Photo © Sam Kaplan
Still-life photographer Sam Kaplan is known for creating striking designs from humble, disposable objects. For his latest direct-mail promo, which he mailed out over the holidays, Kaplan used party blowers. “I wanted to do something graphic and precise but somehow celebratory as well,” says the photographer, who is represented by Candace Gelman.

PDN wishes all our readers a very happy, peaceful 2013.

All photos © Peter Ash Lee/Art + Commerce

New York-based editorial and commercial photographer Peter Ash Lee photographed Sir Ben Kingsley for his magazine Corduroy. The night before the shoot, Lee re-watched Kingsley’s movie Sexy Beast, so he was quite nervous to meet “Don Logan” (his character from the movie).  He ended up being a really nice guy and worked with Lee for over two hours on location at the Handel House Museum where Frederick Handel composed “Messiah.” Jimi Hendrix also lived in the house for a few years before it was converted to the museum.

Lee was recently named one of PDN‘s 30: New and Emerging Photographers to Watch. Join us tonight at the School of Visual Arts for a free seminar, moderated by PDN‘s editor Holly Hughes, with  PDN‘s 30 photographers Peter Ash Lee, Ryan Pfluger and Sam Kaplan; photo editor Clinton Cargill from The New York Times Magazine; and Sony Artisan of Imagery, Andy Katz. The event takes place at the SVA Auditorium, 333 W. 23rd Street, from 7 to 8:30 p.m. (a reception will follow the event). (more…)