My Most Most Recent Images
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July 29, 2007
Quiet Sunday
Sunday, it’s hot outside, 90+, with chance of thunderstorms later in the afternoon.
I did some work on my bike in the morning to get her ready for my trip to Newfoundland later in August.
She’s in good shape and I hopefully won’t have many problems. I’ll probably put something like 4,000 miles on my trip and that’s a long way when you’re out in Gods country with garages or any help few and far between. You can’t exactly carry a spare tire for instance on a bike and things like the chain needs to be lubed every 300 mils or so. I’m looking forward to it. Nothing quite like jumping on a bike for a long distance trip to feel free and alive.
I’ll have to be careful in stowing my gear because that’s the other thing on a bike, even if you think you’ll need it, you don’t have room to carry much.
Essentially it’s boils down to my camera, a few lenses and accessories, small tripod, few articles of clothing, raingear, small tent & a light sleeping bag.
It still gets cold in Newfoundland this time of year. Won’t see iceburgs out there now but who knows, I had several times where it actually snowed on my last trip.
My biggest fear is hitting a moose on the road. They are massive, over 7ft tall sometimes and can weigh 1500-1800lbs and they are everywhere. I think Newfoundland has the highest concentration of moose per square mile than anyplace on earth.
So really gotta be careful, especially at dusk and dawn when they are out roaming around.
A friend of mine was killed on his motorcycle several years back, heading to Alaska. Somewhere in Canada, he went around a turn and slammed into one. I was supposed to go on that trip but couldn’t clear up any time from work.
He died before any medical help could reach him.
He was planning to be married when he returned from the trip……
So bike work out of the way, cleaned the garage a bit and decided to walk around downtown with my camera.
I wasn’t expecting much to photograph, more for the walk then anything else.
The city is real quiet on Sundays.
It’s a course of habit with me to have a cam with me regardless of where I go. Sometimes I think I embarrass my friends if we’re out and I start shooting pics of strangers on the street or just get lost into the moment if I see something that excites me. Usually that’s a signal for them to stop and smoke a cigarette or something…….Someone will say “the artist at work” or some other sarcastic comment (in good humor).
Funny thing is I don’t really hang around much with artists. I know several and we’re close and all but we just don’t hang and spend much time together.
I think it’s because art is such a personal activity, not like basketball for instance, and I really don’t feel comfortable going on per say….a photography trip with anyone. It just doesn’t feel right for me. Not that I don’t like people, quite the contrary, but because I need to be pretty much alone to get into the zone, and I can be in the Zone for the whole trip. Then I don’t speak much and in my own world and place.
Anyways, this post wasn’t to talk much about me, but what the day was like.
Found some guys playing basketball and took some pictures. A few below.
These guys were really good, they were hustling and a few of them could slam dunk a ball (pictured) into the net.
It was great just to watch them in their intense game…and yeh, their comradery and their love of the sport was really cool to watch.
They were funny too, cracking jokes at each other. There was a guy name “Junior” who seemed to get the brunt of it, but it was all in good fun.
One guy kept on calling me Mr. Photographer, “Hey yoh, Hey mr. photographer, did you get Junior, all screwed up there”.
Oh well, it was fun.
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July 27, 2007
A Haiku to Remember by...
The Snow Falls lightly
On Small Figures Bent and Worn
The Morning Sun Brings
With Promise of Tranquility
But They Too Shall Pass Away
Last winter during snow storm. As usuall, wandering around with my camera.
It was a bleak day…………
A haiku written to remember by……….
J Alan
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July 24, 2007
The Warrior's Prayer
Merciful Father
I have squandered my days with plans of many things
This was not among them.
But at this moment
I beg only to live
The next few moments well
For all the things we aught to have thought
But never thought.
For All we Aught to have said,
But never said.
For all we Aught to have done,
But never done
Forgive me
Amen
I took this picture over the weekend. A church, on a quiet section of the city.
