December 20, 2009
As photographers, I think we are often too hard on ourselves, but this is also what drives us to get better. There are very few photographs of mine that I truly like. This is one of them. For now. I will probably revisit it next year and find a whole lot of faults to it. Indeed, nothing is ever perfect.
The right ingredients were there for me to get out and get it: a park I like, fresh snow and a nice sunset. The clouds really helped enhance the colors, striking a good balance. I used my graduated neutral density filters for this shot in order to bring back the snow in the foreground.
December 19, 2009
“Performing Arts At The Indian Road Café”
Following Help-Portrait, I met again with Greg Brothy and Caren Litherland, two awesome people and photographers who volunteered that day. The plan was to initially give the portraits they took to their respective recipients. Then, they took me to their favorite hangout place in the lovely Inwood neighborhood where they both live: the Indian Road Café. Incidentally, a local troupe was about to give a very whimsical performance about winter, Christmas and Saint Michael triumph over the dragon. Don’t ask. I had fun.
This particular scene was featuring a very unorthodox doctor who found a rather unique use for his surgical gloves. The first one popped unceremoniously. This shot shows as far as the second one went before it met the same unfortunate fate. Quite impressive I dare say. I think the performers were having as much if not more fun than us spectators!
December 18, 2009
“Cookie Mouton!”
A fun shot of Jasmine gluttonously engulfing a chocolate chip cookie. I have to explain the title… clearly, it should be cookie monster. However, Jasmine calls it cookie “mouton” instead (which translates into “sheep”). She loves sheep and I’ve got to admit the pronunciation doesn’t differ that much. To top it off, the actual Sesame Street character does look a little like a big fluffy goofy blue sheep, so… there you go!
As for the technical or artistic qualities of the photo itself, I leave it up to you. As far as I’m concerned, it falls under the snapshot category. Nevertheless, I keep reminding myself how some of those rough snapshots can hold so much more value than a beautiful photograph. Instants are fleeting, and you won’t always get a second chance. Keep shooting, it doesn’t always have to be perfect… and it certainly won’t always be. I took it on the way back from Vermont.
