Insult To Tragedy...

In case anyone missed this over the weekend (and everyone should- particularly the families of those related)- Trump ended his slurred, mispronounced tribute insult to the slaughter of innocents with his now signature jerk-off dance. Truly touching... Bravo performance! Like him or not- the guy just oozes class and sincerity!

If A Photo Is Ignored On The Internet...

One of my recent self publications (Say What?) was featured last Friday on This Week in Photography at A Photo Editor. Needless to say, I was quite honored and more than a little surprised. Such things don't exactly happen everyday. It's nice to occasionally have what one creates noticed and seen by a wider portion of the public, particularly when the very raison d'etre of what one creates is- to be shared and seen! Sure one creates, one photographs simply because one has to, but... Photographs, paintings, movies only truly exist when actually... seen! 

And rightly or wrongly (it shouldn't, but it does), a public review also garners the work a certain cache of legitimacy. Once 'approved,' the work has been officially vetted, condoned and now officially matters, ie- at least beyond the scope of... one!

Now, what's taking so long for Old Man Steidel to call? It is a holiday weekend, I suppose...

Photo: © Stan Banos

We're No1, We're No1...

We're No.1!!!

Crisis Actors Strike Again!!!

There they go again. Yet more crisis actors trying to ramp up sympathy and support to take away our god given right to own as many guns as we want. It just never ends...

1.618

 

Photo: © Stan Banos

Recently I photographed a tag consisting of three words that I sorta suspected was somehow tied into something larger- it was. Then I chanced upon this particular number and wondered the same- drug reference maybe, Nazi code? Obviously, yours truly's not the brightest bulb in the pack, or I would have recognized it right off as... The Golden Ratio!

The Pig Who'd Buy A Horse!

Rimshot...

1... 2...

Last Sept I took a photo (with my X-T1) that turned out to be out of focus on close examination. Both of my X-T1 bodies had occasionally taken out of focus photos so it was just a matter of time before it occurred with a shot that was actually near and dear. When it finally did happen, I actively began searching for an X-T2, something I had been contemplating for some time to alleviate said problem. I didn't need increased burst or continuous focusing modes- just something to nail focus on a single shot in good light. That's not asking much these days. So I was more than happy with my LN X-T2 for $600. Confidence restored, focusing issue resolved...

 

The eye actually blinked (as did the camera).          Photo: © Stan Banos

So this past weekend I shot a very similar shot with my new and improved X-T2- a funny snapshot of some guy in a ridiculously weird costume; an easy-peasy, plenty of light and contrast, non action, full length portrait if ya will. And... BOOM!!! Every freaking bit as unfocused as with the X-T1; and once again, Focus Magic software somewhat rescued the image (at least for online viewing).

Get an X-T3 or X-T4, they really nailed the focusing issue, Stan. Uh-huh... If I wanted a body as big as, or bigger than a FF Sony- I would get a FF Sony! Well, just manually focus then and STFU! And that's exactly what I'd do, had I my younger eyes and patience. But I don't, and I wish I had something learned or clever to wind this up with, but I ain't got that either. Maybe Fuji just doesn't like silly ass costumes- but I'm waiting for the day when it's not just a funny snapshot, and instead, is one of those once in a lifetime portfolio highlights that will be little more than a blurred (and accursed) memory...

Two Christlike Apparitions...

Pro-Choice March, 5/14/2022                           Photo: © Stan Banos

 
 And all in one weekend 

(so shortly after)!

Bay To Breakers 5/15/2022                          Photo: © Stan Banos

And Counting...

Photo: © Stan Banos

Remarkable thing happened round about two months ago. Something was lost, cast aside, terminated. No, it wasn't yet another age related loss, for that's what aging is- (slow) death by a thousand cuts. This was a positive, yet unconscious loss... for the better.

For over two years since my wife and I went our separate ways, I would experience an emotional gut punch on a daily basis- the lost joys of times past, the guilt of future times lost, and always, always... always, the questions of "what if." What if I, what if she, what if we? The reminisces and reevaluations, whatever place or time of day- opportunities rife with the chance of daily repetitions, so I simply kept as busy as I could, as long as I could.

Photo: © Stan Banos

The first half year it actually served a productive means to an end- after my initial anger, I learned to identify and recognize my faults, my contribution(s) to the breakup; the remaining year and a half, not so much- just continued pain and grieving for some of the very happiest times of my life: the laughs, the sharing, having each other's back. Gone, over, and not to return.

So it came as quite the welcomed surprise a coupla months past when I realized I had somehow abandoned said routine- or it had abandoned me. How or why it dissipated I don't know, and that's not to say that all is forgotten and carefree, but it's now been relegated to a more manageable, less debilitating, background pain- present, just not overwhelming. Amazing how these things have their very own time lines, and how one is clueless to predict and powerless to preemptively intervene.

Recently, I visited The (still technically legal) Wife in Portland for an extended weekend. It rained some manner of length all four days, but it was nice to see her and Nelson, my one eyed cat. The latter can still be mistaken for a growing kitten despite his now double digit age- he's even lacking the usual age induced, marsupial pouch! Ever loving, forever cute and not terribly bright, he failed to recognize his old man; next reincarnation I'll make sure to demand a smart pet- just once, for the sheer experience of having a heads up partner in crime.