The afternoon light was so powerful and moving, made me very humble.
I don’t know why but I thought of Ibn’s prayer, prior to his going into battle, in the 13th Warrior.
It always stayed with me, that prayer
After I though about that, it crossed my mind that we all may leave this earth at any moment, and I silently made the same prayer……and thought much about the meaning of such a prayer.
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July 23, 2007
Free Fall
I always wondered what it’s like to free fall, to see the earth, come rushing towards you, to feel the exhiliration, the wind whipping past…..
Yesterday I went to a local airport where they have parachute jumping to get more imformation and thinking about doing it.
It seemed pretty reasonably priced so considering taking their class then jumping for next weekend.
While I was there, I took a few pictures of other jumpers. It surprised me how these two waited a long time before pulling their chutes. Seemed awful close to the earth.
I guess you have to have faith………………..
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July 22, 2007
Under Heaven - Moonlight Sonata
I never published this picture on my web site, even though I did of ones I took several hours before this was taken.
A picture I took earlier this winter. I was going through and cataloging my files this afternoon and saw this picture.
Wonder why I never saw fit to publish.
When I look upon this scene, the music of Beethoven’s ”Moonlight Sonata” ” plays in my mind for some reason……
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July 22, 2007
Release
"Release"
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July 20, 2007
Eldorado - A Picture Poem
Gaily bedight,
A gallant knight,
In sunshine and in shadow,
Had journeyed long,
Singing a song,
In search of Eldorado.
But he grew old-
This knight so bold-
And o’er his heart a shadow
Fell as he found
No spot of ground
That looked like Eldorado.
And, as his strength
Failed him at length,
He met a pilgrim shadow-
“Shadow,” said he,
“Where can it be-
This land of Eldorado?”
“Over the Mountains
Of the Moon,
Down the Valley of the Shadow,
Ride, boldly ride,”
The shade replied-
“If you seek for Eldorado!”
A poem by Edgar Allan Poe, “Eldorado”.
Earlier this morning, on another matter, this poem came to mind.
A favorite poem of mine, and I remembered when I was taking the above picture in Arizona in March, earlier this year, this poem was running through my head.
The search for “Eldorado” or treasure , in my mind is not literal, but a man’s search for something elusive and perhaps not real.
The knight searchs throughout his life, and in his final days, the shadow tells him, Eldorado does not exist in life, but in the shadow of death…..
My interpretation of the poem.
On another note, the above photograph was taken late in the day heading from Utah, and I remembered it was a frustrating day earlier in trying to capture some pictures in the Upper Escalante, and the light wasn’t cooperating…..
So heading back to the campsite into Arizona, around a bend in the road, I see the above mountain ahead of me, and the magical light, quickly fading into twilight………..
I slam on my brakes and rush to set up before the magic is gone and capture a few shots before the shadow overcame the mountain.
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July 19, 2007
Surreal Pond
It’s a quiet day here in the halls of Argesimages. Outside, there is a gentle, soft rain falling and looking outside the back yard window, I see my “secret garden” beautiful and all the colors so saturated. Beyond that, through the woods is the cemetary where I see glimpses of statues through the wet glistening trees.
From the hectic few days, it’s nice to slow down and get caught up.
I took some production shots earlier in the studio, went through and edited many pictures and now sitting down for my lunch (coffee, banana & peanut butter).
As I was looking through my images from last fall I saw this picture which seemed appropriate on such a rainy, tranquil day.
I remember the day I took this shot, last fall, in the white mountains by this small pond. There was this little building with a red water wheel, and it was pouring while I set up the shot under a tree.
Interesting to note because of the rain, the actual reflection on the pond is clearer than the actual landscape itself!
Well, anyways, I thought I would post it.
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July 19, 2007
Dying to make a Photograph
He is clinging on. He did make it back up.
Amazing……..
