The Inside/Shit You Never Knew

It's sometimes hard to see a person as a person until you know a part of them. I was thinking about a few things and I decided I will share a part of me in hopes of you getting a better a grasp on me... who I am... why I do things... how I feel...

We'll call this Things Most People Don't Know About Jodie Platz (original title, eh?)

I had baby blue eyes until I was 14 when they turned deep green.

I have had my heart broken, but I have never been in love.

I've been in an abusive relationship.

I have a birthmark on my right arm.

I have 7 tattoos, one of which is a coverup.

When I like a song I will listen to it on repeat until I hate it. (Usually about a week or so...)

I rarely listen to 100 Monkeys except when I'm on a plane or about 2 days before I get to see them after a long "drought" period... or you know... at a concert.

I'm fully ambidextrous.

When I was in middle school I wanted to be a choreographer or a dance instructor.

Most of the bands that I listen to I know nothing about. (Death Cab, Telekinesis!, The Shins, etc...)

I have a scar on my inner thigh from 2nd degree burns.

I played the trumpet in band.

I was bitten by the dog that I owned as a child.

I had a pet cow when I was 5 and I "worked" on a farm from ages 4-6.

I went to the same high school as David Cook (he was a year ahead of me and I didn't know him well).

I like to "invent" meals... I'm a pretty good cook and I love to share that with people.

I speak to and see 100 Monkeys more than I do to either of my parents...

The longest I've ever gone without eating was 10 days.

I planned the prom my junior year and dropped out of school before I was able to experience it.

I have been arrested.

Painting used to be my favorite medium of art.

I didn't talk to my grandparents for five years. I have since rekindled the relationship fearing I will regret it when they die.

The biggest crowd I've ever performed in front of was 18,000. For dancing. 2002.

I once blew $3000 in one week. This isn't one of the things I'm most proud of.

I have terrible knees from a car accident I was in... This hinders a lot in my photography. While it doesn't keep me from getting the shot, it does make the shot very painful.

I had bleeding ulcers from stress at age 12; what 12 year old does that?!

My first memory is from when I was 24 days old.

I'd prefer to develop my photos in a darkroom than to edit them on Photoshop. I learned how to use a darkroom when my mother was in photography school around the age of 10 or so.

I have been physically assaulted by a man more than once.

I have a terrible association with Ford Mustangs and chances are if you're driving one, I'm probably screaming at you from my car. It's nothing personal against you and your choices of vehicle.

I hate giving gift cards because I feel like they're impersonal... however, I love getting gift cards.

I don't know if that did anything to make anyone know me any more or less or if any of it was even relevant towards anything... but hey... I enjoy sharing random things and things about myself. Even if I share all the details of my life, I still feel like people will probably never know me. You can't know someone based off facts alone. These facts are not what make up me and my heart... so kudos to those who try to learn me and my heart...

I will happily answer questions in the comments section about any of the things that I have posted about.

xojo

Mediocrity

This was a rant that turned into a positive and motivating message. Read and be motivated.

I refuse to let my work be anything less than superior to my previous shoot. While we all have off days, and we all have moments where we say "ugh, I wish I would have done *THIS* with that shot..." it's not acceptable to let yourself be mediocre.

Mediocrity to an artist is a bigger epidemic than the population of homeless people on Fremont Street in Las Vegas. (I guess if I was homeless I would want to be homeless in Vegas, too.)

By no means am I calling myself perfect. I still have much to learn. I experience artistic jealousy more often than I care to share, but if fuels me to practice and to better my own photography.

I look back at old shoots and learn from them - and then I remove them when my newer shots have outgrown them. What may be the best shot that I've ever taken on Tuesday, will be the worst shot I've ever taken on Wednesday. Everything is ever changing and developing. Some things and some shots I am not proud of, but they're apart of my work and who I am. There are some shots that I feel I will never exceed...

I took this photo in Mission, TX on the first day of 2011 and I vividly remember when my finger pressed the shutter to capture it.

My fear is that I will never nail another shot the way I nailed this one... but, if this is my best and most loved and accepted piece of work - there could be worse things.

My digital editing skills have greatly accelerated. To look back on my old things now I cringe at the over-saturation and the lack of depth with shadows and curves.

