Frederick Wiseman. 2008 © Chris Buck

The best thing about my freshman year in college was the junior only documentary class that I was allowed to take because the photography class had filled up. The professor showed us Frederick Wiseman's chilling documentary Titicut Follies. In 1967 just before it's release, the government banned the documentary claiming " film violated the patients' privacy and dignity." The film blew my 18-year-old mind and inspired me to pursue photojournalism. Basically I have been a big fan of Weisman ever since. When I met him in the late 90s I was able to thank him and tell him how he and David Byrne were two of my visual inpirators (is that a word?) . Having said that, I will be at the 4:15 showing of "The Store" , a documentary Wiseman made in 1983 on Neiman Marcus. I have seen it only once before and I remember it was strange watching my grandfather in full leadership roll. Mark your calendars, SMU is hosting An Evening with Fred Wiseman scheduled for April 14 at 6:30 p.m. at the Hughes Trigg Theater. Frederick Wiseman Rules! (oh and so does Chris Buck who shot the above photo of Wiseman.)

Pepper. 1930. © Edward Weston

This is cool: Edward Weston's grandson, Kim Weston, talks about his grandfather's work in a slideshow on the Times site. Read article here.

Dolly Parton Backstage, Symphony Hall, Boston, MA, 1972 © Harry Horenstein

It's a busy weekend for photography in Dallas! I'm planning on hitting Henry Horenstein 's opening reception and book signing Saturday night at After Image Gallery. Next stop Conduit Gallery where Dallas photographers , Susan kae Grant and Paul Greenberg, are showing new work. See other great listings on Photopol!

portrait class. March 24, 2009. Plano, Texas. © Allison V. Smith

A few scenes from the hands on portrait class I taught today at the Collin County Community College. We had fun finding faces to photograph and experimenting with natural light. I really enjoyed the energy of the class!

Booger. Clements Unit. February 2009.Amarillo, Texas © Allison V. Smith

How I did it. February 2009. Amarillo, Texas © Allison V. Smith

Part of my assignment for Texas Monthly was to photograph the accused , Booger Red, in prison in Amarillo, Texas. I'll be using these two photos in my "on location lighting" portrait workshop that I am teaching this afternoon at the Collin County Community College this afternoon. (My collection of "assistant photos" is multiplying.. remember this one?)

Booger Red's trailer. Mineola, Texas. February 2009. © Allison V. Smith

A few outtakes from a story I shot in Mineola, Texas for Texas Monthly last month. Pick up the new issue of TM to read the creepy story & see senior writer Michael Hall's multimedia slideshow here.

going ape shite. vancouver. 2002. © Allison V. Smith

Signing a book for Dr. Bob. March 2009. Dallas, Texas. © Allison V. Smith

Quincy Jones will be signing his new book at Barnes & Noble tonight. I took a peek at his book last night and it is simply awesome. It is well designed and filled with scraps , notes, receipts, contact sheets and an amazing collection of photographs documenting a first class kind of cool music history. Jones heads to Austin next where he will be the keynote speaker at South by Southwest .

Sandman. March 2009. Dallas, Texas. © Allison V. Smith

Part of the beauty of being self employed is being able to have spontaneous photo shoots (something I did not do a lot of when I worked at the DMN). I am having fun editing this morning's impromtu photo shoot with Sandman, the Rappin Cowboy. I loaded a few more here and since I am now an official groupie, I will be following his travels here. Thanks to Sarah Jane, Jessica and Allan for your awesome help and Sandman.. come back to Dallas anytime!

Sandman. March 2008. Dallas, Texas © Allison V. Smith

Have you heard about Sandman, the Rappin' Cowboy? He will be performing , one night only, at the Murray Street Coffee Shop tonight from 8-10 pm before he hits the road back to North Dakota. You seriously won't want to miss this.

Quincy Jones. 2007. Dallas, Texas © Allison V. Smith

Check out Robert Wilonsky's interview with the one and only Dude, Quincy Jones, in this week's Dallas Observer. Happy this self-assigned portrait finally found a home.

Here are the facts: I have made some updates on my website including the F!D Luxe March issue (above- Hotel St. Cecelia) in my in print section. I also added some recent assignment work to the now showing section.

Robert Wilhite. March 2009. Dallas, Texas. © Allison V. Smith

Alex Katz in his studio. Linconville, Maine. August 2007. © Allison V. Smith

Have you seen Alex Katz modeling in the new JCREW catalog? Cool. That's what I thought too.

letter from Andy Hanson. April 2005. © Andy Hanson

postcard from Andy Hanson. April 2003. © Andy Hanson

Happy Birthday to my best pen pal and photo friend, Andy. I miss getting your rubber-stamped covered letters & I especially miss you!

Bradford Pear. March 2009. Dallas, Texas. © Allison V. Smith

It's the Bradford Pear time of year in Texas. Basically, I am never not impressed by this awesome display of nature all over our city. I am convinced these trees look beautiful in any light. I shot this late last night in a parking lot east of downtown Dallas.

Americana. February 2009. Dallas, Texas. © Allison V. Smith

Opening Saturday night at the Barry Whistler Gallery, " Americana " , a solo exhibition of three-dimensional works by Dallas new-comer, Daryl Lauster. Also, in the gallery back room, a select group of paintings by Houston artist Terrell James. Make a night of it and also check out Road Agent's group show " Far From The Maddening Crowd" and Charley Harper's original paintings and vintage serigraphs at The Public Trust!

Fahamu Pecou is the Shit. 2008. Dallas, Texas © Allison V. Smith

Mark your calendars and get your 80s outfit on, Atlanta artist Fahamu Pecou is coming to town! It's the official Fahamenon book signing at Conduit Gallery on Monday, March 16th. Fahamu will also lecturing Tuesday night, March 17th at the Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth. Don't let your Moms know!

Hotel St. Cecelia. Austin, Texas. February 2009. © Allison V. Smith

I photographed the super-sexy, "rock-star ready" Hotel St. Cecelia in Austin, Texas for F!D Lux last month. The article is the current issue. Check it out.

regulars. February 2009. Clifton, Texas. © Allison V. Smith

Chicken Fried Steak. February 2009. Clifton, Texas © Allison V. Smith

Gennie's Sign. February 2009. Clifton, Texas © Allison V. Smith

I had a mouth watering assignment for the New York Times in Clifton, Texas last month. It ran today in the Dining&Wine section. Check it here. Yum, yum.

"Marfa Light" installation . February 2009. Marfa, Texas © Allison V. Smith

Marfa Light" installation . February 2009. Marfa, Texas © Allison V. Smith

A few installation shots from "Marfa Light" at the Thunderbird Hotel in Marfa, Texas. I added a few to the installations shots to my site in the installation section as well as here. The show is up through May 16th, so if you are passing through, check it out.