REAWAKENING TO LIFE

Joe Knowledge. (Meridian Park, Washington, D.C.) – Joe Knowledge. He will drop it on you, oh yes – he will. Mamiya C3, Sekor 80mm f/2.8.

Going Ape (Smithsonian Zoo – Washington, DC) – Gorilla mom’s watchful eye. We had an incredible experience with an orangutan later that day… To anthropomorphize the situation, he showed us he was happy to see us by swinging over and pulling a ‘see-food’ trick with a mouthful of bamboo (?). Unfortunately, that picture is NSFL (Not Safe For Lunch). Canon 5D Mk2, Leica 90mm f/2.

Division. (Washington, DC) – Self-reflection in the house. Polaroid SX-70.

With State College safely behind, I finally feel like the tires have hit the road, the duck has flown, the lobster has been eaten… this is it. Do or die.

For those of you following for a while, here is an update: I have quit the day job and have now taken up commercial and personal photography full-time on the Hill in Washington, DC. What is surprising is the ratio of time spent doing actual photography to working the business – I would say it is close to 20% shooting and 80% administration/communication. I have also taken up a part-time job at a local bike shop (Capitol Hill Bikes), which has really been great. What can I say? Life is good, one day at a time, and the front-facing camera is a much better view than the back-facing one.

I don’t know at what conscious-level this occurred, but after being here for two months, I feel like today is the first day beyond the honeymoon phase of being here in DC. I raised my photo rates today, I have been contacting new leads, and a fresh wind has come into my head regarding art and photography. I feel the roots heading down, down, down, where before I was fighting this downward growth tooth-and-nail in Central PA. Not that there was anything wrong with that region necessarily, but it never felt like DC feels now…

…Like home.

Attention, Attention. (Eastern Market, DC) – Cold dog on a cold morning, with radar ears at half-power. Canon 5D Mk2, Canon 50mm f/1.4.

Snow Storm. (Washington, DC) – Dave out in the snow, looking for a convenience-store source of butter and whipping cream for snow day cooking. Canon 5D Mk2, Canon 50mm f/1.4.

Shadow. (Washington, DC) – Found this block of wood walking home from the metro. Canon 5D Mk2, Leica 90mm f/2.

Snowed. (Washington, DC) – Wintry scene driving back from Virginia last night. Spooky and peaceful on the hill. Canon 5D Mk2, 24-70 f/2.8.

Un/seen (Washington, DC) – Part of me never wants to publish another color photograph ever again. Canon 5D Mk2, Canon 50mm 1.4.

Hope all is well out the ‘blogosphere.’ Lots of weekend traveling (NJ two weekends in a row!), covering a PSU Printmaking class, cycling, photo shows, and spending time with the One-and-Only… what can I say? Life is very, very good.

Jawbone (Smithsonian Natural History, DC). Lomo LC-A, Ektachrome 400, Cross-processed.

Non-Sleep (Wash. DC) – Aaron helping cook breakfast for us down in DC. It was such a great time seeing old and new friends again in the Capital City crew. Canon 5D Mk2, Canon 50mm f/1.4.