Last month, I wrote about the Philadelphia Grid Project and posted a bunch of the photos that I had taken. Well, February’s Grid was a different area of the city. It included the neighborhoods of Frankford, Wissinoming, Bridesburg, and a small portion of Juniata: all located in northeast Philadelphia. The monthly grids are fairly large in this project so it’s difficult to get the same photograph as anyone else in the group. In fact, the grids are so large that it’s really difficult to even see the whole area. I’ve found myself already wanting to go back and explore many places that I didn’t get to see that month.
We had a meeting last night to review photos from January. It’s interesting to hear the different views and interpretations of the other photographers in the group. Everyone seems to have their own interpretation of what the photo represents, which is really great. It’s been a while since I’ve been in a group critique of sorts. It really helped me think outside of the box and look at my work and the work of others from a different perspective. In fact, it was pointed out to me last night how a group of my images were three dimensional and others were one dimensional; I never really thought about that. It’s made me realize that my photography has made a composition transition over the years. In the distant past, I only chose to shoot from odd and bizarre angles…which isn’t necessary a bad thing. I still do that sometimes, but now it depends on the subject that I’m shooting; I’m more particular. But now I almost seem to prefer shooting parallel to my subject most of the time. It’s almost as though I’ve grown to be mathematical about it. Why? I don’t really know. What I do know is that angle makes all the difference in the world; we need to find the perfect angle to make any subject look its best (amongst other things). Whether it be a photo of a person, plant, building, etc. You need to be the angler of the angle and just fish that big boy of a photo right into your camera knowing that you got the best possible catch that you could.
Anyway, here are some of the images from the February Grid.
With the start of 2008, one of the things that I wanted to do this year was take some kind of art class. I wanted to do something that would allow me to think in other ways rather than through the viewfinder. For ages, I’ve really wanted to take a formal class in printmaking (etchings, intaglio, lino and woodblock, etc.)…do illustrations…and paint. But I realized that almost all of the things that I want to do involve drawing of some sort. Or at least the technical basis that comes along with drawing.
I’ve taken some bio illustration classes in college: learning how to draw plants, wildlife, and smaller natural subject matter. But it’s been a long time and I’ve never really worked with subject matter other than nature.
Well, I signed up for a semester of Drawing I that I go to once a week with my drawing paper and pencils in hand. And the best part is…it’s FREE! There’s about 30 people in my class, which seems to have gotten smaller since we began three weeks ago. In just the three weeks of class, I feel as though I’ve learned so much and my teacher is fabulous. It really seems to have become a highlight of the week for me and I find myself wanting to draw more and more. It seems to be motivating me in other creative aspects as well. I’ve been doing a lot more photography and I’ve been viewing things differently…and asking myself, “I wonder if I could draw that”. So we’ll see what happens.
In case you weren’t aware, Chinese New Year 4706 began on February 7 this year. Chinese New Year is the longest and most important holiday in the Chinese calendar. This is the year of the rat. Celebrations in Chinatown, Philadelphia began on February 7 and continue for the three following Sundays. So if you missed the celebrations in Chinatown for the last couple of Sundays, you can still catch it this weekend! The parade continues around Chinatown for the majority of the day…with crowds following along as the dragons go into neighborhood stores, wishing luck and setting off firecrackers outside to frighten away evil spirits. So if you do make it out for the parade, just a tip: bring good earplugs. And safety goggles might not be a bad idea either (you get up-close and personal with those firecrackers - I got hit in the face a few times). 
I met up with some friends in Chinatown this past Sunday to follow the parade down 10th Street…and later being greeted by the parade itself while we were actually in a store…with the parade of dragons and other parade folk making their way up and down the aisles of the store. It was a fun day and definitely an experience worth checking out if you’ve never been to the celebrations yet.
I’ve driven past this warehouse for months…always wanting to stop and grab a photo of this makeshift sign advertising none other than food, general merchandise….and balloons. Yes, balloons. (Or “ballons” depending on who you talk to). Also, we checked out the back of the building. I think it might be one of those places where you need a password.
I have now linked many of the photos on my site to their location on istockphoto where you can purchase a license and download the image or even purchase a print. If a photo is available for purchase, you can click on it and visit its site on istockphoto. (Bear with me as I’m still linking earlier posts).
Also, if you’re not already a member of istockphoto, shoot me an email. I will send you a gift of three free credits to use on your first purchase! **But please note, that this is only good if you are not already a member.
As some of you already know, I’ve been working on some film sets over the last couple of years as a still photographer and a fill-in for whatever is needed on set. My most recent film adventure was two weeks ago when I went to New York City to film at Heartland Brewery with American Hops. American Hops visits microbreweries throughout the country and provides you with a fun, exciting view into what goes into making some of the most unique beers in the country. Our first stop was in Brooklyn where we filmed our host, Anna, getting an in-depth tour of Heartland to find out what goes into making their fine brews. New York City has 7 brew pubs and 6 of those are owned by Heartland Brewery. After filming in the brewery, we visited the Heartland brew pub located at the base of the Empire State Building.
The first episode of American Hops (which is also a pilot for a new TV series) was released today! The first visit is to Stoudt’s Brewery in Adamstown, Pennsylvania. Be sure to check it out through the American Hops website.
Happy Valentine’s Day, everyone!
The U.S. Presidential State Primaries have been occurring throughout the country, but haven’t happened yet here in Pennsylvania. The Presidential State Primaries WILL happen on April 22 in Pennsylvania. So if you still aren’t registered to vote, you still have time. Don’t worry–you don’t need to do all kinds of work to find where you have to go to fill out a voter registration. You don’t even need to leave your house! You can simply register online no matter where you live.
If you live outside of Pennsylvania and the Primaries have not yet happened in your state, visit Project Vote Smart to find out when they will be occurring in your home state and read up about all of the Presidential candidates and their views on the issues that matter most to you.
If you live in Pennsylvania and know that you are not going to be in your home municipality during the Primaries on April 22, you can simply request an absentee ballot. But act soon!
