I hate the term relaunch. Implies what was there before didn't work. Updates are good. Folks, I have returned to my roots as a photographer after Wall Street "freed up my future" last year. I started taking pictures at age 7 and never stopped, so this is nothing new to me. I have never been busier.
This is an update. Friends tell me "I don't know what he does." Here is my current Website along with 1000+ photos to view for fun and purchase on-line. www.JohnAres.com
The last 16 months have been a labor of love assembling the archive behind the scenes (always, from now into infinity), finding a capable e-commerce site, figuring that I want a T-shirt site (least developed), plus the archive and a password protected place for photos of family, friends and fiends.
Along the way, a Photo Tip page popped up for Beginners and Intermediates. Some time after that, a more Advanced Series of peer reviewed White Pages has materialized for pros. This will be the basis for a Workshop being presented at the Meadowlands Convention Center in NJ in 2010.
The latest addition is the John Ares Photographic BLOG. I have the vision of this being a resource for improving your photography. Tell me what you would like to see here. How do you want to improve your photos? So far it is mostly collection of articles I wrote, that have been published in DivePhotoGuide.com (DPG). DPG is perhaps the webs largest resource for Underwater Photographers.
" If you want PICTURES, shoot Film. If you want WORK, shoot Digital."
JA
www.JohnAres.com
Friday, October 2, 2009
Saturday, March 7, 2009
There is no accounting for taste.
JA
MOVIES
FINALLY! After many years of holding back, CLEOPATRA, the early 1960's version with Liz Taylor, Burton and Rex Harrison has been released. This was particularly good timing coming on the heels of reviewing the two seasons of the HBO series ROME.
ROME has better production values and perhaps the same 80% attempt at historical accuracy, but to see 45 years difference in filming the same subject matter is fascinating. Burton and Taylor were an item that cannot be duplicated on or off screen so just see it for that reason alone. Available on Netflix. Neither Rome nor Cleopatra for the kids despite the good history lessons.
MUSIC
Last installment had the lilting Classical / Popera voice of Haley Wistenra, and the Electronic Classical treatments by Tomita, with the Pandora.com internet radio source. This time exposes my truly schizophrenic musical taste. I confess. None of the following are ever likely to be played on an American Radio Station. Maybe except Johnny Mathis. iTunes is the way I found most of them.
Classic Jazz
Jane Monheit has a new one out "The Lovers, The Dreamers and Me." Check out "I'm Glad there is You." While I like Dianna Krall, Jane I think has a better voice. OK shoot me.
Classic 60's Vocal
I admit it, I finally downloaded Johnny Mathis version of Misty. Probably one of the best songs of all time.
Progressive Rock / Alternative / Metal
Listening to the Internet station MORROW.com on iTunes has produced many additions to my collection inexpensively. So much great new music in the genera that the Beatles spawned: Progressive Rock.
MORROW.com is the French Progressive / Metal / Alternative station that will not be to everyone's taste. Narrowcasting in English, I have found the following bands that deserve exploration on iTunes by Progressive Rock devotees:
VOTEM
Start with the Acoustic Guitar & Piano intro that leads into The Hunt is On. Starting off quietly, it will grow to remind you of the best of Symphony X or Queensreich.
SIEGES EVEN
Start with Eyes Wide Open. These guys remind me of Staind.
FROST
Start with the title cut to the Experiments in Mass Appeal collection.
MASTODON
Start with Oblivion. A great, typically despondent, Metal title. More Pure Metal for your inner headbanger that knows Progressive. Put on your late night, highway "Keep me awake" playlist.
M83
Start with "Kim & Jessie" (Actually found in the NY Times music review section, not Morrow. Not the WSJ ether. M83 is truly a mixed genera band of Electronic / Rock / Alternative and Dance. Interesting stuff with a long history given popular music. Being hard to classify, they make for lot of "oh-need to hear that again."
JA
MOVIES
FINALLY! After many years of holding back, CLEOPATRA, the early 1960's version with Liz Taylor, Burton and Rex Harrison has been released. This was particularly good timing coming on the heels of reviewing the two seasons of the HBO series ROME.
