photogeek23

Getting Lost and Finding Gold Along the Way.

We were headed to our new bagel hideout when we made the turn just before the designated u-turn that would have put us on track for breakfast. As we rounded the long path that took us past the industrial park and back on to our preferred route. I realized we had hit an unexpected jackpot. That slight misstep allowed us access to some key views of the Pulaski Skyway and the bridge that is currently being worked on. So with camera in hand I hit the car seats eject button and composed a few shots. Within minutes I was back in the car and we were back on track for some fresh bagels and coffee. While there was a time when getting lost might lead me to self doubt and criticism. I’ve learned that it often leads to treasure and unexpected fun. It makes me proud knowing I have absolutely no sense of direction.

Something Different

NYC, Street Photography, Uncategorized

Each year, as the Christmas holiday approaches. The thought of doing something a little different comes to mind. While I have no issues in sitting around a tree watching football and unwrapping gift cards while waiting for the tofurky to roast to perfection. The urge of getting out and doing something a little different often calls.

In recent years, my wife and I have made a habit of trying new things. While recent Christmas holidays have taken us to various exotic locations such as Tokyo, Atlantic City and Harlem. This year had us looking for something as close to home as possible. So with thoughts of vegan dim sum and vegetarian duck serving as our personal GPS. We headed to Chinatown to celebrate and be celebratory. For as long as I can remember having feet. Mott St. has been a favorite spot of mine. And while the area has become a major dumping ground for tourists. I can still respect it’s culture and historic significance. Visiting the buddhist center and spending time in Columbus Park always keep me inspired. While chowing down on vegetarian dim sum at Buddha Bodai is about the best way to enjoy a healthy, yet delicious feat. While I love the draw of family and holiday traditions. I feel a certain sense of reward in creating a few of my own.

The Sun Also Sets on Elizabeth (New Jersey that is.)

Uncategorized

In the few times I’ve travelled to the Elizabeth Commons to go shopping with my wife. I’ve always found what was happening in the distance to be more exciting than anything going on within the giant retail complex. So when she insisted on going there to take advantage of the post Christmas sales, I agreed. I’d go shopping as long as she’d wait patiently while I took pictures after we were done. Without a second thought, she agreed and an alliance was formed. So as she sat in the car patiently. I ran into traffic and climbed the fence of the local truck depot and shot this. While the view from the Commons parking lot was obscured by trees and telephone pole wire. The one atop the fence was beautiful. While the poles and electric wire seemed to be a detriment at first. I think they actually improved the view and overall character of the image. Not a bad trade off if you ask me.

“Bass, How Low can you Go?”

Canon lenses and equipment, Digital Printing

After years of not printing much of anything. I’ve taken on the task of printing some of my favorite music related images shot throughout that time frame. Each week I’ve picked four images to printed at my favorite lab Duggal Visual in Chelsea. For this weeks trip in I’ve focused on some of my favorites featuring bass players. From as far back as I can remember. The bass has always been an instrument for inspiration. Below are the four images I picked. Any feedback would be appreciated. Feel free to share your favorite Bass slayers.

Cory Pula-Bowers

The Company You Keep

Art Exhibition, Group Exhibition, Jersey City, Mana Gallery

I felt very grateful to be a part of this past weeks Jersey City Artists tour. What made it even more rewarding was having the chance to display a couple of my own recent photos in the lobby here at Canco Lofts. Since I’ve already included both of my images they included in the exhibition in prior posts. I figured I would share some of my favorites from some of the other artists residing here.

The View from the Inside

Art Exhibition, Canon Lenses, Canon lenses and equipment, Group Exhibition, Jersey City, Mana Gallery, Photo Exhibit

Since early August, when we first moved to Canco, I’ve taken a lot of photos of the yet to be restored and renovated building next to where I reside. I’ve also taken my share of pictures of the old factory building I now know as Mana Contemporary. And though I’ve shot these beautiful urban landscapes from many degrees and angles. Being able to do so from the inside of Mana Contemporary gave me a serious rush of adrenaline. With mana’s impressive five floors. I was able to shoot at the best levels possible thus far. Since I was a pre- schooler going to the junkyards behind Flushing’s Shea Stadium. I’ve had an appreciation for things of beauty that so many others find ugly and disposable. For me personally, they hold a sense of character and history. Telling a story about the people that were there before. Their live, their struggles and the work they did. I really feel at home here. In a sense, the best of both worlds. I can’t get enough and I hope to stay awhile.

