Wow! It’s been a ery long time since I have had a weekend this busy. Three days at an art show, concert, and a worshop. And I still had monday to recuperate. I am still pooped. I bragged a few days ago about what I was going to do. Now let me break down the impressions from those events.

SEAF – March 24-26

The Seattle Erotic Arts Festival 2006 was better than the last two years. As I understand, jurors were tasked with limiting the amount of photography. After last year’s show, I can understand this. The photography of the last couple of years dominated the show’s content. Moreover, the presentation and quality of a lot of the photography was sub par. This year there was more classic arts represented.My laundry list of artists to research is lengthy. There were many exceptional photographers, but it was the painters and illustrators that left a strong impression. Jeff Faerber’s Nude sticks in my mind. His small acrylic contra posta nude looks like an oil painting by Rembandt. It’s eroticism was in the simplicity of the study of a waif figure under a men’s shirt. The little painting contrasted with the images of genitals that bookend its frame. John John Jesse, a show favorite, was represented by several prints. The gestural line art of Francois Dubeau also caught my eye. I also enjoyed, the 17th century themed miniatures of Jessica McCourt.

Two photographers did stick in my mind. Rik Garrett displayed painterly lighting techniques in his photos Elemental, Equinox Emergence, and Amphisbane. It’s rare in today’s digital demand photography market to see photographers still exploring darkroom and studio techniques. Garrett’s image displayed an understanding and control light. There were indications in Elemental of using a pen light to paint in shadow. And Amphisbane was composed under the enlarger. Erin Frost’s autobiographical images stood out because of their beautifully crafted compositions. She seemed willing to expose her most sensual thoughts through direct statement. Self-Portrait with Trench Coat has her sitting in a chair illuminated by afternoon sunlight. Wearing a trench coat indicates a desire to be an exhibitionist, but she stays in her living room.

Belle & Sebastian / New Pornographers – March 25th

What a great show. I was supposed to meet friends from work, but they were detained by drinks somewhere. I never did catch up with them. The New Pornographers put on a excellent set. The best was their nod to B & S – the entire band wore Scotland is For Me! t-shirts. This was my first B & S show. This group from Scotland put on an excellent show. I acquired much of their music through the friends that failed to show up on time. Everyone of my favorites were played. The best was an encore with the New Pornographers. Everyone held slips of lyrics while singing “Any Way You Are.”

Charles Gatewood Workshop – March 26th

This was a day that I waited nearly two months for. I schlepped five bags of gear to the workshop. When I saw that it was being held in the cinema, I became concerned that I was over prepared. Pretty normal for me though. I take three bags for a weekend trip. Gatewood talked for about half of the three hours allotted for the workshop. Much of what he talked about was in the book. But listening to him confirmed my impressions of him I got from the book. Here is a sincere man offering seasoned advice. The last thing he wants to do is tell others how to take pictures. Gatewood just wants that all parties involved be respectful of each other.

When it came time to take pictures, three lovely models showed up. A couple of attendees also offered themselves to our lenses. At first I was frustrated. Four of my five bags of gear were going to go unused. I snatched them all up and headed for the door. The room was going to turn into a shooting gallery. Twenty photographers were going to shoot five models. I am not very comfortable with paparazzi style shooting. The walk to my car cooled me off though. If I climbed into the driver’s seat, I would lose an opportunity. One deep breath later, I was back in the cinema. Gatewood was congenial and shoulder to shoulder with the other photographers. Once I shed the baggage (Literally and emotionally), I had a great time. The models were hot and Gatewood humorous. I even exchanged jibes with him.This was the busiest weekend and one of the most pleasurable I have had in a long time. Let’s see what I can do in the future.