San Diego Editorial and Commercial Portrait Photographer Max Dolberg's Blog

Blog On The Run

2010-05-19T13:09:00.000-07:00

Max's blog has moved. Please update RSS feeds, readers, links, whatever to:

Venice Beach Freakshow

2010-05-07T14:55:00.000-07:00

The article I photographed on Todd Ray's Venice Beach Freakshow for The U.K.'s Bizarre Magazine is out on the stands this month. I had a blast shooting this one. Todd's a quite a character and a bona-fide southern gentleman. The Super Freaks are an amazing bunch. It was super cool to shoot Murrugun again too.

Adrian and Masa

2010-05-02T20:24:00.000-07:00

On the Train to Yokohama. I made it with my Bronica. Ah la la la la la la

Back To Japan

2010-04-22T10:00:00.000-07:00

I'm on my way back to Japan for a few days. Adrian and Masa have lined up a couple of heavies in the world of Japanese tattooing who are kind enough to allow me to photograph their work. This next book is going to be a monster...

Legalize It?

2010-04-21T11:55:00.000-07:00

This one's a collaboration Between John and myself. We shot this yesterday (4/20) at his studio. This November, Californians will vote (Ok, realistically, it'll be about half the Californians that go to the trouble to actually vote) on a ballot measure to decriminalize marijuana. If it passes, I'm buying stock in Twinkies.

Veggies!

2010-04-14T10:08:00.000-07:00

Manitoba and roma tomatoes

Jalapeno and green bell peppers. There's also basil and cilantro mixed in there but they have yet to sprout. Stay tuned.

Promo Cards

2010-04-07T15:16:00.000-07:00

New promo cards went out last week. If you didn't get one, hit me up.

Jim Marshall RIP

2010-03-25T10:14:00.000-07:00

I'm sad to say that Jim Marshall Died yesterday. Jim was a legend in the world of rock and roll photography. I had the pleasure of meeting, and photographing him last year when he spoke here in town. He will be missed.

iPhoney

2010-03-23T17:07:00.000-07:00

A condensed version of my website is now online for iPhones. You can check it out for your self simply but pointing your phone to maxdolberg.com. If you're not an iPhoner, or you just can't get enough, you can see it on your computer at maxdolberg.com/iphone.

Ruff Life

2010-03-05T13:41:00.000-08:00

The San Diego Magazine cover story, photographed by yours truly, on the local beer scene is out on the stands this month. The plethora of great breweries and beer bars make San Diego a beer lover's paradise. I must say, there's worse ways to make a living that hanging out in bars and breweries, drinking beer and taking pictures. A big thanks to everyone and the mag, the watering holes, and to the brewers. Cheers!

Inked Magazine

2010-02-23T09:01:00.000-08:00

Inked Magazine, In their infinite wisdom, has called Bloodwork:Sleeves a "Must Read" and "the granddaddy of over-the-top cool tattoo books". It's in their March issue. Thanks Guys!

Japan Wrap Up

2010-02-22T09:00:00.000-08:00

Aw Ma, is it really over? Yes, sadly it is. I'm back home now. The jet lag is more or less worn off and I'm slipping back into the grind. I have had a chance to browse through some of the 55 + GB of photos I shot throughout the trip, the lion's share of which remain top secret for the time being. I am able to share a few gems with everyone out there in blog land. These more or less sum up, at least to me, what was a great trip filled with good times, good friends, and good food. I'm so lucky to be able to work with such an amazing group of dedicated, talented, people. A big thanks goes out to everyone involved.

Tower Records Shibuya Book Signing

2010-02-16T13:03:00.000-08:00

Along with all the other goings on on this Japan trip we had a book signing for Bloodwork:Sleeves at the 9 story mega-complex that is Tower records in Shibuya, Tokyo. I always find it a bit odd when people ask me to autograph things.

It doesn't happen very often and when it does, it's a little embarrassing. That aside, I truly appreciate the support and will always sign what ever people want me to. In this case it was Adrian doing most of the pen work.

I was really hoping to get the story on why there was still a Tower Records in Japan when all the stores in the states have been shuttered for several years but no one I asked seemed to understand my questions so it remains a mystery.

