An Honest Republican!!!

Never thought I'd say it; at least he was- Republican, that is...

Mirror Image

 

Photo: © Stan Banos

Everyday one wonders the streets of this tale of two cities, one is confronted with moral decisions, amongst others: is it right to take photos that feature the homeless, the mentally ill, the "downtrodden?" 

Certainly not a new question to say the least, just one that most certainly needs to keep being asked, examined and challenged. I long ago came to the conclusion that to completely ignore such a blatant, daily reality (as a human being and photographer) was both unrealistic, and hypocritical in its own right. Photography of the homeless has literally been done to death; and yet, so has every other subject and genre of photography and that has certainly never stopped anyone from continuing to practice them. Nor should it. 

The question is: is it done with some manner of respect, does it have any relevancy (social, photographic, or otherwise)- will it, somehow, someway change anything, anything at all? Homelessness in San Francisco was extreme some twenty years ago when I first arrived, it has now metastasized to the point where the city and its police play Whac-A-Mole with the tent communities that appear, disappear and reappear on city streets while residents complain and luxury condos and upscale coffee shops continue to proliferate. Until: 1) affordable housing, 2) jobs with livable wages and 3) necessary programs for drug addiction, the mentally ill and working single moms are properly in place (we're no way even considering that)- it will only continue to worsen, and the newly elected mayor promises yet more of the same...

Intentionally photographing an unwitting stranger is an exploitative affair even under the best of circumstances. And photographing a potentially mentally ill/homeless person w/o permission ever the more so. One tries to do it with a certain amount of dignity and respect, but... Let's face it, the power weighs heavily on the side of the person behind the lens. And just what are that person's intentions: making "art" (really?), documentation, making the world a better place... 

Every couple of years, one does see a serious, rather well done photo essay on some aspect of homelessness- and if nothing else, it may help those who prefer to look elsewhere, finally face reality, albeit in the comfort of their own home. Whether that leads to  some kind of realization, "enlightenment" and action on their part- well...

The photo above graphically serves to remind one of that uneven and innately exploitative experience. I was initially drawn by the mystery of the "bright, shiny object," (ie- the red shroud). I passingly considered the inherent exploitative nature, the possibility that said subject might opt to up and confront me, the reality that it would most likely be a mediocre photo at best. And yet, I took the picture- if only to see if I could further make sense of any of the issues above, and below.

Whenever possible, I try to make these photos anonymous- as in this one. The person I did not take into account photographing was the one reflected. And there I am- hovering directly over my subject (unknowing or not, unwilling or not), in an unquestioned position of detachment and dominance. Perhaps we should always have some such reflection of ourselves somewhere in our images, something to remind us of what we do, how we do it- and how it feels to be on the other side of that instrument and experience, the serendipitous product of someone else's handiwork.

Happy Biblical Parenting Day

Happy Father's Day to those it applies- Hopefully, you are not a parent made to suffer these most biblical of injustices...

PS-  I must admit to considerable difficulty in deciding which batch of lying, Republican bastards are The Most Vile and Abhorrent when it comes to separating prepubescent children from their parents. Is it the group that insists they simply have no other recourse under current law, the group that swears it simply isn't happening in the first place, or those (like little Beauregard) that assure us this policy is chock full of Biblical goodness?

American Animals

I almost didn't see this flick- the promos struck me as some kinda slick, flashy, whiz bang showman showcase for a lot of nothing that-just-wasn't-there. Turns out... this one is most definitely headed to my Top Ten All Time Flick List! We get to kick back, laugh and squeam as youthful ambition and American dreams disintegrate into one cataclysmic, life altering nightmare for all involved.

I love movies where the most simple of obvious plans progressively unravels at every possible and unforeseen moment, devolving from: bad, to worse, to how on god's green earth was I ever so dang stupid to believe something so completely and utterly insane!? Even in my rather bland and uneventful existence, there has been more than one desperate situation where... if I could only turn back the hands of time! This unlikely journey of thieves and millionaire aspiring incompetents is further enhanced by the the equally simple fact that- it actually happened...

Director Bart Layton masterfully intercuts real life interviews with the actual participants throughout the course of the movie. This could have been used as ineffective filler, instead, it serves to: effectively offer insight into the logic and rational employed by the principals (think Rashomon),  increase the anxiety in you the viewer as to what's to come, and incrementally heighten the already peaking level of unreality! 

