Billy Hunt

Book Nudes – New Personal Work

billyhunt — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 21:48:37 +0000

What is the value of a photograph? A book? Any physical object that is media? We live in a culture of expression, where everyone wants to be a photographer/filmmaker/musician/writer but no one wants to buy photos/films/cd’s/books. Everything we make competes for our attention with everything being made, and everything that has ever been made in the history of the world. Ouch.

Which brings me to my latest project. I have been photographing nudes using an antique polaroid camera, and printing them on torn out pages of old books. My goal is to repurpose what is no longer considered valuable, and perhaps add a bit back in. To make one-of-a-kind art objects using physical processes and materials, each image a unique edition of 1. Each one will be valued or thrown out, cherished or ignored. I think either would be interesting. What do you think?

Book Portraits – New Work

billyhunt — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 16:39:31 +0000

I have made some more images from my Book Portraits series that I thought I would share with you.

Puppet Headshots

billyhunt — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 15:27:21 +0000

As I have already mentioned, I am helping the new kids TV show, Time Machine Guitar get off the ground. In addition to their social media, I am taking all the photography for the show. I had the chance to do some puppet headshots recently, and it was very interesting. Puppet operators need to have a monitor so they can make the puppet look in the right direction, and the difference is startling. Puppets really come alive with a good operator. We were working with some of the best on the show. Pam Arciero works on Sesame Street, The Chapelle Show, and The Great Space Coaster, to name a few. Jim Kroupa works on Sesame Street and the latest Muppets Movie. Local favorite Brodrick “Jigsaw” Jones rounds out the trio, and really held his own among the masters.

The puppets were designed by Jon Little, and he is amazing. Here is a video we shot of him at work.

One thing I never thought about regarding puppets. They don’t need any retouching! No stray hairs on those dudes, and their makeup is always perfect.

Hiromi Tai Chi – Grandmaster Wang’s Workshop

billyhunt — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 22:10:04 +0000

I was honored when Hiromi of Hiromi Tai Chi asked me to photograph Grand Master Wang’s recent workshop. Grand Master Wang came over from Japan, where he teaches, and helped the Hiromi’s students with everything from the basics to more nuanced techniques. Watching him was like watching one of the masters in a Hong Kong Action Cinema movie, except real. And unlike the movie masters, he was a nice guy! He was beautiful to watch, and I hope some of my images can help convey that.

Time Machine Guitar – Production Stills

billyhunt — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 15:02:03 +0000

I have been really fortunite to work on the new Childrens Television Series, Time Machine Guitar. In addition to filming some a little bit of the show, the kickstarter campaign, and helping them with their social networking, I have been taking production stills during filming for the past week. Here is a window into the show. Check it out. And if you want to support the kickstarter campaign. That would be amazing.

University of Virginia Urban Exploration

billyhunt — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 18:43:03 +0000

I went on a secret tour of UVA’s steam tunnels and the rooftop of one of the buildings on grounds. So scary, and intense, and amazing. I had to enter through a sewer tunnel and exit through a manhole after being basically pushed through. There was all this cool graffiti from the past few decades, and it was HOT! Literally. Like 100 degrees and 100 percent humidity. I was pretty scared when I get to crawl down through the grate into 2 foot tunnel over steam pipes. Like really-really-I-don’t-wanna-go scared. But once it opened up a bit, I got my camera out, and was chill after that. Dehydrated, but chill.

Adventure!

“Bad Review” #1 Angry Birds

billyhunt — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 20:47:10 +0000

Together with my intern Jake, I have started creating and posting bad product reviews on youtube and asking my friends to flame me in the comments. It is performance art? A shameless gimmick? I make all the videos on my iphone, soup to nuts.

So, if you are feeling it, go on and make fun of my character. This is the first of two videos I have posted so far. Its about an underground game destined to become a classic, Angry Birds.

4 Tips for Looking Beautiful Reaches 100k Viewers

billyhunt — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 16:53:31 +0000

Almost 2 years ago, Brian Wimer, Jennifer Tidwell, Mendy St Ours, Miller Susan, William Hunt, and members of We Are Star Children made a short, ridiculous video about looking great in photos. 2 months ago, the number of viewers started to skyrocked going from 15,000 to well over 100,000 today, making it my most successful video todate. Why? Is it my bad acting? The useful tips? The hyper catchy jungle made with the I Am T-Pain Iphone App? I have no idea, but I thought it would be a nice time to pull it out of the youtube closet, dust it off, and learn once again that you are beautiful and I love you.

Time Machine Guitar – A New Children’s Television Show

billyhunt — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 16:17:04 +0000

I am so pleased that here in our sleepy town of Charlottesville, Virginia, we are making a real life TV show. Well, not super real life, as it stars a bunch of puppets and a time traveling guitar, but thats real enough for me.

The real star is Ralph Covert, of Ralph’s World fame. He is a rock star,in the real sense of the word.

So check out the site for the show. And spread the word.

Finally, if you have kids who want to be famous, they are beginning casting for actors and dancers.

http://www.timemachineguitar.com

Scream Portrait Featured in Lenscratch

billyhunt — Mon, 02 Jan 2012 16:56:24 +0000

The always cool Aline Smithson was kind enough to feature one of my Scream Portraits in her Your Favorite Photographs of 2011. I am in some very good company. so check it out if only to see all the amazing work that was made in 2011. Also, I personally, am thinking 2012 is going to ROCK!!!!!!

Happy New Year.