Looking for Santa

I wanted to post an image related to Christmas. I wanted to find something a bit different and wasn't really interested to going out and making an image specifically for this theme. So I began looking though my achieves in search for that one special image. The image I found was made a few years back in 2008 on a totally random trip to Beloit, WI of all places. Its a bit strange, mysterious, and uneasy maybe. I really didn't know how to feel about this image for the longest time. I think this image leaves the viewer to ask a lot of questions...in my deep in my subconscious I wanted to leave the viewer pondering, what is this? What does it all mean? Is it right? Why? etc...With that said I will leave you to ponder your own thoughts...
Merry Christmas!

Dempster

I'd driven passed this location thousands of times in the past. There was always something about that Dempster sign that was really appealing to me. Maybe it was the shape of it, Maybe I hadn't seen other signs like it before, Maybe it was its color, Maybe it just seemed out of place in the current landscape. Maybe it was a blast of the past kinda like a history lesson of the what area once was and that means a lot in my book. Its all those things that I mentioned and much more. I saw this sign in every type of light possible over the years it could probably be seen in and it looked different in each situation. I don't think I photographed it but one or two other times....This one time I was driving by and saw it and the light, I had to stop this was it. I knew it wasn't going to be around much longer as there was one business left in this little strip mall....Its history now at least I have the photograph as a memory and thats what photography is all about.....

God Bless

Walking out of the club Subterranean in Chicago one night this summer after seeing a friends band, there was just chaos right out side the club. There was I guess a Reagge party in the downstairs club with people poured out onto the sidewalk. The first thing that caught my eye was this truck parked right outside of the club with these crazy graphics painted on the hood. I knew I had to make the image, but was a bit scared of the guy who was sitting inside coming out and asking why are you talking a picture of my car...Well that didn't happen, I think he could have been asleep which was strange. I love all the crazy colors and reflections going on. I find it really great that people are so passionate about things they believe in and how they express themselves to the world in this case the hood of there car....

Golden Road

Taken on my recent road trip to Nashville, TN. I had just left Louisville in the late afternoon and the light was really good that golden hour that everyone that a photographer talks about. As I was driving I see this road with these cool looking rocks so I had to stop. Shooting right into the light just tilting the camera down a bit...That golden light taking you off  the beaten path making you want to follow it to the end and wonder where it might take you.....

Flat Rock

I've been investigating the beach and what it has to offer for 15 plus years. All the beaches I have been photographing in the near north Chicago burbs. I always seem to be drawn to the more abstract things that I find. This image is not as abstract as some of my others, it has more zen and subtly going on. There many subtle and delicate things going on in this image like what is going on with those ghost like long shadows, tones, the shimmer of light on the wet rock, the blur/ shallow depth of field. You can really feel the movement of the water from the wave that had rolled and is frozen in time rolling back. Its an image that just needs to sit with you for awhile to absorb everything it has to offer....

If you would like to support my image making I  made a print of this image on a very nice heavy weight warm paper that I would like to offer if anyone is interested. $20 7X7" image size printed on an 8.5X11 sheet signed..You will not be disappointed. Support the arts and artists!

A

Driving to my folks weekend home in southern Michigan over the summer I decided to take some back roads to get there. When I ran across this what I believe was a red farm building. The strong light and color and this the letter A on the front middle of the building. I had to turn around to make this photograph. Trying not to trespass too much on this property I made a few images from different perspectives looking to strike that balance in the frame. I ended up choosing the one here just because it felt right and it was a simple composition that suited the subject matter. I do really like vibrancy of that red it just radiates and the looming shadows in the foreground adds some extra intrigue. I also like how the shape of the of the building mimics the A... 

Fascist

I just got 6 rolls of 35mm film developed which equates to 200+ images to go though edit and scan...Not an easy task, but a fun one actually. I think I edited it down to about 40 images which will probably go down a bit more after living with the images for awhile. This is one of the images which felt really good to me when I made it and I was hoping it would come out nicely and I feel it did...As written in the book 1984 by George Orwell "Big Brother is watching" and year after year day by day this is becoming more of an axiom. You see cameras every where you go these days city streets, train stops, grocery store, clubs, museums, banks....you name it, a camera is there most of the time recording every little movement. Since I've been taking the EL train in Chicago for the last 10 years or so to work I've seen many changes though the years.. 9/11 changed everything and since that day this heightened security has been pushed on people by the government to the point where it has just become a part of our everyday lives and sometimes it is probably invading into our personal lives...People are fighting for our personal freedoms everyday to how much success I'm not sure, but as long as someone is saying something is a good thing...Hopefully this photograph will help in the fight in some small little way...

