photogeek23

A Long Forgotten Memory Comes Alive

The beautiful and kind woman pictured is not the subject I speak of in this post.

Recent adventures regarding YouTube videos featuring incidents of acts of kindness and their lasting results had me visiting long-buried memories that show some of the better moments of my life. Times when I chose or realized that, in the end, I was and wanted to be a good person. Someone who, despite a sketchy background and running with a questionable mix of delinquents. I had a solid moral compass. At the age of sixteen, in my junior year of high school. My mom and stepdad decided to pick up and move from our Jackson Heights, Queens Co-Op, to the suburbs of Wayne, NJ. More on that later. For now, I’ll skip to my senior year and meet a girl worth proving I wasn’t the average street kid.

While her name escapes me after forty-plus years, her short, curly blonde hair and the confident way she conducted herself still loom large. We met in a class where we often shared our opposite opinions on the world and its people. Somehow, despite being on opposite ends of just about every subject, our bitter relationship soon became a friendship. It was like a scene out of a John Hughes 80s teen movie.

As senior year evolved. She would go on to make the honor roll while I struggled with my grades and the strong possibility of having to repeat the year. Still, I looked forward to passing her in the hallways and exchanging a few words between classes. It never went much further than that. I worked at the mall while she was volunteering at the local hospital. I remember visiting her on occasion. Trips that always put me in a positive state of mind. Thinking back, I spent much of my spare time convincing her that I was a decent guy.

Then it happened. The perfect opportunity presented itself. Our town and the hospital where she volunteered were hosting the Special Olympics. I can’t recall exactly how I caught wind of it. It was likely posted on one of our high school message boards in search of volunteers with determination and an honest will to be a part of it. I convinced her to volunteer together. Her agreement ensured that she was finally going to see me in action. We both had a great time. Being involved and interacting with special needs kids felt good. Shaking hands with the governor and being thanked for our hard work and participation was pretty rewarding for a seventeen-year-old kid. Above all, though, was convincing an intelligent and pretty girl that her, from the other side of the tracks friend, had a kind and thoughtful spot. At the same time, I think I needed to prove something to myself. That I wanted and was already a good person who wanted to help others while leaving a positive footprint on the people I met and places I went. Senior year soon ended, and I left Wayne for my old neighborhood. I don’t recall ever speaking or writing to her after parting ways. Perhaps for the best. In the end. I was just happy for the short time as her friend, proving that despite being a street kid, I wasn’t bad by any means.

Are We There Yet?

Long Exposures, Travel, Travel Photography

Taken on last weekend’s trip to Philadelphia. Travel remains my escape from the every day. Yet, as the day fades to night. I tire faster and long for a comforts of home. Fortunately, the days of staying home on the weekends, confined to my recliner, are nowhere in site.

Corporate Coffee Still Sucks

Editorial

This morning, on the way to somewhere. I tortured my wife with a game of “When I was a kid. We were so poor.” After starting several truths with the same “When I was a kid…” I knew that her tolerance was thinning. Whether she knew my intentions or not. The subject soon turned to coffee and I recalled how my Father never had anything but the leftovers of a six pack of Heineken and last nights take home from the bar. Despite owning a coffee maker. The only purpose it served was as an anchor in case the counter top decided to run away. While visiting on the weekend. He would always sleep until noon or so before he opened one eye enough to locate me looming by the doorway to say, “Coffee, Black. Two.” It was then, and only then. When I’d take whatever amount of money left on the side table or his pants. Usually enough for two cups of coffee. A dill pickle, (Those were good.) and a soda. Times were different. So two dollars would not only cover it, But provide with the loose change I needed to start my days adventures. As my wife suggested to stop at the local Starbucks to get some work done. I agreed. Thinking devilishly, of that Cafe Latte she’d purchase to keep me occupied and quiet while she had her nose in the computer. However, spending six to eight buck for a fucking cup of coffee and getting a funny look when you don’t adhere to their contrived sizes of Tall, Vente, and Grande. Imagine a construction worker, or bus driver ordering from those choices. I bet it’s like a kick in the balls. While I consider myself a realist, and I don’t expect a cup of coffee to cost thirty five cents in 2024. Wouldn’t we be better people if we made our own coffee and/or limited related outings to mom and pop or independently owned spots? Just a thought and an All-American rant. Drink Deep.

