Zack Smith Photography

Pop UP Billboard Show in the Times Picayune

2012-01-31T23:45:00.001-06:00

http://www.nola.com/arts/index.ssf/2012/01/art_billboards_appear_in_new_o.html

Pop UP Billboard Show!

2012-01-26T16:55:00.001-06:00

Hello All - i am honored to be involved in this amazing group show put up on Billboards around town AND an opening art show of the original pieces at Gallery Orange on Royal....i am showing one of my favorite Holga film panoramic cross-processed pieces! (say that in one breath!)....

**Join me on Feb 3rd for the private view at Gallery Orange i'll be in that number! PLEASE RSVP**

PRESS RELEASE - THURSDAY, JANUARY 26TH

20 Billboards in New Orleans: 30th January - 29th February

Gallery Orange: 3rd February - 29th February
Open: 10am - 6pm daily
Private view: Friday 3rd February, 5-8pm
RSVP: tracy@gallery-orange.com
Gallery Orange - 819 Royal Street - New Orleans, Louisiana 70116

Cover image on this months New Orleans Living

2012-01-03T17:35:00.002-06:00

http://www.livingneworleans.com/New-Orleans-Living-Jan2012/

My image of actor and friend, Michael Cerveris graces the cover of New Orleans Living along with Martina McBride and Dorian Bennett. Michael has been chosen to star as Juan Peron in “Evita,” a revival of that Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber musical opening on Broadway in the spring of 2012. Michael won a Tony Award for his role in "Assassins". Michael is also a great musician, and i have recently done a slew of new press image for him in and around New Orleans...follow the link and check this dude out.

2012 - Never have i been more psyched.

2011-12-26T10:38:00.002-06:00

I feel as if the gears are already turning - the end of the year signifying continuing ideas, momentum and opportunities. Already i have 2 new photography portrait shows in the works at two very unique venues in New Orleans. Stay Tuned to online outlet information centers (FB, twitter, ya get it).

I am also embarking on a full teaching schedule at the New Orleans Academy of Fine Art, the academy i have been teaching at and working at since i got here in 2000. I am offering many classes that range from beginner to advanced. Check it out at that link up there.

I am also pretty fired up about the new group i am drumming with, Sunrise:Sunset:. - getting back to my rock roots w/ this one. Our next gig is Jan. 5th at ...yes, Checkpoint Charlies. Cant wait.

What Zacks' Been up to

2011-12-19T18:54:00.004-06:00

Hello friends and fans of this page and my photography. I have to tell you, November and December have been the busiest, productive, end to any year since i went solo in 2004. Creative jobs, working more with local/national musicians, new magazines, new corporate clients, and hey, even a new band i am playing in. 2011, really kicked some ass.

But at the same time, as my life has always flown, my middle ground is shaky: all this good stuff, but at the same time the highs were high the lows were low: trying to be a LEGIT business, opening my LLC, trying to get my taxes done, trying to collect monies owed AND manage it has been one of the toughest things to do. I am thankful for all the helpful people in my life, most notably Mandy Thomas my assistant and all around great person really has provided some stability (whether she agrees with me or not) with my work and my general well being....and she will be kicking some ass very soon mark my words.

So without going on too long, i give you some new work not up on www.zacksmith.com yet but 1st here. enjoy.

Jenna Van Cleve
Luke Winslow King Band
Gabby LaLa
Tess Brunet - "Au Ras Au Ras"
Michael Cerveris

SPRING 2012 NOAFA PHOTOGRAPHY SCHEDULE

2011-12-07T19:59:00.001-06:00

http://photographynoafa.blogspot.com/

Print Sale/Book Sale Art Show Saturday, December 3rd

2011-11-30T09:19:00.001-06:00

he Dirty Coast book release party for "Y'all's Problem," and "New Orleans: the Underground Guide," is at the new:

Dirty Coast Store,
329 Julia St.,
6 to 9pm
SAT DEC 3 as part of the Julia St art walk.

FEATURING photography and original art for sale by

Zack Smith (photographer of "The Underground Guide")
Jeff Pastorek (illustrator of "Y'all's Problem")

PLUS reading and music by,
Michael Patrick Welch (the White Bitch)
Gwedolyn Knapp (of Green Demons)
Bill Lavender (UNO Press publisher, author of two new books)
David Rowe (rogue poet, Verna Press)
plus more to come...

Free entry. $50 gets you a book plus an original drawing or photo from either book.

Drumtography

2011-11-07T17:22:00.002-06:00

I have to give some credit to a one Ron Cortese for pretty much telling me "hey, you should get a drumset because you're our new drummer", way back as Juniors in High School. I give him some credit for opening some doors to playing music - i had always been a music freak, totally getting into whatever music i was listening to - but now i got to play it.

And for the past 8 years i have been drumming and helping write w/ Rotary Downs. and it's been a blast. For a while i kept the door closed since i didnt' want to overwork myself w/ new music projects. But i think that's over. I have since started playing with Sunrise:Sunset:. and next week i am doing a one-off gig w/ the talented Ratty Scurvics at One Eyed Jacks. Hope to see you out there...

More from Alter Ego Portraits

2011-10-21T18:23:00.003-06:00

Mandy brought a cool underwater camera...more photos to come!

Alter Ego Portraits

2011-10-10T21:35:00.004-06:00

yeah, we had a crew that rolled deep. Mandy, Melani, Marisa, JR and family all helped out make this weird idea in my head a reality. a Few years ago i realized that there were too many ideas i had to do alone - and there was no way to keep em up there. I used to never ask for help, just do it alone - now, seeing my results of a new way - realize i do need people around me.

This shoot was months in the making. Once i had the idea i had a team, and them models/friends to help me flesh it out. Friends came in costume, in alter egos, and bore their soul in damn near cold freezin water, for fun, for art, for the document.

I'll be picking up the film soon, and there's a few ideas floating around on what to do with and i think you'll be surprised.