Touring the Facilities.

Art Exhibition, Mana Gallery

When we first moved to Canco. We were pretty excited to have an old, abandoned factory two doors down from. However, after two weeks of exploring the outside and sneaking into the adjacent parking lot. We realized that the old factory we had fell in love with was alive, well and filled with art. Finally, after almost three months of wondering. We finally had the chance to tour the facilities. To say we loved getting to know the place would be a major understatement. The Jersey City Artist Tour gave served as the perfect opportunity to explore the entire building, all five floors, without ever having to look over our shoulders or wondering if we were trespassing. During our three hours there, we explored the many studios, spoke to the artists and got to enjoy hand operated freight elevator. The art, not to mention the architecture were inspiring and served as a reminder that art is the best medicine for whatever ails you. Below are a few of the many pictures I took that day. Enjoy.

Fair Warning

Beauty, Exploring, Industrial Photography, Jersey City, Location Shooting

As the sun began to set, I grabbed my camera and headed downstairs for a relaxing moment up on the closure. Since moving here, I’ve grown so comfortable with exploring some of the off limits areas of my surroundings. So much so, that I imagined myself bringing a chair and a cooler up to their to watch the traffic go by as the sun sets. While construction on the Pulaski Skyway has been going on long before we moved here. As of this week, it’s intensified to include work that often extends to the morning hours. Quickly, I’ve come to realize that my backyard paradise might soon come to an end. Thinking back, not so long ago, when I first walked up that ramp. The anxiousness, my gelatin legs and that lack of balance I felt. It’s hard to imagine how comfortable I’ve become up there. While as my first trips had me wondering how soon the flashing lights would be upon me or if those circling helicopters were reporting on my whereabouts. I’ve become more and more at ease there. So imagine my surprise when I didn’t hear the truck rolling up on me until it was just inches away. My first thought was “Thank God, it’s not the Police.” That truck just happened to belong to someone with the construction team. Perhaps a foreman. “You know this is off limits and you are trespassing.” He was firm but not like most of the very angry and confrontational people I’ve come across in the past. I apologized, showed him some I.D. and explained how I couldn’t help but be enticed by the beauty of the sunset. I promised to leave, thanked him for understanding and promised not to return. I’m going to miss taking my trips up there, but I feel lucky to have had the chance to get some memorable photos from it. In the meantime, I have my sights set on some new areas to explore and photograph. I can’t wait to get started. Until then. Be good, be safe, be mindful.

What Would You Do?

Street Photography

I had about an hour to kill before my doctors appointment and decided to take the time to take some street portraits with the new Canon 85 mm lens I had purchased the week before. As I moved from the Herald Square area towards the Fashion District just a block away on 7th. The climate quickly became more toxic. Before I knew it, I was caught up in what was obviously a pimp schooling one his ladies on the rules of the game. His aggressive and threatening attitude made an immediate impact on me. As I reached for my phone, I was quickly reminded that I had left it at home. I searched to my left and to my right but there was not one police officer in sight. I motioned to the store owner watching the scene unfold and lipped “Call 911”. Though I was filled with anger at the time. I knew that stepping in would probably make things much worse for myself, and in particular, the woman.

So instead, I did what I felt was the next best thing. I took my camera back out of it’s bag and snapped a few images to show the police if they so decided to ever show up. Minutes later, I finally saw an officer around the corner huddled inside the door of Citibank. He looked incredibly busy with his head down towards his iPhone, testing like a man on a mission to beat the record for time spent glued to the phone. I wanted to interrupt him to remind him of his actual job, but I somehow worried that it would get me the same beating that prostitute had surely gotten on a fairly regular basis.