Honoring Our Veterans

Veterans Day

No matter our political or personal beliefs. Honoring our veterans is of the utmost importance. So, thanks for all your sacrifices and selfless service. My respect and admiration runs deep.

A Change of Plans

Finding your Zen, Travel, Travel Photography

By Thursday of every week. The questions about the weekend regarding where we’re heading and what we’ll be doing surface. Come Friday, and even Saturday morning. By that time. Any and all ideas brought up in the prior days are more than likely, old news and we’re eventually off in a different direction. No matter the destination. The journey and stops along the way are the moments that matter the most. The complaints about traffic and conversations about the next step and the upcoming weekends. It’s the company we keep and the moments you experience together that matter. So go out and experience life. Whether you’re on the road or just around the corner. Go. Now.

Her

Family, Family Portraits, Finding your Zen, Portraiture, Portraiture in natural light

Getting a spontaneous photogragh of my wife, a loved one or any friend has always been difficult. From the freezing process that takes shape once a camera appears. The groups shot of a groups of friends who quickly feel the need to appear tough by throwing up gang signs or giving the middle finger. It’s become one of my least favorite aspects of photography. Often time, capturing a subject unaware of the camera and fully in a moment is the best way to avoid the cheesy smile, awkward look or staged pose. In this particular image, I was able keep my distance while to capturing her reading a good book while protected from the suns harsh rays on a late Summer day. Try it,

A Calmer Moment.

Anxious, Happiness, Industrial Photography, Mental Health

I am sitting at the bar, writing reviews of recently released records that are absolute bangers and enjoying a robust cup of coffee. Meanwhile. after a brief battle with anxiety. I’m enjoying a calm moment after snapping this image. Being one of the many whose happiness and fulfillment depends on copious amounts of coffee, I am suddenly writing with a more focused and fluid focus. Fully realizing that coffee, music and the written word often anchor my happiness. Here’s to the good things.

Taking Musicians Out of their Element.

Rock Photography, Studio Lighting, Studio Photography

For thirty years, I brought my camera to every show I attended, from the bars, basements, and cavernous venues of NYC and beyond to the clubs and concert halls that required a negotiated photo pass. My camera was my excuse to get close and stay close. When all was said and done, I always envied the photographers who got closer by photographing their heroes in a more intimate setting like their photo studio or somewhere on location. Those were the shots I worshipped and hung in my own home.

An Outing for the Ages.

Anecdote, Blogging, Travel, Travel Photography

Starting our day at Waffle House has always been a good choice. Choosing to sit at the counter? Even better. Today, however, we were given an unexpected bonus when the entire staff spontaneously broke into an impressive song and dance routine while song from the Backstreet Boys, NSYNC and TLC resonated over the speakers. It was the perfect example of living in the moment. An experience my wife and I will cherish for a long time. As both of us instantly became an adoring audience. Singing along and dancing in our seats. I can’t think of a better way to start my weekend. Well, a satisfying breakfast with a bottomless cup of coffee come to mind. But experiencing both at the same time can only be described as a once in a lifetime event.

Happy Travels are Often Fueled by Exceptional Food.

Storytelling, Travel, Travel Photography

Travel is a key. to happiness and fulfillment for many, including myself. Having visited many cities and small towns in the United States and throughout Asia and Europe. I’ve been treated to so many opportunities to explore different cultures. Meet amazing people and eat fantastic food. From escargot in Paris. Scorpions in Tokyo. Alligator in New Orleans. Snake meat in Taos and more. A full belly makes any trip worth taking. I took this picture while heading to the southern tip of Virginia. The food was great and we met a lively couple with two adorable daughters. As experienced countless times. It not the destination, but the journey that matters.