Muse

It's snowing! Everybody panic!

2011-01-26T10:49:00.000-08:00

Snow tends to create quite a stir in a newsroom, which always amuses me, because most newspapers cover every snowstorm the exact same way. "Snow is coming, somebody get photos of salt trucks, asap! Are people lining up to buy shovels? Get to the hardware store, pronto muchacho!" Once said snow catastrophe hits, it's time to hit the streets for the bread and butter shots: woman shoveling, man running snow-blower, kid sledding, oh the craziness of it all! This is all a roundabout way of saying that covering snow becomes very, very repetitious, so I'm always happy when I can get something I like that's a little more graphic, something outside those standard cookie-cutter snow pictures straight from the newspaper how-to handbook. This photo from today wasn't anything spectacular, but after covering three of four snowstorms already this Winter, I was happy to get something just a little bit different.

Mayor Eddie

2011-01-25T12:20:00.000-08:00

Tagging along with a group doing a count of Bucks County's homeless population today, I met Eddie, the mayor of Bristol Township's homeless. It's a title he's given himself after living on the streets for the last 19 years.

Asked how he got there, Eddie blamed drugs. "I used to be a great bass player. I had my own band," Eddie told me. "I played the same model bass as Paul McCartney, but I sold it for a $12 bag of heroin. I finally cut that stuff out though. Sooner or later you have to grow up." While these words were still hanging in the air, Eddie gulped down the last of his bottle of Twisted Tea and walked back into the Ballpark strip club. It was 11 a.m. on a Tuesday.

Simple Things

2011-01-19T09:27:00.001-08:00

It will never cease to amaze me the feeling of contentment and happiness that comes with a cold beer around a nice fire.

Mummers

2011-01-07T13:11:00.000-08:00

New Year's Day in South Philadelphia is a weird and wonderful sight.

Missing

2011-01-05T11:57:00.000-08:00

I spent a bitterly cold morning in Camden this week tagging along with police K9 units searching for a 57-year-old woman who has been missing for nearly three weeks. She was taken from her home by an ex-boyfriend early on a Sunday morning and beaten with a pipe. He was found and arrested the next day wearing bloody clothing. She has not been seen since.

This wasn't the first time I've gone with police on a missing person search, but it's the first time the tragedy of how a person can simply disappear has really hit me. I've been out with these same police officers a few times over the last couple weeks, and it has been interesting to see their mood deteriorate each time.

With a suspect in custody who refuses to say anything, the police are left to blindly search parks, roadsides, lakes, rivers, anywhere they suspect someone might dump a body. It's an overwhelming task, and after three weeks, they've come up with nothing, and likely never will.

Five years ago I covered friends and family searching for Danielle Imbo when she disappeared, along with Richard Pitrone, after leaving a club on South Street. In five years, nobody has ever found a trace of either one of them, or his truck. All simply vanished. I can't imagine the pain of losing somebody that way, and it makes me appreciate the work that a lot of these police officers are putting in, some on their own time, to finding a complete stranger, and a needle in a haystack, one they know is likely already gone.

Closing the Doors

2010-08-09T08:34:00.001-07:00

With steadily declining attendance, the Bristol Presbyterian Church was forced to close this year after being a fixture in the community for more than 150 years.

Oh to be a Kid Again

2010-08-09T08:29:00.001-07:00

Hoping Again

2010-03-27T08:42:00.001-07:00

I just got a $100 ticket in the mail from a red light camera at 5 a.m. on my way to photograph Obama. I'm considering petitioning for a presidential pardon.

Echo Park

2010-01-25T18:58:00.000-08:00

Echo Park. Apparently it's the 12th novel in the Harry Bosch detective series, and now it's the last book read by a man killed in a car accident in Bristol tonight. I've photographed plenty of accidents like that over the last five years, and while it's never easy, the camera helps detach you from what you're seeing, at least in the moment.

But seeing that book lying in a parking lot, 20 yards away from where it's owner was lying under a white sheet, both of them thrown from an SUV that was broadsided by a utility van, instantly stripped away any emotional detachment I've grown accustomed to. I spend a ton of time in my car, and I don't go anywhere without a book sitting next to me in the front seat. I'm not going to get into any sort of deep introspection on a photo blog, but I will simply say that looking at that copy of Echo Park tossed across a debris-strewn parking lot is an image that will stay with me for a long time.

