Category: Uncategorized

Lost and Found.

Philadelphia, Record Collecting, Travel, Travel Photography, Uncategorized

Thinking I lost an unhealthy amount of old images and folders of some life-affirming sessions was somewhat of a mind fuck. While it is rough on the brain. Coming to the conclusion that most things in life are temporary kept me from jumping from the proverbial bridge. When many, or most of the lost sessions, appeared on an old hard drive. There was definitely reason for celebration.

However when an image from a trip to Philadelphia, one I have no memory of taking. The joy was overwhelming. Taken in 2016. This image properly documents my obsession with music and my need to visit, at the very least, one record store per city I’ve visited. That includes, but doesn’t limit to cities suck as close as DC, Baltimore, and Raleigh, and as far as London, Paris, Dublin, and Tokyo. Looking back, I wish I had the guts to doument each one, it’s shoppers, employees and owners. That and bring a bag of records home with me would be great. Though I don’t recall what record store this is, I love the picture.

The Long and Winding Road.

Finding your Zen, Mental Health, Travel, Travel Photography, Uncategorized

There are few things that bring me calm as much as being left alone to take a few pictures. Whether it’s in the city, the suburbs, the countryside, or by the water. Being left alone to do my thing is the best gift you can give me. Thanks to my understanding wife, I had the chance to experience that today. Below is an image I feel, best describes the peaceful mood.

Nordic Pleasures.

Travel, Travel Photography, Uncategorized

I chose the menu’s “Best of the Wurst”. A dish I’d highly recommend to anyone looking to have their taste buds and appetite satisfied. Aside from the great food and service. Visits from the restaurants mascot “Sophie”. A loving and friendly golden doodle who runs the roost seeking nothing but a good pet seeking nothing but loving attention and heartfelt petting. Despite the distance. We plan to return when the temperatures warm and the restaurants deck reopens to allow us to watch the planes take off and land.

Because the Night.

Long Exposures, Night Photography, Uncategorized

There are times when the only thing I can do to escape my thoughts is to head outside and take pictures of the evolving night. Aside from a concerned look from my wife and her assuring I bring my cell phone. I can head out without a thought. With minimal traffic speeding past my condo. Capturing a notable shot can be tricky. The key, however, is to find the light in the darkness. To find the light and the matching elements of darkness to surround and create the proper contrast to surround it. On this particular night. I didn’t have the energy to walk down to the main drag where the automobiles frequent and the train station sits. Luckily, that light I was searching for, lay just outside my door.

Photographing People

Portraiture, Portraiture in natural light, Uncategorized

Though it’s not always easy to get the right subject to sit in with you. Photographing people has, for me, always been the most rewarding aspect of photography. The eyes, expression, and peeling away the layers that allow the true soul of the person to appear. There’s honestly, nothing like it. While many of the people who I wanted to photograph weren’t confident or comfortable in their own skin. Others, flat out turned down my offer. “No. I hate being in front of a camera.” are words I’ve heard countless times. The hardest part for me was not taking their refusal personally. The times when the reaction was positive and the answer was “Yes”. Put me into this instant happy place.

When meeting the woman above. I was captivated by both her beauty and talent as a musician. It wasn’t long before I realized she was one of the sweetest people I’d ever met. The image above is from our third and final session. The final results were rewarding, as I convinced her to peel away some of her makeup and change into a fun and laid back tee shirt. One of the hardest things for me has always been telling people exactly what I want. My life as a photographer became a lot easier when I learned to better communicate with the people I photographed and express exactly how I envision them.

Dog Tag Bakery. Georgetown, DC

Uncategorized

After giving up on finding parking near the Smithsonian in Washington, DC. We went to plan B and headed to nearby Georgetown. Stopping in at Dog Tag Bakery for some ice coffee and a remarkable frittata. As we chilled out and took our time cooling off. We noticed an impreesive display of dog tags hanging above our adjacent table. I quickly grabbed my camera and found a good angle that would best highlight its importance. The overall experience at Dog Tag was great. A warm and relaxed vibe with above and beyond service, food, and support for veterans. Personally, I can’t wait to get back. Below is an image I captured while wondering if anyone counted how many dog tags were on display.

Travel, Travel Photography. DC, Washington DC, Georgetown, Dog Tag Bakery, Dog Tags, Black & White,

Things to come.

Art, Blogging, Commentary, Creative Writing, Editorial, Promotional, Travel, Travel Photography, Uncategorized

After ten-plus years, a small following, and virtually no feedback, the thought of bringing Photogeek to a merciful end has crossed my mind more than a dozen times. Though I still love sharing pictures with others. I get more feedback from friends and family there than I ever will here. Still, this blog was started and began with just that in mind. I want to share my images and stories with friends, family, and whoever might want to join. A few things bring me peace and calm, like photography and capturing a moment. Throughout my life, I’ve always been an explorer who enjoys documenting the moment. All things said. A recent inquiry from a follower interested in contributing an essay to the blog ballooned into the possible contributions from a poet, an expat, and a fellow photographer, which inspired me to keep this train running. So, who knows, perhaps these outside contributors will spark more creativity. It’s worth a shot. Hopefully, it won’t be long before these contributions get the love they deserve. Only time will tell. Any interested parties looking to contribute. Step forward.

My First Subway Ride to Washington DC.

Street Photography, Travel, Travel Photography, Uncategorized

Since moving to the Washington DC area in 2021. My desire to take a ride on the subway has grown faster than my ability to walk. Having a working vehicle and a wife who’s dependance on four wheels and an impressive engine. Any extensive walking is frowned upon. Due to some vehicular issues. The idea of taking the metro to DC quickly became a reality. Upon our arrival at U Street, I noticed the many murals in the area. Excited to take many photos, yet eager to enjoy my first taste of chili half-smoke, we headed inside. After enjoying what was easily the best chili dog in my life. We headed out to the adjacent alley and got to business. Considering what I’ve endured medically, losing and regaining my ability to walk. This trip to Washington DC was the most unassisted walking I’ve done in a few years.

Lost & Found

Concert Photography, Film Photography, Hardcore, Lower East Side, Uncategorized

I recall going to countless shows throughout the tristate during that long lost decade known as the nineties. Armed with my Nikon FM2, my 50mm lens and a couple of rolls of film. I documented each and every show I attended with an unrealistic enthusiasm that I was doing something unique and special. I had an entire linen closets of carefully described negatives, contact sheets and slides. Yet somehow, after numerous moves from my Hell’s Kitchen apartment. That gift for organization took a hit. Leaving many of the lesser known names on the bills nameless. Decades later, I can strangely recall when and where these shots were taken without an inkling on the name of the subject or the band they performed with.This image was taken at CBGB’s i the late 90’s. If I can recall, the bill featured a few Oi/Street Punk acts of the time. (Not my thing, but…) Featuring the clique blue collar, buzzed hair, and mutten chops. Your guess is good as any. If you have any idea, please share.

National Harbor’s Capital Wheel.

Canon R6 Mark II Mirrorless, Finding your Zen, Travel, Travel Photography, Uncategorized

An Ethiopian breakfast in Washington DC. A stop at the old familiar and nearby National Harbor and our first, and probably last reminder to never again indulge in fast food, marked a pretty damn good beginning to our first full weekend since my wife travelled to Tokyo to visit her family. As much as I enjoy my solitude. I am forever grateful to have such a wonderful person to share my life and travels with. Like a ferris wheel. Life is full of ups, downs and in-betweens. Having someone special to experience it with, only makes the road worth traveling.