No, there is no happy alternative ending to this rather hilarious tale of cascading woe and ineptitude. Lives were ruined, real people suffered, and I couldn't help reflect how I also committed acts at that age that, while certainly not at that level of severity, were every bit as- selfish... and I-didn't-have-a-clue.

AMERICAN INTERIORS- ML Casteel

Photo: ML Casteel

I remember someone doing a photo essay of sleeping soldier portraits during the height of the US/Iran, US/Afghanistan conflicts. It got waves of critical acclaim for... honestly, I really don't know what to this date. They felt uncomfortably invasive, provided zero insight into the subjects (soldiers fall asleep- really?), and as far as a new or novel way of seeing- uh, yeah, sure, I guess... But such is the art world.

I first saw American Interiors by ML Casteel on APE and was immediately taken by it. The work is almost  minimalist in nature- small sections of car interiors taken in autos owned by vets. The trauma, pain and consequence of war is plainly visible in these evidentiary photos- manifested by the scattered artifacts and paraphernalia of resulting addictions, physical debilitation and personal abandonment. We see only fragments, what's left behind by those left behind; and yet, they serve as blatant testament. These people carry scars that extend into every relationship they interact with: personal, social, environmental.  

These evenly lit, individualized visions of personal hells are clear, concise postcards of those broken, but surviving. And they go a long way towards documenting the personal aftermaths of those we send in our stead, to withstand ordeals we cannot possibly fathom and elect to ignore- both in the heat of battle, and for the remainder of our lives.

PS- Twenty-two vets die by their own hand each and every day...

Anthony Bourdain, RIP

Been trying to figure out why I was affected as I was upon hearing of Anthony Bourdain's death. Since I don't have cable, I can count the number of Parts Unknown episodes I've seen on both hands. But I will miss him for several reasons, on the most superficial, he proved that someone past fifty could remain not only culturally relevant, but even relatively cool- and that, he most certainly was, without overdoing it in the most vacant and obvious of ways most people of a certain age are so wont to do. Hell, an American over sixty who wasn't... obese- practically deserved a TV show just for that!

On a more serious note, he had that rare, low key self assurance and panache that comes only with a certain amount of self awareness, the kind of introspection that accepts that one doesn't, and can't possibly know it all (like most insecure fools will insist). And (like most New Yorkers) while not suffering fools gladly, he still (unlike most people of any age or place) opened himself to the new, at least willing to see where it would lead. His programs, his very life, was all about that- till the very end...

The "Pizza Bomber"

I remember first seeing this on the news, desperately trying to make sense of... any of it! A supposedly unwilling bank robber with a bomb, locked around his neck, that he couldn't get off, put there by persons unknown, which was about to go off, while he repeatedly begged anyone to help, and the only thing anyone did- was point guns at him! Until it finally, in fact, detonated and killed him- while they still pointed guns at his dead body!

And as crazy, bizarre and irrational as that whole insane scenario was- what actually led up to it, was every bit as inexplicably surreal as its culmination. What are the odds of such an improbable cast of unlikely bat shit crazy characters coalescing in the midst of strip mall America and concocting such a ludicrously criminal act that purposely results in the senseless demise of some poor, hapless soul? 

A must watch, if only to ask- what have you learned???

RFK 50th

RFK was assassinated 50 years ago yesterday, a man who evolved from privilege to the manor born (the arrogance of assuming one knows right from wrong as a matter of course) to one of first hand experience and learning (the shock, initial resistance and gradual realization of how life really works when it comes to the other half). It took a while, but he got there- and it would have been interesting to experience how this country would have benefited from that acquired wisdom and leadership. Of course, we were forever denied that promise, left instead with the gaping vacuum of prolonged war and a festering corruption at the very pinnacle of government.

The following audio (particularly parts 2 & 3) painfully details just how the youthful civic enthusiasm that can make the world a better place can be relentlessly eroded and effectively extinguished from a person's very soul through the degradation of morally bereft authoritarianism.

To this day, I am surprised these tapes even exist- they... are... chilling.

Going Down In Flames!!!

 

Photo: © Stan Banos

I set some goals for myself this year: 1) get in some kinda legit exhibit, 2) make another book. This year's gonna be the one, gotta be the one- I ain't getting any younger! The book's the easy/peasy part, natch- my esteemed publisher at Blurb will no doubt acquiesce to my artistic demands as per usual. I got these guys at the end of a leash doing my personal bidding- on demand, no questions asked! That will come at the end of the year when I get my Nekid City images together for a whirl. 

