Jersey City – Page 3 – Photogeek Blog

Insert Sunset Here

Canon Lenses, Finding your Zen, Happiness, Industrial Photography, Jersey City, Newark

After a four hour visit from My Dad, Stepmom and their dog, my wife collapsed from sheer exhaustion. So with the sun setting and not much else going on. I decided to head out and capture some of the soft light of the early evening. As I walked up the ramp for 1 & 9 I became dizzied and disoriented by the intensity of the setting sun. Quickly, I found a spot the shaded my eyes as I patiently waited for the sun to perform it’s daily magic trick. In the end I spent about an hour up on that closed section and as the time passed, I began to feel more and more comfortable watching the cars speed by and the planes begin their final decent into Newark International. I’m so happy knowing I have this beautiful landscape as my very own, personal backyard. Stop by, pull up a chair and enjoy it with me.

The Goats of Harsimus Cemetery

Harsimus Cemetery, Jersey City

After running into an old friend while strolling down Journal Square’s Newark Ave. I was advised to journey further to the landmark cemetery known as Harsimus. Since my days as an adventurous 8 year old. I was always intrigued by cemeteries. If my fading memory can recall. My first excursions from my home base of Jackson Heights into the fabled town of Astoria were through a cemetery know as St. Michaels. Though fear and the anticipation of being wrangled by grave robbers or a satanic cult have since diminished. The feeling that the hills have eyes has not totally diminished. So when I heard about the goats of Harsimus Cemetery. I was happy knowing my suspicions were indeed true.

After a long walk in 84 degree temperatures, I finally came upon Harsimus. And though I did my share of searching. It wasn’t until I asked one of the groundskeepers that I was able to find what I was looking for. As I stood at the top of the hill, all I could see was more cemetery. “A hoax” I thought. One of Big Foot proportions. Finally, a head poked out from one of the monuments. Staring at me with an innocent curiosity. I gathered myself and readied my best possible goat calling skills. Before you knew it, and despite the fact I sounded more like a sheep in goats clothing. I was suddenly welcomed by a community of adorable goats. After a short goat talk I was able to gain their trust and even got them to pose for pictures. I’ve included a few favorites in hopes of getting more people to visit and experience some of the unique treasures that are right at our doorstep.

Exploring My New Surroundings

Damion Photo, Jersey City, Location Shooting, Mana Gallery

Since moving in to the new place less than two weeks ago. I’ve made a point to take time out of each day to explore my immediate surroundings. When we originally learned about Canco ( I admit that I had some concerns.) Though our loft offers all the modern amenities, features and space a resident could offer. I was somewhat concerned about it’s location and accessibility. Since those initial visits, I’ve quickly come to learn just how close we are to everything and anything while still maintaining somewhat of a remote and very private personality. Just steps away from Rt. 9, 7 and 139. Dey St. is just a short walk to Kennedy Blvd., the Journal Square PATH train (there’s actually a free shuttle bus you can pick up a block away that takes you right to our door step) and downtown shopping area. To finish, Canco is surrounded by some of the most unique and awe inspiring factories, warehouses and industrial beauty. Enough to keep me busy documenting my surroundings for years to come. I can only hope to find a healthy balance between my studio work and my urban landscapes. Learn, I will. Until the next time.

Damion Photo is Moving

Damion Photo, Jersey City, Studio Photography

In the coming weeks myself aka Damion Photo, aka Photo Geek will be moving to the Canco Lofts at 5o Dey st. in Jersey City. The move, a long time coming, hopes to provide the perfect live/work space for my wife and me. In recent years I’ve had a makeshift studio in my living room, and though I was able to make it work, it was always far from perfect. The three floor walk up and cramped space served as two major obstacles. Obstacles that limited the kind of work I’ve always been capable of. The new space more than doubles the size of my current spot, provides plenty of natural light and areas to shoot outside the loft and the building itself. I’ve already mapped out the area I’ll use as a studio and can’t wait to explore more of Canco and the surrounding blocks.

