Endless Questions

Stop for a moment, and take the time to realize the beauty of nature. At a glance, these images look foreign, yet they are located right under our noses... powerful. A peek in the wonderful work of nature. Stephen Gross captured these amazing images as he states, "... always drawn to the natural world and found it a constant focus for my curiosity. I find the unknown more interesting." He continues, "I am interested in divining something hidden and surprising. As I limit what I see, using a macro lens with a minute area of view and a depth of fiend as thin as a strand of hair, an infinite sense of dimension is revealed. An alternate reality becomes visible. It is not a process of pre-visualization but simply discovery. Much as the vast solar system resembles the tiniest atoms, I find patterns, similarities and, of course, endless questions. The closer I observe, the more mysterious things become."

These photographs were captured with Canon EOS-1Ds Mark III, using a variety of macro lenses, all natural light, and without a studio. These amazing quality are printed on Hahnemühle Photo Rag on Epson 9800 and Canon iPF9000 wide format printer.

Stephen Scott Gross is a graduate of the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. He is a professional photographer for editorial, advertising, and fine art projects. Stephen is located in Brooklyn, New York, and he enjoys rock climbing and snowboarding. Check his website for additional work.

The Streets Of New Belgrade

Graphic designers are a dime a dozen, but finding a designer with a unique style, as well as a strong brand that relates to the clients are harder to find. Jana Jelovac's style is very distinct and bold. It's playful, creative and consistent. It's refreshing to find a designer who have found their vision and their voice, and making their mark in the world of commercialism.

Jana Jelovac stated to Monzuki, "I am a graduated interior designer. Somewhere about my third year of University of Applied Arts in Belgrade, I've realized that graphic design and everything related to it was something that really moves me, and since I have finished the studies, I have decided never to work as an interior designer and that graphic design is all I want to do in my life."

She explains about being experimental and not worry too much about the commercial side of business, as she states, "...just letting yourself go." Many designers are copying something that's been done, rather than using art to change things.

Jana Jelovac's inspiration comes from music, i.e., Unkle, Tricky, etc., and Jean-Michel Basquiat. She quoted, "Jean-Michel Basquiat, one of my favorite artist of the twentieth century, people often judge him with some silly reasons, but I sincerely believe that he was main engine of free-spoken street-ghetto art for every 'raw' artist including me. I was born, raised and spent my childhood in part of Belgrade called New Belgrade, the Block's so I must say that I am very familiar with ghetto life and 'street vibe', so I don't try to suppress it but to use it often in my works."

Interview With Patrick Molnar

Once in awhile, when we see some beautiful work of art, we ask ourselves, "If I could only ask a few questions..." Well, we did that. Monzuki came across Patrick Molnar's photography, and we enjoy the beautiful work of composition, color, story, and lighting. From his professional to his personal photography, they captured a moment that will last forever. Patrick answered a few of our questions, and we hope you will enjoy this posting by getting to know the person behind the camera.

How did you discover photography?

My aunt Betsy got me into it. she is an amazing photographer and B&W printer in Cleveland, Ohio. Betsy Molnar.

How old were you when aunt Betsy introduced you to photography?

About 11.

What career path did you take to become a professional photography?

Basically hit art school at 18 and started assisting straight out of the gate. After that, for a super-talented fashion shooter named Liz Von Hoene. I stopped assisting at 25. Oh, and I married Liz' producer, and we now have the world's 2 most awesome kids.

Most photographer has a style or a technique they love to use in their work. What is Patrick Molnar's style and what makes your work different from other photographer?

I guess honest, real... real things you'd see in life. A lot of natural light, short depth of field and maybe a lil rough around the edges.

You are known for your split screen photographs, basically showing the same subject with two different point of views. Explain your concept behind your series of work.

Pretty simple. I was trying to show more pictures at once.

Who and what are your inspirations?

Personally, my Wife and children. My Dad. My Grandma. My Aunt. Professionally, Albert Watson is a gangster. I'd love to meet him sometime.

What kind of camera and lenses do you use? And how much post work is involved?

Mostly Canons and Hasselblad. Whatever will work best for whatever we are shooting. Not a lot of post work. Most times we'll put a color move on the images on set and leave it at that. If we are handling retouching, it is handled by Burn Photo.

What do you print your work on?

Epson Stylus Photo R2400 - Hahnemühle Photo Rag.

Where do you see yourself in the future of photography? Do you want to exhibit your work? Commission your work to art galleries? Build a stronger brand and business? or would you want to remain in commercial photography?

I'd probably stick with advertising/editorial. Some of the most creative stuff I see is assigned work. A lot of the "fine art" stuff I see is kinda... silly. How many ways can you shoot an anorexic/asexual girl standing in a field holding an antique shotgun with her left breast hanging out...? What I'm saying is, don't take it too seriously. You're making pictures, not saving lives. That said, I love pictures/photographs/paintings.

Monzuki would like to thank Patrick Molnar for his time. We hope this brings some enlightenment of Patrick's vision as a professional photographer, as well as some inspiration to your own creativity. Check out his website for additional photographs and updates.

In the meantime, feel free to send Monzuki an email and let us know what you think. Any comments about the blog (design, layout, artists) and how we could be a better blog are appreciated.

Have a nice day!

Gathering The Creative Flow

Upon graduating from Emile Cohl Art School, in Lyon, France and working as a concept artist for the video gaming industry, specializing in character and environment design, Véronique Meignaud has an outstanding vision in creating a world for "Magic The Gathering." There are a lot of curves in her work, a flow that leads the eye throughout the artwork, insinuating movement in a hypnotic fashion. Very beautiful and appropriate for a fantasy world. Véronique Meignaud is currently freelancing and seeking to move into the fashion industry.

Exhibitions:

Nucleus Gallery

Alhambra, California, USA

June 19 - July 12, 2010