Mark Jenkins: Street Installations

I know very little about installation artist, Mark Jenkins. After recently coming across some of his work, I couldn't resist sharing it. All of the photos I've included of his pieces were displayed in one of three locations: Washington, DC, LA, or NYC in 2006 or 2007. Since some of you live in these areas, please let us know if you have seen any of his work or have any additional information about him (as of now his website doesn't include a bio). If you are as intrigued by the photos of his work (he kindly let me "borrow" them from his website -- not exactly-- but hopefully he won't mind the free publicity) check out the other projects he is working on.

Lensbabies

If you haven't tried using one of Lensbabies selective focus SLR lenses and are struggling from "artist's block" this may be the solution for you. Just the way the 3G lens is constructive becomes a conversation piece -- my description won't do it justice (check out Lensbabies website if you are curious. You will also find some interesting portfolios of work). After years behind a view camera, having the option to experiment with a lens "with bellows" recently was a blast. I look forward to the next time I'm able to look at the world from a baby's perspective -- that might be a bit too extreme, but I'll roll with the thought for now.

1Ds Mark II

After my digital camera broke this summer, we have been saving our pennies for a new/used camera. While working through this situation, I've been using the school's Canon EOS Digital Rebel XTi. The time and energy I have been taking trying to salvage what I have shot has worn me out.

This past weekend I had to shoot the school's annual silent auction. Since I knew the event would require 5 hours of shooting in a poorly lit gym full of too many people to count huddled over cocktails and dancing, I decided to treat myself to a new camera and lenses -- at least for the weekend. For the first time I was able to rent one of Canon's "high end" digital camera's. Their 1Ds Mark II (now replaced by a newer model) was enough to convince me that I was still a competent photographer. The 3 lenses I got my hands on made the situation all the more better.

Aside from driving home in the snow Saturday morning, enjoying dinner at 2:00 am, being exhausted the next day, and feeling as if I had lifted weights all day (the camera, lenses, and flash weighed approximately 6 pounds); I fell in love with a digital camera -- something I never thought I would ever say. Never say never...

A NEW YEAR Means NEW Work

Happy New Year to all!

While we are each still pondering a number of different New Year resolutions, it looks as if one of our biggest goals remains the same: Continue Creating New Work. I don't know how often the "typical" person Googles their own name, but I did just this today and was quite surprised when the first Sara Hagan to appear under my search was actually me. Not to be pessimistic but from the looks of things, I have a feeling Sarah Jessica Parker will always win when searching under Sara Parker.

Anyways, my new found identity inspired me to continue working on my photography -- it so happen that my login information on a photography website (Photo.net) made the real me known to all. My little shot at fame has become an inspiring New Year gift. Now I'm actually using the site to showcase my photography(www.photo.net/photos/sarahagan). In the months to come, I plan to pick-up my Calumet 4x5 once again and start shooting. It looks as if this year is going to be a good one.

In hope that you won't leave this post thinking I'm too vain, I must add that I also Googled Jay's name. Unfortunately, Jason Parker didn't really get me anywhere -- Sara Jessica Parker didn't even appear! I was pleased to find Jay once I searched under JB Parker (number 8 in the listing -- not too shabby).