NEWS -

N E W S P R I N T

There's something about grainy black and white that says there's news to be reported. Well, this is my blog and I'll be self serving if I wanna be, right Lesley Gore? This week has been a pretty good one for me. Here's what's up, newsboy.

1. I was asked some months ago to to work with Feast Portland, the newest, biggest, and baddest food festival around. The request was to help them fulfill their photography needs while they got their advertising under way. Taking place the 20th - 23rd of September, Feast is a top of the line food festival that connects the dots between Portland and the international food scene, showcasing just why Portland, Oregon, has the renowned buzz that it does. It's been an exciting ride to be on the rails for as they've been pulling in some really great sponsors such as Whole Foods and the newly added Bon Appétit magazine. I mean, really, you couldn't ask for better people and companies to stand next to! However, the most humbling aspect of this situation is the great local & top of the line photographers who I've been able to contribute alongside of. Image makers like Lincoln Barbour and John Valls, that's some good company to keep. We even got our own little call out on the Feast website.

2. Next up and also something I'm very excited about is that I've been asked to contribute two of my photographs to Wieden Kennedy's Portland 100 show. Showcasing 100 pieces on the white wall by local illustrations and photographers, the opening will debut on the 2nd of February, First Thursday, at the Portland Wieden Kennedy gallery, and all the pieces will be priced at $100 with half of that going to a very worthy cost. While it's totally feel good to even be invited it's also very rewarding to be able to help out with a good cause. Bonus points for having something up in the same gallery that Daniel Johnston recently filled. If you're in the neighborhood and are into free drinks and art/ad stuff then you should head over to the NW side of town and join up with us as we gaze upon what's been tacked up!

And so, that's what's happening.

The Junk Spot -

B D A Y P A R T Y @ T H E J U N K S P O T

I've been slowly working on a collaborative project revolving around homeless camping in the urban environment. In search for homeless camps, here are a couple of shots from a junk spot we came across several weeks ago. The juxtaposition between family photos of youthful moments found inches away from syringes suggests that there's a story ready to be told. And the way we're going to tell it is a good one. However, the project has been put on hold recently and will resume in the spring when the shelters clear and tents begin to appear again under the trees. Keep an eye out.

Fashion Editorial Tests -

I K N O W T H A T G I R L

I've got a friend who just picked up her degree in apparel design here in Portland. Part of her final was to make these tops which she then needed to shoot for a presentation. She asked me to show her some interesting locations around my neighborhood in North Portland that might allow for unique backdrops. While showing her around I stood to the side and popped off a couple of shots just for practice. If you're not shooting your not practicing and you know what high school athletic coaches have to say about that. Also, it helps that I'm tight with the model she used...

Phantom Sands vs. Haze Days -

W H A T S I N A N A M E ?

Over at my totally official website www.matthewjasperson.com I've got a new series of photos posted. They're located in folder #1 with the current name of Haze Days. A little wavy and hazy with an edge of eerie, I've also toyed with the name of Phantom Sands. Admittedly, this sounds a little bit like a golf course, but still, I like it. If you, kind viewer, would leave your valued opinion I'd be ever so grateful.

Side notes: You might notice while over at my website that there's an entirely new web design featuring simplified navigation and fantastically fun image slideshows. I hope you like - comments always welcome. In the near future you'll also see some content changes as I add new series of photos while taking others off. I think you're going to enjoy what you find. To top off the cake I'm in the midst and at the beginning of several new projects which hold potential for really great results. What I'm saying is that you should keep an eye out.

-- Holler.

Some Abstraction Of Comfort -

Fall Fridays

I hope it's a good looking Friday wherever you are.

Look The Part: Occupy Portland

P R O T E S T . H A S . A . F A S H I O N

Real Estate @ Doug Fir Lounge, Rose City, 11/6

B E A C H W A V E P O P P I N G B U B B L E G U M

This Sunday I ventured out with friends (what up Eric & Brian!!!) to catch Real Estate at the Doug Fir Lounge here in Portland, Oregon. As in the past, they put on a great set that showcased music old and new. Cop their albums and I bet you'll find yourself in a bit of happiness.

The Black Soft

M U S I C P E O P L E : T H E B L A C K S O F T

Some outtakes from hanging around with the band The Black Soft.

NY DARK BY B&W

T H R E E S H O T S T A K E N @ N I G H T

Signs, Signs, Everywhere are Signs: Occupy Portland Protest

C A R D B O A R D C R E A T I V E S

A day with the mobs proved to yield too many pictures to post at one time, so here's a slide show. In it you get a sense of the many messages, opinions, and points of view that people are attempting to share and discuss through the Occupy Portland / Occupy Wall Street protest platform. The last image, the black and white one, is from their camp at Chapman Park on the morning of 10/7. Cold and wet, several hundred individuals maintained smiles in a continued effort to get their voices heard. Just after this last photo was taken, controversy began to spark over the protesters' continued presence in the park as the Portland Marathon currently holds the use permits for this weekend.

Free Storage Space -

C L E A R I N G O F F T H E P H O N E

Oh, I was just clearing some storage space in my phone and ran through these various photos taken over the last year.

1. Drinks in NYC. That's what they can end up looking like. Back Patio at Trophy Bar in Brooklyn.

2. Daniel Johnston Space Ducks Installation at Wieden Kennedy, Portland, OR.

3. Some Zucchini Bread I baked and was proud of.

4. My 135BC Holga resting on my jeans which are resting on the beach.

5. Record by The Black Soft at Nicola Formichetti's pop up store, which we brought home and have had on repeat since.