Bloodwork:Sleeves Osaka Exhibition

2010-02-10T02:12:00.000-08:00

This past Saturday was the exhibition for Bloodwork:Sleeves at Three Tides Tattoo in Osaka, Japan.

There was a great turn out, several killer DJ's, and a mobile burger stand, named Critter Burger selling the "Three Tides Burger"

People seemed to dig the work.

And a good time was had by all. Big thanks to everyone at TTT for all the help and support over the years. Next show is this Saturday at Tower Records in Shibuya, Tokyo.

Bloodwork:Sleeves Osaka Set Up Time Lapse

2010-02-06T01:51:00.000-08:00

Here's a quickie time lapse video, out of the G9, of the Bloodwork:Sleeves art show set up at Three Tides, Osaka Japan. Check it out full screen!

Japan!!

2010-01-31T13:42:00.001-08:00

I'm Getting excited to head back to Japan next week with the Analog Tattoo Crew.
Last time I was there was in 2006 for the Full Coverage exhibition.
This time around we're showing Bloodwork:Sleeves. It'll be up at 3 Tides in Osaka on February 6th, and at Tower Records in Tokyo on February 13th. We'll also be traveling to several top secret studios around Hokkaidō, beginning photography for the next Bloodwork book due out in 2011. I'll be blogging and posting photos as much as possible from the road. Stay tuned.

Pool Is Cool

2010-01-21T10:52:00.001-08:00

Sergio lining up for the kill...

New Toy

2010-01-06T15:54:00.001-08:00

A few months ago I picked up this little beauty. It's a Bronica RF645 medium format rangefinder. That's right kids, It's a film camera. Beyond that, because it's a rangefinder,when you peer through the viewfinder you're not looking through the lens, as you would with a conventional SLR style camera. It's manual focus and manual winding. It dose have an aperture priority setting but that's a fancy as it gets. The "645" in the name means that the negs are 6cm X 4.5cm. They contain waaaay more detail then a 35mm neg and the overall look of the 65mm lens is super cool. I've shot it, along side the digital system, on several jobs now. In the right conditions I think it looks better then the digi. I'm hoping I can convince more clients to let me use it.
One of my favorite aspect of shooting like this is the way it makes me slow down and really concentrate on the pictures I'm trying to make. It reminds me why I got into photography in the first place.

Skate Archives

2009-12-15T11:35:00.000-08:00

I came across some old scans from my skate days. These are all from 2003. The above shot of Jeff Budro was the cover of Concrete Wave Magazine. Below, we've got John Torchia ripping a corner air at a long gone Vista pool.
And last but not least, the legendary Kevin Staab spinning an original trick he named the half-cow. The long since revamped Encinitas YMCA.
Making pictures of my friends skateboarding was one of the first things that attracted me to photography. I don't get the chance to shoot it much these days, except the rare occasion when Andy lets me tag along with him and his crew. If anyone out there wants to shoot some skate photos, hit me up!

In Good Company

2009-11-24T17:26:00.001-08:00

I just found out the legendary rock and roll photographer Jim Marshall is participating, along with yours truly, in the Happenstance benefit art show and auction at Subtext in San Diego on December 5th. Jim and his cameras have borne witness to some of the most amazing moments in recent music history. I was lucky enough to see him speak last month and have admired his work for years.
Happenstance is a group photography exhibition celebrating those moments when the least expected circumstances lead to great photos. There will be a silent auction of the prints from the show with the proceeds going to The Monarch School.
For my part, I'm donating a portrait I made in the wee hours of the morning at a Halloween party this year.
There's over 30 photographers participating in the show including: J. Grant Brittain, Bil Zelman, Embry Rucker, and Lou Mora.

Artists By Artists

2009-11-09T13:36:00.000-08:00

I'm taking part in a local group art show that's going up next month. It's called "Artists by Artists" and, as the name would suggest, is a collection of portraits of local artists by local artists. For my part, I'm showing a photo collage of Ducky Waddles proprietor, and all around cool cat, Jerry Waddle. The show will hang at The Encinitas Library for the entire month of December with an artists reception in Sunday, The 13th.
I'm also in a group benefit show called "Happenstance" at the Subtext Gallery in Little Italy. There's a reception and silent auction with proceeds benefiting The Monarch School on Saturday January 5th. Come on out and see some art!