As a side note, a park ranger told me, when I was there earlier this year, that several people get killed at the canyon every year.
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July 18, 2007
Women With Rockets
In New York.
I wasn’t sure what she was planning to do with the rope.
I was glad she wasn’t looking at me…….
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July 17, 2007
Kids Swimming Under the Bridge
”Under the Bridge”
Ahh, the joys of youth……..especially summer.
A picture I took wandering around down by the river sometime back.
A small waterfall feeds the river and train tracks over the water where local kids dive off a rope suspended from the bridge.
The late afternoon light created dramatic side lighting under the bridge.
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July 16, 2007
Old Glory - Hallelujah
And I’ve seen your flag on the marble arch
and love is not a victory march
ZT wrote a recent post about Jeff Buckley and his song Hallelujah.
(See her post here , I Jane).
Favorite song of mine. As I was wandering in New York, I looked up and saw Old Glory waving in the wind, with the intense afternoon light streaming through the stars of the flag, held back from full radience and intensity by the Empire State Building………..and remembered the words from the song……………………….
There is nothing more beautiful than Old Glory waving in the wind………
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July 15, 2007
On The Boardwalk - Coney Island
Under the boardwalk, down by the sea,
on a blanket with my baby is where I’ll be.
From the park you hear
happy sounds from the carousel.
You can almost taste the hot dogs
and french fries they sell.
Under the boardwalk, down by the sea,
on a blanket with my baby is where I’ll be.
Lyrics from “Under the Board Walk” by the Drifters
I spent the Sunday down in NYC. Went to Manhatten first then took the F train to Brooklyn’s famous Coney Island.
I’ll post some more pictures from my trip.
See ZT, I do take pictures of people!!
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July 12, 2007
In Thy Youth...Rejoice!
I see all below me
Kingdom of earth
As I embrace
The opening dawn
A picture I took earlier this year and a poem written to remember by....
I went out after taking the shot to the far point of where the three people were and I’ll tell you, it was a thrill……
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July 9, 2007
To The Sea
“To The Sea”
Hold me now
Oh Hold me now
Time has passed
Mist on my brow
Tied upon the mast
Pendant of black
Cool silent deep
The tide is slack
As if in sleep
Murmouring waters numb
From immortal state
The night has come
As I await……..
Time moves slowly
On the rising tide
To the arms
Of the sea
Wait For me
Oh, wait for me
A poem to Remember by.....
J Alan
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July 8, 2007
End of Day
As the shadows lengthen
The silver light reflects
As if it was kissed by the sea
before night of ink
Light………
Rain on me
Make me yearn
To search the sky
A poem written to remember by.......
J Alan
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July 7, 2007
Mountains In Clouds
‘Mountains in Clouds’
Reflections upon my return from the mountains.
I spent several days to unwind up in the mountains and this is a series of photos from the trip.
Up high in a small cabin I built years back, it allows me to come closer to elemental things, appreciation of things often times we take for granted.
My cabin is a good place to sit and watch as the clouds roll up from the valley which seperates Vermont, New Hampshire, and Canada.
I was proud of my little cabin, built with my own hands, where time was not pushed but was savored and enjoyed in it’s fullest.
I’ve learned patience building that cabin. When I had just completed the framing after several weeks of work, overnight, we had hurricane winds come up the mountain and lifted the whole cabin off and deposited it 75 feet away. I woke up the next morning to see a pile of lumber and my sweat in a big rubble heap.
I was heartbroken, because so much of me was in that work you see. If it was someone else who had built it I wouldn’t have minded so much.
Not to be setback, I started again in rebuilding, salvaged what I could from that pile……..
I took my time,………. learned to take my time, to do it right. No sense in building something half assed, something built with care and love will last a long time. It took me three years of many weekends to complete. I think you loose a deep satisfaction if you never created something, by your own two hands. I cherish that cabin so much more than if it cost 100 times what I put financially into it, and built by someone else.