#1 is considerably harder. I finally feel I have enough fire power in color or B&W to merit a coupla pictures here or there (not exactly the most outlandish of hopes and dreams), so I entered round about a half dozen legit competitions. And I feel I gotta real rational, legitimate chance of getting accepted... somewhere. Of course, experience has already proven that rational as irrational as they come!

Last Friday, fingers crossed, positive vibes- I knew I was gonna get word on one of those hopes and dreams.Thank you, for entering... Well, I didn't think I was gonna get that one, it was last on my list anyway- besides, it's only one! Then a coupla hours after the right cross- Boom! Completely Outta Nowhere, Left Hook square to the liver: We had over 84,000 entries...TWO down in a matter of hours- didn't see that coming!!!

OK, OK, so I got the bad news outta the way- nothing but blue sky and smooth sailing from here on in... 
Piece o'cake- this is My Year!!!

First Reformed

I could make this review real short, like one sentence short, think Taxi Driver with a Reverend for the protagonist- The End. Both were written by Paul Schrader, and First Reformed is also directed by him. The whole movie is very much like a prayer, a very long and devout prayer by someone who does not expect an answer, from a god that does not exist. The word that kept reverberating in my head throughout the movie was austere- both in look (the format is considerably less panoramic than most wide screen, modern day cinema) and attitude. And yet despite that, the movie takes several leaps of faith (if you will) as far as believability, both character and plot wise (my wife hated the ending)- I kinda liked the fact that it was just... different.

 

Matt Eich

 

Photo: ©Matt Eich

I get weekly emails from Photo-Eye Bookstore and check out their offerings whenever of interest. Sometimes, it's slim pickings- but usually, they have more than I can afford. Last week, Matt Eich's Carry Me Ohio definitely caught my eye; and as I continued to explore his work further, it became obvious why- the man's a master photographer and story teller. Looking at his photographs is like a master class in how to work and photograph the subject matter at hand, delving into the beauty and darkness, the people and their environs, and the complex and all too human relationships and entanglements that help define and obfuscate them all... 

Hope, despair, a great photographic eye and emphatic heart open for all to share, contemplate, and maybe even... motivate.

Ode To San Francisco

Photo: © Stan Banos

My Yahoo Commentary!!!

I like reading Yahoo News comments; people ask me why I bother, truth is, I find it relaxingly therapeutic, particularly when they involve a certain dotard- ya know, the guy who said, "I could stand in the middle of Fifth Avenue and shoot somebody, and I wouldn't lose any voters." It's a free and easy pathway towards understanding my fellow citizens- think of it as the poor man's Twitter!

I also enjoy leaving the occasional comment. I try to get a general feel for those participating, and then try to respond in kind. For instance, recently there was an article on how the Trump admin is lifting regulations which now restrict the ways and conditions of how one can legally hunt wild animals. And I couldn't help but mirror the infectious enthusiasm...

Yeah- let's slaughter everything in sight!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! MORE GUNS, More Bullets, More Blood, More Death!!! Super MAGA!!!!! NRA FOREVER- TRUMP is GOD made Flesh!!!!!!!!!! 

PS- Hint: For those first starting out- more CAPS and PUNCTUATION!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! make one appear both more knowledgeable, and sincere!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Fujifilm vs. Windows 10 Update

Tried to upload files from my XT-1 to Windows Picture Viewer (or whatever it's called) as per usual on my desktop hard drive and they wouldn't open due to... lack of "permission!" HUH!?!? I have to ask permission from my computer, connected to my camera, using my memory card, holding my pictures, that I took!?!?!? Is that how this goes? Really???

This never happened before- but did happen immediately after uploading the latest Windows 10 Update. Managed to get a Windows tech rep on the phone, who went at it for around an hour, and allowed file access only upon my removal and replacement in a card reader. So naturally (as I predicted)... the camera got the blame. Had him replace previous Windows version (after unloading on him mercilessly for all the grief caused), and now things are back to the way they were prior to update- which seems I will have to do without, whatever wondrous, modern wonder of wonders I am now denied. Hopefully, none of you out there will suffer a similar, said fate.

Addendum:  Fujifilm says they have no knowledge of this problem- which is odd, considering if you go online, you can see quite a few links concerning connection problems between various Fujifilm cameras and Windows 10 since the latter's debut in 2015...

Dr. Edgar Mitchell

 Yet another UFO loon- honestly, where do they get these people!?!?!

Westward Ho!

