Years of language classes. Countless lessons. Endless rehearsals. All culminating in an hour long solo performance at Temple University’s Rock Hall in Philadelphia. So proud of the passion and commitment Allison put in over the past four years to get there.
Author: Mike
-
The Industry Finally Caught Up to My Career
In a bit of professional news, I am excited to announce that I have accepted a role with Akamai to lead global cloud and developer communications — the core of Akamai’s new Compute business following its acquisition of Linode.
The combination of Akamai and Linode sits at the sweet spot of much of what I’ve done throughout my career. Marrying Linode’s experience in cloud computing with Akamai’s leadership in scale and security creates the world’s most distributed compute platform – from cloud to edge. As someone who has been around several industry inflection points, it feels like we are at the cusp of another.
I’m immensely proud of the work my team did at Linode. We built a communications function from the ground up, scaled it smartly and efficiently, and established a new category that the industry now embraces. We now have the opportunity to do it better, to do it bigger.
Stay tuned for more as I kickoff this next chapter.
-
Pro Cycling Portrait
My legs may not be fast enough to keep up with my friends on the Bike Works p/b Fred Beans pro bike team, but my camera’s shutter speed is.
Always fun to see one of my images in the local weekly newspaper. Especially when it’s a shot of my friends from the pro cycling team sponsored by the best local bike shop in the country.
-
One Act, A Lifetime of Memories
I went to the Millrose Games at Madison Square Garden when I was in high school. Had my camera bag with me. Saw a press pass on the ground. Picked it up. Tied it to my bag. And with all the confidence of a teenager, started following the other photographers heading toward the track. The security guard at the gate took one look at me, looked away, and let me in. He knew.
I was near the landing mat when Sergei Bubka set the pole vault world record. And in the press conference afterward when he saw me and threw me the tape off his wrist from that very vault. I was on the escalator standing next to Carl Lewis, at the time the most spectacular and perfect human specimen I’d ever seen. I met Edwin Moses, who, in my mind, is one of the greatest athletes to ever walk this planet. All because of the kindness of a stranger.
So when you watch these 40 seconds of Usain Bolt interacting with normal, everyday people — strangers — remember that all it takes is a moment of kindness to have a lifetime of impact.
-
Goodbye, 2021. Hello, 2022.
Another year, another…well, another something. Right? Without further ado, highlights from these past 365 days navigating a global pandemic.
Let’s see, where to start. Well, there were a couple of bucket list-level things that happened in 2021. For starters, a portrait I created during an on-site assignment in Basel, Switzerland, flashed on one of the big electronic billboards in Times Freaking Square!
I interviewed Vint Cerf, the father of the Internet, and Christopher Aker, one of cloud computing’s pioneers, about the history of cloud computing and where it’s headed.
Work my team and I did created a new category in the technology industry, the holy grail for those who do what I do for a living.
I recorded 7 new episodes as the host of the Craft of Code podcast.
I did what I could to help good people get elected to our school board.
I had my third biggest year riding my bike in terms of mileage and number of days I got out, which also saw me cracking 100,000 feet of climbing for the second year in a row.
I had the pleasure of watching Olympians and world champions race bikes at The Velodrome. And witnessed the spectacle of friends racing custom-built high wheel bikes around the oval.
Had some stickers printed.
Introduced the neighbors kids to Spaceballs!, covid-style.
Speaking of, they also put in a new pool, but were less than thrilled with the new bathing suit I picked out to celebrate.
My youngest daughter turned 18 and my oldest turned 21. I continue to defy aging (okay, defy growing up).
I saw a few good movies:. Don’t Look Up, In the Heights, Westside Story, Tick! Tick…Boom!, Palmer, 14 Peaks, The River Runner, War Dogs, Bo Burnham: Inside, and Pele.
