A Photo Geeks ups and downs through words and images.
As we pulled into the rest stop on the way to Lancaster, PA. I left the car to see what the animated group of men gathered around the Knights of Columbus table was offering. I ordered a hot dog and lemonade to keep myself refreshed on the last leg of our journey to breakfast. I came across something you don’t usually see or notice at a truck stop. With my new camera grip assuring my weapon of choice is never far away. I captured this sign of nature while my wife relieved herself.
Often, while working with models and clients, the question most often asked was, “Do you ever shoot in color?” Not wanting to waste the moment and secure the job. Or miss the opportunity to work with an attractive subject. I’d gather the best words available to my vocabulary.Thinking back, The art of Black & White taught me to compose while allowing me to tell a story of the subject through depth and shadow. The more I photographed my subjects without what I considered distracting. The better my results and feedback. Despite my preference. I realize there’s are always time to add color without distractions. Growing up photographing New York’s lengendery graffiti scene and the beautiful sunrises and sunsets around the world demand color and suffer with applying such. Why choose when there are so many options.Yes, I prefer shooting in black & white. But shooting on a digital, or in my case, mirrorless. One can switch up at any time.
I’ve been lucky enough to experience the Fall season on opposite coasts and abroad. Each one being slightly different, yet largely the same. The cooler weather, the falling leaves and the beautiful colors that highlight each day. Despite it’s march to Winter and colder days. It’s a time we enjoy some of the best things life has to offer. Though I’ve never carved a pumpkin and detest punmkin spice anything. I have been known to roll around in piles of leaves and create life threatening shortages in apple cider donuts. As I look out my window and see the colorful trees and foliage. I know that no matter where todays journey takes me. It will be a colorful one. The pictures below were taken on the roof and in the park behind my apartment in the Rainier area of Seattle a few years back.
During a recent exchange with a fellow early riser. We shared our appreciation for the pre-dawn moments when one can appreciate a sense of solitude, while enjoying that quickly diminishing moment, when the air feels fresh, as it entices your senses. Whether it was coming home from a night of debauchery or leaving your home for that long commute. Whatever the reason. These moments are to be cherished. Below is a capture taken during my now daily morning walk.
March 1st, 5:50 am Canon R6 Mark II RF 24-105 F4 30.0 f22 ISO 200
It’s pretty rare when I adjust my camera settings to shoot in color. With my wife now accompanying me in the majority of my outings, Her insistance that I switch to “landscape” mode is really the only time I shoot color. Right or wrong, it’s just my preference. However, when I raised the shades on this wintry morning and saw these colorful leaves showing life on an otherwise bare tree (My wife calls it “The Charlie Brown Christmas tree.”) adjacent to our patio. I jumped into action to capture what will soon be gone.
After an already full day in Baltimore. We made a final stop at Graffiti Alley, which is located in the Station North Arts and Entertainment District directly behind the Motor House. It somehow reminded us of a miniature version of Long Island City, NY’s “Five Points.” (R.I.P.) Awash with colors and ripe with the smell of newly created art. We made sure to taking our time to soak it all in. As someone who grew up in graffiti culture and always admired what kind of messages would come from a can of Krylon. It energized me. Seeing that someone was using the name that I once tagged up with was just candles on my cake.
As Dim Sum was the order of the day we hopped the PATH train headed to the WTC 
and headed up to our Mott St. destination. Taking our normal route through City Hall Park to the Court Houses and onto our final destination Mott St. The park, though small always offers something for the eyes and the sense. On this particularly overcast day. It was color. Hungry beyond belief. I could only spare seconds before I would start to gnaw on my own flesh. “Snap, Boom, Pop” and I was off. No time for pleasantries with the tour bus tourists. I plowed my way through to my prized Dim Sum.
As I often see myself wanting to leave my city to the tourists and all the other artless savages. I’m drawn in to it’s art, culture and ever evolving and continuously rewarding cuisine. Like that memorable quote from The Godfather III, “Just when I thought I was out, they pull me back in.” Well done New York City. Well done Buddha Bodai. Well done indeed. I remain tangled in your web of deliciousness.
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