Cornelius Matteo Photography: Blog

Brent Graef Eductational DVD's now on sale at his website

cornelius@cmatteophotography.com (Cornelius Matteo Photography) — Wed, 07 Oct 2015 01:43:54 GMT

In addition to streaming videos, Brent now has educational DVD's on sale:

Oscar Meets His Cow Friends

cornelius@cmatteophotography.com (Cornelius Matteo Photography) — Tue, 06 Oct 2015 03:28:04 GMT

The other day while biking down Tolman Creek Road, I took a few snaps of Oscar the pit bull making friends with a few cows. Despite all the bad press they get, I have never yet met a mean pit bull and Oscar is no exception, sweet and friendly - both to me and the cows. And these cow teenagers couldn't get enough of their new friend Oscar.

Having another baby!

cornelius@cmatteophotography.com (Cornelius Matteo Photography) — Mon, 05 Oct 2015 01:17:26 GMT

Two weeks ago, I spent a wonderful afternoon photographing this lovely family -- and mom (Rachel) is having another baby (due now as I write this). Rachel is following the meditation and breathing techniques laid down by Calmbirth along with her super cool Doula, Anna Humphreys, co Director of Calmbirth.

Adventures in Babysitting

cornelius@cmatteophotography.com (Cornelius Matteo Photography) — Fri, 04 Sep 2015 07:47:20 GMT

last week of August I helped a dear friend, newly single and going through a divorce, to babysit for her two daughters. Years ago I had helped raise children back in my NYC days, so I thought it would be fun. And it was, but also exhausting -- no way could I keep up the pace of these two amazing little girls, one five and the other seven years old. After just one week I was burned out and eager to return to peaceful Ashland. I know in my heart there is no greater hero than a single parent caring for her (or his) children.

Outlaw Lady

cornelius@cmatteophotography.com (Cornelius Matteo Photography) — Sun, 16 Aug 2015 17:04:13 GMT

Great fun with this photoshoot with Neisha, who dressed the part of an outlaw lady. I photographed these shots at the location of the last great train robbery in the US -- just a few miles south of where I live in Ashland, Oregon.

This photo was lit by a strobe in a 27" Westcott soft-box held by Neisha's boyfriend (the soft-box was fixed to a paint pole and held directly in front of Neisha to get it high enough to cast a butterfly lighting pattern on her face with back lighting through smoke provided by a speed light, camera right, held by a friend who was smoking a nasty cigar making the smoke.

Outlaw LadyOutlaw Lady

Neisha did a great job holding this very heavy Tommy Gun inside the tunnel, main light, camera left, provided by a Quadra Strobe inside a 60" Westcott Umbrella. Again, Neisha's boyfriend did a great job holding the paint pole, with the fixed 26" Westcott soft-box and speed light, way above and behind Neisha to backlight her wig and shoulder.

Tommy Gun GirlTommy Gun Girl

Horses love a good joke!

cornelius@cmatteophotography.com (Cornelius Matteo Photography) — Thu, 26 Mar 2015 00:02:17 GMT

Horsewoman extraordinaire Tedi Tate of Steeds of Light (www.steedsoflight.com) tells Leo one of her favorite bawdy horse jokes.

Tedi Tate and Leo

Steeds of Light

cornelius@cmatteophotography.com (Cornelius Matteo Photography) — Thu, 12 Feb 2015 17:37:47 GMT

Tedi Tate and Toni Richmond of Steeds of Light are both clients and friends: Aided by Leo and Stryder, they provide EAGALA therapy (Equine Assisted Psychotherapy and Learning, aka equine therapy or horse therapy) here in Ashland, Oregon. Toni is a certified therapist and Tedi is a lifelong horse lover and both are certified EAGALA practitioners .

Kelvin Underwood: Space Challenger

cornelius@cmatteophotography.com (Cornelius Matteo Photography) — Sun, 21 Dec 2014 06:57:11 GMT

I have photographed Kelvin several times since moving to Ashland and his originality and creativity are always inspiring. He plays a lot in Ashland so next time dont miss him perform.

Check out the link to learn more about his new music (Space Challenger) as well as his eclectic background.

https://www.osfashland.org/artist-biographies/green-show/meidoko.aspx

Fun day photographing OSF actress K.T. Vogt

cornelius@cmatteophotography.com (Cornelius Matteo Photography) — Fri, 19 Dec 2014 22:12:27 GMT

It's rare that you find someone who is as much fun in person as their acting persona portrays them. But that was exactly my experience a few weeks ago while taking Kate's (K.T. Vogt) photo -- Kate is a regular performer for the Oregon Shakespeare Festival in Ashland, Oregon. Last season she co stared with Picasso, a large dog who drools incessantly , in Two Gentleman of Verona. Below is a link to a video (not mine) of Kate talking about what its like to co star with Picasso.

NY Times: TOP NEWS SENATE TORTURE REPORT FAULTS C.I.A. FOR BRUTALITY AND DECEIT

cornelius@cmatteophotography.com (Cornelius Matteo Photography) — Tue, 09 Dec 2014 23:54:29 GMT

I have never copied verbatim an article from the NY Times before, since I try to be careful about copyright infringement. As a photographer I am sensitive to this issue. But it seems too important not to help share this information with others who may not have access to the NYTimes.

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Senate Torture Report Faults C.I.A. for Brutality and Deceit

By MARK MAZZETTIDEC. 9, 2014

WASHINGTON — A scathing report released by the Senate Intelligence Committee on Tuesday found that the Central Intelligence Agency routinely misled the White House and Congress about the information it obtained from the detention and interrogation of terrorism suspects, and that its methods were more brutal than the C.I.A. acknowledged either to Bush administration officials or to the public.

The long-delayed report, which took five years to produce and is based on more than six million internal agency documents, is a sweeping indictment of the C.I.A.'s operation and oversight of a program carried out by agency officials and contractors in secret prisons around the world in the years after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. It also provides a macabre accounting of some of the grisliest techniques that the C.I.A. used to torture and imprison terrorism suspects.

The report from the Senate Intelligence Committee rebuts claims that torture yielded critical information that helped disrupt terrorist plots and capture terrorist leaders.Discord at C.I.A. Over Interrogation ProgramDEC. 9, 2014

George J. Tenet, center, the director of the C.I.A., in March 2003 with President George W. Bush and Vice President Dick Cheney.C.I.A. Kept Bush Ill Informed on Interrogation Tactics, Torture Report Says detainees were deprived of sleep for as long as a week, and were sometimes told that they would be killed while in American custody. With the approval of the C.I.A.'s medical staff, some C.I.A. prisoners were subjected to medically unnecessary “rectal feeding” or “rectal hydration” — a technique that the C.I.A.'s chief of interrogations described as a way to exert “total control over the detainee.” C.I.A. medical staff members described the waterboarding of Khalid Shaikh Mohammed, the chief planner of the Sept. 11 attacks, as a “series of near drownings.”

The report also suggests that more prisoners were subjected to waterboarding than the three the C.I.A. has acknowledged in the past. The committee obtained a photograph of a waterboard surrounded by buckets of water at the prison in Afghanistan commonly known as the Salt Pit — a facility where the C.I.A. had claimed that waterboarding was never used. One clandestine officer described the prison as a “dungeon,” and another said that some prisoners there “literally looked like a dog that had been kenneled.”

During his administration, President George W. Bush repeatedly said that the detention and interrogation program, which President Obama dismantled when he succeeded him, was humane and legal. The intelligence gleaned during interrogations, he said, was instrumental both in thwarting terrorism plots and in capturing senior figures of Al Qaeda.

