Category: Art

Art Inspires More Art

Art, Finding your Zen, Travel, Travel Photography

As artists of any kind, we are all susceptible to artistic droughts and dry spells. Coming home with a day’s worth of less-than-inspiring work. It’s something I’ve experienced numerous times over the years. Enough to make me think it’s time to sell my camera and invest the money in a hot dog cart. Hell, why not? There’s no shame in providing tasty food to hungry customers every day. Luckily, I have a fail proof plan that always brings me back from the edge. That plan is, immerse yourself in art. The closer I get to art, the more I’m inspired to make my own. Museums, exhibitions, books. During my life in New York City and New Jersey. A visit to Washington Square or Union Square was like a like a lifesaving blood transfusion. Yesterdays trip to DC and the Bansky, Basquiat exhibition was the kick in the head I needed. With their art inspiring me since childhood. It was the swift kick in the ass that no time on the side lines could have provided. Sooner than later, the creative juices were flowing and an opportunity to take a picture I had envisioned for close to a year, came. Proving that, art and creativity is often sparked or refueled by placing yourself among it. Never let that drought or numbness settle in and destroy your creativity. When the well seems dry. Nourishment is never far away.

Results of Leaving My Camera Behind.

abstract, Art, Travel, Travel Photography

When picking up our car from the Montgomery Mini dealership. Much to my wife’s delight. I left my camera home and decided to let my iPhone handle any such photo opportunities that might come about. While transferring trains at Rockville, Maryland, Shady Grove Station. The opportunity came and instead of digging into my camera bag and finding the right setting for the perfect shot. I whipped out my phone and BINGO! And while my phone will not become my new tool for photography. It’s good to know. I don’t have to pack it in preparation for every trip.

A Visit to DC’s National Gallery of Arts.

Art, Art Exhibition

Last weekend, we took the train to Washington, DC, on a beautiful day to visit the National Gallery of Art’s “The 70’s Lens” exhibition. While roaming through the halls. I enjoyed taking pictures, often using the shadows to add contrast and anonymity to my images. One of my favorite images was taken a matter of feet from the exit. I plan on printing this in the upcoming weeks. For now, I’m eager to share it.

Humble Beginnings

Art, Beauty

As I continue to purge past images from my computer and hard drive. I reflect on many of my early encounters. The people I met, the places I frequented outside my home studio, and the countless mistakes I made. And while I’ve built a cottage industry with self doubt and not giving credit where credit is due. In the end. I captured many moments worth keeping. The image below goes back to a timeI often photographed people at Hoboken’s nearby Monroe Center. The five story building deep within Hoboken served as the areas art center and housed every form of art one could imagine. With endless halls of cascading natural light and access to it’s roof. The Monroe Center always provided the right mood and environment to create. This particular woman had beautiful, emotive eyes and became a good friend. This just might be my favorite shot from our several sessions.

Things to Come

Art, Damion Photo, Marketing, Self Promotion

As I sit here, assuring myself that week two of this unwavering cold will make its final appearance and I’ll be back in the wild, making good with the opportunities thrust upon me, using my self-taught talents to break free from this winter malaise by finding new inspiration to chase down projects that will keep me busy and financially satisfied throughout the remaining winter. In the meantime, I’ve put aside time to sharpen my skills and add a few new tricks to fill my old bag of tools. Although I finally have my new website up and running. There is tons more to do. I’d love to get around to meeting up with art minded folks in Virginia, Maryland and Washington DC. And even find a place or three to exhibit my work. Only time will tell. In the meantime, I’m putting aside time each day to revisit old files and images in order to keep my hard drives from being featured on an episode of Hoarders.

Instagram

Moo

Square Space

Updating the Site

Advertising, Art, Damion Photo, Marketing, New Website

Since the website launched (about a week ago), I’ve attempted a few tweaks and updates that felt beneficial to its overall look and appeal. Most importantly, the official name of the site damionphoto.format.com. While still attempting to replace a few images that feature small watermarked images I didn’t notice while posting. Additionally, there are a few other minor changes I hope to apply. In the meantime. I’m confident in sharing what I hope to be an evolving website that will display and host my skills and passion. Be sure to visit. Thanks.

https://damionphoto.format.com/gallery

Insight Into the New Website.

Advertising, Art, Damion Photo, Finding your Zen, New Website, Social Media

For nearly three years now, I’ve navigated a “try, fail, try.” relationship with the idea of hosting a website for my photography work. During that time, I’ve experimented with numerous hosts and a indecisive mindset as to what images to use and what themes to base them on. Often times, scraping projects and nearly giving up on the idea. That was until my recent exploration into the age old practise of street photography. While I never saw myself returning to that art. I found a particular New York photographer whose work and website interested me. The photographers webite host, “Format” was unfamiliar to me. However, I found its templates, and ease in which to navigate and build matched my vision, and worked for me. Within a week. I built the site from scratch. Finding it easy to add pictures, while editing contact as I go. I welcome you all to check it out and tell your friends. Any feedback would be welcome and greatly appreciated, Thanks.

https://portfolio-ubonnke.format.com/gallery

Over the upcoming weeks, I’ll work on the links and other related work while adding and subtracting images as needed.

Adventures in Photography

Art, Beauty, Damion Photo, Expression, Finding your Zen, Location Shooting, Memories, NYC, Street Photography

In 1997, I embarked on taking photographs for my first ever portfolio. With little knowledge and beautiful women from all over the world entering the lair of the east village record store I worked nights at. In the short time I worked there. I met the world and built many lasting friendships. Before long, I had people from nearby universities to visitors from France, Germany, Italy, Croatia and countries in Africa, Asia and South America guaranteeing my portfolio would be deep and diverse. Most of what I shot was in the East Village and my Hell’s Kitchen neighborhood. The image below was taken at Pier 84 on the Hudson River. A beautiful woman from the lower east side. I made a lot of mistakes back then and still today. However, I try to learn from them without being so hard on myself.

Getting Back to Printing.

Art, Digital Printing, Digital Storage, Enlargements

On Saturday afternoon, my wife and I ventured into the DC area to visit Blick Art Material. Though Blick was frequented often during our days in Seattle, New York City and New Jersey. Today marked our first visit to the DC branch since moving to the area in 2021. In finding a dependable place to print my enlargements for sale, display and archiving. I’ve found myself ordering and visiting the Arlington branch of District camera, quite frequently. Over time, I had forgotten the rush and the vast difference of looking at your work on a computer screen and holding a physical print in your hands, to experience the depth and dimensions often related to a healthy enlargement. The 11X14 Itoya portfolios and 50% frames I purchased will house, display and protect the prints I’ve recently purchased and will purchase in the future. As a photographer, I urge you to bring your favorite images to life by printing them and purchase the right materials to house, protect and honor your cherished moments. Both Blick Art Materials and District Camera come highly recommended for such.