Check out this video showing off the worldwide caving project of Stephen Alvarez. Stephen shots this at various cave locations including Tennessee, Abkasia, Belize, Oman and New Guinea.

The images he produces are mind blowing. 

I recently read this article (here) on how Time Inc. is laying off staff as they also struggle with the effects of the recession. The editor/blogger at APE is to my honest opinion right on the dot with his 5 easy steps to make the transition from traditional print media to the new media. According to Ad Age Digital, top tier magazines that find a way to survive will walk away with the huge returns once the recession ends and they’re also confident that advertisers that are leaving now will never come back again.

You should actually read APE’s complete article and form your own opinion on his 5 easy steps to make the transition to the new media economy.

Basically it comes down to:

• invest in online new media and make mistakes, but learn during the process;
• fire your old staff who’s not into change and put the young guns in charge;
• add staff and spend 1/2 day on traditional print & 1/2 day on new media;
• invest in contributors to build up loyalty;
• invest in photography as it is the key.

Of course that last part is like music to the ears of any (editorial) photographer, but only a few will be lucky enough to find themselves in such a situation when still in recession times. 

Or do we all need to start co-investing in publications? Lowering our fees while keeping the quality of our work increasing?
Why? Why not?!

I leave that question to answer yourself.

The funny thing is, even publications as Playboy weren’t able to flee from the recession as also their profits taking a plunge (here). Even worse, Playboy is eliminating 80 positions and closing all of the company’s DVD business. (here)

After Web 2.0 and Photography 2.0, I think the time has come for Publishing 2.0. I’m keen on getting the first people to send me their thoughts on this.

I just stumbled on an entry at APE about a new Magnum in Motion item: Crime & Punishment. And damn, it’s both shocking as well as good (here). A remarkable essay that will stick to your retina for a while.

Yes, I’ve been really lazy. Or should I say too busy shooting, producing and traveling the last 4 months! 

It’s not always a treat be shooting at various locations in the world, as the traveling can wear you down. We’re no high rollers, so first class flights isn’t the way we move around. So flights of 12 and more hours in economy is… well, it’s no treat. You get the picture. That said, I’ve always missed out on the time to actually update my blog. It’s unforgivable. I know!

Lucky I’m subscribed to some a number of other good blogger and Chase Jarvis is really picking up speed. Check out his new video he created. And talk about opening up to the world once more. 

This time Chase invites you to his studio in Seattle where he recent shot some high-speed motion shots. And he’s so open to let you in on the secrets on how he shoots them.

Enjoy. And thank Chase!

Chase Jarvis needs no introduction to all of you internet roamers. The photography 2.0 evangelist has been posting numerous photo and video messages on his blog that has both helped and inspired thousands of photographers all over the globe.

And that hasn’t gone unnoticed by some of the industry brands. Check Nikon for example. They just endorsed Chase, who in his turn is endorsing the all new Nikon D90.

Good thinking of Nikon. Get a pro - and his whole staff - to test a pro amateur device and have him endorse it. Who can beat that?

Now for the techies - the Nikon D90:

- 12.3 megapixels (the same luscious chip that’s in the Nikon D300)
- D-movie function (that’s right, MOVIE function. 1280×720, .avi format, HD720p)
- High ISO/low-noise performance (Nikon’s ace in the hole. I shot this at 3200 and dug it.)
- 4.5 frames per second
- 3 inch, 920dot LCD with Live View
- Pop up flash with ‘commander’ mode to interface with Nikon’s lighting system
- GPS tagging

Also, check out Chase Jarvis And Friends.
More on Chase: www.chasejarvis.com

I had promised you to update my blog regularly, or at least put a new image up from my 08 calendar every month. Well, sorry to have broken my promise. In a ’smooth’ attempt to make it up to you all, here are 2 of the calendar shots. (July & August)

I’ll be back soon with some more juicy imagery.

Calendar 08 - July
Model: Michelle @ Vision

Calendar 08 - August
Model: Maud @ New Models

Originally uploaded by Mike Van Cleven

Paradise, originally uploaded by Mike Van Cleven.

With the weather we’ve been having lately, I thought it was time to share some more memories. One you can actually dream of this time.

Tahitian traditional dance, originally uploaded by Mike Van Cleven.

Full of color, full of power… that’s Tahitian dance rituals. Great to see… A bit goofy to do if you’re inexperienced (shaking those knees)

I was able to freeze the little girls movements during this celebration dance, while the older girls were dancing their hearts out.
© MIKEVANCLEVEN.COM

     

The deamons of Moorea, originally uploaded by Mike Van Cleven.

One day in Tahiti, as the night was falling, the sky ignited and we were treated on a beautiful spectacle: a seemed like volcano eruption on Moorea. “Seemed like”. Actually the cloud formations and the low sun created this dazzling sight.

My memories of Tahiti…

Around this time last year, I was returning from a production trip in French Polynesia. During the first night, we were treated on some local culture with a traditional Tahitian dance performance.

It was a treat for the eye to experience a piece of this glorious tradition. As the sun had already set, we used low angle set flashes directed right at the movement.

I’ll share some more of these shots and memories in upcoming posts.