Continuing with the gifts we are offered theme, today I met Kuku - and he was amazing.

It is funny, when I was taking a break and doing my usual walk through the metro to look for buskers, I almost decided to not return with my camera. After all, here was a stranger that I had not talked to and I was not sure if he would be amicable to me taking his picture. But the words Craig stated in one of his more recent pod casts "I am a photographer and I am going to be kicking my self later if I don't do what I came here for and that is to take pictures" rang in my ears. This motivated me to go back to my desk and grab my camera and man I am glad I did.

Kuku is an amazing person and his music and vocals were equally amazing. He is another gift that I want to make sure I continue to follow and see what I can learn from him. When I thanked him for letting me photograph him, he said "Thank you, for honoring me, by letting me be the subject of your lens".

You can here a little sound bite of his music over on my photo blog or check him out at his web site: www.kukulive.com.

Cheers,

I met Donnie a couple of months ago. There is a long back story behind our relationship, which is more focused around my struggles with my fears then his so that is a story that I won't bore people with.

Donnie along with his brother Harold are among the many homeless people that live behind the scenes in our area. Fortunately for Donnie, there are many kind people that actually care and have been doing everything they can to feed and find homes for people and families that are less fortunate.

I have been thinking about him (and others that I have met) a lot lately. I don't clam to understand the how's or why's of peoples situations but I sure would like to be able to find them help.

Kind Regards.

Having discovered the opportunity to shoot street musicians in the metro, I have struck out on a daily quest to document the players that perform in the metro close to work. I am totally excited about how open these musicians have been to being photographed and getting to know them personally.

This photo is of Raycurt Johnson aka "Fiddla" he is a pretty amazing violinist and he entertains the locals several days a week in the warmer months. Raycurt was the first musician that I had approached here and as it turns out he has been an activist for the rights of musicians to be able to play on the street in the D.C. area.

Cheers!

Wow - I can't believe how long it has been since I published anything here. I know I have been doing quite a bit of shooting but I guess I have just been ruminating about direction and in particular the look I want with a finished image. Fortunately, I have been able to talk to many people for advise and support in regard to style and what to me is subjectively exciting, which has given me a gentle nudge in one direction. (Many thanks Glenn for your input.)

This image is of Calvin performing in Crystal City - one of the many talented musicians who choose to practice in public. I have been practicing a lot lately and hope to be able to follow suit some time soon.

Cheers!

This Saturday I was fortunate to be able to join friends Don and Greg for an all day photography seminar with Tony Sweet and John Barclay. Hosted by the Baltimore Camera Club, the day turned out to be enlightening and I came away inspired. After the seminar, we headed into the inner harbor area to do some shooting.

One of the stories that John had told during the seminar related to not overlooking the "gifts" that we are offered. In his example he was talking about a scenario where he was having a hard time engaging as a photographer until he suddenly realized that he was ignoring what was right in front of him, which was amazing light and a beautiful little child (the daughter of his friend that he was photographing). Needless to say he was able to create some amazing photographs of the girl and he in turn presented the results to his friend and his wife as a gift.

To make a long story short, as we wandered along the docks of the inner harbor Don and I were attracted by beautiful music that was echoing down between the buildings. We made it down to the main street and discovered Wendall, who was playing his trumpet and entertaining the passers by. We all began photographing him as he played but for me - it was not long enough.

Looking back on the situation, I wish that I had spent the whole evening with him. His music was beautiful and his story (from what I have discovered) is rich with history. I hope to be able to return to learn more about him, his music and his mission in life. But for now I am glad that this time we did not pass up on a gift that was offered.

Cheers!