Inquiring Minds Want To Know...

Name Memorial Park Chicken

As a photographer of life living in Nyack, I get around quite a bit, have my pulse on what is going on in the community, notice when things seem out of place, such as a few days ago when I noticed a broken city water pipe dumping hundreds of gallons of water out onto the street.  Some things seem unimportant, others humorous, while others have you wanting to ask questions.  

One news item that has people talking is the chicken that just showed up one day (about a week ago this past Thursday) at Memorial Park...said chicken was still there today when I passed through the park.   Some folks are worried about it, others are wanting to name it, and the major is looking for said chicken's owners on Facebook.  Guessing here that having one's chicken loose in a city park is in violation of several codes, so not sure any one is going to step forward to claim said chicken, though she (assuming it is a hen) is cute as chickens go.   

My own news item, or perhaps more appropriately, a serious question.   Just past the Yacht Club on the corner of Gedney Street is a "Superfund Site".

That is never a good thing, but being new to the area, I was not overly concerned about the land behind the six foot chain link fenced area until I noticed a lot of preparatory work being done there.  The work itself was not concerning until I saw work crews installing several air and water monitoring devices in and around the property.

Suppose the good news about this is who ever is doing the work cares enough about our health to monitor the air and water while the remediation work is being done.   The bad news though, it would seem, is whatever they are remediating must pose a certain potential risk to the public should it GET OFF SITE, which begs my question(s).  Just what exactly are they remediating, and are those of us who walk by the site on a daily basis being exposed to some certain health risks that we should be having explained to us?  Even with the ground frozen in the area, work crews have been kicking up the dust, and I suspect come summer time we can expect that to increase, and since they have three high tech devices testing the water, are those who dabble their toes in the water on a hot summer's day at any risk from contaminates about to be disturbed in the water?  If there are some potential risks involved with this Super Fund remediation work, am thinking here it is only fair that said risks be publicly posted along all sides of the fencing around the work site and in the adjacent parking lot area.

For those who love rumors, the word on the street has it that the new "CRAFT" food and beer restaurant on Main Street will be opening it's doors on Tuesday.  They have made a lot of progress and the place is looking incredible, but Tuesday might be a tad optimistic.

For those who thought "Father Winter" was through for the year, guess again...seems that we could see a Nor'easter blow through here Tuesday, and temperatures for the week are going to be pretty cold.  If we do get the storm, do you, your neighbors, and our Fire Fighters here in Nayck a favor by making sure the fire hydrant in your yard is not covered in snow.  

PS...if you are tired of the snow, the "New York Botanical Garden" has a fabulous orchid show going on right now that is well worth the trip into the Bronx for.  Have a great week, and if you see me out on the street say hello.

Just What Is a "Professional Photographer"

"What is a professional photographer?  This is a question I find myself pondering of late.  More importantly than this question, I find myself wondering if one can be a professional photographer and not be an artist, and conversely, can one be a "Photographic Artist" without per say being a professional photographer?  For 20 years I was a potter and sculptor, that is what I did for a living, and it was what the world saw me as.  There was never the word "professional" attached to that occupation, and by virtue of my work on display at various shows and exhibits I was considered an artist.  End of story.  No one asked for my qualifications, no one asked if I had ever sold anything that gave me the right to claim the title of potter, sculptor and artist.  I just was.

Photography seems much different.  Someone who takes pictures of used cars for those free car magazines you pick up in the grocery store will tell you that he/she is a professional photographer, as well the person who takes the picture at the local high school football game on a Friday night will do the same.  They seem to claim the title of professional photographer by  mere virtue of drawing a pay check each week for taking pictures of some questionable quality with a camera that is usually some relic from days gone by.   Yet, many art photographers, some of whom who have had one man/woman shows in some very prestigious spaces yet have not actually SOLD THEIR WORK are not considered professionals...does this small detail make them any less  a professional photographer?  If so, then one has to ponder another question, are many of those who profess to be professional photographers not artists?  Should art photographers be looked at differently than professional photographers?  Should there be two very distinct and different classifications?

Sure some people are both artist and professional photographer, but at what point does one cease being considered an amateur photographer, and move on to that space in modern day society where they can say without reservation or guilt that they are a professional photographer?  Does selling a piece of your work, even if it was to your Mom or Grandmother officially make you a professional photographer?  Does learning how to push the button on the camera at the Mall when Santa Clause is in town make you a profession photographer?  More importantly, what distinguishes you as an artist in the field of photography?  Anyone who picks up a camera and takes a picture is suddenly a photographer, but where do we draw the line after that?  Who is a professional photographer, who is a photographic artist?

