New Stock Images

I'm getting more and more images onto my stock photography site (see it here). I've been working on it for a while and there is still some tweaking to do, but it's getting there. Images range from New York City, People/Lifestyle, Fine Art and Environment.
Here are some of the new images added this past week.
Traveling to Thailand on December 22nd so will have many more images in January 2010.
Stay tuned...

Open Spaces

I walk my dog each morning around 7am. There really isn’t much going on. Stores are not open, very little traffic and even fewer people. What I like about early morning is it's a great time to look around and really see what this city has to offer. Walking Toby in the afternoon, on the other hand, is a lesson in patience. Tourist all over the place and city folk walking home from work (it's worst on the weekends). It’s not the best atmosphere for looking around. I spend too much time negotiating the obstacle course of people. Mornings are the time to sight-see.

There are many things that continue to surprise me here in New York City - so much to see, so little time. One of the most prominent things in the City are the open spaces - way more than in DC. They range from parks (there are loads of them) to small playgrounds. Even though some of the playgrounds look rundown; rusted, old and dirty, they all have a certain artiness to them. The cracks, rust marks on the walls, the missing nets are all very photogenic. They sit on corners of major streets, behind apartment houses and enclosed by large fences. People do use them - constantly. There are basketball games and tournaments, roller hockey and handball games and people hitting tennis balls. They are even used as make-shift dog runs. But the mornings are the best for seeing the beauty of these open spaces. It all makes out to be eye candy for the photographer.

Note To Self...

When on a roof, bring your cell phone…

There were a few miracles moving up to NY. Got out of DC 1.5 hours earlier than expected, traffic was fairly light, unloading was a breeze and finally parking a 15 foot van on a Saturday in SoHo was surprisingly easy. Something had to give. It just had to...


On Sunday Kate and I decided to go for a walk. It was a beautiful day – sun shone brightly, 85 degrees, with a light breeze. Kate wanted to show me the roof top. Walking up the stairs I thought this will be a great place to sit and read, brush the dogs and get away from the hustle and bustle of the streets below. We opened the door to a bright, white tarred roof – so bright in fact we could barely keep our eyes open. First mistake – not bringing sunglasses. We roamed around, admiring the view, talking about where we wanted to go for a walk. Ten minutes later we decided to head downstairs. We went to open the door, locked. Kate looked at me, “What the hell are we gong to do? I don’t have my cell phone.” Now I NEVER carry my cell phone when on walks – it’s my time and I like getting away from technology (I’m re-thinking that strategy). But this time, for some reason, I had it with me. Talk about a look of complete and utter amazement from Kate. Now we had to and remember the phone numbers of our neighbors’ and hopefully find them home, on a Memorial Day weekend. We left two messages and the third was the charm. It took him ten minutes to get to us, by we were off the roof, a little blinded and very hot.


We’re not quite sure what we would have done if I didn’t have my cell phone with me.
Scream for help most likely. And in NYC that doesn’t get you very far.

So what did I do - Naturally I took some photos.

Taking Stock

Taking stock in myself. This is something I’ve wanted to do for a while now. I have had images with JupiterImages, but since they were bought by Getty I took my images off their site. Call me crazy, but it was a matter of principle.

When things are slow I don’t like to sit and pout. I search for things to shoot. This is what I love about photography. It keeps me active, searching, thinking – it keeps me alive. Because of this I am now having resurgence in photographing for stock. Being able to capture a mood, an expression or a moment is what photography is all about, and that is what I want to show in my stock images.

Stay tuned for a new web site and a stock site featuring images from New York City.

Keep It Moving

Sometimes change is a difficult thing to handle. I know of a few photographers who have decided not to embrace the fact that we have to change our way of thinking and their work will suffer because of it. During this economic downturn it is, now more than ever, essential to have a plan that can guide you and help you understand where you have been and where you are going. Why some don’t get this I couldn’t tell you.

