Jack XI - Photoshoot

I was approached by DJ & Producer Jack XI recently and asked for some promo images. So, we got together and did a fashion / style photo shoot for him. During editing I decided to funk the images up a bit with some graphic design elements promoting Jack as an artist. I'm REALLY getting into these shoots now and I'm determined to make each set better than the last. I'm currently hunting some good-looking, charismatic models. Interested?

Boardmasters 2011

Just spent the weekend at Relentless Boardmasters 2011 at Watergate Bay, Newquay. It was a great time and the first year that I have taken a camera. As you have probably seen from my work I have a fascination with people. So, in-between snaps of friends getting extremely drunk, I decided to grab some photos of the more interesting characters in the crowd. The final few images are from the Fatboy Slim set, which was amazing! :) I'm uploading a few more images from the festival on my Flickr. So, head over there and check 'em out!
Flickr

Sun down over the Badlands

Its very rare that I get the opportunity to visit the north coast during sundown. So, it was nice to be able to do a little sunset photography for once. I took a few shots of just the coastline and sky, but the shots felt a little loose. They had no real emotion, or focus. The moment I put a subject in shot the images started to come alive. I wanted to get the positioning just right to create the epic scale of where we were stood and what was happening.

Dave LaChapelle vs Rihanna [S&M video]

Hey everybody. I'm currently building a new website. Until then please find my images over at

http://instagram.com/datmunkeekid

The reason I'm blogging about this is because as a visual artist I feel quite strongly about what is happening and also see a possible problem arising in the future for all visual artists.

So, this seems to be pretty hot news right now. The story is that Dave LaChapelle is suing Rihanna, or perhaps her video director [Melina Matsoukas], for infringement of copyright over her music video S&M [see below]. The story is that Rihanna's video very closely imitates LaChapelles work to the point of theft. He is currently in a court battle with her [representatives] to the sum of $1million. 

Here are some image examples. LaChapelle on the left. Rihanna on the right.

*Image from Gossip On This .com

There is no argument. Rihanna's video is obviously inspired by LaChapelles work to the point of imitation. But, I don't see a huge problem with this. It's fairly unethical of Melina Matsoukas to imitate LaChapelles work and not credit him [As a video artist herself, she should know better] But, I can't see how it is illegal. The video does not use any of LaChapelles personal work. It has clearly been created by different people. Different sets have been used, different models, different angles, different fashion. The video director has stolen ideas and concepts. But, since when could we copyright ideas? 

"Copyright does not protect ideas, concepts, systems, or methods of doing something. You may express your ideas in writing or drawings and claim copyright in your description, but be aware that copyright will not protect the idea itself as revealed in your written or artistic work." - U.S. Copyright Office

Apparently LaChapelle has been pushing his case with the notion that his work has been sampled. Music laws are in place which prevent the duplication of other musicians work to use as your own without prior consent. This is great. But, I can't see how his work has been sampled either. None of his material has been sampled in the Rihanna video. Only recreated by other artists. It all seems to me like LaChapelle is pushing his luck a bit. He is obviously upset that his work has been imitated to benefit other peoples bank accounts. 

If he wins this court case, it could mean that artists will no longer be able to recreate, imitate, or express inspiration from other artists work. How many times this season have you seen a photograph of a model stood in a hayfield, or holding a balloon? Should the photographer who came up with the original concept sue them all? What about all the television commercials that imitate youtube videos? How about if I draw the village people? Could they then sue me? Will fan art, or caricature, die completely? 

Andy Warhol drew Campbells tomato soup. Should he have been sued for it?

 

For what it's worth, The video ain't all dat. It's a pretty average music video and doesn't deserve all the attention it's getting. This whole thing makes me wonder if its a publicity stunt on behalf of LaChapelle, Rihanna, or both.

Pigeon Street

As I was looking through some older work I decided to redraw some and give them a twenty eleven gloss..

2010

2011

DJ VENI

Heres a promo image for Plymouth based RnB/House DJ VENI. Recently back from Beach Break Festival and massive on the South West scene. Check him out here.. VENI is also representing a vectorthirtythree T-shirt. fly.