Recycle

Passing though my old stomping grounds of Oregon, IL. When I was in college I took this documentary photography class which changed at the time and still has a huge influence on me and how I photograph today. As a class we choose to photograph Route 64 which is North Ave in Chicago and it goes all the way out to Iowa. Jumping in a car with a friend usually Dan or a bunch of friends and just exploring and documenting the road...Its how I got hooked on road tripping and going to small towns really and plus I love to drive. From time to time since I've graduated college I'll get on RT 64 and drive though some of the towns I did back in college like I did on this one Sunday afternoon a month ago or so on my way back home from the Stephenson County Fair. Oregon is right on the Rock River on RT 64 and has always been one of the more interesting towns on 64. Its hard for me to come back to places I've been to before many times and try to make images. I always find it easier and more exciting to make images at places I've never been to before and getting my first responses to the place is always a thrill when the place a good. On this day it was a challenge since I had been to Oregon a few times, I had been out all afternoon in 100 degree heat feeling pretty tired I set out to try to make images. The great thing was the light was really great which always helps a lot. I came across one of the more interesting store fronts in town with this computer screen and a plant in this red pot really drew my attention. I love the shadow of the plant and how its kinda dancing around the recycling symbol on the screen was just perfect. The light on that plant is special in the way it's diagonally illuminating the plant...

Pretzel Power

Found on a recent trip out to Freeport, IL, In what might the strangest choice for a school mascot ever, a Pretzel! When I saw the sign I had to stop, but I didn't know how I was going to make the photograph because it was just a sign. After parking to car walking up to the front of this sign, and seeing those football tackling sleds in the background, which I didn't see when I first saw the sign from the car made the photograph complete. The fact they were the same color as the Illinios state outline on the sign was icing on the cake The light could not have been more than perfect...At least this school won't have to worry about offending any race, people etc...poor pretzel

Stone Free

I made a recent little day trip out to Freeport, IL one weekend with my friend Brendan and his sister Karen. We spent an interesting Sunday afternoon in 100 degree heat checking out the Stephenson County Fair. I knew that going to a place like this was going to be a challenge photographically because there is too much obvious stuff in this one place. While country fairs offer the usual rides, carnival food, animals, shows, games, and interesting people etc...Those are the obvious things that you see, well I'm looking for the not so obvious. Its not easy to find the obscure random things let alone at the County Fair. On our way out of the fair I see this warm earthy stone with the numbers 2002 and carved into it. I was immediately drawn to it. I tried looking at it from a few different angles I really wanted the 2002 to be visible. So I choose a slightly higher and angled down view which I felt worked the best. This is one of those things that leaves you to your imagination on what was this thing going to be. I felt that this was something started by someone and just stopped. Or it might be a work in progress? What does 2002 mean? You can go on and on... Lots of questions can be asked of an image and that's exciting to me. When something comes off at first mundane and mysterious and turns into something that has depth and feel makes for an interesting image that with each viewing something else is seen or felt....

Black Hole

I think this is an image which kinda shows off my surrealistic influence. Specifically Rene Magritte who is one of my favorite painters surrealist or otherwise. I was over at my folks place on Sunday afternoon my brother was over as well and little did know that I would make an image of him while he was napping. What drew me to make this image was that hole in that black sock it was just so strange and I still feel that looking at the image now. I really like how the focus goes from sharp in the foreground and transitions into blur in the background. I knew this is what I wanted because I really wanted the hole to stand out from the rest. The rendition of the out of focus areas really adds kinda that painterly soft feel and the warm earthy tones help add to the atmosphere of the image....