Dominican Republic

2011-09-22T17:01:00.004-06:00

it's tough to keep a secret, even tougher to not share a photo. i was in the Dominican Republic for 9 days in July. Relying on chance, the help of two great friends and their friends, and a camera. For 9 days i visited 3 cities in very different areas of this amazing island and documented what i saw - i was surrounded by good people, talented people, driven souls. I made friendships for life.

The photographs i am editing now are going to be a part of something special, so keep in touch - cause i want you to see. And i want to go back.

Zack Smith has a Website

2011-09-21T18:41:00.003-06:00

Really? "Zack, what do you do?"

Cmon.

Most of what folks know about what i do i gotta bring to em: Canary Gallery, Slice, Falstaff, Three Muses (all places you can see my work) - but i haven't had a current website in, hmm Blake? Maybe 5 years. And now thanks to the badassedness of Canary Collective - most importantly Ben Hirsch and Blake Haney - i got some innernet presence.

Check it out. i'll update frequently (cause i got the tools)

You'll see new and continuing client work, portraits of friends and musicians, project sets, weddings and even music videos...what!

www.zacksmith.com

Horizons.

2011-08-15T16:58:00.003-06:00

Great creative meeting with Canary and French Quarter Fest...details soon. gonna be killer.... just got film back from Dominican Republic and will be posting details where you can see the portraits - things already in the works.

I'll be scanning SF, and LA portraits too and will be updating this damn blog more. I apologize friends, i have been pretty damn busy. Yes.

Till then, here's what i've been up to:

DDD shoot of the Clean Team and Hospitality Rangers, Preservation Hall West's (SF) Jack, Alexis Marceaux promotional images..

Back at It.

2011-07-28T11:40:00.002-06:00

Feels good to be back in New Orleans. Home. i needed some time where no one knows your name, except a few. 1 week shooting in Los Angeles, then San Fransisco, then Dominican Republic. I was very lucky these last two weeks, getting to photograph my friend/writer Callen Cotten, street artist Faring Purth, and in the Dominican Republic: performance artist Eliu Almonte, photographer Vitico Cabrera, artists Miguel Gomez, the Santo Domingo Dodgers and Miranda baseball team, Freddie Guidiccelli, Raul Rios, Christian Grando (Brazilian Poet), Orlando Menicucci, Nelson Mendoza, Moses Ros-Suarez, Grimaldy Polanco, and many more.

Whew. Now i am back and there's alot on the plate, but doable. I will be posting photos very soon.

Busy Bird - taking flight

2011-07-11T09:06:00.003-06:00

It's been a while blogosphere - mainly because i have been so busy w/ my photography business. I have been working w/ a slew of new, exciting musicians, did a cover of Widespread Panic for RELIX in march, played Bonnaroo again w/ my band Rotary Downs (who's now writing new material, oh yeas), teaching alot at the New Orleans Academy of Fine Art, and about to embark on a well needed journey.

A new client had me in Vegas two times last month, and now, will be shooting two swank parties in Los Angeles this week. I am going to meet up w/ friends to photograph them (bringing the Hassie), and then head to San Fransisco to do the same. I am also going to photograph the almost ready, Preservation Hall West (not sure if that's the real name yet...) while im out there, thanks BenTomRon.

After 2 days, its off to the Dominican Republic to spend a full week and half in over 4 cities, w/ a list of great contacts that grows thanks to my friends Beth (southcoast stud) and Arlyn (northcoast stud) - what started as a vacation to get out the US for a while (havn't been out for myself since 2000) turned into a hustling travel concept to document the people (i'll never take a break) i will be photographing artists, musicians, and up and coming baseball players...things are lining up now. I am shipping everything back to NOLA except my Hasselblad, a pair of jeans/shorts and some shirts. I hope to come back w/ a nice set of work i'll show somewhere...

in the meantime, here's some new work over the last months...

Quintron/Miss Pussycat, Alex Bosworth, Linnzi Zaorski, GIVERS

thanks for reading, stay in touch.

Festival Time and New News

2011-05-28T16:28:00.003-06:00

Well - 3 festivals down (French Quarter/jazz fest/hangout) 1 happening now (Bayou Country Superfest) and 1 to go (Bonnaroo) - and the summer starts. Hangout fest was great, thanks friends for one of the best birthdays ever.

New News:

- i am currently uploading new images to my new website...can't wait. It's been YEARS since ive had one, i'll let y'all know.
- my interview with Steve Pyke!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ad3XuiHQHW4

Thanks Karina and Chloe @ Shine A Light

Festival is Here

2011-04-27T10:19:00.002-06:00

Yes its that time of year again. Jazz Fest. A ritual i have been fully participating in since i arrived in New Orleans a little over 10 years ago. From 2001-2008 i provided full coverage of the festival for Jambase.com - sometimes running tandem with my great friend, writer, Aaron Kayce. It was a great way to get into the festival, and shoot whoever i wanted to cover for the world. I made sure to concentrate on local groups - and cover the many night and late night shows that were out there.

for about 10 days in a row, going non-stop i'd hit so many shows it seems i wouldn't know where i was till the fest was over. And these were the days of film - and now i have a serious archive of musicians in my belt.

Since 2009, i have been hired by The New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival as one of their festival photographers, documenting a large percentage of the acts, missing only a few each year...but only seeing acts for an average of 15min. But this is the way it goes...we are image and emotion farmers trying to capture the essence of the show in just a short time - i dont have the whole show to wait...i need to find it, and find it fast. Night shows are mostly out these days, i can't run around 8+ hrs in the sun and then see a show. But now that my band plays the festival and does night shows...those are bout the only shows i see the full show of...but i get a good night sleep. sometimes...

I love this time of year, the energy in the air, the music, the friends from around the country visiting all for the MUSIC. can't beat it.