The best thing is to get the shot right the first time and not have to fuss with it much, if at all, in Photoshop. That shot up there that I just posted? No Photoshop on the original that everyone loves. On that copy that I posted in this blog, I de-saturated it because the excess red was starting to irk me and I felt like it was almost bleeding into the lines...

I probably and honestly spend less than 10 minutes per shot that I'm editing from a concert. I do not like to heavily edit things. I aim to take them correct the first time.

We are all learning constantly. No matter what you do there's always room for improvement.

I am highly anticipating the upcoming shows I'll attend to continue to improve and prove myself as an ever-evolving photographer.

We all have our own style and our own way of doing things... and they say that "art is subjective"... true. Some do not like my art and my style. That's their opinion to have.

I feel at times people can be blinded by the subject and refuse to see or notice the technical details of the shot... (Or maybe "photography" is not important to them and they just really care about looking at what they may call "pretty pictures". Who knows.)

There are some things in life that I do not understand... and I can't really choose to express them here... but I do want to stress that no matter what equipment you're running, it's important you know the capabilities of it and of yourself.

When I purchased my camera, I got it because it was where I was at in that moment. Now, I feel like I've outgrown my camera (not that this is the point...) but... a point to make is, you can have the most expensive and high-tech camera on the market - that doesn't mean that you'll take a great shot.

I don't aim to take "passable" or "sub-par" shots. I never want to feel indifferent about my work. I want to look at a photo and believe in it. That shot up there? I believe in it. I am proud of it.

I never want my photography to be ordinary, common or middling.

I always want to better myself and I always want my last shoot to be the best shoot.

As I mentioned in the beginning of this post - we all have off days. Not every shot is going to be THE shot. My mother (a professional photographer) told me years and years ago (back in the days of shooting weddings with 35mm film...) "You may take 100 shots and get ONE. And even then, that's lucky."

Why is that quote true? Because she never settled for mediocre photography. She didn't want 10 shots that were "good" and looked similar. She wanted ONE shot that was extraordinary and made you stare.

Better yourself... no matter if you're a photographer, a musician, a janitor, a nurse or a teacher. Better yourself and don't settle for mediocrity.

I am Jodie Platz, and I approve this message.

Visible Change

I took some new photos... it had been a really long time since I had and I like to document every change. (Hence, the Pink-Hair 2.0)

Some may think it's narcissistic to take photos of ones self... however, while I do agree with that, I also think it's important to let the world see you how you see yourself... and who better to take photos of you, than you?

In the first few I took I noticed a big change in myself... almost shocked me. I've apparently lost weight, it seems. Others notice it, but I never do.

I noticed that I have laugh lines and the beginning of what will eventually be crow's feet. I'm not ashamed to point this out... I think it's kinda nice that I can see myself aging. Of course I can easily Photoshop those things out, but I don't pretend that I'm not 26.

Also, the hair looks like it's short and completely pink in these photos -- while I assure you that it's not short and/or completely pink, it made me think I might want it to be. Hmmm...

Here's the newbies. (Click to enlarge.)

Take more photos of yourself, kids.

Until I have something to say...

Passion Vs. Photography

Fortunately I have people who believe in my photography and my art. Fortunately I have people who tell me that I capture 100 Monkeys unlike anyone else can... that they can see my passion for photography and my love for these boys in my photos.

I'm so thankful for that.

I may not be spot on with everything technical in each photograph - but I do know what I'm doing. (For what I am doing and what I am happy with.) I do make my living by this... although, I'm finally at a point where I feel like I don't have anything to prove to anyone.

My passion for photography is strong. I'd love to say that "I love my camera more than anything," but... that would be a lie. I love these boys more than anything. I'm just thankful that my love for them transcends the lens and is captured onto the shots that I bleed for.

I put my heart and soul into each shot and I hope that you can see the heat of the moment and the vibrancy of the music and THEIR passion through each photograph. That's my ultimate goal... not to make you feel MY love for them - but for you to feel THEIR love for the music and each other and their love for performing.

I re-edited a few photos from the last show on the winter tour... I've shared them everywhere else - it's time to share them here.

To those who support me and my photography - thank you so much. To those who don't - thank you so much.

