Mere Humans
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Romanian Stare
I met this Romanian Gypsy while wandering the streets of Glasgow, Scotland. After communicating through broken English and Russian, he told me I could take his photograph. I love the intense stare into the lens.
This photograph won 3rd Place Best in Show at the Greenville, SC Artisphere Competition.
This photograph was one of 30 finalists in the 2015 Digital Photo Pro Magazine's "The Face" competition.
Triple Drag
I met these three amigos while wandering the streets of Lisbon. I'd seen them asking passers by for a cigarettes earlier in the day, so I figured they might appreciate an entire pack from me. After a bear hug of thanks, they sat and struck this pose for me. Each time I saw them after that, they would yell and wave as I passed. It always amazes me what a little good will can do for others.
Old Town Observer
After walking through Old Town Prague one morning, looking for amazing architectural and landscape shots to no avail, I glanced over and saw this kind soul. He was sitting near the famous astronomical clock, just watching the crowds of tourists walk by. I don't know if a single one noticed him, but he certainly saw all of them. He is originally from Ostrava, Czech Republic, but now spends his time in Prague. Observing.
This photograph was one of 30 finalists in the 2016 Digital Photo Pro Magazine's "The Face" competition.
Morning News
I met this man outside the train station in Bratislava, Slovakia. He had been down on his luck, but still took the time to read the paper each morning.
Rush Hour
I visited Santorini in January, and had the island virtually to myself. Soon after arriving I learned that local craftsmen use donkeys to move renovation supplies up and down the cliffs while performing the off-season facelift of the tourist areas. This worker was getting a free lift back to re-load with bricks and sand before heading back down to the work site.
Irish Coffee
While driving through Connemara in Western Ireland not far from where The Quiet Man with John Wayne was filmed, I noticed a weekend farmers market of sorts. The gentleman in the photograph was almost what I expected the real Sean Thornton was like. He was instantly engaging and was most interested in what the Yanks thought about "his" part of Ireland, which he said Americans rarely visited.
Oleg the Poet
I met Oleg while he was atop an old building in -20 F temperatures, disassembling the roof for scrap. After I'd been invited into their warm-up shed, another of my new friends informed me that Oleg was a poet. Oleg then started reciting Pushkin and Lermentov poems for us. After the others urged him on, he started reciting some of his own original poetry. It was an incredible experience to see both sides of such a man. The poster on the wall is of the President of Kazakhstan, of whom all present were extremely proud to call their leader.
Riverside Stare
On my maiden wander with my "new" old Mamiya 645 medium format film camera, this gentleman watched as I fumbled my way through a re-load of film. After a moment, I asked if I could take his photograph. He leaned against the railing and struck this pose, seeming as though it wasn't his first time in front of the lens. I love all the great characters I meet wandering around Prague.
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Louis' Crew
While wandering through the streets of Vienna, Austria, I glanced over and saw these four brothers waiting outside a shop for their parents. Their smiles immediately captured me, so I motioned "can I take your photo?" They struck this pose for me which perfectly captured their happiness and spirit.
Real Street
As I was about to enter my favorite camera store in New York City, for some reason I glanced back. This man was standing there on the street, offering to take people's photographs. I loved his old camera and the sweet way he spoke to me. While street photography has re-emerged as a popular genre recently, he has been doing "real" street photography for decades. Shot with Leica M2. Only later did I find out this photographer, Louis Mendes, is one of the most famous and iconic of New York's street photographers, having shot the streets for over 50 years. If only I had known at the time I was in the presence of greatness.
Gypsa
I met Gypsa walking down Broadway in Asheville, NC. She explained that she was a photographer in a previous life, and felt more comfortable behind the camera than in front. I finally convinced her to let me take her photo, and she struck this pensive, shy pose.
Venetian Intesity
On my most recent trip to Venice, I knew I wanted to capture a gondolier in a unique light. I finally found a spot, lying down under a bridge along the watery alley where a sliver of light lit the passing boat masters. When this man passed, I snapped the frame and happened to capture him in this intense stare as he guided the happy couple through the city.
Morning Light
While searching for early morning photo subjects in Santorini, Greece, I stopped in for a quick cup of coffee to go. These two locals were enjoying their morning coffee and smoke, and I couldn't resist asking if I could photograph them. A serendipitous stop!
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Sleepy Hollow?
There's something magical about the sidewalks surrounding the Cathedral of Notre Dame in Paris. The sidewalk kiosks represent Paris more than any other location, in my opinion. The scenes and characters present there seem endless. This photograph shot with my Leica M2 film camera.
Modern Knight
I met this modern day knight at the flea market in Prague. He has been an extra in multiple movies and TV shows filmed in Prague, most often playing the role of a medieval knight.
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Park Opinions
While wandering through Prague, I saw these two friends pontificating on the park bench. I loved watching the two make point and counterpoint, over and over. At the moment I took this shot, I'm pretty sure they were at an impasse, both having crossed their arms in defiance. Then they laughed and moved on to what I'm sure was another critically important point to ponder.
Invisible
I noticed this man while riding the tram in Prague. I felt his loneliness deep into my soul when I looked into his eyes. Countless people got on and off the tram, never noticing him. I spoke with him only briefly, asking if I could photograph him. He nodded, and put his head back against the glass. While I will probably never know his story, I felt as though it was written there on his face.
