PicZilla

2010-02-21T20:03:00.006-06:00

Republicans on Welfare play a private party in Kenosha
Click on the photo above to go to the complete photo set.

I first met the Republicans on Welfare at a small party they had been hired to play and I had been hired to photograph. I knew of them because Frank of Pistofficer, another KenoCore group, had mentioned they would be playing a gig together at a Kenosha bar on the coming weekend.

I love punk. Since the Sex Pistols, Ramones and Voidoids had releasing their first albums I have been a fan. Punk has a certain reckless abandon and feeling of "fuck you" that it's irresistible to the common malcontent. The power chords are like a crazy desperate musical heartbeat.

Pistofficer on the stage at Hattrix, joined by a very large friend of the band, left.
Click on the photo above to go to the complete photo set.

Three days after the private show I saw the Republicans again, this time as the lead off band in a four group hard core show, playing with Pistofficer among other groups. I hadn't been to Hattrix since it was the Cavern and my friends rock fusion band played there ten years ago.

This was a perfect venue for a punk show - the room was dark, black I think and the ceiling was low. It hadn't been called the Cavern for nothing.

The shots of both the Republicans and Pistofficer could only be taken from one of two angles, about 30 degrees from either side of the stage. Those were the only safe places, the only spots to stand it when a photographer could be without having some black clad maniacs body slamming into him. What I am trying to say is sorry for the repetitive angles, but I didn't think chancing a front shot was worth losing my camera and a couple of teeth for.

The music blared and my ears rang. You could never tell if someone was actually with a band or if they just jumped up onto the stage and grabbed the mic. In short, it was a fun shoot. For my part, I had a great time and plan to take in another show down the road. Hopefully next time I'll have the following day off and not be forced into leaving midway through the second band.

Kenosha's Sept. Twilight Market Shots

2009-10-16T10:13:00.001-05:00

These pictures were taken for the Downtown BID (Business Improvement District) in Kenosha. Originalyl, I wa not going to post them here, but someone expressed insterest in seeing the photos and as I always aim to please here they are!

17 shots from the Kenosha Zombie Ride 2009

2009-10-05T11:55:00.004-05:00

Click the picture or this link to go to
the 17 shots of the Zombie Ride

It was a busy day Saturday. In addition to having a work a full day I was to go to the Kenosha Symphony that night to take pictures for the conductor.

So in between a 4 o'clock quit time and 7pm I had just enough time to sneak over to this year's Zombie Ride.

I caught the ride just past it's midpoint, at Sir Arthur's bar on Kenosha's near north side. There were about a hundred or so bikes when I got there and ovr a hundred people dressed as zombies, drinking and partying to a band that had also been zombiefied.

There are a lot of good pictures out there but I wasn't able to take many. Less than hour after I got there it was time to head home, slap on a button down shirt and a tie and hed to a more formal event.

There was a lot more to see and to photograph and I am rather sorry that I missed it.

The 2009 Keno-Core Punk Piknik

2009-09-08T23:51:00.008-05:00

Enjoy the pictures! And make sure to click an
ad link or two on the right!!!!
I need to take some of Google's money!

This past Sunday the 6th played host to the Kenosha Area's annual Punk Piknik. The piknik is a great excuse for heard core and punk music fans to have an awesome overnight bash.

For my part, I didn't stay too long, being there less than three hours. But I got a load of pictures and that was good. I'm looking forward to coming and staying overnight next year. The event was raucous - that it the nice way to put it, right? - and in a mucho fun way.

Mike

The pictures from the Mr. Kenosha contest are up...

2009-09-03T03:41:00.007-05:00

finally.

To see the pictures in this set click the photo.
Please click an ad or two while here.
It helps me pay the bills. Thanks!

It took me long enough to get to them, but things rather piled up here. My bad.

One of my friends was looking on as I selected what to post earlier tonight and her main comment was "What did I miss???" Anyone who was upset because they figured this event was going to be silyl or ridiculous had the right idea - but the wrong attitude.

Tongue in cheek, people, tongue in cheek. Looking to the Mr. Kenosha Contest for serious, high brow entertainment is like looking to Jerry Seinfeld for relationship advice.

But while it was not high class entertainment it was indeed entertainment. Where else could you have seen a man balance a push lawn mower on his chin? No where in Kenosha, let me tell you boy-o.

So to see the lawnmower balanced on the chin - and 114 other pictures just click here or on the link above.

Checked my stats today and noticed...

2009-09-02T11:23:00.002-05:00

that were were a big group of visits from Pelotas, Brazil. Why? That I can't tell you, but there is one thing to say -

Pélas de Grettings, Brasil! Aqui de Contente de vê-lo!!!!!!

Tonight was the Nook's one year anniversary...

2009-08-31T23:33:00.005-05:00

(Please click an ad or two - it helps keep the lights one! Thanks!)

and I was able to make it.

The Nook is the only place in Kenosha you can get hummus, falafels and tabouli, and that alone makes it worth patronizing. But the coffee is really good and the internet connections are rarely dropped and those are two more really good reasons to go there.

Tonight's music was good. That was a pleasant surprise to me because I have not gone to an open mic since the early 90's - I'd forgotten how enjoyable they are. Anyhow, if you get a chance, make sure to drop by Tammy's store and wish her a happy first along with many more to come!

And don't forget to try the hummus...

Laurenzi Dance performs "Completely Breathless"

2009-08-21T23:20:00.006-05:00

Please take a minute to click one or
more of the ads to the right. Thanks!

I can see why they called tonight's show completely breathless - the performers moved quickly, frenetically and constantly. The entire thing left me tired.

I've seen Gina Laurenzi's contemporary dance troupe before, but not for a long long time. Tonight's performance (8/21/09) was in the smaller theater in downtown Kenosha's Rhode Opera House. Perhaps the nicest thing about Gina's troupe is that they are willing to do experimental and contemporary dance. This keeps it fresh and enjoyable.

It's late and I am tired so let me close quickly by giving props and recognizing the dancers - -Featuring Captivate dancers: Andrea Carroll, Gina Laurenzi, Kandace Smith, Amanda Strohm, Dani Webber, Mallory Whitefoot

-With guest dancers of PIPDC: - Rebecca Andraschko, Camille Ervin, Alexi Griffith, Brandie Hagglund, Ashton Karabiac, Emily Kessler, Tori Lavey, Emma Marlar, Amber McCune, Brianna Meier, Nicole Otto, Chelsy Stevens, Amanda Strohm

...and PIPDC .5: Katie Bailey, Emily Gardner, Genesis Zamudio

The show will be held again tomorrow night at 7pm. I heartily recommend you attend.

Yves Francois and the Rocambu Jazz Band performing at Hawthorn Hollow near Kenosha, Wisconsin.

2009-08-19T15:26:00.006-05:00

Click here or the above picture to see the set

Hawthorne Hollow is a private nature preserve and this evening of jazz, featuring frontman Yves Francois and the Rocambu Jazz Band, was their annual fundraising event.

The event attracted upwards of 200 people to the Hollow's woodland performance bowl. There, spectators enjoyed two hours of great weather, fine catererd light foods and the various jazz stylings of jazz courtesy of Yves Francois and the Rocambu Jazz Band.

I saw something photographically today...

2009-03-30T20:02:00.008-05:00

While sitting and chatting at a coffee house I frequent these days I noticed a woman sitting in the front window reading a magazine. It was afternoon and the sun was coping in through the west front window, reflecting the white of the magazine page onto her face.

I was astounded at two things -

how stark and strong the ordinary light reflecting on her face from a white magazine page was
that my conversation partner, who was also looking at her, didn't notice the light at all.

Seeing things photographically means seeing things as they serve your photographs and photography. Below, for your records, is what we first looked at and then saw.

without reflector

with reflector

FYI the lighting in both these photos was not adjusted. They were imported, sharpened (equally) and sized. Also, I do not recommend using this white and stark of light. If you want to have fun, reflect in different colors. Gold will warm the skin tones. If you want to shoot in black and white try using yellow, orange, red and green paper. These will increase contrast in photos by varying degrees. Try, experiment, enjoy, learn.

Remember it's not important to do it "right",
but it is really important to do it and keep doing it.

