#OccupyCongress
I swear I’m shooting more than just the Occupiers. Really. But the Occupy Movement has social, cultural and economic undertones (and overtones), whereas most of the paid work I shoot does not.
This past Tuesday, Occupiers from across the US gathered in DC for a protest against Congress. The crowd, though relatively small (maybe a thousand), still found ways to annoy the local authorities, remain in the news and enjoy a beautiful 50 degree day in mid-January. I tagged along as they “occupied” the Rayburn Congressional Building, marched through the streets (“Whose streets? Our streets!”), back to the Capitol and eventually found their way to the White House.
Capitol Police head toward the entrance of the Rayburn Congressional Building
Protestors occupy the entrance to the Rayburn Congressional Building.
An employee inside the Rayburn Congressional Building stops to take a photo with his cell phone of the Occupiers going through security.
Communication between DC Police, Capitol Police and building security was on full display throughout the day.
A protestor dressed as a Guantanamo detainee enters the office of Maryland Congressman Elijah E. Cummings.
“I’m just his assistant.”
Capitol Police, having taken back the balcony, watch over the protest taking place outside of the Rayburn Congressional Building.
With Capitol Police looking on, a young couple celebrate the moment.
Leaving Congress, Occupiers begin their march through the city, on “their streets.”
Guy Fawkes, one of many Fawkers at the rally, leads the crowd of a thousand down Independence Avenue during the height of evening rush hour. Some good old-fashioned rasta roko.
Employees inside the Federal Aviation Administration building look on as protestors march by and encourage their participation.
Protestors block the path of a rather unruly DC Police officer with an American flag. I hate to say he deserved it, but he deserved it. #Subjective
Protestors’ flags fly in front of the Capitol Building.
Guy.
With Capitol Police nearby, Guy observes the Occupiers at the Capitol Building as the protest pushes on into the twilight hours.
The Occupy Movement is comprised of people of all ages, races and religions. And contrary to popular belief, some of them have jobs.
Last stop, White House.
“Mic check!”
Cheers to the Secret Service and US Park Police, the DCPD, the Capitol Police and the protestors for an incident-free day. There were moments of tension, but that’s exactly what a protest is designed to cause. It’s supposed to be an annoyance — an interruption to normal day-to-day life — causing those who aren’t part of the protest to take notice of the grievances of the protestors. Occupy Congress took place the day after Martin Luther King Jr. Day and it was, appropriately, a peaceful demonstration.
Venice
Simply stated, there is no other place in the world like Venice. We only spent a day in the “City of Water” but Venice and the weather made it count. This city is so photogenic, it knows it. The entire afternoon, I could almost hear whispers coming from the shadows, “psst…now look over there and wait for the light to move,” only the whispers were in Italian so for all I know they were saying, “pssst…aren’t you surprised by all the hot dogs here? Me too!”
My favorite shot in this post is the affectionately titled, “Gondola Guy in Hallway Place” which you’ll see toward the end, and it’s my favorite because when I walked by that archway I could feel the city grin back at me, like it knew all along that I’d eventually find it. I was only there shooting for about 10 minutes when Gondola Guy walked out, turned around and walked back in. Gotcha.
A chronological glimpse at one day in Venice…
Italy Redux – the Colors of Florence
As much as I love black and white photography, sometimes there are images and more specifically, places, that beg to be shown in all their vivid glory. Italy is one of these places. So much fun light.
I’m splitting up these color posts into the cities we visited; Florence, Venice and Rome. A majority of our time was spent in Florence, so those are the photos you will see here. Be sure to check back because though the Venice/Rome shots are hot. Molto Caldo!
To my family, do not be discouraged. I will put a post together featuring your beautiful mugs in the days to come.
A taste of Florence…
Mercato Centrale
Nestled in the side streets of Florence lies one of the most incredible food stuff spots in the world, at least according to me, but I’ve basically been exposed to Cub Foods and Harris Teeters. Trust me though, it’s amazing. A result of the risanamento or restructuring of Florence late in the 19th century (thank you Wikipedia), Mercato Centrale is exactly what it sounds like, Florence’s Central Market (you’re welcome for the translation).
Packed full of fresh fruit, vegetables, meats, pastas, sauces, sandwiches, cheeses, spices, coffees, wines, oils, balsamic deliciousness, etc., you can find just about anything to make some stellar homemade local fare.
Italy Redux – i Bianconeri
I would make a terrible photo editor. ”Yes, I know you sent me these almost two weeks ago but I still haven’t decided what I like. Maybe tomorrow.”
As a photographer, life is good any time you’re someplace different, someplace new. Italy brings it to a whole new level. It’s like being someplace different, someplace new and someplace with Tagliatelle! Three years ago my family took a trip over to visit my little brother, who was just finishing his “studies” in Florence and putting down two or three pizzas a day. I want pizza.
