In Beijing, China for the next week...

Harlan Erskine, “Out apartment window, Beijing, China” © 2008

So, I have been on a traveling bender for almost all of August and now I find myself in Beijing, China until the 29th to see the Olympic Games (hopefully if I can find a ticket) and to take some pictures. Anyone have any recommendations on what to see and where to go?

Day one

I am a bit in a daze right now. Having left a job I lived at for nearly four years, zoomed up to New York at break-neck speed ( I have the Georgia Speeding ticket to prove that) I feel like I am still going back to work next week and this is all a odd vacation with excessive packing. We drive my MINI up from the Magic City up 95 where we stopped at South of the Border and the Williamsburg, VA and made great time buzzing along until DC traffic brought us to a halt and delayed us several hours. Now, I am settled in the Upper West living out of a suitcase for a few days until move in on the 1st.

Despite my current state of disorientation from relocating the first day was great. We all filed in at about 10 am with awkward silences, questioning glances and timid introductions (why didn't I film that I have no idea). Later in the day you could already feel the walls melting as introductions were made and work was shared. It was great to see some of their work and how diverse it all is. I wish we could have stayed a bit longer so we could have seen everyone's book but time ran out for quick fire crit. I am looking forward to see what people shoot and even what I shoot. I couldn't help to think that all around the country there were probably other incoming MFA students doing almost the same thing–I wonder if they felt the same?

Miami to Brooklyn

No, I am not talking about the electro song but it will be part of the sound track as I move.

So, as some of you already know... I have finally thrown in the towel and I am leaving Miami and Crispin Porter + Bogusky where I have worked as a Photographer for the past year and a half and before that a Digital Artist for 3 years and I am going back to School to pursue a MFA in Photography from School of Visual Arts. It is very hard leaving a place with so many great people and great memories attached to it but I have been itching to do this for some time now and I can't wait to get started.

I have to thank SVA Graduate Photography AlumsAmy Stein and Matthew Baum for their advise and insight.

Stay classy Miami I will miss you but I will be back regularly. Now back to packing...

São Paulo, Brazil Says No To Outdoor Advertising

© Tony de Marco. All rights reserved.

São Paulo: The City That Said No To Advertising

This is interesting-it looks like the city of São Paulo, Brazil has decided to heavily restrict out door advertising and take down their ubiquitous billboards and large posters, which were apparently covering the city. It will be interesting to see how this experiment plays out in the long term once the dinosaur-like billboard shells are all removed and the people have time to reflect on how this changed their city.

There is a really nice set of images on flickr related to this, including the image above.

Stardust Memories

Flickr photo by Tamela Wolff

Stardust Hotel-Casino in Las Vegas implosion.

Las Vegas one of those rare cities that celebrates the destruction of its own history. I'm a little sad I never got to see it. (video via Zoe Strauss)

Back from Prague.

© 2006 Harlan Erskine. All rights reserved.


I got back from a week vacation in Prague last week and I am finally over my jet-lag. I have a lot of pictures to post and as soon as I have a second later this weekend I will post more. The picture above was taken in the early morning in Prague's Airport as we were departing, it was a sad but beautiful morning.