Ready, Willing & Able

Personally, I think that "street photography" is going to make a comeback, if it hasn't already. I can't see how it can't. The world is in a flux of modernity. It doesn't need to be about people and technology - though that is often what fascinates me. But store windows, buildings - the so-called clash of cultures - it's all there to see. It's waiting for you on every corner of the "new world." And in some ways - it's easier than ever since people are more oblivious to their surroundings than ever because of all the plugs going into their cavities. And it is only going to get more and more pronounced. Someday - cross and don't cross lights will be beamed into your brain to tell you when it's okay to cross the street. The photographer will become more and more invisible - at least in the brave new techno-world we've created. Ah - how productive we've become. Stop and smell the roses? Why stop when you can hit a button and smell them when it's convenient.

Back in Harness

Shoeshine, Grand Central

I'm back from my "month" vacation after a week.

I'll start up again slowly... As you can see I left to get my shoes repaired. And now I've gotten them shined. I think I'll concentrate on just photographs of shoes from now on... These two shots were done about three years apart. This has obviously been the niche I've been looking for.

Actually - here's what happened on my mini-vacation: almost as soon as I signed off - I ran out to Best Buy and bought a Nano iPod (2K) version. As soon as the thing was set up and plugged into my ears I felt all my cares and woes slipping away... The phone, the doorbell - all went unanswered. I began walking around town with the buds in - camera getting tangled in the wires - but everything becoming distant - pure visual. You do have to be careful not to get run over by cars and bikes - but it was worth it to walk around in my own world for a while.

It was on while I went to sleep. On while I scanned negatives. On while I sat on the can. The only time it was off was to charge or when a shower was needed.

After two days like this I began the quest for more songs. My neighbor John has a million CDs. And good taste as well. It reminded me of the lending album record library on Macombs road that I'd visit as a kid. It reminded me of the reel-to-reel tape recorder I had. I made a tape of the Beatles movie A Hard Days Night. It must have been on t.v. a million years ago. Just played the tape over and over day and night. My friend George came by and we'd listen to the quips, trying to mimic John - he always had the best delivery.

"He's just a dirty old man!"

And then when the iPod went off - I slept for a day.

The next day I went out for a walk - with iPod on and after walking for a long time I began to notice objects that were in cars. I started photographing the interiors of parked cars (and yes that got me some strange stares). From objects in cars I graduated to reflections in car windows...



Car Window Reflection #1

As I was arriving back at my apartment the super was cleaning the mop and I asked him if I could take a picture - which he thought would include him. He shook his head - but I explained that it wasn't of him - just the mop. Why you wanna take a picture of that?

It could be beautiful, I said. He looked at me as if I had gone completely mad.


Cleaning Mop

And I wandered on... John Prine playing his heart out and...
[to be continued]