Vince M. Camiolo's Blog

Once a week I will decipher an obscure cultural reference or fifty-cent vocabulary word slipped into a Seinfeld script.

Episode 35 | “The Boyfriend (Part II)” | Original Air Date: February 12, 1992

After bumping into one if his “favorite ballplayers of all-time,” Keith Hernandez, Jerry enters into a bizarre social triangle between himself, Elaine and Hernandez.

As Jerry and Hernandez embark on a fresh male relationship, Hernandez enters into a romantic relationship with Elaine (Jerry and Elaine used to date, but it didn’t work out). When Hernandez starts to prematurely advance his relationship with Jerry (a request for assistance with moving), Jerry decides to “break up” with him.

Elaine, while making a similar move, has an entirely different motive: Hernandez smokes.

As Jerry and Elaine rejoice in their simultaneous decision to end their relationships with Hernandez, Elaine reveals her reason, to which Jerry replies, “Oh, smoking. You know, you’re like going out with C. Everett Koop.”

So what is the meaning of the reference to C. Everett Koop?

C. Everett Koop served as Surgeon General of the United States from January 21, 1981 to October 1, 1989 (administrations of Reagan and H. W. Bush). One of his most notable acts as Surgeon General — and the reason for the Seinfeld reference — is his militant stance on tobacco products, instituting the required revolving warning labels on tobacco products and advertisements. Koop also stated that nicotine’s addictiveness was similar to that of cocaine and heroine.

My being a native of Philadelphia, it’s also worth noting that Koop first rose to prominence as a pioneer in the field of pediatric surgery while surgeon-in-chief at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP), establishing the nation’s first neonatal surgical intensive care unit, developing techniques in separating conjoined twins and many more ground breaking procedures.

Although my blog has sat idle for the better part of a month, I’d like to think I had a valid reason; between my responsibilities with Corey Rich Photography, shooting the Tahoe Adventure Film Festival documentary and kicking off the mountain biking season with a trip to Morro Bay, Calif., I’ve been busy.

While that may be precisely the reason for some to keep up with a blog, until I work blog posts into my daily/semi-daily workflow (an immediate goal), the blog gets pushed to the back burner.

Here’s a short recap of the past few weeks:

Alex Honnold working on a boulder problem at "The Sads."

The last weekend in January, Shawn Corrigan and I headed south on US395 along the eastern edge of the Sierras to the climbing mecca of Bishop, Calif. There we met up with professional climber, Alex Honnold, most notable for his impressive free solos, and recipient of the 2009 Golden Camalot Award (Tahoe Adventure Film Festival). We made the trip to film an interview with Alex for our Tahoe Adventure Film Festival documentary.

A missed connection on Saturday gave us the chance to do a little climbing of our own.

Shawn works on a boulder problem at The Happy Boulders.

We found Alex and his friend Kenny in the parking lot, grabbed some dinner with them and shot the interview early Sunday morning. We had a couple hours to spare following the interview, so we tagged along with Alex and Kenny to shoot some still images. Click here for a lightbox of our images of Alex.

We have the three primary interviews down for the TAFF documentary. Now it’s time to really dive into the edit. Here is a screen shot from each interview (Todd Offenbacher, Corey Rich and Alex Honnold):

TAFF doc screen shots.

Last weekend long-time friend Dennis Lui and I partook in our annual mid-winter mountain bike trip. Primarily to snap me out of my season of relative sedentary-ness (Dennis lives in San Diego, so his riding season never ends), this also served as the kick-off to my preparation to the Sea Otter Classic, a short two months away, not to mention my escape from the winter wonderland of Lake Tahoe. We selected the Central Coast town of Morro Bay, an area we had ridden in two years before. We knew what to expect, and we expected great riding; pastoral-set singletrack with expansive ocean views; demanding climbs with rewarding downhills.  And one of the more luxurious state park campgrounds I’ve stayed at.

Dennis Lui in Morro Bay State Park.

Here’s to more regular posts from here on out!

Historian, author, civil rights activist and personal hero of mine, Howard Zinn, passed away on Wednesday, January 27, 2010 of an apparent heart attack. He was 87.

Zinn is best known for his history-from-another-perspective book, “A People’s History of the United States“. He authored more than 20 books and three plays.

Here’s a New York Times article about his life, including his controversial role as a college professor and historian.

I plan to write more about him tomorrow after watching the biographical movie, “Howard Zinn: You Can’t Be Neutral on a Moving Train,” (narrated by Matt Damon) based on his memoir, “You Can’t Be Neutral on a Moving Train”.

For those of you who have been follow the video-capable DSLR developments, I’d like to see Vincent Laforet do something like this.

The five “Tawoche 2K10 Dispatches” produced by climbers/filmmakers/photographers Renan Ozturk and Cory Richards are nothing short of impressive and superb examples of visual storytelling. Ozturk’s and Richards’ videos exemplify the true capabilities of video-enabled DSLR cameras (when combined with some talent and skill in the visual arts).

