52 Fresh

Sebastian Junger, for the London Times

jhanson — Sat, 17 Jul 2010 18:34:09 +0000

In May I had the pleasure of working with fellow journalist, Sebastian Junger, when I photographed him for the London Times. I met him at his hotel in D.C. during the his tour to promote his new book, War.

Recently, Junger released a documentary with Tim Hetherington called Restrepo. Its a powerful documentary capturing the story of a platoon stationed in the Korengal Valley, a heavy battle front in Afghanistan. The name of the movie comes from the 15 man out post the movie revolves around. The members of the platoon named the outpost after a medic that was killed in action.

I have to say I enjoyed the short amount of time I had with Junger. He was quiet and tired from his long promotional tour, but was accepting of my ideas and went with the flow. I often wonder how journalists cope with the stress and imagery they see during war and conflict coverage. How does it effect their lives, their families?

Heading to Barnstorm, EAW!

jhanson — Tue, 06 Jul 2010 16:11:53 +0000

I thought it fitting to post my acceptance into this years Eddie Adams Workshop with my last post about the Magenta Foundation win. I am beyond excited for what is in store in October. I will be heading up to Toronto a few days before EAW to attend the Magenta Foundations Flash Forward photography festival. After a few days galavanting in Toronto, I will be heading straight to NY for the workshop.

Special thanks to all of my peers for critique my working, helping me with direction and generally just being good peeps.

This news comes at a great time when I have been so swamped with work that I have not really had a chance to sit back and look forward.

Magenta Flash Forward Win!

jhanson — Thu, 20 May 2010 22:40:44 +0000

The other day night after a tiring day, I was reading through my email and I opened up the newsletter from the Magenta Foundation announcing this years winners for the Flash Forward contest. I was shocked to see my name as one of the U.S. winners. As I sat there, smiling with the glow of my computer on my face, the days grit lifted and everything came back in perspective, including hope.

I am looking forward to heading to the great city of Toronto for the festival.

http://www.magentafoundation.org/books/flash-forward-2010/winners.php

http://www.flashforwardfestival.com/sites/flashforwardfestival.com/splash.html

Eddie Adams Workshop deadline approaching…

jhanson — Fri, 07 May 2010 17:06:35 +0000

The EAW application is due close to the end of the month. If you are unfamiliar with the workshop, I included a link below for you to check out.

www.eddieadamsworkshop.com

The image posted from my on going project on local hip-hop musicians in Baltimore. I recently updated the project on my website so feel free to stop in and take a look.

New Images…Wall Street Journal

jhanson — Fri, 07 May 2010 16:46:31 +0000

I have been a little slow posting this assignment from WSJ…

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703648304575212654067678426.html

Transmodern…

jhanson — Mon, 19 Apr 2010 19:05:35 +0000

On Saturday I went to the Transmodern festival here in Baltimore. Saturday nights festivities were at the H&H Building…. check out the gallery for a few pics from the night.

www.jonathanhansonphotography.com/transmodern_gallery/index.html

London Times, Questions and Out takes

jhanson — Mon, 12 Apr 2010 17:17:09 +0000

About a week or so I went down to D.C. and shot some pictures of author Chloe Schama for the London Times. Chloe spent about a year in London on a grant working on her book that was recently released. It was an absolute pleasure spending a few hours with the talented and charming 26 year old writer. For all of the young artists out there I think her achievement goes to show that hard work and passion can get to the places you want to be. But, I also think that it brings a lot of questions to the surface. As we were making photos, I asked her the question, “What is your end goal with your writing and career?”

Once we create the product what do we do with it? Where and how do we find meaning in it? As artists, writes, producers of content, do we have a responsibility to the consumer and if so, what is that responsibility?

The Video Phenom….

jhanson — Wed, 24 Mar 2010 19:45:55 +0000

Last week marked my first directorial debut! I shot and directed a music video with On Que records for one of their artists and it was an amazing experience. The creative juice was flowing and we shot all day, hitting multiple locations in Baltimore. I grabbed a few stills while shooting which is what I posted here.

It was my first time shooting video and I have to say my fear of going at was way off. Although there is a difference in shooting video and stills, it really felt natural to me. I had no problem taking off and the crew I was working with gave me full creative license so I was really able to have a lot fun. We have several more projects lined up so stay tune for the release of this video and others in the future. I am also really excited to release the video beast into my documentary work and have already started brain storming/planning how I am going to implement it.

I did notice tho that while shooting my head was wrapped in in the “motion picture” and trying to switch between video and still was difficult. I wonder if this is dangerous for journalists out there who are being asked to produce both while on assignment because it can be distracting. I say dangerous meaning that it could effect the quality of the either one. I have always been fully aware how limiting still photography can be and video helps bridge the gap between my and the viewers experience. Only if we could record smells?? HMMMMM. A friend said that to be at peace with our limitations…. well not there yet and until then, I am going to keep chipping away at this life, trying to experience and digest it one photo and video at a time.

Wall Street Journal…

jhanson — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 14:40:58 +0000

I shot an assignment for WSJ on Tuesday in Delaware and it was one of those where I found myself saying, “Man, I love my job.” over and over as I wondered around the amazing Winterthur Museum gardens photographing snowdrops. I loved the movie, Adaptation, so this was sort of my run at the closest thing to it. After enjoying the beautiful spring weather at the museum I headed over to collector and horticulturist David L. Culp’s house to photograph some of the rare species he has collected. My experience as a commercial photographer paid off and I set up a small studio in his back yard and photographed an array of rare snowdrop flowers. After that I made a few portraits of David and I was off to Baltimore again.

Check out the article.

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704059004575127721994376564.html?mod=WSJEUROPE_hpp_RIGHTTopCarousel

Wall Street Journal…

jhanson — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 23:11:42 +0000

Right after I returned from my trip through Asia, I got a call from The Wall Street Journal to shoot an assignment right here in Baltimore. See the story link below.

“Attack of the Rotten Tomatoes”

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704784904575111680463669658.html