A Photo Geeks ups and downs through words and images.
Author: photogeek23
I'm starting this blog to share my work and experiences with friends, family and anyone who takes pictures or loves photography. Comments and insight are greatly appreciated.
Last week, I received an email notifying me that my account with WordPress needed to be renewed. Easy Peazy, right? Just pay the man and continue doing your thing. Only this time, I honestly wasn’t sure I wanted to do so. What started as an attempt to share images and stories with friends and family. Turned into a numbers game and an admittance that I really suck at navigating social media platforms. However, with new business cards ordered just weeks ago with photogeek22 earmarked as the place to find my work. I decided to renew for one more year. Giving myself time to finish that website I’ve been working on for so long. In the year ahead, expect more images and less chit chat. Enjoy.
Below are six color variations of street art I photographed in New York City’s S.O.H.O. neighborhood, just below Houston Street. I’m selling 11X14 prints in your color (offered here) for $80. each. Images come unframed and without borders. Currently, I’m accepting Paypal as my only form of payment. Contact me here or at DamionPhoto@gmail.com with any questions.
So, here I am, listening to the criminally under-acknowledged album “Broken Hearts Are Blue.” by Minneapolis indie rock standout The Truth About Love and mulling through images I might have overlooked. Perhaps something that just needs a crop or touch-up to give it new life. Funny how I can easily recall a photo shoot and whatever chemistry or connection that was made over that thirty or so minutes we shared, while allowing countless images to go unexplored. This one image of a badass musician / artist I met on the lower east side of Manhattan jumped out at me while appeaing to my recent obsession with edgy punk rock captures. It also draws me to the core of a style in which I’d love to photograph going forward. Please, share your thoughts. If you think this image and it’s dramatic style suck. Let me know. I get so little feedback on this blog. Let me know you’re thoughts on the matter.
While photographing people has been my passion since day one. It wasn’t always easy. From my earliest days photographing friends and working for retail studios. To working with models and complete strangers That personal connection peels away the layers and depth of people’s personalities was one of the best feelings I could describe.. Forging a trust in a matter of minutes. One that allows you to peal away layers to show them in a way they may not have expected. I want to get back to that, while exploring the stories and experiences behind the session and image. As much as I’ve enjoyed and benefited from travel and landscape photography, I’ve dearly missed the challenge and rewards of portraiture and studio photography. What once looked like a closed chapter seems to be opening up again.
After months, no years, I’ve finally ordered new business cards from moo.com. While my last order has yet to run out. The practice of handing out cards with a Seattle address and images that don’t show my growth as an artist takes further explanation than I’m prepared to share. The hardest part for me, as usual, was making a final design and choosing the images that best convey the message I wish to put forward. Now, with fresh cards that correctly pinpoint my area of operation. I hope to overcome the shyness and introverted nature I worked so hard to develop, and invite some new inspirations into my lair. Over the weekend, I chickened out of three possible muse connections. We’ll see how long it takes for me to come out of my social cocoon. Until then.
Earlier this week, I came across some photos from a session I often refer to as, the worst due to the lack of communication between myself and the model. Regardless of the fact that she was, by all means, beautiful and a great canvas to work with. Much of the hour we booked was marred by her insistance on looking tough and making what would most be considered a gas face. Luckily, my friend and mentor was willing to step in to make some suggestions that really turned things around. Shortly after her departure, we shared a deep exhale, grateful that the worst part of our day was over. Looking back, I’m thankful for both. The model for testing my patience and pushing me to become a better communicator. My friend for stepping in and showing me how a true professional gets things done.
Below is a picture an exhausted me took heading back to the bus after my second hike along the Potomac River since Easter. I liked the old world look of the building and how the unassuming Amish women complimented it. All in all, a rewarding day.
After years in Seattle and Virginia. The planning of a road trip to our former home in North Jersey was long over due. Being that we lived in Hoboken and Jersey City for the first fifteen or so years of our marriage. We experienced many of our adventures just across the river from where we first met and married. The plan came together when we learned that a long time friend was finalizing her bands tour in Jersey City. How else could we get to see as many familiar friends at one place and at one time?
Over the weekend, my wife and me took a trip north to the area of New Jersey we once called home. During those two days we covered a lot of ground and met up with a respectable amount of old friends and loved ones. One, a long time friend and photography mentor met us at a otherwise overlooked Irish spot on Clifton. This friend, one who had met some health issues head on and conquered them was full of life and laughter. He made my wife smile from ear to ear and even knocked my hardened personality back to life. As our meet up began to wind down. He pulled out a coffee table book on the famed photography and directorial icon Herb Ritts While the book served as a priceless token of our friendship. One I can’t imagine I earned. It served as a reminder of my childhood visits to DDB (Doyle, Dane, Bernbach.) where my Mother was a financially struggling secretary.
As a ten year old, it was such a privilege being brought up to the art department where artists and designers were working on the next, best sketch, art piece, or movie poster. The work, along with the artists I met, gave me an early passion and understanding of art that influenced me to draw and ultimately dive into photography. Years later, I was sitting next to a friend catching up on one another’s travels and run ins. The time was short, yet conversations through regular phone calls Kept us up on the important things. As our time came to an end, he revealed a old brown bag. Within, a book to brought back the memories of the apartment I grew up. Yes, we were poor, but my Mom always brought art and art books given to her at work. Things and memories that enriched us in countless ways. Funny how two unrelated stories reflect one another. I guess that’s life.
As I was exiting the historically riveting, yet soul crushing Smithsonian Museum of African History and Culture. I stopped to take this image of what I considered a moving moment. A row of people who had just exited the exhibition I had. People who had completely disconnected themselves from living in a moment and gone back to their worlds of social media and technology. Is this where we’re headed or have already arrived? Whether you’re old or familiar with a time when we weren’t as plugged in, yet tuned off. I recently watched as a woman walked into traffic without looking up from her phone. Only reacting when a car screeched to a halt in order not to hit her. Her reaction, “How dare you…” seemed indicative of the current mindset many carry around, troubled me. Not to come off like an old curmudgeon (Which I am.) shaking his fist at the sky. But, wake the fuck up.
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