We Can Shoot Too

2009-11-06T16:53:00.000-08:00

J. Wesley Brown over at We Can Shoot Too has a post about Bloodwork:Sleeves. Word.

San Jose Wrap up

2009-11-05T15:40:00.000-08:00

What a week! This past weekend, along with being Halloween, was the San Jose Convention of Tattoo Arts. That meant it was also the opening exhibition and book release of Bloodwork:Sleeves. (a little tattoo book I photographed). So, let's rewind to last Monday. Nate Banuelos and I got on the road early. The plan was to drive up the coast looking for surf and get to San Jose Wednesday to help Adrian Lee hang the art show. We made it to Morro Bay by early afternoon. After a friendly reminder, in the parking lot, that this was the realm of the men in grey suits,

we caught a session at the aptly named Hazards. The next morning after a quick session at the Cayucos Pier we were on our way up the 1 towards Santa Cruz. A through check (Manresa to Waddell Creek) showed nothing worth suiting up for, so it was over the hill to San Jose.

Wednesday and early Thursday was spent hanging the show and getting A.D. Gallery all ready to go. Thursday night, it was on. The exhibition went great (with the small exception of the purse snatching knucklehead.) The turn-out was heavy. Minds were blown. Good Karma provided munchies. Analog also had their 2 year anniversary party immediately afterwards where Ugly Winner and Panthelion rocked the crowd.

The Convention was a great experience. I've been to quite a few tattoo conventions over the years but Taki and Roman really take it to the next level. Along with gathering together a collection of the worlds preeminent working tattoo artists, they had on hand masters from bygone generations like Thom Devita, Goodtime Charlie, and Shanghai Kate. These are some of the folks who made tattooing what it is today. It was fascinating to get to meet these icons in person and hear their perspectives on the state of the industry. Mike Giant was also on hand doing live painting. We got to talking and he mentioned that he thought Bloodwork was the best tattoo photography he had ever seen. Coming from an artist I have so much respect and admiration for, that one comment alone could have made the entire project worthwhile.

Monday morning, after a great dinner the previous evening with an amazing group of people, Nate and I headed back over the hill to Santa Cruz. This time the surf was on. We scored peaky head high waves at Waddell which made the following 8 hour drive much more bearable. All in all it was a great trip. I learned a lot, meet some great new people, saw old friends I hadn't seen in some time, got good waves, and made cool photos. A big thank you to everyone involved. I can't wait until next year.

2009-10-23T16:58:00.000-07:00

BloodWork : Heavy Reading

Tipping the scales at over 12 pounds, BloodWork:Sleeves is anything but a light read. So much so that instructions are required.

2009-10-23T11:44:00.000-07:00

BloodWork:Sleeves Book Release and Exhibition

I'm very proud to announce the book release and exhibition of my second book in collaboration with Analog Tattooers. "BloodWork:Sleeves: is a limited edition, 350 page, hand bound book featuring 67 sleeves by some of the best tattooers living today. The exhibition is Thursday Oct. 29th at Anno Domini Gallery in San Jose California. More information here.

2009-10-08T20:27:00.000-07:00

The Epson, she be a cruel master.

Well, the recycling bin is full of cardboard boxes and beer bottles, and I’m up to my neck in ink, paper, and print making for the Bloodwork : Sleeves release. At half an hour a piece to print, it should only take 28 &1/2 hours to print all 57 of the amazing tattoos that made the cut into the book. But, that’s in a perfect world. UPS has already partially destroyed one of the several shipments, so I remain, behind the mule.

2009-09-23T16:35:00.001-07:00

Juxtapoz

The ad for the opening/book release of Bloodwork: Sleeves is out in the first 1/3 of the October issue of Juxtapoz Magazine. The opening is October 29th at the AD Gallery in San Jose. Mark your calendar. More info here.