Thanks for taking a look at them. Catch more at www.jodieplatzphotography.com and www.facebook.com/jodieplatzphotography

Each and every one of you who reads this is appreciated! Thank you so much for your support! I can't wait to see you on tour!

Photo Journalism

They say "every picture tells a story" and that a "picture's worth a thousand words"... while I agree with each of those sentiments, there's been something that has been irking me for a while now that I'm finally ready to speak about.

I kept it to myself for fear of getting lynched by other photographers or photo journalists... however, as a compassionate human it's something that I'd like to discuss and hear your thoughts on.

I do believe that photographers and photo journalists are cut from the same cloth - telling a story via visual photographic art - but while the photo journalist focuses more on the raw and unadulterated emotion, a photographer such as myself aches to capture light, beauty, emotion - yes, and just like a photo journalist: moments.

The difference is that in the following situations of photos I would have put down my camera. Even as a photographer I believe there's a time and a place for everything. For instance, as the official photographer for last year's Spencer Bell Legacy concert, there were many moments that my eyes captured that my camera didn't.

Pressing forward...

This photo is from the Battle of Gettysburg and while even though there's death in this photo - it doesn't bother me as much as some of the others taken as recently as the ones in Iraq where there were photo journalists in pits with soldiers while they're getting bombed and shot at. Perhaps it's just me, but I would have felt out of place and in the way.

I understand the world wants to see what's going on and these photographers earn Pulitzer prizes for their photographs... but...

From the Vietnam war... this photographer won a Pulitzer for this shot... and then later apologized to this man's family for the irreparable damage that this shot did to his family. This was taken moments before this man was shot.

I could not fathom having my camera out at a moment like this, let alone having it pressed to my face and finger on the shutter.

And the shot that prompted this blog...

Photographer Kevin Carter took this photo of a patient vulture stalking a starving child in Africa. He won a Pulitzer for this shot... after which he was ridiculed for not helping the child and instead spending 20 minutes setting up the shot... Three months after taking the photo he committed suicide.

My heart is too big. I would rather give up my camera for eternity than to watch something like this - let alone document it for others to be subjected to... for it to be preserved for all time... It's horrific.

I know that concert photography is something different from photo journalism... as I stated in the beginning of this blog. Even on stage I use my better judgement on when to snap and when to stop. I've been asked once to put my camera away by an artist and I did so as soon as I was prompted.

Courtesy.

Ethics.

Art doesn't have to cross all lines of humanity.

While the world may or may not be better because of your shots... there are some things that aren't worth a Pulitzer.

Tell me your thoughts.

Additional photo credits: Timothy H. O’Sullivan – Battle of Gettysburg; Eddie Adams – Nguyễn Ngọc Loan executing Nguyễn Văn Lém.

The Rules Of Life According To Jodie Platz

1. Never be ashamed of your music collection or what you like to listen to.

2. Buy the pants that fit you TODAY. Not the ones that will or won't fit you in ten days.

3. Travel now because you can... don't make excuses.

4. Have the career you want - not the job that you need.

5. Never stop dreaming, wishing or hoping for your life to be better than it is now. Never give up on yourself that YOU can be better than you are right now.

6. Never stop learning. You're never finished and even though you're the best at what you do today, someone will be better than you tomorrow. (This applies to EVERYTHING.)

7. Open doors for strangers. Also, smile at strangers. Once in a while, pay a toll or a coffee for a stranger. It's amazing feeling to give and also to get.

8. Give your heart away. You don't need it... someday someone will give you theirs.

9. Do what makes you happy today... it could all disappear tomorrow.

10. Tell the people that you love that you love them today... they could disappear tomorrow, too.

11. Don't use people, but also, don't be afraid to ask for someone's help if they have something special to offer.

12. Listen to your music loudly. Yes, you may eventually lose your hearing, but do you want to die deaf or do you want to die wishing you listened to "Sabotage" by Beastie Boys as loud as it would go...? Exactly.

13. Never stop thinking; question everything. Learn from those around you. Let others learn from you. Speak up.

14. Be original. There's a reason people say "dare to be different"... because everyone is afraid of doing something out of line from the "normal". Go against the grain.

15. No one is normal; only the crazies will survive. The people who think "weird" are the ones who create art, run this country and make a dent in the universe. Be known.

