Archive for July, 2009
The Backside of an Illuminated Crowd
Wednesday, July 29th, 2009
The Backside of an Illuminated Crowd
Originally uploaded by Geoff Livingston
This famous sculpture — The Illuminated Crowd on McGill College Avenue — features a group of people watching something. But the most fascinating side to me was the backside, where you can see a couple making out, a passed-out person,a swami, a murderer, and more aspects of our human nature.
It’s kind of cool when a piece of art becomes the centerpoint of your picture. My job editing this one was making the art the centerpiece and de-emphasizing the buildings behind and other scenery. I did that with a lot of color manipulation, which while preserving the general color of the statue, definitely toned down the scenery.
On the right side, my wife Caitlin and her parents look on. They add some nice context to the photo.
In general, I am spending about 10-15 minutes editing shots that I am uploading to my Flickr stream these days. Be prepared for a lot of Montreal shots over the next week or so. You can watch the Quebec-based portfolio unfold here:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/geoliv/sets/72157621840681898/
Popularity: 22% [?]
Posted in Uncategorized | No Comments »
@miriamskitchen: @DCTwestival Charity of Choice for 9/10
Wednesday, July 22nd, 2009
The region’s next DC Twestival event will be held on the evening of September 10. Please save the date. As part of the new Twestival local initiative Miriam’s Kitchen will be the primary beneficiary.
Miriam’s Kitchen was chosen for a variety of reasons. It has a healthy Twitter and general social media presence, but could benefit from some additional social media training and support. Further, it’s mission is simply outstanding:
Miriam’s Kitchen provides healthy, homemade meals and comprehensive case management services to the homeless (image from Miriam Kitchen’s Flickr feed).
Stay tuned for more event details. The @dctwetsival committee is actively meeting every week to organize the event. We are actively seeking sponsors, too.
Twestival Local is a little different than the last Twestival. Events will be held over a four day period, September 10-13. Events needed to adhere to the following guidelines:
- It must be a recognized not-for-profit in the respective Country
- The Twestival Local organizing team must demonstrate that they made an effort to engage their local community with the cause selection process. It is up to each community how best to do this; online recommendations and/or vote to narrow down or decide.
- he organizing team leader must submit their not-for-profit selection to get confirmation from Twestival and Causecast via https://twestival.wufoo.com/forms/submit-notforprofit-for-consideration/
- Establish a clear fundraising target, in addition to a specific goal which will impact the not-for-profit (raise enough to send 25 kids to camp, drill a well, help buy a piece of equipment, etc.)
- 100% of the proceeds from ticket sales and all fundraising must go direct to the not-for-profit
- Work with the not-for-profit to see what other areas the Twestival Local team can support (social media training, volunteers, awareness, etc.)
Popularity: 26% [?]
Posted in DC | No Comments »
Why I Truly Loathe Personal Branding
Sunday, July 19th, 2009
This post needed to be published on my personal blog. It’s strictly an opinion, one that involves spiritual beliefs, and has nothing to do with marketing companies.
My professional post last week on reputation vs. personal branding sparked another wave of comments and posts about personal brands. Ironically, the people that seem to care the most to write posts are personal branders. Or is this really a surprise?
I mean we are talking about people who think about themselves nonstop to the point that they manicure an online personal representation, so why should their defense of this practice be so surprising? In fact, that’s why I truly loathe personal branding: It’s so selfish in nature.
This post was triggered by a response from Scotty Hendo stating that character was the most important part of a personal brand. Boiled down: In essence, if you don’t work on character than your personal brand will be mud (read the full post to get it). I have a question for Scotty, and that is what kind of character does someone have if they are thinking about and working on their personal brand all the time?
By my very nature I am a selfish person. I am the pot calling the kettle black. In fact, much of spiritual journey in life has been about combating my own selfishness. I’d rather not rehash my past on the Internet, but for the purposes of this post, when I was a young man in my teens and much of my twenties feeling good was more important than doing the right thing. I lacked character, shirked accountability, and hurt many others; family, friends and acquaintances — all to feel good.
Today, I am not the man I used to be. There was a moment of clarity, one where I literally looked in a mirror and saw a man I did not like. As a result, I worked my tail off to change.
This work continues more than a decade later. I do service work throughout the week to think of others instead of myself. I do some of this without publicly stating (or tweeting) it, and without recognition… Why? Because it is simply not about me, it’s about doing the right thing. That’s why I have such a love for nonprofits in my heart.
Beyond these acts, I spend countless hours in prayer and meditation to become a better person. These spiritual acts help get my head to a point where I can at least think about others for a while everyday, perhaps acknowledge my wrongs, make amends, and continue striving forward. I will not claim sainthood or a boy scout badge. I am a flawed man (and there are many folks who would agree with that statement), but the road I travel today can be and often is a better one.
