Life on the Farm

I've lived, worked and traveled in many rural communities around the world but none like I experienced in a small community in the mountains of Puerto Rico over the New Year holiday. Colorful, hospitable, earthy. And oh full of belly-rolling laughs and silly songs of joy.

There were many contrasts. Rugged, thick jungles amid the hils on an island with beautiful beaches; a rural community nearly living off everything local from tropical fruits to free range chickens in the outback of an island ringed with modern shops and technology; retirees living within often meagre means while boisterous youth zip about in souped up cars.

For sure the culture is intact and I spent my days shooting little and learning more about the land than recording it. And trying to understand how a thriving agrarian community went belly up, severing families, traditions and family land plots for reasons that to me only seem related to politics and policy. But there is much to learn and in the coming years I will add to my imagery and understanding.

My story is about chickens, though. Ironic that within an American territory chicken fighting is legal. I'll make no social commentary but stand only to observe.



Prepping for a win: Sacks keep shaved legs warm at night.


Now retired, Sammy's fighter lives a good life.


The training room with unsuspecting hens grazing.


The day's work done, men play dominoes in the drive.

It all would have been a mystery to me had it not been for the gracious hospitality of my hosts. My appreciation and heartfelt thanks goes out to all those who exerted such kindness to me. I look forward to new traditions of late night music and morning fresh picked orange juice!

Thanks for reading.

iw

Seguarro

Tired from work but fresh from the desert air, I spent the afternoon reflecting and finding peace among the cacti in Coronado National Forest near Tucson.

Wyoming

I figure I'm about a month behind in my posts. With the holidays and an abundance of work to do, it is finally now, on the eve of my departure to Puerto Rico that I can hold back no more and share some visual while on assignment last month in Northern Wyoming.

I spent about a day driving around the countryside, wanting to stop at every turn. Even in the quiet cold of an outback farm country road there are Saturday afternoon lessons to be learned and stories to be told.

Thanks for stopping by.

iw

Holiday Fever

A recent PR shoot in Washington, DC, involved capturing imagery that documents shoppers filling their virtual shopping carts with fuel for the economy. Was it the food, free internet access or the freebies flowing as loosely as cola syrup through the soda fountains? On a slow news day it was a boom for local TV.



The photo below illustrates, however much inadvertently perhaps, that sex indeed sells. Ok, a bad attempt at visual humor. I don't think the news cameras were focused on the screen.




This restaurant clearly has no policy on eating your lunch on your keyboard. Hooray for shopping!!



iw

On August 28, 2008

I got a nice letter from Iowa Gov. Chet Culver the other day. While he wrote kind words of thanks for some photos I sent to him, his letter was a fine reminder for me to mention in this medium the night I was there to watch – and photograph – Barack Obama accept his party’s nomination. Cliché to say, but it was an historic moment and one I will always remember for reasons one might not have thought.

I was present at Invesco Field that afternoon on a commission to produce a corporate marketing piece for a sponsor at the Democratic National Convention.



It began as a rather unassuming night for me. As the sun set, when Sheryl Crow came and went, the rumors that The Boss would show finally dissipated and Stevie hosted us to his melodic sway, I settled in with the Iowa delegation of which Culver and his wife were a part.



By the time Barack Obama walked out onto the stage I became aware I was to play witness to history and that my position was quite unique among the Iowa delegates (who had adopted me at that point) along with 75,000 democrats swept up in a wave of patriotic love. And then there was me, my bald head shining bright to the aerial cam that kept sweeping over the crowd.

People often say time stands still in moments like those and there isn’t any other way to put it. His speech was as fast as a blink. I am always sure to back away from my camera’s eyepiece; to see with my own eyes and hear not just the frames increment but to take in a moment with all its incredibility.



And this time I heard not so much the powerful assurances of a destined leader nor saw just the resolute intent on his face. I heard the chorus of the masses celebrating change in a new era of togetherness. I saw human diversity united. I saw disparate voices singing the same song. I understood that the right leadership can in fact do good to reduce the barriers of progress in our complex world and remind everybody that sometimes a milestone as simple as a racial barrier shattered can serve to remind everybody that we are in fact all working for the same thing.

Just a little goodness.



And for the millions and millions that saw that moment, all was washed away but for the simple congratulations to one man for making it to the top. I’m so proud of humanity.

For a brief evening, there was hope in the world.

My PR Machine Cranks up to Full Speed!

While on a photo shoot in rural Wyoming on Monday my portrait of a group of small business owners was the news of the day in the small town of Powell (pop. 5000). Many thanks to Don Amend of the Powell Tribune for making it all happen. Even in small towns they'll do anything to get the shot. Don climbed a rickety -- and frozen -- ladder in the back of the store across the street to get the shot.

Oh, and in case you need to be hand held, yes, that is me on top of yet another rental car.

Foto Week DC

I was grateful to the Washington, DC, arts community last night for the honor of being named among other professionals during a celebration and photo competition finale at an event at the National Geographic Society.

I received an honorable mention for an image I shot in Wells, ME, in the wedding category. My work along with 70 other finalists and students in several categories were featured in several venues from more than 5000 entries. Congrats to all for a job well done.

See the Channel 9 Feature.

Visit FotoWeekDC.

The evening capped a week of festivities all over town that was very well organized and publicized. From a top-notch exhibit in Georgetown to projected images on buildings all over town, the community rallied with the support of many photo-related busineses and associations. It seems the week was a success overall and I look forward to participating in next year's event.

iw