16. Everyone must constantly prove themselves to the world. Unfortunately. Yes, this includes you.

17. Make art. You don't have to be an artist to express yourself on a canvas, through a lens or on a guitar.

18. Jealousy will not get you anywhere. We are all jealous of someone or something for some reason... but you need to learn to get past the act and be happy for people for what it is that they have that you want. Chances are they worked really hard to obtain it. Show them you are a bigger person and can applaud them for their successes and not that you're bitter.

19. You get what you give. The world works in a karma system for the majority of life and all of it's lessons... if you're bad - bad things will happen... if you're good - good things will happen. Be good to people. It's much better than the alternative.

20. Every day changes your life. What may be today will not be tomorrow. If you don't like the path that you're heading down - CHANGE it.

21. Don't eat cheap BBQ, drink cheap whiskey, wear cheap mascara or buy cheap memory cards.

22. Never let anyone tell you that you don't have the right to use the bathroom.

23. Never have a breakdown in public. Excuse yourself... people will think higher of you and less of you if you don't.

24. Be honest, but not to a fault. Sometimes people's feelings should be spared, otherwise you're just being cruel.

25. Don't force your religious views on others. Your religion should be private and something just for yourself.

26. Treat people as you would like to be treated. Also, remember that we all were born the same, we all have the same obstacles in life to overcome, we all bleed when stabbed, we all cry when we have a broken heart and we will all face death one day. No one is above any of that - so treat everyone as they are: HUMAN.

27. Never apologize for your accomplishments.

28. If your friends can't be proud of you and supportive of your life, accomplishments, goals, etc: then they are not your friends.

29. Be kind to animals... they have thoughts, feelings and souls.

30. Build walls. This will not only help you keep people out, but it can help you keep people in. Those who will scale the walls to be near you are extraordinary people. Those who constantly leap out of the walls are doing so for a reason...

31. If someone picks apart your life - there is something seriously lacking or wrong with theirs. Don't let it bother you and say a quite thought for them that you hope they find what they're searching for to make them happy.

32. Don't pick apart others lives. *See above.

33. Don't lie or exaggerate to children; they believe everything.

34. Never give away all of your secrets.

35. Take more photos. Let the world see what you see.

36. Scream and sing loudly. Also, dance how you feel without care.

37. If you ever find yourself saying "that's something I would never do", then you know the perfect reason why you should do it.

38. Believe in love and happiness, but don't believe everything that everyone says. I'm a unicorn. Did you believe it? No. Remember that... It's easy for people to tell lies. On the other hand, sometimes you just have to BELIEVE... and those things that you believe in may never make sense. I'm a unicorn.

39. Live life with no regrets. (See all above.)

40. Don't listen to anyone else's rules except your own. (See all above.)

Here's some pretty for you to look at.

The Fountain Of A Thousand Hats

*insert cool icon*

My step mom just left from a nice lunch and visit, and as she left she mentioned something very interesting. "A person can't wear more than one hat."

Essentially she meant that you are what you are to most people, and it's hard to overlap "jobs", so-to-speak. Your sister should never be your boss, your mother should never be your stylist, etc... etc...

So it made me think about the hats that I wear.

Admittedly, I am a different person to each person that I know. And hopefully by now you realize that this blog is not actually about fashionable headwear.

Fortunately, Jennifer has stuck around with me for enough years to understand this and doesn't question why I am the way I am to certain people and why I am not the way I am not to others. I am a different person to each of my parents, my friends, etc...

A good example of this is my relationship with Micky. Micky brings out a different side of me - (example: The Oh Noz!) ...one of the weeks in Baton Rouge when I first brought her around the boys I mentioned in passing to Johnson as we were giggling and making jokes about "Satan's Vagina, cream on cupcakes, etc..." I said, "Micky brings out a different side in me..." he chuckled and said, "I can tell."

I could delve further into this analogy, but I choose to remain quiet about the rest of the ins and outs about it.

To Micky I wear my Funny Musician Hat.

I assume this hat is very miniature and has hot pink glitter on it. She brings out the most crude in me, in the very best of ways. I feel like I'm possible of greatness when I'm with her.

To my Daddy I wear my World's Best Daughter hat.

This hat is something like a nice large sun hat. Innocent and shielding. I hide my dad from the bad, evil, sexual, dangerous parts of my life. Also, the majority of my cursing.