Photo: © Stan Banos

 

Nevertheless, it was a pleasant trip- one I undertook free of expectations: photographically, relationship-wise, whatever... And stress free it remained. Portland is indeed weird. As The Wife remarked, "It's hard to tell the true crazies, from the less so." I suppose the degree of scruffiness helps, but it's no guarantee. Because of the weather I was content to stay indoors in her and her sister's spacious and beautifully decorated apartment, read my book (Say Nothing) and ventured about the local neighborhood with her during the infrequent breaks in rain. That said, I was still able to snare a coupla of worthwhile snaps, have some great pizza (they looked like absolute jewels emerging from the oven),* and The Best roasted Brussel sprouts with chewy bacon bits and a glaze I would readily kill for at Ken's Artisan Pizza. 

Also managed to venture downtown to The Blue Sky Gallery on a Saturday, where I caught Matthew Moore's excellent Post-Socialist Landscapes.

*How did Portland, of all places, become the supposed king of pizza? When growing up in NY, a slice of great pizza could be had, in practically any neighborhood, in any borough, at any time of day- guaranteed (and for 15 cents a slice in the mid '60s- yeah, you heard right)! Now, you can count the number of places in my hometown on one hand...

Trump's Attempted Coup Actually 2nd in US History

Most Americans (as in 99.99%) don't know about the first attempted coup in US history- not that it makes Trump's any the less traitorous. And this ain't the first time I've called attention to it. Funny how it's always the "law and order" party that attempts coups. And for a brief moment in history some of them actually had the decency to call out their own during the reign of "I Am Not A Crook" Nixon. Of course, any such decency, patriotism... call it what you will, has long left that particular party- as it is now the unbridled- Party of Q!* 

*You know, the good folk who told us about Hillary's Child Sex Pizza Parlor; and for those whose imagination didn't get fired up by that particular piece of creative license- the exact same folks who went on to the zombie JFK, Jr. reanimation at Dealey Plaza to reinstall Trump in the White House... and had people believing it!!!

 Can't make it up - But they did - And bought it... hook, line and sinker!

Call Her Daddy

Photo: © Stan Banos

 

When I took the photo above, I kinda wondered if the graffiti actually referred to anything broader in society, something an Ol' Boomer like myself wouldn't be privy to- ya know, like the "Cash Me Ousside" catchphrase of Bhad Bhabie fame.  The other day, I came across the term online and... guess it sorta does, although after attempting to listen to this podcast, I rather quickly ran outta patience being that it's very much outta my age group and current realm of reality- and I'm... really pretty chill with that.

I Do...

Photo:  © Stan Banos

This SCOTUS leak has supplied what may, in fact, be the necessary spark needed for concerned citizens to wake the fuck up and fight the... FASCISTS, LIARS and ABSOLUTE CRAZIES who are incrementally taking over our country- I sure as hell hope so!

Translation: Once again, Thank you women of America!

June 9th

So... the clown show, or more appropriately, the clown coup round up is scheduled to commence on June 9! But as someone already commented, what happens after November elections and the The Hunter Biden Show of Shows commences? Give credit where credit due- unlike Repubs, Dems are clueless on how to promote their story line so that little else matters (see 2:30 below). They're neither single minded nor relentless enough, and corrupt as so many are, they're still not soulless enough to turn their back completely on the people they at least pretend to represent. 

So... look for The All Star Confederacy of Dunces this end of year. Interest in the coup, I mean "the legitimate political discourse" will quickly wane as we dive clown first into Huntergate. And unless Trump is criminally indicted and convicted for any of the multitude of crimes committed before and during his term of office, he'll be back selling beans from the White House yet again in 2024...

Bad Ass vs. Boxer

A lot of people think boxing is just about two brutes going at each other till one drops or gives up. The video above features two guys of approximately the same weight, height and build. One is an amateur who has received a modicum of training, the other a street hard ass. It doesn't take very long, nor require a trained eye to see who's who (ie- calmer, more poised, in control)- and although both seem in relatively good shape, it's also pretty apparent who is expending far less energy for far greater results... But yes, no mistake, it is a vicious, brutal "sport."

Addicted...

It's just... so-goddang-sexy!

 

I've had this love/hate thing going on with the Leica Q for years now- came this close to pulling the trigger on the damn thing just the other day (a used one in primo cond at a good price). Really, really... close. Looked at the damn thing on eBay for five days straight hoping someone, anyone would buy it and put me outta my misery. It's an absolutely stunning looking camera capable of producing absolutely stunning results- and I love the 28mm focal length (particularly for color). It would be my first (and only) entry venture into the Leica universe of veblen goods. So why don't I just break down, put down and get it over with? I know I want it!

