A Monumental Occupation?
Last night, “delegates” from various Occupy protests around the country met in Washington D.C. for the first time. Occupy DC gained some occupiers from LA, Miami, Chicago, Minneapolis (and Duluth!), Wall Street, Houston, Portland and a host of other cities in preparation for today’s “day of action.”
I had too much action of my own going on to partake in today’s activities, but I did attend the “first General Assembly of the Nation of Occupy” last night at the Washington Monument. As I walked away, I couldn’t help but wonder if it was an event that will have significant meaning ten or twenty years from now, or if it was just a gathering of young people, airing their collective grievances to the dark, rain-soaked grounds that surrounded them.
Love it or Leave it, John…
A few weeks ago my friend John and I enjoyed everyone’s favorite Scientologist, Tom Cruise, in his Oscar nominated roll as Ron Kovic in Born on the Fourth of July. At one point in the film Cruise says, “Love it or leave it, that’s what I think!” And that was that. Since that moment, this phrase has been used almost ad nauseam in our everyday conversation.
“I’m headin’ to school, JP.”
“Love it or leave it, Dave.”
“Lets go play some tennis.”
“Love it or leave it, John.”
“Internet just shit the bed on us.”
“Love it or leave it.”
It was no surprise then, that the phrase was on repeat in my head as I made my way through the Occupy DC crowd yesterday at Freedom Plaza in downtown DC. As most of you know, this “movement” of sorts got its start a few weeks ago on Wall Street. The Occupy Wall Streeters have stayed the course, so to speak, and have been rewarded with unions joining and other “occupations” sprouting up across the country, including in Minneapolis and San Francisco. This blog is for photos and not politics, so think what you will. Side note for my fellow photogs: everything was shot at f8 or higher, about 4 stops out of my comfort zone. Necessary for growth, I suppose, but a bokeh-less protest could be argued as un-American. Love it or leave it.
Oh, to be a Carny
I recently shot the Taste of Reston festival with fellow-tog, Stephanie Bragg (thanks again).
There was ungodly amounts of delicious food and plenty of cold beereverages, some live music too. Most importantly though, the town splurged and hooked itself up with a carnival.
Carnivals are different from theme parks in that they travel, are much smaller in scale and have incredibly obvious names for rides (see photo #4). I find carnivals to be greasy and colorful and old and fantastic. Now, the title of this post is a bit deceiving. I do not wish to actually be a carny. I would, however, like to spend some quality time hanging out with and taking photos of this interesting breed. Future photo essay in development mode. Until then, here are some favorites from my hour at the Reston Carnival. Have a great July 4th weekend, everybody. Stay safe, drink booze and yell “America” a lot.
Not Always Puppy Dogs and Ice Cream…
Naturally, guy was all smiles. Beer in one hand, cigarette in the other. America.
Bob.
Yesterday was Father’s Day, a day when sons and daughters take their dads to the ball game, have a nice cookout in the backyard and give cards and gifts expressing their appreciation for all that dad’s do. I couldn’t be with my dad this father’s day weekend, but I want him to know that I, too, appreciate all he’s done and continues to do for me, the strange middle son.
It’s not easy to describe my dad, which I think is a great quality in and of itself. He’s quiet, witty, generally impatient, annoyingly intelligent and incredibly kind. He gives and gives and takes nothing in return. He answers the puzzles on “Wheel of Fortune” way too early. He stuffs his pockets full of dog treats so that all the puppy friends along Gardenview Drive can enjoy a treat with our dogs. While driving to church, he’ll curse under his breath at the woman who’s driving too slow. He sacrifices his time, his health and his sanity on a daily basis, continuing to put off retirement so that his family can travel to places like Italy. He leaves notes on the kitchen counter every morning, letting my mom know which dogs pooped and that he loves her.
Like most times in my life, I’m a day late (and always a dollar short). But I wanted to share some photos of my mom and dad and my brother John and his girlfriend, Jess, from our trip for this Father’s Day because I know that buildings and light and shadows and Gondola Guys are cool and serve as great reminders of things seen during a trip, but what’s really important is who you saw it with. I’m so lucky to be a part of my family and so thankful for their support. Love you, Dad.
