Saturday January 30th, 2016

I found myself thinking about the reason I got into photography in the first place this morning as I was wandering Bishop hunting for sunrise images. I began to seriously pursue what has become a passion for me not because of a love for the medium, I honestly still debate whether or not photography is an art, but that is a conversation for another time...the actual reason I started taking it serious was the fact that it, unlike many other mediums I had experimented with, had seemed to connect to other people. The images I was capturing were getting attention, people related to them, they saw something in them....and that, to this very day, is what drives me as a photographer. Connecting with people. 

I am, however, not the greatest at trying to get my work out there as much as possible. I get lucky from time to time with a gallery show, or a publication printing my work...and for that I am very grateful, but I always think as though there is so much more I can reach with my work. And with that I have problems.

 You see, I am not the greatest at expanding my reach, or trying to capitalize on what I do. I love doing what I do, I don't love trying to sell what I do or peddle it to others. Hell, in all honestly, I am not terribly concerned with profiting from my work, although I should be...I really have no income to speak of right now lol.

Anyway, I am straying from my point...I was hoping that you guys might share and repost my work in hopes I might reach more people who might enjoy my images as well. I could really use help in this department. I am no good at self promotion...or at least not nearly as good as I could be.

And no worries if you don't...I understand completely. I am not one to repost others work too often, so I totally get it. But for those of you who might, I thank you in advance.

Also, I have been contemplating several ways to approach print sales in the near future. Please stay tuned as I am exploring options. Any recommendations concerning how I might approach this, or how you or other do would be great, please leave comments below. 

And, for those who just wanted to look at this morning's sunrise shots from Bishop Park, I apologize for interrupting the images with small portions or rambling text. I'll give you the next few images text-free.

Enjoy. 

I added the "Detroit Renaissance" in post editing...I really dug this guy's projected bravado and swagger.

Caught this guy making a call in the Ren Cen. Lately security has been kicking people out for taking photos apparently, but so far I have yet to be hassled. I try to converse with the security guards whenever possible. Many times I find that the right attitude and approach can make a big difference.

This character is one of my favorites amongst the hallways of The Russell Industrial Center. I don't really know much of the artist, if you do, please leave comments below so that I can give proper credit!

Sometimes....you can find yourself in strange surroundings if you wander too far...

...just hanging around.

I love this spot. I can see shooting here more in the near future...possibly with a model.

A few shots from the past couple walkabouts in Detroit

Taken at The Fisher Body Plant 21:

Selfie action at Fisher Body

Detroit through the broken glass....

Work by local artist Julian can be found all throughout the plant

Watch where you step on that top floor, the wood is less than safe for certain

Be on the lookout...

Taken at Lafayette Coney Island:

Local waiter extraordinaire and local celebrity Faisal...you should know who this guy is...

Taken at Harbor Terminal aka Boblo Building:  

My favorite part of this building is the engine room...I suggest exploring it.

We were there.....(vandalism already there, I swear)

Sweet piece found on one of the floors...not sure the artist. please comment below if you know.

Detroit skyline from the roof...good view of the city

Nature finds a way...always.

Great piece by Plot

Ice cold beer.

Taken from The Z Lot:

Traffic

More traffic

Taken at The Guardian Building:

Dat Lobby Doh...

Basement level.

A Day at Frenchtown Stables in Monroe, MI.

So, Here I am...nearly 41 years I have been walking this planet. As of today, I am technically unemployed, I reside mainly in a small room in my Grandmother's home, in which my Mother and her significant other, Ed also live. I live in a small, suburb of Detroit, MI called Wyandotte. I am the proud father of 20 year old boy who is turning out more and more like me every day. My income is very minimal. I hold jobs if and when I need to. I have a small and very loyal group of lifelong friends and family that I care for and that care for me. I have no idea what the future holds for me and those around me....

....but somehow, I couldn't be happier.

The details I left out above, are that in the past several days after leaving my full time job to clear my schedule for the next few months, I have worked several assignments for a local publication doing what I love to do, capturing images. I also have an organizational meeting next week with the Principal and Art Teacher of Roosevelt High School and the president of the School Board to discuss my idea for a Wyandotte calendar sale to benefit the Art Program next year. This is an idea that I have been wanting to go forward with for quite some time, and I am very happy that it seems to be gaining momentum. In addition to all this, I am very excited to hopefully be heading back out west come Spring.

Back in the late 90's, I spent a couple summers working in Yellowstone National Park at The Lake Yellowstone Hotel. These were two of the finest experiences of my early twenties. I say quite often that many of my friends went to college or to the service....and I went to Yellowstone. I thrived out there, and I credit those times in my life for me being who I am today as a person.

I always told myself I would go back one day. And there, I found myself, eighteen years later and one day had arrived. The road had been calling me for so many years, and now, it looked like I might be able to answer that call once again. I am very excited about this new idea of getting back to my free spirited, vagabond ways. So, I have applied for, have been offered, and have accepted a position working at Lake Yellowstone one more time. I am also seeking other opportunities in surrounding areas and am open to any other option that may serve the same purpose of getting me back out into the West.

Life is funny sometimes....you never know what may happen from one day to the next. Just make sure your markers are set towards your happiness, and never stop moving towards it.

i awoke this morning..
with memory of a dream...
one in which i felt the love of a woman for the first time in years...

...and it felt nice.

now i know it was just a dream...
and that it is not true..
but for as long as i am able,
im going to try to remember that feeling...
and wish it were you.

an amazing day.headed out towards detroit to take some shots of the city, and on the way i wanted to finally get a shot i have plotted to get for years...the skylineof detroit from the top of the 75 overpass near rouge. so i headed towards schaeffer(sp?) and fort street near where the overpass begins and locked my bike up near the wall that is supposed to keep me out i presume...then i preceded to climb over that wall, camera and tripod in hand, and walked along the shoulder of oncoming traffic up the slope...shot a vid...it was sketchy for sure, figured i might get arrested or hit by flying shrapnel all final destination style and what not...but nope...got to the top, set up the camera, wasn't the clearest day in the world, but i think i may be able to work with the shots i took and come up with something pretty cool...so there i was, top of the 75 overpass, camera set up...and a huge semi drove by super fucking close and the residual wind blew my hat right off my head on over the wall of the overpass where it slowly descended onto the train tracks below..nearly got ran over and destroyed several times...so, i took a couple more shots, and walked back down the slope, where i came across a car along the shoulder that wasnt there when i first walked past...i walked past at first, not giving any mind to the situation, and as i walked past the car, i turned around as i realized they may need help..it was an elderly man, so i asked him if everything was ok..he was out of gas he said. i asked him if he had a cell phone to call anyone, and he said he was just going to wait there for a policeman to possibly drive by and that they might be able to get him some gas..i asked him why he would do that, and he said because he didn't have any money to spend...i asked if he had a gas container, we checked the trunk...and he did. so i walked down to the gas station several blocks away and filled his container and got him on his way, he thanked me...and it felt good to have been able to help. i then continued to get my bike and find access to the train tracks, because there is no way in hell i was going to say goodbye to that hat without trying to get it back...had to climb a fence illegally...but i got my hat back...hell yes. i also got some really good shots while i was down there...and then, i hopped on a bus with my bike on the front bike rack, and made my way into the city...where i thouroughly enjoyed trolling through the dirty alleyways and out of the way places where grafitti may be hiding, and met and talked to alot of really cool people around the town who gave me some good places to shoot. all-in-all: an amazing day with a few adventures and some good karma hopefully.