ROME has better production values and perhaps the same 80% attempt at historical accuracy, but to see 45 years difference in filming the same subject matter is fascinating. Burton and Taylor were an item that cannot be duplicated on or off screen so just see it for that reason alone. Available on Netflix. Neither Rome nor Cleopatra for the kids despite the good history lessons.
MUSIC
Last installment had the lilting Classical / Popera voice of Haley Wistenra, and the Electronic Classical treatments by Tomita, with the Pandora.com internet radio source. This time exposes my truly schizophrenic musical taste. I confess. None of the following are ever likely to be played on an American Radio Station. Maybe except Johnny Mathis. iTunes is the way I found most of them.
Classic Jazz
Jane Monheit has a new one out "The Lovers, The Dreamers and Me." Check out "I'm Glad there is You." While I like Dianna Krall, Jane I think has a better voice. OK shoot me.
Classic 60's Vocal
I admit it, I finally downloaded Johnny Mathis version of Misty. Probably one of the best songs of all time.
Progressive Rock / Alternative / Metal
Listening to the Internet station MORROW.com on iTunes has produced many additions to my collection inexpensively. So much great new music in the genera that the Beatles spawned: Progressive Rock.
MORROW.com is the French Progressive / Metal / Alternative station that will not be to everyone's taste. Narrowcasting in English, I have found the following bands that deserve exploration on iTunes by Progressive Rock devotees:
VOTEM
Start with the Acoustic Guitar & Piano intro that leads into The Hunt is On. Starting off quietly, it will grow to remind you of the best of Symphony X or Queensreich.
SIEGES EVEN
Start with Eyes Wide Open. These guys remind me of Staind.
FROST
Start with the title cut to the Experiments in Mass Appeal collection.
MASTODON
Start with Oblivion. A great, typically despondent, Metal title. More Pure Metal for your inner headbanger that knows Progressive. Put on your late night, highway "Keep me awake" playlist.
M83
Start with "Kim & Jessie" (Actually found in the NY Times music review section, not Morrow. Not the WSJ ether. M83 is truly a mixed genera band of Electronic / Rock / Alternative and Dance. Interesting stuff with a long history given popular music. Being hard to classify, they make for lot of "oh-need to hear that again."
Sunday, December 28, 2008
The Magnificent Seven Samaurai
Happy New Year!
Saw two great, related films recently. The Magnificent Seven (1965) and The Seven Samurai (1954). Yes, we are ever on top of the HOTTEST developments and trends in pop culture. I highly recommend both and seeing them back to back. Reason: The Magnificent Seven was based on the Seven Samurai. Both could be called Action films but they are much more than that. Marty, there are enough gun battles and bloody Samurai battles in both to qualify as worthy material. These are not chick flicks.
Neither of these films appear very often (or ever) on cable or Network. Great film will never sell well to the masses. Consequently, these are not available in the Supermarket machines, saw these through Netflix.
The Magnificent Seven (description from Netflix)
Fed20up with being brutalized and impoverished because of outlaw raids led by a merciless brigand (Eli Wallach), the besieged citizens of a small Mexican town hire seven American gunslingers to stave off the marauders once and for all. Badass Yul Brynner heads the band of mercenaries, which includes Hollywood luminaries Steve McQueen, Charles Bronson, James Coburn and Robert Vaughn. Elmer Bernstein penned the film's unforgettable score.
In the special features there is great background how the major film's producers bought the US rights to a Japanese Film: The Seven Samurai. Yul Brynner was so moved by the Akira Kurosawa film, he wanted to make an English Language version and based it on the old West instead of 16th century Japan. Fans of Shogun will recognize Toshiro Mifune in an early role with Kurosawa.
The Seven Samurai (description from Netflix) NOTE: It is THREE AND A HALF HOURS LONG WITH SUBT ITLES
Akira Kurosawa's heroic tale of honor and duty begins with master samurai Kambei (Takashi Shimura) posing as a monk to save a kidnapped child. Impressed by his bravery, a group of farmers begs him to defend their village from encroaching bandits. Kambei agrees and assembles a group of six other samurai, and together they build a militia with the villagers while the bandits loom nearby. Soon the raids begin, culminating in a bloody battle.
