i have no legs

B-More Lurks

2010-09-22T18:15:00.000-07:00

Every time I visit my hometown of Baltimore I intend to do a ton of shooting. Somehow it never seems to happen, usually because I spend so much time running around trying to catch up with family and friends. This last trip was no exception, but I did manage to get a few frames off. I also shot some digital that I’ll post once I get a new card reader, as mine seems to have read it’s last card.

Basketball Hoop at Kristen’s RIver House

Harper

Forgive Us

Evan’s Window

Evan

In Print: Lil B and Tamaryn for the Guardian

2010-09-12T23:40:00.000-07:00

I just got back from the East Coast yesterday and was delighted to snatch up a few remaining copies of this weeks Guardian, featuring a cover shot I did with East Bay rapper, Lil B. I love the way they used the photo and was happy to see that they ran 3 additional images for the article, which is basically about how B’s incessant internet self-promotion (150 myspace pages, 200+ youtube videos, insane amounts of tweets) is proving to be fairly successful. I should take note.

Here’s the cover.

Some additional shots.

B is a super nice guy and was pretty much down for anything, making for an easy shoot. After we finished, true to his M.O., he shot a quick video on my rooftop.

It’s taken me over a week to get to writing this entry, but he’s already been able to get this thing edited and on youtube. At the time of posting, it already has over 26,000 views. WTF?

For the same issue, I also shot Tamaryn Brown, who comprises one half of her eponymous group that is also generating quite a buzz.

This is the shot that they ran.

and another.

Tamaryn is kicking off her tour this Weds, the 15th at the Elbo Room in SF. Go check them out!

Short and Sweet in Brooklyn

2010-09-07T15:09:00.000-07:00

I’m on a bus, Baltimore bound to see my family after a short three days in Brooklyn. My primary purpose for visiting was to meet this little smush.

Sadie Lou Cohen-Thomson was born less than two weeks ago to two of my favorite people on planet Earth - Naomi and Nicholas Cohen Thompson. When I officiated their wedding less than a year ago I knew it wouldn’t be long before I’d be back in Brooklyn holding a tiny person in my arms while she furrowed her little eyebrow and had an abrupt and very audible bowel movement. “That wasn’t a fart,” Nich said. It wasn’t.

Naomi has always been the most nurturing and motherly person I know and it’s amazing to see her getting her mom on.

I stayed in Buchwick with my good friend and talented photographer, Joshua Simpson. Check him out here.

Me on Josh’s couch. Photo: Joshua Simpson

Josh, himself

After my second day visiting the little beeb, I made my way over tot he West Indian Day Parade, which is totally nuts and teeming with beautiful half naked people. I typically don’t shoot at events like this because all the photos tend to look the same . Plus, I often find them to be frequented by pervy male photogs with telephoto lenses zoomed into the abundant T&A. My plan was to just hang out and not shoot, but I felt compelled to pull out the camera and get a flick when I ran into a true New York legend.

Afrika Babaataa reppin’ Brazil.

I wandered the side streets a bit and was able to make a few photos, usually when people asked me to, but they all kind of turned into very posed group shots, which wasn’t really what I was going for, but there were a few cool ones.

Note the purple dog.

Heartwarming. The cops were really exited.

I had a few more random run ins, including Nich’s brother, Julian, who was skating a ledge in Williamsburg.

Also got to do some quality liver abuse with my dude Caleb.

and Morgan

and Yojaira

and Sarah, who can be seen here giving this kid Mikey a needle and ink tattoo sometime after 3 AM.

He really wanted a tattoo last night, but when we decided not to go to a shop, he took matters into his own hands. Oh, to be young again.

Caleb gave him a Superman cape to wear.

It says “ANNA”

It’s Personal

2010-08-24T00:27:00.001-07:00

'merica

2010-07-06T14:12:00.001-07:00

In Print: Scraper Bikes for The Guardian’s Scene Magazine

2010-06-29T12:30:00.000-07:00

Finally, a little local love for this series.

