If looks could kill. . .

. . .I would have been dead a long time ago. In all fairness, I would have killed quite a few as well before my demise. . .

It seems that no matter where I go or what I'm shooting I always come across the "dirty look" or the look that could kill. Some people become very suspicious and even defensive when they see me walking around with a camera, particularly one with a huge lens attached. Its as if they feel I'm about to steal their very soul or violate them in some way.

Perhaps it is all the stories about the wild antics of papparazzi going after celebrities? I could certainly understand why someone would dislike a photographer after some of the things these nuts do to get a shot.

Perhaps it is me. . .I've been told on occasion that I look mean, and cold at times. I think it comes from some childhood experiences that had me build an icy bubble around myself to keep people at distance. It works but I don't always want it there. Too late for that now. . . anyway I'm usually able to soften people up a bit once I talk to them. I guess they begin to realize that I'm not what I seemed. I know of lots of other photographers that go through this as well. Just something about a camera that sets some people on high alert.

But c'mon, do I have to go through this while taking my son Kyle to the zoo!

(good thing for the plexi-glass partition between us)

The little Red Shack on Tucker Road

This was a little red shack I discovered off Tucker Road in Trumansburg, New York. It was standing beside a barn that had collapsed and reminded me of a child that had lost its parents. Certainly a lot of character in this little one but I'm afraid its days are numbered.

.New York State, Fingerlakes region

Haybales in the field early morning


In the morning mist


Tree stump and barn 1 (Seneca county)


Tree stump and barn 2 (Seneca county)


Barn on Seneca lake (Senca county)


Big barn on Rt 227 (Tompkins county)


Red barn in Groton (Tompkins county)


Barn on Windborne way (Tompkins county)


Old car and barn (Seneca county)

I have been away for a few days on a venture around the Fingerlakes region of New York. I stayed in Ithaca and mostly ventured around Seneca and Tompkins county. Tompkins county basically surrounds the bottom 1/3 portion of Cayuga lake while Seneca county covers much of the upper half of Seneca lake, both of which are the largest lakes in the region.
I love old barns and everything to do with country living, but unfortunately much of these things and agricultural structures are fading quickly with the times as their owners are finding them too costly to maintain especially if it is on a non working farm.
Governor Paterson has recently signed legislation that will enhance tax credits for historic preservation. I had learned that Tompkins county has been conducting a survey of barns and agricultural structures to help create a public inventory of the historic agricultural buildings that are a part of our rural history and disappearing from our landscape.
In addition to the survey they have included a barn photo contest and I thought it would be fun to enter since I love shooting these subjects and was there anyway.
The three from Tompkins county I have entered, but having only been there a few days I think my chances are slim against some of the locals who know the sweet spots and times. . .but I'm happy to be part of it nonetheless.
In particular, I had met the owner of "Red barn in Groton" and learned she intends to burn the structure down at the end of the year because it has become unstable and I assume would be too costly for her to repair. Maybe, it will be saved in the end thanks to the efforts underway to preserve these great landmarks of our countries history.

The old barn in flowery field

Well, as you might have gathered form my last post I really had a thing for this old red barn in the town of Upper Jay. I have been going through some of the various takes and compositions and I'm really feeling good about this particular one. I think the last one from the last post and this one is what i'll be working with.
It was very overcast and had just rained when this shot was taken. The grass was so wet that I was soaked from the waist down after trudging through trying to obtain the right angles and distance.

A Trip to the Adirondacks

Ausable Chasm with a small guided tour group at the bottom


Ausable chasm with people looking over the foot bridge


Ausable chasm


Within one of the caves at Natural Stonebridge and caves


Whiteface mountain


View from whiteface mountain


Whiteface mountain climbing trail


Quiet on Lake Champlain


Kyle on the ferry on Lake Champlain heading to Burlington, Vermont


Old leaning shack in town of Jay


Old leaning shack in Jay


Barn and mountains in the background, Adirondacks


Barn in a field, Adirondacks


Barn and mountains, Adirondacks.


And yet another . . .

Last week I took my son Kyle up to the Adirondacks for some great sights and adventures. Although his favorite part is the pool back at the hotel, he had a great trip time climbing and exploring the Ausable Chasm and the Natural stone bridge and caves.
We also hopped on the ferry at Port Kent and took it across Lake Champlain to Vermont where we walked around and explored some more. They have a pretty cool aquarium in Burlington and was worth the visit.
I had my fun stopping alongside the road whenever I spotted an old shack or barn.
I hope to get back up there again in a few weeks on my own specifically for photography.

Dance photography slideshow

This is a sldeshow feed from my Flickr page which shows some of my latest dance photography. I find that shooting dancers and performers can be quite challenging, but at the same time quite enjoyable and rewarding. Getting the knack of nailing correct exposure and focus is something that takes time. I shoot in manual mode and also find myself manually focusing for best results.

New York water towers 15

So this is the 15th in the series. It is also one of my favorites yet as it incorporates everything that I love about the city, and the water towers that stand out againt the sky. There is grit, high contrast, shadows, subtle color, lots of windows with air conditioners hanging out of them, and sex. (I love some of these things more than others . . .)
These were found near Lafayette and Jersey street in lower Manhattan.

The print is available here.

New York water towers 14

This is the latest addition to my series. this one is located near "Little Italy" by Mott street in Manhattan.

The print is available here.

Coney Island Boardwalk

Part of the amusement park as seen from the boardwalk


The boardwalk at W10th street


A section of old boarded up building, still colorful and attractive in a way.


"Gory & Pauls" which should be "Gregory, I think. . .hope


A banner for the "Giantess" attraction where it appears that she might just be taller than a Giraffe. . .in her heels anyway ;) I had to place these up high in the frame to avoid the sun which was in front of me.


The snake girl and "She's Alive" on the right. The woman is holding her own head. . .


Here is the "Wonder Wheel" on a slow Thursday. There were actually people riding and the wheel is much larger than appears in this photo.


Shoot the live human with paintballs in an empty lot. There is an announcer that trash talks people here as they walk by trying to entice you to let off your steam by shooting this poor chap with paint balls.


Cha cha's wild women and wise guys bar.


Here is a place that sells "fresh smooties" lol


We saw the Macho man and his ladies. . .


We saw the girl on the sign offering hamburgers and Beer. . .The Brooklyn Lager that she is offering up is one of the best beers around, anywhere.


And then we saw too much. . .;)

Coney Island amusement park and boardwalk is very busy and full of excitement on the weekends. It is so run down though, but to many, that is part of its appeal.
We were visiting the New York Aquarium which is right next to the park and so after the aquarium we decided to stroll around the boardwalk. Kyle is not comfortable with being around amusement parks and loud sounds, excitement, etc and so for his sake we moved on quickly. He does love the aquarium, as do I.

The View from Within

These are a few works from the collection


Barn doors


Father and Son


Open Book


Boy


Under the Moon (Christmas day)


The Visitor


Below Deck (The Charles Morgan)


Girl and tree


Fishermans shack


Once upon a time


Drain pipe, self portrait

The "View from Within" is a series I have been working on since I had seriously started shooting in 2004. It is a collection of photographs which views the world from a psychologically dark and isolated perspective. For me, the sense of being hidden and unknown while being able to observe and look out into the world brings a certain feeling of solace and inner peace. Perhaps a reprieve from the daily struggle and hardships around us. . .
It is a series that continues to develop and evolve.