Mr. Bush, former Vice President Dick Cheney and a number of former C.I.A. officials have said more recently that the program was essential for ultimately finding Osama bin Laden, who was killed by members of the Navy SEALs in May 2011 in Abbottabad, Pakistan.

The Intelligence Committee’s report tries to refute each of these claims, using the C.I.A.'s internal records to present 20 case studies that bolster its conclusion that the most extreme interrogation methods played no role in disrupting terrorism plots, capturing terrorist leaders — even finding Bin Laden.

The report said that senior officials — including the former C.I.A. directors George J. Tenet, Porter J. Goss and Michael V. Hayden — repeatedly inflated the value of the program in secret briefings both at the White House and on Capitol Hill, and in public speeches.

Moments after the report was released Tuesday morning, Senator Dianne Feinstein of California, the chairwoman of the Intelligence Committee, gave a lengthy speech on the Senate floor describing the tumultuous history of her investigation and calling the C.I.A. interrogation program “a stain on our values and our history.”

“Releasing this report is an important step to restoring our values and showing the world that we are a just society,” she said.

As Ms. Feinstein was preparing to speak, the C.I.A. director, John O. Brennan, issued a response that both acknowledged mistakes in the detention and interrogation program and angrily challenged some of the findings of the Senate report as an “incomplete and selective picture of what occurred.”

The Senate report describes the waterboarding of Khalid Shaikh Mohammed as a "series of near drownings." Credit Associated Press

“As an agency, we have learned from these mistakes, which is why my predecessors and I have implemented various remedial measures over the years to address institutional deficiencies,” Mr. Brennan said.

But despite the mistakes, he added, “the record does not support the study’s inference that the agency systematically and intentionally misled each of these audiences on the effectiveness of the program.”

The entire report is more than 6,000 pages long, but the committee voted in April to declassify only its 524-page executive summary and a rebuttal by Republican members of the committee. The investigation was conducted by staff members working for Democratic senators on the committee.

The torture of prisoners at times was so extreme that some C.I.A. personnel tried to put a halt to the techniques, but were told by senior agency officials to continue the interrogation sessions.

The Senate report quotes a series of August 2002 cables from a C.I.A. facility in Thailand, where the agency’s first prisoner was held. Within days of the Justice Department’s approval to begin waterboarding the prisoner, Abu Zubaydah, the sessions became so extreme that some C.I.A. officers were “to the point of tears and choking up,” and several said they would elect to be transferred out of the facility if the brutal interrogations continued.

During one waterboarding session, Abu Zubaydah became “completely unresponsive with bubbles rising through his open, full mouth.” The interrogations lasted for weeks, and some C.I.A. officers began sending messages to the agency’s headquarters in Virginia questioning the utility — and the legality — of what they were doing. But such questions were rejected.

“Strongly urge that any speculative language as to the legality of given activities or, more precisely, judgment calls as to their legality vis-à-vis operational guidelines for this activity agreed upon and vetted at the most senior levels of the agency, be refrained from in written traffic (email or cable traffic),” wrote Jose A. Rodriguez Jr., then the head of the C.I.A.'s Counterterrorism Center.

“Such language is not helpful.”

The Senate report found that the detention and interrogation of Mr. Zubaydah and dozens of other prisoners were ineffective in giving the government “unique” intelligence information that the C.I.A. or other intelligence agencies could not get from other means.

The report also said that the C.I.A.'s leadership for years gave false information about the total number of prisoners held by the C.I.A., saying there had been 98 prisoners when C.I.A. records showed that 119 men had been held. In late 2008, according to one internal email, a C.I.A. official giving a briefing expressed concern about the discrepancy and was told by Mr. Hayden, then the agency’s director, “to keep the number at 98” and not to count any additional detainees.

“These included an ‘intellectually challenged’ man whose C.I.A. detention was used solely as leverage to get a family member to provide information, two individuals who were intelligence sources for foreign liaison services and were former C.I.A. sources, and two individuals whom the C.I.A. assessed to be connected to Al Qaeda based solely on information fabricated by a C.I.A. detainee subjected to the C.I.A.'s enhanced interrogation techniques,” the report said.

Many Republicans have said that the report is an attempt to smear both the C.I.A. and the Bush White House, and that the report cherry-picked information to support a claim that the C.I.A.'s detention program yielded no valuable information. Former C.I.A. officials have already begun a vigorous public campaign to dispute the report’s findings.

In its response to the Senate report, the C.I.A. said that to accept the Intelligence Committee’s conclusions, “there would have had to have been a yearslong conspiracy among C.I.A. leaders at all levels, supported by a large number of analysts and other line officers.

The battle over the report’s conclusions has been waged behind closed doors for years, and provided the backdrop to the more recent fight over the C.I.A.'s penetration of a computer network used by committee staff members working on the investigation. C.I.A. officers came to suspect that the staff members had improperly obtained an internal agency review of the detention program over the course of their investigation, and the officers broke into the network that had been designated for the committee’s use.

Most of the detention program’s architects have left the C.I.A., but their legacy endures inside the agency. The chief of the agency’s Counterterrorism Center said during a meeting with Mr. Brennan, the current C.I.A. director, in April that more than 200 people working for him had at one point participated in the program.

Senator John McCain, Republican of Arizona, commended the release of the Senate torture report, saying “the truth is sometimes a hard pill to swallow,” but the American people are “entitled” to it. Video by Associated Press on Publish Date December 9, 2014.

According to the Senate report, even before the agency captured its first prisoner, C.I.A. lawyers began thinking about how to get approval for interrogation methods that might normally be considered torture. Such methods might gain wider approval, the lawyers figured, if they were proved to have saved lives.

“A policy decision must be made with regard to U.S. use of torture,” C.I.A. lawyers wrote in November 2001, in a previously undisclosed memo titled “Hostile Interrogations: Legal Considerations for C.I.A. Officers.”

The lawyers argued that “states may be very unwilling to call the U.S. to task for torture when it resulted in saving thousands of lives.”

The Intelligence Committee report describes repeated efforts by the C.I.A. to make that case, even when the facts did not support it. For example, the C.I.A. helped edit a speech by Mr. Bush in 2006 to make it seem as if key intelligence was obtained through the most brutal interrogation tactics, even when C.I.A. records suggested otherwise.

In 2002, the C.I.A. took custody of Abu Zubaydah, who was brought to Thailand. There, two C.I.A. contractors named James E. Mitchell and Bruce Jessen were in charge of the interrogation sessions, using methods that had been authorized by Justice Department lawyers. The two contractors, both psychologists, are identified in the Senate report under the pseudonyms Grayson Swigert and Hammond Dunbar.

The program expanded, with dozens of detainees taken to secret prisons in Poland, Romania, Lithuania and other countries. In September 2006, Mr. Bush ordered all of the detainees in C.I.A. custody to be transferred to the prison at Guantánamo Bay, Cuba, and after that the C.I.A. held a small number of detainees in secret at a different facility for several months at a time — before they were also moved to Guantánamo Bay.

Mr. Obama spoke expansively about the Senate report in August, saying that any “fair minded” person would believe that some of the methods that the C.I.A. used against prisoners amounted to torture. He said he hoped that the report reminded people that the “character of our country has to be measured in part not by what we do when things are easy but what we do when things are hard.”

