rory rorshak | gospel cigar rock

Aleta Myles starring as “The Phoenix of Detroit” by RORSHAK. (at Nashville, Tennessee) https://www.instagram.com/p/B5gdF9OBiZt/?igshid=1tgzabtlepgfj

It was the year 1999. Laws Rushing took the mic at The Boro and strummed an acoustic guitar, wearing an old v-neck shirt and a harmonica around his neck. There was something outside of language about his stage presence. He knew the old tunes, and the scriptures, and understood the art of performance. He didn’t appear to be trying, but the host and the crowd knew he was special-in the way that Johnny Cash or Bob Dylan must’ve struck an audience before they were somebodies. I’d found my favorite person to photograph. For a while he starred in the Branded Sons. We roughed them up a bit and put ‘em in a mugshot. Here’s the case file. Now he’s sharing the gospel and helping put the world back together from the beautiful old Lindsley Avenue Church of Christ in Nashville, TN. (at Nashville, Tennessee) https://www.instagram.com/p/B5gceA0hx4L/?igshid=zmz94mwl7suo

Here’s a quick flip thru my 2020 portfolio. Strange that most of my set time is spent helping to shoot product, food, and lifestyle-yet none of these images support that style of work. https://www.instagram.com/p/B5dL3QfBVAE/?igshid=1dayhcbkxvhtx

Long ago in a legendary studio far away there once was legend who did legendary things...with words and chords...and he’s still guarding his flame. #deepcuts #kennyfostermusic #miniaturesets #rorshak #minigif (at Scarpati . Studio) https://www.instagram.com/p/B5dDPvhhkn_/?igshid=1sfx7lvufuguz

After dropping my boy off to pre-school, my father in-law and I journeyed into the hollows of eastern Tennessee for a morning adventure. We joined Chester during his morning cigarette as we looked out over the strangely under-filled Boone Lake. The Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) is tending to a mysterious leak in Boone Dam. The dam is built in the vicinity of a number of gigantic underground caverns, and the water is believed to be escaping thru a recently developed yet still undiscovered outlet. Chester says the water should be back in a couple of years according to the TVA. For now, floating boat docks sit on dry ground, and “No Trespassing” signs have been erected in places that haven’t see direct sunshine since the 1950s. A curious boat house still hugs the shore with curtains drawn at the foot of a hierarchy of various docks, mobile homes, and houses. #appalachia #boonedam #tennesseetourism #wantedcanoe #canoeforsale #adventureland #tricitiestn #goodplacetolive (at Boone Lake) https://www.instagram.com/p/B3XhciehwkE/?igshid=1ui336mk47jep

Have faith in the One who created your world, little buddy. You’ll do great things if you keep your eyes on me. Don’t worry about tomorrow. Each day has evil enough of its own, so be present and deal with each step carefully, one at a time. (at Los Angeles, California) https://www.instagram.com/p/B2aMbtNByHH/?igshid=1l80cp6vs7lq0

Thank you Josh Franer @franewreck for capturing this transitional moment between sets. John Scarpati @scarpatistudio suggested to me that a photographer, grip, gaffer, etc. should know his gear like a samurai who unceasingly practices with his sword. His tools should serve as an extension of himself, and he should understand the full circumference of their utility. I started studying with the camera in high school, and film+chemicals in college, and the c-stand+lights+diffusers in my professional years. An experienced assistant once answered my question concerning the 3 most important tools that he relied upon: he answered “the California Sunbounce, the Scrim Jim, and the Uncle Sam”. I promptly purchased an Uncle Sam and have appreciated its utility like a Jedi appreciates a light saber. It travels extremely well and serves to swat hard sun, shield against rain and wind, create cover for clients, and is light enough to work without a stand. It also can be driven deep into the sand or soft soil by hand and will stand up on its own. The radiating umbrella spikes can even bend and survive hard falls. Touché Uncle Sam, there’s more to you than meets the eye. Photos by Josh Franer. @franewreck #photek #unclesam #umbrella #californiasunbounce #canon #levis #denim #redwingheritage #redwing8085 #redwingroughandtough #ducttape #sonomacounty #kenwoodwinery #throughthewoods #visitcalifornia #losangelesphotographer (at Sonoma, California) https://www.instagram.com/p/B2K7nF0B07V/?igshid=1eopaly4gekl5

Thank you Josh Franer @franewreck for capturing this transitional moment between sets. John Scarpati @scarpatistudio suggested to me that a photographer, grip, gaffer, etc. should know his gear like a samurai who unceasingly practices with his sword. His tools should serve as an extension of himself, and he should understand the full circumference of their utility. I started studying with the camera in high school, and film+chemicals in college, and the c-stand+lights+diffusers in my professional years. An experienced assistant once answered my question concerning the 3 most important tools that he relied upon: he answered “the California Sunbounce, the Scrim Jim, and the Uncle Sam”. I promptly purchased an Uncle Sam and have appreciated its utility like a Jedi appreciates a light saber. It travels extremely well and serves to swat hard sun, shield against rain and wind, create cover for clients, and is light enough to work without a stand. It also can be driven deep into the sand or soft soil by hand and will stand up on its own. The radiating umbrella spikes can even bend and survive hard falls. Touché Uncle Sam, there’s more to you than meets the eye. Photos by Josh Franer. @franewreck #photek #unclesam #umbrella #californiasunbounce #canon #levis #denim #redwingheritage #redwing8085 #redwingroughandtough #ducttape #sonomacounty #kenwoodwinery #throughthewoods #visitcalifornia #losangelesphotographer (at Sonoma, California) https://www.instagram.com/p/B2K1JQ1BX40/?igshid=14rs4x13gfb12

