Nikon Z8, 180-600mm at 600mm, 1/15th of a second, handheld. The real question was how long before the mosquitoes found us and what flavor of ice cream we would have after the deed was done. Moonrise at 8:21 PM. What must it have been like in that lobster boat? Each day, an attempt is made to make something usable. For what? Don’t know yet. Just get out there and make it. Five minutes, fifteen, or the rare hour to let it fly. The days tick by so rapidly.
Waking up, I look at my watch and feel the lean of the day moving forward without me.
“If I had to choose between being Italian or French, I wouldn’t,” the boy said as he walked with friends in downtown Portland. “It came with some frilly stuff and a dildo,” one woman said to another as they passed in the opposite direction. Caught in the middle, I do what I always do: listen. The world around us is filled with tells. Hints and dropped messages are just waiting for us to consume if we give them a chance. I may or may not have stopped my Brompton in front of Walker’s Point, the Bush compound here in Maine. Four college-age people were standing there discussing history, politics, and the world at large. I’m fairly certain it’s safe to say we are completely doomed. I would classify their conversation as a fascinating blend of ignorance, laziness, and social media journalism. Bush 43 was in office from 2001-2009, but this might as well have been 1801-1809. I did little more than listen and wonder how we got here.
On a positive note, the beach is awash in books.
Real, paper, sandy books. Young and old sit broiling for the burn while turning pages. One woman had a lounger with a hole cut into the back, allowing her to be facedown and still read her book. These are my people. This is the kind of ingenuity I admire. Peeling, flame-red shoulders, thousands of bad tattoos, and books. Summer in America. Oh, and lobster at $55 a pound. (Inflation is up, gas is up, cost of goods is up, rent is up, room rates are up, and the vibe brought by private equity is down.)
Earlier in the day, I decided to attempt to shoot the moonrise. Making this decision meant it haunted me for the rest of the day leading up to the rise. I previsualized. Where to go, what it would look like. I triple checked the time. I made sure my kit was right. And then I waited. There were three of us. Headlights from another car lit the stones in the foreground. A friend slapped a mosquito on his leg. The smell from a dead gull wafted by. And then the great beast emerged, crimson red on the horizon line. Thankfully, the Earth is flat, which made this so easy to see. I know because I asked the college kids I mentioned above. The moon rises at impressive speed. The camera both heightens the moment and detracts from it, something I am well accustomed to.
Across from the restaurant, in a small urban park, a young addict fretted over her belongings. She shuttled the pile from one side to the other. She showed signs of those new to the street. Her hairstyle, clothing and overall fit appearance showed signs of upbringing, sophistication, and privledge, but Fenty doesn’t care what you got on your SAT. Fenty wants your soul. It doesn’t take much to go from here to there. One bad hand to Teddy KGB and someone comes to break your thumb.
Years ago, it felt like the future was somewhat predictable. Now, not so much.
Comments 15
I like that idea of showing layouts depending the picture you have taken.
Author
It’s a fun habit, and a learning experience. Even these quick, ten-minute layouts. Keeps the focus.
“The world around us is filled with tells. Hints and dropped messages are just waiting for us to consume if we give them a chance.” One of my favorite social media streams is Brian Koppelman’s (The Computer on The Bear, and screenwriter (Rounders (speaking tells), Runner Runner, etc.) and he often will post the discussions/dialogue he hears while walking on the streets of NYC. Snippets of conversations that inform his craft. The voice, the inflection, the “ruffles and dildos” part… all help him be a better writer. I stood for 15 minutes in front of a colorful wall on the Asbury Park boardwalk, just listening to those snippets that floated past me as people walked/jogged/cycled/skateboarded past me. Things, out in the world, embed them into us, and make us view said world differently. We just need to be open them.
Author
I don’t listen to music when I run or ride. And I rarely do when I’m out in the world. I LOVE listening. I journal more when I travel, and much of what I do is based on what’s happening around me. For me, it’s just about finding this entertaining, but it also gives me a lot of ideas. Love Rounders.
Danielsan, I don’t know why; but when I saw your images – I thought of “Bad Moon Rising” by CCR. Every generation says the same things, But, it did seem like simpler times.
Author
Love that song, band, and era.
Between French and Italian, I would choose to be Italian. Those people invented the sprezzatura, for god’s sake!!
Your posts are like shots of fine espresso — always stimulating, sometimes dark and with a fine hint of bitterness. I overheard a college-aged guy tell his friend that he believes in space. As in outer space. They were discussing the moon landing, so many commonly accepted facts were being debated. That was one for my journal. Great to see your process and your work, too, as usual. As far as French vs. Italian, I’d have to quote Jean Cocteau who said the French are just Italians in a bad mood … so viva Italia. And espresso.
Author
Great quote. And yes, math, science, truth, fact, all disputable now. Science should be until proven, but not the laziness and egos have turned on themselves.
Italian, definitely. And loved the Jean Cocteau quote, Tim Roessler…
Author
I want to be both. Even months, French. Odd, Italian.
“He beat me fair and square-pay the man his money!” Classic!!
Author
Such an acting masterclass.
Thankfully I don’t have to choose – Im also 25% Italian, though my Italian in virtually non-existent. 🙂 And by the way , I love the spread with the sun and white text above it. Minimal and simple. Less Is More.
Author
I like that one too. And 25% Italian is great in my book.