by Paul Shoul on April 2, 2014
Yesterday I shot for CISA, (community involved in sustaining agriculture) out at the Maple Corner Farm in Granville MA. What a spot. The Ripley family has been farming continuously since 1812. Outside of the sugar shack where I made this image, stood the large iron reducing pots of Leon Ripley’s father. Inside the wood stacked lined walls, maple sap, gathered from hundreds of trees is fed into a huge wood-fired evaporator. Steam fills the air as the sap reduces and concentrates into a sweet syrupy gold. One taste and it’s clear why everybody is smiling, and Leon’s grandchildren, Cate and Lilie, seem to have endless energy.
by Paul Shoul on March 31, 2014
I have watched media change and the bumbling efforts by the main stream to change with it. It’s exciting to see something like OZY that embraces the new reality of news. OZY promises to be “Smarter, Fresher, Different.” Well they obviously have the smarter end of the equation down because they are using my image on the front page for the article “Air America and the rise of Rachel Maddow, the changing voice of the American left”
I remember when Rachel was scheduled to come to the studio, I had no idea how I was going to photograph her. That morning I found an American flag in the trash, and an image was born.
by Paul Shoul on March 30, 2014
The cell phone soldier, Bogota Colombia, 2013.
by Paul Shoul on March 20, 2014
Now and then I get a client that wants me to push the limits and come up with interesting images. Kudos to Communications & Marketing Director Karen Dunbar Scully whom I have been working with at Umass. I have been shooting various departments for them, and we took what could have been a rather dry eye exam into another realm. Our model, Stephanie Somra was great to work with. I’m looking forward to the next round of shoots.
by Paul Shoul on March 17, 2014
What a pleasure it was to meet artist and illustrator Rebecca Guay. Her house is somewhat like a painting, the light was fantastic. Follow this LINK to Read her interview in Preview Massachusetts magazine by James Heflin
by Paul Shoul on March 11, 2014
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I just came back from the 95th birthday celebration for the unstoppable peace activist Frances Crowe, hosted at Umass by Amy Goodman of Democracy now. Frances was glowing. It felt good to be in a packed house, all there for the same reasons. To give recognition to Francis, hear Amy dish out the facts, and to celebrate ourselves,
our community, and a common mission of trying bring some sense back into the world. It’s all out there, happening now. All we need are more people like Frances in the trenches and Amy on the airwaves, and an independent, uncompromisable media. A voice of the people, by the people, to tell the real story. As Amy said,” Americans are compassionate”, “when they hear the truth”.
by Paul Shoul on March 9, 2014
Here is a LINK to Mark Roessler’s, and my Preview Massachusetts review of Bela vegetarian restaurant in Northampton MA.
by Paul Shoul on February 21, 2014
A guide at Chaa Creek in Belize tends to the lodges organic garden. As one of the first Belizean Rainforest Eco lodges, Cha Creek has delighted visitors since 1981 with luxurious thatched roof accommodations and fantastic food in a wild jungle setting. For more info on how to visit here go to : chaacreek.com
by Paul Shoul on February 5, 2014
As a traveler and a photographer I work in environments from jungle rivers to editorial and commercial photo shoots. Where ever I go, I always have a multi tool in my kit. It is as necessary to me as my passport. My newest addition is the Swiss Tool Spirit from Victorinox Although the Swiss Tool is relatively lightweight at 5 ¾ oz, this is no toy, it is built like a shiny little tank. Each of the tools are easy to access and lock securely in place. They will not buckle, break, or close on your hand when you put some torque on them.The needle nose pliers/wire cutter folds out fluidly, the handles provide a strong and secure grip. Made of stainless steel, the cover surface is polished beautifully. The combi-edge blade, saw, and file are all incredibly sharp and functional
An amazing thing happened when I photographed the Swiss Tool. I got out my hot glue gun to stand it up vertically as I do for many small products, placed it on the light table first for positioning, and to my amazement, it balanced perfectly on the tips of its pliers all on its own. This level of hand craftsmanship and attention to detail is present in every aspect of this impressive multi tool.
For more info on the Swiss Tool go to Victorinox: $119.50
by Paul Shoul on January 31, 2014
I love the Hu Ke Lau restaurant in Chicopee Mass. Hula dancers, comedians, and huge scorpion bowl drinks filled with a quart mix of every booze known to human kind. The food is great. I spent some time in the gigantic kitchens, busy places pumping out modern Asian cuisine, along with my old time favorite American Chinese dishes like their famous Pu Pu platters and fried rice. There is also a sushi bar and a create your own stir fry station. The truth be told, they are having a better time down in Chicopee than we are in Northampton. We have some great restaurants with fabulous farm to table food, and some mighty fine music, but for atmosphere and sheer fun, when the whole crowd took to the stage after the Hawaiian show and started dancing, it beat any night out , any where. So, please don’t pass the Grey Poupon” pass me over one of those chicken fingers, that glass with the blinking ice cubes and ask that hula dancer if I can by her a drink!
To read the whole article in the current issue of Preview Mass magazine go to this LINK