Hey Hippies - the Cosmic Railroad pictures here!

2009-02-26T09:29:00.010-06:00

(please click on one of the ad links on the right - they help me make money so I can keep doing this!!!!)

Finally, after being burdoned, disorganized and lazy (oh, and being hired to do some other stuff) I have edited and posted the pictures from the Cosmic Railroad show at the Maplecrest Country Club in Kenosha.

Held on February 7th, the show had a Mardi Gras theme - hence, the colorful wear.

To see the pictures in my Flickr account, simply click the photo or that thare link to the left.

If you see any photos of you and yours that you would like to purchase in hard copy, simply go to my photostore.

The password to get to the pictures is "jamband" (minus the quotation marks!).

Thanks and enjoy!!!!
Mikasi

Aftter a long hiatus...

2009-02-25T20:33:00.002-06:00

I am back. Things have been really insane on a personal level lately. There's been a break up and two moves since my last posting. But things have settled down now and it seems that I might just be getting my photographic balance back. And here's what's coming up -

in just a few moments is a set of photos from a Kenosha-based regional favorite jamband Cosmic Railroad

on March 7th, a group of us is making up run down to Niles, Illinois to visit the Sphinx for the March halfla (pictures to be cross posted to mondohafla)

finally, on March 21st I'll be in Arlington County, Virginia taking pictures of the March on the Petagon, commemorating the sixth anniversary of the war in Iraq

But enough time wasting, it's time to post the first set.

Blast from the [photographic] past...

2008-12-07T20:57:00.009-06:00

While looking for somewhere to post a homepage so people could find my links across the web I chanced upon an old Tripod account which I thought I had closed about 3 years ago. Seems there were shots from two weddings I hadn't thought about in quite a while.

Anyhow, here's a link to a few pictures from Steve and Hannah's

and Chris and Karen's weddings.

I generally don't like doing weddings due to the Bridezilla aspect. I don't like to share in the pressure they are feeling, prefering my more mello way of living. To their respective credits neither of these weddings were tense and both brides (and grooms) were a joy to work with.

It was almost enough to make doing weddings an attractive proposition.

And the winner is...

2008-12-04T04:43:00.008-06:00

Javi "El Gallo" Vega

Javi is a friend of mine - I met him working at Franks Diner in Kenosha. Currently a student at the Illinois Institute of Art, he still comes up from the Chicago area now and then for breakfast at the diner... or when he has a fight scheduled in the Kenosha/Racine area.

This shot was taken last Saturday night at Racine's Memorial Hall. I'd been invited by a trainer to take pictures of his two fighters in the ring. His fellows did not have the best of nights, one losing a split decision and the other falling to one of the international up and comers in the Ultimate Fighting world.

For his part, Javi had a great night. He tore through his opponent (upper left) like a weed whacker through dry grass. It was a short, but sweet fight for Javi.

Trolley Santa Pics from 11-27-08

2008-12-01T17:13:00.004-06:00

Please be kind and click on one or more Google Ads on the right!

They help to support me and what I do. Thank You!!

Hello all. Click on the picture above to get to your child's Santa photo. Your child's photo be on the linked page. If you do not find it contact me to reschedule a trolley shoot. Santa will be there the next couple of weekends so we have time for a redo if necessary.

Know that all the processing was done quickly and on a laptop computer to meet your scheduling, and as such the exposures may be off. You can fix this on your home computer or contact me and I can play with it on my end as time allows.

If nothing else, I will print you a copy at home and arrange to get it to you through one of the downtown businesses - either Mo's cafe or Carolynn's Coffee Connection.

If you need groups of wallet size photos, an enlargement or a high resolution image for a family Christmas card please contact me through the link on this page or at mikasi@gmail.com -but know that I have to charge for these services.

Here's to hoping you and your family have a fantastic Christmas!!!
Mikasi

Photos for Kenosha's Downtown BID Magazine

2008-10-11T10:04:00.006-05:00

Kensoha's Downtown Bid asked me to shoot pictures of people shopping in the downtown and talk to them. The photos are destined to end up in the group's Downtown magazine, the autumn edition that comes out on November 1.

What I got is here.

Photographs from the Karpus Mohammed Wedding

2008-09-12T12:06:00.005-05:00

First things first... Apologies to all for taking an ungodly long time to get these photos posted and the resulting links out .

The last couple of weeks were spent prepping for and filming the protests outside the Republican National Convention V1.0 and V2.0 and attending and filming Ron Paul's Rally for the Republic. Trust me, there is nothing that'll make you forget your "to do" list like a backstage conversation with politician/movie personality/wrestler Jesse Ventura.

Anyhow, here are the links to the pictures you requested. If you need to contact me about any of them (or maybe about one you had taken but don't see here) just email me back at this address.

One last thing, if you could please click on one or more of the ads on this page. The resulting cash helps me keep the lights on. Thanks.

March on the RNC photos...

2008-09-02T09:23:00.004-05:00

I'm in Saint Paul for the Republican National Convention - or rather to photo and video the March on the RNC. Well, yesterday was the march and today are the pictures. My number one hint from the march to you is know which was the wind is blowing before they start shooting pepper spray.

Got that?

Click the picture above to see the photos.

To read the story just click here.

Ron Paul in MInneapolis

2008-09-02T09:08:00.004-05:00

At Langford Park in Minneapolis on September 1st, 2008, the Minnesotans for Limited Government held a picnic in the park which featured appearances by Libertarian Presidential candidate Bob Barr and a man who is perhaps America's favorite near-libertarian, Ron Paul.

This video is of Congressman Paul's remarks to the crowd. Apologies for the shakiness of the camera, but this opportunity snuck up on me so I did not have a tripod.

The video is processing throught YouTube right now. When it is finished this post will be updated with the link. In the meantime the video is available through my account on Nowpublic.com. Just click the link to check it out.

The Radioactive Squirrels Last Hurrah...

2008-08-08T11:10:00.004-05:00

click on the photo to see the entire photo set

The Radioactive Squirrels played their last gig just this past Saturday over at Kenosha's Cooler by the Lake. Frankly, the venue was too small. Over a five year run - five years plus or minus - the band built a following that could easily more than fill that familiar little bar.

Over their run I eventually because their more or less official photographer. In truth I never did them justice and they have my apologies for that. But what the photos lacked the music didn't. The band did no originals - everything they did was a cover from bands popular during the 60's through the 90's. The songs were, in short, crowd pleasers - as was the band itself.

Whether the Squirrels played someplace as small as George's Highview or as large as Dirty Nellies the quartet strummed to please. The band was at its best when the crowds were happy and digging it.

There's a lot to be said about the Squirrels but as I'm no writer I won't be the one saying it. Let the photos say what they will.

Guys, thanks for five great years,
Mik

And becasue I can...

2008-08-04T19:38:00.005-05:00

Taken outside of my place of employ a couple of us - all Obama supporters - saw this woman, her cart and her dog in the basket. A picture was called for. The only issue was the Obama button on the dog's hat. The choice to make was whether to get the dog's button or the dog's face. Little Foo-Foo's pretty mug won out.

If you like this picture and want a copy, you can download it from here.

From Chicago to St. Paul - Witnesses Against War Head Towards the RNC

2008-07-22T20:39:00.002-05:00

“War is an ugly thing,” said Mike Miles of Luck, Wisconsin, “and many people get displaced as a result. We've displaced ourselves to be part of this effort.”

So goes the opening paragraph of the newest collaborative creation between patspen, my oldest friend, and myself.

The above story chronicles the Racine visit of the Walkers - a protest group marching from Chicago to St. Paul for the RNC. Sponsored by Voices for Creative Nonviolence, the group is made up of a few permanent marchers (pictured) and countless people who join from town to town and just make it as far as the next stop.

Patspen and I are planning a trip to the Republican National Convention to cover the protests and counter protests - she'll be the writer and I the photographer. A lot of what we get will end up here and a bit more will end up on NowPublic.com as well as on my other blog, which is fed by my stuff from NowPublic.

You can get a taste of what we'll be doing by checking the link on the article above - that'll take you to the entire story in NowPublic. Click on the picture above to see all six shots from the walkers gig at Racine's Siena Center.

Enjoy.

Grand Opening of (part 2)...

