Bale Blog

A Surrealist Event

2009-06-12T12:05:00.009-04:00

It was a surrealist event and a wonderful exhibition at the espace ecureuil in Toulouse France. I was humbled and honored by my recent exhibition that opened there on June 9th and I am so grateful to share this exhibition with fellow photographer Philippe Brault. I encourage you all to have a look at his breath taking photojournalism.

I would also like to thank Sylvie and Julie at the espace ecureuil for putting together an excellent exhibition, thank you for all your hard work. And to Anne, thank you for all your love and support during the past year. It's been a great ride!

I hope to continue to post more thoughts and photos about this experience in the coming days so please continue to check back from time to time.

There are many that made this exhibition a success, too many to name. Thank You.

Photography Loses a Great Friend

2009-06-12T06:01:00.009-04:00

Bill Jay 1940-2009

One of the greatest figures in contemporary photography has died. Bill Jay's writing and photographs are an inspiration to me and to my own pursuit of the medium and he influenced artists across the globe. I would personally reach out to Bill Jay's articles when I was feeling lost with photography and he was always able to put me back on track. Every student I have ever had has read at least one of Bill Jay's articles, his writing is witty, clever and down to earth.

We will miss you Bill Jay.

Visit Bill Jay's website to find out more about this extraordinary life.

Photograph by Bill Jay

These Boots Were Made for Hiking

2009-02-23T19:48:00.004-05:00

Today I received my new pair of beautifully crafted hiking boots by the Limmer Boot Co.. Limmer & Sons has been making boots since 1919 and are dedicated to making sure that feet are extremely happy on and off the trail. And while I've only been wearing mine for a little over 4 hours, I can certainly see them becoming a permanent fixture on my feet.

These have to be the beefiest boots I have ever worn, and to think that the version I purchased are the Light-Weight series, I cannot imagine what the Standard boots feel like. The craftsmanship is amazing and they make boots manufactured in China look like toys. The leather is so stiff that there is a 80 to 100 mile break in period. Those are going to be the best and worst 80 to 100 miles of my hiking career. But once that period is over, these boots will be made for hiking and hiking is what I plan on doing. I've got big dreams, in fact 42 of them and I hope these boots see the tops of all of them (Adirondack 46 high peaks, I've finished 4). So if you see me limping around, you can conclude that I haven't quiet reached the end of the break in period.

Here's to everyone bagin' a peak at least once in there life!

A Big Shout Out to Tom Fischer

2009-02-06T17:32:00.003-05:00

I just wanted to a take a minute and give a big shout out and congratulations to one of the most influential photographers of my career, Tom Fischer. His work is now available for everyone to see in his beautifully printed monograph, "Paradise/Paradox." This exquisite book may be purchased from Photoeye Bookstore in Santa Fe, New Mexico and is sure to become one of your most cherished books on photography.

A monograph is a photographers dream. Way to make your dreams real Tom.

Congratulations and good luck!

The Impossible Project

2009-01-28T11:41:00.008-05:00

Ah yes, the road trip and Polaroid film, for many years and for many of us photographers, thought to be a match made in heaven. But by some, thought to soon be something of the past, something that one could only read about in the history books. But wait, don't write that new chapter just yet...........

There's Hope!

"The Impossible Project"

So sign on, help the cause and show you care!

You may also want to read the article in the NY Times concerning the future of this beloved process.

Pinhole Cameras for the entire family

2008-12-17T22:13:00.007-05:00

Tired of sitting in front of your computer? Feeling a bit like a Scrooge? Cheer yourself up by building a pinhole camera. I found this site while searching for some info for one of my classes. They have some really fun Pinhole Cameras that anyone can build. Just download the PDF files and your half way there. If any of you decide to do it, please share your creations.

http://www.corbis.readymech.com/en

You might even choose to participate in World Pinhole Camera Day: April 29, 2009

http://www.pinholeday.org/

Right on Schedule

2008-12-17T21:45:00.005-05:00

It has been a long time coming, but the new website is finally live for the entire world to see. That's an odd concept, the entire world! Anyway my brain hurts from grading most of the day, so I'll wait before I tackle thinking that one through. Thank you Alan (at Notchcode Creative) for all your hard work and putting up with me through all the changes. Now I get to figure out just exactly how to maintain the damn thing. Oh Alan!