Despite the limitations of the pandemic, the boob tube created some really good shows this year: Ted Lasso, Schmigadoon!, The White Lotus, Hacks, Only Murders in the Building, Mare of Easttown, Ghosts, The Great, The Least Expected Day, The Lost Pirate Kingdom, Cobra Kai, Dickinson, The Handmaid’s Tale, Kevin Can F**K Himself, and Yellowjackets.
I finally got around to reading Anthony Bourdain’s “Kitchen Confidential” and Peter Sagan’s “Sagan: My World.”
I listened to a hilarious podcast called “Smartless” with Jason Bateman, Sean Hayes, and Will Arnett. I highly recommend the George Clooney episode.
And I created a few photographs. These are some of my favorites from 2021.
-
The Work We Do, The Lives We Live
My daughter was a Dr. Who fan. One day she said, “Dad, you need to watch this episode.” What unfolded on the screen — three and a half minutes of thespian magic — is, perhaps, the most emotion-inducing scene in television history. Even more emotional than the finale to MASH. It’s a gut-punching reminder that the lives we live matter, even if we think they don’t.
-
Out and About Along the Back Roads of Bucks County
Saddle season on the East Coast. When the remnants of late season snowstorms melt into the warming ground of spring.
I took the Subaru Outback — my new post-pandemic, let’s-go-on-an-adventure vehicle — for a gallop around the back roads of Bucks County, Pa., at the end of the day. These are a few of the images I created with my iPhone 12 Pro while I was exploring.
-
2020 in Photos
I usually like to start the new year off with a post of my favorite images from the previous year. But 2020 was — let’s be honest — a shit show of epic proportions. So I forgot about my annual image post. Well, not so much forgot as just didn’t care. There are clearly more important things the world needs right now than a random post of random photographs.
But then Steve O’Grady posted his annual recap over on his blog. It’s a post I look forward to more than my own (mostly for the summer emergency room images). And I thought to myself, self, you really should crank out those images because they just might — like Steve’s — let people escape this modern day version of “The Stand” for a few minutes.
So, my friends, I give you my 2020 in photographs. I thought about putting them into some sort of chronological order, but 2020 chronology was just one long March…which, for what it’s worth, is when I noticed my shooting shifted hard to screencaps of my television, pint glasses to accompany UnTappd entries, and new edits of old photos.
Enjoy the deliberate chaos. We’re all used to it by now anyway.
I had one of my portraits show up on the national political stage. You may recall one of the names in the caption below as one of 2020’s most important defenders of democracy. As Secretary of State for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Kathy Boockvar was instrumental in ensuring the sanctity of a free and fair election in our state. It was an honor to see a portrait I shot during her husband’s campaign for county judge used in news stories highlighting her work.
I’ve discovered a fun niche in my portrait work with the music and theater communities. This is arguably one of the most difficult images I’ve ever created and definitely the biggest group I’ve ever included in one frame. But, here’s the thing: when you’re working with pros like these talented performers from Central Bucks West High School, it makes the job a helluva lot easier.
I kicked off 2020 with an incredible studio session at Watson Creek Art Farm with actress Amanda Livezey. When the pandemic paused in-studio shoots, we took to the cobblestone alleyways of Old City Philadelphia to create promotional images for her upcoming flick.
The more I shoot, the more I realize creating portraits is one of the thing I love most about photography. This session with musician Joe Montone is a perfect example. I absolutely love the technical aspects of what we created together. But making that human connection extends far beyond the glass at the ends of the lens and turns the resulting image into something, to me, that is more than a photograph.
Part of the fun of photography for me is the collaboration with my subjects. Take singer-actress Taylor Ann Mitchell, for example. Each of the shoots we did this year — starting in the studio and then moving outdoors with the longer lens as the pandemic wore on — was the result of a creative combination of joint moodboards, fashion sense, and location scouting. We didn’t always stick to the script during the shoot, but sometimes that’s where the best shots are found.