But what is even more impressive is that these exquisitely-edited projects have all been produced on-the-fly by a pair of globe-trotting climbers, often while suffering altitude sickness, dehydration and other elements-related obstacles to filmmaking,  and battling spotting communication signals. Many filmmakers dream of producing projects of this quality as they sit bathed in the glow of multiple displays from an elaborate editing suite in a cushy climate-controlled studio.

I was lucky enough to discover Ozturk’s blog, “Vertical Carnival,” just before their trip began. After “Dispatch #1″ posted I was anxiously awaiting the next video, checking in multiple times a day. I felt like I could relate to my Facebook friends whose statuses expressed their jonesing for a new episode of “24″ or “Lost”.

The five several minute videos (now all available to view) chronicle Ozturk’s and Richard’s first ascent attempt on the 6000-meter (that’s about 21,000 feet!) Tawoche Himal in the Nepalese Himalaya. I won’t tell you how it ends. Check them out for yourself (an interest in climbing is not required).

Once a week I will decipher an obscure cultural reference or fifty-cent vocabulary word slipped into a Seinfeld script.

Episode 32 | “The Suicide” | Original Air Date: January 29, 1992

As Jerry’s next-door neighbor, Martin — with whose girlfriend he is having an affair — lies in a drug-overdose-induced coma, Kramer laments to Newman that Martin borrowed his vacuum cleaner and never returned it. His mother is coming to visit, and when she sees his rug she’s going to kill him.

Newman offers to lend Kramer his antiquated, mechanical carpet sweeper. Kramer rebuffed, with extreme prejudice.

“I don’t want a carpet sweeper. They don’t do anything.” Kramer proclaims.

To which Newman defends, “It gets my rug clean.”

That brings us to the Seinfeld line at hand:

Kramer arrogantly states, “The carpet sweeper is the biggest scam perpetrated on the American public since One-Hour Martinizing.”

What is this public offering to which Kramer’s sense of consumer value is so offensive?

Martinizing Dry Cleaning, the largest dry cleaning franchise in the US, was established in 1949. The process employed, “Martinizing,” promises an unusually quick, one-hour turnaround. The process was developed when, “chemist Henry Martin revolutionized the industry by introducing the concept of on-premise dry cleaning using a newly developed, non-flammable chemical. Previously, it was standard for dry cleaning stores to be used only for pick-up of orders. The actual dry cleaning was done only in industrial areas because of the high flammability of the petroleum solvent used to clean garments.” (Martinizing.com)

The reason for Kramer’s distrust in Martinizing is not immediately clear. One can only assume that a Martinizing Dry Cleaner location was unable to adequately perform the service on a selection of Rudy’s vintage shirts, or perhaps even an Executive raincoat.

First, I would like to acknowledge that today is the observance of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s birthday; a day most of us embrace as relief from a Monday workday. What many probably don’t know is that in 1996 President Clinton signed federal legislation called, “Martin Luther King Day of Service,” challenging citizens to honor Dr. King’s legacy with volunteer service.

I’m ashamed to say I only participated in such service for MLK Jr., Day once, but like any self-respecting stereotypical American citizen I pledge, “I’ll do it next year.”

Early this winter I was asked by Mr. Tahoe Outdoors himself, Todd Offenbacher, to photograph the Tahoe Adventure Film Festival (TAFF) for the second consecutive year.

The TAFF — a celebration of the year’s best adventure-oriented films — is one of Tahoe and the surrounding area’s largest and most anticipated events. I was more than happy to immediately agree, and enlisted the help of friend and fellow photog, Shawn Corrigan.

The TAFF is unique to other film festivals in that it is a true celebration of the films. The audience, in addition to the raffles, DJ, dancing and other entertainment, is exposed to the best segments (usually 10-20 minutes) of the best adventure films (there is no jury or judging). There is also the presentation of the annual Golden Camalot Award, presented to the adventure athlete of the year. The 2009 recipient was Alex Honnold, a talented young climber (free-soloist, specifically).

Here’s Todd, explaining the event:

The event, as usual, was a blast. Shawn and I — not typically event photographers — roamed the theater inside the MontBleu casino in South Lake Tahoe, Calif., aiming to capture traditional and non-traditional angles to document the event. Utilizing the amazing low-light sensitivity of our cameras we were able to come away with some unique perspectives. Check out our shots in this lightbox.

Speaking of amazing capabilities of our cameras, Shawn and I both run armed with HD video-capable DSLRs (Shawn shoots with a Canon 5D Mk II; I, a Canon 7D), greatly expanding the level of documentation we are able to collect while shooting. As a result, we will be producing a short documentary of the event to be included with the films as the TAFF makes its way around the country and world. Be on the lookout for that, soon.

If you’re in the Reno-Tahoe area and missed the main event a second showing is occurring at the Grand Sierra Resort in Reno on January 23, 2010.

This is the official announcement of the return of my blog.