In Print: Scraper Bikes for The Ride Journal

2010-06-23T15:59:00.000-07:00

The Ride, a cycling journal out of the UK currently has a spread featuring my Scraper Bike photos accompanied by an article by the Scraper Bike King himself, Baybe Champ. It’s a beautifull publication and I’m honored to have my work included.

I’m thrilled by the continued interest in these photos and the Scraper Bike Movement. So far, they’ve been shown in Philadelphia, Denver, Austin, San Francisco, Sacramento, and The Oakland Airport, as well as the cover of Momentum Magazine with more in the pipeline.

You can order copies of The Ride online at www.theridejournal.com or find one at select retailers worldwide. In SF, you can get it at Pushbike on 24th. They WILL SELL OUT, so get on it!

Never Grow Up

2010-06-01T00:23:00.001-07:00

This girl lives across the street from me. I believe her name is Dyrah, but I have no idea how to spell it. We’ve spoken a few times, while she was sitting in front of her house selling chocolate bars or homemade gelatin treats (above) to raise money for her school, an act I find to be particularly endearing, especially in a neighborhood where the kids are pretty tough and, for the most part, don’t seem to be that into school. I often see her playing on the block with younger kids or sitting out front with her mother. She just seems so nice and innocent, and for some reason it makes me kind of sad. This fall she will enter high school. High school is tough. I’m sure she’ll get good grades and stay involved, but for some reason I feel protective of her and don’t want her to have any problems. I don’t want the tougher kids to be mean to her. I don’t want boys to make her cry. I don’t want her to be left out. I don’t want her to feel pressured to grow up too fast. She’s so nice and I want her to stay just the way she is, forever.

The Memorials

2010-05-24T21:03:00.000-07:00

Earlier this month I had the opportunity to spend some time with The Memorials, an amazing new band out of the East Bay that most notably features Thomas Pridgen, whose name you may recognize as the former drummer for The Mars Volta. His accolades are many: Guitar Center drum off winner at age 9, youngest drummer to be sponsored by Zildjian at 10, youngest recipient of a 4 year scholarship to Berklee College of Music at 15, grammy winner. He’s a beast. I was psyched to have the chance to see him play up close and, after doing so, there’s nothing I can say that doesn’t sound like an understatement. It was positively mind-blowing.

See for yourself.

The core of The Memorials consists of Thomas, vocalist, Viveca Hawkins and the hyperkinetic Nick Brewer on guitar. They play insanely loud and won’t remain unknown for long. Save for a few snippets, they’re keeping their recordings under wraps for the time being, but anyone who’s had a chance to see them live can definitely attest to the fact that these guys are face-melters.

Guitarist or model?

I caught up with them them during intensive rehearsals (their 1st show was the next day and Nick was in from South Carolina) in Alameda, CA and we did a quick location shoot before heading back to the studio, where I got to preview their live set. Thankfully, there were some extra ear plugs.

The next night, I did something I rarely do these days; I shot the show. The venue was packed and had no stage and I wasn’t about to fight my way to the front, so I hung back near the drums, which made for some ok shots of Thomas, but not really much of anyone else.

Definitely keep an ear out for these guys. You’ll be stoked.

In Print: Streets of San Francisco Guardian Cover

2010-05-17T13:12:00.000-07:00

As simple as this may look, we had quite a time shooting it, trying to time it perfectly so that nobody got run over and the cable cars were in the shot. Much thanks to Ayana Ivery for being an awesome model and a good sport, riding across California St. over and over and over until we got the shot.

Art Direction: Mirissa Neff

Asssistant: Sabrina Stivaletta

In Print: Dead To Me for Thrasher

2010-04-18T18:20:00.001-07:00

I actually shot these guys for their label, Fat Wreck Chords, which was awesome because the band and I had been talking about it for some time. My good homie Clayton assisted on the shoot and wound up interviewing them and having it placed in Thrasher. Clayton is one of my favorite dudes around and I'm stoked to share a by line (not really a by line, but whatever) with him. I'm sad he's moving to Chicago to do his damn thing.

