Philadelphia pt.4: Fishtown/Port Richmond

More exploration of north Philadelphia and long forgotten playgrounds. The hint of youth at play is masked greatly by the massive amounts of graffitti all over the bars and slides of the jungle jim.

And American flags lend themselves to privacy of backyards.

Gulu Walk 2007

Please note that I did not photograph these pictures.

Gulu Walk 2007 occurred in Philadephia this past weekend [link]. Although I did not personally photograph it, I am passionate about it's cause and and choosing this time to promote it. Gulu Walk is a walk for peace for the civil war occuring in Uganda right now.

Quoted from the website: "U.N. Under-Secretary General of Humanitarian Affairs Jan Egeland called the situation in northern Uganda “the world’s most neglected humanitarian crisis” and “one of the biggest scandals of our generation.”

For the last 21 years, the people of northern Uganda have been caught in a brutal war between the Government of Uganda and the rebel Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA). The LRA have terrorized the local population as a means to challenge the government and sustain itself. The LRA has abducted over 30,000 children to be used as soldiers and sex slaves. Tens of thousands have been wounded, maimed and killed in LRA attacks."

A good friend of mine, Brian Shingledecker, led this year's Gulu Walk in Philadelphia, and I am very proud of him, and all those involved in the event.

Philadelphia pt.3: Port Richmond (holga)

Once in awhile I pull out the Holga for some snapshots. This time, however, I intentionally used it to shoot photos of the site for the casinos that are being build in Port Richmond, Philadelphia. Personally, I am against the building of casinos in my home city. I feel that it will only make the poor of philadelphia poorer, increasing in homelessness and drunkeness in low income neighborhoods (one of which I live in). There are numerous websites dedicated to the prevention of future casinos, one of them being Casino Free Philadelphia [link].

Philadelphia pt.2: The Navy Yard

The Navy Yard in Philadelphia is home to a number of businesses, including the Urban Outfitters Home office (where I have done some work for in the past). This time I didn't go to the navy yard to take photos of clothing on maniquins, rather, I went to photograph the scenery. Me and another photographer have been going out each week to photograph the land. Since I have never really been any good at taking landscape shots, I agreed to do this in hopes that I will eventually become better at it. Now after a month of shoots, I really look forward to these shots. I feel that I opened up another door in what I can be passionate about, and am aiding myself into becoming quite a well rounded photographer.

Nathan and Lauren - 9/23/07

If there were two things I learned most about Nathan and Laruen during their wedding is that they both love the outdoors, and they both love sweets. The wedding took place on a camp ground in the backwoods of Massachusetts over a three day weekend. All three days were packed with games and events, and of couse, delicious desserts! It was my dream wedding come true! But in all seriousness, it was incredible to see the interaction between family members and friends gathered during this weekend to celebrate the joining together of Nathan and Lauren. By the end of it, there was no doubt in my mind that they weren't perfect for each other. Thanks Nathan and Lauren for a great weekend and a wonderful oppurtunity to capture your love for one another on film!

Melissa

Melissa had me shoot some promotional shots for her dancing career. Currently she is involved in (i believe) a salsa dancing class, and is looking to eventually open up an artistic dance school. She has a great personality and is very beautiful and talented. I had alot of fun driving around north philly to take some great shots. I just hope that my images will help boost her career into something great. Thanks Melissa!

Huldah and Clark - 9/8/07

Huldah and Clark were a delightful couple to work with. Their focus for their wedding was to enjoy every second of it with the people they love, and I admire that greatly! The entire day was filled with smiling faces and cheerful guests. One really got a sense of the genuine bond between family and friends, and there are so many great candid shots to prove it! All in all, it was a beautiful event and I'm glad I was given the chance to spend it with Huldah and Clark. Huldah's own interest in my work has been such an encouragement, and I wish for only the best for this wonderful couple. Thanks Huldah and Clark!

Jane Amelia Keenan

... was born 6/28/07. She's pretty awesome.

The Johnson House Museum

Ongoing restoration pictures of the Johnson House:

Bike Part Art Show - October 5th, 2007

This First Friday, I'm participating in the 5th annual Bike Part Art Show to benefit Neighborhood Bike Works, an organization that I volunteer with.

On October 5th, starting at 5PM, at the Power Plant Gallery (which is located on New Street, between Race and Vine), there will be live music by local musicians along with an art show and auction. Every year, Neighborhood Bike Works opens their shop to local artists to come in and make works of art from recycled bike parts. This is the culmination of the artists' works. I will be showing two photographs that I took of the basement of the shop about a year ago.




In addition, on Saturday the 6th from 11am-6pm, there will be an open gallery and bicycle repair workshops featuring graduates from NBW programs and technicians from Bicycle Therapy. And on Suday the 7th from 11am-6m, there also be an open gallery and social action forum. For more information on that, visit www.beaspokesperson.org.

Olga, a fellow photographer

Along with making an apperance on Phiebrity, Olga is another photographer and friend whom I photographed two weeks ago. She helps out with Project Basho, a local non-profit darkroom with great facilities at an incredibly affordable renting fee. She primarily shoots 4x5 landscapes.

I'm a Philebrity.

Philebrity, one of philadelphia's media, arts/culture, and gossip sites gave me a daily affirmation: [link]

Nothing crazy, they just posted this picture on the site as something to look at.