Il Nostro Appartamento A Firenze
The first is a panorama of our view from the apartment/condo that we’re staying in for the next several days. Click on the picture, then click on it again to make it full-size…and then straight duomo shot! Ciao.
Jack’s Boathouse
Life is good at Jack’s Boathouse in Georgetown. My buddy John and I thought we’d pay a visit to our favorite kayaking joint and it’s owner, Paul Simkin. Paul’s an instructor at CDIA, but in his spare time he runs one of the most popular summer spots in town. Wish there were more afternoons like this one. (My apologies to JP for basically stealing his shot.)
Get more info on Jack’s Boathouse here
Off on a bit of an adventure today…should be molto bene.
Death of Bin Laden, DC Gathers at White House
I parked on the corner of 17th and New York, mine being the only car on the block. As I lit my cigarette I noticed a steady stream of college students from GW and Georgetown, draped in flags, sprinting through the empty streets. I hadn’t anticipated this, but I had timed it right. I weaved my way to the front gate. The “USA” chants were already resonating throughout Lafayette Square but at that point I could still raise my elbows. A hundred people, maybe two. Three hours later, in the dead of night, reds and whites and blues waved as far as my eye could see. Thousands. I found myself caught up in the moment, joining in on an emotional rendition of our National Anthem. I didn’t know anyone killed in the 9/11 attacks but they were Americans, like I am, with mothers and fathers and brothers and sisters, like I have. I’d like to believe that the joy we saw last night stemmed not so much from the death of an evil man but from the hope we all share that those families might now experience some kind of closure. It was quite a night.
I Am the Southwest Chief
Ok, not really. But I did take a ride on Amtrak’s “Southwest Chief,” a sprawling, crawling, smooth ass journey from Chicago to LA via Iowa, Missouri, Kansas, Colorado, New Mexico and Arizona. For the first time in my life, a genuine “all aboard” was announced and I got on a train. Couldn’t help the stupid grin on my face as we pulled out of DC’s Union Station, destined for Chicago’s. It was Monday afternoon and I was scheduled to arrive in Vegas some 60+ hours later. Awesome.
I spent most of Monday night blowing my nose, throat all sore. Not a good start. I was popping Vitamin C drops like they were Mike & Ikes. It got dark in a hurry. I kept thinking that I should be taking pictures but I wasn’t settled in. Too self-conscious. Too eager to blend in, not be a distraction. Then the two guys behind me got drunk, then they got more drunk. Then they got into a fist fight with the Conductor and Assistant Conductor. C&AC won by decision. Then they calmed down. Then the train stopped and they went to jail. Then it was morning.
I have several mini-stories I feel like telling but I have to remind myself that this is a photoblog and I’m supposed to be a photographer, letting my photos tell the stories for me. Ohh well.
The sun came up again in Kansas, went down in Arizona. The people were so normal and so fantastic, each with their own destinations, their own uniquely boring stories. I spent hours looking out windows, snapping hundreds of banal landscapes that no one will ever see, eavesdropping on conversations about nothing.
Stupid grin on my face.
Vivian Meier
I don’t typically post links on this blog but this is just plain interesting. Vivian Meier was a Chicago street photographer from the 1950s whose work was recently “discovered” and purchased. Over 100,000 medium format negatives, and still undeveloped film remains. To this guy’s eye, John Maloof, the man who purchased this work at a furniture and antique auction, did us all a favor. I love seeing what life was like 50-60 years ago. Just cool, interesting.
Check out John Maloof’s blog about his experience, the pending documentary and the images themselves HERE
Images are © John Maloof or Vivian Meier or whoever. Not mine!