On The Blorgoplex.

2010-04-08T11:11:00.000-07:00

I'm an internets celebrities.

I am dear and sweet.

I am a hipster.

Alamo Squares

2010-03-31T15:20:00.000-07:00

In Print: Jazz Mafia for SFBG's Scene Magazine

2010-03-25T21:13:00.000-07:00

It seems like the Guardian loves to challenge me with vertical layout group photos and serious time constraints. I had about an hour to get this whole thing dialed in with no assistant. Thankfully, I did have some help from art director, Mirissa Neff and other folks on set. In fact, one of the bands's managers even had the foresight to cover all the windows before I showed up. Plus, Jazz Mafia is a sharp bunch and super easy to work with, so everything went off without a hitch. I'm just glad I didn't have to shoot the whole crew, as they roll about 40 deep!

Bender in Bend

2010-03-22T21:01:00.000-07:00

A few weeks ago, I took a trip up to Oregon to spend some time with some friends in Eugene and see my buddies from Baltimore,The Bridge, play a couple shows in Eugene and Bend. I intend to do this every time they're on the West Coast, but never really do the planning. However, when I found out that ticket's from Oakland to Eugene were $10 I had to make it happen. That's for a flight. In an airplane. A flight in an airplane for $10. That's like the same as a fancy bowl of soup.

Same Price

Anyway, I figured it would be a good chance to see some friends, party wolf balls, and hopefully shoot some photos.

Upon arriving, I was swooped by Brent. We went on some errands and checked out his gallery, where I saw this amazing collection of pickles wearing hats. These things are fucking awesome. One even had the beer helmet!

While Brent was getting some work done, I walked across the street to get a sandwich. It was pulled pork and cost about the same as a plane ticket from Eugene to Oakland. On my way back, some dude's called out from an alley and wanted to take a picture of ME. They were students and asked me where I would like to be if I could be anywhere. Apparently, my answer wasn't very original, because they pulled out a sign that said what I said, handed it to me and took my picture.

one haggard dude

I hope they weren't genies or scientists transporting people to wherever they want to be, because I totally missed out if they were. As I mentioned earlier, I can always get back to Eugene for the price of a pulled pork sandwich, but I was afraid that if I picked somewhere else, I might wind up there without the sandwich and I was REALLY hungry.

After the gallery, we went by Brent's glass shop, where he had to fix a this or a that. I used that time to stroll around the area and grab a few frames. I was really feeling the foggy, wet, lush, working class feel of things and was looking forward to doing a lot of shooting while I was in Oregon. During those few minutes, I shot a few meh-tastic photos that I was able to enhance through the magic of vignetting.

A few hours later we went to the show. It was packed, mostly with hippies, many of whom had neck tattoos, which I found to be slightly amusing. The boys ripped it (I didn't shoot) and the party continued afterwards at Brent's house.

This is where it started to get weird.

(Tightly edited to protect the innocent)

This isn't what it looks like.

The next morning, haggard, we packed the vehicles and headed for bend. It was a beautiful drive, but we barely stopped, so no photos. Plus, my head was pounding.

That night's show was at some weird hotel/venue/movie theater/restauraunt/bar/roman bath. Seriously, the place had all that stuff.

"Cris, you're the most adorable boy I've ever seen."

"I love you sooooo much Cris."

"Cris, you have the goodest band."

I think she liked Cris.

It started and ended pretty early and we took it over to the home of an older hippie fella who fed us barbque and openly touched his dog's wiener. The dog's name, by the way, is Beef.

Brittany fell asleep with her shoes on, an act that is not without consequence.

Once that got boring we headed for the hotel and attempted to get some rest before a big day of snowboarding at Mt. Bachelor. I think we still stayed up till 6.

It was rad.

After we came off the mountain, or apres ski if you're French, we headed to downtown Bend for some dinner and I took the Mamiya for a spin around the block while we were waiting to be seated. That's when I met these dudes, whom you may recognize from the my previous post.

