sadkids.com

GET OFF MY LAWN: NOW!

2010-07-01T08:45:00.000-07:00

ON SALE NOW!!!

Limited supply, act fast!

(Thursday, July 1st)

And if you are in SF, come get it in person at the release party at the Casanova Lounge from 6-9pm.

GET OFF MY LAWN

2010-06-23T16:33:00.000-07:00

Get Off My Lawn is a 48-page photo-zine, edited and published by Geoffrey Ellis. The zine features the work of eleven photographers who are 34 years and older. Get Off My Lawn is a tongue-in-cheek response to the calls for entry, contests and publications that require “emerging photographers” to be somewhere between the ages of 18 and 34.

The zine showcases photographers who are working just as hard as those in the 18-34 range to produce great work.

We can no longer be in your club, but soon enough, you'll be in ours…

Zine Release Party:
July 1, 2010 | Casanova Lounge, SF | 6-9pm
with DJs Utrillo and Forest Love
(RSVP here)

The first edition of 222 hand-numbered copies, with 11 different covers will be available July 1, 2010 at the release party, select stores, and online at sadkids.com and geoffreyellis.com (10 bucks each!)

Contributors:
Noah Beil
Geoffrey Ellis
Grant Ernhart
Alan W George
Liz Kuball
Sarah Lacy
Ian Lemmonds
Jennifer Loeber
Dalton Rooney
Andrew Martin Scott
Justin Visnesky

FRACTION 15

2010-06-01T19:58:00.000-07:00

I wore my Fraction Magazine t-shirt today, but it's not just any old day, it's the day that Fraction issue 15 went live. So what you say? So I'm in it I say! (Click here to see my photos).

And don't forget to patronize my issue-mates sites:
Blake Andrews
Bryan Formhals
Christy Karpinski
Jane Tam
Jörg Colberg
Melanie McWhorter
Todd Walker

ROCK SHOW II: ELECTRIC BOOGALOO

2010-01-29T16:41:00.000-08:00

I've got a couple of photos hanging on a wall with some other people's photos. The opening is Saturday, January 30th from 5-8pm. Come out! Have some beer, eat some food, take in the sights! And after the opening, stay for the awesome music of Toshio Hirano.

2nd Annual “Rock Show” photographic exhibit January 24-March 13
Rite Spot: 2099 Folsom St. @ 17th: SF
http://www.ritespotcafe.net

Opening: Saturday, January 30th: 5-8 pm

Facebook invite here

Live rock show photography from:
Tiger Lily (KALX/JetLag RockNRoll)
CAnderson (Victim of Time/Horizontal Action)
Julie Schuchard (Tricycle Records)
Geoffrey Ellis (Sadkids)
Charlie Homo
Deb Zeller
Amy Thompson and
Julie Zielinski

Featuring photos of Jay Reatard, The Mummies, Human Eye, The Drums (Dwyer and EZ), Wayne Kramer, M.I.A., KISS, Jarvis Cocker, Mastodon, Nobunny and many, many more. Show runs through March 13, 2010 - as you can see on the bad-ass flier by Mr. Matt K Shrugg.

SAD NEWS FROM MEMPHIS

2010-01-13T13:35:00.001-08:00

I'm truly saddened to hear that the super-talented Jay Reatard was found dead at his home in Memphis. I hate it when people I know die. It makes it worse when they die young. My thoughts go out to all my pals at Goner Records who I know are devastated by this news. I was lucky enough to see him play numerous times and his album Blood Visions reinvigorated my interest in music (no lie!) and was easily my one of my favorite records from the 2000s. He was also my favorite musician to photograph playing live. Completely unpredictable and ferocious. Total raw power. Total energy.

The music world has lost a legend. And that's not hyperbole.

R.I.P. Jay Reatard (1980-2010)

(photos © geoffrey ellis)

LET US WELD YOUR CRACKS

2009-12-26T12:31:00.001-08:00

Christmas Day it seemed all of Memphis was closed. We drove out Summer Avenue and back on Poplar looking for somewhere to eat and not one thing was open--not even a Krystal or McDonald's. We still had a nice leisurely drive. And now I know where to get my cracks welded, just not on Christmas Day.

Summer Avenue, Memphis, 2009
photo © geoffrey ellis

THE LAST CHRISTMAS

2009-12-25T17:24:00.000-08:00

Merry Christmas from Memphis!

photo © geoffrey ellis,

THE FUTURE OF PHOTOBOOKS

2009-12-14T14:28:00.000-08:00

I can't tell you what the future holds for photobooks, I just hope there is one.

My own Internet addiction aside, I'd still rather flip through a physical book in my hands than scroll through images on a screen. And why is that such a bad thing? The Internet isn't just about spreading images digitally, it's also democratizing self-publishing itself, making it easy and affordable to create more books without the barriers of a big publishing house or a gallery. The system isn't perfect, but even with all of its problems, it's a matter of time before color issues and printing quality get to the level we'd expect from any mainstream publisher.

I know a bit about this. More people have seen my work from my self-produced Sadkids zines than on any gallery wall. Granted the production quality is only as good as what I can get from my Xerox Docucolor printer. But that's OK for now. The purpose of a zine has less to do with the quality of printing, and more to do with creating an inexpensive way to make a cool, collectible publication that gets your photos in front of people. For "emerging" photographers (sorry, what are we calling ourselves now?) there may be no better way to share images. It's much more exciting to have a tangible item that you can pick up and thumb through rather than it is to click, click, click, click around someones vanity site. It makes your work more memorable too.

Of course, that experience comes at a price. Creating a zine isn't easy. It takes a little money, a lot of time and some design skills. I've been working on my latest issue on and off for over a year. But it is all becoming easier and (hopefully) cheaper to do, and I think think it's just a matter of time before publishing-on-demand books look awesome enough to push this kind of guerilla self-publishing to the next level.

