Photo of the Day

Untitled
Originally uploaded by Zanalee

A very tiny world captured with my camera phone macro lens this weekend in The Central Park Conservancy.

Facts about me through my favorite questionaires

I've always enjoyed the questionnaire by French Journalist Bernard Pivot used by James Lipton on "The Actors Studio" so I will start with that one.

1. What is your favorite word? Create
2. What is your least favorite? Closed
3. What turns you on creatively, spiritually or emotionally? Natural light. In terms of photography, natural light light tells a story that anyone can appreciate. Before electricity was invented, the only source of light was the sun, the moon, candles and fire. Studio light which has it's on unique emotion began as an imitation of natural light. But the fact that light creates and reflects emotions is endlessly fascinating to me.
4. What turns you off creatively, spiritually or emotionally? People who think that what they know about something, their limited expertise which must always be limited because all knowledge is limited, is the same for everyone even people they don't know. It really pisses me off and to me it's something a lot of people do when they are fearful of what they don't know. They pretend they already know so they don't need to learn anymore, just tell everyone else what they think is necessary.
5. What sound or noise do you love? The sound of the ocean or any water falling like the rain
6. What sound or noise do you hate? The sound of a DVD menu playing over and over again.
7. What is your favorite curse word?Fuck
8. What profession other than your own would you like to attempt? I don't currently have a profession but when I do it will be a cross between writer/photographer/designer
9. What profession would you not like to do? Anything having to do with being part of or the head of a corporation.
10. If Heaven exists, what would you like to hear God say when you arrive at the Pearly Gates? Remember me?

Next Questionnaire: Vanity Fair

Swimmer in training

Marcus Garvey Park Pool ducks
Originally uploaded by Zanalee
Every summer the public park across the street from me has adult lap pol swimming in the evening. I've been going on and off just about every summer for the last two or three years usually at the prompting of good friend of mine who lives a few minutes away as well.

Yesterday, a guy who works there at the park pool, was kind enough to give me my first real swimming lesson ever. He taught me just how my arms and hands should go over my head, a little bit about how to breath and also how to kick my legs. These are things that I've gathered in snatches over the years from several other people, friends and family but never really understood until now.

Until now, I've only done a clever imitation of swimming. But now that I understand the form better, I can feel just how much of a work out it really is. Your entire body has to be in motion and in coordination. There's a lot of balance to it. I really like it. Plus which, I sleep so well after a swim, it's wonderful. It's like an instant sedative. I'm a light sleeper and sometimes it takes me a while to get there but after a swim, I usually hit the pillow and barely move until the morning.

Feed Me Ocean

I don't know how I've gone so long without going to the ocean. As a girl, a vacation meant we were going to the ocean.Coney Island, Florida, Trinidad, Barbados....ocean. Period. I need it. I need to be in water. I need to hear waves. I need to dissolve in ocean water.

This weekend I went to Coney Island after not having visited since I was a little girl. As a Brooklyn native, Coney Island was a ritual we attended every summer. but it got really bad in the 80s, ruined by overcrowding, litter,drug and crime. Plus which, after going to oceans in the Caribbean I was spoiled forever by warm, crystal clear water and couldn't even imagine how any New York Beach could compare. Longbeach is not bad though. A friend took me there a a year our so ago and enjoyed it very much once I got over the shock of having to pay to get in. That took me a minute. Coney Island is still free and it's amazing! I was totally thrilled looking at at the rides you see as soon as you come across the street from Coney Island station. It's just so classic! And on the boardwalk the dancers were out and the music was vibrating under my feet and everyone was just having such a great time! I totally got sucked into watching the dancers for a bit before walking further down and then onto the beach which was not at all crowded. I got there pretty late in the afternoon(after 4:00)on purpose. It's amazing, the moment the pulsing music on the boardwalk fades out and the soft sound of the ocean surf takes over. It's a sound I could listen to just all day, all week.

The water was cold but perfect because it was pretty hot but not humid and with a wonderful breeze and the sound of seagulls. I walked along the beach for bit with my feet in the water watching kids and people bathing and laughing and crying. I always want to walk out on the wooden peg dividers but I didn't because I know it's dangerous. Everything about the ocean draws me in and hypnotizes me into forgetting about safety. I have to be careful of that. That and learn how to swim. LOL!!

Photo of the Day

More real than real
Originally uploaded by Zanalee

This weekend I went to my dad's place for dinner and also so that he could explain how to use his Hassleblad medium format film camera which he has kindly lent me for a bit.

I have to say, i really love listening to my dad talk about photography. I like hearing about how he first caught the bug, when he was serving in Vietnam of all places. But then Vietnam is just as good a place as any to get bit by the photography bug, especially at that time.

He said that at that time cameras were just beginning to be made with built in light meters and this was a huge thing at the time since previous cameras required an external meter to take light readings of any subject. It was a new trend just like anything else. So many of the men in his company were getting them so her got one too. He said that he remembered taking a picture of a helicopter taking off once. When you look at a helicopter the propeller is spinning so fast that all anyone ever sees is a blur, but apparently he had taken the photo with a film speed that captured the blades individually, almost as if it were standing still. It may sound like a simple thing now but it was enough for him. He wanted to know more.

My story is different and I'll save it for another time. Besides, in addition to the incredible wonder of this Hassleblad, I think my photo bug story is still evolving.

Happy 4th Everyone!