*************************************************************************
Speaking of Chick Flicks, revisited Chocolat over Christmas. Also superb and yes, it could be considered a chick flick. Only one major fire, Marty, avoid this one.
Chocolat (description from Netflix)
An iconoclastic single mother (Oscar-nominee Juliette Binoche) and her young daughter move to a village in France and open a chocolate shop -- that's open Sundays -- across the street from a church. At first, Binoche's rich, sensuous desserts scandalize the town, but soon the villagers welcome the newcomers with open arms. Judi Dench, Lena Olin and Johnny Depp co-star in this 2000 Best Picture nominee.
Saw two great, related films recently. The Magnificent Seven (1965) and The Seven Samurai (1954). Yes, we are ever on top of the HOTTEST developments and trends in pop culture. I highly recommend both and seeing them back to back. Reason: The Magnificent Seven was based on the Seven Samurai. Both could be called Action films but they are much more than that. Marty, there are enough gun battles and bloody Samurai battles in both to qualify as worthy material. These are not chick flicks.
Neither of these films appear very often (or ever) on cable or Network. Great film will never sell well to the masses. Consequently, these are not available in the Supermarket machines, saw these through Netflix.
The Magnificent Seven (description from Netflix)
Fed20up with being brutalized and impoverished because of outlaw raids led by a merciless brigand (Eli Wallach), the besieged citizens of a small Mexican town hire seven American gunslingers to stave off the marauders once and for all. Badass Yul Brynner heads the band of mercenaries, which includes Hollywood luminaries Steve McQueen, Charles Bronson, James Coburn and Robert Vaughn. Elmer Bernstein penned the film's unforgettable score.
In the special features there is great background how the major film's producers bought the US rights to a Japanese Film: The Seven Samurai. Yul Brynner was so moved by the Akira Kurosawa film, he wanted to make an English Language version and based it on the old West instead of 16th century Japan. Fans of Shogun will recognize Toshiro Mifune in an early role with Kurosawa.
The Seven Samurai (description from Netflix) NOTE: It is THREE AND A HALF HOURS LONG WITH SUBT ITLES
Akira Kurosawa's heroic tale of honor and duty begins with master samurai Kambei (Takashi Shimura) posing as a monk to save a kidnapped child. Impressed by his bravery, a group of farmers begs him to defend their village from encroaching bandits. Kambei agrees and assembles a group of six other samurai, and together they build a militia with the villagers while the bandits loom nearby. Soon the raids begin, culminating in a bloody battle.
*************************************************************************
Speaking of Chick Flicks, revisited Chocolat over Christmas. Also superb and yes, it could be considered a chick flick. Only one major fire, Marty, avoid this one.
Chocolat (description from Netflix)
An iconoclastic single mother (Oscar-nominee Juliette Binoche) and her young daughter move to a village in France and open a chocolate shop -- that's open Sundays -- across the street from a church. At first, Binoche's rich, sensuous desserts scandalize the town, but soon the villagers welcome the newcomers with open arms. Judi Dench, Lena Olin and Johnny Depp co-star in this 2000 Best Picture nominee.
Sunday, September 14, 2008
SI Dining / Music - Mike Oldfield
WEBSITES: What is that tune?
www.whatsthatcalled.com/
Ever need to find out what the addictive tune was in that TV commercial? Go to the site above and find out so you can make an intelligent visit to iTunes.
MUSIC
CLASSICAL
Mike Oldfield
Music of the Spheres
Being a Mike Oldfield addict since Tubular Bells, this is a major work composed in the Classical tradition. I have been OBSESSED by this all summer despite seeing LIQUID TENSION EXPERIMENT at BB Kings.
I couldn’t help thinking of the “grandeur” of this uplifting piece in two parts and 14 movements. It reminded me in some ways of Holst’s “The “Planets.” Almost an astronomical theme I thought upon listening to it. Dang it if I wasn’t dead on. I went to his website for some background after hearing it three times. I am currently plowing through "The Elegant Universe" by Brian Green and Pythagorus had suggested the title "Music of the Spheres" in times of the ancient Greeks. Hey, no kiddin?
