2013 Monster Jam

Who doesn't love big trucks smashing through and jumping over piles of wrecked cars!? Pretty much all of us. A couple weeks ago Rose Garden arena was packed with fans young and old, gulping in the exhaust and adrenaline, and pushing foamy nubs of protection deep into their ear canals. Loud? Yeah it's loud. Just imagine those monster motors revving up the decibels which are then free to bounce around in the arena before entering your skull. Fun times though, that's for sure. Below are some of my favorite pics from the event.

Roger Waters performs The Wall

 When I was about 12-years-old, I discovered a most amazing album that instantly changed how I experienced music. That album was The Wall, by Pink Floyd. Listening to music went from grooving to rhythmic and rhyming lyrics that had little substance, to being fully engrossed in the artists thoughts, visions, story, and experience. I don't know how many times, after having had a hard day or trying to cope with an emotional experience, I spun that album. Headphones on, taken away for a couple hours to listen, and work out my issues. And I know so many others that had a similar connection to The Wall, and Pink Floyd's music in general. The Wall was almost exclusively composed by Roger Waters, who is on tour now performing it start-to-finish as an elaborate stage show. I was fortunate enough to get credentialed to shoot the first six songs of the show, which was truly an honor given my own personal history with Waters' music. My good fortune continued as I got a last minute call from a friend who had a seat in a suite for me to enjoy the show from after I was done "working". Throughout the three hour show a roughly 30ft x 80ft wall was constructed and used as a backdrop for amazing visuals. At one point, local kid's from Sound Roots School of Modern Music (a school my own daughter has happily attended) got up and sang along side Waters. The show culminates with the completed Wall tumbling down onto the stage and nearly spilling out over the crowd. It was epic and impressive. As was every bit of the show. Without a doubt, the best live stage show I've ever seen. Catch it if you can.

 

 

 

 

The Bent Brick

A few months ago I shot some photos for a review of the then newly opened Bent Brick, an endevour of Park Kitchen success Scott Dolich. For this joint Dolich paired with Will Preisch, who heads the Brick's kitchen. Preisch and Dolich are definitely going for something different here, from the interior vibe, to the unique fare. Super high ceilings, cool seating nooks carved out of wood, and lots of brick and mortar adorn the cute little building at the corner of NW 16th & Marshall. It's a tavern for Northwest Portland for those that don't want standard tavern fare, nor peanut shells underfoot. The food is a unique blend of Prieisch and Dolich's trend for local, sustainable, and thoroughly imaginative. Mixing ingredients and techniques that result in one-of-a-kind flavors, textures, and thoughtfully layered presentations. And don't even get me started on the wicked tasteful drinks! Dolich brought in master mixologist Adam Robinson to make sure the cocktails matched the food. The Bent Brick, not your average NW tavern.

A group of customers sample small plates while sitting in the cool little nook by the front window at The Bent Brick.

Executive Chef Will Preisch finishes an order of Smoked Albacore in the kitchen at The Bent Brick.

A "small" plate of Smoked Albacore, with Heirloom Tomato and Seaweed, in a Shellfish Broth, topped with Crunchy Dried and Grated Mussels at The Bent Brick.

Big Prawns, Corn, Cherry Tomatoes, Young Corriander on top of a fresh Jonny Cake. Topped with a little Popcorn, just for fun at The Bent Brick.

Buttermilk Pudding surrounded by fresh Blueberries, Blueberry pureé, and a Blueberry Sorbet atop a Graham Cracker Crumble at The Bent Brick.

A "small" plate of Smoked Albacore, with Heirloom Tomato and Seaweed, in a Shellfish Broth, topped with Crunchy Dried and Grated Mussels. Off to the left; Big Prawns, Corn, Cherry Tomatoes, Young Corriander on top of a fresh Jonny Cake. Topped with a little Popcorn, just for fun. And for desert; Buttermilk Pudding surrounded by fresh Blueberries, Blueberry pureé, and a Blueberry Sorbet atop a Graham Cracker Crumble. And don't pass up the fresh cocktails at The Bent Brick in Northwest Portland, parked to the far left is a delicious Slabtown Sour.

Executive Chef Will Preisch in the kitchen at The Bent Brick.

Honda in Oregon

A few weeks ago I did a job for Honda, focused on iconic areas of NW Oregon. We started the fast-paced three day shoot in Hood River, then sped out to Cannon Beach later that first day to catch the sunset behind Haystack Rock. On our way back from the coast we got detoured about an hour-and-a-half out of our way due to tunnel maintenence, which was very unfortunate given that we had an early call the next morning. Bonus was that we had an RV to work out of for the three days, so it was easy enough to relax a bit on the way back to town. Our next two days were spread over several locations around Portland, including the Hawthorne Bridge, a Food Cart pod downtown, The Rose Gardens, The Chinese Gardens, the Pearl District, the Crystal Ballroom, and the old Wilson High School.

It was fast and furious, but lots of fun nonetheless. Great bunch of crew and talent to work with, including the super cool and capable crew of Gearhead Grip and Electric, who were pinacle in pulling off the whole thing smoothly.

Catching up with Chris Ryan Photography

Feeling terribly guilty for not having made a blog post in ages, I pulled a bunch of cool images from shoots that took place in the last few weeks of 2010. Enjoy, and look for regular posts to pick up again in 2011.

Crowd shot at the Arcade Fire show at Memorial Coliseum.

Jerry Cantrell of Alice in Chains during their show at Memorial Coliseum.

Fitness model, and all-around cool chick, Ami Sabri.

A "light painting" portrait I did at an event for Bacardi.

My kid, Katie, in her Halloween costume; Wonder Woman.

Product shot for Zing Toys.

I did this shot as part of a challenge by another fine food photographer for his ongoing project, Catching the Ox.

Photo for a review of Soi 9.

Photo for a review of Soi 9.

This was shot for the cover of Willamette Week's issue that contained their 2010 restaurant guide. Restaurant of the Year went to John Gorham's Tasty & Son's.

Alice in Chains

Once again, getting to appreciate shooting in the Coliseum. At Alice in Chains the barrier was so far back, it made the pit feel like a bike lane or something. So much room to move, even though there was only 4 of us. Isn't that the way though? When there's 10 photogs in the pit, it's like 4ft wide. This was a good show, killer music of course, but it just wasn't the same without Layne. It was good, however, to hear the familiar rip and tear of a classic grunge band live again, shot me straight back to '94.