So as I sat on the porch of my little cabin the last day of my trip, I thought of many things, about needs and the desire to expand our needs. As needs increase , we become dependant on more things and other people.
We need so little, but want so much….. I guess most extra needs are attributed to comfort, to make life easier.
But it’s a funny thing about comfort, we all chase it for what we think it can bring to us, and often times don’t find.
When I returned from a long hike up the mountains, to sit on my bench, tired, wet and hungry, that was comfort. My bones aching and just to sit down was a real joy, surprising how such a simple thing, like sitting on a hard bench, can be so comforting!
Starting a campfire and then enjoying it’s company while the soup and coffee bubbled merrily on the fire, a loaf of bread to warm. As I sat there by the fire, eating my simple meal, I thought about the fancy dinners I’ve had, that cost hundreds of dollars, for business or personal, and realized I never enjoyed a meal more than I did now.
To chop the fire wood, with my double bit axe, to see it split and know I harvested that wood last year, hard work, but so satisfying. It keeps me warm there at night. No thermostat to turn up, dependent on some one else. My little wood stove keeps me warm. I remember last winter, the outside temperature was MINUS 35 degrees and remember the sense of comfort, being in the that small cabin, high up the side of the mountain, while a storm raged outside. That is comfort.
It’s also funny thing about distance, as I hiked the 15 miles my second day. At a hikers pace, to see and enjoy the surrounding around me. The trees, grass, mountains, sky, and streams. At this pace, I notice and see things, the speed of the clouds above my head, the ripple of the surface of the lake, the cries and laughter of the birds. As the grass ripples, like a wave, from the wind. There, I glimpse a deer and it’s fawn.
I don’t look down at a speedometer, to see how fast I am going, everything a hazy blur around me. I’m traveling a pace, in tune with my surroundings and nature.
I feel the weight of my backpack, the slight ache in my legs as I climb, feel the rocks and stones through my boots. My lungs beginning to speed, then a short stop to take a deep breath…….and look around me. My senses in tune, I smell the flowers by my side, the air is clear, sun breaking through, I see glimpses of blue sky.
I think for a brief moment, about things about work or other worldly matters. Doesn’t seem that important here, at this moment. I have my lunch in my pack, a camera by my side, a canteen to drink from.
I find the simple things give me pleasure, as I pick some blueberries from the trail, eat them and they are so sweet.
I cross a stream, a top the rocks and boulders, by chance I slip and feel the cool rushing water to my knees. It’s a shock, so icy cold this water, as I finally cross to the other side. I sit by the stream and from my pack take out a pair of dry socks. I take off my boots and dripping socks and pull on the dry wool socks. It feels delicious, those dry socks. I revel in the feeling. The wool will keep my feet warm even though boots are wet.
I push on to the top, the world around me, the clouds breaking up far below me as it fights for it’s place from the sun.
I feel alive………..
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July 7, 2007
Waterfall
‘Waterfall’
Where I, beside the waterfall
Pensive, paradise to enthrall
To see it’s silvery light
As the nightingale might
From whence it came
This sea of light
Perhaps to proclaim
Erase, life of blight
Through cracks of time
as it wanders through
from some distant night
Flow, carve, to subdue
To it’s final resting place
Tranquill, Peace, a place of grace
Live, grow, nevermore
On some distant shore
I was gone for three days up in the mountains, a place I built some years back. A little cabin, high up in the White Mountains. Only the trees, mountains, and stars for company.
We need so little, but want so much.
Funny, even after traveling around the country, this place, with it’s simple charms, still brings me great sense of peace and grace.
It felt good to get away for a while, to wander with a camera, no specific reason, other than to be, and alive.
I will post some pictures I took in my mountain retreat in the upcoming days.
Here’s the first one, ’Waterfall’.
I wrote a little poem to go with it.
