Getty Images releases 35 millions images for free use

One of the world's largest purveyors of stock photographs just put 35 million of its images out there for free public use through embeds (albeit for non-commercial purposes).

This is a fascinating development, and I find this to be an extremely pragmatic move on the part of Getty. Perhaps they have learned from the trauma-filled experience of the music companies. Let's be real- people have been ripping off images for years. This at least directs some web traffic back to Getty.

I rather like it.

Bloggers and other re-users of digital images are surely similarly thrilled.

But how do photographers and artists feel about this? Likely a mixed bag...

Perhaps because I am not in a position to make millions off of my creative work, I tend to be on the side of exposure. It's all about getting your stuff out there so someone can interact with it. Otherwise, what is the point?  

The Web of the World

So I notice people visit this site from all over the world, and I have to wonder what brings people here?

Is even this brief intersection of our lives worth exploring?

What does all of this mean?

And if it doesn't mean a thing, why not?

As I grow older, I find that I have less time to devote to less meaningful or fleeting experiences or relationships. Time is at a premium, so thus I must maximize what little I have. It may ultimately be a flawed approach, but a practical one.

I reconnected with an old friend recently, someone I genuinely care about despite the gap since our last interaction. So much has happened, but it was great to see someone I hold dearly in my heart grow into their own and display remarkable poise, confidence, and competence. It really warmed my soul.

It is fun to think back to the way things were- to recap fun moments, shed light on why things they were they were, and to perhaps subtly lament why we didn't take advantage of the opportunities available to us- to explore ourselves and life a bit more fully. Could things have been even better? Yes. But perhaps that is where the usefulness of such thought ends.

This friend mentioned that I always seemed to be in touch with my feelings and sensitive. I know this about myself and agreed. I like to think of it as living in the moment and reading the moment. Emotions, they are inside each of us. Some of us are in better tune with them than others. I once heard someone say they held back their tears in sad moments by pretending what is unfolding before them is just a movie. This person proudly spoke of this method as a positive process with proven results. I felt a bit sad for this person. I believe life is to be experienced fully- and that requires emotion. If we don't feel anything, we are dead. A strong onset of emotions is proof that we are living. To forcibly stamp out and numb our hearts to what is real is cheating life.

So, in the limited time we have for our lives to touch, it is with deep respect and a longing for meaning that I wish godspeed on the journey back to our next intersection.

Linsanity

The thing I really appreciate about the whole Jeremy Lin show, is that it captures an amazing display of what sports should be. That, and I have every reason to root for an Asian-American kid from Harvard. The only way this story could be any more exciting for me, is if Jeremy had attended Rutgers as an undergrad and went on to Harvard for grad school.

I don't mean to turn this into a rant by any stretch against the woes of our modern society as reflected in the arena of sports, but how refreshing is it to see a guy with unbridled energy and passion. He's really throwing it all out there, and that is genuine.

People can relate to the underdog. We still want to believe we live in a world where hard work can fight off pedigree and the way ordained by the establishment. He is fighting for a professional future, which you can see and feel in every single step he takes on the court. Linsanity.



Admittedly, the kid has much more to prove. But boy, have the last 4 games been an adventure. Even if he turns out to be a total bust (which I would not advise betting on), no one will ever be able to take away the night he lit up Kobe and the Lakers and electrified the crowd at Madison Square Garden. The Black Mamba met the Yellow Mamba. Hope Kobe knows who Jeremy is from here on out.

Lebron also offered this nugget when asked about Jeremy: "Harvard grad eh? Well, I'm a St. Mary's High grad myself. I know books." Oh, Lebron. While it doesn't matter where one goes to school, there is certainly nothing to be proud about not having placed a priority on education. No head. No heart. The Lebron James story.

One of the announcers calling the Lakers-Knicks game offered the following commentary, "Jeremy Lin is an Asian kid from Harvard playing in the NBA. Talk about the ultimate long-shot." He's right. We judge that book by its cover, and it's a long shot. But no one ever measured the size of the kid's heart, and from all indications it is huge. And it's not fair to criticize the NBA teams that waived or passed on him. Jeremy was at Harvard the same time I was, and while he was killing it then, it was definitely a stretch to say he'd be starting for an NBA team and lighting up the Lakers. Glad the kid is getting his shot and a good shake. Looks like it won't be wasted.

Hard not to be swept up by Linsanity. This kid embodies one reason why I love sports. Rags to riches in a single flick of the wrist, albeit many years of prep and training support the overnight "success" story. And never mind that the kid is doing this with a heavy dose of humility. But really, humility is in order. Last week Jeremy was sleeping on his brother's couch pondering his future after basketball. Last night, Jeremy dropped 38 points, 7 assists, and 4 rebounds Jeremy on Kobe and the Lakers. To call this an immense reversal of fortune would be an understatement.

Charlie Sheen can have "Winning." I'll take "Linning."

the pain of college football

There can only be one champion, which leaves a whole mess of heartbreak. There aren't enough BCS bowls to fill the void either.

Every season starts with promise, but more often than not, the "ball" gets pulled by season's end.

Keep choppin' Charlie Brown

Until the national title returns to the birthplace of the sport, I will continue to look forward to each and every precious moment of college football - the 12 best "Saturdays" of the year.

If not for our individual obsessions and passions, life would be far less sweet. I don't know how to casually dabble in hobbies- they usually become much more than that. Photography is no different. It will always remain a part of me, like riding a bike or the urge to blow off dandelion seeds.

Beauty is everywhere, though most of it fragile and fleeting.

Ever changing strands of the universe. 

Say Hello to My Little Friend

Lex in a Box

I am blessed to be able to photograph this little guy as often as I do. His versatility and expressiveness never fail to amaze me.

e.e. cummings was a cool dude.

but generally his pants were hitched a bit too high.

to the point where they might even be called rib huggers.

still i respect his audacity and the courage it takes to be different or to just not give a damn.

there is something i have always loved about lowercase letters- unassuming, to the point, and efficient.

and the earth shook

as i sat in my office with my manager discussing my next project, the building shook.

we continued talking after the first set of rumblings, but quickly realized the second round of quaking was a bit more serious.

i didn't realize it at the time as i filed out of a building that passes as a high-rise in DC, but i am now filled with thoughts of mortality and just how brittle life is.

amazing that the earth can shake the way it did.

Super stoked for my new website and online portfolio.

Stay tuned!

Question

Is it art? Is it kitsch?

Does it matter?

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