2009-09-18T14:24:00.000-07:00

Film!?
A few weeks ago, I dusted off my old 35mm Canon and began shooting some film, mostly personal stuff. I’m really having a blast with it. So much so that I’m now in the market for a medium format range finder. If anyone out there wants to part with a Bronica RF645, hit me up.

2009-09-08T16:24:00.001-07:00

Molly

Molly is my roommate's Alaskan Malamute. She's super furry and eats strange things. She likes it when you put a leash on her and let her drag you around the neighborhood.

2009-07-29T17:53:00.000-07:00

Under The Sea

My friend Brian and I took advantage of the flat surf and super warm water we’re having here in San Diego and did some snorkeling at the kelp beds ½ a mile west of my house. Brian (women love him, fish fear him) took his spear gun hoping to shoot dinner. I took my G9 in it’s nifty water housing hoping to shoot some pictures...

Being out of season, lobsters were roaming with impunity.

The last thing you want to see if you’re a fish.

2009-07-28T09:37:00.001-07:00

BloodWork Posters
I've been printing up a bunch of posters for the BloodWork:Sleeves Book. The posters will be sent out to participants in the project and other selected individuals. The book is out in October.

2009-07-17T16:13:00.000-07:00

Mark Gonzales

I usually don't do this, but this video is too cool to miss. This fancy art museum in Germany invited Professional skateboarder Mark Gonzales to do a show. This is what The Gonz did. Found it over on Spike Jones's blog We Love You So.

2009-07-02T14:45:00.001-07:00

Forbes

My portraits of online journalism pioneers Neil Senturia of San Diego News Network, and Scott Lewis of Voice of San Diego are in the current issue of Forbes Magazine.

2009-06-12T14:46:00.001-07:00

Strange Birds

2009-06-10T15:20:00.000-07:00

Tattoo Artist Magazine

An article I wrote and shot on photographing tattoos is in the current issue of Tattoo Artist Magazine.

2009-06-01T15:20:00.000-07:00

Road Trip
Memorial Day Weekend took me on a road trip to the 4 corners area of the southwest. A friend of mine has a small shack out in the weeds of New Mexico. It’s a perfect local for camping, hiking, and general relaxation. As the Chinese proverb goes, “The journey is the reward”. The trip there and back included Chaco Canyon National Park, The Hover Dam, Monument Valley, The Grand Canyon, and Route 66. Good Times.

2009-05-20T18:05:00.001-07:00

The CodFather

This one’s form my trip to London last year. I walked past this place twice a day for nearly a week and never once saw it open for business. I wish it was though. Everything I ate in the U.K. (with the exception of one meal that was hands down the best Thai food I’ve ever had) was awful….

2009-05-04T13:25:00.000-07:00

Andy!

Andy is my 13 year old son. Here, he’s kick-flipping a 3 block at the elementary school we both attended. Along with inheriting my love of skateboarding, he’s also a budding skate filmer. I’m quite proud of him and love him very much.

2009-04-22T13:49:00.000-07:00

Separated at Birth? continued
Andrew Hetherington over at What’s the Jackanory has a post today about photos he saw on Richard Renaldis blog of palm trees at the Salton Sea . Apparently Andrew photographed the same area. Well, guess who else also shot the same trees. (I’ll give you a hint, he has a bowl cut and dresses like a super hero) It always amazes me how differently we can all see the same thing.

2009-04-13T10:05:00.000-07:00

Art of Seeing

My photograph of matador Urial “El Zapata” Moreno is on page 53 of the 2009 edition of Art of Seeing. Art of Seeing is a juried photography source book for art buyers. Dr. Carol McCusker, Curator Of The Museum of Photographic Arts (MoPA) was the judge.

2009-03-08T10:51:00.000-07:00

There Will Be BloodWork
Adrian Lee and I were in LA this past week conducting the final photoshoot for the BloodWork Sleeves tattoo book project. Along with having his amazing sleeves by Guy Aitchison and Aaron Cain photographed, the legendary graffiti artist Saber was kind enough to let us use his work space for the shoot. Check out my portfolio for a portrait I made of him as well. With all photography now complete, the post-production and layout process shift into high gear. The book is due to be released in October of this year.