Giant

This is probably one of my more random bizarre images. On my back home from a recent road trip and just being in Atlanta, GA a week or so before. So when I saw this town by the name of Atlanta, IL I had to stop and see what this place was all about. As I was pulling into town seeing if there was anything to photograph I see this huge statue of this guy holding a hot dog. I was like I have to stop here and make a photograph. This was going be a difficult image to make. Being able to find the right angle and where in the frame to place the subject. Usually not a fan of placing subjects in the middle of the frame, but in this case it was the right thing to do, it felt right to my eye. The light wasn't the greatest, but some clouds overhead helped diffuse the harsh afternoon light. Reading the plaque by the statue apparently this is one of many RT 66 roadside attractions. These attractions were designed back in the day to make people stop in town. Well, it worked alright....

Deer

On a recent trip down to Southern IL which started in the town of Alton. My friend Dan and I continued to drive though many other towns looking for photographs. When we ran across Kane, IL a town of about 459 people these are the types of places where its totally hit or miss some towns like Kane might have one or two shops, city hall, and a post office....Kane was no different really except it had a Taxidermist which we had never seen before....Dan spotted someone coming out of the place he broke the ice and started talking to this guy. The next thing you know we are in this place photographing. Its really unlike a place I've ever seen before... Deer heads all over the place, Deer huffs bundled together in a shopping cart, other deer parts, some skulls...When I looked at my film and scanned this image I was just as amazed ever more so then when I made it. I mean you just can't make this type of stuff up really! It was so surreal like something you might see in the movies. Apparently they do a lot of business and make good money at it as well. Someone has to do it I guess..

Fast Eddies

On a recent visit in Alton, IL which happens to be the birthplace of Miles Davis and the reason why I met up with my friend Dan there to photograph. Alton is this smallish town 20,000 that's really got a charming vibe to it. While we did not find any mention of Miles, at the end of the first day of shooting looking for a place to eat and not having much luck. Fast Eddies was one of the few places that was open so we decided to check it out. Well, this place was what you might except from a classic midwestern town. Low ceilings, regular interesting people, Lots of old things on the walls, TVs with baseball on, bad cover band music, cheap food, Lots of beer(and according to a co worker of mine who is from the area the MOST amount of budwesier Beer consumed in America is here at Fast Eddies)

Pony Rides

The flea market is one of my favorite place to photograph because you just never know what you going to run into or find. After photographing one morning for 2+ hours I was walking back to my car and on my way out I ran into this scene. What seemed at the time kinda of a innocent scene a guy giving pony rides to kids. At the time I was thinking I'm not sure if there was anything here that was of interest, but I still made the photograph away. I didn't think too much about what I had just photographed, but maybe in the back of my mind I knew something was there, but just could get a full understanding of the situation. That's one of the powers of photography is that you can freeze a moment in time where everything comes to together and it all makes sense. Its tough when your out making a photograph like this is you have to go on feel, instinct, and be decisive because things change in a 1/500 of a sec which in this case probably was the shutter speed. The interaction between the horse and his handler is priceless. The way that horse is looking with those eyes at his handler as if to say, "You have got to be kidding me, I have to give another ride to a kid". On queue from the edge of the frame here comes this kid all excited for a ride. The handler looking back at the horse with those dark sunglasses, thinking "Yeah, you will do what I say and as long as I want you to do it". The dynamic between animals and humans is one that's been going on for a long time...I could keep going on and on about this, the photograph is doing a great job of describing a small part of that dynamic...

Sunshine

If I remember correctly I made this image while walking around my neighborhood. I like it for its simplicity, primitive nature, and rawness....

The Chase

One Saturday afternoon on my way home this crazy fog rolling in right off that lake. I knew I had to find something to photograph. Driving by Northwestern U in Evanston, IL I ran into a who bunch of people playing some intermural sports. So I parked my car and got out and walked around. This fog was pretty thick and dense and making and added another obstacle for the players to deal with. I stopped and hung out watching this softball game and walked around the game trying to find a good angle to make a photograph. There goes this line drive into the the outfield with these 2 guys running after the ball I'm not sure if they could even see the ball.... The sun came out and the fog turned into a huge diffuser of light which was really nice. I was trying out this new film that was a bit more grainy which help add to the atmosphere of the photograph. I really enjoy making photographs that let people make there own interpretations and meanings. This photograph is no different I'm sure there are many different things one could pull away from this image. For me this image symbolizes how in life we might be chasing something without knowing where we are going. Running though life trying to catch that one idea, thing, person, feeling, moment, spirit,.. etc

Habits

Well I haven't posted in awhile and just got my internet back up and running. I rarely do triptychs If I ever have I can't remember, anyway here is one where I found 3 images that seemed to find together nicely. Old habits always can creeping back from the depths of one inner soul. I really like the subtle edges of the middle frame the glow of the first frame and the tension of the way the line in the concrete divides up the frame in the last image...

