*cough*

Seriously, AIDS is as old as I am. Still no sign of a cure, and even making it manageable is a serious challenge. That’s messed up. It needs to change.

Things are beginning to calm down somewhat, and I expect to start slowly re-entering the world of blogging. This serves as a forum not merely to display my work and publicize other artists’ projects, but also as a place for me to “think out loud” and work my way through some of the mental and emotional parts of the artistic process.

So, if anyone is still around out there – I’m (you know, mostly) back.

If you have been following Timothy Archibald‘s work, you already know what this is about. If you haven’t been, then you should really check him out and learn all about the series of photographs he has created with his son, Echolilia.

The project has finally produced a book, available by direct purchase. It comes signed by both Timothy and his son. At $120 it’s not necessarily cheap, but it’s also not out-of-bounds expensive. And it supports a pair of artists and a body of work that deserve support.

For more information about the series, you can read the interview conducted by Andy Levin at the 100 Eyes Blog.

If you want to take advantage, act fast: he’s only accepting orders through Wednesday, June 23. But do be sure to take advantage. For a mere $60 (that even includes shipping within the US!) you can receive an 11×14 print of your choice of (almost) ANY image appearing on his blog, his website, or his Glasshouse Assignment portfolios. (Sadly this last link is to a Flash site, making it impossible to direct-link or to view on an iPad. But if you’re using a Flash-enabled browser, just click on his name to pull up several of his portfolios.)

For full details, click here.

While I think it’s always important to support artists selling their work, I love it even more when a specific purchase is going to support the growth of that artist AS an artist. In this case, Ryan is selling prints to offset the expenses incurred in some upcoming shows in which he’ll be participating. So by purchasing a print, you will have a photograph to be proud of AND the knowledge that you’ve helped a photographer practice his craft.

Look for more “Buy This” posts over the next few days. If you would like to be included, please contact me with the details of your print sale, book release, etc.

Yesterday I woke to emails letting me know that Phillip Toledano’s new book is out and that Daniel Shea is having a print sale. Then I went to the post office and picked up a print from Ryan Pfluger. Then late in the evening there was a notice on Ryan’s blog of another print sale.

And all of those things made me proud to be a photographer, because whether my work is anywhere near the same league as theirs or not, we belong to the same community.

I’ve spent the last hour going through Ryan’s blog looking for which prints I’ll purchase this go-round, and it’s emotionally draining because seeing his art and reading his life’s story (that part of the story he shares online, anyway) makes me want to be a better artist and a better person.

Links to the above exciting things, each of which will receive their own richly-deserved post this weekend:

Phillip Toledano, Days With My Father

Daniel Shea Print Sale

Ryan Pfluger Print Sale

With that in mind, I recently created a Tumblr feed for myself, to experiment with this different style and forum of blogging that has become so popular. It’s been rather enjoyable so far. I’ve finally been able to give some exposure to the figure study I’ve been discussing for so long, and to showcase an ongoing not-really-a-project of still lifes of spring flowers growing in my yard (although the first in the series was of an onion that had decided to turn back into a plant on my kitchen counter, and I expect it will expand as I find new things to document).

So, if you’re at all inclined, please visit me at http://dcupp.tumblr.com. If you’re also a Tumblr user, you can follow me; if you’re not there’s an RSS feed if you’d like a way to keep up with my postings automatically.

“Dense Fog Advisory” would be a great name for a band. Or my memoirs.

In the meantime, please consider making a donation to the relief efforts in Haiti. The easiest method is by texting “HAITI” to 90999. $10 is added to your regular cell phone bill to benefit the American Red Cross.

Black Friday: The day after Thanksgiving Day in the United States, one of the busiest shopping days of the year

Zone Zero Friday: A day to consider fine art photography-related purchases to use as holiday gifts

I was hoping this year’s post would be filled with some great offers submitted by users and announced by artists and galleries… not so much. The economy affects artists as much as anyone else, and there’s not much room to discount when it comes to these kinds of purchases. But I’m going to do my best to give a quick run-down of some budget-conscious photography-related gift ideas.

One discount that has been announced – and the source is appropriate, considering the Zone Zero reference – is from the Ansel Adams Gallery, offering 15% off any item purchased on November 27 – just use discount code AABlackFriday at checkout for your discount.

And since Brooks Jensen first suggested the Zone Zero Friday concept, I should mention some of the great products available from Lenswork. A subscription to either the print or extended versions of the magazine would be a great present for any photography enthusiast. Lenswork has also re-introduced their Folios with digital printing. Alumni Stu Levy and Jeff Curto, among others, have folios available at reduced prices right now. There are also some great holiday deals on back issues to complete your collection. Just click on the Holiday Specials page. And of course Brooks offers his folios and images from the recently-completed New 100 Prints Project.

A number of photography books have been introduced in the last year. I recommend you visit Photo-Eye to browse their great selection. Errata Editions has announced a second release of limited edition reprints.

For portfolios and prints, you can read my post from last year for online sources. But in light of current economic hardships, I really want to recommend that if you’re interested in purchasing artwork you visit your local gallery. There’s usually at least one art gallery even in the smallest of towns that will have work by local photographers for sale. This not only benefits the artist, it helps these great resources for local art and culture.

Finally, since there’s no advertising on this blog, once again I feel justified in reminding you that my own work is available for sale in a variety of formats. Just contact me – I’ll be running a number of different discounts over the holiday season and into the new year.

And one last idea. If you don’t like the idea of trying to choose a print or even a book for someone whose taste you might not be entirely familiar with – give them a gift certificate for a local portraitist. Everyone from Olan Mills to the highest-end portrait artist will sell you one, and a new family portrait will never go out of style as a treasured present.

A tip: If you’d like someone to consider a fine art photography gift for you this year, leave a comment with something you’d particularly enjoy – and then include a link to this post in your holiday wish list this year. Maybe someone will notice your request and give you something you really want this year.