Lets Be Totally Clear Billboards around town

2011-04-27T09:36:00.001-06:00

my good pal and trusty sidelady Mandy Thomas snapped these pics of some of the billboards i did around town - if you are in Lafayette, Shreveport, BR, Lake Charles, Alexandria...and see some...snap some and send em! thanks -

Print Sale!

2011-04-20T07:39:00.001-06:00

Ok folks - i'm shedding my inventory again - check here for prints im literally giving away. (will haggle)

1 framed 10x10 Silver Gelatin Print, Saxaphonist David Murray, shot at Jazz Fest 2002. Black frame, 4ply white mat.

...stay tuned more to come.

"Shoot for the Wall" - Opens April 2nd

2011-03-21T07:22:00.002-06:00

Yes folks only 2 weeks until "Shoot for the Wall" -

I have just booked electronic wizard Justin Peake for the musical experience on April 2nd.

I will have another opening during Jazz Fest - info coming up!

Zack - new Street Photography Show

2011-03-15T21:49:00.003-06:00

Today i am almost finished scanning and editing the first street photography show i have assembled in almost 10 years. Images of Cincinnati, New Orleans, Missoula, Brooklyn, and on. I'll have an opening at the CANARY on April 2nd. I hope you can come, it's my 1st and last solo for the 2011.

I used to have time to walk, walk around where i lived, where i saw something interesting - and i always had my camera. This spontaneity fueled my curiosity about photography and put me on the path i am on today.

This TV in a ditch was the first image that made me "borrow" my dads' AE1, and come back and snap a few..not knowing what to do, i started learning from people then.

My new show opens April 2nd at the CANARY Collective - 329 Julia St. 6pm

Shoot for the Wall - Photographs by Zack Smith
Opening Reception Saturday, April 2nd
6p-9p
329 Julia St.
Show runs to through May 2011
504-251-7745

Zack @ Louisiana State Museum

2011-02-14T21:22:00.001-06:00

http://www.nola.com/arts/index.ssf/2011/01/katrina-related_photo_exhibit.html

Before, During, After will be showing at the LA State Museum at the Presbytere this Thursday. Can't wait.

My 2 trips to PA in one month

2011-02-03T10:44:00.007-06:00

December was insane for me. December 8-12th, Rotary Downs did a short tour that started in Delaware and in 4 days we played Newark, Philly, Pittsburgh, and Brooklyn. I took my Hassie with me and did a short walk around our friend Justin Sten's house early one morning. He lives in a rough part of philly, even i thought it was a bit scary.

Here's our host, Justin.

And Cecil Colombo in retrospective chill mode. The guy carries light around w/ him like this.

I went back to Philly to visit my stepmom's family, and where she grew up: Newtown Square, right outside of Philly.. VERY different than Justin's area. I guess that's just how i live y'all, one foot in da swamp, one foot in da castle. Her family is amazing, and they showed us a time i'll never forget. Even if i could remember some of the evenings at Bob's...

Here's the 'hood where Ann grew up....images shot w / Rolliefliex TLR, 75mm lens.

Rotary Downs tunes available for Rock Band 3!

2011-02-03T09:17:00.000-06:00

Let's Be Totally Clear Campaign

2011-01-31T10:08:00.002-06:00

I had the honor of doing portraits in 9 cities around the great state of Louisiana as part of the "Let's Be Totally Clear" campaign - read more about it in the Hammond paper!

http://www.hammondstar.com/articles/2011/01/29/top_stories/8498.txt

New Dirty Coast Website Photography

2011-01-07T10:43:00.002-06:00

Since the inception of Dirty Coast Press, i have been photographing T-shirts to help promote the website. Over the last 5 months i have been leading the creative campaign to redesign the way we shoot shirts, and i wanted to share some of them with you.

Dirty Coasts new website is smooth and slik...check it out.

Superfan Calendar

2011-01-07T10:41:00.001-06:00

Hey! i shot alot of photos...plus the cover of this

http://www.dirtycoast.com/store/detail_in_cat/46/858/The-2011-Black-Gold-Super-Fan-Calendar

Bromoils are Back!

2011-01-05T11:26:00.003-06:00

And i am back! after a long month of east/east/west coasting it i am back in my new comfortable chair and getting to work on a few projects that will soon see the light. 2011 is going to be a full of new, exciting projects and working with some new talented folks.

Canary Collective Gallery will be showing a group show to start out the new year featuring some photographs from Blake Haney and Rob Davis, paintings from our preparator Sara Gordon, and some bromoils from me - remember those? i did a group show of bromoils with Reggie Scanlan and Bob Compton at the Big Top in 2004.

Canary Gallery Presents: Blake Haney, Zack Smith, Rob Davis, and Sara Gordon
Canary Gallery- 329 Julia St.
504-654-9208
Gallery Hours : Wed- Fri 2p-5p
Exhibit of Photographs and Paintings by Blake Haney, Zack Smith, Rob Davis, and Sara Gordon
Tuessday, January 11th 6-8p
Thursday, February 3rd

Photographs and Paintings by Canary's hardest working birds.

Xmas in Philly, NYE in SF

2010-12-26T08:43:00.004-06:00

This last month of 2010 i have been able to do some real fun travelling - first on a 4 day tour w/ Rotary Downs thru Delaware, Philly, Pittsburgh, and Brooklyn..stayed an extra day to hang with Karina Mackenzie of Shine A Light and do a very cool 1 on 1 interview session with photographer Steve Pyke - a very down to earth, amazing photographer i can call a pal.

Ive been in New Town Square in Philadelphia hanging with my pops and stepmom relaxing and enjoying drinking with the Irish. I thought 10 years in NOLA would prepare me for drinking with the irish, and altough im trained well - these cats can drink.

On the 29th i head to SF to visit my west coast crew and enjoy two night of the Barr Brothers, Marco, Nathan and Big Light. Im bringing my super 8 camera, already got some film shipped up there...can't wait.

2011 you will see me back at my blog/photo a week - stay tuned for the new website launching in January.