At the same time, Mr. Obama said that he understood the pressure that the C.I.A. was under after the Sept. 11 attacks, and that “it is important for us not to feel too sanctimonious in retrospect about the tough job that those folks had.”

Taken in its entirety, the report is a portrait of a spy agency that was wholly unprepared for its new mission as jailers and interrogators — but that embraced its assignment with vigor. The report chronicles millions of dollars in secret payments between 2002 and 2004 from the C.I.A. to foreign officials, aimed at getting other governments to agree to host secret prisons.

Cables from C.I.A. headquarters to field offices said that overseas officers should put together “wish lists” speculating about what foreign governments might want in exchange for bringing C.I.A. prisoners onto their soil.

As one 2003 cable put it, “Think big.”

Bill Richey Despook Clinic Coming to Eagle Pt, Oregon

cornelius@cmatteophotography.com (Cornelius Matteo Photography) — Sun, 26 Oct 2014 20:16:13 GMT

Below are some photos take from past Bill Richey clinics held here in Oregon ... always fun, always challenging, always PD (the dog) in charge.

Nov 3, 2013 Nov 3, 2013 Nov 3, 2013 Nov 3, 2013 Nov 3, 2013 Nov 3, 2013 Nov 3, 2013 Nov 3, 2013 Nov 3, 2013 Nov 3, 2013 Nov 3, 2013 Nov 3, 2013 Nov 3, 2013 Nov 3, 2013 Nov 3, 2013 Nov 3, 2013 Nov 3, 2013 Nov 3, 2013 Nov 3, 2013 Nov 3, 2013 Nov 3, 2013 Nov 3, 2013 Nov 3, 2013 Nov 3, 2013 Nov 3, 2013 Nov 3, 2013 Nov 3, 2013 Nov 3, 2013 Nov 3, 2013 Nov 3, 2013 Nov 3, 2013 Nov 3, 2013 Nov 3, 2013 Nov 3, 2013 Nov 3, 2013 Nov 3, 2013 Nov 3, 2013 Nov 3, 2013 Nov 3, 2013

Kelvin Underwood: Musician extraordinaire

cornelius@cmatteophotography.com (Cornelius Matteo Photography) — Sun, 26 Oct 2014 17:02:14 GMT

I have known Kelvin for two years and he is one of the most talented musicians I have met since arriving in Ashland a few years ago. As a young man, Kelvin travelled with a band in Japan to develop his Taiko drumming skills. Now he performs more traditional rock and plays most of the instruments on his recordings. I am including one of my favorite photos from last year, of his daughter Ruby as she enjoyed getting to know a few local cats.

Ruby holding cat Ruby & friendly cat Kelvin & Ruby Blaise with Kelvin & Ruby

Two Horses: Canyon, Texas

cornelius@cmatteophotography.com (Cornelius Matteo Photography) — Wed, 27 Aug 2014 06:25:26 GMT

I spent almost two weeks down in Canyon, Texas working with Brent and Kris Graef on their videos and website ... but took time for photos of them and their horses. Below are two of my favorite horses.

Aluna Michelle gives birth to son Leo Alexander on August 9th 2014

cornelius@cmatteophotography.com (Cornelius Matteo Photography) — Wed, 27 Aug 2014 05:14:00 GMT

Friend, organic farmer, muse: Aluna Michelle gave birth to her son, Leo Alexander, on August 9th:

It is my great joy to announce the arrival of my son, Leo Alexander, a healthy baby boy weighing in at 6 lbs 4 oz. and born at home on August 9th, 2014. Leo came remarkably on time, just a day after his due date (much to his mama's chagrin - she had banked on a late arrival, but instead was busy getting the house ready for the homebirth between contractions during labor!). All Hail to doula Bella and midwife Augustine Colebrook and team, who were incredible and held vigil throughout the labor. The birth was amazing and gave Leo's mama infinite respect for all mothers everywhere throughout time. Mama and Baby are doing well, and slowly coming (back) into the world from the realm of childbirth and newborn-ville where time is marked by the number of minutes napped or bites of food one can catch in between nursings, diaper changings, burpings, and the oh-so-delicate process of lulling Baby to sleep. Leo's twelve days old now, and Mama's finally figured out how to type one-handed while nursing in the dark long enough to write to you all!

Brent and Kris family photos at home in Canyon, Texas

cornelius@cmatteophotography.com (Cornelius Matteo Photography) — Tue, 19 Aug 2014 06:10:54 GMT

I spent about 10 days at Brent and Kris' home in Canyon, TX working on their new website and training videos ... and of course my camera was never far from my side so here are some of my favorite pics.

This was way too easy: photographing the lovely Gabriella of Ashland

cornelius@cmatteophotography.com (Cornelius Matteo Photography) — Sun, 20 Jul 2014 06:46:48 GMT

The other day i had a blast spending it the studio (thanks to Barbara Tricarico) photographing the lovely Gabriella who wanted some fashion and headshot photos. If the young men of Ashland didn't know about Gabriella before, then hopefully this blog will spread the word and she will have the pick of the lot. It's hard to imagine a young lady possessing all of the grace, intelligence and beauty as Gabriella does -- plus she has an evil twin who would pop in at the photo-shoot at magical times.

Horses need other horses.

cornelius@cmatteophotography.com (Cornelius Matteo Photography) — Sun, 20 Jul 2014 06:28:05 GMT

Since developing a relationship with horses these past two years... I've notice how many people in the Rogue Valley keep a solitary horse in a field. This is a sin. As my good friend, and owner of the non-profit Warhorse Alliance, Tedi Tate tells me, "The worse thing they can do to you in prison is keep you in solitary confinement, right? .... well, that's what people do to their horses when they leave them all in. Horses need the companionship of other horses. Period."

So my heart quickens whenever I see two or more horses together ... amen.

America's Immigration problem: Kids edition

cornelius@cmatteophotography.com (Cornelius Matteo Photography) — Wed, 16 Jul 2014 19:58:19 GMT

The Daily Show
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Better Know a Vampire Candidate

cornelius@cmatteophotography.com (Cornelius Matteo Photography) — Fri, 04 Jul 2014 21:28:47 GMT

Not sure how I missed this Colbert segment: Better know a Vampire candidate for Florida congress seat.

The Colbert Report
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Brent Graef Training Videos Coming this Fall 2014

cornelius@cmatteophotography.com (Cornelius Matteo Photography) — Tue, 01 Jul 2014 08:03:57 GMT

Although heavily in the midst of editing through a ton of footage (approximately a Terra-byte of video) filmed this Spring of Brent Graef in action training others on how to be with their horses, in early Fall training video downloads will be available for rental or sale via Brent's new website (yes, I am designing that too, so please be patient with me). DVD's will also be for sale, but probably not until later in the Fall or early Winter.

Baby goats play king of the mountain on patient horse

cornelius@cmatteophotography.com (Cornelius Matteo Photography) — Mon, 30 Jun 2014 19:04:15 GMT

In my two years here in Ashland I have fallen in love with horses, as friends and clients will say; so this video is no surprise to me. How can you not enjoy watching these baby goats play king of the mountain with this patient horse.

