My friend/mentor Chase Jarvis gave the keynote at the Photoshelter conference. He talks about the state of the industry, how things are changing, and that we as photographers we need to adapt to help control where it is going.  The digital world and copyrights are evolving, and we need to be active in the web 2.0 world to have a hand in where our world evolves.

Sharing knowledge is the new school way of growing. Giving back is a key ingredient to being successful. Chase is an inspiring individual who gives back more than any photographer I know. It’s inspiring, and a big reminder to do the same.

This video is a 58 minute video, so give it a watch when you have time. Its worth the watch.

I’m super excited. I went in for a press check today at Westcott Press for my new poster promos that I’m having made and they look hoTT and yes, those two t’s are capitalized. There are two different posters with the same back. Here are some photos as it’s coming off the press.

Here’s what they actually will look like:

If you’d like one, email me what one you’d like and your address, and we’ll get one out to you. nick@nickonken.com

Somehow, I stumbled upon this film through a myspace ad when I was in Paris. After watching a few short clips, I ordered the full length movie. It’s a film by a British photographer, Sean Ellis. I must say it is one of the most beautifully filmed movies I have seen to this date.

Originally the short film did so well, it was financed to push to a full length feature. The visuals and photography very well done and inspiring. The story is brilliant.

You can watch some clips on the myspace page, or on the film’s website.

Along with Malta, I just got back from Paris. It was such a great feeling to be back. If you didn’t know, I lived there for most of  2005 in the city center by Notre Dame. Quite a wonderful European experience. Going back is so nostalgic for me. Cafés with the chairs and tables facing the street is true Parisen style. I found it rather amusing to see Starbucks gone Parisen…

Paris is wonderful as a visitor. You get to hang out in cafe’s all afternoon, take 3 hour dinners with your friends and stay out till 5am. Somehow the city just does that to you. You can wander the streets and get lost on the buildings that are hundreds of years old.

So, the point of this post is the topic Balance of Lifestyle. A common conversation I find myself in when I’m in Paris is exactly this topic. The thing I love most about Paris and Europe is that people take time to enjoy life. People enjoy conversation, food and wine. They know how to not work so much. Which on the flip side comes down to the fact that you can’t get anything done in Paris, which is one of the reasons I left. It’s all fine and dandy until you have to make money there. Between laziness and bureaucracy you can’t get anything done.

In contrast, us Americans especially in cities like LA or New York work way too much and don’t know how to enjoy life. I never find myself taking the time to enjoy a 3 hour meal with people here. It’s always when I travel. The nice thing is, we have the opportunity to make decent money here.

Which place is best? It’s really hard to live in Paris and make enough money to survive. Maybe it’s a personal decision of what is important to you and what type of lifestyle you want to live.

Do you balance your lifestyle between work, relationships, and play? What do you value?

I just landed in Paris from a long weekend in the Maltese Islands. It’s one of those obscure places that not too many people, especially in the states know about. There have been a few movies filmed there, including one of my favorites: The Count of Monte Cristo, which is where I first learned about this wonderful location. Malta is located in the Mediterranean Sea, just south of Sicily. It’s a British colonized island with many vast ocean views.

We rented a little eurocar, so I was forced to learn how to drive on the wrong side of the road. Besides going for the turn signals and just getting the windshield wipers monsoon style, attempting the psychotic round-abouts started out to be a bit hanus. Naturally we are used to looking left then right when making a turn, and it’s the opposite here so, I nearly got us ran over a number of times, but by the end of the second day I started to get the hang of this wacky business.  I felt like a little European in a roller derby. All that said, driving British style was a highlight of the trip.

(the eurocar)

The food unfortunately was mediocre. I wish I could say it was amazing, but more disappointing. We had a couple really nice restaurants with some really great food, but other than that my lime chicken fajitas were better than most of the food there. We did have a great time hanging with some great friends.

Here’s a photo story… take a peak: http://www.nickonken.com/Stories/Malta/