Am I selfish and egotistic still? Yes, but I recognize it as a core defect of character. Thus, when I see personal branding — in addition to the professional dangers it offers my clients — I am repelled. Even revolted. Because it is dangerous to me. It represents a major step backwards. I’d rather walk in the opposite direction and focus on something, or someone else. Like helping a friend in need, a cause, or some other random act of kindness.
To my personal branding friends, I hope that some day you will reach a level of awareness that you can see there is more to life than image. Or follower counts, or even publishing books and selling companies. In others we find solace and greatness. Through spiritual giving, we come to find a better world.
In the interim, please forgive me, but I simply cannot accept or participate in the personal branding wave for many of the professional and personal reasons stated. May your journey be a good one.
Popularity: 56% [?]
Posted in Me, Myself and I, Pop Philosophy, Rants | 14 Comments »
Obituary for Jean S. Livingston
Wednesday, July 15th, 2009
Versions of this obituary will be published in Seattle, Pasadena and Northern California…
Jean Louise (Swarts) Livingston passed away Friday, July 10, 2009, at her home in Danville, Calif. following a long illness. She was 86 years old. The daughter of Charles E. and Louise (Friedman) Swarts, she was born January 23, 1923 in Chicago and was raised in Winnetka, IL. She attended New Trier Township High School, graduating in 1940, and also attended Carlton College in Minnesota.
She was a secretary for the Army Air Corps (later Air Force) during World War II and also worked for Walter E Heller Corporation and North Shore Congregation Israel.
She married Irvin (”Bud”) Livingston, Jr., July 19, 1947, and they had two sons, Thomas and John. The family moved from Chicago to Morton Grove, IL., Sylvania, Ohio and Arcadia, Calif. Jean became active in of the League of Women voters while in Ohio, and remained active in that organization as well as the rest of her community after moving to California.
She served as president of the Friends of the Arcadia Public Library, was a member of the Library Board, and was also active in the PTA and worked with her husband to establish the Arcadia Volunteer Service Organization, which put community resources into the schoolrooms. She was named Citizen of the Year in 1976. After the two children had grown up and left the household, the Livingstons moved north to Danville in 1980.
She loved playing piano and in her youth, sang swing jazz. Jean also loved playing bridge with her friends in Sylvania, Arcadia and Danville.
She was preceded in death by her mother in 1967; her father in 1973; and her husband in 1995. She is survived by her brother, Dr. Charles L. Swarts of Westminster, IL.; sons Tom Livingston of Jenkintown, PA (wife Maxine Waber), a children’s magazine editor and John Livingston of Mercer Island, WA (wife Andi Neuwirth), a desktop publishing specialist and former free lance writer and web uploader for Pacific Publishing; along with five grandchildren and four great grandchildren.
A private service of remembrance was held Sunday, July 12 at the family home and an evening memorial service was planned Wednesday, July 15 at
Congregation Herzl ner Tamid on Mercer Island.
In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation, a foundation seeking to find a cure for childhood cancer.
Popularity: 23% [?]
Posted in Reality | 4 Comments »
Goodbye, Grandma Jean
Sunday, July 12th, 2009
This is an expanded version of a note I posted on Facebook.Thank you, everyone who commented on that. As I noted in the original Facebook note comments section, this post was less of a dramatic moment, and more of a reflection as grandma was an important part of my life for these past 37 years. I am reposting an expanded version here in honor of Jean Livingston, whose memorial service was today in California. My thoughts and prayers go to my father and uncle who are there now.
I lost my grandmother, Jean Livingston, late on Friday night. Jean Livingston turned 86 this past January 3. She was a very active member of her community in Pasadena, CA, and later again, but a little less so in the East Bay area of California. She was a world traveler, and later in life served her community as a travel agent. Her impact was significant, and she leaves behind two sons, five grandchildren, and four great grandchildren.
Due to a split family and being raised by my father, in many ways she became a surrogate role model during my tweens and teens. And most importantly as she would say since I was four and could not pronounce my words, she was my “fwend.”
We would play together, and later talk and discuss great things like art and novelists, or small insignificant things like that crazy guy Steve Jobs or the NY Times crossword. She was the person more than anyone who encouraged me to write, even when others in my family said I couldn’t do it. And you know what, Grandma, I did it. I did it twice; as a published author and as a successful blogger.
While I was in Bay Area for the NTEN conference in late April, and again in early June for the IABC awards, I did have the opportunity to see her. Her health deteriorated greatly during that time, and when I saw her a month ago she couldn’t speak for more than 1 or 2 minute intervals. In many ways I am glad for her passing because her pain was so substantial this year. She wanted to go.
Her death had been expected, so we were all prepared. I’m also grateful for the opportunity to thank her for being such a great role model during those formative years. It is a peaceful thing to know that nothing was left unsaid.
The best way for me to say goodbye is obvious and simple. One is to write this post.
The other is a little more personal. Our favorite book to read together when I was child was the classic Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak. When I saw her last, I told her it was being made into a movie, and it brought a smile to her face. She wanted to see it though she knew it wasn’t going to happen.
