Untitled (LA20070805), by Noah Kalina

Unseasonably warm and drizzly Wednesday greetings from New York City, where my butt continues to be kicked by jetlag. (3am is the new 8am. Have you heard?) I'm very excited to announce today's photography edition by Noah Kalina.

Untitled (LA20070805), a moody interior shot last Summer in Los Angeles, is available in three editions. All the prints are printed on 100% cotton rag paper, using archival pigment inks.

Seeing as how Noah is fine photographer, and is practically the poster child for the definition of internet famous, you'd be well-advised to put some hustle in your bustle and buy your print now, as it's selling awfully fast.

Having known Noah since way back in 2005 - when he was a tadpole of a a photographer, a recent SVA grad taking pictures of stuff - I can assure you that internet fame has not gone to his head. I like to call him the Woody Allen of photography.

Things can be totally super awesome and we'll still be having these sad-sack IM conversations in the middle of the night about what's good, if anything's good at all, and what do people really think and what does it all mean. I do enjoy having another self-doubting misanthrope insomniac to keep me company in the darkest hours. (And actually I don't think either of us are actual dyed-in-the-wool misanthropes, it's just that things often seem a little gloomy at 3am.)

IM also played a big role in our getting this edition off the ground. Aside from Noah stopping by the studio to sign a gajillion certs, our 20x200 dealings have been entirely virtual.

Because I am SO NICE, and also because I knew we could work it out over IM, I indulged Noah's "But I hate writing statements!" pouting and we cobbled something together from last night's conversation.

Here are some snippets that didn't make it into the statement, but are germane (and amusing! and at times embarrassing for both, or either, of us!) nonetheless:

noahkalina: This was in the house that I was staying in, I was attracted to the light and the total bareness of the room.
noahkalina: The blinds created this wicked shadow though
Jen Bekman: (See this isn't so hard...)
noahkalina: Okay mommy
Jen Bekman: Ok, so I would say that there is something specific about your lighting
noahkalina: :)
Jen Bekman: Whether it's portraits or interiors or landscapes
Jen Bekman: It's always kind of cinematic
noahkalina: Yes
noahkalina: People describe it as cinematic and i agree
noahkalina: I like to tell stories with my photos, and that is how I relate people and place
noahkalina: Set the mood and tone for the overall story
Jen Bekman: And in this case it's just the existing light, not a flash/manipulation right?
noahkalina: Yes, all existing light
Jen Bekman: Right one of the things i like about this photo is that it's got a strong narrative feel without having people in it.
Jen Bekman: Which is something I generally like too
Jen Bekman: Man, this photo totally gives me a creepy San Fernando Valley porny feeling
noahkalina: Totally
Jen Bekman: Did you know that I have an irrational fear of mattresses? That exposed box spring seriously makes my skin crawl
noahkalina: It's too bad sex didn't just happen there
Jen Bekman: Is this the room you were staying in? That'd make it a self portrait of sorts.
noahkalina: I mean, it could be, I am not about telling the truth with photos
Jen Bekman: Heh
Jen Bekman: Who is really?
--
Jen Bekman: One of the reasons I like this photo is that is relates to the stuff you showed w/ me for HHS
Jen Bekman: Before you were Mr Internet Famous
noahkalina: haha
noahkalina: OG shit
noahkalina: (original gangsta)
Jen Bekman: lol
noahkalina: I obviously have different styles, different personalities
noahkalina: I am Noah, noahk and Noah Kalina
Jen Bekman: who took this one?
noahkalina: Noah Kalina
noahkalina: haha
Jen Bekman: Which one takes photos for curbed?
noahkalina: Oh
noahkalina: That is Kalina
Jen Bekman: So there are really FOUR of you
noahkalina: Yes
Jen Bekman: So many that you're not able to keep track
noahkalina: Pretty much
Jen Bekman: So noahk is everyday
noahkalina: Identity crisis every day
noahkalina: Yes
Jen Bekman: Which pix are Noah?
noahkalina: That is just me when i am like not holding a camera
Jen Bekman: oh so boring
Jen Bekman: ;)
noahkalina: haha
noahkalina: If you put this chat up I am going to look insane
Jen Bekman: I would edit it heavily*
Jen Bekman: But yes, we'll both look insane
noahkalina: That's kinda cool then
Jen Bekman: Sane people are boring
noahkalina: True that
Jen Bekman: Do you get the newsletters?
Jen Bekman: For 20x200 i mean
noahkalina: Yup
Jen Bekman: So you know what you're in for...

*Ed. Note: In fact, and much to Mr. Kalina's panicky dismay, this transcript has not been edited - the fact that we both sound like dorky teenagers is a hazard of the medium. No. Really.