Within the coming weeks I’ll be focusing on expanding Damion Photo’s reach to include family friendly packages that will include children, family, maternity and more. Like I said, this has been a long time coming. I haven’t felt this positive and energized in a long time. I look forward to focusing, once again, on my passion and all the things that made me fall in love with photography in the first place. Feel free to contact me via email at DamionPhoto@gmail.com for more info or to book a session in the near future. Now, back to packing.

Going for a Walk

Uncategorized

It was a beautiful, albeit breezy day. So with a little extra time and a need to stretch my legs a bit, I took a walk down to what’s known as the Pier C Park. A really nice circular extension that as built a few years back. With the sun on my face and the wind on my back. I decided to stretch those legs a little further and head towards Pier A and eventually the Lakawana area where the big trains and the light rail take passengers to and for. As I got there and began to look east to lower Manhattan. The sun began to set behind me and soften. It’s always been that perfect part of the day. The one most of us miss due to being behind a desk or in the studio. Though I was beginning to feel a bit tired, my sense of adventure, along with my need to take full advantage of a perfect day, pushed me to walk further.

Before I knew if I had walked all the way to the Newport Station in nearby Jersey City. It had been quite a while since I’d explored that part of J.C. and to be honest, I didn’t really miss much. (Towering office buildings and high rise condos don’t really do it for me. Regardless of where I ended up that day. It stood as a reminder to get out of your element and your everyday surroundings. Bring your camera and take a bunch of pictures you can fill your already “busting at the seems” hard drive with. Surely, it will be worth the trip.

Inside Neumann Leathers

Industrial Photography

As stated in my last post. I finally had the chance to wander the halls of Hoboken’s landmark building Neumann Leathers. After hitting the drums for an hour or so I took a few minutes to explore the nooks and crannies of this character filled old factory. For as long as I can remember, I’ve always loved going to factories, junk yards and “Off Limits” areas to explore, investigate and take pictures. Sadly, most of these places have quickly disappeared. Ultimately being replaced by soulless high rises and retail franchises. Forv me personally, finding spots like these is like winning the lottery. Below are several of my favorite images from my exploration.

The Wait play a free show in Jersey City.

Music

Late last night I headed over to Jersey City to catch The Wait play a free show at a local bar on Marin Blvd. My buddy Brian Macko had contacted me a few weeks ago saying “I really want you to interview this band.” All this before I had even heard them or even knew who they were. After receiving their demos I was intrigued but wanted to see them live before I made any sort of commitment. Later that week I drove to Dingbatz in Clifton to check them out. Once again they did not disappoint. Though they their sound has it’s roots in Hardcore. The sound is much more mature with plenty of different approaches and angles thrown in. When I got the invite to last nights show I was more than happy to stop by. The bar was crowded and intimate and the band put on another inspiring set. I gto to talk to some of the guys seperately throughout the night and can’t wait to set up an interview for my site. But before that I thought I’d post a couple of shots to share. Look for an interview and more images in the upcoming weeks on http://unitewebzine.com/Home.html

No Pasaran! rocks Jersey City

Uncategorized

This Wednesday I ventured over to Jersey City for “Groove on Grove” an outdoor concert series going on throughout the summer. I had gotten wind that my old friend Romels band !No Pasaran! was one of the two bands playing that night. Though the band has been around for a few years I’ve just started hearing about them. I had missed one of their recent gigs. So I was eager to see/hear what was up. I arrived at Grove in time to catch about half of Plowing Mud Forevers set. What a nice way to start things off. PMF play great, loud, experimental Metal with cool changes and a surprise here and there. I would definitely be into checking them out further. I hadn’t seen Romel in more than fifteen years when he spent time in Jersey’s Dog Tired. Like he said after the show “It’s always good seeing someone from back in the day.” As for No Pasaran, they’re a three piece from here in Jersey and play a good mix of Experiment Punk and stripped down Rock. Often reminding me of some of my favorite bands such as Fugazi and The Clash. Lately I’ve been thinking about starting a music blog or bringing “UniteWebzine”back to life. If I do No Pasaran will be the first band I get in touch with. They have a full length in the works for 2009. So keep your eyes open.