So this October when Where the Wild Things Are is released, I will go alone and sit in the back row. I am sure my fwend will join me in spirit. We’ll have a grand old time, and I will remember then, and always.
Thank you, Grandma. In loving memory,
Geoff
Popularity: 24% [?]
Posted in Reality | 3 Comments »
Top Photographers on Twitter
Sunday, July 5th, 2009
I am really enjoying working with the Nikon D90, and just purchased my third non-stock lens, a Sigma 10-20 mm wide angle. As I step up my photo game (follow me on Flickr or on Twitter), I decided to follow more photographers on Twitter, and put out a general crowdsourcing call for image masters.
Here’s who was suggested (sans a few people who really don’t seem to be on Twitter), amateurs and pros alike in alphabetical order by Twitter handle. I also added @hyku and @noreaster, two amateur photographers I greatly admire.
- Amy Venderford – @amiev – “roaming photographer”
- Amy Montgomery – @amymontgomery – “Photographer. Designer. Mother. Dreamer. Lover of this life and the pictures that keep it fresh.”
- Chase Jarvis – @chasejarvis – “Maniac Photography Director”
- Chris Sembrot- @csembrot – “Advertising and editorial photographer from Philadelphia.”
- Danny Garcia – @danmiami – “computer forensics lab supervisor;cell phone forensics trainer;amateur poker player and photographer; travel”
- Eric Doggett – @ericdoggett – “Energized portraiture.”
- Gloria Bell – @gloriabell – “People Connector, Social Media Enthusiast, Life Lover, Friend, Hugger, Organizer, Thoughts/Musings at http://asseenthroughmyeyes.wordpress”
- Henie Resinger – @HennArtOnline – “Writer, Photographer, Artist, Passionista, Social Media Participant, Cerebral Provacateur”
- Holly McCraig – @hollymccraig – “i’m a liberal, dog-loving professional wedding & portrait photog. yo.”,/li>
- Josh Hallett – @hyku – “Director, Voce Connect – Doing the social media thing since 2003.”
- HughE – @iPhillyChitChat – “Paralegal by Day, Paparazzi by Night”
- itsDarkDaze – itsDarkDaze – “There is only you and your camera.”
- Jenae – @jenaew – “friend. lover, mother, artist, new yorker, midwesterner”
- Jennifer Jasso – @jenjasso – “L.A. based photographer”
- Jeremy Cowart – @jeremycowart – Photographer to the Stars, the Suffering and Everyone in Between.
- Jim MacMillan – @jimmacmillan – “Pulitzer-winning visual journalist, university educator and new media consultant based in Philadelphia.”
- Justin A. Schuck – @justinschuck – “photographer, writer, designer, blogger, political consultant, SWM, yer mom”
- Kristin Farwell – @kfarwell – “Marketing Program Manager at Bulldog Solutions / Photographer at Karmalized.com / Geek at Heart”
- kgustafson – @kgustafson – “Photographer/blogger/professional commuter”
- Kris Krug – @kk – “techartist, quasi-sage, cyberpunk anti-hero from the future”
- Lyndon Wade – @lyndonwade – “Lyndon Wade photography”
- Mickey Gomez – @mickeygomez – “Reader, writer, guitar player, fan of nonprofits, Whedon, social media and dogs. Believes everyone can make a difference!”
- Mike Birce – @mikebrice – “Toledo Photographer.”
- Milli G. Funk – @millifunk – “Exploring small town MO after life in NYC.”
- Jen Consalvo – @noreaster – “all about the internet, building cool apps and leading great teams. photo buff. chronic case of wanderlust.”
- Raquita - @raquita – “Photographer, Mom, you want to work with me now before the world finds out I’m awesome”
- Scott Bourne – @scottbourne – “Host – Photofocus Podcast, Publisher Photofocus.com, President Bourne Media Group – photographer, author, teacher, speaker, new media pioneer”
- Scott White – @SDWhite – “Christian, husband, dad, police officer, IT type, admin weenie, conservative, Patriot Guard Rider, wanna be social media guru, photographer”
- Shaminder Dulai – @Shawagg – “Photojournalist, multimedia producer, trying to find the answers”
- Shawn Duffy – @shawnduffy -”Freelance photographer and photojournalist”
- Steph Brooks – @takinpitchas – “Old school news photog… turned Marketing Exec. Diving into SoMed Marketing and makin’ a splash! Faves include: Coffee, my LolaPup, learning something new.”
- J. Pollack Photography – @stlphoto – “STL-based wedding, family, commercial, and editorial photographer”
- Todd Adamson – @toddadamson – “gggggggggggggg”
- Todd Jordan – @tojosan – “Live/Record/Share, Coder/Analyst/Soc Med Pusher/Photographer/Blogger”
Pretty cool stuff. Now, I just need to put them in their own Tweetdeck group! Photo District News has also published this post featuring the five biggest photographers on the Internet (h/t @jimmacmillan).
Popularity: 57% [?]
Posted in Geekery, Photography | 17 Comments »