New Video for The Other Planets

2010-12-01T11:21:00.001-06:00

I just finished a new video for the New Orleans band, The Other Planets - check this out!

http://vimeo.com/17146940

6 Shooters - December 6!

2010-11-04T12:10:00.000-06:00

http://photonola.org/2010/09/28/six-shooters-panel-discussion/

Six Shooters Panel Discussion

Contemporary Arts Center
900 Camp St.
Monday, Dec 6, 7-9pm
Free and open to the public

The Bally Who by Zack SmithThis moderated panel discussion will feature six photographers from various disciplines discussing their processes, influences, inspiration and work. The fifth in an ongoing series produced by the New Orleans Photo Alliance, the PhotoNOLA edition of Six Shooters will feature an accomplished mix of local and visiting photographers, each bringing a unique perspective to the table.

Featured panelists are:
Dave Anderson, Little Rock, AR
Letitia Huckaby, Fort Worth, TX
Donna Pinckley, Little Rock, AR
Zack Smith, New Orleans, LA
Gordon Stettinius, Richmond, VA
Jennifer Zdon, New Orleans, LA

Dan Cameron, founding Director and Chief Curator of Prospect New Orleans and Director of Visual Arts for the CAC will serve as moderator. The program will include a slideshow with examples of each photographer’s work and allow for time at the end for questions from the audience.

Please join us for a lively insightful and informative group discussion.

VOODOO FEST 2010 - DAY 1

2010-10-30T08:20:00.002-06:00

HELLO ALL

I'll be uploading some digitals later today, but day one was a good start. The setup of all the stages is very different, with Pres Hall/Bingo/wwoz being very close to one another...some sound bleed but i love the close proximity.

My new set up is right by a beautiful old (75yrs) oak tree behind pres hall stage. My trusty and super hardworking assistant Mandy helped setup some palmettos on the side of the roots to block out the tent which was giving us hotspots on the outside of our frames.

i got to shoot rosie ledet, anders osborne, stanton moore, honey island swamp band, a-ron wilkenson, one of my photo idols: Rick Olivier...the guitarist and a few more. Today is action packed again. My friend, and uber talented photographer Erica Stavis will be helping out the rest of the way. can't wait.

Bayou Country Super Fun

2010-10-01T13:11:00.002-06:00

Yeah, ive had this aversion to 'new' country music, like, forever - so the only way to conquer one's fear is to jump in the lions pit right? And i did that, covering the 1st Bayou Country Super Fest for Festival Productions (jazz fest). I found mostly cliche country trials and tribulations, but what won me over was that frail, pretty, "hooks for days" singer Taylor Swift. here are some shots. I guess i still like to shoot live music here and there.

Zack Smith, Offbeat Magazine Interview

2010-09-28T12:56:00.000-06:00

http://www.offbeat.com/2010/10/01/zack-smith-making-faces/

2010-09-25T10:28:00.001-06:00

Shoots today...SUPERFAN calendar.. 12th Man dirty coast shirt and promo for new Lisa Damour play

UNDER THE TWIN TREES

2010-09-19T08:21:00.001-06:00

Under The Twin Trees by Zack Smith | Make Your Own Book

New Book - Old Book

2010-09-19T08:06:00.002-06:00

http://www.blurb.com/my/book/detail/633935

Under the Twin Trees: Portraits from Chaz Fest 2007/2008 - on BLURB.com

Here's a book i designed two years ago, and id like to pass around the link again. Since shooting Chaz Fest for the last 4 years, i decided to put together my 1st two years into book form. It's a nice small paperback with almost 40 images of the most familiar and new faces to the festival. It's a great gift or coffee table addition.

2010-08-24T09:43:00.001-06:00

Bout to shoot Faith Hill w CTaylor Crothers

Legend, Teacher, Mentor

2010-08-15T18:55:00.002-06:00

Herman Leonard passed this weekend. Do yourself a favor and visit his images.

I had the privilege to work with Herman as his assistant on many different shoots. The years i was assisting him i was soaking in everything i could. He was a master photographer, and printer. Above all he loved what he did. He loved the people he photographed, and his images show that. He taught me to slow down, and engage the present, and engage the art.

You will be missed Herman, thanks for leaving us so many wonderful moments.

BEST OF JAZZ FEST 2010

2010-08-09T15:16:00.000-06:00

http://www.facebook.com/?ref=home#!/album.php?aid=474637&id=846545563&comments

Panel Discussion at the CAC This Wednesday

2010-08-09T12:59:00.001-06:00

Panel Discussion At the CAC

Several contributors, including myself, to the Before During After project will be in attendance at the Contemporary Arts Center this Wednesday evening for a panel discussion followed by book signing.

Before During After Panel Discussion
Wednesday, Aug 11, 2010
6-8pm
CAC Cafe
900 Camp Street

Moderator: John Biguenet
Photographers: Eric Paul Julien, Thomas Neff, Rowan Metzner, Frank Relle, Samuel Portera, Jennifer Shaw, Mark Sindler, Zack Smith and Jonathan Traviesa.

Before During After is out..and at CANARY!

2010-07-13T15:38:00.004-06:00

I am honored to be a part of this amazing book...4 years in the making...

Before, During, After is a visual and literary narrative of how Hurricane Katrina has transformed the lives and work of twelve photographers from Southeast Louisiana. Five years after the storm's wake, we look back to discover Katrina's imprint on the creative expression of each artist. The book emphasizes not only the effect of Hurricane Katrina but also the way individuals are influenced by their environments, particularly in times of dramatic upheaval. Adding depth to the pictorial representation, each photographer has written an intimate account of how Katrina changed his or her life, work and vision of the future.

BOOK SIGNING
Saturday, July 31st, Octavia Books, New Orleans - 6pm

EXHIBITION
Friday, September 10th, DiverseWorks Art Space, Houston - 6-10pm

LA EXHIBIT
The show will travel to Louisiana and be on view in January at the Louisiana State Museum in New Orleans.

