Things we don’t know, see or want to understand. The reality is there are people who have served our country and live in the wood or under a bridge. They aren’t on the street corner, just don’t have a place, fell thru the crack, just want to be left alone. I met Benito under a bridge in New Orlean’s and his brother Luis. Benito is a veteran, lives a quiet life in a tent, doesn’t like being around others and lives life off the grid. The first time I met Benito I found a dime next to his foot. Not a big deal, a good friend of mine and I would look for coins around parking meters after a meeting downtown just for fun. This wasn’t fun and it was disturbing to me to find it and give it to Benito. How do we fit into this world and lending a hand to those less fortunate? Something for all of us to ponder, act upon. I see them and wonder could I have ended up here? More to come later on homeless veterans.
I’ve been photographing for a very long time and most of that time I’d call myself a photojournalist. But now, seems I have/am morphing into a photo documentarian. I don’t put myself in the Dorothea Lange or Walker Evans level but that is something of the work I enjoy.
Today I purchased 3 prints from a Sotheby’s auction. Prints that I couldn’t imagine ever owning, just seeing in a book.
Dorothea Lange 1895 – 1965 White Angel Bread Line, San Francisco gelatin silver print, 1933, printed posthumously image: 20 ½ by 15 ¼ in. (52.1 by 38.7 cm.)
Mary Ellen Mark B. 1940 – 2015 Selected Images (Dita Von Teese and Iko) 2 unique, large-format Polaroid Polacolor prints, comprising ‘Iko – The Great’ and ‘Dita Von Teese (with Iko),’ each signed, titled, dated, and inscribed in ink in the margin, 2006 (2) images: each approximately 24 by 21 in. (61 by 53.3 cm.)
I had the pleasure of meeting both Mr. and Mrs. Dole during Sen Elizabeth Dole campaign in North Carolina in 2008. Both very approachable, warm and charming.
Sad to see another member of what I would call the old guard that knew how to work with everyone and still get the job done.
Had a couple of moments with a Nikon Z9 last night.
NPS – Nikon Professional Services – did their dog and pony show on the Z9. Very, very interesting! If this camera does half the things in my hands that I saw demoed last night sports photography will change and be a bit easier for me.
Andrew Hancock gave a great talk regarding his use of the Z9 and insight was a big help in knowing the $$$$ spent on this body will be worth the cost.
Morning breakfast after a meeting where we gather again to break bread and solve the world’s problems.
Today, Veterans Day, and as talk, joke and share fellowship it’s the way American should be. A Jordanian ex airforce, an Israel ex artillery officer, 2 US military- Navy and Army, plus those that serve in a different way. Peace
Day trip to Prairie Oats to find some fall color was a bit colorless. Seems the late October heat kept the trees thinking it was still summer. The chemistry of going from green to brilliant orange, red, yellow and even a pretty brown all depend on carotenoids.
And to explain that, won’t be me… Appalachian State University Biology professor, Howard Neufeld – the ‘fall guy’ – is the man. Check out this article on how it happens. What Causes Leaves To Change Color?
Meanwhile we went mostly colorless and just lost leaves. So here is my ‘fall color’ from Prairie Oaks this week. Enjoy!
Prairie Oaks Metro Park
3225 NE Plain City-Georgesville Rd
West Jefferson, OH 43162
39.995131, -83.253761
Prairie Oaks Metro Park
3225 NE Plain City-Georgesville Rd
West Jefferson, OH 43162
39.995131, -83.253761
Prairie Oaks Metro Park
3225 NE Plain City-Georgesville Rd
West Jefferson, OH 43162
39.995131, -83.253761
Prairie Oaks Metro Park
3225 NE Plain City-Georgesville Rd
West Jefferson, OH 43162
39.995131, -83.253761
Prairie Oaks Metro Park
3225 NE Plain City-Georgesville Rd
West Jefferson, OH 43162
39.995131, -83.253761
Prairie Oaks Metro Park
3225 NE Plain City-Georgesville Rd
West Jefferson, OH 43162
39.995131, -83.253761
Prairie Oaks Metro Park
3225 NE Plain City-Georgesville Rd
West Jefferson, OH 43162
39.995131, -83.253761
Prairie Oaks Metro Park
3225 NE Plain City-Georgesville Rd
West Jefferson, OH 43162
39.995131, -83.253761
Prairie Oaks Metro Park
3225 NE Plain City-Georgesville Rd
West Jefferson, OH 43162
39.995131, -83.253761
Prairie Oaks Metro Park
3225 NE Plain City-Georgesville Rd
West Jefferson, OH 43162
39.995131, -83.253761
Prairie Oaks Metro Park
3225 NE Plain City-Georgesville Rd
West Jefferson, OH 43162
39.995131, -83.253761
Prairie Oaks Metro Park
3225 NE Plain City-Georgesville Rd
West Jefferson, OH 43162
39.995131, -83.253761
Doesn’t seem so, yet, it’s been 20 years since the horror of 9/11/2001.
I was on a Roads Scholar Tour with The Ohio State University and we were visiting various OSU supported industries in northern Ohio. We were gathered in the lobby of the company and told the tour was suspended and we were going back to Columbus. Not much was known and getting a phone call out was almost impossible.
I finally reached my Father in San Diego and all he could say was ‘they were gone, the towers were gone’. I didn’t understand. I’ve photographed in and out of NYC since the early 70’s. Spent time at the Trade Center, photographed from the roof when that was still allowed. It just didn’t make sense.
I wasn’t till we finally got home and saw the replays from the morning shows that it all came home.
Take a moment to reflect, understand and keep the memory of those lost alive.
HI All, with no explanation needed, it’s been a long year.
It began great with a trip to Cuba in January via Global Volunteers.
That was the tip of the iceberg that is still working it’s way around the world.
While visiting Hemmingway’s house I became enveloped in a group of tourist from… China. A day or so later the virus announcement happened and we wondered about getting back to the States. Last day in Cuba and we had a new housemate from… Italy. Cuban airport packed, Miami International packed. First of February and still very clueless, and… lucky!
March came the great flood. 1500 sqft under 2 ft of water in the lower basement turned production area. And it was ‘black’ water. The new house is the first on the sewer line :-] Turns out the replacement powerline pole ended up in the sewer chamber in the corner of the yard. Sewer chamber filled with dirt washed from around the pole. The basement was convenient so it filled. Lost 3/4 of a decade of BW images from the 70’s and about 10k color images. Yep, up off the floor on racks out of the way. Water was so high and forceful that it took the containers – heavy containers – off the racks and turned them over. :-[ By the time I got the water pumped out and had a chance to start looking around it was too late to save. Everything had be so violently pushed around it was hard to what was where, plus everything was covered in crap water, literally.
Now back to that virus thing. A crew showed up to help cleanup, which was great. Could not have done it myself. Had 10ish people at anyone moment in the basement with and without masks for a couple of days. Then 2 weeks of repair and replace people in and out. Might have dodged a virus bullet there.
Spent the rest of the year seeing a few friends and keeping to the house, plus reworking that flood thing. Had to start from scratch, again. Very depressing every time I looked at the containers with the lost images.
It’s been a long year for everyone, much longer for some. To those that have lost a loved one a heartfelt hug.
So we come to the end… of this endless year. Time to brighten up, think positive, make new plans, get shot and hopefully move on. To that end a little something to cheery to look at. Within minutes of the house a little light at the end of the tunnel.
Enjoy the Holiday’s and look forward to a new New Year.
Ed Zirkle 