Monocacy - Up Close And Personal : Part III

Subtitled: Interpretation



When I tell a story of an image, at times, it's because of the emotional response I had while taking the photo. Other times, it's life's moments that bring about the image in my mind. I'm not clear on why 'this' image - I've learned not to question.

Also, this story is a little longer than usual - it needs to be that way.

I was shopping recently and while I was walking towards the ramp to go into the store, I noticed a little boy, around 2 or 3, clearly alone, wandering down the ramp. I paused. I looked around. I didn't notice anyone 'claiming' the boy. I kept my eye on him. Then he decided to venture into the parking lot. Now, keep in mind, other people noticed the boy (I saw that much). One woman continued to back out with the boy wandering around her van. Another couple just went along their merry way as if he was some kind of employee cleaning up the parking lot...I ran towards him and stopped him. He looked surprised. I asked him where his mommy was. He said nothing. I reached out my hand, he took it, and we walked into the store. I told the cashier I found this little guy and she yelled out "Did anyone lose a boy?" A young woman approached and said "Yes" and claimed him. I told her I found him in the parking lot and then she said "Ok"...That's it? "Yes", "Ok"...hmm.

I wondered what she was thinking. I wondered how she felt.

I left it alone and went shopping. When I was finished, I heard the cashier talking about the mother. How she was so irresponsible and thankless. How people steal kids all the time. How she would never let that happen to her son...hmm.

I got angry. I thought for a moment..."that could happen to anyone". What pisses me off are the people in the parking lot. The people so oblivious to what's going on around them that they couldn't spot a lost little boy wandering around in the parking lot...or if they did, chose to do nothing about it. WTF!

When I was leaving, the cashier said to me "I guess you did your good deed for the day."...hmm.

Good deed, what good deed? That's simply being responsible. Being accountable to our world's children. Being a human. Helping a mother who's so consumed by her life that she loses her little boy while shopping..good deed? Come on people WAKE UP!

~ take a breath

Look, I don't want to force-feed anything to anyone. What I want is for you to see how you fit into the world. Maybe there's room to be more compassionate. Maybe there's room to be more loving. Maybe there's room to be more selfless...maybe.



Looking at the photo of the waterfall, one can interpret the water as a gentle song. Another can interpret it as a crashing symbol...either way, it's your interpretation; this story is mine.

- greg

A pat on the back

Have you ever had a hard time patting yourself on the back. I have - i still do. I met Rachel Brooks through my mentorship with big brothers and big sisters. They were shooting a promotional commercial with her and asked me to photograph the event. I enjoy donating my time and talents. She's a great girl - smart, caring. I mentioned that if she ever needed a photographer, she could contact me. Long behold, she got in touch with me some months later and asked if i would sponsor her and the Miss Pennsylvania pageant with a photo shoot. Sure, why not...it should be fun.

So she shows up to my house, meets my wife and dog, and changes into this beautiful gown. At first i was intimidated with the pressure of 'getting it right' and 'doing a good job' - it's more about my b-s stories of not being good enough - once i started shooting though, all the worries and untruths dissipated (for a while, anyway). Her director was accompanying her and offered some great ideas for poses. It was a lot of fun. My wife was totally into it and assisted with props. I believe she truly loved embracing her little girls excitement around being with Miss Pennsylvania. We all had a great time.


Shortly after, once i provided the organization with the photos, they asked me if they could use one of the shots for the Miss America Organization for their website . Sure, why not...it should be fun. All of a sudden, the b-s comes back - 'are you sure you want people to see this' - 'the photo isn't THAT good' - AAARRRGGG!!! SHUT UP!!! I'm tired of thinking that I'm not good enough - I'm tired of hearing those 'stories' in my head.

~ take a breath

I've been doing personal work for many years and am very familiar with this voice. I am coming to the point of understanding that it may never go away. Sure it's silent for a while, there are times, though, when it creeps it's ugly head back in. What i DO know is that it's a lie. It's crap handed to me from people who never felt good enough about themselves and threw their 'stuff' at me...apparently, it stuck (like crap does).

Well, that said, i want to publicly and proudly pat myself on the back for doing a great job.

Here's a quote from the executive director of the Miss Pennsylvania Scholarship Organization...