Very proud of new site launch

2010-07-04T21:17:00.002-06:00

Kudos to Canary in getting the new House of Lounge website up - all of the images of Leigh were shot by me, at Becca's Quarter apt.

CHAZ FEST 2010

2010-06-14T16:18:00.001-06:00

thanks to the Truck Farm, KK, Alex, Chaz, and all that make it happen.

I think it's almost time for a book.

House of 1,000 Gator Pops

2010-06-14T10:30:00.005-06:00

Every disaster needs an equal energy on the positive side of the scale. Our spirits are dampened by the continuing spill in the Gulf, but as we know about tragedy - we need to keep the vibe high and continue to educate.

We had Chef Billy Reiger cookin up his famous white beans, the Zapp's Blind Taste Test booth, info on Gulf Restoration Network, a fund to tour Loup Garou, and about 1,000 gator pops to Johnno and Bayou Deville. All of this was done at Adam Tourek's house, ripe for a fais-do-do -

Journey down to Delacroix

2010-06-14T09:39:00.004-06:00

A few weeks back, Adam, Moose and i went to meet Adam's friend James and his wife down at their house in Delacroix. It was May 3rd, a little over a week after the BP oil leak had begun it's destruction of our coast.

James is a trapper, a fisherman, and many other things. We spent most of the day with him as he was adjusting to his new life as a Haz Mat cleanup guy, after losing most fishing priveleges when the Parish shut down all commercial/private fishing in his waters. His surroundings are amazing; the bayous, the smell of the water, his pet Nutrias and his wifes fine etched glasses. It's life. And it has changed.

Friday Night Fights

2010-06-14T09:05:00.002-06:00

New series on Friday Night Fights...go check it out.

I'll start posting more here...stay tuned - more on the oil spill as well.

Im working w/ multiple folks documenting the catastrophe -

But 1st the fights...

Couple shots from upcoming humidbeings.com

OIL CLEANUP EFFORTS - WHAT TO DO

2010-04-30T11:07:00.002-06:00

We've got a serious issue on our hands you all know about now. the Future repercussions of this oil LEAK from British Petroleum are outstanding, and it's hard to think about.

From here on our my photo blog will be a blog about:

1. how you can help cleanup
2. where to get the up to date info

I will be teaming up with humidbeings.com to bring the blogoshpere to the coastal dwellers, as we try to get folks on the frontlines to blog about what is going on, what they need, and how.

1st off:

http://www.crcl.org/coalitionprograms/oilspillrecovery.html

go here to register to volunteer - stay tuned. If you have ANY information please send it to my email:

SMITZACK@GMAIL.COM

New Photographs up at CANARY

2010-04-20T07:53:00.002-06:00

I will be showing 6 new photographs from my debut series, "Photographs from the End of the Earth". These 6 images are the first of many in my ongoing document of Grande Isle, Louisiana.

After going there w/ a good friend almost 5 years ago, i fell in love w/ this community which reminded me of Lafayette, the bayous and it's surroundings. When i wanted to get away from the computer and the city, i'd drive to the little island. You can get there only a few ways, and my favorite way was to take 90 to the West Bank, and take the Old Hwy 1. Here you would pass thru towns like; Des Allemands, Raceland, Golden Meadow, Cut Off, on your way to the big bridge that dumps you on the island. And here, you are really at the end of the earth.

What fascinated me about the island was its people. But what i began to photograph was their surroundings. I had just got access to the 4x5 on loan from the New Orleans Photo Alliance, and I would take drives on inside side streets, and explore the backyards, the leveed backyards, boats in yards, graveyards in yards. All on the island. There really is no place like it.

I will be showing some images from "Photographs from the End of the Earth" at the CANARY Gallery on May 1st...here's more:

CANARY GALLERY
Photographs from the End of the Earth, by Zack Smith
Saturday, May 1st - 7:30-9:30 (come after jazzfest!)
329 Julia St.
Show up till end of July, 2010

also showing: new photographs by Blake Haney

Sunflower City...and Zack CD covers

2010-04-06T11:36:00.003-06:00

Hey gangs - ive had the honor of shooting quite a few album covers/inserts that have come out in the last year...and some more on the horizon...most notably one that is coming out this week!

WHAT - Matt Perrine's Sunflower City
WHERE - Chickie Wah Wah
WhaWha? - $20 gets you FOOD, a CD and good times
WHEN - Thursday, April 15th 6-8

other albums soon to be released i'll have the cover, and/or some inside art:

Dr. John
R. Scully's Rough 7
Sierra Leones Refugee All-Stars (out now)
Alec Ounsworth - (out now)
Happy Talk Band (coming out soon)

ZACK in APRIL

2010-03-30T14:26:00.003-06:00

NO folks, it's not the title of a porn im in..it's just that, well. April is very busy - and if you all know me, i like to share the knowledge and let you in on the interesting things im up to...and you should too.

FRIDAY APRIL 2nd
Court date! Really the best april fools there is is to have to go to court after months of looking and sweating every cop that pulls behind you. Yeah, it's an old fine for not showing up one day. I'm sorry your honor.

SATURDAY APRIL 3rd
Come don Tragedy Masks and protest honests and uncorrupt governments with CANARY Gallery and Tom Williams. His show at the moment, is tragic. Come hang. 6-9

10pm - Dirty Coast Fashion Show @ One Eyed Jacks - BE THERE - here's the details...Chris Lane, Big Fredia, DJ Rusty Lazer, Fluer de Tease, and naked people.

SUNDAY APRIL 4th
Dragons Den - "Hell is Other People" - a group of solo performances (sounds like an oxymoron, but Chris Lane is...) - w/ Meschiya Lake, Simon Lott, Mike Dillon, and Casey McCallister.

