On the Road - Washington D.C.

Me holding a camera? Or me scratching my head? You decide.(Click image for full size.) © William Anthony

The shoot in Philadelphia went great. Even had time to see the Rodin Museum afterwards. Today we had a day off in Washington D.C. before a shoot tomorrow. So we went to the National Mall. Pssshhh. Not even one Cinnabon!

On the Road - Pittsburgh, PA

Light test with lens flare. © William Anthony

We're currently on assignment again for Architect Magazine. (This time only five cities!) Today we shot a portrait at the beautiful campus of Carnegie Mellon University. Specifically at the very cool "Intelligent Workplace" laboratory where they research sustainable construction techniques and technology including those like this solar photovoltaic panel.

Next up—Philly, PA.

Flashback - John Edwards

(Click image for full size.) © William Anthony

Funny how sometimes, images look different through the prism of time. I photographed the former Senator John Edwards for SEIU back in August 2005. The shot above was always my favorite because of the intensity on Mr. Edwards' face and his piercing blue eyes. In the photo below, there was something so innately populist about the podium in the public square, the attentive crowd, the can-do rolled-up sleeves, the inexpensive, utilitarian wristwatch, and—of course—the gold wedding band. Symbols, all of them.

In retrospect, the recent events with Sen. Edwards sadly reminds me of something Thomas Jefferson once said:

"Whenever a man has cast a longing eye on offices, a rottenness begins in his conduct."


(Click image for full size.) © William Anthony

On the Road - Encinitas, CA

Jeff and Christian. (Click image for full size.) © William Anthony

On the way back from a four day personal trip to San Diego, a stop at Pannikin Coffee, Tea and Spice in coastal Encinitas, California for some coffee beans was in order. While there, I saw a huge mountain of a man in swim trunks and surfer blonde hair standing in line who had a calendar date and time of day tattooed large on his sun-burnt back. At first I wasn't sure what the date could signify. Then, stepping out from in front of him, was the answer—a little boy. A little boy born on that date.

After a brief introduction to the father and son, I asked if I could take a portrait of them, on the spot. Dad agreed with a wide, proud smile.

Turns out Jeff runs a surf school. If you're in North San Diego County and want to learn how to get tubed or go toes-to-the-nose, drop him a line.

UNICEF - Believe in Zero- Lucy Liu

Lucy Liu © William Anthony

This past weekend I shot another installment in UNICEF's "Believe in Zero" celebrity public service campaign. This time with Lucy Liu.

Credits
Art Director: Brad Roberts
Asst. Coordinator: Ari Schneiderman
Production Manager: Pamela Sunnarborg
Agency: Matale Line

Personal Work - Pop

Pop. (Click image for full size.) © William Anthony

While on assignment for Architect Magazine earlier this year, we met "Pop" in Baltimore. Pops ran the construction elevator at the Silo Point project. All Pop does, all day, is run the elevator. Up. Down. Up. Down. Need to know which floor has a porta-potty? Pop simply points to the dry erase board to his left while he leans forward and looks downward to make sure the floor of the elevator car lines up with the poured concrete floor of each level. Need help loading three cases of camera gear onto the elevator? Pop knows just the right (younger) construction workers to help you with that. Pop never leaves the elevator. And his job description is pretty simple. Open door. Close door. Up. Down.

Interestingly, Pop doesn't take a lunch break. He takes his lunch with him. Hanging from the metal grating sides of the elevator is a thermos full of hot coffee—it was in the mid-30s when we were there, a little colder on the upper floors in the wind—and his lunch pail. He eats on the fly, literally.


Pop's Office. (Click image for full size.) © William Anthony

Everyone on the job site seemed to love Pop. Or at least respect him. After the official portrait shoot of the architect on the 23rd floor, on our way down, I asked Pops if I could take his picture. He smiled from ear-to-ear and the cold, rickety, mud-covered elevator car warmed up a few degrees.

I was glad to break his routine if even for just a few minutes. But as soon as I finished, he turned back around, hand on the lever.

Up. Down. Up. Down.

DDB Seattle Agency Video

All images © William Anthony

During my years in Seattle, I worked on many jobs with the ad agency DDB. One such project that just came back on my radar was this agency video. Not only does it contain my black and white stills but also a few ads I shot for clients such as The North Face.

It's a great short that was directed by friend and fave documentary director, Doug Pray. (See also: HYPE!, Scratch, Infamy and Big Rig.) If you have not seen any of his films—do.

See the video in its entirety here:

Quicktime
Windows Media