Fuck Trump, Fuck Q, Fuck Republicans...

I'm long sick and tired of hearing about the breakdown in civility that has beset US politics as if it's some even handed, tit for tat problem on both sides of our ruling parties. STOP THE BULLSHIT! This current ongoing violence, racism and insanity was initiated, amplified and propagated by a career criminal who if the media had done their job and exposed him for what he has always been, would have never been allowed to run for the highest office in the land- a career grifter who should have been indicted long before he reveled in and fomented violence at his own rallies, and across our entire nation. A man who in turn has attracted and encouraged the craziest, most ignorant bottom feeders once thought no longer part of civilized society. A man who insisted that windmills cause cancer, who was actually allowed to change the course of a hurricane with the swipe of a Sharpie- a man who should have been determined mentally unfit, unsound and incompetent for the presidency the very moment he continued to insist that he had more people at his inauguration than Obama, despite obvious and overwhelming evidence otherwise. He has championed grade school name calling and taunting, proclaimed rumor and innuendo equivalent to fact ("That's what I hear, that's what they say"), in addition to mocking people with disabilities to the delight of his crowd. And I haven't even mentioned the damage he has incurred upon our democracy, its institutions and its very wellbeing and future- from weaponizing the DOJ and extorting heads of state and state election officials alike, to stacking the Supreme Court with the most woefully sorry of partisan buffoons.

We now live in a country where Republicans are free to say (and believe) that Democrats regularly groom children to rape and drink their blood. Claiming Trump really won the election is pretty small potatoes after that- even if their very own audit found more votes for... Biden; even after his cronies stated (well before the election) that the plan all along was to declare victory no matter what, even though he's on tape begging, pleading, demanding to be given 11,000 unearned votes!

Is it any surprise, any wonder, any shock to hear that a Republican Governor of The United States of America finds humor in the attempted assassination of the Speaker of the House, of the brutal attack of her husband? This is where we are, and this is but the very smallest synopsis of how we all got there. Democrats, as usual, have allowed themselves to be bullied, thinking that providence itself would somehow, someway right their listing ship back into sanity, fair play and the rule of law. Meanwhile, the January 6th Committee has singularly attempted to slam the brakes on a runaway freight train that has long ago breached the event horizon... 

So yeah- Fuck Trump, Fuck Q, Fuck Republicans! Childish, I know. But when you live in a time that has Trump supporters actually showing up to witness a reanimated JFK, Jr. resurrect and triumphantly lead Trump back into the White House, when we have allowed rabid election deniers to man key positions in determining the official vote counts in key swing states... sometimes, it seems about all one's left.

Tar

There's a haunting line in Memo from Turner- "You're always working perfectly, but there's a part that's not screwed on." Cate Blanchett simmers on low throughout Tar. The most telling scene is not the wham bam, barn burner, but the one in which we see her deal with a small child. She could have effectively dealt with the situation in ever so many ways, as an adult can with a child, instead Tar chose to ever so subtly spread her pathology on...

Devolution...

Photo: © Stan Banos

Back in the day, me and whoever wrote the above would more than likely have been kindred spirits. 

Photo: © Stan Banos

Much has changed in the ensuing years however, revelations that exposed deeply sequestered facts and truths have been replaced with complete inanities based solely on personal belief systems. Too many people who don't trust the government simply absorb their (dis)information directly from the FOX, or sources even more radically farfetched- resulting in delusional belief systems that foster complete and utter insanities and culture wars...

Photo: © Stan Banos

Baldwin Lee

 

Photo: © Baldwin Lee

One instantly senses a feeling of connection and intimacy when viewing Baldwin Lee's photographs taken in communities of the Deep South. So it comes as a bit of a shock that he is both Asian and an outsider. How did this once shy photographer find and connect with his subjects? Well, to start things off, he'd go directly to the local police precincts, inquire as to what neighborhoods to best avoid, then take himself directly there- gotta love it! 

Not exactly a household name, he has compiled some of the most powerful portraits and insights into Southern communities of Color ever put on film. How work so sublime can remain so obscure for so long always puzzles, and ultimately delights...

Framelines

While there's certainly been a plethora plus of quality photobooks (both commercial and self published) in this newest of centuries, there's also been a dearth of quality magazines. Framelines (ie- Issue #3) is the refreshing and much needed exemption created by Shane Taylor and Josh Redgoose. The aforementioned issue features the work and career of the now seldom mentioned but highly esteemed photographer/teacher Harold Feinstein. Also on view, a nice mix of contemporary notables, including: Niall McDiarmid's extraordinary portraits, Jeremy Paige's exemplary street photography, Niall O'Briens's LA freeway living revelations, Holly-Marie Cato's inner city London insights, Teresa Freitas's exquisite pastels and more... 