2009-03-04T17:32:00.001-08:00

Sometimes the best part of travel is coming home...

2009-02-28T22:04:00.001-08:00

Lost Abbey

Today I helped out my friend and fellow photog John Schulz on a shoot he was doing at The Lost Abbey Brewery here in town. There’s worse ways to spend a Saturday the hanging out in a brewery drinking free beer. Lost Abbey was having a special bottle release of their Angle’s Share Belgian style beer. In between helping John with his shoot I was able to snap a few shots of my own. Cheers!

2009-02-26T13:30:00.001-08:00

Sign of the Times

I haven’t shot film in a while. Superficially, I can’t say as I miss it all that much. The quality of modern digital cameras is truly amazing. And, the ability to change ISO settings (the camera’s sensitivity to light) on the fly has changed the way reportage is shot. I do however miss going to the lab. I miss the camaraderie with the people behind the counter and other shooters picking up and dropping off their film. I miss the anticipation and satisfaction of getting my transparencies back and stooping over the light table, with a loupe to my eye, finally getting to see my work. I transitioned to shooting professionally just as the digital wave was breaking across the photographic industry. While I have been paid for published images I shot on film, when making pictures became a job for me, it was with a digital camera in hand. Maybe it is because of this that I feel photography lost a little bit of it’s innocence to the digital revolution. There’s a reason the vast majority of fine art photographers still shoot film. Digital photography has allowed more people to make better pictures. It has allowed me to make a living doing what I love. But the soul of photography still lives in the emulsion.

2009-02-01T21:54:00.000-08:00

PDN Photo Of The Day

I'm quite honored to have my portrait of the Tijuana bullfight butcher be selected as today''s PDN photo of the day. http://www.pdnphotooftheday.com/2009/02/380

2009-01-26T18:10:00.000-08:00

Mods vs Rockers Motorcycle/Scooter Rally

I checked out the annual Mods Vs Rockers bike rally this weekend in San Diego. Every time I go to something like this, I'm reminded of how much I want another motorcycle. Words cannot describe how many sick bikes were at this thing. Check out the audio slide show for a glimpse of the sights and sounds.(Watch it in High Quality!) Or, watch it here.

2009-01-22T10:43:00.001-08:00

BloodWork Teaser
This is the "Teaser" image for the BloodWork Sleeves book Project I'm working on for Analog Tattooers. Most of the photography is done now. The finished book should be out in October. There's more on the Analog Weather Report

2009-01-19T14:35:00.001-08:00

Mex Surf

Over the long weekend, a friend and I took a day trip south of the border looking for a surf. We were trying to escape the massive crowds that seem to accompany any swell of merit in Southern California these days. I’ve been a bit apprehensive about traveling in Baja lately, what with all the drug war related violence that’s been occurring in recent months. (there were over 5000 murders in Baja California in 2008) Tensions were definitely high in the border region. Armed federal troops and checkpoints have been ubiquitous in Baja for as long as I can remember. But, this was the first time I’ve seen them in kevlar helmets and body armor, totting heavy machine guns. Add to that the burned out, impoverished, desert landscape of Tijuana, and the whole scene was reminiscent of Iraq footage. We even passed a convoy of Humvees packed with masked soldiers and sporting 50 caliber, belt fed, automatic weapons.
As unnerving as all the militarism was, the ride down Mexico Hwy 1 was a quick reminder of how much I love Baja. Our neighbor to the south is indeed a land of extremes. The religious symbols were bigger,

sun felt hotter, the off shore winds blew harder, and the surf was way heavier.

After a bit of searching and checking spots, we ended up paddling out at K38’s. For one of Northern Baja’s best know surf spots, it was amazingly uncrowned. What little crowd there was in the line up seemed to be made up mostly of locals. A wave of this size and quality back home would easily have 80 to 100 guys on it, but at most, we shared the break with 20 other surfers.