Armed with my trusty Canon point-and-shoot, I walked through the piazzas, past the palazzos, over the ponti and stopped at pizza places. I realized how much I loved taking pictures, and it was something I wanted to do well. Some people feel that way about jogging or personal finances. Yeah, no. I caught the photo bug. There’s just something badass about seeing something, then having it documented, remembered, even relived. I had no visions of grandeur, no desire to be better than Bresson or Smith or Koudelka or Salgado, didn’t even know who they were. But those Italian people with their perfect little side streets made me want to take better pictures. A few weeks ago I was right back in the same place that I started out.
I’ve been fighting with these photos for days. ”Do I post a photo essay on the Market? Should I make one about the water taxi’s in Venice? Gondola’s are cliché. Bicylcles. What about when the Pope speaks? Maybe I should just separate it by family and not family. Meatsauce. Things that I like and then things that everyone else might like. Penne all’arrabbiata! I loved this photo yesterday, why do I want to slay it with a thousand swords today?” Typical.
So I’m going to shut up now and show you some photos because I’m not Bresson or Salgado. To the place that made me want to be a photographer…good to see you again. Color’s up next, but for now: Italy Redux – the Black and Whites.
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.
I Can’t Work a 9 to 5…
This past weekend I shot Audi’s corporate party here in DC to celebrate the release of their new A8. As an objective observer, this carmaker does it right. The space was awesome, the food looked amazing, the cars outside made my eyes well-up and the evening’s entertainment was Wyclef Jean.
The man has serious talent. He brought people up on stage, joined the masses for a quick break-dance and the music throughout seemed to be exactly what his Audience wanted. (See what I did right there?)
(all images ©2011 David Phillipich – shot for MOSHE ZUSMAN PHOTOGRAPHY STUDIO)
DC Thundersnow 2011
Last week we had some shitty weather here in capital city. Yeah, I said it. It gets compounded here in DC because traffic is so bad to begin with; many drivers are from other states and countries and the three plows we have take their time getting around.
I had some fun on facebook with my trip updates – here’s the first one trying to get out of Georgetown at 4:30.
Needless to say, it was an exercise in patience. Final tally was about 3 hours, 6.4 miles. Luckily I had my camera to keep me occupied on the streets and highways turned parking lots.
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
Crushing Blacks at the Arboretum
Yes, easily the most racist blog post ever…but before I move on, let me clarify. ”Crushing blacks” is a term used in the photography world when you expose an image so that the “blacks” (darkest parts of your image) are “lost” – completely black without detail. And if you don’t succeed, crush ‘em in post. I like this. Always have.
A few weeks back, the class I’m assistant teaching field tripped to the National Arboretum here in DC. I crushed some blacks. I tried to compose. I had fun.
Welp, see ya later…
Kaitlyn and Joshua’s Wedding
Had the opportunity to be a second shooter for Moshe Zusman this past Friday for Kaitlyn and Joshua’s wedding at Foundry United Methodist Church in downtown DC. The wedding party, fourteen rockers strong, were a pleasure to work with and be around. We followed their coach bus around town (enjoying the wonder that is air conditioned seats), making stops at Union Station and National Mall. The reception took place at Sequoia on the Georgetown waterfront, where the party roared on late into the evening. It was a perfect day. Congratulations to the newlyweds!
Twas a Nice Day for a CDIA Wedding
Promise kept. Wedding shots!
The images below are just a small sampling from what was a crazy fun day. The mock wedding at CDIA is an all day event that includes getting ready, a pretend ceremony at a church, lunch, strolls through Georgetown and a reception complete with introductions, wedding cake and dance music. (I provide the jams. My DJ skills will one day rival my friend, Drew Gulan, and I will then challenge him to a spin off. My scribble-scratch backspin loop makes all the girls go “haaayyyy.”)
Planning in Minnesota? Book Drew for your wedding at www.midwestsound.com
*Reminder* – click on any image to see it full size.
Abstract Black, White and the Space Between
The kids are in Composition and Design this week with Robert Severi, an accomplished commercial photographer in the District and all around cool fella. Yesterday we set them loose on the mall with the only assignment being to come back at the end of the day with 10 images. That’s the kind of freedom that a professional photographer, as Bob would tell you, dreams of. Bob was telling me about two assignments he had in the same week a few years ago. Early in the week, he had to shoot Magic Johnson for Pepsi and then a few days later he had to take some abstract architectural images of a building for that building’s website. In the first assignment, he had to deal with Pepsi’s Art Director, handlers, assistants, lighting setups, a celebrity, etc. In the other assignment, it was just his camera and creativity.
It’s a great assignment, albeit a difficult one, trying to find the interesting in the everyday…I tried to focus on architecture.
Some favs…