Friends of Animals & Barbara Tricarico Book Signing

cornelius@cmatteophotography.com (Cornelius Matteo Photography) — Tue, 24 Jun 2014 20:57:50 GMT

Yesterday my dear friend and author/photographer, Barbara Tricarico, teamed up with FOTAS (Friends of Animals which supports the local animal shelter) for a book signing at the newly revamped and beautiful BayBerry Inn, a B&B here in Ashland Oregon. The BayBerry Inn is in central Ashland so drop by to see this beautiful B&B and visit with Francesca, Josh and Rocky the dog. (www.bayberryinn.com)

Barbara signed copies of her book, Ashland, Oregon (www.barbaratricarico.com) for guests and portions of the sales went to FOTAS. Serving wine was a wonderful wedding photographer and wine server, Ellen Ahearn, and dropping in for a visit was another great, local photographer, Mary Landberg, who is both a hospice provider and author as well. (Her new photography book focuses on the hands of people in hospice (http://www.hospiceportraits.com)

Of course, the entire event was taken over by Francesca & Josh (owners of BayBerry Inn) dog, Rocky, who loves people and loves to howl in tune.

Photography to benefit Jacksonville Animal Shelter

cornelius@cmatteophotography.com (Cornelius Matteo Photography) — Sun, 22 Jun 2014 03:23:27 GMT

Last night, Friday, I had the pleasure of photographing anyone making a donation to FOTAS, in support of the Jacksonville Animal Shelter, while at the Ashland Springs Hotel.

And each person got an extra bonus -- their photo taken with stars of the current Two Gentleman of Verona playing now at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival here in Ashland. Anyone donating $10 per individual got their photos taken with Picasso, a former shelter dog, playing Crab along with one of the human stars, the wonderful K.T. Vogt playing Launce or the inimitable Sara, playing Speed.

My Day at Slate's Birthday Party

cornelius@cmatteophotography.com (Cornelius Matteo Photography) — Fri, 20 Jun 2014 21:43:09 GMT

This past Spring I had the pleasure to photograph Slate's big birthday bash held in Lithia Park. Everyone in the extended family was super nice and caring - it was a fun event, especially for all of the children.

Brent and Kris Graef with Yearling

cornelius@cmatteophotography.com (Cornelius Matteo Photography) — Wed, 11 Jun 2014 07:07:45 GMT

Although I spent most of my time videoing Brent and Kris training others on how to handle wild yearlings, I did get some time to take a few snaps before my camera (Nikon D800) died due to winds and sands.

Ranch of Second Chances

cornelius@cmatteophotography.com (Cornelius Matteo Photography) — Fri, 06 Jun 2014 04:15:35 GMT

Last Saturday I had the pleasure of photographing Equine therapy at the Ranch of 2nd Chances (http://www.ranchof2ndchances.org/), a non profit where young men are given structure and education on life skills and values.

My good friend Tedi Tate, Director of Warhorse Alliance, had invited me to photograph while she conducted a session with one of the young men, Javier along with the executive director of Ranch of 2nd Chances, Mark Adams, and his wife, Kathy. The training was based on Egala (Equine Assisted Learning) principles, which I enjoy as I love to watch and photograph the interaction of humans and horses.

Tribute to Gordon Willis: Prince of Darkness

cornelius@cmatteophotography.com (Cornelius Matteo Photography) — Mon, 02 Jun 2014 15:32:00 GMT

I didn't know who he was till I was much older (late 30's) but I was mesmerized by his cinematography watching his films during the 70's and 80's. Gordon Willis was called The Prince of Darkness for his use of deep, rich shadows that not only accented highlights but often obscured them. It was easy to know a Gordon Willis film (even the obscure ones) within a few minutes of watching a film. To this day, I often question myself: Am I using too much light in this photograph, especially when working with studio lights, and am I obscuring my vision of this image by adding too much light and not enough darkness?

Queen of the Scottish Highlands

cornelius@cmatteophotography.com (Cornelius Matteo Photography) — Sat, 17 May 2014 06:07:00 GMT

Last week I took a photo of a good friend's daughter, who was attending the local Hocktide festival here in the Rogue Valley ... and with just a bit of Photoshop, she has been transformed into Queen of the Scottish highlands ... and tonight she is enjoying her prom.

Brent Graef training clinic for Wild Yearlings

cornelius@cmatteophotography.com (Cornelius Matteo Photography) — Sat, 17 May 2014 06:03:48 GMT

I just returned from 10 days in Texas, filming and photographing a wonderful clinic conducted by the amazing Brent Graef. Brent trained 9 attendees how to guide and be with wild yearlings, never touched (with the exception of one time) by humans. By the end of the week, both yearling and their human had bonded in an extraordinary way. Here are a few photos to enjoy:

Neil DeGrasse Tyson speaks on race and science in our culture

cornelius@cmatteophotography.com (Cornelius Matteo Photography) — Thu, 17 Apr 2014 16:38:24 GMT

Neil DeGrasse Tyson Said What He Thinks About Race Now That He's Made It, And Almost Nobody Noticed

Rajiv Narayan

To set the scene, the (poorly posed) question is referring to comments made by former Treasury Security and Harvard University President Lawrence Summers, who suggested that genetic differences could explain why there are fewer girls in science. Yup, he really was Treasury secretary and president of Harvard.

Neil deGrasse Tyson's answer is, um, out of this world. There, I said it. Let me have this one.

Horse De-spooking Clinic Photos: Rogue Valley

cornelius@cmatteophotography.com (Cornelius Matteo Photography) — Wed, 16 Apr 2014 20:17:14 GMT

Article by Marcya Roberts | Philadelphia Horse Examiner

The following photos were taken at the April 6th de-spooking clinic held in the Rogue Valley.

Ever wish you could take your horse through the mounted police academy? Bill Richey, former mounted police officer and POST (Police Officer Standards and Training) certified mounted police instructor, showed horse owners and firefighters last night at the Hope Firehouse in Allentown, NJ just how it's done.

“The class teaches how to take charge of your horse,” explained Richey. “Participants learn how to give the horse a reason to go forward.”

During the demonstration in front of firefighters and horse owners, a volunteer held her horse while Richey set off scary smoke bombs and created a line of flames using a can of gasoline. The horse was successfully lead through the smoke and flames.

Richey’s method implements his working knowledge of techniques used in police training. Richey was instrumental in creating the mounted units for the city of Duluth, also in Forsyth and Gilmer Counties (Georgia) training officers and horses. He also worked with the Atlanta Police Mounted Unit in preparation for the 1996 Olympics and was the chief instructor for Mobile Mounted Police Mardi Gras School.

His course, entitled “Rider Empowerment and Equine Confidence,” can be a one-part, two-part or three-part series depending upon how much particpants would like to get out of it. It covers areas of horse physiology and psychology, equitation techniques, mounted drill, mounted obstacles and mounted sensory.

Richey will be on hand in Monmouth County, New Jersey for two sessions this weekend, March 30 and 31 in Manalapan and again the weekend of May 11 and 12 in Freehold. Thoroughbreds, Arabs, Warmbloods, Quarter Horses and other breeds have all been successfully trained as police horses so all type of horses may attend. Riders may also choose to attend without a horse and audit the class.

For more information contact:
National Mounted Police Services, Inc.
275 Kings Point Rd
Kings Point, NY 11024
239-214-2062 or info@mountedpolice.org

Lunar Eclipse During Year of the Horse

cornelius@cmatteophotography.com (Cornelius Matteo Photography) — Wed, 16 Apr 2014 09:05:08 GMT

Two of my favorite fascinations combined into one photo: space and horses. I was up late Monday night with friends and fellow photographer Barbara Tricarico and her husband Bill. We enjoying watching and photographing the lunar eclipse from their house's vantage point in Ashland. Oregon.