TUESDAY APRIL 6th
I have the honor of shooting Bonnie Prince Billy (Will Oldham) at VERY intimate show at Preservation Hall. I am shooting for MOJO Magazine again, i love that magazine. Thanks for the gig Gabe, sorry you can't make it.

APRIL 9/10/11
French Quarter Fest - I will have an official FQF Portrait booth on the Riverwalk, near the Food Vendors where Conti runs into the river...come see me and get ya pictcha dawlin.

NIGHT - April 10th - Checkin out the talented Kourtney Kellers' thesis show - LUMENSECITY - don't miss this. Not only is she badass at that art, she also puts on CHAZ FEST...

SATURDAY APRIL 17TH
I'll be running a multi projected pyschadelic explosion all up in the Pearl for their Warholesque freak show show. As you all know my projectiles can get fractile, and for this night, will branch out of my comfy post-nuclear family hamburger madness, and fundip.

SUNDAY APRIL 25th -
SOFT (shhh) Book signing/opening for the book to bring you where you need to be: CANARY Gallery is pleased to host a book signing for Michael Patrick Welch's new book, New Orleans: An Underground Guide (UNO PRESS)
Sunday, April 25th
6-9

I have a ton of photos in this soon to be legendary book..come hang out and drink Bloody Mary's and see BIG images from the book!!

JAZZ FEST BABY

4/23 - Fairgrounds - Rotary Downs - 4:40pm Lagniappe Stage
4/23 - Rotary Downs/Big Rock Candy Mountain/Supertronatron - All Ways Lounge!
4/24 - Surprise Me Mr. Davis and ....yes, The Slip - Tip's Downtown (ugh.)
4/27 - Rotary Downs/Brothers Barr/Mike Gamble - @ THE SATURN BAR - (throwdown)
4/28 - CHAZ FEST - At the Truck Farm...dont' miss it! - i'll be shooting portraits again...bring me margartias and crawbread.
4/30 - Rotary Downs @ Le Bon Temps -- 10pm

May 1st - Zack Smith - Blake Haney - New Photographs at CANARY - 329 Julia St -
I will be showing my images from a years long document of the island of Grande Isle - Images from the End of the Earth.
6p-9p - Daquiri's will be drunkened.

May 2nd - NOIZEFEST - i'll be shooting portraits at Noizefest this year...my first to attend, i am very happy about this. Ask Michael.

March Madness

2010-03-17T09:11:00.002-06:00

March has been pretty amazing so far. Rotary Downs had it's CD release for "cracked maps and blue reports" at One Eyed Jacks, w/ the GIVERS on March 5th. over 275 folks showed up and packed OEJ, and stayed and boogied and left w/ our disc. nice.

The next day we played our best show in Lafayette at Artmosphere for Geronimo Fest.

The following week, i assisted at Jock Sturges portrait workshop where i got to see a brilliant photographer work. (and get paid, WHAT WHAT) - that weekend RD played the local FOBURG fest at DBA on Saturday to packed crowd till 4:30am. long month so far...and april isn't looking any slower.

I have been hired by French Quarter Fest to shoot portraits of fest goers all weekend, April 9/10/11 - so come see me by the Mississippi River and the pavillion stage. getcha pictha taken...

I'll also be shooting at Chaz Festival this year - Wed. April 28th - cmon down to tha Nint Wawd Dahlin...

BURY THE BAG

2010-03-04T09:02:00.003-06:00

You knew that when the Saints won the superbowl, we were gonna keep finding reasons to party. right? right? well if you thought the party was over when the Lombardi Trophy was lifted...when the Saints parade attracted 80,000, or when Mardi Gras was here...you were wrong.

We still had one more thing to do: BURY THE BAG. The Aints of the 80's...that hapless, winless dyNASTY is now a thing of the past, and we just had to BURY THE BAG in an official New Orleans FUNeral.

Thanks to Glen David Andrews for organizing and DBA for giving us a place to mourn(hiccup).

BURY THE BAG cont...

2010-03-04T08:46:00.003-06:00

Artists Den Year in Photographs 2009

2010-02-26T08:45:00.004-06:00

I had the pleasure of shooting a Black Crowes show in Oxford last year for the Artists Den. Stacy Fortenberry and i made the trip up and hung in style w/ the backward caps and Birkenstock literati of Oxford, Mississip.

http://theartistsden.com/photography/2009/

30 Days in the Bowl Documentary

2010-02-26T08:31:00.001-06:00

Michael Agresta has put together one hell of a documentary not on Katrina and all that bad shit...but the New Orleans Renaissance - i've been saying it for the last 3 years, there is something happening here...and i hope the rest of the world will notice.

http://www.imdb.com/video/wab/vi1493697561/

Superbowl 44 in New Orleans...the Pre-Party

2010-02-18T15:11:00.001-06:00

What a day it was, driving around the city, seeing how us aching but amped New Orleanians were gearing up for the big day...OUR SAINTS IN THE Superbowl. Well we all know they won, and we continued partying till Lombari-Gras Day. Here are some images from the bowl day...more Gras pics to follow.

Superbowl 44 in New Orleans...the Pre-Party

2010-02-18T15:08:00.003-06:00

Be Your Not-So-Super Self :: offBeat :: Louisiana and New Orleans Online Music Resource

2010-01-28T14:40:00.000-06:00

Be Your Not-So-Super Self :: offBeat :: Louisiana and New Orleans Online Music Resource

Zack Smith Music Photographer of the Year

2010-01-25T18:07:00.002-06:00

Yup.

http://www.offbeat.com/2010/01/21/2009-best-of-the-beat-music-business-awards/

Thanks to Offbeat Magazine and my peers, 2009 was a busy, great year full of new creative directions and affirmations. - and they gave me some props. AT home now wondering where to put my Offbeat Best Music Photographer 2009 award...any suggestions?

Article on Zack in ART New Orleans

2010-01-08T10:50:00.002-06:00

There's an article on Zack (that's me) in the New Orleans Arts Districts publication, ART New Orleans. You can learn all about where im at - pick one up at any gallery in the Arts District/Julia St, hotels, and museums around the city.