Well... A coupla things, even $2,500+ is quite a vacation in and of itself with the promise of many a photo op with my current equipment- which by the way, serves me just fine with a 14mm on a Fuji X-T* and the 18mm on my GR** (2 light, compact and capable performers w/very fine optics indeed). Despite the lack of an EVF, the GR's stealth for everyday has netted me shots I wouldn't have ordinarily managed; in my jacket pocket, or in my hand, it's just there- unnoticed and unencumbered... till ya need it; then it can be pretty fast and nimble indeed, with results that punch far above its (lack of) size and weight. It was actually hard for me to take it seriously at first- the results just kept saying otherwise! Why would I be so willing to replace the one camera that has netted me the most keepers in my lifetime? The Q's EVF would be a most welcomed asset when covering an event since the 18mm f2 Fujinon pancake*** is probably the worst lens in their system- but a very expensive, seldom used asset at that since I mainly use the 14 (21mm~e) on those occasions.

Would I love having one? Absolutely. Would I take it out every day? Shit, I'd be terrified of dropping it, scratching it, attracting veblen thieves with it, and... taking pictures (FF, no less) not worthy of the mandatory Leica fame and glory! The pressure alone would reduce me to a quivering mess, and although the results would definitely have higher IQ, my hit rate would be no higher than with a Fuji. So why would I possibly want or need a Q? See caption above...

 

Event photos approx 10:1 (21~e to 28mm~e)          GR Photo:  © Stan Banos

         

*Got an X-T1 and a recently purchased Like New X-T2 ($550).
**Did I mention I already got a 2nd Mint GR ($350) waiting in the wings since the GR3 launched?
***Yeah, the new Fuji 18mm f1.4 is phenomenal optically but one Big Bloat in terms of size (and price).

He Is Risen!

 

 Posted a tad late, but... what the hey- Rejoice!      Photos:  © Stan Banos

Actually, believe I've written this post before, maybe even more than once... which (at least in this case) kinda speaks to its validity. Whenever I go to an event or visit a famous site, I always check the sides and rear, or just turn around and do a 180 (see below), cause... ya never know. Sometimes, even the event or site itself is a complete fizzle, but ya get lucky and grab the shot on the way there, or on the way back home...

How many Christians condemn our homeless while supposedly worshiping a god... born one?

Go Girl!

This is what Truth To Power sounds like: clear, direct, unapologetic- cutting through The Bullshit in short order and setting the record straight. It's not boastful, bombastic self aggrandizement- just honest, factual observation and assessment. In a time when a morally bankrupt party defines itself by automatically calling everyone else a child pervert- we desperately need more like her willing to remind us how we have allowed reality itself to be perverted by those with little else to offer.

Jo-Anne McArthur

When we think of "animal photographers," someone like this never comes to mind- and one has to ask... why not? Because it make us feel uncomfortable? It should- and for good reason!

I love bacon, but the way they treat pigs in factory farms is inhumane, immoral and well beyond cruel.

 

War Criminals, And... War Criminals

Most rational, civilized people realize Vladimir Putin is a war criminal; a war criminal who starts completely, unnecessary wars that result in untold destruction and the deaths of countless innocent men, women and children. Not exactly a hard call.

And yet, where were all these rational, civilized people throughout the world when it came to George W. Bush starting a completely, unnecessary war that resulted in untold destruction and the deaths of countless innocent men, women and children? A war that was so obviously and transparently fabricated on a swollen mass of lies and innuendo. UN weapons inspectors, in one of the few instances where anyone from the UN actually had the authority, manpower and resources to legitimately achieve their stated goal of determining whether Iraq had WMD or not, were ridiculed daily by the likes of FOX News. The manly voices at FOX (like that of Big Ass Bill O'Reilly) were practically calling the diligent inspectors flaming pansies for being the only people on earth not capable of finding the purposely rumored WMD. These freakin' UN girly girls were actually trying to stop the US of A from getting it's goddamn war on!!! And it only took $2 TRILLION and up to a million deaths to prove otherwise...

Of course, after NO WMD were found, W actually joked about it, pantomiming looking for WMD under furniture- people dying by the hundreds of thousands for-no-goddamn-reason always makes good fodder for jokes. And while the sycophants laughed, the Bill O'Reilly posse of FOX News claimed they couldn't possibly have known there were no WMD, after all- "We were lied to!" Of course, they conveniently left out the part that they constituted the most dominant contingent of... liars.

Now we reminisce about Ol' W like a kindly ol' uncle with his quaint little hobby of painting in his bathtub. Wonder if those who forever lost: children, parents, limbs and minds feel the same?

April Is Confederate Heritage Month!

And Genocide Awareness Month- as The Honorable Gov. Tate Reeves of Mississippi reminds us. Which balanced together, reminds us all of the genteel folk who were so rooting that those who actually survived The Middle Passage would make better slaves than the Indians who were slaughtered for their land. 

That Critical Race Theory jive they're brainwashing all our kids with in our schools starting in Kindergarten is gonna be the death of us al!!!

Ya Can't Hide...

from life, or death! First thought maybe (s)he was just losing a few pounds (micrograms?) and was reinventing itself as it rapidly escaped it's wee past of overindulgence. Alas, it's bad habits finally caught up!

 

 And from seeming death... LIFE!