during a concert in Angola, a fan jumped on stage snatched 50’s chain and then disappeared. There are conflicting reports as to what happened to the thief. According to 50’s people, the man didn’t get away. But we’re hearing that the man, who is a local Angolan thug - is still at large.

Source: MediaTakeOut

j.martinez

The most comprehensive retrospective to date of the work of internationally acclaimed Japanese artist Takashi Murakami includes more than ninety works in various media that span the artist’s entire career, installed in more than 18,500 square feet of gallery space.

The exhibition © MURAKAMI explores the self-reflexive nature of Murakami’s oeuvre by focusing on earlier work produced between 1992 and 2000 in which the artist attempts to explore his own reality through an investigation of branding and identity, as well as through self-portraiture created since 2000. Two works examining these subjects were a part of a group show, My Reality: Contemporary Art and the Culture of Japanese Animation, presented at the Brooklyn Museum in 2001.

(more…)

Downtown Manhattan - NYC Financial District.
These set of 10 pictures were taken on Saturday, April 5th 2008 - 2:32pm EST.

Large Image (2000×532) - Click Here

j.martinez

During the fall I was taking pictures of the Rat Pack Hustle races - every Monday we will head uptown to 125th st using the west side highway bike path.
I always like to ride a night because you get to see the buildings lighting - but the IAC building designed by Frank Gehry always catched my eyes.

It’s on the West Side Highway - 11th Avenue between West 18th and West 19th Streets - right across from Chelsea Piers. It’s only 9 stories tall (155 feet) but it looks massive because of its location and design. The facade has this uniquely treated & frosted sculptured glass that makes it look like a giant igloo.
This is just another building waiting to be “Landmarked”

j.martinez

Last week was pass over and B&H was closed for a whole week - (I usually visit B&H 1 every two weeks) - So I decided to pay a visit and maybe score something new!?

I’ve rented this lens many times and to tell you the truth this lens was attached to my Camera 80% of the time while I was in Long Beach, CA (FD wknd).
So I decided to make another investment and cover the range of 24-70mm @ f/2.8 - Since my 40D has a 1.6x crop, the only thing that this lens lack is an IS (Image Stabilizer) but that will create a down side which is the WEIGHT!

A side of getting a new lens - I got another small white back drop to take pictures of “products” - I’ve been reading about lighting and product taking pictures and I’m starting to explore into this type of photography.

Thanks to Benny Gold - I won this hat during a sticker contest last month!

This next product is a must have (AJ1 Opening day) - I slept when this shoe came out - too busy getting ready for Long Beach Formula Drift… but once I got back the Black one were already sold out, so I decided to cop this one. Got them @ Stussy NY

Last but not least, I went to the reedspace looking for a tee and while waiting to check out I was hypnotized by the CONCRE G-SHOCK!
Always wanted G-SHOCK but never had the “Time” to look for the right one… G-SHOCK x MADSAKI

After reviewing the images - I’m happy with the Product/studio/setup.
As for the Lens/Hat/Shoes/Watch - you gotta “Stayfresh!!”

j.martinez

Hi…

j.martinez

Its hard to follow Super GT (JGTC) here in the US because there’s no broadcasting unless you have Direct TV or “something“.
But I manage to download full races here and there and keep checking the website for updates.
If you look closely - The GTR are dominating this season with the Introduction of the GTR-R35.

Peep Rnd2 Video Digest.

Now… in the GT300 Class the Cusco Subaru is killing the competition, passing cars left and right. could it be the 4WD? *cough*

… I stay true to my team - PETRONAS TOM’S SC430 2008 - Driven by Juichi Wakisaka and Andre Lotterer - Currently 2nd in the Championship points.

Stay tuned for more!

j.martinez

I’ve been busy the last couple of weeks with my “everyday” job and the photography world. But in the mist of all this I was selected to by Flavorpill to be 1 of the 5 photographers to capture their cities’ distinct architectural landscapes. Each one of us (Photographer) highlighted the dichotomy between the past and the future, evoking each city’s pure, unshakable essence in his own unique style.

Here you have 2 images of my work for Flavorpill / BMW - PURE Photography

For more pictures log on to Flavorpill.com and check out The New York City Issue of this Month!

j.martinez

Formula D - Long Beach (RD1) kicked off last weekend with a almost sold out crowd and with new cars/drivers!
1.

(more…)

I’ve been sorting through 4338+ pictures to give you guys the best FD coverage…
but for now…

can you smell the rubber!?

j.martinez

Final Run…

Now guess who won!? - Check it out @ FormulaD.com

more pictures soon!

j.martinez

Formula Drift 2008 Season have just begun! - Get your tickets now at FormulaD.com. Is expected to be a bigger turn out than Irwindale Speedway.

Here is a Preview of what’s going on Tomorrow!

keep an eye out for the for the Formula D Official Blog!

j.martinez

So Benny Gold had a sticker contest which started on FEB 20, 2008 - Benny explains in his blog: “Take a picture of a Benny Gold sticker up somewhere. You can put it on your BMW, your bicycle or on your girlfriends ass. I don’t care where it is. The best picture will win a New Era. I might even lace you with a sample hat if the picture is really epic.” - the dead line was April 1st and Benny choose 4 winners for this contest.

“I received so many entries for the sticker contest that it was hard to narrow it down to just one. I decided to give out hats to the four best entries that I received. Thanks to everyone that sent in for stickers and took the time to get me a picture.” Says Benny in the blog winner’s post.

This was my entry…

Thanks to EM for the look out… Hope you get well soon Emmylee!

j.martinez