Stairway to Heaven

I can only imagine these same stairs have been photographed a million time over, the difference from this shot and all the others I have seen is that I shot facing up while all the others were shot facing down.  There is something captivating about winding staircases and what I like most about this images is that it looks almost as if these stairs are leading straight to heaven. You get the feeling that if you just kept climbing them you would reach that light in all it infinite glory.

Artist block

As the new year is approaching I am taking a long hard look at what goals I would like to accomplish in the coming year. There are many things I feel I need to work on to develop my photography skills. As you probably have noticed I have not written in a few days nor have I posted any new photo's. I am having one of those times when the creative energy has slowed and the sprinters pace I was on has slowed to a jog. Its like I know what I need to do, but I am still trying to figure out how to get it done. I know I need to step out of FL and find some other subject to shoot, but finding the funds to do that is a bit tough. I feel like there are so many stories out there that I should be telling, I just need to find them. I have been forced to withdraw to the lab and refine my tactics. I plan to emerge with a better game plan and refined technique. The creative world in not always the friendliest place, but I will remain encouraged and 2009 will bring great things for me.

It's all about Recruiting

So I have been spending the past few days trying to figure out how to recruit more people for my FACE project. I have used all the marketing techniques I know of and have had minimal response.  So in leu of this situation I am being forced to get creative in my recruiting methods.  I know word of mouth is a very effective method of publicity, so I need to get the word about my project in more people's mouths. I want people to wonder what the project is about and inquire about it. I want them to think this would be something great to be a part of. The creative wheels are spinning and I am coming up with new ideas by the day. We will see if any of them work. Keep a eye out, you never know where you will see the FACES!!!!!

When Passion Keeps You Awake (and you wake up other people)

Now anyone who know me knows I go to bed early and wake up earlier, but over the past few nights I have not been able to sleep. All I think about is all the stories of people and events that I want to tell through my art. Every-time someone looks at one of my pics and says that the images speaks to them, I feel like I have done my job and I am eager to do it again.  It is almost becoming an addiction. I am feeling like a captive animal that has finally discover a window of escape and with a bit of fear shrouded in anticipation is heading to freedom.....finally.  I am just so excited I almost can't contain myself, you know you have gotten bad when you calling people at midnight to tell them how to make one of their images better (sorry Gordon).  I know I still have a long way to go and a lot to learn, but I know with faith and continued dedication I will answer my calling. 

Artist and Student

As I have been busting my backside organizing this project I have realized how much fun work can be and how cool some people are.  I just want to send a huge thank you to all the people who have already participated in the Generations Project and a thank you in advance to all those who have shoots scheduled.  You know its funny that through interviewing people and learning about them, it is amazing how much you learn about yourself.   I have learned to be a great artist you must also be a great student and when I say student I am not talking about school. You must be a student of the world because the world is the best teacher you will ever have and it provides you with every lesson you will ever need to learn. Just think of what art is. It is taking the things this world has provided and making something beautiful out of them. I have studied many things in my life and we as people spend so much time trying to figure out how things work and what makes them tick. I don't really care about those things anymore, I just appreciate it for what it is and leave it at that.

Faces of A Generation

This is my latest project 

Playing with Fire

While at my company christmas party I saw the Polynesian dancers, it was quite impressive what the ladies could do with their hips and what the fellas could do with fire. 

Answering the Question of How

For several weeks now I have been thinking about how to bring all these wild ideas and dreams I have into reality.  I have been reading books, doing web searches, talking with friends and contacting professionals just to try to get a clue as to how to make it all happen.  It is easy enough to come up with ideas, but a bit more difficult getting people to notice.  

I did a web search today of photojournalist web pages and it disturbed me to see that many of the pages listed were not so much photojournalism but just photography as a whole.  I was looking for those images that would speak to me, would stir up some sort of emotion, but instead I saw a lot of fashion and editorial type things. I mean I have nothing against those images, but they just were not what I was looking for.  I know with the economy being the way it is photographers are looking to make money in whatever market they can, but I still ask the question where have the storytellers gone? I am not necessarily talking about those who have shooting for National geographic on their resumes, but those people who have a true talent for telling the story of life through photo's. It's those individual I would love to talk to and gather advice from.  I mean it is simple for people to say go and make your own way Jay, but I am a firm believer in learning from those who came before you. Their lives and experiences are priceless lessons, and I am a eager student. 

Peaceful Scenes

All in the name of art ( Miami Art Basel 2008)

Portrait of Self

It's all love here 

Artist at Work

This was his contribution to the Art Basel

The business never stops

More Artists at work

What was her Story

While walking in Downtown Tallahassee late one afternoon I came across this woman.  The way she was sitting there clutching her bag in her lap while taking a moment to rest her eyes intrigued me.  She just looked like she had a story to tell, however I did not want to disturb her nor the moment so I just snapped the photo and let her rest there in peace. 

Chase the Dream

The picture I posted today has nothing to do with this message, but I thought it was be something pretty to look at.  I actually shot this when I was in Tobago. The whole day was just so serene and peaceful, much like the image.

I decided to share a poem I wrote about dreaming and being a dreamer since that is the kind of person I am.  Dreams are wonderful things and no matter how elaborate they are, they in someway can be attained.  

I always encourage people to never stop dreaming. Never let other people place boundaries on your imagination, or tell you what they think you should be. There is no end to what you can do as long as you keep on dreaming. My dream is to be a great photographer and a world traveler. What do you dream to do or be?

The Dream

To all those who called me crazy, 

and said I dreamed to much, 

who told me that reality is something with which I have lost touch.