My only concern in a POD world is the loss of editors. If the whole world is DIY, where are the quality checks? Look at the abundance of garbage on YouTube. No editors = lots of bad stuff. Maybe I'm just hung up on the validation of a "real publisher" asking to contribute photos to a book. It feels great when someone recognizes your work enough to want to publish it for you. But if photographers stay mindful of what they are publishing, rather than just being thrilled that they can publish themselves, we could be on the verge of a new world of really great books, zines, or something in between.

Is technology endangering the printed photobook? On the contrary, I hope it'll save them.

See more of the discussion HERE.

TODAY IS THE DAY

2009-09-22T22:09:00.000-07:00

My 20x200 editions are out NOW. You should buy at least one of the two. Or maybe even both. You really should. It's affordable and it can hang on your wall and it's awesome. Art for the masses! $20 bucks each (or, there are more expensive options if you have the money)! Plus, I signed my name like, 400 times at least. I need the money for physical therapy. I like you, and if you like me (at all), you will buy some of my photos. Love, G.

BUY BUY BUY (it's good for the economy).

ALL HANDS ON THE BAD ONE

2009-09-14T14:52:00.001-07:00

Did you know this? I did not. Whether I like a band or not, it's always fun to find out where they got their name. Other band names that sound like people but aren't include: Jethro Tull, Pink Floyd, Steely Dan, Henry Cow, Geraldine Fibbers, King Crimson, Captain Beefheart, Mr. Bungle, Lynyrd Skynyrd, and Medeski Martin and Wood (kidding).

photo © geoffrey ellis,

I MIGHT BE A JERK

2009-09-05T00:24:00.000-07:00

September 5th is my 5 year wedding anniversary. Where am I? On a roadtrip. Without my wife. Now, before you call me a jerk, hear me out. Sarah was originally going to be out of town for our anniversary, but due to certain circumstances, she couldn't get a visa to her destination in time, so she had to cancel her trip. Knowing she was going to be out of town for our anniversary -- and being ok with it -- I extended my out-of-town work trip, booked a non-refundable car, planned to visit some friends in the Pacific Northwest and return on Monday. I do feel like an ass that I am away, but I didn't find out she wasn't going out of town until the night before I left. So, she is at home and I am g-o-n-e. Quite the opposite of the norm since she is the one usually gone while traveling around the world reporting on her new book. What is incredibly cool though, is that she is understanding and is ok with me being gone this weekend. Sure we both think it sucks and miss each other, but this is what makes our relationship great. Do you still think I'm a jerk? If so, ask Sarah how she feels about it and you'll know I found the perfect girl. 10 years together with no end in sight. I picked a great one.

Happy 5th, my dear. See you soon.

photo © jennifer ellis

ART IS GOOD FOR YOU

2009-09-02T13:29:00.000-07:00

My friend, photographer Liz Kuball, has 2 photos for sale on 20x200. If you don't know what 20x200 is, check it out. Good, affordable art, delivered to your doorstep. Ready for you to frame and enjoy for years to come. And keep an eye out, because I have an edition coming up soon too.

BUY, BUY, BUY!

photo © liz kuball

RWANDA: PART THREE

2009-07-30T13:56:00.000-07:00

It's been a month since I've posted? Ok, here are some more Rwanda pics.

Rwanda: Day Three

Tuesday: This was the morning of the Baboon incident. Crazy pastry stealing bastard. We couldn't find any Giraffes the day before but heard they were nearby, so we called up Charles and took a mini-safari to see them. The Giraffes were probably the coolest animals we saw. There was a baby, who at 4 months old was already taller than Yao Ming, and a female and male. The male was like 4 stories tall. Forget the ones you've seen at the zoo, this guy was for real, just hanging out in nature. After the safari we drove 3 hours back to Kigali and went to bed early.

Rwanda: Day Four

Wednesday: We got up early and headed south to the Murambi Technical School Genocide Memorial site. This was probably the most emotional day we had in Rwanda. The school was the site of a massacre where 50,000 people were murdered. They survived there for 2 weeks without food or water before finally being ambushed, slaughtered and thrown into mass graves. Only 7 people survived. Most of the bodies were reburied in new mass graves, but dozens of school rooms now hold hundreds of skulls, bones and about 1,000 mummified bodies, preserved in lime and laid out for visitors to see. The smell was so intense. It stuck on our clothes and in our noses for the rest of the day. It made it impossible to forget what we had seen. I only took 2 photos there, the one below a marker for the original mass graves and I am not posting the other. If you want to know what we saw, you'll just have to go there yourself. After the memorial site, we were pretty spent. We back through Huye (aka Butare), had some lunch, went to the Rwanda Cultural Museum and then back to Kigali for the night.

photos © geoffrey ellis,

RWANDA: PART TWO

2009-06-25T17:17:00.001-07:00

Monday, June 15th: We got up early and drove out to the Akagera Game Lodge in the Eastern Province. Scene of the now infamous Baboon Incident. An interesting thing about Rwanda is the quality of the roads. The paved roads are great and even the dirt roads are better than some "paved" roads in California. We passed by mud-brick house after mud-brick house. And there were little kids everywhere. But nearly everyone has food and water and many have electricity. We got to the national park and signed up for a total DIY safari. We supplied the car and driver and they supplied the park ranger (named Kalimbu Charles). He was awesome. We drove into a grassland valley and found Impala, Zebra, Water Buffalo, tons of birds, 2 snakes, Antelope, etc. (Check out my Ryan McGinley-style zebra shot). Ha! We also encountered biting Horse Flies and Tse Tse Files. Damn those things are ugly. We even got in a motorboat and cruised out into the lake looking for Crocodiles and Hippos. We only saw some lame birds but being out on the water was great. And we had a nice view of the hills of Tanzania. After the day long safari we retired to the Game Lodge.

photos © geoffrey ellis

RWANDA: PART ONE

2009-06-23T16:18:00.000-07:00

Sunday, June 14th: We went to the Genocide Memorial in Kigali. It was intense. No words can describe. Just so unbelievable. 1,000,000 killed in 3 months. How is that even possible? Wall of names, mass graves, photos, tributes, skulls, bones - totally horrifying, but very well done and tasteful in terms of memorial and education. After that we visited a metal co-op where they make things out of old oil drums. Woks, BBQ grills, cake tins, chairs, foot lockers... it was incredible. Then we walked around a vibrant neighborhood with tons of local businesses and all of them had the most kick-ass hand-painted signs. I felt like we were in Memphis for a minute! We also ate a lot of great fish and chicken and Sarah did a bunch of "legwork" before I got there and found our favorite beer for us called Mützig.

photos © geoffrey ellis

WHEN ANIMALS ATTACK!

