Monocacy - Up Close And Personal : Part V

The Big Picture.

As I wrap up my series for the Monocacy, I want to take a look at what this project has taught me, us, along the way.

With Part I (found here), I shared my intention of the project. My hope was (and still is) for you to become part of the photograph; to remind you that you are part of something bigger; to remind you that everything and everyone is connected.

With Part II (found here) I brought you into the peace of nature. I provided you with an opportunity to experience the calmness, the magic of what's all around you - all of the time. My hope is you were reminded that wherever you are, whenever it may be, there is a peace of nature along with you to ground you - to remind you.

With Part III (found here) I opened myself up further with some of my frustration and anger. I was forced to take a good look in the mirror and come face to face with the battles that lie within. My hope was to allow you to do the same. Take a look into where you fit and what it is you may want to do differently.

With Part IV (found here) my hope was to remind you that life is full of choice. Every moment can be viewed in many ways and accepting and embracing life for what it is, without judgment, could be peaceful and fulfilling.

So, as this project comes to an end, I thank you for walking this journey with me. Knowing in some way that all of us who have read this will embrace life differently, perhaps more aware, fills me with great joy and hope.

~ take a breath

Namaste.

- greg

Monocacy - Up Close And Personal : Part IV

Redirected.

The water flows freely, following the path it has carved for centuries. Suddenly, there's something in the way...what could it do? It does what it has been doing for as long as rivers flowed - it embraces it and move through. What happens to the water though? Does it change? Look at it.

Lines that once were now become curves. Stillness now becomes turbulence. Light becomes shadow. Is it different? Or is it more?

I see this image and I'm reminded of life and the choices I have. There are times when my life is moving along smoothly, comfortably, even peacefully. Then suddenly, there's a stump in my way. I have many choices. I can avoid it completely. I have learned, though, that if I do, I will be facing that stump again. I can pretend it isn't there at all. I have learned, though, that if I do, I'm only lying to myself. I can replace it with something else - another stump perhaps. I have learned, though, that this is no way to live.

There is another way!

I can learn from the water. I can embrace it and move through. I have learned that if I step back and see the stump as part of the water - part of life - and not a hindrance, I can take in the beauty it creates - the curves, the turbulence, the shadows.

~ take a breath

Life is choice - every moment can be viewed in many ways. I choose to dance with the beauty created by the stump.

- greg

There are additional images from the Monocacy available on a blog-only section of my website. I hope you find them pleasing.

As the sun sets...

I took this photograph pondering the events of 2007, the milestones like opening my studio; my wife and I applying to adopt a baby - the successes like the completion of a large home project - the challenges like writing my autobiography - the family and friends that have meant so much to me...it was a great year. This photograph has another meaning to me now. Let me explain...

I met Phil over a year ago at the gym. I was screwing around playing some basketball and he approached me along with his buddy. "Wanna play ball?"...sure, why not. We weren't very good, but good enough to run around, get some exercise, make a few points, scream at the ball, and call a foul on whatever because we were tired and frustrated. I'm not sure what happened, but after a while, more people joined in and it became an every Tuesday event...then every Tuesday/Thursday event...than back to every Tuesday (for me, at least). We had a great time.

Phil, played soccer and he was fast - when I say fast, I mean one second you're dribbling, the next second, he's flying past you with the ball in his hands. He wasn't the best shot, but I'll tell you what, every time he made one, you'd stand there, scratch your head and ask "how the heck did that go in?". He had this thing when he would shoot a three-pointer. He would post, take a loud, deep breath, then shoot, with no regard, towards the basket. When he would miss, he'd miss big - when he made it...+3 with style ~ "COUNT IT". He was a lot of fun to play ball with. When we weren't playing ball, we'd be working out and he was quick to help out with a spot on a lift or just helping me mack on the Cowboys.

Phil passed away over Christmas ~ he was 24.

~ take a breath

It's with a heavy heart that I look again at this sunset. I realize how it will never be the same. I also realize that I can find comfort in knowing that it will always be. Tomorrow, the sun will rise, and set, as it always does - but it will most likely look different than it did today.

I mourn my friend with great sadness, while at the same time, celebrate the life he lived with his friends and family. I find peace in knowing that although Phil, the man, has left us, Phil, the spirit remains.

May he walk gently into the light...

I'll miss him.

- greg

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!