My favorite shoot of the year is my annual holiday collaboration with Broadway actress Jenny Lee Stern and her daughters. This year’s shoot was a little different, as we needed to get creative working around the necessary protocols, but we delivered. Actually, they delivered. She and the girls always bring such personality and fun to these shoots that the photography is an accompaniment.
A little Patsy Cline and Joe Montone in a small town courtyard before their big community concert. I got a text from Joe. “Hey, I’m pulling together an outdoor concert of old school country music. Any chance you can shoot Jenny Lee and I for the poster?” I mean, how do you say no, right?
To arms! That’s what I should’ve titled this image of actor David Feliz shot in Old City Philadelphia.
Looks like it was shot in a studio, but actually shot in my driveway. My neighbor’s daughter was outside twirling a sunflower umbrella. I quickly set up a v-flat and grabbed this shot.
Had the pleasure of grabbing a couple of frames of Jon Sheairs near 4th and Bainbridge in Philadelphia. He’s the lead guitarist for the band Overcoming Gravity.
Got down low. Waited. Clicked.
The teachers in the music department of Central Bucks School District in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, have raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for VH-1’s Save the Music Foundation. The money is used to establish music programs in other schools across the nation. Teachers from the district’s music department – and other secretly talented teachers from other departments – put on a concert that could easily pack bigger theaters than the 1,000-plus school auditorium they play to for three sold out shows each year. They generously give me unfettered access to the pit, backstage, and rafters to document the performances.
Landscape and nature photography isn’t my favorite discipline, but, c’mon, when Ma Nature throws her awesomeness at you, you have to capture it, right? Like many people, I spent a lot of solo saddle time on my bike this year. I explored new roads, slowed my pace down (as if that’s even possible) to soak in the quiet and beauty of the things around me. And took pictures of it, mostly with my iPhone.
Really no need to explain these shots. In 2020, good people turned out to march, protest, and counterprotest against the atrocities and damage inflicted upon democracy and their fellow humans by a political party whose words, policies, and actions sought to destroy the country.
This is the first time I’m posting these images. They are from a project I created to reflect the nation I saw in 2020. Everywhere I looked, Americans were flying flags. I wondered what it would look like if people flew them to honestly reflect the state of the country. The upside down flag is a sign of distress. And, yes, I understand it has specific — and important — meaning to those in the military. America was clearly in distress this year. (Note: none of these flags were flown in distress; I used Photoshop to recompose the images.)
And there was pasta. Lots of pasta. -
16 Photographers Who Inspire Me
Most photographers have someone they wish they could be. If you’re a photojournalist, you kneel at the altar of icons like James Nachtwey and Pete Souza. If you’re a portrait photographer, it’s the altar of Herb Ritts and Annie Leibovitz. Landscape? None other than the master of masters, Ansel Adams.
Which got me thinking about the photographers I know who inspire me. Artists who span a wide range of photographic disciplines and styles. Photographers whose work challenges me to be better. Their images are instantly recognizable. And for some, their work behind the lens is secondary to the work they do to make other humans’ lives better.
Who are they? Let’s take a look.
IVAN LESICA
Arguably one of the finest detail photographers around today. Ivan’s eye for abstraction and detail has made him a regular featured artist in National Geographic’s YourShot! feed. I don’t even have to look for his name to know that a shot is a Lesica.
Follow Ivan at @Ivan_Lesica.
DAVID SHOUKRY
The face behind English Photoworks. David’s portraits are instant classics. When I first stumbled onto his work, his soft lighting drew me in. It wasn’t until later that I realized his real genius was how his simple lighting and studio setup brought out the harmony between the sets he designs and the tones and textures he carefully constructs.
KEVIN KOLBER
I’ve had the honor of working with a few up and coming models. It’s an area of my work where I’ve seen the most growth over the past couple of years. The generous advice, inspiration, and encouragement from Kevin made that possible. And what better photographer to learn from than one of Florida’s most in-demand, talented lensman?
