A Splash of the 70's

I was working on some work for a collaborative art show that my department is creating. The concept was fooling around Provo. Everyone was given an assignment to create a piece of art work based of a random section of Provo they were given. My area (#29) ranged from 300N - 300S and 500E - 900E. So early one morning I drove/walked around my plot of land photographing. I strolled passed this run down laundry mat. The frame of the sign was barely standing and power lines crossed back and forth. The inside of the store was vacant, containing only the shells of the laundry machines. It may be a barren sight to most but I loved it. I may not be a fan of the plain exterior but inside was a colorful treasure trove. The machines were a bright orange color accented by the greenish geometric wallpaper. I've recently had a slight obsession with the weird green and orange tones of the 70's, so this explains my adoration for this old laundry mat.

Musican @ F Uptown Platform @ Broadway & Lafayette

A continuation of my Subway Musicians Project. 

My experience with the Accordion Man playing on the F line Uptown Platform at Broadway and Lafayette. March Tenth I spent the evening riding the subway lines all over Manhattan on a hunt for Subway Musicians. I had just walked down the steps to the platform and discovered a treasure playing in front of me. With a beanie on his head and sitting on a type of case the man continued to play. There is something about the sound of an accordion that just makes me smile. I began to capture a few images placed a bill in the man's red bucket and continued to photograph.

Like so many of the musicians I photographed in NYC. I do not know this man's name, where he is from or the trials he has faced. But I like to think that I might know. I'd like to think that this  man comes from a large Italian family that is surrounded with love. This accordion man may play in the subway terminals for a few extra dollars but unlike some I believe he really does enjoy it. During the time I spent with this man he never spoke a word. Instead he wore a soft smile on his face and his tender eyes followed me as I photographed. As I left I said Thank You, he gave me a courteous nod and then I departed.

    

 Thank You Musician at Broadway and Lafayette!

Something Salvaged

I took 2 rolls of Kodak Portra 400 ISO 120 film that I shot in NYC to Allen's Camera...and it was a complete disaster. I have no idea what they did but the negatives were all messed up. For whatever reason, the film  almost looked like it was originally black and white film with a colored tint over everything. I was pretty annoyed but at least I was able to salvage something from this disaster. These images were both taken from the Brooklyn Bridge, the right images captures the Manhattan Bridge in the distance.

The Man Who Inspired It All

I came to New York with the idea to photograph street performers. Then I met a small Spanish violinist and my perspective changed. He was standing in a tunnel as I was transferring from the B-line over to the 7-line at 42nd street and 5th avenue. Dressed in bright red, standing just barely 4'9'', he was playing the most gorgeous melody. I don't know his story but i wish i did. I tried to ask him some questions but he only spoke spanish. Although we lacked verbal communication, the wrinkles in his face seemed to show all the years of hard labor.  His eyes told his story, maybe not the specific details, but there was a sadness in his eyes. I wanted capture this, not for reasons of exploitation but show what great respect I have for these hardworking performers.

This desire led me into some of the most memorable experiences while in New York. Because of this one man, I spent every free moment in NYC running around subway terminals listening for the sweet sound of music. All in all I photographed over 21 Subway musicians.  I love people, I love their stories and I am impressed with the talented musicians I have encountered. As I said my goodbye to the violinist, I slipped some money into his case and bid him gracias.

 Thank you Musician at 42nd Street & 5th Avenue for inspiring me.

4x5 Film

NYC Pictures are on there way soon...but in the mean time here is something to check out.

I just got back from NYC and the creative juices and drive to improve as a photographer are running. Just uploaded over 16 GB of photographs onto my computer from my trip to New York City. I loved absolutely every moment of it and feel inspired. I started editing the photos and within seconds it suddenly became 3 am. Time sure does fly when you are in the zone.

I'm not quite ready to reveal the project that I worked on while in New York but trust me it was an adventure. In the mean time, here is a photograph of my Dad that I took over a year ago on 4x5 Kodak TMAX 400. I finally got around to scanning some of my old negatives and found this photograph in the mix.

Off to NYC

Off to NYC for the week. 

I took this photograph on my last trip to the big apple during summer of '09. I love New York.

Future Riding Champion

A continuation of my Children & their Ambition's project. This is 7-year old Andre, the future riding champion of the world. I met up with Andre and his mother at one of his riding lessons. I spent nearly 2 hours outside in freezing weather, but it was worth every second. At first Andre was a little resistant to me photographing him but by the end of the lesson he was giving me some major personality.