I really liked these kids. They were super nice and emailed me for copies of the photos recently. I hope they liked them.

I slept all the way back to Eugene, except for the gas station stop, at which I ate an entire canister of Jalepeno Pringles. Once in Eugene, it was straight to bed.

I spent the following morning playing with Danny's dogs before heading to the airport to catch my flight that cost about the same as a fancy bowl of soup.

I can't say it was a productive trip, but it sure was fun.

Some Stuff

2010-03-18T12:28:00.000-07:00

A few frames from recent weekend trips to Tahoe, Oregon, and my own neighborhood. Click to enlarge.

Left Behind

Standard issue branches with sky. I was feeling the light on the tree

Nice kid in Bend, OR #1.

Amara being cute.

Nice Kid in Bend, OR #2

Garbage Can With Slush

Woody changing into civilian clothes.

I Love Lamp

Cabin Bathroom

Kevin

Standard Issue Power Line Photo

Ladies Dipped in Lovely - Bell Jar SF

2010-03-04T22:34:00.001-08:00

Earlier this week I had the extreme pleasure of doing a two day shoot with the Bell Jar's Sasha Darling in preparation for the forthcoming launch of her online store. Hardly a secret in SF, Bell Jar's "Gorgeous Little Things" will now be available to women everywhere. Sasha is a mega-babe and purveyor of all things beautiful. You can soak up her game and exquisite taste on her blog- here.

Click For Larger Image

Models- Nida, Holden, Kelly

Styling - Sasha Darling, Jasmine

Rainy Day Score

2010-02-21T16:41:00.000-08:00

1984 Stay Puft pencil sharpener (left) to round out the growing collection. This find set off an ebay frenzy and I currently have bids on a Stay Puft poker chip, Lego figure, and original animation cell from the Ghostbuster's cartoon. For those not aquatinted with my love of Ivan Reitman's 1984 masterpiece, the following images may provide some perspective (not to mention, this blog's current sub-heading).

2009

2005

I also found this amazing 1940's pencil drawing that features a cowboy peeing off a cliff while farting. EPIC.

Both of these gems were unearthed at one of my favorite neighborhood shops, The Apartment.

Tony Sly (No Use For A Name) for Fat Wreck Chords

2010-02-19T14:28:00.000-08:00

Toot My Horn: Tuba for the Guardian

2010-02-17T14:18:00.000-08:00

A tear from this weeks restaurant feature about the new Turksh spot in the Mission, Tuba. Damn good food. Newsprint doesn't scan so well.

Eye Phone

2010-02-07T21:51:00.000-08:00

Ethan

2010-02-05T15:52:00.000-08:00

Check it out, yo. It's Ethan.

Yungin's

2010-02-03T19:10:00.000-08:00

A few kids I shot at the skate park a couple of weeks ago. The guy sitting in the grass was SHREDDING and also happened to be a really nice kid. He was there with his dad.

Onward and Upward: Jason and Yojaira Leave to See the World

2010-01-24T20:16:00.001-08:00

I spent some time with my buddy Jason Grace before he and his lady left the country on a long, and possibly permanent trip. I tagged along and while he packed and purged what was left of his belongings until it all fit into one backpack, tied up loose ends, drank the last beers, and said goodbye.

See ya somewhere soon, buddy.

Moving On - Teenage Ritual Dog Burning

2009-12-22T02:14:00.000-08:00

A few weeks ago I took a ride out to Ocean Beach hoping to shoot some portraits, particularly of teenagers - the subject of a current ongoing project. I walked up and down the beach and into the avenues and wasn't having much luck.

I ran into my friend Jason and took a shot with him with his girlfriend and dog. Meh.

I met a nice lady who opened a thrift store stocked with her deceased mother's belongings. It had potential, but wasn't really working. Way too dark.

Quickly losing light and pretty disappointed that I didn't even make it halfway through a single roll, I walked back down the beach towards where my bike was parked when I spotted a group of teenagers putting stuffed animals in a fire pit. I approached and learned that one of them, Jenny, had been wronged by her boyfriend and was preparing to burn all the gifts and notes that he had given her.