Thanks to NOAD, and Deborah Kronowitz.

http://www.neworleansartsdistrict.com/

ROTARY DOWNS NEW VIDEOS

2010-01-03T22:46:00.001-06:00

FROM MIXING SESSION IN LAFAYETTE!

http://www.youtube.com/user/rotarydowns1

Cleo, Morgana, Michael

2009-12-17T15:40:00.001-06:00

2009-12-17T14:18:00.000-06:00

The Manchac Team 1AAA you've heard about!! All these cats rocked the shoot a few weeks back..thanks y'all.

Chris Rehm

2009-12-14T20:22:00.001-06:00

Download this record:

http://chrisrehm.bandcamp.com/
<a href="http://chrisrehm.bandcamp.com/album/loyola-edition">Easy Chair: Loyola Edition by Chris Rehm</a>

Chris of Caddywhompus

Blu=amazing

2009-12-12T13:26:00.001-06:00

COMBO a collaborative animation by Blu and David Ellis (2 times loop) from blu on Vimeo.

Surprise Me Mr Davis

2009-12-11T11:09:00.003-06:00

SMMD has a new site, and they were nice enough to include some of my tour videos i did years back...reminded me of good times on tour thru the cold NE in January 2004.

http://surprisememrdavis.com/

Thats What We Do

2009-12-08T18:23:00.001-06:00

Group shot of my Int'd Digital class at the New Orleans Academy of Fine Art on location in the marigny...image shot by Matthew Prejeant.

Led Blindly, by the Eyes

2009-12-02T09:28:00.001-06:00

Awesome project by photographer, Platon

http://www.newyorker.com/online/multimedia/2009/12/07/091207_audioslideshow_platon

Scrambler Seequill

2009-11-25T15:08:00.001-06:00

"One Design" from Scrambler Seequill on Vimeo.

one of our favorites...Mike Gamble.

James Perry Knocks one out

2009-11-25T13:02:00.000-06:00

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eAKyYETqPVs&feature=player_embedded

Offbeat Interviews Zack

2009-11-19T21:16:00.001-06:00

thanks Alex!

Come see the final product at NOIR Fest 3 @ the blue nile...Sat. November 21st.

VOODOO FEST PORTRAITS 2009 - pt 2 Teaser

2009-11-13T11:57:00.004-06:00

Yeah, it gets better and weirder.

Z

PRINCE OF WALES

2009-11-13T11:01:00.001-06:00

Here's to my favorite SAPC - The Prince of Wales are some stand up ladies and gents, and they get the job done, and the party started right. Thier 2nd line was in October and left from the Rock Bottom Lounge on Thchop, and basically went everywhere. I saw some killer styles out there, and met some interesting folks. Here are some of my favorite shots.

PRINCE OF WALES

2009-11-13T10:57:00.001-06:00

PRINCE OF WALES

2009-11-13T10:55:00.003-06:00

PRINCE OF WALES

2009-11-13T10:53:00.001-06:00

PRINCE OF WALES

2009-11-13T10:50:00.002-06:00

VOODOO FEST PORTRAITS 2009

2009-11-06T17:43:00.002-06:00

I am very happy to begin showing you the portraits from 2009's Voodoo Music Experience. This year i only shot on Friday, since last years 3 days were very costly, and alot of back breaking work. I hope you like the 1st round of images. They were shot w/ the 4x5, using one of Sam's lenses. Thanks Sam.

Big Thanks to all those at the Preservation Hall Tent, Ben Jaffe, Adam Shipley, Libra Legrone, Jeremy Smith, and to Michelle Icahn.

VOODOO FEST PORTRAITS 2009

2009-11-06T17:39:00.002-06:00

BIG BANG THEORY II

2009-11-04T18:38:00.001-06:00

ROTARY DOWNS AT VOODOO FEST 2009

2009-10-27T07:57:00.002-06:00

CATCH ROTARY DOWNS AT VOODOO FEST - SATURDAY, OCTOBER 31ST - 4:45PM AT THE BINGO! PARLOUR

ALSO

BIG BANG THEORY II

2009-10-23T15:38:00.003-06:00

REX - don't miss

2009-10-20T09:08:00.001-06:00

There's going to be alot of amazing art on November 7th - i'll be making a pitch to attend CANARY'S show with Sean Yseult and Louis St. Lewis, but i do want you to make a night of it and not miss Michale Dinglers show on Magazine - check it:

Photo Alliance article on Zack

2009-10-06T10:27:00.001-06:00

http://neworleansphotoalliance.blogspot.com/2009/10/interview-with-zack-smith.html

check it out gang, the New Orleans Photo Alliance was grateful enough to give me a little blog-space in this feature on the NOPA blog - take a look, hope you enjoy.

Zack

CIRQUE DU FREAK/TIPITINAS

2009-10-05T21:44:00.000-06:00

COME TO THIS!!

Zack Smith - PROJECTIONS - WHISKEY DIX...WED. 7TH

2009-10-05T11:05:00.001-06:00

I'LL BE RUNNING NEW PROJECTIONS...at Whiskey Dix on St. Charles...

War Amps and Erin's bday tow down

Zack Smith to participate in UNO Gallery Show

2009-10-02T16:51:00.002-06:00

My image of Deacon John Moore will be shown along with 30 other local portrait photographers at the UNO-St. Claude Gallery @ 2429 St. Claude Avenue opening on October 10th.

"Two Eyes, a Nose, and a Mouth" a Group Exhibition
UNO-St. Claude Gallery
2429 St. Claude Avenue
Opening Reception October 10th 6pm-9pm

HEIDI DOMANGUE - ART FOR ARTS SAKE

2009-09-25T19:31:00.004-06:00

I want to urge you all to attend Heidi Domangue's art opening on October 3rd.

