Posts tagged "vicky herrera"

Welcome!

I’ve decided to create my writing blog finally.

Realizing how everything you read influences you, the same also applies to writing (for me). Every single person I’ve interviewed I’ve learned from. They’ve always had a golden quote or a very inspiring story to tell me on how they became successful. (I love stories like that). These are the people I look up to because of their hard work, wisdom and humility.

And whether the interview took place last week or two years ago, hey, learning is learning. 

I’ll also be posting some unpublished works here. Editing down amazing answers for the sake of space really HURTS me. (All my editors know that’s my Achilles’ heel). At least here you can read the full interview and view more pictures.

Keep Reading, Stay Inspired, and Enjoy,

V

#thisisthenewschool


CHUCK REYES Points and Shoots

by Vicky Herrera

Who, why, what and how this young lad started learning photography
THE MINUTE you check out Chuck Reyes’ photo blog, you would immediately add his site to your list.

This 24- year-old first started talking pictures in his senior year of high school. “I think one day I just decided to do it. Nobody in my family was really interested in photography, but I wanted some kind of creative outlet so I started using an old camera we had in the house,” he said.

In his first year of college, he took a black-and-white photo of his class and started making prints in the darkroom. “I was hooked from there,” he said.

Eventually, he started taking party photos in 2006, as well as portraits and fashion shoots for some local magazines. After moving to Singapore in 2008, Chuck continued to master his craft and has successfully cranked out an impressive portfolio with a huge international appeal.

From fashion shoots with fly-in models to spending some quality time with influential musical artists, to shooting cultural taste-makers for Singapore’s youth-bible, Juice Magazine, Chuck is certainly on his way to becoming a top photographer. Now you can bookmark that.

So how’s the scene in Singapore?


The scene in Singapore’s great, everybody’s really pushing it in the creative industries, so it really makes you want do great stuff. The art photography seen is growing steadily, but the magazine and editorial work is so great, there’s so much amazing work being put out.

In the fashion world, a lot of models pass by Singapore to get really creative tears for their book before they move on to New York or Europe. That means we get some top-tier models stopping by for two to three months at a time, who then move on to shoot for the huge magazines. And lots of artists and musicians doing an Asian tour stop by Singapore so there’s an opportunity to shoot them, too.

Who have you shot recently?

Aside from working with amazing models, I’ve been lucky enough to shoot musicians like Datarock, the Handsome Furs, the Misshapes, Gildas from Kitsune, Emmy the Great and recently, Little Boots. I also just shot Nigo, the founder of A Bathing Ape, for the cover of Juice Magazine’s upcoming December issue.

Who are your best subjects?

I just love shooting people, any kind of people. I’ve been shooting a lot of models lately so I miss shooting real people, though I’m hoping to do some personal, non-fashion projects soon. Lately I’ve also shot some random still life and non-people stuff, but even those feel like a kind of self-portraiture more than anything.

What’s the most unforgettable photo you took?

I don’t think I’ll ever forget shooting Datarock for Juice Magazine. It was one of my first jobs for them, and I got to shoot them in their hotel room. I asked if I could get them to play their instruments and then all of a sudden they were busting out the song “Give It Up” from Red. It was like a mini-concert complete with mini guitars and keyboards and mini amps. It was amazing! I actually asked myself, “Is this really happening?” I probably had a huge grin on my face the whole time.

How would you describe your shooting style?

My shooting style is pretty relaxed. I rarely shoot in the studio and I don’t use much lighting, just sunlight or the flash on my camera, so I’m moving around a lot. I think I talk a lot, but that’s probably out of nervousness than anything.

If you could shoot a legend, living or dead, who would it be?

Probably Egon Schiele. I think he has an amazing face, and he has just enough internal craziness to make it interesting. It wouldn’t be a portrait session though, I’d put him in Raf Simons suits and do a fashion story. Then I’d shoot my own stuff on the side. Two birds with one stone!

What websites do you like to check out?

I like to check out Fashiongonerogue.com to see what editorials are coming out all over the world. Aphotoeditor.com for work/business related stuff. Clubsnap.com is a great Singaporean website for deals on second hand camera gear, and a bunch of independent blogs.

What’s more important: Vision VS Tools?

You need vision or else the tools would be useless. “Homo-nymetically” you need tools in order to rise above negative criticism, know who your true friends are, and to be an example of who NOT to imitate. Okay, that was a bad joke!

What is your current obsession?

I’m obsessed with finding good deals on photography books. I’m building up a pretty good collection I think. The yearly National Library book sale is amazing. I got Hedi Slimane’s Stage for like two bucks.

Going to photography school: Yes or no?

Photography school: No. Art school: Yes. Interning/Assisting a Photographer: Yes. Photography Workshops: No.

What’s the best advice you’ve received when it comes to taking pictures?

“If your pictures aren’t good enough, you’re not close enough.” It’s a Robert Capa quote, but it’s also great advice.

Secret Weapon?

My glasses.

Next dream?

To do a really meaningful, really well executed personal project. Or find the time for it.