Film Noir

2010-01-25T18:43:00.000-08:00

Interviewing witnesses, accident scene, January 25, 2010.

Watercolors

2010-01-25T17:13:00.000-08:00

Radcliffe Street, Bristol Borough, January 25, 2010

Final Resting Place

2010-01-21T07:19:00.000-08:00

After a protracted legal battle over zoning issues and historic preservation concerns, Washington Crossing National Cemetery officially opened on January 20, 2010. Seven veterans are now interred on a plot of land that will eventually accommodate up to 200,000.

Calm before the Storm

2010-01-13T15:48:00.001-08:00

Swimming is one of those sports I have a hard time being creative with. There's only so many different ways to shoot someone going up and down lane four over and over, so I try to keep myself entertained by looking for features away from the action.

D.C. in the Dark

2009-12-17T10:34:00.000-08:00

I've been to D.C. plenty of times before and never get tired of it. But walking around the National Mall at night, especially during Winter, has a completely different feel to it(yeah I know it's still technically Fall, but when it's 30 degrees, I'm saying Winter). Everything looks much more dramatic, and it feels like you have the place to yourself. It was cold and wet and I loved every second of it.

Different Views of the Same Thing

2009-12-17T09:53:00.000-08:00

One of the biggest things I've learned taking pictures for a living is that there are countless ways of seeing the same thing. It's what I like to stress more than anything when I get to speak to photo students: when you get to an assignment, don't get tunnel vision. Take a step back, walk around, walk behind, climb up, lay down, you'll be amazed how the view changes. I can't count how many times I've gotten back to my car on an assignment, turned around and said "Oh $h!t, I didn't see it that way before!"
I was reminded of that idea the other day when I finally made it to the Newseum(worth a trip to Washington all by itself if you ask me). The front of the building faces the National Gallery of Art, which I snapped a picture of from the top floor of the Newseum at the start of the tour(above picture). As I walked through the exhibits, my eye kept getting drawn drawn back to the Gallery. I would up taking a slew of pictures and included a couple of my favs.

My position in relation to the National Gallery never really changed much, but just from moving around inside the Newseum and noticing different foregrounds, I was able to capture some different looks. I'm not sure that's interesting to anybody other than me, but I thought it was pretty cool so I figured I'd share.

It's Raining Tabs, Hallelujah!

2009-12-08T11:14:00.000-08:00

1,632 pounds of aluminum can tabs collected over two years by a boy with leukemia to raise money for the Ronald McDonald house. Pretty incredible what some people choose to do when faced with adversity.

Think I'll Go for a Walk Outside Now

2009-12-08T11:13:00.001-08:00

Upper Moreland, PA

A Dying Sport

2009-12-01T13:44:00.000-08:00

I ran into this guy one day while out looking for feature art, and he said he hunts Rail. I had no idea what he was talking about, so he let me tag along a couple days later. It turned into a fun little story, though I wish I'd been able to spend more than just a few hours with him. It's crazy the stories you can find all around you. This wasn't more than a few minutes outside Philadelphia!

I miss these days...

2009-11-13T09:07:00.000-08:00

I preferred jumping in them, but it still looks like fun.

Veterans

2009-11-13T08:58:00.000-08:00

Lesson learned on this assignment, when you have a picture you like but a cluttered highway for a background, wait for a big red box truck to drive by to clean it up.

They'll be back

2009-11-06T09:35:00.000-08:00

From eating Cosmi's hoagies outside Citizens Bank Park this summer to being there to photograph the team clinch the NL Pennant, and finally watching the final outs of 2009 surrounded by anguished friends at the South Philly Bar & Grill, it's been an incredible season. Thanks Phillies. The best is yet to come.

If God Be With Us, Who Could Be Against Us?

2009-11-03T19:16:00.001-08:00

Down but Not Out

2009-11-03T19:14:00.001-08:00

Fall Classic

2009-11-03T18:46:00.001-08:00

Citizens Bank Park, World Series Game Four, Nov. 1, 2009

Rally Time

2009-11-02T08:55:00.000-08:00

Man Down

2009-11-02T08:00:00.000-08:00

Unfortunately, A-Rod was only stretching.

