster”, and he calls me Uncle Joe (don’t ask.) It was a great day, a hell of a lotta fun. That’s it, Signing off. – Joe D.
Birthday. The Bertster.
Everyday of our lives, is an important day. Six months ago I made a decision to teach a work shop at Gleason’s Gym. When my studio manager reminded me that it was my birthday I said great. I consider work a privilege and what better to do then teach photography at Glesons’ Gym. Its just does not get better then that. I knew it was going to a very special and an amazing eclectic group. From Brazil, Chili, Colombia, England, Norway, and all over the east coast. A great balance between men and women, and great help from JoAnne Kalish, Larry Malang, Peter Poremba. It was a hell of a great day. Life is funny, I was on a great natural high, and I got back to the studio. Did not check my voice mail, did not check my email, downloaded the cards, checked facebook. I don’t check it that often and I find one of my close friend died of a heart attack. It was Bert Sugar. On Wednesday, I called Bert, he answered me as usual “Uncle Joe.” I always call him the “Bertster”. I asked him how he was feeling, and he said” I have lung cancer, and have internal bleeding but that’s not the problem.” Then I asked him what the big problem was? He said, “I have F@$!#ing terminal acne.” Thats the Bertster, no matter what the dialogue is he always finds humor in it. He was loved by millions, hated by thousands, he was a true Damon Runyon character and a great friend. I will miss him, yes I will miss him… Off the record, he suffered “Cuttysheimers”, his words not mine. RIP Bert Sugar.
Bert Sugar, Playwright Budd Schulberg, and son Benn Schulberg
Bert Sugar
Captain Lou Albano, Bert Sugar
Bert Randolph Sugar at his finest at Gleasons’
All photos copyright Joe DiMaggio
81 Years Ago Was a Good Day
Photo ©Joe DiMaggio
To All The Ships At Sea:
I’ve had thousands of photo students. Some of them celebrities, politicians, FBI agents, butchers, bakers and candlestick makers. I come from the old school. I treat them all the same. I must admit Bill Shatner on one level was the easiest student I’ve ever had. He has a great eye, is a wonderful director and can that guy ride a horse!
Happy Birthday William. I can’t wait for 100
Photo ©JoAnne Kalish
Feb 22 Sorry I Missed It
I think John really captured the ambiance of Chinese new years I really like the way lady is looking up at the confetti, great shot!
“The Photo-walking Tour during the Chinese New Year celebration was phenomenal. I really learned a lot from your numerous street photography tips. I also enjoyed interacting with my fellow student photographers. I look forward to taking photos with you again soon.Here is a pic from the class that I hope you like. Thanks again for sharing your expertise!”
(John Pitts)
camera: NIKON D90
shutter speed:1/200 sec
focal length:32.0 mm
lens:17.0-50.0 mm f/2.8
Leon Russell Amazing!
Last night I had an opportunity to see a special on Leon Russell And Elton John Called the Union. Most of it was shot in London, the concert was at the Beacon. If you have not seen it, I highly recommend it and maybe able to come away with more passion in your photography. I guess when an artists endures for five decades and his peers pay him homage it’s all great. I spent a half hour with Leon maybe seven years ago. Huge talent, small ego, what a combination.
My favorite lens for actors musicians, actors, and dancers is the 200mm 1.8 for obvious reasons its light gathering power relatively long focal length, compact size, balance, and hand holdability. Of course I use it 90% at max apature and indoors. ISO was 125. http://ww2.eltonjohn.com/union/index.html
Better Late Then Never
Better late then never, just joking. Craig was one of the students in the chinese new year work shop and it seems that he did just fine. i like his passion!
“Well here are a few of my images from that great day. The Spring migration is going great, I took a break on Saturday and went to Washington DC to photograph the Cherry Blossoms and I’ll tell you they are busting out. As we were walking along the Tidal Basin I came up on the new monument honoring Martin Luther King, Wow it was amazing.” (Craig Leaper)
Joe DiMaggio 