RORSHAK explains why he photographed sculpture artist Catherine Moburg as if she were a sculpture. __________ #rorshak #editorialphotography #rorshakamole #catherinemoburg #sculptor #nashvillearts #meta #turduckin (at Los Angeles, California) https://www.instagram.com/p/BzKLWGhBWD0/?igshid=1g5q8avk57idj

Sandstorm. (at Palm Springs, California) https://www.instagram.com/p/BzKI6iwBJ2x/?igshid=1bhdlagn06780

Scarpati snapped these three B&W images while we rocked his famed hide-away studio on Belmont Blvd in the last days of the neighborhood’s bohemian era. I threw a wee birthday party for myself and hired a few friends to tackle some fairly complicated tunes-one day of rehearsals, an evening performance, and then straight into the studio. The results are the “Lonely Island Caldera” record by Rory Rorshak (you can stream it on your favorite streamer thing). It’s a raw and curious beatnik Dylan/Pink Floyd/Waits/Patti Smith thing that is part dream and documents my lowest psychological season...and the further I am from the record the more I understand it. I guess that’s what art is...it unfolds over time... The Spotify version of this record should have the credits on it in the description-feel free to explore it when you have the time. It’s not the kind of record that one listens to in a hurry or while with friends. Perhaps it’s best suited for long drives at night in the desert. The house we performed in here was later sold to an LA producer and is no longer the legendary open creative depot that it once was. Indeed, that little show was the end of a special era, and when Scarpati left Belmont Blvd, the creative bohemian spirit left with him. The music stores left, and the tourists showed up. What were they after? One might suppose they are after what once was...and to find it they’ll have to go somewhere else...somewhere a bit more....dangerous....greasy...and less illuminated. https://www.instagram.com/p/By3J60XhY-r/?igshid=eu9rweijkgwc

Jim Kreider in Franklin, Tennessee, by RORSHAK. This film sandwich was created outside with a rare Hasselblad Flexbody camera for the initial exposure, and then re-photographed using my own special magic sauce. Jim has been recording a few jazz projects and invited me to make some complimentary images. He’s terribly photogenic and, I might add, quite hospitable. Thanks Jim for making my portfolio even better! Styling by Victoria Clemmons. — #hasselblad #flexbody #nashville #jazz #filmphotography #rorshakphotography #rorshak #portraitphotographer #musicphotographer #artphotography #secretsauce #filmsandwich (at Los Angeles, California) https://www.instagram.com/p/BybT9WNhYcb/?igshid=kothg42l4hgf

For Mother’s Day: an image of my beloved serving as the archetypal well-spring of life. This short video lays out a pretty good ‘Captain Kirk’-style case of appreciation for mothers ‘universe-wide’. My wife is a tremendous and generous giver and a true life-source for both my boy as well as for me. #mothersday #rorshakamole #artphotography #conceptphotography #conceptualphotography #breastfeeding #motherhood #mother #rorshakphotography #rorshak (at Los Angeles, California) https://www.instagram.com/p/BxXa7WPFXF2/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=16j83z3sdul4m

Evership stars in an epic space drama by RORSHAK! Thank you to Beau, Shane, and Lauren Farkas for managing the Exacto blade on these guys. This adventure included two big sets: one for the guys in full scale, and another mini-scale shoot (that took up the entire studio yet again!). We hoisted black paper with tons of holes so that the black plexi would see ‘stars’. Fun! #space #evership #rorshak #paperdolls #griptricks #plexiglas #plexiglassart #conceptualphotography #scifi #superman #albumart #aristocracy #aristocrat #frenchrevolution #docuvideo #bts (at Los Angeles, California) https://www.instagram.com/p/Bvf8l1NApCU/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=l6gtr4fnq2ra

“Swedish Ice Fishing Squad” by RORSHAK. This was the first “paper dolls” image that included pictures of real people. Thanks to John Scarpati for the title. Thanks to Rebecca Neenan for the clothes styling, and Tianna Calcagno for the hair and makeup! Thanks to AnnaLiisa and Katharina for modeling. After thinking about all the people to thank, I realize I hardly did any work at all! #swedishicefishingsquad #rorshak #paperdolls #sugarcubes #minnows #coldwar #miniature (at Los Angeles, California) https://www.instagram.com/p/BvQDXFWBSZL/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=re89ouh7ri3y

RORSHAK does The Bolo Brothers! Thank you to Jared and Grant, two of the coolest friends a guy could have...and bravest, too! Extra special thanks to Lauren Farkas for styling the set, and to Reptile Guy for the scorpions! #studio615 #scorpions #bolotie #spaghettiwestern #rorshakamole #rorshak #homedepot #letsdothis (at Los Angeles, California) https://www.instagram.com/p/Bu7ti03hV6f/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1t39o04ysh866