2008-07-18T12:14:00.007-05:00

(Note from the blogger - If you happened to click on one of the ads a little ways down on the right side of your screen I would be most greatful. Thanks.)

I decided to have a little fun and shoot a video of the opening of the downtown Kenosha Dems/Obama office. This looks to be my first successful video attempt*.

Part 1

Of course, "successful" is a relative term, as you'll see if you click on any of these - they're shaky, random and at points make Blair Witch look well filmed by a steady hand. And that is sad.

Part 2

Though far from art, that's ok. They were meant to chronicle, not impress. And not impress they will, I assure you. Still, my videos will get better. I plan on doing more of them.

Part 3

Recently I purchased a decent video recorder (open box special at a big box) at a real bargain. I've bought a little software, too, and plan on learning how to strap scenes together. After a bit of practice I can see a couple of half-assed documentaries in the future.

Part 4

And those of you who have see my photos know that I am indeed familiar with half-assed attempts. But what they hell. It'll keep me busy, off the streets and out of trouble.

*this is my second attempt in all.

Another face in the crowd...

2008-07-15T17:46:00.006-05:00

Working at the diner I get to see a lot of new people on a weekly basis. Here's a man I met today. This man's face demanded a photo be taken - all the crags and folds and experience written in there.

At 89 years old he looked great, the only problem I had with him is that both of us are hard of hearing. That made communication a bit stilted, but with the help of his daughter and granddaughter working as interpreters (on both our parts) we got by.

I'm ashamed to say it, but his name escapes me (if it was ever given to me) but like with many other older people I simply referred to him as "Dad".

For the record, Dad has a lot more going for him than a photogenic profile. He and his generation are the last of a hardy generation. They were the last group of Americans to mature before mass marketing ruled the airwaves, so thoroughly conquering our minds and laying siege to our pocketbooks.

Like many of his generation, Dad was forced to walk through history - though in his case it was an incredible literal walk. He was one of the tens of thousands of American forces in WWII captured by the Japanese and forced on what came to be known as the Bataan Death March, a forced march that ended up killing over 25% of those who attempted it. Following the march, along with innumerable others, he was put into a POW camp where he spent the next three years working as a coal miner for the Japanese.

There's not really much to say here beyond what's said. This is no clever essay or pointed speech. All it is is a picture - and in its way a celebration - of one man who traipsed through long life, fierce battles and remarkable bits of history in the twilight of his life.

To all those serving overseas...

2008-07-15T06:41:00.006-05:00

I'd like to share this picture. It's from the Kenosha Civic Veterans Parade this past July 6th. I don't know anyone in this picture and only know that the man in cammo was in parade formation with the local Vietnam Veterans group.

Once this man waded through rice paddies, he slept in constant danger, he dodged fired and returned the same. He may have felt alone, isolated and cornered thousands of miles from the ones he loved. It all seemed like an eternity. But that's all past now.

While not expressing it very well what I'm trying to say is that this man went from a living hell to a normal life, one he loves, enjoys and is a proud part of.

Please know that as bleak as it all seems right now there is a lot more and better waiting in your future. And know that our thoughts, hopes and prayers are with each of you.

Grand Opening of...

2008-07-11T01:33:00.006-05:00

The Kenosha County, Wisconsin,

Democratic Party/Obama Headquarters.

Now if you'll pardon me I have to get to bed now. Work time will come way too early. And if you are one of the young dems I did this for please make sure to click the ads to the right. Those nice people pay to keep the lights on. Thanks - you guys are the best...

PS You know that video I took? I'll be bringing the file to your office to find out how to upload it to Youtube. Pardon my lack of web-savvy, but I am old. Thanks again!

Kenosha's Bloomin' Days '08

2008-06-15T17:59:00.002-05:00

See the Musicians

Kenosha's Bloomin' Days started just last year and it has sort of become Kenosha's flagship of summer fun. The entire downtown is turned into a music and entertainment zone - booths, fun and educational displays scattered throughout Harbor Park, sidewalk sales, musicians playing on every corner on from noon till night on the main stage.

The People

This year's Bloomin' Days was a bit different though, abbreviated by the rains vendors rushed to pack and musicians pulled plugs and ran equipment to the cover of the main tent. But this is Wisconsin, and fun can always be found in the beer tent, and so it was.

The Radioactive Squirrels

But enough words on to the pictures.

Be Nice to Keith...

2008-06-15T06:59:00.005-05:00

See the entire set of pictures by clicking on the one above.

Keith Dosenhagen (sorry if I just mangled his last name) was a customer of mine at the diner. He was one of the morning table of regular (mostly) guys who would gather at number 8 and laugh, joke and poke fun at each others' eccentricities. He was a quiet guy of even temperament who was just plain nice.

Last month, at age 50, Keith died from a cancer that had just spread all over. And yesterday the "Be Nice to Keith" benefit was held at Hawthorne Hollow to help the family raise money to pay off some expenses.

Though the day started nice and blue by evening things were starting to turn to shit. However most of the really bad stuff blew over and didn't put too much of a dent in things. But despite any threatening weather, people came and they stayed and enjoyed the roast pig, three bands and oodles of beer.

This is a collection of pictures taken at the event between 5:30 and 7:00.

My best to the family and great thanks to all the folks who came and made it such a successful blowout.

shit... fuck... damn...

2008-05-23T16:46:00.002-05:00

Am back among the living again and making plans for my next shoot. Should Loki smile on me (but not on the others) it ma prove to be the best shoot op anyone has seen in a few score of years.

But first, to clear up old business... I have 850 (+/-) photos of dance to go through. And they've been sitting for weeks.

Welp, back to it.

US Life Expectancy Falls for Large Segment of Population

2008-04-23T07:08:00.001-05:00

"Wedon't associate worsening of health, worsening of life expectancy withsomething that happens in a developed high-income country."
Source: voanews.com

But that is what a study discovered about life expectancy incertain geographical portions of the United States. The study, releasedyesterday, was from the Harvard School of Public Health. The study'slead author was Majid Ezzati, an Associate Professor of InternationalHealth at the Harvard School of Public Health.

[T]he"worst off" were among lower income Americans concentrated in thesouthern states.

He says in these communities race did not seem to affect lifeexpectancy. "It is something associated with the way policies areimplemented, with the way health systems are providing health servicesto people in different parts of the country or not providing servicesto people."

Source: voanews.com

The study looked at populations on a county by county basis. Datawas gathered from every county in the USA. The lead author noted thatthe all-to-common maladies of "smoking, high blood pressure and obesityas factors driving the trend.

Other things you need to know about this story -

Many more women are effected than men

The biggest impacts have been in the American South

Lower income people are the ones effected

These geographic disparities began showing up in the1980's

The problem can be traced to the way health policies and practices are implemented - or not implemented - by health providers

The lead author believes the problem can be traced to the

The study was published in PloS Medicine.

NowPublic

Milwaukee Mourns 4,000 Lost Soldiers...

2008-03-26T16:37:00.005-05:00

Vigil Mourns 4,000 Lost Soldiers

story by PatsPen/photos by Mikasi

full size pictures with cut lines visable by clicking here

“It is most important,” said Greg Martin, one of the organizers of a vigil to mourn the 4,000th casualty of the Iraq war, “to remember the men and women who died. As citizens and families,a we have to mourn. But at the same time,” he added about the vigil being held in the village of West Milwaukee, “we came to urge an increase in funding for the veterans of the Afghan and Iraq wars.”

On March 24, the 4,000th American casualty of the Iraq war was announced. As previously planned, two groups held candlelight vigils in spots statewide to commemorate the event on March 25. Veterans for Peace and Wisconsin Peace Action had representatives in West Milwaukee as well as in other communities Tuesday evening. Participants held signs or flags or assisted in holding up flag-draped cardboard “caskets” along the intersection of National Avenue and Hwy. 41 (Stadium Freeway).

Martin has been involved with veterans of the current Iraq war while volunteering with Wisconsin Standdown and Vets Place Central. “It’s not just those who died, but those who were wounded or suffer from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder,” he said, adding, “that should probably be Post Traumatic Stress Normality.” He feels the number of vets affected by the Afghan and Iraq war approaches 650,000.