2009-06-16T06:29:00.000-07:00

I was going to post from Rwanda a few days ago but internet wasn't cooperating so that post will come later. More importantly, this morning in Akagera, we were eating breakfast at the lodge and a baboon charged into the dining room, jumped on the table and stole our pastries! We jumped up from the table and I grabbed my camera and started shooting. Sarah was screaming like crazy and we were both totally freaked out - but laughing too. It was completely ridiculous. All I can say is, Africa is awesome.

SLAPPETIME

2009-05-21T22:20:00.000-07:00

Sarah was in China so I went to Portland for about 36 hours to see my friend Stephen Slappe's amazing 3-channel video installation called Shelter In Place. It's at NAAU and it's awesome so if you are in PDX you should go see it before it's gone (it closes June 14th). Go, go go. Now, now, NAAU!

photos © geoffrey ellis

TEN YEARS LATER

2009-05-14T00:01:00.000-07:00

I met Sarah 10 years ago today. A couple of days later I asked her out and a couple of days after that we went on our first date and I never looked back. I can't describe how lucky I am to have her. She is better than the best wife I could have ever imagined.

This is the earliest known photo of our relationship, taken on May 22, 1999. A decade may seem like a long time, but believe me, we're just getting started.

photo © geoffrey ellis

MY SLPS SLIDESHOW

2009-05-10T12:01:00.000-07:00

Here is the original edit of my SLPS slideshow (which for some reason they edited when showing the other night). Enjoy!

GEOFFREY ELLIS: SLPS SF II from geoffrey ellis on Vimeo.

SLIDELUCK POTSHOW SF II

2009-05-07T15:53:00.000-07:00

My photos will be shown Friday night at the Slideluck Potshow SF II. It's a slideshow/potluck party packed with art and free food. What a combo!

Artists in the show are:
Adam Lau * Alan George * Andy Freeberg * Alexander Warnow * Ariel Zambelich * Bryan Alberstat * Carmen Winant * Christian Peacock * David Butow * David Paul Morris * Deanne Fitzmaurice * Douglas Adesko * Elinor Carucci * Geoffrey Ellis * Grant Ernhart * Jeff Enlow * Jon Feinstein * Khaled Hasan * Kira Sugarman Shemano * Lara Hata * Lorenzo Triburgo * Matt Reamer * Melissa Barnes * Michael Jang * Robert Herman * Robin Schwartz * Shepard Fairey * Stephen McGee * Todd Hido * Toni Greaves * Victor Blue *(I didn't have time to do everyone's links, but if you are on here, email me your link and I'll put it up!)

Hey, that's a pretty good list! Although sad to see a couple of other local friends didn't make it, I will pour some developer fluid on the block in their memory.

My slideshow features images from my current record store project.

Details:

SLIDELUCK POTSHOW SF II
Friday, May 8th, 2009
7pm Potluck
9pm-11pm Slideshow
LeftSpace, 2055 Bryant Street, SF

RSVP on Facebook

AFTERPARTY: Mission Hill Saloon
491 Potrero Ave [Between 17th & Mariposa]

RECORD STORE DAY 2009

2009-04-17T11:52:00.000-07:00

Saturday, April 18 is Record Store Day! It's a "celebration of the unique culture surrounding over 700 independently owned record stores in the USA."

So tomorrow, go to a record store, if you are in Memphis, check out GONER (one of my favorites) and if you are in the SF Bay Area try Amoeba, Aquarius, Vinyl Solution. If you are elsewhere, consult the HUGE list of participating venues on Record Store Day dot com.

photos © geoffrey ellis,

EASTER VALLEY OF THE SUN

2009-04-12T13:33:00.000-07:00

Happy ridiculously tacky oversized bunny and chick day.

photo © geoffrey ellis

SOMETIMES, PROGRESS CAN SUCK IT

2009-03-31T12:36:00.000-07:00

Horse racing is fun. Sarah and I win all the time - well, Sarah wins all the time. The key is to pick the horses that remind us of our cats. The hell you say? Well, once we won $500 at Bay Meadows on a trifecta based on the looks of our cats. So it pains me that in the name of progress, the city of San Mateo has torn down the Bay Meadows racecourse, the longest continually operating thoroughbred racetrack in California. It's was so old that even Seabiscuit ran there (and won) back in 1937 and 1938. So thank the Lord for closing something awesome and historical so a new commercial and housing development can be built.

Here's what's left of Bay Meadows.

photo © geoffrey ellis

HELEN LEVITT R.I.P.

2009-03-30T11:09:00.000-07:00

Helen Levitt had a long career in photography (nearly 70 years). She was born in 1913 and started photographing in the late 1930s. In 1949-59 she was a filmmaker and in 1959-60, she returned to still photography and started exploring color as part of a Guggenheim Foundation grant. In 1970, someone broke into her place and stole almost all of those images. Fortunately she shot more color in the 70s, 80s and 90s. In the late 1990s she gave up on color because she had to go to specialty labs and could no longer get the result she desired. According to the New York Times, changes in neighborhood life also affected her work. “I go where there’s a lot of activity,” she said. “Children used to be outside. Now the streets are empty. People are indoors looking at television or something.”

Her incredible color images of New York street life have always been my favorite of her work. Her book Slideshow contains over 100 of these color images.

