A Photo Geeks ups and downs through words and images.
About an hour before lunch. I took a walk down to the nearby Metro on Dolly Madison Rd. Though the sun was at its peak hours. I was still able to find a little shade to avoid overexposure. One day, I’ll hop on the train again to find a fresh spot and new adventure. Until then, enjoy.
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.
As long as no one gets hurt or damages their property. A full-on thunderstorm with thunder and the kind of downpour strong enough to keep the roads clear is beautiful. While most of the photographers I know run for cover to protect their expensive investments. I’ll, at the very least, find a window or a doorway to capture something. (My camera hood when I’m brave enough to venture outside.) Living in Virginia, storms appear at a regular. On Monday, July 1st. Shit got pretty real. The storm lasted long enough to grab my camera and adjust it’s setting in order to capture some shadows without getting struck by lighting. Over the last couple of months. I’ve had a few opportunities to take photos in the rain. Perhaps it will give me the confidence to shoot in other extreme conditions. One can only hope.
Last week, while at the height of my obsession with people, places, and things I’d like to photograph. I took many of them to a list I keep in a secret drawer, amongst some of my ideas closer by than others. I decided to take on the easy ones first. Though not the most inspiring architecture. I became fixated on what I could capture with my seldomly used Canon Fish Eye lens. In passing the building countless times. My obsession grew. Making it a matter of time before crossing it off the list. Granted, my fear of the eventual entanglement with a security guard racing towards me as if I had just set off the timer of a bomb. Adding to the anxious calls from my wife yelling “Chop, Chop”, while keeping her foot close to the gas pedal of our getaway car. I snapped a couple of shots. As I look at the image below. I realize I must return to capture that entire oval. However, for now. It’s all groovy Tuesday.
After hitting a pothole sure to earn it credits to eventually rise to the ranks of sinkhole. My flat tire and damage to the car’s steering column. My wife and I have been forced into utilizing the nearby metro train. Located just a half mile down the road. It’s done wonders getting us to and fro without incident. As I’ve previously mentioned my ongoing project photographing trains and many of the artful architecture of the stations here. Over the weekend, we took the train to DC. It was then that I took the opportunity to take my project inside to focus of the travellers. Of the images taken along the ride. This one resonated with me the most. As the subject looked out towards the trains map to see how many stops there were before reaching her destination. As I become more comfortable capturing strangers. This image stands out more than the rest.
Despite leaving the tripod and timer at home. I kept my camera steady enough to capture a long exposure on the cold night. Having lived in New Jersey. WAWA became a regular stop for life’s essentials. Having one or two within my web of travel ensures both satisfaction and survival.
Pancakes, a cold-cut fit for a king, and a homemade lasagna served with a rarely enjoyed craft soda. These are just a few of the bright moments of my Christmas. I hope you are enjoying the holidays with all the fixings while counting down the days to a new year. Happy Holidays and a bright New Year.
While it’s hard to believe. My wife and I have called Virginia home for four years now. With four years in Seattle and a life living, working, and going to school close to, or directly in New York City. The common theme was always finding a spot where the food was consistently excellent and the hospitaliy of the waitstaff, management and owners made you feel like family. With spots in all the five boroughs of New York, the diner scenes in New Jersey and the many spots we enjoyed in the Seatttle area.being such a source of joy. Finding such a place in our new setting was of the utmost importance. Whether it’s the food, the waitstaff who serve you week to week, or the owners/mangement who stop at your table to check on you. These people and the food they provide are part of your community and extended family. As far as Bob & Edith’s are concerned. It would be a hard task to find anyone who combines good, simple food with an atmosphere so welcoming. Your often tempted to invite the waiter/waitress to take a brake to join you for a cup of bottomless cup of coffee. Of course, I’d never do that, combining the possibility of getting them fired or getting looked at like a three headed monster.
As Winter rolls in. The nights are coming earlier, while the temperatures are dropping like flies. With the arrival of freezing cold weather. It’s getting harder and harder to convince myself to bundle up in layers that once applied, have taken away most of the energy needed for such outings. However, last week, with my wife visiting family in Tokyo and the temperature at a steady 36 degrees. I left home twice with camera, tripod and a few other essentials to have a little fun on the dark, cold evening. When evaluating those moments. Armed with a sense of confidence that I packed everything I would need and the patience I often lack to properly set up the shot I wanted to capture by closely following certain rules regarding photographing under more challenging circumstances. I returned home knowing I achieved my goal without the burden of second guessing.
Travel is a key. to happiness and fulfillment for many, including myself. Having visited many cities and small towns in the United States and throughout Asia and Europe. I’ve been treated to so many opportunities to explore different cultures. Meet amazing people and eat fantastic food. From escargot in Paris. Scorpions in Tokyo. Alligator in New Orleans. Snake meat in Taos and more. A full belly makes any trip worth taking. I took this picture while heading to the southern tip of Virginia. The food was great and we met a lively couple with two adorable daughters. As experienced countless times. It not the destination, but the journey that matters.
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