More Quotes for the People Photographers.....

This morning while waiting for my printer to print I picked up Words And Pictures by William Hicks ( photo editor at Life ) Copyright, 1952.  After twenty years of collecting dust, it was time. If only I knew there was so much to glean from this book twenty years ago ...... no use lamenting over lost time. Here's what I found when I opened to a random page....

"Know your people's surroundings, analyze their emotions, understand their motivations. Then by emphasis, get the significances of their actions. These add up to interpretation."

"If I have a secret in the taking of pictures it is anticipating the psychological moment"

- Eugene Smith

I wonder, are these things I am doing already on a subconscious level? Again, it doesn't hurt to reintroduce these principles and be conscious of them.  

One Step Closer

I am one step closer to my dream of creating an eco-studio. This weekend my family and I discovered Green-Phoenix Permaculture Farm in High Falls, NY. We learned so much about sustainable building from knowledgeable people that share a similar vision. As soon as I set eyes on the farm I knew we had arrived at the place where I would be guided into making my dream a reality. It is one of those things that is clear in my mind but I have no idea of where to begin. So I guess I could say this is the beginning for us. Green-Phoenix is on the property of Epworth Camp. Three or four years ago it was looking like Epworth was going to be forced to sell their land. A few veteran campers got wind of this and held a retreat to figure out a way to save the camp, their solution was to pump new blood into Epworth by starting permaculture educational center on the property. There are projects and workshops going on all the time and anyone who is willing to work is welcome to stay at the camp to volunteer and learn about sustainable living.  My family and I look forward to spending a good part of our summer there......

Helpful Quotes

"Like the people you shoot and let them know it". - Robert Capa

As a portrait photographer I found this to be an extremely helpful bit of advise. I think that comes natuarally for me but to be aware of it while shooting brings better results.
Here's another one that I keep posted over my desk and refer to at least once a day.

"I have learned there is no harm in charging oneself up with delusions between moments of valid inspiration"

- Steve Martin

Happy Memorial Day weekend!

Today I leave to go shooting in the rolling hills outside Lexington, Kentucky...... how I wish I had an 8x10 camera for this.....my next purchase.                                                                   

At Last

After much anticipation and only several months over due, the birthing process is complete. My site mdelgphoto.com has gone live...... Hallelujah!  Speaking of Hallelujah, Any lingering cynicism that might have existed for me about organized religion fell to the way side this past Saturday when I  witnessed my son receiving the holy Eucharist for the first time. There is something so beautiful and sacred about the rite of any passage, with a few exceptions.

                                    A gift from God

A look into my studio

                                                    Salted prints on vellum paper.

                                                                                                        

Religion and Spirituality

This weekend my pious son will be making his first communion. It never seizes to amaze me what I can learn from my kid. As I have spent the last twelve years estranged from my Catholic roots,  my one and only child is helping me break down the defensive wall against my punitive Catholic upbringing.  How can I continue to be such a cynic when he has been so earnest in his believes?

I was comforted by the words of  Rabbi Sandy Eisenberg Sasso.  When she was speaking about teaching spirituality to children, she explained religion as a process in asking questions rather than getting answers. Eisenberg was encouraging parents to explore their heritage religion before giving up on it. She described choosing a religion to be like choosing a language. Families should  Choose the traditions that best suit their family and disregard the ones that don't.  

As it stands, I'm not embracing though I am inspired to explore.

Half finished jewelry box I made for Nico to give to him on the morning of his first communion. 

Detail from my home studio

Freddy Hubbard's memorial service this past Monday
A friend from the Marble Hill Projects

There is so much more to being a photographer than just making images.  The marketing thing can just be exhausting. I enjoy viewing sites and following  blogs of photographers I admire but sometimes it just gets too distracting and overwhelming. There are so many of us out there doing amazing work. Deciding what direction to take can be paralyzing. I am most successful in my work when I put my blinders and just take the pictures that are calling me. The challenge comes in when I want my work to be seen.  I enjoy Zoe Strauss' work and her approach to getting it out there for the world to see. She wanted a show, she gave herself a show,  under I-95 in Philadelphia. How cool is that, she stripped away all the pretense and made her work accessible to the general public selling the pictures for $5 a pop. 

Lately I've been questioning the point of this blog and I realized as I put my thoughts out there, I'm holding myself accountable...... kind of like a public to do list. Also it serves as a home to orphan images. Originally I embarked on this blogging venture for content to drive traffic to my site which I haven't pursued.... too forced and insincere.