Photo by www.thesnapclap.com

Last Summer I got my hands on a Tamron 28 – 75mm 2.8 lens.  I figured I try out its limited macro capabilities at the national Botanical Gardens here in DC.  At the time I was living close to H street in north east DC and I decided to walk from my crib to the Botanical Gardens.  Needless to say I arrived at the botanical gardens 25 minutes before they closed and drenched with sweat (it was pretty hot that day.)

The Botanical gardens was pretty ill, they all types of exotic vegetation and what not, it was pretty dope.  So, I’m busy shooting flowers and plants, just getting into the zone, you know?  I’m all about the pictures.  Next thing I knew, it was closing time.  After walking all damned day, and taking pics and carrying around my camera bag, I was parched.  I headed over to Capital Brewery across form Union Station and ordered some sweet potato fries and a Capitol Kolsh beer!

As I sat at the bar, I began to look over the pictures I had taken.  So I got my camera out, I’m futzing with my camera, looking at different settings and what not, etc.  A few of the bartenders were like, “OH, you’re a photographer, lets see what you got?”  I proudly turned my camera’s screen to them and displayed the flora I had recently photographed.  One guy looked at me, looked me up and down and said, “flowers?!? All you got is FLOWERS?!?  What type of photographer are you? You just got flowers.”

Sort of like puzzled and confused, I explained to him that I had a thing for Macro photography; it was something that I wanted to explore, but I don’t think he got it.  Then I realized, I probably ruined this guy’s whole perception of like black masculinity, you know?  That day I was wearing something like, timberland boots, green camouflage army fatigues with a matching hat and do-rag and an oversized Akademks shirt or something, you know?  Basically, I was “super-black-hip-hop-stereotype-guy” that day.  I see it now from the bartender’s perspective; its like here I come strollin’ in, a big, black, bald, superblack, sweaty, hip hop guy; with pictures of flowers.  They weren’t expecting no macro shots of flowers and exotic shrubbery!  They wanted like, rappers and blunts and women with pum-pum shorts or something, you know?  

I mean, they were so disappointed, it was kinda funny.  Well, I make no apolgies for what I photograph.  I happen to like Macro photography and shooting flowers and stuff.  A black man can’t even take pictures of girly flowers in America without his masculinity being questioned!  This is an atrocity!  I’m young, gifted and black!  I tkae pictures of whatever I want to!  WHAT!!  LOL! 

I’m just playing.  But for real, they were confused.  I don’t know why; maybe it was clothing, maybe it was the subject matter?  I don’t know?  I can’t be becasue of bad pictures, becasue these pictures are awesome, right!  Well, what do you think?

photo by Marcus Woollen

Growing up in New York city there a few things that you learn and accept about your environment. You don’t realize it, but New Yorkers see the sun less then folks in other places.  Why?  You see, in New York (especially in the city), there’s always something obstructing the horizon line; a building, a stadium, a statue; something!  Oddly enough, there’s one day a year when the sun perfectly aligns with 42nd street in Manhattan, this phenomenon is call the Manhattan Equinox.  Granted, many of these structures that obstruct the horizon line are beautiful in their own respect, but sometimes you just wanna see the sun crawl down the clouds and gingerly tuck itself under the horizon line; and sneak out of view.

While in college at SUNY Albany, I became a radio DJ at my school’s radio station WCDB 90.9fm.  Albany, is located in the Hudson Valley with the Hudson river low lands on one side and hills and mountains on the other.  In addition, the campus of SUNY Albany features tall very slender; sort of obelisk-looking buildings that stand higher above almost anything in at least a three or four mile radius, maybe more.  As a result, when you peer out of the bank of long, thin, rectangular, almost ceiling to floor, windows in radio station’s master control room; you were afforded a clear unobstructed view of the horizon.

My first radio show slot was 5pm to 8pm.  It was a Jazz slot, but I wavered from the format on occasion.  One of my favorite deviations was D’Angleo’s Cruisin’ (Wet Remix).  I’d put it on just as the sun was making its final appearance for that day.  Cruisin’s extended 6 minute plus extended mix was the perfect soundtrack for a city boy’s budding love affair with the setting sun.  The radio station broadcast booth would be all aglow as the orangey red-yellow sun would mix with the blue sky into a pink purpley melange of “relaxatory” goodness when coupled with D’Angelo’s Cruisin’.  The colors would come through the narrow windows and create weird long shadows on the control surfaces of the radio station equipment, and I would kick back and chill. I imagined it was perfect music to drive home to after a long day at the office, although I was only 19 and still wet behind the ears.