Ladies of the Night

I haven't posted in awhile. This is an image I made a few months ago that has be sitting around. I tend to do that a lot just sit on images making sure I really like them or if there are any changes I may what to make in terms of the tonal balance. This image was a bit tricky since it was shot though a window the contrast was flat. So pushing and pulling the contrast via dodging and burning to make it pop a bit more which I'm pretty happy with right now. Its an image that's probably going to be a part of a group of images that I've been working out the idea for. I really like the contrast and juxtaposition of the glowing ball and woman eye. There seems to be a psychological thing going on here as well.... X=X= such an interesting light on the far left woman's forehead. Lots of different layers and I like how the composition leads you all over the frame...

The Dorks Part 2

The Dorks

As I mentioned in my previous post I went though my achieves of images I made about 10 yrs ago when I was asked to photograph this little band from Park Ridge called, "The Dorks" Chris the drummer and I were talking at work one day and he mentioned he was in this punk band and they were recording this new record. I remember thinking to myself, oh man Punk huh? It was a pretty predictable sounding type of music from my previous experiences. Its a sound I really wasn't that fond of at the time at all really. Chris was a cool guy and we got along pretty well. So when he asked me if I wanted to do some photos of the band I jumped at the chance. I remember going into the shoot thinking really not knowing what to expect. Chris was like just show up my folks place and we'll go from there. I still hadn't heard the music at all, I had my idea of punk music in my head. I was still a bit shy only to find that I was not alone in that department. Andy and Brendan the two guitarists were just as shy as me maybe even more so which was hard to believe. Luckily Chris and I had been working together for about 4 months or so and having him kinda lead the shoot helped out a lot. I had never been the type of photographer when photographing people to tell people what to do, where to stand etc....I just wanted them to be themselves be as natural as possible....I think these photographs reflect just that. The first time these guys plugged in and played a tune in the shed I really was blown away! This was not punk music I had in my head, it was rockin' raw and nasty the way anyone would want Rock music to be. I was hooked right then and there as I was photographing. Out of all the shows I ever saw these guys play they sounded the best when I was photographing them in that Shed. I was really looking forward to hearing the whole record. When Chris told me that I had gotten the cover I was even more excited! It was certainly the first time I had ever gotten a cover of an album. It was never the goal to get an album cover shot, but it just worked out that way. We shared lots of good laughs good times over the years for sure. I would also go on to photograph a bunch of live shows as well, what is represented here is the iconically the last Dorks show at the legendary Fireside Bowl. It really was a pleasure to do these images and would like to thank the guys for the opportunity again for letting me into their little world...Not only did I get an album cover and lots of photographs, I made some of my best friends from this experience I shall never forget....

In Memory of Pete

I first met Pete when he was a member this small band from Park Ridge, IL called The Dorks back in 2001. I was asked by a co-worker/friend Chris if I wanted to come and photograph the band. I jumped at the opportunity since I loved music and had never really photographed many bands...I showed up at their practice spot which happened to be in his folks backyard in the "Shed". to photograph. I was kinda shy at the time when I first met the rest of the band, it was a bit awkward since Andy and Brendan seemed to be shy as well. Pete on the other hand was just this care free guy I think he probably showed up late of someone had to go pick him up. I made lots photographs that day one of which ended up on the cover of the album which I thought was really cool I had never had a album cover image before. I have more photos which I will post once I got though them all.....

I would continue to photograph and hangout with the band though out years at shows. This image was from the Last Dorks show at the legendary Fireside Bowl in Chicago 2002 which hosted numerous underground local shows though the years. I was really looking forward to photographing this show, Brendan the other guitar player who had quit If I remember correctly earlier in 2002 or late 2001, who had become a really good friend of mine was going to play one last time. Before the show if I'm remembering correctly I was talking to Pete for a bit and he mentioned that he had just gotten this brand new Epiphone hollowbody bass guitar. He went over to grab the case to show it to me. Even though I wasn't a musician and couldn't play a lick I loved instruments and was kinda of a gear head so I was happy for him to show it to me. I was like "WOW" that thing is going to sound great though the Traynor amp that he had. He was really excited about playing the guitar for the first time out live. Sure enough that hollowbody bass sounded amazing during the show, warm and big sounding! I find out that bass guitar ends up being stolen a weeks later at another show so this image along with a few other images from the show, are probably the only ones that show him playing it...