Nuns on the Bus: Badass Sisters

cornelius@cmatteophotography.com (Cornelius Matteo Photography) — Thu, 10 Apr 2014 18:55:29 GMT

These bold ladies are definitely not the same old "Sisters" that I was used to when I attended Catholic school a long time ago ...

A sampling of photos taken during the AIFF Opening Night Photo Booth

cornelius@cmatteophotography.com (Cornelius Matteo Photography) — Thu, 10 Apr 2014 03:41:03 GMT

For the last 2 years I have had the pleasure of photographing (this year with the wonderful help of fellow photographer Barbara Tricarico) the photo booth for the The Ashland Independent Festival's opening night bash. It's great fun photographing the Ashland locals coming out in support of the festival as well as the always fun filmmakers.

Spacebound short now at Ashland Film Festival

cornelius@cmatteophotography.com (Cornelius Matteo Photography) — Sat, 05 Apr 2014 18:45:08 GMT

I met the creators (Ellen Su, Art Director) while photographing them at the Ashland Film Festival's opening party ... Great short animation... I like it much better than Gravity!

Spacebound from Spacebound on Vimeo.

Overview of Speedlights by Bob Davis.

cornelius@cmatteophotography.com (Cornelius Matteo Photography) — Tue, 01 Apr 2014 17:20:33 GMT

This is a nice, comprehensive overview of how one photographer, Bob Davis, travels light with his bag full of speed lights to creatively light his client assignments. I follow a similar path using speed lights both for on site lighting and also for use in a studio. The key for me is to gang up speed lights to simulate the power of larger strobes and to use great diffusers (for example, Apollo 50" umbrella soft box) to soften the light.

I am a Nikon shooter but Bob shoots with a Canon and the principles are the same regardless of your camera.

My favorite old Chevy Truck

cornelius@cmatteophotography.com (Cornelius Matteo Photography) — Mon, 17 Mar 2014 06:50:33 GMT

I pass by this old Chevy Truck just about every day as I bike along "A" street where it is always parked on the street, outside its owner, the Ashland Hardware store. With its tires always low on air, I don't even know if this truck can move, but would I love to borrow it one day for a ride.

Full Circle: From Sagan to Tyson

cornelius@cmatteophotography.com (Cornelius Matteo Photography) — Mon, 17 Mar 2014 05:38:38 GMT

A young Neil Tyson applying to Cornell University gets a letter from Carl Sagan:

Studio Lighting Tutorial photographing for Non GMO initiatives in Oregon

cornelius@cmatteophotography.com (Cornelius Matteo Photography) — Wed, 12 Mar 2014 18:22:24 GMT

A few weeks ago, I did a studio shoot for the Non GMO efforts (Friends of Family Farmers) here in Jackson County, Oregon. I thought it might be illustrative for how studio lighting can be done without a lot of expensive high end equipment. I used strobes and various shaped soft boxes to shape the light ... and explain it all in this PDF: Studio Lighting Tutorial PDF

Using Back Button autofocus to seamlessly switch between still and action shots.

cornelius@cmatteophotography.com (Cornelius Matteo Photography) — Tue, 11 Mar 2014 21:04:34 GMT

Since the majority of my clients are horse people I am always looking for better ways to capture tack sharp focus when switching between stationary and action shots. A horse and rider in repose one moment transforms within a few seconds into a horse jumping with rider over the gates. Two very different focus points. I am a Nikon D800 user but this video should be helpful to anyone with a DSLR on experimenting with switching from a normal shutter focus release technique to focusing exclusively using a dedicated button.

Protect Our Family Farms Initiative -- Fighting GMO's.

cornelius@cmatteophotography.com (Cornelius Matteo Photography) — Sun, 02 Mar 2014 01:54:20 GMT

A few weeks ago I photographed some local organic farmers and medical professionals who have joined together into a coalition to keep GMO's out of Jackson Country. Oregon. This is one of the first initiatives in the country.

If you want to keep GMO's out of our food supply, please vote YES on 15-119 this May or help support the effort at www.ourFamilyFarmsCoalition.org

Faces of the Homeless in Ashland

cornelius@cmatteophotography.com (Cornelius Matteo Photography) — Mon, 17 Feb 2014 08:13:29 GMT

I ride my bike everywhere -- at least everywhere where there are no steep hills. And so I see a lot everything in Ashland, my adopted hometown. I especially see a lot of the homeless, usually along the bike path or just about anywhere where you don't ride a car. Often I will buy them a sandwich and if they have a dog, I buy them cans of dog food too. But last Saturday was different, I asked a few of the homeless men, not too far from where I live, if I could photograph them. We chatted a bit and I felt self conscious as I photographed them (even though I had asked them their permission), and unlike me, they seemed fine: natural, relaxed and not bothered by my camera.

Joseph Campbell on the Big Bang and Mythology

cornelius@cmatteophotography.com (Cornelius Matteo Photography) — Mon, 20 Jan 2014 22:16:10 GMT

In my twenties, seeing Joseph Campbell interviewed by Bill Moyers was a seminal event in my life. (This video was filmed about a year before his death.) Joseph Campbell illuminated new worlds for me that I now see through my photography.

Horses of the Rogue Valley

cornelius@cmatteophotography.com (Cornelius Matteo Photography) — Fri, 03 Jan 2014 02:59:32 GMT

As a photographer and ebook/print designer, I took the plunge and created my first eBook: Horses of the Rogue Valley.

This is an ebook (32 pages) of photos: no words, including some of my favorites photos of the past year. At heart I am a minimalist and prefer for a photo to stand on its own. No music, few or no words, just let the image ignite the imagination. If you love horses, I believe you will enjoy.

Cornelius Matteo

Horses of the Rogue Valley

Ex Olympian Jay Hays conducting jumping clinic at Silver Springs Farm

cornelius@cmatteophotography.com (Cornelius Matteo Photography) — Wed, 20 Nov 2013 07:23:47 GMT

Ex Olympian Jay Hays conducted a jumping clinic at Silver Springs Farm over this past weekend. I was lucky to have been invited by a client whose daughter was participating in the clinic.

Intimate BBC Interview with Ansel Adams - made in 1983

cornelius@cmatteophotography.com (Cornelius Matteo Photography) — Sun, 22 Sep 2013 06:11:27 GMT

You know the photographs, and you know the man behind the camera: Ansel Adams, one of history’s greatest landscape photographers—but did you also know that Adams was an exceptional concert pianist, or that he thinks of photography like music? Did you know that he had a deep love for nature, and especially the rugged Californian wilderness? Did you know that Adams hated the word “shoot,” scorned bracketing, and even dabbled in portraiture for a time, if only to pay the bills?

In this 1983 interview with BBC, Adams revealed all of this about himself and more, including some truly profound photography advice:

-- Rebecca Bennett

Meet my four legged friends ...

cornelius@cmatteophotography.com (Cornelius Matteo Photography) — Wed, 18 Sep 2013 07:37:55 GMT

Each day I ride my bike through Ashland and always I stop to feed fresh carrots to my mule friends. Actually four are mules and one is a mare. I assume she is there mother since mules cant reproduce but are the offspring of the mating of a horse and a donkey ... evidently this little mare has been quire prodigious in producing mules.