36 hrs. of Travel

2008-11-25T05:49:00.001-05:00

Well it took close to 36 hrs. of constant travel, but I finally made it to one of the most beautiful places on earth, Lacoste France. I spent 5 days as a guest artist in the village where Savannah College of Art and Design has a campus. I spoke to the current students about life after college and the struggles of fulfilling an artistic career and how to be successful. It was a great experience for me and I hope to see Lacoste again soon. From Lacoste I traveled to Toulouse France, where I met Anne for the opening on my show. More about that later. But for now I highly suggest booking a flight for southern France.

It's Coming to a Home Near You, Bale Photo version 2.0

2008-09-09T20:49:00.000-04:00

Well it's almost here. The new and improved www.balephoto.com version 2.0. Bigger, better, faster and even more creative. Thanks to my great friend Alan at Notchcode Creative Services in Denver, CO., I have what I think is going to be an amazing site. I hope you'll all stop by for a visit and let me know what you think. Here is what I can give you for now. It's only the visuals, but trust me, you're gonna like this site. Stop back in about a month to experience it for yourselves.

-Andy Bale.

4 Down, 42 to Go

2008-08-25T21:08:00.000-04:00

With a climb up Cascade Mt., I am now left with only 42 high peaks in the Adirondack park to climb. I don't see myself accomplishing this goal anytime soon. But I've got time. It's a beautiful sight on top of the world and I look forward to the other 42. I haven't been doing this alone, Anne has been along for 3 of the climbs, so she's only one behind. There are 46 peaks in the Adirondack Park above 4000 ft., and while that might not seem all that high, I can attest it is tough going and in some ways more challenging than some of the Rocky Mts. The USGS marker serves as proof that we were actually there.

Cliche ? Yes. Valid ? Absolutely.

2008-08-24T20:25:00.000-04:00

I've never been a sunset kind-of guy, at least as far as photographs are concerned. But there is a time and a place for everything and most times a picture can say a thousand words. So trying to describe to someone what three nights in the backcountry of the Adirondack Park is like, well, words cannot describe it. So I give you this. Sunset on Lake Lila, Adirondack Park, NY. Just us and the loons and now the yearning to travel back again soon. Very soon.

Dog Days of Summer

2008-08-12T10:22:00.000-04:00

By the look on his face, one would think we were guilty of animal abuse. But all said and done, he is very proud once he is clean. Not to mention he earns an organic biscuit.

Keeping Up with Technology

2008-08-12T09:57:00.000-04:00

What did camera companies do when a camera actually lasted 7-10 years ? What did they sell ? Now we feel obligated to get the newest, latest and greatest equipment. Constantly worrying about Mega-pixels. For several years now I've ignored the pressures of society, not to mention friends constantly asking, "what kind of digital camera do you have", but those pressures just became too great, so here it is, the Canon 40D. My goal is to wait several years before I actually need to replace this, or maybe I'll just wait for the next generation!

Loons

2008-08-05T21:29:00.000-04:00

Ah, the sound of loons. Something I just cannot seem to get enough of. Luckily I'll be going back for more in just a few weeks. The back country in the Adirondacks has got to be the greatest place on earth.

A Sneak Peak

2008-07-09T13:18:00.001-04:00

For those of you on the edge of your seats awaiting the arrival of Five Plus One, here is a peek of what is heading your way. And for those of you that have not purchased a portfolio there are a few still remaining. Hint, Hint!

Vive la France

2008-06-12T15:52:00.000-04:00

Anne and I safely made it home after spending several weeks in France. What an amazing experience. Everything was worth taking the time to explore and absorb. I think we both already miss the country and our new friends very much. We are so lucky to have had the chance to bask in the warm mediterranean light and sample some of the finest vin rouge in the world.

Here is a photograph from a small village outside of Millau, in the background is the highest bridge in the world, an amazing site between the old and the new. Both amazingly beautiful.

Testing

2008-05-23T16:06:00.001-04:00

...doesn't every blog ever made start out with "testing"?