Picture Stories by Stephen Alvarez

Ocracoke Island

hanging out at the Surf Shop on Ocracoke

With Hurricane Earl bearing down on North Carolina people are packing up and leaving Ocracoke Island. The hurricane is supposed to strike a glancing blow to the NC coast, but a glancing blow to an island with no bridges could be pretty serious. The good news is that the surf should pick up.

 Cord  Hieronmus surfs near Kill Devil Hills, NC

The surf at least should make some people happy.

Stephen Alvarez

Sewanee, TN
 

Communication Arts insight interview

 
For those of you who read my Communication Arts insight interview, this is an aerial from the assignment that produced snottites. It was a story about a hydrogen sulfide cave system in Mexico. The sulfur dyes the water in the stream light blue. The sulfur also produces said snottites. There is a photo of the slimy buggers below and yes that is sulfuric acid at their tip. To read about one of my other strange assignment experiences, Maximon, go to this bog post (here). 

Shooting strangers and other humorous photo tips from Pix Boom Ba

You have got to watch this video! Veteran photographers Bob Caputo and Cary Wolinsky dispense photo wisdom with their trade mark humor. Don't know if you will pick up any photography but you will definitely  laugh.

 Stephen Alvarez

Sewanee, TN

Aftermath Project Grant Deadline is November 1

This year's Aftermath Project grant has been announced. It is a $20,000 award for covering the aftermath of conflict. The application is here.

Burgess Death of Photojournalism followup

Reflecting on Neil Burgess' Death of Photojournalism editorial (here). One of his major points is

"Magazines and newspapers are no longer putting any money into photojournalism. They will commission a portrait or two. They might send a photographer off with a writer to illustrate the writer’s story, but they no longer fund photojournalism. They no longer fund photo-reportage. They only fund photo illustration."

In my career I have shot for many many magazines. Most of the publications operated like Burgess describes they want(ed) the photographer to illustrate a written story. Most of those publications are already gone. Only one magazine has ever sent me out the door to actually be a photojournalist and it is still in business, still assigning photo essays, still accepting proposals from photographers.

I've always thought that National Geographic was unlike any other magazine in the world. I think that now more than ever.

Stephen Alvarez

Sewanee, TN

Neil Burgess says Photojournalism is dead

We have heard this before, photojournalism has died many times, but when the man who represents Salgado says it maybe we should pay attention. Read it HERE.

"...Seven British-based photographers won prizes at the ‘World Press Photo’ competition this year and not one of them was financed by a British news organisation. But this is not just a UK problem. Look at TIME and Newsweek, they are a joke..."

-Stephen Alvarez

Sewanee, TN

Steve Winter on NPR's Picture Show

See Steve Winter's interview on NPR's Picture Show (here).

 

Canon 1ds MK IV is being tested

A follow up to Sunday's post. My friend confirmed that he has the new canon 1ds MK IV in his hands and is testing it this week in physically "difficult" conditions. He hasn't given up any details about the camera yet, but should soon.

-Stephen Alvarez

New print of Fiery Gizzard Donate to win

 Ravens Point, Fiery Gizzard, TN

Most of you know that large part of Fiery Gizzard is up for sale and that the Land Trust for Tennessee is trying to raise money to purchase land that has been enjoyed as a public park but is in fact in private hands (here).

Last week I gave a print away to raise money. It was very successful, so this week I'm upping the ante and doing it again. 

I will give a print of the photo above to the first person who donates $600 or more to the purchase. The process is simple, follow this link (donate) and make your donation. Then send me a note (info at alvarezphotography dot com), if you are the first one, you get the picture. I'll confirm with the land trust and mail you the photograph.

The print is approximately 20 x 13 inches on a 17x22 inch archival paper signed and dated by me. 

You can use the same link to make a donation of any amount, none is too small. 

Why am I doing this? Fiery Gizzard is an extraordinary place and over the years it has meant a lot to me and my family.

-Stephen Alvarez

Sewanee, TN

Canon 1ds MK IV

A friend told me that there are some Canon 1ds MK IV test models floating around. That means 2 things. The much awaited camera's release is imminent and we should have a first look at it here soon.

-Stephen Alvarez