Mules can be lightweight, medium weight, or even, when produced from draught horse mares, of moderately heavy weight. It has been claimed that mules are "more patient, sure-footed, hardy and long-lived than horses, and they are considered less obstinate, faster, and more intelligent than donkeys... Wikipedia

Documentary on extraordinary artist/photographer William Klein

cornelius@cmatteophotography.com (Cornelius Matteo Photography) — Fri, 30 Aug 2013 18:13:14 GMT

"William Klein, who is known as a pioneer of street photography, is not satisfied with the ordinary. His images evoke a sense of the photographer being a part of the world he’s documenting, rather than a passive observer. In a documentary entitled, The Many Lives of William Klein, the influential photographer and cinematographer looks back on his past and shares some of the history of his career" - Nicoal Price

New photos of fantasy writer Trista Wilde, author of the Dragon Runes Cycle

cornelius@cmatteophotography.com (Cornelius Matteo Photography) — Mon, 26 Aug 2013 23:12:12 GMT

See Trista's bio and book on Amazon at http://www.amazon.com/Fame-The-DragonRunes-Cycle-ebook/dp/B00CAHQNLQ

Haunting new documentary by Werner Herzog: "From One Second to the Next"

cornelius@cmatteophotography.com (Cornelius Matteo Photography) — Sat, 10 Aug 2013 04:25:02 GMT

Legendary German film-maker Werner Herzog's new documentary on the physical and emotional effects of accidents caused by people texting while driving.

As Herzog says, "In one second, entire lives are either wiped out or changed forever."

Portrait of the Artist - Part II

cornelius@cmatteophotography.com (Cornelius Matteo Photography) — Tue, 06 Aug 2013 06:24:33 GMT

I photographed local Ashland artist Ian Thirkell last month in my friend Barbara Tricarico's home made studio (I used several speeed-lights in two large diffusers): at one point I asked Ian to just sketch something so I could catch the artist in action.

Portrait of an artist -- in Ashland

cornelius@cmatteophotography.com (Cornelius Matteo Photography) — Mon, 05 Aug 2013 05:10:25 GMT

Portrait of local artist Ian Thirkell who is studying animation for a graduate degree at the Savannah College of Art and Design.

Annie Leibovitz video interview circa 1980's

cornelius@cmatteophotography.com (Cornelius Matteo Photography) — Wed, 24 Jul 2013 18:18:04 GMT

The Mouse Chef

cornelius@cmatteophotography.com (Cornelius Matteo Photography) — Sat, 13 Jul 2013 21:06:57 GMT

When my landlord asked me to photograph him with his cats I knew this would be a challenge -- he's had photographs taken of him with his cats through the years. Always up for a challenge, I combined his love of cooking with his even greater love of his cats -- the result was that everyone got to wear a chef's hat.

Mouse Chef Mouse Chef Mouse Chef

Barrel Races: Italy Spratt and friends

cornelius@cmatteophotography.com (Cornelius Matteo Photography) — Sat, 13 Jul 2013 20:30:29 GMT

Last Thursday I had great fun photographing the barrel races at the Dust Bowl Arena off I5 exit 40 here in the Rogue Valley. The star was Italy Spratt, a well known and successful circuit rider, but she was joined by lots of other riders.

Italy Spratt Golddust Golddust Golddust Golddust

Photo-shoot: Sarah and Ian

cornelius@cmatteophotography.com (Cornelius Matteo Photography) — Wed, 10 Jul 2013 07:02:08 GMT

Last friday I had the pleasure of photographing two wonderful models, Sarah and Ian, both studying for their respective Masters in art, and both have been friends for a long time here in Ashland. Amazingly this was Sarah's first time in front of the camera., while Ian has been one of my favorite models for the past year. Together they were quite amazing as I shot them both in a home studio (3 speed lights, one Paul Bluff 60" PLM as fill and one 24" soft-box used as an overhead beauty dish) and an outside garden. Thanks to Barbara Tricarico and Ellen Ahern for their help as well.

Always before a photo-shoot I question how I can make this time special and unique and I am driven back to Cartier-Bresson's words:

“There’s no new ideas in the world. There is only new arrangement of things. Everything is new, every minute is new. The world is being created every minute, and the world is falling to pieces every minute.” -- Cartier-Bresson

Sarah B&W Ian Drawing Sarah Sarah & Ian Drawing B&W Sarah & Ian w Mic B&W Sarah & Ian & Helmut_

Horse Friends

cornelius@cmatteophotography.com (Cornelius Matteo Photography) — Sat, 06 Jul 2013 18:00:18 GMT

Before I began photographing the Brent Graef workshop last month, I spent some leisurely time visiting all of the horses (over 50 of them) @ J&P Ranch in Eagle Point, Oregon. The thing I love about horses is that once they accept you, they go back to what comes natural: horseplay. It would be very hard to not get lovely photos of horses in play and intimacy just by being a little patient.

Horses @ play

Photo Exhibit of Horses of the Rogue Valley on July 5th 5:30 to 7:30pm at Weisinger's Ashland Winery

cornelius@cmatteophotography.com (Cornelius Matteo Photography) — Wed, 03 Jul 2013 22:22:22 GMT

Trista in the Garden of Midnight

cornelius@cmatteophotography.com (Cornelius Matteo Photography) — Thu, 13 Jun 2013 05:28:09 GMT

My favorite new fantasy writer, Trista Wilde (Dragon Runes Cycle), as I photographed her last Sunday evening in her summer garden -- via Photoshop.

Trista in the Garden of Midnight

Trista Wilde: The Dragon Runes Cycle

cornelius@cmatteophotography.com (Cornelius Matteo Photography) — Tue, 11 Jun 2013 04:54:15 GMT

Yesterday was a great day of photography, after turning Barb and Bill's cottage into a lighting studio, Barb and I took turns photographing Fantasy writer Triste Wilde (http://thedragonrunescycle.com), author of the trilogy The Dragon Runes Cycle.

Photo Exhibit of Ashland Film Festival @ Boulevard Coffee on June 13th 5 to 7pm

cornelius@cmatteophotography.com (Cornelius Matteo Photography) — Wed, 05 Jun 2013 21:49:01 GMT

If you are around Ashland on Thursday June 13th please join us at Boulevard Coffee (inside the Stratford Inn, across from the Safeway) for a photo exhibit of some of my photos taken during the Ashland Independent Film Festival this year.

Portrait of Brent Graef, Horse Whisperer out of Texas.

cornelius@cmatteophotography.com (Cornelius Matteo Photography) — Tue, 28 May 2013 06:11:11 GMT

One of the many photos I took last weekend of Brent during his extraordinary Horsemanship Workshop.

Brent Portrait

The real deal: a true life Horse Whisperer

cornelius@cmatteophotography.com (Cornelius Matteo Photography) — Mon, 27 May 2013 06:41:00 GMT

After the pleasure of spending last weekend (May 19th) photographing Brent Graef's Horsemanship workshop, I am convinced that Bret is a real Horse Whisperer. His extraordinary ways with horses are magical. And even better, Brent shares his abilities and talents with all those who come in contact with him and are open to learning and experiencing. (www.brentgraef.com)

Greg Heisler: explains shooting Time Person of the Year

cornelius@cmatteophotography.com (Cornelius Matteo Photography) — Fri, 24 May 2013 06:36:55 GMT

"Photographer Greg Heisler worked with Time’s former design director Arthur Hochstein’s idea to capture Bill and Melinda Gates and Bono in a heroic light, with an effect similar to the design of Mount Rushmore. Keeping all their heads the same size and in focus were some of the challenges Heisler faced."

