No one can stop us now

'Cause we are all made of stars - Moby

#water #sunset #blackandwhite #cellphone

Dreamtime

It was a rainy Easter making for lovely reflective roads during our evening walk.  



On one of our final sidewalk turns, a magical plant was discovered.

Breathing in

Breathing in, I calm my body and mind.

Breathing out, I smile.

Dwelling in the present moment

I know is the only moment.

~Thich Nhat Hanh, Being Peace

Texas journey

We traveled through northern Texas to visit good friends for a few days, and there was a story to and from in the repetitive view of  long roads, open ranch spaces, and the modern immersed in the old and abandoned.  With many, many hours spent looking out the window as my husband drove, I documented more than a few of the scenes.  I really like the entire set of images processed bw, all 52 of them, and here I attempt to pick the images which best summarize the views.

Rebirth!!!

Had some great news to celebrate, and no better way to do it than with the Rebirth Brass Band.  A dear friend found out the results of his PET scan after a stretch of intense treatments for his cancer over the past handful of months.  Amazingly so, he is clear!  Joy in dance with the sounds of Rebirth was absolutely fantastic.

#RebirthBrassBand, #blackandwhite

The Lagniappe Brass Band at The Maison

I was completely surprised by four of my former students from 20 years ago in New Orleans on Friday night who trekked all the way from Chicago, NJ, and DC to visit me.  We shared a great dinner at NOLA, great conversation, then head out into the New Orleans scene.

For our first stop on Frenchmen Street, we jumped into the Maison because of the crowd trying to get in. It was packed with people enjoying the brass sounds of the Lagniappe Brass Band. It was my first time checking them out, and the word that I kept feeling was 'passion'. These players worked it so well with one another and the crowd, and were very intense in each song played. As more musicians checked in at the door, they made room for them to perform and have their moment. It was a great first impression of the band, and I'll definitely check them out again. I couldn't have asked for anything better to start off our music adventure.

I love this photo set.  No matter how minimal the light source, go for it to grab what you can to tell your story.

The LOVE belt buckle

My brother sent this my way for my birthday this year.  It's a gorgeous belt buckle with glittering rhinestones and a garnet red stone set in the hand.  From the moment seeing it, I felt that I wanted to wear it to The Cult show if I was able to get tickets.  I knew that hand image, but couldn't source it.  It wasn't until speaking to my sister-in-law when calling to say 'thank you' that I realized the Cult connection was intentional.  Right away I knew this hand as one of the icons appearing on The Cult's 'Love' release artwork.  It's an excellent and thoughtful gift!  Love it!

Morning egret

I finally strapped on the camera today for my ride into work with the intention of taking pics of the students.  Upward Bound's summer session ends on Monday, so its appearance was way overdue.   I got to use it way before seeing the kids as my morning egret friend was sitting it the pine catching the rising sun.  It had made the same appearance once or twice before, and each time it had been such a treat to catch it sitting high.  Seeing it again while toting my camera was a sweet surprise, and without hesitation I jumped off to grab some shots.  Despite doing my best with my sleuth photo stalking skills, it sensed me and flew away after a few minutes or so.  I did have enough time, though, to appreciate the show of subtle light in the curve of its neck.  Ooh, I so enjoyed it, along with the long, wispy feathers gently sitting on the ends of its wings.

Let us see if it will be there again "knowing" that I'll have my camera with me while keeping out a watchful eye.

On Buddha's birthday

She prays

On the evening of May 25, the Tam Bao Temple held a "Buddha Birthday Celebration". The Tibetan monks of the Drepung Loseling Monastery participated in the event following their week of creating a mandala sand painting. There were hundreds in attendance, both temple members and visitors, and the atmosphere was reverent, welcoming and lots of fun, too. There was truly a community spirit shared by many. These photos capture the monks chanting then sharing words about living with compassion and thoughtful actions. Following the ceremonial section, talent performances were given by members of the temple for all to appreciate. //


There a four Buddhist nuns in this image, and I really gravitated toward their presence during the  night.  When I first arrived with my daughters, all monks were already on a stage facing a display which included a young Buddha with one hand pointing up and the other down.  The monks were organized with the head Tibetan monk, Thay Dao Quang of the Tam Bao Temple, and another in the closest row to the Buddha, then the Tibetan monks, then four female Buddhist 'sisters', as I had heard one called during the week.  There was one sister with whom I was more familiar from my daily visits.  She had always been busy working outside every time I saw her,  yet she always showed so much kindness to my girls with her laughter and gestures.   This was the first time seeing her in a different context and I felt in awe of her ways.  She is not clearly visible from this perspective, but she is standing in prayer with the others.  They were very beautiful together.

