Picking Up Abandoned Projects

Suppose like many other people, I sometimes/to many times start something,  only to have life/circumstances see projects started lost in the shuffle or worse completely forgotten about-not remembering them until some person or incident brings what once was back into focus...this blog is one of those projects forgotten about, all but discarded in dealing with whatever it was that saw the project placed in a little box on the shelf next to other long ago forgotten projects. things and memories ment to be returned too, but often never looked at again.

Over the past few years I've had people here in town tell me I am the Nyack Camera Man, have commented that they saw my work on a blog...I'd say, "Not me" only to have them ask, "are you sure", totally convinced it was me.  Some life things coupled with a phone conversation gave me pause to Google myself, something I am not  usually prone to do, already knowing there is a lot more there (both true and false) than most people find when Googling themselves.  I for various reasons am fortunately/unfortunately not really good at being invisible in life...perhaps I am the proverbial fool on the hill, but a fool who has over the decades been more visible than most.

I digress...doing the Google search, found this long ago forgotten blog started some five years ago by none other than ME! (Did I mention I am blond, or was before old age and gray hair set in)...Once you put something out on the net, it really never goes away, and in this case seems I still have access and use of this blog I created so long ago, so have decided to take this long ago forgotten project down off the shelf, dust it off and use it...at least for a time, jump at the chance to perhaps share some newer photographs, present my own unigue perspective on life, photography and the town in which I live and the goings on in this little affluent community nestled along the shores of the Hudson River.

People in town are used to seeing me with a camera, like an American Express Card, I never leave home without it...the camera, as I do not have an American Express Card.   Am always taking pictures of anything and every thing, whatever captures my short attention span as I go about my walk through town, up to Hook Mountain, or on occassion down to Piermont.  It's what I do, a big part of who I am.  Quick Candid moments captured forever with the click of the botton that opens up the shutter exposing my world to the lens attached to the camera in my hand.

Now that this blog has been resurrectd from the trash heap of the internet, a project too long dormant now renewed...or at least on life support, I hope I am here more often, talking about some bird or butterfly I just captured in my lens, or sharing a story about some event or parade I happened to walk through, sharing a few photographs of people, animals or things that captured my attention just long enough to release the shutter, another JPEG in the can, a brief moment in the annuals of time preserved for eternity, or perhaps beyong.

This hawk was hiding deep in the branches of a tree in our "Memorial Park" enjoying, I am sure,f some fresh River Rat Sushi...I'd share the picture of said Red Tailed  Hawk enjoying his much deserved lunch, but the scene witnessed in its entirety is just a bit grusome for most pallettes, which is why I chose to share this inbetween courses picture intead.   Hope you enjoy it.  See you in my next entry.

Nyack Privacy Hedges Create Public Safety Hazard

Half of Sidewalk GONE

As a photographer I put a lot of miles on my shoes walking about the town of Nyack, and its various same name counter parts.   When you do that much walking in an area, you notice little things such as a broken water main leaking into the town's storm drains and other such little issues.  You also notice some other issues that might seem not so important at first blush, but actually present some potentially serious safety issues for the citizenry of Nyack.

A normal sidewalk can usually handle two citizens abreast of one another, so that if you come across a passerby heading in the opposite direction you can safely walk past one another without bumping, or without one or the other of you having to step to the side.   However,  there are numerous homes in our area that sit along major traffic roads that present serious danger to those walking on their sidewalks...especially if say a couple is pushing a baby carriage, and you are walking toward them when suddenly the sidewalk narrows down to a point where one person can barely squeeze by, thus causing someone to step aside, sometimes onto the roadway where cars are whisking by.

What you might ask could cause a sidewalk to suddenly narrow, as they are poured concrete, hardened, in place for years, even decades?  Privacy hedges that have been allowed to grow out of control, hedges that though nice and neatly trimmed extend out into the sidewalk easements...in some cases as much as two feet!  Try walking down parts of say Broadway, or Franklin St. (just too name two random streets) on a busy traffic day, and you will come to certain hedges that greatly intrude on to what are supposed to be public sidewalks.  When you come across one of these barriers, if someone(s) are coming in the opposite direction toward you, one of you is going to have to step aside, sometimes into the public street.

So the question then becomes...are there ordinances against this intrusion into the public walking spaces (sidewalks)?  Yes there are such rules in place.  Are they being enforced?  No...according to Nyacks building department, they are simply too busy to police such violations, would need one person just to handle this area of concern.  

So one more question...if we can have so many people on salary walking around issuing parking tickets, why can't Nyack hire someone to walk around and write up violations of this nature.  Doubt that a illegally parked vehicle is going to pose much of a public safety risk, but would venture to guess that forcing people to step out onto streets with passing cars on it could pose a serious safety risk, and also thinking the city would be the first party named in a lawsuit if someone were injured because the sidewalks were allowed to become all but impassable.  So how about it Mayor White..."Can we hire someone who's job it is too walk around Nyack finding blocked sidewalks, pay them to work with the community and home owners to get problem hedges back within the rules, can we pay someone to write up violators when they do not come into compliance?"

Shot Of The Day

I keep trying to get myself organized enough that I can come here to this space and upload a small article or picture on a somewhat regular basis...not having a lot of luck on that currently, but I am trying.  There are so many wonderful things going on in Nyack, and some not so wonderful things as well, so not like there is a lack of things to share.  For today, how about a picture of the day?

It amazes me that the sun light playing on a solid black bird can create so many beautiful hues...love this picture for that singular reason.  Not a great picture, but "OH THE COLORS".

April See's My Work at Bunbury's In Piermont

Call it a bit of good luck, or the cosmos opening doors...I have been wanting to get my work into the Piermont area since the first day I went over there to take pictures and have a cup of coffee at the charming, great energy coffee shop called Bunbury's.  Imagine my wonderment when I got an email from the owner of this delightful shop asking if I could fill in this month for another artist who was unable to hang there exhibit.  So, for all those who have been asking me where they can see my work, am proud to announce that my work is hanging on the walls at this fine Piermont Coffee Shop through the entire month of April.

Bunbury's Coffee Shop
460 Piermont Avenue
Piermont, New York
(845) 398-9716

May will see my work hanging here in Nyack, and am very excited about July when my work has the honor of gracing the display Window at Vincent's Ear on Main Street here in town.  If your restaurant, cafe or retail establishment is need of some stunningly beautiful walls, please feel free to give me a call.   Have great prices for doctors and lawyers looking to bring quality art work to the walls of their office.  Drop and email to photographybysherwood@gmail.com or call/text (845) 3465-6523 today.

PS...to the wonderful person who liked my work well enough to steal two pieces valued at over $500  at my last exhibit, want to send you out a very special THANK YOU...what a grand compliment to find out that my work is enjoyed enough that people are willing to steal it.  I am honored that my work has found a very special place in your home and your heart.

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?

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