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Heavy Heart. Part 2.

It is a new Memorial. To the best of my knowledge, it is also a first of its kind in the US. Usually, here in the States, we are accustomed to seeing heroic statues, placards, flags flying high, license plates with the word “Veteran” written on them. And in general, aside from a single footballer, everyone stands up while the National Anthem plays.

In general, I have to admit, I like this patriotism. Unfortunately, one too many times, I’ve seen it consume people rather than it be healthfully consumed. Let me put it this way, being patriotic doesn’t automatically mean that all other countries are crap.

Continue reading “Heavy Heart. Part 2.”

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Memorial Trip and Washington DC

There’s something about sunrise which is always opportunity-filled. When sunset hits, you think of what you left behind, another day is gone. Sunrises are filled with surprise. The day is ahead. There is opportunity. Something is coming.

It’s 5:40 am, everyone else is still asleep in the cabin which some friend, my wife and I rented for Memorial Day weekend. We came to Frankfort, Michigan on Crystal Lake. And this is what my iPhone says it looks like right now. Continue reading “Memorial Trip and Washington DC”

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Six Hours in Paris

A clarinet to suavely introduce the delicate French voice. The singer hums and sings while I hold a cocktail, a cigarette, clearly with a cigarette holder, tapping  to the beat, listening to the vibrato in her voice. I’m getting confused. But through her voice I am taken there, to those time.

I had to listen to Edith Piaf for this post. If I had Six Hours in Paris, I would spend them in a cafe’, mesmerized by her voice, sobbing one moment, feeling exhilarated the next. Continue reading “Six Hours in Paris”

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Street Style

Portraits. Photos that should capture the essence and spirit of the subject. Studio photographers go to great lengths in trying to capture just that. They might ask the subject to look down for three seconds and then lift their head straight to the camera, or they may have the person close their eyes and think of their favorite color, vacation, etc.

Is it necessary? Yes. Continue reading “Street Style”

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Capturing the Mafia

As photographers we often ask ourselves whether or not we should press that shutter button. In street photography that question comes up more times than not, and it takes time to overcome that initial fear.

Questions spinning around endlessly. Should I? What if he sees me? What if she calls the police? What if they simply ask what I’m doing? What will a parent say if you photograph their children having fun in a water fountain?

What if they’re a member of an organized crime clan? What if they exchange me for the police? Will they shoot me? Or politely ask me to remove the photograph? And what if I am shooting with film?

Continue reading “Capturing the Mafia”

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10,000 Clicks

“It’s hard”, they say. “Practice is the solution”, the others answer. It’s that easy, right?

We all encounter difficulties in our crafts but we hear that all it takes is practice. If we work hard it will eventually pay off. Rock bottom is a solid foundation to start from. We’ve heard it all. We’ve heard all the “truths” there are out there, as well as all the “counter truths” that should guide us.

For example. “Never put off till tomorrow what you can do today”. And then “Don’t cross the bridge until you come to it”. Or “You’re never too old to learn”. And then “You can’t teach an old dog new tricks”.

Which one is it? Continue reading “10,000 Clicks”

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Work it. The Scene.

I have been lucky enough to have traveled the world at a young age due to my father’s job. Like my sister and I say, every so often we start getting itchy feet and want to move elsewhere. For now, my home is Detroit. Yet, I can’t deny that even after almost 5 years, I see it from a tourist’s perspective.

I observe with the eyes of an outsider. I draw parallels between different worlds, be it the striking differences between Palmer Woods and the 7 Mile homes (just one street that divides these two areas) or between Europe and the States – yes, I am half Italian and half American, and I compare the two frequently. Also a Third Culture Kid? Well because I lived in Asia for 10 years, 5 of which in China.

Continue reading “Work it. The Scene.”

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From the Inside Out

So this is it, the first post on this new journey. A funnel, a collector, a dispenser of information. I can’t say I know where this is headed, but I can say that I have a will to learn and share, hence the funnel and dispenser.

I wish to learn through photography.

Yes. Learn about our society, history and economics, with a twist of culture and customs to brighten the load.

Continue reading “From the Inside Out”