One can take a class, pass a test and they are suddenly a "Real Estate Agent" even though they have never held a job as such, nor sold one house.  You can get a license to drive a taxi by paying the DMV a fee of $30 so they can send you a new license denoting your eligibility and sudden qualification to be a taxi cab driver, and there is not even a test involved.  In some small towns the mayor becomes judge by mere virtue of having gotten elected despite their lack of experience or qualifications to be a judge.  So, on this night I find myself asking the question, "Just what is a professional photographer?"  Has having a camera built into every cell phone that has the ability to upload a picture to the world wide web down graded photography to a point where most people no longer see it as a true art form, thus creating a situation where you are only a professional photographer when someone is paying you to click the button that activates the shutter on whatever camera they happen to send you out into the field with?

I am pondering this, as I get asked this question in various ways on a daily basis.  "Do you work for a paper or magazine?"  or the straight to the point question, "Are you a professional?"  For the record, I have never held a job as a photographer, not worked for a paper or a magazine in the capacity of photographer.  Photography up to this point in my life has never been a full time occupation or vocation.  So, if having a JOB related to photography is that magic line in the sand, then suppose I am not a professional photographer.  I have though been hired to take pictures at a whole lot of events, even sold many of my pictures to various individuals who felt compelled to have one or more of my pieces hanging in their homes.  I even have my own business cards, and if you are reading this blog you already know I have an internet presence.   I  work diligently at my craft, put many hours in each and every week hopefully honing my skills as a photographer.  Do these facts make me a professional photographer even though I have never held a JOB in the field?  Or perhaps, because I tend to take photographs that are more art than commercial in scope, perhaps I am an art photographer?  If I am an art photographer, where does the whole professional photographer thing come into play, and perhaps most importantly is it a label as an artist that I want, as in my mind that is what I am, an artist?

Feeding Birds At Memorial Park

I try to get out every day for a bit with my camera, am always on the hunt for that one good picture that makes my creative day a success.  Some days i get lucky and far exceed that goal of one good shot, then there are those days when nothing I shot seems that good....today was one of those later type days where reviewing my work was turning up nothing that sang out, 'This is a good shot."  As is often the case on days when nothing seems to be working, I grabbed my camera and decided to go out for a late afternoon shoot, give the camera another chance at capturing something that spoke to me.

As the day quickly moved into late afternoon found myself down at Nyack's Memorial Park as dusk approached when I saw a lady feeding our local army of seagulls and mallards.  Though this is a very common appearance at the park, I snapped a few shots, and when I loaded the shots up onto the computer found one worth a share.

Hope you all enjoy it.

PS...making a trip to the New York Botanical Garden tomorrow to see the orchid display, and would encourage everyone to make the trip as I hear the display is breathtaking.

Lets Help Gypsy Donut Get a Truck!

I happen to like a great donut,  LOVE a incredible cup of coffee...one of the perks of having moved to Nyack is I can get both of these with a visit to the Gypsy Donut shop located on Franklin Street just off of Main!  Seriously, the donuts at David Schloss's place are not your run of the mill mass produced donut you get from those other places that dot every corner of the globe.  These are homemade (on the premise from SCRATCH) donuts that tickle your taste buds, and come in flavors you can only imagine.

This little shop has fast become a community gathering point here in Nyack, and they are  wanting to expand in a new and exciting way, and  are asking for our help.

They want to put Gypsy Donut on the road...literally on the road with a donut and coffee shop on wheels, a truck to be specific.  Being a regular at the shop, and thrilled I can stop in early in the morning seven days a week on my way out for a walk with my camera for a delicious cup of coffee or a latte and a fabulous donut, I feel compelled to give their Kickstarter project a helping hand.  

You can visit their Kickstarter project and get involved here.

Gypsy Donut is here in Nyack today thanks to the support of Kickstarter, so David Schloss and his fine team have a track record of success, so you can rest assured you are backing a small business person with a track record of success.    The goal is too raise $30,000 to purchase and outfit a truck and put it on the road, bringing the joy that is Gypsy Donut's to a whole new audience as they take their show and put it on the road.   They are off to a good start with almost $10,000 pledged, but need our help.  So, if you are reading this how about popping over and making a pledge today, and for those so inclined, sharing this article link, or a link to their Kickstarter project page would be GREATLY APPRECIATED.  Let's together make another dream come true.

