Billy Joe Shaver

Billy Joe Shaver. 2003. Waco, Texas © Allison V. Smith

Saw the movie Crazy Heart the other night and if you could see me now you'd see two thumbs up. Great acting & characters. Great story. Bad Blake reminded me of many people but especially Billy Joe Shaver whom they referenced with respect in the movie. I spent a day with Billy Joe a few years back. ( top 10 best photo assignment from my days at the Dallas Morning News.) After spending a morning of shooting and talking, he bought me a cheeseburger at the Health Camp on the circle. I'll remember that day forever.

first clip of the year

Rave Theater CEO Tom Stephenson. January 2010. LATIMES © Allison V. Smith

Rave Theater CEO Tom Stephenson. January 2010. © Allison V. Smith

Rave Theater CEO Tom Stephenson. January 2010. © Allison V. Smith

A few weeks back I photographed Rave Theater CEO Tom Stephenson for the Los Angeles Times. Because the deadline was a few days later, I stayed and watched Avatar 3D. It wasn't it in the cards for me to see it any other time. I was pleasantly surprised (as I was with this cool blue clip.)

Kenneth Noland

Refresh. 1999.© Kenneth Noland

Kenneth Noland. Port Clyde, Maine. August 2005. © Allison V. Smith

I was sad to read that Kenneth Noland passed away last week. I met the color field painter in his studio in Port Clyde, Maine 4 summers ago. It was inspiring being surrounded by his paintings. His precision and attention to space really appeals to me. Read more here.

Adam, Sarah , Daniel&Lulu. Rockport, Maine. October 2008 © Allison V. Smith

I'm organizing some old photographs &listening to some new music on this hazy Saturday morning. More specifically , I have on full volume the potentially addictive Contra by Vampire Weekend (listen here) and I'm rediscovering some portraits I shot last year of my cousins. And for the record, I feel so very lucky to have these amazing people in my life.

Baltimore, MD. October 31, 1964. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. being greeted on his return to the US after receiving the Nobel Peace Prize.

© Leonard Freed/Magnum Photos

Happy Birthday Martin Luther King. This photograph, by Leonard Freed, is one of my all time favorite images from the civil rights. See more here.

D Home antique hunt. January 2010 © Allison V. Smith

As seen in this month's D Home. Nothing beats a simple full page spread on magazine paper.

My new favorite books. Jan2010. © Allison V. Smith

Protest Photographs © Chauncey Hare

Flying Pictures ©Daniel Gordon

Lately on the photo blogs there has been a lot of talk about the Future of Photo Books. I am a big fan of the photo book so naturally it got my interest. Seemed like a good time to blog about some of my new favorite photo (and one art) books. Some Christmas gifts from friends and family others gifts to myself.

In no particular order, my new favorite books are :

1. Evelyn Hofer, Evelyn Hofer

2. For Every Minute You Are Angry You Lose Sixty Seconds of Happiness, Julian Germain

3. Protest Photographs. Chauncey Hare

4. Flying Pictures. Daniel Gordon

5. Maybe Now I'll Get the Respect I So Richly Deserve. Wayne White

6. Asakusa Portraits. Hiroh Kikai

7. Luxury of Space. Oberto Gili

A peek inside Zine 4

Zine 4. Can You Hear Me Now? 2010 © Allison V. Smith

Above are some of my favorite spreads from the latest Superficial Snapshots, Zine 4, Can You hear Me Now? I am excited to report that my stash of Zine 4 is more than half way sold out . Zine 4 is also available at Timothy Whelan Photography Books in Rockport, Maine and Barry Whistler Gallery. Thanks to those in Dallas, Kansas City, Fredericksburg, Austin, Camden, Norfolk, San Angelo, Punta Gorda, Addison, Arlington, Claremont, Portland, Wauwatosa, Los Angeles, Oxford for buying zines!

home. December 2009. Dallas, Texas © Allison V. Smith

Last month, D Home gave me an assignment to find an antique and photograph it in a different setting. (Harder than it sounds.) I eventually found this simple white vase from the 50s at Curiosities. I filled it with a healthy clip from my friend John's pyracantha bush and photographed it in my bedroom with afternoon , natural light. See it on page 30 in the current issue.

Bucks. Fredericksburg, Texas. December 2009. © Allison V. Smith

Bucks. Fredericksburg, Texas. December 2009. © Allison V. Smith

Bucks and Daisy. Fredericksburg, Texas. December 2009. © Allison V. Smith

A few new photos of two of my favorite subjects, Bucks & Daisy.

See more here.

Hotel Saint Cecelia. Austin, Texas. Bunkhouse Management © Allison V. Smith

Hotel Saint Cecelia. Austin, Texas. Bunkhouse Management © Allison V. Smith

Checking some things off the ole 2010 resolution list. Update website regularly. See the Now Showing & In Print sections for new updates. I am also excited to say that my website will be undergoing a total over haul this Spring. There is a lot to look forward to, including picking up those 12 rolls of 120 film I dropped off last week!

Maine. November 2009. Rockport, Maine © Allison V. Smith

Happy New Year.

I have a good feeling about 2010 and

so far it's off to a great start.

Thanks to Aline Smithson for including me in one of her latest posts "Your Personal Favorite" on her bookmark-worthy blog. I chose the above image from Maine.