To my Mother I wear my over-achiever hat.

With this hat I never reveal my failures; I am always successful and artistic and I have the most creative ideas.

To Jennifer I wear my Jack-Of-All-Trades hat:

She's always wanting me to be better, to be the best of myself that I can be... I can never see the things in myself that she sees and I will never. I wear this hat to try and fulfill her *image* of me and to project it into the universe...


The hat I wear for myself:

Wanting to shy away from the constant and pressing attention, but in the end - there really is not escape.

This seemed a bit thought provoking to me for several reasons... I thought of the boys for a split second... I wear a different hat for each of them, as well...

I feel in some instances I can wear the hat of friendship, but not the hat of a photographer... I can wear the hat of a photographer, but not that of a fan... I can wear the hat of a fan, but not that of a follower... I can wear the hat of a follower, but not that of being loyal...

With all these hats that I have now accumulated, it's time I met my Mr. Smeds.

Which hats do you wear and what are your favorite? What's the most tiring?

Viva

...I must remember to transfer some icons over to my computer... it feels naked without.

So... I just returned from Las Vegas this past weekend where I caught up on three 100 Monkeys shows which has to suffice until I see them at the CD release party in late June.

I hadn't told anyone (aside from Lani) that I was heading into Las Vegas for the shows in hopes of surprising the boys a bit. Whether or not I actually pulled that off, I was happy to see them and they appeared to be the same... I caught up with them, exchanged hugs, my new hot pink hair got noticed, I had to remind the Bens that I didn't live in Tuscaloosa anymore since they said they were worried about me... It's a good thing to hear, though. Definitely good to hear.

...I think I snuggle attacked Jerad the hardest. It had been the longest since I had seen him. Hardcore. :)

Meet and greet hello time was good. Usually when Lani asks me if I have anything for the boys to sign I just say no because I literally have a box of autographs on random things... but this day I said, "actually..." and Jay replied, "your camera?" And I said with surprise... "Well, *actually*..."

I wanted them to sign my Flip video camera... while. it. was. on.

The boys loved the idea and agreed and I decided I would share the video with everyone. :)

http://youtu.be/DQlh_KeAzfQ

At the end of the video you can hear Lani ask if I would like a photo with the boys. I wonder how many people have said "No, thanks, Lani." :)

I feel like this should be a "caption this" photo.

The shows were excellent. I was put in the photo pit for both of them... quite a change from the usual of being pressed up against the stage... but! It was my very first photo pit! (Be proud of me.)

After I posted the photos the Las Vegas radio station snagged them up to post them on their website and 100 Monkeys re-posted the link on their Twitter and their Facebook to thousands and thousands of people... that's the biggest mention that my photos have ever received.

Follow 100 Monkeys on Twitter: @100MonkeysMusic
Like them on Facebook: www.facebook.com/100MonkeysMusic

You can see the photos posted here on the Las Vegas radio station's website: http://mix941fm.radio.com/2011/05/03/100-monkeys-live-at-the-cosmopolitan/

15 of my photos posted there. :)

Here's some of my favorites from that evening.

The next day the band had an instore at Tommy Bahama's... here's a few of my favorite photos from that.

You can see the rest of the photos over at www.facebook.com/jodieplatzphotography

One more little thing that's actually quite huge before I move on from 100 Monkeys... my friend Summer brought this to my attention today -- 100 Monkeys mentioned The Oh Noz! again.

http://youtu.be/MHH_znqPkCc

At the 6:12 mark there's some serious gushing that may or may not have been one of my favorite things on the planet.

If anyone questions why I go to every show I can, if anyone questions why I love these boys with every inch of my heart and soul; THIS is why. Because of all the love and support that I give them, I get this kind of love and respect back.

Swiftly moving on...

Twas good times... I had a great time in Vegas. My friend Julie let me stay with her at her hotel and the day after the 100 Monkeys shows we went to the Shark Reef at Mandalay Bay. Incredible!! I was so happy to get to go with her.

That shark is smiling for the camera. :)

Until next time... so long and thanks for all the fish.

Happy Birthday, Johnson! @100MonkeysMusic

Another birthday... another year... another birthday post.

Happy birthday, friend. May your wishes come true and may your shots be full.

CHEERS!