Carl G Jung Interviewed by Dr. Richard Evans several years before Jung's death.

cornelius@cmatteophotography.com (Cornelius Matteo Photography) — Fri, 24 May 2013 04:10:28 GMT

"This full film represents a rare record of an original genius. In Jung on Film, the pioneering psychologist tells us about his collaboration with Sigmund Freud, about the insights he gained from listening to his patients' dreams, and about the fascinating turns his own life has taken. Dr. Richard Evans interviews Jung, giving us a unique understanding of Jung's many complex theories, while depicting Jung as a sensitive and highly personable human.".

being.

Ruby and the cats

cornelius@cmatteophotography.com (Cornelius Matteo Photography) — Fri, 03 May 2013 21:16:04 GMT

During my daily bike ride, I met up with a client of mine, Kelvin Underwood, a great drummer and fellow Ashlander who was taking his two children for a walk. His daughter Ruby loves cats and couldn't help picking up these two friendly kitties and telling them over and over, "I love you". But I think anyone would know that just by seeing the elation in Ruby's eyes as she holds this young tabby.

Mother and Daughter enjoying morning at Table Rock

cornelius@cmatteophotography.com (Cornelius Matteo Photography) — Mon, 29 Apr 2013 07:03:37 GMT

Today, for the first time, I visited Table Rock, thanks to my new friends Barb and Ellen. We all enjoyed the beautiful weather and took a lot of photos of everything except wild flowers -- there were so few wild flowers blooming, unusual for this time of year.

I love portraits and could not stop myself from asking a young family if I could take their photos. They were happy to oblige -- I asked the mother to lift up her daughter high enough in order to block the sun behind them. This gave them a lot of light to rim their hair and profiles but also enough backlight to wrap around into their faces.

But for me, it was the love shared by mother and daughter that made this my favorite photo of the day.

CG Jung on the mass man and mediocrity

cornelius@cmatteophotography.com (Cornelius Matteo Photography) — Sat, 27 Apr 2013 17:24:09 GMT

Twenty years ago I would have been confounded and dismayed by this statement of CG Jung. Today I am in total agreement:

“Society, by automatically stressing all the collective qualities in its individual representatives, puts a premium on mediocrity, and everything settles down to vegetate in an easy, irresponsible way. Individuality will inevitably be driven to the wall. This process begins in school, continues at the University, and rules all departments in which the state has a hand. In a small social body, the individuality of its members is better safeguarded; and the greater is their relative freedom and the possibility of conscious responsibility…. The man of today, who resembles more or less the collective ideal, has made his heart into a den of murderers … the greatest infamy on the part of his group will not disturb him, so long as the majority of his fellows steadfastly believe in the exalted morality of their social organization…..”

C.G. Jung, “The Assimilation Of The Unconscious,” in “The Relations Between The Ego And The Unconscious,”

Banned TED Video by Rupert Sheldrake on "The Science Delusion"

cornelius@cmatteophotography.com (Cornelius Matteo Photography) — Fri, 19 Apr 2013 08:25:05 GMT

I was introduced to Sheldrake when I heard that his TED talk was disowned and banned by TED. Why? He is a lifelong scientist and researcher who questions the great assumptions of science. He does not disown or demean science but only questions its dogma.

Rogue Valley Horse

cornelius@cmatteophotography.com (Cornelius Matteo Photography) — Fri, 19 Apr 2013 07:08:32 GMT

I took this photo on the same day as the previous post "Horses of the Rogue Valley"; this beauty was very interested in my camera and seemed to enjoy posing.

Ashland Independent Film Festival April 4 - 8

cornelius@cmatteophotography.com (Cornelius Matteo Photography) — Thu, 11 Apr 2013 08:16:51 GMT

Beginning last thursday I spent the next 5 days photographing various venues at the 12th annual Ashland Independent Film Festival.

For me, it all started with the opening night party where we had been given a room to photograph anyone at the party who was brave enough to step before my camera. Gwenne Wilcox did a great job enticing people to get their photos taken. But since I had been told there would be no more than 300 guests making happy that night in the main ball room of the Ashland Spring Hotel, I felt secure thinking I would only need to photograph maybe 50 people. After all, most people are suppose to be camera shy

Well, from start (7pm) to finish (10pm) I photographed well over 150 people and stayed up till 7am the next morning getting less than half of the photos edited and placed online so people could view and download them (It took me the next 4 days to finish editing all the photos, since i was busy with daily photo-shoots).

This has been such a unique experience for me -- and what a joy; indeed, it seemed as if the entire town of Ashland came out to see the films and to support the festival. What a pleasure to be a part of it all.

Horses and Mules of the Rogue Valley

cornelius@cmatteophotography.com (Cornelius Matteo Photography) — Wed, 03 Apr 2013 19:55:49 GMT

Last Saturday I had a great time photographing some of the horses and mules in the Rogue Valley.

Horse Wisdom Workshop Horse Wisdom Workshop

Alan Watts on Carl Jung and the "Shadow"

cornelius@cmatteophotography.com (Cornelius Matteo Photography) — Tue, 02 Apr 2013 01:59:00 GMT

This tribute by Alan Watts to Carl Jung shortly after his death focuses on a specific and core aspect of Jung’s teaching of the integration of opposites and the ‘shadow’.

Heisler Photographs Alonzo Mourning

cornelius@cmatteophotography.com (Cornelius Matteo Photography) — Wed, 20 Mar 2013 06:08:52 GMT

Only Greg Heisler can do what he does, so well. I first met Greg when he was a guest speaker at a Jay Maisel workshop (set in Jay's building on the Bowery in Manhattan, it had once been a bank). Later I took a workshop with Greg at the Maine Workshop -- impossible not to like him and not to learn so much from him, too.

Warhorse Alliance demo

cornelius@cmatteophotography.com (Cornelius Matteo Photography) — Wed, 13 Mar 2013 01:04:26 GMT

Doesn't get more pleasant than photographing horses at play. I spent the afternoon last saturday photographing a demo from Warhorse Alliance

www.warhorsealliance.com

Tinkerbell the pony

cornelius@cmatteophotography.com (Cornelius Matteo Photography) — Fri, 08 Mar 2013 21:55:13 GMT

Sasha & Ian Portrait -- Ashland, OR

cornelius@cmatteophotography.com (Cornelius Matteo Photography) — Thu, 07 Mar 2013 13:18:05 GMT

Short Video on Irving Penn Portraits

cornelius@cmatteophotography.com (Cornelius Matteo Photography) — Sat, 19 Jan 2013 19:05:54 GMT

Greg Heisler explains how he photographed Michael Phelps for Time Magazine in 2004

cornelius@cmatteophotography.com (Cornelius Matteo Photography) — Wed, 16 Jan 2013 21:39:25 GMT

Greg Heisler on technique -- and how it can hinder vision

cornelius@cmatteophotography.com (Cornelius Matteo Photography) — Wed, 16 Jan 2013 03:51:25 GMT

"The last thing you want to think about when shooting pictures, is other pictures." - Greg Heisler

Master Series: Greg Heisler's Advice to Photographers

cornelius@cmatteophotography.com (Cornelius Matteo Photography) — Wed, 16 Jan 2013 03:32:45 GMT

Greg Heisler is a great photographer and a wonderul teacher -- I took a lighting class with him at the Maine Workshops and also met him when attending a workshop with Jay Maisel.

