After a long, hot day in the city with my mom and wife. I was eager to go home, shower, sleep and enjoy a tasty beverage. 
While we exited the Journal Square PATH together. I took a much need break to separate myself from the crowd as well as my loved ones. As I stopped to allow time for the herd of exiting passengers to thin as they made their way to the escalators. Standing there exhausted, poising myself for the short, yet arduous walk home. I noticed a light peaking through the concrete and metal columns just beyond the tracks. Stopping to take this one image gave me an extra boost of energy as well as short, yet sweet moment to myself. A much needed moment to exhale.
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.
Reindeer Sighting In June
Journal Square is, by far, the strangest area I’ve ever lived in. Just within reach of my own home. Neighbors let trash sit in their yards for months at a time. Homeowners who never bother to take a broom to their sidewalks or curbs. 
At times, the streets smell like a stable of horses with a bad case of diarrhea are running amok on Tonnelle and Newark Ave.. And while this element of shame is luckily confined to a small area. It’s still eludes any connection to common sense. So when I came across a front yard that still had it’s Christmas decorations displayed in June. It made me smile, thinking “At least it’s not a fucking toilet.” Merry Christmas Journal Square.
Testing, Testing
Last night a friend and fellow photographer visited to give me a lighting tutorial using just one hot light and a couple of flags. Having someone just down the hall from me who’s more than happy to stop by to talk shop while sharing his experience and knowledge keeps me inspired and appreciative. No matter where my journey as a photographer takes me. I need to learn and grow in order to keep that passion alive.
As we were shooting, he mentioned how this style would work well with my artist and musician portraits. Adding dimension and drama to my images. As we viewed each image as it was shot. I was reminded of a shoot I did with Brooklyn’s Cinema Cinema at my old home studio in Hoboken. This image was also shot with one light that was fitted with a soft box. At the time, and still to this day. Both the band and myself loved the results. It seems that this was the direction I was hoping to move towards for some time now.
Having all the space I need to shoot and the tools to help my work grow. I can only hope to continue doing what I love. To quote the late, great Joe Strummer “The Future is Unwritten.”
Interpreting Art. (For Jenn)
Recently I was asked a very tough question from a friend and fellow artist in regard to some images I had posted from my trip to Mana Contemporary’s open house studio tour. The question “How do you go about photographing someone else’s art?” was about as good as question as they come. The fact that it was coming from an artist I respect and love gave the inquiry weight and importance that deserved a thoughtful answer. Photographing another artists passion and hard work may not be as easy as it sounds. From my early day
s in the late 90’s photographing paintings and sculptures for Cooper Union students on the streets and rooftops of the east village and the lower east side of NYC. I’ve always made it a point to portray the artists vision without giving it the look and feel of a carbon copy office memo. I’ve found that lighting, contrast shadow and unique angles all add to the depth and personality of the chosen piece. As a documentarian, adding my own understanding, perception and appreciation of the piece helped warrant such intrusion. Photographing another artists passion and hard work may not be as easy as it sounds.
From my early days in the late 90’s photographing paintings and sculptures for Cooper Union students on the streets and rooftops of the east village and the lower east side of NYC. I’ve always made it a point to portray the artists vision without giving it the look and feel of a carbon copy office memo. I’ve found that lighting, contrast shadow and unique angles all add to the depth and personality of the chosen piece. As somewhat of a documentarian, adding my own understanding, perception and appreciation of the piece helped warrant such intrusion. Thanks for the thoughtful question Jenn. You are an inspiration.
To check out Jenn’s work. Click the link below.
Show Me Your Ink
As I passed the fountain in Washington Square Park. My attention turned to a Father playing with his daughters. While the young man’s tough, street wise look wouldn’t merit him as a poster boy for Fatherhood.
His loving, protective manner with his girls was, to say the very least, moving. As he began to turn towards me. I began to notice the tattoo on his forearm. Being that I had just been complaining how, if I had known twenty years ago that tattoos would become so common and flat out random. I might have never gotten any. And while I still can’t fake any interest when a friend asks me “Want to see my new tat?” I can certainly appreciate a good one when I see it.
Let’s Roll Film on this.
I was strolling through Union Square when I came upon the group of Hare Krishna who gather at the parks south western corner to sell books, chant and play their unlistenable music.
While this sight somehow manages to draw a curious crowd. It was the first time I ever saw them filming themselves. One can only hope it was being filmed to please their supreme Lord Krishna. That, they were filming a “How to make it in the music industry without even trying.” video.
The Images You Keep
As I continue to dig through my photo archive. I find myself coming up for air with some real keepers. Some of bands who remain current. Others who came and went in the blink of an eye. What started as a much needed purge of old, unused or less than stellar images, quickly became an opportunity to more easily pinpoint the ones worth keeping, or perhaps tweaking. Looking back, the amount of pictures I’ve taken at shows is insane. Moving forward, I doubt that will change.
Headshot or Not.
While I’m not 100% sure I’ve ever done a poll on this blog in the years I’ve been doing this. I’d like to get feedback on a number of things as I hope to create some dialogue with the people who tune in from time to time to see what I’m up to. 
In the past and in recent months to be more accurate. I’ve somehow managed to gain some regular traffic here on the blog. Something that means a lot considering photography is one, if not my greatest passion. Comments, messages and dialogue are both welcome and appreciated. As I decide on whether or not to spend good cash on an intensive headshot course. I thought I’d reach out and ask some of you for your input. Please take a moment to choose one of the options below as well as share with anyone who might have an opinion on the matter. Thanks.
Learn as you Go.
On an almost daily basis. I take a few minutes to spend a little time visiting a past shoot to either tweak an overlooked image while sending any less than worthy ones to the trash. 
It’s a practice that has allowed me to purge thousands of images while giving me time to savor and care for the ones that really count. As I look back to my earliest home studio work. I see my leanings towards broad/flat lighting. A style that may have worked for me at the time. Clearly displays my fears of fucking things up and making mistakes. Perhaps revealing my rookie status. And while the image below might look good to some. I clearly remember feeling like that first day on the school bus. Luckily, that day helped me capture a number of images that would lead to future work and ultimately, more confidence.
On this latter image I had not only gained confidence, but I learned some essential lessons about successfully communicating ideas and concepts while gaining the confidence and trust of the model. 
On this particular shoot, I took a more creative approach with both the lighting and concept. I knew exactly what I was looking to accomplish as well as the message I was looking to convey. As I revisited this image for the first time in over a year. I decided to add a little shadow and highlights while adjusting the contrast to give it the dramatic and moody feel the shoot called for. As I grow and hopefully evolve as a photographer. I look forward to taking chances with light, make some mistakes I can learn from and shoot with a more ballsy, confident approach.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1OfWXps93dg
What’s Goes Up…
We were driving through Connecticut this afternoon when my wife, a native of Japan saw this big sign alongside the road. She asked, like any foreigner to our darker, more seedy rituals “What’s a Hoedown?” Seizing the moment like a tried and true wise ass. I replied. “It’s when a hooker (Hoe) fails to bring back the expected amount of money to her pimp.” I replied. “When a hoe don’t show.” “That hoe goes down.” And I would have convinced her if I had managed to keep a straight face. A few minutes later we came across this scene and my bad joke was forgotten.
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