biography bites
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| 74 true mitch facts, 1 false mitch fact . . . in no particular order |
| 74 true mitch facts, 1 false mitch fact . . . in no particular order |
| Based in San Francisco, and L.A., and here in this café – but steals bases in every other city in the Nation. Backpacked through China for 3 months. Backpacked in San Jose for a day. Did a session with The Ramones and Joey hated him. Embraces digital, indifferent about film, perplexed by chalk. Once stole a dollar from his next door neighbor’s mother when he was eight. Plans on returning it soon. Click here to see Mitch's blog about his first "photograph" ever. Click here to see Mitch's Ramones image. Works with the most talented and friendly assistants burritos can buy. Studied under Art Kane at Art Center. Met his wife during his 3 months in China – she’s not Chinese. 2nd most inspiring photographer: Richard Avedon. Johnny Lydon spat in his lens before smoking a cigarette out of his own ass. Click to see Johnny. The key to a successful photographer/subject relationship: Forget the photographer, enjoy the souls in the room. The key to a successful photographer/agency relationship: Speak only in abstract terms. (ie. “I want her to look like she can smell the popcorn”.) The key to a successful photographer/client relationship: Speak only in literal terms. (ie. “She needs to be eating popcorn in this shot”.) The key to a successful photographer/digital re-toucher relationship: Speak in terms of what’s not there. (ie. “We can add the popcorn after the shoot.”) Has a summer birthday. Loves dogs but doesn’t really want to own one. Likes cats but . . . well, not really. Hasn’t had a television since 1990. Doesn’t feel as though he’s missed much as a result. Click here to see Mitch's images of (and read about) FISHBONE - on the blog. All time favorite 4x5 Polaroid accidental double exposure: Still life of 30 raisins on a white background over portrait of elderly woman. Favorite film: Waiting for Guffman Can never go wrong with Bob Marley bootlegs piping through the speakers on set. Is an accomplished songwriter, guitarist and singer. Click to listen to instrumental piece written and performed by MT (“Sarumon Boogie”). And a piece about the life and dreams of 5 year-old boys (“Munchkins”). Votes. Feels Phish was best in 1992. Is a total sucker for Ansel Adams. He created an idiom – let’s face it. Needs to be reminded to drink water during a shoot. Used to have Bette Midler hair, wore red suede Peter Pan boots, and went to Ratt concerts. No more Midler mane, no more interest in Ratt. Would love to find another pair of the boots, though. Click to view film Mitch did of his train-loving boy. (Be patient with download - it's a honker!) Hikes Rodeo Beach to Tennessee Valley to Muir Beach. Cab? (Not so fast, Pelican Inn for Bangers and Mash first.) Hikes Topanga Canyon. (Met Andy Summers with his two kids at the summit of Eagle Rock one time.) Absolutely loves the Tin Hat Trio, Fiona Apple, Andre Segovia, and Alice Cooper. Dislikes over-produced contemporary country music. Yuk! Burning desire is to take the family to Spain for a year, shoot stock imagery 3 days a week, and study flamenco guitar from a virtuoso with bad B.O. Has no desire to visit a “Power of Positive Real Estate” seminar. Favorite actor: Crispin Glover Redemption Song sounds great in this café. Wish he could have photographed George Carlin in a Redwood grove, on his cell phone. Wish he could have photographed Frank Zappa in his studio – he did shoot Dweezil in Frank’s studio, though! Click here. Favorite band: Brave Combo (The baddest Polka / Salsa / Metal ensemble you’ve heard in your life – out of Denton, Texas.) Loves Platon’s work. No link provided, as Mitch doesn’t want you to hire him instead. Has one friend who started a non-profit called the Jewish Partison Educational Foundation. Wonderful work. Has one friend who peaked in 1988. Has another friend who invented (and patented) this marvelous do-dad that streamlines solar panel installation – and saves tons of dough in the process. Has another friend who just started a wine company with his wife. Tasty! Is not a fan of people who get excessively drunk. Adores public transportation. But with 6 C-Stands, 2 anvil cases, etc. it’s tough to be a loyal patron 100% of the time. Meet ya for pizza, though! ☺ Would rather be eating Thai tonight. Has never really had bad Thai food. Loves Fishbone even though Angelo spelled his name “Mich” at a book signing. Favorite F-Stop is 2.8-ish. Favorite shutter speed is the fastest his toddler son can conceivably stick his finger between the blades right before they shut on his digit. Moonlights as a “JOOP” trampoline sales rep. Sang backup on 3 songs on BERLIN’s “Count Three and Pray” record with Terri Nunn. "We literally sang through Pia Zidora’s pantyhose together, which was being utilized as a wind screen for the microphone." Pot belly stove heats the house. Met Alice Cooper on the same day as singing through Pia Zidora’s pantyhose. When Mitch asked him what music he listens to these days, Alice replied, “Not much, it sounds like everyone got a synthesizer for Christmas”. Killed and ate approximately 100 fish over the years fishing with his dad. Not quite sure how to feel about that. Feels great live music approaches the sensation of flight. Most embarrassing moment: Too embarrassing to discuss. Favorite chord these days is a minor 6 / 9. Believes regularly hanging with quality friends makes life more like Pad Thai and less like Cheetos. Favorite song: Dog Breath Variations, Frank Zappa (orchestral version). Favorite politician: Kissinger, for his jowls. Favorite wife: Mitch’s. Favorite terrestrial radio program: Stephen Kent’s “Music of The World” on KPFA Favorite quote: “Responsibility is a heavy responsibility.” Cheech Marin |