Just Walkin’ About
CDIA had what is now known as a “Photo Walkabout” this past Saturday. Premise is simple: meet at the school, pick a random intersection somewhere in DC, go to said intersection and roam around a two block radius for a couple hours and see what happens. I like to refer to it as “walking until something’s interesting.” I found the following things interesting. Those who know me know I love black and white, which explains why these are in black and white. So without further ado, black and white interestingness.
Ginuwine Good Time
This past Saturday night I had the opportunity to work with Dannia Hakki of Moki Media once again to photograph a party at Eden, one of the hottest night spots in DC. The party was poppin’, the dance moves were crazy and they couldn’t even blame it on the a-a-a-a-a-alcohol. R&B star Ginuwine and his wife, hip hop artist Solé, hosted the event in honor of their daughter Cypress’ 16th birthday.
As you’ll see, they have a beautiful family and the event was a huge success. In lieu of gifts, Cypress asked the party-goers to make donations to the Somaly Mam Foundation, a nonprofit charity committed to ending modern day slavery and human trafficking in North America and around the world. The party raised over $2,000. In a time when sweet sixteen parties are ruined because the Escalade is the wrong color or the Gucci Couture Chanel Coach Prada handbag is the wrong size, Cypress asked that money be donated to help those less fortunate. Not that I count for anything, but I was very impressed. And they had cupcakes…so, you know…boom.
Paul Wharton, the local DC fashion guru and television personality stopped by too. It was a great night with fun people and Ginuwine even had a bit of a dance competition…Success!
All photos ©2011 David Phillipich
Mark II
Happy New Year! I got a 5D Mark Deuce for Christmas (though it didn’t arrive until Tuesday). This is the 3rd image I shot with it, just about two hours ago. The first two shutter clicks were to verify proper functionality. She works…ohh, she works.
No excuses, DP. Unleash the dragon.
Over a Year…
I made my first ever blog post a little over a year ago, so to celebrate, here’s one of my all-time favorites. I shot this one year ago today, somewhere on the road between Minneapolis and DC. The sun was getting ready to rise. I was loving life.
Just want to say thanks to my parents for their unflinching support. I wouldn’t be where I am, who I am, pursuing this, if it weren’t for you. Love you both.
(And to the billions of adoring fans from around the world who stop by on a daily basis, y’all are awesome too.)
The Girl with Many Faces.
Being home for Thanksgiving meant quality time with family and friends and the best three-day food event of the year. Ham and cheesy potato dreams Wednesday night, Thanksgiving Thursday brought turkey and stuffing and mashed potatoes and corn and fat juic…err, gravy and rolls and awesome raspberry whip cream jello-y salad(?!) and canned cranberries because that’s the way we like ‘em and pumpkin pie and french silk pie…and all of that again about 5 or 6 hours later. The festivities concluded on Friday with Bob’s “the legend” lasagna. Made twice a year, talked about year ’round.
Now I’m eating raisins. Being home was nice.
My little niece is awesome. Y2GG had her first Thanksgiving experience at the Phillipich house and me thinks it was a memorable one…for us. I give you, “the many faces of Genevieve Grace on Thanksgiving Day, 2010.”
Lunch Break at CDIA
Sometimes it’s nice to just put your feet up over lunch…especially when Photoshop is the flavored module of the week.
Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert Rally in DC
When I heard that Jon and Stephen were going to be in town I knew I had to be there. I’ve been a fan of both for many years, particularly the satire offered up by S.C. He plays the part of angered conservative cable TV talk show host perfectly and relentlessly, and proved it once again during their “Rally to Restore Sanity and/or Fear,” held today on the National Mall. Only Stephen could interrupt the artist formerly known as Cat Stevens in the middle of performing his hippie ballad “Peace Train” in front of what was, according to Stewart, some 10 million people, all whilst sporting blue pants covered with white stars and a denim shirt with a black leather bomber jacket/accent piece. Call your kids, call your wife, because that’s amazing. Then again, Stewart interrupted Ozzy Osbourne mid-Crazy Train. You just can’t make this kind of stuff up, only they did.
