Here's another image from my surreal series of images... It was my take on a tutorial I found in Digital class last semester. This one is for Denise, who motivates me even when I don't want it, lol

What I like about doing surreal images and photography in general, is that it gives me an opportunity to tell the story of the world through my eyes. I have always gravitated toward the darker side of things, not because I'm morbid but because it holds a certain fascination and interest to me. The mysterious was always more appealing to me than the ordinary.

This image is inspired by many things, but the one inspiration that stuck out to me was a song by the group Shinedown who sings this amazing song called "Fly from the inside". The lyrics are so moving to me.

This image is another one from my surreal series, I have yet to name this particular series. To bad My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy is already taken, haha.

© DB8S Photography

Event Description

Darnell Bates at DB8S Photography

"NOT ALONE"

Presented by Phantom Gallery Los Angeles/Long Beach

An exploration of solitude while in natural, urban, and/or open landscapes, by Darnell Bates.

Artist Reception: Saturday, January 8, 6:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.

Exhibition runs January 8 through February 6, 2011.

Sunday - Friday Open by appointment only, Saturday Open 4pm - 6pm

For more information, please visit our website or call (714) 794-9895 or e-mail us at darnellbates@db8s.com.

Here's a new image I worked on, it's part of a new surreal based series i have been working on, and I really enjoy making art that has a dark or fanstasy element to it.

Models are my good friend Steven Lopez, and Louis Castellanos.

I have decided to finish off my two series from 2010, the Lichtenstein Pop Art, and my Frank Miller inspired series.

In the Sin City set my models are Lisa Hermon and Travis Gayler , and in my Lichtenstein set my models are my good friend Steven Lopez, and Louis Castellanos.

I have been procrastinating on these for far too long, and decided to put them up so I can focus on putting new and recent work up. :)

Here's another photo from my sin city series. My classmate/fellow photographer Will Gonzalez is modeling for me.

Ok, I have decided to do a non photo post, and talk about my 5 favorite movies of al time. In no particular order:

Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back - I mean do I have to explain? It's Star Wars, therefore its awesome. But I really like the way they integrated emotion with action and how the good guys were actually losing at the end of the film, interesting perspective.

The Shawshank Redemption- Tim Robbins is one of the main reasons I love this film. I though he acted very well, and the cinematography lent to the mood of the film. And its a story about when life gives you lemons, say screw the lemons and bail!

Tombstone- Doc Holiday. Period. This is Val Kilmer at his best.

Indiana Jones and.....(all three)- I always liked the idea of being book smart, educated and worldly; and still being able to throw a decent punch. I haven't seen the new one, I'm scared it will ruin my Indiana Jones love.

The Beauty and The Beast- I saw this movie when I was 6, and it's still one of my favorites. It has so many metaphors and it's actually very mature and dark for a "Disney" movie.

So those are my top 5, and I don't even think it's accurate enough I need like a top 50; cause I have so many movies I love. But these are movies that I can watch over and over and not get bored.

This is another series I have worked on this year. It is inspired by the graphic novel style of Frank Miller, which in turn was used in the film based on his graphic novels, Sin City, which is one of my favorite movies. My model is Anthony Castro, one of my best friends.

This is the second photo in my Lichtenstein Pop Art inspired series.

I decided for this post, I would show the first in a new series I am working on. Pop Art Lichtenstein Inspired.

I am very happy to say that I was Best In Show in LBCC Photofest Student Contest 2010!! It was SO unexpected, and I really appreciate that someone picked my work as the best. It's a really good feeling to have.

Yesterday was the 2010 photofest reception; where LBCC announced the winners of the 2010 photofest student contest. I am very happy to say that my friend Steven Lopez won 1st place in the color category! So congrats to him, I am very proud.I also won 2nd Place in the alternative category and Best of Show! But I really give the credit to my best friends Steven and Anthony. They push me to be a better photographer and a better person, so I thank them; and that's one small step for man, a giant leap for team rocket!!


So here's Stevens award winning picture (that I'm modeling in b.t.w)

Here's my new website up and running!! It was a true labor of love, with heavy emphasis on the "labor".

I designed it and uploaded it myself, which is not bad for someone with zero web designing experience. But it was very challenging, and at times I felt like giving up and just paying a professional to do it.

So without further ado...........here it is: Torin chaos photography

The Freestyle gallery in Hollywood had there Emerging Artists show tonight, which showcased a lot of new amazing artists from schools all across the country.

From Long Beach City College's photo program, four students were picked, and I am happy to say that my best friend Anthony Castro was among the chosen few. His work was very powerful, and not to mention, he is really a talented artist.

The show is going to be at the freestyle gallery in Hollywood, then it's going to travel around the country, which is awesome.

Photos © Lithium Picnic Studios

This is the work of Lithim Picnic Studios, a.k.a. the work of Phillip Warner. I just love his work and he walks the fine line of subtle risque with ease.

He's a photographer, who has done work for many magazines that I read, such as Inked, Gothic Beauty and Kerrang! magazines. He hails from Houston, but he's currently in transition for a move to Los Angeles. Yay!! (Come to where all the cool kids live ;) ha!)

I think the way he uses lighting is superb, and can find some of the sickest locations. His work is truly inspiring to me, and you can check his website out here. (*Note- Some of the images on his site contain partial/full nudity. So beware if you're squeamish about that kind of thing.) All in all though, Very cool stuff.

So, since I showed a awesome photographer by the name of Joshua Hoffine last post, I thought I would show my version of horror noir. I did a diptych image of a man being haunted.

Ok, so this is my first post on this blog, so I guess I will keep it short and sweet.

I am sharing everything photo & beyond. Not only my own photography work, but also people I admire.

My likes, loves, favorites, and just any and everything I really find compelling and interesting. So okay, here we go....

This is a awesome conceptual/narrative photographer, Joshua Hoffine. Another photographer sent me a link to his site, and I think his work is amazing. His style is very horror-noir and looks completely believable; mainly due to the fact that he creates these very elaborate sets and everything is 100% authentic which I think is very cool.


You can find more of his work at (www.joshuahoffine.com)