In Thought
I met this kind gentleman at the flea market in Prague. At first glance, I figured he was not someone who would care to talk or have his photograph taken. As is the case most often, his personality was actually the opposite. We chatted for quite some time, then he offered me his portrait.
Selling Memories
I met this friendly gentleman at the Kolbenova Flea Market in Prague. It was the last day of the flea market in that location, and one could feel a sense of disappointment among the sellers. It felt like an era coming to its end, the approach of what some knew was inevitable, but had chosen to ignore.
Watchful Eye
A sweet neighbor from another generation keeps a watchful eye on one of the neighborhood children as kids play in the streets of Sibiu, Romania. Sibiu is located high in the mountains of Transylvania and sometimes felt as though it had been frozen in time.
Santa
I met this intriguing gentleman, whose nickname really is "Santa," while riding my bike on the beach in Ft. Lauderdale, FL. His eyes reveal a hard life lived, but he was as gracious and caring as the real Santa.
Roman
When I saw the fishing boat pulling up to the dock near Dunvegan, Scotland, I was hoping to find some weathered Scotts to photograph. Initially, Roman and his co-workers seemed a bit stand-offish, but as it turns out, only because they didn't speak English. Finally, I asked what language they did speak, to which Roman replied "Russian." Well, we were off and chatting at that point. Roman and his buddies are from Latvia, and come to fish the plentiful Scottish waters three months out of the year.
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The Performance
While wandering along the beach in Ft. Lauderdale, I happened upon this group of young skateboarders trying new tricks. I loved the photo which is as much about his buddies watching as it is about his successful attempt at the new trick.
Hidden Strength
I noticed this woman and her grandson filling up water containers at a well outside Astana, Kazakhstan. The tap on the well ran constantly, and it literally sat on top of a mound of ice. As I approached to talk to her, I had a hard time climbing up the slick slope. She reached out and grabbed my arm, pulling me up to her with the strength of a bodybuilder. She looked frail, but had the strength of a 25 year old man!
Sergey Stretch
My friend Sergey, who is a talented artist selling his work on Charles Bridge in Prague, takes a break on a sunny day.
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True Kazakh
I met this gentle soul in an old Soviet park in Astana, Kazakhstan. We talked for the longest time, sharing stories of our lives and families. He was wandering around the park while his wife and grown daughter did their thing, much like a husband in an American shopping mall while his wife shops! Approaching him, then finding the common bonds that all humans deeply share accentuated the intense value in the simplest parts of life. He epitomized the life, look and soul of the Kazakh people.
Simple Song
I met these men and their co-workers while they dismantled a small building in -20 F temperatures. After introducing myself and asking if I could take their photograph, they insisted I go inside with them to share snacks and the intensely warming, clear liquid that USED to fill the bottle on the table. After sharing a bottle and the accompanying stories, this new friend who had just been on a roof in sub-zero, windy conditions, pulled out his battered guitar and began singing old Soviet folk songs. It was one of the many times I've been blessed to experience when vodka and song revealed the common humanity in us all and led to enduring friendships.
Park Philosopher
While wandering through a city park in Budapest, Hungary, I noticed this man and two friends discussing something in Hungarian. I approached, and we began speaking Russian with each other. As he allowed me to take his picture, the park philosopher explained to me two of his passions in life were reading great literature and drinking wine! I think both have had their desired effect on my new friend.
Hidden
An Uzbek girl shields herself from the bitter cold while tending to her family's outdoor stall in a public market in Astana, Kazakhstan. When I returned to talk to her and take her photo, she immediately pulled the sweater down so she could be a good employee. After I explained to her how exotic she looked with her fur and turtleneck, she smiled and pulled it back up for me.
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Winter Warmth
I saw this delightful woman walking home along a dirt road outside Astana, Kazakhstan. After we'd talked for some time, she told me I was the first American she had ever met. We stood talking within view of Astana's shiny, oil-funded sky-scrapers, but she had never even left her village. Her personality was even warmer than her outfit.
Afternoon Drag
After seeing this man every now and then along one of the main pedestrian streets in Prague, I finally approached him for a brief conversation. As we talked, he lit his cigarette and listened to me explaining my love of photographing people.
Kofola Kool
Kofola is the vintage soft drink made popular during the Communist era in then Czechoslovakia. I met this man on the streets of Prague, wearing the shirt of the again popular "throw back" drink.
The Stare
One can only imagine the life experiences this street performer in Asheville, NC reflects upon while playing his blues.
The Lada
I met this auto mechanic outside his shop in Astana, Kazakhstan one day when the temperature was about -20 F. We talked about the old Lada he was working on, which he assured me would be back up and running in no time.
Truly Strong
This inspirational photograph was taken during a series on cancer survivors in Greenville, SC for their amazing Cancer Survivor's Park. See more at #cancersurvivorspark.
Shining Spirit
While in San Diego, I strolled through the city looking for interesting things to photograph. I saw this gentleman standing with some of his taxi driver friends, but was hesitant to approach. As always, my initial reticence was misplaced. I walked up to the group and explained I would love to take his photo in well lit portion of the shaded wall. He gladly agreed, then had great laughs with his buddies as they ribbed him for being famous model.