Published: December 4, 2010 in Inquirer’s 2bu

Chuck Reyes points and shoots - INQUIRER.net, Philippine News for Filipinos


Some photos Chuck took plus a photo of the man himself.

Peep his blog here

http://chucktakespictures.blogspot.com/

V


Outtakes: Chuck Reyes Points and Shoots

What didn’t make it into the final print


Visual artists that inspire you:

I get inspired by so many artists, if I listed them all here I’d go on forever.

Maybe I’ll just give you stuff that happen to inspire me as of right now: Nobuyoshi Araki’s Sentimental Journey, Winter Journey, David Armstrong’s out of focus landscapes, Edward Hopper’s paintings, Roger Ballen’s Outland, Mario Sorrenti’s Calvin Klein Obsession campaign with Kate Moss when they were still dating, Egon Schiele forever, David Bailey’s JS DB NY 62, George Lois’s Esquire covers from the 60’s, Corrine Day RIP,  Sibylle Bergman’s East German fashion photography before the Berlin wall fell, Terry Richardson’s Sisley ads in the 90’s, the work of Bob Richardson, Garry Winogrand, a great young Japanese photographer named Yuhki Touyama, Alec Soth’s Sleeping by the Mississippi, Michel Gondry’s Interior Design from Tokyo!, Lise Sarfati’s The New Life, Venetia Scott’s Margaret Howell ads, Jonathan Leder’s polaroids, my girlfriend Sam’s blog, Roger Deckker’s studio stuff, Robert Frank’s The Americans, Annie Liebovitz’s Rolling Stones tour photos, Robert Longo’s Men in the Cities, my friend Michy’s illustrations, August Sander’s portraits, Weegee’s crime scene stuff, I’m just listing them all down here but there’s a lot. Too much sometimes I think.

Craziest thing you’ve done to get the perfect shot:

Craziest thing I did to get the perfect shot was probably was probably during the shoot with Steve Aoki in Manila, we were on the roof of his hotel and I had him sit on a ledge overlooking the street, like 20+ stories up. It was a straight fall down, and I was up there on the ledge with him. He said something like ‘In tomorrow morning’s paper the headline will be ‘DJ Steve Aoki falls to his death’ and we both laughed nervously. I still think about it sometimes and imagine what would’ve happened if he fell, or if I fell. How morbid of me, I know.

Aside from taking pictures, what else do you love to do?

Right now I love eating. I’ve been exploring a lot of new gastronomic sensations, either trying new places to eat or cooking new things. And I guess it isn’t taking pictures technically, but I also enjoy processing my own film and all the nuances involved in different film and developer combinations. It’s all very nerdy. Really, I’m obsessed with photography and I honestly don’t do much that isn’t photography related.

How does your vision board look like?

I don’t really have a vision board, everything is on my Macbook. It is very neat and organized into ordered rows and columns inside white windows which are then stored into blue folders. *Cue Zoolander* The files are inside the computer??

What are you currently reading?

Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro. I read Remains of the Day and enjoyed it, and I heard they were making a movie about this one so I thought I’d read before I watch the film.

Best way to relax your subject:

Be a nice, genuine person. Don’t be a creeper and/or an asshole.


Young artists participate in wall works and tattoo imagery - INQUIRER.net, Philippine News for Filipinos

Teen tracks - INQUIRER.net, Philippine News for Filipinos

Album Review: G.R.A.E.

Photobucket
[G.R.A.E]

As Producer Chrizo hands me the very first copy of his joint album with MC Marquiss “G.R.A.E. [which stands for the Greatest Rap Album Ever], he takes a long stare at the disk and then lets go. That’s a metaphor right there. After years of putting all his efforts together, he’s finally ready to share it to the world. In a way, it’s like I will be meeting Chrizo and Marquiss for the first time all over again.

A few conversations with Chrizo on why its titled G.R.A.E is explained: If you’re going to aim to produce an album, aim high. It’s their ambition to have the greatest rap album ever, so lets cut to the chase by producing the greatest rap album ever shall we?

As I walked away, I first started to think, how can I review this carefully put together piece of work? Do I need to be an expert in the Manila hip-hop community? Do I need to be knowledgeable on the history of Turbulence Productions? We know that for the longest time this label that has pumped out blood, sweat and tears to get this lifted off the ground. So here’s how it’s going to be, I’m going to approach the task as honestly as I can: as a fan of music. And not just any music, I am a fan who sincerely supports the local hip-hop scene. So I clear my mind and hit play. I’ve listened to the album straight from its first song to last song and vice versa. Some day’s I’ve selfishly skipped through tracks I’m feeling, on other days I’ve put my favorites on repeat. There are some songs I’ve judged at first beat, while others grew on me the more I paid attention to each message.

Let’s now take a look at each track to show you what I mean.



GRAE COVER
Marquiss and Chrizo presents G.R.A.E (Turbulence 2010)

Read More


Cotton [Ear] Candy

by Vicky Herrera (Published November 2008 in Status Magazine)

International Party Queen ROXY COTTONTAIL can’t stop the bunny hop.