(I think I’m a better photographer than poet, but, it was in my thoughts as I sat afterwards by the falls)
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June 30, 2007
Tearing Down a Glorious Church
They tore down this beautiful, glorius church recently near where I live.
I can’t describe to you how beautiful this church was.
Hopefully my humble picture can convey the grandeur and majesty of this place.
It made my heart sad to see it now a pile of rubble………………..
Perhaps that is the reason for my melancholy lately………..
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June 30, 2007
Letter From Soldier. Strange...Inner Calm......
I was at a small Vietnam War Memorial park where I grew up here in Massachusetts.
It is a small restful place with a small pond and the monuments. On one of the monuments was a letter from a soldier to his mother who gave his life for our country. It moved me a great deal.
I may not agree on the rationalization for certain wars but I will always support and respect those who serve…………..
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June 29, 2007
Iraqi Oil Not Worth My Sons Blood
A few pictures I took at an anti war protest some time back.
How long will we be engaged?
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6-29-07
US Out of the Middle East
A picture at an anti war rally some time back.
I want to change the world.
But I don’t know what to do.
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6-28-07
A Photo by Chance - Till Death Do Us Part
I was at a local park where there is a beautiful old church near a lake this Sunday and as I was walking along the shore I noticed a wedding couple underneath this magnificiant oak tree. It was late in the day and the sun was setting on the western horizon which created this marvelous quality of light.
I named the photo “Till Death Do Us Part”. I dunno, maybe it’s a too melodramatic of a name.
If you have a different name you might recommend please let me know before I put it into my portfolio.
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6-22-07
Got up early this morning at 5AM. The air was crisp and almost felt like fall here in New England.
As I was sitting in the living room drinking coffee, before heading out, watching the marvelous morning light streaming through the windows as they shimmered across the room. So decided to take a shot.
I wonder how many interesting pictures I could make just in my immediate surroundings………………
I could call the portfolio’s………from my bedroom window, etc.
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"Rejoice O Young Man
In Thy Youth"
................................................................................................Ecclesiastes
The music you are hearing in the background is "Adagio for strings" by Samuel Barber. It is an incredibly beautiful, poignant music which washes over you in it's waves of spiralling sequential notes rising ever slightly higher.
A long graceful beginning, ever quietly and gradually building to an overwhelming climax via pinnacle of notes. Each sequence folding and weaving in a delicate balance of emotions. The violins resonating an exquisite parity of life and destiny, wandering in and out with the cello as a it fights for equivalence and tension at once. As in a spiral, the music increases in it's upward stream of emotions. To me it speaks of a lonely tortured soul. A soul who has withstood rivers of emotional pain, a pain which intensifies and washes over him in waves of despair....until he can no longer go on. Then vacuous silence, one feels it is at an end.........then the initial melody, played ever more so gently and graceful breaks the silence...... as if life refuses to succumb and release from it's mortal state.......but there is no reprieve..........the soul, anguished beyond redemption, a tortured spirit who cannot continue to bear it's excruciating sorrow and emptiness.......all strength gone, ever slowly releasing it's hold to life ......then final absolution as silence and emptiness falls......inexorably...... peace.......
J Alan
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'Abrasions'
June 25, 2007
What is the constitution of things
that primary forms
as the sea, the mountains
the living earth
give us visual delight
even the most humble of things
be it rust, forsaken of items
by shape, texture, and tone
gives pleasure.
The eye is the master of artist
J Alan
I took this picture in Holyoke near the canals in this abandoned industrial building.
One can find beauty in all things.
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June 16, 2007
"Ski Slope"
I remember how cold and windy it was on the ski slope that day. The wind was really whipping up the snow. It was difficult to be out there for any length of time due to the cold and wind.
I took these 2 shots earlier this year but didn't do much with them until recently as they were very difficult negatives to print due to extreme contrast. I wasn't satisfied with my earlier printing efforts. Over the weekend I seemed to have created prints which turned out OK.
