Marquette Interchange Construction Project

These images were taken on April 6th, 2008. There are galleries of 2006 and 2007 images on this page of my website.
Enjoy!


The Marquette Interchange Construction Project is an ongoing photographic opportunity. I started photographing around the job site soon after the demolition of the Court House Annex had commenced.


One reason to chronicle this project was the complexity of rebuilding the Marquette Interchange – and photographing the old while being replaced by the new. Another reason is the plethora of detail and abstract opportunities to photograph – from wide-angle views of towering piers and roadway to close up views of materials and workers.


I feel the historical value of these images, are well worth my while to chronicle. Their fine art value will be determined in the years to come. I am compiling a collection of individual pieces and triptychs – photo books and montages will soon be offered.

Tears of Joy …

Passion is... “a thing arousing enthusiasm”.
Some say they have a passion for photography.
I say… they’re missing the point.
Passion lies before us, in the people we meet and the things we see.
Life... is a passion consisting of our experiences.

I have photographed many weddings over the years.
There was a grandfather of the Bride present at one of these occasions.
It was quite apparent that he was much loved by his family and all those who knew him.
He was a widower and riddled with arthritis, cataracts and many other maladies that aging presents.
People were very supportive of him, as I’m sure he was to others during his lifetime.

His violin was brought out to him after dinner.
The room was hushed while he played, save for the wait staff clearing the tables.
Even that was muffled by the melodies that filled the room.
I told him later that I enjoyed his music and asked him how he was able to play so beautifully.
He replied that when he played his violin, all his pains and sadness disappeared during those moments.

I took photographs of him and some of the family members while he was playing his violin. It wasn’t because of my passion for photography - it was because of my passion for the moment and all it represented. Those are very precious images in the Bride’s album.

Unfortunately, I no longer have those (film) images to share with you here.
They are however forever etched in my memory to be recalled when something reminds me of that occasion.

The image above is of a higher calling - a scattered shower over Lake Michigan - perhaps "Tears of Joy".

Identity project…

Identity is our sensory perception of a physical awareness and the resulting transfer to one’s memory. These are retained as mind pictures to be recalled, sometimes unexpectedly and other times as aroused by current phenomenon. The intent here is to explore quiet introspection, by engaging reflective contemplation. These portraits need not to be considered a collection of pretty or sensual images, but as a means to tap awareness thoughts. The journey starts with the image and a tag line—it continues from that point as visual poetry.

Solitude

Likewise, these portraits are identities unto themselves—a distinct individual who thinks, feels and who have human experiences to share. Studio portraiture and controlled lighting is preferred, where the model may be just one’s self or acting out a role. Encouragement and rapport is established—to overcome the artificiality of posing in front of the camera. These images are created in an emotive and poetic manner, and are directed to portray a variety of feelings, behavior and experiences.

It takes a little effort

The original digital images are rendered in Photoshop® and layered with a texture and other objects in a unifying manner, then finished with a stylized vignette. Some are rendered in black and white; others are toned and reveal hints of muted color. Both chromogenic prints and pigmented ink prints are offered.

Ripple Effect

Well, here we go. Just getting started to see where this takes me. This is an image from my "Identity" project. 

This and several other images will be displayed, along with the images from 70 other member's, at the CoPA annual members show during Spring Gallery Night. The event is taking place on Friday, April 18th and Saturday, April 19th on the second floor of the P & H Dye building at 320 E Buffalo Street. Gallery Night is presented by Milwaukee's Historic Third Ward and the East Town Association.