To the Victors...

2009-10-27T08:12:00.001-07:00

Phillies clinch the National League Pennant, October 21, 2009

Werth Rising

2009-10-27T08:00:00.001-07:00

Phillies v Dodgers, NLCS Game Five, October 21, 2009

Not in Mannywood Anymore

2009-10-27T07:54:00.001-07:00

Phillies v Dodgers, NLCS Game Five, October 21, 2009

The Most Wonderful Time of the Year

2009-10-25T18:00:00.001-07:00

Swarthmore, PA, October 25, 2009

Four More Please

2009-10-24T10:44:00.000-07:00

Philadelphia Phillies v Los Angeles Dodgers, NLCS Game Five

Sportraits

2009-10-24T09:57:00.001-07:00

Another installment in my ongoing quest to take better portraits.

Dirty Jobs

2009-10-24T09:53:00.001-07:00

If you were stuck in traffic on Route 1 in Langhorne Monday, here's why. Amazingly, nobody was seriously hurt.

Cityview

2009-10-06T08:34:00.001-07:00

Looking south on the Delaware River at the Philadelphia skyline from Neshaminy State Park in Bensalem.

On Top of the World

2009-09-29T14:10:00.000-07:00

Some days it just all comes together: a beautiful day, a good assignment, the time to do it right, and a PR person whose only instructions are, "Do whatever you want." Those things don't all come together very often, but when they do, I feel like a kid on Christmas morning. So here are a few of my fav's from the XBox360 Tour's stop at Bucks County Technical High School.

Before it Gets Sunny in Philadelphia

2009-09-25T06:29:00.001-07:00

A 5:30 a.m. Back on My Feet team meeting was a great excuse to take a walk around my South Philly neighborhood with my camera early this morning.

Italian Market

Tenth and Washington

Peters Street

Assateague

2009-09-22T18:18:00.001-07:00

Spent a great weekend camping with some friends in Assateague. A very cool place, especially for someone who is a sucker for a nice blue sky backdrop and has a new G10 to play with.

Rainy Grange Fair

2009-08-31T19:07:00.001-07:00

Kids and umbrellas usually equal a good photo.

School's out Forever

2009-08-31T19:02:00.000-07:00

While schools all over are springing back to life this week, the halls and classrooms of Saint Ann school in Bristol remain empty. The school where Sister Mary Donald spent much of her career as a teacher and principal was forced to close due to declining enrollment.

Exorcising the Demons

2009-08-31T18:18:00.000-07:00

Since getting in to photography, the one word I've dreaded more than any other is "portrait." As soon as I read that on an assignment sheet, my hands would get clammy and the cold sweats would start. I dreaded the control of choosing the location, directing the subject, and don't even get me started on flash, which might as well have been a chunk of kryptonite in my camera bag(sound about right John Secoges?). I've worked hard to improve over the last few years, and I'm finally starting to be happy with the results. Suddenly, all the things I dreaded about portraits are now the things I love. I still have a ways to go with getting more creative, but it's exciting to feel like I'm making progress. With that, here are a couple of recent portraits that I liked.

High school soccer goalie who got a full scholarship to play at Stanford.

This couple started their own business repairing and restoring vintage pinball machines. How cool is that?

This one was tough, shooting the owner of an auto repair shop with the waste oil furnace he runs using recycled oil.

Eye on the Sky

2009-08-31T17:46:00.001-07:00

Piloting a remote-controlled plane at flight camp. Funny how a little thing like a hat can make a photo much more interesting.

Rule of Thirds

2009-07-10T17:32:00.000-07:00

Thanks for the title Steve Gengler.

Into the Lion's Den

2009-06-22T20:01:00.000-07:00

Public Service Announcement:

This is what you'll find waiting for you when you rip a bunch of people off, fake your own abduction and run off with your kid to Disney World. It's enough to scare anybody straight. I've now spent a total of eight hours sitting outside district court to spend about 4o seconds photographing Bonnie Sweeten, and all I can say is thank god for good company.