Native New Yorker that I am, I always fantasized about the American Southwest; and truth be told, twas one of the major reasons I moved to San Francisco- to have it that much more accessible. And disappoint in large part, it has not! Although gentrifying like every other goddang thing in this world, it still retains much of it's inherent character, from: its  rugged terrain and landscape, to the individual idiosyncrasies of its often sparse but ever growing population. 

Photo: © Ingeborg Gerdes

Ann Jastrab has curated a timely group show called Westward on just that particular parcel of Americana with an impressive array of female photographers. Of these, Ingeborg Gerdes was my personal fave, concentrating on the inherent humor and irony found in many of the most isolated of desert environs- and her B&W silver based prints are things of beauty and nuance (not so evident online) well worth seeing in person. Greta Pratt's work also embraces humor, as well as more serious tones in her portraits of a diversified West that varies in its customs and peoples. Both of these photographers, as well as several others, offer insightful  views into an ethos both well earned and misconstrued...

Photo: © Greta Pratt

Addendum: In the the crowd and hubbub of opening night, the true nature of Donna J. Wan's work completely escaped my notice- and important work it is... Fortunately, I always make a point of returning to shows I really like to prevent just such omissions both large and small- and you got plenty of time to catch this one at San Francisco City Hall, 5/11/18-5/10/19.

The Don's Cosa Nostra- In A Nutshell!

The Dissolution of Good Into Evil

It's both sad and infuriating to see what Aung San Suu Kyi has allowed herself to become, basically- yet another, lying, self promoting politician turning a blind eye to the multitude of atrocities being committed by her military (on the Rohingya people). Women being mutilated, raped and slaughtered; children being thrown into burning homes and then pushed back in should they try to save their own lives. This once, would be heroine of peace and justice is now a most active apologist to the most horrendous crimes against humanity possible...

For The Most Part...

 

A Bunch of Unposed People © Stan Banos

I like to think I'm a fairly competent photographer at most things: portraiture, street photography, landscape... In other words, I'm a generalist. Then there are those things, like artificial/studio lighting, that I don't necessarily excel at. I'd get considerably better if I simply bothered to practice its technical aspects; I just don't have the burning desire to do so.

But there is one thing, one thing I really, really suck at... REALLY! And that would be... group shots, as in photos in which you are required to individually pose a numerous amount of people. One person, no problemo- it might take me some time, but I'll figure it out. Increase the number (and sometimes even just by one) and the wires simply short out on cue! I mean, I may just get lucky- if I'm really, really... miraculously LUCKY! Otherwise, I'm absolutely clueless! It's both a compositional and human relations endeavor that I am just flat out useless in even contemplating, let alone executing. Fortunately, not being a pro- it's something I really don't have to worry about! And yet, every once in a great while, I feel like somehow the day of reckoning will no doubt arrive and the ugly truth will have out- exposed, humiliated and banished for being the group photo failure that I truly am...

Kodachrome

Warning- Spoiler alert...

Photojournalist has days to live, invites estranged son for one last road trip, hilarity ensues... well, not quite. I honestly didn't know what to expect here, most all depictions of photographers on screen have been sadly lacking to say the least. This story line however is not as concerned with depicting a photographer, as it is the life long separation between father and son; and on the latter, it is to be commended. The movie does descend into a classic tearjerker, if only in its closing moments- but to be fair, there's really no other way to go down this road. 

The actual journey leaves little doubt that our aging, dying photographer (on his way to Kansas to personally hand deliver his last rolls of Kodachrome to the very last photo finishing lab that will develop them on their very last day) is not just a little rough and gruff around the edges- the guy's a full fledged, self admitted dick, and goes all out outta his way to prove he's a full fledged dick at that!

It's an uneven film to be sure, where on one hand you can get a rather brief but insightful, "impromptu" speech about the value of analog and photography as a whole, followed by that character's very credible breakdown and deathbed confession- only to have that almost undone by an eye roll inducing scene where fellow photographers/fans of Ed Harris's fictional PJ do their own version of a 21 gun salute by lining up as his body rolls past and pointing their cameras skyward while clicking their shutters- whoever thought up that painfully mawkish scenario should be banned from screen, film and human contact for the remainder of their natural lives... and then some. It made the fictional photographer's nod to... Steve McCurry (of all people), or the limitations of unexposed Kodachrome for that matter, seem inconsequential.

Ohhh... Almost forgot- props for not including the song (yeah, that one).

There's Stupid...

 And then there's a special kinda stupid, as in "Slavery is a choice." It gets real @ 1:50...