I say to these cynics, 

these doubters and disbelievers, 

those who think being a workaholic makes you an achiever

That way of living is not appealing nor is it healthy

The true spirit of accomplishment is not only giving to the prestigious or wealthy.

It's also for those who dared to dream and step out on a limb 

who decided the world is a playground for them to explore within. 

Who experience true living and know what its like to be truly free. 

That is how I feel my life was destine to be

Though the money may not always be plentiful, 

and there are time when the bills are stacked high. 

I would rather ricks it all and fail, then to say I never tried.

I have had many stepping stones towards the fulfillment of my life long dream. 

I suppose it helps that for adventure I am a fiend.

I will soak my feet in every sea and each continent I will touch. 

I know it is a big dream, but there is no such things as dreaming to much

By JYH

Just thinking

I don't have any new pics to post today, but I have been working hard at coming up with ideas of on what to do a photo essay on.  There are so many things going on in the world that I am not sure what to focus on.  I am thinking about maybe telling the story of the poor in Miami and how they make it down here with the cost of living being so high.  

I have been studying the essay of other photographers to see how they approach their projects. I have been seeing some trends, but I am not sure if I want to tell a sad story or a story of triumph. I guess I will have to think on that a bit longer.

In other news I bought some new camera gear and I am excited to try it out. I have been dabbling with studio work lately. I am trying to learn the basics in lighting and such.  I have taken a few good shots that I am proud of, but I can not show them yet since I have not gotten the permission of the model. Anyway keep your eyes to the blog, new pics will be showing up soon.

Faces in the Crowd

People are quite intriguing when you take the time to watch them. The stories of so many lives lie in the faces of the people you pass by everyday. The following video is a collection of face in the crowd. Individuals who I saw in passing but in the brief time we shared I was touched in some way. Some of the images are old, some are new, but they all tell a story.

Photography vs Videography

I was on the internet this morning reading the news and studying the images associated with the stories. As I was scrolling through the images I began to ask myself, how can I contribute to this form of communication. In this new fast paced world people rarely take the time to throughly read and absorb the information. Everyone want to know the news and events as they unfold, lag time is dead time and dead time is a bad thing. So I then began to wonder, what form of photography is more effective, still images or video? So, I am conducting a small study. I have decided for the next few posting to show video's I have created from still photographs. I have added music to set the tone of the video's. I have started with the images of Vizcaya I shot and posted in a previous posting so you can compare the still images vs the video. Be advised that these are not Discover Channel quality video's, so take them for what they are. Please tell me what you think, your feed back would be appreciated.

Saturday at Hollywood Beach

Todays adventure took me to Hollywood Beach. I am always fascinated but the people and things I see at the beach, from the older people who have been tanning for 30 years to the delicate skinned babies being pushed in strollers.  Anyway today, I walked up and down the boardwalk doing my best to capture the spirit of the people who crossed my path. I saw everything from a father teaching his young son how to fly a kite, to a kind bus driver, to a trio of friends buffing cigars. Have a look at some of the faces that made up my day. Please excuse the faded colors something happened when the files were transferred.

Rescue Me

I saw this darling little girl while I was walk to the beach. She was standing there just minding her own business and just as I was about to snap the picture she looked up and gave me a smile.

Message on the streets. 

I thought this was interesting because there was another message the read nothing is real a few feet from it .

Mr. Wade, Broward County bus driver.  

Working on a Saturday. 

I had to stick my camera through the orange fence to get this shot.

It was the look in this child's eyes that struck me, 

he was just gazing out at the ocean through the railing on a hotel balcony. 

The coolest ice cream cone I'd ever seen

Three's company

The Hungry Musician, he was just sitting on the wall playing his guitar and singing, just loud enough for people to barley hear him.

Look Daddy, I thought this was so sweet, the father was teaching his son how to fly a kite and just as the kite when in the air the child reached up and smiled.

Self portrait ( this is not me). 

This man was actually taking a picture of himself with his camera phone, in this image he is looking at the image he just shot.

Just a normal day in Lauderdale and the MIA

Black Friday 2008!!!! While a good portion of my fellow Floridians were invading the malls, I decided to walk the streets of Ft. Lauderdale and Miami.  I figured it would be a fun inexpensive way to spend the day.  So, armed with my camera and a good pair of tennis shoes I hit the streets in search of the everyday man. The first stop was Ft. Lauderdale Beach, followed by Coral Gables, Coconut Grove, Key Biscayne and wrapping up at Miami Beach. The images below are some of the people and places that made up my day.

South Beach Miami

This one is pretty self explanatory 

Downtown Miami as viewed from Key Biscayne

Tribute to a fallen officer. 

Flowers, notes, bears and other momentous mark the scene of a deadly accident the clamed the life of Hollywood FL police officer Alex Del Rio

What remains of the palm tree that officer Del Rio hit

Supporting the Disabled Veterans Foundation

This was a gentleman named Brads Chopper, another fine piece of machinery. I asked Brad if he wanted to sit with his bike but he declined. He was a nice fella though.

Sunrise and A1A, two main roads in Ft. Lauderdale 

Dan the tattoo man, well at least I think his name was Dan. He was nice enough to let me photograph him while he smoked a cigarette  in

front of his shop

I was driving through a neighborhood in Ft. Lauderdale and I saw this peacock just walking down the street. I immediately said I have to get a picture of this because this is not something you see everyday.

Chromed out chopper, had to stop and shoot this for obvious reasons. I actually had a chance to speak to the owner of this fine machine, but unfortunately his name escapes me. 

Just a view from the Bride 

When I saw this church it immediately reminded me of the blue door in Greece.