Having coproduced an online mag quite some time ago, I know how hard it can be to keep the quality at this level- I particularly hope they continue the featured OG great along with current practitioner(s) format. I for one am so sick of seeing mediocre to downright awful "street photography" being promoted by outright newbie wannabes who then actually go on to solicit even greener innocents for their... "workshops!" This issue presents a nice spectrum of what is ultimately achievable on the street by those attuned to refining their craft.

Brought To Life!

I'm usually for respecting original work as is (ie- letting well enough alone). But then, songs get redone and reinterpreted all the time, and sometimes (sometimes), they even come out all the better for it. 

All I'm saying here is that this was rather tastefully done, and does offer an experience and insight that is both revelatory and worthwhile...

Sylvie Guillem

Time for a spot of culture! The woman is a true sight, athlete, wonder to behold- and then, there’s that title…

Best Reason To Own A Cat

Photo: © Stan Banos

I'm gonna go wide of my lane into the land of complete speculation and put forth the possibility that perhaps the person meant to say "harmless," instead of... "useless." Of course, I may very well be wrong here. I have with my own eyes seen this ongoing trend towards an ever smaller variety of dogs which are more toys than actual... dogs. Perhaps, the sign is, in fact, more accurate than not...

For The Skeptics

Finally! The Phenomenon is a sober, well produced documentary on the major events of UFO history. Praise the Lord it's not another TV "reality" based docudramedy complete with repeated video snippets, followed by the same edits in slow-mo ad nauseum... It's a refreshingly coherent, well documented, linear history of the major events that have transpired these past 75 years, that includes interviews with: pilots, astronauts, law and military officers, astrophysicists and everyday close encounter witnesses (including school children, and their teachers threatened into silence).

It just came out- watch while still free and available (and make sure to listen to the closing credits)...You have to be well beyond skeptical to dismiss all the information, evidence and witnesses that are presented here offhand- not that that will stop Neil deGrasse Tyson from dutifully mouthing the official party line. 

ADDENDUM: Well, that was uhhh... Quick! Oh, well- snooze ya lose; two free days better than none. If memory serves, it had stated it was released 9/30/2022- when it actually seems to have come out in... 2020!? Hhmmm... still very much worth the $4.00 rental any way ya cut it!

A Day At The Fair

The most recent Folsom St. (Leather) Fair was probably the largest on record, least, seemed it to me- and I was happy to collect over a half dozen keepers. I usually poop out after two and a half hours but this time I hanged for a full four since the opportunities were there and it was probably the last time this year that I'd really be able to put my new, used Q through its paces- I even got to see my first self fellating contortionist for the effort.

Photo: © Stan Banos

Best thing I saw however, was the woman above who I first noticed across the street. Now, one can't exactly meander unto The Folsom St. Fair without having a good inkling of what it's about- that said, you can never quite prepare yourself for everything you're likely to and undoubtedly will see... But there she was, looking innocent as all hell, as if idly clutching the kewpie doll she had just won on the seaside boardwalk. I walked up, snapped the photo, and realizing the optics... she burst out into what would be a good long laugh for both of us!

Photo: © Stan Banos

Late in the afternoon and already tiring, I did a double take on the pink haired lady in chains- something was not quite right! Sure enough, it was one very convincing female Manga tour de force. 

Finally calling it a day, I headed for the nearest exit home only to come across... The Lady in Pink, which proved the best laugh of a most productive day.

Once editing of the remaining raw files is completed, I'll set about putting together an updated, magazine format edition of At The Fair. Maybe I'll even try sending it about to publishers, etc- this winter season's exercise in futility...

Photo: © Stan Banos

Looking Forward (at Pier 24)

Photos: Erica Deeman  (courtesy Pier 24)

Haven't been to a (really) good photo exhibit in quite some time. Looking Forward at Pier 24 in San Francisco has a bit of something for most anyone into photography. Quite frankly, I didn't much care for most of it, but the parts I did- Wow, just... WOW!

