Brad Pitt and I share the exact same birthday (month, day, year) outside of that, our stories diverge considerably. Mr. Pitt went on to become an internationally famous superstar, while I have led the much more interesting life of the starving artist. I come from a long line of storytellers (whose gift for gab stretches back through the mists of time to our native Ireland) and professional malcontents who were seemingly born to create something in the arts, be it music, writing, sculpture, painting, or photography. I started writing at age 12 with a screenplay with my cousin Ryan about a planet where everyone looked like Elton John entitled "Don't I Know You?" More screenplays followed, several of which received epic Super-8 production with budgets that sometimes ran up to $10. A few even had sound!  More writing followed: songs, poems, short stories, numerous unfinished novels, etc.. Somewhere in there was an attempt at being a rock star...
Still living at home, at age 22, my father dropped an elderly Nikromatt 35-mm film camera into my lap, in the hopes that I would "make a go of it" as a photojournalist. That didn't happen, but I did develop an abiding love of photography that along with writing and archival work have been among the chief passions of my life. When it comes to my photography, I try to be as creative as possible while at the same time striving for a documentary/archival quality. The only set rules I adhere to, when it comes to making pictures are: 1.) Try not to make the picture blurry, and 2.) Don't drop the camera.
Comments (6)
flavia49
fantastic photo
Chipka
Tusken Raiders (the Sand People) always walk in single file, to hide their numbers. Chicagoans, but since Chicagoans are not Tusken Raiders, they see no need to walk single file. That was the first thing that I noticed about this photograph...well, the first thing I noticed is that Chicago in winter doesn't resemble the fictional desert planet of Tattooine. I rather like this; I like the vanishing perspective footprints and the almost monochrome sense this has. It's clearly a photograph in color and yet Chicago in winter overrides most color functions. I guess color is more expensive in winter and, thus, used sparingly. I like that, at times and it works perfectly in this photo. THIS is Chicago in winter...forget that wonderland stuff, this is the stupendously interesting American Midwest...though admittedly, there's some interesting stuff here, but quite a bit of it is best captured on macro settings or when you're not actually looking for it. I like the starkness in this shot and the pervasive sense of gray coldness...that specific grade of Chicago Gray coldness.
durleybeachbum
I see this mostly on the beach where I live, but the stories that are suggested are similar and always set the mind working.
auntietk
My footprints in the snow would be more closely spaced than these. If I tried to step in those footieprints, I'd probably land on my behind! I do like all the stories here. Well seen!
Cyve
Great capture and beautiful work!
kgb224
Superb capture my friend. God Bless.