This one here is one of my favorites. It embodies what Pete was on stage, a Rocker, Cool, he had that Punk rock attitude on stage. Off stage he was a warm care free person, who lived that Rock n Roll lifestyle, lived life on the edge, a goof ball, a good person who had many friends. Pete would be a parties over at Brendan's place and would always chat with him usually about music and whatever else was going on. One time a few years back I had just gotten the Beatles in MONO box set for Christmas. I posted a message on facebook about just getting the Beatles in MONO that I was lovin' and needed to listen more. Pete sends me a e-mail about MONO recordings and how the mixes were butchered when they remixed them for stereo. He recommended me another MONO recording, The Kinks Are The Village Green Preservation Society as another MONO album to check out since the MONO got butchered when remixed for stereo.

Even though I didn't know him as well as Brendan, Chris, and others I heard many crazy stories about Pete. Whether it was getting arrested for spray painting the Real World house or being on the road with the Dorks being all drunk fighting with Chris and putting him though a wall... There was one time it was the first show after Brendan quit the band, the Dorks were playing at this place called the Prodigal Sun in Chicago, and I came to shoot some video and pictures. At the time I was trying to do more portraits and ran into this drunk Punk Rocker girl after the show. I asked to make her photograph which I did. A few minutes later there is Pete making out with the same girl I just photographed! After they were done, I go to Pete I just made her photograph, and he goes something like I just met this girl tonight...I was like damn! The photograph of her is probably one of my fav portraits. I remember he always had probably one the warmest handshakes which suited the type of person he was. I believe the last time I saw Pete was sometime last year 2010 he was playing bass for another band and Brendan and I were going to check them out. He had broken his leg after being hit by a car while riding his bike. Talking to him before the show I hadn't seem him a in long time and we were talking about old times and catching up. When talking about how he broke his leg he just let it roll of his back really like it wasn't a big deal. His leg in a brace underneath his pants he got up on stage and rocked it! Pete tragically lost his life a week ago today. Rest in Peace my friend keep on rockin' you will be remembered in peoples hearts and photographs...

Light Fall

If you look at the my previous image I posted, right after I made it, I then turned to my right and I saw this image. Light cascading though the trees, that crazy steep angle of the hill, all those leaves, that light hitting that tree on the left hand side of the frame. I just love all the tones in the leaves in the foreground. You can really get the sense of falling with the angle of the hill which flows nicely with the light....

The St. Joesph River

This is a classic case of a roll of film that was in the camera that I started in mid to late summer and was finished at the end of Dec 2010. I have been shooting more color these days...I go though phases of going between color and B&W it really is an interesting dynamic. There are times are times when I'm seeing the colors more clearer I guess and it just speaks to me more. That said this image is probably one of my fav B&W images I've made in awhile. I made it early fall (2010) while visiting my folks weekend home in Buchanan, MI. I've been there many times over the years and have photographed the river a bunch of times. The light on this day was really nice afternoon light falling though the trees. Its the contrast and that dancing light and all the dark gray tones that just sing. The water kinda rolling in just adds a nice little touch that pulls the image together....This is what B&W photography is all about...

Jailed

While driving the back roads of Southern Illinois I ran into this small town by the name of Grand Chain. I don't remember even seeing a population at all....This jail was the first thing that I saw. It just seemed not to be real at all, like they put it up for an old western movie remake.... This image is a part of photographer Rachel Wolfe's "Grand" project http://agrandproject.blogspot.com/ If you have images made in a "Grand" town please submit them to keep the project a float....

Southern IL

During the last week of December 2010 feeling inspired I decided to drive down to Southern IL to discover more about the state I live in....Starting at the home of Superman in Metropolis, IL, to the most Southern tip of Illinois Cairo and driving some back roads and visiting a few small towns...crappy weather cut the trip a bit short, but I still felt it was a very productive trip. Hopefully I will go down south sometime soon...So 903 miles later here is a few of my discoveries....the rest you can see on my flickr page....http://www.flickr.com/photos/35photo/