Follow Kevin at @kevinkolberphoto
PEDRO OLIVEIRA
Let me get this out of the way first: I love Pedro’s photography. What I love more, though, is the compassion he brings to the images he creates. Whether that’s highlighting the humanity of Portland’s homeless or the beauty of women over 50, Pedro uses his talent to make the world a better place.
Follow Pedro at @pedrontheworld
MICHAEL SASSER
I’m sure there are some who look at Michael as a world class boudoir photographer. Because he is. He’s also an incredibly generous human who shares a wealth of hard-earned tips to improve any photographer’s repertoire. My posing, interaction, and lighting skills have increased dramatically since following him.
Follow Michael at @sasserstillsboudoir
JORDAN ELIJAH VERDIN
Sometimes a photographer is more than a photographer. Jordan is a perfect example. His portraits of people in southern California in need of a second chance are dramatic and full of character. But it’s something Jordan created away from the camera that makes him special. He’s the founder of Humanity Showers, offering mobile showers, haircuts, hygiene, food, and clothes to improve the quality of life for those who need it.
Follow Jordan at @jordanverdin
KIM HARRISON
Based in the port town of Puerto Escondido on the Pacific Coast of Mexico, Kim’s images are the kind that, when you see them, you just assume they are from a travel magazine. It’s one thing to create an image that’s pleasing to the eye. It’s something other level to create an image that ignites your wanderlust and burns into your soul.
Follow Kim at @kimmy.kim.kimber
REYANNE CORL
I don’t remember how I stumbled upon Reyanne’s work, but I’m so glad I did. I love the natural tones she coaxes out of her images. Her work with Alaina Jane, though, is where I’m truly in awe. They have an incredibly strong connection that I continue to strive for in my own collaborations.
Follow Reyanne at @rcorlphotography
CHRIS “CHIP” COUGHLAN
If there are performance enhancing drugs in photography, Chip’s taking them. The quality and creativity in his work has gone from really good to world class this year. I’d argue he’s earned a spot in the top echelon of still and product photography.
Follow Chip at @chipbutnotdale
UNMESH DINDA
I don’t know if Unmesh has ever picked up a camera. But if you’re a photographer and even think about doing work with Photoshop, he’s your first stop for education. If someone told me Unmesh was the sole person who developed Photoshop, I wouldn’t argue with them. He knows it inside and out and teaches in style that is informative, well paced, and friendly.
Follow Unmesh at @PiXimperfect
PETER ADAMS
Peter and I go way back to the days when web sites were nothing more than a few lines of HTML and a pixelated bitmapped image on a low resolution monitor. Who knew we both had larger aspirations that would someday combine our technology professions with our photographic passions? Peter’s work on the vitally important Faces of Open Source project is a constant inspiration for me. And I, too, will someday grace the pages of National Geographic like he has 😉
Follow Peter at @peteradamsphoto
JUAN VIDAL
Architectural photography is an incredibly precise and difficult discipline. It requires incredible knowledge of lighting, post-processing, and geometry. Few combine that trio like Juan. His images grace the covers of high end real estate listings and have appeared in Architectural Digest.
Follow Juan at @juanvidalphotography
BOB LINNEMAN
Bob was in the pit at the Theatre of Living Arts when I shot my first concert. He’s a seasoned pro who has shot many a big act. His generous guidance during that first outing has stayed with me over the years.
Follow Bob at @brockswell
KEITH BALDERSTON
A lot of local folks know Keith from his stellar drone work. But it’s his work with the big 600mm glass where he really shines. Whether capturing bald eagles along the Delaware River or the International Space Station flying over our neighborhood, Keith makes visible things the normal eye doesn’t typically get a chance to see.
Follow Keith at @buckscountydrones
JUSTIN DEROSA
No list is complete without calling out the amazing landscape work Justin does. A steady feed of “I wish I shot that” images. He has a way of finding unique spots and angles to bring out the beauty of nature regardless of the season.
Follow Justin at @justinderosaphotography
Mike Maney 