“Some volunteers who work with these vets,” he said, “say the vets need six counseling sessions a week, but they can only afford to give them two.” Martin says more funding for treatment programs is needed and could come from shifting tax money currently spent on the war itself. “Right now, there’s an emphasis on medication rather than therapy,” he points out. In addition to spending money on veterans medical and mental health treatment, he says funding is also needed for homeless veterans.

According to Josh Harvey of Veterans for Peace, a third of the homeless population is made up of veterans.

The population of the vigil itself was made up of a disparate group of people, such as the Winter Soldiers, Vietnam Vets Against the War and the Welfare Warriors. According to Pat Glowens, the Welfare Warriors became involved because many of those in Iraq affected by the war are “poor mothers and children”.

Some of the participants had no affiliation with any specific group, like Jeff Sainio, who was holding up one end of a large banner featuring photographs of every soldier from Wisconsin who died in Iraq or Afghanistan. “Before the war,” he recalled, Bush kept talking about the ‘drones of mass destruction’, which were drone planes that Saddam Hussein was going to launch and use to spread anthrax all along the coast of the US. And this was all some kind of technology we didn’t have that this little desert nation had?”

“I determined they were lying and that their entire build up to war was just a tissue of lies. So, for a protest I attended before the war started, I made a large paper airplane that I labeled ‘the drone of mass destruction.’ Then after the war started, I found issues of more substance and began collecting the pictures. The first banner I made was when the casualties reached, 1,000, then I added more pictures when it reached 2,000. Now, the top row holds another 26 Wisconsin soldiers and we’ve reached 4,000 nationwide.”

Jeanette Herrera had more personal reasons to attend the rally. “My nephew has lived for two years at a hospital in DC,” she said. “He got sent to Iraq before he even finished basic training and he wasn’t ready for everything there. He only got four weeks of basic and they sent him over there and when we finally saw him he said they’d been making him kill kids for no reason at all. He just broke down. He couldn’t take it.” Herrera also said she had another nephew and a niece who had also been sent overseas, to Saudi Arabia.

Alongside the other sign-carrying participants in the rally
was a lone counterprotester, holding up a sign equating protest with terrorism.
Scott Flaugher heard about the vigil on the news that morning and decided to attend. He had served in the Air Force during the first Gulf War. “I support the war on terrorism,” he explains. “Obviously every soldier who dies is a tragic loss, I would prefer no war at all. But the international threat of terrorism needs to be addressed and has been ignored by the previous administration. If we do not address this issue, religious terrorist fanatics, we’ll just have to go back and fight again.”

When interviewed, Flaugher was standing on the sidewalk next to John Zutz, who had participated in the Winter Soldier program earlier in the month. But earlier, Flaugher had been standing on the “island” in the pedestrian crosswalk for Hwy. 41. West Milwaukee Assistant Chief of Police Dennis Nasci had spoken to organizers about concerns with impeding traffic and other safety issues and had approached Martin about pedestrians on the traffic island. Martin told Nasci that Flaugher wasn’t with his group. Still Martin had heard enough from the local police to know that his group had to toe a fairly difficult line to avoid having the event shut down altogether.

He warned his group about not blocking both sides of the sidewalk, remaining on the sidewalk, and not using the traffic button that triggered the “walk” light across 41. “If we stop traffic with the walk light, it is going to be considered interfering with traffic and we’ll be shut down,” Martin warned his group. “You can cross the other way (across National Ave.), because it’s a timed light.”

But the group wanted to use three of the four corners at the intersection, so some waited for the light to be triggered in some other manner in order to cross Hwy. 41. There was usually a line waiting at the corner to cross. When the light changed from red to green, groups holding signs or carrying mock coffins would stream across as quickly as possible. However, some would be caught by a swiftly changing light and would find themselves stranded on the traffic island for a time.
At one point, Nasci approached Martin and told him that people couldn’t linger on the island, as it was a safety hazard. Martin asked how people were supposed to avoid that. “I don’t know,” replied Nasci, “but you’ll have to find a way.”

The vigil was meant to last approximately an hour. Near the end of the hour, Martin was forced to warn participants they would have to move their cars from spots in a nearby restaurant parking lot if they didn’t want to have them ticketed and towed. The restaurant had received a complaint from customers about not wanting to visit the restaurant due to the activity on the street. When the restaurant realized that vigil participants had parked many of their cars in prized parking spots directly in front of the parking lot, rather than in the rear lot of the building, one of the servers asked if the local police could “do something” about the problem. The police response was to ticket all vehicles belonging to participants and to threaten to tow any vehicle parked in the restaurant’s lot.

According to the restaurant’s on-duty night manager, “it’s not fair for servers making 2.33 an hour to not have customers.” She added that the restaurant had not called the police, or asked for vehicles to be ticketed or towed, just that someone do something about participants taking up the best customer parking places.

The vigil ended as peacefully as it had proceeded, with no arrests or any kind of violence, though many participants will be paying the Village of West Milwaukee $40 parking violation tickets in the days and weeks to come.

Chicago's 5th Anniversary Iraq War Protest...

2008-03-20T10:45:00.007-05:00

The march in Chicago was yesterday. I encourage everyone who can attend a group action like this to definitely do it. When most people think of freedom and democracy in action they think of the right to buy a big screen TV or the right to drive some fat-ass Hummer at 8 per gallon.

But those things aren't freedom. They are the fruits of freedom, and that's not the same thing. My guess is that anytime you do something while sitting on your ass you are not free, but rather enjoying the fruits of freedom. When you are on your feet, then you are enjoying freedom itself. But hey, that's just a guess.

Over 2200 people of all ages marched in Chicago yesterday and got a taste of that freedom. Click the picture above and see what they saw. The march yesterday was in conjunction with a a couple hundred (estimate) events planned for around the country, in places both big and small.

For the record, there were several hundred police from city, state and county at this event. That probably helped convince the protesters to behave. I assume they were behaved because there were no arrests.

No go and enjoy the pictures, ok?

(You can help me enjoy the fruits of my freedom by clicking on one of the ads to the side. Thanks!)

Assorted photos from Chicago's March 19th Iraq War Protest

2008-03-20T02:42:00.001-05:00

Writers, please feel free to add these photos to your stories as you need. I would say more here, but I am no writer.

NowPublic

Sphinx Hafla Pictures, March 2008...

2008-03-03T22:00:00.005-06:00

For your enjoyment this picture links to over 225 photos of the dancers at the March Hafla over at the Sphinx. These have been posted so the dancers might have a chance to grab some shots of themselves performing if they wish.

Feel free to pass this page link or the email I sent you on to friends or family - I could use the hits on my counter! And if you need to contact me about any of the pictures, just leave a comment here or drop me an email. I'll get back at you as soon as possible.

If you would, please click on at least one of the ads on this page. It helps me keep the lights on. Thanks!!

The Radioactive Squirrels on Leap Day...

2008-02-29T13:44:00.003-06:00

The Squirrels played the Brat Stop as the main act this past Saturday (Feb. 23rd) and asked me to come along to shoot pics. This batch posted fresh on flickr.com are my favorite 37 of the night. Normally the pictures I shoot have actual white balance to them - they don't look all warped, colorwise - and freeze the action.

This time I opted to do all sorts of stupid shit with the camera - set the shutter speed as low as 1/10 of a second, turn off the flash, run the shot long after the flash has fired, over-expose like crazy... Wanted to see what I'd come up with. These pictures are what came of it. I didn't expect them, but like them none-the-less. Hope the band and their fans liked them too.

A new first...

2008-02-28T17:06:00.004-06:00

Got good news on the Waukegan explosion below - the AP picked them up. That's never happened to me before. On top of that, the photos were picked up by at least 3 web sites.

I think I like this.

Explosion in Waukegan...

2008-02-28T14:24:00.006-06:00

As I write this the people on the local radio are urging local commuters not to take Grand Avenue between Lewis and McAree Roads. Why? Because one or more local shops in the 1900 block exploded. A couple of passing cars were cracked up in the explosion.

Pat and I were on our way to a clinic to get her an appointment when we were first rerouted - the clinic is only a block and a half from the explosion. We ignored it at first, the two cars stuck at the intersection looked like they'd just had a fender bender and would be towed off soon. So no big deal, right?

