santa ana, california - july 2014

Spent an afternoon in the downtown area of Santa Ana, California during my trip in July. I mainly went to get some photos of murals and to look for some unique reflection photos with my Leica M6 (for a project that I am working on). Many people talk about shooting with a Leica and how you are discreet while out on the street. I somewhat agree with that, but it also attracts attention when it is hanging around your neck. I walked past this gentleman and he made eye contact with me and pointed to my Leica. I stopped to talk and realized real quick that he didn't speak English and I am not that good at interpreting Spanish. The beautiful thing is that photography breaks down this barrier. Before I walked off, I pointed to the camera and to him and he nodded his head and smiled.  I snapped two photos and we both went along our way...

kapolei, hawaii - may 2014

Spent a little time on most mornings walking along the coast of Oahu. When I am by myself, it always opens up the opportunities to approach people. This always allows me to get some time to talk with them and maybe even get a photo or two. The stories are always just as interesting as the photos. I met Al while he was fishing near Electric Beach. He was a super-nice guy that had some great stories about his fishing adventures and how to spend time as a retiree. I can only hope that I am as lively and energetic as he is at 80 years old. What a testament to staying active as we age...

austin, tx - february 2014

Captured this one in Austin a few weeks ago. This was another photo from my first roll of Ektar 100 film. The detail, colors and range of the film are pretty amazing. The photo was taken with my newly acquired M6 and a 50mm Cron lens. This will definitely be my go-to film for outdoor sunny day shots...

oak cliff, tx - april 2013

Was able to capture these two images during the latest polawalk that was held in the Bishop Arts District in Oak Cliff.

Justin Goode using his M2 and my 50 Cron (f/2.0) taking of picture of me taking a picture of him with my M8 and his 35 Summaron (f/3.5). Not bad for a 1950's lens...

Now this one is a really special image!  Callum is our youngest analog photographer that comes to all the polawalks with his Dad Justin.  I have seen photos of Callum taken by other photographers that attend our polawalks.  All of them are great photos.  I think Callum just makes it easy!  I was honored that Callum let me take his photo with my Leica.  

By far my favorite photo of the day...

dallas, tx - february 2013

Took these during/after the polawalk at Klyde Warren Park. One of my favorite parts of the polawalks is the opportunities that present themselves to capture a few portraits. Not taken with a Polaroid camera. Used a Leica instead...

Richard Kacprowski

Daniel Rodrigue

Amanda Potter

Motorman

los angeles, ca - february 2013

During my visit to California for a polawalk, I got the chance to visit & tour Watts Towers. What a unique place it was!  I am always amazed at the passion & drive that some people have with no apparent means to accomplish the task. It reminded me of my visit to Salvation Mountain and meeting Leonard Knight.

Didn't get to meet Simon Rodia here, but the tour guides had some great stories of how the towers were created. And best of all, after the tour, I was able to talk a little with the tour guide and get a portrait with my Leica...

greenville, tx - october 2012

Took this picture over the weekend at a halloween race in the park.  Lots of interesting characters, but none with character like this.  Wish we could have talked, but I still haven't learned Spanish.  She didn't speak English, but we both understood the universal language of a camera...

greenville, tx - april 2012

After we finished shooting Jace and Sadi in the studio we headed out to an outdoor shaded path that was right off from a busy intersection in Greenville.  Tyler took the pictures on the shaded path.  I caught Jace and Sadi coming back to the car.  Sure seemed a little out of place on this sidewalk...

pasadena, ca - august 2011

Some times you go out on the street with a camera and come away with almost nothing.  That was my day in Pasadena, California the last week of August.  I spent almost three hours walking the downtown area around "old Pasadena".  I saw quite a few interesting things, but the images didn't show it very well.  Fortunately, the weather was great and I had some good coffee...  The one image that I did come away with is representative of what you see on the street in many cities.  Either the store fronts have a magnetic appeal or people love ignoring other people in need.  The guy in the wheel chair was shaking the cup in a circular motion to create quite a noise with the coins rattling around inside the cup.  Notice the whole group of people almost intentionally looking away.  I love how the guy in the wheel chair is staring intently at the crowd.  He certainly doesn't want to miss an opportunity for eye contact.  Unfortunately, my regret is that I didn't spend some time to hear his story.  It didn't really dawn on me at the time of the picture.  I was caught up in trying to find the next picture and I missed a huge opportunity.  But after seeing the image on the computer, it makes me want to find him next time I am in town.  I hope that is soon...

lima peru - june 2011

Finally got inspired to post the street photos from Lima, Peru.  My El Rebano de Jesus orphanage photos will be posted next on my main blog.


Wanted to take a set of photos that represented the lives that people live every day in Lima, Peru.  To me this is the essence of why I got into street photography.  Most of all, I want photos that will remind me of the experience happening all around me during my short stays in various cities.  Here is what I saw...

just passing by...

just standing by...

adios...

what do you think...

orange juice stand...

prep work...

separated...

walking the line...

finished...

maybe he doesn't see me...

no mail for you...

a proud mother...

this is how i roll...

feline on the roof...

gotta go...

putting down roots...

the square...

in his own world...

catching up...

more catching up...

snacks (or pictures) for sale...

policing the area...

hold on one minute...

the salesman...

a clean sweep...

what up amigo...

walking into the frame...

facing the mountains...

are you taking my picture...

a distant love...

never too busy to smile...

no smiles on this side of the street...

they want you to wash the windows...

a happiness that can't be explained...

at least I have hair on the sides...

friends...