NYC again!

As some of you must know by now Kate and I are moving back to NYC. I thought I should do a quick post about it. Los Angeles has been great. In the last two years I shot two projects that I am very proud of, 'Homies' and the soon to be completed 'Day Laborers'. I had a lifestyle change that I plan to continue in NYC. And most importantly I have met some amazing people and made some great friendships that I will have for the rest of my life. I can't wait to come back for work or for fun and see everyone. Too many people to thank individually on here, but I hope to see you in person before I leave. I hit the road around mid Sept. with my Dad for a week or so road trip back to the East Coast. Should be a good little adventure and I should have a few nice blog posts from it like I did from our trip out here.

There were many reasons to stay and many to go back, in the end NYC won out.

I am already researching and lining up some projects for the East Coast. Good things to come!

Pete Brook's Kickstarter Project: 'Prison Photography' on the Road: Stories Behind the Photos

A few posts ago I talked about my recent interview on the acclaimed blog Prison Photography by Pete Brook. Pete has started a kickstarter funding campaign to raise money to take 'Prison Photography' on the Road.

Several photographers including myself have donated prints to raise money for this project. DONATE whatever you can or even buy a print and help Pete make this happen.

You can learn more about the project on his blog or on the Kickstarter page.


and here's Pete's pitch

I will also be one of the people he interviews.

THANKS!

Utah

Did a job in Utah last month. Was a really nice time, with a really great crew and production company, Aspen Productions, they were awesome. Can't sing their praises enough. Liz and Jere run a smooth ship.



Clouds from a small airplane.






Dead bugs in a web.
Lake Powell, UT/AZ






Lake Powell, UT/AZ







Ranch Dog
Zion, UT







Tree
Zion, UT








Cowgirl
Zion, UT







Sunrise
Moab, UT







Hot air baloon handlers
Moab, UT








Small rodent like animal
Moab, UT








Arches National Park, UT









Delicate Arch, UT







Airport
Moab, UT

Kate

From one of our last walks together in Montecito Heights
Los Angeles, CA

Interview by Pete Brook on Prison Photography

My latest interview about the Homies series is by Pete Brook who's blog Prison Photography has really given a venue to socially conscious image making and issues surrounding prisons, incarceration, and social justice. His blog was recently awarded 'Best Photoblog Award 2011' by LIFE. Pete is also the editor of Wired's photography blog Raw File.


I have had a few other interviews on this project but I think that Pete really hit on a few great questions about my process both visually and conceptually. Please take a sec. to check it out here.




I feel that each time I get to do one of these interviews I get to rethink the project a bit and explain things a little better. I am starting to really enjoy the process of writing and talking about my work which is something I really haven't had to do since art school.

Interview on photographer Tony Fouhse's blog

Thanks to Tony for a great interview. Check it out here.

4th O' July 2011

Kate and I made our annual trip PA. Such a great time this year, spent about a week on that property and could have spent a week more. Here's a few pictures from that week.


Here's Marion's father Bolo. I've tried to make a few portraits of him in the past, this is definitely the best yet. Be sure to check out his one of a kind furniture here.

Aurelio Bolognesi






Kate






Addie





Not sure if I posted anything about Addie's bar in Brooklyn that she opened a few months ago. Called the Anchored Inn, check it out. I know I've linked this before too but definitely worth checking out, Addie's art work.

Addie






Marion has been selling a bunch of new prints, check them out here.

Marion








Tubes








Jen






Some new folk this year included James. Great dude, awesome addition to this year's trip.

James







I don't think I've given any attention yet to Jon's new site on my blog. His found object sculpture work is really amazing. Check it out here.

Jon









Steve and Kris hanging out on the porch.






We only had one day of rain which I kind of liked, changes things up a bit.







James napping








Ago with his "catch" of the day.





Steve has been doing some cool stuff lately as well. Just helped brand a candy shop in BK. Check it out here.

Steve








Another rainy picture of the lake.







Jon and Sandy got engaged a few weeks ago! A huge congrats to them. Love those guys.

Jon & Sandy










Ago on his "MOTO bike"







Nick, Naomi, and Sadie came on the last day. Always good to see them. I've photographed them here for the past three years now and its been cool to document that. First photo was no baby, second was pregnant, and now with little Sadie Lou.

Nick, Naomi, and Sadie Lou








Not everyone, but almost…
People come and go during the week so it tough. Every year we say we're not going to miss anyone, even with the help of photoshop some people didn't get a chance to be in the photo. There's always next year.



More photos here.



Big thank you to Marion, Wendy, and Bolo for making this happen every year. I can't believe its going to be 10 years soon. Love and miss you all, can't wait for next year!!!

E-PHOTOREVIEW video interview

I was skype interviewed a few weeks ago by the Italian based video blog e-photoreview about my Homies series. Its funny how hard it is to listen to your own voice, never mind a video, but it was still a cool experience. I have two more interviews coming out in the next week or so. I will post links to those as they come out. I think they all give some good insight into the Homies series and my perspective on photography in general. Each interviewer asked some different questions which is cool.

Adam Amengual | Homies from e-photoreview on Vimeo.

Neighborhood, camping & SF...

Here a few snaps from last month…


Workers clearing brush.
Montecito Heights
Los Angeles, CA




My brother Derek was in town for a few days teching for Cass. I know I've linked his work before but there's a lot of new stuff on his blog.

Derek Amengual
Montecito Heights
Los Angeles, CA




Kate, Shug and I went camping for a night up on the Kern a few weeks ago…

Kate with my camping hat.
Kern River, CA



Shug sunning by the Kern
Kern RIver, CA



Kate sunning by the Kern
Kern River, CA




Old Shack
By Kate Amengual






I was in SF for almost a week, did some meetings, worked a bit and did a lot of walking got a good feel for how that city is laid out now.


Riding the train into the city.
SF, CA




Residential buildings.
SF, CA





Alley way
SF, CA





Playground in Golden Gate Park
SF, CA





Golden Gate Park
SF, CA




Hung out a good bit with fellow photographer Matthew Reamer. We had actually never met in person before so it was cool to chill a bit. We have a ton of mutual friends and we're both photographers, it would make sense that we'd get along well. Definitely check out his Scraper Bike series and his blog.


Matt Reamer in his studio.
SF, CA




Detail from Matt's studio.
SF, CA


Trying to catch up a bit, I have a bunch of flicks from the 4th of July. Also some exciting stuff coming up with the Homies series.

Video from Giant Steps Show

If you didn't get to make it here's a little video from the show:

Giant Steps Photo Showcase from j. alan lebanowski on Vimeo.

Pix

Thanks to Pix for featuring me on their Tumblr page.

Tony Fouhse

Yesterday I came across the work of Canadian photographer Tony Foushe. His work with addicts is amazing. There is an honesty and respect to his pictures that I think is really important when making this kind of work. Check out his User series here. Also congrats to Tony, one of the portraits from this series was selected for American Photograpy 27.