Something’s gonna happen…

August 1st, Museum of Art, Philadelphia, PA

Many photos have stories, few others have imagination ... Say what?

In these pandemic days with limited go outs and personal distances, I went to one of my favorite spots with a photographer friend. Walking through the garden, we found the gazebo beautifully decorated. Looking around we didn’t see any clue: Is it a wedding or an engagement celebration? Or is it a graduation? Can it be a family reunion or a religious celebration?

I just enjoy the picture.

Home, Sweet Home!

July 25, 2020, Old City, Philadelphia, PA

I was born in Santiago de Leon de Caracas, in Venezuela; a city that was founded in 1567. What exactly does men “being from Caracas”? According to some: “It is to have some mixture of flavors that characterize the food of this city: Sweet, salty, acidic, bitter, also spicy. It is feeling that grace of being connected with each other”. Simon Bolivar, The Liberator, said: “Born a citizen of Caracas, my greatest ambition will be to keep that precious title”.

I have lived in 3 other cities besides Caracas, Philadelphia is where I have lived the longest after my hometown. Philly is my home and it has been a pleasure to discover its secrets.

I have a particular soft spot for Old City ... Maybe it's because it reminds me of that little girl running through the cobblestone streets of La Cuadra Bolivar.

There is not a better way to celebrate the birthday of the always mind-blowingly exciting beautiful Santiago de Leon de Caracas, the Sultana del Avila, than walking in Old City.

Happy Birthday to my beloved city.

Such a combination: Children and water...

June 28, 2019 Navy Pier, Chicago, IL

I love children: Their natural spontaneity to face any situation is a quality that I admire. They are not very impressed to see someone with a camera; if they are disheveled or have their hands full of dirt, they act the same. You are said to be an adult if the rain makes you run away thinking that your new shoes will stain or your suit will be damaged. Then you miss all the fun focused on “your big people stuff”.

The children are always ready to play and for them it is a very, very serious thing: This little boy was very concentrated on walking in the spaces between the trickles without getting his face wet. As soon as a few drops fell, he returned and began the path again. He kept doing that for a few minutes until his mom called him. He ran to meet her with a very big smile.

The old always has something new…

July 11th, 2020, Elfreth’s Alley, Philadelphia

This fascinating place is "The nation’s oldest continuously inhabited residential street." What more can be said? Well, yes: "Named for blacksmith and property owner Jeremiah Elfreth, Elfreth’s Alley was home to the eighteenth-century artisans and tradespeople who were the backbone of Colonial Philadelphia. Over 300 years later, the historic 32 houses that line the street remain hot properties, and this itty-bitty cobblestone alley is a designated National Historic Landmark. "

Ehem Ehem ... Did I say I'm hyperactive, right? The first time I visited the place (in my early days as a photographer) it was more or less like the passage of a war tank with a machine gun firing: Ratatatatatapum! I took the traditional photos of the alley and kept walking like a soldier in a march, next!

Over time (and thanks to The Amigas!!!) I am learning to enjoy the place, shooting less and observing more, and above all, to avoid the"traditional photos" and looking for what is not so obvious. This is how I got this wonderful passage to what was the "Bladen's Court".

Sunset

July 3th, 2020, Delaware Seashore State Park, DE

As a general rule I tend to be suspicious of the Spanish saying that "100 million flies cannot be wrong". I watch famous movies some time after their release as well as best seller books, when the rest of my friends have already laughed at me a lot.

However, 99% of the population like sunrises and sunsets and I can't resist them: I stop doing what I'm doing at the moment and take 5-10 minutes to fully enjoy them. If I am accompanied, I do the same. I have never received complaints, on the contrary: At the end of the magic moment, seeing the smile of my companions is priceless.

If I saw them randomly before, as a photographer I chase them. And even with all the necessary stuff to honor them (tripod, cards, remote, batteries, etc), it never, never ever fails to make me feel it’s the happy end of the day.

Seagulls

July 4th, 2020, Delaware Seashore State Park, DE

I was almost a kid when I first read Jonathan Livingston Seagull, old enough to understand that the passion that consumed him was "flying better and better" but not much more. I read it again when I was in my first year at College and since then I take it up every once in a while, always having an “Aha moment” in my life with some of the phrases.

Since then, seagulls have been very special to me: My inner child looks for Jonathan Livingston in each one and I usually spend my time observing them that I rarely photograph them.

