A Photo Geeks ups and downs through words and images.
Recently, while out and about, we stopped at a farm stand to pick up some fresh groceries to take home and enjoy. Like with most farm stands, there were some animals and a small area for feeding. I was lucky to capture a moment where a couple of goats were checking me out rather than ignoring me while going about their business. For as long as I can recall, I’ve always savored the moments I had out of the city. Having images to take home and enjoy are priceless. This was definitely one of them.
As we drove across the vast farmlands of Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. My wife turned to me and asked what it was about these trips that brought such excitement and admiration. I said, “Think of all those TV shows and movies where the subject who grew up on a farm and the experience of wonderment they experience upon arriving in the big city. Now reverse it and take the city boy out to the country. (Omitting all the cliche Hollywood troupes where the character scoffs at the idea before learning a life altering lesson.)” As someone who’s closest experience with camping was as a drunken teen falling asleep on a rock in New York City’s Central Park. A trip to the country is pretty damn cool.
We were back in Richmond for our friend Tracy’s pop up record store last weekend. As old as I get, being around fellow music geeks, and talking the talk while digging through crates of records still provides a buzz that can only be compared to the finest things in life. During my short dig, I picked both of Sweeping Promises albums and a late 70’s no wave treasure by the Nina Hagen fronted Teenage Jesus and the Jerks. It’s always a pleasure to see Tracy and her beautifully warm smile. Richmond is great city of art, personality and diversity. Having the chance to live within reach of it will guarantee many future visits. I captured this photo of Jefferson Avenue’s Pizza Bones while my wife checked in at a bakery across the street.
My Father always had a way, no matter how dumb it sounded or quickly rebuked by science or common sense, of sounding convincing, almost as if he had inside information from a secret source. One of his unusually bothersome rants was about how global warming and climate change were a hoax created by Democrats to push forward a hippie-based belief and agenda—knowing how to avoid endless fighting and being forced to hear my Father’s Fox News-inspired talking points. My wife and I would roll our eyes and write it off as the price of a good meal. Years later, and more than two since we last spoke. I sometimes wonder what he thinks about the extreme weather and politics he often injected into our conversations. When I do think of it, I feel better off not knowing. There are opinions, opinions of truth, and the actual truth. Why should I care what the other guy thinks?
I recall going to countless shows throughout the tristate during that long lost decade known as the nineties. Armed with my Nikon FM2, my 50mm lens and a couple of rolls of film. I documented each and every show I attended with an unrealistic enthusiasm that I was doing something unique and special. I had an entire linen closets of carefully described negatives, contact sheets and slides. Yet somehow, after numerous moves from my Hell’s Kitchen apartment. That gift for organization took a hit. Leaving many of the lesser known names on the bills nameless. Decades later, I can strangely recall when and where these shots were taken without an inkling on the name of the subject or the band they performed with.This image was taken at CBGB’s i the late 90’s. If I can recall, the bill featured a few Oi/Street Punk acts of the time. (Not my thing, but…) Featuring the clique blue collar, buzzed hair, and mutten chops. Your guess is good as any. If you have any idea, please share.
After picking up a couple of enlargements (My first in over a year.) at Arlington’s District Camera. I decided to begin working on a project that focuses on transit. (With most, if not all of the images taking pace on train platforms and stations. With my entire life taking place just blocks from the local and express trains. There is a pulse, a certain eb and flow that inspires me and has taught me that we are all in perpetual movement. Even as we sit still. The world around us never stops. The images I’ve printed (Both posted here recently.) will serve as the basis of this project. With ones from the past and near future travels will complete it. While I’m not yet sure if I will shop a gallery, art space or digital platform. Regardless, it feels good to have new ideas and inspirations. This morning I went downstairs to our storage space to dig for an old hard drive with older pictures from my life in New York City, New Jersey, and Seattle, Washington. There are few images worth finding and printing.
One more review. One more interview. One more trip to the record store. One more photo. One more unnecessary thing to purchase. It never ends until the day you… well, you know. I’ve been a lot more mindful of this in recent years. Focusing more on health, diet and finding a disconnection from the things that bring on stress and anxiety. Not that I’ve dedicated my time to building a doomsday bunker or burying my proverbial head in the sand. It’s more of a dedication to prioritizing and, focusing on the truly important things. This morning we ventured out to the city and battled pigeons for land and food rights. That’s the kind of happiness I seek. Finding those little moments.Ones I might soon forget, but surely revisit in future times. It’s as simple as that, Simon. Find your inner peace. Wherever it might be.
If there’s an aspect of photography that’s given me the most challenging time. It’s definitely manual focus. Yet, as I seek to progress and improve as a photographer. I’ve been setting my sights on setting my lens to manual focus to shed myself off my lazy habits. This morning I ventured out beyond my patio, without my tripod, to test my skills and photograph my least interesting subject, flower beds. Being the ADHD, “Chop, chop. Time’s a wastin.” knucklehead I am. I have to learn to be patient and find my focus. Manual focus has never been easy for me. But it’s a challenge worth taking. Knowing that learning new things and finding ways to improve is pretty rewarding. No matter what level you’re currently on. Improvement is always attainable.
I’ve always enjoyed that hour or so before the sun rises. The air seems cleaner, the scent is much different from any other part of the day, and the quiet solitude has a charm all it’s own. I cherish these moments and try to participate in them whenever possible. On a recent pre-dawn walk, I arrived home just as the sun began to show itself. The rental across the street from me that was still be constructed when we moved here in 2021, is finally active. I snapped this at about an hour before the hustle and bustle of the rush hour began. Rewarding, to say the very least.
Taken earlier today at Washington DC’s Dupont Station while finishing up our visit to the areas busy farmers market. My wife picked up lots of greens and and enough apples to make a pie. While I was able to take a few worthy shots while getting my first sunburn of the season.
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