Helen Levitt died at age 95 on March 29, 2009.

photos © Helen Levitt

CLOSE SHAVE

2009-03-30T08:55:00.000-07:00

You too can get the top of your head cut off for a mere $10.

photo © geoffrey ellis

SARAH IN THE HOLY LAND

2009-03-25T15:45:00.000-07:00

My wife Sarah (since she calls me Mr. Lacy on her blog, I will call her Mrs. Ellis on mine) is in Israel for a couple of weeks. So she's having all kinds of fun, being insanely controversial, and taking the photos that I should be taking. I'd say she's doing a pretty good job at all of those things.

photos © Sarah Lacy

WEST VALLEY PT II

2009-03-25T07:53:00.000-07:00

Old cars, green rocks, no grass, hand-painted windows, cheap haircuts for seniors...

photos © geoffrey ellis

WEST VALLEY PT I

2009-03-23T16:31:00.000-07:00

The west valley area of Phoenix is a almost literally (with its desert heat) a melting pot of old people, older people, even older people, hispanics, white trash, military personnel, working families, retirees, well-to-do, dirt poor - well, you get the idea. It's an incredible mixture in a place that has grown too fast and has a few too many identity problems. Lots of weird little towns, retirement villages, and farms soon to become the future tract housing development du jour.

photos © geoffrey ellis

SUPER SUNDAY AT THE RITE SPOT

2009-01-30T14:04:00.000-08:00

If you are in SF this weekend and aren't interested in watching that big football game that happens every year, come by the Rite Spot for some food and drinks and photographs that will rock your socks off.

ROCK SHOW is a group photo show featuring pics by:

C.Anderson (Victim of Time/Horizontal Action)
Tiger Lily (KALX/Jet Lagger)
Geoffrey Ellis (Sadkids)
Charlie Homo
Julie Zielinski (Noise Pop)
Annie Southworth (Panache/Noise Pop)

WHEN: Sunday, February 1st 6-9
WHERE: Rite Spot (17th/Folsom in SF)

Music after the opening @ 9:30: Sweet Hollywaiians (Japan)

Show is up from February 1st - April 7th, 2009

Mr. Quintron, Gonerfest IV, Memphis, 2007
photo © geoffrey ellis,

COLLECTOR'S GUIDE

2009-01-19T12:39:00.000-08:00

I am very honored to be a part of a great new book coming out called The Collector’s Guide to Emerging Art Photography. The book is published by Humble Arts Foundation and is an invite only, 180–page source book (featuring 163 photographers) that will be distributed to collectors, art dealers, gallery directors, photo editors, museum professionals, and independent curators. There are a limited number of books available to the public. I've seen a preview copy and the photos and participants are pretty amazing. Special thanks to my friend Liz Kuball (also in the book) for taking the time to provide links to all of the photographers (see below).

Dustin Aksland, Carlos Albalá, Kathy Parker Almanas, Corey Arnold, Peter Baker, Rob Ball, Gideon Barnett, Anna Bauer, Matthew Baum, Juliana Beasley, Johan Bergström, Brian Berman, Colin Blakely, Dan Boardman, Steven Brahms, Mark Brautigam, Timothy Briner, Jessica Bruah, Michael Bühler-Rose, Jesse Burke, Alejandro Cartagena, Jacob Carter, Melissa Catanese, Anastasia Cazabon, Alana Celii, Talia Chetrit, Andrea Chu, Céline Clanet, François Coquerel, Robyn Cumming, Chris Davis, Rachael Dunville, Dan Eckstein, Gerald Edwards III, Scott Eiden, Amy Elkins, Geoffrey Ellis, Tealia Ellis-Ritter, Grant Ernhart, Thobias Fäldt, Jan Fassbender, Jon Feinstein, Todd Fisher, Lucas Foglia, Manya Fox, Zack Genin, Dana Gentile, Sam Gezari, Emiliano Granado, Leslie Grant, Yann Gross, Gustav Gustafsson, Gregory Halpern, Paul Herbst, Beth Herzhaft, Susanna Hesselberg, Nicole Jean Hill, Ben Huff, Lacey Ann Johnson, Dina Kantor, Nicole Katz, Drew Kelly, Mikael Kennedy, Gunnar Knechtel, Liz Kuball, Naho Kubota, William Lamson, Molly Landreth, Mårten Lange, Shane Lavalette, Alejandra Laviada, Jason Lazarus, Bryan Lear, Ashley Lefrak, Miranda Lehman, Brian Lesteberg, Jennifer Loeber, Sophie T. Lvoff, Thomas Macker, Ashley Macknica, Sarah Madsen, Alison Malone, Jessica Mallios, John Mann, Michael Marcelle, Marc McAndrews, Andrew Robert McComb, Erica McDonald, Tammy Mercure, Nick Meyer, Chad Muthard, Wakaba Noda, Boru O’Brien O’Connell, Bob O’Connor, Grady O’Connor, Patrick O’Hare, Christina Maria Oswald, Robert Pallesen, Sarah Palmer, Lydia Panas, Ahndraya Parlato, Brandon Pavan, Eric Percher, Nathan Ellis Perkel, Regine Petersen, Ryan Pfluger, Cara Phillips, Birthe Piontek, Louis Porter, Friederike von Rauch, Shawn Records, Justin James Reed, Reka Reisinger, Peter Riesett, Jenny Riffle, Lissa Rivera, Jessica Roberts, Carlo Van de Roer, Patrick Romero, Dalton Rooney, Nadine Rovner, Will Sanders, John Saponara, Matthew Schenning, Jennifer Niederhauser Schlup, Aaron Schuman, Stephen K. Schuster, Bryan Jacob Schutmaat, Matthew Shain, Angus R. Shamal, Daniel Shea, Matt Siber, Sarah Small, Angie Smith, Tema Stauffer, Will Steacy, Amy Stein, Parsley Steinweiss, Luke Stettner, Sean Stewart, Barry Stone, Sarah Sudhoff, JJ Sulin, Rachel Sussman, Tina Tyrell, Simon Vahala, Alex Van Clief, Kamden Vencill, Caroline de Vries, Michael Werner, Emma Wieslander, Sara Wight, Grant Willing, Sarah Wilmer, Ofer Wolberger, Jason John Würm, Wheat Wurtzburger, Jeong Mee Yoon, Anoush Abrar & Aimée Hoving, Allison Wermager and Alexander M. Harrington, Inka Lindergård & Niclas Holmström, Kate and Camilla, Tribble & Mancenido

THE NEWEST IN NEW...