"This is one of the best photos taken of Rachel since her state win..."

take that in!

- greg

Brothers

So I had this photo shoot the other day of a family that consisted of mom and dad, two boys and one girl. It started out just like any other shoot, you know, position the bodies, reposition the lights, so on and so on. Midway through the shoot something magical happened. Not stardust, fairytale magical, but memory magical. The older brother decided to punch the younger one in the gut - sparking a cry of mercy and revenge. Some of you may read this and think - "now that's mean" or "what was that all about". Others will read this and think to themselves, as I did - "ah, memories".

I'm not sure how many of you have a brother(s), but for those of you who do, I'm hoping you can relate. Right after the not-so-inconspicuous shot to the gut, memories of my younger brother came flooding to me from years back. I remembered the exact same incident occurring between myself and my younger brother. I don't know what the heck we were talking about, but I ended up giving him a shot to his stomach. I remembered how sad he looked. I remembered how scared I was - I just knew he was going to run and tell my dad and I was in for it.


I then stopped to take a look at these two boys, seeing them in another way. I noticed how they were different. I took a look at the older boy and saw this confident, strong-willed, outgoing being that was practically always looking for attention. I then turned my attention to the younger boy. He was quiet and reserved. His self-confidence was lower and he appeared to be much different than his older sibling. I started to think about how my younger brother and I used to argue - how we would know each others buttons and how and when to push them. I remember times when I would run away from him when he was trying to hang out with me and my friends. I remember how I felt we were so different and, at times, probably not related at all.


After things calmed down from the effects of the punch, which took all of about 5 seconds, I noticed how they began to play together - doing pull-ups on my support beam, making faces at their sister... I had to smile. Remembering the mud pies we made together, the holes we dug to China, the tree forts we invested most of our time into, I felt my heart beat a little stronger. I realized how much my brother means to me. No matter what we've been through with each other - regardless of the pain we inflicted on each other - in spite of the millions of times we said we hated each other - he's my strongest ally, he's my best friend - he's always there for me - as I am for him.


~ take a breath

It's poetic to me that doing exactly what I love to do brings about such joyous and loving memories... life is indeed good!

P.S. This one's for you Tone.


- greg

John

I met John this past weekend during Bethlehem, PA's first Harvest Festival on Main Street. My wife and I were walking down the hill towards the area where the outdoor bands play. I spotted John sitting in a chair - thin, smoking, tired - with a broken brick-stucco wall as his backdrop. I instantly felt the sadness of the scene. Here sits this man, beaten, weathered, alone, taking the time to enjoy the simple pleasures in life. I shot an image and he instantly sensed me. He looked toward me and I snapped again (not my best shot, but you get the picture). His smile welcomed me.


I walked over and introduced myself. He told me his name was John. I explained I was a photographer and love to be outdoors with people for candid moments. I told him he was very photogenic. He welcomed me to have a seat next to him and feel free to shoot. After speaking for a while, I learned that he has been through a long and hard journey and felt tired and beaten. I learned that he battles his demons one day at a time and feels alone a lot. He told me a story of a man who took advantage of him and that brought up anger for me. He spoke about it like it was an every day occurrence for him and that brought me sadness. Here sits this quiet man, struggling through life and arrogant son of a beeps take advantage of him. ~ take a breath.

In my attempt to break the silence, I asked him to smile for me. His first attempt, he kept his mouth closed - for obvious reasons - and that didn't seem to fit his soul. I said to him "show me some teeth". He started cracking up and broke out this huge smile. I laughed, he laughed, it was warm and kind. The band started playing shortly after and we sat and listened to some John Mellencamp and J. Geils Band tunes. I dug in my pockets and found a couple bucks to offer to John. He saw that it was pure and gently removed the money from my hands and placed it in his. I don't think I'll ever forget the look of appreciation he gave me...correction, I hope I always remember! What a great man - what a great time! Thanks John!

Thanks John!

Monocacy - Up Close and Personal: Part II

Alas, the journey continues. I walk along the creek of the Monocacy in Bethlehem and come upon a tree. Not a difficult thing to do - it is, after all, a creek bed. This tree grabbed my attention. Perhaps it was the way it decided to grow right along the creek bed. Maybe it was the way it was partnered with the water flowing through the rocks...it whispered "hey, come here and sit...relax...breath."

