Gridlock in Gotham
Gridlock in Gotham. Looking west on 42nd Street in New York City, cars, people and congestion fill the area.
Dressing for Work
We all have our business suits. For me, it depends on my photography assignment. If I am heading off to a warehouse, I wear jeans. If I am meeting with a corporate client to discuss a project, I might wear a tie or business casual. Then we have the gentleman in the photograph. I didn’t see a circus nearby so questions are raised. Is he a banker or a panhandler with an attitude? Which brings up another thought. Dressing incorrectly for a job can get you in a lot of trouble. If I were a banker and showed up naked or dressed as a woman, I would probably be fired on the spot. But if I showed up dressed as a clown, I would also probably be fired. Why? I’m not naked or wearing a dress. The color scheme is loud but it’s not provocative. It could be stated that it’s conservative. I do have a tie on. So there we have it. You can’t dress as a clown unless you really ARE a clown. Isn’t that discrimination?
The Fire Escape
Years ago I lived in an apartment building with a fire escape.
The photograph was made of one in a New York City building
Radio City Music Hall
A view of Radio City Music Hall, New York City from a nearby skyscraper.
It’s a busy 6th Avenue during the holidays.
The 1970’s
We all have our past. My  youth was spent in the 1960’s and 70’s. Most of my friends were musicians. I wasn’t one. I was the filmmaker-photographer with an emphasis on “filmmaker”. In practical terms what that means today, is I have photographs of my friends, but not enough of them. I pulled out these images recently, reconnected with the old gang on facebook and they have greatly enjoyed seeing themselves. What I wish is that I had taken more pictures. A lot more.
The young man above was Keith. He was a talented guitar player but a horrendous cameraman. In 1970 I was working on my film “The Blitz”. It’s about a young man (me) who found a Puerto Rican genie (another close friend) who grants him a wish – to become Hitler. It was a silent comedy movie with music. Filming of the movie was “unorganized” as you can imagine. The movie was made when my friends were available. And on one day, Keith was available. He was enlisted as the cameraman and filmed my co-star and me as we traveled into downtown Paterson, NJ and pretended to attack a department store. (Imagine trying to do that in today’s world.)
When the film was processed Keith’s talents as a movie cameraman were evident (not too good) but the scenes were hilarious anyway. When I made the sequel to The Blitz I employed his talents as an actor instead.
A Cobblestone Journey
A photograph from a self-published calendar from several years ago. I can only imagine what it would have been like to travel on such roads. I am truly of product of 21st century America and our “smooth” (most of the time) road system.
Perfect Parking Space.
Somewhere in England, the owner of that car found the perfect parking space
– just outside the front door.
Travelin’ in London
Yes, I am jealous. My niece is presently in London for 2 weeks. She’s a student, studying, but also has time for some sight-seeing. Lucky girl.
Manhattan
Manhattan in B&W and Color.
New York City at Night
A photograph of New York City at night. I made this image a during the holidays. I walked the streets enjoying all the hustle and bustle of the season. In case you don’t notice, that’s the Chrysler Building in the background. One of the most beautiful buildings in the city. I love the art deco at the top. I put this image on my homepage of my New Jersey Corporate Portrait Photographer website.
Heading to Work
We all have our business suits. For me, it depends on my photography assignment. If I am heading off to a warehouse I wear jeans. If I am meeting with a corporate client to discuss a project, I might wear a tie or business casual. Then we have the gentleman in the photograph. I didn’t see a circus nearby so questions are raised. Is he a banker or a panhandler with an attitude? Which brings up another thought. Dressing incorrectly for a job can get you in a lot of trouble. If I were a banker and showed up naked or dressed as a woman (I am a guy), I would probably be fired on the spot. But if I showed up dressed as a clown, I would also probably be fired. Why? I’m not naked or wearing a dress. The color scheme is loud but it’s not sexually provocative. It could be stated that it’s conservative. I do have a tie on. So there we have it. You can’t dress as a clown unless you really ARE a clown. Isn’t that discrimination?
Traveling in London
Continuing my American Abroad series, last year when I was in London on Abbey Road waiting to take my “Beatles” photo, I spotted this woman on her bicycle riding in my direction. It’s something that I don’t see (at least I don’t ever remember seeing), a bicycle with a carry container in the front loaded with kids. It was a split second reaction to capture the moment, but I’m glad that I did. Just look at the excited expression the young boy has at the front.
Children are Children
A group portrait taken back in the 1970’s in my hometown Paterson, NJ (home of the great Lou Costello). I love the girl in the center with her eyes averted to (our) left, starring at her taller friend. And I wonder where these children, now all adults, are today.
The World of Musicians
My closest friend growing up was a musician. However I am not one. My musical talent is non-existent. I whistle pretty good but that’s about it. And, like the rest of the world, I know what kind of music I like. I have photographed musicians over the years. Sometimes on assignment. Other times it’s candid photography. I recently updated a Musicians Gallery on my Lifestyle and Portrait website. If you take a look, click on Music, and let me know what you think.
The Cover for my Next Corporate Photography Job
Need I say more?
Capturing the Moment
As a photographer, it’s all about “capturing the moment”. Whether it’s a studio assignment or candid street photography, it’s the same thought. In a studio where all the elements are being controlled (hopefully), the models before the camera understand the goal and work towards it along with the photographer. He/She also has to find/motivate/discover where that “moment” is while working with the cast and crew. And this approach is also important if you’re a still-life/catalog photographer. If it’s a box of bandaids, probably not, but if is an expensive watch, your client expects you to make that watch appear “irresistible” to the consumer. You’re still “capturing the moment”.
Street photography adds a layer of complexity to the “moment”. Walking and watching people, situations, events may or may not bring a “moment”. And there is still the “control” element but not like in a studio situation. The camera/lens/exposure settings and choice of subject are one part of the equation, but now you also have the time of day, weather, location and the scientific concept of “chaos theory”. Gotta love that! Keeps you on your toes.
The amateur photographer uses his camera to “take” an image while the pro looks to “make” a photograph, like a painter does. The control of the elements combined with serendipity. The image above was captured last year – an artist at work. The question is, “does he like what he’s painting?”
CNN – iReport – Help the Employed Lose Their Jobs!
I’m not one who uses the Daily Show or Stephen Colbert to keep me up-to-date on the news, but it was on the Colbert Report that shows the damage that free reporting – aka “CNN’s iReport” is doing to the jobs of editors and photojournalists in the field – 50 of them are being laid off. When a CNN viewer photographs/videotapes an event and uploads it to the news organization – they are working for free, letting CNN profit off their work and putting Americans out of a job. That momentary elation of “look Ma, my photo/video is on the the news!” has evolved into employees losing their jobs. Free reporting is obviously not a good idea.
If I’m ever in a position to photograph a newsworthy event, I will be paid for my services. I don’t work for free.
Click on Colbert Report – CNN iReporter to take you to the video.
Paterson, NJ
A two family apartment house in Paterson in the 1970’s. It is abandoned because a highway was scheduled to be built through this area and the local inhabitants had to move. – the law of Eminent Domain. I know this because I was one of them. The highway was never built, the house was torn down and the area was cleaned up.