But this weekend of Independence Day was special: It was also my mother's second birthday after her passage to the rainbow and they understood my mood.

“… He learned to fly and did not regret the price he had paid.”

Humans & Nature in Quarantine times

May 2, 2020, John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge, Philadelphia, PA

Quarantine is not a joke: Being locked up 24 x 7 with no contact other than family is, to say the least, complicated. Almost all activity is paralyzed and the known world is blurring every day.

Unexpectedly, the silver lining: Air pollution levels fall worldwide, the rivers and canals of the planet, like those of Venice, are cleaned; herds of animals appear in areas where they have disappeared for years and that is what Mother Nature needed a short break from us, humans.

How nice it is to see the change in the beings with whom we share the planet ... And more pleasant to see that the human attitude with them is different, more respectful, more careful, more loving.

Learning in times of quarantine

May 19, 2020, Kent Dog Park, Drexel Hill, PA

Many, many moons ago I met the Scout Movement. In fact, I not only met it: I lived it and practiced it in camps, bonfires, burnt food sprinkled with soil, ants and sand; edible only because I was starving. But also the Scouts gave me Brothers and Sisters for life.

Of course I like the 3 Scout Units but my favorite one is the Troop. Tweens and teens between 11 and 15 years old that through the Scout Program acquire and develop useful skills for the rest of their lives.

While I was recovering from the Covid-19, I went out for a walk to see if I could capture something interesting. Yes, yes, and yes, I did it! Four very entertaining teenagers riding bicycles were collecting stones, talking loudly about the size of the fish in the river, about the different shades of green of the trees and surrounded me asking about my camera, amazed at my accent ... which led them to ask even more questions. They asked me for a picture and I, as a good old "Be Prepared" Scout, took a picture of the natural patrol leader.

Mission accomplished.

The Amigas

March 9, 2019, Chesnut Hill, Philadelphia

Ladies and Gentlemen, let me introduce you "Las Amigas", a prestigious Gang I honorably belong to: We are 5 women of different origins, races, religions, marital status ... even food preferences! And yet we perfectly fit together like the pieces of a puzzle.

We met more than 3 years ago in a Camera Club and spontaneously we got closer. The next thing was to plan our own walks, which we enjoy and miss in these times of quarantine.

As you can imagine, each one of us has a different style: Every time we have "our adventures" we look forward to the photos of "The Amigas" to enjoy them at pleasure.

Would you like to see beautiful, creative and original photos? Follow them on Instagram: @rich_missy, @susanpincus, @exposure2art and @janetgephotos.

Perfect timing

Jan 26, 2019, Reading Terminal Market, Philadelphia

You plan a photowalk having a rough idea of what you can find. Consequently, you google the weather and prepare the backpack and then go out.

Now, there are photographers who when they get to the place begin to move their finger quickly. My pace is a little slower: I need to take a general look, sneaking around like a kid, figuring out the camera setting, taking the first pictures.

Over time I have learned not to review the photos on the camera screen except to correct small details… But I have also learned that this can change…

…And when you get home you realize you pressed the button at the right moment: Such a beautiful couple!

Starting the Journey - Part 2 -

June 25, 2017, Boston, MA: My Favorite Dancer.

While the path with my favorite soccer player is full of specific technical difficulties (speed, lack of light, etc), with my favorite dancer we have to add her personal preferences and ... the short time that our photographic sessions last.

I must confess that it’s much easier (and fun!) to act as an international spy and take the photos without her noticing and then publishing them. Constantly remembering how demanding she can be, I multiply the shots by 10 and pray that there is at least one photo that she may like.

The truth is that I adore my versatile and intelligent daughter. Thanks to her I am constantly moving up from my comfort zone in photography.

Do you have a story to share with a picture? Share with me, please!

See you next post.

Starting the Journey - Part 1-

March 15, 2015, Upper Darby, PA: My favorite Soccer player.

Searching and reviewing the photos for this site, I got one of the first ones where my "serious path" in photography began: The need to share the athlete's concentration and efforts.

Yes, it is true: I had the advantage that "the athlete" is my son and I know his body language and I can anticipate his movements. However, it never ceases to amaze me after so many years of observation how flexible and balanced he can be.

I think this was officially the first time I viewed a photo in my mind before pressing the button. Needless to say, this is the best shot of that particular shoot (and there were many!)

Thank you for taking the time to read this post. See you next post.