Self Praise

Nature gives itself a hand. Sitting in the trough of a flower edge, a fly pauses to admire the scenery, wash its hands of any wrongdoing. Maybe it's dealing itself out?

Taken: 08/22/2010 at Compost For Brooklyn in Kensington, Brooklyn, NY. The compost garden provides a lovely array of critters to photograph when all the plants are blooming. This was taken with my Opteka 10x adapter, which is an excellent bit of glass for macro use on a regular lens. Cheap, effective and easy to use. It takes time to get the technique down, but so much fun.

Tall Tales

There is some majesty in the cathedral roof overhead. This one towers and joins over the road. Densely webbed at apex and in shadow, the trees give the illusion that they have something to say, if only they could lean over far enough to say it. But the words get tangled in branches and bramble.

Taken: Springtime in Ditmas Park, Brooklyn, NY. The trees over Argyle and Westminster lean over and when they're barren they form such a gorgeous roof that it's hard not to ride down the road and stare up. This day we were walking. I was out with my Zenit and a roll of 100 (400 is for heathens)--there's a very particular feel, flavor to film. My only wish for this photo is that there were no cars. Alas, Photoshop only works on visible pixels, not emotions. Besides, this was bred in a darkroom.

Putting on a Show

Two geese warm up an audience that isn't afraid to get its feet wet. The real show, they promise, is just around the corner. Just beyond the curb. A curious passerby might wonder where they hide all the stage props. A smart one will just enjoy the show.

Taken: 04/03/2010 in Waltham, MA not too far from the old Watch Factory. While some learn their hand at their native tongue, others raucous about with their time. There were more fowl on the day, and even a turtle. This bench, was so asking to be photographed--even more than the geese.

Don't Cross Me

In Brooklyn there's a way to cross anything. Over the Gowanus we lay draw bridges. It's one thing to cross Gowanus, but another to be permanent about it.

Taken: 06/02/2010 in Gowanus, Brooklyn, NY . The day was very hot, and there was even a tuba player practicing on the end of this bridge. The picture makes the place look almost livable, pleasant. I need to go back and do it right.

Package This

The world ain't so big. My prognosis ain't bleak. You don't scare me with your flames.

Taken: 04/30/2010 at Brooklyn College, Brooklyn, NY. An ant picks his way across the hot stone. Unaware of its institution. The black beneath matches the black within. The explosions are of no concern. The world is only as big as he can traverse in a thought.

I Fought The Law

But the law won--by miring me in paperwork for 30 years until I gave up.
We hedged our bets, but in the end it all went blue on us. Those who know, know. Those who don't, just remember that the light at the end of the tunnel just might be coming after you!
--BT and HHH (the middle H is silent) sincerely apologize to the public for all of their crimes.

Taken: 10/06/2010 in Brooklyn, NY. The light coming from the street illuminated our stuffed animals in a very interesting way, but for this shot I decided to use a spotlight for dramatic gradient. The regular nightshot is still good, but has a very different feel. Here, the two dastardly criminals stand caught in the light, frozen with fear and curious about that thing that's suspended above their heads (it's the jury flying in on a communal broomstick).

Wear Them Stilettos Proud

When you're beaming, or being beamed on, stand up tall and be proud. Even if no one is looking. Especially if no one is looking.

Taken: 10/20/2010 at Compost For Brooklyn in Kensington, Brooklyn, NY. Shot upward from the ground, these sunflowers reached for the sky and seemed to go on forever. Well, if you're a snail. The illumination is from a streetlamp and a very bright moon. The 8 second exposure finally paid off when the breeze died down.

This is My Flower!

You could try messing with my flower, but I will take it personally. Step away and no one will get hurt.

Taken: 08/10/2010 at the Chateau Ramezay Museum Garden in Montreal, Canada. The garden was home to many different flying critters.

Calloused/Different

Singed is not in my vocabulary. My curls are not singed. They are afire.

Taken: 08/28/2010 in Prospect Park in Brooklyn, NY, by the lake. The flower was gobsmackingly purple and everything around it was just not. The b/w effect was used to illustrate the point--not to artificially dial up the picture--to more clearly convey what I saw.

Heron Gets What Heron Sees

The Heron Oversight Committee is here to make sure of everything, all the time, everywhere.


Taken: 09/03/2010 at Cold Spring Harbor, Long Island, NY. The heron was about 100 yards away perched very carefully and gracefully on a branch. He paid us no mind and let us be.

Can't See

Swallows move swiftly through the raindrops hunting the little gnats and flies that soak the air above our heads. They dart quickly and effortlessly. I can't see what they're eating, but I can see that they're happy for the meal.

Taken: 08/23/2010 in Prospect Park in Brooklyn, NY. It was dusk and the swallows were out hunting for gnats and things. They were very quick and changed course without hesitation. This was my first shooting with the 70-200 2.8L and it proved itself immediately. Nothing else would have captured these little guys (well maybe an equally fast prime...).

The Various Supports and Comforts of Man

Taken: 06/29/2010 in Kensington in Brooklyn, NY. It was a very warm night and I was waiting around to meet my wife at the train. While waiting I had time to lean the bike and enjoy the backlighting of the school under repairs. I was testing out my new Sigma 30mm 1.4 and I was more than satisfied with the results.

Purple Flower

When upon a flower in a garden, one must ask oneself: is it purple enough?

Taken: 10/03/2010 at Compost For Brooklyn in Kensington, Brooklyn, NY. This little flower bud measures about 1cm across and was just such a pleasure to look at. The center of the flower contained what looked like a forest of alien trees.