Paddle West

As the season turned from Fall to Winter, I traded my SUP boards for snowboards, and enjoyed some great riding in the Cascade, Rocky and St Louis Mountains. Ok, so the last "mountain" really was just a hill with a vertical drop of 310 feet. Sometimes you just have to make do with what you have. But one thing the Midwest, and specifically Missouri has is water. The state is teeming with some of the best floating and paddling venues in the country. Although I'm not sure I want to tackle any of the Class VI runs with my 14' Niash Javelin, I'd be certainly be up for the challenge with some of my other 2011 Naish Gear. So until the snow melts and the rivers swell in the Spring for SUP sessions, you'll catch me surfing mountains. And if it's the local one, at least I won't have altitude sickness.

Recognition

Sometimes photography is a solitary endeavor. Often you shoot your subject alone, followed by endless post-production hours, alone while the city drones on, outside your studio. That's why it's nice to be recognized for your work by that other, "outside world". This year, ENR, Engineering News- Record, ("The Bible of the construction industry") selected the above image as one of their "2010 Images of the Year". I am deeply humbled and grateful to be recognized and included in this group of very talented artists.

Full Circle: Architecture Photography

This past year I've had the privilege of traveling throughout the country shooting some truly unique architecture projects. I grew up surrounded by architects, builders, interior designers, photographers, and creatives of all types. Unbeknownst to them, their work not only inspired, but helped me become the photographer I am today. The architect's use of Space, Ratio, Depth of Line, are elements that define a great photograph. One of the most important goals for a photographer is to create images that are in line with who you are. My goal is to capture the architects, designers and builders' vision and present them in the best dramatic and dynamic way that shows their passion for the craft.

Upcoming Exhibition

I'm proud to present my first exhibition of landscape photography for 2011 at St Louis' Design Within Reach. We're still working on event details, but expect an announcement soon for this Spring 2011 event. I'm looking forward to seeing you there!

"Sipping Jet Streams"

I just finished up on a very unique assignment to shoot the head Sommelier at The French Laundry Restaurant in Napa Valley, French Laundry (www.frenchlaundry.com). It was a huge treat to be able to be backstage at the U.S.s' number one restaurant. The caliber of talent is as good as it gets for the food and wine world.

Even though it was record breaking heat while in Napa, the images turned out beautiful, Christopher Hoel, Kristine Keefer, and Bertram Whitman did a great job hosting the shoot and were fantastic people to meet and work with.

I Love Shooting Architecture

I titled this up date "Sipping Jet Steams" a quote and film from Taylor Steele http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=3548689849710594037# a friend and one the finest cinematographers of surf films on the planet. I've flown seventeen times since I based myself in the Midwest little over a year ago. It's been a solid summer of travel, shooting and meeting some great people. The architecture projects keep coming, taking me back and forth to the West Coast, Midwest, and South. It's been an amazing adventure, pushing my work to new creative horizons.

Paddle West

All of you that know me well, know my love for the water. I'm in the constant search for new bodies of water wherever I travel. While living on the West Coast, I was an ambassador for one of the largest stand up paddle surfing companies out there, "C4", riding there product in the San Diego region. If you don't know what "stand up paddle surfing" (SUP) is you will soon find out. This sport has saved my life being a surfer and living far from waves. It allows me to get on the water on a weekly basis. I've paddled over thirteen bodies of water in the Midwest region, loving ever minute of it.

"Paddle West", www.paddelwestsup.com is in the works. It will consist of lessons, tours of local lakes and rivers, a year round fitness program, and the sales of SUP boards and paddles. I always followed my passions and this is where my next one leads. Stay tuned the next month for Paddle West hitting the Midwest, got to run...Matt/

5.19.2010 WEST AND THE SOUTH

Another interesting month of travels. Within a few days I was shooting up in Napa Valley, one of the worlds finest wine growing regions, very early in the season but amazing landscape. It felt very much like I was in the hills of Italy. Four days latter I was in the middle of Mississippi shooting an architecture project in Greenwood, the home of Viking Stoves. Like no small town I've ever seen. It was one of those unexpected surprises, some very nice people and one of the coolest boutique hotels I've seen, The Alluvian. Definitely check out this cosmopolitan hotel in the middle of nowhere if in Greenwood Missippi. It has won a lot of design awards and had some very nice art work to check out.

The first of the month was another cool surprise as well. I ended up photographing a new building in Champaign IL that houses the world's most powerful computer. Champaign is also where the internet got its start. Who would guess in the middle of the heart lands is where all this craziness started.

I've also been working planning my own shoots. Going through a whole new branding for McFarland Photography. Looks to be a great summer of shoots and travels in the Middle, on the West, and the East.

Thanks again to all my clients and supporting friends. Keep inspiring.

Matthew Partners with Wonderful Machine