2008-12-31T18:59:00.000-08:00

2008.

It's been a good year for me (and Sarah). Sarah had a book come out, traveled around the world and a whole lot more (you can read about all that HERE if you so desire).

I got a few things accomplished myself.

A little list:

Didn't have a beard/had a beard/didn't have a beard

Had photos in 5 shows (2 solo)

Released a new zine (Sadkids #5)

Attended 2 portfolio reviews (one with Alec Soth)

Saw Jeff Wall and Lee Friedlander shows at SFMoma

Hosted Tim Briner at our old house for at least 3 weeks

Bought a 100 year old house in SF after Tim left

Shot at least 500GB of digital photos

Shot a bunch of rolls of film

Played a lot of Guitar Hero

Watched a zillion hours of TV (thanks TiVo)

Enjoyed music by MGMT, No Age, Man Man, Hank IV, Vivain Girls, Lil Wayne, Crystal Castles, Deerhunter, Nobunny, Jay Reatard...

Attended a lot of A's games

Made a ton of new friends (online and in real life)

Consumed numerous Bloody Marys, Beers and shots of Jager

Damaged and repaired 1 Leica M3

Visited Portland, Los Angeles, Reno, New York, Des Moines, Omaha, Memphis, Hawaii and Mexico

And made MILLIONS from the photo industry bailout...

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

photos © geoffrey ellis 2009!

BURN SANTA BURN

2008-12-25T12:27:00.000-08:00

This year in lieu of Christmas gifts, Sarah and I are donating money to charity. Not being preachy here, but if $20 can give someone in Africa clean drinking water for 20 years!? That's money well spent.

Morning Don't Ep. 6 from sarah lacy on Vimeo.

photo © geoffrey ellis

MELANIE FLOOD IS HAVING A PARTY

2008-12-16T10:09:00.000-08:00

Spiked eggnog? A Christmas tree? Books, zines and other printed matter priced at $50 or less? It's the Melanie Flood Holiday Party!

Goods by:

AMY STEIN
BREANNE TRAMMELL
ESOPUS MAGAZINE
GEOFFREY ELLIS/
SADKIDS
HANA TANIMURA
DAVID HORVITZ
JASON FULFORD
JASON POLAN
LUKE RAMSEY/
ISLANDS FOLD
MIKAEL KENNEDY
R&S MEDIA
RYAN FOERSTER
SARAH FORBES KEOUGH
VINCENT DERMODY
WHPRWHIL RECORDS
ZINGMAGAZINE

Weds, Dec 17, 2008
7pm - 9pm
Brooklyn, NY

Cash only please

THIS AIN'T NO EBAY

2008-12-03T07:21:00.000-08:00

The SF CameraWork annual live auction is this Saturday, Dec 6th starting at 1pm. Since the economy sucks, it might actually be a great time to go bid on some art - less competition? I'm just saying. I'll be there, watching my piece (hopefully) sell.

Here are a few of my favorites:

SANFRANCISCOBAMA

2008-11-05T08:40:00.000-08:00

I went out shooting last night with nothing in mind other than “historic election eve” and the theme that emerged were all the different Obama shirts. In fact, the whole time I was out I didn’t see any two people with the same shirt (except the girls at the end).

Thank you CO, CT, DC, DE, FL, HI, IA, IL, IN, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, NC, NH, NJ, NM, NV, NY, OH, OR, PA, RI, SC, VA, VT, WA, WI, and of course CA!

photos © geoffrey ellis

PRE-ELECTION STRESS DISORDER

2008-11-04T15:22:00.000-08:00

My stomach has been hurting for weeks. Please wake me up when it's over. Unless there is no good news. Then let me sleep.

photo © geoffrey ellis

HAWAII + HALLOWEEN = HAWAIILOWEEN

2008-10-31T09:49:00.000-07:00

Halloween. Hawaii. Big Island style.

photo © geoffrey ellis

MASS REJECTION

2008-10-31T08:33:00.000-07:00

I entered Photolucida’s Critical Mass (yearly portfolio review) and didn't make the cut this year. I felt good about my work, but with 606 entries and only 180 finalists, I can see why there would be a few disappointed people. My friend Liz Kuball (also not selected this time around) put together a quick, 36-hour long, call for entry for those who didn't make it in. You can see some of the rejecterinos by going here: UnCritical Mass. Hey, there's always next year!

photo © liz kuball

REASON #17 I MISS MEMPHIS

2008-10-13T13:07:00.000-07:00

The awesome hand-painted signage - everywhere.

I CAN HAZ DA MOST AWESUM FOTO EVR?

2008-10-09T17:22:00.000-07:00

Over at sarahlacy.com there is a contest to win some free LOLCATS books. I don't need to enter because she is my wife and we have a book of our own (not bragging, just fact). Aside from that, I have this photo I took of our cat Vinnie, which I can uncontrollably laugh at all day long. It may not be art, but it sure is funny. On second thought, maybe it is art. High, high art...

photo © geoffrey ellis

OLD MAN RIVER

2008-09-30T16:58:00.000-07:00

I am back in SF, today is my birthday, I think I still have a cold and Gonerfest is over. BUT, I still have 2 shows up. One in Memphis and one in SF. So, again, if you haven't been to see either one, you have this week to see the one in SF and at least until mid-October to see the one in Memphis.

Gonerfest was a complete blast (again). I feel sorry for those who didn't make it. And, I shot a bunch of film in Memphis. Can't wait to see what I got. Below is a bit of digital stuff from Gonerfest 5.

photos © geoffrey ellis

PLUGGED IN

2008-09-25T11:30:00.000-07:00

My awesome wife Sarah Lacy - a.k.a. the original sarahcuda (let's just call her Mrs. Ellis) put together a really nice video plugging my Goner show. This doesn't mean you shouldn't come see the show. "Oh, I saw it on video, I don't have to go now." Wrong. If you are in Memphis, you must come down. I'll be waiting for you... Thanks for the video Sarah!