"Each Flag has a Name and a Face"

2009-06-14T19:32:00.000-07:00

58,000 American servicemen were killed in the Vietnam War and more than 1,800 remain missing in action. More than 4,500 have been killed in Iraq and Afghanistan. Vietnam vets Don Caruso(above) and Preston Creely(below) were two of the volunteers planting 65,000 flags in Falls Township in tribute to every one of these men and women.

I always enjoy assignments where I get to meet veterans because they've experienced things that give them a perspective most of us will never understand. When i got to this assignment I was pretty excited because hey, 65,000 flags in the ground means lots of cool visuals. I felt like an ass when Creely reminded me what they really mean. "Each flag has a name, and a face. It's good to see they're not being forgotten."

More Odeing

2009-06-08T19:07:00.001-07:00

Somebody help me...I can't stop(see below).

Ode to Silhouettes

2009-06-05T19:07:00.000-07:00

Silhouttes are a gimmick, a cheap trick for hacks who can't make a real picture. As a professional photographer, it's my obligation to turn my nose up at such trite ploys. At least I think that's what I'm supposed to say, but here's the truth: I freaking love 'em! Have a picture of yourself standing on the beach at Lake Nostalgia? Boring vacation snapshot. But a silhouette of yourself standing on said beach? Ooooh, artsy! Granted they can be a bit overdone at times, and if anybody belongs in a silhouette shooters' detox, it's me. But when done well, I think a good silhouette can tell a story quite nicely. As evidence, I present photographs A and B:

These are from separate graduations I've shot over the last two weeks. Check out how eerily similar they are. Besides thinking I apparently need to be more original with my compositions(I'm currently suing myself for plagiarizing...myself), I was struck by how much more I like the silhouette. Maybe if the grads in photo B had more expression it would be a different story(or if I did a better job framing out that light in the back), but I think the silhouette tells you everything you need to know, does it cleaner and quicker, and is much more likely to catch someone's attention when they're scanning a Web site or, if they're really, really old, a newspaper. Maybe those are just the clouded thoughts of an addict, but I'm curious to hear other people's opinions.

A Tale of Two People

2009-05-26T18:12:00.000-07:00

Without question, the best thing about my job is getting to meet new and interesting people just about every day. They're what make putting up with pay cuts, crazy hours and unpredictable schedules totally worthwhile. Two that I met recently have nothing in common, but both reminded me what a privilege it is to tell people's stories.

Stephen Lawlor is 10-years-old and 3' 8'' tall. He was born with skeletal dysplasia, a condition that causes his internal organs to grow faster than his skeleton and one for which there is no cure. Faced with a lifetime of surgeries and more challenges than anyone should ever have to endure, he's chosen to focus on his strengths and has turned himself into a champion speller, which as a fellow former archdiocesan spelling finalist, holds a very special place in my heart. (Stupid auricular! Why don't you have two r's?? I could have been a champion!)

On the opposite end of luck's spectrum is Suzie Brown, a beautiful woman intelligent enough to go to Darmouth and Harvard, driven enough to become a cardiologist at Penn and talented enough to take time away from being a doctor to pursue being a singer/songwriter. With every reason in the world to be arrogant and pretentious, she was instead extraordinarily kind and humble and completely conscious of and grateful for the gifts she's been given.

Both of these people had a big impact on me. I can't wait to see who I meet tomorrow. (It better not be some jerk. Jerks are the worst and have no right to live amongst us.)

SuperSonic

2009-05-26T17:48:00.000-07:00

People go absolutely crazy for Sonic. One comment from a reader on our newspaper's blog said, "Finally, a decent restaurant in our area." I have to say, I don't get it. Food delivered on roller skates tastes about the same to me as food passed through a window, over a counter, or out of a vending machine. Actually, the vending machine at work has double chocolate chip muffins that are incredible. I'm going to get one tomorrow, and I'm already excited just thinking about it.

Gut shot

2009-05-26T17:40:00.001-07:00

A kick to the gut to go along with a 2-1 playoff loss. Ouchee.

Part Two

2009-05-26T17:23:00.000-07:00

With newspapers failing and the market on photographing kids and puppies being pretty crowded, my new backup plan is photographing lawnmowers. This may be your only chance to invest in my new business before it really takes off. Seriously, please send me money.