Wrong, and my bad.

There are only a couple of shots in this set. Attempts to change angles was thwarted by a Waukegan cop anxious to arrest people who pissed him off.

My best wishes go to those injured in this accident.

(Please take a minute out of your photo searching to click on one of more of the ads on this page.)

And still to come...

2008-02-22T10:22:00.004-06:00

F.Y.I. couple of photo ops coming up -

The Radioactive Squirrels are due to play Brat Stop this Saturday (February 23), starting at 11pm. It's a little late for an old guy like me to start shooting, but I plan on getting a good nap Saturday afternoon so I can stay at least till midnight. That should leave me enough sleep time before a work night.

Next, March 19th marks the 6th anniversary of the start of the War in Iraq. There will be rallies and/or marches across the country. For my part, I'm planning a trip to D.C. to do a digi-catch on this one. I'm planning something of a change of mode for this trip which will end with my first post to nowpublic.com

What's been up lately...

2008-02-20T21:43:00.003-06:00

Photographically speaking, things have been really busy here. It all started last week when my mentor called to invite me to the Barack Obama rally three cities north of here. A couple of days later he called to connect me with the Hillary rally two cities north of here. Oddly, I have come to be recognized as part of the local media (even though I am only marginally a part of it) which made getting good positioning for the Hillary shots easy.

To make things even more hectic, my Clinton pictures were found by another member on Flickr where they are hosted. This member is with a Vancouver citizens' journalism site. He liked the Clinton pictures and requested use of them for their photo bank. I of course said yes.

As luck would have it, three stories on the site used my pictures - my favorite being a story about a coming seminar concerning how citizen journalism and professional media need to work together in the coming years.

You can see the stories (and my contributions) here, here and here

However, my favorite picture invite came from TheMishMash.com. They took one of my pictures from some time back and used it with a story called "A Rose by any other Name Would Smell as Sweet?".

I tell you this is enough to make a man think he's doing something right...

Hillary Clinton visits Kenosha, Wisconsin...

2008-02-20T07:01:00.006-06:00

While it might all seem moot point for her campaign now, Hillary Clinton visited Kenosha County on her Wisconsin campaign swing last week. She spoke to a full house of about 750 supporters at the Kenosha's Brat Stop.

Clinton lost the state of Wisconsin by 16 points (Obama 58% Clinton 42%). But last night as of 8:30 pm she was behind by approximately 100 votes in Kenosha County. Obviously her charisma works to her benefit. Her big problem in the coming primaries will be finding a way to spread that charisma around to the voters she doesn't speak to first hand.

Barack Obama in Racine Wisconsin...

2008-02-14T17:24:00.006-06:00

Barack Obama spoke at Racine's Memorial Hall last night (February 13th). If you want to know more about the specifics visit the Racine Journal Times - the hometown paper - for the details. The Kenosha News has a pretty good article too.

Thanks to a friend I was able to gain entrance at the last moment. The following photographs are the result of the visit. Please share this page with any of your friends who like Obama - always remember to pass the love along. Just forward them the email I sent you!

Please click on one of the ads to the right before leaving - your support helps me keep things running on this end.

Thanks - I really appreciate it.

Picture Uploads from the Feb 08 Sphinx Hafla...

2008-02-03T07:04:00.000-06:00

Hello Ladies and Gentleman,

My name is Mike (as in madmanmikey, the guy who sent you the email inviting you here) and I am the man who sat on the floor of the Sphinx shooting an unGodly number of photos of the lot of you at last night's Hafla.

Thanks for your performances. My wife and I enjoyed all of your work. Please know that if I was in your way (or in the way of one of your loved ones) you have my apologies. I hope the following photos justify your annoyance.

Now before you skip to the link I have to ask a favor. To the right you see some ads. Please click on at least one of them. The clicks help me keep the lights on here, so to speak.

Thanks.

Now here is your photo link. Enjoy!!

Tornado hit our area the other day...

2008-01-09T07:09:00.000-06:00

and here are some pictures from it.

Will write a on each photo as time permits

And now for something completely different...

2008-01-08T07:07:00.001-06:00

a book deal. For me.

No, I'm serious.

I have a friend - an established author - who just pitched a book idea to his agent the other day. And in the proposal I was the photographer. And I have to do is shoot pictures like crazy till I can fill the book. My guess is that I'd need about 200 shots of varying things for the author to work with. In part he would give me assignments about what he needs shots of. and i would come up with other pictures he would write around.

The actual signing on the book should come in or shortly after March. That's when I can begin working in earnest (and like a crazed banshee) on pictures. In the meantime I will just keep taking shots and processing them.

Recently I migrated all my old shots to a new external hard drive and that has caused some problems in fetching the old photos (some are in places I can't find and others simply can't be retrieved. However, it is early enough on that this won't cause a big problem as virtually everything can be re-shot.

Yippee!

Haven' been doing anything in the way of photos recently...

2008-01-02T22:35:00.000-06:00

Had what I like to think of as PTWD (post-traumatic wedding disorder) and it scarred me away from doing pictures for a while and doing weddings forever. In fact, except of two very small events I have actively disdained my camera since November.

These pictures reminded me a lot of office workers and politics.
If this were a real photograph, I'd call it "Cube Monkey."

My wife wanted me to take the Canon to the Zoo when we went on Tuesday but I said no. I rather regret that now as some of the animals were extremely photogenic. I could have gotten some good close-ups of the tiger and some lion cubs. And with the polarizing lens the glass on the monkey cages would have been invisible.

This one of course reminds me of office workers (I lovingly think of them as

migrant laborers working a cube farm) anxious to be done with work

near the end of the day.

But as it stands the camera was not at hand, so I had to resort to using the phone camera.
These three were the only ones that came out worth a damn.

This shot is such a picture of hierarchical relations that it reminds me

of the junior workers kissing the supervisor's ass.

The thing I like most about these pictures is first that the limits imposed by a cell phone camera made me shoot things in a way that I would never have done with my usual set up. Normally, everything I shoot is a closeup. I am very bad at doing putting the subject in the context of the surroundings. To me, the subject is the only important thing about the photo.

However in these shots I have had not choice but to include the context. My job here was made easier though because the setting of the zoo is common to all of us when we see big animals.

When I get some time next week I'll be returning to the zoo with some

proper equipment to see what I can turn out.

why I have effectively stopped doing photography...

2007-12-29T08:06:00.000-06:00

Too much of of a good thing. That's what my experience with photography was after quitting the junk place last summer. In a short five months since giving it up I went mad with projects. I shot things for money, for free, for barter. There was even an internship with a successful photographer who I'd known for years.And it was never really things I wanted to shoot, but rather things others wanted me to shoot - weddings, concerts, dance recitals.

And it was always done en masse. It was like I was in South Korea in 1951, perched on a hill with a machine gun, always shooting, shooting shooting, but they kept coming and coming and coming.

It was the wedding that did me in. Or else it was the bullshit that I'd begun to believe about myself.

"... if you get applause you will hear it. My advice to you concerning
applause is this: enjoy it, but never quite believe it." Robert Montgomery

People had begun telling me I was good, and I started believing it. Bad move.

Shit, gotta get ready for work. Will have to come back later.

Autumn Belly Dance

2007-11-17T09:21:00.001-06:00

The last month and a half have been pretty awful - anything that could go wrong did. That's why it took so long to get this set of belly dance photos from the Jasmin Jahal Autumn Hafla done.

But finally they are done and delivered. I posted 30 of them on my Flickr site. Click on the photo to take a gander.

Now on to the Kenosha Symphony Orchestra pictures...

Almost there...

2007-11-07T07:16:00.000-06:00

Have been actively avoiding the photos I have left in the cue - after the last debacle I can't bring myself to touch PhotoShop at this point. Am devoted to switching from the quantity to the quality approach in the next go round. And am damned sure I don't want to do any work for anyone else. Screw that.

Anyhow, here's a pic I found in the Halloween batch that I kind of like due to its orchestrated sloppiness. If you enjoy it good, and if not, sorry.

Speaking of working on too many pictures...

2007-10-22T17:32:00.000-05:00

here's a selection of stuff from the Winthrop Harbor community Halloween Party.

