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.
Honoring Our Veterans
Tag: Honor
The Joy of Printing
After a long day of MRIs and X-rays at Baltimore’s John Hopkins University, some lackluster service at a local restaurant, and worse, the unusual bumper to bumper traffic while returning to Virginia. I stopped at New Arlington’s District Camera to pick up several images I had sent in for printing. During the three or so years I’ve been in VA. I’ve depended almost entirely on the camera stores service for all my photography needs. The attention to customer service, detail and quality has been unrivaled since day one.
Upon arriving home, I more carefully, then usual, opened the envelope to view my prints. Thus returning me to the joy associated printing my images. The difference between seeing something on a computer screen and the absolute thrill of holding something in your hands. It’s magic. The colors, detail and depth in Black and white prints . It returns you to the lost beauty that photography always offered. So going forward, I urge you and myself to find a reliable lab, darkroom and/or printer to print your favorite images. I also suggest finding a place to display and share them with others.
Dog Tag Bakery. Georgetown, DC
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.
Happy Mothers Day.
Just a few words and a ton of appreciation to my Mother for all her sacrifices, lessons and kindness she’s bestowed upon me over the years. Though there was little money and years without many male role models She made a point of never making me feel that I lacked of anything. Over the years, we’ve had our share of disagreements and arguments but any differences can never overcome our love for one another. Thanks Mom, I love you,
Documenting Your Surroundings.
Over the years, it’s become crystal clear that my wife is my staunchest critic and supporter. However, adding her to the creative aspect of it all is both a major distraction and a pain in the fucking ass. As someone who has become more of a landscape and street photographer in recent years. My wife is, more than often, right by my side. Whether it be asking a million question as to what attracts me to a subject or being over protective to my history of risky attempts of capturing a moment. A good example would be yesterdays trip to Richmond and my fascination with photographing many of the downtown murals.When asked about “Photographing other peoples art.” and, basically hijacking someone’s creative energy. When my explanation of both documenting and interpreting my surroundings didn’t communicate the intended message. Explaining that my approach and goal while when shooting is to document the artists work respectfully. While also interpreting and conceptualizing in my own way. Why that might some like bull cookies to many. It’s how I do.
I love you, Dad.
Recently, my father and I have engaged in numerous conversations regarding drinking and his alcohol consumption over the years. This morning’s call to him had no intention other than to tell him how proud I was of the man he’s become. As of late, I’ve become somewhat reluctant to write about him within a specified period, as not to paint him as a one-dimensional character. You see, the stories and the time frame in which I’ve chosen to write, come from a time, though not forgotten, happened long, long ago. If I can take away anything from both our conversations and the many experiences we’ve shared over the years is that A; We’re lucky he’s alive, and B; Grateful for the changes he made.
Though we often clash on things such as politics, religion, music, and even sports, they all feel pretty small when I think of how far we’ve come in creating an environment of mutual respect and admiration. So, in short, I just wanted to write a few words for a man I always looked up to, but could never dream of coming even close to being.
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