#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.
Not Always Puppy Dogs and Ice Cream…
Naturally, guy was all smiles. Beer in one hand, cigarette in the other. America.
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.
Cherry Blossomish
I created this post about three weeks ago but never published it. No better day than today. 
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.
BU-CDIA’s Full Time in Studio
My Mark Deuce hasn’t left my side since she arrived last week. We haven’t slept together yet; it’s a little early in the relationship to take that kind of step, but she rests peacefully on a sweater that I never wear, right next to the bed (in case I wake up and need her as I did in the previous post). The students in the full-time program have had to get used to this new relationship. I know they’re jealous but they’re learning how to cope. They spent this week in the studio with Ron Aira for their first attempt at portraiture. I took some photographs of the process. These are some of those some.
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…
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.
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!
Kite Festival
A while back, the Smithsonian held their 44th annual Kite Festival on the mall. I was there early, before most of the kite runners…but not all.
DC in the Morning
I hate going to sleep.
Every now and then (think weekends) the restlessness in me wins and I’ll hop out of bed, shower up, get dressed and be downtown by 5:00 a.m. It’s a terribly interesting time to be awake in our Nation’s Capital; bums and joggers share sidewalks in the darkness, pooches pop their morning squats and other up-until-dawn devotees stroll up and down empty streets. And I dig it. It’s quiet, which is probably why I enjoy it so much. The tourists are still tucked under their hotel sheets, dreaming about whether to spend the day at the Air & Space Museum or take a chance on the Newseum (pick the latter). The Tourmobile and Circulator busses waiting to pick up those tourists are idling quietly in their respective garages. You can hear birds.
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…
Another Blog Worth Viewing
…and not just because I’m mentioned (but really, thanks for the shout-out MD). Be sure to check out this guy’s blog/work, it’s worth your time.
Capitol Building from the Newseum - by Michael DeAngelis
Check out his blog by clicking HERE
DC Snows
What’s going on here? All summer I was told how mild DC winters are and how snow is a rarity. Then came the 20 inches in December. Now there’s talk of another 20+ inches being dumped on the District this weekend. In fact, there’s a very good chance that this pending storm will make this the most flurry-filled winter in DC’s history. This is some nonsense.
Shooting Ninjas
Last night I had the good fortune of rocking out (and shooting) some crazy funk-punk ninjas from NYC. Mike (on lead guitar) and Dave (on drums) Machinist, brothers whom I met and befriended in Badger times, were making an appearance at the Asylum in Adam’s Morgan. Joining them, the other 4 members of the head-banging hip-rock band, Shinobi Ninja. If not for brilliant advances in architecture, they would’ve literally blown the roof off the joint. Unfortunately (or fortunately) I only brought my 85mm lens. Things were a little tight, but it reminded me of how badly I want to shoot more live music. Now…if only I can upgrade to a Mark II and have the option of 1600 ISO without all the noise.
I love me some B&W with noise, but I had to get weird with some of these…after all, as New York’s Radio Exile put it, they’re a “walking, breathing and screaming Cartoon,” and everyone knows the best cartoons are in color.
Jazz for Me and U (St.)
Before there were chili dogs, vanilla shakes and heartburn, there was U Street Jazz.
You may be thinking, “Hey DP, I didn’t stop by the ole’ bloggity blog for a history lesson,” and to that I say, “did you really just say ‘bloggity blog?’” Think of it like taking a Flintstone vitamin when you were a kid; it’s super fun and good for you at the same time! Only difference is, I can’t supply you with your suggested daily amount of Riboflavin. I wish I could though, that’d be a great ice breaker.
“Psst…I got some Riboflavin. Shhh…stay cool, baby.”
As I was saying, until Harlem surpassed it in the 1920s the U Street corridor was the largest urban African-American community in the United States. Commonly referred to as “Black Broadway,” the neighborhood was home to one of the most impressive jazz scenes in the country. Duke Ellington grew up there. Cab Calloway, Miles Davis, John Coltrane, Pearl Bailiey, Nat King Cole…they were all neighborhood regulars. The area fell on hard times after the riots of ’68, but recently (within the past 10 years), U Street has experienced quite a revival. Jazz clubs abound these days, and I set out to capture some of that feel. Of course, I changed my focus to Ben’s Chili Bowl for the project (see original post) but that doesn’t mean I can’t share some of that feel with you, my beloved flock.
