Beans of the Gods

Thursday, December 06, 2007

Welcome to Beans of the Gods

This blog is about the making of the documentary film, "Beans of the Gods." To find out more about the film go to Beans of the Gods web site.

May 2007 shoot

Walter Whitewater in a aspen grove on the side Humphreys Peak in Arizona. Then is was off to Chinle, AZ and Canyon de Chelley. Our plan was to shoot sheep and cooking with blue corn. Grandma Ruth Begay agreed to show us how she makes fry bread and corn meal cakes.

Wednesday, May 26, 2004

How it all started (with a title)

It all started with this photo shot at the Lois Ellen Frank Studio. I met Walter Whitewater while working with Lois on cookbooks and food advertising. The ray of light pointing at the pot was my touch and it became known as "the light of god." One thing led to another and "Beans from God" became our title for this picture. Walter turns it into Navajo and then translates it back as "Beans of the Gods." It always starts with a title (thanks to Ray Bradbury.)

About Me

Name: Koop

Location: San Pedro, California, United States

I’ve been taking pictures since 1967 and started doing my own darkroom work a couple of years later. During the intervening years I’ve worked as a Cinematographer, Editor, Producer, Director, and Writer. My clients have included major magazines, corporations and advertising agencies. I would describe my work as the opposite of pictorialism. I strongly identify with the group of photographers known as f.64. Founding members included Ansel Adams (I use his Zone System), Edward Weston (I love his approach to life and art), and Imogen Cunningham. Their style has been labeled “straight photography.” I prefer to think as my style as image making fueled by the unconscious use of craft. My goal is always to create emotion for the viewer. I imagine the finished image in my minds eye and work backwards to create it (previsualization.) I use my innate knowledge of craft and technique to free my mind of conscious thought while I’m looking through the camera. For me the act of creation is always a moment of pure beauty and connection to the spirit world. I reject intellectualism as applied to art. It is all about conveying emotion and a sense of beauty, a theme that runs through all my work.