I desperately wanted to photograph the streetcars in San Francisco Straight Up. Obviously this is impossible, they move too fast, are dangerous, and unless I could get to the end of a line with special permissions, etc., figured it impossible. Turns out there is an end of a line in downtown San Francisco at Powell and Market Street. Here the trolley car is disengaged from the cable pushed onto a turnabout platform, rotated, reattached and sent the other direction. I couldn’t get the car–being too far away–but just like not being able to photograph all of a particular structure, the open space defined by the surrounding buildings, objects (in this case lamp posts), imply the narrative.
The New Museum on Bowery
People still pretty much ignore my photographic activities on the street which I am quite happy about. I try not to draw too much attention. I was asked on this occasion if I was photographing the street pole. I said yes. Conversations are fun, but saying too much invites long explanations and possibly missing the right light. I have several other images from this area, but the light on the building is why I selected this image. I wonder if the lost dog was ever found.
The Empire State Building from Fifth Avenue
A very sad drama unfolded today, August 24th 2012, at the footsteps of the Empire State Building where a gunman shot and killed a former co-worker before being gunned down himself by police. Many innocent bystanders were injured by bullets and shrapnel from the shots fired by the NYPD at one of the most iconic buildings in New York City. Thanks to the NYPD for the continued efforts of keeping the streets safe such that more people can experience the beauty of this iconic beauty and other in the city. If streets could talk, I wonder how many stories of love, hate, passion, and disappointment would be found around this area. I hope more love than anything.
Destruction is faster than creation
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In a slight departure from the usual Straight Up images, I give you this quick video. The gallery show that has consumed my life for the past couple of weeks at 379 Broome St is now over. Stay tuned for more updates on where this show, and new images, are going next.
Stock Exchange on Wall Street
The Occupy Wall Street movement fascinates me. On my way to Wall Street to see the Stock Exchange (technically on Broad Street), a few protestors heckled me for having a tripod saying “You can’t make a photo here, you can’t make a photo there, you’re gonna get arrested…” boo hoo hoo etc. Seriously, OWS heckled me, not the police! Maybe it’s their attempt to draw attention away from themselves–oh wait that is the point isn’t it (it’s never them). Anyway, I went about my business, photographing Straight Up, to a space, a subject we all own, and something greater than the surrounding buildings and politics of the day–even those found on Wall Street.
Lamp post on Pearl Street
People in Jackson Hole are amazingly nice. A guy pulled his car to the curb, ran over to me, and asked if I was OK? He laughed once he got closer. Apparently the camera, tripod, and my near motionless body looked like a crashed cyclist. I thanked him for his concern.