I’m trying to take advantage of the downturn – shooting more, calling clients (both new and existing), setting my yearly promotional schedule, visiting New York City at least once per month and creating a realistic budget. Thinking positively is essential for my survival. Without it I feel I will just shrivel up and fad away. For me the glass is Always half full. Be proactive – Be positive – Look at the future and see how bright it is.
This is what APA/DC is trying to instill. Our latest Brown Bag events are geared towards the Business of Change where the focus will be on how to adapt and survive. This is one of the most essential skills photographers now need.

Here is one of my favorite quotes from Will Rogers:
“Even if you’re on the right track you’ll get run over if you just sit there”

Once we stop changing and adapting to our environment we cease to exist.
We have to “Keep it Moving” even in bad times.

As Time Goes By

It’s slow for most of us right now, but I don’t think this is necessarily a bad thing. It gives us time to reflect on what has been, as well as what the future holds. During these “down” times I really try to take advantage of looking at other photographer’s work, reviewing what I have shot and most importantly planning out a course of action for the future – planning self-assignments, reworking the portfolio, etc…
Time is something not to be wasted. With the economy the way it is we can't sit back and get depressed, feeling sorry for ourselves and not knowing from where the next assignment will come. We have to understand that all of this is in our control, not out of it. We have the ability to change our course of action, to turn time in our favor so that it starts working for us and not against us.

Time can be a funny thing. It can either go by in a flash or take forever getting to that magical 5 o’clock hour (when it’s “okay” to have a drink). By dividing up the day with assignments, time starts to work in our favor. It all starts to look more manageable.

What we really need to understand is that no one really knows what time it is (yes I know a song by Chicago - sorry). For example look at the above photo of the clock. It is a famous clock on the corner of 5th and Broadway in NYC. The Flatiron Building is in the background. I shot this about two weeks ago on a visit with my photo friends Renee Comet and Randy Santos. It was in the afternoon around 1:30 pm. What I’ve recently noticed is that the clock doesn’t work. Now, to me, that’s strange. A beautiful ornate clock in a very public place has stopped and no one notices. Or maybe they do and they don’t care, or know what to do about it. We are so obsessed with time, but yet no one really notices it until it matters. How many times have we sat at the end of the day wondering where all the time had gone, why we didn’t get more done? Planning what we do is crucial to success. My new year’s resolution is to have a better control of my time. Write more on this blog, create more self-assignments, take more photos.

And “As Time Goes By” I will be a better photographer.

My Favorite City

I am not one to go on vacation where there is more people than where I live. I am not a big beach person during the summer months - especially in the Outer Banks where you have to shop at 2am just to avoid the crowds. That to me is not a vacation.
But I have to say, one of my favorite spots to visit is New York City - eight million people and counting. The variety of people, sights, restaurants and diners just completely fascinates me. For a photographer it is heaven on earth (yes I know you could argue that). The architecture alone can consume a photographer. The fact is that it has just about everything one needs - even open spaces. Central Park is a great place to relax and "get away from it all". Now all that being said, I don't think I could live there. Way too much cement and the noise can be a little too much.
But for a visit...I love it.

The photos above were taken at Balthazar and Pastis. Two beautiful restaurants: Balthazar is in Soho and Pastis is in the Meat Packing District. After spending about and hour taking photos from my table I was told the there was no photography allowed in the restaurant. Oh well - got some great shots regardless. It pays to be discrete.

Summer Adventures

It has been exactly one month since my last posting. That's very hard to believe!
I just had my first "free" weekend since and took advantage by going to New York City. Not a huge trip, but it was nice to get away and see friends!

It reminded me that, even though summer just began, it is way too short and we should take the time to relax and enjoy it. But sometimes that's hard to do. I will never complain about being too busy - but will always complain anyway.

All of this reminded me of two neighbors who are traveling this summer. One is moving, taking their Airstream up to Maine and then across country to Arizona. The other is spending three months in Ecuador. What an adventure for both families.

I'll have some "fun" photos from New York City in the next few days.

Soho, New York City

"It is ridiculous to set a detective story in New York City. New York City is itself a detective story" -- Agatha Christie