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Showing posts with label diamonds in the rockpile 2009. Show all posts
Showing posts with label diamonds in the rockpile 2009. Show all posts
Monday, January 18, 2010
Diamonds in the Rockpile - Class of 2009: The Recap, Scores & Highlights
All last week I introduced you to the latest inductees in the Mojo Hall of Fame, otherwise known as the Diamonds in the Rockpile - Class of 2009. I won't go back through whole the explanation of the award. (If you want an explanation of its origins, you can find it here. If you want the background on this year's selectees, that's here.) The purpose of this wrapup is to give the recipients a final curtain call together so that you can find all of them in one place. Or if you missed a few posts during the week, you can catch up from this list. If you missed them all (shame on you!) clicking the diamond logo above will retrieve them all for you.Each of these blogs has something truly special about them that sets them apart (in my opinion) from the crowd. I cannot recommend them highly enough. And it's my hope that you'll visit each of them soon and see the wonders they have to offer. The image links below will take you to the post here where I explain in greater detail why this particular blog was elevated to such lofty status. The text links below the image will take you directly to the blog itself. Both links open in a new window/tab so you can come right back here for more. So without any more yap from me, I present to you, in (roughly) order of appearance, the Diamonds in the Rockpile - Class of 2009.
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Friday, January 15, 2010
Diamonds in the Rockpile - Class of 2009: The Monochrome Weekend
Once upon a time known as Monochrome Monday, then Monochrome Weekly, Aileni Noyle's Monochrome Weekend is a feast of some of the finest black and white (and occasionally toned monochrome) photography from across the Blogosphere. Each week Aileni selects his personal favorites from the submissions of the week before and displays them on "The Accolade Wall". His own work is certainly impressive enough, but this acknowledgment of the work of others is unique, at least in my experience. I can't think of any other photo meme where the host takes this kind of time and effort to highlight the submissions. It's this as much as anything that makes Monochrome Weekend a natural Diamond in the Rockpile. I can tell you, finding your work on The Wall among the company that makes its way there each week is a special kind of thrill. But Aileni's one-upped himself and since September has been selecting a Photo of the Month from among the weekly offerings on The Wall. These are the best of the best in the eye of the panel of judge, and I wouldn't disagree with a single one of them. Whether you participate in the meme or not, this blog is well worth a visit. Go. Be amazed. (Now if he'd just quit moving the thing around... I kid. It's an evolutionary process this blogging thing.)
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Diamonds in the Rockpile - Class of 2009: Shooting My Universe
Piloted by photographer Steve Borichevsky and his wife Becky, SMU is a collection of some of the most striking outdoor and nature photography you will find anywhere along with the occasional tip for aspiring outdoor/nature photographers. Set mainly along the rocky coast of Cape Ann, MA (somewhere near Gloucester from what I can deduce). Birds and wildlife are a mainstay for Steve, and besides his magnificent photographs, he's also extraordinarily knowledgeable about the creatures themselves and always has some interesting bit of information for those of us... less knowledgeable (like me). And to get these images, Steve has to be nearly as hardy as his subjects. It's hard not to admire someone who will go out at dawn on a freezing morning to bring back images of Purple Sandpipers. But it's not all birds here. Far from it. Other nautical scenes abound too including a series of a coast Guard 47-foot motor lifeboat (did I get that right?) and a number of lighthouse photos that will take your breath away. And do you ever tire of sunrise -- or sunset -- over the vastness of the ocean? I don't. And apparently neither does Steve. Being a relatively new follower, I don't know a lot more than what I've already told you, but that's not a fraction of what you'll see on SMU. So go see! The Universe according to Steve is a pretty spectacular place.
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Diamonds in the Rockpile - Class of 2009: The Aware Writer
John McDevitt, alias The Aware Writer, is one of those people you can instantly find common ground with. Not only is he an exceptional and knowledgeable photographer, he shares the idea that by passing on that knowledge to others who seek it, the art of photography as a whole is furthered.This is, I have found, not always the attitude one encounters when seeking photographic wisdom. Ask some people about the exposure settings for this shot or that one and you might think you'd asked for the missile launch codes for a nuclear sub. Not John. Not only does he post helpful, well written (and illustrated) tutorials he's also not at all shy about answering questions one-to-one. I've already picked up a few tips from him myself, and I'm sure they won't be the last. (Ever think of using a salad spinner to dry negatives? I didn't.) John's unique in that he shoots exclusively -- or nearly exclusively -- on black and white film (though this is a trait shared by Aileni of Monochrome Weekend fame). We've had a good deal of discussion over the relative merits of each, both of us knowing the other is unlikely to switch (or in my case switch back) but there's much to be gained by dialogue.If you don't check out anything else John's done recently, don't miss the series of photos called Christmas in Saigon. Taken at Christmas 1966 while John served in the US Air Force there, they offer a look at a long-ago far-away version of the holiday and serve as a pointed reminder that as different as we are, we're a lot more alike.