They were happy to let me shoot their little ceremony and I was delighted to do so. It was a truly endearing moment, so emblematic of teenage heartbreak. I was touched by how supportive Jenny's friends were and how relieved they all seemed to feel upon ridding themselves of the physical evidence of a painful memory (and a few textbooks).

This is what I love about being a photographer.

Yule-Tidings

2009-12-21T00:33:00.000-08:00

Pork Pyramids and Clamped Crappers: The Anatomy of a Dive Bar

2009-12-18T14:52:00.000-08:00

A recent assignment for the San Francisco Bay Guardian sent me to some of The City's more... ummmm, established establishments. The story was on the look and decor of dive bars. Real dive bars. Not faux dive bars where people go to look cool and drink cheap beer, where the clientele is totally different from one year to the next, where you can get drinks with more than two ingredients. This was about real dive bars, where people go to drink cheap and will do so, at the same bar, on the same stool, until they die; where the fingers outnumber the teeth, and photographers are regarded with considerable skepticism.

Usually, when I shoot bars and restaurants people are exited to see me. They give me free food and drinks, access to restricted areas, and pleasant conversation. Not the case this time. Well, not entirely. My first stop was at the 21 Club, in the heart of the Tenderloin. After introducing myself, the bartender was basically like "I don't care. Do what you want." The glances at first were sideways and the questions antagonistic ("Who even reads the Guardian?" ), but they soon warmed up and a few of the guys even let me shoot their faces, which they weren't to keen on about 15 minutes earlier.

Seeing double before my first drink.

Local paraphernalia: essential dive decor.

Canned Pork Pyramid

He told me not to give this to America's Most Wanted.

The Bartender at the 21 Club

My next stop was North Beach's The Saloon, San Francisco's oldest bar. I don't necessarily know that this place qualifies as a dive, as it's quite large, has live music almost every night, and just doesn't have that dingy feel (plus, it has a website), but it was on my list. I was greeted by Gary, who told me that he, "knows a phony mountain climber when he sees one" and demanded that I hand him my phone, so that he could call any number on it in order to confirm my identity. When I asked him for his photo, he flipped the proverbial bird, which he later told me was that so I couldn't get a clear shot of his face. I hope he's not upset when he sees his face and his finger in this weeks issue.

Everyone else was quite nice, allowed me to shoot them sans hand gestures, and one even bought me a beer. After I got the interior shots I needed, I saddled up next to Gary and eventually struck some common ground about this or that. We proceeded to discuss the treatment of war veterans, his post-traumatic stress disorder, drugs, prostitutes (he was very forthcoming), his impending death (he claims to already be alive 1 year longer than his Dr.'s 2 year prognosis) and before long he bought me a beer. Maybe I'm damn charming, but in places like I think people just like somebody to listen to them. Everything seemed to be going fine until Freebird came on the jukebox. He admonished Brent, the friendly barternder, for playing it, picked up about $20 in tips that he had left and stormed out, flipping the ol' bird through the window as he walked past.

The next guy to sit down claimed to be an investigator for The Mutual UFO Network (MUFON), and was freaking out about some crazy lights spotted above Norway. He showed us some photos that I thought looked pretty fake. I finished my beer and took off.

On my way out, I stopped to use the facilities and thought it was interesting that the toilet tank was clamped shut (maybe to prevent upperdecking?). I pulled out the camera for one last shot, just for fun and it wound up being one of the three that were published. I don't reckon I'll be getting many more free beers at The Saloon.

When I got home, I turned on the TV and saw that those photos were, in fact, real. Apparently they had something to do with a Russian missile test.