Deadline for this project is March 29, 2014 at just after 9 in the morning, so we have just over 11 days to get them to the finish line and see a Gypsy Donut truck on the road just in time for prime biking season!

A Few Tips For Back Yard Bird Photographers

One of the first questions I get asked when walking around town with my camera is, "WOW, what are you shooting with that big lens (Canon l series 100-400 for those who might ask what lens I am shooting with)?  Generally, because I am a big fan of them, it is birds of any type and variety.  They come in all shapes and sizes, are quite industrious, not to mention stunningly beautiful.

Though I end up taking pictures of lots of other things, I am invariably hoping to stumble upon a chance to point my camera in the direction of one of the many fine feathered friends that call our community home.

With the return of spring, the opportunity for some great bird photographs is increasing, so this seems like a good time to share a couple of my own bird photographs (recently taken) along with a few tips for the back yard bird photographers that might happen upon my blog.

Tips For Photographing Birds

1.  Try to photographing them in direct light...simply stated, have the sun behind you, and shining on them.  You want to bring out the detail of the feathers, capture all the fine detail that you can.  Side light is going to cast shadows, and if the sun is behind the bird you are going to get a silhouette of the bird most times.

2.  Patience!  Find a place to roost where you know birds congregate, and wait for them to come into you.   If you are walking a trail, and not sure where the birds might be, again patience is your best friend in capturing that unexpected shot.  Walk slowly...very slowly.  Sudden movements will startle the birds and you have missed your opportunity.  Once you spy the bird, patiently figure out where you want/need to be (if possible) to get the best shot, then ever so slowly (and patiently) move into position.  This said, have your camera at the ready, as any shot is always better than no shot.

3.  Be inconspicuous if you can, take cover.  If you are driving and see a great shot, try to park in a way that you can use your car as a blind.  Walking in the woods and find a promising spot, lean up and into a tree so that the birds see the tree, rather than you.  Carry a chair and park yourself in a thicket of grass.  The key is doing your best to be invisible to the birds so as not to scare them off.

4.  Digital cameras give you the option of continuous shooting....USE IT!  Fact is, there is a certain degree of luck in capturing a great shot, but you can increase your luck by firing off several shots as sometimes one of them turns out to be that masterpiece we photographers love shooting where everything about the shot JUST WORKS.

5.  I like manual focus if I am in close on birds, but use auto focus when shooting birds at more of a distance.

6.  Always...ALWAYS (let me repeat) ALWAYS be ready to take a shot.  You cannot use your camera is it is locked in the trunk, or worse sitting at home on the kitchen counter.  You never know when that once in a life time opportunity is going to be right there in front of your eyes, so never leave home without your camera.

7.  It's the eye!  When you are focusing your lens on a bird, CONCENTRATE on the eye, as that is where the key to the proverbial money shot is.  If you get a great eye shot, chances are you got a GREAT PHOTOGRAPH.

Happy Birding Everyone

Nyack Library's "Captured Reading" Photo Contest Deadline is March 31, 2014

As a photographer I believe contests are a fabulous way to show off  talents, perhaps get a little  recognition from our community.    This month, the Nyack Library is seeking submissions in their, "Captured Reading" contest, and entry could not be simpler.

Snap a picture of someone reading then  email your Jpeg image submission to photography@nyacklibrary.org by the deadline of March 31, 2014.  Be sure you include a signed release from the person who's picture was taken if one is needed...IE, if the shot was taken indoors, rather than in a public place you are going to need a release.

To get you started, here are a couple of pictures I have taken of people "Caught Reading".  Grab your cameras and head out today in search of your own image of someone who is "Caught Reading" and enter Nyack Library's contest for a chance at some great prizes.

From Z-Vents

This Spring, the Nyack Library will be holding a Get Caught Reading contest. We invite photographers of all ages and expertise levels to find their creativity and take pictures of people expressing the joy of reading in all its forms and formats: books, e-readers, magazines, audiobooks, newspapers. These photos can be taken any place you'd like -- indoors or out! !Prizes will be awarded ! Thank you to our wonderful local merchants for their donations.

Library Website