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Thursday, January 14, 2010
Diamonds in the Rockpile - Class of 2009: Around the Island
It seems like I may have met Robin around the end of 2008. I'm not really sure exactly when our paths crossed, but I can tell you that despite being a Rangers fan (nobody's perfect after all) she is an absolute joy to share the blogosphere with. She's put up some of the most jaw dropping fine art photos I've seen this side of a museum. Granted she lives in a target rich environment, in a city as ancient as it is powerful, and not far from the nexus which is Jerusalem. But a good subject in the hands -- or eyes -- of an average photographer is going to become an average photograph. And there's nothing average about the photographs Robin brings to the table. And if this were all she did I'd still be naming her to my all-star team. But she doesn't stop with an image. No, you get the story behind the image. Sometimes poignant, sometimes thought-provoking, sometimes downright hilarious. But never, ever dull.Then just when it couldn't get better, it did. Last summer Robin brought us Summer Stock Sunday so that others could display their own summer-themed works during the break from school. I really tried to convince her to continue it year-round, but she feared for her safety in displaying warm buttery summer photos in front of those freezing their onions off in the northern regions. (Guess she didn't think about you poor sods in the Southern Hemisphere who were doing exactly that as we were snapping away at the beach.) I digress. It was a thoroughly enjoyable light summer fare for everybody who played and everyone who feasted on it. And rumor has it, it'll be making a return engagement in 2010. Right Robin?So come take a seat around Robin's kitchen island (the one that gave her blog its name) and drink in the beauty of what can be.
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Diamonds in the Rockpile - Class of 2009: The Zen of Motherhood
Sometimes sassy, always classy. Mama Zen (MZ to her friends) dishes up a unique blend of sly humor, real-world pathos, astonishing eloquence and uncommonly common sense sprinkled liberally with photos and garnished with internet "gems". Just when you think you know what to expect, you don't. (And yeah, guys, she easy on the eyes too. Unfortunately for all you would-be suitors, she's also happily married.) And when MZ herself isn't sending your beverage of choice through your nose, enter the preciously precocious Baby Puppy whose exploits will nearly always make you snort. Or occasionally gasp for breath. A razor sharp wit and a quick mind with an occasional tendency for the irreverent, if you work in a cube farm like I do it might be best to read her blog in the privacy of your home. Because your co-workers will know you're not working. But before you get the idea that it's all fun and games, Mama Zen will every now and then turn to a serious subject and write something so profoundly touching that it leaves you breathless (and not in the Baby Puppy way). You don't want to miss her entries on 55 Flash Fiction Friday. How she can put so many twists into 55 words is a mystery that makes the Riddle of the Sphinx blush. And as a bonus, you'll frequently be served up candid, unbiased reviews of various books, games, household products, foods... you name it. If you're a guy -- or anyone who "man-shops" (gender notwithstanding) -- reviews and special deals probably don't mean a lot to you, but for the rest of you this is useful information. And all of it is served up with a smile just like back home.
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Wednesday, January 13, 2010
Diamonds in the Rockpile - Class of 2009: Esther Garvi (aka Ishtar News)
Another lovely Swedish blogger (I swear I'm not collecting them!) Esther is actually an expatriate Swede working for a unique organization on a highly acclaimed and unique project. She works for Eden Foundation in Niger, one of the poorest and least arable countries on the African continent. (The highly oversimplified version of) Eden's mission is to make the local populations self supporting by teaching them to grow enough food to feed themselves (among other things) with enough surplus to store or trade and grow the local economy. Most efforts like this one start with the crops necessary for subsistence farming and then try to figure out how to make them grow in the local environment. This one-size-fits-all approach rarely works in harsher climates like Niger's, and this is where Eden differs from other programs. Eden's model begins with the environment and then figures out what will actually grow there.But you knew there had to be pictures, right? Yes, there are wondrous pictures, most provided by Esther's friend and colleague Annette. If you have any doubt about the beauty of he desert, you need to stop by Esther's on Sky Watch Fridays. One look at the West African sunset from atop a leather tough Barb horse, and you'll be a convert. Want to learn how to cook with a solar oven? Make your own goat cheese? These are just a few of the things you can find out about here. Every week Esther takes us into the Zinder bush, or around the Eden compound introducing us to the locals, as well as her four-legged friends, the Nigerian goats, the Barb horses and of course, Sheba the Rhodesian Ridgeback that provides herding services and security for the compound, and no end of amusement for us. Go. Visit. Learn.