In wanting this profile view, I stood from within a small pine tree along their side and zoomed out to full length on my lens.  With a 6.3 aperture and ISO 1600 (using older body), I knew that the shutter speed would be too slow to keep the camera steady.  I went for it anyway because I really liked the way they looked at that moment.  There's a bit of blur and technical challenges, but I feel that it works with the texture effects of the tree and the black and white processing.  That is what I felt, a tenderness towards the nuns, and I hope that is delivered through the image.

Meeting aerial photographer Fred C. Frey, Jr.

Above Baton Rouge: A Pilot's View Then and Now

The above binder holds the prints made by longtime aerial photographer, Fred C. Frey, Jr.  I was very fortunate to visit him in his home with a neighbor of mine who is friends with him.  She thought it would be a great idea for me to meet him to learn about his childhood days playing in the farm fields where I like to walk and photograph.  It was wonderful spending time with him and his sweet wife, and we discussed everything from his Korean War days, the development of Baton Rouge, to the space of the Ford Property.  I learned many interesting historical facts and really enjoyed listening to his stories. He mixed humor into his words which had me attentive and laughing throughout.

I became most excited when after lunch he opened the binder to show me more aerial images.  There were many sharp and detailed black and white photos documenting the before and after of regions throughout Baton Rouge over a forty year period.  The pair you see above made me stop because of their visual impact.  The scene in the bottom image shows the city from above the Mississippi River looking North towards our capitol building.  The top image shows the city from the same view after the development of Exxon.  It's a strong image of shadows and light, and I fell in love with it.  When I asked if I could take a picture to post in my blog, he paused, looked over the binder, then handed it to me saying, "Here.  Take it home with you so you can look at them."  What?!  These are the man's prints, his work, made in his darkroom using precious and gorgeous Hasselblad negatives.  I looked at him in disbelief, and he convinced me that he really wanted me to take them to view.  "Show them to whoever you'd like," he continued with a smile on his face.  Wow.

Looking at it right now sitting carefully above me on a high shelf, I'm still so surprised to have them in my hands for safe keeping and enjoyment.  I think that I most appreciate that he entrusted me, and that we'll meet again so I can return it to him.  When I do see him, we may just be discussing the history of the Ford Property in more detail.  During our many conversations, I had expressed the wish to collect stories, photos and documents about the the space. I felt like he understood and saw some value in the possibility.  Before I left he looked right at me and said that he'd like to work with me on that.  Another moment that stopped me in my tracks yet propels me forward more motivated and open to learn.  I am so very grateful.

In the familiar

In the familiar, there is something more to be discovered.

I have walked by this tree on the river side of the levee many times, and with each pass it grabs my attention in different ways.

Kitchen laughter and shyness

Kitchen laughter and shyness
Shinjuku izakaya
November 8, 2012

Last night I spent a few hours with a girlfriend in an 'izakaya' enjoying beer and sushi.  When we walked in around 7 PM the place was completely filled with men geared up in their work suits.  We were the only 2 women besides one other, and slowly through the night the male crowd thinned out and more women arrived.  We sat at a counter facing the kitchen, and here the workers don't know exactly to do with themselves with me looking in with my camera.  They laughed, and it was a good chuckle for all of us.

By the way, this was my first outing on my own since being in Japan.  Loved it!  Now I want more time to go out on adventures.  Next week's departure is too soon!

Last night I spent a few hours with a girlfriend in an 'izakaya' enjoying beer and sushi.  When we walked in around 7 PM the place was completely filled with men geared up in their work suits.  We were the only 2 women besides one other, and slowly through the night the male crowd thinned out and more women arrived.  We sat at a counter facing the kitchen, and here the workers don't know exactly to do with themselves with me looking in with my camera.  They laughed, and it was a good chuckle for all of us.

By the way, this was my first outing on my own since being in Japan.  Loved it!  Now I want more time to go out on adventures.  Next week's departure is too soon!

Into the rain

 

11.19.12:

Physically, I've been back in the States since what I think was late Wednesday, Louisiana time.  Emotionally, my mind and heart are in Japan with my family, friends and the many special experiences and places shared.  What a gifted blur, and I just may not rush getting back into some semblance of a groove.  :)
 

11.07.12:
I so love that even in inclement weather in Japan we just go about and do our daily things without much troubles.  Just pop up our umbrellas and we're on the go by foot or by train.  I'm in awe of the parents trekking by bike with their kids on board in the midst of it all, and find inspiration in the approach.  Once I get home maybe I'll be less likely to complain when a downpour floods our driveway and car.