Credited for delivering Baltimore/Philly club sound to NYC, she’s conquered the nightlife as one of the best promoters and DJs of the scene. With her ear to the ground, she’s promoted the likes of Hollertronix (DJ’s Diplo and Low Budget) and Spank Rock before the rest of the world caught on. Her newest transition to rapping not only adds her flavor to the music scene, but also to the entire “electro disco” culture at large. Lets not forget to mention her one of a kind Roxy style that is influencing hundreds of energetic ladies to paint their nails bright and rep their streetwear tight. Roxy is our lady’s lady. Our homegirl’s homegirl. The party’s very “life of the party.” STATUS talks to Roxy about beginnings, the lessons, and everything in between.

Hey Roxy! Where are you right now and what are you up to?

I’m back in New York, hustling and making moves, as usual. Just finished with Fashion Week, it was nuts.

You started out as a promoter. Tell us about those days. What was missing in the party scene that you wanted to create?

Promoting started as a hobby. My roommate many moons ago was Miss Justine D and she saw the natural socialite in me. She gave me a guest list for Motherfucker, showed me how to make a budget and the rest is history. The first DJs I ever promoted were Diplo and Low B, I will always think of them as my brothers, its family forever. I lived in Philly after 9/11 and discovered their party Hollertronix and brought it back to NYC when I moved back a year later. The mix of music they blended - from Crunk Southern Rap, Hip Hop to Electro, Baltimore Club, Pop and 80s wasn’t really getting mixed together anywhere. In the same way, the people from all those different scenes weren’t mixed together like they were in Philly and I wanted to make that happen for New York. 

What was the best and worst part of the job? 

The best part of the job is getting new music before everyone else, seeing new clubs before anyone else, getting into the best parties & events, drinking for free, meeting fabulous people and knowing amazing people who can have a good time anywhere at anytime. The worst part is socializing with strangers, crappy sound systems and people constantly asking for drink tickets. 

At the end of the night, it’s still about the business. What were the most important things you’ve learned on the job?

I’ve learned that a DJ can clear an entire room by playing just a song or not playing anything at all. A DJ can single-handedly send a whole party into a downhill shit storm. People LOVE free alcohol but they will purchase it if the music is amazing and there are a lot of girls present. 

From promoter to DJ, How did you make the transition? 

I transitioned from a promoter to a DJ from practicing in empty clubs at off hours, watching other DJs and having a good ear for music. 

On a crazy night, You’ll open your set with…..

It depends on what city, who has opened for me and what time of night but maybe “Together Forever” by Lisette Melendez.

And close with…..

“Slut?” by Avenue D. 

How do you spot hot talent in the music scene? What do you look for?

I look for undeniable superstars and music that’s unique but still catchy. Style is also important. And, in this age you have to be marketable. That helps. 

From DJing, you later started rapping over music…What made you want to try this out?

I had a punk band in high school called the Fox Deluxe which was a lot of fun. My mom is a music teacher, it’s in my veins. After being on the other side of the business, I didn’t really think that I could go back to making music. I was kind of dared to do it and it turned out to be a lot of fun. So, I just kept doing it.  

How do you come up with your lyrics?

Everyday life inspires my lyrics. I like to play with words, fashion and decadence as inspiration. And popular culture is just so easy to make fun of, I kind of have to. 

Can you tell us about the new people you’ve been working with on this? 

I’ve been working with Fonda from Team Facelift- amazing house music producer. I did a song with Larry Tee he’s a visionary in electronic music. Also Teenwolf from Ninjasonik.

As an artist, People describe your music as… 

I’m not really sure what people call my music! Hah! They compare me to Blondie a lot.

But you’d rather call it…

I think I would call it electro-disco punk. 

You love performing with…..because….

Mickey Avalon and Spankrock because they are both ridiculous and talented party animals. 

Describe the official ROXY COTTONTAIL attire? 

I wear lots of vintage, ruffles, tutus, Hellz Bellz with a cute heel, pump or dope kicks. 

Any other field you see yourself getting into? 

Of course! My clothing line is coming out Fall ‘09. It’s street wear and accessories with a funky ass flavor that will eventually be a cut and sew line. 

Any Shoutouts?

Cottontail De la Familia, Peter Cottontail and Status Magazine.



In Patti’s Own Words


One person you would send a box of Sweet Patti Cakes to:

Oprah Winfrey. How dope would that be!

How do you want customers to feel after they try your cupcakes?

Satisfied - in every sense of the word. The kind of satisfied that you’re still thinking about it the next day, and you’re already planning your next fix.

What other sweet things do you like?

Goodnight calls, Thank You notes, coffee dates, my favorite song playing on the radio, forehead kisses, Sunday brunch, mid-day naps, grocery shopping, Vonage chats, golden retrievers…

What do you usually look for/check out when you try new restaurants?

I look at the dessert menu! That way I can plan my meal backwards making sure I have room for dessert. If dessert isn’t going to blow me away, then I just eat more in the beginning.


Cupcake maker - INQUIRER.net, Philippine News for Filipinos


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