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Diamonds in the Rockpile - Class of 2009: Mumbai Daily Photo
Somewhere in the bristling, bustling, boisterous city of Mumbai you'll find Deepak Amembal, alias Magiceye. Magic first caught my attention late in 2008, and I became a faithful visitor in fairly short order. Not only is his photography wonderful, it is uniquely his. As if he'd signed each image without ever writing a single character. There is the trademark single bird in flight that identifies so many of his wonderful skyscapes for one, and the sometimes unconventional looks at ordinary subjects. Whether the subject is a skyline, a butterfly or an autorickshaw, it's difficult to mistake Deepak's work for anyone else's.His recent essay of the Kanheri Caves drew a lot of well deserved attention, but most recently, his work on the Sewri mudflats and the birds that gather there has been positively mind blowing.Masterful photography aside, he's also quite the ambassador for Mumbai and indeed for all of India. Because all are welcome at Mumbai Daily Photo, and Magic never has a hard word for anyone. Got a question about Indian culture, the people, the city, actually anything? Deepak's always willing to enlighten. I've learned as much from our conversations that grew out of his posts as from the posts themselves. He brings a real world, unvarnished look at Mumbai and all of it's marvelous layers (and some that are not so marvelous as well). For an Indophile like me this is the mother lode. But anyone can appreciate Mumbai Daily Photo.Not just a great blogger, this is a great human being. bahut achchaa insaan I think is how you'd say it. If our world leaders adopted his attitude I believe we could accomplish just about anything.
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Tuesday, January 12, 2010
Diamonds in the Rockpile - Class of 2009: Vita Stunder
The story behind the name "Vita Stunder" (which is Swedish for "White Moments") is interesting enough in itself, but I'll let Anna tell it since it's her story. What I'll tell you is something you can pretty well figure out for yourself in a visit or two. Anna is a truly gifted photographer with a unique perspective who doesn't mind getting a frock or blouse a little dirty if it means the difference between getting a shot and getting the shot. She pours a bit of herself into every image, and there's always a story in each of them. Sometimes she's writing the story, other times she's simply passing it on. But either way, it always comes through. Whether you can read the story or not, you'll know it's there. The depth of feeling in her work will not let you ignore it. Especially gripping are her monochrome images, many of which depict scenes that many would turn away from, failing to see the beauty in them. But if you hang around with Anna for a while, you'll learn to see that and to hear the whispers of the stories as well.And there's another side to this blog as well. In addition to her stunning photography, Anna's also quite a poet. Don't speak Swedish? Not a problem. Most of the time she writes these in English, but if you ask nicely, she'll translate the Swedish ones for you. And you will be amazed.There's a reason that Vita Stunder has taken off the way it has, and it keeps getting better all the time. But don't take my word for it, go see for yourself.
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Diamonds in the Rockpile - Class of 2009: Ulrica Tänker Högt
For English speaking audiences, "Ulrica Tänker Högt" is Swedish for "Ulrica Thinks Aloud" (at least that's what Google Translations tells me). And she may be thinking aloud, but as soon as the page loads and you're presented with one of her magnificent photos, there's a reverent kind of hush that falls over your mind. Her portraiture, especially the photos of her lovely daughters, is exceptional capturing vitality and life in every frame. But perhaps even more astonishing are her "art shots" in which she transforms ordinary objects that most of us wouldn't bother to see into images so compelling that you just sink into them. These are not photos to be merely looked at, they are to be experienced. And it's not a great leap to actually smell a flower, feel the bite of the chill in the Stockholm winter or the warmth of summer sun on a meadow. You can practically hear the sigh of the winds, the laughter of children, the muted clink of a crystal goblet dropped on a lush green lawn.This is a blog that isn't served well by words though. And no matter how carefully I choose them, I can't possibly do justice to the work there. You will simply have to see it for yourself.Ulrica's blog is mostly written in Swedish, but the photography transcends the spoken -- or written -- word. The images speak for themselves and you only need to know two words of Swedish to appreciate this blog: "Mycket Vackert" (very beautiful).