Tedi Tate and Stryder

cornelius@cmatteophotography.com (Cornelius Matteo Photography) — Thu, 06 Dec 2012 06:32:59 GMT

Tedi Tate, owner of War-horse Alliance, photographed with Stryder on their ranch in Ashland, Oregon

Richard Avedon - Darkness and Light part 9

cornelius@cmatteophotography.com (Cornelius Matteo Photography) — Thu, 29 Nov 2012 22:10:01 GMT

"Dick always grapples with those concerns most of us turn away from ... and looks it in the eye." -- Mike Nichols

Richard Avedon - Darkness and Light Part 8

cornelius@cmatteophotography.com (Cornelius Matteo Photography) — Thu, 29 Nov 2012 22:01:39 GMT

"He lives so much with darkness and light -- he can find both sides in each person he photographs."

Richard Avedon -- Darkness and Light Part 7

cornelius@cmatteophotography.com (Cornelius Matteo Photography) — Thu, 29 Nov 2012 21:54:20 GMT

"Photography is an invasive art form."

Richard Avedon -- Darkness and Light Part 6

cornelius@cmatteophotography.com (Cornelius Matteo Photography) — Wed, 12 Sep 2012 00:33:06 GMT

"Your here, your mine, I am taking you over, your surfaces I will make my own ... " -- Richard Avedon

Richard Avedon -- Darkness and Light Part 5

cornelius@cmatteophotography.com (Cornelius Matteo Photography) — Tue, 11 Sep 2012 07:32:01 GMT

Mike Nichols on how Avedon's iconic photo captures both sides of the Windsors. Charlie Chaplin visits Avedon for his photo and make's it his goodbye to America.

Richard Avedon -- Darkness and Light Part 4

cornelius@cmatteophotography.com (Cornelius Matteo Photography) — Tue, 11 Sep 2012 07:01:19 GMT

Avedon conducts a Master photography class for students using friend Andre Gregory as a model and asks him: "If you were to die tomorrow, what would you have done differently?". And critic Owen Edwards comments, "In the end, there is only the the face for Avedon."

Richard Avedon -- Darkness and Light Part 3

cornelius@cmatteophotography.com (Cornelius Matteo Photography) — Tue, 11 Sep 2012 06:50:23 GMT

Critiquing our need to idolize the famous, Avedon creates real hysteria with fake photo-shoot of Mike Nichols and Suzy Parker. Avedon leaves Harpers for Vogue.

Richard Avedon -- Darkness and Light Part 2

cornelius@cmatteophotography.com (Cornelius Matteo Photography) — Tue, 11 Sep 2012 06:45:23 GMT

Avedon: I left the Merchant Marines for my new father, mother and crazy aunt at Bazaar ... I was nineteen and boy was I lucky.

Richard Avedon -- Darkness & Light Part I

cornelius@cmatteophotography.com (Cornelius Matteo Photography) — Tue, 11 Sep 2012 06:28:58 GMT

Richard Avedon: "I have to hold on to all those things most people throw away in the garbage can ... be in touch with my fragility ..."

Ungrateful Living Band

cornelius@cmatteophotography.com (Cornelius Matteo Photography) — Wed, 05 Sep 2012 06:44:20 GMT

I met this itinerant blue grass band one hot day late in August 2012. I saw that the lead singer had two black eyes and asked imimmediately if I could photograph the band. I did -- the next day they visited the studio to take these shots.

Rasta Pete

cornelius@cmatteophotography.com (Cornelius Matteo Photography) — Sat, 01 Sep 2012 03:18:40 GMT

In Ashland you find the most interesting people while walking to or from the food coop. Last Saturday I saw Rasta Pete outside the coop playing his flute, and I asked him if he wanted to drop by the studio for a photo-shoot. The next day he came by and I shot for almost an hour -- this one was one of my favorites.

Tips on Sport Photography from Craig Golding

cornelius@cmatteophotography.com (Cornelius Matteo Photography) — Sat, 25 Aug 2012 22:03:26 GMT

Tips on importance of backgrounds, panning, using available light -- all obvious but well stated with good examples.

How To Fix A Wet Camera

cornelius@cmatteophotography.com (Cornelius Matteo Photography) — Sat, 18 Aug 2012 22:01:14 GMT

Below is an entry from the Zoriah Photojournalism blog. I wish i had known this technique back a few weeks ago when I was visiting New Orleans with Chris Briscoe ( www.chrisbriscoe.com ) and got caught in torrential rains while trying to shoot Uncle Lionel's funeral procession. We had no bags to cover our cameras which were almost water logged. The next day, my Nikon and Chris' Canon, miraculously worked.

November 2011

How To Fix A Wet Camera - The Ghetto Guide to Camera Repair in The Field

I was with a workshop student recently in Bangkok when we got stuck in the rain. The temptation to shoot in the rain was too great and she pulled out the camera now and then to snap a shot (the photos did come out quite nice!) Unfortunately her camera began to malfunction and stopped working completely after a couple of minutes. Needless to say she was quite upset, but I assured her that I had a solution that would most likely solve the problem. When I told her what we would do she looked at me as if I was completely mentally ill...until the next day when her camera was snapping away as if nothing had happened to it.

Here is a bit of information on what you can do if you camera gets wet (this is probably where i should say that I am no expert on this subject and I am sure it would always be best to have a professional look at your camera if it gets wet.) However, if you are in a remote spot and and you accept the risks of trying this, it just might get you out of a bind.

This can be applied to mobile phones and many other electronic items, not just cameras.

The first thing to do is to pop the battery out as quickly as possible (if it will take you a while to get to the battery, for instance with a phone, then make sure the power is off...even if the camera is still working for moment, shut it off immediately.

If you are in the US or Europe, or you want to pack this in your luggage, a desiccant (a substance that soaks up moisture and humidity around it) is the ideal substance for you. Here is one from B&H Photo that is something like what you can use/have around.

Now, if you don't have the luxury of having a nice photo shop nearby, which I rarely do, here is what has worked for me and my students:

1.) Buy a large bag of rice. In Bangkok we picked up a ten pound bag at Seven Eleven for a few dollars.

2.) Get a couple of extra bags from the shop when you buy it, or swipe a few garbage bags from your hotel when you get back.

3.) Stuff some toilette paper or plastic where the battery was so that rice does not get lodged in the camera.

4.) Take about a quarter of the rice out of the bag then stick your camera in the bag.

5.) Pour back the rice you took out on top of your camera and try to have it cover the entire camera.

6.) Close the bag up tightly so no outside air can get in. Wrap the other bags around it as well, just to be sure air wont get in.

7.) Wait at least 24 hours, take our your camera, de-rice it, pop in the battery and say a prayer.

Whatever water was in your camera should now be in the rice and assuming no circuits got fried, your camera should now work. And you can now give the bag of rice to a family in need and they will get some good meals out of it!

Warning: I am not an expert, so you assume all the risk if you try this. It is something that works for me but your results may vary. I claim no liability for the advice contained in post.

Hilarious spoof on Anne Geddes, Baby Photographer

cornelius@cmatteophotography.com (Cornelius Matteo Photography) — Sat, 18 Aug 2012 16:25:07 GMT

Famous for her portraits of babies, Anne Geddes does a humorous spoof on herself and her craft.

Beijing, China-- Photo Diary

cornelius@cmatteophotography.com (Cornelius Matteo Photography) — Thu, 16 Aug 2012 23:05:09 GMT

My 3rd visit to China in the last 4 years -- never boring, a country, city and people in constant motion.

My first trip to NOLA was @ the end of July for Uncle Lionel's Funeral ...

cornelius@cmatteophotography.com (Cornelius Matteo Photography) — Fri, 10 Aug 2012 00:54:28 GMT

... and I took some photos of new friends I made along the way.