After a morning of solid overhead surf, I was more then ready for a Tecate and some fish tacos. Beer battered, fried fish tacos are quite possibly Baja California’s greatest contribution to modern society. No matter what any San Diego taqueria might have to say about authenticity, there’s no substitute for the real thing; and the propane powered shack overlooking the surf, with it’s homemade tortillas and salsa, did not disappoint.

After lunch, it was back on the 1, headed north to Tijuana and the border. Homeland Security now requires passports to cross from Mexico, but the border wait, which can often top 3 hours on the weekend, was a breeze. 45 minutes after getting in line we were back in the good ole USA, cruzing up the 5 headed home.

2009-01-14T13:02:00.001-08:00

You Might Be a Narcissist if...

2009-01-05T13:44:00.000-08:00

Psychology Today

My portrait of reformed pack rat Ange Aguirre is on the stands in the January/February 2009 issue of Psychology Today...

2008-12-31T11:54:00.001-08:00

What The Duck
Hit one out of the park today...

2008-12-29T11:04:00.001-08:00

Tis' The Season

Not to sound like a total Scrooge or anything, but I cannot stand this time of year. (so much for not sounding like Ebenezer) I don’t really have a reason or excuses for such an anti-holiday stance. I appreciate what I consider to be the general ideas of the Holiday Season, friends, family, reflection. I genuinely enjoy gift giving. However, I’d rather floss my teeth with barbed wire then set foot in a mall after Thanksgiving. The lights, santas, trees, parades, sales, reindeer, tinsel, giant inflatable snow globes, all of it can stay in the attic 12 out of 12 months as far as I’m concerned. I won’t be happy with the world again until at least after my birthday in the beginning of January. (I have a feeling this year my malaise will probably stick around until the 20th) I can take comfort in the fact that I am not alone in my disdain for (let’s face it) the entire month of December. Millions are afflicted by winter-time depression. They even have a name for it, Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). Even that seems crass and commercial to me. I’m starting to suspect that this whole thing is a conspiracy between Hallmark and Pfizer to sell greeting cards stuffed with red and green light up Zoloft capsules in them. Bring on the new year!

2008-11-24T11:43:00.000-08:00

San Diego Magazine
To counter rumors that all I do is climb mountains and shoot tattoos, I thought I'd show you a couple of portraits I made recently for San Diego Magazine's article on leaders of tomorrow. On the left is Christopher Yanov who works with inner city youth, keeping them out of gangs and helping to send some to college. On the right is Lihini Aluwihare, a Marine chemist at Scripps Institution of Oceanography and the youngest professor the institution has ever had.
San Diego Magazine has been a client of mine for years. They were one of the first mainstream books to hire me when I was starting out. I've repaid the favor with several awards for photography which my work has won them. Shooting for San Diego Magazine, I've meet some of the most interesting and influential people in the local community.

2008-11-17T09:22:00.001-08:00

Analog Fashion

Analog Tattooers have a new ad on their website featuring fashion photography I did while up there last month…

2008-11-03T19:10:00.000-08:00

San Jose

I recently spent a week in San Jose. The main reason for the trip was continuing photography on the BloodWork tattoo book with Adrian Lee of Analog Tattoo. The photo shoot was timed to coincide with The San Jose Tattoo Convention. I spent the whole convention locked in a posh loft that we converted into a photo studio. Over the four day convention I shot over forty sleeves for the book. Along with the book shoot, Analog (where I work as the in-house photographer) threw their one year anniversary party. Experimental jazz band, Panthelion, rocked the house. And a good time was had by all. The lion’s share of the photography now complete, the long and complicate post production process begins on the book. The goal is to have the completed tome available by October of next year.