Watching You Watching Me: Some TVs

2009-12-09T22:49:00.000-08:00

For the year and a half or so (maybe two?), I started taking pictures of TV's whenever I'd see them on the street. At the time, I was carrying my Hasselblad around a lot and the square format and waist level viewfinder made for some fun compositions. The film and occasional digital files sat around doing nothing until I was contacted by the good people at Lower Hatersto submit a piece to their group show that they were putting on with FTC. The theme of the show was "For The City" and I thought the images of the TV's on SF streets were a good fit. The show is up now and this piece is hanging 24x30 with the clever title Some TVs. If you weren't at the Lower Haight art walk on Dec 4th and haven't had a chance to see it, get over there and check it out. Click image to enlarge.

Get Your Hair Did: More Edo

2009-11-23T21:00:00.001-08:00

A couple shots from yesterday's shoot for Edo Salon in SF. You wouldn't know it, but the whole thing was shot in a cemetery. A caretaker/ security guy rolled on us and wanted to make sure we weren't "disrobing" or making any "nasties" in the mausoleums. Keep an eye out for these on Edo's site as well as their print ads in the local weeklies.

High Flyin' and Low Ridin': The SF Bike Expo

2009-11-22T01:03:00.000-08:00

I covered the SF Bike Expo today for Momentum Magazine and left fully impressed- huge swap, lots of interesting vendors and entertaining events. There was something of interest for cyclists of every ilk - fixters, MTB'rs, commuters, coaster brake enthusiasts, cargoers, lowriders, freak bikers, even unicyclists.

I was really just there to shoot Momentum's fashion show, but figured I might as well cover some of the other festivities as well.

Dirt Jumpers going HUGE

Lil' Mama's stereo was SLAPPIN'.

Plush Throne with 2 TV Screens??!!

This was actually for sale.

The day featured a full ticket of Cyclocross racing and I managed to get a few shots in of the men's A category. The track was awesome.

It went inside...

had a HUGE set of steps going up a hillside...

and a seriously steep descent back down into a 90 turn. Fools were eating shit right here.

These yungins placed 2nd and 3rd in the kids race.

Integrated stem/ handlebars. I think they call that exquisite lug work.

The Derailleurs did some bike dancing.

Track stand comp.

And a great fashion show. This suit has reflective threads for riding at night. NEAT!

Takin' Care of Business (Cards)

2009-11-20T14:48:00.001-08:00

New cards!!! It's been like 5 years since I've had new cards made. FYI, PSprint in Oakland is doing 60% off until the end of the month, and they're super cheap to begin with. Holla@it!

Lurker Rolls

2009-11-19T18:54:00.000-08:00

Every now and then I tend to wind up with a little pile of what I like to call Lurker Rolls - film that I never got processed (personal stuff, not work!). Though I wish I was more on top of things like this, Lurker Rolls are great because you not only get to experience the anticipation of seeing how your shots turned out, but you also have no idea what's even on the rolls. These particular lurkers had some shots from a recent trip to OZ (I shot a ton there, but it was mostly digi), some NY, and some random SF street stuff. I'll post the rest later, but in the meantime here's a shot of my dude John Walder in his stairwell and a couple weird shots from the Oz Harvest Festival.

High as a Georgia Pine

2009-11-17T22:51:00.000-08:00

This is the best thing I've seen in a long long time.

Too Much Fun

2009-11-16T16:10:00.000-08:00

In honor of Cherri's 26th trip around the sun, a group of us descended on the historical (and really creepy) town of Port Costa to do the only two things there are to do there - hang out at the Warehouse Cafe (a giant bar with about 400 beers) and get weird inside the Burlington Hotel (a creepy old bordello, in which the rooms are named for the women who once worked in them).

We were in the company of The Ancient and Honorable Order of E Clampus Vitus and a group of bikers called the Too Much Fun Club.

We had a great time, though the ol' Burlington ain't what she used to be, as they now have "rules" and some lady who comes out of a room and attempts to enforce them. I'm not sure what her problem was, though. As the photos below clearly can attest, we were perfectly civilized.

Apparently, not even patriotic dogs are allowed.

We found a bridal gown and veil in the closet. Natalie wore it and is now cursed.

We also found blood on a mirror.

And a creepy dude in a trunk.