After undergrad, I came back to NYC and went to law school and lived in Brooklyn and forgot all about the sun. However, one of the first things I noticed when I moved to Washington DC, (with the height restrictions on buildings and such) were the sunsets.  It was like, everyday I wish I had my camera as I left work. Finally, I knew what it was like to leave the office; amid the sunset, cruisin’.  Finally, it all made sense. After many long days at the office, I can appreciate the song, and sunsets, all the more.

Alot of folks never heard this remix, so I figured I share it, along with a photo of a New York sunset.

Life’s up and downs
Photo by CATeyes

This picture is off the hook! I mean, there are alot of great pictures that I’ve seen on Flickr, ALOT! But this one its, just, amazing. The colors, the composition; just perfect. Its sharp, its clear; this picture is perfect.

Especially considering the fact that Coney Island’s Astroland and the surrounding attractions may never be the same. Last time I checked the land at Astroland had bee sold to a private investor to be developed into an entertainment complex and condos.

Well, take a look at this photo. Imagine the first dip of the cyclone, smell the sea in the air, hear the roller coaster clanking as it rolls over the wobbly wooden supports, get a Nathan’s hot dog and say goodbye to Brooklyn. Bye.

(by the way, the track above is an “EXCLUSIVE” Crooklyn Dodgers pt3. Produced by 9th Wonder featuring Mos Def, Jean Grae and Memphis Bleak.)

Photos by www.thesnapclap.com

Apparently I ride the bus with a staunch vegetarian, and his name is Gabriel.  I noticed these signs posted on the bus stop at 21st and Rhode Island a few months ago.  They showed up for a few mornings in a row, and then stopped just as mysteriously as they started.  Perhaps the name ‘Gabriel’ references God’s messenger, the arch angel Gabriel.  Maybe this person views their message of vegetarianism with religious fervor; or even more, views vegetarianism and religion as one in the same.

While I can’t claim to be fervent about eating my veggies, theoretically speaking, I get the point.  For instance, I just read about a survey that was just conducted on young children that focused on fast food restaurant brand awareness.  Needless to say, out of about 60 some odd kids, only 2 had never eaten at Mickie-D’s. Is that what I want for my kids? Do I want them to know McDonald’s before they can read?

I know there’s a giant leap between vegetarianism and McDonald’s and all that, but honestly it’s one of the things that come to my mind; McDonald’s, hamburgers, processed foods etc.  Veggies have been supplanted by Mc-fast foods, at the expense of our health and for the benefit of schedules.  I know moderation is key and all that, but we live in a country of excess, you know? Beef, its what’s for dinner, . . and breakfast and lunch too.

So, I’ve been contemplating becoming a veggie. . . at least on a schedule.  Maybe like, one week on, one week off or something?  I know one thing; I’ll never cut out fish!  Not that I like fish so much, its just that I don’t see myself eating Not-Dogs and Morningstar patties everyday you know?  I mean, I eat ‘em; but not like everyday.  I know I’m conditioned to eat meat, i know, i know.  Honestly, as of late, I’ve been eating so much garbage I could do without meat for about a month.  I need to detoxify.  Perhaps I identify with Gabriel’s message?

Well, at any rate, just thought I’d share some interesting photos from my bus stop and help Gabriel spread the word.

Photo by www.thesnapclap.com

I noticed this sign while filling up at the gas station.

I have a love affair with macro photography, although I don’t have a macro setup. I love how macro stuff can make the most mundane thing; absolutely awesome. I just finished my morning cup of coffee, but it wasn’t nearly as cool as this.
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Photo by SaintsAsylum

I was browsing Flickr (another great time killer, although it can be inspirational for photographers) and I came across this photo. All I can say is; oh my, damn. . . . oh my damn. I am sure, that is going to hurt, in the morning FO’ SHO’!