The first thing that caught my eye, I mean stopped me dead in my tracks if I'm being honest, was Erica Deeman's The Brown Series. Honestly, I don't think a series of portraits ever so affected me; nor has a grid presentation ever been so perfectly and effectively utilized! It stops you, holds you and demands your surrender. The square, uniform, almost monochromatic portraits are of Black/Brown men of all shades taken against tan backgrounds displayed on a brown wall in a darkened room* and the effect is both stunning and mesmerizing. "The whole is greater than the sum of its parts" was never more true... This experience alone was worth the price of admission- if they charged one. Ain't too many museums worldwide charging well over $20 that hold anything, anywhere this good to look at, and contemplate...

*The room is darkened but the photos are well lit- unlike the current trend in so many museums/galleries.

Photo: Daniel Postaer

Then there was Daniel Postaer's Boomtown- large, dramatic, almost unworldly street photographs! The online reproductions don't do his work justice. There are street photographers, and there's this guy, with a cinematic view that just boggles with its: composition, drama, and timing. There's one shot bathed in the most gorgeous light of a guy caught midstep, approaching another man pausing to ponder existence itself that is nothing short of miraculous. Flawless, impeccable- choose whatever accolades you wish, the guy's just a step (or two) above what passes for superb. 

And some prints by Fred Herzog certainly rounded off the afternoon rather well. The print of the man with a bandaged hand was even better than I imagined in person, and the couple walking in front of the Army/Navy sign has to be one of the greatest photos in the history of photography...

Photo: Fred Herzog

The Face of Stupidity...

It's amazing how one person can continue to find and accentuate new levels of absolute... STUPIDITY! 

But then: Intelligence has its limits while stupidity has none.

-Claude Chabrol 

Triptych

My first (and everyone should have one)! BTW- Gotta be honest here... as I was taking these, I kinda expected someone to come up and ask, "Excuse me, is that a Leica?" And of course, I would have to admit that it was, to which they would then reply, "Then, I'm afraid, we both know what the consequences are, sir." And clearly, I would have immediately sensed what he was inferring- I would have to surrender my Q on the spot. Obviously, this was GR 'snapshot' subject matter, and well beneath the purpose and dignity of any Leica to the manor born. Fortunately, this level of brand crime went unnoticed on this particular weekend stroll, but I'm fully aware of the risks I am willingly taking should I continue to pursue this behavior...

 

Photos: © Stan Banos

Lindsey's Gift

Photo: © Stan Banos

Republicans stick to the script- No matter what! And they do it together; they don't waver, they don't bicker (in public)- they stick to the goddamn script! And ya really gotta admire them for that. While Dems ineffectively argue among themselves, Repubs plot, execute, stay the course...

And that is why Lindsey's move is so freakishly... inexplicable. He just doubled down on the one item, probably the one and only item, that their base ain't all that down on. And... he did it without consulting with fellow leaders cronies!

It's not that Ol' Lindsey won't 180 whenever it suites him and party, if anything, it's his one guiding light- but this ain't that, and I just can't figure the plus side...

Fair And Balanced!

Mucho well deserved props to none other than my main man Sean Hannity for his clear, thorough and well documented listing of Individual One's long list of achievements, or what the more cynical amongst us might call... High Crimes and Misdemeanors. Always give credit where credit due!

PS- Anyone know where to find some... missing docs?

Noticed!

Sometimes, I don't actually realize it till well into mid-winter, other times (like this Monday) it hits me early like some paranormal epiphany. Holiday spirit? Hell, no! The change in light- those warm summer tones are now in the rear view mirror as the cooler, bluer autumnal vibes set in. Now, I'm far (very) from the most accurate judge of color casts and temps (proven that once too many since I've been shooting color again), so there's always that (large) part of me that's left all a wonderin' about the accuracy of my seasonal observations. But dang, if even I notice it, someone who can be so blatantly oblivious to it- then it's gotta be true!

That's what I hear, that's what they say...

Return Of The Q

Living Large.             Photo: © Stan Banos

No, not the Hillary child sex, pizza parlor variety, not the JFK, Jr. reanimator type either, nope, not even this guy! Just the camera, the camera I've lusted for a good half dozen years. Had to wait that long just to get it at a somewhat reasonable price. And then I had to return the damn thing cause the sensor had a big ol' smudge on it like someone cleaned it while chomping away at their Big Mac. Fortunately, the store I bought it from in Japan is a reputable company- they accepted and paid for the return. And a few weeks later notified me they had another at the same price point- I bit again, and... no regrets. Truth is, it has a coupla slight dust marks (even after an official Leica sensor cleaning), but for half the MSRP, ya can only complain so much, and they disappear (when even visible) after some minor dodging/cloning; the rest of the camera seems to work flawlessly, and it's cosmetically quite clean. I've seen Q's in this condition sell for a full grand more- and without the Leica cleansing. Can only imagine- Caveat Emptor! 