While most people are hip on hitting Summerfest or major concerts in big cities, I prefer te small town stuff myself. You get to know your neighbors and soak in some local feel.

Anyhow, the event was eld at the Schlader Building and featured a band, a bunch of kids' events and a haunted house staffed by local people who all decided on and set up their own horror room for people to walk through.

So for a look at what and how they did, simply click on the sample pic above.

Some day I will learn not to take on more than I can handle...

2007-10-22T17:16:00.000-05:00

I had this dream once as a teenager. I dreamt I was my dog, Clyde. In the dream my mother opened the front storm door slightly to grab the mail, and I/the dog slammed into it head first, bashing it open to escape and run free outside. Once out I ran pointlessly, albeit joyously, in rapid circles.

Well, that feeling is with me again. I've gone completely nuts in my pursuit of photography since quitting my job at the junk shop. I'm accepting gig after gig - most of them non-paying and just for the fun of it - just to get in more photography. As I result, I have been cranking out pictures in massive volumes without really having a chance to get any better at what I love doping.

In short, it's been all quantity and little quality.

Last week it was 300+ pictures at the symphony. Yesterday another 800 at the Fall Hafla at the Bailiwick Theater in Chicago. And I still owe a young opera singer two head shots.

Me thinks it is time to stop taking on more work and just smooth things out. It may be time to open up a can of Zen on my photo approach.

This should be interesting...

2007-10-13T11:49:00.000-05:00

Have to take pictures at the Kenosha Symphony Orchestra tonight. But also had to drop my #1 camera off at the shop for testing today. So tonight's shooting will be done with my old 10D (which is on its last legs) and with my wife's camera.

As they only want the shots for brochures and web pages it should work fine, but still it is a it worrisome.

This should be interesting.

busy, busy, busy...

2007-10-12T12:05:00.000-05:00

Things are just a bit too insane recently. I've been taking on too much work, quantity-wise,and that is not allowing me to work on improving the overall quality of what I'm doing. So after I finish today's wedding shoot edits (which should take till Tuesday when I can finally mail them off) and tomorrow night's stage shots at the Kenosha Symphony Orchestra and next week's shots at the Jasmin Jahal Fall Hafla and at the local playhouse for their Halloween play and the following week's presentation of Thrill The World in Kenosha I am going to stop doing outside shooting for a while.

This will allow me to do some shots for myself at this little beach house I like. It will also provide time to work on my apprenticeship at the local studio.

As for those last four shoots, I will be shooting them in JPEG and not RAW. That will cut down on the processing time I have to invest. I'll also be automatically editing them which will make my like even easier.

And at this point, I like easier.

This one's for the gals (and a guy)...

2007-10-08T17:59:00.001-05:00

My wife and I went to the Sphinx in Niles last Saturday to join in the Hafla (Arabic for "party"). I took the camera, promising myself I wouldn't shoot wild like always. While not the best at sticking to my resolution, I at least only took less than 100 pictures. And that's not bad as a start for tapering off.

(Click on the picture to see the entire set!)

Anyhow, here's a sampling of the pictures shot that night. To be honest, I am far from thrilled with the results, getting only two or three I liked. But my percentages will get better under bar lighting - or at least that's what I keep telling myself.

Thanks to the dancers for all their hard work - my wife and I appreciated it - and we look forward to seeing you all again in November.

A quick plea and reminder - if you could, please click on one of the adds to the side. It helps me keep the lights on. Thanks!

Just had this one lying around and thought I'd post it...

2007-10-08T17:51:00.000-05:00

This is Jim Sinatra. He's a local performer/Sinatra tribute artist.

He's also helping me learn to better process black and white photos. This one needs improvement, but is a start.

To see the original and the rest of my stuff just click here.

The DC protest pictures are up...

2007-09-18T16:30:00.000-05:00

Just a note to let any interested parties know that the DC protest pictures have been posted. You can get to them by simply clicking here. There are 35 photos there and I made sure to load them in a low-resolution format so no one would have problems seeing them on their computer.

If you have any further questions about the pictures, the rally or would simply like to express your opinions concerning the situation please feel free to drop a comment.

As always, while visiting this site I'd appreciate if you'd click on one of the ads along the sidebar. The crazy folks at Google actually do pay per click and each click helps me keep the lights on.

Thanks and enjoy!

About those DC protest pictures...

2007-09-18T12:47:00.000-05:00

Well, the ride to DC went the way that so many little adventures do - you spend 28 hours developing leather-butt on a bus just for the privilege of 5 hours of taking photos.

The protest was smaller than I'd anticipated, but it was still a good time with some decent photos coming out of it. I had them posted, but due to some technical difficulties had to yank the pictures just a few minutes ago. Pity, really. I'd received five or six good comments on them, which is remarkable considering I sent out no notice of the photos and all comments were from people who did not know me.

Anyhow, the photos will be back up on line tonight and I will send out a general note to everyone on my mailing list to let them know.

I love when things work...

This Saturday in Washington...

2007-09-11T20:04:00.000-05:00

For the first time in five years I'll be going to DC for a protest. That's the march on the 15th that the new sidebar talks about. I love going to DC for marches, having done three (or was it four??) while in college.

There's something invigorating about marching alongside between 100,000 and 750,000 people, even if you're merely taking their pictures for a paper.

For this event I'll be getting a press pass from a newspaper I was an assistant editor at in the early 90's. This should get me backstage for some of the media only stuff. With any luck I'll be able to get on stage and get some crowd shots from behind the speaker. That angle really helps communicate to the audience how large the crowd is.

Rumor from friends is that this event promises some level of police or government violence -crowd tear gassing, baton beating, mass arrests, all that fun stuff. Friends are already sending information about how to "decontaminate" oneself after tear gas as well as promising the use of a respirator.

Thus promises to be a fun weekend. Pictures will follow.

Hrmmm...

2007-09-07T13:24:00.001-05:00

Have been trying some new things when post processing recently and have noticed that there are some real problems with conttrast and light/dark relationships in my photos. Will be trying some new editing tricks and camera settings tonight at the Hafla.

Hopefully this will end the problems.

The Radioactive Squirrels at Woofstock...

2007-09-05T09:54:00.000-05:00

Aaaahhhhhhhhh!!! Yet another project accomplished. Click the link and enjoy the pictures of the Radioactive Squirrels as they played Woofstock, a bnefit for dogs (9-1-07) held on Kenosha's municipal grounds.

Next it's on to completing and sending off the last of the belly dance photos and then on to the weekend's full schedule!

One down and two to go...

2007-09-03T15:43:00.000-05:00

thanks for the cd & the link Mike, these turned out AWESOME!!!! Hope you & Linda had fun on Friday, sorry I had to leave so early! Hope u 2 are enjoying the beautiful weekend. C ya soon!
Hafiza

Ahhh... I love the sound of that!

Heather's First Hafla...

2007-08-31T13:42:00.000-05:00

Well it took long enough, but finally I had a morning in which to go through Heather's hafla pictures and get them posted. Heather is no newbie to public or even solo performance. But this is her first hafla at this particular bar. And assuming patrons and owner alike enjoy it this may just become an every week thing.

For my part, all I have to say is thanks for the fun evening Heather, and here's to hoping there are many more!

God was not willing...

2007-08-28T22:15:00.000-05:00

and the sky did fall.

The belly dancers were rained out and savagely so. The tarp covering the stage they were to perform on collapsed under the weight of the water on it after exactly one dance number. Three of the dancers were soaked.

Hence, no pictures.

However, I have just finished sorting through the 986 pictures I took at the opening performance of Chicago Shimmyfest and expect to have them posted here by Thursday at about midnight.

Following that I will be posting shots from a friend's belly dance exhibition at a local bar. Expect these about Saturday.

Following shortly after those will be a shoot of the Radioactive Squirrels and some photographs from an ultimate fight match up featuring a friend of mine. Those should be ready to go come Monday.

Fungus Fest

2007-08-18T11:01:00.000-05:00

The weather does not look too good this afternoon, and that does not bode well for Fungus Fest. Yes, my wife and I are bound for the Wildlife Refuge in Kansasville, Wisconsin this evening to take part in the tenth annual Fungus Fest.

God willing and the sky don't fall I'll be taking pictures and posting them tomorrow evening. Got to bring the camera, after all... My wife's belly dance troupe is doing two shows at the gig.

