Portraits can be powerful images. They can have as much emotion as any other type of photography but with this medium by definition its a more intimate experience. Whether the photographer gets into that intimate is not synonymous with intimacy. Intimacy is something private and people tend to hold on it as much as they can or until they themselves invite you in. That’s how I see portraits An example of a great photographer right here in the community is Viewminder, someone I respect and I invite to follow him and really study his stream, he’s a class act full of love. Well here’s my attempt at practicing Portrait style photography and feeling the love as they say. As usual let me walk you through it. I was walking in Downtown Miami(one of my usual spots) and I ran into this gentleman and we got to talking about my camera and what I was doing. After about ten minutes of chatting I asked him if I could take a portrait shot of him and he …

Candid portraits have truly grown on me and I think its a style that really has the ability to truly connect with a human, especially someone on the streets, its a new vibe, and one that I think street togs should incorporate into their visual stream, or at least try some. Anyway, another “classic grd” moment I think. Let me lay out the scene. I saw Captain Cane across the street and as soon as I saw him, I just knew I had to have a frame. I walked up right up to him with my camera at chest level which I literally pulled up a fraction of a second before capturing this frame. Once again, I can not explain how versatile the Ricoh GRD III has become into my tool arsenal. Without hesitation, a digicam all street togs should add to their gear bags. I hope you all had a great Labor Day and let’s keep the streams going.

A portrait is not made in the camera but on either side of it. – Edward Steichen He kept telling me “I’m from New York, man, give me something,” so I gave him $5 and he smiled and said, “you aight papi,” and I thanked him, laughed, and kept going.

For me the printing process is part of the magic of photography. It’s that magic that can be exciting, disappointing, rewarding and frustrating all in the same few moments in the darkroom. – John Sexton I believe Mr. Sexton couldn’t be more correct. One thing is framing the image, pressing that shutter, and capturing the essence of the fraction of time, permanently on film or these days on our sensors, but another is the art of the print process (digital post processing).

An individual has not started living until he can rise above the narrow confines of his individualistic concerns to the broader concerns of all humanity. – Martin Luther King, Jr. Street photography often times highlights amazing individuals you’d never otherwise meet. This afternoon I went on a Photo Essay shoot which I’ll be publishing in the days to come called – Miracle Mile. Miracle Mile is a famous street in Coral Gables and even mentioned in Billy Joel’s famous song “It’s Still Rock And Roll To Me”. And while there, I met Joe, a homeless gentleman with the heart of gold, he basically told me his story and what a story it was. After we spoke for about 10 minutes I asked him for a portrait shot and graciously obliged. He was in good spirits and I tried my best to capture his wonderful smile. Now going back to the quote from MLK which is still very much apparent and true today, we must rise to the occasion as we try to capture our images …