Did I need it that bad? Not really, not at all. The GR punches way above its weight and does most everything quite well and beyond. But the viewfinder is nice for events (leather fair coming late Sept) and, well... it's just such a goddamn sexy beast!

It was either a week's vacation or the camera- I usually always vote the former, but I had already visited moms in NYC, as well as the estranged wife in Portland this year. So I figured I'd go for the legacy camera while I still had the bucks. If Fujifilm made a high quality 28mm equivalent that wasn't ginormous (and expensive), I'd be spending a week in LA, right about... now! Currently, I'm all dressed up with nowhere to go- but a few more vacations, will no doubt be had, provided I'm still walking these earthly parameters the following year(s).

Was really uncertain about the photo above, wasn't sure about the composition (even though I worked it best I could under the circumstances). Just seemed contorted, unbalanced, not completely... there, but it's really grown on me for whatever reason. Perhaps my indecision reflects my feelings about the content- conflicted. A nice young couple in their prime enjoying life to the fullest- or a spoiled, well to do duo treating the world as their oyster without the slightest care or regard for anyone or anything around them? Will never know (for sure)... 

I'm also conflicted about the graffiti in the second shot- a likely epithet. But on such a gorgeous day, complete with sailboat, azure sea and sky, it loses whatever negative connotation it may have and reverts to its original state, making for one nicely minimalist and complementary, short poem.

Photo: © Stan Banos

Lesson Learned- Kinda, Sorta, In A Way...

So, I'm headed to the San Francisco version of the subway when I see this woman having a wee bit o' trouble navigating the busted up sidewalk in her wheelchair. I offer to help. "I can do it myself," she says rather curtly and succinctly. Okay... 

So... I'm seated in the subway car, the doors open and this man in a wheelchair is having a wee bit o' trouble navigating the gap between car and platform. Heh-heh, not this time... lesson learned (practically heaven sent)! Meanwhile, people are crowding on through the small leeway created by said wheelchair blocking the doorway. Nope, nope, ain't gonna do it; just made the very same mistake with a woman not ten minutes prior, I certainly ain't gonna repeat it with a man (read whatever sexist context you want). Finally, in frustration, I yell out, "Give the guy some room, will ya!" "Then why don't ya get up and help him," a woman yells back...

From The Sublime...

Photo: © Stan Banos

To the inane, but yeah, mostly the inane...

Photo: © Stan Banos

Photo: © Stan Banos

Photo: © Stan Banos

 

The Gold Standard (ie-The Kaku Effect)

Recently, Neil deGrasse Tyson was on some talk show or 'nother, and the host asked him about the tic-tac videos, and next thing ya know he's rapidly babbling about the "quality of sensors" and how we really can't be sure about this, that and the other- and then completely changes the topic faster than light speed. It was pretty damn funny pathetic witnessing such an obvious, complete and pathetic dodge... Really thought he'd have a more practiced, convincing dodge at the ready than what amounted to near panic!

Video footage, ground and air based radar, and multiple eyewitnesses- multiple eye witness fighter pilots trained in our latest air defense technology, trained to identify every naval ship, commercial and military plane in the world- somehow none of that could satisfy Tyson's "quality of sensors!" Surprised he didn't blurt out... "Swamp gas!" 

Fortunately, not every scientist debunking diehard is mired in the mud of unwavering, steadfast denial; some actually believe and rise up to the challenge that science actually presents- not the preservation of age old beliefs, but committing to the serious, steadfast exploration of the unknown.

Michio Kaku is such a scientist, one of credible stature (to say the absolute least) who realizes that the tables have obviously turned, that debunkers (no matter their credentials, military or scientific) can no longer claim that the UFO phenomena is a realm solely compromised of kooks, whackos and tin foil hats. Credible evidence is already there for those who seriously want to consider it, it's the (financially backed) study and investigation by the scientific community that awaits.

SURPRISE!!!

Trump lied- now there's a helluva shock! And now it's proven that Barr lied to cover up Trump's lies...

Blimey- Bloody well shocked, I am!

And now, the lighter side from the gang that couldn't shoot straight...

"In my administration, I'm going to enforce all laws concerning the protection of classified information. No one will be above the law."     -DJ Trump