The Birth of Creativity

For years I would visit my brother in Wilkes-Barre, PA and early in the morning I would go across the Susquahanna River to Kingston and into Kirby Park with my camera and a coffee and watch the sunrise. While there I would see an old lady, dressed warmly, pushing agrocery cart full of everything she owned as she was a homeless person and she had a empty bottle and can route which she did probably daily. Now after photgraphing her in various situations a thought came to my mind, Iwould try shooting people but only in special circumstances. For instance in Wilkes-Barre there is ''the square'' which is actually round and is an ideal spot to see early morning coffee drinkers sittng next to trash barrels and talking, maybe a homeless sleeping on a bench and I began making a project.

No, I do not really like shooting people for various reasons, including the fact that many folks do not like to be photographed by strangers and also facial shots of some who are going through hard times is an invasion of privacy in my mind.

My project's birth down there finally got baptized and became more personal and I created The Old Man. The Old Man is myself for several reasons. First I know what I want, my camera is set up for it and if I ask someone else to shoot me it would probably not bewaht exactly I wanted. Also if I am not happy about theshot I could always sue myself and make some money out of it.

This project basicly shows what old men do and people just shrug off his actions blaming them on old age, senility or an old guy just having his form of fun. Of course being creative also means a tad of exageration so as to draw the eyes of the viewers, such as an old man sitting on a bench in February reading a newspaper or even sleeping at near zero temperatures.

Yesterday afternoon I did a short shoot and it sure did draw some stares and head scratching. I went down to the point and got out of my truck, hung my camera on my shoulder, got out my tripod, a fishing pole, a coffee cup, and empty beer bottle and an axe. I set up anddid some stuff and people were watching but keeping their distance but one fellow came over and inquired on what I was doing and I explained.

Events like this really incite me to do more and also share my thoughts as stuff like this project in unique around here. Last year I did one and another photographer was there andwatched and I explained to him and he sid that he'd try it too, but I never saw him again.

Pretty good stuff today and I think I've caught up.

Pg 3
William: “chain, chain, chain , chain of…….” Ten years later. Hard to believe!
Clicker: Looks like fun, I’m gonna have to make some time.
Pg 4
Roadrunner: A very cool capture, and strong creative planning to go get it. But I’m sure she was watching you all the way.
Pg 5
Fred Ann: I like your reasons, very nice series.
Photosmoke: Moss man’s eyes have it!
Fish9x: I would have to shoot my shop and tools in a much more subdued light. I see a reason for your shot, “Organized”. I’m envious.
Pg 6
Photosmoke: Your reason’s obvious, beautiful.
Oh yeah and in the next one when I zoom in on it I see your shivers!
Mary1946: No reason necessary to shoot that bird, exquisite.
PG 7
Judy: “Unusual” , one of the best reasons to shoot anything.
Pg 8
Clicker: How fast was the shutter speed to catch that snail? and in the next one...Can’t think of a better reason,…”gotta have it”.
Pg 9
Roadrunner: I see what you mean, nicely done.
Pg 10
RiverNan: I almost missed it, cute!