CThru.com Presents Tony Ward

Martine Brand

……….In her youth Martine Brand traveled a lot with her parents, soaking up the rich history of European culture. She was born and raised in Holland and attended fashion school in Den Haag, Antwerpen, Belgium and even a few months in Paris. After developing a strong foundation and love for fashion she returned to her native country and studied painting and illustration at the Art Academy in Amsterdam.

Martine Brand

After her studies, Martine created illustrations for Dutch chlldrens book publisher, Kluitman as well as others, and began exhibiting her work in Amsterdam, Belgium and New York.

Martine Brand

Martine Brand

Martine Brand

She continues to expand her range as an artist by recently enrolling in a 3D animation producer school in Amsterdam, while continuing with her travels.

Martine Brand

Martine Brand

Martine Brand

……….To learn more about Martine’s work log on to www.brandillustrations.com.

Martine Brand

1958 Chrysler 300D

……Like many of the objects Michael Furman has photographed over the years, photographing automobiles has become a symbol of his perfectionism and unrelenting attention to light and detail. The vision he has created over 30 years has placed him atop the world’s best car photographers.

He has worked and collaborated with many blue chip automotive companies that include; Mercedes Benz, Jaguar, BMW and General Motors to name a few. He has also photographed the Ralph Lauren automobile collection as part of an exhibition and book entitled, Speed, Style and Beauty, the Cars of the Ralph Lauren Collection, courtesy of the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston and recently was interviewed by another famous car aficionado, Jay Leno.

TW recently contacted Mr. Furman to ask him a few questions about his successful career.

1933 Alfa Romeo 8C 2300 Monza

MICHAEL FURMAN INTERVIEW

TW: You are nationally known as a master of photographing inanimate objects for many years. What made you turn your attention specifically to motor vehicles?

MF: About 10 years into my pro career, I felt the need to specialize, and to do so with a subject that I always appreciated. In fact, I first picked up a camera as a young boy to photograph a car.

2. What is the most unique or rare car you have ever photographed?

Many of the cars we shoot are famous or one-of-a-kind. This past summer we shot one of the six Bugatti Royales while it was in California.

3. You are obviously passionate about your love for photographing cars. Is passion the key to your success?

My great passion is for light. and my subject is cars. I find the cars and their histories fascinating. Being passionate is critical to being successful at anything.

1963 Corvette Split Window Coupe

4. Do you have any interest in photographing vehicles in motion?

Not really, I have a hard enough time capturing them when they are static in the studio.

5. Do you think GM will regain its global leadership in the production of motor vehicles in 2010?

I think GM will return as a much better company, producing much better cars. It will probably take longer than just one year. They have a lot of work to do.

6. If money wasn’t a factor which car would you drive daily?

Porsche

1951 Hudson Hornet

7. Which part on a car do you think was the most inventive post 1970s?

The addition of computers. It has allowed for extraordinary improvements in efficiency, safety and features.

8. Which car is Michael Furman driving these days for fun?

My Mini Cooper S.

9. What advice can you offer the student of photography on how to earn a living as a professional, like the Michael Furman’s of the world?

Be very dedicated to your craft. Do not accept “good enough” as your standard. Never be satisfied, and always realize that you could do better.

1941 Lincoln Continental Convertible

10. What is the most difficult task in photographing a car to meet your standards of creating a perfect image?

The control of the space in which we are shooting. The car is highly reflective, and therefore shows everything in the studio. Managing that problem is the only way to achieve quality work.

1957 Ferrari 625/250 TRC

….To learn more about Michael’s work, log on to www.MichaelFurman.com….

Wasteland Book Release Spring 2010

…..Right about now, thousands of Europeans are doing last minute shopping as they prepare their outfits for the twice yearly pilgrimage to Amsterdam, to attend the massive fetish party Wasteland tomorrow night in Amsterdam. Party organizers predict attendance to peak at around 4000 revelers for the well organized event. TW has been documenting the party for the past 10 years and is pleased to announce that he will be publishing a long awaited series of documentary photographs of the extravaganza in the Spring of 2010. For those of you who can make last minute plans to travel to Amsterdam we highly suggest you attend. You will never forget it! Dress code is required……

www.Wasteland.nl

It is hard to believe that a decade has passed since I published my first two books on erotic photography with the charming little bookstore, La Musardine located at 122 rue du chemin-Vert, Paris. Friends in the states informed me about the renowned French publisher, and its hardcore counterpart Alixe Editions. At the time, the late 90’s, I had found an outlet for publishing my most challenging erotic work under the creative direction of Penthouse founder and publisher, Bob Guccione. Many of the pictures that were originally photographed for Penthouse, were later published in my first two volumes Ogasm and OrgasmXL, under the editorial supervision of La Musardine owner Claude Bard and his insightful assistant and Anne Hautecoeur.

My first visit to meet Claude and Anne was a short walk from my apartment in Menilmontant, through the beautiful Pere Lachaise cemetery, were many notibles were laid to rest. A short distance to the unique erotic bookstore, La Musardine is mixed in with a variety of apartments, business’s and delicious French pastry shops, that are located along the busy Parisian street, If you don’t pay careful attention as you got close to the address, you could easily walk past it, as I have on many occasions. Once you enter the shop, hundreds of books lining the walls of the quaint environment overwhelm you. Erotic titles that you would never imagine would ever be published could be found in La Musardine’s extensive library. It was an education in itself, just looking around at all the literary works and photography books published on the subjects of sex and erotica. I knew at once that I found the right publisher for my vision and erotic imagination……..

Largest Fetish Party In The World

….I first learned about Wasteland on one of my many extended trips to my home away from home Amsterdam, The Netherlands. One evening when I was out on the town with a group of friends, I was informed that the organizers of Wasteland heard a rumor that I was in town and asked if I would meet with them to discuss their upcoming party. They were interested in commissioning me to produce a picture to be used on a poster to promote the event. This is no ordinary party, it’s a *special* party and when they set a date for the extravaganza, 4000 people show up to celebrate the event. So, I went to the meeting and learned more about the players involved, Rene Meuessen and Jeroen Oosterhout, principals of Vault Productions . Rene and Jeroen have been involved with the nightlife scene in Amsterdam for the past two decades and they are the best people to know if you want to have a good time while your staying in Holland. This years event will be held on the 14th of November and yours truly plans to be in attendance! They’ve asked me to make a guest appearance and photograph the event as I have for the past 10 years while one of Hollands top VJ’s projects my images live at the event. There are fashion shows, live performer’s, people attending the event engaged in acts at random and top DJ’s and VJ’s provide the sight’s and sounds of this twice yearly visual and auditory feast. The next Wasteland will commemorate it’s 15th year of existence and will culminate in a book publication of my experiences at this amazing spectacle in 2010. This is the ultimate party for the true hedonist, dress code required. For more information about the event email my good friend Rene at rene@vaultevents.nl, tell him I sent you!………..

…..Anna and I worked together several more times after our initial meeting in Amsterdam. This picture was taken at the Plaza Hotel in New York while she was studying abroad. This is the cover concept for my most recent book project.