It was essentially a glorified variety show, complete with continuous comedy and musical acts like John Legend and The Roots, Jeff Tweedy of Wilco, Yusuf (the artist formerly known as Cat Stevens), Ozzy Osbourne, Kid Rock, Sheryl Crow and Tony Bennett. There were also a number of special guests that dropped by, perhaps highlighted by Kareem Abdul Jabbar and R2D2, examples proving that not all Muslims and robots are to be feared. And oh, the signs!
I got there early to meet my friend and fellow TA, John Pellett. Disgusted with our partially-blocked view despite being up front and on the rail, we set out to find a way into the hallowed “friends and family VIP side” of the stage. When all was apparently lost, a young lady meandered toward the two of us with a twinkle in her eye. Seconds later I was reaching over the railing, fingers stretched toward two “special guest” tickets. Bing. Bang. Bong.
Cigar Guy
For those of you who have not seen it, photographer Mark Pain of the Daily Mail was setting up to take a photo of Tiger Woods at this past weekend’s Ryder Cup in Wales. Woods, typical of his recent play, shanked a chip shot and Pain managed to get the shutter pressed just before Tiger’s ball hit his camera. It really is one of the most phenomenal sports photographs ever. Talk about capturing a moment.
Photo by Mark Pain
But as cool as this moment may be, the world couldn’t help but notice a certain cigar-wielding aficionado with one of the sweetest faux-staches ever captured. Who is this man? Why is he wearing a turban? (It’s actually a wig.) Watch the video.
Just like BP’s control room a few months ago, photoshoppers from around the world have taken a liking to “Cigar Guy” and have helped him to “photo bomb” other famous images. I couldn’t resist. Here are some quick attempts…
Tim & Sarah
Tim McCaffrey has been one of my best friends for many years now. He’s an absolute rock solid guy and we’ve shared countless memories (blurry as some of them may be). Needless to say, it was a thrill to return to Madison and spend a day with him and Sarah, his wonderful bride-to-be. They both have their faults (Timmy went to Bloomington Jefferson and Sarah’s a Packer fan) but I love them and can’t wait to be a part of their wedding in 2011!
Check out one of the happiest couples I know…
(and remember, click the horizontals to see them full size!)
A Birthday Brunch for Kathy
Thanks to the never-ending financial support of my dad, I was able to surprise my mom for her 60th birthday. There’s no denying that the older I get the more important family becomes, and with a new addition set to arrive in October (see the pregger sister-in-law below), any time with the loved ones is time well spent (little brother being the natural exception – see below). It was a great morning, and the absence of restaurant staff clapping along to wretched birthday songs made it beautiful.
Love you, Mom.
Baltimore Harbor
Found myself in Baltimore yesterday with about an hour of free time before assisting on an engagement shoot with Moshe Zusman, one of DC’s premiere engagement and wedding photographers. Baltimore has a really great old-time feel; lots of brick, cobblestone and I even spotted a pirate ship rolling through the harbor. This is a quick shot I took and the treatment is a representation of how the scene “felt” to me. Happy hump day, y’all.
Affirmation, Continued…
Here’s the short film, “Affirmation,” by Chris Alvanas.
Chris Alvanas’ Affirmation
Over the course of the past month and change, Chris Alvanas, the Director of Photography at the Georgetown campus of BU-CDIA, has been working with a team of students and instructors to create “Affirmation,” a short film shot entirely with the new Nikon D3S. If there are any extremely wealthy blog followers out there who haven’t bought a Christmas or birthday present for me in the past 15 years – go ahead and ship one my way. What a camera!
It was great to be “on set” collaborating with the cast and crew; choosing lighting set-ups, shot types, scouting locations…very cool and a relatively new experience for nearly everyone involved. My buddy Erik and I did our best with the lighting (looking forward to my “grip” credit) but again, it really was a concentrated, collective effort. The “premier” screening will be taking place this Friday, July 23, at CDIA in Georgetown. I’ll be sure to post the link as soon as the film is available to view online. These things take time, people!
The following are a few stills from the set.
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