One Night Only! (I Actually Get to See Mr. Lacy) from sarah lacy on Vimeo.

M-E-M-P-H-I-S

2008-09-25T09:30:00.000-07:00

Gonerfest 5 starts tonight in Memphis. I am lucky enough to be a part of it this year by having a photo show up at the Goner Record shop for the Opening Ceremonies. If you are confused about this whole Goner mess, check out my zine for a bit of clarity. Or better yet, just come to Memphis and see for yourself.

Showtime: Thursday, September 25th, 5-7pm @ Goner (2152 Young Ave in Memphis)

photo © geoffrey ellis

CALLING ALL GONERS

2008-09-22T20:02:00.000-07:00

I am heading to Memphis on Wednesday to go to Gonerfest 5. Not only will I be attending, but I'll also have a photo show up at the Goner Record shop.

The opening is on THURSDAY, SEPT 25th from 5-7pm, and will feature a live music show from King Louie One Man Band. And it's FREE.

Look how fun last year was. If you are within 150 miles of Memphis, you must go.

photos © geoffrey ellis

THANKS

2008-09-19T11:14:00.000-07:00

The WELCOME ALL opening at Needles and Pens was a huge success. Hundreds poured through, art was sold, friends were made, music was played, beer was consumed, it was awesome. The show is still up (until October 6th - go see it!). If you missed the opening here are links to some photos from N&P and my sister Jenn.

Next Wednesday I have an opening in Memphis. More details momentarily.

Photos 1&2 © Andrew Martin Scott/Photo 3 © Jennifer Ellis

UPCOMING: friday Friday FRIDAY!!!

2008-09-08T10:45:00.000-07:00

Tonight I am going to see Built To Spill perform their album "Perfect From Now On" in it's entirety at Slim's in SF. Epic freaking album. Top 10 of mine for sure. And when I am done with that I will have a nice and busy week working, watching Sarah leave town again (boooooo), and attending my co-show opening (with Andrew Scott) in SF at Needles and Pens (6-9 FRIDAY, Sept 12th).

Oh, and Sadkids #5 will be making its SF debut on Friday night, so bring a few extra 8-dollar bills.

And if that's not enough to get you out, then you must know that there will also be live music at the opening (a Television Personalities Cover Band!). Dang. Good times!

photo © geoffrey ellis

WELCOME ALL (TO MY NEXT PHOTO SHOW)

2008-09-02T21:50:00.000-07:00

Needles and Pens presents: WELCOME ALL

A Photographic Exhibition of Americana and Beyond in Full & Half-Frame Format by, GEOFFREY ELLIS AND ANDREW M SCOTT.

Featuring: A display of decaying signs, deteriorating marquees, cracked neon, and crumbling typography. As well as, an assortment of old barns, pawn shops, laundromats, liquor stores, barber shops and coffee joints (and for god’s sake, no loitering, no shirt, no shoes, no service). And let’s not forget, an array of rusty cars, antique bikes, and motor-homes. And of course, a collection of faded posters, jukeboxes, 45s, soul music, and other relics of a less homogenized world.

OPENS FRIDAY, SEPT. 12, 2008, 6-9 PM

NEEDLES & PENS
3253 16TH ST
SF, CA

Photo © Andrew M Scott

FOR THOSE ABOUT TO ROCK

2008-08-29T18:10:00.000-07:00

Portlanders, you should go to the AC/VC 2008 art show on Saturday, August 30th, 2008. Over 50 artists from all mediums (photo, video, multi-media, painting, drawing, etc.) and beer and live music to boot! It starts at 6pm, is free til 10pm and the party lasts until 2am! Oh, did I mention I have 5 photos in the show? (226 SE Madison, PDX) Go, go, go!

photo © geoffrey ellis

JUNK, IT'S NOT JUST A BOAT FROM CHINA ANYMORE

2008-08-28T17:24:00.000-07:00

Junk in the Midwest is really good. In Omaha I went to a place called Fairmont Antiques and we bought a bunch of cheap, cool stuff, and in Des Moines I went to some crazy spot called Collectamania. You'd only like it if you enjoy rummaging through dirty, unorganized, Sanford and Son-style places. But those are my favorite kind, so I loved it.

080808 STATE

2008-08-08T14:29:00.000-07:00

Last week Sarah and I went to Omaha. We got in and I had a few hours to drive around and shoot. I was running on empty but Omaha was totally inspiring so I kept going. It was full of tons of photographable goodies. It deserves a serious revisiting. Must...Go...Back...Soon...

photos © geoffrey ellis

BETTER LATE THAN NEVER

2008-08-01T06:17:00.000-07:00

Did some great stuff while in NYC. Got to have dinner and nerd out on photography with Tim Briner, Amy Stein, Amani Olu, Greg Wasserstrom, and Alison Malone after seeing a show that Jon Feinstein was in. Went to my first and last game game at Yankee stadium (my Oakland A's lost). Took a trip on Evan G's boat up the Hudson with Sarah, Julia Allison and Sophie Askew. Saw the waterfalls. Went to Brooklyn for the first time to see Tim's place. Ate and drank too much. Took a lot of subway trains to various locations. Dropped off issues of the new Sadkids Number 5 (signed!) at Dashwood Books. Could this post have more links? You get the idea.

photos © geoffrey ellis

MY OWN WORST ENEMY

2008-07-23T21:34:00.000-07:00

I got film back from the lab and for the 4th time in a row there was a problem with the roll. This time, it was my fault and not camera or lab error. I guess I left my leica face up on a bright day and the jerky sun beamed through my lens and burned a hole in my shutter curtain! There is literally a tiny hole that is letting light onto my film. Ugh. 20 years with nary a mishap and now 4 in a row. Lame bones.

photos © geoffrey ellis

PLAYBLOG

2008-07-09T13:11:00.000-07:00

Sarah is on a short list of some hot ladies. Playboy has called her one of the hottest female bloggers. The page she's on is actually work safe, so don't worry about your boss. Unless simply going to playboy.com will get you canned. Do you want to get canned? Then go to the site and vote Sarah Lacy!

photo © geoffrey ellis

LAB WORK

2008-07-07T22:21:00.000-07:00

I was lucky enough to be interviewed by joseph robertson for LAB Magazine and issue 2 has just come out. I know I did a decent job answering questions because Sarah said she read it 100x. All you have to do is read it once (and maybe even buy a print-on-demand copy).