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Monday, January 11, 2010
Diamonds in the Rockpile - Class of 2009: Writing In Faith
If there were a "desert island list" for blogs, Writing in Faith would be on mine. So would its author. I don't think I'm letting any cats out of the bag here with this one. Many of you already know Sandy's blog (actually blogs since Writing in Faith has a number of spin-offs), and if you are familiar with it you might wonder how it missed being inducted to the Mojo Hall of Fame last year with the inaugural class. The answer is simply that I hadn't discovered her yet. It wasn't until early 2009 that our paths crossed, but once they did I was pretty much an instant devotee. Writing in Faith was one of the first to make the list for Class of 2009, and if I'd done it the way I'd planned it would have been enshrined here long ago. And everything that's happened since then has only solidified my admiration for the blog -- and maybe even more for the blogger. More accurately for the person who is the blogger. A brilliant photographer, and an inspiring writer, with a unique perspective that she brings to both. (And umm... yeah... she is a bit of a hottie, but that's not among the criteria okay? No, seriously. It's not.)There's very little that goes on at Writing in Faith that doesn't make me stop and think and evaluate and... yes, even dream. This you'd expect from a blog written by a teacher. And even though I've never sat in her classroom, I wish my sons could have when they were in middle school. Because I can tell in every post, every poem, every photo, every anecdote that this is a woman who didn't get into teaching as a fallback position. She cares for these kids, and in many cases, she may be the first person who really has. They will be better for having been in her class, and I am better for having met her and followed her blog. Writer, poet, photographer, artist, teacher and mother all wrapped up in a package of beauty, compassion and goodness rarely encountered in these times. Go visit there. Be amazed. Be astonished. Be touched. You'll be glad you did. I am.
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Diamonds in the Rockpile - Class of 2009: Violence UnSilenced
I know what you're thinking. "Conflict of interest!" Because yes, I am involved with Violence UnSilenced. I think everyone else should be involved with it as well. And what I "do" on VU, more than anything else, is something anyone can do and I hope more and more people will do. The most important function I have at VU is one you can perform yourself. I read every story. I comment on every story. I offer what little comfort, encouragement and support I can to the unbelievably courageous souls who cut open old wounds and lay their deepest, most painful secrets on the altar of the Greater Good. It seems like the least I can do.And yes, VU's creator Maggie Dammit already has a DITR on her virtual mantelpiece for her personal blog Okay, Fine, Dammit. So it made me stop and consider whether I'm conferring the award on the blog or the blogger. But if you ask Maggie herself, she'll tell you that all she does is moderate. The content belongs to the individual authors who make VU what it is. So this award is for all of them as well as VU as an entity. And then I decided it doesn't matter anyway because -- like I said when I first invented this thing, my award, my rules. And Violence UnSilenced is deserving of any and every award that comes its way. Deal with it.I'm not nearly the first to confer honors upon VU, it's been named for several awards in the three-dimensional world as well as the 'sphere. AllTop even went so far as to create an entire new channel in their listings for domestic violence when it went live. Zimbio did the same. It was an idea long overdue, and it's already made an enormous impact on a lot of people. I'm only waiting for one accolade however. The day when someone writes in and says, "Because of something I read on VU I found the courage to leave a violent relationship and now I'm safe." That award doesn't have a name. But it's the one that matters. Meanwhile, this one will make a nice addition.
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Friday, January 08, 2010
Diamonds in the Rockpile - Class of 2009: The Envelope Please
You may remember (or not) last year about this time when I introduced my own new "blog award" that I call Diamonds in the Rockpile. Big deal... another blogger handing out bling, right? But I wanted this one to be different. I wanted it to be an actual award, not a tag thinly disguised as one. So the "rules" are different. In that there are none. There's no passing this on to "X" bloggers (selected most probably because they're the least likely to stop speaking to you for tagging them) with a link to me and you and turning this into an Amway convention. If you're on the list, you're inducted into the "Mojo Hall of Fame". Period. You're of course welcome to display the badge if you choose to -- or not. The idea being that whether you do or don't, in the opinion of the panel of judge (that would me moi), you've got something going on at your blog that stands out from the crowd. There's no cash prize or big shoe deal that's gonna come from it, it's just my way of saying thanks for doing what you do. Those are the highlights. If you want more details on the history and origins I went into it at length last year.I didn't really intend to make this an Annual Event when I started it. It wasn't that structured. I figured I'd name the inductees at non-specific intervals over the course of the year with maybe a wrapup at year end or something. But as it so often does, life intervened and so here we are a year later and me putting together a huge post. This goes against every blogging philosophy I have, so I had to split it into blog-sized chunks. But, I reasoned, it's not really any easier to digest a dozen small chunks in one day than it is to digest one ginormous one. Plus, I wanted each of these blogs to have a day in the sun as it were, and being in the middle of a crush of information doesn't give that opportunity.So I decided to run it over the course of multiple days. And breaking it down to two a day kept it from turning into the next season of 24. So. Beginning Monday January 11, each day you'll meet two (three on Friday the 15th) of these gems.This year's group has eleven inductees as opposed to last year's ten (which is why there are three on Friday). But that's okay because ten was a purely arbitrary number anyway, and there's nobody on this list I feel like I can cut out. Also, this is an unordered list, there's nothing significant about where each blog falls in relation to the others. They are all equally brilliant. I did, however, try to group them in a way that put similar blogs together on the same day.Who are these überbloggers? Well telling you that now would spoil the surprise, wouldn't it? Tune in starting Monday and find out!
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