The Mastermind

PALM SPRINGS PHOTO FESTIVAL LINK


For those of you who don't know, the end of March, beginning of April ushers in the fourth year of The Palm Springs Photo Festival Connect 09. I've been in the photo industry for a long while, and have attended just about every event out there, from festival to tradeshow. There are newer, international festivals I've not yet attended, but as far as the US is concerned PSPF is the best event going.

Regardless if you are a photographer or not, if you have interest in making pictures, looking at pictures, this is the event to attend.

The mastermind of this great stage is LA-based photographer Jeff Dunas, seen in the attached image.

Jeff knows more about photography than anyone I know, and I'm not talking about the nuts and bolts, which he does know in great depth, but I'm talking history, styles, books, prints, printing, collecting, etc, etc. There is no aspect of imaging that he isn't in tune with, which is very rare in this photo-world.

One minute he is mixing his own chemistry, toning and creating master prints, real, silver-based prints, and the next he is shooting tethered digital on an ad campaign or celebrity shoot. It doesn't matter what, or how, he just does it.

But enough of the unauthorized biography.

Back to the festival. Jeff, due to his history in the photography world, knows people, a lot of people, including the legends. He really does, and not only does he know them, but there is a mutual respect, which consequently is what, I think, is the foundation of the entire PSPF.

This year's lineup is one you have to see to believe. Workshops, symposiums, lectures, reviews, shows, projections, panels, interviews, parties and an atmosphere that is unrivaled. This is a real festival. If you need a dose of tech to quell your inner geek, you can get it. But if you need more of a intellectual study of the nuance of fine-art, well guess what, you can get that too. And, everything in between.

You could literally go, never say a word to anyone and still have a great time. Where else can you do that? Okay maybe the DMV, but that is it.

So, turn off the TV, get off the couch, put down the doughnuts and register people. If my threats aren't enough to motivate you, then how about a small taste of the lineup......


Larry Fink, Steve McCurry, Debbie Fleming Caffery, Keith Carter, Frank Okenfels, Jay Dusard, Greg Gorman, Juergen Nogai....

These are JUST a few of the workshops people! Oh, and this was just brought to my attention.....Duane Michals is coming too, just by the way...in addition...Duane Michals people.

It's time to saddle up and head toward the springs.