Pleasantville, Part One

2009-04-28T19:02:00.002-07:00

Penn Paddock

2009-04-28T19:02:00.001-07:00

Building Blocks

2009-04-28T19:00:00.000-07:00

BUSTed

2009-04-20T18:53:00.001-07:00

April is the Cruelest Month

2009-04-20T18:50:00.000-07:00

Hogwarts

2009-03-19T13:57:00.001-07:00

Harry Potter Day at Memorial School, Cinnaminson, NJ

Citizen Soldiers

2009-03-18T08:28:00.000-07:00

I got two spend two days in Oklahoma covering a unit of local National Guard soldiers training to deploy to Iraq. The plan was to shoot stills and video(I still say it's bad to do both), but I broke my still camera jumping out of a humvee pretty early in the trip, so I got to focus mostly on video. I'm starting to really enjoy video as I get a slightly better feel for it, so while I was pretty bummed about the camera, I admittedly felt relieved and excited to concentrate on strictly video for once.

Radio Flyers

2009-03-11T11:59:00.001-07:00

Playing after a half-day at school in Bordentown, NJ.

Summer's Coming

2009-03-09T18:29:00.000-07:00

Atlantic City, NJ

Thirds

2009-03-09T18:25:00.000-07:00

Kid

2009-02-27T13:45:00.000-08:00

If coach don't stay, we don't play

2009-02-25T12:46:00.001-08:00

I Miss Naps...

2009-02-23T15:57:00.000-08:00

Click here for the Soundslides

Fish in a Barrel

2009-02-15T18:03:00.000-08:00

Politicos

2009-02-05T19:34:00.000-08:00

I’m not a big fan of politicians, but I am fascinated by the culture of politics. This morning I covered two press conferences for Republicans kicking off their campaigns for the New Jersey gubernatorial race. Candidate X arrived in a fully-loaded campaign bus and spoke in a conference room overflowing with several hundred supporters alongside television and print media.

After the applause ended and X boarded his bus to head for the next stop in a long day of traversing the state to introduce himself to the voters, I crossed the parking lot expecting more of the same for candidate Y. As Y’s 10:45 press conference start time came and went, reporter Melissa Hayes and I walked through the parking lot to see if we were in the wrong spot. We found candidate Y in the front seat of an SUV, where the temperature was about 50 degrees warmer than outside. After introducing ourselves, Y began the press conference…from the front seat. Only after an aide commented “Umm…Y, they have a photographer, you should probably get out of the car,” did the location shift from the interior of a Ford Explorer to the exterior of a Ford Explorer.

Despite the bitter cold, Y spoke passionately about the issues for an audience of myself, Melissa and one supporter who had arrived, much to the astonishment of Y and his aide. Following the press conference, they climbed back into the SUV, where the back seat was folded down to cram in campaign posters, books and press releases, and settled in for a long drive to their next campaign stop, presumably for a similar audience.

I don’t presume to know the motives of somebody running for elected office. Maybe it’s narcissism. Maybe it’s a power trip. Maybe it’s a genuine desire to serve. I do know that I would never want to endure the grueling marathon a campaign must be, so it’s fascinating to observe someone just setting out on that journey, especially someone who seems aware from the start that they don’t have a chance.

The Long and Winding Road

2009-02-04T12:57:00.000-08:00

Mill Creek Park, Willingboro, NJ

Duck!

2009-01-31T13:57:00.001-08:00

Fire and Ice Festival, Mt Holly, NJ

Eyes Not on the Prize

2009-01-30T17:32:00.001-08:00

Click here for the Soundslides.

Gluttony

2009-01-30T17:28:00.001-08:00

Wing Bowl 17, Philadelphia, PA

Snow Patrol

2009-01-29T13:15:00.001-08:00

There...

2009-01-23T17:43:00.000-08:00

Click here for the audio slideshow

...and Back Again

2009-01-23T17:41:00.000-08:00

Winter

2009-01-16T13:06:00.001-08:00

Strangelove

2009-01-14T18:25:00.000-08:00

Arizona Bound

2009-01-14T18:24:00.000-08:00

Out of Body...and Mind

2009-01-09T12:58:00.001-08:00

Economic Downturn

2009-01-09T12:41:00.000-08:00

Ups and Downs

2008-12-29T19:03:00.000-08:00

Philadelphia 44, Dallas 6

Happy Festivus

2008-12-23T18:34:00.001-08:00

Home for the Holidays

2008-12-23T18:32:00.000-08:00

JaDon

2008-12-16T19:07:00.001-08:00

Candlelight vigil for JaDon Jenkins, four-year-old boy struck and killed crossing Route 130 in Burlington City.