See Oldfield’s comments below. Frankly this has become a very addictive CD, one I find hard to put down for long. It will never get airplay in the US and he will never be featured on a Late Nite Comedy show as a special guest. I consider this one of the greatest pieces of classical music I have heard.
Hayley Westenra is the Soprano that will remind you of Charlotte Church. Absolutely gorgeous, pure voice. He uses a full orchestra with string, horn and woodwind sections. Clearly evident are the Oldfield touches with acoustic Guitar, Piano and Glockenspiel.
Some comments from his website:
Musica Universalis is the ancient theory that every celestial body, the sun, the moon and the stars has an inner music. This is a harmonic and mathematical concept derived from the movements of the planets in the solar system. The music created is inaudible to the human ear.
0A Music of the Spheres is my interpretation of this theory. Every planet and every star; even the whole universe has music within it that no-one can hear, this is what it would sound like if it was set free. This is Music of the Spheres.”
For sample clips go to: http://www.mikeoldfield.com/
Hear an entire segment on youtube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AS70GnuNdn8
FOOD - Staten Island
Sapporo Sushi Staten Island
Among the best food on SI. And now for something completely different. What a great local place. Inventive, and pleasant with GREAT FOOD AND get this: SERVICE. Almost impossible to get in this boro of mediocrity. Ping is the genial host that surveys everything. He is a real Captain that watches all the tables and sushi bar like a hawk. He takes real pride in the running of this bustling place in a strip mall. There is ample staff that also pay close attention. A real find for casual dining on Staten Island. This is your terrific weekly “neighborhood place.”
They always have blackboard specials that are worth is but the real secret are their inventive rolls. Cindy Roll with lobster is one suggestion.
ZEST
A newcomer and a winner. Four longs blocks from Hylan Blvd in Clinton near Bailey Seton Hospital is a unique place. Other than Carol’s Cuisine, this may be the only place that serves foir gras on the Island. They even know how to pronounce it. It has just past the one year mark, a milestone that the late Port of Marseilles could not survive for long.
ZEST looks like it is on a track for survival. Sorry that Sweet Basil has gone under. It has the Sweet Basil enthusiasm at their beginning. Dishes like Spring Rolls stuffed with Crab and Shrimp do not remotely resemble the insipid offering of the place around the corner using cheap ingredients. This is packed with shellfish and different dipping sauces. Sauteed calamari with horseradish and polenta, was a nice original here.
977 Bay Street, Staten Island 718-390-8477 Street Parking
www.whatsthatcalled.com/
Ever need to find out what the addictive tune was in that TV commercial? Go to the site above and find out so you can make an intelligent visit to iTunes.
MUSIC
CLASSICAL
Mike Oldfield
Music of the Spheres
Being a Mike Oldfield addict since Tubular Bells, this is a major work composed in the Classical tradition. I have been OBSESSED by this all summer despite seeing LIQUID TENSION EXPERIMENT at BB Kings.
I couldn’t help thinking of the “grandeur” of this uplifting piece in two parts and 14 movements. It reminded me in some ways of Holst’s “The “Planets.” Almost an astronomical theme I thought upon listening to it. Dang it if I wasn’t dead on. I went to his website for some background after hearing it three times. I am currently plowing through "The Elegant Universe" by Brian Green and Pythagorus had suggested the title "Music of the Spheres" in times of the ancient Greeks. Hey, no kiddin?
See Oldfield’s comments below. Frankly this has become a very addictive CD, one I find hard to put down for long. It will never get airplay in the US and he will never be featured on a Late Nite Comedy show as a special guest. I consider this one of the greatest pieces of classical music I have heard.
Hayley Westenra is the Soprano that will remind you of Charlotte Church. Absolutely gorgeous, pure voice. He uses a full orchestra with string, horn and woodwind sections. Clearly evident are the Oldfield touches with acoustic Guitar, Piano and Glockenspiel.
Some comments from his website:
Musica Universalis is the ancient theory that every celestial body, the sun, the moon and the stars has an inner music. This is a harmonic and mathematical concept derived from the movements of the planets in the solar system. The music created is inaudible to the human ear.