If you’ll notice the date of my previous article, it’s been more than a year since I last updated the blog. It wasn’t long after that article in October of 2008 that I turned my attention away from independent endeavors. I lost focus, mainly due to an uncertainty on what my focus should be on. I had a couple projects that were not developing as I had hoped. At the time I was working three days a week for renowned adventure photographer Corey Rich as a post-production artist and assisting with digital asset management.

As I stood at a psychological crossroads two major events transpired in late winter of 2009 that allowed me to take a step in a particular direction: First, more than half of my photo equipment was stolen out of my car in San Diego following a mountain biking trip in Arizona. Second, Corey informed me that there would be opportunity for me to grow within the operation, including going full-time. It was time to focus on my role in the photo industry from the perspective of Corey Rich Photography, an experience I knew would prove invaluable.

We’re just a few months away from a year since I became the full-time digital manager at Corey Rich Photography (CRP). An enormous amount of change has taken place in that short period of time; personally, within CRP and within the photo industry as a whole. The way in which all of this has impacted me is what you can expect from the blog. It will be reflected in the type of work I choose to pursue and more literally in the musings that will be posted.

To brake it down in more literal terms, expect this blog to contain articles highlighting my work as a photographer, filmmaker, writer and marketing consultant — as I re-endeavor to become a freelance professional — as well as my experience as a mountain biker and racer, and general outdoor enthusiast.

I love getting feedback, so please comment on my blog posts (it will make me feel important), and feel free to connect with me on Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn (please send me a note when adding me to your network).

Thanks for reading!

Before her car came into full view in the long-term parking lot at the Reno-Tahoe International Airport, Natalie Rockwell felt a familiar sensation: Something bad happened to her car.

Vince M. Camiolo | Click to enlarge

Considering her 1993 Honda Civic has been broken into and vandalized on at least five occasions in as many years, it is no wonder that Rockwell has developed a sixth sense when it comes to her car’s vulnerability. Although her sense this time was accurate, she hadn’t anticipated one specific, major aspect of the crime: The entire rear passenger side door was stolen. The stereo faceplate and a mobile phone charger were taken as well, but that was nothing new to Rockwell. But an entire door was certainly a new addition to her car’s storied past.

Never heard of an entire car door being stolen? You are in good company. Neither the police who took the report nor any of the staff at two separate junk yards are familiar with such an occurrence. If anyone would have heard of this happening before, it would be them.

Vince M. Camiolo | Click to enlarge

And the airport’s reaction? Not their problem. But they still demanded the more than $100 parking fee as the car was towed from their lot after a 10-day stay.

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Rockwell, who happens to be my girlfriend of more than five years, agreed to pose for a couple quick portraits on our way to Sparks, Nev. to look for a replacement door.

This Sunday brings one of the biggest events of the year to Incline Village, Nev. Athletes from all over the world descend upon the small Sierra town on the north shore of Lake Tahoe to compete for an overall US title in an off-road triathlon known as the Xterra (although the automaker, Nissan, which has an SUV by the same name in their line, has played a sponsoring role in the past, the Xterra series existed before the adventure-oriented SUV by the same name).

©Vince M. Camiolo | Click to enlarge

Surrounding the US championship is a weekend full of events, including five and 10K trail runs, the collegiate Xterra championship and a friendly canine competition.

Despite being bum-rushed by some rowdy bacteria (or a virus) on Friday night, I forced myself out to get some shots of the dog competition. I then headed straight back to the couch to rest up for Sunday’s professional US championship.

During the past two incredibly satisfying Philadelphia Phillies playoff games I have fallen into the habit of posting updates and interesting stats, from the game, to my Twitter account. It’s not immediately clear to me why I started doing this, but I do have a theory; its genesis was personal, its development, professional.

Of my modest social circle here in Lake Tahoe, none are Philadelphia sports fans (aside from my girlfriend Natalie, but she concentrates her fanatacism on the Eagles). What’s worse, both playoff games have been during the mid-week workday, limiting my potential commiseration to the small Corey Rich Photography office. Needless to say, I’m the only one who cares. Which brings me to the basis of my theory of genesis: Twitter began serving as the fellow fan in the room to whom I express enthusiastic observations (i.e. “Hey, Brett Myers has no-hit the last 15 Brewers batters in a row!” or “All Phillies have reached base, seven by walk.“).

But the tone developed into serious reporting. Anything of significance was immediately tweeted, such as any bases loaded situation and especially Victorino’s second inning grand slam in game two. Regular updates were tweeted every two to three innings with the score and any interesting stats I had observed.

I enjoy taking the reporting of the game seriously (even if I’m annoying my followers more than informing them in this case). I was trained to report, but most of my reporting has been done visually. This is giving me a chance to hone my textual reporting skills. I am committing myself to thoroughly report-by-tweet the duration of the Philadelphia Philles playoff campaign.

So follow me, and the Phillies, all the way to a World Series win!