It’s hot on the camera shelf and Andre’ the Fuji X100s was beside himself. Andre’ called to me, oh yes, yes, he called to me and it wasn’t a pretty picture either. He said, Yo’ shooter. if you don’t get me outside and working, I’m gonna have a breakdown and my firmware is gonna go kaput, my lens is going to go off center…etc. Well, I’m not one to argue with a camera that threatens me and with the expensive self-inflicted repairs either. So……I did as I was told and took Andre’ out for a walk, actually more of a hike then a walk.
The temperature is like 93F and humid. Andre’ is dangling around my nech cause it’s too damn hot to have him on a wrist strap. Besides, I can just wrap the neck strap around my wrist and that’s that. So lately I’m tuned into “Icons” and they seem to be haunting me a lot. I’m walking under an overpass and I’m looking at this wall. Seem to me that there are nice tones in there and it’s kinda emotional and looks like a state of depression all over the wall. I raise Andre’ to see what it looks like in a frame and then I feel someone walking behind me… I frame and then all the sudden this woman walks right into my frame and……CLICK!
Well, here in Philadelphia there is a long going debate as to the race of Jesus. See, Philadelphians are the brothers and sisters of love and all that good stuff. They just wanna know and see who they be loving. I’ve seen this vehicle a few times around the city but couldn’t see a photo of it. Then I see it today and I know that I need someone in the left side cause that’s what I feel. On the Fuji X100s I use the AEL/AFL to just do AFL, Focus Lock. Yeah, yeah, youse all know that and do that too. I lock focus and use the screen to frame. Then all the sudden this guy walks not just exactly when I want him to be but he looks ate Jesus and ….CLICK.
He didn’t know I made the photo. See, I have my Shooter’s invisible streetshooter cloaking device on and no one can see me. Then a man behind me says to me, yo, that ain’t no Jesus I ever saw. Hmmm, I thought. He says, Jesus was white and we all know that right? I said, well, I think that THE LORD doesn’t need to be any color and neither does JESUS. He says your crazy man, JESUS is white and don’t like no…I never used the words to describe race that he did. I said, what if your wrong? He says you are fucking crazy and don’t believe that JESUS is American. I said, yo dude, see the POPE coming here in a few weeks? He says yeah, so whad da fugg about it?
Some people are about as sensitive to life as the bricks we walk on every day. Nuff said……
I’m uhhhhh, hmmmm,… ummm, kinda a CNN freak. No I don’t watch TV that much but when I do it’s usually CNN or BBC. What does happen is that the news pollutes my mind and vision I suppose. Ya know, it’s just a crazy thought but I just might be and I’m not sure but I think I am and could be almost maybe…. effected by the world and life. This phenomenon could actually be a daily occurrence. I know it’s hard to believe but there have been good shrinks in me poor brain and head and they kinda see what I see except for the empty space in me head.
The empty spaces in me poor brain are for temporary shit. I took Andre’ the Fuji X100s out for a photo walk and the photo up top is an example of how Anderson’s shit makes it into my photos. So I wonder how the world effects what I make photos of. Back in the early 1970’s my best friend and brother Paul, made a statement that I’d share with you.
He said, “Most people look at the World through Rose colored glasses, I look at a Rose through World colored glasses”. I never forgot those words or the meaning they invoke in me. I know this statement applies to me and to all without actually realizing it but I think that before I die, I’d like just one time, one itty bitty time to see the world through Rose colored glasses. I don’t even need a camera cause the experience would be to precious to capture.
Be blessed on your journey my friends and good light to all……
And my x100s is looking for roses through World colored glasses”….
luc,I understand completely my brother…. maybe it’s a dream but it’s worth chasing…. don
You’re walking around Philly in this heat? Good on you Don. I’m staying in the AC and riding my bike on the occasional nice day – gotta make my own wind chill! The only street stuff I’ve shot this summer was during a few days we were in Seattle early in August.
Looks like you’re mostly bonding with an EP5, no? And a 50 (25mm)? Man, too narrow for me to see through that… Nice shooting as always Don.
Ray, hey what’s up man? Yup, been hot as blazes in town but I’m compelled to work. Even tho I was burnt, not from the heat but the heat in my mind. Still, I love to be out there. I do love the Pen cameras and am a die hard lover of them. The EP5 has taken the Pen to new levels. It’s an amazing camera. I still have a love of MU43 and I guess I blame Amin for that. Being Admin there and being in the middle of the discussions fed me for a lifetime.
I will never stop loving Andre’ the Fuji x100s and he sees 35mm very nicely. So Walker the Oly Pen 5 does the 28mm & 50mm very well. Sometimes even the 20mm 1.7 finds use.
What have you been up to Ray?
peace…..
Since my health has improved, I’ve been trying to get out on my bike when the weather is nice. Sometimes I take the Coolpix A to shoot what I see – sometimes I’m more than content to just see it. I still shoot when the opportunity is there, but I’m less compelled to go out and make the opportunities at the moment. Did a trip to Seattle and Alaska about a month ago – that was a pretty cool opportunity!
Next time I’m coming into Philly, I’ll get in touch to see if you’re around…
Ray, I miss my bike rides sooo much. Be grateful you can still peddle around, it’s great to be able to do so. Yeah I have the Coolpix A and it’s very sweet. Even after 10 months not a spot of dust on the sensor and I even stopped checking it.
If you get into coming into the city, I know a place that has the best Ramen this side of NYC and maybe even better then most up there.
Rest up and get your health under control…..
don
… that dunce that was engaged in a dialogue with you about Jesus has failed to understand that we are all after the same water, we just hold different cups; but they don’t have to be cups cracked with prejudice and bigotry … your brother Paul, touches on this in his lucid comment regarding his world coloured glasses …
Sean, your statements are very true…. to the point that…”but they don’t have to be cups cracked with prejudice and bigotry” is correct but also that many may hold a cup cracked with bigotry and prejudice. I for one am glad there exist so much diversity in the world, after all, it gives us something to photograph….
be blessed my friend……
Don, I admire you for getting out in that 93F/humid stuff and shooting. It was the same here in Minneapolis a couple days ago and I just wanted to stay inside with AC. Next Friday the high is forecast to be 63F. From Summer to Fall in a heartbeat – gotta love Fall for getting out and shooting. Stay cool and hydrated. Or is it “Stay Thirsty My Friend” – Whatever…take care.
Thanks Dave. Yup the heat has been crazy. Regardless I feel compelled to get into it and work. Yeah I now… but my shrink says it’s normal behavior for me so it’s ok to be nutty.
Actually the weather will cool a bit here and then soar up to high 90’s again. So, it’s deal with it or not and I’ll deal with it.
You stay cool brother and I’ll double duty and keep you covered…..
seeya out there Dave…….