0A Music of the Spheres is my interpretation of this theory. Every planet and every star; even the whole universe has music within it that no-one can hear, this is what it would sound like if it was set free. This is Music of the Spheres.”
For sample clips go to: http://www.mikeoldfield.com/
Hear an entire segment on youtube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AS70GnuNdn8
FOOD - Staten Island
Sapporo Sushi Staten Island
Among the best food on SI. And now for something completely different. What a great local place. Inventive, and pleasant with GREAT FOOD AND get this: SERVICE. Almost impossible to get in this boro of mediocrity. Ping is the genial host that surveys everything. He is a real Captain that watches all the tables and sushi bar like a hawk. He takes real pride in the running of this bustling place in a strip mall. There is ample staff that also pay close attention. A real find for casual dining on Staten Island. This is your terrific weekly “neighborhood place.”
They always have blackboard specials that are worth is but the real secret are their inventive rolls. Cindy Roll with lobster is one suggestion.
ZEST
A newcomer and a winner. Four longs blocks from Hylan Blvd in Clinton near Bailey Seton Hospital is a unique place. Other than Carol’s Cuisine, this may be the only place that serves foir gras on the Island. They even know how to pronounce it. It has just past the one year mark, a milestone that the late Port of Marseilles could not survive for long.
ZEST looks like it is on a track for survival. Sorry that Sweet Basil has gone under. It has the Sweet Basil enthusiasm at their beginning. Dishes like Spring Rolls stuffed with Crab and Shrimp do not remotely resemble the insipid offering of the place around the corner using cheap ingredients. This is packed with shellfish and different dipping sauces. Sauteed calamari with horseradish and polenta, was a nice original here.
977 Bay Street, Staten Island 718-390-8477 Street Parking
Thursday, June 26, 2008
LIQUID TENSION EXPERIMENT AT BB KINGS
Last Monday night at BB Kings in Times Square, Liquid Tension Experiment (LTE) had their 10th year reunion tour. They feature 3/5ths of Dream Theater and Tony Levin of King Crimson fame. This is among the finest Instrumental Progressive Rock out there. No airplay or course, just word of mouth promotion for some of the finest composers and players on the planet. They only put out two CDs but both were major successes in the genera. One of few places to hear them aside from iTunes is MORROW, the French Progressive Rock Internet station. They only played 5 shows across the country as this is a sometime "supergroup." Hopefully there will be a DVD of the show coming out and perhaps an LTE3.
Progressive Rock generally features schooled musicians that break the boundaries of 4/4 generic garage band rock. Timing changes and varied instruments and arrangements are the rule. Accordian sounds, and Spanish Guitar are among the instruments that snuck in Monday night between the usual progressive rock instrument lineup. Bassman Tony Levin of course gave the Chapman Stick a workout.
Aside from playing their fan's favorites, they had a surprise tour de force rendition of GEORGE GERSHWIN'S BOHEMIAN RHAPSODY. It was actually thrilling to hear their arrangement.
Hiroshi found these video clips on YouTube:
Universal Mind: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DGSxZNoao10
When the Water Breaks: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aKX1SeTUjIs
Kindred Spirits: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=56HY36_eYg0
Rhapsody in Blue: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OST87A3OzTU
Enjoy
JA
Progressive Rock generally features schooled musicians that break the boundaries of 4/4 generic garage band rock. Timing changes and varied instruments and arrangements are the rule. Accordian sounds, and Spanish Guitar are among the instruments that snuck in Monday night between the usual progressive rock instrument lineup. Bassman Tony Levin of course gave the Chapman Stick a workout.
Aside from playing their fan's favorites, they had a surprise tour de force rendition of GEORGE GERSHWIN'S BOHEMIAN RHAPSODY. It was actually thrilling to hear their arrangement.
Hiroshi found these video clips on YouTube:
Universal Mind: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DGSxZNoao10
When the Water Breaks: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aKX1SeTUjIs
Kindred Spirits: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=56HY36_eYg0
Rhapsody in Blue: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OST87A3OzTU
Enjoy
JA
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