Practice RAW photos...

2007-08-05T06:57:00.000-05:00

There was really no good reason to take these two photos other than they looked neat in the first place. Oh, and because I needed to learn how to manipulate RAW images out of the camera.

The story behind this guy is written on the site where it's posted - Flickr by name.

As for this photo, I thought it would be a good one in black and white, something to capture impersonality in a post industrial age. Or some such college Liberal Arts blah blah.

As it turned out, this picture is a little over exposed - you can look into the smoke and see a large area where it is just plain white when shades of grey would have been much more helpful. So come the next day when it is not either raining constantly or 90+ degrees I'll be out there re shooting and retooling and re posting.

As for the RAW shots, none of the software I had would recognize my RAW files as such. Even the ones from the camera manufacturer (Canon) were useless. I ended up taking a trip to the local camera shop to find the resident W.O.P. (Wise Old Photographer) to ask his help. He seems to have retired from the shop, but was in visiting.

He suggested a download from the Canon site (I shoot with either a Canon 10 or 20 D) called DPP (Digital Photo Professional. This link should be what you want if you shoot with the Canon 10, 20, or 30D) and it works great.

Also downloaded an add-on for PhotoShop Elements for working with RAW but it was not as much to my liking, so I deleted it.

As for exactly where the download can be found on the Canon Site, well that takes some digging. I can't even find it now and I have already downloaded it. So good lunk in getting it.

Oh, if you didn't know, different brands and even different cameas within the same brand need different RAW converters. So just make sure to look under your camera's webpage and see what they have made for your model.

First notes on the next art showing...

2007-07-26T08:08:00.000-05:00

This will be sent out as a mass mailing in the near future, but as a first word here's what's going on -

When - Mid-October (still to be decided), likely between the 14th and the 16th. We are not set on the hours yet, but the best guess right now is that the show will be open between 6 and 8 PM.

Who - Dean Tawwater of Clock Tower Art in Racine and myself. Dean will be featuring numerous (both new and old) paintings and sketches. For my part, it'll be 15 new photographs.

Subject Matter - All nudes.

Where - The show will be held through the auspices of the Pollard Gallery in Kenosha, Wisconsin. The show itself will be held next door to the Pollard at the Rhode Theater lobby. The pictures will be up for ONE DAY ONLY! So if you snooze you lose!!

Entertainment - of course! There is an entertainment group in mind right now. We will be approaching them in the next day or two to begin arrangements.

Other things you should know -

1) snack catering will be provided. Looking at art and talking with friends requires small, triangular sandwiches, wine in a box and beer, but then you all know that!

2) due to the nudity in the show no one under 18 will be allowed to attend, so please make sure to make child care arrangements.

3) at this point we believe that the Pollard Gallery will be open during the show, so please make sure to visit it and enjoy the works of other artists!

If you need more details you can either wait for an invite or email me (mike.gordon.photography@gmail.com) for more information.

Photo flash...

2007-07-24T06:50:00.000-05:00

My head hurts.

I've been taking too many photos lately, just the other day snapping off over 1200 of a friend's band. It's time to lay off on taking 'em and time to start concentrating on smoothing over my editing of them.

For example, the latest batch - which I'll post right after loading this evening, are all rough-hewn, editing wise. I had to go through the entire set yesterday and select out 165 for the band (the Radioactive Squirrels). The ones that're being posted tonight, have had no individual editing done to them - there just hasn't been time. They were put through the "process multiple files" mill and that was that.

It makes for some bad pictures.

And on top of picture quality, it effects the quality of family life too. I spend all my time at the computer, and not enough wit the wife and boy.

Yep, time to snap no more than 50 photos at a sitting and spend oodles of time processing them.

Clock Tower Art Show

2007-07-19T07:29:00.000-05:00

This past Friday the Thirteenth, 16 of my photographs* were featured in an art show with four other artists at Clock Tower Art in Racine, Wisconsin. It didn't strike me till the middle of the show but this was the fourth show my work has been featured in. That made me smile - I felt like something was being accomplished.

The show was different than the first three - the first three hours were designed to display art to potential buyers. The last 8 hours or so was beer, wine and band time, with a lot of socializing and partying going on. It was a fun time. If you showed up, you know what I mean. If you didn't, hey, your loss...

Consider yourself invited to check out the pictures from the show - just click on the above picture of the Milwaukee Art Museum and you'll be taken to the pictures. Wanna see a slide show of the pictures? Then click on the shot of Joan Jett.

*Originally there were 17 pictures. One was a beautiful black and white nude which the model requested not be shown on the Internet. I have, of course, followed her wishes.

So what has been up lately?

2007-07-17T06:42:00.003-05:00

Well, last week was a good one on this end. Having quit my 7-6 job (and that did not include commute time) I was able to work a lot more on improving (or at least practising) my photography.

So I was able to do some work for a local photographer who is running for office. He needed some shots of himself in action for his website. I was flattered that he chose me to do this. We started by hitting the July 4th parade in a small Wisconsin town in his district. He road around on his Seguay. (For those unfamiliar with the Seguay, the above link is to a picture of one, though the rider is NOT the man I'm talking about.)

My job was to keep up with him as he interacted with parade-goers/constituents. It was tough because his route was erratic and at 12 mph, but I made a go of it. The parade was held at about 2 pm on a near cloudless summer day, so the lighting was bad, but from what my client said the shots turned out well - I have yet to see them.

In particular, he said he liked the shot of one of the parade-goers blasting him with their Super-Soaker. I remember shooting two or three shots of that. Apparently one was pretty good.

Since then I have been doing some photo-assistant work for him, working both for a West Point application shoot (you need an 8X10 to apply) and at a wedding this weekend. For the first shoot I simply held reflectors in place for exterior shots and repositioned lights.

The second shoot was a wedding. For that I was given the second camera and was told to get what I could from a complimentary angle. Unfortunately I only had the on-board flash to work with, so most of the pictures were moody and low-lit. However, my mentor said that some of the exterior shots were good.

Rather than accepting money for my assistance I am taking a cue from Rich Dad/Poor Dad and swapping work for knowledge. My mentor has already shown me some of the marketing side of photography and how to better package my stuff.

Most useful so far have been the tips on sizing my prints to better market them, the use of reflectors and the comments he's given me on some of my shots. Also, by example he's showing me how to better pose my clients.

Next Post: last Friday's art show at Dean's

There's been a lot going on lately...

2007-07-16T07:27:00.000-05:00

but here and now I wanted to post two pictures that were actually shot during the Peter Noone show, which I'll get to in the next post.

These were part of a display which were somehow connected to the Nostalgia Day celebration, though I am unsure of the way they were integrated. But connections aside I was astounded by how beautifully these two were done. They were approximately 6' tall at the highest point and maybe 8' to 10' long.

Just a look at the creases in the "wood" in the hull of the ship or the stomachs and scales of the mermaids give you a sense of the craft put into these. And how they managed to keep these things from falling apart from either wind, rain or vandals is a mystery to me.

today I must...

2007-07-02T10:07:00.001-05:00

sort and give photos from Bloomin' Days, Larry's political fundraiser and Harbrofest featuring Joan Jett.

Busy, Busy, busy...

Peter Noone and Herman's Hermits Photos

2007-07-02T09:52:00.000-05:00

This set if from the July 1st, 2007 Peter Noone/Herman's Hermits performance at Kenosha's Nostalgia Day. If you read the description of the event with the photo set you'll see that the whole thing was a lot more fun than was at first expected.

Sample Peter Noone quote - “What're you going to do with those pictures? Auction them on eBay, "pictures of old farts in Kenosha" for sale on eBay?”

He had a real sense of humor about who he is/was and what he does. Peter Noone was quite the showman.

Copies of the high resolution images available for no charge, so write if you want one.

Goodbye Carl

2007-06-28T10:53:00.001-05:00

One of the worst things about leaving my old job at the diner was losing all connections to K-town. That meant that a lot of things happened to a lot of people and I just wasn't aware, wasn't in the loop anymore.

Marriages, births, deaths... they all went on.

Carl was perhaps my favorite old veteran customer. I confess to a weakness for WWII vets - after all, Dad was one. And so was Carl.

