Need a few more Nocturnists . . .

                Image by former CofM student Roberto Renzetti

Looking for a few more people to round out the Night Photography Course I'm teaching over at College of Marin, Kentfield Campus. You'll need to hurry, tho' - deadline to register is THIS THURSDAY, January 27, 2011. Visit the College of Marin Web site for registration and more information. Class runs Fridays from February 4 - March 18. Locations include some of the most scenic spots in the Golden Gate National Recreation Area, the Presidio and the Marin Headlands.

From The [not so] Daily Nocturne

The Resurrection of Piglight Piglet

Well it's not the Ruins of Sutro Baths, below the Cliff House, but it's always a treat to return to the bay-side area of San Francisco's Presidio National Park - this time for a private instruction session, under the full moon on Jan 21, with a Nocturnist from central Florida. Later this week, I take my SF Photo Center "Introduction to Night Photography" class to the same hallowed ground.

In case you don't recognize it, the above image comes from another San Francisco NPy Workshop, where we introduced the newest member of "Team Nocturne" - Lighting Specialist, Level One, Piglight Piglet! Not only does he come with his own internal light system, but he has a lot to say.

From The [not so] Daily Nocturne

(And yeah, there's a reference above to the Butterfield Blues Band . . .)

Top-Secret Night Photography

These images - part of a top-secret group project. But, don't worry - all will be revealed after February 1, 2011 - part of the year-long 20th Anniversary celebration --  "TheNocturnes@20"

(From the desk of The Under Assistant West Coast Promotion Man)

Begin the Beguine . . .

In the past year, as I developed "The History of Night Photography" - a standalone course (formerly part of The Nocturnes 3-night Workshops), I found my attention repeatedly drawn to the significance of those who came before us. I believe that we learn from the study of those early pioneers of NPy and the hurdles they had to overcome - we gain perspective, as well as technical, practical insight. As Michael Kenna has commented: "I think many creative people are compilations of influences, wedded to some aspect of their own uniqueness. Few work in a vacuum, as Isaac Newton alluded: 'If I have achieved anything, it is by standing on the shoulders of giants' - or words to that effect."

Here then, we begin to present some of the highlights of the presentation, split into four parts, covering 1850 to the present. We will be revealing more of these tidbits in the weeks to come. 

Daguerrotype by John Adams Whipple, 1852

From The [not so] Daily Nocturne

("When they begin the beguine / it brings back the sound / of music so tender")

Year's end in a minor key . . .

Song is "Winter Moon" by Hoagy Carmichael from the 1956 LP "Hoagy Sings Carmichael," featuring Art Pepper on alto saxophone. Thanks to Pat Oates for the Rebecca Kilgore link - which you might have guessed - has led me here.

From The [not so] Daily Nocturne

("Sad songs, they say so much . . .")

"The Nocturnes: 20/Ten"

           Chicago - Foggy Day, Clear Night © Philip Coleman

Our latest online exhibit of Night Photography, The Nocturnes: 20/Ten, is now available for viewing here. This show introduces a little diferent format than seen in our previous biennials, in that the final selections by the Jurors was limited to Twenty pieces by Ten artists - "Twenty/Ten."

Why not have a look, or two - and let us know what you think, by leaving a comment below.

(From the desk of The Under Assistant West Coast Promotion Man)

Fairytale Nocturne

"The boys of the NYPD choir
Were singing "Galway Bay"
And the bells were ringing out
For Christmas day."
(The Pogues and Kirsty MacColl)

The Pogues - A Fairytale Of New York

A Ghost of Christmas Past . . .

From The [not so] Daily Nocturne

To Tell the Truth . . .

Guess it all started last Sat'dy night, listening to Dore Stein's tribute to Captain Beefheart, specifically the 19-minutes long, harmonica/blues-laden "Tarotplane" (would R.J. approve?). Anyway, in a tangential sort of way, I would up researching another great harp player fave, and a typeface (Franconia - for a show - more about that later) - as they both appeared on the Butterfield Blues Band's "East-West" LP, from wa-a-a-y back in 1966.


In another roundabout way (and isn't that what the Internet is for?) this led me to this TV clip with Paul Butterfield on "To Tell the Truth" (circa 1965 approx). East - West, indeed!

From The [not so] Daily Nocturne

("Gimme that harp, boy . . .")

USS Mariano G. Vallejo SSBN 658 - night view

Just a year-end reminder - all donations to the Save Our Sail project are completely tax deductible as the Mare Island Historic Park Foundation is a 501 (c) 3 approved charitable organization. The MIHPF, the sail's caretaker, is working on a plan to place the 658's sail in a dramatic, accessible site for permanent display.

More information at the Save our Sail project Web site

Above Night Photo of the USS Mariano G. Vallejo SSBN 658 sail by Tim Baskerville of The Nocturnes at a recent semi-annual AlumNight.

("Free the Sail, from the fence . . .")

Epson Pano Awards

We would like to announce an exhibit showcasing the work of panoramic photographers worldwide, sponsored by Epson. Deadline for submissions is Friday April 15, 2011 - get all the details at the official Web site.

As seen on The Panocturnists Blog