Imagine yourself sitting with your back against the trunk, listening to the water flow behind you. Imagine you close your eyes and just feel the weight of the world lifted off of your shoulders...mmmm.

~ take a breath ~

The tree is subtle and comfortably fits into the photograph as natures edge. I especially like the way the trunk protrudes in the center, breaking up the edge. As the water flows from the calm to the wild, the tree is always there to support - to ground.

Enjoy!

- Greg

(Comments appreciated and welcome)
P.S. If you're interested in purchasing any of my photographs, please contact me and we'll make it happen.
gregtapler@gmail.com

Monocacy - Up Close And Personal : Part I

I remember being told "it's important to have a goal". Well, I've just created a goal for myself. My goal is to photograph images of Monocacy Creek, Bethlehem, and create a collection named "Monocacy - Up Close And Personal" - It will be comprised of scenes I encounter during my walks along Monocacy Creek.

I want to share the images with you so you can get an inside look at who I am along with experiencing and appreciating natures beauty for yourself through my photography. One intention with my photography is to spark an emotional response from the viewer. I want people to feel the composition, the lighting, the exposure - I want people to be part of the photograph and have the photograph be part of them.

The first image I chose to share is an exposure I made recently. One of my favorite places to be in nature is near water. Whether it's the ocean, a lake, a pond, or a creek, water sooths my mind. You'll most likely see water in many of my works. The water from this location was flowing through the rocks and making a soft trickling sound. When I sat there and closed my eyes, the sound and the energy of the flow took any anxiety with it. It released any fear and worry. I felt free and I felt connected.

~ take a breath ~

The smooth transition of the water starting at the top of the rocks is subtle and gentle. Once it passes through the rocks, the splash is created below, bringing with it the subtle power and force of the creek ~ of life. I especially enjoy the swirling of the shadow of the tree and the reflection of the sun in the center (left center) . It reminds me that everything is connected; that life is fragile.

I hope you enjoy this photograph and it brings peace to your mind and soul.

- Greg

(Comments appreciated and welcome)
P.S. If you're interested in purchasing any of my photographs, please contact me and we'll make it happen.
gregtapler@gmail.com

What's the big secret

OK, by now you might have heard that there's a secret brewing with my photography. The news is that I now have a new studio. In fact, it's my first studio! It's located in Bethlehem, PA and has just what you'd expect to find in a professional studio - lighting, reflectors, backdrops, props, and a one-of-a-kind, professional, creative, enthusiastic, and passionate photographer [cough, cough] ~ ME!

Recently, I've been finding that a large part of my passion for life is falling into my photography. I've been studying under an international photographer from London, England named Olaf Starorypinski (www.ORSphoto.com) for a few months and learning, extensively, about lighting, subject positioning, and bringing out my creativity. What I'm finding is that I love, wholeheartedly, bringing out the magic, the trueness, the realness of a subect ~ whether it be human or not.

What I'm hoping for is that my photographic skills find a place into your life. Whether you would need an updated photo or your children, a new family portrait, a scenic display to hang on your wall, or a special event covered. What I want is for every single one of my clients, when they receive their photographic results, to feel that they got not only a portrait, but a memory that they'll hold in their heart for a lifetime.

~ greg
...view my profile for contact information (gregtapler@gmail.com)
...visit my photos on Flickr (http://flickr.com/photos/gregorytapler)

Some comments from previous clients:
"Greg created a comfortable atmosphere in our own home. My children had no problem posing for their pictures. This is the second time in 4 years that I was able to get professional photos taken of my 4 year old son. Every time I would take my kids to department stores to have their picture taken by other professionals, have been a nightmare. Greg's professionalism and enthusiasm made it easier to finally get a beautiful picture of both my kids." THANKS GREG" ~ Diana

"Great work at a great price. He was excellent with our children, very patient. Fast turn-around and outstanding photo quality." ~ Melissa

"Greg repeated "house calls" when we had our anniversary celebration and caught everyone having a real good time. Also for business, Greg came to the house and was able to take a group photo of the office staff. It's hard to please everyone in a group, but he did that." ~ Penny & Dick