The only constant is change.

One thing that I am glad hasn’t changed is the relationship with ddubble. Despite the distance we are still managing to connect to create out of the ordinary art experiences and the 3+ year working relationship is going strong.. Some new stuff on the horizon – but in the meantime check out a tune they released recently. The artwork completed by yours truly.

ddubble site : BLACK

Oh and download the tune while you are at it – good for the soul:

Amazon : BLACK track

Peace,

Leon

New Yorkers are an interesting breed. I was sitting in Starbucks one afternoon thinking that I could probably take more advantage of opportunities to catch portraits during my daily travels. Then Asare takes a seat at my and starts a conversation. New Yorkers love to start conversations with new people…when they are in the mood. You can turn left and hear ‘stay out of my face’ then turn to the right and hear “hey, isn’t is a beautiful day?’ You never know what to expect…

It has been way too long since I have touched base. I even missed the obligatory Happy New Year blog post. Ah well, lets look onward…like the couple in this shot…

Love and blessings,

Leon

It’s a complex question and each of us had a different answer. Full-time (and most part-time) photographers do what we do for the love of what an image can convey and the emotion one photograph can stir. There were three different answers because each of us has ethics that guide us in our daily lives and have been developed during our entire lives to this point. Also, one of us could see the journalistic merit in photographing something that another person finds to be too much. Told you it was complex.

An example. I didn’t photograph anything Superstorm Sandy-related for two reasons:

1) I knew that it would probably be the most recorded natural disaster in US history not only because  it was happening in NYC but the percentage of people with some type of recording devices is among the highest in the world

2) I didn’t want to photograph devastation given how many people were suffering

That was my decision as  photographer and artist. On the other hand, I have been asked to photograph several funerals  and have managed to do this without a problem.  Again, complex.

I woke up one morning last week and one of the first things that came to mind was the horrible event that happened in the subway and how the matter was treated by the New York Post.

I do not know the photographer that took the image. I do not know what his thought process was while this tragedy was happening. Its easy to make a call after the fact when something like this happens. For all I know he could be immensely traumatised by the incident and I do feel for him in this regard.

However, I can’t help to find issue with the way this whole thing went down. Many people have made comparisons to Kevin Carter’s shot of the starving Sudanese child and Nick Ut’s shot ‘Nepalm Girl’. . To me, these show have journalistic integrity as they had the power to make millions aware of things that were happening and stimulated awareness and in some cases aid.

This however, is not one of those photographs.

Further, and even more concerning was the decision to not only send the shot in, but the decision of the paper to publish it. I know there is a lot more to this as, again, it is easy to make a call on something after it has happened. But something just ain’t right here.

Complex.

Peace,

Leon

I recently read an article about goals and the consequences of obsessing.

It made made me think of the trade-offs I have made in my life and also made me curious if i had ‘over-obsessed” at any point at the cost of financial clarity, relationships or “logical” life decisions.

I suppose we all have our individual lines that we will cross to achieve or attain something that we desire.

The only rule I stick by is “Don’t hurt others in my pursuit of happiness”. Everything else is inconsequential.

Peace,

Leon

A childhood friend of mine Armand Salmon has immersed himself in photography over the last few years. As he is certainly obsessed (which is a darned good thing), he finds some wicked shots in the most unexpected places. For example his Streets of New York project is by far some of the most unique NYC street photography I have seen in a while. But one of his most interesting projects is called Supermarket – shots of people doing the requisite food shopping. Check it out…

Supermarket

Also, check out his 500px page  while you are at it – enjoy!

Peace,

Leon

During our 30 minute visit, Tono was gracious enough to share his many works in his home – a collection that spanned over several decades. He was also kind enough to allow me to take photos during the visit.

Enjoy!

Peace,

Leon