Find yourself in the temple

My husband helped organize a bus tour of Tokyo with good friends from his high school days, and one of our stops was to the Senso-ji Temple in Tokyo.  It is the oldest Buddhist Temple in Tokyo, and is visited by millions of people every year.  While we were there walking through the gates with thousands of others, I felt like I could either get swept away by the crowds or totally immerse myself and enjoy.  The second happened as a matter of fact once I got caught up in photographing and appreciating the people and place.  I actually wished to be left there for day or so because it felt so good in the moment.

Hozomon Gate Lantern
Senso-ji Temple, Tokyo
November 4, 2012

Millions pass under this lantern every year to visit and pray at Senso-ji, the oldest temple in Tokyo.  I was one of the many on Sunday, and really appreciated the immersion into the endless stream of people.  There's an exciting and moving energy shared when in such a space.

http://www.senso-ji.jp/

 In prayer and wonder

Main Hall
Senso-ji Temple, Tokyo
November 4, 2012

After moving with thousands of people through two large gates and past an osenka (incense) burner for healing, I climbed the steps of the Main Hall.  My girls had been with other family members, so it was a nice surprise to find my youngest daughter looking up at the woman in prayer.

http://www.senso-ji.jp/about/index_e.html

Contact

 “You're an interesting species. An interesting mix. You're capable of such beautiful dreams, and such horrible nightmares. You feel so lost, so cut off, so alone, only you're not. See, in all our searching, the only thing we've found that makes the emptiness bearable, is each other.”
― Carl Sagan, Contact

I had stopped in the flow of the crowd right past the huge lantern at the entrance gate.  I wasn't just ready to jump into the sea of bodies moving towards the temple site.  The feel of the movement and the hundreds of faces around me captivated me and got my adrenaline going.  My husband had gone ahead with his friends and our daughters, and I had 30 minutes to soak it all in and immerse myself.  From where I stood, on the edge of a small elevated step, I could see over everyone's heads, well nearly, on my tippy toes.  I knew that I wanted to show the depth of the crowd in my shots, so I stretched high with my camera and looked in.  Honestly, I can't recall if I consciously saw this man looking straight ahead in my direction, but how peculiar and cool that he stands out amongst the others.  I think that he's striking, and at that moment takes on a significance.

He really makes me wonder about all of our encounters with the countless people that we pass during our daily travels.  Do we see them?  Do they see us?  Do we even make a conscious effort to see and engage, or are we each in our own zone?  Are there others trying to reach out to us somehow?   How awesome that in a split moment of time we are capable of stepping out of ourselves to make contact and connect, then move on our way.  I find a reassurance in that, and it feeds my spirit in just the right way.

Waiting on a friend

 

Waiting on a friend
University of Tokyo
October 23, 2012

This lovely, old Oak invited us to sit underneath and have our lunch yesterday.  Heavy rains came as soon as we set up, and we dashed to a covered entrance way for shelter.  This kind, elderly man shared the space with us as we looked out toward the tree together.  I felt as if he had a lot in common with this wonderful tree.  Both gentle and wise, strong and knowing.

Because of your smile

“Because of your smile, you make life more beautiful.” ~ Thich Nhat Hanh

I traveled to Shibuya to meet an old friend first met over 6 years ago through our shared love for U2.  I'm so appreciative that we're still connected and were able to spend a bit of time.  He's a treasure of a person with a unique vision of  life.  He's now pursuing his own business, and I'm very psyched for him.

The scream

12.30.12:
 No words, just strong emotions that need to be released before anything productive comes out of them. Any moments of anger, frustration, pure disbelief in society's illogical reasons to justify stupidity, I find myself coming back to this image.  A scream falling on a friend who's either accepting of the shared pain or dreading that they are at the receiving end just for reason of location.  The scream.  It's out there to be heard.

Rebirth Brass Band in black and white

This has to be one of my favorite black and white photographs sets of the Rebirth Brass Band at Chelsea's Cafe.   I especially love the images of lead trumpet/vocals Derek Shezpie.  I'm usually taken by his neck tattoos and gear in addition to his awesomely expansive cheeks.  They're captured pretty well, and I so appreciate being up close and personal to Chelsea's low stage.  The fans in the crowd were very much into the heat and feel of the night, too.  We had a great time dancin' and groovin' out there!