I think this show will be one of the best we have had at THE CANARY Gallery. Heidi is one of the most prolific, talented, and culturally inspired artists i have ever met or had the joy of calling friend. She is inspiring to me, and the community she works and creates in. I do hope you can attend her opening on October 3rd at CANARY.

Heidi is committed to educating us all... To paraphrase her:

'This series is all about saving the wetlands, the fight of the animals to keep it alive, the unrecognized heroes of the marsh, and the relationships of the animals that no one thinks of.'

But, it goes bigger than than. Here in Louisiana we have lost over 38 million square yards of wetlands, and that doesn't seem to be stopping. This series she has made raises the delicate question - with all the land that is dissapearing, where will all the nutria go? Where will all the Pelicans go? Right now the fight is on to save their own habitat from washing away....thus we have:

3D BAYOU BATTLE

For this show, Heidi has experimented non-stop with creating her own unique color palette for painting in 3D. She has donned the traditional 3D glasses to paint these amazing bayou confrontations, and there's only one way to see them...

CANARY was donated 75 3D glasses from American Optics for this show, and it's one you don't want to miss.

Heidi Domangue - 3D Bayou Battle - Prints and Paintings
Capital One's Art for Arts Sake
Opening Reception, October 3rd, 6pm-9pm
Show will hang until November 3rd

CANARY Gallery - 329 Julia St.
504-208-3882
Gallery Hours: Wed-Fri 2-5p or by appt

The Excavators now Up!

2009-09-23T09:46:00.002-06:00

Recently Blake had some construction done to his house, and some curious excavators asked if they could...well, dig some holes. This is a piece i did one day when they were diggin around. Edited by Steve Wolfram.

The Excavators from Steve Wolfram on Vimeo.

9th Ward Marching Band

2009-09-22T18:26:00.000-06:00

Ninth Ward Marching Band from Steve Wolfram on Vimeo.

Snooks Eaglin 2nd Line Funeral

2009-09-15T10:20:00.002-06:00

A recent piece i shot and recorded, along w/ Steve Wolfram (editor) about Snooks, and his second line. I interviewed folks along the route, got nat sound, and also paid a visit to George Porter Jr., legendary bassist for The Meters, to talk w/ him about Snooks, and his history of playing w/ this legend we lost

Farewell to Snooks from Steve Wolfram on Vimeo.

You will be able to see this video and more when www.humidbeings.com launches....SOON

Watch This - Living Colour on Arsenio

2009-09-11T11:09:00.002-06:00

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tTjKWq9Gges

One of THE tightest bands in history, no shit. - funniest shit, about 1min into the song Glover walks into the crowd at the Arsenio Hall show, and NO BODY IS DOING ANYTHING. you'd think they were at a cooking show. Fucking Hilarious

Dont want to miss this

2009-09-11T11:01:00.002-06:00

Yes - Living Colour is playing Tipitina's uptown - holy shit. Be there.

Living Colour formed out of New York City in the mid-'80s. Their incendiary performances at CBGBs became the stuff of legend. The Rolling Stones' Mick Jagger witnessed one of the shows and was so impressed that he insisted upon producing a demo for the fledgling band and later helped them score a record deal. Living Colour's legacy has broken through obstacles of language, distance and culture. Living Colour's debut album Vivid went double platinum and garnered the band a Grammy Award. Over the course of their career, they released three critically acclaimed albums (Vivid, Time's Up and Stain), which sold over 4 million copies combined, earned a pair of Grammy Awards, two MTV Music Video Awards and tore up stages around the world. In 2007, Living Colour's hit song "Cult Of Personality" was selected for Guitar Hero III. The game has gone onto sell over 14 million copies, introducing the band to a new generation of fans.

Just cause it looks good

2009-09-07T13:20:00.003-06:00

One my favorite clients is the Tulane Marching Band, under the direction of Barry Spanier. Barry brought the band back from almost extinction after Katrina, and has turned it around to an 80+ member band - and they're good too. My job over the last 3 years is follow the band around, document their appearances at Tulane Football home games in the dome. TU had their first game of the 2009 season on Friday against Tulsa.

Holy Cross/Preservation Hall

2009-09-07T10:17:00.002-06:00

Thanks to my trusty assistant Adrienne Batistella for this snap of approval.

MO BEAUTY by Alec Ounsworth set to release

2009-09-02T14:43:00.003-06:00

I recently met Alec Ounsworth, singer for the wildly popular group Clap Your Hands Say Yeah, at Piety St. Studios while recording his 1st solo project aptly titled; Mo Beauty. Watching the sessions was great, as George Porter Jr., Stanton Moore, and Robert Walters worked with Alec's very slick blues tunes.

On Alec's last day, he called me up because he had to show me a sign he loved, and wanted it to be the cover, and title. We drove up Orleans Ave. and found it - Mo Beauty, an old sign on a faded yellow building. I guess it used to be a beauty shop back in the day.

check out the new record when it comes out on ANTI

Interview on NOLAFugees

2009-09-02T14:34:00.002-06:00

Thanks to Monique for this interview - the Faces of Rock really resonated with the community..stay tuned.

nolafugees

Faces of Rock - thank you's

2009-08-30T10:26:00.002-06:00

I want to thank everyone that sat for me last night at Carrolton Station. I think i shot over 100 of you - almost 1/2 of you that were there to see an amazing show w/ Caddywhompus, Smiley w/ a Knife, and Big Rock Candy Mountain. It was very evident that there is a serious organized culture happening w/in the indie rock scene as shown last night by the enthusiasm and energy at the club, and the willingness to participate in a random photo project.

I am not 100% sure what i will be doing w/ the shots, but i do know they need to be collaged somehow, printed big, and put up on the side of a building..or something. Someone suggested doing a composite of all the faces into one face. I like it...but how do i do it?

(thanks to andrew larimer for the action shot)

Where can i buy a Time Machine?

2009-08-28T15:37:00.000-06:00

http://blog.bigrockcandymountain.net/