CLIFTON'S NOTES

2008-07-03T08:59:00.000-07:00

Walking around downtown LA was super inspiring. We stopped in Clifton's Cafeteria which is the last remaining cafeteria from its era. We heard an older lady telling the manager that the first time she came to Clifton's was in 1941. The interior is decorated to resemble something like Yosemite. Natural wood fixtures, fake wildlife, a giant wall that looks like a forest - and then there's the upstairs dining room with the most gaudy wallpaper anyone could wish for. I didn't have a chance to try the food but I'm glad we stopped in. It is a must visit when downtown LA.

photos © geoffrey ellis

DONE AND DONE

2008-07-01T10:25:00.000-07:00

Today is the last day of my show in Portland at Reading Frenzy. If you didn't see it you should be ashamed! Unless you don't live in PDX, then it's ok that you didn't see it. And, Portland, if you aren't sick of me yet, I will have photos in a show in late August. More details to come (eventually).

Speaking of out-of-town, Sarah and I were in Los Angeles this weekend for a friends wedding party. We also got to see my friend Jerry and we walked around downtown and took a million photos (see below). It's amazing down there.

photos © geoffrey ellis

5 MORE DAYS

2008-06-26T11:30:00.000-07:00

If you are in Portland in the next few days, you need to go to Reading Frenzy to see my show. You have five days until it comes down. Of course, you could buy a piece too. Numbered and framed. Ready to go. That way I won't have to ship it all back to SF! There are also a small number of Sadkids #5 zines up there. The only place in the US to get them at the moment. Goner will have some soon, and so will a few other places.

I wish I had taken this photo of Samantha with spoons over her eyes. I didn't. Stephen did. But I liked it so I photo'd his photo.

FIVE DAYS!

photos © geoffrey ellis

PORTLANDIA

2008-06-16T07:17:00.000-07:00

We had a great time in Portland (go see my show @ reading frenzy, it's still up - all 22 pieces!) where it was mostly cloudy with a chance of selling some art work. Stephen helped hang my show, samantha cooked an awesome breakfast, sarah was her usual charming self, and scott jackson was awesome to meet and hang out with.

photos © geoffrey ellis

HORSES, DOLLS, AND OTHER JUNK

2008-06-02T12:11:00.000-07:00

I have my very own show this week in Portland, OR at a very cool spot called Reading Frenzy. I have been selling issues of my photo-zine there for ages so I figured, why not make it a photo show and a zine release party? So, along with my photo show, I will be unveiling Sadkids Number 5 (the GonerFest Edition) on Thursday night (June 5th, from 6-9pm). The show will be up through the month of June, and the zines will be available until they run out. If you are in Portland, go check it out!

FLAG TIME

2008-05-26T09:55:00.000-07:00

When I was a kid, my parents would hang a flag outside the house on the patriotic holidays. So, for this memorial day, I will hang a flag on my blog.

photo © geoffrey ellis

LOZ BLOG GOLD

2008-05-20T07:37:00.000-07:00

Photo-lover (and photographer) Laurence Vecten asked me to submit some photos for her site LOZ. She just posted them a few days ago and I am in some really good company (Scott Jackson, Amy Stein, Corey Arnold, Brian Ulrich, Matt Nighswander, and more). Lots of good stuff to see so head on over.

photo © geoffrey ellis

LUCKY? GOOD? BOTH?

2008-05-15T15:15:00.000-07:00

My amazing and talented wife, Sarah Lacy has written a book called "Once You're Lucky, Twice You're Good" and it comes out TODAY (May 15th). It's her first book and it's really good (and I'm not just saying that, Wired gave it 9 of 10 stars and it's getting rave reviews all over the place). I'm so proud of her it's almost sickening.

photo © geoffrey ellis

MIXED UP

2008-05-09T22:06:00.001-07:00

I have been entirely undermotivated lately. I am preparing for a show in Portland and making a new zine but am working way too much at my day job. I did make a few minutes to make an online mixtape at muxtape.com. Take a listen. The site is incredible. Enjoy it while you can. And if you want to read more about it, I wrote a small piece for my wife, Sarah Lacy's blog.

photo © geoffrey ellis

DO NOT WANT

2008-04-27T17:50:00.000-07:00

The 'most wanted' posters in the SF post offices always have stuff drawn on them. Mustaches, cigars, scars, mohawks, glasses, goatees. Totally awesome. It makes it hard to see what the people really look like though. If I saw one of these guys on the street I would have to draw on his face to recognize him.

photo © geoffrey ellis

REAL LIFE HI-DEF

2008-04-19T17:40:00.000-07:00

Our friend hooked up Sarah and me with 4th row seats for the Oakland A's games this weekend. 4th row seats! Diamond Level. Closer to the batter than the pitcher is. I shot this from my seat. Free food and drink, private parking lot. Heck yes I'm rubbing it in! Going again tomorrow. Look for me on the TV.

photo © geoffrey ellis

PUNCH COPS!