Boo Bird and Happy Bird

2008-12-16T18:52:00.001-08:00

Happy Holidays, or Not

2008-12-06T17:17:00.000-08:00

Pemberton Township Winter Parade

The Road

2008-11-25T08:31:00.000-08:00

Philadelphia Marathon, Kelly Drive

Almost

2008-11-25T08:28:00.001-08:00

Group 2 state championship, Hillsborough High School

"A good day"

2008-11-20T13:14:00.001-08:00

As a photographer, it’s always interesting to see how people react to a camera. Some see you coming and practically beg to have their picture taken, while others can’t run away fast enough.

With that thought in mind and a lump in my throat, I was certain to have difficulty at my first assignment this morning: photographing people turning themselves in to the Fugitive Safe Surrender program in Camden, which allows persons wanted for non-violent felonies and misdemeanors to voluntarily surrender to law enforcement officials in a safe setting and often have their cases adjudicated on the spot. Nobody here was going to want their picture in the paper, right? I couldn’t have been more wrong.

I snapped a few pictures as inconspicuously as I could, and timidly approached Umar Shariff(pictured at left) to tell him I’d taken his picture for the newspaper and ask if I could have his name. “Oh yeah make sure you get my name,” he replied without hesitation. “This is a good thing. Today is a good thing. I’m finally getting things straightened out.” Behind him, John Clemons(pictured at right) smiled and said, “Get my name too.”

And so it went. As with any assignment, there were certainly people who wanted nothing to do with me and my camera. But overall, the hundred or so people winding through a slow-moving line on a frigid day couldn’t have been happier about sharing their chance to clear up the past and move on with their lives, and I couldn’t help but agree, “Today is a good day.”

Wonton

2008-11-19T14:25:00.000-08:00

Into the Blue

2008-11-11T13:52:00.000-08:00

Autumn Run

2008-11-11T13:50:00.000-08:00

Yes We Did

2008-11-05T19:04:00.000-08:00

Ups and Downs on Election Night

2008-11-05T17:45:00.001-08:00

Barack, Melissa and John

2008-11-05T17:43:00.001-08:00

Victory

2008-11-05T14:34:00.000-08:00

My friend Seven

2008-10-19T13:53:00.000-07:00

When I was first getting into photography, I went to a show by the Inquirer's David Swanson. After watching his presentation full of amazing images, I nervously raised my hand and said, "Those images were beautiful. What kind of camera do you use?"

He graciously answered me, but pretty much everyone in the room looked at me and laughed. At the time I didn't understand why, but now,of course, I understand. There aren't many better ways to insult a photographer than to suggest that it's the camera, rather than the person, taking great pictures.

So why am I thinking about a humiliating moment from five years ago? I just bought a new camera, a little Canon G7 point and shoot. It's several years old and I bought it used, but I absolutely love it. Since becoming a photographer I haven't touched a point and shoot, other than occasionally being handed one and asked to take somebody's picture.

When I got into photography, I felt like you need a serious camera to take meaningful pictures. Lately, that feeling has morphed into the idea that you need substantial events to make images that are worthwhile. I've steadily drifted further and further from the feelings that pushed me into photography in the first place. My new used little camera is changing all that. In the three days I've had it it's barely left my hands.

I take it everywhere and I'm finally remembering what is so remarkable about photography. It's about how you see the world, because nobody else sees it quite the same way.

Crantastic

2008-10-19T13:21:00.001-07:00

I'm not sure there's anywhere more beautiful than a cranberry harvest in the Fall.

Traffic Jam

2008-10-15T08:32:00.001-07:00

Mourning

2008-10-15T08:27:00.001-07:00

Not Like the Others...

2008-10-15T08:19:00.000-07:00

Get out of the way green shirt guy!

Airwalks

2008-09-19T13:32:00.001-07:00

So Long Summer

2008-09-19T13:32:00.000-07:00