"Out for a walk"
I noticed this family walking down Poet's walk in New York and observed how they were so observent and marveling at being there. They spoke in a foreign language which sounded eastern european. The younger girl was dressed very stylish or is it "chik" as the saying goes. They were a good looking family.
Most of the people that day in Central Park were speaking in other languages.
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"Jennifer Lopez"
June 10, 2007
"In the Band"
June 10, 2007
"Ricky Martin"
June 10, 2007
"Future GlobeTrotters"
June 10, 2007
In New York, 5th Ave, during the PR Parade.
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"Oil on Water"
Walking by the harbor down by Point Judith, RI where all the commercial fishing boats were docked.
"Lilly Pads"
"Witch Doctor"
June 7, 2007
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"5th Ave"
I noticed this gentleman dressed so stylish standing in front of this men's clothing store looking down 5th Ave. in NY.
He almost seemed like a model for the store out there on the street.
"A moment in Time"
In China Town.
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"Children for Peace"
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"Apocalypse Painter"
I took this picture of an artist who was painting in a black robe this weekend. You can see the easel, his bag and paints around his feet. The background is a cloudy sky and moon. I used curves in Photoshop to give it a surreal impression. "As the painting on the canvas unfolds, the sky and world is being transformed by the painting".
"The Painter "
"Soap Bubbles in the Air"
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"New Card"
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"Lighthouse"
May 20, 2007
Seemed like I waited forever for this shot. I arrived at the lighthouse early afternoon and saw that the atmospheric conditions were favorable for a spectacular sunset. I used my large format camera and it can be a little unwieldly so it took a bit of doing to get it set up down near the water line by the rocks and boulders.
Sure enough, after many hours of waiting the sky turned a beautiful crimson color. Hmm..........Crimson Sky..........sounds like a good name for something. I think I heard it somewhere..... a movie or a book? Anyways, it's got a ring to it. Maybe I should name the picture "Crimson Sky" instead of "Lighthouse".
Lighthouse sounds pretty mundane..........
"Sand & Light"
May 20, 2007
I showed this picture to someone yesterday and they really liked it.
Said it was one of my best images and explained what it meant in a meta physical sense...........Hmm......I'm not so sure.
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"The wave"
May 18, 2007
I have to believe that Northampton must have the most street musicians per square foot than any other place I've visited.
As I was taking the picture she noticed me taking the shot and waved. Sometimes you never know how people react to their picture being taken. I believe being very straitforward, acting deliberate and confident usually works well. If you act confident and natural, people don't seem to mind you taking their picture. A simple nod and a smile after taking the picture usually works pretty well. Of course it doesn't always work out that way. I remember taking some pictures in downtown Springfield of some guys on the street and one of the guys seemed taken back and started to say something to his posse. It didn't sound too friendly..............they started to come over to me. Oh boy, I said to myself, the guy had a hostile look on his face but when he came closer, I just nodded and gave him the thumbs up and he seemed OK afterwards. Most of the time, if I see an image or a picture in my mind, I'll shoot and worry about the consequences after taking the shot.
"Michael"
May 18, 2007
I took his picture as I was walking by and then looked down to see the papers next to him. I stopped to read them and saw they were his writings. It was very good, combination of poetry and his philosophy. He was heading across country on foot to Portland Oregon. His words spoke about his fears and view of Life. I remembered one passage, " Please Lord protect me in my journey" and oftentimes his fear of meeting his fellow man on the road. His faith gave him the strength to make the journey. We chatted for a while and I learned he was from Maine and recently went through some personal bad times. He was headed west to visit his family. I wished him luck on his 3,000 mile trip. It must take a tremendous amount of courage to make such a journey.
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"Albatross"
May 12, 2007
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"Lady in Green Hat"
May 06, 2007
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"Instrument"
May 05, 2007
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"Reflections"
May 2, 2007
After work walking downtown Springfield, from a bridge looking down into a gravel parking lot.