2008-04-13T09:45:00.000-07:00

Well, everyone, I've been to Antioch so now you don't have to go. Not sure where to begin. Punch cops. That's about the funniest thing I've ever seen. Is it a punk rock call to action? Or is it small town police who check drinks to make sure they aren't spiked (not that there is such a thing, but let's just pretend). "Coming soon to FOX, Punch Cops."

photo © geoffrey ellis

HOLY MOSES

2008-04-06T17:24:00.000-07:00

EMPTY NEST

2008-03-31T17:09:00.000-07:00

Sarah and I have had our friend Tim Briner staying with us for the past few days. He's on a huge, cross-country photography trip and his last stop is Boonville, CA (just north of SF). We had so much fun that it's sad to see him go. We played guitar hero, watched DVDs and Tivo, went to a baseball game in the rain, drank a lot (bloody marys - and beers), ate even more (food and candy) and in exchange he showed me how to use a 4x5 camera (awesome). We also pressured him into joining facebook and twitter. Now he will never get anything done. We're such enablers.

photos © geoffrey ellis

THE EASTER FUNNY

2008-03-23T08:28:00.000-07:00

ST. IDES OF MARCH

2008-03-15T21:25:00.000-07:00

I dropped my digital camera and broke the lens. So I pulled out the film camera. Good times. So is today really St. Patricks Day and the Ides of March all wrapped up in one? I can't confirm. Beware green malt liquor.

photo © geoffrey ellis

SKULL TIME

2008-03-06T08:26:00.000-08:00

I used to see this winged skull graffiti all over the SOMA area in SF. Since the neighborhood has changed so much with construction, I rarely see these guys anymore. There are a few still around, but probably not for much longer.

photo © geoffrey ellis

QUANTUM LEAP

2008-02-29T18:51:00.000-08:00

Every four years I am forced to think of the TV show Quantum Leap, because it seems the word "leap" only comes into my life when associated with the extra February day. Do you ever hear that word associated with anything else? Leap? I don't think I do. Maybe at Christmas with the so-and-so's-a-leaping. But not much else. Sarah and I tried to watch QL recently and it just doesn't seem to hold up. I'd probably watch it if I was home sick though. This photo has nothing to do with any of that. I just like it. Thanks for listening.

photo © geoffrey ellis

ME ENCANTA LA MISION

2008-02-27T08:49:00.000-08:00

Too tired to write a post, so here is a photo instead. Less is more. Or in the case of this shop window, more is more.

photo © geoffrey ellis

VALENTINO

2008-02-14T21:19:00.000-08:00

Let me start by saying, I am dumb. I sent this photo to Reading Frenzy in Portland for a charity auction and I put the wrong address on the package and it came back to me. Not even a dyslexic mess up, like a seriously wrong address. So I resent it and they should have it by now. So go there and bid on it. It should be up for the month. Oh, and happy valentines day.

photo © geoffrey ellis

INSTANT DEATH

2008-02-13T14:11:00.000-08:00

I was sad to find out that polaroid will stop making instant film. I found some polaroid pics I took a few years ago with my SX-70 (my favorite of all the cameras). Here is a petition you can sign. I doubt it will do any good, but at least there will be a headcount of people who care. Speaking of polaroids, if you haven't seen the fantastic polaroid work of Scott Hammond, check it now.

WE'RE GONNA NEED A BIGGER BOAT

2008-02-11T07:24:00.001-08:00

Jaws is easily Roy Scheider's best movie - well, he was in the French Connection which is great too. Oh, and who could forget Blue Thunder (Hi-tech helicopter? Awesome). R.I.P., Roy.

photos © geoffrey ellis

I THOUGHT BLIZZARDS CAME FROM DAIRY QUEEN

2008-02-08T05:35:00.000-08:00

Living in California, Florida, Memphis and now SF, I never get to see it snow. The first time I saw snow fall from the sky was in Memphis in 1997 (26 years old!). In Chicago this week I was fascinated by the snow. For a lot of people it's a daily winter occurrence, but for me it's so rare you could put it on eBay.

photos © geoffrey ellis

BORING OR AWESOME?

2008-02-01T19:50:00.000-08:00

I have long been a fan of the Boring Postcards book by Martin Parr and was recently given a link to an incredible site full of vintage french postcards. It kind of reminded me of this photo I took at a flea market in Portland last year. I vote awesome.

photos © geoffrey ellis

THE AMAZING MR. JANUARY

2008-01-27T21:25:00.001-08:00

January has been a busy month. Testing out a new website, entering photo competitions (the ones that I am not too old for - looking at you, Magenta), playing our newly acquired XBox/Guitar Hero, flea marketing and of course, taking lots of photos. Found this record at the flea with a Jim Flora illustration on the cover. If you aren't familiar, check his site. Amazing stuff.

photos © geoffrey ellis

NEW YEAR/NEW SITE

2008-01-16T09:59:00.000-08:00

Trying out Blogger for a bit. I have been using Dreamweaver/html for the last few years and thought I'd give this updating on the web thing a try. Had some time this weekend (not to mention it was sunny) so my sister and I went to the flea market. I shot a few photos and was pretty happy with the results. Ringo Starr, a plumb bob and a state fair pin in a mirrored, glass-top box, with a bunch of other dirty junk makes for a pretty cool pic.

photos © geoffrey ellis

DON'T GET COCKY

2008-01-07T09:45:00.000-08:00

Yes, the answer is a cockfighting ring. There were 2 correct answers. The first was from Ronnie Ruiz who wins a Sadkids zine (when the next one comes out) and some other surprise stuff. And the second correct answer was from Timothy Briner who won a homecooked meal from my wife Sarah. You see Tim is on a 6 month journey, documenting the towns called Boonville across the US. There is a Boonville north of SF so he will be here soon. Also, you really should DONATE to his cause if you have a little extra scratch, because who doesn't want to help an artist make his dream come true? Ronnie, don't feel bad, if you come to town we will hook you up with some food too.

2008 ESTA AQUI

2008-01-02T16:11:00.000-08:00

We stumbled upon a creepy little sporting ring near Sayulita (Mexico). I'm wondering if anyone can guess what it is used for? (I know the answer). Send me an email with a guess and I will post the answer in a few days. I don't really have any prizes, but maybe I can figure out something to send you. A bag of sand or a half used starbucks giftcard or a copy of my new zine (whenever it's finished).

photos © geoffrey ellis