Too Much Fun Club

Cherri is never without an iParty.
Eventually, it started to get weird.

Also cursed.

The favored beverage of outlaws.

5:00 AM

Squished pennies. We were careful not to derail the train.

Laterzzz

November Nights

2009-11-09T00:56:00.000-08:00

EYEHEARTSFC

What was in the Punch?

2009-11-07T19:19:00.000-08:00

Edo Salon in the Lower Haight is opening their new downstairs color lounge and I was lucky enough to get to shoot the launch party (Yes, I shoot events.). It was a 20's themed soiree with a ukelele/kazoo player, potent potent punch, and pretty people.

Get you hair did.

The Drank

Comin' (period) correct.

I need cooler shoes.

Nicole mixing the drank. The popcorn was on hit as well.

Francisco of the Ferocious Few. He really can sing.

Blogging: A Second Try + Love N Memory Revisited

2009-11-02T16:56:00.000-08:00

So, I haven't really posted on this here blog since it's inception in December of last year. I was still trying to hold onto summer and threw up a few images from the preceeding couple of months. And while SF's weather as of late might make one think otherwise, Summer is over. It's been over, and I'm coming to that realization a few months earlier this year. The days are quickly shortening and it seems like a good time to regroup, refocus, reorganize, and get some stuff done. It kinda feels like January 2nd to me, probably because Halloween left my body in similar condition as New Years Eve is purported to (personally, I usually find NYE to be fairly disappointing), albeit with a few more bruises. I guess I just looked really punchable.

Anywho, the recent celebration of Dia De Los Muertos inspired me to revisit a project that I haven't really thought about in a while and guess I never really finished - shooting murder. Not bullets and bodies, but it's effects on the community and families of the slain. The project began by shooting altars and streetside memorials that appear shortly after a life is taken on our city's streets, and my goal was to gain deeper access into affected communities and families in order to create more of a documentary project, rather than a series of still life photos, which is what the project turned out to be.

It began while I was working at an education non-profit in Richmond, CA. I wittnessed the aftermath of a double murder that took place across the street from our center - from the arrival of the police and ambulance, to distraught family members, the media, and the ensuing vigil that left in it's wake an altar of candles, empty liquor bottles, stuffed animals, and grafitti, that stretched half a block.

Through the window of our conference room, I wittnessed the effects of death on the community that surrounded the slain, and it was intense. Way more intense than the frequently overlooked newspaper blurbs could ever hope (or care) to convey. The experience stuck with me and I decided to start this project for two reasons- to explore the the culture that surrounds death in communities that are forced to deal with it all too frequently, and to put a human face on victims and their families, whom I believe are often overlooked because of their class, color, circumstances, or choices.

I began by shooting the memorials as received news alerts of murders in Richmond, Oakland, and San Francisco. I hoped to visit nearly every site for an entire year, so that I could present a project that would be staggering by its size alone. However, this proved to be difficult, mainly because there were too many to keep up with. A social worker, Nic B. did a much better job than me and documented every site in Oakland in 2007 (126) . Also, I found myself experiencing the same desensitization that I was criticizing the greater community for. The trips to sites began to feel more like a task than an important project and it wasn't worth it to me anymore to drive to murder sites in neighborhoods I was unfamiliar with and answer questions from people who were often, and rightfully, skeptical of my presence (there were plenty of welcoming, and even grateful people, too). In any case, I stopped. Some of the photos made it to my website, but many never even made it to my scanner.

In honor of Dia De Los Muertos and those whose lives were taken way too soon, I'm posting the shots from my site as well as some others that I dug up and scanned this week. I hope they make you think.

(Disclaimer: One of the sites was not a murder. It was a car accident, but I still found it to be pertinent to the project.)

Please stay tuned for shorter and less depressing posts.

Summer Jamz

2008-12-10T01:13:00.000-08:00

I'm finally allowing my self to accept the fact that Summer '08 is over. It was a good one. Shoulda shot more. Way more. Couple keepers nonetheless.