2008-10-30T15:29:00.000-07:00

Mt. Whitney

I climbed Mount Whitney a few weeks ago. The trek was hands down the most physically demanding hike I have ever undertaken. Mount Whitney is the tallest mountain in the lower 48 states with a summit reaching 14565 feet into the clouds. Our group of 11 started the excursion at Whitney Portal, elevation 8000 feet, in the blackness of 3am. After about 3 hours of hiking by moonlight, we were treated to sunrise at Trail Camp around 12,000 feet with the summit in view. The climb gets exponentially more difficult the higher you go. At this point, 1 member of our group had already turned back. The thin air is only half the challenge as the trail gets significantly steeper and more covered with snow and ice. The next 2500 feet demanded 6 hours of climbing a steep slippery, switched-back trail through a treeless, lunar landscape. At times, precipices of many hundreds of feet abutted the trail. Our team had splintered into groups of 2 or 3, each moving at their own pace. Nearing the summit, each step became a trial in endurance. My head throbbed from lack of oxygen. 9 hours after beginning the climb we reached the peak. While the excitement and sense of accomplishment were quite rewarding, and the views spectacular, the knowledge that I had 11 miles of hiking before I was done dampened the thrill a bit. The thin air plays tricks on the mind. I misspelled my own name trying to sign the summit log. After a subdued celebration, it was time to start the long climb down. Having gravity on your side makes the hiking go faster, but the lengthening shadows turned much of the snow covering the upper portion of the trail know as “99 switch backs” to hard, slick ice. A fall at this point could have easily been fatal, so the going was slow. At 7:30 pm, our endeavor ended as it had started, in the dark. We had hiked 22 miles in 17 ½ hours covering 15000 feet in elevation change. 8 of our original 11 made the trip to the summit and back. After dinner and a beer, I slept the whole drive home. The next day, I was off to San Jose to continue photography on the Blood Work tattoo book project.

2008-10-16T16:02:00.001-07:00

VOTE!

It matters.

2008-10-03T16:30:00.000-07:00

Europe

As I write this, I’m on a plane back home from the UK. I’ve spent the past 10 days at the London Tattoo Convention photographing for my next book with Adrian Lee of Analog Tattoo, Blood Work, due out next year. I also flew to Zurich Switzerland and spent a day hanging out with the legendary Mick Tattoo and photographing several of his pieces. Blood Work is a follow up to the Full Coverage Project, where I spent 2 years documenting the creation and completion of 33 full back tattoos by the artists of the now defunct NSKolectiv. The goal of the new book is to document complete sleeves from a broad cross section of the best tattooers, from around the globe. It will be a snap shot of the current state of the art form. For those unfamiliar, a sleeve is a tattoo that covers the arm. In the Japanese boshido style if also includes a chest panel. Next month I’ll be photographing the North American portion of the book at the San Jose Tattoo Convention. As much as I’d love to share some of the images for the book, I’m afraid they’ll have to remain sequestered until the entire project is done. Many thanks to Adrian and the Analog Crew, Tony, Mick Tattoo, Moe and The Family Business, Fraser at Pear Tree, and all the tattooers and their clients for being such gracious subjects.

2008-09-26T15:10:00.001-07:00

Yellowstone's Thorofare

So… to introduce myself to the blogisphere I thought I’d start with a recent backpacking trip with the Snake River Hiking Club through southeastern Yellowstone Park in Wyoming. We more or less followed a route known as the Thorofare. Our undertaking started out with a quick boat ride across Yellowstone Lake. The ferry dropped our crew off on a deserted beach in the woods. From there we spent 10 days trekking 85 miles through the wilderness. Our route took us into some of the most remote parts of the country. At one point we were the furthest you can get from a paved road anywhere in the lower 48 states. We traversed 10,000 foot ridges, forded several rivers, and crossed the Continental Divide.
Wildlife abounded throughout the adventure. Nights were filled with the howls of wolves, coyotes and elk. Osprey bald eagles, hawks and loons soared overhead. A bison nearly ran us off the trail. Bears were never far from out thoughts. Grizzly and black bears are very common throughout Yellowstone necessitating carrying heavy duty pepper spray. While on the trail we would clap and yell to avoid contact. In camp we hung all our food from trees.
All in all it was an amazing trip. Spending over a week traveling a distance that would take an hour on a Southern California freeway and carrying everything you need on your back really brings things in to focus. Introspection and reassessment are part of the journey. Hugs and thanks to Irene, Cobe, Miles, Nina Jim and Kim. More photos from the trip are posted here: http://www.maxdolberg.com/thorofare/
Now it’s off to London to begin photography for the next tattoo book with Analog/Bloodwork.