He lived at the Dayton Hotel in downtown Kenosha. That link shows the Dayton at it's height, back in the 30's or 40's. Now it's much much different. Gone are the days of walks to fancy restaurants, doing evenings at the local play houses and high-rise elegance.

Now it's home to men who are mostly forgotten - and often somewhat crazy - vets. You'll see them hanging out on corners, sometimes panhandling, often smoking cheap cigarettes and occasionally playing instruments (with varying success - Gods forbid) for tips.

The new dwellers - the gentry that are being pulled in to the townhouses and the "up scaling" neighborhoods around the downtown fear them. Or find them unsightly, a nuisance that needs to be removed to a hidden place - maybe a set of houses in the Lincoln or Columbus Parks areas. But those of us who dwelt street ourselves at one time know they are just guys trying to make it by, maybe ugly, maybe smelly, but part of the downtown.

When you're poor and in a home your basic needs are met, but the routine must be maddening. Nothing new, no family around. Like a gallon of 2 per on the shelf at the convenience mart you are just waiting to expire.

And the only way to beat this game is to raise some money yourself.

Carl didn't panhandle... at least not generally. He hung on the corner between the diner and the Walgreen's smoking shitty cigarettes, smiling that big toothless smile at passersby and trying to sell faux jewelry. When he scared up a sale (and those were mostly the result of pity, not a wiley customer seeing a good deal) he'd come into the diner for coffee or a slight meal.

"Hi buddy," he'd say to me with a smile. Sometimes he'd say more, but with no teeth, a southern drawl and speech made lazy from lack of use the "Hey buddy" part was about all I could understand. Still, with minimal conversation we were able to make a friendly relationship.

I met Carl's daughter last year. She came in to the diner from down south - I think it was Alabama - to visit him. She did this yearly. When I found out who she was I asked some personal questions about Carl, a couple of things I really wanted to know.

She could have told me to "Go to hell, it's none of your damned business," but she must have understood the curiosity. So, she told me a little about her dad.

Carl was in the Army in WWII. He was attached to a Navy ship in the Pacific theater. His job was combat-related, but dwelt on what might well have been the darker side of combat. Carl was charged with watching the ocean roll by and fishing dead and dying vets from it.

It was shortly after that he became disabled, being diagnosed schizophrenic.

As for the picture, I took it for an online photo site that was holding a portrait contest. Carl's' face seemed perfect. While a young person sees beauty in the line less, uncreased face (one which is blandly like anime) I found it in faces like Carl's - creased and furrowed and full of the past.

He tried smiling for me at first, but that didn't work. It was too posed. So I just told him to sit and ignore me and just do what he wanted and the pictures would just happen. This isn't the perfect picture, but it is the one I liked best. It was the one that showed Carl at his most Carlesque.

With our session done I paid Carl and he was off and running to get some cigarettes and lunch, probably at the diner.

Rest easy, Carl.

Come to my art show!!!

2007-06-27T10:25:00.000-05:00

Hello Gentle Reader,

Let me first start by saying I lied - it's not my art show. But it is a show which will feature between 5 and ten pieces of my photography.

My selections will be entitled "Somethings Old; Somethings New" and will include older items from the Kenosha Symphony Orchestra, Bulletin photos and other assorted stuff. The new works will be shots taken in the last month and a half and will include a couple of fun shots from Kenosha's Bloomin' Days Festival and some band shots featuring local faves the Radioactive Squirrels and one of my most favorite musicians of all time Joan Jett.

So please do me the honor of attending. Here are the specifics

Where: Clocktower Art (link to their website)

Address: 2200 Northwestern Avenue in Racine, Wisconsin (Mapquest directions from Kenosha)

When: Friday July 13th

Attire: whatever you would normally wear to an event featuring over a dozen artists and a handful of bands

The evening promises to be fun, so make your best effort to be there!

Best Tattoo...

2007-06-24T20:47:00.000-05:00

spotted at the Joan Jett concert -

It was on the calf of multiply-pierced mother who was standing straight up at stage fence a full three hours before the show was due to start. Her name was J.Q. and she owns a consignment shop in Wausau Wisconsin.

Rock'n'Roll pics to edit. pics to edit...

2007-06-24T08:41:00.000-05:00

One afternoon, four bands, 1600+/- new pictures. Yikes.

I couldn't even tell you the names of all four bands I shot yesterday, only remembering three of them - the Twang Dragons, the Handcuffs and Joan Jett and the Blackhearts.

Will post as soon as they are edit. May be over two weeks before that is done as my big boy job calls me back this week.

Joy and Eric's Wedding Photos...

2007-06-22T06:48:00.000-05:00

Joy and Eric were married on 06/02/07 at Kenosha's beautiful Kemper Center. But hey, you know that - you were there!

So for those anxious to see the photos of the ceremony, the couple and the moments this post is for you. A simple click on the photo will take you to all of the posted photos.

If you are on a dial up connection do not click that photo! Click here instead.

Go, view and enjoy. And feel free to contact me with any requests, comments, questions or complaints.

The first of the wedding pictures...

2007-06-18T14:33:00.000-05:00

As written in my other blog, today through Wednesday is wedding photo-processing time. So far I am up to about number 160 of the 746. As most of the shots were well-lit there is not a lot of editing to do.

However, a lot of the shots were taken into the sun (a consequence of the outdoor wedding layout), but with some tweaking those shots are coming out well enough.

One of my weaknesses when taking wedding pictures is taking pictures of the other people taking pictures.

Most of these are taken from behind the other photographer's back, and as many of them use smaller cameras with 3" LCD screens I often get a picture of the picture they are taking (yes, I am easily amused).

However, this shot was taken from behind preacher and shot into the crowd and it proves how much each and every one of us likes to capture the moment. As soon as all of these are finished and to Eric and Joy I'll publish a link so you can see as many as you would like to see.

one from the archives...

2007-06-15T06:45:00.000-05:00

Got off work late last night - somewhere around 9pm. Boss said I could come in late today - if you consider 8 instead of 7 late (and at this point I do). Being home gives me access to the archives, so may as well post one from the archives, eh?

This one is from Halloween a few years ago when a local paper had me going through different neighborhoods getting pics of kids trick or treating.

AAARRRRGGGGHHHHHHH!!!!!!!

2007-06-14T13:59:00.000-05:00

Going nuts here at work. I have over 1100 photos to edit from the wedding two weeks ago and the festival last weekend. The bride has been promised her pictures by Wed of the coming week. There is a bit more reprieve on the festival pics as the organizer is out of town till the end of this week.

These 12 hour+ days are just eating into photo viewing and editing time.

And to make things a little more hectic on Sunday there is a political fund raiser I am to attend where I will be bringing my cameras to capture the madness (the plan is to get a paintball game in addition to other stuff) for the promising politician's album and web site.

Good thing I have this next weekend off so I can actually get some processing done.

Oh, and here's a shot from the archives just to say I posted one -

one of 1500 (or so)...

2007-06-10T21:39:00.000-05:00

Over the last year I have been very busy with my big boy job - you know what that is? It's a job that demands lots of time and rewards you with very little but money (leaving you no time to engage your loves).

Luckily this month I've been blessed with opportunities to take pictures at three different venues - a wedding and two festivals. A local politician who is also a professional photographer has asked me to do shots for him too.

So far I have the wedding and the first festival under my belt. This is a shot from the festival. It's of a belly dancer who hopped on stage at the festival to dance with the band.

I'd previously taken pictures of one of her troup's performances and she wants more shots. This will be fun.

As for the band, they're the Radioactive Squirrels and I've done a lot of paid and au gratis work for them in the past. They're also the folks I'll be getting pictures of at the next festival.

On a side note, I've signed up to take a week of vacation effective 6/16 in part to give me time to edit the other 1500+ photos lying around from the wedding and this festival.

As soon as I have all of it ready and posted I'll put some more shots up here along with links.

Election in Winthrop Harbor

2007-05-14T03:53:00.000-05:00

I was never quit sure what to name this picture - it seemed to capture the essense of American Democracy as we practise it today and as such sort of escaped a title. The picture was taken in the election season of 2004 (I believe). It's far from new, but seemed a fun way in which to open this blog.