THE FILM ISSUE. FEATURING KENNETH CAPPELLO FEBRUARY 2020
VOL. 1
M O D E
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Danny Soriano PHOTOGRAPHY Danny Soriano MODELS Vonte Carter Leticia Farini Xiomara Perez Gracey Lassiter CONTRIBUTORS & INTERVIEWERS Spencer Cox Matt Moloney Alexander James Kenneth Cappello
1-page article
winter
2020
INTRODUCTION TO PHOTOGRAPHY: THE UNIVERSAL LANGUAGE
P
hotography is the art of capturing light with a camera, usually via a digital sensor or film, to create an image. With the right camera equipment, you can even photograph wavelengths of light invisible to the human eye, including UV, infrared, and radio. Color photography started to become popular and accessible with the release of Eastman Kodak’s “Kodachrome” film in the 1930s. Before that, almost all photos were monochromatic – although a handful of photographers, toeing the line between chemists and alchemists, had been using specialized techniques to capture color images for decades before.
These scientist-magicians, the first color photographers, are hardly alone in pushing the boundaries of one of the world’s newest art forms. The history of photography has always been a history of people – artists and inventors who steered the field into the modern era. Camera settings are some of the most important tools you have at your disposal. In a way, every technical choice is really an artistic choice in disguise. These settings are worth learning. Your understanding of photography will improve tenfold when you understand how camera settings work.
BY SPENCER COX
3
4
feature
winter
2020
Kenneth Cappello Gets candid with PLEASURES
Kenneth Cappello sits down with PLEASURES co-founder, Alex James, to chat about moving in and out of NY, the punk rock scene and how photography became his career.
Where are you from? I grew up in Houston, for the most part. I’m from Texas.
When did you move to New York? In 1994. The December before, I drove to New York in my Honda Civic. It got broken into on Bowery. But I love New York so much. We were drinking beers—we were like 17. I thought it was the coolest thing. I had one friend from Texas living in Fort Greene, Brooklyn, and I was like, ‘Can I stay on your couch for a few weeks until I figure this out?’ So I stayed. I couchsurfed. I actually slept in Tompkins Square Park a few nights and I kind of just figured it out. But I moved there in ’94 and it was the best time ever. I was way into music.
When did you start shooting? I got into photography very early, like 11. My aunt was murdered and my dad gave me her camera, Pentax K1000. My adopted father gave me this camera when I
was a kid and he was like, ‘See that thing in the middle Just make sure that’s in the middle of the photo, and you’ll be okay.’ So I used to just spin the dial until the light meter was in the middle and I started taking photos, like stuffed animals and my animals. Then once I got into punk rock and skateboarding, I kept taking photos, but I didn’t really think about photography. I never really knew there was, like, an outlet for that. And then I saw an article about a T4 in Big Brother magazine.
When did you start to develop the style that you have today? Photo style? I don’t know if you could look at my photo and go, ‘That’s me.’ When I moved to New York and started getting into photography, I worked for David, so that should be my example, but I was drawn towards the rawer shit and then, it was probably 1998, I saw a Marc Jacobs campaign that Juergen Teller shot on a Polaroid Spectra. Right when I saw that, I was like, ‘Okay, there’s no rules. I get it. I can do whatever I want.’ 5
What is your favorite shoot in memory? Ever? Oh, man. I’ve definitely connected with some people like Erykah Badu. Me and her are both from Texas. I was trying to shoot her recently. I was texting with her from her number from forever ever ago. She never responded. Then one day, bloop, Erykah on my phone: ‘Hey, Ken!’ She calls me Ken. But she’s one that stands out with me a lot. Tricky was cool, too.
You’ve worked in and are a part of sneaker culture I sell sneakers for a living. I sell a lot of sneakers, and I’m not even a sneakerhead. I shoot mad campaigns.
What’s your relationship with social or Instagram? Hate it. I think social media is the devil. I think there’s no point in fighting it. You either suck it up and delete it or you fucking ride the wave, and unfortunately in the job I do, I got to ride the wave. I tried to delete my shit a few months ago. I was told very sternly that it was a very bad idea because I’m making images. It’s all a mirage. You can paint the picture however you want to paint it. And I think it brings a lot of negativity. You are constantly comparing your shit. Social media is a fucking bitch, man. But it also 6
works for things. Like, would your brand be where it’s at without it?
Absolutely not. It’s just the day and age we’re living in. You gotta either play the game or not.
Well, then, what is the picture that you feel like you’re painting since you haven’t deleted it? You’re going to land on my page, you’re going to be like either I’ve heard of this photographer or I haven’t and either I like his photos or I don’t. It’s for work and that’s why I have it. The social media thing is a hard one to swallow. Adults are fucking talking about, ‘You didn’t like my photo.’ You’re an adult. You’re talking about someone unfollowing you. Who gives a fuck?
When you see kids that are trying to get into photography today, what kind of advice would you give them? Do something else. I mean, look, I love photography. If you love photography, you should take photos. Talking about subcultures, it’s different now. It’s fucking awesome. PHOTOGRAPHY BY DANNY IN CONVERSATION WITH ALEXANDER JAMES
7
3 PHOTOGRAPHERS TAKING PICTURES OF YOUR FAVORITE RAPPER
8
mini article
Finding unique, candid, and high quality images of your favorite rappers and musicians can be hard sometimes. Especially if you don’t know who’s taking the pictures. We created this list to help you figure out who’s documenting these musicians in a creative way.
winter
2020
SAM BALABAN The first photographer on our list is a photographer and videographer working with Genius and the Fader to help produce content based around some of our favorite musicians. Sam Balaban has shot many icons including Frank Ocean, Playboi Carti, Kendrick Lamar, Cardi B, and more. A graduate of Montclair State University and a persistent worker, Balaban has quickly gained recognition as a music photographer. Whether he’s shooting at a concert or one-on-one portraits, Sam always makes sure to add his own, unique touch.
www.sdotbalaban.com HANNAH SIDER Next up on our list is photographer Hannah Sider. Hannah was born in Malawi, Africa and later moved to New York, where she currently resides and studied communications. While studying communications she was able to tie together all of her passions – art, illustration, photography, journalism. Hannah puts her own spin on all of her photos and her ability to communicate and bond with her subjects creates some incredible photos of our favorite artists including Wiz Khalifa, A$AP Rocky, and more!
www.hannahsider.com KEVIN WONG LA-based photographer Kevin Wong is next up on our list and his work will prove why. Kevin’s insane shots with some of the industry’s most unique characters are recognizable anywhere by his ability to capture figures in a comfortable and relaxed manner. Check out his portfolio here to see more of his work, including photos of some of the world’s most influential musicians, public figures, actors/actresses, and more.
www.iamkevinwong.com 9
10
11